Chapter 001: The Next Version of the World
Netizens say that advertisements for various versions have appeared everywhere abroad. It is said that in the grasslands of Africa, there are update prompts in the languages of indigenous tribes, which is quite absurd
Version 1.036, we used meteorite descent to fix the bug of Wang Mang's time traveler
Stranger things are still happening
Even if Zhou Baiyu is extremely busy, he will be compelled to see relevant information due to big data
The post presents updates in the form of a game, narrating the histories of various countries with a focus on national history, providing a refreshing perspective.
Yet the countdown that appeared in his eyes incessantly reminded him that death was imminent
After being assured that there were no issues with his body, Zhou Baiyu suddenly had a kind of intuition
Version 1.002: We have added the function of "fire-making" for humanity and enhanced human intelligence. The mildness of the climate has been slightly adjusted upward
He can occasionally see similar discussions in various forums
The eleventh day
On various platforms, including certain forums and social media, a significant amount of content has emerged
In the lower right corner of Zhou Baiyu's field of vision, a countdown unexpectedly appeared
Upon seeing Zhou Baiyu hang up the phone, a female colleague at the adjacent workstation remarked: "Brother Zhou, you've saved another one, huh? You are even more effective than a psychologist. Have you really considered becoming an emotional support streamer? You would definitely go viral."
The suicide rate in this world is soaring, the divorce rate is skyrocketing, and the birth rate is plummeting
A terrifying and desperate data analysis result lay before him: "The version is about to be updated, I will ... ... commit suicide forcibly?"
Version 1.001: The divine attributes of the Norse gods have been weakened, and a sculpting feature has been added for Nuwa. The probability of Zeus's infidelity has been increased
The matter must begin with an "advertisement"
In the past, news about suicide was rare, but recently, for some unknown reason, there has been a surge of information related to suicide
... ...
The popularity of "version updates" is overwhelming, and it requires filtering through a vast amount of information to investigate.
Netizen Zhuge Wanjun: "Not long ago, I saw someone say that the world is undergoing a major update to version 1.0, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. It sounded so mystical, akin to the end of the world."
He found it somewhat strange; during the previous phone call, the girl seemed to suddenly awaken and even took the initiative to hang up the phone, which was markedly different from their usual conversations
On the nineteenth day, similar brands have emerged not only domestically but also internationally
The female colleague was momentarily taken aback, but then decisively agreed. Watching Zhou Baiyu leave in a hurry, she felt increasingly perplexed.
Zhou Baiyu could not smile; he certainly did not want to give up on life
That post is very interesting—"If the World Were Divided into Many Versions"
It was only until yesterday that he finally caught a glimpse of a corner of the truth by using "countdown" as a keyword, after sifting through countless pieces of information
Strange... what is going on with Brother Zhou today? His speech is also quite odd
He is very busy with work every day, constantly researching how to evoke positive emotions about life
However, unlike a person who is determined to seek death, the girl's phone was fixed to her ear. At the moment she was about to die, the phone automatically dialed.
If the next version truly arrives, what kind of scene will it be like
Xiao Ping, I have an urgent matter to attend to. This should be the last call. I must leave immediately. If someone asks later, please inform them that I have taken a leave of absence
Of course, he still believes that this should merely be a publicity stunt by some super corporation
It flows silently, reminding Zhou Baiyu that in just over nine hours, his life will undergo a dramatic change
Dad, Mom, by the time you see this memorandum, I should have already passed away. I am very sorry for ending my life in this manner
Countdown, 9:39:04
The countdown that emerged not long ago is like a mark etched in Zhou Baiyu's line of sight, unremovable and unstoppable
Or various countries are creating momentum for something similar to the "metaverse"
On his workstation, there lies a black notebook that records the reasons why many people cannot survive
Everyone is speculating about what version of something is being updated
Summer 2022, Limxiang City, Bianwei Building
What kind of software or game requires such a grand scale for an update
After a pause, he said something strange: "By the way, I have always been very grateful for your companionship. You must take good care of yourself in the future and not put yourself in a difficult position."
Zhou Baiyu, who was far away on the other side of the city, slightly furrowed his brows
In the following days, Zhou Baiyu saw advertisements in the elevator on the first floor of the office building. He also saw billboards at the bus stop in the community
However, at present, his time is pressing, and there are very important matters to attend to
From a physical perspective, if she tilts another fifteen degrees, she will fall off the building and enter the second dimension
The term 'version' has become a trending topic.
Zhou Baiyu smiled and shook his head
There is a great deal of discussion on such topics
... ...
The version is about to be updated
After Zhou Baiyu answers the phone, it often takes just a few words for the other party to abandon their thoughts of suicide, demonstrating an efficiency that can be described as extraordinary
Essentially, Zhou Baiyu's work involves receiving negative messages and providing guidance for positive emotions
Open the entrance to the second dimension New additions include Gundam vehicles and giant southern cockroach vehicles Fully implement and promote socialism Fix the bug of excessive wealth disparity in the world
The ace operator of the suicide crisis intervention hotline, who has prevented countless individuals from taking their own lives, surprisingly prepared a will for after their own "suicide" at an early stage
However, it also makes Zhou Baiyu and many others feel an unsettling sense of fear upon deeper reflection ... ? ... If a version truly exists, then who is this "we" responsible for fixing the bugs
About a month ago, Zhou Baiyu passed by a construction site and saw a strange billboard
If there is truly anything that needs to be updated, Zhou Baiyu only hopes that this world can undergo an update
Naturally, there are many people who, like Zhou Baiyu, hope that the world will undergo change
As the post began to gain immense popularity, people started to envision:
Contact us, who are "we"? What are the contact details?
In crowded areas, one will always see such a message
This startled Zhou Baiyu
... ...
Zhou Baiyu was once invited by a post that was cleverly crafted.
Especially in the past month, the global suicide rate has bizarrely surged, coinciding with the busiest period.
In the face of a person seeking death, some have spoken at length with heartfelt words, yet to no avail
Version update, clearly referring to some software or game. However, this advertisement is quite irregular, lacking both a beginning and an end
In the past, I would often work overtime until the building was about to close before leaving
However, until that time, Zhou Baiyu remained in a state of curiosity and did not delve deeper into understanding.
public restroom, basketball court, swimming pool, taxi advertisement area
This is indeed a will
Citizens have become accustomed to similar cases due to their frequency and are no longer surprised by them
He is very skilled at this job, to the point that it can be said he is overly skilled. He possesses an incomprehensible talent for guiding emotions
Such situations are not uncommon
However, the conclusion drawn is that he is very healthy, healthy to the point of resembling an immortal
Ah? Alright, no problem. Thank you, Brother Zhou, you may go now.
Not only in Linxiang City, where Zhou Baiyu is located, but also in Hechuan, the capital, Songjiang... these places are all the same
Zhou Baiyu is not only responsible in this job, but also demonstrates a passion for it, and has never taken a day off.
He looked at the wet face in the mirror, his eyes filled with fatigue
Therefore, some female colleagues are curious as to why Brother Zhou would take leave at this time
To this end, he consulted both a physician and a psychologist, and underwent a comprehensive medical examination
His intuition has always been very accurate, and he quickly began to gather relevant information
Hello, this is the suicide crisis intervention hotline, I am Zhou Baiyu
What he could not have anticipated was... The subsequent developments truly resembled a world on the brink of transformation
The response from the author, the fisherman, even made Zhou Baiyu feel that perhaps this world really does have version iterations
Before long, she unexpectedly began to cry loudly, as if she were once again experiencing the beauty of the world.
Version 1.018: Considering the excessive strength of Ying Zheng, we have decided to ban him. The DLC item "Elixir of Immortality" has been removed
... ...
The unfinished property has left me in a situation where, despite being the victim, I owe a huge sum to the bank. After many years of raising children, I discovered that none of the three children are mine. There are also close relatives who were suddenly killed on the street, and to this day, no explanation has been provided.
In the restroom on the floor, Zhou Baiyu splashed cold water on his face.
two minutes and twenty-five seconds, call ended
Is this countdown possibly related to the recent popular 'version update'?
As soon as the man on the phone spoke, his gentle voice seemed infused with a certain magic. The girl suddenly felt a strong desire to survive, and her dazed eyes instantly sparkled with life.
... ...
After a while, he finally took out his phone, opened the notes app, and looked at the document he had left not long ago
During this inexplicable surge in the suicide rate over the past month, there have been occasional incidents of individuals falling from heights
This sounds very funny
As the countdown shortened, he truly felt a chilling sense of death approaching
If this is truly the case, Zhou Baiyu hopes that
1.000 Version: Added the attack range for the Pangu Axe, with a 25% increase in efficiency for opening the heavens. Fixed the bug that prevented Pangu from moving
The entire city is covered with an increasing number of "version update" notifications, which piqued Zhou Baiyu's curiosity
The version is about to be updated. If you can see the update notification, please contact us
The girl stands on the railing of the twenty-ninth floor rooftop, teetering precariously
On the twenty-third day, an hourglass symbolizing life suddenly appeared