Dimensional Store: Welcome to the Apocalypse Apartment - Chapter 206

Chapter 206

“If you want to cooperate, you must have something I want in your hands.”

Faced with his constant approach, Gu Huaiwei made no move.

She stood her ground, meeting his gaze.

“Have you ever suspected that those Assistants of yours have ulterior motives?”

“What do you think?” Gu Huaiwei had, of course, suspected it.

To be willing to work for free in her shop, they must have something else they were after.

However, she didn’t care, because everyone had hidden secrets.

To show his sincerity – or perhaps because the part of him that had devoured “Zhou Chuanning” still held the original’s affection for Gu Huaiwei-he revealed some of his past.

He let out a sigh.

“You possess the spiritual energy of a high-level Dimension. You must have traveled through many Dimensions and encountered some Operators who were trapped in smaller ones.”

Gu Huaiwei nodded, acknowledging his statement.

“I am different from them. I had one foot through the gates of Paradise, but just as I was about to succeed, I chose self-destruction.”

“Why?” Gu Huaiwei frowned.

Zhou Chuanning said, “I discovered the secret of how Paradise grooms us.”

…

Zhou Chuanning told Gu Huaiwei some things regarding the Operators, the Paradise Sacrifices, and the Xiling Family.

All Operators were orphans.

Paradise Sacrifices were living humans provided by the Xiling Family.

The Xiling Family had served Paradise for generations, and in return, Paradise ensured their devout believers enjoyed eternal peace and wealth.

He only revealed a portion of the truth.

Half spoken, half hidden.

“Paradise grooms you merely to use you to open shops in various Dimensions, absorbing the energy of those smaller worlds to open a gateway to the outside world for them.”

Zhou Chuanning’s voice was like a waveless ancient well, carrying a chill that seeped into the bone.

“What do you mean by that?”

“When all the lights on the Ferris wheel are lit, the gates of Paradise will open. At that time, all the monsters will break through the dimensional restrictions and flood into the outside world. And you…” He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, “will lose your utility value.”

Gu Huaiwei thought of the oil paintings present in every shop.

She had already lit two lights.

“As an Operator who has traversed multiple Dimensions, your existence will become incredibly enticing.

They give you money, beauty, longevity, and even power, only so that when they finally taste you, you will have a flavor distinct from that of ordinary mortals.

Everything you are will be viewed as a delicacy, eventually placed on a dinner plate for them to enjoy.”

He leaned forward slightly, a hint of danger hidden in his lowered eyes.

“And those Assistants of yours – they come from Paradise. From the very beginning, they were destined not to stand on the same side as you.”

“They are also waiting to have their share of the spoils.”

“Cooperate with me.” Zhou Chuanning’s voice was low, a seductive whisper. “Only then can you possibly break free from the control of Paradise and escape this meticulously woven web of fate.”

“Alright, then follow me, Dimension by Dimension.”

Gu Huaiwei looked at his outstretched hand and placed her own on top of it with a smile.

She believed Zhou Chuanning’s words.

But she didn’t believe them entirely.

If Paradise was truly as he described-filled only with blood and destruction – then why, after giving it up, was he so obsessed with her, wanting to enter Paradise once more?

Perhaps a part of what he said was true.

However, he was definitely hiding his own intentions.
There was definitely something he wanted in Paradise.

He regretted it.

He regretted not stepping into Paradise with both feet.

That was why he had come to Gu Huaiwei’s side. Initially, he had bared his fangs, intending to completely replace her. After realizing that was impossible, he had changed his tune and proposed a partnership.

Humans were, after all, creatures who loved using flowery language to mask their inner desires.

Gu Huaiwei agreed to his proposal.

She did so because he was right about one thing.

And that was that Gu Huaiwei truly needed assistance that didn’t come from Paradise.

Zhou Chuanning was the best candidate for the job.

And so, the two reached an agreement.

Partnership was partnership, but business was business.

Gu Huaiwei glanced at the Recovery Room where Zhou Chuanning was staying. This room was larger, and he required her personal approval before he could officially move in.

For a private residence like this, Gu Huaiwei charged Zhou Chuanning double the usual room fee.

One of the requirements for the second stage of her mission was to have five Anomalies become customers of the Sanatorium.

Gu Huaiwei instructed Bai Miemie to keep an eye on the Gray Mist Town Library. Once a new Reporter entered and the Instance reopened, she needed to be notified immediately.

Only when an Instance was active could she take the Anomalies within it away with her.

However, the Lifespan on her account was limited.

Waiting around for the Library Instance to open was too risky.

She couldn’t put all her eggs in one basket.

Gu Huaiwei took He Xueyi with her to search for a new Instance.

The old lady on the Clock Tower never appeared again.

She was like a wisp of smoke that had dissipated, leaving no trace behind.

Gu Huaiwei obtained some information from Fang Zhao.

The mine in Gray Mist Town was hiring. As long as one accepted a Recruitment Notice, they could enter the Mine Instance as a Miner.

This time, the mine was publicly recruiting five Miners.

“Why are you taking the initiative to enter an Instance?”

Gu Huaiwei turned her head to look at Fang Zhao, Bai Yuzhen, and Zhao Lianxin, who were all holding Recruitment Notices.

Xia Wenxin hadn’t come out; due to her burns, she needed to rest quietly in the Oasis Sanatorium.

Zhao Lianxin rubbed her temples and said tiredly, “The expenses at the Sanatorium are too high. My husband still needs treatment, so I can’t just sit around and enjoy myself there.”

Bai Yuzhen’s reason was simple-she wanted to make a push for the Heavenly Ranking.

As for Fang Zhao, he shrugged helplessly at Bai Yuzhen. “I was dragged out here by her for the sake of Lifespan.”

Zhao Lianxin counted them off with her finger. “One, two, three, four, five… That’s right. There are five of us. Why hasn’t the Mine Instance opened yet?”

“We’re still missing two people. My Assistant and I don’t count as Trial-takers.” Gu Huaiwei held a Recruitment Notice in her hand.

The paper had already been crumpled by her grip.

She noticed that when the others took a Recruitment Notice, their names automatically appeared on it.

However, the name column on the one in Gu Huaiwei’s hand remained blank.

She and He Xueyi were excluded from the Instance.

They were still short two people.

The two new Trial-takers came from the Safe House.

One look was enough to tell they possessed extraordinary auras.

The man was tall and lean, with sharp brows and bright eyes. He wore a fitted dark trench coat with the collar slightly turned up, his brow furrowed in an expression of impatience.

The woman possessed a peerless beauty that made it impossible to look away. Her skin was as translucent as jade, her eyes were a rare amber, and a smile played on her lips at all times.

The woman’s gaze swept over the group, pausing briefly on Bai Yuzhen before finally landing on Gu Huaiwei. She smiled and extended her hand.

“Hello, my name is Xiling You.”