April 10, 2034 | 12:30 PM

  Nine months later...

  At a quiet, secluded beach... The atmosphere was clear, accompanied by a steady, soothing sea breeze. The investors gathered at this location the moment Mook signaled that project ‘GREM’ (Brainwave Computing) had finally been completed.

  “Mmm... I can’t believe I can drink as much of this as I want without having to worry about gaining weight at all.” Eleanor, who was sunbathing on a beautiful mat, spoke with a tone of utmost satisfaction after finishing her tenth glass. She felt no bloating or discomfort whatsoever.

  “In this world... food satisfaction isn't truly fulfilled until our bodies feel full, right?” Jack Mae, a large, stout man with a jovial face, sat near the water and asked curiously.

  “Actually, fullness is just a physical mechanism that prevents us from eating more. But it's the brain that decides whether to be 'satisfied' or 'bored' if it receives too much of the same thing,” Saito, who was strolling while gazing at the vast sea, replied. He observed every detail to ensure this masterpiece was perfect—which, of course, had already passed Mook’s rigorous testing.

  “If fullness could truly fulfill satisfaction, you wouldn't let yourself get that potbelly, Jack,” Eleanor teased with a soft chuckle.

  “Hmph!” Jack let out a dissatisfied grunt before turning to press Saito further. “Since everything is complete, when will the actual commercial launch be? Do you know my father has cut my budget entirely because he thinks this project is just for kids? I’m practically eating husks instead of rice now.”

  “It looks like you’ll have to keep eating those husks for a while longer, Jack,” Eric interjected, flicking his hand to manifest a sizzling plate of barbecue out of thin air before looking at Jack with a serious gaze.

  “Why?” Jack frowned in confusion, as did the other shareholders who began to pay attention.

  “Think about it... why do most teenagers nowadays pay so much money to see handsome and beautiful idols?” Eric began. “It’s because of beauty and sexual attraction. The more beautiful, the more provocative and intriguing they are, the higher the viewership. Of course, talent is important, but without those first two things, what you call talent is barely noticed by anyone.” Eric spoke while glancing toward Eleanor.

  “Hmph!” Eleanor snorted and turned away, as Eric’s words hit her right where it hurt.

  “And what does that have to do with our business launch?” Jack still couldn't follow.

  “When you see a beautiful singer shining on stage, deep down in your heart... do you want to possess her?” Eric asked pointedly.

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  “W-well, of course. Who wouldn't want someone that beautiful?” Jack replied, his face flushing slightly.

  “And can you actually possess her?” Eric pressed the sore spot.

  “Well...” Jack lowered his head and answered in a weak voice. “No...”

  Not long ago, he had been involved in a scandal after hiring people to invite a singer he was obsessed with. However, those people went beyond their duties by drugging her and bringing her to him. When his father found out, he was so enraged he threatened to disown him.

  “Saito, give us a demonstration. I’m not quite familiar with the system yet,” Eric turned to ask for Saito’s help.

  Saito bowed slightly before manifesting the scene before them. He created a Korean woman with long, flowing hair and a sexy, idol-like figure out of thin air, appearing completely naked without a shred of clothing.

  “This woman... is yours,” Saito breathed out softly while gently pushing the woman toward Jack.

  Thud! The anonymous woman immediately sat on Jack’s lap. She began to move seductively, cuddling him closely.

  “Whoa! The touch feels so real! No... this is definitely real!” Jack exclaimed in excitement. His thick hands stroked along the smooth, radiant white skin. The sensation of the friction left him entranced by the flawless and perfect touch.

  Snap! Saito snapped his fingers just once, and the woman’s body vanished in an instant.

  “Hey!” Jack shouted in disappointment.

  “Now do you understand why we can’t launch yet?” Eric asked again, but Jack still scratched his head in confusion.

  “More than half of the businesses in today's world are driven by appearance and beauty lured by lust and desire,” Saito summarized for him. “But it’s a lure that only satisfies an internal image—like food that you can eat forever without feeling full. But this virtual world we’ve created can satisfy you at a physical level at a price so low that anyone can access it. Therefore...”

  “Those beauty and entertainment businesses will all go bankrupt!” Jack’s eyes widened in shock.

  “Our Jack is finally starting to get a bit smarter,” Eric praised sarcastically.

  “Then we should hurry up and sell it! What are we waiting for!”

  “Oh, for heaven's sake...” Eleanor even massaged her temples. She tried to choose words Jack would understand most easily. “Jack... if someone was walking over to ruin your business and burn it to the ground, would you just sit there and watch, or would you obstruct them to the very end?”

  “Oh...” Light finally dawned on Jack.

  Naturally, the influential billionaires who held the current beauty and media entertainment businesses would never allow this technology to grow and kill their own enterprises. They would do everything to obstruct it, whether through legal means or dirty underground methods.

  “Then what should we do?” Jack asked with concern.

  “Don't worry. I’ve already prepared a counterplan. We just might need to have the patience to wait for the right time for another year or two... that’s all.” Saito replied while revealing a very cunning smile.

  Satisfied with the answer, the investors sat and enjoyed the food they manifested with a relaxed mood. No fear of diarrhea, gaining weight, or worrying about any diseases, because in this virtual world, they could eat whatever they wanted or do whatever they desired without fear of any consequences to follow.