This Game Is Too Realistic-Chapter 513.2: The Risk

But when he saw Ample Time’s gossipy eyes, Night Ten just looked bewildered. "What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?"

Old White clapped his shoulder and said to Ample Time with a grin, "You underestimate this guy. It’s not just the Academy’s Researcher, even the Enterprise’s granny has her eye on him."

Thinking of the incident on the plane, Gale nodded with an odd expression. "Though I think there’s a difference... Maybe she just wants to adopt him."

Ample Time stared at Night Ten with his eyes wide with shock and his mouth agape. "Damn, you little punk! Keeping secrets from your father?!"

"Fuck off, shut up! I don’t even know what you’re all talking about. I-I'm not looking to date any NPCs!"

Seeing Ample Time’s crafty smile that clearly didn’t match someone who had just heard his explanation, Night Ten blushed and hurriedly ended the strange topic, then swiftly redirected fire back at the bastard.

"Damn it, enough about me, when are you heading back?"

Ample Time replied casually, "I'll be going back with you guys in a bit."

Night Ten was momentarily stunned, staring at him in disbelief. "You’re just leaving like that?"

Ample Time gave him a puzzled look. "Yeah, why not?"

"No reason." Night Ten scratched his head, "I'm just a little surprised."

Ample Time seemed to guess what he was surprised about and chuckled, "Everything here is already arranged. The day-to-day operations of Moonlike Group are managed by professional executives. There isn’t much we need to worry about. This is more of a trial run. After all, in over a century, Ideal City has never had a commercial collaboration this far from home. So I took my time with it."

Before them, most Enterprise collaborations with the outside world were done indirectly.

For example, companies would cooperate with traders from the Among Clouds Province, trading for resources needed by Ideal City, while those traders would carry Ideal City's products farther afield in exchange for what they needed.

Their actions marked a major change.

As for what kind of impact it might bring in the future, it remained uncertain. Incidentally, just a few days ago, Ample Time had completed those courses at Cloud University.

Though it was only elementary knowledge, it would take him quite a while to fully absorb.

If there was a chance, he would come back to continue his studies and try to earn that diploma.

"Li Shuyue, CEO of Moonlike Group, is also quite confident. She believes this marks a historic moment... For the first time in over a century, Ideal City’s business has extended beyond the Among Clouds Province. The residents here have finally stepped out of their fortress and returned to the wasteland. From the way she talks, she seems rather grateful to us."

Gale commented with emotion, "Sounds like the beginning of a new story."

Ample Time smiled. "Doesn’t it?"

Because of an expedition, history had resumed its forward march. Every one of them had become a witness to that very moment. In the far future, when people looked back on that ancient version of events, they would surely remember the names of those who drove those changes.

Suddenly, Night Ten revealed a mischievous grin. "By the way, I almost forgot to ask, what’s the deal between you and Li Shuyue?"

Ample Time rolled his eyes. "Nothing at all... And let me warn you, don’t go running your mouth, especially not over there to those from the Enterprise. Your granddaddy is a married man now."

Night Ten exclaimed, "What the hell?! You’re still that proper even in a game?!"

"You don’t understand," Ample Time shook his head and said wistfully, "True love is precious precisely because it only comes once."

"BLERGHHH!"

While Night Ten retched dramatically against the wall, Ample Time turned to the smiling Old White. "Right, Old White, what mission did the administrator assign us this time?"

Old White grinned. "1,000 cubic meters of helium-3, waiting for us to retrieve from a research facility in the Brocade River Province."

Ample Time inhaled sharply. "How much is that worth?!"

"In real-world energy terms, assuming third-generation fusion technology is unlocked, 1,000 cubic meters of helium-3 would be enough to power Earth for a year. In-game..." Gale thought for a moment, then shrugged, "Probably enough to last the New Alliance until the servers shut down."

Even Ideal City’s yearly energy consumption likely wouldn’t exceed that number.

It was, needless to say, an enormous fortune!

"Until the server shutdown, that’s wild," Ample Time chuckled in disbelief, glancing up at the sky. "That’s where our end lies."

"Cut the crap. How long are you planning to rest?" Old White patted his shoulder with a laugh. "The administrator gave us plenty of time. We’ve got half a year to get it done."

"Rest? What rest?" Ample Time blinked. "I already said I’m going back with you!"

Night Ten rolled his eyes. "You sure? Not staying to hang out with Dori?"

A rare blush spread across Ample Time’s usually composed face. He coughed awkwardly and looked aside. "Just give me a few days..."

Seeing Ample Time suddenly go all bashful, Night Ten broke out in goosebumps and tilted his head back as it twisted into a nasty grimace. "FUCK! I really wanna throw this guy off the roof!"

Watching Night Ten squirm in jealousy, Old White let out a hearty laugh and smacked him on the shoulder.

Gale, who was standing at the side, raised his eyebrow and shot Night Ten a sidelong glance. "Weren’t you the one who brought it up in the first place?"

...

It had already been a week since the Shelter 0 incident.

Across more than 5,000 kilometers of desert, people who hadn’t yet left were still busy with cleanup and post-battle work.

While some fleet-footed players had already returned to the New Alliance, some even traveling as far as the easternmost edge of the Central Continent, Chu Guang had yet to leave.

He still had a mountain of things to handle.

During the earlier battle, the New Alliance had captured no fewer than 120 Enlightenment Society disciples. Those individuals were to be transported back to Dawn City for trial by its courts.

Even though they were shelter residents, the New Alliance would not grant them special leniency based on their origin. Their punishments would be equal to those of other prisoners.

However, determining which legal framework to use and sentencing details for different ranks would require joint discussions between the New Alliance’s legal teams and the public.

But one thing would not change:

Even if they were victims deceived by the Enlightenment Society, they were still accountable for aiding and abetting those demons.

They would face at least 10 years of imprisonment, during which they would undergo labor reformation. They would also be obligated to serve in welfare institutions like Home of Refugees and schools for workers, helping survivors in healthcare and education sectors. Sentences could be reduced based on behavior.

Should they make notable contributions during their sentence, penalties could be further lightened.

Punishment was only the means, not the goal. The knowledge, skills, and experience of shelter residents were valuable assets. They were the legacy of the Federation.

Those too stubborn had already died on the battlefield. But for those prisoners who faltered in the face of death, Chu Guang believed they deserved a chance to change.

Aside from arranging the prisoners, there was one more critical task before heading home.

That was to deal with the airship that had anchored near the camp.

While the airbags and parachutes had softened the landing, the impact still damaged the ship’s structure, particularly the wings.

In the process of detonating the outer armor to reduce weight, the wing connections were damaged, causing them to snap during the crash.

Even with a functioning anti-gravity system, the ship wasn’t going anywhere.

Fortunately, the engineering vehicles the New Alliance bought from the Enterprise were available to manufacture and repair wing and rotor parts, and repairs had gone well over the past week.

In contrast, the Adjudicator was in far worse condition.

Though Chu Guang never asked, the look on Captain Adelia’s face said it all, things were probably terrible there.

These past few days, players planning to return on the Heart of Steel had been wandering the area, building the New Alliance’s desert outpost while hunting for signs of the Enlightenment Society.

Instead of clues, they discovered several Mutant Human camps hidden in the ruins.

As a result, another 160 survivors had been rescued and brought into the camp.

Combined with the previous rescues, the camp’s survivor count had reached nearly 300.

Disturbingly enough, it might only be the tip of the iceberg. In places untouched by the New Alliance, who knew how many similar tragedies were still buried?

...

Near the industrial towers, a sharply angled concrete slab stood solemnly at the front steps.

On the stone surface, names Chu Guang recognized had been engraved line by line.

The Enterprise had collected the belongings of the employees from the wreckage of the Pioneer.

Before departure, Yun Song and his 26th Assault Squad had found a concrete slab nearby and carved the names of the Pioneer’s crew as a tribute.

A sturdier, more beautiful monument was still under construction and would take another month to be transported from Ideal City to the New Alliance, and from there to where it lay.

In the past few days, Chu Guang visited this spot daily to look at the names, to remember the place where they had fought.

Actually... Chu Guang never forgot those friends of his.

Luo Hua looked liked a nerd, but was actually a drunkard, yet he never turned down a good mushroom stew. The usually silent bodyguard, Ace loved fluffy toys... For example, she loved Roshan, and she was even willing to spend lots of money on the little toys produced by the New Alliance.

Yuan Hao, the water truck driver, liked buns so much he once bought 50 and shared them with his coworkers. That moment marked the beginning of the New Alliance’s food industry to the Enterprise. Logistics chief Li De was a sly old man, but he always paid fairly.

There were many more interesting souls.

Ample Time and Escaping Mole had written many guides to earn more CR from them, and sometimes Chu Guang would secretly study them, too.

As for Lu Yang...

He was a man of principle. His decisiveness, courage, and kindness left a deep impression, and envy.

Unfortunately... Many of them were gone.

"... When I saw Luo Hua, I had a feeling you might have already met misfortune. That this rescue might be in vain, but I still told my comrades our friends are in danger, we have to bring them home."

"We crossed deserts, marched through valleys, traveled 2,500 kilometers, and defeated enemies once believed to be invincible... But in the end, we still couldn’t bring you back."

"I once thought about executing those prisoners to avenge you, even if they weren’t the murderers, they were accomplices. But I knew, if you were still alive, you would have stopped me. Haha... You would say revenge for its own sake is just meaningless. It was just an ugly venting of emotions..."

He let out a quiet sigh and placed a bundle of wildflowers before the monument.

"The right choice is always the hardest. If we don’t correct the wrongs that have been done, the Wasteland Era will never end."

"You were all remarkable adventurers..."

"Thank you for crossing paths with us back then."

The Heart of Steel was repaired and ready to return the next day. But he would come back to visit them again.

Chu Guang withdrew his gaze from the tall concrete slab and turned to leave, when a noise came from nearby.

He paused and looked to the side, seeing Rama standing in the distance.

He remembered the brave young woman. When all others stayed silent, she was the first to step forward with crucial information.

Seeing the conflicted expression on her face, Chu Guang asked gently, "What is it?"

Rama hesitated, but her eyes remained firm. She bit her lower lip, then silently knelt on one knee.

Chu Guang sighed. He was still unaccustomed to survivors doing things like that.

"Get up and speak."

At the firm tone, Rama rose quietly. After a moment, she finally spoke. "Respected administrator... I want to stay."

Guessing what concerned her, Chu Guang said patiently, "You could start a new life in the New Alliance. There are many survivors like you there. People won’t care about your past."

"I believe you," Rama said softly after a long pause, "But I still want to stay. There are many people here who haven’t been rescued."

Surprised, Chu Guang gave her a look, he hadn’t expected such a high level of awareness. His expression turned solemn as he asked again. "Are you sure about this?"

Rama nodded earnestly. "Yes... It’s not a whim. I’ve thought it over. I’m grateful for your help, and if we can, we want to help too."

After seeing the girls rescued from the Mutant Human camps, and realizing there were countless other tribes like the Blackstone Clan across the Wasteland, she felt the urge to stay.

Fighting wasn’t easy. But no one was born an awakener. If one never took that first step, they would always be a lamb in the pen.

And it wasn’t just her. Many other rescued survivors shared the same thought.

Their reasoning was simple, why start a new life in some unknown place, when they could rebuild where they were?

There was fresh water, food, ready-built housing. Even without becoming warriors, they could farm or raise insects.

Life there was risky, but what part of the wasteland wasn’t?

At least where they were, they wouldn’t be judged by strangers’ strange looks...

Surprise gave way to admiration as Chu Guang nodded in approval. "I’m glad you feel that way. I’ll leave you some weapons, enough to protect yourselves. We’ll leave some people behind to work with you and periodically send supply runs. If you run into trouble, ask them for help. They have their own tasks to do, but they will be happy to accept extra challenges."

"And if any tools from the Pioneer still work, feel free to reuse them. Even after they’re no longer here, helping others brings comfort to the departed... Just remember to sweep their grave now and then. A simple ‘thank you’ will do."

Rama nodded respectfully. "I will remember your guidance."

"It’s not guidance, just a suggestion." Chu Guang glanced again at the monument not far away. He had thought about something like that before.

The Enterprise had commemorated those brave souls in its way. The New Alliance would do so on its own.

"From now on..."

"This place shall be called Pioneer City."