A radiant, holy light as bright as daylight shone from the white, ethereal statue. It was an illumination even more intense than the weapons used by the mobile city against the Nightmare Beasts. Yet, unlike those weapons, this light was gentle. Despite its brilliance, it did not blind—everyone could open their eyes and clearly see the true deity within.
A soothing warmth enveloped them. In the highest layer of Hope City, where cold winds howled, they felt as if they were wrapped in a gentle current, as soft and comforting as a mother’s embrace.
However, from beneath their feet, a series of footsteps echoed, sending shockwaves of fear through the crowd. In their awe of the divine presence, they had momentarily forgotten that the Nightmare Beasts were still lurking, watching them like predators. The deep blackness beneath the sacred glow should have been exposed and rendered powerless, yet even so, the mere presence of a single Nightmare Beast was enough to terrify them.
This light alone was not enough. The Nightmare Beasts were massive—unless they were completely shattered into pieces, they could not be eradicated. Even the smallest seed of a Nightmare Beast could spell their doom.
Yet, perhaps because they were bathed in divine radiance, an inexplicable calm washed over the people. The breathtaking sight before them became their anchor. At that moment, the Gatekeeper abruptly raised his gun and began firing continuously, reloading without pause as if determined to push the aging weapon to its limits.
Countless bullets struck the Nightmare Beast. Though they failed to pierce its body, they successfully halted its advance.
Still, everyone continued to pray—praying for the god’s protection, praying for the Nightmare Beast to be driven far away.
The Nightmare Beast took a slow step forward. It was dangerously close—so close that a mere whisper of wind could carry its seeds straight to the people.
But just as it moved, a sudden, feral roar erupted from within the divine statue.
Before the stunned eyes of the crowd, a massive beast beneath the feet of the white statue bared its savage fangs. With a low, menacing growl, it launched itself forward in a lightning-fast assault. In the blink of an eye, it reached the Nightmare Beast, its razor-sharp teeth sinking viciously into the creature’s collar. In a flash, it hurled the Nightmare Beast away with unstoppable force.
Under the god’s mount’s relentless attack, the black Nightmare Beast had no chance to resist. The beast’s fangs tore through its claws and limbs, driving it farther and farther away.
What remained in the eyes of the onlookers was a dazzling brilliance—like the radiant glow seen only at the edge of a falling star. That breathtaking light pierced through the pitch-black night sky, carrying the Nightmare Beast far beyond human sight to a place where no one could reach.
Everyone was stunned.
Everyone was in disbelief.
Everyone was filled with confusion.
They watched as the white, strikingly handsome male statue slowly lowered its head. As it moved, its long hair shifted and cascaded down, following the motion naturally. Though it was only a statue, its presence was unmistakably alive—majestic, solemn, and utterly divine, beyond mortal touch.
It gazed down upon its faithful.
A moment later, the massive beast—without a name, without a precise identity—slowly reappeared at the man’s feet. From a faint, translucent form, it gradually solidified, once again enveloping the man’s legs as if they were inseparable, eternally bound as one. With affectionate reverence, the beast rested its head against the man’s leg.
The divine statue remained standing there, unwavering. Under the gaze of countless believers filled with awe and devotion, it slowly returned to its proud, commanding stance.
Silence fell over everything.
“…Are we safe now?” someone finally asked.
“The Nightmare Beast… it was struck down, it’s gone. Does that mean we’re safe?”
The sudden turn of events left everyone in shock. They looked at one another, searching for answers in each other’s bewildered and astonished eyes.
They had prepared themselves for death. And yet—what had just happened? What was this? Had they already died, and were these mere illusions of the afterlife?
No. It wasn’t an illusion.
The statue was still there, towering above them, standing in a place where they had to lift their heads to see it.
“It’s a god… It’s truly a god!”
“My god, there really is a god in this world—a true deity!”
This moment shattered everything they had been taught and believed. Years of atheism had been deeply ingrained in their minds, and now, having witnessed a true miracle, they all doubted their own sanity.
But it was impossible for so many people to have the same delusion at once. This was not an illusion—this was a real, undeniable divine act in the world.
The advancements of doomsday-era machinery had reached incredible heights, yet no technology, no matter how advanced, could conjure a physical entity from thin air. And yet, the god’s mount had touched the Nightmare Beast, had even driven it away. That was something entirely beyond the realm of possibility!
But it had happened right before their eyes. An irrefutable reality.
A glimmer of hope in the depths of despair—simply because they had worshipped the god. Could it truly be that by believing in the god’s existence, they, who had been forced into a dead end, had so easily found a path to survival? Was this… divine favor?
One person knelt. Then, a second. And soon, everyone had dropped to their knees before the statue. In that moment, their faith transcended to another level.
Shock, joy—they wanted to embrace their companions in ecstatic celebration. But they could not allow themselves to lose composure before the divine. They had prayed for the god’s help, and before anything else, they had to express their gratitude, to show absolute reverence.
“You have done well.” A voice rang out, its source unknown. “Your faith is strong. In the end, the god has chosen to help you.”
Only then did Wei Qixuan remember the elder brother who had brought the god to them. Enduring the pain in his body, he staggered forward and said, “Big Brother, thank you.”
“As a believer of God, I am delighted to become compatriots with you,” He Fang said with a faint smile. “Under God’s protection, my city and I have expanded our lands. We no longer live in fear of the Nightmare Beast seeds invading us. In our city, no one goes hungry, the sick receive treatment, and the weary can rest. Because we have faith in God, He has granted us a land of peace.”
Wei Qixuan was utterly stunned. Could such a place really exist? Was it not just a fabrication?
“My companion once said he could save you, and he does not lie.” He Fang’s tone was filled with emotion. His face, untouched by hardship or illness, was fair and delicate—his skin even better than that of the children among them, a clear sign of his difference.
Just as He Fang’s words fell, the people of Hope City suddenly heard a deafening and mournful bird cry from the distance. Everyone turned toward the source in shock, only to see a massive, pitch-black flock of birds surging toward them from afar.
Their target was clear—they were charging straight at the defenseless Hope City.
“What is that? Birds?” someone asked in confusion.
However, as He Fang fixed his gaze on them, his expression changed drastically. His voice turned urgent as he shouted, “It’s the Nightmare Beasts! That direction leads to the Nightmare Beast Forest—those are not birds, they’re Nightmare Beasts!”
In an instant, sheer terror and panic spread across everyone’s faces. One crisis had barely passed, yet another had already begun. Who could have expected that after escaping from the grasp of a single Nightmare Beast, they would now have to face an endless swarm?
The lingering fear of more than ten thousand people surged to its peak once again. If the previous Nightmare Beast had at least given them a chance to escape, then the massive flock of Nightmare Beasts before them had now completely severed their final path to survival.
“Oh God, please, we beg you, bless us once more!”
“God, we are willing to dedicate our future, our faith—please grant us your protection again!”
This time, no one hesitated. In the depths of their despair, a faint glimmer of light was ignited by God. There was no chance of escaping from the Nightmare Beast flock—not even the most seasoned mercenaries could manage it.
The birds were too densely packed, their bodies small and swift. Typically, once parasitized, they wouldn’t survive for long due to their deteriorating vitality. Encounters with a Nightmare Beast flock were rare unless one was too close to the Nightmare Beast Forest.
But their surroundings were precisely that—an enormous Nightmare Beast Forest loomed right beside them!
“God, please, we beg you.” Amidst sobbing voices, desperate prayers for divine protection filled the air.
“Listen to me! God will save ordinary people once—but never a second time!” He Fang’s voice rang loud and clear, deliberately amplified so that all ten thousand people could hear him. “Unless you are a follower of God—a devoted believer! God will unconditionally shelter those who have faith in Him!”
Now, everyone was listening to He Fang with rapt attention as he spoke at the fastest pace possible.
“So you must abandon your faith and loyalty to other cities and devote yourselves wholeheartedly to God. You will be reborn, you will have a safe life just like us, and you will gain things beyond your imagination!” He Fang spoke rapidly. “If you are willing, kneel and say, ‘We believe in the Divine Lord, we will never betray, and □□’—the name is Divine Lord!”
At this moment, no one hesitated.
Not only because of the Nightmare Beast flock closing in on them.
But also because they yearned for a better life.
Just now, every single one of them had already experienced true death. The final outcome had not yet arrived, but in their hearts, they had already died once. And yet, after death, a new hope for life had ignited within them.
They had been abandoned—abandoned by their city lord, abandoned by other mobile cities. They were old, sick, and weak—eventually, they would be used by the mobile cities until they perished.
So what if they were being used by someone else now? Could there be a fate worse than death?
At least now, they could cling to hope, to an unknown future. Even if it was uncertain, it was still hope!
Even if it was hell, they would enter it willingly.
“We believe in the Divine Lord!”
“We believe in the Divine Lord!”
Scattered voices emerged from the crowd, gradually growing from scattered murmurs to a unified chorus. At this moment, everyone placed their final hopes in this last deity—one without pattern, without reason, and beyond explanation.
From this moment on, for the sake of survival, they chose faith.
They chose to believe in the Divine Lord!
At that instant, as if sensing something, the white statue raised its solid arm high into the air.
A massive barrier of light swiftly unfolded from its hands, enveloping everything around Hope City. The radiant glow was like the strongest defense, bursting forth from the very depths of humanity’s soul.
At the same time, the swarm of Nightmare Beasts had already reached the light barrier.
Under countless gazes, the flock of creatures charged headfirst into the radiant shield, only to be utterly annihilated. Not even a speck of dust remained.
Seeing signs of life, the Nightmare Beasts grew frantic, recklessly attempting to break through. Yet not a single one could penetrate the absolute defense.
Everyone watched in stunned silence, witnessing the Nightmare Beasts burn to nothing like moths drawn to a flame.
At that moment, someone began to cry.
It was no longer a cry of pain but a cry of joy.
Their lives, which had already reached the end of the road, had miraculously found a new beginning.
Tears of sorrow turned into tears of overwhelming relief. The ghost town of despair had transformed into a true City of Hope!
The unstoppable Nightmare Beasts—these people had become the first to witness their defeat!
The vast sky, once swarming with black-winged creatures, finally fell into silence. At the same time, a sliver of white light appeared on the dark horizon.
The long night had passed. The sun of a new day was rising.
Wei Qixuan knelt on the ground, blinking in disbelief. At some point, his tears had soaked the front of his clothes. He reached up to wipe his cheeks, only to realize that the tears kept falling.
Slowly, he asked, “Big Brother, what you said about having enough to eat, warm clothes to wear, and even doctors… is it really true?”
He Fang didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, he said, “I have to go back now. The god will always protect you. As for everything else, we’ll talk when I return.”
Wei Qixuan’s face was filled with worry. The memories of being deceived, no matter how hard he had tried to believe, were still etched onto his young face. He was afraid. Afraid that this big brother, like all the others before him, would leave them behind.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon.” At this moment, He Fang gave Wei Qixuan a reassuring smile. “You have been recognized by the gods. I believe your desire for something better is genuine.”
Wei Qixuan watched as his big brother ended the communication, yet he remained kneeling there.
But he was no longer as afraid.
It was as if this big brother had a special ability to soothe people’s hearts. The moment he heard his promise, everything became clear.
Big Brother would definitely come. He had never been so certain of anything before.
“Xuan Xuan.”
Someone stood behind him. Wei Qixuan turned his head in confusion to see the very adults who had lost control and beaten him earlier.
His aunt, who had always cared for him, stepped forward and held his fingers gently. She cupped his hands carefully, avoiding his injured palms, and took out the bloodstained lighter, placing it on the ground.
“Auntie…” Wei Qixuan murmured.
Suddenly, his aunt pulled him into a hug.
“Thank you, Xuan Xuan. Thank you.”
Thank you for never giving up hope until the very end.
Perhaps they shouldn’t have been so hopeless—miracles were always born in the direst of circumstances.
——
He Fang took a deep breath. The moment he ended the communication, he bolted off the aircraft, urgently grabbing the person waiting at the entrance. “Where’s Chong Xiao? Where is he?”
Suddenly, a flicker of black appeared at the edge of his vision. He Fang froze for a moment before rushing forward, scanning the person up and down as if he wished he could tear off the black clothing to check for wounds underneath.
Chong Xiao looked a little disheveled as if he had rolled through dust and dirt. But his expression remained unchanged—he seemed fine.
Unable to see if there were internal injuries, He Fang grew anxious. He immediately pulled up Chong Xiao’s status panel to check for any injury tags. After scanning it multiple times and finding nothing, he finally relaxed.
However, his brows suddenly furrowed—he had noticed something strange.
Why was there a continuously flashing “Shy” tag under Chong Xiao’s status?
Puzzled, He Fang looked up at the expressionless Chong Xiao. Was this guy… actually feeling shy? Or was it a bug?
Just as a vague realization started to take shape in his mind, Chong Ying suddenly shoved Chong Xiao aside and playfully latched onto his older brother’s arm, grinning. “City Lord, don’t worry! My brother is really strong—this distance was nothing to him. Besides, when you issued the Divine Lord’s command, you did say to hold back, didn’t you? If my brother still got injured despite that, then his title as the strongest in the city would be nothing more than an empty name!”
“Are you sure it’s really okay?” He Fang asked hesitantly. He had made Chong Xiao pretend to be a Nightmare Beast to pressure the people in the city—was that too much for him?
“It’s fine, it’s fine! My brother is amazing! More importantly, City Lord, don’t you think you should praise him? He worked really hard!” Chong Ying secretly pinched Chong Xiao hard behind his back, hoping his brother would take the initiative for once. But alas, this brother of his couldn’t even squeeze out half a word. It was driving him crazy.
“Indeed, you did very well, Chong Xiao. Thank you.”
He Fang discreetly checked Chong Xiao’s loyalty level. Good—still stuck at 598, not rising or falling. That meant he probably didn’t mind being used this time.
“I’ll have Yuan Zhiran prepare some material rewards for you later. If there’s anything you want, feel free to request it. As long as it’s not too excessive, I’ll approve it.”
The moment He Fang finished speaking, Chong Ying immediately sensed a drastic spike in his brother’s mood. He was probably so thrilled he could fly, yet his brain had completely short-circuited, leaving him unable to make a single request.
“I’ll thank City Lord on my brother’s behalf! He’s not very good with words, haha.” Chong Ying grinned.
Honestly, having Chong Ying around made things a lot easier. He Fang really couldn’t understand what kind of complicated thought process was hiding beneath Chong Xiao’s utterly expressionless face.
Dragging his now completely brain-dead brother to a corner, Chong Ying excitedly whispered, “Bro, bro, bro! The Creator just promised you a reward! What do you want? How about asking for a date? Or having the Creator personally give you a gift? Your collection is already running out of space, isn’t it? Seriously, why were you so stiff just now? When the Creator was tugging at your clothes, you should’ve taken them off yourself! Let him see your strong physique! Flaunt it a little, damn it!”
However, after babbling on for so long, Chong Ying finally realized something—his brother wasn’t responding at all.
It was only then that he noticed—his dear brother had completely shut down.
He had clearly gone insane from happiness.
Help…
Chong Ying’s expression turned blank. His brother was so hopelessly dumb—what was he supposed to do with him?!
But then, his expression subtly shifted, and he leaned in to whisper, “Brother, when you faced off against the Divine Lord, do you think you could have beaten him?”
Even though it was just an act, it was still a rare chance to gauge their strength against each other. That damned Divine Lord—always intercepting the Creator’s takeout deliveries halfway, always trying to show off in front of the Creator—it was infuriating.
At the mention of the Divine Lord, Chong Xiao’s pitch-black eyes drooped slightly. Half-lidded, they carried a faint gloominess.
Having grown up with Chong Xiao, how could Chong Ying not understand what that expression meant? His face darkened. As expected, the Divine Lord wasn’t an easy opponent. If it weren’t for the need to maintain his sculpture-like facade, that guy would be shamelessly flaunting himself in front of the Creator every single day.
No doubt about it—the Divine Lord was the trickiest love rival of all. So damn frustrating. Wasn’t there any way to deal with him?
Meanwhile, He Fang glanced toward the distant pair whispering among themselves. Seeing that Chong Xiao looked completely fine, he finally felt at ease. It seemed there really were no injuries.
This time, his plan had actually progressed very smoothly. He had been closely monitoring the Divine Lord’s ever-rising faith value. With that much faith, the Divine Lord could be driven to accomplish many things.
“The Nightmare Beast bird swarm was unexpected, but fortunately, Zhu Yan had set up the defensive devices in advance.” Still, it had served as a reminder, allowing those people to make swift decisions.
Even if they hadn’t chosen to believe in the Divine Lord, He Fang had always intended to save those NPCs regardless.
That barrier wasn’t some divine protection—it was actually a device He Fang had instructed Zhu Yan to create to repel Nightmare Beast invasions. The mechanism had already been embedded around Hope City from the very beginning. As for the glowing light effects? Those were all visual illusions crafted by the Divine Lord, purely for show.
In the end, everything went smoothly. Chong Xiao hadn’t suffered any injuries either.
A truly satisfying conclusion.
“Now, it’s time to head into the city and take care of things inside.”
Having fully won over the NPCs, He Fang had essentially claimed Hope City for himself. In its current state, the city was ripe for the taking—he could even relocate everyone without issue.
That breathtakingly beautiful Hope City was finally his.
As He Fang stepped back into the city, the people stood along the edges, watching him with reverence. He wore simple clothing—comfortable, lightweight, and unguarded. The gazes of every NPC turned fervent as they looked at him.
Even the mercenaries, who never parted from their armor, were now dressed in light, comfortable clothing. This place had truly become safe.
Even though they had clearly seen the Nightmare Beasts vanish from the sky, years of fear still made it hard for them to feel at ease.
Was it really possible to completely defend against the Nightmare Beasts in this world? Could they truly eliminate the ever-present Nightmare Beast seeds from their lives once and for all?
He Fang glanced around, observing his surroundings. Suddenly, a small figure dashed out from the crowd.
A frail-looking child appeared before him, gazing up at him with wide eyes.
Lowering his head, He Fang met the boy’s gaze.
In Wei Qixuan’s eyes, He Fang’s figure filled his entire world. This was the person who made him feel safest, the one who had saved them from disaster—his hero.
“What’s wrong?” He Fang asked gently, crouching down so that they were at eye level.
Meeting someone at eye level was a sign of respect. Every action of his hero carried a sense of dignity. Wei Qixuan bit his lip, then suddenly said, “Thank you!”
He Fang shook his head. “You should thank yourself.”
At that moment, Wei Qixuan bit his lip, trying his best to hold back the sting in his nose and suppress his tears. He should be thanking himself—thanking himself for never giving up, for holding onto hope until the very end. But right now, he felt even more grateful to his hero, who had affirmed his perseverance.
“Can I work for you?” Wei Qixuan suddenly asked.
He Fang shook his head again. “I don’t need you.”
Even though Wei Qixuan had expected this answer, hearing it out loud still left an undeniable sense of disappointment in his heart.
“But you can work hard and grow. Maybe one day, I will have a use for you.”
There was something mixed in He Fang’s words, something Wei Qixuan felt like he almost caught onto. He looked up, his young mind trying to decipher the true meaning behind those words—but all he found was confusion.
He Fang straightened up, glancing around. He realized that he couldn’t even find a single person who could be considered a leader. Without a true leader, the remaining NPCs were nothing more than scattered sand.
Unlike when he first arrived—when they had only occasionally cast curious glances his way—now, every pair of eyes was filled with gratitude, excitement, and uncertainty.
He Fang held a small box in his hand. Opening it, he took out the item inside—a tiny statue of the Divine Lord, no larger than two palms put together. It was exquisitely carved, so detailed that even the strands of hair were finely etched.
The moment He Fang revealed the sculpture, the eyes of everyone around him burned with fervent intensity.
“This is a sculpture of the Divine Lord. You are already His followers. I am entrusting this to you—worship it often, and the Divine Lord will bless you.” He Fang raised the sculpture in his hand. “Who among you can keep it safe for now? You can build a small shrine nearby to house it for worship.”
He Fang had exchanged faith points for this Divine Lord statue. Placing it in the city would not only secure the faith of its people but also ensure that everyone remained strictly under his control—no one could be allowed to leave Hope City.
Though he had taken control of Hope City, the relationships he had suddenly established were fragile. Even after unlocking all the NPCs’ status panels, their loyalty was pathetically low compared to the city’s original inhabitants—most didn’t even surpass one hundred.
But Lu Hu was right—this was just the beginning. Many more steps and measures would have to be explored in the future.
Until a complete system was in place, he needed to keep these people confined within Hope City, ensuring they had no contact with NPCs from the outside world. If external threats emerged before internal affairs were stabilized, it would be a grave mistake.
Everyone stared at the sculpture, yet no one dared to step forward and touch the statue of a god. He Fang observed the crowd but found no willing volunteers. He couldn’t tell whether they were struggling to find a leader among them or if they were simply watching his actions.
But it didn’t matter. These people had no choice now.
Unbothered by their hesitation, He Fang simply placed the box on a flat surface and set the statue on top. Then, he knelt, adopting a prayerful posture. After a moment, he stood and looked at the crowd.
“The most important thing in worshiping a god is sincerity. It doesn’t require grand or complicated rituals, nor does it need a perfect place. No ceremony can compare to the faith in your heart,” He Fang said seriously. After all, in his city, the Divine Lord was merely a landmark in the city center.
The crowd’s expressions shifted to understanding. They had never worshiped a deity before, and now, with this sudden reverence in their hearts, they didn’t quite know how to express it. But in truth, they didn’t need anything elaborate—they only needed sincerity.
At that moment, some of the people who had previously spoken harshly to He Fang and his group hesitantly stepped forward. Their faces were filled with guilt. In front of He Fang, they bowed and sincerely apologized.
“We’re sorry. We… we thought…”
He Fang blinked. He hadn’t brought Guo Miaofeng this time—only Chong Ying stood beside him. These people were probably apologizing to Guo Miaofeng.
“I accept your apology,” He Fang said, lifting his gaze to address the crowd. “The Divine Lord is here, and so you must remain here. The god’s protection extends only to the land where He appears. If you leave without permission, the Divine Lord will withdraw His blessing.”
The crowd exchanged glances. The territory they stood upon was vast—more than enough for them to live and prosper.
“Since you now follow the Divine Lord, that makes you my people.” He Fang took a step forward and formally introduced himself. “I am not a mercenary. I am the city lord.”
His voice was steady and firm as he declared, “From this moment on, I will take over Hope City and become the new lord of this land that has been without a ruler.”
When He Fang revealed his true identity, the people did not seem surprised. Instead, their expressions carried a sense of So it was true. The boy was too refined—so refined that only a city lord could possess such an air of authority and grace.
No one would help others for no reason. Perhaps the young man had needed Hope City from the very beginning, and they themselves had been powerless to resist when they were plundered. At this moment, they were even less capable of harboring resentment or rebellion.
“From now on, I am giving you a chance—a chance to refuse. If you do not wish to acknowledge me as the city lord, then leave now and step out from the Divine Lord’s protection.”
He Fang’s tone suddenly sank without warning. The once gentle young man turned cold in an instant. As the lord of a city and the highest decision-maker, he had to display the authority that matched his position.
His decision to accept these ten thousand people was not purely out of sympathy. He had fully prepared himself to make them the first subjects of his experiment in taming wild NPCs. Even if his methods of subjugation were gentle, He Fang never forgot—he was a conqueror.
He opened all the status panels, keeping a close watch. The moment he detected anyone’s loyalty decreasing, he would eliminate them without hesitation. He had to ensure that none of them would interfere with his plans to revive Hope City.
Looking around, he saw no signs of resistance. Perhaps it was because the extreme terror of facing death had overstimulated their senses—none of them dared to act against him.
But it was obvious. The Nightmare Beasts had already infiltrated the area near Hope City. Leaving now was equivalent to death. Anyone with a functioning brain would not walk away at this moment. The meaning behind He Fang’s ultimatum was clear—stay here and live, or leave and die.
Narrowing his eyes, He Fang spoke again. “I don’t know how your former city lord ruled over you, but as for me, I will lead you in my own way. And you must remember—I am your city lord! In New Hope City, betrayal is not allowed!”
Wei Qixuan stood at He Fang’s side. He watched as the gentle and kind older brother suddenly transformed into a city lord. At that moment, he seemed to understand why his big brother had told him before that he would be needed in the future.
“New Hope City…” Wei Qixuan murmured.
“Under the Divine Lord’s protection, we no longer need to migrate, no longer need to flee. The Nightmare Beast seeds cannot invade us. We have enough time to create a city that will never have to move!” He Fang’s voice wasn’t loud, yet for some reason, every single person present could hear him clearly. “I will rebuild Hope City!”
And with that, He Fang left.
He gave them ample time to think.
He also left behind the divine statue and his bold declaration to rebuild Hope City.
Yet, no one moved.
They were too accustomed to submission. Hadn’t it been the same in the old Hope City?
But… rebuild Hope City? Could Hope City even be rebuilt? With nothing but this skeletal framework, stripped down and nearly beyond repair?
Where could they even find the resources to rebuild a city? How could these ten thousand people regain the ability to construct it? Right now, they were so exhausted that even lifting a wooden hoe felt like an unbearable effort.
They were too hungry, too weak, and too frail… Rebuilding seemed like an unattainable dream.
Some thought it was impossible—unbelievable even. But some believed because they had seen things even more unbelievable.
Could they ever return to the life they once had? A life where they didn’t have to migrate? What did it even mean to not have to migrate?
If they didn’t have to move, then the Nightmare Beasts… No, the Nightmare Beast Seeds wouldn’t be able to harm them.
Right now, everyone’s minds have shut down. They had no idea what the young city lord meant by “rebuilding Hope City.”
They had seen too many inconceivable things, so much so that they could no longer think about their own future.
Now that they were temporarily free from the threat of death, more pressing realities returned to the forefront—food shortages and water that could only be stored when it rained. Harsh reality left them no choice but to keep working the fields, their hands unable to stop. They still had to bend down, searching for edible roots to gnaw on.
But the next day, the aircraft appeared again.
This time, however, it wasn’t the young city lord who descended. Instead, it was a group of unfamiliar people. And the moment they saw these newcomers, everyone tensed up.
These people were all impeccably dressed. They looked just like the former city lords of Hope City—flawless, with stunningly beautiful faces, perfect figures, and an air of refinement untouched by hardship. Their delicate hands, proudly raised chests, and straight backs spoke of a life free from suffering. Their clothes, pristine and out of place in this desolate world, bore not a single wrinkle, making them seem completely disconnected from the struggling masses around them.
These people seemed to be separated from them by an invisible yet undeniable boundary, making it clear that they were not from the same world.
“Hello, everyone. I am a civil affairs officer sent by the city lord to record and register the population. Please line up and provide your basic information for registration.” The woman leading the team adjusted her glasses slightly. “We ask for your orderly cooperation. Each person who successfully registers will receive an identity card. This card will stay with you for a long time, so please do not lose it. Additionally… with this card, each person will be able to receive a set amount of food every day, which can be collected from the officers over there.”
Everyone understood her words perfectly. And it was precisely because they understood that they found it so unbelievable.
“Food? What kind of food? Potatoes? Steamed buns?” A child couldn’t help but tug on the sleeve of the adult beside them. They hadn’t had a proper meal in ages. In their world, their diet had been reduced to nothing but grass.
“There are many people here. Please maintain order.” A male officer nearby suddenly barked out the command. His voice, though unamplified, rang out with absolute clarity, reaching every single person present. His tone carried such overwhelming authority that an instinctual fear gripped the crowd.
Even though they lacked the ability to gauge strength, their instincts told them—no, assured them—that even if all ten thousand of them rushed forward together, they would stand no chance against this one officer. So these were the people sent by the young city lord? A deep unease settled over everyone. What kind of future had they chosen?
“Now, everyone, please line up for registration. A temporary medical station is being set up nearby. Anyone with health issues should go there for a check-up before registering. And I strongly advise you not to hide any medical conditions—don’t make our job more difficult. Otherwise, you won’t want to know the consequences.”
The female civil affairs officer was dressed sharply, her makeup meticulous. When she looked at the crowd, her gaze was icy, almost as if she were looking down on them with contempt.
They were too overbearing—so overpowering that no one dared to resist, not even a little.
As the woman began the simple registration process at the temporary setup, the crowd remained hesitant, watching anxiously. But soon, the first person stepped forward without hesitation.
“Hello, my name is Wei Qixuan. My parents are deceased. Currently, in Hope City… no, New Hope City, aside from my younger brother and sister, I have no other blood relatives. I have no serious illnesses, but I am likely malnourished. My brother…”
Wei Qixuan stood in front of the female officer and, without omitting a single detail, laid out everything about himself.
After a few questions, the staff had already imprinted identity cards for him and his siblings. The female officer handed the cards to them, offering a professional, almost mechanical smile to the first child who had stepped forward.
“You may collect today’s food for yourself and your siblings over there.”
Wei Qixuan obediently left, staring at the identity card in his hand.
Hope City had something similar before—work cards. Every person had a designated role, with strictly divided duties, and there was no flexibility between them.
But this card was different. It was beautifully crafted and made of metal.
Metal… Were they really using such a valuable material just for an identity card?
Wei Qixuan led his younger brother and sister to the food distribution station nearby. But the moment he stepped inside, his eyes widened in shock.
Cardboard boxes…
Stacks upon stacks of thick, sturdy cardboard boxes—and they were all filled with food!
Even though he didn’t know what kind of food it was or what it tasted like, the sight of the carefully packaged goods felt utterly surreal. After the fall of the city, this scene was nothing short of a dream.
The worker distributing food scanned his identity card and asked, “What kind of flavors do you like? Sweet? Salty? Or something a bit sour?”
Sweet… sweet?
Wei Qixuan heard his own voice tremble. “We… we can ask for sweet things?”
Sweets—high-energy, luxurious foods that were considered an extravagant delicacy. In Hope City, only the upper-class elite had ever been able to enjoy them. From the moment he was born, Hope City had already begun its decline. Sweet things…
Could he really eat something sweet?
The worker didn’t say much more. Instead, he handed them their allotted portions, enough food for the three children. Then, giving him a slight push, he said, “Move along. Don’t block the line.”
Wei Qixuan stood there in a daze, holding the food that had suddenly been given to him.
“Brother.”
His younger siblings tugged anxiously at his clothes. It was food. They had food to eat.
“Wait, let me open the package first.”
His hands trembled as he tore open the packaging. Packaged food.
Carefully, he unsealed the wrappers, knowing that they would likely need to be recycled. Then, he handed the compressed dry rations to his brother and sister. They couldn’t wait—they stuffed the food into their mouths immediately.
“Wow! It’s so good! Brother, it’s so delicious!”
His sister’s eyes sparkled as she clung to the hem of his clothes, her face lit up with sheer joy.
“Brother, this is amazing! It’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”
His younger brother cradled the food carefully in both hands, afraid to let even a single crumb fall. He held it with the reverence one would give to a precious treasure.
And then—
“That’s…”
The people still waiting in line for registration stared at the food in Wei Qixuan’s hands.
A wave of shock and excitement spread through the crowd.
“Compressed biscuits! That’s compressed biscuits! We… we would never be allowed to eat something like that with our status!”
In an instant, the entire crowd erupted into chaos.
Honestly, I feel like the mc have created a cult for the clueless people…Well, that’s I get from this feeling anyway. Still a good chapter though.