Chapter 156: Ready Player One (Part 4)

"Packed to the brim." Returning to the Halliday Archive, Daniel Davis found it bustling with activity, a stark contrast to its previous emptiness.

With the first challenge cleared and the bronze key discovered, the egg hunt caught the attention of a vast number of people again. Opportunists, curious onlookers, and those hoping for a lucky break swarmed the Archive.

To ultimately win Halliday's egg hunt, three keys were required. Just obtaining one key meant a significant advantage, even if one couldn't win the final prize, as others would need that key to progress.

"Parzival, this guy must be the protagonist. What a pity, one step to heaven, one step to hell." Parzival was the third to clear the challenge after Daniel and Artemis. Despite being third, he garnered significant attention as Daniel and Artemis remained low-profile, while Parzival stepped into the spotlight, drawing the interest of Nolan, the head of the Online Creations Company.

There were only three keys. Those who cleared the challenge after the second person didn't get a key, but they still received a reward of coins and clues for the second challenge.

The egg hunt had three challenges. The first, the Death Race, was public, but the second required finding clues independently.

Daniel's regret stemmed from Parzival, who originally could have won the ultimate prize, losing his chance due to Daniel's intervention. Worse still, Parzival sold the second challenge's clues to Nolan for a high price to buy the latest X1 tactile suit. In the original story, as the first to clear the challenge, he won 100,000 coins and rejected Nolan. But now, as the third, his reward was insufficient.

Parzival's choice to sell the clues, although not a formal employment with Nolan, erased any thoughts Daniel had of compensating him for taking his opportunity. Daniel had planned to offer him a job at the Oasis Company after his success.

For Daniel, this world had much to interest him, primarily the Oasis virtual reality game. He sought Halliday's inheritance to gain control over Oasis, obtaining its core programs and knowledge.

Daniel opted for this complex approach instead of hypnotizing top executives or infiltrating servers because accessing the core code required Halliday's authorization. Even Halliday's best friend, Ogden Morrow, wasn't allowed to touch it without permission. Halliday treated the core code like his child, not allowing anyone near it until after his death through the egg hunt.

Even with an AI like Red Queen, cracking the Oasis core code was no easy task. Any mishap could damage the core code, rendering it worthless.

Without Oasis, this world would likely face collapse.

In the world of Ready Player One, technology was highly advanced. The Oasis game, drones everywhere, and automated factories meant few jobs for workers.

As technology advanced, reducing human labor was inevitable, causing social unrest despite government aid.

Virtual reality games offered a solution. By engaging idle people in the game and implementing policies allowing in-game earnings, societal stability could be maintained.

If the Oasis game appeared in the Marvel world, it would be enthusiastically received by both individuals and governments. For Daniel, Oasis was crucial in resolving conflicts between wizards and Muggles in the Harry Potter world.

In the Ready Player One world, nearly everyone played the game, with time being the only variable. The game offered planetary-scale experiences.

People not interested in combat or making money could enjoy a virtual retirement, participating in real-world activities or traveling without leaving home. This kept society engaged and peaceful.

Losing Oasis would be catastrophic.

"The creator despising his own creation, hidden keys, steps not taken, retracing steps, the jade key will be yours. I have no idea what this second challenge means. I'll have to follow Parzival for clues."

For someone native to this world, Halliday's egg hunt made some sense. For an outsider like Daniel, it was incredibly challenging.

Not understanding the second challenge's clue, Daniel decided to shadow Parzival, relying on his key to stay ahead.

Parzival's transaction with Nolan, strictly speaking, wasn't unusual. Selling in-game items didn't typically require checking the buyer's background.

"Incredible. He studied Halliday's life so thoroughly but just wanted to show off too much." Watching Parzival in the game, Daniel left with a murmur.

Holding the bronze key meant anyone seeking the other two keys had to find Daniel. Given his strength, acquiring the remaining keys would be easy.

Knowing Parzival's real-world identity didn't concern Daniel. Unlike the cautious Artemis, Parzival openly revealed his real name in the game.

Even in the Marvel world, in-game conflicts often led to real-world violence, like the infamous call made by a certain overweight Thor to threaten a fellow player.

Daniel used this time to explore the world and enjoy the Oasis game.

"Even without the female lead by his side, the protagonist solved the second challenge and got the third clue. What a pity."

Parzival's fame soared as the first to clear the second challenge and obtain the jade key, pushing Daniel to second place.

Unfortunately, joy turned to sorrow as Nolan captured Parzival, confiscating his key and forcing him into servitude. Nolan then organized experts to crack the third challenge.

Without the female lead's resistance group, Parzival was just an ordinary geek in reality, powerless against Nolan's forces.

This time, Parzival was somewhat fortunate. Captured quickly, Nolan spared his aunt.

Daniel despised how Parzival's carelessness led to his aunt's death in the original story. Despite being raised by her, Parzival showed no reaction upon hearing her death, promptly pursuing the female lead.

If someone like Stark were involved, Daniel might not compete for Oasis's shares. With the core code in hand, he might not return.

Post-war, resources were scarce.

Nolan's experts proved useful this time, cracking the third challenge's secret. The final challenge was on the Death Star. To monopolize the crystal key, Nolan brought his forces and used the Orb of Osuvox, a powerful artifact generating an invincible shield, breakable only by reciting a spell near it.

No external force, no matter how strong, could penetrate the shield, including artifacts like the Deathly Hallows.

"Retro games, huh? I'd never have guessed this." The third challenge involved completing an arcade game. Which game remained unknown due to the abundance of pixel games.

Nolan assembled game hunters, offering rich rewards if they secured Halliday's inheritance.

Ultimately, Nolan's game hunters failed to clear the final challenge. Meanwhile, players, rallied by Artemis and Parzival's allies, gathered outside the shield.

They warned that Nolan controlling Oasis would be disastrous for free players, prompting many to join the fight. But faced with the invincible shield, they were helpless. Nolan then forced Parzival to attempt the final challenge.

Parzival complied, interested in the challenge, and finally cleared it. The seer awarded him the crystal key.

Parzival tried to escape with the key, but Nolan's forces quickly captured him, seizing the key.

"You have only two keys. You can't open the treasure," Parzival protested.

"That's not your concern. Kill him," Nolan ordered, and Irok executed Parzival, forgetting he had already captured him for work.

Nolan dismissed the players outside the shield, logging off before they could attack.

Previously, he might have fought them, but now finding the bronze key holder was paramount.

With all three keys, handling the players would be easy.

"Thanks for your effort." Daniel, holding the three keys and the Deathly Hallows, opened a portal and left Nolan's office, ensuring Nolan remained asleep.

"Quite the crowd." On the Death Star, many watched the Online Creations Company personnel. With all three keys revealed, Nolan could appear anytime to unlock the final treasure.

Many coveted Halliday's treasure, forming alliances to steal it from Nolan.

"Time to clear the area." The crowd made it difficult for Daniel to open the treasure, but he had a clear-out tool—the Deathly Hallows, indiscriminate in its destruction unless one had a resurrection coin.

Oasis, as a second world, had rare resurrection items.

A beam of unparalleled light flashed over the Death Star, turning players into fragments, their years of effort obliterated.

"Anorak, Halliday's character, troublesome as expected. Have to play along." Daniel remembered parts of Ready Player One's finale, knowing he couldn't sign immediately, having to refuse first.

Halliday, a pure scientist, ignored real-world implications, now considering closing Oasis due to people's obsession, neglecting real-life interactions.

Leaving the shutdown option was his way of encouraging real-world engagement.

Daniel had no such intentions. His priority was gaining shares; other matters could wait. Shutting down Oasis was impossible.

Without a solution for real-world issues, closing Oasis would cause greater chaos. The original protagonist's idea of closing Oasis two days a week was merely self-deception.

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