Originium Slug Beer / The Instance's Current Situation...

The meat emitted an alluring aroma that brought a sense of peace, but Big Bob looked tense.

As a combatant who had experienced the entire process of the Reunion Movement's capture of the Core City of Chernobog, the big, burly man knew all too well that the young man in front of him, with his squinting eyes, smiling, and gentle expression, was actually a very terrifying fellow.

Judging from his appearance alone, Bai Ye could be described as harmless. Coupled with his charming and approachable appearance, his threat level was naturally minimized.

Even the enemy wouldn't take it seriously, as it's too deceptive.

Unfortunately, Big Bob had witnessed Bai Ye in action. He had seen hordes of enemies fall beneath his blade like wheat stalked by a scythe. No, it was far easier for him than for White Night.

Furthermore, according to some rumors, the current mercenary leader was put in power by Bai Ye, and the former leader Galson, was secretly killed by Bai Ye.

This guy is ruthless; don't mess with him.

Big Bob knew this all too well.

Bai Ye didn't care; he sat down with the Sarkaz.

Some of the bolder ones even threw beer at him.

"What's this?" Bai Ye looked at the beer bottle, which had Big Bob's silhouette logo printed on it.

"This is our own brewed beer. When Originium Slug eat hops, they secrete a special liquid that, when added to beer, makes it taste better. An old man taught us this when we were wandering the country," Big Bob explained.

"Can I have a bottle?"

Only Bai Ye knew then how much commercial value these beers would have in the future. This was the Big Bob beer that would later become very famous among both native inhabitants and Players.

Players, in particular, have been full of praise for this beer since the food system was implemented, because its unique flavor is quite captivating. Even in reality, some companies have tried to replicate this beer.

Many beer companies have tried to purchase beer recipes from the official Arknights Online in an attempt to recreate the flavor of Big Bob beer in real life.

Unfortunately, they all failed, because the secret of this beer still lies in the Originium Slug.

However, following Big Bob's original plan, they would have established the Originium Slug beer farm in Columbia. As Infected, they would have been able to acquire land on the border as Trailblazer.

Columbia had long coveted Big Bob's businesses, and in the pre-transmigration 6.0 version of the story, the Columbia tax authorities finally seized their opportunity and made their move against Big Bob. It's said that he eventually had even his farms and wineries taken away, returning him to a state of utter destitution.

Of course, with Bai Ye's involvement, Big Bob's life trajectory will likely change.

When asked for Bai Ye, Big Bob readily handed him several unopened bottles of beer.

Bai Ye put away the wine bottle and then picked up the grilled meat that had already been grilled.

"Aren't you going to drink?" The Sarkaz standing nearby seemed a little puzzled.

Bai Ye shook his head. "I don't drink."

Before his time travel Bai Ye had never drunk alcohol, although Russians often brought alcohol into space, and bringing alcohol onto starships was commonplace in the new century. However, due to the Deneb air disaster, drinking and bringing alcohol on starships were once again prohibited for starship crew members.

Even trainee crew members like Bai Ye, who are undergoing training, are consistently prohibited from drinking alcohol.

Although Bai Ye doesn't drink, that doesn't stop him from appreciating the value of Big Bob beer. These bottles will become part of his collection.

Anyway, the item's status is saved in the inventory, so the beer won't spoil.

After enjoying the barbecue with the Sarkaz, Bai Ye and Big Bob sat down at the table and began a formal conversation.

In fact, Bai Ye certainly wasn't here to freeload a meal because he had nothing better to do.

Well, although he admitted that 99% of the reason was because the barbecue here was really delicious, he was actually here to do serious business.

As the de facto leader of the Core City, Talulah was somewhat worried that disarming would not be complete, but that Big Bob and his Sarkaz were not fully disarmed, would cause some unexpected crises and conflicts.

While the possibility is slim, Big Bob and his men are all law-abiding Sarkaz who simply want a peaceful life. Moreover, these Sarkaz had also risked their lives and shed blood during the previous war. Such warriors are certainly trustworthy.

However, as the one in a superior position, Talulah could not completely ignore the situation; at the very least, she had to show some attitude.

Bai Ye was the middleman she found. After all, Bai Ye had a very good relationship with the Reunion Movement and was also familiar with the Sarkaz. It was perfect for him to mediate and ease the relationship between the Sarkaz and other Reunion Movement infected in the Core City.

Bai Ye, in fact, also had his own purpose.

Bai Ye sipped the sparkling water that Big Bob had prepared for him, then asked, "What are you planning to do next? Just live a normal life here?"

"Of course, we've finally settled down, and we don't want to go through any more trouble." Big Bob nodded.

Bai Ye shook his head. "Even so, you won't completely abandon your power, will you? I see you are still training and you still have weapons."

"These...they're just for self-protection," Big Bob explained.

Bai Ye smiled and reassured them, "It's alright, I know. You can't all be idle all at once. It's normal to have a buffer period. After that, your children will probably be able to live normal lives, grow up in this city, go to school, and have children..."

Hearing Bai Ye's words, Big Bob's expression softened. Clearly, what Bai Ye was talking about was what he longed for.

"However, we still need your strength now. Since you don't want to continue fighting, then help us train our soldiers. There are large tracts of farmland here, and you are all veterans with rich combat experience," Bai Ye suggested.

Big Bob was a little surprised. "You want us to be your instructors?"

"That's right, not just the new recruits of Reunion Movement, but also the Undead. They might ask you to teach them some combat skills and special Originium Arts, hoping you can become their instructor."

Bai Ye still had her sights set on these Sarkaz.

Aren't these guys the best skill mentors?

This was also his own goal: to encourage Players to stay in the Core City Chernobog for longer periods of time, and to attract more Players, the supporting facilities needed to be improved.

The hardware is now almost complete, but the software for skills instructors is still lacking and doesn't have an overwhelming advantage.

Bai Ye plans to resolve this issue gradually.

Chapter 118 Current Status of the Dungeon

In the end, Big Bob agreed to Bai Ye's request.

In fact, he had no choice; he clearly believed he couldn't defy Bai Ye's decision.

'Seriously, why does it make it sound like I'm a bully who preys on men and women...'

Bai Ye looked at the Big Bob with a sense of helplessness.

Hey you big, strong man, straighten up! Why are you always so timid and subservient in front of me?

Well, it seems our protagonist has forgotten how he used to go all out in front of everyone.

Now you want to appear harmless?

It's too late.

Besides serving as an instructor, Bai Ye also finalized a business collaboration with Big Bob: the Originium Slug beer he brews. Bai Ye believes this will also be a successful investment for him.

In the timeline before the time travel, Big Bob made a fortune from his beer in Columbia, eventually attracting the attention of the tax authorities and ending up in jail. Of course, it's rumored that this might also be related to Columbia's prohibition laws.

In short, Big Bob was really miserable during that period.

After finishing their business, Bai Ye started chatting with Big Bob.

Big Bob also discovered that Bai Ye was indeed a refined and easy-going person, just as the Ursus people said, he was "cold as winter to his enemies, but warm as spring to his friends."

Therefore, Big Bob was no longer as alarmed and nervous as he had been at the beginning.

"Speaking of which, where did that big man who was standing next to you go?" Bai Ye asked curiously.

When he arrived, he discovered that the Sarkaz strongman who had always hung out with Big Bob was gone and hadn't shown up.

"Ah, you mean Mudrock ..." Big Bob didn't realize it at first, until Bai Ye gestured with his hand, and then he suddenly understood.

As he spoke of Mudrock's name, Big Bob looked at Bai Ye with a strange and bewildered gaze, while his expression seemed to be one of barely suppressing a smile.

"What's wrong?" Bai Ye asked, even more curious.

"Mudrock, [she] has returned to Kazdel with some Sarkaz. There are still infected people there who haven't come out yet, and Mudrock wants to go back and bring them here together."

Big Bob emphasized the word "she," and Bai Ye finally understood.

"You mean, that guy who's taller than you and looks really strong is a woman?!" Bai Ye's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Right... Hehe, you didn't know?" Big Bob chuckled, looking at Bai Ye as he explained, "It's like this, she's just... quite shy, and she never takes off her helmet and armor. She usually waits until night when no one is around to change clothes and take a shower."

After saying that, Big Bob laughed, "Actually, most of the guys have never seen what Mudrock looks like, and very few people know what a woman looks like."

"Goodness, you've successfully changed my impression of Mudrock from Sarkaz strongman to Sarkaz muscular woman." Bai Ye chuckled.

Big Bob shook his head. "You'll know when you actually get the chance to see it... the contrast will be huge."

Bai Ye didn't take Big Bob's words to heart.

He put away the beer and walked out of Big Bob's ranch.

Finally, he reminded Big Bob that if the farm was overrun with Originium Slug or something went wrong, they could ask the Undead for help.

In the future, this place will probably become a leveling-up spot for novice Players.

Bai Ye even planned to breed more Originium Slug here, and then bring back a big one after a while to meet the leveling needs of new Players.

It was already late at night when we left the farm.

Bai Ye walked slowly through the streets of Chernobog's Core City.

The difference here is huge compared to the past few months. Many useless buildings left by the Chernobog nobles have been demolished, new power systems have been built, and there is no longer a curfew at night.

However, what Bai Ye saw more of were Players, while the original inhabitants of the Reunion Movement were not many night owls.

Bai Ye arrived at the central square of the Players's area.

The construction team that Swire hired has already fenced off the space that the "Adventurers' Association" needs to occupy, and some curious Players are trying to get closer to see what's going on.

However, many more Players continued to enter and exit the dungeon.

Sure enough, most Players are still looking for gameplay content focused on combat and defeating bosses.

Bai Ye discovered that Players could basically clear the main story levels in both easy and hard modes by teaming up. As for Nightmare and Hell modes, only some powerful guilds or Players teams could clear them.

Bai Ye's own progress in clearing the dungeons generated by the three Fragment of Truth has also changed. Galson has been thoroughly defeated by Players, while a simplified strategy Players Black Serpent has been found. As for the Inner Guards, no one has yet found a way to clear even the easy mode.

As expected of the most difficult dungeon, the Inner Guards can actually be considered a combat unit. If your individual strength is not even comparable to that of the Ursus Empire's Inner Guards, then you cannot be called a strong person.

These are actually the dividing line between ordinary people and monsters; above the Inner Guards are legends and gods (Great Beast).

Even at night, the entrance to the Awakening Temple is still bustling with activity, as countless Players match and queue up.

"I need a high-favorability character for Sis' Talulah. Today, I'm going to try and win over Black Snake!"

"All three soldiers have medical skills, but we're missing a ranged attacker!"

"Hey, Sis' Talulah, have some pear syrup!"

Many players in matchmaking Squad Five want to recruit Players with Talulah affinity, as this is a strategy that Players have found.

Remember the lucky Players "Misaligned Sword" who triggered "Bai Ye's Mercy" and the Easter egg? He had a high affinity with Bai Ye, so he could summon Bai Ye to help him complete the boss challenge before entering the dungeon.

This was an Easter egg he discovered by chance, and after filming it and uploading it online, it attracted a lot of attention and discussion from Players.

Some might even ask, "But who is the boss?"

It's obvious that the guy named Bai Ye is more like the boss, right?

In fact, the extremely difficult dungeon composed of the three Fragment of Truth has techniques to simplify the game's difficulty on the easier difficulty level.

For example, in the Galson dungeon, you can summon Bai Ye at the boss's entrance.

Players later discovered that if they had a high affinity with Talulah, they could summon her to assist in defeating the boss "The Undying Black Serpent." At this point, the boss in the dungeon would begin vying for Talulah 'Talulah body and be distracted by Talulah. Players could then seize this opportunity to unleash their attacks.

Chapter 119 Version 2.2 Update Preview

Bai Ye wasn't sure whether the game's simplified mechanics were a subconscious act of pity on his part, or an Easter egg added by the game system to consider the Players's needs when generating dungeons.

After all, when the Fragment of Truth are used and the copy is generated, Bai Ye himself has no control over what exactly is produced inside.

This shouldn't be called the mercy of the Bai Ye, but rather the game system's mercy towards the Players. After all, without these, the bosses would be far too difficult for Players.