Chapter 6, Entrustment

To understand the ruins of that city near District 9, it was merely a fifth-tier small city by pre-disaster standards. Yet, even such a fifth-tier small city was never considered for exploration or occupation by District 9, and the reason lies therein. For the inhabitants of the wasteland, scavenging for scraps in the peripheral areas of the city ruins is already tantamount to disregarding life and death. As for entering the central area of the city? Such an act is something even the most reckless fool would not dare to contemplate, let alone execute. For the inhabitants of the wasteland, scavenging for scraps in the peripheral areas of the city ruins is already tantamount to disregarding life and death. As for entering the central area of the city? Such an act is something even the most reckless fool would not dare to contemplate, let alone execute.

At that moment, while Fei Lun was deep in thought, the old man had already turned the box around, revealing its contents completely to everyone present. Upon seeing what was inside the suitcase, nearly everyone could not help but change their expressions. Noticing this reaction, the old man revealed a confident smile, and then he glanced at the crowd once more before continuing to speak.

Because on the wasteland, the ruins of any city are disaster zones

As the old man spoke, he extended his finger and pointed. Soon, accompanied by his gesture, an area on the outskirts of the city was marked in red and quickly revealed. Upon witnessing this scene, everyone present couldn't help but widen their eyes. Not a single person standing here was a fool; they quickly understood the old man's intention. Noticing the change in the atmosphere of the room, the old man also displayed a proud smile. Not a single person standing here was a fool; they quickly understood the old man's intention. Noticing the change in the atmosphere of the room, the old man also displayed a proud smile

The "Queen" sitting on the sofa let out a cold snort, staring at the elderly man in front of her with a look of confusion. In fact, this was also the thought of everyone present. The Blackstone Group had previously shown interest in the ruins of the nearby city, but after several failed attempts, they had abandoned the plan to occupy the city ruins and instead turned to a path of independent development. This led to the establishment of the current District 9, and now this executive director of the Blackstone Group unexpectedly brought up the city development plan once again in front of everyone, which was indeed puzzling.

As he spoke, the old man opened the box. ... At that moment, even Ferun, who was standing in the corner watching the spectacle, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback. He could keenly sense the aura emanating from the box, which was ...

In response to the inquiry from the "Queen," the old man maintained his cheerful demeanor.

Of course, I understand everyone's thoughts. In fact, we do not intend to simply dispatch you to serve us. Therefore, this is a commission, a commission proposed to you by our Blackstone Group. We hope that you can assist our Blackstone Group in sweeping through that area, eliminating all unstable factors, to ensure that we can successfully gain control over that area and establish a stronghold. As for the remuneration...

It was not due to war, and no one knows why. They only remember that several years ago, they lived a happy and peaceful life. Perhaps there were some degree of armed conflicts in certain remote areas, but there were no tensions or frictions that could be called conflicts between major powers. Most people lived a happy and peaceful life

Why are urban ruins considered a forbidden zone in the eyes of those living in the wasteland? The reason is simple: there are simply too many monsters inside.

Every city has a well-developed coverage network before a disaster. It is precisely for this reason that after a "catastrophic event," the network energy in the urban ruins is significantly higher than in other areas. The Ninth District has developed for nearly ten years, and it is unknown how much manpower and resources have been invested to elevate the network access level of the gathering point to level five. However, in the nearby small town, there exists a network coverage area that has had level five access from the very beginning

However, selling one's life is a different matter altogether. After all, they are not the enforcers of Blackstone Group

The so-called "urban development plan" does not refer to "development" in the literal sense. In simple terms, it is a plan to dispatch personnel to explore, expand, and occupy the ruins of the city. Of course, if one were to consider only the literal meaning, it might seem very straightforward, but in fact, it is quite the opposite. "Urban development" can be said to be one of the most dangerous tasks in this wasteland world.

This also means that if one can capture a city, it equates to possessing the best stronghold for sheltering from the wind and rain. People will no longer have to fear or worry about the natural disasters brought about by major catastrophes; even electromagnetic storms can be kept at bay. Moreover, establishing a nation centered around a city is no longer a dream!

In contrast to the elderly man's impassioned speech, most of the attendees displayed expressions of indifference. Even Feren merely stood in the corner with a playful look, curiously observing the elderly man before him. Although they indeed used District 9 as their base, they held no reverence for the Blackstone Group, which effectively controlled the area. The reason these elite forces maintained a harmonious relationship with the Blackstone Group was that the latter performed well in this regard. This is not a fantasy novel's otherworld; those with some ability aspire to establish their own factions and embark on a path of conquest. In reality, in this perilous post-apocalyptic world, what people desire more is simply to live a bit more comfortably. The Blackstone Group excelled in providing this, which is why other factions and elites were willing to follow its lead. Just like Feren, who could relax and enjoy a hot shower every time he returned from the wasteland, then sleep on a clean, soft, and comfortable bed; this feeling was indeed quite pleasant. As long as he could ensure this quality of life, he had no qualms about working for the Blackstone Group within his capabilities.

As he spoke, the old man extended his hand, and with his movement, a projected holographic map materialized before everyone.

You are absolutely right, "Queen"

This is our sincerity, Blackstone Group

From north to south, from east to west, a sudden and unprecedented catastrophe erupted without any warning, sweeping across the entire planet. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, and plagues—people experienced nearly every conceivable disaster. They did not resist, as they had no time to react. Hundreds of millions perished in the calamity, and the cities naturally suffered severe destruction. Towering buildings collapsed with a thunderous roar, the ground sank, and the rampaging hurricanes and floods swept through like the Grim Reaper, mercilessly annihilating all life within the cities. Hundreds of millions perished in the calamity, and the cities naturally suffered severe destruction. Towering buildings collapsed with a thunderous roar, the ground sank, and the rampaging hurricanes and floods swept through like the Grim Reaper, mercilessly annihilating all life within the cities

And when they awoke again, they had transformed into terrifying monsters

Then, the apocalypse arrived

Indeed, dreams are beautiful, while reality is harsh

The higher the authority of the network energy zone, the more dangerous the monsters living within it become. For instance, the energy-absorbing monsters faced by the scavenger team that Ferren once rescued were merely mutated creatures at the edge of a level 5 network energy zone in a small city. If we were to draw a parallel with human societal status, these energy-absorbing monsters would only be equivalent to beggars. ... From this, one can imagine how terrifying the monsters lurking within the urban area must be, especially when their numbers are counted in the tens of thousands ...

This must also be traced back to the origin of the "Great Cataclysm"

In the shadow of death, people cry out as they fall, dying in agony

However, accompanying the enormous risks are also the significant temptations of profit

Without any warning, the end of the world has arrived

Indeed, as you all have anticipated, our Blackstone Group intends to seize this stronghold and occupy it! As long as we can take control of that area, we will effectively have a foothold advancing towards the inner city! I believe that, given time, we will surely be able to completely occupy this city

Upon hearing the words "urban development plan," the atmosphere on site immediately became much more serious. Even Fei Lun raised his head out of curiosity and gazed at the elderly man before him

However, the old man clearly anticipated this, as he gently clapped his hands. Soon, two men carrying leather cases stepped forward and respectfully placed the cases in front of everyone.

I said, old man, are you getting senile? Do you really think that we, this group of people, can take over a city? To be honest, even if everyone present here brought their subordinates, and we also brought along the thugs from your Blackstone Group, it still wouldn't be enough to enter the inner city

In fact, prior to this, we had already dispatched five reconnaissance teams for exploration. Indeed, as the 'Queen' stated, our forces are simply unable to reach the inner city. However, even so, we are not entirely without options. In fact, our search team discovered a small network coverage area on the outskirts of the ruins... In fact, our search team discovered a small network coverage area on the outskirts of the ruins...

Indeed, all of you present are the elites of this wilderness, but please allow me to speak frankly: even if you unite, it is impossible to conquer that wasteland... I am not employing a tactic of provocation; this is a fact. However, we have conducted thorough investigations and preparations this time.

But what does this have to do with us

And this is merely a small city; one can imagine that the network coverage area permissions in those international metropolises must be even higher, possibly reaching level 10! If the control permissions of a network area can reach level 10, it means that it can not only control a city but may even have the capability to control an entire continent

In modern civilization, it is not uncommon for a city to house hundreds of thousands, or even millions of residents, with some international metropolises boasting populations in the tens of millions. In times of peace, such cities naturally exude liveliness, noise, and prosperity. But what about in a wasteland? Imagine a city in ruins, where hundreds of thousands, or even millions of monsters roam; what a terrifying scene that would be. Just the thought of tens of thousands of zombies, energy-draining creatures, and mutated beings scattered throughout the city, attempting to kill all intruders, is enough to instill fear. After that disaster, the number of surviving humans on Earth is less than one in ten thousand. In the largest gathering area in the eastern wasteland, known as District 9, there are only about twenty thousand people, including non-combatants such as slaves. The number of those who can actually fight is only around five thousand. Even if District 9 were to muster all its strength and bring out everyone, young and old, it would still be unable to resist or eliminate the monsters in the city ruins. With insufficient combat power, inadequate capabilities, and an overwhelmingly disadvantageous number, the wisest choice in such circumstances is to hide as far away as possible