Spatial Passage
Xu Huo stopped and handed her five hundred White Cash. "Sorry for the trouble, but could you buy me a pack of cigarettes?"
"Water Potion?" The woman had dealt with plenty of Outer District Players. She confirmed that the "cigarettes" he meant were a kind of stimulant-like item found in other sub-districts. Zone 002 had no tobacco farms, so people usually smoked synthetic drugs.
Only after the woman headed toward a nearby shop did Xu Huo board the next bus to the city center.
Twenty minutes later, he stood in the busiest, largest plaza in Xiaoyang City. As soon as he got off, a crowd of locals swarmed him, eager to sell local attractions and specialties. It felt like he'd stepped into a sales hall in the midst of an economic downturn, with everyone rushing to sing the praises of their own products.
Avoiding the crowds in the plaza, he entered the Commercial Building downtown.
The first thing he saw inside was a large live-streaming screen. It showed real-time voting results from the capital, Snow City, as well as footage of residents there spontaneously celebrating and parading through the streets.
"Would you like to experience some sunshine, sir?" A staff member noticed the Sun Pavilion flyer in Xu Huo's hand and approached with a smile. "We offer thirty-second, three-minute, and eight-minute experience packages, specially tailored for Outer District Players. If you plan to stay in Zone 002 long-term, you can register for the sunlight tax. It's valid throughout the zone, so you can enjoy the same service in any major city. You'll be able to sunbathe at a set time every day, avoiding the discomfort of spending too long in the dark."
"Is it real sunlight?" Xu Huo asked.
"Of course it is." The staff member's smile didn't