Seele's joke didn't just go unnoticed by Stelle and March 7th, even Pei Guang didn't take it seriously.
His main quest is to run around the world as a Trailblazer, so how could he stay and manage a newbie village? Besides, in a game this open, could anyone really force him to become the Supreme Guardian if he didn't want to?
Even if they could force him, just the thought of leading in such a realistic world made Pei Guang's head buzz.
He was aware of his political skills, or lack thereof—tweaking national policies and adjusting resource numbers might work in a simulation game, but in real life? No thanks!
And if, in the worst-case scenario, he had to play a management sim, he'd prefer to start fresh. Ideally, with plenty of resources and the people's support. Taking over something that's been mismanaged for 700 years, on the verge of collapse? He'd really become the ultimate armchair general.
A good planet with potential might be worth offering to March 7th as a gift. A planet to rebuild from scratch alongside a star-destroying battleship? Perfect!
But a wrecked planet? No, thanks.
Pei Guang: "Alright~ Forget the Supreme Guardian, we'll just deal with it in a few days. But before that, let me finish your favor quest! You promised, right? I bring back your precious items, and you'll give me a worthy reward."
Seele promised: "There will be no shortage of rewards, and… thank you!"
March 7th, grinning, replied: "Thank us for what? We're looking for resources anyway~ Haha, this kind of thing is really fun. Only problem is, there's never enough storage space."
Pei Guang: "No worries, we'll scavenge as much as we can when we have more space. Too bad the newbie village is so poor: otherwise, I'd have looted the place thoroughly. Let's hope the next map is richer~"
Stelle pulled out her bat: "I can't wait. Let's set off."
Pei Guang: "Let's go!"
Seele: "I'll join you. I'm not good at scavenging, but fighting? That's my specialty."
Pei Guang: "Come on! Let's bring Bronya along too!"
Even though Bronya hadn't officially joined them, Pei Guang saw her as an important NPC. Not bringing her along for a favor quest that could significantly boost affection would be a waste.
Despite his usual carefree attitude, Pei Guang wasn't foolish. He knew Bronya's affection points were not to be missed, especially since it seemed likely that Bronya would eventually become the leader.
The concept of the "newbie village" has a certain mystique in many games. Players often obtain late-game items or gear from the village chief early on, making it worth investing in their good graces.
The orphanage in Rivet Town was located in a higher part of town, offering a good view of the whole area. Interestingly, it was also well-connected, with one path leading to the Robot Settlement to the east and another to Boulder Town to the south. Though deep within the city, the orphanage had quick access to both locations.
However, the main roads had been blocked off to prevent creatures from the Fragmentum from pouring in, so they had to take a slight detour to reach the orphanage.
Most of the houses around Rivet Town's entrance had already been scavenged, and with the local Fragmentum creatures wiped out, the streets were eerily quiet.
Seele, taking note of the peaceful atmosphere, joked: "Thanks to your help, the Fragmentum creatures around here are all dead. Otherwise, we'd have to be on high alert right now."
Bronya, following the group, nodded: "Yes, if the Silvermane Guards had scavenged with your efficiency, the people forced to evacuate might not have been so hopeless."
When the Fragmentum spread indoors, many people were forced to flee in a hurry. Bronya had seen their sadness but hadn't fully understood it—after all, survival was most important.
But as she recalled her own childhood memories at the orphanage, and the possibility of Pei Guang and the others finding her old toys or handmade crafts, she began to deeply empathize with the feelings of the people and the refugees.
The mere thought of finding something from her past made her heart race. If they found something truly meaningful, how could she even begin to describe the flood of emotions?
With these thoughts, Bronya began to seriously consider asking Pei Guang's group to help the displaced people recover their belongings after this mission. A photo, a memento—only when you touch such items yourself can you understand their true value.
That's why she had discussed this with Seele—this favor wasn't just about her own desires, it also helped her deepen her understanding of what it meant to preserve.
Seele agreed with Bronya's sentiment: "You're right. That's why, while I resent some of the more troublesome refugees, I can't really bring myself to be angry. They're just trying to survive, like everyone else."
Pei Guang chimed in: "From a certain perspective, these people are actually quite impressive. Sure, they've lost a lot of their humanity, but they've still got their survival instincts. Losing your humanity is bad, but losing your survival instinct? That's worse. Even animals know to do whatever it takes to survive. But some people… ugh. Pests! Really pests!"
Bronya nodded thoughtfully: "If this were before, I might have believed that survival was the most important thing. But now I understand that preservation isn't just about keeping people alive—it's about protecting everything they hold dear! To preserve this world, to protect human civilization and all that belongs to it."
Bronya's resolve to protect had strengthened. She now understood what it truly meant to guard and preserve.
She wasn't just safeguarding lives: she was protecting human spirit, ensuring that this planet's untainted essence was defended from the Fragmentum's encroachment!
And at that moment, she realized how truly despicable the Stellaron, disguised as the Supreme Guardian, was—intent on driving this world to ruin. First, it sought to destroy everything people cherished, pushing the survivors into despair before annihilating Belobog and the world itself.
Bronya had made up her mind. Even if she had to fight until her last breath, she would protect Belobog—not just its people, but everything they cherished. This was more than mere survival: it was about preserving their legacy!
However, just as she had another moment of deep reflection, she noticed Pei Guang and Stelle swinging bats, smashing things around them.
"Huh? What are they doing?" Bronya asked, confused.
Seele, also observing their odd behavior, had learned by now not to overthink when it came to Pei Guang's strange antics. Her goal was simply to get them to the orphanage to search for memories and treasures.
March 7th pulled out her bow: "Oh, look—there are enemies up ahead. They're modifying the terrain."
"Modifying the terrain?" Bronya pondered before realizing what Pei Guang was doing. "Changing the terrain to make battles easier. But against these Fragmentum creatures, does that even help?"
Bronya noticed Pei Guang and Stelle had punched a hole through a wall, but doing so seemed like it would only make it easier for the creatures to move around. How would that make the battle easier?
Seele shrugged: "Who cares? I'll just swing my scythe and deal with whatever comes."
When it came to combat, Seele had stopped trying to think too deeply. Why bother? With Pei Guang around, she could just let him act as her external brain. Whatever he told her to do, she'd follow.
March 7th explained, "The humanoid forms of the Fragmentum creatures retain some human behaviors and habits. Some of them even keep shards of human memories and emotions. Because of that, Pei Guang decided to use attacks designed for creatures with a certain level of intelligence."
Bronya was puzzled. "Huh? Attacks for intelligent creatures? What does that mean?"
March 7th fell into thought. She wasn't sure how to explain. Should she compare it to what they experienced yesterday in Qlipoth Fort? Saying it outright… would that ruin Bronya's appetite?
"Forget it," she decided. "It's too complicated to explain. She'll see soon enough."
Pei Guang and Stelle were already modifying the terrain in preparation for combat with a large number of Fragmentum creatures, while March 7th stood skillfully by the entrance, ready with her bow for an attack at any moment.
Seele, holding her scythe, asked, "What should I do?"
March 7th responded, "You… wait here with me. Remember! When the enemies arrive, if they don't attack us, we won't attack them. Only when I say 'attack' will you strike—and you must use your strongest attacks."
Seele hesitated. "Huh? Won't they attack us first?"
March 7th thought for a moment. "As long as they retain even the smallest trace of human cognition, they won't attack us. The Fragmentum creatures have simple attack logic, though, so don't worry, Pei Guang has a ridiculously strong taunting ability. Forget the Fragmentum creatures—he could even taunt a Doomsday Beast. Back when Stelle and I tested it out, after being taunted… we really wanted to kill him!"
While March 7th explained, Pei Guang and Stelle had already approached the area where the enemies were patrolling the streets.
The Fragmentum creatures in Belobog's Underworld were fascinating: to a certain extent, they mimicked human behavior and could even retain human memories. Although fighting them head-on wasn't a challenge for Pei Guang and Stelle, why fight fair?
As gamers, if you could skip a fight, who would bother with a head-on confrontation? Why stab them in the chest when you could backstab them? Sure, you'd win either way, but winning with a bit of rebellion felt way more satisfying.
This time, though, it wasn't Pei Guang leading the charge—it was Stelle. With her inventory space, she had to personally test this taunting strategy.
Pei Guang handed her a bag of garbage. "Stelle! This time, the task of provoking them is yours."
Stelle grinned. "Don't worry. But if they don't fall for the garbage taunt, the rest is on you."
Pei Guang gave a thumbs-up. "Relax! My taunting skills are top-tier! I once forced that giant boss to attack me."
Stelle's eyes gleamed. "Alright, I'm going in!"
Pei Guang waved her off. "Go for it!"
Stelle, holding the garbage bag, approached the Fragmentum creatures' patrol zone. As they began to grow wary, she looked left and right, spotting a massive one that seemed to be the leader.
This creature resembled a Trampler and looked incredibly strong. It was the perfect target.
Faced with such a formidable foe, it called for the most intense provocation!
Under the watchful eyes of Seele and Bronya, Stelle skillfully tossed the garbage at the creature. The powerful Fragmentum creature, unafraid of sneak attacks, retaliated instantly. With a roar of fury, the entire Rivet Town was roused by its cry.