Mineração Global

Year of Turmoil—the global economy faltered, unemployment soared. The internet economy, now driven by artificial intelligence, absorbed vast surpluses of capital and, building on the basic algorithms of traditional cryptocurrency mining, launched a wildly popular fantasy business-adventure game: “Global Mining: Golden Continent.” Mining coins could be exchanged for real currency with unprecedented ease; players could earn a living by mining even while sleeping or at work. A brand new, colossal industry was rising to lead the future.

...

“Xiaoqin, I’m heading out. Xiaofan, while Daddy’s away on this business trip, listen to your mother and no playing games...”

Suppressing his anxiety, Dachun waited at the bus stop. In truth, he had already been laid off, but pride wouldn’t let him confide in anyone. He continued to don his suit, clutch his tablet and briefcase, and pretend to go to work each day.

He had tried submitting résumés and attending interviews, but the less said about the results, the better. Eventually, he ended up renting a monthly pod at a high-end 6G internet café to mine in the world’s hottest game, which would officially launch at midnight after its public beta concluded. His so-called business trip was actually a weeklong overnight stint at the café, hoping to carve out a lucrative side gig.

A small, futuristic black car stopped in front of Dachun, its window rolling down.

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Chun! Waiting for the bus?”

Just Dachun’s luck—running into a flashy, well-off old classmate at his lowest point...