Two days' time was not considered long for Apocalypse, which was operating at full capacity.
Inside the base, changes were occurring almost every moment.
Newly recruited personnel, after rigorous screening and preliminary training, were quickly integrated into various departments.
Patrol teams, construction groups, logistics support, combat reserves... the entire Apocalypse was like a precise and efficient machine, expanding methodically under William's coordination.
The population base soon approached the 150,000 mark, which was the limit of the current base's planned capacity.
To absorb more fresh blood, they had to expand outward, incorporating surrounding areas into Apocalypse's territory and building new residential areas and fortifications.
William had already dispatched several exploration teams to plan Apocalypse's construction schemes and blueprints.
Over these two days, Apocalypse's high-end combat power had also been supplemented.
Seven Hunters passed multiple layers of review and officially joined Apocalypse.
Although they all had S-Level Talents, their arrival undoubtedly greatly enhanced Apocalypse's top-tier strength.
However, William's mind remained clear and calm.
He looked at the thriving Apocalypse before him, but a string in his heart remained taut.
"One hundred and fifty thousand might be a decent scale in today's America, where everyone is their own king."
He stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window of the command room, looking down at the bustling and orderly base, his dark red eyes calm and rippleless.
"But looking globally, especially in front of Dragon Country and India with their massive population bases, Apocalypse's numbers are insignificant."
India might find it difficult to quickly coalesce into a solid block due to internal religious, caste, and social structure fractures.
But Dragon Country was different.
The organizational and mobilization power that country displayed had already begun to show its prominence during the initial chaos after the Main God Game descended.
William had no doubt that once Dragon Country stabilized its internal situation and integrated its massive population dividend and sea of talented individuals,
it would surely become the most unavoidable behemoth on this post-apocalyptic stage, perhaps even far exceeding a later-integrated America.
"Apocalypse... between the open and the hidden, already has two SSS-Rank Hunter. For SS-Rank combat power, counting myself and Fenrir, there are already four, and there are many S-Ranks."
William murmured to himself.
"But the road ahead is still very long. Future competition will be all-encompassing—population, resources, technology, top-tier combat power. If Apocalypse wants to become the hegemon of this era, it must seize every opportunity and stay one step ahead of others."
Just then, the system notification rang out in the consciousness of all players simultaneously.
[The Main God Game Trading Platform and Personal Room functions are officially open!]
...Behind the Apocalypse mountain was a newly renovated Cave palace.
Calling it a palace, it was actually more like a super lair tailor-made for a massive beast.
The internal space had been further widened and reinforced, with several huge rock platforms scattered about, covered with thick, plush carpets.
At this moment, on the largest central platform, Lilith was curled up in her massive silver-white body, fallen into a deep sleep.
Slight snoring created a low echo within the empty Cave.
Compared to mimicry, Lilith still preferred the sleeping posture of her original form. Now that the matter of Apocalypse's expansion had settled for a while, over these two days, Lilith had Recovery to her usual routine, continuing to live in her little nest.
Suddenly, the roar of propellers approaching from a distance broke the silence of the back mountain.
Several large armed transport helicopters bearing the Sentinel Alliance logo hovered at a low altitude.
Cabin doors opened, ropes were thrown down, and squads of fully armed, solemn-faced Sentinel soldiers quickly rappelled down.
They nimbly unloaded one special giant water tank after another from the cabin, each equipped with temperature control and oxygen circulation functions.
The water tanks were carefully placed on a piece of land outside the Cave entrance that had been specifically leveled.
The soldiers opened the valves, and dark gray living creatures, accompanied by the crackling sound of strong electric currents, poured like a waterfall into a huge pool that had been dug in advance and treated for leaks.
Electric Eels! Thousands upon thousands of them!
They twisted and leaped frantically in the pool. Their massive numbers caused blue electric arcs to jump across the water's surface, reflecting the entire pool in a ghostly blue light, and a faint fishy scent filled the air.
Although the soldiers executing the mission were well-trained, facing this eerie and spectacular sight, as well as the terrifying pressure emanating from deep within the Cave, they couldn't help but feel a chill down their spines, the hair on the back of their necks standing on end.
Fear began to sprout in their hearts.
They didn't dare take another look at that pitch-black Cave entrance. After completing their task, they boarded the aircraft at the fastest Speed, and the helicopters quickly ascended and flew away.
Only one person remained.
Forti.
He had changed into a crisp Sentinel Alliance high-ranking officer's uniform, the general's stars on his epaulettes gleaming in the sunlight.
At this moment, the majesty and composure belonging to an SSS-Rank Hunter of the Sentinel Alliance had faded from his face, replaced by absolute deference.
Only after all the helicopters had vanished at the edge of his vision did Forti turn and walk toward the deep Cave, bowing slightly.
"Master."
Deep within the Cave, four Points of crimson light suddenly lit up, like furnaces ignited in the darkness.
Immediately after, heavy footsteps were heard; every step made the ground tremble slightly.
A massive body emerged from the interior of the Cave. Four crimson vertical pupils swept over Forti like searchlights, then landed on the crackling feast of Electric Eels in the distance.
"Speak, how did the negotiations go?"
Despite having a massive body, Lilith's voice remained unchanged—childish and crisp.
Hearing the word 'negotiations,' the corner of Forti's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Even though he and William were now secret colleagues both serving Lilith, recalling the negotiation Points William had handed him, he still felt... they were too damn harsh!
A monthly quota of rare metals and Points, opening partial access to three strategic reserve warehouses, and sharing non-core military technology trees.
Granting Apocalypse three fixed seats in the Alliance High Council with veto power, and no interference in Apocalypse's internal affairs or expansion in any form... How was this joining the Sentinel Alliance!?
This was clearly treating the Sentinel Alliance like a son, making the Sentinel Alliance find a big father for itself, and then scuttling over to dutifully provide for and honor him.
Although Forti understood this was William's usual negotiation strategy—
asking for the sky and settling for the earth, while letting him deal with the numerous politicians within the Sentinel Alliance.
But the interests and secrets involved in this list were too sensitive. Even with him, an insider, pushing from the shadows, the negotiations had once fallen into a deadlock.
"The current negotiations are deadlocked on the levels of resource allocation and technology sharing."
Forti weighed his words and continued.
"The big shots in the Sentinel Alliance reacted strongly to the conditions Mr. William proposed; they believe this exceeds the scope of cooperation."
Lilith's massive head lowered slightly, her four vertical pupils gazing at Forti as she listened quietly to Forti's report...