Harry: "...Why does it have to be me!"

Daisy blinked her large, Carslan-mascaraed eyes and said innocently, "Because here, you're my best and closest colleague and friend."

Women, huh.

Thanks a lot!

Harry rolled his eyes and looked at Dean. "Dean, from what you've said, something really doesn't add up. After all, so many people are playing the game, and there are specific guides. There must be quite a few who could get to level fifty. If it's for promotion, the cost seems a bit too high."

"Right. We haven't seen any promotion for this game. The people who know about it generally found it through pop-up ads on websites and downloaded it, or through recommendations from friends. Actually, I asked my older brother, Robert, and some of my friends. They don't know about this game. Conversely, many of Harry's friends *have* been discussing it recently, but not many of them own computers! Looking at it this way, it does seem like they're screening users."

Carlo added to Harry's words and then said excitedly, "Boss Dean, should we investigate the team behind this game?"

He was very curious about the secrets this game held.

Harry's eyes also lit up as he chimed in, "Dean, I think Carlo is right. Since you think there's something off with this game, we could try starting with their design team."

The investigation was just a pretense. He was simply looking to obtain some insider information so that he could cheat his way through the later levels.

Seeing these two rascals trying to exploit their positions for their own petty schemes, Dean rolled his eyes. "First of all, this is just my speculation. And even if this game truly has issues, a crime of this scale, spread across the entire United States Federation, isn't something small fries like us have the power to handle. Besides, have you considered one thing?"

Dean picked up a calculator from the desk. "The Fallen Hero—the first twenty levels aren't really that difficult. Anyone willing to spend time trying can generally pass them. In that case, as long as the game's developers want to avoid any negative publicity, the cost per player is one hundred ten US dollars. As it stands, they don't have a fixed revenue stream yet. Do you think an ordinary small organization can afford this?"

After hearing this, Daisy turned on her computer, typed away rapidly, and finally turned her head to say, "I searched web comments and dedicated forums for 'The Fallen Hero.' Someone estimated that in just over ten days, at least ten thousand players had passed the second level. At least a hundred had passed the third level."

The topic was trending heavily among netizens addicted to 'The Fallen Hero,' so it wasn't hard to find information.

"So, you're saying that in just over ten days, this game has cost at least one or two million US dollars?" Harry listened and gulped. The biggest windfall of his life had been when he followed Dean to Texas and ended up with fifty thousand US dollars.

Carlo wasn't as money-obsessed; he was more clear-headed. "Harry, what you're talking about is just the prize money. But there are also costs for internet servers and placing various advertisements, which aren't cheap either."

They couldn't calculate exactly how much The Fallen Hero game team had invested in the ten-odd days since its launch. But one thing was certain: this team wasn't short of money.

The United States Federation is an overtly capitalist society. Realizing this, Harry and Carlo suddenly felt deflated.

Dean was right; this simple little game, even if it really did have problems, was not something they, as small individuals, could afford to provoke.

"Alright, stop thinking about that game. Time to clock off!" Dean clapped his hands. "Tonight's on me! Let's all go eat hotpot together!"

"Is that the Chinese food you promised Daisy?"

"Yes, it's two hundred and fifty US dollars per person."

"Let's go!"

Harry was an optimist; hearing about free, delicious food instantly cheered him up. Besides, Dean had locked away all the rewards from that game anyway. If that was the case, he'd just have to channel his frustration into eating his fill!

「Chinatown, Hotpot City.」

Daisy looked at Dean with reproachful eyes. It was supposed to be a dinner just for her, but with a grand gesture, Dean had turned it into a team outing.

It wasn't really a big deal since Dean was paying anyway. But Daisy just felt so annoyed!

So, when the waiter asked about their preferred spice level, Daisy, who never liked to be outdone, grandly ordered the 'extremely spicy' option the waiter had strongly recommended.

Meat generally wasn't expensive in the United States, but here, it certainly wasn't cheap. A small plate of lamb that might cost only one US dollar at the supermarket was priced at 3.99 US dollars here. A small dish of tofu was 3.99 US dollars. A serving of chili sauce was 1.99 US dollars... Ultimately, you were paying for the novelty and the prestige.

Soon, large and small plates were brought out on a cart. Simultaneously, the broth on the table began to boil, ready for them to start cooking.

To accommodate the customers, the restaurant provided a choice of knives and forks or chopsticks. A waiter also stood by, teaching Daisy, Harry, and Carlo the proper way to eat hotpot and explaining some important points before stepping aside.

The red broth bubbled, looking incredibly appetizing.

Harry, Carlo, and Daisy couldn't wait. They picked up the food they wanted, dipped it into the pot, and, as the waiter had instructed, blanched it briefly. Then, they lifted it out, blew on it a couple of times, and popped it into their mouths.

The next moment, Harry and Carlo's expressions froze; they forced down the meat with pained looks on their faces.

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