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Silas understood one thing about people—they fear change, especially when that change disrupts their comfort and power. If the VR game and Pod had fallen into the hands of those corporate relics, the situation would have played out very differently. They would have bled it dry, using it to maintain their status quo and stifle competition.

He didn\'t need to be a genius to predict their moves—they\'d consolidate their influence, push for monopolistic control, and do whatever it took to crush any potential threat.

But that wasn\'t how things were going to go.

Human nature is predictable—greedy, selfish, and envious. Silas had seen it time and time again. The moment someone starts to make progress, especially the kind of rapid, disruptive success he was achieving, people get irritated. They can\'t stand seeing someone succeed where they\'re failing, and that resentment only grows the higher you climb.

In the corporate world, these traits are amplified tenfold. It\'s a realm filled with cutthroat competition, where the elite operate like wolves—ruthless, driven by profit, and constantly looking for the next vulnerable prey.

Silas, however, had no intention of playing by their rules.

Right now, his focus was elsewhere. He was seated in one of Kurt Technologies\' sleek, modern conference rooms, preparing for something far more important than corporate politics. Today, he was meeting with the first beta tester candidate for the VR game—one of the candidates that Luna sent messages to.

He had been mildly surprised when Luna informed him that one of the candidates had already accepted the offer. Things were moving fast, faster than even he had anticipated. But when Silas reviewed the applicant\'s profile, it all made sense.

Sitting across from him now was a young man, barely in his twenties, with an air of quiet desperation about him. His clothes were simple, but clean—nothing flashy, nothing that would draw attention. There was a weariness in his eyes, the kind that comes from carrying burdens too heavy for someone his age. He was able to quickly notice this because he has been in such familiar position before.

"You need the financial compensation because of your sister\'s treatment?" Silas asked, his voice level as he scanned the document in front of him, though he already knew the answer.

The young man, whose name was Marcus, nodded, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair just a little too tightly. "Yes," he replied, his voice soft but steady. "My sister has a rare condition, and the treatments are... expensive. We\'ve tried everything, but nothing\'s been working. This compensation—it could cover her next round of therapy."

Silas studied him for a moment, weighing the sincerity of his words. Marcus wasn\'t like the others who would have likely been hesitant or skeptical of Kurt Technologies\' offer. He was here because he had no choice. Desperation had driven him into Silas\'s office, and in that desperation, Silas saw an opportunity.

"That\'s quite the gamble," Silas said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Marcus. "Putting your faith in a company you\'ve never heard of before. You realize this VR game is still in its experimental phase? There\'s no guarantee of success—no guarantee that you\'ll get anything out of it."

Of course, all this wasn\'t true. It was just said by him for dramatic effect and to get a reaction out of Marcus.

"I know," Marcus replied, lifting his gaze to meet Silas\'s. There was a fierceness in his eyes now, a glimmer of hope amidst the desperation. "But I\'ll do anything for my sister. If this works—if I can help in some way—I\'ll take the risk."

Silas allowed himself a small smile. That\'s what he liked to see—people willing to push beyond their limits, to put it all on the line for something they cared about. This was what made humans so fascinating to him. Their resilience. Their determination.

"Good," Silas said, leaning forward slightly. "Then you\'re exactly the type of person we\'re looking for."

Marcus seemed taken aback for a moment, as if he hadn\'t expected things to go this smoothly.

"Here\'s how this will work," Silas continued, his tone shifting into something more business-like. "You\'ll be part of the first group of beta testers for our VR game. You\'ll have access to the full immersion experience through the Pod, and you\'ll be compensated for your time. But this isn\'t just about playing a game.

We need detailed feedback—everything from the gameplay mechanics to the realism of the environment to how the Pod interacts with your senses. This is uncharted territory, and we need testers who are willing to immerse themselves fully into this world."

Marcus nodded, his resolve firming.

"Additionally," Silas added, "your sister\'s treatment will be covered as part of your compensation package. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."

The young man\'s eyes widened, and for the first time since entering the room, a flicker of relief crossed his face. "Thank you. I don\'t know how to—"

"Don\'t thank me yet," Silas interrupted smoothly. "The game is still in its early stages, and the experience might not be what you expect. But if you\'re ready to take that leap, then we\'ll see what happens."

Marcus nodded again, more confidently this time. "I\'m ready."

Silas stood up, extending his hand. Marcus hesitated for only a second before shaking it, his grip firm.

"Welcome to the future, Marcus," Silas said, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to echo through the room. "Let\'s see if you\'re prepared for it."

As Marcus left the room, Silas remained seated, his mind already racing ahead. The beta test was just the beginning. Soon, the world would see what Kurt Technologies had been working on—what he had been building.

And when that time came, no boardroom meeting or corporate plot would be enough to stop it. He was happy with the progression of things and he was very excited to see how thing will pan out in the future.