chapter 20
She was quite curious-could there be other solutions to this Instance?
The thread starter replied under the main post:
[Most Players actually don’t understand the logic behind the Pollution Value in this Instance… Some experts have even started threads to discuss it.
The most widely accepted theory is the one proposed by ‘Early Sleep’: everyone who can be polluted has, to some extent, betrayed the Sea.
I won’t elaborate here; you can go look up ‘Early Sleep’s’ thread if you’re interested.
Next, I want to share my magical experience in this Instance…
Everyone’s opening scenario after entering the Instance should be the same.
On the first night, because Rule One clearly stated the dangers of nighttime, I was so scared I didn’t dare leave my room. I could only sit on my bed and pray constantly, and then something miraculous happened…
Because the Player’s identity in the script is The Little Mermaid, the Sea God heard my prayers. He appeared and asked if I wanted to return to the Sea and become a Mermaid again.
I agreed in a daze, and then I became a Mermaid, catching sea turtles at the bottom of the Sea for five days.
After five days, I somehow cleared the Instance.]
…
Tu Nan was a bit broken.
What did her sleepless nights count for, what did her life-and-death struggles mean!
It was clear others were speechless too; the comments below were a string of “……”
The thread starter was very excited.
[Wow, so many experts have come out because of this post!]
One user named ‘Must Sleep Early Tonight’ commented: [I asked customer service, and this situation is indeed possible, but it all depends on the NPC’s mood at the time. It’s a solution, but I suggest people with average luck not try it. It’s better to pass the Instance in the conventional way.]
The thread starter was so excited by this answer that they almost lost control:
[This thread actually summoned Early Sleep! You’re my idol!!!]
For the first time, Tu Nan experienced what it felt like to have a lucky Player flaunt their luck right in her face-her feelings were complicated and mixed.
It all boiled down to three words: Damn it!
She sighed, inexplicably feeling a bit weary.
*
Seven days later.
[Welcome back to Fairy Tale Strange Tales. Your current Strange Tale is-‘Cinderella’]
The familiar dizziness.
“Please receive the information for this Instance.”
[Cinderella’s mother passed away, and her father married a new wife. The Stepmother brought two sisters.
They hated the kind and honest Cinderella, and when the father was away, they would beat and scold her at the slightest provocation.
The King ordered a Ball, and all eligible young ladies in the kingdom could attend. The Prince would choose his bride from among them.
Cinderella and her two sisters all attended the Ball…]
[Type of Instance: Faction Instance
There are three factions in this Instance: Cat, Mouse, and Neutral Position.
Cat and Mouse are opposing factions.
Your faction: Cat
Your role: Layla
Task requirement: Catch the Mouse hiding in the shadows to escape the Instance. (Please note, you only have one chance to identify the Mouse. If you fail, you die immediately. If the Mouse Player escapes the Instance, the task fails directly.)]
Please remember the following Rules:
Rule One: All eligible young ladies must attend the Prince’s Ball on time. The Ball is from 7 PM to midnight.
Rule Two: You must wear a beautiful gown to attend the Ball.
[The above are some of the Rules for this Instance. The remaining Rules can be obtained within the Instance. Good luck.]
Compared to the Novice Dungeon, this Instance was clearly much more difficult and complex.
The Rules were not all given at the start; Players had to find them themselves.
Tu Nan quickly jotted down the Rules-these were the key to her survival in the Instance.
This Instance’s task was truly intriguing.
Cat and Mouse were obviously opposing factions. Her Instance task was to find the Mouse and escape, so the Mouse’s task was likely to hide their identity, or to complete another task before the Cat found them, thus escaping the Instance.
She needed to find the Mouse as soon as possible.
As for the Neutral Position, it should have its own independent tasks, belonging to a swing position, able to freely choose which side to support.
Tu Nan pressed the confirm key.
[Instance information transmission complete. You are about to enter the Instance. Wish you a pleasant game.]
“Layla, come downstairs for breakfast.”
Tu Nan opened her eyes to see a canopy of pink above her. She sat up in bed, and the voice from outside continued.
“Good daughter, did you hear me?”
“I heard you, Mother. I’ll be right down,” Tu Nan replied.
She quickly familiarized herself with her surroundings, and finally found the new Rules under her pillow.
[Good Daughter Rule Guide:
Rule One: Mother loves you very much. You may act willfully in front of Mother.
Rule Two: Father hates dirty things. Please keep yourself tidy in front of Father.
Rule Three: Father detests noise. When Father is at home, please keep quiet.
Rule Four: As a qualified daughter, you should go to bed on time. Do not let Father catch you staying up late.
Rule Five: As a good daughter, you should maintain a harmonious relationship with your sisters. Do not quarrel with your sisters in front of Father.
Rule Six: If you unfortunately anger Father, you may try to seek help from Mother, but it may not work.]
Tu Nan memorized the Rules, tore the note into pieces, threw them into the trash can, and opened the door to leave the room.
Although this House was not as luxurious as the Castle in the previous Instance, it was still clear that the owner was quite wealthy.
Her room was on the second floor. As she opened the door, she happened to see the door next to hers open at the same time, and a girl with long red hair stepped out.
To be cautious, Tu Nan said nothing.
The girl stretched lazily, glanced at her, and grumbled, “Damn it, why are we eating so early today? I haven’t even woken up yet.”
Judging by her appearance, she should be another stepsister of Cinderella.
Tu Nan echoed her, and the two of them went downstairs together.
The Dining Room was in the center of the main hall on the first floor, visible at a glance upon descending the stairs.
A slightly older lady sat at the dining table, gently fanning herself with a Mother-of-Pearl Fan.
She was strikingly beautiful, with long, sharp eyes that gave her a somewhat mean look.
She should be Cinderella’s Stepmother.
“Layla, Bella, come have breakfast.” The Stepmother’s sharp gaze fell on them, and she ordered in a tone that brooked no refusal.
“Why did you wake me up so early today?” Bella rolled her eyes dramatically and complained, “I had a nightmare last night and didn’t sleep well at all.”
As she spoke, a girl in a dusty gray dress came out of the Kitchen carrying a plate of bread.
“Good morning, sisters.” Cinderella placed the plate on the table, then stood aside, lowered her head, and greeted them timidly.
“Seeing someone I hate first thing in the morning,” Bella rolled her eyes again, dragged out a chair at the table, making a harsh scraping sound.
Tu Nan also went to the table and, imitating Bella, dragged out a chair.
“Cinderella, come eat with us,” the Stepmother put down her Mother-of-Pearl Fan and said to Cinderella, “You’ve worked hard lately.”
“I don’t want to eat at the same table as her!” Bella shrieked.
Tu Nan frowned. Her instinct told her that Bella was probably not a Player; no Player would be so ostentatious in an unfamiliar Instance.
But it couldn’t be ruled out that this was a deliberate misdirection.
“Sister, why are you so quiet?” Bella suddenly turned to her. “Do you actually want to eat at the same table as Cinderella?”