Chapter 202-1: Game Beta Test? Players? (Part 1)

Words : 1118 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

After resolving the issue with the Dark Pact, Li De was finally able to take a breather. From the moment he learned that the Dark Pact was planning to attack the Crimson Mage Tower, to the eventual resolution of the crisis, more than a full month had passed. Though the rewards had been significant, the amount of effort and mental energy he had poured into the matter was not small. The intense pace of operations had left even the usually energetic Li De feeling a bit fatigued. At present, with Demon Heart backing the Dark Pact, even if other forces were still watching from the shadows, he had nothing to fear. They could continue to expand aggressively and move into a stable period of growth. And his publicly known force in Green City, the Crimson Mage Tower now had the covert support of the Dark Pact beneath the surface, giving it far more room to develop. That move had been a strong play by Li De, and from a macro perspective, it had significantly improved his overall situation. One faction in the light, one in the dark, and a secure base far behind the front lines, the layout was nothing short of perfect. Time passed swiftly, and after handling the Dark Pact, Li De turned his attention back to the construction of the Crimson Mage Tower. Vina had finalized agreements with several merchant guilds, and the magical raw materials had already been shipped to the tower. With an ample supply of materials, the Magic Factory ramped up to full production capacity, fully unleashing its potential. The production rate of magic scrolls once again increased. Under the revolutionary efficiency of the Magic Factory, Green City’s entire magic scroll market collapsed in disarray. The Crimson Mage Tower had seized ninety percent of the market share for magic scrolls, completely monopolizing the low-end market. And the profit power of a monopoly was absolutely unmatched. A huge stream of Gold Pucks began to pour into the Crimson Mage Tower, and Li De’s previously dry coffers were once again replenished. However, with the ancient Alchemy Magic Array, an enormous gold-devouring beast still active, Li De had yet to live a luxurious landlord’s life. By mid-July, the Dark Pact, with the support of Demon Heart and the supply of magic scrolls from the Crimson Mage Tower, had fully regained its footing. The once-feared underground giant now bared its fangs once more. At this point, preparations for the Intelligence Division also began to take shape. With everything stabilized, Li De took Emi and returned to Dawn City. After a month of integration, the Dark Pact was now stable, and Emi was no longer needed there. Currently, the Dark Pact had two top-tier professionals above Level 15, Stanley and Grote as strategic deterrents, along with 17 advanced professionals above Level 10. In addition, there were over 600 mid-tier professionals between Level 5 and 9 among the remaining members. This kind of strength was enough to be considered formidable even within the Western District, even if it couldn't yet rival the Dark Pact at its peak under Viscount Berna. But in terms of reputation, the Dark Pact now was in no way inferior to its past under Berna’s rule. All of this was because of the new president of the Dark Pact, Majestic Iro, a powerful figure personally acknowledged by Mind Eater Wales Ronal, and widely believed to be a Transcendent. And this wasn’t just rumor. Wales had said it himself. The statement sent a wave of caution and respect rippling through the factions of the Underworld. A Transcendent, just that one word was enough. Who wanted to meet Death by challenging a Transcendent? With this so-called Transcendent backing them, the Dark Pact successfully stabilized its foundations and became a force no one dared underestimate. Li De didn’t concern himself further. With Stanley and Grote holding the fort, they could handle the affairs of the Dark Pact. That was why he brought Emi back. Compared to the Dark Pact, Dawn City needed Emi more. --- Dawn City, City Hall, third-floor office. Li De looked at the spirited Harrison before him, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes. “Harrison, why were you so eager to summon me back?” Harrison, with his scholarly and slightly frail demeanor, couldn’t hide the delight on his face. “Patriarch, the first batch of wheat in Dawn City is ready for harvest.” Li De was stunned for a moment, then stood up abruptly, eyes filled with joy. “Really? Has the Agriculture Department arranged the harvest?” The news that the grain was ready for harvest was, in Li De’s eyes, no less important than taking control of the Dark Pact. With grain in hand, Dawn City’s greatest challenge would be resolved. The residents of Dawn City were finally about to break free from the iron chain around their necks. Whether it was this year’s population plundering plans or next year’s development initiatives, food was the single most important component without exception. Food was the foundation of everything. If you couldn’t even feed people, how could you talk about development? Now that the first batch of food was ready to be harvested, the implications were immense. “Your Majesty the Progenitor, the Agriculture Department already began organizing the residents to harvest yesterday. All the wheat is expected to be fully harvested within half a month.” “Excellent, very good. What’s the yield per acre?” “The land on the Moonlight Plains varies between fertile and barren, and every farmer’s cultivation technique is different, so it’s hard to generalize. But based on the Agriculture Department’s estimates, average yields should be between 370 to 430 pounds per acre.” Harrison’s response gave Li De the reassurance he needed. Even at the low end, 370 pounds per acre, the current grain fields on the Moonlight Plains could feed 100,000 people for an entire year. The free land distribution policy had finally paid off. The success of this harvest marked a strategic victory for Li De, it was that important. And this was only the beginning. With the second Months of Deep Winter approaching, food would no longer be a pressing issue for Dawn City. The more people they had, the more land they could cultivate. They would only grow more abundant in food, a virtuous cycle of growth. “Are the granaries finished?” “They were completed half a month ago. Right now, there are four granaries, located in each corner of Dawn City, with Bloodline Descendants and members of the Security Squad guarding them. The total capacity of the four granaries can store enough food for 300,000 people for a full year.”

Chapter 202-1: Game Beta Test? Players? (Part 1)

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