Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!
Chapter 42: 042 It's all out in the open now

[You have acquired "Level 1 Logging" and simultaneously obtained 1 Technology Point.]

[Logging (Level 1): Slightly increases the ability to cut and obtain more lumber from logs, along with a +5% efficiency in logging.]

After a night's sleep, Bai E had acquired a whole, complete set of knowledge skills, something he never anticipated.

After carefully reviewing all the abilities he had acquired, Bai E felt like something was missing.

The same task, when assigned to three people, did not yield three times the benefits of assigning it to one person.

A lot was missing.

Of course, it might be that the three people worked more efficiently together, or perhaps the experienced Kuang Xin had found a more effortless method for his two friends.

Players, after all, can always come up with boundless ideas when it comes to skipping classes.

And the threshold for gaining attributes through training is ever-increasing; the higher the attribute, the harder it is to improve. It is common knowledge that the same tasks provide progressively less in terms of attribute gains.

Regardless, the contribution of three people was more than that of one, and that was good.

All six tasks had been completed, and Bai E was looking forward to the tasks he would assign today.

The morning and forenoon rushed by, as he was immersed in training, and time flew swiftly.

During the two physical training sessions before and after breakfast, Bai E had only made progress once.

The higher the attribute, the harder it is to break through; not every limit reached results in an improvement.

What had started as getting familiar with the combat knife on the first day had turned into team combat training today.

Physical training is fundamental and essential.

The other elements are not.

What kind of special forces elite can you train in three days?

Being familiar with the basic properties and usage of weapons is sufficient; the battlefield teaches everything.

Those who can't learn, die.

Only soldiers forged through relentless training can survive in this cruel world.

Compared to unparalleled individual strength, learning to cooperate with a team and assist each other is something even more essential to master. For the next two mornings' second halves, it's all about group combat.

The purpose is to get everyone accustomed to group combat, understanding cooperation, and avoiding accidentally harming teammates at crucial moments.

Bai E saw a familiar face across the field; Rose's spirited face stood out among the crowd of new recruits.

Her natural boldness and status as an ace made her the definite core of her team.

At this moment, this core sent Bai E a dazzling smile and whispered something to the new recruits beside her.

Then, Bai E saw the eyes of those unfamiliar new recruits turn green with envy...

[Side quest triggered—Team Combat.]

[Team Combat: As a warrior, the first thing you need to learn is not heroism. Coordinating with your teammates and surviving on the battlefield as much as possible is what allows you to kill more enemies! Completing the training perfectly will bring extraordinary growth!

Quest requirements: Successfully perform "Coordinated Attack" 0/500 times, "Cover Retreat" 0/500 times, "Assist Teammate" 0/500 times, "Knock Down Enemy" 0/500 times before the training ends. Quest reward: Trait—Well-trained. (Countdown: 26 hours 58 minutes and 53 seconds)]

Taking me as prey?

Bai E gave the other side a slight smile.

Sorry! You're the prey!

He reveled in the sensation of being targeted, just as he once did in other games.

Strategy!

Overpowering the weak doesn't bring pleasure; it's being outnumbered that stimulates the senses.

Like to bully the few with the many? Watch me stand unyielding!

With a smirk, Bai E flipped off the group of new recruits.

A universally understood gesture of friendship; hopefully, they got the message.

Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two large groups, Wood and the instructor opposite him exchanged a knowing smile.

"Begin!"

...

Thank goodness no one got slapped in the face.

Bai E felt relieved as he hurried to the task verification site; if his face had been swollen and bruised, he probably wouldn't have been able to show his face among the players anymore.

Reaching the clearing, the mountain of wood was even more impressive, and one could see a slope formed from the wood even from a distance.

One glance, and the disorderly stacked number was etched in his mind— a total of 80 logs.

These players hadn't been lazy in the slightest.

"My lord!" Kuang Xin was the first to greet him, his eyes alight with fervor.

Bai E nodded slightly, accepting the form of address, "You've done well."

[Side quest—Repair Supplies Needed, complete!]

[Quest Reward: 1 Technology Point, Fine Brass Bullets (Pistol Rounds)*27, distributed.]

"Thank you for the praise, my lord!"

With the reward in hand, Kuang Xin's face was flushed with excitement, anticipation, and hesitation as the question they had agreed upon internally crept into his mind.

"My lord..."

Dai Lian stepped forward, positioning himself halfway in front of Kuang Xin, also blocking the words he was about to say.

He didn't dare let Kuang Xin speak, as speaking also required tact; saying the wrong thing could potentially leave them no room to back down.

"My lord!"

"Hmm?" Bai E's gaze shifted calmly to Dai Lian.

[You notice that the emotions of the three individuals before you are unusual…]

Dai Lian looked directly into Bai E's eyes, his tone sincere, "We want to take on more responsibility!"

"Oh?"

Bai E slightly lifted his chin, his eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"

Is there any chance? Or is there none?

The officer's tone was somewhat enigmatic, but he didn't outright dismiss the suggestion.

The NPCs in this game were quite intelligent, reacting differently depending on the player's choice of words. Dai Lian didn't know what exactly the situation was, so he had to muster up his courage and choose his words carefully, following logical deduction.

"We… perhaps are not simply working for the military camp?"

[The person across from you has become suspicious of the mission you issued, and you decide…]

Better to let things flow than to try to block them.

Bai E's eyebrows rose slightly, showing a trace of interest, "Continue."

This encouraging manner slightly relieved Dai Lian—the other party was not angered.

"My lord! If it's for the military camp, this place seems a bit too far off."

"Hmm..."

Dai Lian cautiously observed the other's expression but couldn't discern any particular inclination; he continued hesitantly, "So, we boldly speculate that there might be… another organization behind you, my lord?"

Silence.

A deadly silence.

Bai E did not speak, his gaze making Dai Lian unable to maintain eye contact.

The realism of this game was done too well; the pressure exerted by some high-ranking individuals felt disturbingly real.

This silence made one's heart panic, and Dai Lian could not help but explain proactively, "Of course, we are only loyal to you, my lord. The camp… we are not familiar with it."

"Heh..."

Bai E chuckled lightly, thawing the frost like spring warmth.

"No need to be nervous, I am just considering whether to inform you of the truth."

Was he considering whether to reveal the truth, or whether to silence them?

The thought flickered through Dai Lian's mind.

The atmosphere didn't seem like a minor situation; perhaps he'd stumbled upon some high-end content within this game?

This speculation sent a thrill through him.

Bai E no longer looked at them, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon where the city's dark silhouette stood silently towering, "You can smell the blood in the air, can't you?"

Dai Lian quickly agreed, "Of course."

From the beginning of entering the game, the strange scent in the air—blending the smell of blood, sea, sand, and oil—had left a deep impression on him. The game's realism was astonishing from the very start.

However, after spending a considerable time in the game, he was somewhat accustomed to it.

Bai E's gaze lowered, though still looking towards the earth, it seemed to stretch to the horizon.

His voice was deep, carrying a profound weight.

"This land has drunk deeply of our blood."

"..."

Kuang Xin and the others remained silent, quietly waiting.

"The foundations of our city are built on sacrifice, a veritable maxim, where the blood of martyrs is the spark of the empire. When loyal slaves learn to love the lash, only in death does duty end."

Everything was silent, as if even the wind was listening.

Bai E spoke swiftly.

"For thousands of years we have endured in silence, at times briefly flourishing under the sunlight, but more often languishing in the shadows. Over countless centuries, we've fought and died, spilling the blood of our enemies and our own across innumerable battlefields.

Humanity keeps sacrificing itself, the sacrifice allowing the bloodline to continue, generation after generation after generation. Not for any grand ideal, because sacrifice itself is greater than any ideal.

But perhaps, there is a hope buried deep in the heart of every person: maybe there will come a day, maybe in ten thousand years, when a generation will no longer need to sacrifice, a generation that will exist in peace eternally…"