A year had passed since Bronya left the Underworld.
Orion had also grown from seven to eight years old.
Utilizing fragmented time and 'earned' resources, Orion continuously reinforced and expanded his simple shelter.
Using salvaged wooden boards and iron sheets, he made it more sturdy and concealed, and also added some furnishings inside.
Because he was no longer hungry and occasionally had meat to eat, Orion's body was much stronger than that of other street children his age.
As he grew older, it had been two years since his last simulation, and Orion felt that his attribute points should have increased significantly.
He opened the system to check.
[System Attribute Panel:
Name: Orion
Physique: 10
Strength: 12
Agility: 12
Charm: 16
Permanently Loaded Word Devouring: Word Devouring (Gold), Eloquent Speech (Blue), Rampage (Blue)
Remaining Villain Value: 660]
The attribute increase was greater than expected, and Orion was quite satisfied.
Especially his Strength and Agility, which already far exceeded that of an ordinary eight-year-old child, even comparable to some young adults.
His Charm value was even ridiculously high...
Alas, after all, when one is too handsome, it's hard for it to be low.
Just as Orion thought his life would get better and better, and he could grow up in peace.
A month later, changes occurred in the Underworld.
This day, as Orion emerged from his shelter, he felt that something was off about Boulder Town.
There were more people on the streets than usual, but they weren't there for market or to earn money; everyone's face was filled with anxiety and unease.
"Silvermane Guards… they actually withdrew?!"
"Really? No way!"
"I saw it with my own eyes this morning, the outpost is empty! Not a single person!"
The news spread through the crowd like a plague.
Orion's steps faltered.
Silvermane Guards withdrawing?
This rumor had been circulating for some time, but no one took it seriously; after all, they were a symbol of order in the Underworld. Although their symbolic meaning outweighed their practical effect, their very existence was a deterrent.
But now, the outpost was truly empty.
Panic quickly fermented.
People rushed to the places where the Guards had been stationed, and upon seeing the empty watchtowers, the shock on their faces turned into anger.
"Those guys, they—they actually abandoned us! It's unbelievable!"
"No way? Did the Supreme Guardian abandon us?"
"Yes, it must be her! If it weren't for her, which of those Silvermane Guards would dare to withdraw?!"
"Oh, my Supreme Guardian, no, my heavens, how are we going to live in this Underworld from now on?!"
Cries and curses echoed through the streets and alleys.
The entire Boulder Town was like a giant whose spine had suddenly been pulled out, instantly collapsing.
Orion, however, remained detached, calmly observing everything.
He knew this day would come sooner or later; after all, in the Star Rail plot, the Overworld and Underworld would eventually be completely isolated.
He just didn't expect it to be so soon, so sudden.
Now, the only passage, the massive pipeline used for transporting ore and resources, became the sole connection between the Underworld and the Overworld.
But this connection only served the resource needs of the Overworld; people could not pass through it.
From then on, the path to the Overworld was completely cut off.
At least, that was the case for most people in the Underworld.
At the snack stall, the owner sat behind his counter with a worried expression, his front deserted.
The steaming, fragrant grilled skewers and red sausages, usually seen in abundance, were almost gone, replaced by only some shriveled bread and inferior drinks.
"Orion…"
The owner saw Orion approaching and forced a smile, but the wrinkles around his eyes were filled with bitterness:
"Today… there's nothing good left, only this."
He handed over a piece of hard bread.
Orion took the bread, sighing inwardly.
Before, relying on Eloquent Speech, he could make many people willingly give him food, and even Credits.
But now, with the crisis looming, the effectiveness of Eloquent Speech was greatly reduced.
People's rationality was firmly occupied by fear and hunger; mere sweet talk could not pry open their tightly closed pockets.
"Thank you, boss."
Orion left with the bread.
He knew that in the future, such days of exchanging words for food would be hard to come by.
Seele's life, however, was even harder than his.
Without the restraint of the Silvermane Guards, the public order in the Underworld rapidly deteriorated.
Some thugs and wanderers who used to hide in the shadows began to emerge, forming gangs of various sizes, vying for territory and the few remaining resources.
Orion occasionally saw Seele; she was always in a hurry, often with new scrapes and bruises on her body.
Her eyes were sharper than before, as if all her energy was focused on survival and combat.
Director Natasha also heard the news.
She went to the administrative office in Rivet Town with a heavy heart, hoping to get some official statement or help.
But she only returned with deeper worries.
The administrators themselves were in danger… facing the sudden change, they were also at a loss.
Natasha began to organize the older children in the Orphanage, teaching them some simple self-defense techniques and having them take turns on night watch to prevent wanderers from coming to the Orphanage to steal supplies.
"The Supreme Guardian has abandoned us!"
This sentiment spread like a virus throughout the Underworld, eroding the last shred of hope in people's hearts.
A sense of despair enveloped every corner, as if the entire Underworld was slowly decaying.
Orion returned to his shelter and closed the door, which he had reinforced with iron plates.
Though simple, the shelter offered some sense of security; at least it was better than sleeping outside.
He sat on the bed, covered with rags, holding the piece of bread, but not eating it immediately.
Now, with the Silvermane Guards withdrawn, the Overworld and Underworld sealed off, public order deteriorating, and resources scarce.
This meant that the Underworld would enter an even more chaotic and dark period.
Eloquent Speech's effectiveness was greatly reduced; this path was basically unfeasible.
Rely on Bronya?
She had just gone to the Overworld; whether she could even gain a foothold was unknown, let alone pull him up.
Moreover, he didn't want to entrust his fate to others.
He had to find new ways to survive.
He began to quickly review the Star Rail plot about Belobog in his mind.
Underworld… Underworld… Fragmentum… Svarog… Trailblazers…
Orion knew that at some point in the future, the Trailblazers would come to Belobog and break the stalemate here.
But he couldn't just wait.
Who knew how long he would have to wait? At least ten years?
He was only eight years old now; he had to at least survive until then.
So, what else could be utilized in the Underworld now?
Suddenly, Orion thought of a name.
The Underworld [Defense Force], a militia organization led by Natasha and Oleg.
After the Silvermane Guards withdrew, they were responsible for public order and resource distribution in the Underworld.
Perhaps, working for the Underworld [Defense Force] would be better?
At least he wouldn't starve there, right?
But Natasha was the true leader of the Underworld [Defense Force]; since she hadn't come to Boulder Town yet, the Underworld [Defense Force] hadn't been organized…
Then what to do?
Orion frowned, his mind racing.
Outside the shelter, sporadic sounds of fighting and crying continued.
Orion ate the bread; the cold, hard food sobered him up a bit.
Oh, I've got it…
Orion lowered his head slightly, and when he raised it again, a chilling smile appeared on his face.
Actually, it's quite simple.
Just do that.