Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [64]

The mysterious atmosphere shifted after a certain chatty smuggler joined the group. The once lively conversation among the Trailblazers dwindled noticeably.

“Life in the Underworld is rough!” Sampo lamented. “Basic necessities are in extreme shortage. Without support from the overworld, who knows how many people would’ve died by now. No one really understands why the Silvermane Guards abandoned the Underworld in the first place. And because they can’t understand it, most of the Underworld’s residents harbor a deep resentment toward them for leaving.”

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then how do the residents of the Underworld survive?”

“By trading the geomarrow they mine for supplies from the overworld. Otherwise, they hunt underground creatures for food. Don’t underestimate the Underworld—some of the animals down there are surprisingly tasty!”

Ever since joining the group, Sampo hadn’t stopped talking, eagerly trying to engage with everyone. Yet, he quickly realized Chen Lin was the only one willing to humor him. As a result, Sampo’s grin grew increasingly sycophantic. Whether it was because he knew Chen Lin’s reputation or for another reason entirely, Sampo seemed determined to lighten the tense atmosphere.

While Sampo had his own plausible explanation for why he was in the abandoned mine tunnel—sealed off by the Silvermane Guards years ago—it didn’t mean everyone automatically trusted him.

Chen Lin certainly didn’t. If Sampo hadn’t shown up at such a suspiciously convenient time and demonstrated a deep knowledge of both the overworld and Underworld, Chen Lin might have chased him off rather than enlisting him as a guide.

“The Underworld being able to trade supplies regularly—doesn’t that suggest a certain level of order down there?” Chen Lin asked.

“Uh…” Sampo’s smile faltered. “Well, it’s more like… just barely enough order to keep people alive. ‘Wildfire’ does a decent job—they’re efficient and reliable. Never missed a payment either.”

“Wildfire?”

The name caught Chen Lin’s attention. It sounded like the name of an organization.

Sampo hesitated briefly before explaining, “Oh, right! Wildfire. They’re a group that formed after the Silvermane Guards left. It’s mostly made up of locals who maintain order and handle things like resource exchanges.”

Ah, that makes sense.

This Wildfire must essentially function as the Underworld’s provisional government… or something close to it.

No, that wasn’t entirely accurate. Since the overworld—namely Cocolia—tolerated Wildfire’s existence and tacitly allowed them to manage the Underworld, it would be more accurate to call them an autonomous governing body.

Chen Lin nodded slightly. “Sampo, let me ask you something.”

“Of course! Ask away. I, Sampo, will answer anything—honestly and thoroughly!”

“What kind of supplies were you looking for in the overworld?”

“...”

Sampo’s grin stiffened, and he eventually sighed. “Chen Lin, sir, this is one of our trade rules: we don’t disclose our clients’ requests. Breaking that trust would ruin my reputation—who would hire Sampo after that?”

A mocking voice piped up from behind. “Didn’t think a scoundrel like you would have professional ethics.”

Sampo turned to see March, her expression filled with suspicion. Her tone was as sharp as her gaze. “Look, sister, I’m really not a bad guy… You see how enthusiastically I’m helping you all, right? If you ever need someone introduced, Sampo’s your man—no strings attached!”

“March tends to speak her mind,” Chen Lin said, draping an arm casually over Sampo’s shoulders. “Don’t take it personally. If you can’t share what you’re looking for, then how about telling us what the Underworld needs most?”

Relieved, Sampo wiped the sweat from his brow and chuckled. “Now that I can do! It’s no secret, after all. The Underworld’s top priorities are medicine and food—always have been. No wonder you’re so beloved in the overworld, Chen Lin!”

“Sounds like you’ve done your homework on me.”

“Haha… just a little. Medicine and food are critical down there. Medicine especially—it’s always at the top of the list.”

“What kind of medicine?”

“Painkillers and frostbite treatments,” Sampo said with a shrug. “Miners often get hurt or develop strange, chronic pains from working down there. Painkillers are in constant demand. And with how cold it is, frostbite cases are super common. Unfortunately, the overworld doesn’t have much of those medicines either, so the Underworld has to find other ways to cope.”

Belobog’s overworld had a functional industrial system, albeit limited. While its chemical industry was also stunted, it could still produce essentials like clothing and textiles—for instance, many people’s stockings came from these factories.

If Cocolia hadn’t suddenly woken up and declared her hostility, Chen Lin had planned to monopolize agricultural technology and then move on to improving Belobog’s industrial systems.

But plans rarely keep up with reality. Cocolia, provoked by some unseen force, had flipped on him as expected.

The Stellaron wouldn’t let him have free rein forever. He was surprised it had allowed him to accomplish as much as he did in the overworld.

Leaving the overworld might be for the best. The seeds he’d planted were already starting to take root. Now, he could rely on the network he’d established, fanning the flames of dissent through his contacts and communication devices. Soon enough, those flames would reach Cocolia and the Qlipoth Fort.

And besides… his dockyard was almost complete, and research on Destroyer-class technology was well underway. Who’s to say he wouldn’t have another round of fun with Cocolia down the line?

“Don’t underestimate the Underworld,” Sampo suddenly said, breaking Chen Lin’s train of thought. “Back in the day, it was Belobog’s major industrial hub! The biggest research facilities were all built down there centuries ago. That is, until the Silvermane Guards pulled out and burned most of the research materials. Things wouldn’t be so bad down there if that hadn’t happened.”

“There are factories down there?”

“Plenty! There’s even a place called Rivet Town. When I first arrived, it was bustling with factories running everywhere. Now, though, it’s been overrun by rift creatures, and the people have all fled.”

Dan Heng, picking up on something odd in Sampo’s wording, frowned. “When you first arrived?”

“Oh! Right. I didn’t live in Rivet Town back then. I was pretty far away, so I don’t know much about it!”

Chen Lin nodded, understanding, before asking, “What happened to the factory workers and technicians after everything fell apart?”

“Most of them became miners. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. People like me, who move between the two levels, live a risky life. If I stopped, I’d probably end up homeless too.”

After hearing all this, Chen Lin had a clear idea of how to integrate into the Underworld.

Smiling warmly, he said, “Sampo, let’s make a deal. You know Wildfire, right? I’m pretty curious about them.”

---

T/N: potential sl- employees you say?

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗？ by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!