In a humble room, a young man with black hair sat at his desk, diligently studying. The only sound in the quiet room was the scratching of his pen, echoing through the space. Mountains of textbooks dominated most of the table, casting imposing shadows on the white walls.
Suddenly, a bright green light erupted from the smart phone on the youth's left.
"Holy crap! What's happening?!"
Startled, the boy sprang from his chair, tumbling clumsily to the floor.
He scrambled onto the bed, grabbing a thick cotton blanket to shield himself.
After a moment, realizing nothing unusual was happening, he cautiously poked his head out, nervously glancing at the glowing phone on his desk.
What on earth was going on?!
Could his phone be exploding?
"The largest, most perfect paradise nation in the world is now online!"
A sweet voice emanated from the phone's speaker.
"Whew, it's just an ad,"
He patted his chest, instantly relieved.
Thank goodness his heart was strong. If it were an elderly person, they would have said goodbye to the world, he thought with a wry smile.
The boy, dismissing the blanket, headed towards his desk.
On the way, he picked up the fallen textbooks and stationery, neatly placing them back on the table.
"How did it start playing? I don't think I've connected the phone to the internet,"
Did his phone have a virus?
But I have antivirus software installed.
He picked up the phone, his eyes drawn to the screen, now bathed in a vibrant green glow.
In that instant, a blonde beauty materialized above the screen. Clad in a star-spangled bikini, she held aloft a large billboard reading "Tanosi Ranch Republic".
With a seductive and charming voice, she spoke:
"Do you desire a life of freedom? Want a beautiful, voluptuous girlfriend? Want to have money without doing anything? You can find it all here!"
"No need to be pressured by your parents to study, no need for long hours of work for a pittance, no need to worry about finding a girlfriend."
"This is the Tanosi Ranch Republic, a nation established and ruled by the divine. We are recruiting new citizens, and now, with successful registration, you can enjoy various luxurious benefits."
The boy stared dumbfounded at the projected image, utterly clueless about what was happening.
Was this some new type of virus?
Or a high-tech game advertisement?
Projected image?
When did his cheap phone get such extravagant features?
"First, we unconditionally offer every male citizen above the age of sixteen, one 4-star Companion Robot (4 to choose from)."
"Helen (World's Most Beautiful), Yuki (Snow Beauty), Yang Yu Fei (Beauty that Captivates the Kingdom), Greina (Desert Queen)."
The image of the female host disappeared, replaced by four stunning beauties.
One played the piano, another bathed under a showerhead, while a third played beach volleyball. Their playful laughter filled his ears.
The boy's pupils dilated, his eyes glued to the projected image, unable to blink.
These, these, these were robots?!
Based on their movements and expressions, it was impossible to distinguish them from real humans.
These four... were simply breathtaking!
They were far more beautiful than any celebrity or idol. Even the blonde host paled in comparison.
Silently swallowing, the boy marveled in his heart.
"Tanosi's technology is exceptionally advanced, at least 50 years ahead of the rest of the world. This 'Companion Robot' is a shining example of the pinnacle of our country's technological achievement!"
"Super-Nano Simulation Skin 3.0, boasting the softness of a baby's touch."
"The 5th Generation Eve Magic Conductive Body, with physical strength twice that of an adult male, but weighing only half as much as an adult female. It's incredibly agile, capable of any position in bed with ease. And, the special areas have been reinforced, not only increasing endurance but also sensitivity, making it easier to achieve orgasm."
"Finally, infused with divine power by Lord Tanosi, these robots have been imbued with life, given their own souls. They can eat, experience emotions, and even possess reproductive abilities, living just like humans."
"They will be the first gift received by new citizens, your first companions. Of course! Since they are companions, no matter what you want to do with them, is, possible, you, know."
Devilish whispers slithered into his ears, the words brimming with temptation, igniting a primal instinct within him.
The thought of acquiring such beauty made his breathing quicken, a certain part of him swelling rapidly.
"Next up is the second luxurious benefit! Also unconditionally given!"
"All citizens will receive a 30-ping suite, equivalent to a five-star hotel!"
"And, 500,000 registration bonus points, with an automatic monthly deposit of 100,000 points."
The projected image shifted again, revealing a luxuriously decorated room. A giant bed capable of accommodating three adults, classical and exquisite chairs and tables, a fully equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a massive jacuzzi.
"Wow… I wish I could live in a luxurious mansion like this…"
The boy's own room was a mere 9 pings, cramped and dreary. He had crammed the remaining space with textbooks for his university entrance exam, making it more of a small library than a bedroom.
Despite family vacations and school trips, he had never stayed in a room so lavish.
Comparing his own experiences to this opulent scene, he felt a pang of melancholy.
"And, what is this magical mechanism? Unconditionally gifting 500,000 points to new citizens, with an automatic deposit of 100,000 every month? It's like a game…"
He didn't know the exact exchange rate, but it felt like a huge amount of money…
What kind of dreamland was this?
Did their country have oil fields?
Or did they discover a massive diamond mine? Ha!
The boy couldn't contain his excitement, eager to hear the next revelation.
"Finally, the third luxurious benefit!"
"Enjoy unlimited, complimentary gourmet steak with premium red wine at all public restaurants in the country."
Wow! This one might not be as extravagant as the previous ones, but it's still incredible!
Unlimited meals?
The steak on the screen looked delicious!
He stared at the sizzling steak, the enticing steam rising, and the deep purple liquid swirling in a goblet, shimmering with alluring light, marveling once more.
"These benefits constitute the luxurious starter pack you'll receive upon joining our nation. If you wish to join, please click the red button on the left. Clicking the blue button on the right will immediately exit the advertisement, thank you."
With those words, the image of the blonde beauty vanished, replaced by two rectangular buttons floating in mid-air.
The text on both buttons was displayed in Chinese. The red button on the left read "Join," while the blue button on the right read "Exit."
Contemplating his painful existence until now, and contrasting it with the tempting prospects before him, the boy, without hesitation, clicked the red button.
The instant his finger pressed down, the phone erupted once more in a blinding green light, enveloping him in a cocoon of light.
Then, with a whoosh, he disappeared completely.
The cramped room was devoid of any living presence. Only the chair the boy had sat on retained a faint warmth, a testament to his existence in that space.