I don’t have a dream, but I can protect my dream!

Seele wants to recruit me?

Ron was taken aback. He originally thought that only Bronya would try to recruit him in the game. He didn't expect to meet Seele in the lower district, who was plotting something significant. However, it made sense—Seele wanted to save the lower district, a task she couldn't accomplish alone. In the previous simulation, she had managed to consolidate the lower district, turning everyone she could recruit into her subordinates. Ron figured that he was a valuable asset in Seele's eyes, which explained her persuasive tone in trying to recruit him.

As Ron thought this over, the screen faded, and a choice box appeared:

[You are moved by Seele's dream, and your loyalty to Bronya slightly decreases. Please choose—]

[1. Then, there's only one answer! I will serve↘you↗! (Breaks cane)

Choosing this option, you will lose your status as Bronya Rand's guard and join the 'Underground Fire,' becoming a member of Seele's team.]

[2. A loyal minister serves only one master. Once a guard of Bronya, always a guard of Bronya!

Choosing this option, you will firmly reject Seele and retain your status as Bronya's guard, solidifying your faction. You will not be able to betray Bronya or join other factions.]

[3. A wise bird chooses its tree, and a loyal minister chooses their lord. Whether I join the Underground Fire depends on your performance.

Choosing this option, your stance will become 'unpredictable.' One week later, you will trigger a choice to decide whether to join the Underground Fire. During this week, if Seele wants to prove herself, her stress level will increase daily.]

Looking at the three options on the screen, Ron hesitated. To be honest, he was tired of being dragged down by Bronya... Switching factions wouldn't be a bad thing. However, he wasn't keen on directly joining Seele's faction either—after all, Bronya was the next Great Guardian, which meant being close to the highest authority in Belobog and avoiding many troubles. Joining Seele would mean becoming one of the lowest in Belobog... Upper district aristocrats were on a different level compared to lower district miners.

So, was Bronya more of a burden, or was the lower district identity worse...?

After much contemplation, Ron suddenly heard a light knock on the door. Opening it, he saw Gerti standing outside with a tray, greeting him, "Hey there, young man, here's today's special—mouse jelly and mixed vegetable soup. Enjoy~"

Ron instinctively glanced at the tray and saw the dark jelly and a bowl of colorful... soup. The soup glowed with a faint neon blue light, seemingly whispering to Ron, "Drink it, Ron, this is the fate of Belobog people..."

Are these things really edible?

Ron paused for a moment and then gave Gerti an elegant but awkward smile, "...Sister Gerti, I'm not quite used to these dishes. Is there anything else on the menu?"

"Not used to them?" Gerti was surprised. "How about canned lizard meat and Belobog sausage? Maybe some fried salted crabs?"

"Sure, sure, thanks a lot..." Ron pinched his nose, sent Gerti away, and sat back on the bed, contemplating his choices.

Just like with the food he had just seen, when both options seem bad, what should you choose? The third option, of course. As long as it's not worse than the other two, it's the best choice. The same logic applied to the simulation game's options.

He chose the third option. The text faded, and the screen continued to play the previous scene—

"I need some time, Seele... I'll give you my answer in a week."

Ron looked at Seele, his expression inscrutable. "I once had a dream like yours, to save Belobog... to protect this city in the endless snow and ensure this planet doesn't fall into silence. But I tried my best and found that all my efforts were in vain... Is there still hope for Belobog to be saved? I couldn't find the answer, so my dream died."

He spoke with a hint of self-mockery, his tone somewhat carefree, "But, although I have no dreams, I can protect others' dreams—"

"If you want me to choose you, prove it to me. Show me that your dream shines brighter than Bronya's. Prove to me that in saving the lower district and Belobog, you are more determined and mature than she is."

"Only then will I have a reason to choose you, right?"

He didn't outright refuse? 

Seele's eyes widened slightly—she had only intended to try recruiting Ron as a test. But Ron hadn't shut her down; instead, he wanted to evaluate her. His loyalty to Bronya wasn't enough to trap him under her forever.

There's a chance! It could work!

Seele tightly gripped the red armband in her hand, her voice full of determination, "Only those who have experienced hardship understand the weight of 'salvation'... What the people of the lower district are going through, someone like Bronya, who has always lived in the upper district, will never understand."

She spoke, her eyes seeming to ignite with fire as she looked earnestly at Ron, "I will prove it to you, definitely."

Ron turned to leave, "I look forward to you proving your determination to me."

The screen faded out. Meanwhile, elsewhere—

"The largest force besides the Underground Fire in the lower district is the robot settlement led by Svarog?"

Looking at the nearby junkyard filled with abandoned machines and the furnace core connecting to the upper district, Bronya muttered to herself, "I never thought the automated defense line would end up like this after ten years..."

A man with a light-hearted demeanor, who had an inexplicable annoying presence, replied, "Oh, indeed! Besides the Underground Fire, the robot settlement is the biggest force. If you want to recruit subordinates, Big Boss Svarog is definitely the top choice!"

Sampo rubbed his hands together, grinning, "But Miss Bronya, if you need subordinates so badly... how about me, Old Sampo? I'm actually very reliable!"

"I'm loyal and dependable. If you order me, I can even pluck stars from the sky!" He said, rubbing his fingers together, "But of course, I have my principles... if you want me to do something, it'll cost extra."

"Forget it, I don't trust you."

Bronya distanced herself slightly in disgust—Seele had vanished after introducing her to Sampo today, leaving her to deal with this annoying guy alone. Although he was reliable if paid enough, Bronya always felt she couldn't trust him. There was always a hint of malicious superiority in his eyes when he looked at people...

After this cooperation, she would never deal with him again. This guy was definitely not right.

As Bronya silently thought this, a light screen suddenly appeared in front of her:

[Life Simulation Game has started. Please control.]

...Why did the game suddenly start?

Bronya looked at the screen in confusion, then at the robot settlement not far away. She unhesitatingly clicked the [X] in the upper right corner of the screen. Now wasn't the time for simulations... It would be time to start simulating only after she united the entire lower district. It was too early now.

[The game has started. Closing the game will activate AI simulation, prioritizing your main goal at the start of the simulation.]

[Currently, your goal is to 'unite the lower district factions and cooperate for a military coup to overthrow Cocolia.' Once closed, AI will take over until you log back in. Do you confirm?]

Auto simulation, then auto simulation. If I lose, I can always try again.

Bronya impatiently clicked confirm, closed the screen, and walked into the robot settlement. The priority now wasn't simulation. She needed to negotiate with Svarog first...

But she didn't know that she would soon regret this choice, very soon.