Welcome to Rule City

Mu Ai’s task of convincing Song Yu wasn’t particularly challenging. When she decided to unleash her “social prowess,” she usually achieved her goals swiftly.

Seeing things others couldn’t wasn’t entirely a disadvantage. Mu Ai had learned many tricks from relatively friendly entities-after all, she had no friends back then, so chatting with anyone was just chatting.

The charming and wealthy Brucie always managed to get the information he wanted with his allure, and Mu Ai could achieve her harmless little goals with her good looks and feigned friendliness.

“Be careful over there. Once you uncover their secrets, come back. If you can’t adapt to their barbaric customs, forget about the task and just return,” Song Yu advised, his face showing concern. Yet, greed and excitement flashed in his eyes, a detail Mu Ai caught while watching him closely. If she hadn’t been vigilant, she might have believed he genuinely cared for her… Well, even if she missed it, she wouldn’t trust him.

Mu Ai firmly believed that no one would be unconditionally kind to another. Love often came with harsh conditions and costs.

If she met the conditions and paid the price, she could earn a fair share of affection. If not, Mu Ai hoped at least the feedback wouldn’t be negative.

“Don’t worry, I won’t abandon my friends,” Mu Ai assured, her gaze shifting past Song Yu to Chu Tiankuo, who discreetly gave her an OK gesture, putting her at ease. “I’ll do my best to gather the information you want. Once I’m back, remember to fulfill your promise.”

Song Yu’s face was all sincerity, though the smile never reached his eyes. “I keep my word. Whether successful or not, I’ll ensure you all get on the ship. It’s humanitarian aid. And based on the information you bring back, I’ll reward you, whether it’s money or long-term employment. It’s all on me-insurance, benefits, you name it. The same goes for everyone else. After this ordeal, we’re practically bonded by life and death. As long as you don’t resign, the company won’t dismiss you. I guarantee it!”

His words sparked cheers among the others. After struggling to survive on Sunburn Island, they would eventually return to the real world. For the working class, nothing was more enticing than a stable, high-paying job.

This was the bait Mu Ai had deliberately dangled, and Song Yu had dutifully followed the path she’d laid out. Both parties achieved their goals, creating a seemingly joyous atmosphere.

Chu Tiankuo escorted Mu Ai to the camp entrance. On their way back, they had already discussed their plans. He would remain at the Civilized People’s camp to observe. If it wasn’t dangerous, he’d wait for the ship; if it was, he’d flee immediately. No need to wait for each other-surviving and meeting in Guize City would be the best outcome.

Mu Ai had never trusted Song Yu, and after seeing the inscriptions on the stones, she was even more convinced. Neither camp was trustworthy. Her mission was to uncover secrets, find balance, and reveal the truth before leaving the Instance.

The Indigenous People’s leader greeted Mu Ai at the camp entrance. His aged eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s, and his expression softened slightly upon seeing the nine tentacles on Mu Ai’s wrist. He stepped aside to let her into the camp.

“Go and pray. The Deity will bless you. All you need is sincerity.”

Mu Ai thanked the leader and followed his steps, walking into the depths of the camp under the watchful eyes of the leaf-clad Indigenous People.

Compared to the simple huts of the Civilized People, the Indigenous People’s camp appeared much grander. Though the houses were crude, their scale and number far exceeded those on the other side.

The Deity Mu Ai needed to worship was inside the tallest house, which had no windows and only a narrow door for one person to enter. It was as if their Deity couldn’t be seen by people or exposed to light-just shy of having “Evil God” emblazoned on its forehead.

Inside, there were none of the incense burners, prayer mats, or statues common in the real world. Only a massive Black Stone stood in the center, constantly emitting an oppressive and terrifying aura.

The Indigenous People’s leader called it “Divine Power.” The more tentacles a person had, the more discomfort they felt. Only truly pure individuals could find peace within it.

The leader didn’t follow her inside, stating that prayer was a task for the Believer alone. Mu Ai could stay inside for up to five minutes, and whether she could earn the Deity’s recognition and purification depended on her own efforts.

Mu Ai wasn’t sure what constituted sincerity. Since she hadn’t planned to kowtow to the stone, she took the opportunity to squat beside it and thoroughly inspect it, leaving no corner unchecked, just shy of handling it like a prized possession.

Then, Mu Ai discovered that this was the sole item mentioned in the prompt.

Though the Black Stone was about the size of a winter melon and not particularly heavy, taking it out under everyone’s watchful eyes… Mu Ai doubted she could leave the camp alive.

[Black Stone (0/3)

This is a stone tainted by the Evil God, growing by absorbing dark energy. Placing it in a room can absorb evil forces/negative states from living beings.

Influence range: Creatures within a 3m radius centered on the Black Stone.

Notes: After using the Black Stone three times, it is recommended to discard/destroy it. Upon the fourth use, the Evil God will descend in 30 seconds, launching indiscriminate attacks.]

Upon reading the description, Mu Ai decided to take it, but not now. With three days left until the ship’s arrival, she planned to act at the last moment. Once she grabbed it, she’d run-who could chase her outside the Instance?

For now, she’d focus on completing Achievements. As Mu Ai pondered, she heard a gentle knock on the door. Rising to her feet, she took one last look at the Black Stone before lifting the grass curtain and stepping outside.

Outside, the leader was already waiting, accompanied by several others, including Indigenous People and seemingly Civilized People.

“Did the Deity respond to you?” the leader asked. “Has your pollution decreased?”

Mu Ai confidently showed her wrist: “One less tentacle. The Deity responded.”

She hadn’t prayed, but the tentacles on her wrist had still decreased. Mu Ai suspected it was a setup-perhaps the first encounter with the Black Stone always reduced one tentacle, offering a taste of sweetness. How else would they entice people to willingly become Believers?

The leader nodded in satisfaction, his expression devout and fervent as he spoke, “Thank the Deity for its blessings.”

Those around him echoed, “Thank the Deity for its blessings.”

Mu Ai seized the moment to join in, turning toward the house with the Black Stone and bowing her head, making her words indistinct.

It wasn’t that Mu Ai was too proud to blend in, but her instincts told her that in such a bizarre Instance, it was best not to utter strange words. Otherwise, they might become reality, leading to future troubles.

If she could muddle through, she would. If not, Mu Ai believed she could come up with a Plan B to handle it. Faith was out of the question, even verbally.

After the round of praise, once the others had dispersed to their tasks, the leader formally asked Mu Ai, “Do you want to stay in our camp?”

“Yes,” Mu Ai nodded, dropping a bombshell. “I’m here on a mission. They want to know the secrets of your camp.”

The leader was taken aback, seemingly unprepared for such bluntness, and instinctively asked, “What do you mean?”

Mu Ai clasped her hands in front of her chest, her gaze as sincere as could be. “The Deity saved me from descending into darkness. Of course, I’m on this side. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you this. If you want information from them, I’ll tell you everything I know. Please give me a chance to prove myself.”

The leader probably hadn’t encountered such an unpretentious spy before. He nearly pulled out a few strands of his beard before finally speaking, “Do you know how many of them are completely polluted?”

Mu Ai promptly reported the numbers: “There were originally three in the central house. One escaped today, leaving two. At least when I left, there were still two.”

A barely noticeable hint of joy flashed in the leader’s eyes. He nodded and said, “Since they still consider you one of them, does that mean you can return at any time?”

Mu Ai cautiously replied, “Not anytime, only at specific times to relay information-do you have anything you’d like me to do?”

The leader’s expression relaxed further, as if Mu Ai’s answer dispelled his lingering doubts. He nodded reservedly and said, “To show your loyalty to the Deity, I need you to verify if there are indeed only two people left in the house.”

Mu Ai hesitated, “But I heard that visiting them would make me more polluted…”

The leader glanced at the shrine and then back at Mu Ai, clearly implying-there’s a Deity here, just pray to eliminate the effects, so what’s there to fear?

“If your pollution level increases rapidly because of this, I’ll hold a special Ritual for you. That will bring down more blessings from the Deity, bathing you in divine grace for purification. I’ll also allow you to participate in the Ritual three days from now, a privilege many long for.”

Mu Ai feigned interest, weighing her options before accepting the task. The leader was pleased and summoned a trusted aide to escort her to her lodging.

[Achievement Unlocked: Return to the Primitive]

[Achievement Unlocked: Double Agent]

With Achievements popping up, only the “Lone Wolf” remained. Based on her previous deductions, Mu Ai was nearly certain of her unique way to leave-trust neither side, rely on herself at the critical moment.

The first day on the island was for players to familiarize themselves with the situation.

The second day allowed joining one camp.

The third day allowed joining one camp.

The fourth day allowed leaving a camp.

The fifth day brought the rescue ship and the Ritual.

Simple clearance was easy, but achieving all the Achievements required precise timing with little room for error.

Mu Ai thought, if she hadn’t possessed a talent with hinting capabilities, it might have taken her several days to notice these elements. But by then, it might have been too late.

Having Gaming Obsession, Mu Ai mused, was truly wonderful and useful.