Chapter 33 It's always ready.
The box containing the virus was replaced with a box containing cash. Not only was the transaction tax-free, but this money was also considered a 'down payment,' with a final payment due in two days.
However, Bai Mu wasn't sure if the data on the storage disk was actually virus information; he hadn't had time to confirm.
Having received the down payment, whether he received the remaining amount or not wouldn't affect his life here.
While house transactions in Rota City were taxed, there were no subsequent property taxes to maintain the property.
Based on that alone, living in a house was far better than living in an apartment.
He'd check on things once the final payment arrived; if not… well, he'd continue living in the apartment.
"Is the processing bureau here so rich?" Bai Mu asked Bo Lei after receiving the money.
His wording was slightly ambiguous; although he hadn't encountered other dream processing bureaus in this world, it didn't stop him from using 'this place' when asking.
Since he was already mistaken for a wild dreamwalker, a little more misunderstanding wouldn't matter. He could even glean more information from the misunderstandings. Before meeting Borei, he didn't even know what a dreamwalker's profession was.
Those unaware might think it was a visit from the Dream Inception universe.
"For specific items, the Rota City Processing Bureau prioritizes efficiency in its acquisitions," Borei explained casually. Ordinary items require more procedures, while biochemical viruses or more dangerous items are handled with maximum efficiency.
If a dreamwalker is willing to use the Dream Processing Bureau to handle 'controlled items' within a dream world, the Bureau won't delay payment. These items aren't just collected by the Bureau; other companies also recycle them.
This situation was somewhat special; the out-of-control dream world was resolved by a wild dreamwalker, preventing those companies from obtaining information. Otherwise, they would have come running afterward, drawn by the scent.
"This is the first major recyclable item the Bureau has recovered this year."
The first one! It's already April or May, almost half the year has passed, and this is the first time they've encountered something like this. Bai Mu realized how rare such things are.
"And the Bureau of Dreams is not short of funds." Bo Lei didn't continue after saying this. The Bureau's funds were indeed plentiful, but Bai Mu wasn't a member. Some inside information wasn't exactly a secret, but he wouldn't casually share it with outsiders.
Their ample funds came not only from sufficient government funding but also from many additional sources of income.
Not long after, a staff member quickly ran over, whispered a few words in Bo Lei's ear, and then turned and left. Bo Lei told Bai Mu, "The storage disk doesn't have a password, so the authentication time will be much shorter. If all goes well, I can give you an answer tomorrow." "
I live on the third floor, room 306 of Oak Apartments," Bai Mu gave his address.
"I'll come in person when I have news," Bo Lei nodded. "But you need to give me a specific time, preferably in the afternoon."
"Then after four o'clock."
Bai Mu, who was about to leave, suddenly remembered something and slapped his forehead. "I want to buy information about alternate dreams from the Processing Bureau."
"No need to do that." Bo Lei shook his head. "The Processing Bureau mainly focuses on resolving alternate dreams. Capable dream walkers are welcome to assist in resolving alternate dreams. If you're ready, you can come to the Processing Bureau to find me."
The Processing Bureau's handling of alternate dreams is selective. Ordinary people are definitely kept away from alternate dreams. Even if those ordinary people don't encounter danger in alternate dreams, the dream erosion they suffer when leaving them can be deadly.
Dream erosion, even if it's caused by a piece of clothing, can be fatal. Even if they survive, think about the wounds caused by dream erosion all over their bodies. Treatment is free.
For ordinary people, the economic losses after coming into contact with alternate dreams are a minor matter. Those ordinary people who die in alternate dreams will have an impact on reality. Their deaths are like leaving a hole in the alternate dream, and dream erosion will spread through the hole. When dreamwalkers die within a dream world, holes inevitably form. However, dreamwalkers are experienced operatives, and their mortality rate is far lower than that of ordinary people.
Unless in an extremely dangerous environment, where even dreamwalkers struggle to survive, ordinary people caught in such environments are likely to perish en masse. With
so many deaths, the dream world doesn't collapse or go out of control before it spreads due to the excessive number of holes. At this stage, the dream world isn't considered out of control; it's just that its influence has expanded.
The reason a dream world goes out of control is generally related to its source. Take Thorn's case, for example. If Thorn could successfully leave the Great Bear City and continue to grow, surviving smoothly within the dream world,
then the dream he creates wouldn't go out of control. Once discovered by the Disposal Bureau, his body in reality would be retrieved and sealed until the dream world ends normally or collapses.
Time within a dream world differs from real time. While Bai Mu and the others have been in the dream world for several days, only a few hours have passed in reality. Generally, one hour in reality corresponds to more than one day in the dream world.
Worlds with special powers have even greater time contrasts; one hour in reality might be a month there.
Preventing ordinary people from being drawn into alternate dreams is also related to this. The more people are drawn into alternate dreams, the more the time in those dreams will gradually synchronize with reality.
Based on the initial time difference, the higher the degree of synchronization, the greater the scope and intensity of the alternate dream's influence on reality. Therefore, alternate dreams require strict management.
Otherwise, if too many people are drawn in, the influence of the alternate dream will snowball; it's easy to stop and resolve when it's small, but it becomes extremely terrifying once it starts rolling.
There are many such incidents. Their world has demons, vampires, and other non-human beings. These beings didn't exist before, but due to widespread alternate dreams going out of control, they appeared.
They possess intelligence and special powers and will actively integrate into human society.
In Borei's view, this is similar to parasitism, but they are helpless in such situations.
However, at least demons and vampires can communicate, while monsters brought about by uncontrolled alternate dreams only know how to destroy.
Alternate dreams can bring immense benefits, but along with these benefits come equally dangerous dangers.
Therefore, the authorities need to use various methods to prevent ordinary people from having too much contact with alternate dreams. The processing bureau also needs to find ways to reduce the number of alternate dream sources, as those sealed sources are all potential threats.
Some can be kept, but if the accumulated number is too large, then some must be dealt with.
Directly destroying the alternate dream source is the worst approach; violence cannot solve all problems, at least the processing bureau currently lacks the 'violence' to solve all problems.
This method can be used to deal with low-intensity alternate dreams, but doing so against high-intensity ones would be, literally, disastrous.
The best approach is to let the alternate dream 'end' normally, or to weaken the alternate dream source before resorting to violence. These tasks require Dream Walkers.
Of course, the primary purpose of Dream Walkers is to explore alternate dreams, bringing out important knowledge and a few alternate dream items.
Therefore, if Bai Mu has such an idea, Bo Lei would welcome it. Want to come? You can come anytime!
(End of Chapter)