Viona was engrossed in typing on her laptop when suddenly her phone rang, breaking her concentration. Arching an eyebrow in surprise, she answered the call from one of her paid guards.
"What is it?" Viona inquired coldly, instantly becoming the Sei she was known for.
"I've received word that Micka intends to get close to Giovanni Arsalan. Should we proceed as usual?" the guard asked.
Viona grinned; the moment had finally arrived. "No. Quite the opposite, actually. I want you to ensure Micka succeeds in ensnaring that man. If necessary, arrange for some individuals who can capture their interactions in real-time," Viona instructed.
"I... don't quite understand," the guard replied, sounding puzzled.
Viona rolled her eyes. "Let me break it down for you: have one of you drop a hint to Giovanni to pique his interest in Micka. Then, discreetly assist Micka in creating opportunities for them to meet. If this works, your job will be done. Are you still with me, or is that too complex to grasp?" Viona's tone held a hint of annoyance.
"Ah! Understood, boss!" the guard responded, now clear on the plan.
Viona let out a small sigh of relief before ending the call. Her expression reverted to its usual stoic state, but now there was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. Finally!
With renewed enthusiasm, Viona contacted her older brother, Angkasa. "Big Brother!!" she exclaimed as Angkasa answered the video call.
"Vi?" Angkasa responded, raising an eyebrow in confusion at Viona's uncharacteristic excitement.
Viona beamed, "How's it going, Big Bro? Have you found any promising startups to invest in?"
Angkasa nodded, "There are a few startups that have piqued my interest. I've also conducted some independent interviews, and I believe some of them are worthy of investment. However, there's one startup that's been giving me a headache."
"Oh, really? What's its name?" Viona inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"StarCapture. They've developed a virtual reality game called 'Real.' Unfortunately, their concept isn't fully matured yet, but their presentation has garnered attention. I've seen other investors express interest, only to back out when they discover the startup is from our country. You know how it is; even though our technology has advanced, it's still not on par with other countries," Angkasa explained, shrugging.
Viona blinked, her curiosity piqued by the sense of déjà vu that washed over her. Memories of a virtual reality game called 'Real,' which had taken the gaming world by storm in the year 2030, flooded her mind.
"Tell me more about the game, big bro," she urged, leaning in with anticipation.
Angkasa, her older brother, pondered for a moment, as if sifting through a treasure trove of memories. With a thoughtful expression, he began to paint a vivid picture of the virtual world that had captivated millions.
"In broad strokes," he began, "players were transported into the past, but with the technological prowess of the present day. It's essentially a grand role-playing game where participants have the freedom to choose their classes, embark on various tasks, and even pursue unique professions within the game world. It was like stepping into a time machine, but with the added thrill of modern innovation."
Viona listened intently, her imagination taking flight as she tried to envision this extraordinary game world.
"What really caught gamers' attention," Angkasa continued, "was the game's tantalizing promise of real-world wealth. If I remember correctly, it had a remarkable conversion rate of Rp. 100 to 10,000 C. In simpler terms, if you managed to amass a staggering 100,000,000 C in the game, you could withdraw a substantial Rp. 1,000,000 directly to your bank account."
Viona nodded, recalling her own brief foray into the game out of sheer curiosity rather than a desire for wealth.
However, she hadn't realized the game was developed locally. All the technology behind it bore the name of a more advanced foreign company. But now, was this 'Real' game at the event the same one?
"What's the gameplay like, Bro?" Viona's voice was brimming with excitement as she leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She had a hunch that 'Real' held more secrets than met the eye.
Angkasa, her elder brother, furrowed his brows thoughtfully. He leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before delving into the intricacies of the game.
"Well," he began, his words measured and deliberate, "in essence, 'Real' encouraged players to immerse themselves in the past but with the technological marvels of the present. It was a unique fusion of nostalgia and innovation, a virtual time-traveling experience unlike anything we'd seen before."
Viona's anticipation grew, and she couldn't help but hang on to every word as Angkasa continued to unveil the secrets of 'Real.'
"As a player," he explained, "you had the freedom to choose your own path. You could assume various roles and classes, each with its own set of skills and abilities. From knights in shining armor to futuristic inventors, the possibilities were nearly limitless. It was a world where history and fantasy intertwined seamlessly."
"Big Brother, you have to invest in that startup!" Viona exclaimed with a sparkle in her eyes. It was the same 'Real' game!
Angkasa looked at her quizzically. "Why?"
"My instinct tells me you won't regret it. If you invest, there's a good chance the company could become a pioneer in creating various virtual reality games from our homeland. Plus, if their concept isn't fully developed yet, you could potentially incorporate them into Ame Corp! I believe we could collaborate and create a highly sought-after game!" Viona explained, her smile widening.
Angkasa sighed. "How can you be so sure?"
Viona maintained her wide smile and gave him a mischievous look. "I told you, I'm from the future."
"Right," Angkasa replied, cutting her off with a weary expression.
Viona chuckled softly.
"I'll have a conversation with them then. Take care and don't get into any trouble! Talk to you later," Angkasa concluded, ending the call without waiting for Viona's response.
Viona smiled to herself; she had not only prevented Micka's scandal but had also brought an incredible project to her brother and the company. She was confident that with Ame Corp's research team, they could expedite the game's development and enhance its technology. Viona still remembered the awkward NPC interactions in the game when she first played it, despite the compelling storyline. It wasn't until six months later that the company addressed the issues due to mounting complaints. It took them an additional month to produce improved graphics, interactions, and storylines that captured players' attention.
Furthermore, Ame Corp's relationship with the government would only improve. Their company would be seen as a pioneer in paying taxes promptly, further enhancing their reputation on the national stage.
Viona had altered the future, not just for her brother but also for the company. She allowed the butterflies to flap their wings and change the future she knew, even though she couldn't fathom why a fatal accident had brought her back to the past in the first place.