Beating Instances through Words Left by the Dead

Chapter 117: Chapter 113: I’m Done Hiding—I’m the Sneaky One

Wu Chang knew that when a dungeon is on the verge of losing control, if it is not timely resolved, the dungeon will reverse erosion into the real world along the path the players entered.

He had also heard of the disasters that dungeons eroding into the real world could cause.

But this was the first time he had witnessed a dungeon eroding into reality with his own eyes.

Moreover, more than the out-of-control dungeon itself, he was more concerned about the way this out-of-control dungeon appeared.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the out-of-control dungeon that appeared now seemed to be artificially summoned.

There were many issues that needed exploring, but with a big shot at the forefront and an entire Management Bureau supporting from behind, he didn’t need to gather this information himself.

Very soon, intelligence from the Wanghai City Management Bureau branch came through his earpiece.

The region affected by the dungeon erosion, centered around Wanghai University, encompassed the entire Peace District, as well as parts of Xuanwu District and Meishan District, covering an area of about 600 square kilometers.

At the boundary of the erosion area, there was a layer of erosion barrier that isolates the inside from the outside.

With the exception of the special communication devices used by the Management Bureau, all signals were cut off.

Due to the presence of the erosion barrier, it was impossible to observe the internal situation from the outside; it appeared as if a thick fog was shrouding the eroded area.

The Management Bureau had already sealed off all roads leading to the erosion area and publicly stated that it was a result of extreme special weather, urging citizens to refrain from going out temporarily.

Beyond the isolation of signals and visuals, the erosion barrier also physically isolated the inside from the outside.

The barrier was very solid, difficult for Desolate Realm players to break, and it was inconvenient to use heavy firepower at the moment, so Director Gao could only request higher-level support.

Players from the Abyss Second Layer of the Management Bureau would arrive soon, and breaking the barrier would not be a problem then.

This was supposed to be good news, but Shi Ning was the first to object upon hearing it. He contacted Director Gao on the spot, requesting that violence could not be used to break the barrier unless absolutely necessary.

When Director Gao asked for the reason, Shi Ning replied with just one sentence.

”The out-of-control dungeon that has appeared now is the work of the Painter.”

Just this one sentence made Director Gao understand the situation.

”I understand, Professor Shi. Be extra careful inside. If the core of the abnormal erosion cannot be broken, do not force it. Also, if you discover the Painter, make sure to transmit the information immediately.”

After disconnecting the communication, everyone present turned their gaze towards Shi Ning, seemingly waiting for his explanation.

Sword Star couldn’t help asking first, ”Professor Shi, who is the Painter, that even you have to be so cautious?”

”It’s not just me, the entire Desolate Realm, from the Four Major Organizations to the Evil God Sect, anyone with some heritage dares not underestimate the Painter.”

Shi Ning’s face showed a look of solemnity as he began to tell the story of the Painter.

Half a month ago, a mysterious newcomer player broke through the extinction-level difficulty of the Moonlight Sanatorium dungeon during their newcomer trial, causing a global scramble among major organizations.

The last time there was such a frenzy to recruit someone was five years ago, and the protagonist was the Painter.

Although the Painter was not as absurd as the mysterious newcomer, it still demonstrated the strength of his talent and abilities.

People thought he was a rising new star, but little did they know he was a monster that had already been fully developed.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the Painter was nurtured by a small organization that worshipped the Evil God, founded by his biological father.

Logically, the Painter should have been especially loyal to the organization.

But in the second year of the Painter’s fame, he sacrificed the entire organization, piecing together the bodies of over a hundred players into a gigantic statue, erected in the center of the public area of the Crimson Courtyard.

The topmost part of the statue, pierced by over a hundred iron rods, was the founder of the organization, who was also the Painter’s father.

Highlighting father’s kindness and filial piety.

Since then, it was rumored that several organizations attempted to recruit the Painter, but soon the entire organization would turn into art pieces, displayed in public areas.

Thus, the Painter became the most unique existence in the Desolate Realm. As long as he was in the Desolate Realm, even the Four Major Organizations had to avoid him.

The Painter’s greatest reliance in running rampant in the Desolate Realm was an S-Level item he possessed.

That item allowed him to save and completely replicate the dungeons he had resolved.

Including dungeons on the verge of losing control.

Dungeons on the verge of losing control would directly lose control and indiscriminately erode the surrounding space once they contacted the real world.

With this move, swarming tactics lost their effectiveness against the Painter.

With the Painter’s abilities, he could have entered the Abyss Second Layer long ago, but he lingered in the Desolate Realm to pursue so-called art.

Once entering the lower layers of the Abyssal Game, there was no returning.

This resulted in his being invincible below the Desolate Realm in the Abyssal Game, while above, he was completely unreachable.

Of course, there were organizations that did not believe this and attempted to attack him through the net from reality.

But any failure would result in facing the Painter’s near-mad retaliation.

Within the Four Major Organizations, someone who once claimed to be the international police decided not to tolerate the Painter and, hearing that the Painter possessed a dungeon capable of producing energy, immediately mobilized a large number of Abyss Second Layer players to try to control the Painter and seize the S-Level item in his possession.

After the mission failed, the Painter spent three years summoning an A-Level uncontrolled dungeon and five B-Level uncontrolled dungeons at the opponent’s home until both sides reached an agreement and the Painter finally stopped.

Since then, the Painter has become the most exalted presence in the Desolate Realm.

However, in recent years, the Painter has remained unseen, and the organizations have tacitly avoided mentioning him, causing the new generation of players to not be aware of his existence.

Shi Ning pointed at the sky and said, ”I’ve seen the Painter use his abilities. The pattern on the person who just appeared is from the Painter’s hand.”

”The uncontrolled dungeons the Painter creates have a particular characteristic: the dungeon will merge with the entire space. Forcibly breaking out from the outside will cause the space within the dungeon to shatter. Conservatively estimating, at least one-third of the people in the Erosion Space will die from spatial turbulence.”

Wanghai City has a population of nearly ten million, with the Peace District and the nearby Xuanwu District being the two most densely populated areas outside the city center. Over a million people are trapped in the Erosion Dungeon.

At least one-third will die...

Just thinking about it makes it hard to accept.

”If we don’t want things to reach that point, we must find a way to achieve a breakthrough within the dungeon. A B-Level uncontrolled dungeon’s difficulty is close to A-Level. In the worst-case scenario, a BOSS over level 20 might appear. Anyone who wants to opt out of the strategy can leave the team now and find a place to hide.”

The Spirit Fox and others hesitated for a moment and chose to opt out.

Being only level 10, they can’t contribute in a B-Level dungeon and might become a burden instead.

Rather than push themselves and end up dead, it’s better to opt out from the start.

Faced with the departure of several newcomers, Shi Ning didn’t show any reaction. This choice was very wise, and there’s nothing to criticize.

However, seeing Wu Chang standing still, wanting to join the strategy, Shi Ning was surprised.

On the way here, Shi Ning reviewed the report on the Peaceful Town incident. Becoming a Town Councilor, Wu Chang achieved the highest dungeon exploration among the group, so Shi Ning had extra information on Wu Chang’s file.

He remembered correctly; Wu Chang should be a survivalist player without strong combat desires.

Seeing Wu Chang not leaving, someone got anxious.

Zhao Yan discreetly came to Wu Chang’s side, grabbed his arm, and whispered, ”You’re a good survival player, so why cause trouble now? Hurry up and leave, don’t create chaos!”

As everyone knows, the higher the difficulty level of the dungeon, the more hostile the environment for survival players.

Not to mention Wu Chang hasn’t had the chance to transform; even if he succeeded, wouldn’t this level just be courting death?

When the sky falls, the high-level players will hold it up. Whether as Wu Chang’s instructor or at Meng Yawen’s request, Zhao Yan had no reason to watch Wu Chang go to his death.

Wu Chang suddenly pointed at the sky and shouted, ”Instructor, what’s that?”

Taking advantage of Zhao Yan’s head turn, he withdrew his hand and activated the social phobia.

”There’s nothing... uh? Where’s the person?”

Zhao Yan turned around to find Wu Chang had vanished.

A living person, vanished into thin air?

He looked around twice and even glanced at the ground but didn’t spot where Wu Chang went.

He looked puzzled at Shi Ning, ready to inquire, when suddenly someone patted him on the back.

He turned his head to find Wu Chang standing right behind him.

After a brief pause, he instantly understood.

”Invisibility Technique?”

Shi Ning spoke up, ”It’s not the Invisibility Technique; he was always standing there, just weakening his presence. Such a strange skill; even I was almost fooled.”

Nearby, Sword Star nodded in agreement; like Zhao Yan, he was duped into looking up at the sky, and upon turning back, couldn’t detect Wu Chang with the naked eye.

If he hadn’t possessed the Sword Heart skill, he would have been deceived by Wu Chang like Zhao Yan.

Among everyone’s astonishment, Wu Chang demonstrated the social phobia.

”This skill is particularly suited to me. It’s by relying on it that I can make it through dungeon after dungeon without attack skills.”

After speaking, he looked at Zhao Yan and said, ”I’m a member of the Wanghai City Management Bureau, after all. I want to contribute something to this city. Give me a chance; if I feel I can’t hold on, I’ll voluntarily withdraw.”

Zhao Yan opened his mouth but ultimately didn’t voice a refusal.

Seeing this, Shi Ning decided, ”Since you’re willing, then join us. Your skill effect is strong and might have surprising results.”

Wu Chang showed a determined look, ”I will try my best not to hold everyone back.”

What kind of joke is this, with such a big dungeon laid out, how could the strategy do without his contribution?

Acting independently is indeed feasible, but if they don’t give Shi Ning, Sword Star, and others sufficient engagement or let them believe the dungeon strategy relies on them, they will surely investigate who cleared the dungeon.

If any method reveals his identity, it would be a small loss with big consequences.

At least for now, he doesn’t plan to expose his ”monster newcomer” identity.

So he can only hint at a bit of the ”scallion” talent.

I’ve laid my cards on the table, no more pretending, I can do more than just survive.