Kingdom of Corrosion
Chapter 711 - 335 Shadow Mutations (Part 2)

Chapter 711: Chapter 335 Shadow Mutations (Part 2)

In the Maya era, there were abundant resources; when problems arose, they were directly pointed out, demanding correction or cessation. Due to Maya’s nature, no one had objections, and there were no situations where people were left unable to back down. Shana, however, tended to use emotion to judge issues. She tried her utmost to keep things level, but her varying attitudes toward each individual meant that her decisions and orders were prone to misunderstandings.

For example, Shana had a normal relationship with Peanut, while Maya had a normal relationship with everyone. Maya issued an order: "Peanut, go move bricks." Peanut thought moving bricks was tiring, but since the task was assigned to him, he could only do it. He did not feel that Maya targeted him with the order. Shana had those with whom she was on good terms, bad terms, and normal terms. Either Shana would assign the tedious tasks to those she was close with, or others would have complaints.

For instance, Shana was very close with Dashuang. When Shana asked Peanut or someone else to move bricks, Peanut or the others would wonder, why not Dashuang? The tough tasks were handed to them instead. Last time it was like this, this time as well. It’s not certain that you’re targeting me, but I’m inclined to believe that you are.

Starlight knew that restructuring would come at a significant cost, but she believed it would be beneficial for the long-term healthy operation of the base.

Finally, Starlight clarified: If Shadow did not accept the restructuring, she could not see a future for a Shadow lacking in execution power, and she would consider relocating to Angel’s Alliance. If Shadow were willing, she hoped to be escorted part of the way in an armored vehicle.

Angel’s Alliance was only a 12-kilometer straight-line distance from Doomsday Fortress but 25 kilometers by road. Due to the many zombies at the tunnel entrance’s Sentry Card, the two sides had only made contact via radio.

Angel’s Alliance was a survival alliance that came together through base exchange activities. Initially, there were 24 bases, but due to train activities, now only 11 remained, leaving 13 empty bases idle. They welcomed anyone to settle in Angel’s Alliance.

As an administrative officer, Su Shi was the first to voice his support for Starlight’s view. Previously, even Lin Wu had to get approval from the Deputy Commander to take items. Now everyone took and used things as they wished, lacking rigorous collective management. Emotionally, he was dissatisfied with Snow Egg’s unauthorized use of high-level materials and even more with the light punishment she received. Those were core components for upgrading to a Level 3 command centre.

Stone asked everyone slowly: Are we unable to get along, and preparing to disband?

His imposing questions were met with silence at the scene. Stone knew that the contradictions had reached a critical point, and the fact that no brawl had erupted was already quite civilized.

Peanut raised his hand to talk about his situation. Over the past couple of months, there had been four zombie sieges. Hardcore Mode required players to clear the zombies’ bodies around the base, and he’d been assigned body-clearing duty three times. He wasn’t insisting that everyone take turns doing this task, but some people hadn’t been scheduled at all; surely there should be an explanation?

Cotton, who was usually quiet, countered by saying that while everyone else was making fishing nets, cleaning, repairing dikes, farming, and crafting materials, he and Starlight were cuddling inside the boat. Those who knew thought you were friends; those who didn’t could mistake you for an affair.

This comment ignited the atmosphere at the scene, and an embarrassed Peanut started to pick faults with Cotton. Dashuang spoke up for Cotton, but ended up dragging Little Knife into the dispute. Snow Egg defended Little Knife. For a moment, the meeting became extremely lively.

Stone called a halt to the argument, suggesting that since they couldn’t get along, they should part on good terms and leave each other with a good impression. Considering that Doomsday Fortress was individually based, they should vote, raising hands for those who agreed to restructure and those who didn’t.

The results of the vote seemed to indicate that Shadow had split into three factions.

The first faction was Shana’s, with allies including Dashuang and Cotton. The second faction was Starlight’s, with allies Peanut and Emerald Feather. The third faction was neutral, including Snow Egg, Little Knife, and Su Shi. Each faction comprised three people, and none met the Doomsday Fortress standard of four people.

Snow Egg and Little Knife were initially on good terms with Shana, but Little Knife had a conflict with Cotton, and with the Horse Soul incident, they did not side with Shana. Su Shi did not want to join any faction; he simply refused to side with Snow Egg and Little Knife and cast an abstention.

Did Starlight have personal desires? It was unclear, nor could the possibility of her retaliating against Stone be ruled out. But it couldn’t be denied that what Starlight said was true: the contradictions within Shadow were growing in number and becoming increasingly sharp. The most fatal issue was that there was no one capable of resolving and alleviating these conflicts, since everyone had their own stance.

Stone knew that forcing a few votes to maintain Shadow was meaningless, so he clarified his position: "A base has developed into this state, and I bear the primary responsibility. I don’t want this base anymore. As I said, it’s better to part on good terms. Divide the base, or the resources; those who can live together should do so, and those who can’t should just let it be. As for what system the base should adopt, I’m not participating."

Stone said, "The armored vehicle is mine. I’ll take some weapons and building materials. I can survive by Route 99. Su Shi, will you come with me?"

Su Shi nodded: "Together."

After some quiet discussion between Snow Egg and Little Knife, Snow Egg stated he would like to apologize to everyone, as the incident was entirely caused by his unauthorized taking of materials. He decided to head to Angel’s Alliance with Little Knife. To reach Angel’s Alliance, he hoped to borrow the armored truck.

Starlight stepped forward, explaining she hadn’t intended to break up Shadow. She knew the principle that united we stand, divided we fall. She asked everyone to forget the content of the meeting, and she and Peanut would leave the base the next day.