Survival Queen of the Frozen Wastes novel Chapter 469

Chapter 469 Managing the Population

The appearance of these twenty–something natives was no coincidence.

“Regional Chat Channel (Current Survivors: 712)”

“Guess what I just found? Ten or so natives just spawned outside my camp! Not monsters–actual living people!”

+5 Free Coins

“Same! The storm finally cleared, and I went out to chop wood. Found a family of four in the forest, almost got eaten by Frost Wolves. I saved them, but they just mumble on and on–feels like they aren’t from our world.”

“Mass arrival! What’s the system cooking up now?”

“Screw that! I’m starving myself–why should I feed these people? I caught threemen, chained them up, and made them chop wood. If they don’t listen, I’ll whip them!”

“Are you even human? They’re people too!”

“This is the apocalypse, not a playground! I didn’t eat them as emergency rations, so consider me a saint.”

“Exactly. I didn’t bother–they’ll freeze to death sooner or later. I’ll just check their bodies later.”

“Any big shots know if these natives drop loot if you kill them? Asking for a friend.”

Watching the toxic and bone–chilling comments in the channel, Riley’s expression remained icy.

What they said made a cold kind of sense, but Riley still felt utter/contempt for them.

Earlier, when resources felt abundant, everyone had been relatively friendly. Now, after the long blizzard, the survival pressure was back, and the dark side of humanity was surfacing again.

Everyone had their own code for survival. At the very least, as long as she had enough to spare, Riley wouldn’t act like that.

That was the true face of the apocalypse.

When survival pressure hits a critical threshold, human morality gets thinner than paper. Different people react to “spawned populations” with zero survival skills in completely different ways. Some lend a hand, some treat them like slaves or cattle, and others view them as walking loot crates.

Riley didn’t consider herself a saint. If she were still back in her tiny cabin, she couldn’t have helped even if she wanted to, but she had the capacity now.

But as the population grew, the problems followed.

Looking at the group of natives who, after filling their bellies, were glancing around with a mix of reverence and curiosity, Riley rubbed her temples.

“Twenty–four people… and based on the feedback in the channel, there’s a chance they might spawn sporadically in the wild.” Riley mused to herself.

There was an insurmountable gap between players and natives. Players had system panels, leveled up, and had stat buffs.

1/2

2:27 pm PPTM

Chapter 469 Managing the Population

Natives were made of flesh and blood, had local perspectives, and hadn’t been filtered for character.

If managed poorly, these people wouldn’t be an asset; they’d become parasites, or even spark internal conflict.

“Joseph,” Riley said suddenly.

“Here! My Lady!” Joseph bowed respectfully.

“Leave the management of these people to you.” Riley’s gaze swept over Joseph, Jack, and Lily nearby.

+5 Free Coins

“The rules remain the same: those who want to leave are given the chance. If they stay, they support themselves within the camp and abide by our rules.

“Management is in your hands now.”

Joseph and the others were stunned for a second, then nodded vigorously, deeply honored. “Understood! We will manage them well!”

“I just don’t want anyone who slacks off, causes trouble, or steals supplies.” Riley said coolly.

Letting the locals manage the locals was the most efficient and energy–saving method. She couldn’t watch over these dozens of natives every day. She and her guild members had to focus their primary energy on upgrading the base and stockpiling resources— that was the fundamental problem chasing all of them.

However, if they were going to work, they needed a place to live.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify