In the shadows of the alley, Stiller, who had already changed out of his Truth Corporation combat suit and into civilian clothes, appeared before Lin Yu.

Sniffing the turbid air, Stiller looked left and right before speaking to Lin Yu.

"Hah, we should be in the Southern District of the Outer City, near the edge by the city walls. This area is full of slums and gang territories. The place we're at now, along with the three blocks to the left and right, is actually quite a famous spot."

"The three major corporations officially call this place 'Southern District Gray Three Streets.' That's the more formal name."

"But the more common name among mercenaries, Outer City folk, and lower-class citizens... is 'Gold Rush Street.'"

Listening to Stiller's words, Lin Yu gave a slight nod.

He had called Stiller out precisely so this local could give him the lowdown on where they were.

This was also why Lin Yu had chosen the entrance to the world of the "Wasteland" – going elsewhere was one thing, but actually arriving in Sleepless City with Stiller as a local guide was definitely going to save him a lot of trouble at the start.

"So, why is it called 'Gold Rush Street'... sounds like a lawless zone," Lin Yu looked at Stiller and pressed further.

"You hit the nail on the head," Stiller nodded. "The three giant corporations' control over the outer city's fringe areas is, in some ways, even weaker than their grip on the Great Wasteland."

"Whether it's the Divine Power Group or the Universal General Chamber of Commerce, they both choose to prop up 'societies,' 'gangs,' and 'mercenary groups' as their proxies to manage the chaotic, mixed-bag outer city fringe that doesn't offer much profit."

After all, in Sleepless City, the residents of the inner city are relatively wealthy upper-class citizens. The outer city residents are poorer, with lower citizen grades, yet they cannot be ignored due to their sheer numbers.

In Sleepless City, people are consumption power, labor power, and can even be energy, fuel, raw materials, and high-quality test subjects.

But out here on the outer city fringe, near the walls... the people here can only be called scrap.

No use value, and quite dangerous.

The most vicious, desperate scum gather here.

Half the people here have citizen grades of nine or below, or are unrateable types, and the other half are pure undocumented illegals.

In the inner city, if you throw a rock, you'll hit three nobles. But on the outer city fringe, a rock will hit five escaped convicts or fugitives on the run.

"You only mentioned the Divine Power Group and the Universal Chamber. What about your Truth Corporation?" Lin Yu asked with a smile. Stiller shrugged.

"Truth Corporation has shallow roots, no real mass base to begin with, so the company preferred to simply buy out the forces propped up by the Divine Power Group and the Universal General Chamber of Commerce."

"Even though we've now become the third giant corporation, and in recent years our overall strength could even be called the strongest, buying out outer city fringe forces has become a path dependency... so we still use that method to this day."

Lin Yu nodded upon hearing Stiller's explanation. "That's very much the Truth Corporation style... So, what's the special origin of this 'Southern District Gray Three Streets'?"

"It sits at the junction of the two large territories controlled by forces propped up by the two giants, the Divine Power Group and the Universal General Chamber of Commerce. It's kind of a buffer zone," Stiller said thoughtfully. "Plus, a few of the local bosses here are quite powerful. While not fully subordinate to either giant, they all have their own connections. So, they've carved out this little slice of lawless land within the city."

"On the surface, it's a few bars and restaurants. In reality, it's a paradise for freelance mercenaries and 'middlemen.' In a sense, this place is what keeps those criminals and violent elements alive."

"Without this place, probably half of them would starve to death."

"In the company's assessment, letting this place exist actually brings more benefits than forcibly controlling or wiping it out. Because if those guys were truly starving, they definitely wouldn't just sit quietly in their rooms waiting to die," Stiller said calmly. "What's more, many company executives and nobles also need a place where they can quickly find high-caliber mercenaries willing to take on dirty work."

Lin Yu chuckled. "Makes sense. The price for hiring dangerous elements definitely isn't small. Those who can afford it... certainly aren't your honest, law-abiding ordinary Sleepless City residents."

He also understood now why he had been dumped here at the start.

According to the initial bloody writing, he needed to complete a C-77 commission, the content being to assassinate someone or some people.

And this place was Sleepless City's largest commission center and talent market.

"Alright, I get the picture," Lin Yu glanced at Stiller. "To clear this [dungeon], I need to take on an assassination job. So... where are these types of missions generally posted?"

Stiller thought for a moment before answering. "The Magic Boar Bar specializes in assassination commissions. Then there are the many middlemen at the Meteor Restaurant; they're pretty well-informed."

Looking at Stiller's fluent response, Lin Yu sized him up. "Hah, you really know this place well – taken on a lot of side jobs here, haven't you?"

Stiller was surprised. "You could tell?"

"The way you answered doesn't sound like you're just reciting company data. And your general life story... born as an artificial human, served in the Great Wasteland, then returned to Sleepless City to become a big shot's right-hand man. The only thing that could connect you to this place is coming here to take side jobs."

Lin Yu said with a smile, "So, the 'mercenaries' here, besides criminals, probably include quite a few big company employees hiding their identities, just like you."

Stiller licked his somewhat dry lips. "Yes. Sorry, I did intentionally hide that part..."

"No need, Stiller," Lin Yu patted Stiller on the shoulder. "You've genuinely gone through two [dungeons] with me. You should have seen by now... I'm just a passerby to this world. I've even passed through more than just this one world."

Stiller understood what Lin Yu meant.

He shook his head with a bitter smile. "You've misunderstood me too. I just felt embarrassed... I take side jobs on the side, and even my boss doesn't know."

"After all, I was doing it for the thrill..."

As Stiller spoke, Lin Yu burst out laughing.

"Ahaha, so that's it. I overlooked that."

"Alright, Stiller, I'm heading to the restaurant you mentioned," Lin Yu waved at him. "You're free to do as you please too – you haven't been back for so long, you must have a lot of things you haven't done, right?"

Stiller was stunned. "What?"

"Aren't you planning to go back and check on Truth Corporation?" Lin Yu looked at Stiller. "It's been ages since you went back. Even if you don't have family... you must have friends, right?"

"That CEO Paris seems to be on pretty good terms with you. You two don't seem like just a simple superior-subordinate relationship. Now that you're finally back, you should go see him!"

"Go on, go on! Consider it a vacation from your new temporary boss!"