Chapter 14: Chapter 011: The New Survivors

At that moment, Hope Village.

The sky grew darker, and the teams that had gone out gathering and hunting today had all returned one after another, their faces brimming with joy. From a distance, they looked at the light emanating from the territory and couldn't help but curve their lips into smiles.

This place, though makeshift, had unconsciously become their "home," giving them a newfound sense of belonging.

"You're back! How was the haul?" asked Feng Lezhi, a member of the Guard Team standing guard at the entrance, with a beaming smile to the returning team.

"Today's haul was decent, got quite a few things," replied Zhong Yongnian, the leader of the team, with a smile, although he did not go into specifics.

Feng Lezhi did not pry into their privacy and continued, "Congratulations then! But the most important thing is that you all returned safely!"

"Yes! Safety is the most important! But we also have to thank the territory. The weapons sold by the territory cause a lot of damage, so they're very convenient for us to use," Zhong Yongnian said, unable to hide his satisfaction with the territory.

"It will only get better," Feng Lezhi firmly stated.

They were guards of the territory and could only patrol around it. He and Quan Ziqiang had done a quick tour of the surrounding area earlier and didn't find much; the surroundings had been cleared by people, clearly, everyone was working hard to build their "new home."

"Yes, the outside world may be harsh, but having a refuge gives people the courage to face challenges. What's truly frightening is to have no hope at all," Zhong Yongnian reflected.

The two men chatted idly, shared a smile, and then led the team into the territory.

No sooner had they entered than some of their family members came to greet them, their steps light and cheerful.

And with more and more people returning to the territory, the place suddenly bustled with activity.

Bonfires had been lit ahead of time, and everyone gathered around them to start cooking food, with the aromas spreading throughout the territory.

Sometimes, cooking food wasn't just about filling their bellies; it was more about the sense of ritual.

Like now, many people were gathered together, chatting to pass the time.

"This chicken soup smells amazing! Who scored the chicken meat?"

"Got lucky today, ran into a Demonic Chicken, and it dropped 3 portions of chicken meat. Those Demonic Chickens are tough to fight, a lot bigger than pre-doomsday chickens, pecking hurts like hell, high damage, and they even fly! Anyway, the chicken meat's a rare find."

"Chicken meat! Suddenly I'm craving fried chicken!"

"Me too!"

"It's only the second day of the Doomsday Game, and it feels like it's been so long."

"Who doesn't want fried chicken, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We just stopped eating raw flesh and blood and you want to leap straight to deep-fried and carb-laden food? Where would we even find that?"

"Forget the oil and carbs, let's sort out the spices first. Like salt, at least! We need some flavor!"

"You said just yesterday that having any food at all would be good enough."

"Haha! Different times, different pursuits!"

"True, you've got to have some aspirations, otherwise how could you keep going? So, are you trading your other two portions of chicken?"

"I am! What have you got to trade with me?"

"Since there are a lot of people around now, it's a good time for us to trade with each other. If we can't use something, then we can sell it to the territory."

"..."

As they talked, everyone started to barter with one another.

Zhou Bai and her mother, Ding Qiurou, were also in the crowd. Initially, they were just watching and waiting for Zhou Zhengping to return, but as they watched, Ding Qiurou couldn't resist joining in.

"You actually have fruit; what do you want to trade for it?"

"Mushrooms for rice, sure, I'll trade."

"Wild vegetables, I want those!"

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"..."

For a moment, Ding Qiurou's voice kept resonating.

Zhou Bai watched and couldn't help but smile.

Rare things are precious, and since slaying demon beasts yielded various meats, everyone wasn't really lacking in meat. On the other hand, wild vegetables, mushrooms, and wild fruits were priced slightly higher, but compared to the materials dropped by the demon beasts, this slight increase in price was negligible. Therefore, such items were less common in the territory, no wonder her mother was so disregarding of her image.

However, it was only the second day, and Zhou Bai had reason to believe that as more people came to the territory, and the territory became stronger, the variety of materials available would become increasingly plentiful.

"Someone's coming back!" At the entrance, Feng Lezhi saw figures approaching from not far off in the territory and immediately spoke out, serving as a reminder to some who were waiting for family members within the territory.

Zhou Bai's attention was instantly drawn, and after glancing at the Lord Map, he felt reassured.

"It should be my dad and the others," he said and quickly headed towards the territory's main gate.

Hearing this, Ding Qiurou followed suit without changing her things, and others whose family members hadn't returned also followed.

It wasn't long before they heard Zhou Bai's shout.

"Everyone, come help! We have injured."

People on the scene hurried over after hearing this.

Was it the Guard Team that was injured? The members of the Guard Team had good weapons and equipment, higher levels than most, and there were many of them. If they were injured, did it mean that even more formidable demon beasts appeared outside?

Many people's thoughts wandered, and a hint of panic settled at the bottom of their hearts.

However, upon approaching, they realized that it wasn't just the Guard Team returning, but there were also dozens of survivors, big and small.

This group of survivors was in a worse state than they had been before, almost all of them injured, with some wounds still bleeding. The simple bandages made of beast skin were soaked through, and their complexions were pale, clearly having faced a major disaster.

Many sighed deeply in their hearts and then took the initiative to speak.

"Come into the territory first!"

"We just made some food, you can have a bite to eat first."

"Is there anyone here who is a doctor? Or has learned some first aid knowledge before? Help with the bandaging later!"

"..."

Exhausted in body and spirit, a group of people hurried on their way, carrying worries and fears.

Upon seeing the territory, they were all very happy, thinking they could finally rest well.

But right at the entrance to the territory, they encountered such a heartwarming scene. Those who had been feigning strength crumbled, eyes instantly reddening, voices turning choked, "Thank you, thank you..."

Then, everyone helped one another, leading them into the territory.

As they stepped into the territory, in response to the territory's inquiry, everyone paid without hesitation to become Residents.

Zhou Bai estimated the number of people in the crowd and then uploaded a batch of steamed buns to the restaurant's inventory and also constructed a number of residential buildings.

The newcomers looked at the buildings that had appeared so suddenly, unable to help but take a few additional glances.

"That must be the territory detecting new Residents, so it built new houses. You can buy a house for 6 Gold Coins, or you can rent one for 100 copper coins a day. You'll feel safer living in a house, and it won't be disturbed."

"There's also the Lord Mansion, restaurant, Blacksmith Shop, and tailor shop in the territory. You have to get an Identity Token from the Lord Mansion to officially become Hope Village Residents, and then you can use the Identity to shop at the stores. The restaurant has food to eat, but right now it only has steamed buns, the Blacksmith Shop sells weapons, and the tailor shop sells clothing. Although it's a bit more rudimentary than before Doomsday, it's much better than being out in the wild. As more people come in the future, it might be possible to Upgrade... Sorry, I've said too much. You all eat something first, and we can learn more about the territory later."

"..."

Following that, the new group of people was led by the earlier batch to settle down beside the fire pit.

People went to buy steamed buns and handed them out one by one.

Eating steamed buns and drinking the boiled soup, feeling the warmth from the fire pit, the newcomers had a sensation as if they were in a different world.

But... it was truly a relief!

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com