CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 79: INSTANCE! MECHANICAL RESISTANCE ARMY

"The outside world looks terrifying."

"I feel like Spring City is pretty good, so there’s no need to wander around. The next simulation had better confirm my doubts—whether the person the Holy Spirit Sect is looking for is actually me."

"If it’s not, I’d rather just lay low here."

Looking at the text in the simulator, Chen Pingchuan was more and more convinced that Spring City was a good place. Even my strong-willed persona in the simulation fell into a crisis; I doubt I would fare any better in reality.

[You sullenly return to the temporary encampment and blend in with the other drifters. You secretly resolve to escape at the first opportunity.]

[A day later, you and the other drifters are brought before an extremely magnificent high-tech building.]

[DING! The Mechanical Resistance Army base instance is opening. Will you spend 100 simulation points to personally experience the joy of this simulated world?]

[Helpful Tip: You only get one chance to personally experience each instance, so please choose carefully.]

[Personalized Translation: Is there even any hesitation? A moron would know what to choose.]

???

The simulator’s personalized service feels a little strange. Hopefully, I’m just overthinking it.

Chen Pingchuan’s mind raced. Half a minute later, he was surprised to find that the system’s suggestion wasn’t a trap; it actually seemed to be the most reasonable choice.

So, he opened his mouth and said, "I’ll spend 100 simulation points to enter the simulation."

[DING! The Mechanical Resistance Army instance is starting. Everything here is sourced from reality, so there’s no need to worry about false advertising. Also, note that death in the simulation does not mean real death. So, feel free to go wild.]

As the electronic voice faded, Chen Pingchuan’s vision went dark once more.

When he opened his eyes again, he was awestruck by the scene before him.

A massive, square structure stood on the ground, balanced as if on a single point. It had a futuristic, high-tech appearance with sleek lines, and its walls seemed to be forged from some unknown alloy that shimmered with a silvery-gray light under the sun.

"Alright, alright, stop dawdling! Get inside and follow orders!"

"Listen up! Once you’re inside, don’t wander around or look at things you shouldn’t. If a patrolling Mechanical Guard catches you, you won’t get a chance to explain yourself. They’ll shoot you on the spot. If you don’t want to die, behave yourselves!"

The guard was standing right next to Chen Pingchuan, and flecks of spit nearly hit his face as he spoke.

Chen Pingchuan instinctively turned his head, which, of course, attracted the guard’s attention.

"You, kid. Yes, I’m talking to you."

Chen Pingchuan pointed to himself, as if to ask if the guard had the right person, but to his surprise, the guard nodded.

"I’ve been watching you since yesterday. It’s obvious you’re not a pushover. Let me tell you, once you’re inside, no one’s going to baby you."

The guard finished with a snicker, seemingly mocking Chen Pingchuan’s overconfidence.

Chen Pingchuan wasn’t angry. After all, his simulated self did that, so it has nothing to do with me.

"I’ll behave," Chen Pingchuan said, putting on a simple, harmless expression.

Seeing that the arrogant man who had worn a cold face for the past two days had suddenly had a change in disposition, the guard lost interest.

"I hope so," he replied, then turned to inspect the rest of the line.

Chen Pingchuan looked up at the holographic screen floating above the main gate. It displayed a slogan in large characters:

Reject Mechanical Coldness. Uphold Human Warmth. Resist a Life Dominated by Machines.

Passing through the huge glass doors, he entered a spacious hall that was a feast for his eyes. The floor was smooth marble, and the ceiling was inlaid with white lights. Most importantly, several suits of exoskeleton armor were displayed in the center of the hall. Their cool appearance, gleaming with a metallic luster, gave off a powerful and oppressive feeling.

Before he could finish admiring them, the crowd behind him pushed him forward, forcing him to follow the markings on the floor.

Soon, the crowd arrived before a room with a white door. Following the prompts, the drifters entered one by one in an orderly fashion. The reason they were so obedient was the several patrolling Mechanical Man guards wielding laser weapons who were constantly surveying the area.

Soon, it was Chen Pingchuan’s turn to enter the room.

Truthfully, he was a bit hesitant, but abiding by the principle that one must yield to the circumstances, he gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and rushed in.

A bright white light momentarily blinded him.

Then, a flat, mechanical voice sounded.

"Please remove your clothes and place them in the basket on your right. You have ten seconds to undress voluntarily. If you exceed the time limit, the system will employ compulsory measures."

Chen Pingchuan had no desire to experience these "compulsory measures." He quickly stripped off all his clothes, right down to his underwear.

"Please step forward into the cleansing area."

"Please step forward into the drying area."

"Please step forward into the sterilization area."

"Please step forward into the automatic dressing area."

...

Following the mechanical prompts and the display on the wall, Chen Pingchuan smoothly completed the cleansing process and changed into a brand-new, all-white uniform.

Is it just my imagination? he thought, looking at his reflection. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more handsome.

When he stepped out of the room, he felt completely refreshed. He breathed in the fresh, cool air and gazed at the giant plaza before him, which was adorned with massive green plants. He couldn’t help but become lost in the moment.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one; the others felt the same way.

"Everyone, please be quiet. Welcome to the City of Hope, though I prefer its other name: the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A melodious female voice drew everyone’s attention to the center of the plaza. There, a middle-aged woman in a white dress, exuding an air of nobility, floated in the air while standing on a silver, circular metal disc.

As the drifters in the plaza fell silent and fixed their gazes on her, the undisguised envy in their eyes was plain to see. The woman was very satisfied with their reaction.

She inclined her head slightly, gazing down at the crowd. The words she spoke were incredibly gentle.

"The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is committed to creating a human paradise without pain, disparity, poverty, or disaster."

"We adhere to the creed that every life deserves respect and every believer is a member of our family. We generously extend a helping hand, share our resources, and provide you with sustenance for your lives and solace for your souls."

"We reject cold indifference and selfishness, taking compassion as our mission..."

...

"I imagine that all of you gathered here have your reasons. Most of you have likely experienced great misfortune, perhaps at the hands of terrifying and cruel monsters known as Black Demons, perhaps from your fellow humans who have unleashed their inner darkness, or perhaps from simple bad luck."

"However, starting today, your destinies will change. It was the Divine that gave you guidance, allowing you to come here. It was the Divine that allowed us to meet, giving us a chance to understand one another. And it was the Divine that gave us food to fill our stomachs, clothes to protect us from the cold, and gave us..."

...

Initially, Chen Pingchuan listened with great interest.

But he soon sensed that something was amiss.