Without hesitation, Qin Ran chose no.
Completing the main quest now would go completely against Qin Ran's long-established plan to explore every instance world as thoroughly as possible. Besides, having already tasted the benefits of a Special Instance, how could he give up the chance to unlock follow-up instances for this world?
Although the "low-to-moderate" recognition he had earned already exceeded the "minimum" level, Qin Ran knew very well from experience that it was still a long, long way from the SSS rating required to unlock a follow-up Special Instance.
Just after Qin Ran made his decision, footsteps sounded.
Dresden's tall, upright figure appeared in Qin Ran's field of vision.
"If possible, I'd like to extend my invitation to you again, 2567."
"You're even stronger than I imagined."
"In fact, not long ago, when I agreed to let you accompany me, I was still thinking about how I should protect you..."
"This really is astonishing."
"It seems you weren't showing your true strength before."
Undisguised admiration filled Dresden's face.
"My abilities are particularly effective against theirs."
Qin Ran's answer was half true and half false.
Never revealing any of his trump cards had long since become a habit for Qin Ran.
"But you took down three supercriminals: Bonebreaker, Hunter, and Iron-beaked Crocodile. That's a fact!"
"Such bravery certainly deserves a reward."
Dresden did not press Qin Ran about his abilities.
Among Transcendents, it had long been an established rule not to ask about another person's abilities unless they volunteered the information.
As a highly active Transcendent in Aikend City, Dresden naturally would not break that rule. At the same time, he used their conversation to unobtrusively inform Qin Ran of certain things a Transcendent ought to know.
Their conversation therefore moved on to a subject that greatly interested Qin Ran.