For the vagrants facing the threat of the Death Tide and with nowhere else to turn, the existence of the “Terminal Station” shelter was nothing less than a lighthouse in the depths of despair.
Thus, from all directions, more vagrants began to converge toward the edge of Area A7, toward the “Terminal Station.”
At first, they came in scattered individuals, then in groups.
The direct result of this population explosion was a challenge to order.
With only two robot butlers, it was becoming difficult to handle the growing queues at the entrance, the increasingly noisy environment, and potential conflicts.
Based on Su Wan’s previous instructions and the Tenant Skill Archive, C1 quickly activated a contingency plan.
It screened more than a dozen tenants registered with combat experience, robust physiques, or steady and authoritative temperaments to form an Order Maintenance Team.
They were equipped with simple identification vests and rubber batons exchanged from the System Mall, and promised additional Star Coin compensation.
Most of these selected tenants were among the first to join and had a strong sense of belonging to the “Terminal Station.”
Getting this job made them feel valued while also tangibly increasing their income.
Under C1’s coordination, they quickly set to work, directing the flow of people, maintaining order in the queues, and handling minor frictions.
This greatly relieved the pressure on the robots and allowed the newly arrived vagrants to more directly perceive the organizational nature of the “Terminal Station.”
Meanwhile, the data on the system panel was ticking rapidly:
【Main Quest “Foundation of the Shelter” Progress: 127/500... 144/500... 169/500...】
【New tenants are arriving in a steady stream; Points continue to flow in...】
While handling her tasks, Su Wan kept a distracted eye on the growth of her Points.
Now, the system Points were getting closer and closer to the 100,000 points required to unlock the 【Basic Infrastructure Expansion】 authority.
Inside the shelter, it was busy and full of life.
It was noisy and crowded, yet filled with a vitality rarely seen in the ruins—something called “hope.”
As Su Wan placed the last batch of tools on the shelves and subconsciously pulled up the system panel again, a long-awaited notification popped up:
【Ding! Detected that the host’s total Points have reached: 100,085.】
【“Basic Infrastructure Expansion” authority activation conditions met! Authority officially activated!】
【Building Expansion Management interface unlocked. Please check, Host.】
It worked!
Her heart leapt as she immediately clicked on the new 【Infrastructure Expansion】 interface.
A simple 3D diagram centered on the “Terminal Station” building emerged, with buildable areas marked around it.
Several selectable expansion options were listed on the interface, each clearly marked with the required Points:
Standardized Dormitory Unit (Single Room) Construction:
Description: Construct prefabricated standardized single rooms (approx. 15 square meters, including basic walls, roof, doors, windows, and simple lighting) in designated open spaces. Can be built in parallel to form a dormitory area.
Required Points: 2,000 per room.
Note: Requires level ground within the domain. Can be connected to the main building’s energy and management systems (requires additional Points for system coverage upgrade).
Horizontal Expansion of Existing Building (Adding Wings):
Description: Add new structural units to the sides of the “Terminal Station” main building, connected to the main structure. Options include adding full floors (same height as the main building) or single-story expansions.
Required Points: Single-story wing (adding approx. 6 rooms and a corridor): 15,000 points.
Note: Structural strength is synchronized with the main building (protected by the Absolute Safety Zone). Extension of existing plumbing and wiring must be considered.
Vertical Expansion of Existing Building (Adding Floors):
Description: Continue adding new standard floors on top of the current 12 floors of the “Terminal Station.”
Required Points: Adding the 13th floor (12 standard rooms): 30,000 points.
Note: Foundation load-bearing capacity assessment required (deemed feasible by the system). Adding floors increases overall building height, which may make it more conspicuous.
Functional Ancillary Building Construction (Single Option):
a) Simple Warehouse/Workshop: Used for centralized storage of supplies or simple handicraft production. Required Points: 12,000 points.
b) Basic Training Ground: Provides a hardened area and simple equipment for tenants to perform physical training or practice basic combat techniques. Required Points: 8,000 points.
c) Public Washroom/Sanitation Station: Centralized water treatment and sanitation facilities to improve living hygiene conditions. Required Points: 18,000 points (includes basic water cycle module).
Looking at these options, Su Wan’s heart swelled with excitement.
This meant the “Terminal Station” was no longer just a solitary unfinished building, but could truly develop into a fully functional micro-community with preliminary production and self-sustaining capabilities!
She quickly calculated her Points and the most urgent needs.
People were still pouring in, so housing was the primary issue.
Simply building dormitory units was relatively low-cost and could quickly relieve pressure, but management might become fragmented.
Expanding the main building horizontally or vertically allowed for centralized management and utilization of existing facilities, but the single-time investment was large...
As she was weighing her options, C1’s voice came: “Master, the registration speed of new tenants continues to accelerate. It is estimated that the progress of the new quest will exceed 280 people within an hour.”
“The number of people queuing at the entrance has exceeded two hundred, and the pressure on the Order Maintenance Team is increasing. I recommend expanding the accommodation capacity as soon as possible.”
Time was tight. Intertwined with the population pressure and the excitement of having just reached the Points goal, Su Wan did not hesitate for long.
Centralized management, utilizing existing facilities, and quickly achieving economies of scale was the optimal solution for now.
She chose the 【Horizontal Expansion of Existing Building (Adding Wings)】 option.
“A single-story wing, adding about 6 rooms and a corridor, costs 15,000 points...”
“Solve the immediate crisis first with centralized expansion.” Su Wan calculated quickly.
“Six rooms per floor, let’s build... six floors! This will form a new unit connected to the main building, immediately adding 36 standard rooms!”
She selected the east side of the main building as the expansion site, where there was relatively more open space and it wouldn't affect the main entrance.
【Command Confirmed: Performing horizontal expansion on the east side of the bound building “Terminal Station,” adding single-story wings (6 rooms + corridor) × 6 floors.】
【Total Points Consumed: 90,000. Current Points Balance: 10,085.】
This number caused her Points, which had just surpassed 100,000, to shrink significantly in an instant, but Su Wan didn't mind.
【Construction Initiated... Utilizing “Rule-Overlay Silent Construction” mode. Estimated duration: 30 seconds.】
Su Wan held her breath and looked at the open space to the east outside the window.
Originally, there were only rubble and weeds there.
What happened next was nothing short of a miracle, yet it was eerily calm.
There were no roaring machines, no flying dust, and no busy workers.
Under Su Wan’s gaze, the light over that patch of open ground seemed to warp slightly for a brief moment...
Rate on N.U.
