Arknights: Mobile City

Half an hour later, Obsidian detached a [Time Magazine] from the embryonic body. After carefully securing it, he narrowed his eyes and fired at the [Tearful Thing] for the first time.

In an instant, twenty minutes' worth of time was accelerated to its maximum output.

Obsidian watched as the droplets of tears, previously trickling slowly from beneath the [Tearful Thing], suddenly rushed downward at an incredible speed. Within just two minutes, an immense volume of tears poured forth...

Then, time returned to normal. Obsidian removed the [Time Magazine], reattached it to the embryonic body, and took another magazine, aiming at another embryo that had yet to fully mature, positioned slightly further away.

That embryo, initially just a lump of flesh, rapidly sprouted several tiny, fleshy buds within mere minutes under Obsidian's gaze...

Soon, it resumed its normal growth rate. Obsidian neatly stored the magazines, pulled up a chair, and sat down, sinking into contemplation.

The prosthesis's effect... At its peak, it provides up to ten times the acceleration.

It worked just as Obsidian had hoped—accelerating tear production dramatically, even speeding up embryo growth.

If fully charged, a single [Time Magazine] could create a brand-new embryo in just one afternoon. Coupled with the vastly increased tear output, Obsidian no longer lacked embryos for his use.

A convenient device. It significantly boosts individual combat effectiveness. In fact, I'm already itching to obtain T Corp's true [Singularity Technology].

It was unfortunate, however… Even if that day came, his current energy supply wouldn't be sufficient. He didn't know how long the [Enkephalin] he had on hand would last. Just the two tests he'd just conducted had already consumed some [Enkephalin].

According to Obsidian's calculations, a single [Enkephalin] canister would at most power nine [Time Magazines]. Energy was still desperately scarce.

He needed to quickly find alternative energy sources. L Corp's Singularity was still beyond reach, but perhaps [Pure Originium] could be a viable alternative...

Obsidian mentally mulled over it, swiftly deciding on his next goal.

I need to get hold of [Pure Originium]. Future developments demand too much energy.

The newly acquired Workshop Weapon manufacturing methods, existing weaponry tech, various production lines aided by the Aegir, and even items traded from Theresis… Each required energy.

As for the source of [Originium]… Yan and Ursus seemed promising, rich in mineral resources. He'd have to make a trip at the earliest opportunity.

At minimum, he'd have to establish a long-term trading agreement. Energy shortages had to be addressed soon—merely extracting liquid [Originium] from healed Infected wouldn't suffice.

"So many places to go... Kazimierz and Yan. I need to quickly boost the City's reputation, or else visiting there will be no better than wandering the streets like a stray dog..."

Obsidian shook his head and stayed alone in the factory, carefully inspecting each embryo's physical condition. For those with high ampoule resistance, his consciousness quickly synchronized...

Now, it was finally time to recruit K Corp's first batch of employees.

As for those with weaker ampoule resistance?

Who gave you the guts to even be born?

Obsidian initially considered solving the problem directly with an axe, but after reconsideration, decided they might still serve a purpose—viewing them as consumables, in a sense. He thus humanely handled these embryos, extracting what value he could from failed experiments.

...

Three days passed in a flash.

Within these three days, City residents gradually noticed people wearing suits and helmets or armor filled with green fluids entering and leaving K Corp's building. At the same time, weapons and firearms from the production line steadily arrived at K Corp headquarters.

Shortly afterward, Obsidian made his first official public appearance in front of the City's populace. He formally announced that from now on, all transactions would use Eye as currency, detailing prices for K Corp's healing ampoule products, binding Eye firmly to the ampoules.

Currently, ampoule pricing was exorbitant, with Heal officially citing "insufficient production capacity." In reality, Obsidian intended to suppress the market temporarily to maximize profits from Theresis and other future external trade partners.

Eventually, prices with Theresis would have to come down. He'd give a face-saving reason later, but for now, he needed to profit greatly.

Laurentina actively supported Obsidian's actions. Workers on the production lines she had established soon received their first salary payments in Eye. Laurentina herself began purchasing goods using Eye, thus introducing it into circulation within the market.

Just then, K Corp initiated its first round of recruitment. When job postings appeared, the notably high salaries paid in Eye successfully attracted many City residents.

On that day, a large influx of applicants flooded K Corp's premises. Interviews were conducted by K Corp's Level-Two Extraction personnel—in truth, Obsidian's consciousness inhabiting embryonic bodies.

Eventually, around twenty individuals were recruited to manage various company operations. However, the existence of the [Tearful Thing] remained confidential. Employees were split into two groups: one entered the Marketing Department for training.

The other group was equipped with weapons and ampoules, dispatched by Heal into various City corners and the Outskirts. A small contingent of physically strong Sarkaz was even sent beyond the City limits.

Heal tasked them with recording "tragic scenes" using cameras and bringing these emotionally charged images back to the City.

Naturally, their true goal was feeding these recordings to the [Tearful Thing], boosting ampoule production further.

Thus, one team handled ampoule manufacturing, another managed sales—the initial production chain had finally been established, giving K Corp a true presence.

As the City's infrastructure gradually took shape, the distant Food Chain also pressed increasingly closer. That day, Obsidian even spotted scattered bugs near the City outskirts… Undoubtedly, after more than half a month's growth, the Food Chain had expanded again.

Based on Obsidian's estimates, it might now be four times larger than at their first battle. Even more worrying was the possibility that the Food Chain had spawned another core entity.

Yet, Obsidian no longer felt too troubled.

Because, precisely at that moment, his consciousness detected vibrations on the distant strings.

He projected his awareness towards the source and saw the scene clearly…

The Doctor had arrived, accompanied by her bodyguards, at the City.