Chapter 370 Cross-Century Platform, Birth of Cybernet

Three days later.

Nearly half a week had passed since Caesar's press conference, leaving only four days until the end of the cycle he had mentioned before.

During this time, the downtown area of ​​New York City remained calm. Terrorists did not rush to take action against Caesar, and Caesar had not yet announced the positioning and concept of the new product. Both sides seemed to maintain a silent standoff.

However, employees of Stark Industries had been working overtime these days, seemingly busy with research and production. A towering iron tower, reaching up to thirty meters, had also been erected within the industrial complex, its specific purpose unknown. 

When the media tried to interview some high-level personnel, they were all refused under the pretext of confidentiality agreements.

Everything seemed to be in a calm before the storm.

Thanks to the appearance of Caesar, the "Chosen One," Stark Industries had halted its downward trend, and there were even signs of a rebound in stock prices. However, this was mainly due to people's high expectations.

Everyone wanted to know if Caesar could replace Iron Man Tony and continue to develop mesmerizing black technology products. Perhaps even the terrorists lurking in the shadows were watching.

Meanwhile, in the northern United States, in Tennessee.

Feather-sized snowflakes drifted down from the sky, covering the city in a thick layer of silver. The biting cold wind howled fiercely through the streets and alleys.

In a luxurious duplex villa located on the outskirts of the city, armed guards wearing sunglasses stood guard both outside and inside the house. A man and a woman confronted each other in the bustling ground-floor hall, warmed by the blazing fireplace.

The man, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, sat with one leg crossed over the other on a genuine leather chair. He was about forty years old, with slight traces of age on his face, and his dark golden hair was slicked straight back. A gentle and confident smile hung on his face.

About three meters away from him, Potts sat on a chair as well, her beautiful eyes staring fiercely at the man. Her delicate face was filled with disgust and disdain.

The middle-aged man waved his hand, and immediately, a blonde beauty approached to serve him drinks. He took a sip of wine from a tall glass and addressed Potts, "Miss Potts, there's no need to look at me like that. I don't want to harm you. Perhaps we can sit down like before, enjoy some fine wine, and have a pleasant conversation."

"Huh, Kilian, now that you've resorted to such dirty tricks, don't pretend to be a gentleman," Potts replied expressionlessly, raising her hands. Her fair wrists were shackled, and the chair she sat on was also chained to the ground.

Kilian looked surprised, like a thief caught in the act, and shouted loudly to the guards nearby, "Huh, what have you done to the respected Miss Potts? Come and unlock the chains!"

"No need to pretend!" Potts retorted coldly, casting a disdainful glance at the guards, who then moved forward to unlock the chains.

"What do you aim to achieve by targeting me and Stark Industries?" Potts asked calmly, looking at Kilian.

"What do I aim to achieve? Of course, it's to destroy everything Tony Stark owns with my own hands!" When it came to Tony, Kilian finally dropped his usual gentlemanly facade, his face twisting slightly, revealing a fierce expression. "Isn't he arrogant and self-righteous, looking down on everyone? I want to see what kind of expression he'll have when he loses everything."

"You're committing a crime," Potts responded without mercy.

Kilian spread his hands, saying matter-of-factly, "So what? As long as you have power, you can override the law. That's what those so-called 'superheroes' have taught me."

"Too bad, you'll never become a superhero," Potts retorted with a light laugh, looking at Kilian contemptuously. "Even if a one-year-old child can become a superhero, you'll never have that chance."

"Through the Ultimate Lifeform Project, I can wield extraordinary power and create a powerful force without needing anyone's recognition," Kilian coldly retorted, setting down his wine glass. He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I know that the appearance of the so-called Chosen One, Caesar, has ignited a glimmer of hope in your heart and seemingly stabilized Stark Industries. But without any real product releases, Stark Industries is always on the brink. Do you really think a one-year-old child can replace Tony Stark?"

Potts remained silent, bowing her head. Having followed Tony for so long, she had seen countless geniuses and scientists in the field of technology and manufacturing. However, there was hardly anyone who could compete with Tony in the field.

Dr. Banner was considered half of one, but he was more of a scientist in the field of lifeforms...

"Boss! Something bad's happened!"

Just then, a guard burst into the room, running in frantically, causing Kilian, who had just taken a sip of wine, to choke.

"What's the matter? Why are you shouting like that!?" Kilian took out a towel and wiped his mouth, glaring angrily at the guard.

The guard, ignoring the rebuke, quickly reported, "Boss, Stark Industries has really released a new product! Just five minutes ago, it was available for pre-sale on the official website!"

"What did you say?"

Kilian's eyes widened in shock. Without paying attention to Potts anymore, he jumped up from his chair, grabbing the guard's hand urgently. "Let's go, take me to see it!"

The guard immediately led Kilian to the basement. As soon as they entered, Kilian waved off the research personnel sitting at the computer chairs. He himself plopped down on one, quickly manipulating the mouse to open Stark Industries' official website.

Upon entering the website, a colorful banner occupied the entire computer screen, presenting the promotion and introduction of the newly released product. The bold and straightforward headlines caught the eye:

[Social Gaming, Virtual Reality - Cybernet]

[Though a game, it's no child's play!]

"A game? Has Stark Industries stooped to making games? Truly, a childish prank," Kilian chuckled. He scrolled down with the mouse, continuing to browse the introductory content below.

In the middle was a paragraph that left Kilian stunned, unable to help but read it aloud softly:

"Are you disappointed with reality, seeking a new life experience? Are you unwilling to accept mediocrity, aspiring to become a celebrated figure? Are you confined by your surroundings, longing to explore the fantastical worlds and cosmic wonders at will? In Cybernet, you can have it all, unfolding a brand-new gaming life with equality and freedom."

One couldn't deny that even Kilian was somewhat moved by this statement. However, maintaining his hostile stance, he scoffed, "Sounds good, but it's more than just a game."

Scrolling down the webpage revealed a small video introducing the product.

Kilian clicked to play, and the video displayed a three-dimensional model of a technological helmet, rotating 360 degrees, accompanied by a cold, mechanical voiceover:

"On this day in 2009, Stark Industries broke through advanced technologies in human anatomy, information, and more. They created a holographic VR helmet capable of transmitting the central nervous system and simulating hormones. Through this holographic VR helmet, players can connect to the internet and the virtual world - Cybernet, breaking free from the constraints of the human body and experiencing a whole new world..."

"A virtual world, is this really just a game?" Kilian's palm trembled slightly as an ominous feeling arose within him. He scrolled to the bottom of the page, where the pre-sale information for the holographic VR helmet was displayed.

Priced at five thousand US dollars, this amount, in today's prices, was enough to buy a good car, and Cybernet was temporarily only open to the New York City area.

However, the pre-sale quantity of the holographic VR helmet had already exceeded one hundred thousand within less than ten minutes of its release, and the number was continuously increasing!

(End of chapter)

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