Chapter 400 - 390: In-game High-level Meeting

Moira Lynch looked at the thick stack of reports, which she estimated to be about ten centimeters thick.

Just as she was about to pick them up and read, the ground suddenly began to tremble slightly.

Using her spiritual power to investigate, Moira Lynch could clearly sense a frantic surge of power beneath her feet, ready to erupt at any moment.

Realizing what it was, Moira Lynch didn’t hesitate. She stowed the reports and the Planet Exploration Device in her inventory space, then quickly left the area.

Shortly after she left, several cracks appeared on the ground. A burst of steam erupted from them, followed by spring water reaching temperatures of over one hundred degrees Celsius.

Luckily, Moira Lynch had been quick. Otherwise, she’d probably be medium-well by now.

Back in her room, Moira Lynch breathed a sigh of relief.

She took out the ten-centimeter-thick report and began to scan through it quickly.

According to the data from the Planet Exploration Device, while the planet’s interior contained vast amounts of magma and active volcanoes, there were also extensive groundwater reserves near the surface.

This groundwater was different from ordinary drinking water. It was denser and more viscous, with a consistency somewhere between water and toy slime.

’Strange. Hasn’t anyone else in the galaxy used a Planet Exploration Device on this planet?’

’Anyone who used a Planet Exploration Device would know this planet is nowhere near as dangerous as it seems.’

Patience explained, [Planet Exploration Devices are extremely expensive, not something the average person can afford. It’s possible others wrote this planet off at first glance, figuring it would be a waste to even use one.]

’That’s not impossible.’

The report also listed the types and quantities of the planet’s mineral deposits, a list so extensive it made Moira Lynch’s head spin.

However, while the planet was currently safe, if the internal balance were to be upset during mining operations, it would turn into a giant bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Fortunately, the planet also had numerous open-pit mines. These veins could be mined without any issues.

Furthermore, the number of open-pit mines was astonishing—enough for several hundred years of extraction. They could focus on mining the surface first; it wouldn’t be too late to tackle the subterranean deposits later.

Moreover, with some modification, the planet’s frequently erupting geysers could be developed into excellent tourist attractions.

Because...

Moira Lynch looked at the report’s analysis of the planet’s groundwater. It contained over a thousand substances beneficial to the human body.

Yes, over a thousand. The list of nutrients alone spanned several pages.

You could say this groundwater was even more nutritious than royal jelly. The only catch was that it couldn’t be consumed directly.

It looked like another clause would have to be added to the agreement: absolutely no polluting the groundwater.

She checked the time. It was already the middle of the night. After having Patience print a fresh copy of the report, Moira Lynch opened her private messages and found Redlight.

Most people were probably asleep at this hour, but she had things to do tomorrow and didn’t want any delays, so...

[Just acquired a planet. Interested in developing it? 80-20 split, my favor.]

Meanwhile, Redlight was jolted from a deep sleep by the sudden sound of a rooster crowing in his ear.

It was a special alert tone the base had spent ten Gold Coins on, specifically for messages from SoySauceDrunkard. They couldn’t risk Redlight missing a contact from him.

So when the rooster crowed, not only did Redlight snap awake, but so did everyone else in his dorm room.

He summoned the game panel and opened his private messages.

Any lingering drowsiness Redlight felt vanished the instant he saw the message.

He shot up from his bed and bolted outside, not even bothering to put on shoes.

His dorm mates exchanged baffled looks.

"What do you guys think the big shot SoySauceDrunkard said to him?"

"Who knows? But for him to be this excited, it must be something big."

Meanwhile, Redlight reached Chase Shepard’s door. He hammered on it with one hand—BANG BANG BANG—while typing a reply with the other. [Mr. Lynch, please wait a moment. I’m going to get my superior. I can’t make the call on this.]

A few dozen seconds later, Chase Shepard opened the door, a look of pure irritation on his face. "You little punk, what are you doing banging on my door in the middle of the night? This had better be important, or else..."

Before he could finish his threat, Redlight blurted out, "SoySauceDrunkard just contacted me. He said he just got his hands on another planet and wants to know if we’re interested in developing it."

Chase Shepard’s groggy, impatient expression vanished. His eyes widened, and he answered without a second thought, "We’re interested."

’Of course we’re interested.’

"Ask him about the planet’s condition right now," Chase Shepard said. "I’m going to call the higher-ups to discuss this."

Redlight nodded, then added as if just remembering, "Oh, right, Captain. This time he’s demanding an 80-20 split. We get the 20%."

Chase Shepard frowned. That split was a little low. It was completely out of character for SoySauceDrunkard.

They had always split things fifty-fifty before.

Of course, only Cathaya got such treatment. Other nations had to settle for a 70-30 split.

Something was fishy.

"Go tell SoySauceDrunkard that a 20% cut is too low. We won’t even be able to recoup our costs."

"Alright, I’ll tell him right now."

[Redlight: Mr. Lynch, my superior says we’re interested, but an 80-20 split is too steep. We won’t even be able to recoup our costs.]

[SoySauceDrunkard: The mining isn’t difficult. It’s mainly... well, forget it. Here’s the data on the planet. See for yourselves.]

Moira Lynch sent the planet data directly.

Mining the ore wasn’t difficult, since it was all open-pit. The main challenges were the environment and the geysers that spouted steam at any moment. A single moment of carelessness could be fatal.

In reality, Moira Lynch hadn’t been set on an 80-20 split. Her and Hugh Finch’s bottom line was 70-30.

After all, Hugh Finch had a stake in this planet, so Moira Lynch couldn’t possibly disregard his opinion.

Meanwhile, after receiving the data, Chase Shepard convened a late-night meeting in-game with the top brass from various bases.

In the solemn-looking conference room, a group of people in bizarre outfits gathered around a long table.

Chase Shepard digitized the planet data he had just received and distributed it to everyone present via the Intelligent Brain.

"This is the planetary data SoySauceDrunkard just sent over."

After reviewing the data, one of them spoke up. "If this information is accurate, then this is definitely acceptable. However, a 20% cut is indeed too small."