Chapter 227: Authority Upgrade, New Features

After the Q&A session, everyone split into three groups.

The first group, consisting of Yang Hui, Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Yurin, Flit, Argreus, and Jehart, formed the decision-making team. They headed to the meeting room to determine the future direction of Prometheus Fortress.

The second group, composed of Graham, Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria, Asemu, and other pilots, went to the training room to spar and familiarize themselves with one another.

Lastly, the non-combatant group, including Emily and Unoa, formed the leisure group. Since they were neither involved in decision-making nor combat, they stayed in the central hall or explored Prometheus Fortress to pass the time.

In the meeting room, Yang Hui began by briefly recounting the experiences of their recent mission, ensuring Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei were informed.

"The mission lasted nearly 100 years!?" Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei exclaimed in shock. While they had only spent a week in the fortress, it was hard to imagine that Yang Hui and Graham had lived through an entirely new and complete lifetime.

"Yes, I didn't expect the mission in the Gundam AGE world to be different from the Gundam 00 world. It involved experiencing the entire storyline rather than proceeding in stages," Yang Hui said with a bitter smile.

"…"

Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei looked at Yang Hui with tenderness in their eyes, then turned to Yurin with gratitude. They couldn't imagine how Yang Hui would have endured those decades without Yurin.

"…So, what about the rewards? How much did you earn?" Sumeragi asked after calming down.

Yang Hui then shared the combined rewards they had received. The resource packages had already been opened, and Sumeragi could check them directly. The skill draw opportunities and upgrade chances were personal, but the most important were the construction and enhancement opportunities.

"A total of 3 construction opportunities and 5 enhancement opportunities…" Sumeragi pondered briefly before offering her suggestion. "I recommend building one residential area, one entertainment area, and one mining area. For enhancements, use them on the central hall, research area, production area, and two mining areas, once each."

"An entertainment area? Is that necessary?" Flit, Argreus, and Jehart frowned. Construction and enhancement opportunities were extremely precious, obtainable only through missions, and they felt it was a waste to use them on entertainment.

"It is necessary," Sumeragi explained her reasoning. "Based on this mission's experience, I believe a balance between work and relaxation is essential. Prolonged high-pressure conditions can easily lead to a breakdown. You all know Yang Hui's capabilities, but you must also understand the state he was in during those decades…"

Flit, Argreus, and Jehart fell silent. While Jehart might not fully grasp it, Flit and Argreus knew all too well.

Over those decades, Yang Hui had barely rested. He was either in combat, conducting research in the lab, or on his way to one of these activities. His only leisure time, if it could even be called that, was spent mentoring the younger generation.

Amidst such a hectic schedule, he also had to consider how to complete the tasks assigned by Prometheus Fortress.

Putting themselves in Yang Hui's shoes, they couldn't fathom how he had endured those decades.

"…Moreover, the entertainment area serves another crucial purpose: information exchange."

"Information exchange?"

"That's right," Sumeragi continued. "Currently, Prometheus Fortress is connected to a small world with a limited population, so it's hard to notice. But considering that more worlds will be connected in the future, the scale of Prometheus Fortress will grow larger, and the number of people will increase. It won't be possible for everyone to know each other or be aware of the information from various worlds as it is now.

Of course, we can compile and distribute this information, but that could lead to dependency. Moreover, the information we can collect and disseminate is mostly official and broad in scope. It's difficult to obtain many unofficial pieces of information. Don't underestimate unofficial information; often, it can provide more help than official intelligence."

"I see."

"Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, with more people, it becomes impossible to be familiar with everyone. Therefore, the entertainment area is the best place to socialize and build bonds, especially for men. A few drinks together, and they become close friends." As she spoke, Sumeragi gave Yang Hui a meaningful look.

Yang Hui: (⊙_⊙)!

What does this have to do with me? It's not my fault that Billy Katagiri couldn't win your favor and ended up making a fool of himself at the bar... Wait, actually, it might have something to do with me!

"..." The three of them felt that this point was valid but a bit awkward, so they didn't respond, only nodding slightly to express their agreement.

"There's also the reason for choosing residential areas. As the number of people increases, those present will undoubtedly have high authority and directly own their residences, but not everyone can start with a high position." At this point, Sumeragi looked at Yang Hui and suggested, "Yang Hui, I think it's necessary to establish a merit system."

"A merit system?"

"That's right. I also agree with Ms. Huang's point. Take now, for example. We've just arrived and aren't familiar with Ms. Huang. Within each world's small group and among those who have carried out missions in that world, most people are aware of each other's abilities. But people from other worlds don't know and don't understand how to delegate authority or assign positions. We can't always rely on you to assign them based on impressions, can we?

If we do that, it will inevitably lead to resentment. Some people will be dissatisfied, ultimately causing divisions within the team," Flit said.

"I also agree with this decision."

"I agree as well."

"Agreed."

Everyone else agreed with Sumeragi's suggestion, so Yang Hui naturally didn't oppose it. He also felt it was the right thing to do. Previously, it was just a small group, so it didn't matter. But now, and in the future, with more and more people and increasing complexity, Prometheus Fortress will grow larger.

A large organization must have strict rules to manage it properly.

"Alright, I agree. We have a month before the next mission. Let's aim to finalize the promotion system within a week."

"Agreed."

"Are there any other topics?" Yang Hui asked.

Everyone glanced at each other, confirming that there were no other important matters to discuss in the meeting, and then shook their heads.

"Alright, let's start upgrading the fortress now. Once the upgrade is complete, everyone can rest. We'll continue the discussion tomorrow."

"Agreed." X5

The meeting temporarily concluded, and the construction and fortification of the fortress began. Before that, Yang Hui specifically notified the others to prepare themselves so they wouldn't be startled.

A residential area, an entertainment area, and a mining zone were constructed, along with upgrades to the central hall, research area, production area, and two mining zones. After confirming everything was correct, he clicked the confirmation button.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom..."

The ground trembled slightly, and several loud rumbles echoed from outside. In the eyes of the onlookers, strange singularities appeared out of nowhere, their powerful gravitational pull drawing scattered debris from the void together, forming a floating landmass that then merged with the Prometheus Fortress.

The uneven ground became smooth, and three never-before-seen substances separated distinctly, each turning into liquid and merging into the land. Soon after, a series of exquisite, futuristic buildings rose from the ground.

The tremors ceased, and the rumbling sounds ended. Just like that, the new areas were completed.

The building upgrades followed the same process. Void Gold, Aether Gas, and Chaos Crystal appeared out of thin air, quickly integrating into the existing land. The buildings on the ground underwent changes, becoming more refined and majestic.

The interior of the central hall expanded by about one-third. The floating screens around it, which had previously displayed chaotic code, returned to normal operation, though they still lacked content. The central circular reception desk was also repaired and ready for use.

[Central Hall level upgraded. Authority level increased to LV.1. Squad function unlocked. Number of direct squads increased by one. Random selection of squad members has been canceled. The commander can now form two squads to be sent to two different worlds for mandatory missions. Each squad can have up to 6 members. The mission world selection rules have been changed to randomly pick two worlds, with the two squads having the authority to assign themselves to these worlds.]

After listening to Mephis's explanation, Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria's eyes lit up. The change in the random selection rule couldn't have come at a better time. Now, they wouldn't have to rely on luck to get their turn.

They hadn't come to the Prometheus Fortress to laze around. Driven by the desire to improve themselves and help Yang Hui, none of them wanted to sit back and watch others go to different worlds to grow and experience unknown adventures.

Especially Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria, who felt this most deeply. During the short time of the meeting, they had each sparred with Graham and could clearly sense how much he had improved. Decades of countless life-and-death battles had brought him growth that couldn't be matched by a week spent in the training room.

But... a new problem arose. Each squad had six members, and there were two squads, totaling 12 people.

The number of people far exceeded the limit!

Although they no longer had to rely on luck, some would still be unable to join the squads on missions to other worlds. And since the selection wasn't random, the allocation of personnel... would require careful consideration.

"Yang Hui, I want to go."

"Mr. Yang Hui, you can't leave me behind to guard the base this time."

"I must go!"

Sure enough, Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria were all staring at Yang Hui with fiery eyes, their expressions clearly saying they would make a scene if he didn't agree.

Aside from the non-combat personnel, everyone else had the same look. No one wanted to stay behind and guard the base, which was why they had agreed to come to the Prometheus Fortress in the first place.

"It seems there won't be any rest after all," Yang Hui said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. If it weren't for this matter, they could have taken a day off, but now... If they didn't finalize the personnel quickly, no one would be able to sleep.

"Let's go, continue the meeting and finalize the candidates," Yang Hui said to Sumeragi and the others.

"Alright."

This time, it wasn't just the decision-making group heading to the conference room—all the combat personnel went as well. The group marched in a grand procession toward the meeting room. They wanted to know the results immediately. If they weren't selected and couldn't be persuaded otherwise, then they couldn't be blamed for causing trouble.

(End of Chapter)