Day 16 since the base was established.
Everything felt different.
The silence of survival had slowly transformed into the rhythm of expansion. What was once a barely functioning base buried in an unfamiliar world had begun evolving into something far larger. The corridors no longer echoed with emptiness. With the population now reaching 109, and the old habitation chambers upgraded into full colony sectors, the base had become alive.
At the moment, I was inside one of the newly established base restaurants.
One of the Life Module facilities.
The warm lighting alone already felt unreal compared to the sterile metal atmosphere the base once had. Tables were occupied by units on break rotations while the sound of cooking echoed from the open kitchen nearby. Steam rose from heated food stations, carrying scents that almost made me forget that I was still stranded on an alien planet.
Finally! Real cooked food. Not nutrient paste. Not compressed survival rations.
I leaned back slightly in my seat while reviewing the latest expansion reports through the system interface. To accelerate technological progress, I had already expanded the research division into three separate facilities. Research queues that would have taken weeks were now being processed simultaneously.
The growth speed of the base had increased dramatically.
A figure approached my table shortly after.
Her long silver-white hair flowed neatly down her back, contrasting against the dark draconic scales lining parts of her neck and shoulders. Small black horns curved slightly from the sides of her head, giving her an appearance that felt both refined and dangerous at the same time. Her crimson draconic eyes always carried a strangely attentive warmth.
Unlike resource-oriented units, her uniform was tailored for hospitality work inside the colony’s Life Module sectors. A fitted dark-gray restaurant gown layered beneath a clean white service coat gave her a professional appearance, while subtle metallic trims revealed the unmistakable industrial design language of the Atlas technology system.
"Commander, welcome. We have a new Dish available today. Would you like to try?"
I looked up.
"Yes, please."
The unit smiled immediately before giving a small bow.
[Viena]
[Gene Tier: 1]
[Origin: Atlas Newt]
[Genetic Ability: Atlas Physique]
[Unit Classification: Restaurateur]
[Bonus: Restaurant Work Efficiency 150%]
With Viena leaving my sight, the warm atmosphere of the restaurant slowly faded beneath the glow of the system interface hovering before me.
Another stream of notifications flickered across my vision.
With the Factory finally established, additional production trees and industrial branches had been unlocked.
The system expanded rapidly.
Ding!
Additional machinery and logistical equipment were now available for deployment.
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T1 Unit Combat Equipment Set
Cost: [1,000 EE]
[Description: A standardized combat package designed for Atlas Units. Reinforced armor plating, modular weapon attachments, tactical visors, and environmental survival gear were included in the set. Cheap to mass-produce, but enough to turn ordinary worker units into capable combat personnel.]
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T1 Atlas Dropship
Cost: [12,000 EE] [2,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A medium-class aerial transport vessel capable of rapid deployment and extraction missions. Designed for unit transportation, cargo hauling, and emergency evacuations across hostile planetary terrain.]
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T1 Atlas Rover
Cost: [10,000 EE] [2,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A rugged all-terrain vehicle optimized for exploration, resource transport, and long-distance surface operations. Durable, modular, and reliable even under unstable environmental conditions.]
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T1 Atlas Hover Jet
Cost: [20,000 EE] [5,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A high-speed anti-gravity aerial vehicle equipped for reconnaissance and rapid-response combat operations. Fast enough to dominate local airspace once fully deployed.]
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[Additional Facilities Added]
[Geyser Resource Collection Facility]
Cost: [10,000 EE] Upkeep: [5 EE/day] Unit Capacity: [5]
[Description: An extraction facility built near geothermal geyser zones to harvest unstable Hydro Material Fluids directly from subterranean reservoirs.]
Primary Function: Collect Hydro Material Fluid
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[Chemical Plant]
Cost: [20,000 EE] Upkeep: [10 EE/day] Unit Capacity: [5]
[Description: A specialized industrial refinement facility designed to process raw Fluids into refined Ferrofluids, the core material required for advanced machinery and vehicle production.]
Primary Function: Transform Hydro Fluid → Ferrofluid
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It took me a few minutes to carefully place the new facilities across the projected expansion zones. The system map shifted repeatedly as I adjusted layouts, balancing power grids, logistics routes, and unit accessibility to avoid future bottlenecks.
One by one, construction confirmations appeared across my interface.
[Chemical Plant Construction Initialized]
[Geyser Resource Collection Facility Construction Initialized]
As soon as I finished finalizing the construction orders, Viena returned carrying a heated metal tray.
The aroma alone nearly stunned me.
Grilled meat coated in a thick dark sauce rested neatly beside steamed vegetables and freshly baked rye bread enhanced through agricultural synthesis research. Steam rose slowly from the plate beneath the warm restaurant lighting, carrying a rich, savory scent that instantly drowned out the godforsaken tasteless rations lingering in the back of my mind.
For a second, I simply stared at it.
Viena gently placed the tray in front of me before giving a small smile.
“Please enjoy your meal, Commander.”
The steam drifted upward between us while the noise of the lively restaurant continued quietly in the background.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt extremely grateful.
Slowly, I picked up the utensils and cut into the grilled meat. The outer layer gave way with surprising softness, the dark sauce clinging thickly to the surface before the heat immediately spread across my mouth the moment I took a bite.
For a second, my mind simply went blank.
The meat was tender and rich, carrying a deep smoky flavor mixed with something slightly sweet and unfamiliar, likely derived from one of the alien plant extracts processed by the agricultural division. The sauce lingered with a subtle spice that warmed my tongue without overpowering the rest of the dish. It wasn’t luxurious food by any means, nor was it some extravagant meal from Earth, but after surviving for over two weeks on nutrient paste, emergency rations, and synthetic supplements, the taste felt unreal.
Even the vegetables still retained their texture instead of collapsing into flavorless mush, while the freshly baked rye bread released warmth the moment I tore into it. The inside remained soft while the outer layer carried a slight crispness that nearly stunned me more than the meat itself.
Actual bread.
Not compressed survival blocks.
FUCKING Real food.
For a moment, I genuinely considered ignoring everything else happening in the colony just to finish the meal in peace.
However, just as I was about to take another bite, I noticed another figure approaching from the far side of the restaurant.
She wore a dark formal military-style coat tailored precisely to her figure, the high-collared design accented with subtle silver lines running along the sleeves and shoulders. The coat remained partially open at the front, revealing a minimal, fitted black inner layer beneath it that contrasted sharply against the dark scales along her skin.
Tall and mature, her presence carried a quiet weight that naturally drew attention the moment she entered the room. Even within the lively atmosphere of the restaurant, nearby units instinctively straightened slightly as she passed.
Long dark hair framed her sharp features in loose, untamed waves, strands shifting gently whenever the artificial ventilation currents moved through the corridor. Beneath the warm lighting of the restaurant, her blue draconic eyes seemed almost luminous against the darker tones of her draconic traits, cold at first glance, yet carrying a quiet intelligence that constantly measured her surroundings.
Resting behind her back was a sleek automatic-action rifle secured diagonally across her shoulder with a tactical sling.
As she approached, Viena immediately recognized her.
“Greetings, Vice Commander Kyndris.”
Viena gave a respectful bow, though the warm smile on her face made the interaction feel more familiar than formal.
Kyndris glanced toward the tray sitting in front of me, her glowing blue eyes briefly studying the food before shifting back toward Viena.
“Viena. Hi,”
For a brief moment, the naturally cold atmosphere surrounding her softened slightly.
“I’d like the same food as the Commander.”
“Understood.”
Viena smiled brightly before quickly heading back toward the kitchen area.
Kyndris then pulled out the seat across from me without waiting for permission, the long dark coat shifting smoothly behind her as she sat down. Even seated, her posture remained perfectly straight, composed like a trained officer physically incapable of fully relaxing.
She rested one arm lightly against the table, her glowing blue gaze settling on me quietly for a few seconds before she finally spoke.
“…Is it good?”
I looked at her briefly before letting out a soft breath. Before I even realized it, I could feel warmth gathering at the corners of my eyes.
“Yeah.”
My voice came out quieter than expected.
The warmth of the food still lingered in my mouth as I lowered my gaze toward the tray again. The grilled meat, the steamed vegetables, and the freshly baked rye bread.
Then, after another bite, I answered honestly,
“This is too good...”
[Kyndris]
[Gene Tier: 1]
[Origin: Atlas]
[Genetic Ability: Atlas Physique]
[Unit Classification: Hero]
[Bonus: Leadership Efficiency 150%]
[Hero Bonus: Thriving in Chaos]
[Description: This unit possesses hypercompetence]
In this game, Origin Units, also known as units possessing the Hero classification, were only granted three times throughout the entire progression of a civilization. The system treated Hero units as singular existences, individuals capable of influencing the growth and direction of a civilization far beyond ordinary units.
The first Hero unit was granted during the early stage of planetary establishment, shortly after a player began building their civilization. Often becoming one of the central characters supporting expansion, unit leadership, combat operations, or technological development during the early phase.
The second Hero unit was only granted after reaching Gene Tier 5, a major evolutionary threshold considered the beginning of mid-stage civilization development. By this point, colonies had usually expanded into large-scale industrial or planetary powers, and the addition of another Hero-class Origin often accelerated specialization and strategic growth dramatically.
The final Hero unit was granted only after reaching the highest evolutionary stage recognized by the system: Gene Tier 8. By then, civilizations no longer revolved around simple planetary survival. Entire planets, orbital fleets, industrial megastructures, and interstellar infrastructures were already under a player’s control. At that point, the system itself stopped heavily guiding progression.
What happened during the latter stages of the game depended entirely on the player’s actions.
Additionally, Hero bonuses were completely random.
Some players obtained combat-oriented Heroes capable of overwhelming battlefields. Others received scientific geniuses, industrial specialists, diplomats, strategists, or logistical monsters capable of accelerating economic growth beyond reason.
I wasn’t particularly lucky when it came to the genetic rolls.
However, getting Kyndris felt like uncovering a masterwork weapon inside a pile of scrap metal.
An all-rounder Hero.
She was the one who brought agricultural samples and animal supplies from the field, and kick-started the food production facilities, that's was why I could eat well-cooked food now.
“She’s about to wake up.”
Her tone remained calm.
“And Commander… I feel a strange closeness to her.”
“Mhm,” I answered while taking another bite. “After the food, okay?”
Kyndris stared at me silently for a few seconds.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
“…Would you like me to feed you, Commander?”
“Kyn…”
Seeing the completely serious look in her glowing blue eyes forced me to answer immediately.
“No.”
“…I see.”
There wasn’t even embarrassment in her expression.
Right at that moment, Viena returned carrying Kyndris’ order. Steam curled upward beneath the warm restaurant lighting as she carefully lowered the heated tray onto the table in front of the Vice Commander.
“Your meal, Vice Commander Kyndris.”
“Thank you, Viena.”
The restaurant manager gave a bright, satisfied smile before quietly stepping away to attend the other occupied tables, leaving the soft noise of conversations and clattering utensils to fill the space between us.
Meanwhile, I quietly rubbed my forehead.
Although Kyndris was absurdly talented, her personality was quite strangely loose at times.