Clouds rumbled, and lightning struck an abandoned-looking mansion on the outskirts of Sinclair City. A black van stopped right in front of it, and suddenly the gate opened by itself. The car drove into the mansion, and the gate closed behind it. As soon as the car parked in front of the garage door, two men dressed in all black got out of it. Their heads looked bald with tattoo marks resembling the shape of a dragon that surrounded their heads. The sunglasses and some of the luxurious accessories they wore added to their frightening impression.
"Hey, big brother, are you sure about giving our boss such a crazy idea for something as serious as this? I mean…, maybe we should reconsider before presenting our boss with this crazy idea. What if he doesn't like it and gets mad at us? Our lives are at stake," the junior expressed, his voice laced with concern.
The seniors let out a weary sigh and responded, "Do you have any idea how long I've been working for our boss? I've been with him for over twelve years and have been his right-hand man. I'm sure he'll want to accept this crazy idea." The senior walked towards the mansion's door, and as he turned around to glance at the junior, he continued, "If you're afraid that our boss won't like this idea, you better just wait there."
The junior hesitated for a moment but eventually followed the senior, with the seeds of doubt taking root in his heart.
As they stepped inside the mansion, the junior, who was there for the first time, was immediately mesmerized by the luxurious interior. "The inside looks nothing like the outside," he mused silently. His eyes roamed the lavish surroundings, taking in the ornate paintings, intricate carvings, and elegant statues that were artfully displayed throughout the rooms. "I can't be certain, but the value of these items must be hundreds of times my entire salary," he murmured in disbelief.
Intrigued by the remarkable display of wealth, the junior's initial anxiety began to diminish, replaced by a sense of curiosity and wonder. However, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension, knowing that the purpose of their visit was far from ordinary. The senior, who had been here countless times before, continued to lead the way casually, guiding his junior through the mansion's grandiose halls.
As they proceeded further into the depths of the mansion, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The air grew heavier, carrying a sense of majesty and glory. The junior's heart quickened, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were venturing into a place more dangerous than any he had encountered before.
"Big brother, Is the air in this place really this heavy? I know we have to meet the boss, but my gut tells me to get out of here immediately," the junior finally mustered the courage to ask, his voice tinged with a mixture of uncertainty and anxiety.
The senior turned to face his junior, his expression unreadable behind the dark shades. "You'll find out soon enough," he replied cryptically, the enigmatic smile playing on his lips sending shivers down the junior's spine.
Taking a deep breath, the junior suppressed his urge to question the senior further and continued to follow him in silence. Deeper and deeper they ventured into the mansion until they stood before two magnificent doors, each adorned with carved dragons that formed a circle by biting each other's tails, with a taijitu carved in their center.
"Watch closely and do exactly as I do," the senior instructed the junior with a low and serious voice. He then proceeded to prostrate himself before the doors, striking his forehead firmly against the floor as a sign of utmost respect.
The junior hesitated for a moment, the weight of the moment pressing upon him. However, he knew that he had come this far and couldn't afford to back down now. Swallowing his fear, he mimicked his senior's action, bowing his head to the floor with determination. In this vulnerable position, they remained silent for a moment that felt like an eternity.
Suddenly, a sharp gunshot pierced the silence, coming from the room beyond the doors. The sound startled them, and the junior's heart raced even faster, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He exchanged a brief, anxious glance with the senior, wondering what lay ahead.
The senior slowly rose from the prostration, his eyes now veiled with a mix of determination and caution. He motioned for the junior to stand as well, and they both faced the doors with newfound resolve.
"There's no turning back now," the senior whispered, his voice firm and resolute. "Our life and death will depend on what we say after this."
Without another word, he grabbed the door handle with a slight tremor in his hand. Taking a deep breath, the senior and junior crossed the threshold into the room, ready to face whatever fate awaited them on the other side.
The room they entered was dimly lit, adorned with rare artifacts and exquisite decorations that exuded an aura of grandeur and power. At the center of the room, behind a large mahogany desk, the boss sat there majestically. He was an imposing figure, exuding an aura of authority that demanded respect. Despite his formidable appearance, the boss greeted them with a warm smile as they approached.
"Welcome, brothers," he said in a deep, resonant voice. "So..., have you come up with the new money laundering idea that I asked for a few months ago?"
The senior stepped forward while maintaining a respectful demeanor despite his trembling body. "Of course, boss, we've come up with a bold idea that we believe could be immensely profitable for us."
The boss leaned back in his chair, his serious expression hinting at how serious this matter was. "A bold idea? Go on, I'm listening."
The senior took a deep breath, steadying himself before presenting the concept they had carefully laid out. "We've been studying the world of virtual reality games, and we came across a game called Runeblade Chronicles. It's a massively popular game with one billion players worldwide. We propose to create a group of skilled streamers within the game. Then, during their live streams, we'll discreetly inject a certain amount of money into their accounts, disguised as donations from their viewers."
The junior interjected as he handed over a document from under his suit to the boss with his hands, "By doing this, we'll be able to launder vast sums of money without drawing suspicion. The transactions will be masked within the virtual economy of the game. Additionally, this game does not set any profit share for streamers, which makes us even more profitable. You can get a rough picture by reading through the document I just gave."
The boss stroked his chin thoughtfully as he read the document, intrigued by the audacious plan. "Interesting. So, these streamers will be our front, and the money will flow through them, camouflaged by donations. Clever."
"Yes, boss," the senior replied with a hint of pride. "We can also take it a step further. Within the Runeblade Chronicles, there are in-game competitions. Some of these competitions involve powerful players. By sponsoring our streamers, we can have them challenge and defeat these strong opponents within the competitions, gaining even more popularity and credibility."
The boss leaned forward, his interest piqued. "And you believe our streamers will be up to the task?"
"Absolutely," the senior affirmed. "We'll carefully select skilled players for each competition. In addition, we will also prepare a team to handle the competitors without raising suspicion. Our financial support will ensure they have the necessary equipments and resources to succeed."
The boss mulled over the plan for a moment before nodding approvingly. "I like it. It's risky, but it's the kind of bold move that can yield immense rewards."
The junior couldn't hide his excitement at the boss's positive response. "We believe this could become a highly profitable operation for us, boss. We promise not to disappoint you."
The boss stood up, his expression turning serious. "I want to be the first to try it," he declared firmly. "If this plan is as promising as you say, I want to experience it firsthand."
The senior and junior exchanged surprised glances, not expecting the boss to volunteer himself for the initial trial. "Are you sure, boss?" the senior asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"Absolutely," the boss replied, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "I've always been a fan of challenges, and this one sounds exhilarating rather than facing my rivals in the underworld who are absolutely nothing. Prepare everything, and I'll get myself immersed in the Runeblade Chronicles."
Over the next few days, the senior and junior meticulously prepared for the boss's venture into the virtual world of Runeblade Chronicles. They bought the device called the Neutron Capsule, which is used to play Runeblade Chronicles, and set it up in a hidden room in another part of the basement within the boss's mansion. Additionally, they have also prepared a team of guards around the mansion just in case an attack occurs while the boss is still in the game.
Finally, the day arrived. The boss stood still before the Neutron Capsule. He wore the specially designed outfit that he had to wear while playing the game. He stretched his body for a bit, and with
a steady look in his eyes, he declared, "Let's start the game."