Endless Extraction in a Game-Like World

Chapter 287: Genesis Town’s Situation

Caelus and Sylvia appeared inside Genesis Town near the central plaza, the massive Town Crystal floating above the combined Town Hall casting a gentle golden glow across the surrounding buildings.

Unlike their usual routine, Caelus didn’t immediately head toward Mason’s shop or the market portal.

Instead, he stood quietly in place, his gaze moving slowly across the sprawling settlement that now belonged to them.

This was the first time they had truly looked around after merging ten towns together.

"We’ve never actually inspected our own town," he said to Sylvia.

Sylvia stepped beside him and followed his gaze across the busy streets.

Genesis Town stretched far beyond what either of them had expected, the merged territories creating a settlement that felt almost overwhelming in its sheer size.

The differences between the original towns remained obvious everywhere they looked.

Some roads were beautifully paved with smooth stone while others suddenly became rough dirt paths.

Architecture changed dramatically from district to district, wooden structures standing awkwardly next to brick houses that towered over them.

Players constantly walked through the streets conducting business or heading toward various destinations, creating a constant hum of activity.

NPC merchants stood behind colorful stalls selling freshly cooked food, the smell of grilled meat and baked bread drifting through the morning air.

Food was essential for players and NPCs to replenish their stamina, though Caelus and Sylvia’s auras exempted them from the need.

Children ran through the streets laughing and chasing each other, their parents calling after them with exasperated voices.

Smoke rose from scattered chimneys throughout the settlement, the grey wisps drifting upward and disappearing into the bright sky.

The town felt alive.

As they walked through the central district, players rested on scattered benches eating their purchases while adventurers nearby discussed today’s hunting plans with animated gestures. Blacksmith apprentices hurried past carrying heavy loads of ore toward the forge district, sweat dripping from their foreheads as they navigated through crowds.

These were only local stalls meant to provide quick meals and everyday items; official trading and equipment sales were handled exclusively through the Market portal. Large businesses and profession materials weren’t allowed inside Genesis itself, keeping the town center focused on community rather than commerce.

Caelus noticed the atmosphere becoming increasingly lively as more players emerged from their cabins. "It finally feels like people actually live here. But there aren’t enough places for everyone to sit, and there are barely any public gathering areas."

He noticed another issue immediately: some streets were terribly crowded because the merged towns weren’t designed together. Food stalls had been placed wherever there was space without planning, creating bottlenecks where players constantly squeezed past one another.

"We’ll need proper planning. If Genesis is going to grow, it has to feel comfortable to live in."

Sylvia agreed, and they continued their inspection deeper into the settlement.

They moved toward the forge area, and the atmosphere changed dramatically, the constant sound of hammering growing louder with every step.

Heat radiated from the district in waves that Caelus could feel even from a distance.

The orange glow of molten metal flickered through open doorways as liquid steel was shaped into weapons by skilled hands.

NPC blacksmiths worked steadily at their stations with practiced movements, their hammers rising and falling in perfect rhythm.

Player blacksmiths occupied the remaining forges with varying levels of skill. Most of the weapons being produced were ordinary quality at best, common rank items that would sell for minimal profit.

Several players were arguing loudly over forge space near one of the larger furnaces, while others waited in long lines that stretched out into the street.

Caelus’s brow furrowed as he calculated the obvious imbalance. There simply weren’t enough furnaces for the number of blacksmiths trying to work.

"If players want to become blacksmiths," Caelus said thoughtfully, "this won’t be enough." He mentally noted the need to build dedicated facilities for the growing population.

The atmosphere shifted again as they entered the residential district.

Streets became narrower and less crowded, families going about their daily routines without the frantic energy of commercial areas.

Some players had rented homes, while others had built small cabins on empty lots.

Several merged houses overlapped awkwardly where the original towns had connected, walls and roofs meeting at strange angles.

Some roads suddenly ended without warning, forcing residents to backtrack constantly.

Two elderly women stood near one such boundary complaining loudly. "I have to walk twice as far just to fetch water now. My old bones can barely make it there and back."

At the training field, hundreds of players filled the massive open space with constant movement.

Swordsmanship practice occupied one section, magic practitioners gathered in another launching colorful spells, martial artists practiced combat forms, and archery ranges lined the edge.

Children also occupied small corners imitating the adults around them with tiny wooden swords.

However, problems became apparent almost immediately. Arguments constantly broke out between players who couldn’t agree on rules.

No instructors were present to guide anyone or settle disputes. People interrupted each other’s training constantly as they wandered through occupied areas.

One confrontation nearly escalated into an actual fight as two players squared off over a training dummy.

Sylvia sighed as she watched the chaos unfold. "We need people managing this as well."

Caelus nodded, adding another item to his growing list.

They finally found an empty bench and sat down together.

Caelus pulled out his notebook and rubbed his temples, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of infrastructure and management problems cropping up across the districts.

Running a town was much harder than conquering one. It was far easier in the abyss.

"I underestimated this," he admitted with a baffled look on his face.

Sylvia gently laughed beside him, her hand finding his as she squeezed reassuringly. "I think we both did."

Others might not care as much, but now that they understood the significance of having a town, they had to place real importance on it.

Only those who established a strong foundation in the beginning would be able to stand strong when reaching Tier 2 Regional Lord Territory.

And once they reached that place, more things should unlock.

They opened the Town Panel together and studied the population information.

[Genesis Town - Population Overview]

[Players: 4,836]

[NPC Residents: 17,942]

[Merchants: 892]

[Profession Holders: 1,247]

[Total Population: 24,917]

[Prosperity: 67%]

Caelus studied the numbers carefully. "We have plenty of people," he observed thoughtfully, "but no structure to support them properly and make the prosperity reach 100 before we transition into a Tier 2 Regional Lord Town."

They visited the storage buildings near the town center where NPC workers moved supplies between warehouses.

Crates filled with various materials lined the walls, grain and vegetables in one section, monster meat in another.

Wood and ore sat in separate areas designated for construction and crafting.

One worker approached with a respectful bow after recognizing them as the Town Lords. "Food is sufficient for now, but if the population keeps increasing, we’ll run out within a month."

Another worker added his own concerns. "Caravans often arrive late because roads aren’t fully secured. Bandits occasionally steal shipments before they reach us."

Caelus quietly noted their concerns in his book.

They eventually reached Mason’s Gambling Den. Mason smiled broadly upon seeing them enter.

"Well, look who finally decided to visit! I was starting to think you forgot about old Mason, Sir."

"Business treating you well?"

"Much better than before. More players coming through and more customers willing to test their luck."

Caelus suddenly realized something as he listened. Mason’s talent, combined with his personality, made him perfect for something Genesis desperately needed.

"Mason, I have something I’d like you to do."

Mason raised an eyebrow with curiosity. "What is it?"

"Genesis needs someone managing trade, resources, merchants, transportation, supply routes—all of it needs coordination." Caelus met his eyes directly. "I want you to become Genesis Town’s Merchant and Logistics Manager."

Mason froze completely, his hands stopping mid-motion as the words sank in. "Me?"

Caelus nodded firmly. "I trust you."

Mason was taken aback hearing this. Then, a look of determination appeared on his face. "I’ve never had anyone trust me with something like this. I promise I’ll do my best and I won’t let you down."

Hearing this confirmation was enough for Caelus and Sylvia.

They swiftly made Mason a member of their town.

Soon, they left and returned to the streets of Genesis Town to look around more.

As they continued walking, a loud argument suddenly erupted nearby, several players shouting angrily in the middle of the street.

A crowd had gathered around the commotion, their expressions showing mixtures of curiosity and concern.

"This town is a complete mess!" one player yelled while throwing his hands up in frustration.

"I joined because I thought Genesis was amazing! But nothing works properly, the forge lines take hours and I can’t even find basic supplies!"

"The training grounds are chaos!" a third player added. "Someone nearly attacked me just for using a training dummy!"

"I’m leaving Genesis and transferring to another town!"