As expected, the citizens were alarmed. “What… gains?”“You’re talking about gains and losses when it’s about saving people?”“Isn’t the Defense Corps’ duty to protect citizens?” The more you try to suppress people, the harder they push back.And when many voices rise together, that defiance turns into confidence. Kyle turned his gaze toward the man who had mentioned the Corps’ duty. “Do you think it’s natural for the Defense Corps to protect you?” The man flinched under the question but quickly regained his composure. “Of course it is. Isn’t that what our taxes were paying for?” It was a seemingly airtight argument—but one that could be easily dismantled. “Then tell me—can you keep paying those taxes now to feed the Defense Corps?”“Wh… what?” That unexpected question made the crowd stir. “Let me explain what it really means to take you in.”“…”“In our current state, protecting hundreds of people also means taking responsibility for feeding and supplying them.If you add up how much food that many mouths need each day, even the warehouse behind us wouldn’t last a month.” Reality forced them to confront a truth they hadn’t wanted to see. “The military isn’t a production group. It’s a consumption group.We can’t produce food to feed you; we can only protect people after someone else gives us food.” He paused, letting that sink in. “So—can you make that happen?And if more survivors join, what then?” At first, helping them wouldn’t be difficult.

But as time went on, as the number of dependents grew, the group would collapse under its own weight. Cruel as it sounded, the truth was simple:not everyone could be saved. Only those capable of sustaining themselves could survive.Those who couldn’t… could not be accepted. In other words—what they needed now were survivors with both the will and the ability to cooperate. “T-Then what should we do?” He didn’t bother to answer such a meaningless question. Instead, someone else spoke up. “If there’s profit, can we be protected?”“Of course.” The voice belonged to a middle-aged man with a dislocated shoulder. “What are you all standing around for? Move! Follow me!”“U-Uncle Logan?” Without hesitation, Logan led a group of citizens toward the logistics warehouse.

He left behind a quiet parting word. “Thanks for saving us.”“I only repaid a debt.”“Heh. Judging by how you fought, it was just needless meddling.” He was soon stopped by the Defense Corps, but when Kyle gave a nod, they let him pass.

Even with one arm useless, Logan began hauling heavy loads by himself. “Should… should we be doing that too?” The mood shifted fast.

Citizens hurried to follow Logan toward the warehouse.A few still wore sullen faces, unable to let go of resentment—but that was their choice to make. “Benjamin.”“Yes.”“Take charge of the newcomers and coordinate them.”“Understood.” It was, in truth, a matter of sequence.

There’s a huge difference between “accepting people, then asking them to «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» work”and “making them work, then accepting them.” They’d now implanted a simple truth into the citizens’ heads—that if you want protection, you must contribute. The first step was off to a solid start. “In the future, we’ll use these people to secure supplies.”“And in exchange, we’ll take responsibility for protecting them?”“Exactly. It may sound harsh, but this is a world where only those who do their part can survive.”“And those who are injured… or elderly?” Benjamin’s eyes held concern. “They’re needed too—as long as they’re willing. There’s plenty of work, even within the base.” It didn’t take long for things to settle. Roughly 300 troops from the military base.

Around 400 civilians working on supply transport.

Over 700 people in total began hauling goods, while a hundred soldiers stood guard along the route. It was grueling labor, but progress came faster than expected—thanks to the abundance of metal carts. ‘At least that’s something.’ Even the small ones could carry close to 100 kilograms each.Soon, the massive Northwest joint warehouse began to empty. Still, given the distance to the Defense Corps base,each round trip was no easy task. The guards didn’t say it aloud, but they smirked as they watched their comrades turn into porters. “Mr. Han.”“You can call me Kyle now. We’ve fought together—no need for formalities.”“Huh?”“Just call me Kyle.”“Oh, then please call me Ben.”“I’ll get used to it.” Battle had a way of forging camaraderie.

Benjamin’s tone was noticeably warmer now. “So, what’s on your mind?”“Ah… just a concern, really.”“What kind?”“We can’t possibly house all these people at the base. Do you have a plan?”“Ah.” A fair point.

The base was large—but not large enough to accommodate a thousand people. Fortunately, Kyle already had an answer. “I’m thinking of digging out the Ant Tunnel.”“The underground bunkers you mentioned before?”“Yes. They’re both the safest transport route and the perfect shelter.”“True, a bunker would solve the housing issue. That’s a relief.” But, of course, it wouldn’t be that simple. “Well… not exactly. Maintaining the Ant Tunnel comes with some conditions.”“Conditions?”“It’s underground. Naturally, groundwater seeps in.With the pumps offline, tens of thousands of tons of water would flood in daily.”“Then when you say ‘dig it out,’ you mean…?”“I plan to restore the pumps.”“I see…” The simplest method was to use an Arc Reactor—powerful enough to run all the pumps at once. But that would require an extensive rewiring effort—simple in theory, inefficient in practice.

Kyle had another, more complex plan in mind. He knelt and drew lines in the dirt.A sprawling, geometric network—a schematic resembling the Ant Tunnel itself. “This is a rough map of the tunnel system.” It was vast—a defense network connecting key points across the city. Benjamin swallowed hard, taken aback. “So… detailed. You know all this?”“Yes. For reconstruction, the Ant Tunnel is essential.”He pointed to one marked area.“This here—?”“The 7th Defense Base. Nearby are a nuclear plant and a cultured-meat production complex.All connected to the tunnel.”“You mean…”“If we can secure this zone, we’ll have shelter, food, and a stable supply chain.”“...!" Benjamin was momentarily speechless.

It was a flawless plan—especially the part about the Weizen Cultured Meat Facility. Once they secured that, they’d have a reliable food source—no longer completely dependent on scavenging. ‘Of course, we’ll still have to do some outside farming…’ After a pause, Benjamin exhaled. “You already had this all planned?”“Yes.”“A plan you’ve built over… seven years?” Kyle hesitated.

In truth, yes—his seven years of “gameplay” experience formed its backbone. So he didn’t deny it. “Yes.”“Then you must have plans beyond this too.” Benjamin straightened his posture. But his next words struck a nerve. “Then this crisis must be worse than I thought.If you’ve prepared such an extensive plan… and you still seem anxious…” Kyle fell silent. Indeed, it wasn’t something easily answered.

The thought of what might come next was enough to paralyze anyone.

That was precisely why he couldn’t stop moving. Benjamin seemed to sense this and smiled faintly. “Kyle, everything will work out.Trust in the Defense Corps.” It was a solid, reassuring smile. Back at the Defense Corps base. Eli was waiting, looking astonished. “I’ve heard bits and pieces. You’re… unbelievable.”“Did you get some rest?”“Yeah, I basically passed out for a bit.” She looked far more stable now. Watching the line of citizens hauling crates of supplies, she asked, “Are you sure this is okay? Looks like we just gained a lot more mouths to feed.”“I only accepted those willing to cooperate.” After hearing the details, she nodded slowly. “Hm… cooperation in exchange for protection.That could get complicated.” She was already calculating potential risks.

Her crimson eyes dimmed slightly—lost in deep thought. “What if we managed them directly?” Perhaps he’d been waiting for that suggestion.

Her experience in group management was unmatched. “Explain.”“If we just leave them be and call on them when needed, efficiency will drop.Some will slack off.But if we expel them, morale among the Corps could fall too.”“So your suggestion?”“We replace currency.”“Currency?”“Reward labor with a substitute currency.They can trade it for food or necessities.People will work as much as they need to survive.”“Hmm.”“And we divide them into teams.Those who perform better get more currency, those who don’t—less.”“Wouldn’t that cause backlash?”“Even if it does, it won’t be aimed at us.If someone gets less, they’ll blame their lazy teammates, not the Corps.” It was a shrewd manipulation of human psychology.

Eli watched him carefully, gauging his reaction. “I’m just saying… it’s an option.” But Kyle felt no discomfort.

Efficiency outweighed sentiment. “If we divide them, how should we do it?”“So you’re agreeing?”“For now.”“Then balance is key.A team full of elders will always fall behind in results.”“Can I leave the structure to you?”“Hmm… fine. But on one condition.”“What is it?”“My pay has to be the highest.”“What?” The sudden mention of pay caught him off guard. “I’m technically still a civilian, right?And a highly skilled one.I want to be compensated accordingly.” She held up her hand, all five fingers spread. “Five times the average collaborator’s pay.” Her boldness drew a small smile from him.He raised two fingers. “What? Only twice? That’s hardly motivating…”“Twenty times.” She wasn’t just another citizen—she was worth more than a hundred technicians.

And he was more than willing to pay that price. Eli grinned brightly and extended her hand.

He shook it, almost involuntarily. “I’ll work hard, boss!”

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