Hearing the unreasonable words of the sect master, Michael couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
'Tsk! Just because you're one of the hottest MILFS I've ever seen doesn't mean you can just say whatever you want!'
Still, considering the requirement of 100,000 downloads, he looked somewhat strangely at the woman sitting across the table from him.
"Sect master, how many people live in our Riverside city?"
[Hmm... I think around 40,000.](Helena)
"...and the other two neighboring ones?"
[Probably around the same number each.](Helena)
"..."
[What? You can't do it?](Helena)
Hearing a beautiful woman ask such a question, any man's pride would feel insulted. Questioning his capabilities? Of course he...
"No, I can't."
[...](Helena)
"If we are talking 120,000 people total, that means I need to convert over 80% of the total population into customers for my Secret Realm. That's taking into account the elderly and those too young to cultivate. Do you find it reasonable, sect master?"
[Hmm... that's fair. Let's reduce the requirement by half in that case. Do you think that's doable?](Helena)
"50,000... It's not impossible, but I'll need the sect's assistance with promoting the Secret Realm."
The conversation continued for another half an hour until Michael was excused, and the beauty remained behind, pondering their interaction.
[What an odd child.](Helena)
[That's true. Leaving aside how little he was influenced by your charms, the fact that he was so at ease while explaining his ideas made it truly odd from my perspective.](?)
[Hahaha! So I wasn't overthinking it. Halfway through our conversation, it felt like I was discussing cultivation techniques with one of my peers rather than chatting with a junior. He has a truly strange disposition, doesn't he?](Helena)
[I'm not sure if I should call him bold or ignorant. Still, didn't you set the target too high, big sis?](?)
If Michael had still been present, his jaw would've probably dropped on the floor multiple times.
Leaving aside the fact that beauty seemed to run in their family, on the chair next to him, a woman appeared from the thin air.
However, judging from her mannerisms, she seemed to have been there since the meal between the two started.
[Also, didn't you raise the target too high for him? Even with the Bright Moon sect promoting him in our city, it's hard to get half of the population to buy his Secret Realm. Much less outside our territory.](?)
[That's why I keep telling you to stop underestimating the people of this world, Livia. Did you notice his reaction when I proposed the first goal?](Helena)
[Hahahaha! Yes! If he didn't know who you were, I'm afraid he would've asked you if your head was kicked in by a door.](Livia)
[...this brat. Then what about his reaction to the second goal?](Helena)
[Hmm... he paused, thought about it, and found it plausible?](Livia)
[Exactly. Therefore, he most likely has something up his sleeves that gives him the confidence.](Helena)
[Is that so...](Livia)
[Come. I already brought a copy of his Secret Realm. Let's see if his claims about only Nascent Soul cultivators and Golden Core elites being able to clear the Insane difficulty are true.](Helena)
Watching the two bigshots disappearing in thin air, the Spirit Chef breathed in relief as he went to clear the table.
[A new Secret Realm, huh? I should get my two brats to try it if the sect master thinks so highly of this child. Was his name Michael?](Spirit Chef)
While the Spirit Chef was using his connection to find Michael's full details so he could monitor the market, the person in question had already returned home and was reviewing the footage with Mildred.
"*Sigh* You're right. The difference is quite noticeable. And this is on Hard mode."
[There's also the fact that getting slapped with the blade probably made the A.I. program I created pause and reassess what to do, giving Elder Brad the opportunity to capitalize on its hesitation.](Mildred)
Rewatching the footage, even this scene, which should be mildly amusing, was quite serious in Michael's eyes.
"So, in the end, besides needing the higher realm Combat Packages upgrade, we'll probably need to use clones of yourself if we want the best results, right?"
[I am afraid that is correct, sir.](Mildred)
"*Sigh* The current code won't cut it in that case. Nor would the foundation on which we built the Secret Realm program. How much would it cost us if we wanted to upgrade to the desired level?"
[The price for an upgrade to the project's bandwidth similar to that of a Tier 2 Secret Realm is 7,500 spirit stones, sir.](Mildred)
"Ugh... in that case, we can only wait until next month. In the meantime, let's finish polishing the demo version and keep working on the multiplayer option. Based on your simulations, there are still many things we need to improve before it can be released."
[I strongly suggest continuing to have some sect members test the Secret Realm for us. After analyzing their gameplay, we can make better judgments.](Mildred)
Remembering his conversation with the sect master, Michael smiled.
"Way ahead of you on that one. The sect master agreed to send over footage of her gameplay later today. By having a Nascent Soul cultivator play our game, we can confirm most of our theories about the difference in battle experience and overall prowess increase brought about by each realm."
[That is indeed great news, sir.](Mildred)
"Then, with that settled, let's get back to work!"
---------Scene Break---------
Two and a half weeks passed, and today, April the 2nd, Michael claimed his salary from the treasury on the 10th floor, then quickly returned to his room.
With the game development reaching its final stages before being released, he kept working day and night, forgoing the opportunity to go party with Nolan and Selina.
Once in his room, he quickly dived back into his virtual 'office' and prompted Mildred.
"Okay, Mildred. We're good to go! Upgrade the bandwidth."
[Understood, sir. Processing the payment of 7,500 spirit stones. Upgrading...](Mildred)
Disconnecting while the A.I. took care of the necessary modifications, Michael sighed while checking his bank account.
It seemed that he spent money much faster than he was producing them.
[ Host: Michael Lewis
Age: 19
Lifespan: 120.9 years (92.3 original lifespan + 28.6 added lifespan through cultivation)
Cultivation: 4th Level of Qi Gathering (49%)
Spiritual Roots: Primal
Assets: 1 Spiritual Pouch (1 cubic meter), 2,500 spirit stones, 1 Marrow-Cleansing pill, 24 sets of Qi Gathering pills, 3 bottles of Qi Recovery Powder. ]
This past month hasn't been without its rewards. Leaving aside the massive progress on the game's development, his cultivation didn't lag behind either.
He made a net progress of 12% during a single month, unlike before when he could only reach single digits.
This also had to do with the Marrow-Cleansing pills that were down to a single one. Not only did he expel a LOT of impurities, but on his 7th attempt, he felt his spiritual roots burn under the influence of the pill.
The amount of gunk expelled was minimal, but it was sufficient to promote his spiritual roots to Primal grade.
It was only one level up, but the difference was slightly scary.
Unlike before, when he started taking the Marrow-Cleansing pills and couldn't tell how much his cultivation speed improved after the roots upgrade, he was able to quantify it almost immediately.
After more testing, he concluded an approximate 20% increase in cultivation speed and Qi recovery through meditation.
Now, the time required to break into the 5th level of Qi Gathering further decreased to less than five months.
With the notification on his smartwatch going off, he immediately reconnected to the virtual realm and asked Mildred about the overall situation.
[The upgrade has been successful, sir. As previously theorized, many of our worries were solved through this process. Now, all that's left is buying the remaining two Combat Packages, and the game is ready to be launched.](Mildred)
"Crap... there was still that... *Sigh* Screw it! Buy the Foundation realm one first and apply it. As for when a hero reaches above Level 20, exaggerate their combat mechanics to Insane difficulty. As for the crazy ones choosing to play on the Insane difficulty from the start... well, I doubt there would be any 1v1 matches with players ridiculous enough to reach that level."
[We still need a stopgap measure until the Golden Core Combat Package can be bought, sir.](Mildred)
"Ugh... any suggestions?"
[I am afraid the only option we have is offering the A.I.-controlled heroes an unfair advantage that's impossible to notice by the cultivators, like controlling the creeps to attack the players at crucial moments or increasing the gold and experience gain after hitting Level 20.](Mildred)
Slightly worried that the sect master might come and strangle him after being beaten to death in the game, Michael acquiesced and proceeded with the changes as advised by Mildred.
His bank account further decreased by an additional 650 spirit stones, dropping his reserves to 1,850.
"Oh, right! What about that thing I asked your help with?"
[I've already compiled a list and sent it to your email, sir.](Mildred)
"Excellent! Thank you, Mildred. Notify me when the updates are complete."
Leaving the virtual room, as well as his actual room, Michael dressed while leaving for the cafeteria.
He had another 'date' with the sect master.
'Before I forget, I should ask for Mildred to become my personal assistant. There's no difference between A.I.s, but I already grew accustomed to her. Furthermore, I can increase her computing capabilities considerably if I can buy a quantum server for her. The price, though...'
Last time he checked, such a 'gift' for his A.I. companion would cost him 85,000 spirit stones.
It was a ridiculously large amount, but it would be worth it.
Unlike his garbage system that showed up only once to give him a freaking Spiritual Pouch and 100 spirit stones, Michael owed 90% of his progress in developing the game to Mildred.
Therefore, rewarding his capable 'employee' was only natural.
The problem was... how far down the list upgrading her was.
First, he needed 6,500 spiritual stones to upgrade the capabilities of the A.I.-controlled heroes to Golden Core level combat prowess.
This wouldn't be a bad investment, as he planned to release a 5v5 beta version in which two players fought against each other, assisted by four AI-controlled heroes.
In doing so, Mildred can collect more data and improve the game further before releasing the full version on the market.
Next, he needed 10,000 spirit stones for the first month of the 'multiplayer' package, but to be safe, it would be best to have around 30,000 more in reserves.
Third, from a matter of importance, it would be the bigger 'multiplayer' package, but Michael had already decided on upgrading Mildred's 'house' first.
Once her computing prowess is stronger, be it this game or future ones, he would have a much easier time developing them.
Fourth, the final upgrade to the 'multiplayer' package.
Fifth, buying a better house for his family. The estimated cost is between 90,000 to 200,000 spirit stones.
And finally, funds for the next project.
[You're here.](Helena)
"Greetings, sect master."
[Mhm. How is it? Is your 'game' ready to be released?](Helena)
"Yes. Mildred is applying the finishing touches. By the way, I would like to request her to remain as my future assistant."
[I will make the arrangements. So, how do you plan to promote your game? You asked me not to involve our sect just yet, therefore, you must have something in mind.](Helena)
"That's right. I just emailed you the 'plan,' sect master."
Curiously opening her email, Helena saw an empty email with a single document attachment.
This document was a list of people extensively categorized based on their viewership, subscribers, reputation, monthly revenue, and personality.
[I seem to recognize some names. Are all of these people Secret Realm streamers on the Heavenly Mirror platform?](Helena)
"Secret Realm streamers on the Heavenly Mirror platform based in Riverside and the two surrounding cities, to be more precise."
[You plan to have them promote your project?](Helena)
"Yes. Once Mildred finishes the updates, I'll meet with Elder Melinda and complete the Restriction stage. Fortunately, this step is surprisingly the easiest."
[For you, maybe. If other Programmers hear you say this, they might beat you to death. You're lucky that your Secret Realm's potential is relatively high and you only need to follow the instructions of your senior Programmers when it comes to what Restrictions to add.](Helena)
Smiling awkwardly, Michael didn't dispute this fact. All he had to do was download a set of verbal commands, and the fourth stage was as good as completed.
There were some finishing touches pertaining to the unique details of the game, but largely, there were things like 'Nobody is allowed to fly unless otherwise stated in their Concept.' or 'The ground and surrounding nature regenerates after 15 minutes of inactivity in the area.'
As long as nothing game-breaking was forgotten, tomorrow, The Battlefield of Heroes would make its first appearance in the 'wild.'