What people refer to as a VPN is almost never actually a VPN. VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network", and is a specific type of proxy. Proxies are just computers that forward internet traffic - you could arguably call them routers, but the intentional use of a proxy to obfuscate the source of traffic is enough to differentiate them. When something claims to be a VPN it implies - actually, states - that you'll have access to some internal network. The typical use-case for a VPN is accessing a network from elsewhere, say accessing your gaymr PC on the go or some research computer from the uni you attend

"VPN" Companies, like Nord or Mullvad, do not sell you a VPN. They sell you a proxy. You're not getting access to a network, you're getting access to a server that will obfuscate your traffic so you can pirate vidya without getting a cease and desist from some random company / getting your internet cut off

ALSO "VPN"s don't really make you all that much safer than a bare connection. Sure, proxies are enough that some people can't trace you (say, Activision-Blizzard), but if the govt comes a knocking you're fucked. This is where darknets come in; by having 3 or more proxies in the chain, it makes directly tracing you much much harder (to the point where even govts have a hard time). Darknets won't make you invincible - if you're retarded and identify yourself then you're compromised - but they're a hell of a lot better than the competition

Autistic rant over

Why don't we make a bomb/missile that launches to the edge of space and then circles around the earth a bunch to gain speed, then drop directly onto a target? We already have a bomber that does this (goes to edge of space), why not a missile?