I Can't Hear It! I Can't Hear Anything at All!

"You have obtained 'Servant' *1."

"You have obtained 'Servant' *1."

The notifications refreshed continuously, stopping only after sixteen entries had appeared.

Colin sat behind his desk, watching as one figure after another materialized not far from him, feeling a sense of wonder in his heart.

"Greetings, new Lord," the servants said in hoarse, weak voices.

Colin nodded, but before he could say anything, several of the servants lost their footing and collapsed.

What the...

Colin was stunned and immediately tapped to open their panels.

The status bar showed "Extremely Hungry," with their satiety level down to just 1!

Not only that, but a bunch of other debuffs like "Dizzy" and "Near Shock" appeared in their status bars.

In less than ten minutes, Colin would have been able to watch these people starve to death right here on the spot!

The vast majority of people selling these servants had been driven to the brink of desperation; as lords themselves, they were already starving to death, so naturally, they had no surplus food to feed anyone else.

Therefore, by the time Colin bought them, their hunger had reached its limit, and even standing had become a struggle.

"Feed them, quickly!"

Immediately, Colin used the Synthesis Table to craft oatmeal with added meat, having Number One and Number Two carry it over.

After a flurry of chaotic activity, these servants finally recovered.

Seeing this scene, Colin breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't want the people he recruited to die on the very same day before they could even be put to use; that would be too ominous.

"Thank you for saving our lives, my Lord!"

The group of recovered servants spoke one after another, their eyes reddening and their faces filled with gratitude.

To save useless wretches like them, the new Lord had actually used such luxurious and delicious food.

Just like Number One and Number Two in Colin's hands previously, their memories were filled with hard, sour black bread full of grit; tasting this flavor for the first time, their jaws couldn't help but ache slightly.

In this, they could even taste the flavor of meat!

That was meat!

A good thing even their previous masters couldn't afford to eat!

Of course, if their previous masters could afford this stuff, they wouldn't have sold them in the first place.

After giving them ten minutes to rest and seeing that their conditions had mostly recovered, Number Two smiled and said, "As long as you work hard for the Lord and follow him well, you will have this kind of porridge to drink every day in the future!"

"The Lord is clear in his rewards and punishments. If you can perform meritorious service, the Lord will reward you with meat!"

"Re-really?"

One servant couldn't help but ask, but immediately felt a sense of dread after speaking; he had actually dared to question the Lord's subordinate.

Number Two was about to say something, but Colin raised a hand to stop him.

Colin sat in his chair, leaning forward with his elbows on the desk, hands clasped together to support his chin.

He recalled something a survivor had said on the chat channel earlier and decided to borrow it.

"I don't like long-winded speeches, and I don't like saying pretty words. I'm a simple man: you risk your life for me and help me get things done, and I will give you food and good treatment."

"Of course, I won't sacrifice you casually. I cherish life—whether it's my own or someone else's. Do you understand?"

Colin said in a low, steady voice.

"Yes, my Lord," the dozen or so people replied in low, submissive voices, sounding messy and uncoordinated.

Colin frowned and said nothing. Was he recruiting a group of elderly people on a bus?

At this moment, Number One stepped forward with the large wheel on his back, his voice booming. He stood tall, chest out, and glared at them: "From today on, you are the first batch of subordinates recruited by Lord Colin! As for me, you can call me Number One! That one over there is Number Two! We are your friendly big brothers!"

"I will repeat the Lord's words once more!"

"As long as you risk your life for the Lord, the Lord will give you food and good treatment."

"Now, if you have any questions, you can ask us, and we will kindly explain them to you! I'll give you three seconds! Three! Two! One!"

"Very good, it seems there are no problems!"

"Then, I'll say it again! Did you understand? If you understood, say: Yes! My Lord!"

"Yes, my Lord!" This time, the voices were more uniform.

All of them looked at Number One, whose voice sounded like thunder, with some fear.

Although they were all servants, they could see that this man was twice as strong as they were!

The way his muscles bulged, and that blood-stained large wheel on his back, made it seem like he could kill them with a single punch!

However, seeing that Colin didn't react, Number One frowned.

He knew what the Lord wanted.

Spirit! Determination! Strength!

"No energy! I can't hear you! Are you all mutes? There's not a sound coming out of your mouths! Say it again!"

Number One roared at the top of his lungs.

"Yes! My Lord!"

"I can't hear you! I can't hear you at all! Did you even eat just now?! A dog barks louder than you! Do it again!"

Number One stood with his hands on his hips, eyes wide with fury, his presence imposing.

Even Colin was somewhat surprised in his heart, thinking that this Number One was actually quite the talent.

Servants could be trained, and there was no limit stated as to what heights they could reach, which gave Colin some ideas.

"Yes!! My Lord!!" The sound was a little louder.

However, this level of effort from the group of servants still wasn't enough; looking at their crooked, slouching postures, it just wouldn't do.

Most importantly, Colin didn't see the "Inspired" status appear on their status bars!

"I can't hear you! I can't hear you! I can't hear you at all! Again! You want to risk your lives for the Lord with voices that quiet?! And you, straighten your back! Stand like I do!"

"Let me tell you, you had meat porridge for lunch, but! If I can't hear you, if your feet aren't planted straight, or if your backs hunch over again, you're all going hungry today!"

Number One bellowed.

As a servant himself, he knew exactly what these people feared most: going hungry!

Beating and scolding were useless; only hunger was something they truly dreaded!

"Yes!!! My Lord!!!"

Upon hearing the words "going hungry," everyone panicked, blood rushing to their heads, their faces turning red as they shouted at the top of their lungs.

The food Colin had given them earlier was barely enough to keep them alive; in essence, they were still in a state of hunger, just not extreme starvation.

"Good." Colin took over from Number One, clapping his hands, and after seeing the collective "Inspired" status appear, he gave his approval.

Only in this way would they not be scared out of their wits by the Mist when they went exploring later.

Looking at the empty hands of the servants, Colin thought for a moment and exchanged some materials from the trading market.

Colin quickly crafted a dozen axes, along with a shovel, a hoe, and other tools.

Then, he had everyone come up to claim one.

Soon, all nineteen people present had an axe in hand.

Mist Axe Gang, should I do an axe dance? Colin muttered to himself.

He then looked at the group before him: "Number One, Number Two, organize the teams. I'll make some preparations. Before we set off, I will make sure everyone is full. Do not disappoint me!"

"Yes!!! My Lord!!!"

Uh, actually, there's no need for that. Colin wore an awkward but polite smile.

Following that, Colin unfolded the Parchment and opened the Regional Channel, intending to see if there was any new information.

Being prepared every time one heads out is the basic skill for surviving in the Mist.

After all, the hints are not omnipotent.