Chapter 2354

In a dimly lit basement, the steady sound of typing echoed as a young man

furiously pounded away at his keyboard.

[If you don't know how to make a game, then don't make one. Stop disgusting people.]

[The in-game purchase rates are ridiculous.]

[How long has this game been in beta? Are you saving it to pass down as a family heirloom?]

Suddenly, his phone rang.

He answered, irritation in his voice, "Who is it? I said I'm not taking calls right now." He paused, then continued, "Don't you understand? I don't want to repeat myself."

With those commanding final words, he hung up the phone. Moments later, a notification popped up on his computer screen.

"Delayed... again?" The man adjusted his glasses, staring at the message.

It was an announcement from the subsidiary under the Melton family, stating that

the release of their game, 'Top Battalion 9', would be postponed.

Slamming his fist on the table in frustration, he muttered, "How could this happen... What the hell is going on?"

He flung open the door furiously and stepped out of the basement. The sudden burst of sunlight made him feel a bit dizzy, but his resolve remained unshaken.

"I'm going to bring hell on the release manager!"

The man suddenly collapsed. When he finally opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on an unfamiliar bed and staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Panic set in.

"Where am I? Where is this? Have I been kidnapped?" He panicked at first but then changed his tune. "Hmph, that kidnapper's in for a rude awakening. They'll regret messing with me! I'm a genius player with high intelligence and unmatched gaming skills. Come at me, villain! Face me!"

The man suddenly jumped off the bed and dashed toward the door, wrenching the doorknob. After a few moments, his eyes widened in realization.

"Could it be... Damn, they anticipated this? What a cunning adversary, locking the door like this. Could the kidnapper actually be on my level? Dearie me, looks like I've met my match."

Just then, the door unexpectedly swung open, revealing Charlotte in the doorway.

"So, how much longer are you going to stand there talking to yourself?"

"The kidnapper! Help! Please don't hurt me! I'm in terrible health! My organs... they're all messed up... You wouldn't want to..." he babbled.

"You're so noisy." Charlotte clucked her tongue, rolling her eyes as she walked into the room.

Charlotte had returned to Grenford, but instead of going back to the city to find her family, she had been staying in a hotel near the station for the past two days. The man in front of her was someone she had stumbled upon while buying supplies.

He had been unconscious, or more likely, sleeping on the roadside. Regardless of the circumstances, she took him in out of kindness.

"That's the situation. But you really are a dead sleeper. I can't believe you only just woke up now," Charlotte remarked, her tone somewhat irritated.

"Ah... I see. I'm really sorry about this," the man said apologetically, lowering his head.

Charlotte waved her hand dismissively and then asked, "What's your name? And what exactly happened? Why were you on the roadside?"

He recounted his story in detail. "My name is Astin Cole. I'm sorry for the trouble. I guess it must have something to do with me playing games for three days straight."

"Three days straight?" Charlotte was taken aback.

Astin shook his head.