35. The Trail Opened by Rangga
Not long afterward, Rangga's ship finally docked at the pier of his main island.
The moment he stepped ashore, a blue screen appeared before him.
《Unload all items from the ship's inventory?》
Rangga immediately selected Yes.
This time, however, something was different.
Instead of a pillar of light appearing in the center of the island like before, the warehouse beside his house began emitting a soft white glow.
Every item stored inside the ship's inventory transformed into particles of light and flew straight into the warehouse.
Rangga watched the scene with a satisfied smile.
"Now this is nice... No more mess."
Once the transfer was complete, he headed straight for the warehouse.
Opening the wooden door, he found everything from today's expedition neatly arranged on shelves according to category.
The Iron Ore had been placed in the ore section. The Sulfur was organized on the mineral materials shelf.
The Stabilizer Modules rested in the mechanical materials section. The blueprints and every other resource had also been sorted into their proper places.
Rangga nodded in satisfaction.
"Perfect."
Not a single item was missing. He picked up the stack of Iron Ore from the storage rack.
"Let's do this first."
Rangga walked toward the delivery platform.
A blue screen appeared.
Several chunks of Iron Ore were placed into the shipment until the daily limit was reached.
5/5 kg
Without hesitation, he pressed Send. The Iron Ore transformed into light before disappearing toward Earth.
"There... Hope this helps."
Afterward, Rangga returned to the warehouse. This time, he retrieved the three Composite Alloy Hammer Blueprint fragments he had collected.
He carried them to the Production Table and laid them down one by one.
The three blueprints immediately glowed, merged into one, and dissolved into particles of light.
Rangga quickly opened the crafting menu.
A new recipe appeared.
Composite Alloy Hammer
Materials Required
10 Alloy Plates
15 Synthetic Fibers
5 Copper Ingots
Rangga read the recipe before looking at the illustration.
"...Whoa."
Displayed on the screen was a massive war hammer with an enormous metal head.
He immediately imagined carrying it alongside his bow and spear.
Scratching his cheek, he muttered,
"Too much trouble... I already have a bow and a spear... If I add this thing too... I'll end up looking like a moving arms dealer."
He chuckled to himself. Even though he already had enough materials to craft it, he still shook his head.
"Maybe later... I don't need it yet."
He closed the crafting menu. For now, the Composite Alloy Bow and Composite Alloy Spear were more than enough to face the mechanical creatures waiting on future islands.
Standing up, he looked around his island.
"Hmm... Anything else I can work on?"
He returned to the Production Table and opened its status.
Production Table Level 3
Upgrade Requirements
30 Stone
10 Copper Ingots
10 Iron Ore
20 Hardwood
Rangga stared at the list for a few seconds before shaking his head.
"Hardwood... I turned my whole stock into charcoal."
He closed the menu and walked over to the Drying Rack. Another blue screen appeared.
Drying Rack Level 2
Upgrade Requirements
10 Hardwood
20 Plant Fibers
He shook his head again.
"Can't upgrade this either."
Next, he moved to another building. The Furnace.
Kiln Level 1
Upgrade Requirements
30 Clay
30 Stone
Rangga fell silent.
"Clay..."
That meant another trip to the Swamp Island. Then something suddenly crossed his mind.
"I wonder... Does the two-star Swamp Island have hardwood too?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If it did... He could gather both materials in a single trip.
Clay and Hardwood. After thinking it over for several seconds, he shook his head.
"No point guessing."
He opened the regional chat. Unlike earlier that afternoon, the chat had become much quieter.
Only a handful of Pioneers were still talking. Among them, Deri was still online.Rangga immediately typed.
Rangga (Garuda Nation): Major, any information about the two-star Swamp Island?
Deri replied almost immediately.
Deri (Garuda Nation): None yet.
Deri (Garuda Nation): Most Pioneers who upgraded their ships are still focused on collecting the Composite Alloy Spear Blueprint from the two-star Tropical Island.
Deri (Garuda Nation): The Oviraptors are extremely fast, so many are still struggling.
Reading the reply, Rangga nodded.
Rangga (Garuda Nation): Got it.
Rangga (Garuda Nation): Thanks, Major.
Deri (Garuda Nation): You're welcome.
Rangga closed the chat before letting out a long sigh.
"Looks like... I'll have to check it out myself."
His gaze drifted toward the sea, which was gradually darkening beneath the evening sky. Tomorrow's destination had already been decided.
The two-star Swamp Island. Whatever awaited him there... Rangga knew one thing.
If he wanted to keep progressing, he couldn't simply wait for information from others. He had to be the first one to discover it.
---
On Earth, The courtyard of the Presidential Palace once again lit up with brilliant light.
Moments later, five tons of Iron Ore materialized inside the logistics reception zone that had been prepared ever since the Pioneer World first appeared.
Logistics personnel immediately sprang into action.
Forklifts and cargo trucks rolled into the area while dozens of soldiers secured the perimeter to ensure a smooth transfer.
General Suryo observed everything with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Secure it... Send it straight to the National Materials Research Center."
"Yes, General!"
The soldiers immediately carried out the order.
General Suryo watched the mountain of Iron Ore for several moments before quietly muttering,
"So far... Only Rangga has managed to send Iron Ore."
He sighed.
"I hope the other Pioneers catch up soon."
Before he could finish speaking, President Prabu, standing beside him, slowly shook his head.
"No need to rush."
General Suryo turned toward him. President Prabu continued watching the unloading operation.
"With Rangga... Our country is already receiving an extraordinary supply of resources."
He paused briefly.
"More importantly... He keeps sharing vital information with the other Pioneers."
"From the Mechanical Radar... To the Composite Alloy Spear Blueprint... And even strategies for fighting the mechanical creatures."
A faint smile appeared on President Prabu's face.
"The others don't need to surpass him. They only need to follow the trail he's already opened. Because every step Rangga takes... accelerates the development of all our other Pioneers."
General Suryo nodded.
"I understand, Sir."
The two men fell silent once more.
Before them, the last truck carrying Iron Ore slowly departed the Presidential Palace, heading toward the National Research Center.
Meanwhile, on the giant screen still broadcasting the Pioneer livestreams, Rangga could be seen casually walking around his island.
Completely unaware that every discovery he made... Every decision he took... Had become the foundation upon which dozens of Garuda Pioneers were now surviving and advancing at a far faster pace.
---
Elsewhere in the world... Unlike Bald Eagle Nation, which had chosen to pressure Garuda through diplomatic channels...
Several countries reached a very different conclusion.
Inside the Presidential Palace of the Golden Lion Nation... Its president continued watching Rangga strolling across his island.
Around him sat cabinet ministers and economic advisers. The Foreign Minister opened a document.
"Your Majesty."
"Our analysis indicates that Garuda Nation is likely to become one of the fastest-growing technological powers once the Pioneers return."
The President nodded slowly.
"And?"
"We recommend strengthening bilateral relations with Garuda immediately."
"Trade."
"Technology exchange."
"And joint research."
A faint smile appeared on the President's face.
"Don't wait until they become powerful. Become their friend before that happens."
He turned toward his secretary.
"Prepare a draft cooperation agreement. We'll contact Garuda... As soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thousands of kilometers away... Inside the Presidential Palace of Green Jaguar Nation... Another high-level meeting was underway.
An economic adviser pointed toward a graph displayed on the screen.
"Mr. President... The entire world is focused on how to stop Garuda... But almost no one is thinking about how to work with them."
The President smiled.
"Which is exactly why we shouldn't follow the crowd."
He rose from his seat.
"If their Pioneers truly bring new technology back to Earth... Then good relations will be worth far more than threats."
Looking around the conference room, he declared,
"We are not their rivals. We are their future partners."
He immediately issued an order.
"Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... Tell them Green Jaguar Nation wishes to begin cooperation talks with Garuda."
"Focus on trade. Research. And development."
"Yes, Mr. President."
Across the world, opinions toward Garuda Nation had begun to split.
Some countries chose pressure. Others chose friendship. Because they had realized one simple truth.
In the new world that was beginning to take shape. Enemies could always be made later. But friends gained early... Were often far more valuable.