area51novel Page 9
Page 9
As for using the corrupting power of the "Greedy Treasure Chest"?
The thought was ruthlessly extinguished as soon as it arose.
Putting aside the fact that such methods are too evil and immoral, the unpredictable and inevitable consequence of "turning passersby into uncontrollable zombies" alone is enough to make him completely abandon this option.
What he needs is a low profile and safety, not to ignite another disaster in a strange, alien city.
He needed to find a decent place to stay with relatively reliable security.
Too low-class places are a mixed bag, while too high-class places might attract attention; you need to strike the right balance.
After walking along the main street for about half an hour, avoiding those overly noisy or overly dark corners, Zhang Su's gaze finally settled on a hotel called "White Whale and Anchor".
The hotel is located on the corner of a relatively quiet but fairly busy side street. The building is a typical Muyun Port style stone and wood mixed building with three floors. The exterior walls are covered with hardy vines, and a uniquely shaped sign lamp combining whalebone and an anchor hangs at the entrance.
Through the gleaming glass windows, you can see the spacious and bright lobby inside, with thick wool carpets, comfortable-looking leather sofas, and mahogany coffee tables. Waiters in neat uniforms are moving about quietly.
The overall atmosphere is neither overly luxurious nor ostentatious, yet it exudes a reliable and stable feel.
"This is it." Zhang Su made up his mind and pushed open the heavy oak door.
A warm aroma, a blend of fine cigars, leather, wood wax, and a faint scent of disinfectant, wafted in, dispelling the chill outside.
Behind the front desk stood a middle-aged man with his hair neatly combed, wearing a crisp black vest and white shirt, and gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to Whale & Anchor. Are you checking in?" The receptionist's voice was gentle and polite, her gaze quickly sweeping over Zhang Su's obviously expensive trench coat before her attitude became even more respectful.
"Yes, a quiet single room, preferably with a private bathroom, for one night." Zhang Su tried to make his voice sound calm and natural.
“Of course, sir. We happen to have a few excellent single rooms that meet your requirements.” The receptionist expertly flipped through the register. “The price is 8 soras per night, including breakfast.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Su was stunned, for he realized that he was unfamiliar with the world's monetary system... This forced him to turn to the mysterious power for help once again, hoping it could provide an answer.
Then, the mysterious force, as always, proved reliable and gave him the answer.
Next, I will explain the monetary system of the Calidor Empire where we are now.
The highest denomination unit of the country's currency is the gold pound.
Material: The main component is gold (approximately 90% purity), with a small amount of mithril or other inert metals added to increase hardness and anti-counterfeiting properties. The gold coins themselves are not for circulation; they are used solely as reserves and large-value settlement certificates.
Form of circulation: Gold pound paper money. Issued by the Imperial Central Bank, backed by gold reserves and the Imperial credit.
面值：1、5、10、20、50、100（最高面值）。
Features: Exquisitely printed, employing sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technologies (special inks, watermarks, embedded metallic threads, and anti-counterfeiting psionic markings). It served as the primary medium of exchange for international trade, large-scale transactions, the trading of extraordinary items, and among the nobility and wealthy merchants. Its purchasing power was extremely high (a high-quality handmade garment cost approximately 50 gold pounds).
Secondary unit: Sora - Silver Coin
Material: Silver (approximately 80% purity), with a small amount of copper or other base metals added to increase hardness.
Form: Coin. It is the most commonly used basic currency for large denominations in daily life, especially circulating among ordinary citizens, skilled craftsmen, low-ranking officials, and soldiers.
面值：1/2(半索拉）、1、2、5索拉。
Features: The size and weight of the coins increase with their face value.
The designs are usually a profile portrait of the reigning emperor (front) and the imperial emblem (such as a double-headed eagle, an anvil and anchor combination, etc., on the reverse side).
边缘常有防剪边的刻齿。汇率：1金镑=20索拉。购买力参考：一个熟练工人日薪约1-2索拉；一顿体面的餐馆正餐约0.5-1索拉；普通旅馆单间一晚约0.2-0.5索拉。
Basic unit: Finni - Copper coin
Material: Bronze (copper-tin alloy) or pure copper. The lowest cost circulating currency.
Form: Coins. Used for small daily transactions, making change, and purchasing basic necessities.
面值：1、5、10、20芬尼。（1索拉硬币太大，找零不便，故有20芬尼面值）
特点：硬币较小较轻。图案可能较简单，如面值数字、麦穗、齿轮等象征帝国工农业的图案。汇率：1索拉=12芬尼(因此1金镑=20索拉=240芬尼)。购买力参考：一块黑面包约1-2芬尼；一杯淡啤酒约3-5芬尼；一份街头小吃约5-10芬尼；一张最便宜的公共轨道车票约2芬尼。
System summary and characteristics:
三进制为主，辅以十进制：核心进制是1金镑=20索拉，1索拉=12芬尼。但在索拉和芬尼内部的小面值上采用十进制（如1/2,1,2,5索拉；1,5,10,20芬尼），方便计算和使用。
Origin of the name:
Gold pounds: directly refer to monarchical sovereignty, emphasizing imperial authority and monetary credibility.
Sola: It may derive from "the sun," symbolizing the glory and all-encompassing light of the empire, and also alludes to the association with gold (the sun metal). The name is catchy and befits the status of silver coins as the main circulating currency.
Finney: The name is concise and short, similar to a penny in reality, which fits the positioning of a small copper coin and is easy for the lower classes to use.
Materials and anti-counterfeiting features: Reflecting the level of technology (banknote anti-counterfeiting, alloy formula) and the characteristics of the extraordinary world (trace amounts of mithril, possible psionic markings).
Purchasing power tiers are clearly defined, covering all transaction scenarios from international trade to everyday transactions. Gold pounds are used for large and high-end transactions, sora is the primary everyday currency, and pennies handle smaller transactions.
……
Zhang Su couldn't understand this long stream of information about currency popularization at first, but a mysterious force kindly forced it into his mind, giving him a general understanding.
Immediately, Zhang Su quickly did the mental calculation: 1 gold pound = 20 sola. 8 sola was indeed not cheap, but it was acceptable. Anyway, he had plenty of money now.
He nodded: "Okay."
"Okay, sir. Please register your name." The receptionist handed over a registration book and a delicate dip pen.
After a moment's thought, Zhang Su picked up his pen and wrote down a name spelled out by strange characters in the register, pronounced "Zhang Su".
The receptionist glanced at it, didn't ask any questions, and smiled as she took it: "Mr. Zhang, please prepay for one night's room, 8 Sola."
Zhang Su reached into the inner pocket of his trench coat, but in reality, he took out a brand-new 100-pound gold pound banknote from the void.
He pulled out a bill and handed it to the cashier: "Sorry, we only have large denomination bills. Please make change."
When the receptionist saw the brand-new 100-pound note, her professional smile faltered slightly, and a clearer look of surprise and understanding flashed in her eyes. It turned out that this guest was truly powerful; no wonder he was dressed so elegantly.
He took the banknotes and carefully examined the anti-counterfeiting watermark and special ink luster under the light. After confirming that everything was correct, he said apologetically, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Zhang. It takes time to count the change for a 100-pound note. I'll go to the safe in the back room to get it right away. It will take at most five minutes."
"It's alright." Zhang Su expressed his understanding and stood quietly to the side to wait.
While waiting, Zhang Su asked the receptionist to recommend nearby shops that sell basic daily necessities.
The receptionist enthusiastically pointed to an "Old Seal Grocery Store" that was open 24 hours on the street corner.
A few minutes later, the receptionist returned with a bulging cloth money bag. He poured the money inside onto the counter and carefully counted it in front of Zhang Su.
Nine 20-pound banknotes.
One y/u-/e-/yi*-first-issued 10 gold pound banknote.
Nine 1-pound banknotes.
Six 1-sola silver coins.
A total of 99 gold pound banknotes.
"Mr. Zhang, here is your change: 99 gold pounds and 6 solas. Please keep it safe. This is the key to room 301. The elevator is at the far right, or you can take the stairs to the third floor. Have a pleasant stay!"
Zhang Su carefully put away the money and keys, and thanked him. He didn't go upstairs immediately, but instead went out and turned right, finding the "Old Seal Grocery Store".
The shop is small, but it has a full range of products.
Under the dim light of the gas lamp, he quickly selected a few simple but good-quality cotton underwear and socks, a set of dark gray flannel pajamas, and toiletries such as towels, toothbrushes, and soap.
When he paid the bill, he finally used the 100-pound note and got a lot of change and a small package in return.
Returning to "Moby-Dick and Anchor," take the old-fashioned steam elevator—which requires manually opening the gate and operates with a slight tremor and the sound of gears meshing—up to the third floor.
Find room 301 and unlock the door with the heavy brass key.
The room was more comfortable than I had imagined. It wasn't large, but it was tastefully furnished with an oak bed covered in clean linen sheets, a desk, a high-backed chair, and a wardrobe.
What pleased him most was the separate washroom in the corner of the room, separated by frosted glass, which contained a rather sturdy-looking white porcelain bathtub and a brass sink.
A feeling of fatigue washed over me like waves.
Zhang Su-erliu?er yinsan⊙ba Er impatiently put down his things and went into the washroom.
He turned on the huge brass valve above the bathtub, and a stream of cold water with a rusty smell gushed out.
A few seconds later, accompanied by a muffled vibration of the pipes and a hissing sound of steam erupting, the water quickly became scalding hot, and white steam spread out—this was the steam heating pipes connected to the huge boiler room in the hotel's basement working.
He carefully adjusted the hot and cold water valves until the water temperature was just right before taking off his expensive trench coat and shirt, revealing the scabbed but still gruesome wound on his shoulder.
"Ah~" He immersed his body in the warm, even slightly hot, water and couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
Hot water washed over my skin, carrying away the dust, blood, and cold sweat of the journey, and my tense nerves finally relaxed in the rising steam.
The faint sounds of city noise drifting in from outside the window only served to highlight the tranquility inside the room.
This was the first time since he had traveled through time that he had truly felt safe and relaxed for a moment.
After taking a shower and changing into soft, comfortable flannel pajamas, the pain in my wound seemed to lessen considerably.
Zhang Su threw himself heavily onto the soft bed.
The bedding smelled clean, as if it had been sun-dried. In his original world, he suffered from insomnia and often needed medication to fall asleep.
But at this moment, an unprecedented exhaustion—physical, mental, from the shock of the journey, the life-or-death struggle, and the constant tension—overwhelmed him like a heavy wave.
Almost the instant my head touched the pillow, my consciousness sank into boundless darkness.
However, this deep sleep did not bring peace.
His consciousness was drawn by an unseen force, passing through a chaotic mist, and finally settling on an extremely bizarre and unsettling scene.
The bedding smelled clean, as if it had been sun-dried.
In his original world, he suffered from insomnia and often couldn't fall asleep until three or four in the morning.
But at this moment, an unprecedented exhaustion—physical, mental, from the shock of the journey, the life-or-death struggle, and the constant tension—overwhelmed him like a heavy wave.
Almost the instant my head touched the pillow, my consciousness sank into boundless darkness.
However, this deep sleep did not bring peace.
...wsan like Lingqi⑵1罒岜〦. ?silk
In his sleep, his consciousness was drawn by an unseen force, passing through a chaotic mist, and finally settling on an extremely vast, cold, and suffocating scene—
He stood on a boundless, flat, smooth, mirror-like, yet lusterless gray "ground".
The sky was a low, uniform leaden gray, devoid of sun, moon, stars, or cloud patterns; only a depressing monotony.
Absolute silence enveloped everything; even his own breathing was swallowed up by the vast space.
A building stood before him.
No, that can no longer be simply called "architecture".
It was a colossal structure made of pure, unadorned concrete.
It was enormous beyond imagination, stretching upwards until its top disappeared into the leaden sky, and extending left and right until its boundaries vanished at the edge of the field of vision.
Its form is purely geometric, composed of countless huge, angular cubes, cuboids, cones, and cylinders crudely stacked, interlocked, and interlocked, without any curves or decorations.
The walls are as thick as mountains, and the surface is covered with rough, solidified traces of the casting templates—coarse wood grain texture, residual bolt holes, and fine cracks caused by the shrinkage of the concrete itself.
Huge, square or rectangular windows, like chasms in an abyss, are irregularly embedded in those geometric blocks, their bottomless depths letting in the equally dark and cold light from within.
The entire structure presents an extremely monotonous gray-white tone, which is the most primitive color of concrete, cold, hard, and unapproachable.
There is no sign of life, no sense of the passage of time, only an eternal, heavy, inhuman materiality.
Countless massive, exposed concrete beams and columns, like the skeleton of a giant beast, extend from the block, supporting the structure above, or abruptly suspended in the air, forming unsettling negative spaces.
Thick, rusty steel pipes and ventilation shafts, like giant blood vessels or industrial umbilical cords, are also exposed, meandering along the building's surface or jutting out of the blocks and into another section, emitting a faint smell of machine oil and oxidized metal.
Huge, cylindrical structures, resembling industrial valves or pressure vessels, are embedded in concrete blocks and connected to equally large pipes.
This enormous, despair-inducing geometric mass exudes a pure, cold, inhuman sense of scale and weight.
It disregards any architectural principles concerning proportion, harmony, or humanity, and its purpose seems to be solely to proclaim its absolute material existence and overwhelming power.
Simply "looking" at it evokes a profound sense of insignificance, loneliness, and a chilling fear of being utterly objectified, originating from the depths of one's soul. This is not madness, but a more despairing, utterly inorganic order and indifference.
Zhang Su's mind became exceptionally clear in his dream, and he immediately recognized the style—concrete core!
Pure, extreme, and utterly devoid of pretense—brutalism!
This is exactly the same as the cold, grand, geometric, and unadorned concrete texture of the concept art he saw on Bilibili before his time travel, which depicted giant concrete buildings from the Cold War era, massive unfinished infrastructure, or the core of dystopian cities in science fiction works!
What is this colossal concrete core structure from my dreams?
Why does it appear in my consciousness?
Is it a manifestation of some kind of cold database of the cheat system?