“World of Warcraft” Debuts

Quantum Laboratory.

"That’s roughly the situation."

Big eyes, bobbed hair, black business suit.

What a capable young woman.

Miss Hope spoke for a full half hour before looking at Old Wang, her gaze even gentler than Miss Jane’s, enough to melt Old Wang completely.

"Wang, the Quantum Brain is far too difficult. It will take at least three to five years to fully realize. For now, we can only incorporate some concepts of quantum computing into supercomputers to improve their processing speed."

"How much of an improvement?"

"Uh, around ten to a hundred times compared to the most advanced supercomputers… I’m in charge of that part."

Fitz hesitated for two seconds before deciding to interject. "We won’t know the specific figures until it’s finished. Dr. Pym and Dr. Banner mainly study the theory. I’m responsible for how to actually build the Quantum Computer… Of course, I’m just assisting them. The theory is what matters most."

"Actually, I’m just assisting too." Banner rubbed his eyes.

"Quantum mechanics isn’t my specialty, and I also have to help Dr. Simmons research the Super Soldier Serum. I can only come over two… one day a week, and I still have to…"

He still had to set aside time for Hulk!

No matter how he argued, Skye had ultimately agreed to Hulk’s request. After some bargaining, he had to come out several times each month!

At least five times, perhaps seven or eight on a good month!

There would be no bleeding, but it hurt. It was uncomfortable. It put him in a terrible mood and made him want to punch someone.

He had already wasted five years, and now he couldn’t even devote all his time to research. My best years are being squandered like this. What am I supposed to do?

Banner scratched his wavy curls.

Feeling his girlfriend’s gaze, he sighed inwardly again.

He also had to go shopping with Betty, watch movies, eat…

Forty-eight hours in a day definitely wouldn’t be enough. He wondered if seventy-two would be…

"I understand." Old Wang nodded.

Dr. Pym, Dr. Banner, Miss Hope, Fitz.

As well as Eli, Lucy, and the others.

Together with the talent poached at high salaries from major companies, S.H.I.E.L.D., and top universities, the Quantum Laboratory had gathered more than fifty scientists. Whether in quantity or quality, it ranked among the world’s top five.

With such a lineup,

Such a project,

Such knowledge—the Darkhold—

It would be strange if they achieved nothing!

But the Quantum Brain was simply too difficult.

If they truly managed to create that thing, it would be almost equivalent to creating a real soul—and one with absurdly powerful computational ability, logical ability, and every other capability.

Something like Vision or Ultron.

It might be slightly inferior, of course, but not by much.

The difficulty of the Quantum Brain…

Far exceeded that of the Framework, Brain Mapping, and the Arc Reactor.

It was understandable that it needed time.

"Ten to a hundred times? That should barely be enough."

Old Wang tapped the table. "I’ll give you five billion. There’s only one requirement: hurry!"

The world’s fastest supercomputer at present cost roughly five hundred million to build, and electricity alone cost several million dollars a year.

Supercomputers were not, as many people imagined, merely machines with impressive numbers. They had many practical uses.

Everything in modern society was built on computers.

Computational power was a foundation of civilization as important as creativity.

Atmospheric modeling, advanced weapons development, fundamental mathematical research—all of it required supercomputers for calculation and simulation.

They were themselves a part of comprehensive national strength.

And to create a massive virtual world capable of supporting vast numbers of souls and minds online at once, with an almost real environment that humans could not distinguish through perception, required more computing power than even the best current supercomputers could provide.

Developing such a computer required the support of countless scientists and engineers.

It also required enormous funding.

"Money flows away like water…"

Old Wang shook his head.

The world’s best companies spent more than twenty billion a year on research and development alone. This amount was nothing.

What needed to be spent had to be spent.

"Pym Technologies has many experts in quantum mechanics and computing. We’re willing to provide support and cover half the cost, with only one condition."

Miss Hope had clearly discussed it with Dr. Pym already. "Once the supercomputer is complete, the first one will be used for further quantum mechanics research, mainly in quantum positioning, the Quantum Tunnel, the Quantum Shuttle, and upgrades to the Ant-Man suit. Wang, you know…"

Old Wang waved a hand.

He understood what the Second-Generation Wasp meant.

"I told you before that the research into Quantum Computers and the Quantum Brain is mainly to help you rescue your mother."

Old Wang said, "Once the Quantum Computer is complete, the first one will definitely be for you. Use it however you want."

"Thank you." Hope and Pym exchanged a glance, delight appearing on their faces.

"Go back to your work."

Old Wang left the Quantum Laboratory and arrived at the Virtual Laboratory.

For the next stretch of time, he had to devote all his energy to developing "World of Warcraft."

It would take a long time.

The memories in his mind could not simply be used directly. He also had to combine them with the online games he had played in his life before last, adapt them accordingly, balance the various classes and races, and set all the parameters based on the existing virtual engine.

All the preparatory work had been completed. Old Wang only needed to follow Skye’s guidance.

While Old Wang developed "World of Warcraft"—

The outside world was in turmoil.

Thor and Loki’s appearance, the storm that swept across New Mexico, the invasion of the Frost Giants,

All of it told the entire world:

Humanity was not alone.

The universe was too vast. The galaxy was too vast.

There were countless intelligent species.

Within the boundless universe,

Humans could only be considered low-level intelligent life, still at the stage of surface civilization.

The weak were prey to the strong; those who fell behind would be beaten.

In the face of advanced cosmic civilizations they could not oppose, was humanity prepared for contact—or even for war?

The answer was no.

The problem was,

The universe did not operate according to humanity’s will.

No matter what humanity thought, what was coming would still come.

Only then did the leaders of the world begin to recognize Director Wang’s foresight.

The establishment of the Shengun Bureau was necessary!

The international trend was bound to be convergence—the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

And now, under the threat of aliens, that process was accelerating.

Though humanity was internally divided into nearly two hundred sovereign nations, as well as independent forces without sovereignty, it had to stand united against the outside world on a cosmic scale.

The United Nations was the only organization capable of representing all humanity.

And the Shengun Bureau was the United Nations’ sharpest spear!

Countries convened meetings one after another, and the United Nations was holding meetings as well.

Without question:

The United Nations’ authority was quietly expanding, and the Shengun Bureau’s first allocation of funds had finally arrived.

As the Shengun Bureau’s only two bases, the Afterlife Base and Kunlun Base—one located on China’s border and the other within China—both received strong support from China.

After all, they were closer.

If they faced an alien threat, they would also be of greater help to China.

Other countries likewise began negotiating with the United Nations, the Security Council, and Old Wang about establishing Shengun Bureau bases within their territories.

Large numbers of researchers, combat personnel, and management staff flooded into the Shengun Bureau, a mixed bag of all sorts.

Old Wang accepted every one of these people with differing agendas.

The Shengun Bureau needed people anyway.

Whether they were British, French, or American,

As long as they came in,

They were his people!

The alien threat and the approaching prospect of war spurred technological development to a certain extent.

Though the world remained at peace, and the war in New Mexico had been concealed from the public, under the push of governments everywhere,

The global atmosphere was clearly far more tense than before.

Orders for Iron Soldiers surged.

Besides national governments, even billionaire tycoons around the world began placing orders with Azeroth Industries through various channels, purchasing Iron Soldiers.

To them,

If a war between cosmic civilizations broke out, no amount of money could protect their lives.

Fast and highly durable Iron Soldiers were their final safeguard.

Large-scale security projects began construction, doomsday theories continued to spread, and so-called "underground shelters" sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

And at that very moment,

"World of Warcraft" finally debuted.