Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 9: Barbarian Tribe
The next day, it was almost quitting time at the office.
"Did you hear? That stripping pervert showed up again yesterday."
Sister Peng said excitedly, "And it was in your Jiuyuann Community again! See? I told you it was dangerous. It’s a good thing you got a ride with me yesterday. I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened if you’d run into that pervert."
To thank her, Luh Yao had a small cake and a cup of coffee delivered to her.
After work, he hopped on a shared e-scooter and sped off. Luh Yao had calculated that, unlike the bus, the e-scooter wouldn’t get stuck in traffic. He could also take shortcuts, making it, in theory, the fastest way home.
...
Back home, Luh Yao couldn’t wait to sit down at his computer.
On the screen, winter in the Pixel World had passed. The snow that had covered the ground and trees was gone without a trace, replaced by patches of fresh shoots and green grass.
The people of the Garlic Tribe began to cultivate more land, while the people of the Forest Tribe started hunting everywhere. Everyone had returned to their familiar way of life.
Seeing the neatly arranged wheat fields, which were constantly expanding, brought even Luh Yao, their God, a sense of joy.
The Prophet and the Shaman were standing outside the Divine Hall, seemingly having another private chat.
Smiley face icons occasionally popped up over the heads of the two little figures, indicating they were relaxed and at ease.
The Shaman said, "The ancestors of the Forest Tribe were once Believers of an Old God—the Forest God. But that’s a story passed down by the elders, from what they say was a previous Era."
"The elders say that before the Forest God vanished, this forest covered more than half the world. Back then, all beasts were friends to the Forest Tribe, and even fierce Demons were tamed into servants. Every member of the Forest Tribe had great Longevity, living in Symbiosis with the trees and possessing power granted by their God."
"But that was so long ago, so long that we can no longer tell what is true and what is myth."
"Ever since the time of the last Shaman, the Forest Tribe has suffered from chronic food shortages. The winters grew colder, the animals scarcer, and Rainfall became infrequent. The shadow of Demon Believers began to linger in our woods, and this forest is withering."
"My friend, I must now make a difficult decision. We wish to move out of the forest and worship at the Divine Hall. Will Yao God accept the Forest Tribe?"
An exclamation mark appeared above the Prophet’s head, followed by a light bulb.
"All devout Believers receive the protection of Yao God. The Garlic Tribe welcomes you!"
At the same time, a notification appeared on the screen.
[The Garlic Tribe and the Forest Tribe have merged. Faith has increased slightly.]
[The Blessing is complete. Wheat has been integrated into the world.]
Luh Yao quickly looked at the top right corner.
His Faith Value jumped from 79 to 237, and the population grew from 38 to 196.
Luh Yao couldn’t help but pump his fist in the air.
’It worked!’
’His early investment and Patience had finally paid off.’
After the two tribes officially merged, the people of the Forest Tribe gradually moved out of the forest. Following the Garlic Tribe’s example, they also began to build thatched huts, clear farmland, and plant wheat and garlic.
Meanwhile, the Forest Tribe’s contingent of Hunters was preserved. They continued to enter the forest regularly for Hunting, bringing back the meat and leather that the Garlic Tribe lacked.
Gradually, the people of the Garlic Tribe also began to wear leather vests. Based on appearance alone, it was now impossible to tell the villagers from the two tribes apart.
The new Garlic Tribe was thriving, but the Pig Fish Brothers ran into trouble.
At some point, the pair had traveled to the farthest reaches of the western forest, into a region that bordered a sprawling mountain range.
Now, they were shouting warnings as they ran all the way back to the tribe.
"Enemies in the forest!"
"Enemy attack!"
"Alert, alert!"
The discovery by the two Heroes sent the entire tribe into action.
Led by the Prophet and the Shaman, the Hunters grabbed their wooden spears and readied themselves for a fight.
Soon, the enemies from the western forest revealed themselves.
They were a group of Wild People clad in animal hides and wielding Stone Axes. There were only a dozen or so of these Wild People, but they were incredibly fierce, and they were locked in a chaotic brawl with over thirty Hunters.
"Hand over your food!"
"Hand over your food! Or we’ll kill you!"
"Give us your food, or you heretics will die!"
The Hunters were having a hard time against these Wild People. Fortunately, the Pig Fish Brothers were there, and the two Heroes proved their worth.
Wielding wooden clubs, they specialized in sneak attacks, clubbing the Wild People from behind. This, combined with their natural agility, made it very difficult for the Wild People to harm them.
This simple yet effective combat style repeatedly put the Wild People at a disadvantage.
Soon, the Wild People were Knocked back. They left, cursing and swearing as they went.
"You dare to resist? You’re dead!"
"No food! A poor tribe, so poor!"
"You actually refused to hand over your food? We’ll be back!"
"Wash your necks and wait to die! Heretics!"
’Luh Yao was a little disappointed.’
’His villagers hadn’t managed to finish off the raiders, just driven them away.’
’He considered dropping a lightning bolt, both to show the Prophet and Shaman what their God wanted and to eradicate those Wild People raiders, root and stem.’
Just then, the Shaman spoke.
"’It’s the Barbarian Tribe. They live in the mountains, have no Wisdom, and are as fierce as wild beasts.’"
"’The Barbarian Tribe is very powerful. Every one of them is a strong warrior, and they constantly plunder food from the surrounding tribes. The only way to avoid their attacks is to give them food.’"
"’They were the ones who used to steal a large portion of the Forest Tribe’s food.’"
"’They are Demon Believers. They’ve gained Demon Power and can transform into beasts. We cannot fight them.’"
It dawned on Luh Yao.
’So the black bear from before was actually a warrior from the Barbarian Tribe.’
’No Wisdom, fierce as a beast...’
’No wonder that guy couldn’t even tell the Garlic Tribe and Forest Tribe apart. He attacked the wrong target and was promptly executed with a lightning bolt by me.’
’The Forest Tribe was extremely wary of Demons. They had been threatened and extorted by the Barbarian Tribe for a long time. If the neighboring Garlic Tribe had also been Demon Believers, they would have had no choice but to throw in their lot with the Demons.’
’The Barbarian Tribe was all brawn and no brain, which was a slight relief. These Wild People only knew how to mindlessly charge forward, so they shouldn’t be too hard to deal with.’
Luh Yao looked at the potted plant next to his desk. "Xiaohuo."
"God, your faithful servant awaits your command." The Cactus Ball immediately leaped from the soil of its pot and stood at attention.
"Can all Demon Believers turn into beasts?"
"Lord God, turning into a beast is likely a type of Demon ability," Xiaohuo said. "Only a very small number of Believers, those known as ’Heroes,’ can awaken Demon Power and use such an ability."
’So that’s how it works.’
’Luh Yao recalled how the black bear’s corpse had remained intact after he’d struck it down with lightning. It was because he had been a Hero among the Demon Believers, stronger than an ordinary pixel person.’
He then looked at the Pig Fish Brothers.
’You guys are Heroes too, so how come you two don’t have any special abilities?’
Luh Yao opened the two Heroes’ stat panels and suddenly realized he had been too quick to judge.
...
[Hero Lv2] Fisherman
Attack 2 Defense 1 Knowledge 0 Mana 0 Luck 2 Morale 0
[Abilities]
Water-Seeking Technique Lv1: Able to find water sources in any environment.
...
[Hero Lv2] Hunter
Attack 3 Defense 2 Knowledge 0 Mana 0 Luck 0 Morale 0
[Abilities]
Tracking Technique Lv1: Able to identify the tracks left by various people and animals.
...
’The Pig Fish Brothers had leveled up without him noticing.’
’Neither of these awakened abilities was for combat, but their utility was pretty decent.’
’With the Tracking Technique, it was no wonder they were able to spot the Barbarian Tribe.’
’I misjudged you two.’
’My bad.’
Luh Yao then turned his gaze to the mountains west of the forest, where the Barbarian Tribe made their home.
’You think you can offend a God and just walk away?’
’It’s not that easy.’
