“The people living inside are descendants of the old era's elite, high-level executives of large corporations who control resources and technology, and powerful Ability Users and their families... They are known as citizens or nobles.”
“Does the Inner City have total immunity to the Death Tide?” Su Wan confirmed.
“Yes. The energy shield blocks everything,” Ah-Lan affirmed. “People in the Inner City don't have to worry about survival at all.”
“The Inner City has real, pollution-free food we can't even imagine, advanced weapons, and Repair Serums that can treat Death Tide erosion and all kinds of injuries.”
As she spoke, she glanced toward Room 112. Viper was still lying outside the door; Black Rat hadn't dragged him inside yet.
With injuries like that, he might find a hack doctor in the Outer City to amputate his limbs and save his life, but in the Inner City, a single serum could probably restore him to how he was before.
Of course, the price would be astronomical.
“Then what do we refugees in the Ruin Zone live on?” Su Wan asked the most practical question.
“Scavenging, hunting, and taking missions,” Ah-Lan replied succinctly.
“The Ruin Zone has many things left over from the old era. Intact metal, usable electronic components, books, and even the occasional perfectly sealed old-era can or medicine. These are all valuable and can be taken to the Outer City to exchange for Star Coins.”
“What's even more valuable is hunting Aberrants, especially high-level Rot-Walkers and mutated beasts. Though it's dangerous, the Energy Crystal Cores in their brains are hard currency.”
“The factions and Hunter Guilds in the Outer City also post missions—things like exploring deep into the ruins, collecting specific materials, or clearing threats from a certain area. Completing these missions earns Star Coin rewards.”
“Then we use those Star Coins to buy low-pollution food and water in the Outer City. If there's anything left, we save it, dreaming of the day we can buy a residency permit for the Outer City, or saving up a sky-high price to buy an Anti-Toxin Serum from the black market to save our lives.”
Ah-Lan's voice grew lower, carrying a sense of exhaustion and numbness rooted deep in her bones.
This was the daily cycle for refugees in the Ruin Zone: searching for resources amidst danger, exchanging those resources for supplies that barely sustained life, finding a temporary shelter before the next Death Tide arrived, and praying they would survive the night. Over and over again.
Only then did Su Wan realize that her unfinished building was located right on the blurry boundary between the Safe Zone and the Non-Safe Zone.
No wonder there were so few refugees around.
This location meant that potential threats could come from two directions—
Other refugees or small groups fighting for resources within the Ruin Zone, and even more terrifying Aberrants or mutated beasts that might seep through from the Non-Safe Zone.
“How did you deal with the Death Tide before?” Su Wan asked.
Ah-Lan's eyes dimmed slightly. “We found a place to hide. The deeper and more enclosed, the better.”
“Abandoned basements, gaps in collapsed buildings, old-era air-raid shelters... we'd use everything we could find to block the cracks. Then we'd pray the Death Tide wouldn't seep in through some corner we didn't seal tightly enough.”
She glanced at Room 104 where Ah-Hao was, her voice turning slightly raspy. “Last time... the place we found wasn't good enough. That's why my brother's leg... became like that...”
Su Wan understood.
Absolute, worry-free safety was the most extravagant dream for these refugees, and something they were willing to pay any price for.
She turned to return to her room, but stopped at the doorway and looked back at Ah-Lan.
“Ah-Lan, if I asked you to tell other refugees about the existence of the ‘Terminal Station’ and its rules, could you do it?”
Ah-Lan was taken aback, and a flash of realization crossed her eyes, though it was quickly replaced by caution.
“I can. The Ruin Zone is large, but the refugees who frequently operate in certain areas are somewhat familiar with each other. News travels fast, especially news about a ‘safe shelter.’”
She hesitated for a moment. “But Landlord, if too many people are drawn here, or if the... wrong people come, will there be trouble?”
She thought of Black Rat and Viper, and of the refugee groups or small raider teams that were far more vicious and organized than those two.
Su Wan smiled slightly. “You just spread the word. Don't worry about the rest.”
Recalling Viper's miserable state and Black Rat's terror, Ah-Lan felt a chill in her heart and nodded.
The Landlord certainly had the ability to “handle” trouble.
“If you handle the promotion, for every new tenant who successfully signs a contract and pays rent,” Su Wan proposed her terms.
“I can pay you a reward per person. For example... 50 Star Coins each.”
50 Star Coins!
Ah-Lan's eyes widened slightly.
That was roughly equivalent to the buyback price of an Unranked Crystal Core in the Outer City, or the reward for a mission that wasn't too dangerous.
If she could bring in three to five people, it would be a significant income—enough to pay for her and Ah-Hao's living expenses for a while, with enough left over to buy some pollution-free food from the convenience store!
This was much more cost-effective and safer than simply scavenging in the ruins or risking her life to hunt Rot-Walkers!
“No problem!” Ah-Lan's heart raced, but she forced herself to think calmly.
“Landlord, leave this to me!”
“However, we can't move around during the Death Tide. After it passes, it takes time for the mist to clear. Also, right after a Death Tide, there might be lingering dangers outside, and the refugees will need time to come out of hiding and gather again...”
“To effectively spread the word and bring people back, it will take at least a day.”
Su Wan nodded; Ah-Lan's considerations were practical.
Only one day had passed, and the main quest still had two days left. Recruiting two more new tenants would definitely not be an issue.
“Alright. Arrange the timing yourself, provided it's safe and effective. The reward will be paid immediately after the person you bring signs their contract and moves in.”
“Understood!” Ah-Lan no longer hesitated and decisively agreed.
This wasn't just an opportunity to earn Star Coins; in a way, it was also a way to solidify her own position and value at the Terminal Station.
Becoming the Landlord's “partner” was much better than being a mere tenant who could be restricted or evicted by the rules at any time.
Seeing the drive ignite in Ah-Lan's eyes, Su Wan felt more at ease.
With Ah-Lan as a local “agent,” the recruitment efficiency should improve significantly.
Furthermore, she thought about the Mission Board that would unlock after recruiting five tenants, according to the system prompt.
That would be another important management tool and incentive.
Su Wan added, “Soon, I will set up a Mission Board here.”
“I will post jobs that need doing—things like moving supplies, simple maintenance, or even going out to explore and collect specific information or items.”
“Those who complete the missions can receive Star Coin rewards or have a portion of their rent waived.”
Rate on N.U.
