Chapter 2: 2. The First Experiment
Jason Liu made a firm decision not to reveal his secret to anyone, not even his parents or sister. He was well aware that once someone else knew, word could easily spread, and soon everyone would find out. Keeping something like this hidden was no small task, and he didn't want his family to feel the stress of carrying such a huge secret. Instead, he thought it would be best to bear the weight of it on his own, without involving his loved ones. This way, his family could enjoy a peaceful, carefree life without the added pressure.
In his mind, Jason was already planning a brighter future for them. He imagined a time when he would be able to support his family and provide them with a comfortable life, all thanks to this secret. Wouldn't it be better for them to relax and enjoy life without having to worry about the risks that came with his unusual discovery?
After deciding that he'd be the only one to know about the mysterious time-space gate, Jason started thinking of ways to test its potential. Specifically, he wanted to see if he could transport living things between worlds. But instead of testing with people—which seemed far too risky—he thought it would be best to start with something simpler, like an animal.
He looked over at the fish tank on his windowsill, where two tiny goldfish swam around peacefully. Picking up the tank, he watched the fish as they darted around in panic at the sudden movement. He spoke to them softly, as if they could understand, Splash and Dash, would you be willing to help me out with something? I promise, if this works, I'll buy you better food, maybe even get you a larger tank with more goldfish friends."
Talking to the fish, Jason held the tank close and stepped through the gate into the world of Game of Thrones. Right away, he looked at the fish, but what he saw made him stop in his tracks. Splash and Dash, who had been alive and well moments before, were now floating lifelessly at the top of the tank.
He tapped on the glass, but they didn't move. His two little helpers had died during the journey.
"Dead?" Jason murmured, frowning as he looked at the unmoving fish. "So living things can't survive the trip between worlds?"
After a moment's thought, Jason returned to his rental apartment, still holding the tank with the lifeless fish. He stood there, wondering what could have caused it. "Maybe… maybe the travel process kills off all living things, except for me," he thought. "If that's the case, then bacteria and viruses might be killed off too."
Jason realized that this effect might actually be for the best. If bacteria or viruses from one world entered another, it could cause massive problems, even a disaster. For now, he decided to understand it this way: the travel process somehow protected both worlds from foreign germs.
Given this limitation, transporting people might be impossible. Still, the idea lingered in his mind, though it seemed too dangerous to try at the moment. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down his spine. Best to be cautious.
With a sigh, he looked down at the tank. He'd meant to give Splash and Dash a better life, not use them as test subjects for a dangerous experiment. Now they were gone.
After a pause, he went to the bathroom and, with a heavy heart, poured the water into the toilet. With a quick flush, Splash and Dash were gone. "Emmmm... how ruthless," he thought with a twinge of guilt.
Despite the experiment's failure, Jason felt more confident in his ability to travel between worlds. Now he was certain he could move back and forth freely, without anyone else knowing. And since he was the only one who could, he alone held control over any trade or exchange between the two worlds. This realization hit him hard; controlling such a trade was no small thing. In fact, a monopoly like this was one of the most profitable businesses anyone could imagine.
With this opportunity, Jason's mind raced with thoughts of wealth and success. The idea of being rich, even richer than anyone on Earth, didn't seem so far-fetched. In his eyes, the potential was limitless.
Letting the excitement settle, Jason took a deep breath and focused on what he needed to do next.
The world of Game of Thrones was not just some fictional land in a TV show; it was now a real place he could visit. He'd watched the show like many others, mesmerized by its story of power struggles, betrayals, and alliances. It was one of the most popular shows of all time, especially a few years back, and he'd been a fan himself. The series portrayed a medieval world where noble families fought for power, love, and revenge. But Jason knew that the Game of Thrones TV show was only based on the original novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, written by George R.R. Martin.
Martin's novels were unfinished, with the last few books yet to be written. Only Martin himself knew the true ending of the story. Fans around the world were eagerly waiting, and Jason was one of them. This "real" Game of Thrones world, though, could hold secrets that even Martin hadn't revealed.
To better understand the world he was stepping into, Jason spent hours reading through an online translation of the original novels. He stayed up all night, going through the details, wanting to know everything he could.
Alongside this, he also read a few survival books, which gave him practical ideas for traveling to another world. Though they were fictional, they helped him develop a strategy for his next trip.
Safety was his top priority. If he wanted to make the most of this opportunity, he needed to make sure he survived each journey. As long as he stayed alive, he could slowly explore the resources of the Game of Thrones world.
With that in mind, Jason turned on his computer and started browsing for supplies. Since Game of Thrones was set in a time similar to medieval Europe, it was a world full of dangers—bandits, thieves, wild tribes, and even knights who might not be so noble. For someone used to modern-day safety, these threats were serious.
The first item he bought was a stab-proof vest. Made from high-strength fiber, it could protect him against cuts and stabs, guarding his body from sharp weapons. This vest was lightweight, weighing only 0.7 kilograms, and it fit comfortably. Given that the medieval steel in Game of Thrones wasn't very advanced, he was confident that, aside from the rare Valyrian steel, most swords wouldn't penetrate it.
"Perfect," he thought, buying the vest from a trusted shop online. This particular brand had a reputation for quality, and they even worked with local police departments.
The vest cost about 1,000 yuan—a bit expensive, but worth it. After that, he bought a sturdy pair of hiking boots. The rough terrain of Game of Thrones would be no place for flimsy shoes. With these boots, he could walk confidently, even if he had to cross rocky mountains or dense forests.
Even on sale, the boots cost nearly 400 yuan. As he checked out, Jason sighed, "This stuff really is expensive!" But for the sake of safety, it was worth the cost.
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