The roar of engines rang out across the wasteland as the convoy, like a long steel serpent, crushed over the gravelly ground and headed northeast toward the mine.
From atop the base's stone wall, Xue Brother and Oil-Guy watched the convoy depart.
"How much do you think they'll bring back this time?" Oil-Guy asked.
"Imperial Coins? Hard to say."
Xue Brother watched the convoy's taillights vanish into the morning mist. "But Wang Zhong's enhancement progress... I'd wager that within five days, his basic physique will reach Type III at 100%."
"You're that optimistic?"
"He's got a ruthless streak in his bones. Ruthless toward others, and even more ruthless toward himself."
At the same time the convoy set out, the 2,137 workers in the base's central square had already finished breakfast. It was still a porridge made from nutrient paste, but today it had been mixed with synthetic protein powder exchanged from the shop. It tasted a little better and was more nutritious as well.
Aska stood before the crowd, preparing to assign the workers their tasks for the day as he and Wang Zhong had discussed the previous night:
Reclaiming new land, maintaining the water purification equipment, gathering firewood, tending the potato sprouts...
But Holy Blood walked over.
"Aska, hold on."
Holy Blood spoke to him, then turned to face the sea of people.
He had changed clothes today. Instead of combat gear, he wore a plain dark-gray long coat exchanged from the shop, somewhat like the attire of intellectuals from the last century in the real world.
He carried no weapon, only a "book."
"Fellow workers."
Holy Blood began. His voice was not loud, but through the technique of deliberately using psychic power to lightly vibrate the air, it reached every ear with perfect clarity.
The crowd fell