The Endless Night

The tracks fell quiet again. No one else left the group. No one knew how much time had passed before some players recovered their energy and began wondering why it still wasn't dawn.

"It's already eight in the morning." The others couldn't help looking toward the train dispatcher.

A staff member explained on their behalf. "Not every space follows the rules of day and night."

In other words, in some spaces, the length of day and night didn't change according to any set pattern, and some spaces had no day-night cycle at all.

"Could staying in the dark for a long time cause any problems?" the pink-haired female player asked.

"For players, it's negligible."

The staff member's explanation put everyone somewhat at ease. Perhaps they were getting restless sitting beside the tracks, because someone suggested, "Why don't we go take a look around nearby?"

"Why?" Duckbill Hat said, puzzled. "You saw two people die earlier, and you still want to go running off. What for?"

"We're right by the tracks. There might be materials here that you can't find in other game Sub-districts," the player said. "Bring back one or two things and they'll definitely sell for a high price!"

Special minerals were popular in any Sub-district with a reasonably advanced game level, especially in places near the tracks that ordinary players couldn't reach. Whether or not they had any research value, plenty of people were happy to buy them for their collections.

"People die for wealth like birds die for food. Good luck to you," Duckbill Hat said.

The bald player snorted and continued trying to persuade the others, but in the end, only two of the dozens of players were swayed.

The three of them set off together along the tracks.

"Is there anything wrong with the tracks?"