Chapter 358 Now the real society is dead

   "Welcome to Gracie Clinic!"

   The sudden voice in the shadows startled Fang Chang and almost pulled out his gun.

   Taking a closer look, it is the dolls in the window who are talking.

  It has an ordinary face, two red stones in its eyes, and two pieces of wood attached to its mouth perfunctorily, like an aged puppet, hidden in a dark and damp corner.

   Dolly, who was standing beside her, chirped and joked.

   "You're not the first to be frightened."

   Fang Chang took his hand out of his pocket and said speechlessly.

   "... Didn't the owner of this clinic consider that putting such a signboard would scare off his clients?"

   "Usually, his guests wouldn't mind being a little frightened..."

   patted his shoulder, Dolly walked ahead, "Come with me."

   This inconspicuous alley is located on the edge of the western area of ​​the Boulder City, far from the most prosperous neighborhoods, but it is somewhat close to the industrial area of ​​the Boulder City.

  The exhaust gas from the factory makes the air here smell bad. Most of the people living here are nearby workers, or some poor people who help the nearby factories with simple tasks.

  Following the girl's footsteps, Fang Chang walked into the clinic hidden in the dark alley.

   Maybe because it is daytime, there is no business here, and it looks very deserted.

  Dolly took him straight through the narrow registration hall to a room hidden deep in the corridor.

  The door of the room is hung with a curtain covered with oil stains, and the smell of oil is obviously not what the clinic should have.

  's long and square expression is a little weird.

   "...I thought these uncirculated commodities would be hidden in more secret places."

   "Isn't that secretive enough?"

  Dolly asked casually, and stretched out her hand to lift the curtain.

   As Fang Chang guessed, the so-called "black market" is here.

   What he didn't expect was that those things that ordinary stores wouldn't sell were so blatantly placed on the shelves and lined up in a row.

   These prosthetic limbs come in all shapes and sizes, from shoddy wood-carved pieces to bionic parts that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

   Fang Chang even saw a life-size puppet that was almost identical to a real person in a cabinet by the corner.

  Empty eyes seem to **** the soul, if there is such a thing in this world.

   This thing should be a android.

  Fang Chang stepped forward and was about to take a closer look, but as soon as he glanced at the price on the label, he instantly gave up the idea of ​​buying one and going back to study it.

  50,000 chips…

   is equivalent to a set of heavy cavalry exoskeletons!

   He is crazy to spend such a big price to buy something that doesn't seem to be useful.

   "If you're looking for a bed partner, I've heard that clones are more cost-effective." Dolly, with her arms crossed, whistled and said in a playful tone.

   "...I didn't think about it that way. Could your expression be more subtle."

   Looking back from the transparent cabinet, Fang Chang looked at the shelf directly opposite.

   The prices here are obviously much more reasonable, the most expensive ones are only in the early 6000s, and most of the cheaper ones are around 3 digits.

   He found that the more precise the small parts are, the more expensive they are. For example, most of the electronic eyes are more than 5,000, while the mechanical arms and legs are relatively much cheaper.

   Just then, he noticed a strange shelf.

   Unlike other products on the shelves, the body of life-releasing education displayed here is not right no matter how you look at it.

   For example, one of the arms is not connected to a finger, but a barrel that can be stuffed into a fist. Combined with the mechanical parts next to it, it looks like a self-loading hand cannon.

   Fang Chang seriously doubted that if he really loaded this thing and fired a shot, could he hit someone?

  Maybe there are other matching parts?

   In addition, there are arms fitted with foldable mantis knives, and prosthetic legs attached to jet thrusters.

   These things don’t look like they’re meant for the average person, either in shape or function.

   They are born to serve the battlefield.

   Fang Chang couldn't help but have a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and blurted out a question.

   "Where did these equipment come from?"

   Before Dolly could answer, an unfamiliar voice suddenly came from the side.

"There are various ways, some are picked up, some are accidentally lost inventory, most of the goods are processed, as long as you are not too high-profile, there will be no problem... As for where it came from, I advise you It's better not to delve into this too deeply."

   Fang Chang looked in the direction from which the voice came, and saw a middle-aged man with a bald top standing beside the door curtain.

   He was wearing a long blue-green gown, with a pair of scissors hanging in his pocket, which was stained with incompletely dried blood, and looked like he had just come out of the operating room.

   "... Are you Gracie?" Fang Chang looked at him and asked.

   The middle-aged man nodded, just looking at him with interest.

   "Yes, how about you? What's your name?"

   "Square length."

   "Fang Chang... Strange name," Gracie stared at him for a while, then suddenly there was a hint of surprise in his eyes, and said, "Are you a resident of the shelter?"

   Fang Chang did not hide it.

"Is there a problem?"

   Dolly, who was standing with her arms folded, coughed and interrupted Fang Chang awkwardly.

   "...Don't you think it's rude to inquire about the origin of your guests?"

   "Sorry, I was talking too much..."

  Gracie smiled, her eyes turned back and forth on Dolly and Fang Chang twice, and ended the previous topic without a trace.

   "Let's get down to business, what kind of bionic organ do you want? I don't think you look like someone who lacks arms and legs... Do you want to make yourself bigger? Or stronger?"

   "I'm more interested in power," Fang Chang glanced at the shelf at hand, "like these."

   A look of surprise appeared in Gracie's eyes, and her tone involuntarily brought a bit of excitement.

   "Oh? These? It seems that you are a good person. These are all good things."

   "Can you introduce me?" Fang Chang said.

   Gracie said with a smile.

"Introduction? Their functions are all written on the face, do you still need me to introduce them? These guys are used by the mercenary group sponsored by the giant stone military industry. It only takes a surgical operation to make one hand free from the chicken. A strong rookie with combat power comparable to that of a seasoned veteran."

   "Don't worry about power, the fact that they are here is the best proof of their worth."

  The mercenary group sponsored by the giant stone military industry?

   There was a hint of surprise in Fang Chang's eyes, and he couldn't help asking curiously.

   "Is this kind of equipment common in mercenary regiments sponsored by Boulder Military Industry?"

Gracie: "It's okay, the wealthy and wealthy Lord Ebers has never been stingy with investment in this area. Compared with dragon blood, bionic prosthetics will undoubtedly enhance combat effectiveness more directly. A jet propulsion system, plus The last mantis knife and 30mm hand cannon, even death claw has to go around you... Of course, this is theoretical, I don't mind if you have to take that kind of grumpy guy as your opponent."

  Theoretically it’s okay.

   Fang Chang pondered, except Jun Jun and the guy who drew the plasma knife, it is estimated that few people would be keen on close-range hand-to-hand combat.

   So far, there is no "absolutely reliable" shield in this game, which can effectively resist the damage of projectiles.

   No matter how powerful the fighting skills are, it is not more direct than a 20mm high-explosive round.

   Fang Chang: "...These are all eliminated from the battlefield?"

   "Usually this is the case. Occasionally, there are occasions where equipment is updated, but there are not many cases. After all, it is not cheap."

   As she spoke, Gracie suddenly raised her eyebrows and looked at Fang Chang with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

   "Hey, are you here to buy something, or to inquire about something?"

   Fang Chang didn't answer the question, just glanced at the shelf in front of him and pointed.

   "I want everything on this."

   The air in the room quieted down for a moment.

  Dolly looked at Fang Chang in a stunned manner.

   "Are you crazy?! Buying so many...do you know how many chips it costs?"

   Get an AI core, and you can make up two androids.

   Maybe there are more!

  Gracie was the same, with an even more exaggerated look of shock on her face than Dolly.

   "27 pieces of equipment, a total of 56,671 chips... I don't take credit here."

   "I didn't plan to use credit," Fang Chang took out a card and shook it gently, "Can I swipe the card?"

   "Or... I have to go to the bank to get the chips first?"

  …

   Swiping is naturally impossible.

  After all, there are some problems with the products sold here. Fang Chang went to the bank to withdraw money, and then returned to the clinic.

  As the first player to explore the Boulder City map, he and his good brothers did business in Boulder City a long time ago.

   Earlier, the equipment for burning bricks and cement in Niuma Brick Factory was imported from here.

  Fang Chang still remembered that he wrote the first strategy for running a business in Boulder City on the forum.

   The most profitable one is undoubtedly the spirit leaf, followed by the blue umbrella mushroom and so on.

   In addition to these high-priced products, there are also some varieties with small profits but quick turnover.

   For example, if you buy a box of Nuka-Cola and sell it to Boulder City, you can earn 0.5 chips of profit per bottle.

  Although the public cannot afford this drink, as a substitute for alcoholic beverages, this cheap and temporary happiness drink is quite popular with mercenaries.

   Later, the drinking method of cola and wine was brought back to Boulder City by mercenaries from the tavern in Dawn City, which made the sales of nuclear cola hit a peak.

  Others may be short of chips, but for the Bulls and Horses team, this problem does not exist at all.

   At present, their account in Boulder City has about 100,000 chips in reserve.

  This money has nothing to do with the brick factory business, it is mainly earned through the trading system.

  Fang Chang communicated with Lao Bai and the others, and soon reached an agreement on purchasing bionic equipment.

   I don't care if it's good or bad, just buy a batch and come back and have a look.

   Even if you don’t need it in the end, you can sell it to other players, or donate it to the scientific research team for contribution points.

   Surely someone will be interested in this stuff.

   "...The original 10,000-faced chips are like this."

   Looking at the chip with the crown pattern on the edge, Dolly murmured softly.

   Those eyes were full of surprise, and what happened in front of her was beyond her understanding.

She originally thought that this guy was just a little money, he was generous, and his brain was not very smart, so he spent so much on her, but she didn't expect that he would quietly come up with such a large sum of astronomical sums .

  Dolly suddenly realized that she couldn't understand the guy in front of her.

  Who is this person who can take out such a large amount of chips casually...

   Unlike Dolly, who was already stupid, Gracie seemed to be a different person in an instant after seeing the huge sum of money. Not only did her eyes become hot, but her people became much more enthusiastic.

   He respectfully counted the chip twice, and then scanned it twice with the money detector.

   After confirming that there is no problem, he looked at Fang Chang with a pleasing smile on his face.

   "Do you need me to install it for you? I can provide free surgery."

   In Gracie's eyes, the identity of the man in front of him has become the head of a certain mercenary group.

   After all, it is impossible for normal people to buy so many bionic prosthetics, only the mercenary group will have such a demand.

   And the mercenary group that has the ability to come up with tens of thousands of chips and replace the bionic prosthesis for their subordinates is without exception.

"No need, just help me pack it, I'll arrange for someone to come and carry it, and you don't need to worry about the rest," Fang Chang handed him a business card, "If there are similar good things, you I can be found at the address and contact details on this business card."

   "Equipment other than bionic prosthetics is also acceptable, as long as it is a weapon, especially a weapon related to the megalithic military industry."

   "Sure! Hehe." Gracie took the business card with both hands and glanced hurriedly, her eyes suddenly filled with surprise.

   Alliance Office in Boulder City?

   Actually from the northern suburbs? !

  …

  27 bionic prostheses are packed with 6 boxes, although each is not very big, but it is not one person can move.

   Fang Chang hired an NPC from the office and moved the box back to the save point.

   was busy all day, it was getting late, Fang Chang invited Dolly to have a meal, and then sent her back to the neighborhood.

  Standing at the door of the apartment, Dolly stared at the man in front of her for a while, and suddenly there was a hint of confusion in her eyes.

   "...Who the **** are you?"

  Fang Chang didn't speak, just took out a chip worth 25 from his pocket and handed it to her with a smile.

   "That chip in the morning was just a deposit, thank you for staying with me all day."

   Just a few hours ago, he unlocked a new “hidden mission”—recovering black equipment from the black market that Boulder Military Industry does not sell.

  The new alliance needs to use these equipments to understand the strength of the neighbor at the door.

   Just by looking at the description of the mission, you will know how important the mission is.

   is at least more important than the two he triggered before.

   It seems that the black market system of Boulder City is not unfinished, but requires players to actively trigger it.

   I didn’t expect the game world to be more complete than I imagined.

   Fang Chang couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He thought he had dug up the unfinished content of the plan, but this wave of Aguang stood directly in the atmosphere, and even the corresponding tasks, occupations and gameplay were completed.

   It’s just that no one has triggered it.

  According to the introduction of the "Hidden Mission" mission, the managers of the alliance did not want a large group of players to flock to harass the black market merchant, causing the import of these unknown equipment to be blocked.

   Therefore, the manager specially granted him the hidden occupation of "Boulder City Black Market Purchaser".

   This profession has no level setting and does not occupy a profession slot. It can only be triggered by hidden tasks. It has a "franchise right" that imports bionic prosthetics from Boulder City and sells it in Dawn City.

  To have such a harvest has exceeded Fang Chang’s expectations.

  Although the NPC in front of him was not worthy of his enthusiasm for licking the manager, he still said thank you involuntarily.

"……You're welcome."

   Looking at the green chip in her hand, Dolly did not refuse, and silently put it away.

   After a while, she whispered.

   "We'll meet again... right?"

   "Of course, I still have a lot of things to ask you." Fang Chang said with a smile.

  Although he had also thought about convincing this guy to live in the northern suburbs, but after thinking about it, it would be good to have an "informer" who is familiar with the local situation.

   About Boulder City, he still has a lot of unknown places to explore.

   "Well... that's it! You have to take care." Dolly's face showed a happy smile, her short green hair was vivid in the setting sun.

   "You too, take care."

   It would be nice to have an NPC friend.

   Watching the petite figure disappear at the door of the apartment building, Fang Chang smiled and waved his hand, turned and walked towards the other end of the street.

  …

   At the same time, the East District of Qingquan City.

  The entrance of the subway station, which was covered with moss and vines, suddenly sounded an unexperienced shout, which frightened the squirrels in the tree beside him. One fell to the ground without standing, and screamed in anger.

   However, the man ignored it, and was still foolish to himself.

   "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

  This tree!

   This light!

   And this oncoming wind!

   It's just blown away!

  Looking blankly at the midsummer forest in front of him, Lin Shengyu looked around in a stunned manner.

   looks like a fool who just got out of the hospital.

   And it’s the kind that gives up treatment.

   As for why he is here, we have to start from a sunny afternoon.

  Because the boss was in a meeting outside, he had not yet decided on a new research direction. As a scientific research bricklayer, he had no work to do, so he went to the Internet to search for some games, and just happened to learn about the urban legend of "Wasteland OL".

   In fact, it is an urban legend, and many people know it. However, I don’t know if it is the official current limit or what the reason is. I rarely see relevant reports and open discussions on other platforms.

  Out of curiosity, he took the precious 20 minutes of his life to fill out the appointment form carefully.

   Nothing happened at first, he thought about it for a long time and couldn't figure it out, so he left this matter behind.

   But not long after, when he came home from get off work at the research institute one day, he picked up the mysterious package containing the helmet at the door of his house.

   His mood at that time was beyond words.

  Especially when he put on the helmet, the mysterious countdown that he could see even with his eyes closed almost overturned his worldview and cognition.

   But all the surprise and shock are too pale and small at this moment.

   He is standing in a completely overhead world!

   With his feet!

   Just as Lin Shengyu was making a fuss and looking around, the other players around were also looking at him curiously.

   "This is the European Emperor?"

   "Why do you look silly?"

   "Go away, my curiosity is satisfied, I will get up in a while."

   At this time, a player with a rifle in his left hand and a dead monkey in his right hand stepped forward and talked to him.

   "Brother, why are you alone?"

  Lin Shengyu: "...One person?"

  Irena asked curiously.

   "Yeah, doesn't Ou Huang have two?"

  Lin Shengyu was stunned, feeling that he couldn't keep up with the topic at all.

   "European Emperor?"

  Irena stared at him strangely for a while.

   "Don't you usually go to the forum?"

   Playing MMORPG is not half the fun without bragging on the forum.

  24 hours a day, he can't wait for 12 hours in the game, 12 hours in the forum funny.

   "Forum? How old is this, who still plays with that thing." Lin Shengyu was dumbfounded.

  Irena scratched her head.

   "Okay... What's your ID? Add a friend."

   "Giggle!"

   "Giggle? Your name is unique enough," Irena was stunned.

   "Cough... Take it as you please, take it as you please, don't take it to heart." Lin Shengyu smiled shyly.

   He actually wanted to be called Gugu Chicken, but the ID has been registered, so he changed it to this name.

   I heard that this game mainly relies on voice communication.

   He felt embarrassed when he thought that everyone would call his brother and exaggerate himself in the future.

   "By the way, brother...how should I play this game?"

  Irena scratched her head.

"You can play whatever you want, hunting, fishing, moving bricks or even playing in the mud...as long as you don't foul. But you are a novice, I suggest you take on a mission that will be passed down from generation to generation, and find a thigh to familiarize you with. To play, get the VM by the way."

   As we all know, VM is the core of this game, and many things cannot be done without VM.

   There is a full-time novice guide in the sanctuary, who used to be the manager himself, but is now an officer of the New Alliance Guard.

   Through the VM of that NPC, you can trigger the quest to find high-level thighs.

   Or it is also possible to trigger it directly from a player who is pleasing to the eye on the spot.

   The server environment of "Wasteland OL" has always been good, and everyone is a very good person.

  Especially for Mengxin, it is quite friendly!

   Lin Shengyu said with a smile.

   "The mission of Passing the Fire, I took it. My master seems to be calling WC there are really mosquitoes? He said that he would come here to pick me up tomorrow and take me to the main city, and told me to stay here and not move around."

   Irena was shocked when she heard the ID.

   "Fuck, mosquito?!"

   "Uh, what's wrong?"

   "It's nothing..." Irena gave the man a sympathetic look, and mourned for him for two seconds in her heart.

   It's not good to choose who, but I chose this idiot.

  Although the reviews of equipment produced by Goblin Tech are OK, working for Goblin Tech is another matter.

   Many people have not had time to experience the full content of the game, but have experienced rebirth and imprisonment first.

   Out of sympathy, Irena paused and said.

   "If you plan to go to the main city, why don't you come with me, anyway, I have to go back now, just by the way."

   "But..." Lin Shengyu looked a little hesitant. He heard Mosquitoes say that the wasteland is very dangerous. Mengxin remember not to go out alone with Tie Tie.

   There is no real safe zone here, and even at the door of the house, there is a risk of giving for nothing.

"Let's go, don't let it go, can I still trick you? Vault 117 is not a place for new leveling at all. I will take you to Dawn City, where there are many good things and save points." Irena patted him on the shoulder and urged, "Speaking of which, you just entered the game and haven't eaten yet, right? I'll ask you to have a meal."

   "Really?! I'm so embarrassed!" Lin Shengyu's eyes lit up, and he just felt a little empty in his stomach.

   Irena said generously.

   "What's the matter, everyone is the emperor of Europe, don't be so shy, do you have any taboos?"

  Lin Shengyu smiled.

   "No, no, I'll eat everything, it's up to you!"

   Hearing this, Irena's eyes lit up.

   "Really? Are you sure?"

   "That's a must! Whether it's sour, salty, sweet or spicy, there's nothing I can't eat!" Lin Shengyu said, patting his chest.

   This is not his bragging.

   He often travels with his mentor and attends academic conferences all over the world. Has he eaten anything?

   A good stomach.

   is also very important for conducting scientific research.

   Unexpectedly, this friend of the European Emperor was still a fellow, and Irena happily hooked his shoulder.

   "Brother, just wait for your words! Let's go, let's go for some game!"

   "Go and go!"

  Looking at the two who were hooking their shoulders, sympathy appeared in the eyes of the surrounding players.

   What kind of fairy luck can you step on two landmines at the same time on the first day of the game.

   Or, in order to win the game helmet, I have already overdrawn my luck in this life...

   "...This sacrifice is too big." The elf king Fugui, who was carrying a shotgun, sighed and ate the dry food in his hand.

   Canyon nodded at the escaped mole rat with a subtle expression.

"really."

   I hope people will be okay.

  …

  The game world has just entered the night, and the real world is early morning.

   Sitting up from the bed, Ye Wei took off his helmet, let out a long breath, and looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table.

   It's 7am right now.

   Usually when there is no class the next day, he will play until nine or ten o'clock before going offline.

   However, he had to go to the station to pick up the old girl, so he got off early.

  By the way, just now, he, Jun Jun and Gu Feng were doing the task of clearing the underground tunnel.

   There are tons of slime mold fruiting bodies, and even a tyrant known as a humanoid tank.

   According to Elder Fang’s prediction, Qingquan city center may become a popular area in the next version.

   The slime mold fruiting body is used as an opponent for training in advance, which can be regarded as an early adaptation to the next version.

   However, no matter how fun the game is, no matter how you can make money, it is not as important as your family.

   After eating a bowl of 0.1 silver hot dry noodles downstairs, Ye Wei took off a free tissue and wiped his mouth, then took a taxi to the train station.

   The whole process cost less than a silver coin.

  Standing on the bustling station square, Ye Wei couldn't help feeling emotional.

   is still cheaper in reality.

   At this moment, a voice floating in the distance pulled him back from daydreaming to reality.

   "Brother!"

   Ye Wei turned his face and saw a cute little girl waving at him in the crowd.

   She was wearing ordinary jeans and a T-shirt, with a pair of sneakers on her feet, a half-human-high suitcase in each hand, and her swaying ponytail was like a squirrel's tail.

   Ye Wei hurried up to meet him, glanced at the suitcase and said.

   "Why do you bring so many things?"

   Seeing that my brother was not at all aware of it, Ye Jiu, who ran out of breath, shoved the suitcase into his hand.

   "Didn't you ask me to bring it? Don't just watch, hurry up and help me!"

This guy.

   As soon as you leave the house, you let go of yourself.

   Ye Wei rolled his eyes, and without arguing with her, went up to pick up two boxes.

   On the way to the taxi, he weighed it and it was quite heavy, and he didn't know what was inside.

   Lying on the bed every day to carry bricks, he almost didn't pick it up when he was packing the suitcase into the trunk.

   Fortunately, the driver helped him.

   Sitting next to Ye Wei, Ye Jiu laughed and whispered.

   "Brother, have you been playing electric games every day recently? It looks so empty."

  Ye Wei gave today's second wink.

   "Fuck off."

   Ye Jiu said with a look of grievance.

   "You just let me get out of here, do you have a brother like you?"

   Ye Wei looked at her seriously and said.

   "No nonsense, let's make it clear first, what is the surprise you want to give me?"

   He has been thinking about this for the past few days, so worried that he can hardly sleep.

   Although he doesn't usually sleep.

   Seeing the anxious expression on his face, Ye Jiu smiled mysteriously.

   "Humph, you'll find out in a while!"

  The car quickly drove to the destination.

   stopped at the door of a high-end community.

   Ye Jiu, who jumped out of the car, looked around curiously.

   "You were taken care of by a rich woman?"

   Ye Wei, who was dragging the suitcase out of the trunk, almost choked on saliva when he heard this.

   "You little guy, what do you carry in your head all day?"

The driver next to    didn't speak, but his expression was obviously holding back a smile.

   Ye Jiu smiled shyly and said disapprovingly.

   "I'm not worried about my brother."

   "By the way, why did you rent an apartment outside? Do you have a girlfriend? Have you already lived together? How old are you? Are you a classmate?

   She asked a series of questions curiously, but only the first one got into Ye Wei's ears.

rent?

   Finally, after waiting for the chance to pretend, he laughed and said calmly as an old dog.

   "Grandpa bought it."

   He thought that the old girl would be speechless in surprise.

   But what he didn't expect was that instead of being shocked, the little guy actually rolled his eyes by learning to roll his eyes.

   "Cut, don't want to talk about it!"

   Ye Wei was stunned for a moment, and said anxiously.

   "I'm telling the truth, I really bought it!"

   Ye Jiu gave him a loving look.

   "Ah yes yes yes."

  Ye Wei: "..."

   Zhuo!

   Downstairs is not a place for nonsense, Ye Wei carried two large suitcases and got on the elevator.

   The little guy on the elevator has been dangling restlessly, looking left and right, not knowing whether he is looking forward to his new home, or the surprise that he will bring to him... or rather fright.

   Ye Wei was panicked.

When    arrived at the door, he took out the key to open the door, and found two new slippers at the entrance.

  He bought it yesterday when he went downstairs.

   was about to call Jiujiu to change it, but he saw that the little girl couldn't wait to squat beside the suitcase and opened the suitcase.

   "What are you looking for?"

  Jiujiu didn't return him, and suddenly stood up from the box with a big guy in his arms.

   "Give it, take it!"

   Looking at what Jiujiu was stuffing, Ye Wei was instantly dumbfounded.

  Fuck!

   Gaming helmet? !

   "...Where did you get it???"

   If possible, I would like to try to write the characters and forces that grow together. Sometimes the update may be a little slower, but to be honest, we are really not short... I will try to write as much content as possible.

  

  

   (end of this chapter)