Chapter 214: Attentions, Aftermath
The days leading up to the beta test had been hectic, but the aftermath hit like a tidal wave. As the test concluded and the beta testers stepped out of the Pods, the world erupted in a frenzy of reactions.
Across the internet, the streams of the game went viral, clips of the testers' astonished faces spreading like wildfire. Forums and social media were overrun with discussions, theories, and wild speculation. Some marveled at the perfect graphics, others questioned the technology's implications, and a few skeptics insisted it had to be some kind of elaborate trick.
But the overall sentiment was undeniable—something monumental had just happened.
Gamers hailed it as a revolution. Memes and posts joked about selling everything they owned just to get their hands on a Pod, while tech enthusiasts dissected every frame of the live stream, trying to understand how it all worked.
The pre-registration website for the game that was created by Luna nearly crashed under the demand, and the tech world buzzed with the news that Kurt Technologies had redefined virtual reality.
But not everyone was celebrating. In boardrooms across the country, the reaction was very different. Tech giants like Merta and Arpple scrambled to adjust their strategies. CEOs convened emergency meetings, trying to figure out how they could catch up—or if they even could. They had been blindsided by the sheer scale of what Silas had achieved, and now their own VR projects suddenly looked outdated.
A few reached out to Kurt Technologies with offers of collaboration, but all received the same cold, polite rejection.
Investment firms shifted gears just as quickly, wanting to pump money into Kurt Technologies and pull out of companies that had been the industry leaders only days before, but they were unable to as Kurt Technologies was a private company.
Even without the money from the investors, he company's valuation skyrocketed, turning it into one of the hottest stocks on the market, while others struggled to recover from the sudden shift.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare firms also took notice. They saw potential in the technology beyond gaming—therapeutic uses, rehabilitation programs, mental health applications. But along with the interest came a creeping fear—if Kurt Technologies could disrupt entertainment, could they eventually move into the medical field as well?
They feared that Silas's ambitions might extend far beyond virtual reality.
Government regulators weren't far behind. The beta test raised red flags among agencies concerned about safety and long-term effects. Inquiries came flooding in, some disguised as offers for cooperation, others more thinly veiled threats about the need for regulatory compliance.
There was talk about potential risks to mental health, addiction concerns, and the unprecedented immersion level of the technology. Silas, however, remained unfazed. He had expected this reaction, and he had prepared for it.
The message from the White House had come earlier, a simple note wishing Kurt Technologies "good luck" with their new venture. Silas had scoffed at it. Luck? Who needs luck? It seemed more like a subtle acknowledgment that the U.S. government was watching closely.
He knew they were already calculating what this new technology could mean for training simulations, remote operations, and other applications beyond civilian use.
But the most intense reaction came from the old corporate coalition— a new name thats Silas decided to call the same group of Execs that had met in secret to plot their response to Kurt Technologies months earlier.
As they watched their offers for partnerships and shares go unanswered, their frustration grew. They turned to more desperate measures, subtly planting stories in the media that questioned the Pod's safety.
Articles popped up, discussing potential "neural risks" and the "dangers of overstimulation." They tried to paint the VR experience as a possible health risk, hoping to turn public opinion against Silas.
Yet their efforts struggled to gain traction. The excitement and awe from the public drowned out the negative press, and testimonials from the beta testers made it clear that the experience was unlike anything they had ever encountered. Some even described it as "life-changing."
Back at the Kurt Technologies headquarters, Silas watched the unfolding drama with quiet satisfaction. In the days since the beta test, the company's office had become a hub of activity, with reporters, tech analysts, and potential investors swarming outside. Inside, Silas and Kim continued to field calls from people offering partnerships, deals, and sometimes thinly veiled threats.
...
It was impossible for Silas to generate so much buzz and not attract the attention of his old friends.
Inside one of the offices at the Bureau's base of operation, Daniel and everyone were seated round a table.
"Guys, a VR Pod and game? Like where the fuck did he get something like that from?" Daniel asked.
"You don't believe the company created it themselves?" She asked curiously, as she turned to look at him.
"The hell? Created it themselves?! That bullshit! From what I heard, the comapny is less than a year old and they don't even have a registered manufacfuring site. Also, no ones knows the identity of the owner. They don't know if it's a he or she." Another person said.
They were still talking about the new underdog company when Elizabeth and Daniel received a message on their phone. They brought out their phone to check the messages and they were shocked by what they saw.
"It's him!" They exclaimed and looked at each other.
Elizabeth couldn't believe it. The person they have been looking for months has been right under their noses. It was worse for Daniel as he didn't know what to make of the situation.
When did Silas become the CEO of a company that revolutionized gaming and entertainment, and also someone strong enough to lay waste to all the superpowers in the country? He knew that Silas has changed but he didn't know the extent of his change.
Elizabeth saw the look on Daniel's face and understood that things were about to get interesting soon and she was looking forward to it. Enjoy exclusives on m-vle-mp _yr.