Nightfall Guild successfully annihilated Tribe 11, earning a reward of 46,000 Star Coins, with each member receiving an additional 200 Star Coins.
Nightfall Guild obtained a coupon: all weapon purchases will be 50% off for the next 24 hours.
Every wristwatch simultaneously received the messages, sparking shock:
"Over 40k Star Coins not only recoups costs but also scores a windfall. Tribe 11's this generous? The top ten tribes must offer over 50k."
"A 50% discount is insane. Does the train want us to buy weapons?"
"Jealous. We'll have to grind harder for a big quest next time."
For Lilith, the urgent question was Orion's strategy—she still failed to capture Tribe 27, halted by a dual-headed lizard king that repelled her earlier.
"Orion, how did you do it?" Lilith sent a private message.
Orion had blocked strangers, but Lilith, as a guild leader, was on his friend list. After he explained, Lilith smacked her forehead: "We're in an open-book exam. With ready-made resources, why wouldn't we use them?"
She halted combat to dive into research. Damian, aware of this, stayed silent.
"For now, these five have clear strengths and flaws."
Lilith: Fierce as a war goddess; weakness: impulsive, relies on brawn over brains. Luckily, Liang Yu's strategies keep her grounded.
Orion: Cunning and bold; aloof, even within his guild—a lone wolf.
Jace: Brilliant, but overly cautious—skeptical to the point of cowardice. Lacks daring.
Atticus: Military to the bone: rigid, honorable, loyal. No glaring faults yet.
Phoenix: Ruthlessly decisive; a dark horse with limitless potential.
Beyond these five, Damian tracked a dozen others—less flashy but promising. For now, undiscovered.
After days of review, Damian turned back to the train's heart—urgent matters couldn't wait.
Current train status:
- 3,670 children most with families.
- 720 injured passengers unable to work.
Both groups lacked income: Families scraped by; orphans survived on loans, many resigned to die.
"Should I enable free medical care?"
[Basic med care available. Healing the injured benefits You. "Free" excludes advanced treatments; drugs/equipment require payment.]
Damian agreed: Getting 700+ fighters back was critical.
"What about the kids? They're too young to contribute, just dragging adults down."
He admitted: With more prep time before the apocalypse, the elderly/young would've been left behind. "But the journey's endless. Passengers will procreate. Kids will multiply. Need a plan."
[Alert: Since the Revivification Era began, the cosmos enforced a rule—"No offspring for awakened beings until the era ends. Normal lifeforms exempt."]
Damian choked: "How'd you know that?!"
[Info's public. I archived it.]
"Ridiculous! Other rules?"
[Train's fixed route, passenger caps rise with upgrades—all known.]
Damian's mind raced: "If no kids, species die out?!"
[Extend longevity. Why extinction?]
"Touché. So kids are gold. How?"
[Establish childcare facilities. On the surface: nurture them. True goal: groom loyalty. Future guard units? Trained passengers outperform casual recruits.]
Damian nodded: "Do it."
Soon, the train broadcast:
1. Free medical aid for all passengers.
2. Childcare hubs for under-10s in every carriage—drop kids safely.
Medical Aid Center
Location: Bank's left, medium-sized building.
Injured passengers, resigned to fate, flocked to the news.
Childcare Centers
Placement: Near hangar corners, same size as recreation zones. Staffed for a thousand per carriage.
Most parents refused robot-care, choosing self-sacrifice. Damian didn't force it.
Later, Jace returned from Tribe 11, weary. In his cabin, he cradled his infant—the only moment he felt purpose. His wife touched his blood-crusted back: "Injured?"
He grinned: "Lizard blood. Get me two new suits from the market."
She mentioned the med center and childcare: "My leg's sore—perfect for the clinic. And… maybe the baby here? If the kid's safe, we could both fight."
Jace inspected the clinic first. Advanced equipment, rapid diagnostics.
"Cancer?" He asked the droid-doc.
"Awakened immune to cancer."
"Viruses?"
"Eliminate the threat. Unless instantly fatal, we cure it."
Jace chuckled: "Makes sense. If you can't save us, we're already dead. Thanks!"
His wound: a flesh wound. Spray-on treatment numbed the pain, knitting skin and muscle.