My Apocalypse Territory

Kevin pondered for a while, his eyes gradually lighting up, feeling it feasible, "This is indeed a good idea. Although runes are complex, patterns can indeed be found. With this method, those assisting with rune adjustments don't need to be apprentices of rune masters anymore. Even ordinary people, after a short period of training, can handle specific rune adjustments."

Basic equipment only requires one rune, and the runes needed for basic equipment are nothing more than Basic Sharp Rune, Basic Armor Rune, and other Basic runes.

This made the method feasible, with one group responsible for tuning Rune A, and another for Rune B.

"If we want to achieve a production of one thousand pieces per day, how many survivors does Master Kevin think are needed, and how long will they need to train before they can take their positions?" Tang Yu inquired.

In this area, Kevin was a professional, and he certainly wouldn't make decisions unilaterally.

Producing a thousand rune-equipped items daily, Tang Yu felt it could meet the market demands of the territory and Luoxia, but this production of a thousand was just the beginning.

Equipment couldn't sell that much. Even as strength increased and existing equipment was gradually phased out for more advanced ones, an equipment set could be used for half a month, a month, without issues.

This limited the sale of equipment. In Tang Yu's mind, equipment was never the most profitable commodity.

Consumables were!

He had such commodities in his possession, such as Rune Scrolls, Source Material Bombs, and Source Power Crystals that could restore physical Source Power... Even though these were one-time-use items, in crucial moments, having such an item could very likely save one's life.

What's more important, life or money?

Tang Yu thought, of course... cough, the latter!

His goal was to empty the pockets of the Awakeners. This was for their own good. Without spending money, how could there be motivation to earn it?

But selling items wasn't that urgent; when there was a need to increase production, Tang Yu believed that within the territory, more workers capable of taking up the roles would be trained.

"In the early phase, about fifty people are needed. Once they are skilled, only twenty tuning personnel will suffice. This period will need one week of intensive training. If Lord is in a hurry, it can be done in three days, but then the quality of the engraved runes could only reach eighty percent at most."

Kevin took out a pen tool, drawing sketches on paper. "Also, if we want to train enough competent personnel in a short period of time, those people need to have sufficient talent."

"Talent? It's hard to find so many people with high rune talent in the territory," Tang Yu frowned.

"No, no, no," Kevin continuously waved his hand, "They don't need high rune talent, just a sensitivity to runes would suffice. Such people can more easily identify the differences between runes. It is a type of rune talent, though not as high, and easier to find. Given the current population in the territory, assembling fifty people is still possible."

Tang Yu nodded.

That settled it.

Eighty percent quality in runes was not considered low. Engraved runes from Lindong Science Academy's utilization of their own power did not even reach fifty percent, even though those he engraved himself nearly reached ninety percent.

Those rune adjustment workers, after one or two weeks of training, might achieve ninety percent quality.

It wasn't that these people were better than him, but that the core of the runes were imprinted by rune seals, which lower the difficulty considerably. Even so, this was still an industry involving runes, and during their time working, these rune adjustment workers might grow into rune apprentices. Particularly those with good talents, if specially trained, producing one or two rune masters was not impossible.

After pondering for a while, Tang Yu spoke, "I will choose a suitable location to establish a factory. At that time, the equipment will also need to be manufactured by you. Additionally, regarding the selection of talent, I will have the Municipal Department fully cooperate."

...

...

The next day, early morning.

Like usual, Yang Wei, after having a simple breakfast, came to the open space next to the central square, waiting for the assembly of Group Seven.

During this time, as they built the commercial district, he had gotten used to this lifestyle and had already familiarized himself with the other members of his group.

Quickly, the twenty laborers of Group Seven gathered in the open space, waiting for their leader to guide them to complete today's task.

"Strange, why hasn't the leader come yet?" As time ticked by, someone looked around.

"What's the rush? It's still five minutes until seven o'clock." someone immediately pointed to the clock tower built a few days ago in the distance.

The minute hands ticked closer to seven o'clock, their daily start time.

Yang Wei also gazed into the distance, furrowing his brows, "That's not right, the leader usually arrives here quite early, the latest he was ever here was still ten minutes before time, like today is the first time this has happened."

"Maybe something came up, like diarrhea, upset stomach, stomach pain..."

"That's not it," Yang Wei saw many other groups gathering, "Usually at this time, many groups would have already headed to the construction site, they wouldn't still be waiting here."

With that said, other members of the group looked around and discovered indeed, it seemed like most group leaders hadn't shown up...

It felt like something was about to happen.

At seven o'clock sharp, the clock tower rang out 'Dang Dang Dang', signifying the start of a new day.

Adventurers, in splendid equipment, walked out from the Territory under the envious or admiring gazes of other survive.

'If only one day I could earn several Source Crystals like the Awakeners, I wouldn't have to drool over the delicious food in the canteen every time.'

Yang Wei aspired, yet he knew he would never become an Awakener in his life.

It was said that Sanctuary had ways to make ordinary people into Awakeners, but it required huge resources, far more expensive than eating in the canteen.

Just then, he saw the leader of Group Seven hurrying over.

"Today's morning work is canceled," the leader said.

"Canceled? Why?"

Yang Wei could hardly accept this harsh reality, even if it was just for half a day, it meant his already meager income would be halved.

"Hey, don't worry," the leader grinned, revealing his empty gums, "I know what you're worried about. The work this morning is canceled because the Sanctuary is administering a test. Participation is voluntary, but if you partake, it's considered paid time; you won't lose a penny from today's wages."

Yang Wei was relieved.

Not having to work yet not losing money, he felt no resistance to participating in the test, instead, he grew more curious.

"This test, reportedly, is about screening for a new job. I'm not clear about what the job involves, but from what I understand, the wage is very high, ranging from a half to several dozens of Source Crystals per day. If you pass the test, your life will undergo tremendous changes."

"What exactly is the test about? Can we pass?"

Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

Yang Wei too fantasized.

As a mere laborer, frail and thin, his work efficiency was low, and he didn't earn much each day.

Although he wouldn't starve, affording delicious food was impossible.

If only he could pass this test.

But his frail body and limited knowledge, facing this unknown test…

Some sadness lingered in Yang Wei's eyes.