But that didn't stop Ging from grabbing one of those positions.
And since Ging was willing to join, it was also a good thing for Chairman Netero, who wanted things to be even livelier.
If nothing unexpected happened in between, Ging would most likely secure one of the seats.
Of course, Ging didn't ask for much; just the last seat was fine.
As for the higher-level position of Vice-Chairman...
"Let those two idiots fight to the death over that."
Ging shook his head, not planning to bother with the matter.
But... before he could take two steps forward, he suddenly reconsidered.
"Forget it, I should follow up on this."
Ging thought casually, "I'll check who ends up winning that spot in the end."
He was curious as well, or rather, watching drama unfold and being a spectator was human nature, even for Ging.
While Ging was preparing to follow along with later developments, on the other side, Luke was having a further discussion with Ickshonpe.
[So what you're saying is, our online platform framework can be built, but in terms of hardware, we're still lacking?]
Inside the network world, after listening to Luke's explanation, Ickshonpe's graffiti-like face, which showed no expression, seemed thoughtful.
"Exactly, something like that."
Luke cleared his throat after speaking so much. "For the signal transmission, thanks to your network world structure, that part is totally fine. There's no need to worry about it."
"But whether the devices that people use to connect to the network can handle the data flow, that's the problem."
"At the moment, the available devices aren't capable of allowing people to browse the internet quickly and easily."
Right now, in this era, accessing the internet generally requires a computer.
Most of them were bulky desktop machines, big, heavy, complicated, and expensive.
Internet users were usually from well-off families who could afford them.
But that wasn't what Luke and Ickshonpe wanted.
They wanted most of the world to participate, truly global access for all people.
If only a limited circle of privileged elites could use it, that defeated their purpose.
To break this exclusivity, they had to improve hardware technology, to genuinely bring computers and internet access to the entire world.
[In other words, our first goal is to expand the audience and give ordinary people access to the internet.]
Ickshonpe was smart; he quickly connected the dots.
[Only by letting more people join the network world can we scale up and build our influence.]
[To do that, we must lower the cost and difficulty of accessing the internet, and computers must become widespread...]
And so, the issue circled back again: hardware infrastructure.
As for that part...
[That's very easy.]
What Luke originally considered a huge problem, Ickshonpe accepted casually.
He acted as if he already had a solution ready, as if it were no big deal.
[Coincidentally, I worked with Ging and the others on designing a game console.]
[Many of the hardware components used in that machine are perfect for computers!]
[Not only low cost, its performance is more than enough for internet use!]
Ickshonpe immediately wrote the answer on a cardboard sheet.
"Ging Freecss designed that game console...?"
Luke's eyes glimmered. "What's the game called?"
[Greed Island.]
Ickshonpe gave an unsurprising answer.
[It's already finished and was scheduled to be released this year.]
[It's a very interesting game.]
Even Ickshonpe praised it, showing how groundbreaking the game must be.
Luke, who already knew about its existence, fully agreed.
"When I get the chance, I'm definitely getting one, and I'll play it thoroughly."
Luke praised, then continued asking about the hardware details.
After understanding the basic components needed to assemble a computer, he asked his real question: "After we obtain the hardware, who do we find to actually assemble the computers?"
[We go to a factory that manufactures PCs. But all those capitalists are man-eating profiteers.]
Ickshonpe seemed to curse as he wrote: [Even factories run by professional hunters are the same.]
Clearly, he had suffered enough from those so-called capitalists.
[And I'm definitely not asking Ging's company for help!]
Ickshonpe stiffened his neck, appearing resolute.
[His company is busy publishing Greed Island; they don't have time for our small business...]
Small business?
Luke felt the need to correct that misconception.
Then Ickshonpe continued: [And that guy screwed me over the worst!]
Ickshonpe raged: [He said he only handles production and distribution, while sales are handled by the company's professionals.]
[They're business people, they'll always fight for maximum profit. He won't interfere.]
Well, Ging wasn't wrong.
Let professionals handle professional tasks.
Do what you're good at, don't meddle in areas you don't understand.
Otherwise, you would be an idiot.
Ging strictly separated production and sales, even his own teammates couldn't get special treatment.
[So I don't plan on going to him for everything!]
Ickshonpe tossed away the cardboard, then stared directly at Luke.
Luke: "...?"
"Don't look at me like that..."
Even though the graffiti face had no expression, Luke still felt uncomfortable.
"This isn't a big deal, I'll handle the arrangement."
Luke said while pulling out his phone.
"And just to be clear, this project might earn money... Or might lose money."
"But no matter what, profit or loss, we split it fifty-fifty."
[Deal!]
Ickshonpe immediately grabbed a new sheet: [I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Luke!]
The exclamation mark was huge; his happiness was obvious.
Yes, Luke now confirmed: This kid truly had no idea how much profit there was in selling computers.
Nor did he understand that it's risky to do business partnerships without overseeing the accounts.
But that was normal, Ickshonpe poured all his time and energy into the network world, and he didn't pay attention to anything else.
In that case, Ging's approach actually made sense, strictly business.
No exploiting friends.
No scamming.
Ging Freecss was already being quite decent.
"Of course, the same goes for me."
Luke skillfully opened the interface and dialed a number: "If I weren't a good person who refuses to betray his friends…"
"Someone else would've already taken advantage of him and drained him dry."
"And someone even worse would've left him with nothing. Unlike me, I'm even finding someone to help him... Hm? Are you there, Chrollo?"
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