Free Web NovelChapter 45: Chapter 40: Unexpected Card Draw
The contamination strategy of the [Skinner’s Curse] was a success. However, it would take more time for the Blood Knight to fully complete the Beastification Ceremony.
The good news was that Isabel had mastered a way to deal with the crazed Blood Knight and was becoming more and more adept.
Unfortunately, the [Evil Bone Whistle] was still ineffective against the Blood Knight. It could only hinder his movements slightly but couldn’t control his actions.
Isabel was still hard at work.
Just as Luh Yao was focused on dealing with the Blood Knight, the hitherto quiet Garlic Tribe underwent a series of changes.
Thanks to the diligent farming of all the little people, the population of the Garlic Tribe had reached over 600.
Regrettably, the tribe’s two leaders, the Prophet and the Shaman, had quietly passed away one after the other.
Their names were also engraved on the Monument.
"Nong Lai: The tribe’s first Prophet. He was Yao God’s eternally loyal follower, and the bridge between the God and the tribe. He led the tribe through natural disasters and starvation, surviving through the most difficult times. His name will be remembered by all."
"Lie Chang: The tribe’s first Shaman. He integrated the knowledge and courage of the Forest Tribe into the Garlic Tribe. He was a clever pioneer, a guide of Wisdom, and he helped the tribe master techniques they had never known before."
The bodies of the Prophet and the Shaman were buried in the forest, and their Ghost Souls were received by the local Death God, Scott, and taken to Saniluo, where they began a new Chapter of their existence.
The new leader of the Garlic Tribe was Hero Yuzou.
By this time, he was already an old man with graying hair. Yuzou no longer led the Hunters out on patrols and hunts. Instead, he began to rely on his experience and prestige to lead the tribe forward.
The life of a pixel person was very brief in Luh Yao’s eyes.
But watching these little people—who had once prayed to him, marveled at him, praised him, feared him, and revered him—step into death so unceremoniously, Luh Yao felt a bit wistful.
After becoming the leader, Yuzou made a simple adjustment to the Garlic Tribe.
First, Yuzou invited Astrologer Shahan to govern the tribe with him, and Shahan agreed.
Their division of labor was similar to the previous generation’s Prophet and Shaman.
The Astrologer was responsible for the tribe’s Divine Faith, praying in the Divine Hall and searching for Sacrificial Offerings to receive the God’s guidance.
Yuzou, the pragmatist, began to spearhead the tribe’s reforms.
He started by clearing an area of trees on the outskirts of the forest and converting it into farmland, giving the tribe more land to grow food. This ensured that the Garlic Tribe’s food reserves continued to increase.
On the other hand, he led the tribe’s little people to rebuild the docks with large amounts of stone and wood, and also constructed several tall granaries around them.
Yuzou led the tribe in felling trees to build canoe after canoe. The people boarded the canoes and began to explore further in all directions along the East River.
The East River was turbulent and wide. Canoes were often swallowed by whirlpools or sank after hitting rocks. This vigorous exploration of the river cost the Garlic Tribe several dozen lives, an unprecedented loss.
The tribe’s little people became very anxious, and some even began to question Yuzou.
"If the Prophet were here, so many people wouldn’t have died."
"If the Shaman were still alive, he definitely wouldn’t have done this."
"Yuzou’s gotten old."
"Even Heroes get old. If the tribe keeps going like this, we’re finished."
"Farming is still the safest thing to do. The water is too dangerous. The East River Tribe had a hard time surviving even without any Sea Monsters. It’ll be even more impossible for us."
Facing all kinds of doubt and pressure, Yuzou stuck to his policy.
At this moment, Shahan also gave Yuzou his full support. "We have to venture out. The God has already given us enough guidance. This is the Divine Will!"
Yuzou told the people, "We have ample food reserves, which gives us the foundation we need to finally venture onto the river."
"The river not only has fish, but it is also a natural road. Following it can lead us in every direction."
"The river is a great camel that never tires. It can take us anywhere."
"We must be the tribe that ventures out, not one that sits here and waits for other tribes to find us."
"Have you forgotten the crushing defeat by the Burrower Monsters? That is the price of stagnation."
From his god’s-eye view, Luh Yao could see things clearly.
The Headhunter’s death from long ago still affected Yuzou to this day.
Even as an old man, Yuzou was still plagued by a sense of unease and dread. He always felt a sense of urgency, as if an unseen monster could attack the Garlic Tribe at any moment.
This sense of urgency was something the Garlic Tribe had never had before.
Luh Yao greatly admired this.
Be prepared for danger in times of peace.
Without Fear, there could be no progress.
A hypothetical enemy would give the Garlic Tribe more motivation to advance and a stronger sense of unity.
However, the other side of the East River was uninhabited, with only vast stretches of desolate land, high mounds of stacked rocks, and some rocky shoals.
The canoes, like ants, scurried back and forth on the river, searching everywhere, one wave after another.
Luh Yao was about to go downstairs to get his takeout when a notification popped up on the screen, stopping him in his tracks.
[Astrologer Shahan has written the first parchment book, *Tribe’s Brief History*.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned to write.]
[Yulian has built the first oar-sailed ship.]
[The Garlic Tribe has invented the oar-sailed ship.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned to build and use oar-sailed ships. Their Faith has increased.]
—Great God, one of your believers has performed a feat far surpassing his peers. Do you wish to transform him into a Hero?
[Yes] [No]
Luh Yao took a look.
A new little person had appeared in the Divine Hall, wearing a short woolen coat. The name above his head was Yulian, and he was only 16 years old.
A question mark appeared above Yulian’s head, and a box next to it showed his thoughts.
’They say only those recognized by the God can receive revelations and truly enter the Divine Hall. Does this mean I’ve been recognized?’
’But I didn’t bring a Sacrificial Offering. What if the God gets angry... I’m not going to be struck dead by lightning, am I...?’
’Sigh, I’m just a shipbuilder. I don’t know anything about the affairs of a God.’
’I hope the God doesn’t blame me.’
Luh Yao could clearly feel it now. As the tribe’s civilization advanced, the thoughts of the pixel people were also becoming more and more active.
The young Yulian had built an oar-sailed ship.
He came from a family of fishermen, as his surname suggested. It was a good fit for his talents.
Luh Yao selected [Yes], and Yulian immediately got his own stat panel and character portrait.
In his detailed profile panel, Yulian was depicted as a young boy standing by the water’s edge. He was barefoot, wearing a simple, short woolen coat, and his eyes were fixed on a fish in the distance, as if pondering how to get it ashore.
Below the portrait was a quote from him.
—Ships are shoes for people. We must have more and better shoes to walk farther on the water.
...
[Hero Lv1] Yulian
Attack 0, Defense 0, Knowledge 2, Mana 0, Luck 1, Morale 1
[Abilities]
Wisdom Lv1: Wisdom is key for an Apostle to hear the Divine Will. The higher the level of Wisdom, the easier it is to improve and comprehend various abilities.
Shipbuilding Technique Lv1: Proficient at building ships, granting a faster construction speed and a chance to build High Level ships.
...
Luh Yao felt a sense of gratification as he looked at this.
Shipbuilding Technique and Wisdom were both excellent and very practical abilities.
It was also because of this Shipbuilding Technique ability that Yulian was able to invent the oar-sailed ship, single-handedly advancing the tribe’s shipbuilding by a great leap.
Moreover, Yulian was only 16; his potential was limitless.
After so many years since its founding and several generations of people, the Garlic Tribe had finally drawn a good card!
