Fall

The class monitor, who was walking in front, could clearly sense that Luo Di was somewhat uncomfortable.

"Does it feel like your worldview has been shaken? There are even more exciting activities coming up later, which I'm sure you'll like. That's the main reason I brought you here tonight."

"Such a massive underground site, which could even be described as an underground city, could not possibly have gone undetected by the Investigation Bureau. This indicates that the Investigation Bureau was aware of, or even approved of, this so-called ' Underground Eden '."

Luo Di recalled the scene when he went to the Investigation Bureau's archives with Anna.

The archives at that time were enormous.

The female office workers who were busy at their posts all had tattoos and outfits that were clearly out of place for normal employees, and some even had jewelry such as nose rings.

The sheer volume of files they handled at the time suggests that some of them may have been related to this place.

From the squad leader's face, covered by a latex suit, came a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"Humans are inherently complex animals. It is precisely because of this complexity that the 'corners' that could only appear in the real world can grow from the depths of the human brain, inducing all sorts of terrifying Fear Form."

Never use the term "normal person" to encompass humans who haven't developed the Mind Corner.

Some people's thinking may be more pathological and incurable than that of Pseudo-Human.

Humans, due to their overly complex thoughts and the deeply ingrained egoism in their genes, will attempt to divide themselves into classes once they form a group, in order to distinguish themselves from others and protect their own interests.

But this new nation, built by the world together and situated in a corner, has severely disrupted this 'established rule'.

For example, someone like Luo Di, whose family background is ordinary, or even bordering on poverty, would be considered a lower-class ordinary person within a group.

However, an ordinary person like you can instantly achieve a class leap through "World Connection" and then go to the World Bureau in the capital, directly stepping on the heads of most people.

Of course, you are special.

Let me describe a common scenario: a high school student achieves good grades during the college entrance examination, then works hard to enter the Investigation Bureau, and later completes pituitary resorption to become a formal investigator.

This kind of situation is quite common, right?

In this way, this ordinary student achieved upward social mobility, even surpassing those so-called 'elites' who immigrated from the outside world.

What do you think these people who once lived in elite circles would think?

Not only were the differences between these levels broken down,

As ordinary people, they will continue to be threatened from all sides. The number of Pseudo-Human has surged in the last decade. The elite class, who once thought they were absolutely safe living in high-end communities, are now also in danger.

At this time,

This group of immigrant elites from the outside world will develop quite serious psychological problems.

Of course, this can be foreseen.

Many intelligent people foresaw this early on: if nothing is done, there is a possibility that the elites in this circle will undergo a large-scale transformation into Pseudo-Human.

Some of them do indeed possess excellent management skills and are an important cog in the national infrastructure development. If this cog malfunctions, it will cause a great deal of trouble.

The nation naturally needs a pressure relief valve to effectively and quickly reduce the pressure on this group of elites.

There are many solutions, but each one has its problems.

So, a large company stepped in and, risking public backlash and bankruptcy, built this underground city called "Eden" in Pluto City.

This place allows elites from the old world to directly spend money to purchase temporary privileges and status, and to vent their frustrations without restraint.

They achieve inner balance by venting in various ways, while rapidly depleting their funds. This allows them to focus on their previous work and strive to earn money to contribute to the country.

Once you've made enough money, the cycle begins again, maintaining a constant balance.

As we are seeing now, this company made the right bet, even elevating their company to a higher level.

However, it must be said that this company is very powerful and manages the place exceptionally well. The filth and ugliness that exist here are completely hidden from the public eye.

The so-called elite group can both regain a sense of superiority here and indirectly establish a cooperative relationship with this company.

Mercury Group.

"That's right... This company is very powerful. It has already reached fourth place in the national-level comprehensive strength ranking of companies, thanks to its hotel, underground city and other businesses."

Luo Di's voice continued from beneath the mask, "This underground city must have more than just a 'pressure relief valve,' right? Besides making money here, the Mercury Group must be acquiring something more important than money."

"You're quite perceptive."

Indeed, in this country, money is only the most basic thing to secure a stable position. As I said before, in this country built on the surface of a corner, survival is the top priority.

The most important thing is a talent like you, Luo Di, who can hunt down Pseudo-Human.

This underground city has a special way of 'selecting talent'.

It's also a favorite stress-relieving activity for these old-world elites. I once came here with Isabella as a spectator to watch the selection competitions, and it was indeed interesting.

Speaking of which...

The class monitor had already led Luo Di to a huge, dark building, where neon lights displayed only two words:

[Battle]

Even before the iron gate in front of him was opened, Luo Di's back already sensed something and began to stir.

The squad leader placed his palm on the surface of the door as if to complete some special verification. The huge iron door opened inward, and many pedestrians who were not qualified to enter cast envious glances at him.

Behind the iron gate are two roads.

One is a pedestrian walkway that leads directly to the general audience area.

One is an elevator that goes directly to the members' area.

Isabella is a regular at Eden and has contributed a considerable amount of money, thus gaining membership early on.

"Come up with me first!"

Bite!

The two took the elevator to the top-floor members' lounge area.

The elevator doors opened.

A deafening roar, like a tidal wave, swept over us.

There are also several spotlights mounted on the top.

Even from a great distance, one could hear the purest sounds of flesh colliding.

Luo Di couldn't wait to step out of the elevator, where an underground Colosseum capable of holding a thousand people came into view.

Masked humans crowded the stands, clutching large betting tickets and roaring to cheer on their chosen players.

A massive octagonal dueling ring was set up in the center of the arena.

The two players are engaged in a one-on-one duel in the most primitive form.

Luo Di's eyes, hidden beneath his mask, were wide open. He saw a fighting contest he had never seen before—a primal and brutal physical combat.

Not only that,

The identities of the two competitors are also intriguing; one is a normal human being, while the other is Pseudo-Human.

The class monitor also leaned over at this moment and whispered:

"This is the most interesting part of this underground city! Everyone can see the pure killing between humans and Pseudo-Human in the most direct way, and they can become more immersed in it by placing bets."

It's good for either side to win.

The Pseudo-Human won indicates that its pituitary gland is of excellent quality, and it can be separated to train excellent investigators in the future.

If humanity wins, it means that he has the potential to accept the pituitary gland and can be cultivated as a talent. He may later go directly to work within the Mercury Group, doing dirty work.

Sometimes, even after Pseudo-Human is killed, their pituitary glands may be auctioned off on the spot.

The old-world elites who participate in this gambling will pay exorbitant prices to acquire it, because they too desire this power—the power to disregard the established class divisions of the old era.

Luo Di's Focus Point, however, was on something else entirely.

"Are these Pseudo-Human... from Mental Hospital?"

"Otherwise what? Most of the early-stage Pseudo-Human discovered worldwide will be sent to this Mental Hospital and detained in the intensive care unit."

Humans do not yet have the means to treat Mind Corner. Where do you think these patients will go after being hospitalized for a period of time?

Most of the Pseudo-Human who have undergone drug treatment and whose thinking is relatively stable will be sent to this underground city to maximize their value.

Otherwise, why would the Mercury Group choose such a remote location as Pluto City to build its underground operations, instead of choosing another city?

"Imposter Enslavement," "Deathmatch Gambling," and "Pituitary Transaction"

Luo Di finally understood what the squad leader meant by "degeneration".

Indeed, even with his rich imagination, Luo Di, who grew up receiving a normal education, could not have conceived of such an underground city.

But he has now quickly accepted the settings here.

His attention was completely drawn to the fight in the ring.

Just watching this pure physical combat, his spine seemed to smell a delicacy he had never tasted before, and he couldn't wait to savor its flavor.