Chapter 53: Access to the Safe Zone

At the same time the China Region system announcement sounded, the major international regions also received the news one after another.

“Oh my God, the Guild Founding Token is being openly sold?”

“This Lone Ranger guy is really hard to figure out—what on earth is he trying to do?”

“Yoshi! Looks like Lone Ranger isn’t even from China. This is our chance—bring that token back to Nippon!”

“Great news! The token hasn’t been used yet—we absolutely must grab it!”

“Aishh… these China people are really dumb. That token is as good as ours!”

All foreign powers became aware of the auction happening at noon the next day and immediately began scrambling to raise funds. Their goal was simple—win the Guild Founding Token.

The ownership of the token would break the balance among the major guilds in the early game. No force wanted to miss out on such an opportunity.

…

America Region, Alpha Guild Base.

In the current meeting room, all the guild’s senior executives were sitting with serious expressions.

The man seated in the center spoke, “This time, we of Alpha must win that Guild Founding Token!”

A man beside him looked troubled. “That’s easier said than done. I doubt the China Region will just stand by and let it happen. As for the funding…”

The man in the center smiled and said, “No worries on the financial side. The boss has already approved 1 billion Alliance Coins. Winning the token shouldn’t be a problem.”

One billion?

Smiles appeared across the faces of those present. One billion Alliance Coins were equivalent to one billion Yuans—more than enough to secure a single Guild Founding Token.

“Get in touch with our people in China. Tell them—no matter what, they must secure that token!”

“Understood!”

…

Russia Region.

The Veles Guild, another major guild backed by national forces, was also the leading guild organization in Russia.

In the main hall of the Veles Guild HQ, both guild officers and national representatives gathered. The main topic was the Guild Founding Token auction in the China Region.

“Chairman Lov, you should understand the importance of this. The first Guild Founding Token must be secured.” said one national official.

“Please rest assured, Senator. I’ve already arranged for personnel in the China Region. As for the auction, I’ve prepared several billion Alliance Coins. Acquiring a single token shouldn’t be an issue,” said Chairman Lov, full of confidence.

The senator nodded, “Good. Then I’ll be waiting for the good news.”

“If Veles becomes the first guild to be established in the world, I’ll personally recommend you for candidate status in the seed program. I trust you won’t disappoint me.”

“Thank you, Senator. Leave this to me—I’ll get it done!”

Encouraged by the chance to enter the seed candidate program, Chairman Lov gritted his teeth and allocated an even larger fund to the personnel stationed in the China Region.

…

In the real world.

Jiang Chen took off his gaming helmet. It was already noon, and he had been active in Hope World for over ten hours. Yet strangely, he didn’t feel tired at all.

Upon logging off, Jiang Chen had sold a total of 7,350 gold coins.

Income: 3,675,000 yuan.

Adding the 5,175,000 yuan from selling gear to Hongsha Liusu, his total earnings from this second login session amounted to 8.85 million yuan.

Combined with his previous earnings, Jiang Chen now had 52.5 million yuan in savings.

After showering and changing clothes, Jiang Chen headed out to apply for a Safe Zone Residence Permit.

Although the application could be done online, actually entering a Safe Zone required undergoing a full inspection at the Union’s designated stations.

Jiang Chen intended to go directly to a Safe Zone. As for his belongings from the slums—those weren’t worth taking. If they got left behind, so be it.

While riding down the highway, watching the dilapidated and scarred buildings all around, Jiang Chen felt a deep sense of emotion in his heart.

Goodbye, slums…

As they neared the Alliance outpost, Jiang Chen saw many fully armed soldiers. They weren’t robots—just clad in sealed external armor suits.

“Stop the vehicle!”

“I am a World Alliance soldier, ID: hx52414. All passengers, step out of the vehicle and cooperate with the inspection!”

At the Alliance perimeter, Jiang Chen’s car was stopped by military personnel. All five passengers got off and cooperated.

“Everyone, raise your citizen wristbands for identity verification!”

The citizen wristband acted much like an old-fashioned ID card, containing all relevant personal data.

The soldier scanned them with a special device. After confirming everyone’s identities, he saluted and said, “No irregularities. Welcome, citizens of China. Ahead is the World Alliance Outpost. Unauthorized vehicles are prohibited. If you are here to apply for a permit, please follow the instructions to the appropriate department.”

Following the directions, Jiang Chen arrived at the permit application area with the others.

“Hello, sir. Please choose the Safe Zone you wish to enter.”

On the holographic screen in front of him were two available options:

[Tier 3 Safe Zone Residence Permit] (3 million Yuan / Alliance Coins)

[Tier 2 Safe Zone Residence Permit] (30 million Yuan / Alliance Coins)

After the cataclysmic disaster, the global economy was devastated. Thanks to the World Alliance, order was eventually restored.

To stabilize the economy, a new unified currency—the Alliance Coin—was introduced.

However, the Yuan was also retained. Over the past century, China had been the most economically stable nation, so the Yuan became the benchmark for the Alliance Coin.

Jiang Chen currently had 50 million in Yuans. If he purchased the Tier 2 permit, he would be left with very little.

After thinking it over, he chose the Tier 3 Safe Zone. Not because he couldn’t afford the Tier 2, but because he didn’t want to draw too much attention.

As someone from the slums who had suddenly gotten rich, moving into a Tier 2 zone would likely raise suspicion and draw the attention of those with ill intent.

If someone traced anything unusual back to him, it could pose real-world risks.

Better to lay low—for now, at least until the day of ‘virtual manifestation’.

“Sir, your Tier 3 Safe Zone permit has been successfully issued. Please choose your destination city.”

“Jiangnan City, Zone 6,” Jiang Chen said without hesitation.

It was a decision he had made long ago. Jiangnan was not near any coastlines, forests, deserts, or other unstable terrain. If external threats ever appeared, it had natural strategic advantages.

“Understood, sir. You’ve been assigned to Safe Zone jn3006. Please proceed to the medical check area. Once cleared, the Alliance will transport you to your selected location.”

Jiang Chen’s health wasn’t great—long-term malnutrition had taken its toll—but he didn’t have any contagious diseases, so he passed the check quickly.

12:30 PM.

Jiang Chen boarded the Alliance’s private aircraft, en route to Jiangnan City’s Zone 6 Safe Zone.