Happiness Island, Tian'en District.

Friday, June 2nd, 1203.

In the UI in the upper right corner of the field of vision, it is indicated that the current time is half past ten in the evening.

A young girl in a white knitted top and black hot pants examines her makeup for the last time in the backstage preparation room of Tian En TV, in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Because she arrived a little late, basically as soon as she sat down, three makeup artists surrounded her, and they were like doctors resuscitating patients.

Her long, crisp black hair, which used to shoot shampoo commercials without special effects, has now become a little wilted and rough. Despite being dressed in energetic and athleisure-inspired clothing, she doesn't seem to be in good spirits. Like a withered flower, along with the black fox ears on its head, it also droops down, giving people a very aggrieved feeling.

Miss Delan felt uneasy and anxious like never before—even before her debut, when she went to the singer talent show and waited for the audience to vote, she was not as uneasy as she was now.

More than a month has passed since Mr. Ultramarine's disappearance.

Not to mention Happiness Island, now there has been a mess on the Internet, and even the internal circle of the Brokers has gone crazy.

At present, the most mainstream theory is that the existence of the Brokers has shaken the supremacy of the Big Seven.

Even if 70% of the shares of the Brokers belong to the Big Seven and 10% of the shares belong to the Cyber Church, the 10% of the shares each occupied by Ultramarine and Xiao Liuli are enough to make the Big Seven have murderous intent. After all, this is the act of putting one's own existence on the same level as the head office....

When the Brokers were not famous, it was just that. But now, the Brokers have become a force to be reckoned with on the seven empty islands. Through the credibility of the two founders and the rules they laid down, people of different professions, different classes, and different spiritual relatives were brought together, and today on the island of happiness alone, the members of the Brokers have exceeded 7% of the total population.

You must know that the number of direct employees of Tianen Group is less than one-tenth of this number.

This has become a force to be reckoned with, and it is even expanding – according to expert analysis, within five years the Brokers could approach the frightening figure of 15 percent. This means that one out of every seven people is a member of the Brokerage. Almost every family will have at least one Broker member.

On the other hand, the Broker can be regarded as "another cyber church".

On the island of happiness, even the religious people combined are far less than 15%. Judging from the data obtained by Dailan, I am afraid it is less than 5%. The number of brokers alone today has been surpassed.

The religion of the new age – some people call the Brokers.

No matter how much the cyber church preaches its ultimate goal of "cyber ascension," the organizational structure of the church is somewhat outdated. In this era, whether it is pension, orphans, or even education and social welfare, it is no longer impossible for them to do so. It's just that they still cling to these "old-fashioned traditions" and try to hold this power in their hands.

The Brokers are well placed to replace them.

"Mutual help under supervision" and the formation of a platform to sell "favors" are the core of the brokerage. What everyone can do and the people they come into contact with are different, what is difficult for one person may be easy for others, and resources that are incredibly scarce for one person are of no value to another. And everyone only needs to do something very simple for themselves, so that they can accumulate a favor and let others help themselves through this platform....

INTERVIEWER In a way, this is the issuance of a new kind of "credit currency" that has more purchasing power than local "credits" through labor entrustment. However, the issuer is not the local head office, but a private organization that exists on all the empty islands at the same time.

The most dominant argument on the Internet is that the behavior itself completely angered the head office.

So one day, Ultramarine and Little Liuli disappeared at the same time - they had been killed by the company. They're all exact

They are not married and have no offspring, which means that the shares they hold after their death will be recovered by the local head office, which is the Tianen Group.

This means that Tianen Group will hold 30% of the shares, becoming the largest in the Brokers' de facto largest shares. And other empty islands are certainly not going to allow this. After all, the Brokers' operating model has also spread to them.

Accumulate "kindness" by helping others solve their problems as much as possible, and solve problems for your present or future self - this is not just the poor, but the *** will join in. Corporate directors, tycoons, "heroes" and even elves may join in.

Yes, elves –

According to feedback from the Brokers' inner circles, after learning of the existence of the Brokers, the elves with a long lifespan are generally very interested in this kind of "credit lending" organization. The Brokers' presence was soon brought into the elven circles...... And since the middle of last month, a large wave of elves has begun to pour into the Brokers. And the things they can do and solve the troubles are undoubtedly the most.

This meant that some of the "difficult tasks" that had accumulated in the Brokers were easily solved by the elves. They gained a lot of "favors" almost immediately...... In a sense, this can also be understood as a consumable power.

In a way, the Brokers could even be said to be an organization made for elves. Because of its existence, it is possible to directly realize and store the elves' extraordinary talents and long lifespans into the future.

As we all know, "labor" itself has a difference in value. What each person can do is completely different, and knowledge is highly differentiated and their talents are different, so human beings need to rely on "mutual help" to complete their work together. But under the old monetary model, the profits that could be made in the business and financial sectors were simply too great.

The existence of the Brokers is equivalent to the elimination of "commerce". In principle, the "favors" accumulated by each person cannot be traded—this means that people cannot accumulate "favor money" by means other than "helping others", and the ability to help others can also be called "talent" from a macro perspective.

Whether it is to solve the problem by himself, or to solve the problem through contacts and resources, as long as the problem can be solved, it is one of his abilities. Therefore, the Brokers are actually selling "manpower" to reward "talent" and "hard work". The more things each person can do, the more unique they are, and the more things they do, the more "credit money" they can earn within the Brokers system. And through "trading", that is, posting tasks within the Brokers' platform, you can cash out this currency and immediately seek the help you need most at the moment.

It does not cause archbishops, angels, corporate directors, or elves to lose their wealth and status, but it only weeds out some unworthy lucky ones - or rather, pure nouveau riche. Therefore, the Brokers will not be resisted and ostracized by these "upper classes" who have great power in this era, which is why it has expanded like a virus.

It is supported by the ownerless, the mercenaries, the young and the students, the unemployed, the talented and unresourced, the resourceful and untalented, the community opinion leaders, the powerful, the top rich, the top intellectuals, and in this case it becomes a form of political correctness to support the Brokers—it is well known that the only people who cannot profit under the rules of the Brokers are those who are hated and unworthy.

So who is opposing the Brokers, does it mean that they have a weak heart?

In that case, their own investors and backers risk questioning their competence.

In such a situation, even if they are against the Brokers in their hearts, they must speak out in support of the Brokers.

But it didn't take long

Just last month, someone became aware of a loophole in the Brokers' rules. Although in principle, "credit points" within the Brokers cannot be traded. But what if "asking other Helpers to help you" constitutes a "task" in itself?

There are always people who are short of money. In other words, most people are forever short of money. As long as the price is high enough, someone will definitely give this "reputation point".

The trading method is also very simple. If you have points, you can post a tricky and very troublesome task, and then the "point buyer" will take it. The initiator then directly confirms that the task has been completed, and in this way transfers their favor points.

It's like RMT in an MMORPG.

It's just that what you buy in this way is not a virtual "game currency".

Rather, there are also "Broker points" that are of great value in real life.

In the beginning, people didn't think there was anything wrong with it - there were always people who happened to be missing a bit or two, and it was very difficult and inhuman to try to complete someone else's task first. With this trading channel, then there will be no more cards for one or two points... With a little extra money, you'll be able to complete your mission.

At that time, there were not many opponents, and the opposing opinions were drowned out almost instantly. Because in the beginning, the price offered by those who offered to buy points was really very high - even a small incident that an ordinary civilian could easily solve, and the "one credit point" obtained could be exchanged for a full five hundred and fifty credits.

You must know that where the kind of psykers in the Special Enforcement Department work hard, the basic salary of a month is only 55,000.

Graduate students who graduate from ordinary universities earn almost 12,000 to 15,000 a month; Top social animals who graduated from Sogo University and Tianen University with a master's degree can earn almost 25,000 three years after graduation.

And if they don't go to college, which is about 75 percent, their average income will plummet to more than 4,000 after five years of work.

This means that as long as people without academic qualifications work hard, they can earn more than 600 yuan a day; And if they have connections or talents, their income will skyrocket further. For most people, it's completely irresistible.

It was undoubtedly the richest of those who initiated this proposal; And those who support these proposals are those who have the least money. Then it is completely unstoppable.

On the contrary, some people in the middle are aware of the problem - their work on Happiness Island is some scholars, writers, and media people who are at the top of their own industries, plus some senior mercenaries and entrepreneurs of small companies. But they can't stop it in terms of numbers, status, or voice.

Ultramarines and Godfathers began to disappear around that time. The specific time is May 11th.

At first, people will be worried that if they buy so many points, will it lead to the depreciation of points? After all, when they have enough points, they can easily buy the labor they need through the internal channels of the Brokers

However, those who bought points did not immediately reduce the purchase price of points - on the contrary, they increased it to a monetary ratio of 1:630 half a month later. As a result, many people simply give up their original jobs and start working full-time. Their income has skyrocketed as a result...... This also made some people who did not plan to join the Brokers join the Brokers because of the income.

And with the influx of these "point mercenaries", it soon led to the problem of no tasks to accept.

After all, the "generation" of these points is not mining, but when helping others within the Brokers, according to the specific situation, that is, by receiving "gratitude" and "praise" from others, to obtain some extra points.

From this point of view, the main way to produce Brokers' points is actually equivalent to the Brokers giving them a "negative tax rate" - the more they trade, the more points they have on the market. It's also encouraging people to post tasks and ask for help from others, which is, after all, amplifying the influence of the Brokers.

Normally, these points are used quickly. After all, it's a new currency...... People definitely want to be able to monetize as quickly as possible. And everyone will always have trouble to a greater or lesser extent, and as they solve these problems through the Brokers, they will gradually develop this habit of posting tasks.

But as a large number of points have been collected, fewer people have begun to post tasks on the market. A large number of people quit their jobs and then don't get a job – so they start taking one

Some of the tasks that are obviously given fewer points than normal, and because the purchase price of points is also increasing further, people do not notice that there is any big problem.

But then, people suddenly realized something.

The value of points has become so expensive, so wouldn't it become a waste to use them up for people to do things that are just a bit of a hassle for them?

For example, when people are busy working overtime, they will ask someone to pick up their children, and they pay "a little point". This point may have been earned when their new neighbor moved and asked him to come over and help move the furniture; It is also possible that the lost elderly who saw Alzheimer's disease, found that there was such a task in the platform, and then contacted the family of the elderly to get it.

This is a kind of "help between people" that is extremely warm.

However, after the value of the points was inflated for no reason...... People are reluctant to use this kind of points to entrust others to do some small things within their means. For example, if the "human reputation" spent on helping to transport furniture is exchanged for credits, it is enough to hire professional workers who wear exoskeletons and undergo high-intensity prosthetic modifications; Another example is to ask someone to help pick up the child when working overtime, but the price of "favor" is not

It's already several times higher than overtime pay...... Even if he took a leave of absence that day, the loss of income was not comparable to the value of the Broker's reputation.

That's when people finally realized the problem.

Through the acquisition of high points, people quantify the value of "human favor" in their hearts. Every act that would otherwise be full of human warmth had to start calculating the benefits and costs – and this was undoubtedly contrary to the original goal of the Brokerage.

At this time, the people who had been in a frenzy suddenly woke up and realized that their two leaders had been missing for a month.

Some people found out that "Ultramarine" and "Barber" were sent on a business trip to Sogo Island and Spring Island respectively. So there were some people who simply took an empty boat to the local area to find out the information, but they couldn't find any of them.

It was as if the two men had vanished out of thin air – and by coincidence, on the 9th of May. Basically, after coming down from the empty boat, the next day there were no people.

So a voice began to appear on the island of happiness...... That is, they were betrayed by the Tianen Group, and after landing, they were assassinated by other giants on the Sky Island. The fact that Happiness Island, the birthplace of the Brokerage, has undergone such a drastic change is proof that they did not appear at all.

As further investigation continued, more and more shocking truths were discovered.

Ultramarine's fiancée "Delphinch", who had been officially announced, also disappeared at the same time, and "Strangling" and "Silence", who were high-level officials of the Brokers, also disappeared on the same day.

As one of the last two executives, "Ale" began to appear in front of the camera several times, making people calm and explaining that Ultramarine and Delphinium had gone to their hometown to get married; And the barber, the strangulation, and the silence also have some private affairs of their own on Yongquan Island. Later, the trouble got bigger and bigger, and Delphinium's parents also had to appear and confirm the incident.

But people are still skeptical – and increasingly skeptical.

Finally, just last week......

The ale that appears in front of the camera every day to soothe people's hearts suddenly disappears completely, and the world disappears.

In addition, the daily mention of the Fortune Daily has also disappeared, and news about the "Brokerage" on the Internet has also begun to be blocked. There is information that the malt wine is suspected of being assassinated and taken to the hospital...... But when the reporter went to the hospital to investigate, he found that the ward where the malt was registered was empty, and the hospital proved that the malt was indeed admitted to the hospital that day and was transferred the next day. They also don't know where the ale is now.

So, just yesterday—

Thursday, June 1st.

Ice Water, who held an important position in the Brokers and was the chief reporter of the former Cheonen Daily, announced the start of an investigation into the disappearance of ale. As the chief reporter, Dai Lan was pushed out by Tianen Daily - the company asked her to participate in tonight's emperor talk show and resolve the current healing on the island of happiness

There is a tense crisis of public opinion. A reasonable explanation for the disappearance of ultramarines, barbers, ales, ice water, and others.

…… But, how can I resolve it?

How do I explain that?

You didn't even tell me anything, I don't have any information or intelligence1 - and was the ice-water senior directly classified as "missing"? It's only been a day since she spoke to investigate!

Dailan felt a lot of pressure.

The stress was so great that she even started to have stomach aches.

If she could, she really wanted to quit right now and leave nothing at all-

But Dailan's intuition and experience told her that if she quit at this time... ……

Maybe what she ushered in was the "resignation" of her life.