---o---
The scene on the light screen faded, and new text appeared in its place:
[They have consumed "Snowstorm Immunity" and obtained an evolution in the very essence of their being.]
[From now on, their race will be completely distinct from ordinary humans, becoming a new race—Human · Pioneer.]
[The first batch of pioneers has formed a small Pioneer Group, and you have placed strict requirements upon them.]
[You demand that the Pioneer Group face everything with the utmost caution. The environment within the Fragmentum is complex and ever-changing, with danger lurking everywhere. You require them not to rush for glory and take reckless risks, but to prioritize their own survival.]
[Under your authorization, this small Pioneer Group, with Seele as its primary leader, begins its advance into the Fragmentum.]
[You wait with great expectation for them to bring you a little surprise.]
Reading the text on the screen, Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
The "Pioneer Group" plan had, in the end, proceeded without a hitch...
With so many people verifying it, the safety of "Snowstorm Immunity" was proven once again, and the possibility of it causing major trouble during widespread promotion in the future was also decreasing.
Although this Pioneer Group was not large, Ron was still full of confidence in them—
These people were, after all, the elite of Wildfire. Many had already become Pathstriders. After consuming "Snowstorm Immunity," as long as they were sufficiently cautious, they were more than capable of handling the crises within the Fragmentum.
Not to mention they had an expert like Seele leading the team. Although the Seele in this simulation was far from being as powerful as she had grown in the last one, she was more than adequate as the leader of the Pioneer Group.
After all, in the original story, she was a badass who dared to venture into the Fragmentum alone. After undergoing a complete evolution from consuming "Snowstorm Immunity," she naturally had most of the risks within the Fragmentum firmly in her grasp.
However, although Ron was confident in their safety, he didn't have overly high expectations for them.
The first batch of pioneers was still too small... To reclaim the areas of the Underworld corroded by the Fragmentum, completely clear out the dangers within, and utilize everything that could be used, the current number of pioneers was just a drop in the bucket.
Ron's only expectation for now was that they could steadily bring back supplies from the Fragmentum to replenish Wildfire's empty warehouses. Most of the Underworld's problems could be readily solved with sufficient resources, and this was the primary goal behind Ron's push for the "Pioneer Group" plan.
However, to obtain enough resources to completely solve the Underworld's problems, the current number of people was far from enough...
The current plight of the Underworld was, in fact, caused by the influx of a large number of refugees into Boulder Town after other towns in the Underworld were swallowed by the Fragmentum.
The resources needed for these refugees to live a simple life of basic subsistence amounted to an astronomical figure.
To temporarily resolve all this... they would need to reclaim at least all the large towns in the Underworld that had been corroded by the Fragmentum.
At that time, relying on the leftover supplies in these large towns, the Underworld could begin its true development.
When the time was right, they could unify the Overworld and Underworld...
By then, with the support of the entire Belobog, Ron could completely break free from his constraints and begin developing with his hands untied.
The day they reclaimed this world was not far off...
Just thinking about it made Ron feel that the future of this simulation was full of promise.
The text on the light screen faded, and new lines continued to appear.
[After launching the "Pioneer Group" plan, you began a cultural propaganda campaign. Various new inspirational slogans were painted on the walls of Boulder Town.]
[All the old Wildfire propaganda posters have been torn down and completely replaced with new ones designed by you personally.]
[You are trying, under extremely limited resource conditions, to alleviate the people's livelihood problems in the Underworld as much as possible.]
[The people's livelihood problems in the Underworld have been eased. Your propaganda for Wildfire has been accepted by the vast majority.]
[The sense of belonging among Wildfire members has increased. Under your leadership, everyone knows they are walking on the right path.]
[The faction "Wildfire" has obtained a new Trait: United as One (Temporary)]
[United as One (Temporary): We are all walking on the right path, and success at the end is beckoning to us... Even though we face the hardships of hunger and cold day and night, no one has wavered—this must be the final darkness before the dawn.
While this Trait is active, the loyalty of all members of the "Wildfire" faction will steadily increase. The work efficiency of all members will increase by 20%, the administrative efficiency of Wildfire will increase by 50%, and the organization size penalty will be reduced by 100%.]
Seeing the trait that popped up on the screen, a smile touched the corners of Ron's lips.
He really hadn't expected... that a temporary cultural campaign could generate such a temporary trait?
It felt like the combination of previous policies, which had completely corrected the Underworld's deficit and led to a visibly better life for the people, was what caused this trait to appear...
Ron looked thoughtfully at the trait on the screen. Its effect perfectly met his current needs. With this trait, Ron could now train pioneers with maximum loyalty in batches.
To form a sufficiently large Pioneer Group, he just needed to rapidly expand the scale of Wildfire and recruit new members on a large scale.
Originally, Ron would have been concerned about the administrative problems that came with expanding the organization, whether it would lead to bloated management, but this trait directly solved even that worry for him.
A 50% increase in administrative efficiency and a 100% reduction in the organization size penalty almost completely removed the costs of expansion for Ron.
The trait on the screen faded at this moment, and a new choice timely appeared:
[Wildfire's development is thriving. As the leader of the organization, you have new ideas for development.]
[Please Choose—]
[1. Stable Operation.
You believe that the current Wildfire organization is sufficient. Focusing on increasing the loyalty of its members and developing steadily is enough.
You decide to continue moving forward at the current pace. You will not receive new choices until you receive a report of victory from the Pioneer Group on the front lines.]
[2. Accelerated Expansion.
You believe that the current Wildfire organization can no longer satisfy your pursuit of development. The Underworld does not need a small-scale public welfare organization... Perhaps you need to lay the groundwork for an empire.
You decide to accelerate the expansion of Wildfire. You will begin to centralize power and gradually walk a new path of development.
After successfully unifying the Overworld and Underworld, you will have the opportunity to establish an empire. The level of public discontent will be moderately reduced.]
Looking at the choice on the screen, Ron didn't hesitate at all.
This was a rare opportunity... Before this temporary trait disappeared, he had to quickly form a Pioneer Group large enough to reclaim Rivet Town.
He absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away.
The first option wasn't so much "Stable Operation" as it was stagnation. The Underworld no longer needed a Wildfire that was merely a public welfare organization.
Wildfire needed more power, more public credibility... and a firmer grasp on the entire Underworld.
After successfully retaking Rivet Town, the matters of reclaiming the wanderers' camp and the robot settlement also had to be put on the agenda.
With these thoughts, Ron unhesitatingly chose the second option. The trait on the screen faded, and new text appeared:
[You have strengthened the recruitment propaganda for Wildfire.]
[Miners are coming in an endless stream to sign up for Wildfire. You see overflowing passion on everyone's face. No one holds any dissatisfaction with Wildfire.]
[Everyone is hoping you can lead Wildfire to bring a new dawn to the Underworld.]
Just as I thought, no problems. The stability of the Underworld is already very high due to the previous policies, and everyone is full of hope for Wildfire. Choosing to expand now was indeed the right move...
Ron thought to himself as he watched more text pop up on the screen:
[The scale of the Wildfire organization has expanded.]
[A month has passed. You have successfully selected a batch of Wildfire members with maximum loyalty from the current organization.]
[They have consumed "Snowstorm Immunity" and obtained an evolution in the very essence of their being.]
[At the same time, the Pioneer Group, which has been deep in the Fragmentum for a month, has returned.]
The text on the screen faded, replaced by a new scene:
The Underworld was dark, its days and nights indistinguishable, but Seele led the Pioneer Group back, laden with spoils, their bodies seeming to faintly emit a weak glow.
They returned to Boulder Town with cart after cart of supplies and saluted solemnly before Ron.
"You've lived up to expectations, Seele."
Ron smiled and patted Seele's shoulder, his eyes full of approval.
"Take a good rest for the next two days, Seele. You're going to be busy soon enough..."
As Ron spoke, the expression on his face faded, becoming serious.
"The Pioneer Group needs to expand, and I've already selected the candidates. I'll arrange for them to train with you in two days."
"After you've finished your joint training, I will personally lead you on an important mission..."
"An important mission?"
Seele paused, a hint of confusion on her face.
"What are we going to do?"
Ron silently raised his eyes toward the end of the road from which the pioneers had returned, looking toward Rivet Town, once the commercial hub of the Underworld and its largest town, teeming with people.
"To take back everything the Fragmentum has stolen from the Underworld."
The scene on the screen faded, and new text appeared:
[The Pioneer Group has brought back a considerable amount of supplies from the Fragmentum. You have invested all of it into the construction of the Underworld, earning great recognition from the miners.]
[The public's recognition of you has increased. The stability of the Underworld has increased.]
[You have begun training the new pioneers. With the boost from "Snowstorm Immunity," even pioneers with no prior combat experience now have physiques far superior to ordinary people and have adapted to the training with great ease.]
[These pioneers are making obvious progress every day. It won't be long before the Pioneer Group is ready to step into the Fragmentum again.]
[You know one thing deeply—those who gather firewood for the masses must not be allowed to freeze to death in the snow.]
[The Pioneer Group risks their lives to open up new frontiers for the Underworld. The people of the Underworld should also give the pioneers the treatment they deserve.]
[To achieve this goal, you begin to conduct a certain degree of propaganda about the pioneers.]
["For everyone's survival, Wildfire is recruiting members to become pioneers, venturing deep into the snowstorm to open up new territories."]
["For the future of the Underworld, they risk their lives, voluntarily stepping into the snowstorm and the Fragmentum to seize desperately needed supplies from the hands of Fragmentum creatures."]
["To become a pioneer is to gamble everything for the future of the Underworld. The pioneers are the eternal heroes of the Underworld."]
[Words like these spread through the streets and alleys of Boulder Town. No one knows that you are the one spreading these messages; everyone assumes that the Wildfire's Pioneer Group accidentally leaked the information.]
[For a time, news about the Pioneer Group is rampant, and everyone is paying close attention, but no one knows about the "Snowstorm Immunity" that you have kept strictly secret.]
[The days pass, one by one, until the appointed day finally arrives.]
[You lead the expanded Pioneer Group, now several times its original size, out of the Wildfire base, preparing to head to the completely Fragmentum-submerged Rivet Town.]
The text on the screen faded, and a new scene appeared.
The fully equipped Pioneer Group, arrayed in neat formations, left the Wildfire base silently, heading for Rivet Town under Ron's command.
Boulder Town at night should have been silent, but at this moment, it was inexplicably bustling.
Groups of miners spontaneously came out of their homes, silently watching as the Pioneer Group marched toward the Fragmentum, their eyes filled with respect.
A little girl in patched clothes ran out of her house, the pitter-patter of her bare feet echoing. In her hand was a lollipop with a slightly crumpled wrapper. She handed it to Seele, who stood at the front of the line:
"Bi-big sister, this is for you..."
Seele was a bit confused. "What do I need this for? You should keep it for yourself."
The little girl looked at the lollipop in her hand with some reluctance but still pushed it into Seele's hand.
"Everyone says you are heroes. Mom and Dad say heroes are even better than good kids. Good kids should get rewards, so this is for you!"
She shyly stuffed the lollipop into Seele's hand and then ran back with a pitter-patter, hiding behind her parents, only daring to peek out cautiously at the group.
Seele stared blankly at the lollipop in her hand. Ron smiled and patted her shoulder, teasing her.
"Natasha told me you were the poster child for 'bad kids' when you were young? Is it because you never enjoyed the treatment of a good kid that you're now racking your brains on how to handle a gift from a child?"
Seeing Seele's slightly flushed cheeks, Ron added:
"Are you blushing?"
"Who- who's blushing?!" Seele bristled. "I'm very popular with kids! It's not like I haven't received gifts before!"
She huffily tore open the crumpled wrapper, popped the lollipop into her mouth, turned her face away slightly, and muttered:
"It's actually pretty sweet..."
Ron's gaze swept over the other pioneers—it wasn't just Seele. Many of them had also received gifts from the citizens.
Perhaps a thin scarf, or a few pieces of decent-looking dry rations... The citizens of Boulder Town were using whatever means they could, trying their best to convey their goodwill to the Pioneer Group.
This was the will of the people, the heart of the populace.
A faint smile touched Ron's lips, but he quickly suppressed it, strode to the front of the group, and announced loudly:
"Alright! The farewell ends here!"
"First Pioneer Group of Wildfire, listen to my command—"
He pointed forward, his spirits high:
"Target, Rivet Town. Move out!"