Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

The power prestige had been stuck below level 2, so the core issue lay here.

Even if one annihilated numerous Black Street powers, without a tangible "territory" of one's own, they would always seem ethereal in the eyes of others.

However, acceptance meant taking responsibility for this entire unattended block.

Various small chaotic forces had been rampant on this land before; if one were to take control...

How to establish rules? What kind of order should be set up? What means are needed to stabilize one's management?

The most important thing was, from the moment of taking over, it meant being responsible for them... responsible to the Arbitration Place.

From then on, any incident involving demons that occurred on this land must be dealt with immediately by oneself and any spread caused by them must be prevented.

Everything was a problem.

Yet, if one did not take over... when would the power prestige rise to level 2?

Opportunities like today were rare; to declare one's presence to the world with a real domain, without an opportune moment, it would be difficult to boost one's prestige level.

Bai E did not have many chances to experiment, the opportunity at hand was probably the only one in the near future.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Only by raising the power prestige to level 2, could his main mission be completed.

Not to mention the numerous rewards, Bai E was also quite curious about the next phase of the main mission.

"..."

The silent Bai E became the savior in the eyes of the Black Street civilians.

The elders of the Arbitration Place had already said, no matter what, it was only with this Lord taking over that they would have a way to live.

If this Lord did not manage it, then the elders of the Arbitration Place would directly strike hard, with no escape.

"Lord! Save us please!"

"Lord! You will be our master from now on, we are willing to listen to whatever you say, our lives are yours, Lord!"

"Lord..."

Franca folded her arms, just staring at Bai E's figure.

From his past actions, it was clear he preferred not to be ostentatious, but with so many lives in front of him, would you save them?

As for what those people said...

Just listen.

Now, for the sake of survival, they would say or do anything.

But in the long days to come, loyalty can't feed you.

And to expect these lawless people to obey one person's command... is not very realistic.

Perhaps there are some who truly mean to follow, but they are after all in the minority.

If the other party is not a fool, they should be quite clear on this.

So, they are but a bunch of pure burdens.

Managing them would almost only involve giving without receiving.

It tests both philosophy and methods; Franca was very much looking forward to this mysterious organization leader's choice.

The earth-brown robe fluttered lightly, and Bai E's voice rose softly.

The volume was not loud, but the world had to listen.

"I agree,"

he said.

There might be many difficulties, perhaps even more responsibilities to bear.

But since coming to this world, there were certain responsibilities one ultimately had to fulfill.

Life itself was meaningless; it was only one's personal ideals that added a sheen of glory to one's life.

Someday one would always need to expand, and though the "territory" before him came somewhat unexpectedly and abruptly, it... could serve as a first step.

One needed to learn to coexist with this world, and also to learn to cultivate a core management team.

The future... was still far off.

"Their lives, I'll take them on," Bai E looked towards Franca, only a pair of eyes visible outside.

He knew she wasn't the type to kill for the sake of it; even if he refused, she might not lay a hand on these people, but it didn't matter.

Fate had already pushed him to this juncture, so he might as well stride forward.

"From now on, we will share honor and disgrace, and be bound by the same fate. Their mistakes are my mistakes. Their responsibilities are my responsibilities. From now on, this place, Black Street, belongs to 'Dawn.'"

"Dawn?" Franca murmured softly.

She had never heard of it.

But finally... she knew "their" name.

Bai E then turned to look at the civilians of Black Street prostrating before him, their eyes—whether filled with relief or adulation—fixed on him, the joy of having narrowly escaped death filling each of their hearts. The previous chaos of their pleas had quieted down, and now they just stared at Bai E... at the future ruler who would decide their fate.

At least at this moment, their gratitude and adoration couldn't be more genuine.

["Lucky Hit" charge +50.]

Bai E spoke slowly, his gaze methodically sweeping over each submissive head.

They were sprawled on the ground; the gray-black earth spread beneath their feet, in the distance, sporadic flames crackled as they burned, players were still trying their best to rescue civilians from the ruins, and a pale backglow of dawn floated in the sky.

The world was quietly listening to the first words he was about to say.

A steady voice began to sound.

"My demands of you are just three."

"Order, order... and still order!"

"From this day forward, in Black Street, no groups or organizations of more than three with no blood relation shall exist."

"From this day forward, I require every one of you to work every day."

"From this day forward, all resources of Black Street will be allocated according to need."

"You will engage in foreign trade."

"You will engage in animal husbandry and agriculture." Stay updated with empire

"You will reclaim the land."

"I want all of you to have aspirations in life from now on!"

"I want all of you to be happy, joyful, and free from now on!"

"I don't have much time, some things I'll say only once."

"Ji Lande!" Bai E suddenly called out loudly.

"Here!" Gilder instantly emerged from the shadows behind, jogging forward to stand half a step behind Bai E.

Since the soldiers accompanying him had seen him and knew his real name, Bai E had asked him to disguise himself when operating in Black Street.

"Perhaps I won't always be present before your eyes, and he... he is my plenipotentiary. All affairs of Black Street will be overseen by him; if you have any difficulties, you can report them to him. He will resolve what he can, and what he cannot, report to me."

"You only need to remember one thing!"

"A crown may elevate the one who wears it above the rest, lofty and above, as a symbol of status."

"But the true meaning of a crown is this: when disaster descends from the sky, I will shield you from everything; I will stand here, forever letting you see only the golden hope."

[Due to your outstanding performance, the faction you've established—Dawn—has officially come into public view, and Black Street has become your territory. The faction's (Dawn's) prestige level has risen to level 2.]

[Main Quest—Iron Curtain, completed.]

[Quest Rewards: 3000 general experience points, potential points *3, skill points *3 (cannot be raised above level 6), have been distributed.]

[Main Quest—Iron Curtain, concluded.]

[Iron Curtain (Epilogue): Through wide-ranging exploration of this world, you have broken through the confusion of your birth period, torn apart the world's iron curtain that shrouded you, and gradually begun to make your voice heard in the world.

During this process of gaining experience, you have witnessed the unrivaled power of an individual and explored ancient ruins that the world had forgotten. Your exemplary performance has established the groundwork for an emerging force.

Through this long process, you have gradually solidified your pursuit of what your heart yearns for, and in the coming journey, you will need to decide in which direction to develop further.]

The pale blue text interwove line by line before his eyes, and the three-option multiple-choice question finally appeared before him—

Ruler√×

Ranger√×

Warlord√×

Unlike Iron Curtain, this next, yet-to-be-begun main quest will be a true choice.

Bai E turned and left, melting into the darkness.