Chapter 177: Introduction

At the center stood the Core Extractor. Unlike the rough mining tools left in the tunnels above, this machine belonged to another world entirely.

A broad, circular altar rested in the middle of the room. Its base was built from layers of packed ore, arranged in tight rings. A few layers were dark as iron, while others caught the dim light and shimmered with soft colors. Thin grooves carved between the rings formed complex patterns across the altar’s surface. Strange symbols sat trapped inside those grooves. A few gave off a weak glow, while the rest pulsed like breathing veins.

Heavy mechanical parts ringed the altar, joined together by thick metal pipes. Even though it was built from whatever scrap they could salvage, the whole machine carried an ancient, mysterious weight.

Above the center of the altar floated a strange orb the size of a human head. Its surface was pitch black, yet countless tiny specks of light shifted inside it, looking like trapped stars.

Waves of soft energy rolled off the sphere. Every few seconds, the carved patterns on the altar lit up. The light washed through the grooves and gathered right beneath the floating orb.

Lord Kale kept his eyes on the machine for a long moment. A small smile touched his lips.

"Good job."

"Well done."

The female alien bowed her head again. Lord Kale shifted his gaze back to the orb.

"How much time will be needed to extract all the essence from the core of this world?"

The female alien hesitated, choosing her next words with caution.

"Lord..."

"It will take at least two to three years to completely drain the essence."

A deep frown formed on Lord Kale’s face. "Why so long?"

She rushed to explain. "Lord, most of our supplies were destroyed during the crash."

"We had to construct this Extractor with whatever materials we could find."

"Most of its damaged components also had to be replaced with locally mined ores." She cast a look at the heavy machinery. "I’m afraid this is the fastest it can operate."

"If we increase the extraction speed any further, the Core Extractor may become unstable."

Lord Kale studied the starry black sphere. The tension faded from his face.

"Alright."

"There’s no need to hurry."

He turned his back to the altar. His face smooth and calm, he stared out into the pitch-black cavern.

"Let the inhabitants of this world live for a little while longer."

A shadow crossed Zeltan’s face.

Lord Kale went on, "Once we drain all the essence..."

"This world will be destroyed anyway." His golden eyes caught the dim light. "As for the Rizen Group..."

"And the Island Master..."

"They will eventually be destroyed as well."

Silence settled over the cavern. Only the low hum of the Core Extractor drifted through the dark.

********************************

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Rendell City, Rex walked Leo through the Freedom Convoy’s camp to make introductions. The first person they found was the intelligence seller Leo and William had met upon their arrival in the city.

Rex pointed a thumb at the man.

"Meet this guy here. His name is Taku."

"He is my one and only subordinate."

Taku turned right to Leo. A wide, fawning grin took over his face.

"Hello! Nice to meet you."

"You are one of the top guys in the convoy now."

"Please take care of a poor guy like me."

"The boss is extremely stingy with me."

Rex’s face twitched. Without missing a beat, he kicked Taku in the backside.

"You bastard!"

"You laze around all day and now you’re badmouthing me?"

Taku rubbed his backside with one hand, giving Leo a pitiful pout.

"You see the kind of harassment I have to endure while working for him."

With that, Taku darted away. He made sure to throw one last complaint over his shoulder.

"The boss is abusive!"

Rex stood in stunned silence for a moment before shaking his head.

"Ignore that guy."

"There’s something wrong with his head."

Leo calmly replied,

"I don’t see anything wrong."

"Like boss, like subordinate."

Rex stared at Leo for several seconds, completely speechless. Then he let out a sigh.

"Why does everyone keep using that line against me?"

Leo just kept walking. Rex hurried to catch up and resumed the tour. He guided Leo through the camp, introducing him to the everyday survivors of the Freedom Convoy. Leo soon realized the group was much larger than he had thought. There were around thirty people in total. Most of them handled daily chores like cooking, cleaning, repairing gear, organizing supplies, and watching the kids. Whenever Rex introduced Leo, the people offered polite bows or warm greetings.

Once they finished meeting the general group, Rex steered Leo toward a yellow bus parked near the center of the camp. A group of children played nearby, and standing next to the bus was a striking woman. Leo recognized her as the woman who had cooked with Linda.

Rex pointed her out from a distance.

"That woman over there is Jenny."

"Isn’t she beautiful?"

He checked Leo’s reaction, but Leo’s expression remained flat.

"She’s okay."

Rex clicked his tongue.

"Tch."

"Boring."

He dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Jenny was a very successful actress before the apocalypse."

"Almost every man in Vegas could be called her fan."

"I was a fan too."

Rex let out a heavy, theatrical sigh.

"Now she’s basically the manager of the Freedom Convoy."

Leo stayed silent. The two men walked up to the bus. Jenny noticed their approach and turned around.

Rex made the introduction.

"Jenny, this is Leo."

"He recently joined the convoy."

Then Rex gave Jenny a knowing smirk.

"Please take good care of him."

A hard frown formed on Jenny’s face.

"Mr. Rex, control your mouth."

"Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to complain to Valentine."

"You’re making it sound like something else to everyone."

Rex threw both hands in the air.

"Sorry, sorry."

"I was just kidding."

"I was only trying to help you, but apparently my good intentions are wasted."

Jenny shook her head, clearly used to his jokes. She turned to Leo and offered her hand.

"Hello, Mr. Leo."

"I’m Jenny."

"If you need anything or want to exchange supplies with the convoy, you can come to me."

"There are certain rules regarding supply exchanges, and I’d be happy to explain them whenever you need."

Leo gave a polite nod and shook her hand.

"Understood."

Jenny then shifted her attention to the kids hanging around the bus.

"Children, this big brother will be traveling with us from now on."

"Why don’t you introduce yourselves to him?"

One of the boys bounded forward, puffing out his chest.

"We already know Big Brother Leo!"

"My name is Ben."

The other boys chimed in right after.

"I’m Lester!"

"I’m Ron!"

"I’m Sunny!"

"I’m Chou!"

"I’m Derek!"

Two girls stepped up next. One of them lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.

"I... I’m Ruth."

The other girl was buzzing with energy. She rushed straight to Leo with a bright smile.

"Hello, Big Brother Leo!"

"I’m Becca."

"You remember me, right?"

"Last time, you gave me candy!"

Leo smiled. He reached out and ruffled the girl’s hair. Then he looked around at all the children.

"Nice to meet you all."