Chapter 83 - Showdown

The Dawn Guild provided excellent meals, and not only were the work meals free, but the food was quite good as well.

Su Mo came to the twelfth-floor restaurant, and because many people couldn’t leave, it was crowded here.

However, most were discussing the turbulent events occurring.

Everyone was extremely worried, fearing that if the game “Star Ring Game” failed, they would become the scapegoats.

They might even be eliminated entirely.

Su Mo casually ordered a work meal and found a quiet corner to sit down in.

As he ate, he picked up his phone, opened the browser, and prepared to search for news regarding Star Ring.

He didn’t even need to search, as countless news articles appeared, many people were filled with terror regarding the unknown aspects of the Star Ring.

Moreover, incidents were leaked about individuals with hidden physical ailments or mental instabilities who either died or developed psychiatric issues from playing the Star Ring.

Now, panic and outrage had completely erupted among certain individuals.

Of course, the main reason things had fermented to this degree was that, over the past period, the council had failed to clarify any matters, as if they had just tacitly agreed with what was happening.

A cloud of gloom hung over everyone’s hearts and had not dispersed for a long time.

Inside the office at the Imperial City Council Building, the Council President was intently reading a document.

It seemed that neither the furious online world nor the tumultuous outside world affected him in the slightest.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached, and Tang Qin walked in, greeting him respectfully.

“Council President.”

The Council President set down the document he was holding.

“Hmm.”

Tang Qin hesitated before starting to speak, with a tone of worry, “Council President, the public sentiment is fermenting so severely, shouldn’t we explain?

Furthermore, the representatives of the people have been waiting a long time.

Shouldn’t we meet with them?”

“How should we explain?”

The Council President looked up, his piercing eyes fixed on Tang Qin.

Tang Qin was at a loss for words, thinking, yes, what should they explain?

At best, they could only cover it up.

The Council President slowly stood up, a kind smile appearing as he said, “Alright, stop worrying about it.

How’s the preparation going for the task I assigned you?”

“It’s all set.

I’ve already positioned the people from the TV station, but Council President, what are we planning to do?”

Tang Qin was somewhat confused.

“Go to the TV station, and have the representatives of the people go as well.” seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The Council President said with a smile.

Hearing this, Tang Qin’s face showed an expression of utter shock.

Inside the Dawn Group building, Su Mo was deep in his meal.

At that moment in the restaurant, the holographic image projection suddenly turned on automatically and switched to live broadcast mode.

The screen showed a discussion podium with a curved, spacious sofa that allowed people to sit face-to-face for a chat.

The diners all looked on with curiosity, wondering, what was this show?

An elder dressed very simply and bearing a gentle demeanor appeared calmly, supported by the crowd around him.

Seeing the elder, a burst of surprise resonated throughout the restaurant.

“It’s the Council President!”

“It really is the Council President.”

Su Mo was also quite shocked, although he didn’t usually concern himself with these matters.

But even the simplest person knew that if the Council President personally intervened, the situation had to be more serious than imagined.

At this time, four representatives from the lower layers took the stage, two men and two women, all middle-aged.

The Council President first bowed to the audience and greeted them warmly.

“Dear citizens, hello everyone, I am very sorry to take up a bit of your time.

There have been extremely divergent opinions and comments recently concerning the Star Ring, even generating many doubts.

Adhering to the spirit of fairness, justice, and democracy, I have specially invited representatives of the dissenting voices, and we will engage in a deep dialogue, and all your doubts will be resolved.”

The Council President then warmly greeted the four representatives by extending his hand.

“Thank you very much for coming, and feel free to ask any questions without hesitation.”

“We are very thankful to the Council President for giving us this opportunity.”

The four representatives were very excited, each shaking hands with the Council President.

“Let’s begin then.”

The Council President calmly went straight to the point.

Li Mo, a bald middle-aged man, was the first to ask, visibly agitated, “Council President, the realism of the Star Ring Game has reached an indescribable level.

Is that game really just a game?

Or, is it actually real?”

This question was actually what everyone was most concerned about, regarding the deaths and mental disorders caused by the game.

After all, those were just a minority whose bodies were too frail to endure; most normal players were fine.

Including Su Mo, who was watching, now put down his chopsticks and stared at the live broadcast intently.

“You guessed correctly, it is a real world.”

The Council President’s words were like a thunderbolt, shocking everyone.

Upon hearing the Council President’s words, not just the audience at the venue was dumbfounded, but even the person who posed the question was speechless with astonishment.

To know a guess is one thing, but when that guess turns into reality, the nature of it changes completely.

“This…..”

The representatives at the venue started to stammer.

The Council President continued amiably, “I know everyone must be filled with shock and confusion right now, but I hope you can first remain calm and listen to what I have to say.

Of course, before I explain, I need to discuss some things with everyone here.”

The initially shocked crowd gradually regained their senses, listening intently with utmost seriousness.

“Let’s not talk about the entire world, let’s discuss our homeland.

As everyone knows, since the war a hundred years ago, only a third of the world’s land is usable.

Even within this usable third, many places have various problems.

However, after recuperation, our population has returned to its original level, meaning, we need to support a population as large as before with only a third of the land and limited resources.”

“This is a simple math problem, I believe everyone can calculate how daunting this task is, it might even be impossible to achieve.

But look around you and at yourselves, everyone has their own stable job, everyone can feed themselves.

At the very least, we aren’t lacking in food, drink, or shelter, and this is exactly the effort that the Council has been putting in for years.

We have never thought of abandoning any of you, whether you are poor or wealthy, because you are all children of the motherland.

What you need to do is to live peacefully, while we silently bear the weight and move forward.”

The Council President spoke earnestly to the crowd.

Hearing the Council President’s words, many eyes filled with tears.

Indeed, after the great war, due to the large amount of land and resources being contaminated, and with the surge in population, many outside nations were living in extreme poverty.

In comparison, their country was truly fortunate.