No matter what, it must not be exposed.
It would truly be a major crisis.
With that in mind, Jason picked up the nutrition meal that had just been delivered and then, pressed the 'Nutrition Meal (Free)' button on his handheld computer once more.
In the sound of the crisp bell, another free meal started to be prepared.
And there Jason sat, cross-legged in front of the TV, watching Galen's match while once again opening the 'lifestyle' category button on his handheld computer.
This time he didn't divert his attention to other curiosities.
Instead, he chose the 'books' category.
"F Zone—The Nation Built on Ruins" (5 Points)
"The Original Birth of 'Crazy Game'" (2 Points)
"How to Properly Participate in 'Crazy Games'" (Survivor Edition: 10 Points)
"How to Properly Participate in 'Crazy Games'" (Brutalizer Edition: 20 Points)
Unlike his previous choices, there were no price fluctuations; the costs were set in stone.
According to Jason's current understanding, each point's purchasing power was quite substantial.
If the chat was to be believed, 1 point could be exchanged for a currency of at least 10,000+.
"The high cost of knowledge?"
Jason appraised inwardly, then exchanged his points for "F Zone—The Nation Built on Ruins" and "The Original Birth of 'Crazy Game'."
Although the prices were steep, for Jason, who needed to understand the world of the instance he was in, they were essential.
Of course, Jason also understood another principle.
The 'truthfulness' of the books that appeared here could be imagined.
But the basics should be genuine.
Or rather, it was the 'common knowledge that everyone should know'.
That would require further verification and research.
However, for Jason at the current stage, that was enough.
The sound of mechanical transference was faint but clear.
Quickly, the floor beside Jason rose up.
After protruding 50 centimeters from the ground, two books were revealed on the layer below.
Then, held up by a dainty mechanical arm, they were handed to Jason.
When Jason took the books, the mechanical arm withdrew, and the floor returned to normal.
Soft covers, no excessive decor, and lacking the familiar ISBNs, they were just two plainly named books, simple yet functional.
With his expectations partially met, the corners of Jason's mouth lifted.
He began to flip through the books.
In fact, for the following period, Jason just sat on the floor flipping through the two books, watching TV, and eating his 'nutrition meal'.
Oddly, at that moment, he thought of Dennise.
When Dennise read, she liked to eat while reading and enjoyed lounging on the couch.
If only there were a couch!
Jason thought this but made no move.
A comfortable environment would only relax his vigilance.
It wasn't about asceticism.
He didn't want to die unexpectedly.
Perhaps some would say that relaxing once or twice doesn't matter.
But any 'fall from grace' always begins with one or two moments of 'relaxation.'
People are not as tenacious as they think they are.
They will fall into depravity due to various temptations.
They will also stimulate their vices due to various temptations.
The most obvious and initial one is 'laziness.'
When laziness appears, it truly signals the beginning of a disaster. It not only erodes a person's drive but also causes their will to sink into the mire.
Jason had seen too many examples of 'degeneracy' in the Nightless City.
A 'lone wolf' who had mixed in the outside world becomes 'rich overnight' due to an 'unexpected fortune' and then indulges in pleasures, only to realize too late that their body has grown sluggish and their will feeble.
To say nothing of becoming a 'lone wolf' again.
They couldn't even survive in the 'safe zone.'
Jason didn't want to become such a person.
He wanted to live longer.
And he wanted to live like a human being.
"Remember the pain of this moment."
"It proves you are alive."
"Though the process isn't enjoyable, the result is what you desire."
Jason reaffirmed his belief.
Soon, the only sounds in the room were the TV, the turning of book pages, and the chewing of food.
Initially, Jason paid some attention to the broadcast on the TV.
But soon, he was engrossed in the content of the books.
His hand mechanically grabbed the 'nutrition meal' and brought it to his mouth, his eyes fixed straight on the content of the pages—
The F Zone, once known as 'Rogo Kingdom', was a very wealthy kingdom before The Great Federation was established, depending on port trade and its marine resources, the citizens of the Rogo Kingdom were quite affluent.
The disposable wealth of every individual was envied by other kingdoms.
However, a 'rebellion' changed everything.
King Rogo the Thirteenth was killed by his own uncle in the council hall.
His head was hung outside the palace.
And this 'regicide' hadn't even put on the crown when he was killed by Rogo the Thirteenth's brother.
A hundred-man squad led by this 'king-defender' broke through the army's blockade and implemented a beheading plan.
Everyone thought the 'turmoil' had ended.
But when the 'king-defender' became the 'King', a terrible disaster struck.
Every person in the kingdom began to die one by one.
One moment they were talking and laughing, the next they dropped dead.
No matter whether they were men, women, children, or the elderly, it was the same for everyone.
And it didn't matter if you were a commoner or a noble, no one could escape.
The 'new King' ordered an investigation at the first opportunity.