Chapter 262: Toward Level 5 Shelter
Like the Virtual Plane, divided by status, the Dark Plane was the same, but with even greater benefits!
Becoming a Pioneer meant they would no longer be mere visitors to the shelters but warriors exploring the land.
One perk of this identity was that they could enter the Dark Plane anytime, anywhere, whether with their body or soul.
They no longer needed a device and could directly connect to the Dark Plane with their will.
Previously limited to roaming the Nova Battlefield, they could now teleport to other battlefields free of charge.
While this wasn't crucial now, as they grew stronger, its importance would grow.
It's basically a ticket to their freedom and shackles from major organizations, families, and the government.
Higher-tier regulated danger zones in the Nova Battlefield were already occupied by various organizations.
Thus, without the ability to venture to other places, they could only be bound by various shackles.
Otherwise, if they wanted to hunt in such areas, they would need to pay exorbitant fees or have their income cut by at least half.
With the freedom to teleport beyond the Nova Battlefield, they had better options than the rest.
Furthermore, becoming a Pioneer granted a permanent buff from the Void Administrator.
As long as they were in the Dark Plane, their strength would be 10% greater.
A 10% boost in power! Though it might seem small and wouldn't bridge the gap between realms, it gave them an edge to fight and kill stronger dark beasts.
Moreover, the blessing they received hastened their training and recovery by 100%, doubling their growth and endurance.
Though weaker than the shelter's buffs, this was a permanent effect as long as they remained in the Dark Plane.
If they sought stronger buffs, they could pursue higher shelter levels or pioneer more shelters to further elevate their status.
Finally, the reason everyone wanted the shelter to reach level 5 before the simulated training ended was ownership.
Once they successfully defended the shelter and completed their training, it would belong to the Nova Government.
Handing over the shelter, they would lose all claim to it.
Whether it was the buffs, facilities, or resource points they discovered, everything would belong to the Nova Government.
Though it felt a bit unfair, after receiving the training and resources from the Nova Government, it was only right to contribute something in return.
Of course, no one could be selfless enough to give what they worked for with blood and sweat for nothing.
To maintain a stake in the shelter and solidify their contribution, they had to advance the shelter to level 5.
Once they raised the shelter to level 5, their mark would be cemented, forever recognizing them as pioneers who built it from scratch.
This wasn't just a status but a lasting connection that would grant them a share of the shelter's future profits.
Whether it was merits from slain dark beasts, transactions, or taxes, they would each receive a portion.
Even the materials from the resource points, once mined, would be shared with them as mandated by the Chronos Empire's regulations.
Moreover, as long as they remained in the shelter, they could retain the buffs they previously received, unless altered by the next shelter leader.
Though weaker than before, these buffs were still better than those granted by being a Pioneer.
To become Pioneers and gain an endless source of wealth, the seeded talents were determined to do their very best.
Resting by the bonfire as they chatted, Nash began to tally their harvest.
For treasures, they acquired two tier 5 perfect-quality weapons, 115 tier 4 perfect-quality items, and a pile of raw materials and equipment.
For merits, they earned over three quadrillion, pushing their reserves to a staggering nine quadrillion!
If not for their goal of advancing the shelter to level 5, Nash would have been tempted to quit and just split it with everyone.
Unfortunately, he estimated that reaching level 5 shelter would require at least 10 quadrillion merits, which they still fell short of.
Back to square one, they began planning their next steps for the shelter's advancement.
Besides the architecture, they needed to designate at least three danger zones to qualify for a level 5 shelter.
These designated danger zones couldn't be chosen by simply circling a map, but required clearing all the dark beasts in the area.
Worse, once they intended to claim a designated danger zone, a mini beast tide would spontaneously erupt.
Though not as strong as the one attacking the shelter, they would face an endless onslaught of dark beasts without walls for protection or a chance to rest.
Even worse, they needed to endure this battle for a month, the standard duration of each beast tide.
"This doesn't seem easy…" Nash sighed.
Even with the Spiral Behemoths and the new coordination they'd mastered under his command, defending a designated zone wouldn't be simple.
In this battle, they would be facing not quality but quantity.
Confronting an endless number of dark beasts without walls to fall back to for rest and recovery, it would be a test of will and endurance.
Furthermore, needing to create three designated danger zones and set aside at least three months for the next shelter defense, they had only one month left in between.
A single month to split to prepare and rest before designating a danger zone and defend the shelter from another dark beast tide was practically an impossible mission.
Yet, despite knowing the challenge was daunting, even impossible, no one uttered a word of complaint.
At this point, it wasn't just about the status of becoming a Pioneer or the shelter's profits, but proof of their strength.
If they could complete this seemingly impossible challenge, what was there to fear in the cosmic competition?
The experience and confidence such a successful endeavor would bring were enough to set them on a path for the future.
Igniting a fire that could never be extinguished, their battle intent soared, ready to face any storm.
"For the Starfire Shelter!" Nash shouted with a smile.
"For the Starfire Shelter!"
"For the Starfire Shelter!"
"For the Starfire Shelter!"
Clenching their fists, they chanted the shelter's name, preparing for the next battle.