50: Chapter 36 Restructuring 50: Chapter 36 Restructuring The refugees observed Xu Yang and whispered among themselves, extremely shocked and mentally anxious.
“Earlier at the megastore…”
Some people remembered Xu Yang, while others had never seen him before.
Goodness, so many more had come.
Xu Yang counted in his mind—the new arrivals totaled eight, and the shuttle machine could probably fit 15 people.
Now, the space had become unbearably cramped.
“Xu Yang!” Farosa approached, her expression dazed, “You finally came.”
“Why do you look out of it?” Xu Yang pinched Farosa’s hand.
Farosa was on the verge of tears.
She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “My power hasn’t recovered, I didn’t meet God.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Xu Yang, “How much can you still use?”
“That’s enough, I’ll take care of the rest.
You don’t have to rely on your magic power every time.”
“Why are you so confident?
Where does this assurance come from?” Farosa looked doubtful.
I saved you once, I can save you many more times.” Xu Yang had no doubts about his future, for he had installed a new brain processor, and Digital Mind was completely online now, fully functional.
In this information era, it could handle most threats.
Farosa kissed Xu Yang gently on the face and then stepped back.
“You’ve brought everyone to safety,” Xu Yang turned to Kanako and said with delight, “Doesn’t this prove that I was right about you?”
“You, you!” Kanako was so angry she was lost for words, “Why is it me?”
“I think you’re incredible,” Xu Yang said easily, “People who can play games are amazing.”
“This is nothing like a game!
In games, you can command thousands of troops, and if you lose, you can reload.
But out here, one wrong choice and you could die… We don’t have the luxury to make mistakes with our lives!
You’re joking with everyone’s lives!”
“That’s right,” Xu Yang’s eyes brightened, “now you also care about our safety.”
“I…” Kanako hesitated.
“Before, you always acted alone, not cherishing life, thinking it didn’t matter if you died, thinking our safety was irrelevant as long as you could happily play games alone.
Hasn’t that always been your attitude?”
“There are so many rats outside…”
“Yes, you’re now aware of that, caring about our collective safety, and you realize that in situations , you can’t continue doing foolish things only for yourself.
I think you’ve done exceptionally well.
Everyone is accounted for, and you even managed to rescue a lot.
Kanako, you are a genius, and not just when it comes to games.”
“I… haven’t… It’s so annoying!” Kanako quickly said.
“You’re awake, so you deal with this stuff!
I just want to be alone!” Kanako retreated to the rear of the shuttle machine, but her mood was visibly better.
Xu Yang rubbed his hands together and looked up to ask Lila, “Where are we now?”
83, near the Toshiaki Robot Megastore.
Shall we enter the megastore?” Lila inquired.
“No, head straight for Number 26 Highland,” Xu Yang commanded.
“Yes,” Lila complied respectfully.
The other survivors were displeased.
“Go to Number 26 Highland?”
“Why aren’t we stopping at Toshiaki?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Doesn’t Toshiaki have defense mechanisms?”
They were all talking at once, and the shuttle machine suddenly became noisy.
“Simple.” Xu Yang nodded, “Lila, bring the shuttle machine near the megastore and stop for a moment.”
The shuttle machine tilted and turned towards Toshiaki Megastore, stopping on the open ground.
With a hiss of gas, the hatch opened, and Xu Yang stepped off the shuttle machine, followed by several people who rushed down, not wanting to stay inside the shuttle machine for a moment longer.
“The megastore has defense systems,” Xu Yang explained, “You can operate it from the rooftop control center.
I’ve already set it to automatic defense, which you can adjust yourselves.
It has powerful firepower, which you all know.
There are also vending machines inside, so food won’t be a problem.”
“Fantastic!” They were excited.
“However,” Xu Yang said, “I believe this place is not worth defending.”
“Come on, is Number 26 Highland safer than this?”
“There are many risks to holding ground,” Xu Yang shook his head, “and this shuttle machine is under my control.
If you want to stay on the shuttle machine and evacuate with me, you must trust me unconditionally.
That’s my only requirement.
If anyone disagrees, or questions my decisions, leave the shuttle machine.
We can part ways here, and I’ll leave this megastore to you all.”
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
“This place is obviously safer.”
“What’s so special about Number 26 Highland anyway?”
“Who does this guy think he is!”
They looked suspiciously at the darkness filled with unknown dangers in the distance, then turned back to the brightly lit Toshiaki Megastore, and most decided to stay in the megastore, refusing to head to Number 26 Highland with Xu Yang.
Xu Yang boarded the shuttle machine, with only two refugees and Asa Katsuragi remaining on the shuttle machine, plus Farosa, Kanako, Lila, Nidelaide, Cui Junyou, and Xu Yang himself, making a total of nine people on the shuttle machine.
“Katsuragi, why aren’t you leaving?” Xu Yang said, as he instructed Lila to take off, while sitting down next to Asa Katsuragi.
Asa Katsuragi had the Suzuki Family’s Samurai Sword by her side, her body stained with blood, her gaze shifting restlessly.
“Why are we alive?” she said with a hoarse voice, “Why?”
“To live for the sake of living.”
“Isn’t that very empty?”
“Even if it’s empty, you still need to eat three meals a day.” Xu Yang felt hungry again.
“I don’t know, I don’t want anything, if the boss told me to die, I would die right now, but even the boss has abandoned me.” Asa Katsuragi looked at Xu Yang in despair, “Are those who stand by their beliefs the biggest fools?”
“On the contrary, those who change their stance every day and switch their beliefs every few months are the ones with unclear minds.”
“Then what are your beliefs?”
“My belief is to return to the ground with a hundred million in funds.” Xu Yang smiled lightly, “To take Farosa to a warm beach for a vacation.”
This guy even includes me in his future plans, how odd!
Farosa felt a sensation she couldn’t explain and her cheeks became slightly warm.
“A hundred million, that’s a lot.” Asa Katsuragi murmured, “So very much.”
“With money, you can start your own gang,” Xu Yang said seriously.
“My own gang?” Asa Katsuragi suddenly felt as if a significant issue that had long troubled her was resolved.
You can be the boss,” Xu Yang said.
“Can someone like me really be a boss?” Asa Katsuragi couldn’t help but stand up.
“It’s not a matter of ability, it’s a matter of desire.
You can recruit a bunch of underlings, teach them your ways, make them follow your orders.
If someone doesn’t please you, you kick them out,” Xu Yang dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand, making it seem very simple.
“My own gang.” Asa Katsuragi lifted her head, her eyes no longer glazed with confusion but filled with boundless anticipation and impulsivity, “I’m going to create my own gang!”
“That’s the spirit,” Xu Yang patted her shoulder, “As for beliefs, one point to remember is that some people’s beliefs inspire others to follow, while some people’s beliefs are a form of personal perseverance.
Neither is superior to the other, after all not everyone relies on others to live.”
“But it takes a lot of money.” Asa Katsuragi hesitated.
“I’ll invest in your gang,” Xu Yang responded briskly, “I’ll give you ten million when the time comes.”
I’ve seen Asa Katsuragi’s abilities, and if I help her take control of Katagi District and even the whole of Aizu City, the entire underground city could become my domain.
Upon hearing Xu Yang’s words, Asa Katsuragi looked down at the sword, suddenly threw it to the ground, and stamped on it with such force that the shuttle machine almost lost its balance.
The sword was broken under Asa Katsuragi’s foot!
“I know what I want now.” Asa Katsuragi grabbed the broken sword, “I’ll show them what Asa Katsuragi is capable of, I’ll prove to them who is right, I’m going to create the most powerful gang in Aizu City.”
“Before that,” Asa Katsuragi threw the sword outside the shuttle machine, “these fists are at your disposal.”
“You’ll shine,” Xu Yang encouraged.
The shuttle machine flew towards Number 26 Highland as Xu Yang suddenly heard the sound of rapid gunfire from behind.
When he looked back, he saw the distant Toshiaki Robot Megastore furiously hunting the approaching Rat Tide with its defense machinery.
“Working at full capacity, it can hold on for a while,” Xu Yang said, “But it’s not possible to keep it up indefinitely.”
“The Ratmen will run away,” Asa Katsuragi said, “They’ll rush for a while, and if they can’t break through, they’ll flee.”
“Not necessarily flee; they might push for a strong attack, there are behemoths among the Ratmen.” Kanako remembered, “There are especially big ones among the Ratmen, bigger than the shuttle machine, about ten meters long, and they run very fast!”
Wanting to observe the defense situation at the megastore, but the shuttle machine had already moved too far away to see clearly.
According to the previous movements of the Ratmen, they seemed to intend to stage a decisive battle in Hui City District, which is the exit of the entire Aizu City, connecting with Anjiu City.
Xu Yang looked at the two people who chose to stay on the shuttle machine, a young man and a young woman, both very young, the man displaying a clearly Eastern appearance, wearing a blue work uniform, while the woman was a dark-skinned beauty in a white printed T-shirt.
Feeling Xu Yang’s gaze, they became a bit nervous, unconsciously holding hands, apparently a couple.
“You two kids, why did you decide to stay and follow me?” Xu Yang was curious, “Do you know each other?”
“He’s my boyfriend,” the girl said.
“But you’re underage,” Xu Yang observed their youthful appearance.
Besides, companies are willing to hire us to work, what does having a relationship matter?” the girl didn’t understand.
“No choice,” the boy shrugged, “On our own, there’s no way we could survive this situation.
Maybe you can make a difference for us.”
The girl also sighed.
“We spent all our money, and it was totally useless,” she said helplessly, “Oh my, we’re at a dead end.”
“Since you’ve decided to follow, I see you’ve also prepared yourselves mentally,” Xu Yang observed their expressions.
We won’t cause trouble,” the boy hastened to say, “I’m Li Xiao Min.”
“I’m Rosya,” the girl said.
“I’m Xu Yang,” he introduced the others on the shuttle machine to them, “Until we’re safe, it looks like we’re all in the same boat.
I’d like to know what skills you two have to offer.
The advantage of surviving as a group is that everyone can contribute.”