, Rank D Rule Instance: "Happy Home"

A few days later, in the main control hall of the seventh sequence.

Bai Xu looked at the instance fluctuation information detected on the screen and said to the core members present, "A D-rank instance is about to open, [Happy Home]. Anyone want to go?"

Hong Yuan, You Ying, and Bai Jin looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Rank D... not very challenging, and the rewards are so-so." Bai Jin crossed his arms, showing little interest.

"Yes, Captain, we're currently focused on analyzing those high-difficulty dungeons. There's no need to waste time on these low-level ones, is there?" Hong Yuan chimed in.

Iron Fist also chimed in, "Exactly! Go in and act for seven days, work yourself to the bone for such a small reward. It's better to train at the base."

For these experienced Awakened Ones, D-rank dungeons were indeed a waste of their time.

Bai Xu's gaze unconsciously shifted to Shi Mo, who was sitting on the corner sofa, resting with his eyes closed. For some reason, he felt that this seemingly boring dungeon might actually suit the tastes of this unpredictable man.

Seemingly sensing Bai Xu's gaze, Shi Mo slowly opened his heterochromatic eyes and lazily asked, "What dungeon?"

"【Happy Family】," Bai Xu replied. "The rules are simple: participants need to play the role of a sickly daughter or son in a family and stay in the instance world for seven days. During this time, they need to maintain the 'sickly' persona and cannot be discovered by their 'family members'."

"Playing house?" Shi Mo raised an eyebrow, his tone unreadable. "Sure."

The others were somewhat surprised by his quick agreement. Given Shi Mo's strength and personality, why would he be interested in such a low-level role-playing dungeon?

Although Bai Xu was also somewhat puzzled, he nodded nonetheless: "Alright, then you and... the other randomly matched participants will enter. There's not much time left to prepare."

Just as he was waiting for the dungeon to open, the system's voice rang in Shi Mo's mind, filled with unprecedented anxiety and... a hint of a sob?

[Host! In this instance, you...you must follow the rules and play the role of the sickly child well!]

Shi Mo frowned slightly, responding coldly in his mind, "Why?"

[This is a system task! Host!] The system was practically frantic with worry, its code malfunctioning. [You've been bound to me for so long, cleared so many dungeons, but when have you ever followed the expected pattern? It's either brute force or direct 'acquisition'! My task of 'guiding the host to participate in dungeons in compliance with regulations' has consistently achieved a zero completion rate! If this continues, even the main system will give me a failing grade! Waaaaah...]

Shi Mo: "..." He had forgotten about that.

The system continued its lament: "And...and there's an even more important reason!"

"And what?" Shi Mo asked patiently.

"The frequency and scope of these strange rule-related incidents are increasing, and the national level has taken them very seriously, even signing a cooperation agreement with our Seventh Sequence!" the system quickly explained. "Starting with this 'Happy Home' instance, all detected instances will be broadcast live nationwide! The purpose is to raise public awareness of the crisis, showcase response strategies, and also serve as a form of oversight of the candidates and... uh, material collection."

Nationwide live broadcast?

Shi Mo's lips twitched slightly. Did this mean that his every move would be watched by countless ordinary people?

"What if I say no?" His tone was clearly displeased. He hated being watched, and he hated being restrained even more.

[Host! Please! Just this once! Just this once, okay!]

The system was practically in tears, its electronic voice cracking. "Please have pity on me, System! If you cause any more trouble during this live stream and do something earth-shattering, the main system will definitely judge me as having failed in my guidance, and might even format me! Host! Daddy! Ancestor! Please! Just pretend to be sickly for seven days! Just act! Seven days is enough!"

The system's pleas were so poignant and moving that they could bring tears to the eyes of anyone who heard them (if it had tears).

As Shi Mo listened to the wailing noise from the system in his mind, his brows furrowed more and more tightly.

He simply couldn't stand this constant mental pollution. After a moment of silence, he finally gave in, somewhat impatiently: "...Shut up. Just this once."

[Really?! Thank you, host! Thank you, Dad! You are truly the best host in the world!]

The system instantly cleared up, and flattery poured in like a tidal wave: "[Don't worry! As long as you follow the rules, act a little, pretend to be weak, cough occasionally, rest in bed... it's very simple! The system believes you can act well! It will absolutely not reveal the fact that you can crush the entire instance with a single finger!]"

Shi Mo was too lazy to pay any more attention to the noisy system. A nationwide live broadcast? Acting according to the rules? Playing the role of a sickly child? What was all this nonsense? He just felt that this instance experience would probably be more...annoying than any of the previous ones.

Soon, the notification sound of the dungeon opening came through.

Bai Xu looked at Shi Mo and gave him a final word of advice: "Be careful. Although it's a D-rank dungeon, there are many variables in rule-based dungeons."

Shi Mo nodded expressionlessly. Before the white light enveloped him, he glanced at the ring on his left index finger and then at Bai Xu, a glint of unfathomable light flashing in his heterochromatic pupils.

The next moment, the sensation of spatial shifting washed over me.

[The D-rank rule instance: 'Happy Home' is now open.]

[Mission Objective: Play as the sickly daughter/son of a family and survive safely for seven days in the instance world.]

[Core rule: Maintain the "sickly and weak" persona, and don't let your "family" see through it.]

[Warning: This dungeon run will be broadcast live to the public. Participants are advised to be mindful of their words and actions.]

A cold notification sound rang in the minds of Shi Mo and the other randomly selected participants.

At the same time, on giant screens in city squares, home TVs, online live streaming platforms, and all other devices connected to the signal, multiple split-screen images appeared simultaneously, clearly showing the environment around different participants in the [Happy Home] instance!

The large title is particularly eye-catching—[Live Observation of the Mysterious Rules of the Rules: D-Rank Dungeon "Happy Home"]!

Countless people, some curious, some nervous, and some fearful, sat around the screen watching this life-or-death test under supernatural forces.

Our protagonist, Shi Mo, is standing in what appears to be a warm and ordinary living room, facing the camera (though he can't see it, he can feel being spied on), and his "family" who are about to appear, beginning the first, and perhaps the last, forced "acting challenge" of his life (or perhaps his divine life?).