Chapter 424: Factions, Another Conflict

Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Factions, Another Conflict

"Alright, let’s go."

Flora climbed onto the deer’s back and said to Seraphina.

Despite her young age, she could already effortlessly command the leader of these powerful, mutated creatures.

The sight caused looks of surprise and admiration to flash in the eyes of Brandon Barton and Victor Sharp.

The group began moving toward the livestock farm on the west side of the surface-level zone.

Seraphina walked beside the Deer Herd, her calm gaze sweeping over the scenery.

Bustling crowds, orderly factory buildings, the towering Wall in the distance, and a fortress faintly visible in the sky.

She knew that new challenges and opportunities would unfold one by one within this magnificent and complex apocalyptic fortress.

As for Connor Webb’s hostility, that was a score she would have to settle later, bit by bit.

Guided by Brandon Barton and Victor Sharp, Seraphina Sullivan and her group, along with the Four Seasons Deer Herd, arrived at a designated area on the west side of the surface-level work zone.

This area was far from the core industrial zone, near the isolation Wall, and the surroundings were relatively open and quiet.

A sizable farm was enclosed by a fence made of a new composite material.

Inside the farm, a space suitable for large animals had already been prepared in advance.

Simple but sturdy sunshades and water troughs had been erected. Beside them stood a few interconnected prefabricated cabins that could serve as temporary living quarters or tool sheds.

"This is the place," Brandon Barton said, pointing to the farm. "This area is near the isolation Wall, so it’s relatively independent and convenient for you to look after the Deer Herd. You can get settled here for now."

Seraphina glanced around and nodded slightly.

Although the Central Base’s "Super Underground Area" was said to have superior living conditions and high security, she personally preferred a surface environment with natural light and more open space.

It might be simple here, but it offered freedom. Plus, being close to the Deer Herd made it easy for Flora to watch over them.

"Alright, this place is nice."

Seraphina said, "We’ll bring the RV over in a bit. We’ll live here for the time being."

But at that moment, Victor Sharp spoke up, his expression turning slightly grim.

"Comrade Sullivan, your accommodations are settled, but there’s something I must remind you of. The ’disaster pause’ period granted by the Disaster System is almost over. According to the intelligence we’ve gathered and predictions from some Players, the next global catastrophe will very likely be ’Extreme Heat and Drastic Temperature Shifts.’"

"Since you’ve chosen to live on the surface, you need to prepare for the extreme temperatures in advance."

As she motioned for Flora to herd the Four Seasons Deer Herd into the designated pasture area, Seraphina looked back and replied, "Yes, Captain Brooks mentioned it to me on the way here. He said your Central Base has also issued warnings about an ’extreme temperature disaster.’"

Brandon Barton added, "That’s right. While your desire to live on the surface is understandable, an extreme temperature disaster is no small matter."

Temperatures during the day could instantly spike to seventy or eighty degrees Celsius, or even higher.

Then at night, they might plummet to dozens of degrees below zero. The temperature swing will be enormous.

There’s a lack of adequate climate-controlled protection on the surface, making it extremely dangerous.

When it happens, it would be best to follow the base’s unified orders and temporarily relocate to the underground areas for shelter.

The environment there is more stable, and the survival guarantees are better."

Seraphina nodded seriously. "Okay, we understand. We’ll make preparations in advance and follow the base’s emergency arrangements."

’The RV will need extra layers of insulation for both heat and cold,’ she calculated. ’And we’ll have to increase our reserves of water and long-lasting food.’

Seeing that the initial arrangements were settled, Sean Chandler spoke up. "You all continue chatting. Now that I know the location, I’ll go get our RV."

Their large RV was still parked in the temporary lot near the entrance.

Brandon Barton nodded. "Alright. Watch for the signs on your way."

But Seraphina stopped Brandon Barton and Victor Sharp as they were about to leave. "You two, since you’re already here, why not join us for a simple meal? It would also be a good chance for me to learn more about the Central Base."

Brandon Barton, however, shook his head with a wry smile. "Comrade Sullivan, we appreciate the kind offer, but we really can’t."

"We have a mountain of work. The Central Base is a massive undertaking, with constant emergencies, resource allocation, Player management, defensive patrols... The work is never-ending."

"Next time. We’ll definitely take you up on it next time we have a chance!"

Seeing this, Seraphina didn’t insist. "It seems you’re much busier than us newcomers."

Victor Sharp let out a heartfelt sigh. "Having Player status might be a privilege and a guarantee of safety elsewhere, but here... it means more responsibility, more dangerous missions, and... more complex relationships and factional entanglements."

"You’ve just arrived, so there’s a lot you don’t understand yet."

He hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice to warn them, "In the future, inside the base, if people from self-proclaimed organizations or groups invite you to join, be extra vigilant and vet them carefully. The waters here... run deep."

Hearing this pointed advice, a sharp glint flashed in the depths of Seraphina’s eyes.

She had already gotten a hint of this from the attitudes of Laura Lowell and Gordon Chandler.

Now, Victor Sharp’s words confirmed her suspicions.

"I had some doubts before," Seraphina said, deciding to ask directly.

"From the tone you and Laura Lowell use, it sounds like the higher-ups in the Central Base... are there different factions, or even... conflicts?"

Brandon Barton and Victor Sharp exchanged a glance, and both saw the helplessness in the other’s eyes.

Brandon Barton was silent for a moment before finally nodding, his voice even lower. "We’re not really supposed to be the ones telling you this, but... a heads-up is probably for the best."

"There are indeed disagreements. Mainly... differences in ideology and approach."

"It’s largely due to differences in strategy and development philosophy that arose when the apocalyptic Disaster System first appeared. Over time, these differences led to the formation of different factions."

Seraphina wanted to learn more details and was about to suggest they at least have a quick meal and chat, but she never expected that trouble would strike so suddenly.

"BEEP BEEP BEEP—!"

A series of urgent beeps suddenly erupted from Victor Sharp’s hip.

He quickly pulled out a communication device that resembled an old-fashioned walkie-talkie but with a more sci-fi design and pressed the button to answer.

Laura Lowell’s anxious voice immediately came through, punctuated by audible panting and background noise:

"Victor Sharp! Brandon Barton! Are you still at the west-side livestock farm? There’s been an incident!"

"That comrade you just escorted... the one named Sean Chandler... he’s fighting someone at the entrance to Corridor B3!"

"It’s a big scene! Get over there and check it out, quick! I’m coordinating people to head over now!"

"What?!" Victor Sharp and Brandon Barton froze simultaneously.

The faces of Seraphina, Flora, and the others, who had just finished settling the Deer Herd and were walking over, also showed expressions of shock and confusion.

Sean Chandler?

’Didn’t he go to get the RV? How could he have gotten into a fight at a corridor entrance?’

Given Sean Chandler’s personality and strength, he would rarely start a conflict unless someone had provoked him and threatened either his safety or the task Seraphina had assigned him.

’Besides, how long has he been gone?’