Angel Round

"Touch me, and let me unleash your potential hidden in the shadows."

Under the watchful eyes of several NPCs who hesitated to speak, 'Lost a Leg' took Li Li's hand. The UI of his personal panel updated, and his 72 points of Faith transformed into 360,000 experience points.

After some thought, the Shadowfolk spent 210,000 experience points to reach level 20 and transfer to the [Stealth Master] class. The remaining experience was used to level up skills.

"Astonishing!" the Orc, who had been silent for a long time, couldn't help but applaud. "This is the first time I've witnessed such pure power bestowal!"

The sorceress, wearing a pointed hat and composed entirely of moonlight, nodded slightly.

After leveling up 'Lost a Leg', Li Li looked at the Orc wearing gold-rimmed glasses and proactively introduced himself:

"As you can see, these otherworldly individuals from the future can convert corrupted monsters into their own energy, which I then transform into their power."

"There's no such thing as power bestowal. From your perspective, you see them becoming Transcendence in an instant, but in reality, they already possessed the corresponding power before that; they just hadn't cashed it in."

"This power is exclusive to them, but I don't reject any party attempting to recruit these otherworldly individuals I summon from the future."

The information conveyed in these few sentences was so immense that it took everyone several seconds to fully comprehend, missing the optimal moment for questioning. Instead, 'Lost a Leg' was the first to speak, asking, "How do you know we're from the future?"

"Having spent so many days with you, have you ever concealed your knowledge of the future?" Li Li retorted.

'Lost a Leg' was stunned.

So, this game didn't treat NPCs as fools. The players' unusual actions were all observed by the NPCs, who then drew conclusions based on their understanding.

"Hey, wait, you said those guys can cleanse the world of corruption?"

The teddy bear hanging on the warehouse door suddenly spoke.

As soon as it finished speaking, an ancient, aged tree walked in from outside.

The Old Treant's lush foliage at the top bumped the teddy bear on the rope, causing it to sway back and forth with a "Wuga wuga!" sound.

He slowly walked to Li Li's side, thrusting his thick roots through the stone bricks of the floor and anchoring deep into the ground. He declared his stance to everyone present: "The Gaudeliv Gang is an ally of this divine being."

The sorceress with the pointed hat, not to be outdone, also stated, "The Academy's stance is equally friendly."

Now it was the Orc's turn, representing the Transcendence Merchant Guild. He narrowed his eyes and spoke sharply:

"You say you don't mind us recruiting the otherworldly individuals you summon, but there's more than one way to cooperate in this world. If the people from the Academy want to research your otherworldly individuals and capture them for their laboratories, will the few otherworldly individuals you summoned be enough for the major powers to share?"

"Who knows," Li Li chuckled. "Some powers will surely do that, but I don't want to pay the price with words."

After all, before being struck by iron fists, my words, as a desperate god who can only hide within a barrier and barely survive, wouldn't even count as the most blustering threat.

"But that's the advantage of you standing here. At least you can cooperate with me with a friendly attitude first. After observing other powers make a move on the otherworldly individuals I summoned, you can then decide whether to continue our friendly cooperation or betray us, based on the price those powers paid."

"You're more open-minded than I thought," the Orc's expression softened considerably.

Seeing that everyone present had the intention to cooperate, Li Li continued:

"You can recruit the individuals I summoned freely. Negotiate prices with them yourselves."

"However, you must be responsible for your own actions. If you are deceived by an otherworldly individual, or if they break a contract after you reach an agreement, I will not provide any compensation. That is between you and them."

As he spoke, Li Li produced a map. He had copied it from the forum. Unlike the rough maps found online, this map meticulously marked every location.

He took out a pen and drew a straight line between Endemic Plague Village and Iron Wall City, saying:

"My brave warriors have completely cleansed the corruption in Endemic Plague Village, turning it into a pure land. They are also clearing the corruption along the route, and soon the paths on both sides will be free of any monsters."

"You should know what it means for these otherworldly individuals below demigod status to clear corruption bit by bit, like bleeding. The Thirteen City Alliance might become fourteen cities, fifteen cities in the future, or a completely new power might re-emerge."

"This is what I, in my capacity as a God, need to discuss with you."

"I need the powers behind you to assist me in establishing settlements outside the city."

"Trust needs to be built gradually. I plan to start with Endemic Plague Village and establish a small expeditionary camp there, complete with supporting facilities, including roads, housing, and supplies."

The Orc with glasses couldn't help but take out a steel pen and ask:

"Even if you can clear the monsters along the route, finding workers willing to go outside the city is difficult. What kind of price can you offer?"

"I've been reciting PTT for so long, do you still think I'm negotiating a deal with you?"

"Whoa, are you saying you're looking for investment from me?"

"Don't you think being an angel round investor for a god has a bright future?"

He looked at the Old Treant beside him: "The Treants can provide military force, firearms, combat training, and natural terrain modification."

Then, he looked at the sorceress who was showing interest: "The Academy can provide scrolls, education, research on monsters outside the city, and paid instruction for sub-professions like potion crafting and equipment enchanting."

Finally, he looked at the Orc, who was already considering it, and the Elf behind him: "The Merchant Guild will provide construction for the territory. The benefit is the monopoly on selling consumables like potions, and the most profitable aspect, the recycling of various monster materials."

"Even without other cooperation, this is a sure-win business. That Centaur Heart is just the initial sweetener."

"It sounds tempting, but that's assuming the people you summoned can truly clear the corruption outside the city," the Orc said.

"The Gaudeliv Gang can guarantee that," the Old Treant replied.

"The Academy has also received similar reports," the sorceress with the pointed hat also stated.

With the intention to cooperate established, the initial discussions began.

As the sole representative of the "otherworldly individuals" at the moment, 'Lost a Leg' listened to everyone's initial demands throughout the entire process and accepted invitations for subsequent detailed discussions.

It could be said that his participation in the plot was full, and he gained many benefits that were not immediately apparent.

NPCs are like this. Players only need to fully immerse themselves in the battlefield, find monsters, and kill them. But NPCs have many things to consider.

Equipment, medicine, shops, repairs, enhancements... Only when they are busy and orderly can they better support the players.