CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 361: THE ERA OF ALLIANCE BETWEEN PLAYERS AND NPCS_1

"This large-scale instance truly lives up to the ’large’ in its name; it’s almost the size of a province."

After Wang Linchi finished eating his mansion, he naturally followed the main road forward. His overall impression was that the land was vast and sparsely populated.

Modern products had virtually disappeared. Wang Linchi even suspected this large-scale instance wasn’t like other instances that occupied areas of the real world. Instead, it seemed more like it had combined the Abyss’s entangling Resonance Technology to carve out a special space, similar to ’God-given World’.

This was understandable. From Wang Linchi’s perspective, if one had to flee with assets, a container would be necessary to hold them, and a large-scale instance was perfectly suited for this.

"A one-to-one replica of the Demon Suppressing Sorcerer’s world?" Wang Linchi entered a city called Lian City. The architectural style wasn’t much different from the Abyss Difficulty instance he had encountered before; any differences were likely due to regional variations.

Ostensibly, there were no Erroneous Sins in the city. The inhabitants were Players and NPCs who seemed to have grown accustomed to this ancient lifestyle. However, every Player looked tired and hurried.

According to Wang Linchi’s understanding, Player-related systems like levels, pets, mounts, and other combat power mechanics had been abolished. This was presumably because numerical stats could no longer deal with Erroneous Sin, and retaining these systems would only add unnecessary expenditure for the Game System. Thus, they were deleted where possible.

However, equipment and Skill mechanisms remained. The acquired equipment now provided effects more akin to briefly resisting the killing rules of Erroneous Sin or uncovering clues about them. Everything had shifted towards an auxiliary role, with equipment having limited attributes and Skills having usage counts.

Essentially, the RPG game had transformed into a puzzle-solving game where combat was no longer the key factor.

This left many Players mentally exhausted. Not everyone was adept at puzzle-solving. Compared to the straightforward nature of stat-based games, now every Player was expected to possess strong observation and deduction abilities, like a detective from a novel—which was asking too much of them.

Many Players simply couldn’t adapt. They kept dying, their attributes steadily decreasing, and it seemed they were on the verge of being completely wiped out.

Wang Linchi was currently posing as a Player. Using the Philosopher’s Stone to control Elements, he formed a hardcore-looking character name above his head to blend in. He didn’t worry about being discovered unless a Player used Scouting Skills on him.

However, Skill uses were precious and primarily reserved for dealing with Erroneous Sin; it was highly unlikely anyone would waste them on Wang Linchi.

"New Player? Which large-scale instance were you assigned from?" The NPC innkeeper glanced at Wang Linchi, instantly recognizing him as a newcomer.

"How can you tell I’m new?" Wang Linchi asked curiously. But from the innkeeper’s words, it seemed all Players had been placed inside large-scale instances and were subject to assignment. This was puzzling. Wasn’t the Game System unable to interfere within instances?

"Isn’t it obvious? The inn is merely a formality. When Players arrive, they’re assigned a property. We NPCs have our own shops. You’re the first one to come looking for lodging," the innkeeper answered Wang Linchi.

"What about the assignment? After dying and being kicked out of an instance, are you reassigned to another large-scale one?" Wang Linchi asked again.

"That’s right. Is it different in other large-scale instances?" The innkeeper, in turn, was bewildered by Wang Linchi’s question.

"I don’t know. I was just assigned here and thought it might be different," Wang Linchi offered an excuse. From the innkeeper’s response, it was clear he didn’t know either.

"Then I know even less. You, at least, were assigned here and have gone through it once. I’ve been in this inn since I was created," the innkeeper chuckled.

The Game System could create NPCs, so the Players in the large-scale instances were existing Players, while the NPCs were newly created. This was probably to prevent NPCs from the resistance army from infiltrating.

"Right, we’re in the same boat then. Are there any particular taboos in this instance?" Wang Linchi asked boldly, not caring if he exposed himself.

If he was exposed, he could always change his appearance and character name. It wasn’t difficult for him anyway.

"There are a few, but I don’t know if they’re the same as in your last large-scale instance."

"During the day, it’s the territory of us NPCs and the Players. But when night falls, Erroneous Sins are everywhere, even in your own residences. The number can range from one to ten, depending on the state of your house. The more luxurious the house, the more Erroneous Sins there will be, and the higher the death rate."

"If you die to the point where all your attributes are cleared, you’ll be thrown into another instance to start over. You won’t be erased."

"Of course, when we NPCs die, we’re usually gone for good. But the Erroneous Sin in NPC shops is a bit more manageable; there’s only one. As long as we don’t court death, we’re unlikely to die."

As the innkeeper said this, he sighed, "Actually, I’m not the first innkeeper here; I’m the third. Even if it’s unlikely we’ll die, there’s still a chance. One moment of carelessness, and you’re gone."

"However, the operation of these shops relies on these Erroneous Sins. If you want to forge equipment in the blacksmith’s shop to delay or evade Erroneous Sins, the Erroneous Sin in that shop needs to be active. Each time it operates, there’s a chance the blacksmith could die."

"The Skill Tutor, the pharmacy, even my inn—it’s all the same. I’m a bit luckier; not many people come to stay at the inn, nor can they afford to."

"Staying once costs some attributes. Although the probability of being attacked by the Erroneous Sin in the inn is much lower, it’s still there. If you’re a guest and get attacked, you won’t die, but it will take one of your ’components.’ NPCs can’t recover it, but Players can after death," the innkeeper rambled on.

"What you’re saying should be secrets, right? How can you speak so openly about them?" Wang Linchi asked, his expression strange.

"Secrets? Hah! The Game System is eager for us to spread the word, so Players can handle these Erroneous Sins. But Players themselves can barely survive, let alone help us."

"After dealing with the Erroneous Sins in your own house, you get a brief respite. But soon enough, more will be deployed."

"The situation in our NPC shops is even worse. Once we clear them out, a stronger one appears almost immediately, without any break. Correspondingly, however, the functions of our shops also become more powerful." The innkeeper’s expression was grim, his disapproval of the Game System evident.

"Interesting. You’re actually dissatisfied with the Game System. I remember NPCs used to be utterly respectful towards it," Wang Linchi became increasingly curious.

The innkeeper’s expression softened slightly as he said, "The Game System’s power can’t interfere within the instances. Only the pre-established rule framework exists here. That’s why we NPCs have gained a degree of freedom."

"Unfortunately, even if it’s just the framework, it’s not something we can resist."

Hearing this, Wang Linchi had a realization. It was true that the Game System couldn’t interfere, but the underlying rules were still built by it. So, however things developed, it was still the game rules that dictated the outcome.

"What, are you planning to deal with the Erroneous Sin in the inn?" The innkeeper quickly suppressed his negative emotions and joked, making light of their grim situation.

With the numerous changes by the Game System, Players and NPCs had forged corresponding alliances. This was especially true after the Game System’s power no longer directly interfered with NPCs, leading to a very close relationship between the two parties.

NPCs could help Players survive better, and Players dealing with Erroneous Sins improved the NPCs’ living conditions.

This was mainly because after being stripped of their combat-related mechanics, Players had less power and their respawns were limited; so naturally, they were no longer as reckless as before.

"I don’t have that kind of ability; I can barely look after myself," Wang Linchi responded, then asked, "What about other instances? Are they still pulling Players over to serve as cannon fodder?"

"Yes, of course. Players are pulled over every day." The innkeeper had many friends and, with little else to do, naturally knew a bit more. "This place is called a large-scale instance, but compared to those smaller ones, the difficulty is much lower. At least the Erroneous Sins here have a sense of self at night; sometimes you can reason with them."

"Unlike the mindless Erroneous Sins in those smaller instances, you can’t even try to get information out of them."

Upon hearing this, Wang Linchi’s heart sank. The Game System had obtained the corresponding ’error’ from the hospital director back then and could now mass-produce Erroneous Sins with a sense of self. From this, it was clear the situation was becoming increasingly dire.