With enough Eterna Energy, I was able to modify my habitation chamber into two sections. One became a private bedchamber, while the other was converted into an office, more accurately, a small command room.
I took a sip of the coffee I had brought from the restaurant before checking the system interfaces, preparing to move on to the next phase of expansion.
With Celestium Ferrofluid now under stable production, the next priority would be planetary mobilization. I wanted to establish remote outpost resource-gathering teams and begin expanding beyond the immediate base perimeter.
To make that possible, research into Outpost Construction was already underway. Once completed, it would unlock the Origin Nexus Core, an interconnecting system power-grid device designed to link remote facilities directly to the main Origin Base. Through it, newly established outposts would gain synchronized energy distribution, communication access, and centralized system support even across long distances.
At the same time, research on defensive systems like Tier-1 Auto-Turrets had also begun. These automated weapons platforms were designed for long-term deployment around resource zones and future supply routes. Equipped with autonomous targeting systems and low-maintenance eterna energy feeds from the Nexus network, they would provide continuous perimeter security with minimal manpower requirements.
In addition, dedicated combat units possessing specialized combat bonuses would only become available after reaching Gene Tier-3, alongside the unlocking of a military-oriented facility known as the War Camp.
Unlike standard infrastructure, the War Camp could not be established under normal planetary conditions. Its creation typically required worlds with exceptionally harsh environments, places filled with constant danger, extreme climates, predatory ecosystems, or large-scale hostile activity. The system considered such conditions necessary to cultivate and refine true warfare-adapted units.
Because of that, its establishment would become a major priority only after I successfully developed interstellar travel technology, which was also underway.
For now, the fastest way to build an army was through the militia approach.
Research into unit operation of factory-manufactured vehicles, atmospheric flight systems, and standardized combat equipment was already nearing completion. Once finalized, the knowledge packages would be integrated directly into every active unit using the system.
That meant every unit would soon possess baseline operational proficiency in ground vehicle handling, basic aerial navigation, firearm and equipment operation, defensive formation protocols, and emergency response coordination.
While they would still fall far below true combat units, the upgrades would drastically improve survivability during resource expeditions and future outpost deployments.
Still, I wasn’t too concerned.
This was only a beginner planet. Most native inhabitants were Tier-0 in overall power level, which meant my units could probably overwhelm the world’s inhabitants through sheer physical strength alone. Even without specialized combat bonuses, the Atlas units were still genetically enhanced organisms supported by system-grade T1 equipment.
For now, that advantage was more than enough.
Once all planetary resource expansion zones were fully established, the next phase would begin: construction of the Space Elevator alongside the Orbital Hub.
That, however, would be an entirely different scale of operation.
A structure capable of connecting the planet directly to orbit would require an enormous amount of space. Even the foundation alone would tower high enough to dominate the surrounding horizon for hundreds of kilometers.
And even though the base was currently located on an isolated island far from major civilizations, a project on that scale could never remain hidden.
Once that happened, the base would no longer remain a hidden existence operating quietly from the shadows of an isolated island. The moment the Space Elevator pierced the skies, its presence would become impossible for the world to ignore.
Curiosity would soon follow, and the fear of the unknown could easily turn into conflict.
Usually, back when it was a game, depending on the genetic build, players would simply choose between capturing nearby settlements or exterminating them outright. The second option was faster, eliminating resistance early, securing planetary control, and expanding without interference was brutally efficient.
There were countless planets across the galaxy, some of which were filled with their own civilizations and inhabitants. Compared to the scale of interstellar expansion, wiping out a Tier 0 population was considered normal by most players. Merely another step in planetary development. However, back then, it was a game, and it didn't matter.
Logically speaking, if I wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict with this world in the future, then what I needed was not an overwhelming force, but diplomacy.
A diplomatic envoy.
Someone capable of communicating with the native inhabitants before fear and misunderstanding escalated into hostility.
Sighing, I leaned back slightly in my chair, staring at the system interface glowing quietly across the command desk.
Was this world really a game? I asked myself once more.
My interactions with the units already felt unbelievable. They were skilled, intelligent, and fully capable of carrying out their assigned roles. However, at the same time, there was something strangely young about them. Like newborn children experiencing the world for the first time.
They laughed, they talked, and wondered about many things.
The more time I spent around them, the harder it became to view them as mere 'units.'
Still, the power I possessed came from something that had once been nothing more than a game in my old world.
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[Eterna’s Blessing]
[Description — A granted authority that allows the wielder to harness Eterna’s energy for base creation, unit creation, and territorial expansion, all bound to one’s Origin.]
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Confused, I stared silently at the interface.
My units were all bound to me…
And Eterna…
Was that being from the white void?
I could still remember those quiet words lingering within my mind.
"One chance."
Honestly, I would’ve loved to spend that chance living quietly somewhere within this star system. Build a small colony. Explore a few worlds. Stay far away from conflict.
A simple life.
But I knew the game too well.
The Galactic Federation political schemes, roaming fleets of galactic pirates, the endless resource wars between player guilds, and eventually, the late-game event known as the Darkenspawn Apocalypse.
There were too many threats waiting beyond the stars, things capable of wiping out entire civilizations without hesitation. In a universe like that, those without enough power to defend themselves eventually became prey.
Death would come the moment I stopped moving.
If I wanted to survive,
Regardless of what this universe truly was, game or not, I had to keep progressing.
For now, I pushed those thoughts aside.
A message from Kyndris appeared across the holographic interface.
“We’re on our way, Commander.”
I glanced at the notification briefly before replying.
“Ok. Let her in.”
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Originally, I had only planned to keep the elf alive before eventually returning her to her normal life in her kingdom. If I ever needed something in the future, I could always negotiate for a few genetic samples to trade with other players later on.
But now…
“Oh, great Commander… please spare my people.”
The elf immediately dropped to her knees the moment she entered the room.
I blinked once before slowly turning toward Kyndris for an explanation.
Apparently, it had only taken a few minutes.
On the way here, Kyndris had explained parts of the base to her, how structures could be created from seemingly nothing, and how life itself emerged from the Origin Tree through the Unit Facility. To someone born in this world, it probably sounded no different from divine power.
So now, the elf knelt before me, trembling, like a believer standing in the presence of a god.
…I needed to clear this up immediately.
“This power is only borrowed from an actual deity,” I said.
“And I’m not the only one who has it.”
I was only stating the facts as I understood them. Many players besides me possessed the same kind of power.
And Eterna… Perhaps the being from the white void was truly some kind of deity.
However, I could only wonder about it for now. Maybe the truth would reveal itself soon enough.
Unexpectedly, Kyndris looked visibly caught off guard by my words.
“Commander… is that true?”
“Yes,” I answered honestly.
“Which is why we need to work hard to protect our home.”
Only then did I step forward and help the elf back to her feet.
“My name is Atlas,” I said calmly.
“People here call me Commander. And you are?”
“E-Elyndra…” she answered softly. “I… was Queen of the Elven Realm.”
“Was?” I repeated.
Her expression dimmed slightly.
“…They might have replaced me.”
I studied her quietly for a moment.
Replacement… that would be a little complicated to ask about.
Additionally, a former queen… She was far more high-profile than I had originally expected,
Then another thought surfaced in my mind.
“Do you speak human, perhaps?” I asked.
“Yes…”
I nodded once.
Someone fluent in both the Elvish and human languages.
Suddenly, an opportunity immediately surfaced in my mind.
No… more than that.
Someone capable of understanding this world from the inside while also standing close enough to our side to bridge the gap between both civilizations.
An intermediary.
Conflict rarely began because both sides desired destruction from the start. Most began because neither side understood the other well enough before fear took over.
And right now, understanding was exactly what we lacked.
Elyndra possessed something none of my units currently had. Knowledge of this world’s cultures, kingdoms, politics, and human language. More importantly, she held status. Even if she no longer possessed authority, the title of former queen alone carried meaning.
She was a familiar face and a recognizable figure.
Someone the outside world might actually listen to before drawing their swords. Before I… ended up doing something irreversible.
It felt like a chance...
First, I asked them to take a seat before speaking again.
“Your Majesty, I have a proposal for you…”
She paused for a moment before responding to my serious tone.
I could clearly see the hesitation in her eyes, as if she was already preparing herself for disappointment before even hearing the offer.
“Commander… I no longer have authority,” she said quietly. “No army. No support from the elven great houses.”
A faint bitterness entered her voice near the end.
“And… I have no power.”
No power…
I leaned back slightly before answering.
“You don’t need to worry about power.”
Clearly, if power were the only thing I needed, I could simply ask Kyndris to remove any obstacle standing in our way.
A purge was entirely possible.
But even thinking about it left a bitter feeling in my chest.
Because no matter how logical it might seem from a strategic standpoint, innocent lives would still be caught in it. And right now… I still couldn’t bring myself to accept that so easily.
Her eyes lifted toward me again, faintly surprised.
“This base already has enough power,” I said calmly.
“What we lack is understanding.”
I paused briefly before continuing.
“So, would you like to become an ambassador?”
Elyndra blinked, clearly she was caught off guard by the question.
“Ambassador…?”
I nodded.
“We’re going to expand soon,” I explained calmly.
“Not just this base. Eventually, there will be outposts and resource operations. Contact with the outside world becomes unavoidable at that point.”
I saw her expression shift slightly as she listened.
“My people know almost nothing about this world. Its kingdoms. It's politics. Its customs,” I admitted.
Though we could eventually learn through observation and gradual contact, that process would take far too long. At our current stage, I couldn’t afford that kind of delay. Maybe in the future, but not now.
Kyndris remained silent nearby, listening quietly.
I continued.
“We need someone who can represent us when dealing with both the Elven Realm and the human kingdoms. Someone capable of speaking to them before misunderstandings turn into conflict.”
Elyndra lowered her gaze slightly.
“You want me to stand between your people… and mine?”
“Something like that.”
Silence settled briefly between us before Elyndra spoke again.
“…Why me?”
The answer came easier than expected.
From the very beginning, I had already noticed it.
“Because despite everything that happened to you,” I said quietly, “the first thing you did after seeing something far beyond your understanding was beg for the safety of your people.”
I paused briefly before continuing.
“Most people would think about saving themselves first. You didn’t.”
Honestly, I admired her for that.
Would I be capable of doing the same when the time came?
Would I be able to place my people above myself without hesitation?
My gaze drifted toward Kyndris for a moment. She silently met my eyes before lowering her head slightly in acknowledgment.
The room fell quiet once more.
To be honest, it was only an idea. I wasn’t expecting much from it yet. But expansion outside the base couldn’t be delayed.
Having someone like her involved could change how that first meeting unfolded.
Elyndra’s fingers tightened faintly against her sleeve.
And for the first time since entering the room,
I noticed the fear in her eyes weakened slightly.
Elyndra remained silent for a long moment.
“…If it helps prevent war,”
“Then I will do it, Commander,” she said quietly,
There was still hesitation in her voice, lingering uncertainty from everything that had happened to her, but beneath it, I could sense something genuine.
I saw it clearly in her eyes.
Conviction.
Not the conviction of a ruler protecting a throne, nor someone seeking power or survival for herself alone, but someone who genuinely wanted to prevent needless bloodshed before it began.
And somehow, I had a feeling that this woman and I would get along.