From the Abyss of Stars

079. Test Begins

079. Test Begins

"Damn, I'm so tired of this job. Why isn't it over yet? The leadership had a sudden brainwave and decided to add an A test."

Luo Le grumbled as he plugged a cable into the port at the back of his head.

"These corporate executives are idiots, deciding to rush a test within 24 hours—they don't have to plug this stupid cable into their heads, so they don't mind the pain."

"Calm down." His colleague, Xue Nian, glanced at the publicity department member clumsily putting on the neural link suit with the help of logistics staff. "Look at that kid from the publicity department; he's more anxious than we are."

"He's just another worker like us. He got a midnight task to shoot some PV—just watch, the first time doing a full neural link, the pain is..."

Old Luo grumbled as he inserted his employee card into the machine.

Beep—

[Employee account authenticated, login complete]

[Qiqiao Network A12 Game Tester: Luo Le]

"I need to check my physical condition—heart rate 119, breathe, don't get angry, don't get angry."

A series of physiological information showed that his condition wasn't good. Luo Le took two deep breaths to calm down.

"Be content. As criminals, we weren't sent to colonize planets to see primal beasts baring their teeth; the AI showed us mercy. What more do you want?" Xue Nian, also a game tester, was used to it. "Being allowed to stay on the home planet is enough for me."

"It's just a new prison—damn it, criminals are people too. Prisons have eight-hour work schedules. Since I was transferred here, the dumbass leadership treats me like a beast of burden."

Luo Le raised his middle finger.

There was no death penalty these days. The harshest punishment was either being sent to colonize planets or having one's consciousness uploaded to an electronic prison for hundreds of years.

He and Xue Nian were long-time comrades, having served in the federal army together, later committing impulsive murder after a quarrel—thinking the worst would be prison.

"I'd rather be in jail than be a work dog for these idiots." Luo Le complained.

Who knew the AI would transfer them to this game company developing "Abyss of Stars," where they had to work eight or even ten hours a day.

And the pay was still at prison rates, damn it!

Xue Nian didn't mind the job. As retired soldiers, they were used to idling away their days. Serving time in a different prison didn't make much difference.

He connected the brain-machine interface, inserted his employee card, and logged into the internal network.

His employee inbox was flooded with various messages. Xue Nian quickly skimmed through and became serious.

"Old Luo, check your email."

"What is it? Let me see—Qiqiao Network staff will watch the A test live—damn, is the A test that important?"

Luo Le was surprised and quickly adjusted his behavior.

"Will good performance reduce our sentences?"

"Maybe." Xue Nian opened the live stream and saw several high-ranking officials often seen on the news. "Even the vice president is here... this is really important."

"Not just our Frost-Plated Republic area—the testers from the Red Arrow and Sky Ring areas said they saw foreign officials and even heads of state." Luo Le marveled. "How did we get the chance to meet these dignitaries?"