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Real World, World Gaming Corporation Headquarters.

Carlos and his team, the monitoring team, were currently having a meeting with the development team to plan the next course of the game.

"The players are reaching the current 'Cap' of the game, so we need to make an update on this as soon as possible," said Marcus as he shared some of the data that their team had gathered while monitoring the progress of the game.

(*Cap/ Level Cap: Maximum attainable level for the player character.)

"We can't do another major update on the game since we recently got one," said the head assistant of the development team calmly.

"But we also can't ignore the fact that all of the leading players can now fight most of the current NPCs of the game. Aside from the special ones, almost all of the NPCs are no different from normal mobs for these players," said Marcus calmly.

"The mainstream players may still need more time to do such feats, but the leading players are already approaching the current end game stages. We can't neglect this fact, Liam," he added as he showed some statistics on the huge virtual screen projected above the conference table in front of them.

Hearing that, Liam calmly crossed his arms in front of him before replying. "Even if that is the case, their numbers are still in the minority so we can do a major update just because of that. They can just stay max-leveled for a little longer and wait for the mainstream players to catch up a little so that everyone can have an equal start on the next stage of the game."

Bang!

This time, Marcus slightly lost his cool and slammed his hand on the table while saying with a loud voice. "What are you talking about?! The leading players are the ones who are creating the path for all of the players. If their progression is halted, then how can you expect the community to grow?"

"Come on, Marcus. Slowing the progress of the game is still needed in our industry to give a little hope to the players with slower progress. If not, those players with less talent are going to quit playing our game sooner or later," refuted Liam almost immediately.

"If that is the case, then the same goes for the leading players. If we halt their progress and they lose the sense of progression, then aren't they also going to quit the game?" asked Marcus in return.

The two sides continued to argue left and right until it became heated and got the other members involved. Their respective leaders remained silent and continued to listen to their subordinates' arguments.

A few moments later, Troy suddenly tapped his finger on the table to attract the attention of everyone which also halted their discussion. All of them stopped talking and turned their heads at him before waiting for him to say something.

Seeing that they finally calmed down, Troy nodded his head in satisfaction before saying. "We all know that the game is currently in its critical stages which is why we can't make any rushed decisions."

"And friends from the monitoring team, you should understand that we can't do any major update yet since he just updated the game recently. And if we indeed do what you are proposing to us, do you think how much time and effort we need to spend for the next major update? Our jobs are not as simple as monitoring the players."

"Moreover, there are also those major events that are scheduled to happen in the future. So, if you tell us to expand the update now, it will mess up the road map that we already prepared," he added, silencing the people from the monitoring team.

But if there was someone who could refute those words, then it was most likely the head of the monitoring team, Carlos. "Then you should also understand where we stand."

"The game is progressing way faster than we are expecting. There are already a lot of people involved in the 'Grandscale Main Quests' across the world. Just like those players who are closely related to the 'Light Path Alliance' and 'Union of Corrupted Cult and Demonic Church'."

"These two hegemons are already clashing against each other and are involved in a lot of matters regarding different Kingdoms and Empires. And with their spreading influence, the mainstream players are starting to notice the upcoming event related to these forces."

"Given all of these, we are going to have some problems with the system if we don't do anything now. After all, all of the ongoing quests are going to halt if the players involved in them reach the wall that we currently set. And it will destroy the 'Free World' that we are building within the game."

He then paused for a moment to send a file on the huge virtual screen in front of them and opened it before continuing. "Aside from those, there is also the issue regarding the hidden races which are being unlocked left and right."

"First, there are the Wingmen Race and Dire Nagas that have recently been unlocked. Then the Dwarves and Gnomes are currently underway to being available to the public. And aside from those, there are also some teams that are already close to unveiling the mysteries regarding the Giant Race and other Ocean Species."

"With all of these, do you still think that it is possible to slow down the progress of the game?" asked Carlos while staring at Troy with raised eyebrows.

Seeing that, Troy could only sigh helplessly before asking. "So, what are you planning to propose?"

"Let's hear it out and finalize it before we present it at tomorrow's meeting with the other teams and the chairman," he added while crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking at Carlos with squinting eyes.

Hearing those words, Carlos suddenly wore a smirking smile before replying. "Heh! Don't act as if you don't know what I am talking about. We both know what is the best solution in this situation."

"Since the top experts are already reaching the level-150 Cap for players, it is not going to take long for them to get their Tier 3 Promotion quest. And when it happens, we all know that the current hunting grounds will not be able to satisfy them."

"Plus, the major quest will not align with it and reach a dead end. So, the basic solution that we currently have is to open some maps that will make them busy and let those quests advance further."

All of a sudden, Liam suddenly chimed in and insisted. "Our current hunting grounds are not going to be enough? What does it mean? The maps on the borders of each Kingdom and Empire are going to handle that."

"Those places are filled with Level-200 to Level-250 Monsters in different ranks, so how come those places are still not enough for those so-called top experts?" he added in a dissatisfied tone.

Hearing that, Marcus couldn't contain his laughter and immediately refuted "Hehe… you people from the development team must be focusing too much on the levels and abilities of the monsters and how good the items and equipment that you guys are making."

"You should pay more attention to how scary those guys that we are talking about are. They are not the same as those little kids playing in your homes. These people on our topic are monsters in human disguise. Not only did they exceed our expectations, they even surpassed the calculations that 'AI Chronos' have."

With those words, the members of the development team suddenly turned silent as they also knew about the existence of the monster players that Marcus was talking about. Especially for those people who were marked in the list as Miracle Players.

But despite knowing the truth, their pride as developers of the game couldn't admit that fact easily. They rather make some excuses than acknowledge that their ideas couldn't beat these little monsters.

On the other hand, the two leaders ignored their comments and continued with their discussion.

"So, you are going with that strategy again to buy us more time?" said Troy without removing his gaze at Carlos.

Hearing that, the head of the monitoring team slightly nodded his head and added. "Matching the progress of these players is the best thing that we can do."

"Then which maps are you suggesting to open?" asked Troy in response.

"The Central Territories," answered Carlos in an instant and without showing any hint of hesitation.

Bang!

"That is crazy!"

Hearing those words, the members of the development team immediately went mad and started making a fuss. But before the situation could even escalate, Troy suddenly raised his hand and silenced them.

Then he looked at Carlos before asking. "Which of them and how many?"

This time, Carlos hesitated for a moment before giving his answer. "All of them if possible. Or at least the main bases of the major races that are available to the public."

Bang!

"Have you gone senile? Do you even know what you are talking about?" shouted Liam while standing up and slamming his hand on the table.

Unfortunately for him, his team leader gave him a glare and yelled. "Silence!"

After that, Troy turned his attention back before saying. "I'm afraid that it is impossible. And even if I agree with you, I don't think we will be able to convince everyone at tomorrow's meeting."

"But what if we put some special conditions to unlock those places alongside some restrictions that will prevent the players from entering those territories easily?" replied Carlos with a serious expression on his face.

Hearing that, Troy couldn't help but become a little interested and nodded his head. "Go on."

When Carlos saw that he finally piqued the interest of his friend, he immediately continued. "First, the players need to be successful on the quest regarding the hidden races that are currently underway on being unlocked. When that happens, we can have a solid reason that can support us in convincing the other teams for tomorrow's meeting."

"Next, the requirements on entering those Central Territories need to be a little harsh. For example, only players who reach the level-150 mark can enter the cities within those territories. Plus, the players who pass the Tier 3 Promotion Quest are the only ones that have the right to accept the mission from the NPCs in there."

"With these conditions, I am pretty sure that even the chairman will be convinced," he added confidently.

"Requiring the players to at least reach Expert Level before entering those territories and only giving the right of building a 'Social Status' to the players who are in Ranker Levels. Not that bad I suppose!" said Troy with an amused look on his face.

After that, he fell in deep thought as he tried to weigh the pros and cons of the plan that Carlos had proposed before wearing a mysterious grin and nodding his head. "Then how about we start building up a foolproof plan for tomorrow's presentation?"

...