SSS-Tier Extraction: From Outcast to Overgod!-Chapter 60: First Decrees As a Governor

The air in the Labyrinth’s Core Chamber was still and quiet. The wild energy from the big fight was gone. The only sound was the soft, steady hum of the god Weaver.

It was a giant, sleeping machine, and Ryan Stone was now its keeper. He looked at the defeated leaders of the other Outposts. Tom Kane looked annoyed but thoughtful. Zara Khan looked like she was already trying to figure out how Ryan had won.

Ryan let out a long breath. Being a "Provisional Governor" sounded like a lot of work. He had won the big prize, but now he had to manage it. He was basically the new boss of the whole neighborhood, and some of the neighbors were not very happy about it.

He walked over to the Weaver’s main control panel. As he got closer, a soft blue light glowed, and a screen made of light appeared in front of him. It was filled with strange symbols and complex charts.

"Okay, big guy," Ryan muttered to the Weaver. "Let’s see what we can do together."

He placed his hand on the smooth surface. The Labyrinth Keystone on his belt pulsed with light, and the screen in front of him changed. The strange symbols turned into words he could understand. It was asking him for his first order, his first decree as Governor.

Ryan thought for a moment. He couldn’t just let all this power sit here. He needed to make Sector Gamma stronger, starting with his own home, Outpost #7.

He found the controls for energy distribution. The official name was something long and boring, like "Sector-Wide Ambient god Energy Redistribution Mandate."

Ryan snorted. "Let’s just call it the ’Share the Shiny Rocks Plan’," he said to himself. He began to type his first order into the glowing screen.

Directive One: Resource Re-allocation Protocol Alpha.

First, the Weaver would start to slowly and safely gather the free-floating god energy all across Sector Gamma. It was like setting up little invisible nets to catch power that was just drifting around.

Second, a good piece of that collected power would be sent directly to Outpost #7. This would make their defensive walls stronger and give their researchers, like Emma, more power to work with.

Third, the rest of the power would be put into a special "Sector Bank." Any Outpost could trade for this power, but they had to make a deal with him first. This would encourage everyone to work together, instead of just fighting all the time. He would be the one to approve the trades, making sure they were fair.

As soon as he confirmed the order, a small wave of energy pulsed out from the Weaver. It was too gentle to feel, but it traveled across the entire Sector.

The Sector CommNet, the chat room for all the Outposts, went wild.

In Outpost #7’s private channel, it was a party.

Chris "Boulder" Magnus: Did you guys feel that? The air feels... cleaner. Stronger.

Emma "Sage" Thorne: It’s not just a feeling, Chris. My research console just got a massive power boost! The Sector’s background energy is stabilizing. Ryan did it! He’s already helping us!

Ace Striker: I KNEW IT! I always said Governor Stone was a strategic genius! His first move is to empower his home base! A brilliant and wise decision!

A dozen other members of Outpost #7 started cheering. Someone suggested they start planning a statue. Someone else asked if the new energy could make their food taste better.

In the other Outpost channels, the reaction was different. Many of the smaller, neutral Outposts were curious. They had been bullied by the bigger Outposts for weeks. The idea of fair trade, approved by a powerful Governor, was very interesting to them.

But in the channels for the Crimson Banner and the Iron Wolves, there was only anger.

In Outpost #12, Tom Kane watched his screen with a cold, hard look. He saw his own Outpost’s resources staying the same while Outpost #7 got a big boost. He was powerless to stop it, and he hated that feeling.

In Outpost #21, the new leader of the Iron Wolves was furious. Her name was Ilsa "Steelheart" Varkov. She was Viktor Ironjaw’s second-in-command, and she was even scarier than he had been.

Ilsa "Steelheart" Varkov: This Stone! He sits on his new throne and takes power for himself! He thinks he can rule us? The Iron Wolves do not bow!

Her followers roared in agreement in their chat, demanding action.

Just as the arguments were getting heated, a new message appeared on every single screen in Sector Gamma. It was from the god Warden, its voice cold and without emotion.

[SECTOR-WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT]

[Provisional Governor status has new protocols. The Governor may issue challenges to other Outposts to unify the Sector under their rule. These are called "Sector Unification Challenges."]

[Winning a challenge solidifies the Governor’s control and provides unique rewards.]

[Losing a challenge weakens the Governor’s authority and may result in penalties.]

[Any Outpost may also issue a Unification Challenge to the Governor. The Governor must accept or risk losing authority.]

A new rule had just been added to the game. It was a clear path for others to challenge Ryan’s new power.

The angry factions saw their chance.

Almost immediately, two formal challenges appeared in the Sector CommNet, aimed directly at Ryan.

Tom Kane (Crimson Banner, Outpost #12): Provisional Governor Stone. Your new rules favor your own. This is not true leadership. The Crimson Banner challenges you to a Unification Challenge to prove your right to rule.

A moment later, another message flashed.

Ilsa "Steelheart" Varkov (Iron Wolves, Outpost #21): Stone! You hide behind your big machine. Fight us in the open! The Iron Wolves challenge you! We will take back the honor you stole from Viktor!

The whole Sector held its breath, waiting for Ryan’s response. He had just won a huge battle, and now two major enemies were already calling him out.

Back in the Core Chamber, Ryan looked at the challenges on his screen and sighed. "No rest for the wicked, I guess."

He could have ignored them, but the Warden’s message said that would make him look weak. Besides, he didn’t like leaving enemies at his back. The Crimson Banner was smart and tricky. They were a problem that needed to be solved for good.

He typed his reply.

Ryan Stone (Provisional Governor, Outpost #7): Challenge from the Crimson Banner is accepted. Prepare yourselves.

He chose them first. They were the bigger threat in the long run.

The god Warden immediately responded, setting the rules for the whole Sector to see.

[UNIFICATION CHALLENGE ACCEPTED]

[Challenger: Crimson Banner (Outpost #12)]

[Defender: Provisional Governor Ryan Stone (Outpost #7)]

[Stakes: If the Governor wins, the losing Outpost becomes a vassal. They will give 20% of all their gathered resources to the Governor for 7 cycles (days). The Governor will gain +5 Influence and a "Vassalage Contract."]

[If the Challenger wins, the Governor’s authority is weakened, and the winning Outpost will receive a "Prime Sector Cache" as a reward.]

[Competition Type: god Node Control]

[Objective: Factions must capture and hold three specific god Energy Nodes. The first faction to hold all three nodes for one continuous hour wins.]

[Location: The Shattered Peaks, a neutral and dangerous zone.]

The rules were set. It was a high-stakes game of king of the hill.

In Outpost #7, the party mood turned serious. They were going to war again, but this time, they were fighting for their new Sector Lord.

They rallied behind Ryan without a second of doubt. Neutral Outposts across the Sector prepared to watch the show. This would be the first real test of their new Governor.

The final message from the Warden appeared, a timer starting its countdown.

[Preparation Phase: 30 Minutes Remaining. All participants, prepare for teleport.]

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