Ren Yi fell into a brief silence.
How did things end up like this?
He had just returned from another world and wanted to go out, shop, and relax, while seeing the trading market for Instance bosses.
Why, after all that, was he back to entering an Instance?
If he remembered correctly, Instances... counted as work, right?
Was there overtime pay?
And never mind entering an Instance, what was with the prefixes like "Special" and "Permanent"?
"So, Instances have categories too?" Ren Yi asked.
What was so special about the Instances within the Alliance? Why did those previous Participants risk being intercepted halfway on the subway just to get here?
"They have different uses, so naturally, there are many categories, though the divisions aren't that rigid." Dr. Lin waved his hand dismissively, then suddenly changed the subject. "Have you noticed that the 'art style' of the Participants in these carriages varies significantly?"
Ren Yi looked down at the three people on the floor and nodded in deep agreement.
An armor hero, a young master in ancient robes, and a battle-worn modern youth—the diversity spanned five thousand years of history.
"That's because they come from completely different worlds."
"Oh," Ren Yi said expressionlessly. "I can see that."
"So, the word 'Special' refers to the unique source of the Participants," Dr. Lin explained slowly. "This Instance can host people from different worlds simultaneously."
Ren Yi suddenly realized that the Three Cities World seemed somewhat similar.
The three cities were far apart, and the apocalypse meant that except for the high-level officials, there was almost no communication between them.
But once an Instance opened, Participants from different cities were very likely to be grouped together.
Some formed teams, some made enemies, and some plotted against each other. It seemed many grudges were born that could only be settled within an Instance.
"So, the Alliance actively facilitates communication between worlds?"
Ren Yi was a bit confused. No matter how you looked at it, this seemed like aiding the enemy.
"Communication? You're overthinking it." Dr. Lin sneered and shook his head. "The Alliance isn't that kind, nor is it that stupid."
"The Participants allowed into the same Instance come from worlds that already have connections with each other."
After saying this, Dr. Lin gave a mischievous smile. "And by 'connections,' it most likely means they have a vendetta."
Ren Yi was stunned for a moment but quickly accepted this reality.
Indeed, in his previous assumptions, he had always thought the Alliance just locked onto worlds everywhere to find "resources."
But a world couldn't be a one-way game with only one wolf and a flock of sheep.
Since various worlds existed, how could the "ecology" between them be so simple?
Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp, and fish of the same size can form a school—or devour a companion the moment they're wounded.
As the saying goes, a dormitory of eight people can have over a dozen group chats; how much more so for countless worlds spying on one another?
Moreover, according to Dr. Lin, the Alliance could exercise some control over which Instances these Participants entered.
How to handle them was obvious.
When they were at each other's throats, put them together.
And when they realized things were going south and tried to unite, immediately split them up.
To be honest, this kind of macro-level maneuvering had nothing to do with Ren Yi, and he put it out of his mind in an instant.
"What about 'Permanent'? What does that prefix mean?"
Ren Yi felt like the last time he had heard that term was in his previous life when playing those predatory gacha games.
"Permanent means it's open long-term," Dr. Lin said. "The content of these Instances is usually fixed, and they issue a large number of Instance keys through other Instances."
"In addition to the Instances they're required to complete, Participants can use an Instance key to enter these types of Instances at any time."
"You mean Participants would enter an Instance voluntarily?" Ren Yi was surprised.
"Yeah." Dr. Lin nodded. "In this Instance, you can even trade with Participants."
He looked at Ren Yi with a faint smile. "Humans are quite interesting, aren't they?"
Ren Yi shifted his perspective and felt he could understand it now.
In some of the novels he had read, this "Permanent Instance" would probably be called a "Bonus Instance" or a "Reward Instance" by the Participants.
He opened his mouth.
"But..."
Doesn't this still seem like aiding the enemy?
However, as if seeing through his confusion, Dr. Lin suddenly said, "Perhaps for some Participants, it is."
Ren Yi blinked. "What?"
"Exactly what you're thinking," Dr. Lin said calmly. "Aiding the enemy."
Ren Yi didn't speak; he could tell Dr. Lin had more to say.
But Dr. Lin changed the subject and started talking about the Instance's content.
"This Xinglong Entertainment City is very interesting. After Participants enter using an Instance key, they receive a certain amount of chips."
"When they want to leave, they only need to return the same amount of chips. They're free to use the rest to purchase resources the Alliance allows to be released."
"Intelligence from other worlds, different power systems, technology, items from Participants who died in Instances... it's a way to turn waste into profit."
Dr. Lin counted them off on his fingers as if listing family treasures.
"So for some Participants, it really is 'aiding the enemy.'"
"Sounds wonderful," Ren Yi said slowly.
He could see that the things the Alliance provided wouldn't have a targeted, significant impact on "clearing Instances."
But they could bring certain benefits to an individual and the world behind them.
Yet, Ren Yi felt like Dr. Lin was hinting at something else.
"Right, right!" Dr. Lin suddenly slapped his thigh, instantly filled with righteous indignation. "That's why these money-grubbing Anomalies are the most disgusting. They're practically traitors to our kind! The Alliance should shut down all these Instances!"
He looked at Ren Yi with a face full of integrity. "Don't you agree, Xiao Yi?"
"So, don't go to such a foul place and associate with those traitors. What do you say? It's not too late to get off and take a train back."
So Dr. Lin still hadn't given up on the possibility of heading home immediately.
"No." Ren Yi didn't even hesitate, refusing decisively.
The expression on Dr. Lin's face instantly collapsed. He turned to Ren Man, looking for reinforcements. "Hey, your brother is about to associate with Anomaly traitors, and you're not going to do anything?"
"Dr. Lin, stop with that. Don't even think about tricking me again." Ren Yi moved in front of Ren Man, blocking the middle with a speechless expression.
"I'm not tricking you, I'm just..."
"I don't know much about how casinos work, but I've heard a saying." Ren Yi sighed. He felt he understood Dr. Lin's earlier implication.
"The house always wins."
Rate on N.U.
