Orion sat for a long ti, only coming back to his senses when he saw the thin shadow cast on the awning. He began to clear his thoughts. Previously, through Natasha, he had firmly grasped the Wildfire in his hands. After this battle, Wildfire seized supplies, eliminated its biggest competitor, and quickly took control of the mining area originally occupied by the "Mines" faction, as well as several other key areas. Now, Wildfire is no longer a local organization in Boulder Town, but the largest force in the Underworld.
Orion's goal is clear: to expand the Wildfire to a point where they can converse as equals with those in the Overworld. Even to make them acknowledge his existence. Hmm, the plan is set, all that's left is to wait for the right mont…
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "Orion! I'm back!"
The door was violently pushed open, letting in a biting chill. Seele's figure appeared at the doorway, her blue-black short hair a bit ssy, but her face was alight with excitent. She has now fully integrated into the Wildfire, and is Oleg's most capable young team mber.
"Today, we cleared a large area in the northern junkyard! We found a lot of usable parts!" As she spoke, she skillfully took off her coat and hung it on the wall. Under the training of Wildfire, her movents were more agile, and she understood better how to cooperate with others.
"Is that so? That's great then." Orion went to et her, taking the bag of items she handed him, which contained so salvaged scrap and tools.
"Uncle Oleg said that we have enough people now, and we're going to start expanding into the surrounding areas! We're going to those more distant and dangerous places."
"Those places have more and stronger monsters."
Orion handed her a warm, freshly baked bun. "Be careful, Seele."
Seele took the bun, holding it in her hands to warm them, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. "Mm, I know. Uncle Oleg and the others take good care of ." She took a bite of the bun, and the warmth instantly dispelled the chill from her body. "But it's really tiring… training, patrolling every day, and going to those dangerous places." She sighed, then quickly cheered up again. "But, seeing the people in town able to sleep soundly, and seeing the supplies we bring back allowing everyone to eat their fill, it makes it all worth it!"
She looked up, "Orion, do you know? Before, I only thought about how to survive, how to beco stronger so I wouldn't be bullied."
"It's different now. In the Wildfire, I feel like I'm fighting for more people."
"Uncle Oleg said that our Wildfire are the hope of the Underworld! We must make this place better!"
Orion listened quietly, not interrupting her. This is good; a warrior with conviction is more valuable than a re thug.
Soon, Seele finished her bun, feeling much warr. She chatted with Orion about the daily life of the Wildfire, such as who made a joke during training today, or who perford a great deed during an exploration. Soon, tired from talking, both returned to their beds. Orion lay down and quickly fell asleep.
Days passed, and the reputation and scale of the Wildfire rapidly expanded. However, new managent problems also arose. How to fairly distribute the seized supplies? How to unite new mbers from diverse backgrounds? Oleg was an excellent fighter and leader, but when it ca to complex organizational managent, he seed a bit rough. And Natasha, in turn, would relay the problems to Orion.
"A points system? Distributing supplies based on contribution? That's too cold-hearted." In the clinic, Natasha listened to Orion's managent proposal, her brows tightly furrowed. "We are the Wildfire, not a profit-driven group. Everyone gathered here for the sake of the Underworld's survival."
Orion calmly said, "Survival itself is the greatest interest. Without rules, there is no order. Without order, the Wildfire will collapse."
"You tell Oleg that the points system will allow everyone to clearly see their value and motivate them. At the sa ti, divide them into functional groups, giving everyone clear tasks and reducing internal friction."
"This is the most efficient way, Natasha (Older Sister). Trust ."
Natasha fell silent. She knew Orion was right. Indeed, there had been so friction within the Wildfire due to uneven distribution and unclear responsibilities. After, she relayed the plan to Oleg. Although Oleg felt it was a bit impersonal, considering the current situation of the Wildfire, he decided to give it a try.
Facts proved that Orion's plan worked. The points system stimulated the mbers' competitive spirit, and the division into functional groups made the Wildfire's operations smoother. The cohesion of the Wildfire not only did not decrease but was strengthened due to clear goals and distinct rewards and punishnts.
Seeing these effects, a complex emotion welled up in Natasha's heart. Orion's ability filled her with a bit of admiration; this child could always propose the most efficient solutions. But at the sa ti, she also felt a deep fear. How could a ten-year-old child possess such a cold and seasoned cunning? It was as if he hadn't grown up in this icy, snowy land, but ca from a world full of sches and power struggles. This fear eventually transford into a deeper form of reliance. Because her only hope still rested in this child's hands.
After the Wildfire established a firm foothold in Boulder Town. Orion began to consider a longer-term plan. rely controlling Boulder Town was not enough; he needed more resources and stronger power to truly contend with the Overworld.
"Natasha (Older Sister), the Wildfire need stronger armants. We cannot rely solely on our fists and scavenged weapons." Orion proposed a bold suggestion to Natasha. "I know there are so abandoned armories or large machinery in the Underworld. We can organize people to explore them, search for usable weapons and equipnt, and even modify so machinery to serve as our defensive fortifications."
This suggestion carried high risks. Those abandoned areas were usually infested with more powerful Fragntum monsters, and other forces might also be coveting them. Natasha listened, feeling that they were moving too fast. But thinking of Svarog, she gritted her teeth. "Okay, I'll make the arrangents."
The Wildfire began to execute Orion's new plan. They organized exploration teams to venture into the abandoned areas marked as extrely dangerous on the map. These missions were much more dangerous than previous patrols. They encountered more ferocious Fragntum monsters and also clashed with other forces that also coveted these resources.
During one mission to explore an abandoned factory, Seele's team encountered a group of unusually powerful Fragntum monsters. The Wildfire mbers were caught off guard. The captain was injured, and the team was split and surrounded. Seele had to make a choice: retreat to save herself, or risk saving her trapped teammates? She did not hesitate. With her agile movents, she charged into the monster horde, attracting the monsters' attention and buying ti for her teammates to escape. Although she sustained multiple injuries, in the end, she and most of her teammates successfully escaped danger.
This experience made Seele even more mature. Uncle Oleg's courage and responsibility shown in battle further solidified her belief in the Wildfire. She wanted to beco stronger and protect more people.
Back at the shelter, Seele arrived with a body full of fatigue and scars. Orion had already prepared hot at soup and simple bandages for her.
"Injured?" Orion walked over and handed her a cup of hot water.
Seele took the water cup, warmth spreading from her palm. She shook her head, her blue-black hair swaying with the movent. "Minor injuries, it's nothing." She sat beside Orion, leaning against the wall, and let out a long sigh of relief. This was the only place where she could completely relax.
"Today's mission was very dangerous…" Orion listened, wiping the blood oozing from her bandages. He didn't interrupt her, only softly replying a word or two when she got to a crucial point. His words seed casual, yet they could guide Seele to think about the details of the mission, analyze the enemy's weaknesses, and summarize combat experience.
"You're right, Orion." Seele looked at him seriously, "Next ti we can try to go around from that direction, the old road there might help us avoid the monsters."
Orion nodded, a gentle smile on his face. Seele felt a familiar sense of security by his side. No matter how dangerous the outside world was, or how arduous the Wildfire's missions were, returning here and being with Orion allowed her to find a mont of peace. Although she had never known what 'ho' felt like, nor had she ever enjoyed it. But at this mont, she inexplicably felt a sense of belonging, like ho.
Ti continued to move forward. Orion was eleven years old. The Underworld completely fell under the control of the Wildfire. The number of Wildfire mbers surged, patrol teams spread to every corner of the Underworld, and the various forces that once existed were either incorporated or expelled, bringing a rare period of relative stability to the entire Underworld.
Orion was twelve years old…
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