Chapter 130 Team Formation
Just as the newcomers mentioned outside the door, not long after they stepped into the temporary safe zone, no fewer than seven giant rats followed the trail and rammed into the falling gate, carving several shallow dents into it. Then they used their sharp teeth and claws to make the thin sheet metal gradually sway precariously.
This is clearly detrimental to protection.
Although simple repairs can be made afterward, it's uncertain whether the continuous noise will attract more giant rats or other newly spawned monsters. If this continues, the gate will eventually give way and be completely destroyed.
Although I didn't care, in order to delay the breach of the safe zone as much as possible, I used the same trick again and detonated the condensed fireballs that were placed inside the giant rats. After confirming that they were all dead, I let go of the people who were blocking me and let them drag the giant rats in and clean up the remaining traces.
The newlyweds volunteered to walk ahead, and the female student who had been following us hesitated for a moment before frowning, mustering her courage, and carrying both ends towards the food distribution point. There was indeed some food stored in the underground food store, but the amount was far from enough for the group at hand. After a few people overcame their fear and tried to heat the rat meat in the store's stove and received positive feedback about its deliciousness, this food source gained acceptance among a small group.
The [Sword Demon], whom Sheng confirmed to be the game's protagonist, quietly observed everything that was happening before his eyes, like a ghost with no presence. He neither went mad nor showed any intention of interacting with others.
It's really unclear why that madman was able to stay quietly and peacefully among the crowd, but vigilance towards him must remain constant.
If it weren't for the certainty that I might need his help in the future, I would have loved to shove a few condensed fireballs down his throat right now—so I wouldn't have to bother being wary.
As for the two newcomers, Juncheng and Duheng, not to mention their combat abilities, their management skills alone are enough to inspire trust.
A simple scan of the inventory is enough to make a reasonable allocation plan, a little contact is enough to win people's hearts, and a few words are enough to calm the restless environment... If I weren't sure that they were just ordinary humans, that there were no exaggerated data in the attribute records that required attention, and that people's behavior hadn't crossed the line of fanaticism, I would have almost mistaken these two for humanoid catnip.
"As long as these two are here, we can leave with peace of mind before the fourth mission begins."
Looking at the people gathering in the distance, who were being encouraged to take up arms and conduct basic defense training, Sheng nodded in satisfaction.
"...Now I understand why they were ostracized."
Faced with Sheng's questioning gaze, I replied matter-of-factly, "Think about it, although they are currently completing the tasks you assigned, their own credibility is rising to a visible degree, right? If I were a normal leader who wanted to seize power, how would I feel if I saw my subordinates' competence and reputation gradually surpassing mine, even to the point of being more popular?"
“…‘He wouldn’t be trying to climb on top of me…, would he?’” Sheng murmured thoughtfully.
I snapped my fingers.
"Hmm, that's certainly a concern... I understand."
Sheng nodded and blinked her bright green eyes: "But, it's actually a good thing for us, isn't it? We don't have the desire to take power, nor is it necessary. If we just let go and maintain a nominal leadership position, at least we won't be completely bogged down by those complicated power struggles, and we can focus on navigating the main storyline of the game."
"You're really dreaming."
I sighed and didn't say anything more about it.
Of course, I'm also quite certain that I don't have much talent in this area. Although I have a group of familiar partners in the miniature garden, I've never had subordinates, nor have I sought management advice from those around me. If I could do it perfectly right away without any training materials, then it wouldn't be a matter of having talent in this area.
"But what about that guy?"
I shifted my gaze to the man in the black trench coat standing against the wall not far away. His blood-stained hunting knife had been replaced by a straight sword over three feet long, which he held in his crossed arms: "As long as that guy is around, you never know when something might happen."
Sheng nodded: "You're right. He is indeed a major destabilizing factor."
He paused, then added, "However, I'm certain that he won't make any major moves until he finishes the tenth mission."
I couldn't help but wonder, "Why?"
Sheng spread his hands: "Because several tasks later require a certain number of people to start smoothly."
"...?"
The absurd answer confused me. I recalled what I had seen at the beginning of the game and couldn't help but curse out, "Why the hell did that?!"
Then I felt as if a sharp, cold breeze was pressing against the back of my neck.
I mustered my courage and turned my head to look, and there was that madman peering at me sideways.
That gaze seemed tinged with a thin layer of bloodlust, making it all the more chilling. I glared back without hesitation, and I don't know how many minutes passed, but then I saw him turn away first, his face cold, and walk in another direction, his figure gradually dissolving into the shadows where the light had faded.
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