Chapter 19 Got Hacked
Supreme Sword was thrust into the eye of the storm as discussions boiled over.
14 min left
William’s face darkened with concern. “That’s impossible. All our distribution channels are legitimate–there’s no way user accounts could be fraudulently charged!”
“Still in denial?” someone shouted. “When everyone who’s played your game has experienced the same problem, how can‘ you keep denying it?”
“So much for your ‘passion project‘—more like a scam project! You act honorable, but your game is nothing but malware.”
“Of course, stealing money is faster than earning it legitimately!”
“This is why you can’t trust indie studios. Something always goes wrong in the end.”
“Enough excuses. Just give us our money back!”
The crowd’s anger intensified, even non–players jumping on the hate train.
William froze. He quickly pulled out his laptop, desperately trying to understand what was happening.
“Drop the act!” someone yelled. “The evidence is right here. You
Chapter 19 Got Hacked
think fixing it now erases what you did?”
14 min left
“Either the organizers handle this, or we’re calling the police!”
This was supposed to be the organizer’s crown jewel—they had planned to use the Supreme Sword to attract investors at the
expo.
Yet now, the situation was spiraling out of control.
The organizer upstairs was freaking out, ready to bolt down.
“Hold it,” Caleb said, cool as ice.
Everyone shot looks at the organizer. This was Caleb’s wife down there – shouldn’t he step in?
Yet, Caleb just leaned on the rail, watching the mess below like it was some TV show.
Downstairs? Total chaos. Someone even had William by the collar, demanding answers.
In the scuffle, his laptop slipped from his hands, its screen shattering.
William’s expression darkened with rage.
Just then, Caroline stepped forward, gently separating William from the man.
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Chapter 19 Got Hacked
14 min left
“May I check your phone? If it’s our game’s fault, we’ll cover everything.”
“Are you crazy?” William hissed. “We’re already broke from dev
costs!”
Caroline gave him a reassuring gesture before taking the phone.
After replicating his operation several times, she said, “Got it.”
Something in her confident tone seemed to calm the crowd.
Caroline opened her laptop and began working, and surprisingly, no one interrupted her.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard as streams of data flashed
across the screen.
Minutes later, she hit enter and stood up.
“Got it. Not a game bug–someone hacked the firewall. Planted a virus in the venue’s systems.
“We trusted their setup when installing our games. Bad move. That’s how the virus slipped in. I’ve fixed the firewall.
“Give me a sec to track the money. Everyone’s getting their cash
back ASAP.
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Chapter 19 Got Hacked
“Game’s fine. Supreme Sword’s security is solid.”
13 min left
Handing back the phone, she added, “I’ve frozen the hacker’s account. Reversed everything. Money’s coming back–yours and everyone else’s.”
“Really?” someone asked skeptically. “Venue’s computers got hacked? Sounds like BS.”
“Then check your accounts,” Caroline shrugged. “See for yourself.”
Other attendees pulled out their devices and logged in.
Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd as they discovered similar issues with other games‘ accounts.
“This virus?” Caroline explained. “Firewall killer. Our game helped contain it at first. But once it broke through? Spread like wildfire. Way bigger than just us now.”
That got everyone freaking out.
The mood shifted fast. People crowded around Caroline.
“We gotta nuke this virus! And the organizers better have answers. This could cost big time!”
“On it,” Caroline nodded.
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Chapter 19 Got Hacked
What had started as the Supreme Sword’s crisis was now everyone’s headache.
13 min left
As folks talked about how to deal with the organizer, William quietly slipped over to Caroline.
“You might fool them, but not me. How’d a virus get past our security? Did you spread it yourself?”
Caroline put a finger to her lips.
“Someone jealous of our top spot set this up to mess with us and give other games a shot. By making it everyone’s issue, the organizer will have to act, and the real culprit will start freaking out.”
William’s eyes filled with admiration and tears.
“We never should’ve let you go. With your smarts, we could’ve launched ages ago.”
“It’s just a little trick,” Caroline warned. “If anyone finds out the truth, we’re done for. Don’t get all emotional now–it could blow our cover.”
William tilted his head back, trying to hold back tears and forcing a smile.
Still, he couldn’t stop staring at Caroline.
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Chapter 19 Got Hacked
13 min left
From the second floor, Caleb watched it all, gripping the railing
tighter.
B
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