[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Did you really think you could collect the resurrection card fragments and enter a designated person into [The Revival Games] without any cost? The chance of experiencing [Ad Brainwashing] while watching is one of those costs. I did warn you about this earlier.
[Fu Xuan]: B-But you never said...
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Dear customer, our records show that you have previously experienced [Ad Brainwashing]. Could you please provide a detailed account of your experience for the Curio's subsequent maintenance and updates?
[Fu Xuan]: ...Fine.
For the sake of "maintenance and updates," Fu Xuan suppressed her mortification and began to recount her situation to "Dad." She just didn't know why he had changed his nickname to "Advertisement Slot for Rent."
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Based on your experience, it's clear that [Ad Brainwashing] doesn't cause a person to lose their sanity, but rather piques their interest in the advertised product. The degree of interest depends on your affinity with the ad. For example, you already liked wearing white stockings, so when the white stockings ad brainwashed you, its allure was greatly amplified, making you want to buy the product.
[Fu Xuan]: That sounds reasonable, but... it caused me a great loss!
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: But my dear Master Diviner Fu Xuan... weren't you the one who ran off immediately out of shyness, forgetting the white stockings you had just changed out of after trying on the IPC's brand? Didn't you also forget to take the couple's photo?
[Fu Xuan]: B-But how am I supposed to ask my subordinate for those things back?
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: I am just a heartless ad-renting bot. Your experience, Master Diviner, has provided an excellent cautionary tale for everyone. I will now strengthen the ad review process and change the ad pool from "random" to "12+."
[Fu Xuan]: What about the Curio's subsequent maintenance and updates...?
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Don't worry, I've already created a new folder for it.
[Fu Xuan]: ...I won't ask for anything else. Just give me three forwarding rights for the resurrection card ad link.
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: No problem. Alrighty, dear, any other feedback? Has your problem been satisfactorily resolved? Could you please leave a five-star review?
[Fu Xuan]: You don't act like a member of the Genius Society at all.
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Oh? And how do you think a Genius Society member should act? Create a self-praising puppet that loops "I'm peerlessly brilliant, intelligent, and beautiful" all day? Or perhaps contemplate which model of motor oil to have with dinner?
[Fu Xuan]: I have no comment on that. I just want to ask one more thing: can't you change the type of ads you run?
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Of course I can. Didn't you see my new nickname? Advertisement Slot for Rent...
[Fu Xuan]: So a recruitment ad for the Divination Commission would be acceptable?
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Yes, of course. But you're a step too late.
[Fu Xuan]: What do you mean?
[Advertisement Slot for Rent]: Just a moment ago, an ardent fan of Ms. Robin outbid General Jing Yuan's Cloud Knights recruitment ad with a high price of 1,000 credits per ad, booking all of [The Revival Games]' ad slots for the next day.
[Dad]: There, now we can communicate with familiar nicknames.
[Fu Xuan]: Huh? Fine. I have one more issue to report. The drop rate for the resurrection card fragments is too low. Do you have any insight into this?
[Dad]: That's not a bug. In fact, many users have reported to me that after watching dozens of ads, they've collected nine different fragments, but one specific fragment simply refuses to drop. And the missing fragment is different for everyone. Some are missing #10, some #7, and some #1.
[Fu Xuan]: Then can't you just enable a fragment exchange feature?
[Dad]: If I said I could, would you believe me?
[Fu Xuan]: Fine... true. The opportunity to resurrect someone just by frequently watching ads is already a generous offer. It's only normal for the conditions to be a bit harsh.
[Dad]: Sigh, but I actually can enable it.
[Fu Xuan]: ???
[Dad]: I just need to upgrade this Curio to a 2-Star Curio. But that would deal a fatal blow to my wallet, so I've decided to let you all suffer a little instead.
[Fu Xuan]: ???
Although Fu Xuan had some choice words for Chen Li's "suffer a little" comment, she didn't say anything more, considering that the cost of resurrection being just watching ads was already incredibly low. As long as she didn't get brainwashed by some random ad again, the Curio's value was undeniable.
But the thought that she was the very first, and possibly the very last, unlucky victim among all the Curio Forger's clients made her blood boil. From now on, people watching the ads would just have to listen to Robin's songs. No matter how much Robin's songs brainwashed someone, could the loss possibly be greater than hers?
Fu Xuan looked at the three resurrection card fragment activation codes sent by the other party and immediately initiated a video call with Chen Li.
"Eh, Master Diviner, what can I do for you?" Chen Li asked, though he wasn't the least bit surprised by her call.
"Ahem, just checking to see if you're working diligently. What are you doing right now?" Fu Xuan tried her best to maintain a straight face and betray no emotion.
"Drinking stocking..."
"Huh?"
"...milk tea."
"Don't pause like that next time you speak!" Fu Xuan said, annoyed. She almost thought Chen Li had done something unspeakable with the white stockings she'd left behind.
"You wanted to ask about what happened earlier, right, Master Diviner? Don't worry. I spent an extra 10,000 credits to have the couple's photo removed from the shop's display. I guarantee it won't cause any damage to your reputation, Master Diviner."
"That's good..."
"And I spent another 100,000 credits to buy the clerk's silence. If this information leaks, he'll have to pay me 1,000,000 credits in compensation, so you don't have to worry about the news spreading."
"Mm, you've done well..." Fu Xuan nodded with satisfaction. She felt that Chen Li was just like Qingque; you never knew how considerate he could be until you pushed him.
"And I've already enshrined your white stockings at home. They will serve as my family's heirloom from this day forward, to ward off evil and exorcise demons."
"That is entirely unnecessary!"
Guard against fire, guard against thieves, and guard against your own teammates. The old saying was indeed true. Now Fu Xuan felt Chen Li was even more like Qingque. Having these two as teammates and subordinates meant they could help solve problems, but when there were no problems, they were the problem.
"Hah... I'll send you a resurrection card ad activation code in a moment. After using it to collect the fragments and synthesize the card, and getting the organizer's approval, you can resurrect the person you've designated," Fu Xuan said.
"Is this my hush money?" Chen Li asked, stroking his chin.
"In any case, bring my things to me at work tomorrow, and don't let anyone else see," Fu Xuan said. She felt that being so secretive was a bit strange, but this certainly wasn't something to be broadcasted.
"Understood, Master Diviner," Chen Li guaranteed with absolute confidence.
The moment he hung up the phone, Chen Li started writing a leave request form.
He would definitely return Fu Xuan's things to her after he went to work, so... he would start his leave of absence today.
---o---
[You want my games? You can have them! I left them all in that place!]
—That legendary King of Games, standing at the pinnacle of the world, left behind an endless treasure trove of games and unsolved mysteries. His game library holds countless lost classics, unreleased masterpieces, and even virtual reality experiences that transcend time! Whoever finds them will inherit his gaming crown and become the legend of a new generation!
And so, the world erupted into a frenzy! Countless players, developers, and adventurers set sail on an unprecedented gaming treasure hunt! Crossing the boundary between virtual and reality, challenging their limits, solving puzzles, and competing for that supreme gaming glory!
Are you ready?
[Gabriel]: Ready!
[Dad]: Are you really ready?
[Gabriel]: Really ready!
[Dad]: Very good. I can feel your love for games, your dedication to games. I will bestow this gaming terminal upon you. But you must remember, once you put on this halo, you will no longer be an ordinary gamer. You must not touch a single trash game. If your heart wavers...
[Gabriel]: What will happen?
[Dad]: This halo will blind you.
As Gabriel excitedly opened the red envelope sent through the virtual panel, a golden halo appeared before her. Upon seeing it, she impatiently took off the angel halo she was wearing and put on the new one.
[Logging into Friends Circle...][Login Successful][Please enter your nickname]
"Let's go with... Fallen Angel Gabriel. Time to give my new group mates a little 'Fallen Angel' shock!" Gabriel said with a touch of wicked delight. She felt her chosen name was truly inspired!
[You have been invited by Dad to the Curio Group. Come say hello to your friends.]
[The World Needs a Seven-Day Weekend]: Come on, everyone, say it with me: Ms. Robin's beauty is unparalleled in this world!
[17-Year-Old Beauty]: Yuyuko's beauty is unparalleled in this world!
[Miss Pink Elf♪]: Elysia's beauty is unparalleled in this world!
[Unknown Singer]: Brother, please stop being crazy in the group chat!
[Dad]: I should have known. If I let Sunday listen to Robin's songs on a loop, he'd be the first one to get brainwashed.
"...Is this really not some kind of fan meet-and-greet or a pyramid scheme?" Watching these fanatics, Gabriel fell into deep thought. They even had brainwashing.
[Dad]: Gabriel, welcome to the Friends Circle. By the way, Gabriel, would you mind doing me a favor?
[Fallen Angel Gabriel]: What favor?
[Dad]: Use your angel appearance and come with me to scam some unruly villagers from the countryside.
[Fallen Angel Gabriel]: ???
This really is a pyramid scheme!
---j