Earth's Alpha Prime
chapter-257-1

After being tossed through the air like a ragdoll, MJ adjusted his Santa costume, ensuring his hat sat perfectly atop his head. With a huff, he floated away from the overly enthusiastic Kay and perched himself on Moro's shoulder, putting some distance between them.

Moro didn't react to the tiny figure resting on him. He continued to observe their surroundings in silence, leaving the others to wonder if he was paying attention at all.

Sensing the moment called for clarity, Jay turned to MJ and said, "In the classified information you've received, there should be something on the PLANETARY VIRTUAL SANCTUARY. Give us all the key details."

Nodding, MJ began to project a hologram of Earth, the visual shifting into a complex three-dimensional representation. As he spoke, the imagery around them painted a vivid picture of the concept he was describing.

"What you're looking at," MJ began, his voice steady, "is a virtual network that spans the entire planet. It can be accessed by anyone, depending on the parameters set by the administrator. This sanctuary is an advanced evolution of the AI Space I control, designed to replicate reality so precisely that even a Tier-10 powerhouse would struggle to tell the difference. Every fabric of reality, down to the very Laws that govern it, will be emulated."

He let the gravity of his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "The VIRTUAL SANCTUARY offers immense benefits. It can simulate every monster in the Universe, creating training grounds for humans to prepare them for the day the System fully integrates with Earth. No matter where someone is on the planet, they can transfer their consciousness into the virtual space with just a thought."

As the hologram shifted to showcase these possibilities, MJ continued, "What's remarkable is that even before Assimilation, those who enter will have access to their Innate Talents, allowing them to grow accustomed to their powers and even advance in their mastery. However, it's crucial to remember that this is still a virtual reality. Once they return to their bodies, they remain ordinary humans, armed only with the memories and experiences they gained."

He concluded, "When the Assimilation occurs, they won't be ignorant of the dangers or how to navigate the System. Their survival will depend on how well they've adapted to these changes."

Kay's expression softened, relief evident in his eyes as he considered the lives that could be saved through the VIRTUAL SANCTUARY. But Qew saw something entirely different in MJ's words, her eyes wide with realization.

"Oh my God!!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement. "With the right modifications, this could become the most immersive VR MMORPG ever! A dream come true for any otaku like me!"

She spun toward Jay, her eyes blazing with determination. "Brother, let me design it! I can turn it into an addictive game that will forge anyone who plays long enough into a survival veteran!"

But Kay, ever the realist, frowned at her enthusiasm. "Sis, this isn't the time to talk about games. We're dealing with people's lives here. Not everyone is interested in VR games. They have their own lives to worry about. Why would they bother playing a game? We need to announce this to the world so everyone understands the seriousness of the situation."

Qew, not one to back down, shot him a sharp look. "And you think everyone will just accept the truth and prepare within the Virtual Sanctuary? That's naive, Kay! The moment we make the announcement, there'll be riots and protests everywhere. Your plan will cause chaos and death before the Assimilation even begins."

Kay fell silent, her words forcing him to rethink his approach. The tension in the car grew until Moro, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up.

"How can you be so sure that's what will happen?" Moro's voice was calm yet carried a weight that made everyone pause.

Qew, caught off guard by his sudden interjection, hesitated. She hadn't expected the usually silent Moro to question her so directly. Her earlier confidence wavered as she murmured, "I've read enough apocalyptic web novels to know what would happen…"

Moro's eyes remained steady, his expression unreadable. "So you're basing this on a bunch of novels?"

Qew's cheeks flushed, and even Jay seemed surprised at how easily Moro had dismantled her argument. For a moment, silence reigned, but Qew quickly recovered, her voice filled with defiance.

"Kay's your favorite," she muttered. "Of course, you'd take his side."

She turned to Jay, seeking support. "Brother, which scenario do you think is more feasible, mine or Kay's?"

Caught between his siblings, Jay decided not to take sides. Instead, he deflected the responsibility onto the innocent bystander. "MJ, haven't you compiled profiles on as many people as possible using the existing surveillance data? Run simulations of both scenarios and tell us what the results show."

He looked at the others, shrugging as if to say, "The decision is now out of my hands."

All eyes turned to MJ, who trembled under the sudden pressure. "Master, what have you done?!" he wailed, clearly distressed by the daunting task ahead.

Jay shrugged once more, signaling that the decision was out of his hands. Qew, however, didn't miss a beat. Leaning in with a sly grin, she whispered, "Listen, you little punk—if you don't back me on this, you'll wish you had."

Kay remained silent, but Moro, ever protective, tightened his grip on MJ, causing the tiny AI to squeak in fear. "I'll run both simulations live!" MJ cried out, panicking. "The results will speak for themselves—just don't blame me!"

Taking a deep breath, MJ extended his small arms, and two holograms of Earth appeared, one above each palm. Above one was the name 'Qew,' and above the other, 'Kay.'

As the simulations commenced, images flashed across the screens beside each hologram, revealing the consequences of each proposed plan. Qew's scenario unfolded smoothly, with people eagerly engaging with the Virtual Sanctuary.

They explored the simulated environments, gaining skills and mastering their abilities. The atmosphere was one of cautious optimism, with a part of the humanity banding together to prepare for the impending assimilation.

In contrast, Kay's scenario quickly descended into chaos. The announcement of the Virtual Sanctuary triggered widespread panic. Riots erupted as fear and confusion spread like wildfire.

Law and order disintegrated, with crime reaching unprecedented levels. Ordinary citizens, driven by despair, resorted to violence, believing the end of the world was imminent.

As the simulations reached their conclusions, the differences were stark. Kay's plan led to a grim outcome, with 13% of the population dying before the Assimilation even began. The survival rate increased only slightly, from 5% to 16%, reflecting the chaos that had ensued.

In Qew's scenario, however, there was no such destruction. Instead, the survival rate was an impressive 43%, a clear indication of the effectiveness of her approach.

Kay's face darkened as the reality of his plan's failure became evident. Meanwhile, Qew's expression was one of triumph, her earlier excitement surfacing once again.