Online Game Era: Hundred Times Reward
Chapter 16 - A Disgusting World

Chapter 16: A Disgusting World

Just before being forcibly logged out, Jiang Chen withdrew 500 of the 509 gold coins in his backpack.

“Ding!”

“Notification: Your Chinese citizen account has received a transfer of 250,000 yuan (Hope Virtual Bank)”

A message popped out from the citizen identity ring on Jiang Chen’s left hand.

One gold coin exchanged for 500 yuan—500 coins just made exactly 250,000 yuan. There were no transaction fees deducted in between, and the transfer was handled by Hope World’s built-in virtual bank, so no one could trace the account flow.

Very good. On the first day of Hope World, Jiang Chen had already earned 250,000 yuan—and that’s not even counting the equipment in his backpack. Bronze-grade gear was elite-level in the starter village, while silver gear was basically considered ‘legendary’ there. The selling price would definitely be outrageous.

Once Jiang Chen reached level ten, he would sell all the gear. If he could earn three million, he could then apply for a residence permit in a third-tier Safe Zone.

The area outside the Safe Zone had an unpleasant name—the slums, where filth, chaos, and squalor were the best descriptors.

Jiang Chen lived on the third floor of an abandoned office building. There were many such buildings—former commercial towers. But now all the major corporations had moved into the Safe Zones, leaving these structures unmaintained. No rent was required; you could just find a spot to sleep.

Although China’s population was massive now, the number of high-rise buildings was even greater—a veritable forest of steel and concrete.

Not having to pay rent was nice, but it also came with high risks. In this era, the slums were full of desperadoes—people who would kill and rob. The only consolation was that, at least for now, they didn’t eat human flesh.

Jiang Chen took a shower. Although he still wore the same unclean clothes, he felt much more comfortable.

Many people in the slums hadn’t bathed in a long time, but Jiang Chen felt that even if one was poor, one should still live with dignity. If you didn’t even bathe, how were you any different from a beast…

Dinner was simple—a large pile of potatoes on the ground, Jiang Chen’s staple food.

Even though he had money now, he didn’t dare to splurge in slum convenience stores or restaurants. If he caught the attention of the wrong people, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“Ah!”

At that moment, a cry suddenly rang out from outside.

Jiang Chen walked to the window, guided by the faint glow of his wristband, and glanced outside.

In the dim light of solar lamps, Jiang Chen saw three men surrounding a woman.

Scattered daily supplies lay on the ground.

She had probably gone out to shop and got followed—now surrounded, the odds were grim, especially since she was a woman.

This was exactly why Jiang Chen didn’t dare improve his meals. You could never guard against people with ill intent.

Although men were slightly ‘safer’ when going out, if the perpetrators wanted money, things could still turn ugly. Once you were targeted in the slums, you’d be living every day in fear.

It’s not the ruthless ones you fear—it’s the ones who have nothing to lose.

…

The three men were violently tearing at her, completely ignoring the victim’s screams.

They brazenly began doing unspeakable things right in the middle of the road.

There were definitely at least several hundred residents in the surrounding buildings, but no one stepped in.

Not because they were cold-hearted—but because they were helpless.

If those three belonged to some organization, and were injured or killed here, the whole area would be thrown into chaos. Nowadays, those gang members were cruel, perverted, and stopped at nothing.

No one was willing to bring trouble upon themselves.

“What a disgusting era…”

Jiang Chen sighed deeply, unsure if people could still even be called “people” anymore.

At that moment, another man came running down a different path below, shouting: “Quick, run! The Iron Clank is coming!”

The three attackers immediately panicked and dashed into a nearby alley.

‘Iron Clank’ referred to mechanical enforcers—machines deployed by China to maintain order in the slums. They were equipped with high-level AI capable of analyzing crimes and communicating effectively.

Although Jiang Chen wanted to say that these heaps of scrap had never done anything useful, he had to admit—thanks to their presence, the slums hadn’t completely descended into anarchy.

At the very least, no one dared do anything outrageous in front of a mechanical enforcer.

These machines had the autonomous authority to determine whether a human had committed a crime and, if so, whether it warranted execution. Once determined, they would shoot without hesitation, killing on the spot.

The Chinese government had neither the ability nor the manpower to manage the massive population in the slums, so everything had been handed over to these machines. It was, in a sense, ‘responsible’.

In fact, not only China—other countries had done the same. Resources were limited; they couldn’t take care of everyone. Retreating into Safe Zones was a last resort.

Now, the crack in Antarctica was expanding ever more rapidly. Roars frequently echoed from within—like thunder—resonating across half the world.

Everyone knew—those were the voices of beings from another world. And the predicted arrival time was getting closer and closer.

Development of Hope World had taken 25 years. Coincidentally, it was now also the 25th year since the rift appeared. The 30-year deadline loomed near.

Jiang Chen didn’t know if the arrival of beings from another world would really destroy Earth. What he cared about now was simply gaining entry to a Safe Zone—leaving this nauseating place behind.

He steamed some potatoes and ate until he was full.

During that time, Jiang Chen used his wristband to log into the Hope World official forum to check if any major events had occurred.

As soon as the page loaded, a post with millions of replies caught his eye: “Player reaches level 10 with a staggering 50,000 EXP!!!”

Huh?

Someone had reached level 9?

Jiang Chen was definitely the first player to reach level 10—of that he was sure. But he hadn’t expected that someone else had already hit level 9.

Even the top players from the Chaoge Guild were only level 7. He had assumed other players would be around the same level. But the truth was surprising—someone else had awakened an impressive talent.

The post was made three hours ago—exactly when Jiang Chen had reached the Waterfall Cliff. That meant this level 9 player’s leveling speed was only two or three hours behind his.

As expected, the world was never short of geniuses…

Below the post were countless replies:

“This is news from the Gaoli region!”

“Damn, the top player in my newbie village is only level 7, and some guy from Korea is already level 9?”

“Player from Village #1147—Han Gongque—has also just reached level 9.”

“China has nearly 7 billion people. Are we really no match for a tiny nation? Who’s here to report in?”

“Village #45, Qingfeng Beiqi, level 9—reporting!”

“Village #642, Liulizhan, level 9—reporting!”

“Village #524, China Junhun, level 9—reporting!”

“Village #1, Fenghuo Xizhuhou, level 9—reporting!”

“Village #9527, Hongsha Liusu, level 9—reporting!”

…

The rest were all player reports from various numbered newbie villages—more and more posts continued to appear.

Jiang Chen gave a self-deprecating laugh. He had thought the players in Village #9527 were only around level 7—but unexpectedly, someone had reached level 9 two hours ago.

Then again, he let it go.

Yes, with nearly 7 billion people in China, there was no shortage of talent. He, Jiang Chen, was just one among many.