This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 661: I, the Pangolin, am Back Again!

Chapter 661: Chapter 661: I, the Pangolin, am Back Again!

Chu Guang naturally supported the players’ plan to build their port in the Baiyue Strait.

Not only because the southern sea area housed Shelter No. 70 and the fallen Tiangong Space Station but also because it meant that his players had begun to actively spread the light of order outward.

As for issues like port ownership, it seemed rather petty to be entangled in that.

It was the year 2342, not 1600. He was neither an emperor of the Alliance nor a chairman of a transoceanic company but a manager of the Alliance and the designer of its order.

His players were not convicts he had banished but warriors who had sworn to end the wasteland under the United Human flag.

He and the players were highly unified in both interests and standpoints, not in opposition to each other.

As part of the Alliance, the settlements established by the players naturally belonged to the Alliance, and acknowledging the Alliance’s constitution was part of the obligations written on the Player’s Handbook, with the option to pass the beta testing qualifications to those willing to join if they cannot accept it.

Under the order led by the Alliance, players could discuss the future of the settlement with the local survivors, or even leave it entirely to the survivors themselves to decide, just like the residents of Giant Stone City and Singular Point City.

As long as they did not violate the constitution of the Alliance or the rules of the Player’s Handbook, Chu Guang was happy to let them figure things out within the rules.

Under the game rules he designed, the Alliance only made macro-directional plans and ensured the safety of each settlement, while "how to do it" had always been something each settlement needed to consider for themselves.

No one could plan everything flawlessly, and the areas he had not considered would inevitably require many to complete together.

From passively waiting for the dog plan to update the game to actively enriching the game’s content was also something that Chu Guang had always been guiding his players to do.

After all, such a large planet would need planning for hundreds, if not thousands, of settlements; if it all depended on him alone, it might take until the end of time to finish.

As for the world five light-years away, that was even less to be considered!

Compared to the port that the players heckled into existence, Chu Guang was actually more concerned about another matter.

"The southern sea area formed the Southern Islands Federation and is in conflict with Shelter No. 70... this isn’t what was agreed."

Staring at the pale blue holographic window, Chu Guang, seated on the sofa, couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

When Sun Yuechi had introduced him to the situation in the southern sea area, though he mentioned divergences between the shelter and the surface settlements in many areas, he hadn’t said that their contradictions had escalated to the verge of warfare.

Doubt arose in Chu Guang’s mind; had that Sun Yuechi set a trap for him?

However, he soon realized that guy had left the southern sea area to head to River Valley Province a long time ago, and according to what his players said, the federation only emerged this year.

In other words, while that Sun Yuechi leisurely wandered northward, he might not have known that his own home was on fire.

The speed of news transmission in the wasteland was always a mystery.

A thought crossed his mind, and Chu Guang spoke up.

"Xiao Qi."

An eager voice soon floated to his ears.

"Yes, Master."

After a moment of thought, Chu Guang said.

"Update the mission bar for that player who received the activation code and have her investigate who started the war between the Southern Islands Federation and Shelter No. 70, and the cause of it."

From her performance on the forum, this task shouldn’t be too difficult for her.

Even, one could say that this was her area of expertise.

After a pause, Chu Guang added another line.

"The priority of this mission is temporarily set to the highest."

Xiao Qi, perched on the edge of the pen holder, saluted playfully.

"Roger that!"

The next morning at dawn.

The sky had only just started to light up, and the open space in front of the "Dawn City Airship Inflation Station" was already bustling.

Boxes and bundles of supplies were piled up on the ground, with various construction devices parked nearby waiting for workers to load.

Players carrying large and small luggage stood in groups near the crowded supplies and equipment, shouting loudly.

"New map development! Missing a Body Constitution System MT with their own exoskeleton, PM me fast if interested in teaming up!"

"Big bro, how do you save the game when you travel so far? What if you accidentally die?"

"You must be new, right? Find a courier mission to get familiar with the game flow first, and get your Sequence Level up to Level 10 before you go adventuring outside."

"Dang it!"

"Any bros out there who can swing a hammer? If not, a Strength Type can do too! The construction site needs beasts of burden—oh no, I mean it needs labor."

"Any adventuring brothers? Take me with you! I’m an Intelligence System, really slick with drones!"

Not just on the open space in front of the square, but even the line at the ticket counter formed a long dragon.

A newbie with a backpack finally made his way to the front, only to realize to his shock that hitching a ride on the airship actually cost money.

"What the heck! You have to buy tickets for the airship?"

The player manning the ticket counter, already used to this question, answered lazily.

"Or you could walk there?"

"%￥#@!"

Because parts of Haiya Province and Brocade River Province were still under the control of the Torch Church, flights from the City of Dawn to the Baiyue Strait required a detour through the southern part of Falling Leaves Province, covering a total distance of nearly four thousand kilometers and taking more than two days.

This route had just opened, operated by the Bull Horse Group, and it was planned that two hydrogen airships would make two trips a week.

Subsequent flights would increase to one trip per day depending on the situation.

The price for a one-way ticket was around five hundred silver coins, and it allowed for 15 kilograms of baggage; for any excess, a fee of 10 silver coins per kilogram was charged.

The ticket price included tax and insurance, equivalent to the cost of three assault rifles, and one had to at least be a Citizen level in Contribution to buy a ticket.

After all, bringing untrained newbies to such a far-off place was quite a headache, and in general, players who reached the Citizen level tend to be far more reliable.

These were the "prime quality labor force" that Ah Guang had already screened for them, and, comparatively, they were much more reassuring to employ.

Even though the tickets weren’t cheap and there was a purchasing threshold, it couldn’t stop players’ enthusiasm for new maps and their desire to explore the unknown world!

After all, this was an opportunity to be ahead of the game version!

The bigshot players had put so much money into this; it certainly wasn’t a simple matter of the wealthy tossing away cash for fun.

If these master players really intended to build a port, they would inevitably release a series of pioneering and construction missions.

As long as one seized the opportunity, one could earn back the cost of the ticket in minutes!

Even though the missions posted by players didn’t award Contribution Points, the silver coin rewards were often about 20% to 50% higher than those offered by NPCs!

For this reason, tickets for the flight to the Baiyue Strait were almost sold out as soon as they went on sale.

All the players waiting in front of the "Dawn City Airship Inflation Station" were brimming with ambition, their eyes shining with anticipation for the journey about to begin.

The opportunities in Qingquan City had been nearly tapped out.

It was time to try one’s luck in a new world!

Eyeing this flight was not just the warriors preparing to head south but also a large number of life-skilled players and NPCs running factories or workshops.

Mostly, they had learned from the Wasteland OL Forum or Survivor’s Daily that the Alliance planned to build a port in the southern sea area.

A wave of salespeople had already swarmed to the side of the airship inflation station, hawking their products to these eager players.

"KV-2 Improved Model III amphibious exoskeleton! Traverse jungles, swamps, and shallow waters with ease! Come take a look!"

"One LD-47 and all your troubles are gone! And if that’s not enough, just add an RPG! Even the Claw of Death will have to go around you!"

"There’s a huge number of sunken ships from the Prosperity Epoch in the southern sea area, loaded with treasures piled high like mountains! Really not considering buying a set of diving and salvage equipment? Purchase now and a treasure map is included... Can’t guarantee you’ll find treasure, but you’ll definitely find something!"

"Anyone need an excavator? We have the best construction equipment here!"

"A hydrofoil! An amphibious plane! Trust in Goblin Technology! Quality goods at low prices, buy now while stocks last, with installment payment options! Even newbies can afford it!"

"’Buprestis’ engineering armor and ’Cross Spider’ robots! Products of Shelter No. 100! Our machinery can work on any terrain, even if your construction site’s on the Moon, we’ll make it skyrocket up like it’s riding a space elevator!"

The voices of the hawking never ceased and even overpowered the calls for teaming up.

And the items these salespeople were promoting ranged from the bizarre to the various.

From clearance sales of portable weapons to tanks and planes being cleared from inventory, from screwdrivers and wrenches to heavy equipment like diggers and pile drivers, everything one could need was available.

Whether it was the factories of Dawn City or those of Giant Stone City, they all had their eyes on this enticing piece of cake.

Unlike the players who were eager to stay ahead of the game version, the thoughts of most of the factory owners in the Alliance were much simpler and more basic.

No matter what the yet unnamed port would develop into in the future, building it would surely require steel, cement, and construction machinery, right?

These were demands visible to the naked eye!

And those invisible needs need not be mentioned at all.

Wanting to snap up this port was certainly not something that could be accomplished with just tens of millions of silver coins; behind it lay a market worth at least a billion!

Even if they just scraped a little cream off that cake, it would be enough to fill their pots to overflowing.

And this astonishing chain reaction was something that those players discussing strategies on the forum thread had never imagined...

...

In a corner of the crowd.

Staring at the chaotic scene in disbelief, Night Ten turned to Fang Chang after a long moment, asking in a hesitant whisper,

"... Is it really okay to do this?"

The investment from Bull Horse Group had already surged from an initial five million to twenty million silver coins, and that was only the early stage investment.

Although the Baiyue Strait indeed seemed to have a great location, the problem was that this was the Wasteland!

Beyond the inhabited areas, not a soul could be seen for hundreds of miles, and the sea was even emptier. Even with the advantageous geographical location of the Baiyue Strait, there was no bustling trade route to support that sense of superiority.

Even if they managed to build the port, who knew how long it would take to recoup the investment.

Seeing Night Ten’s look of concern, Fang Chang grinned slightly and said,

"Perspective, my friend, perspective... Look a bit further ahead. Let’s not go too far, just look at the near past, what was the situation in the North Suburb of Qingquan City two years ago, and what is it like today?"

Night Ten scratched the back of his head.

"Is that really comparable?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?"

Fang Chang continued with a smile,

"At least in my opinion, there’s no substantial difference between there and Qingquan City. Both were once part of the United Human and both have nurtured civilizations."

"Even though that place is now a wild land without any semblance of order, that will change once we arrive."

Previously, City of Dawn was merely a trade hub on the Southern River Valley Province trade corridor, but now this former trade hub has become one of the cores of the entire trade route.

Old merchants used to pass through there for convenience and safety, but today the land under their feet has become one of the destinations for traders journeying from east to west.

Whoever establishes order on the Wasteland will become a torch in people’s hearts, naturally attracting wealth and population towards the light.

The wars in the Southern sea area and the turmoil in the West Winds Empire offer an opportunity for this still-planned settlement.

Just like the Bone Chewing Chaos was an opportunity for the Alliance.

As for the Variants, venomous insects, and diseases in Baiyue Province and other such troubles, are they really a problem for players?

They have even dealt with the Lair in Qingquan City.

Such threats are hardly worth mentioning!

...

While the players planning to head south were lining up to buy tickets, a hydrogen airship slowly hovered over the "Dawn City Airship Inflation Station".

Inside the modestly furnished cabin, a man dressed in luxurious attire with a haughty demeanor, gazed down at the bustling square.

His name was Mr. Bennott.

His proudly arched nose made it clear that he was a pure-blooded Vellante, and the stars on his shoulder highlighted his identity—

This man was a Centurion above ten thousand!

However, since he was not a military man but a civil official from Triumph City, he led not a well-trained ten thousand troops but a diplomatic mission less than a hundred strong.

In the Army, civil officials ranked below military officers, but this did not stop him from thinking highly of himself, barely considering these natives outside Triumph City worth a second glance.

Watching the crowd filling the Open Space, a faint smile played on Mr. Bennott’s lips.

"Are those people here to welcome us?"

The expression of the Old Soldier beside him was a little ambiguous.

Of course, he knew what those people were up to, as he would frequent the Forum after logging off, but now was clearly not the time to show off his knowledge.

"It seems so," he said in a low voice, maintaining his taciturn image.

Mr. Bennott smiled faintly, smugly lifting the corners of his mouth.

"It seems these savages do know some manners after all."

Looking at that guy’s self-assured demeanor, Old Soldier made a helpless expression.

As for why he was here, that’s a long story.

Originally, he was resting in General Adria’s territory aboard the airship "Judicator," waiting to report back to Triumph City.

However, before he received that order, he suddenly heard news about Marshal His Excellency planning to send a delegation to the Alliance to discuss the management of "Mutated slime fungus" and the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He felt something was off at that moment, and indeed, as he had anticipated, the delegation to the East required a guide familiar with the conditions in the River Valley Province.

A local would be even better.

Coincidentally, that ambassador named Mr. Bennott just happened to be Penny’s father!

Old Soldier didn’t know if the warm-hearted Miss Penny had put in a good word for him, but in any case, the appointment letter indeed floated into his hands.

When he received the appointment letter, Old Soldier didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He was so close to seeing the Triumph City he had longed for.

It wasn’t that he particularly wanted to go there.

The key was that seeing that place had almost become his only hope for continuing his undercover identity.

It had been over half a year since the war between the Alliance and the Army had ended, Springs, that dog thing, didn’t know how many expansion packs he had experienced, and here he was still drifting outside.

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

As the guide for the diplomatic delegation, his military rank was exceptionally promoted by the military headquarters from Centurion to Thousand Leader.

At the same time, he also received a T-10 "Champion" power armor from the military headquarters as a reward for his military service!

After all, the Dog planner didn’t go back on their word.

Although he missed several versions, the promised power armor was eventually issued to him.

Regarding this matter, his old friend and former superior, Coleway, was envious as hell.

Going from a potato-peeling servant to a Thousand Leader in just one year; nobody in the entire Army could match that promotion speed!

Especially that power armor.

He didn’t get such treatment when he was promoted to Thousand Leader himself!

As Old Soldier was staring wistfully at the now unfamiliar "hometown," the deputy standing behind Bennott cleared his throat softly and said,

"Mr. Bennott, we are here to discuss cooperation with the Alliance... Marshal places great importance on this matter, and it would be better if we restrained ourselves a bit."

Hearing the deputy’s reminder, a flicker of annoyance crossed Bennott’s face.

However, it seemed that he had some concerns, and he did not rebuke the man for his impudence, only responding irritably.

"I know, there’s no need for you to tell me what to do; I have my own judgment."

The deputy quietly responded.

"Hopefully so."

Using his peripheral vision, Old Soldier noticed Bennott’s brow twitch violently after hearing those words, but he managed to hold back an outburst.

Such a rare scene couldn’t help but raise a hint of surprise in Old Soldier’s heart.

Who exactly was this deputy?

He had been with the delegation for a while now and was fairly familiar with the identities, positions, and backgrounds of the other members.

But this deputy’s identity had always been a mystery.

All he knew was that the guy’s name was Kuike, and his rank was the same as his own, Thousand Leader.

As to whether he was a military or civil official, where he came from, his political affiliation, and background – Old Soldier was completely in the dark.

If only there were other players in Triumph City.

They could help him inquire, and then tell him on the Forum...

Stealing glances at Centurion Bennott’s unnatural expression and Kuike’s composed demeanor, Old Soldier pondered inwardly.

He had a feeling that the deputy was harboring a tremendous secret.

And his intuition told him.

This secret might very well be related to the "Sticky Community" that was widely rumored on the Forum recently.

Perhaps he should do something to ease the concerns of the respected Manager...