The Aroma Warning

Dragon Scale Island, territory of the White Ape tribe.

Watching his tribesmen laboriously chopping down trees, the White Ape King wore a vacant expression.

Just a few days ago, he had been mocking the foreign invaders for having no brains, spending their days busy with meaningless tasks.

He had even admired himself for trading worthless resources like stone and timber for the friendship of these outsiders.

But as more and more foreign invaders arrived, the White Ape King soon discovered that he didn't have enough "gifts" to go around.

With no other choice, the White Ape King had to order his tribesmen to chop wood and mine stone to accommodate the newcomers.

They had been at it for several days now.

Before he knew it, the White Ape King suddenly realized he was doing the very thing he had previously despised, and it seemed he was no different from these foreign invaders.

However, since they were already doing it and a foundation of friendship had been established, the White Ape King had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue.

By today, both he and his tribesmen had grown accustomed to the daily routine of logging and quarrying.

In fact, through these few days of contact, the White Ape King had even established a rule that each person could only take one portion of "resources" at a time to prevent the greedy invaders from claiming more than their share.

While things were becoming increasingly formalized, the White Ape King always felt that something was wrong.

He had truly exhausted himself trying to consolidate this "friendship" with his new neighbors.

Fortunately, ever since he started handing out gifts, there had been no more trouble at the orchard.

This was the only comfort in the White Ape King's heart.

The orchard held extraordinary significance for the White Ape tribe; as long as the orchard remained safe, everything else was negotiable.

At this moment, another wave of players approached from the distance.

Stopping about a hundred meters away from the White Ape King, the group of players suddenly halted and cast their gazes toward him.

Seeing this, the White Ape King couldn't even be bothered to speak; he habitually pointed toward the area to his rear right.

The players understood immediately and strode toward the area where the resources were piled up.

Watching the foreign invaders happily receive resources from his tribesmen, the White Ape King couldn't help but sigh in dejection.

He felt a weariness in his heart akin to that of a "wage slave."

Just as the White Ape King was lost in thought, a figure glided down from the sky and landed steadily.

The newcomer had wings on his back, a pitch-black face with no discernible features, and wore a suit of light black armor.

Upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, the White Ape King's expression turned one of extreme terror.

"White Ape tribe, ten tribesmen, come to collect tomorrow!"

A consciousness pierced into the White Ape King's mind, eventually coalescing into a single sentence.

Although they did not share a language, the newcomer chose to communicate via consciousness, expressing his intentions directly to the White Ape King.

After leaving the message, the figure did not wait for the White Ape King's reply; he leaped high into the air, spread his wings, and flapped them to speed away into the distance.

Watching the retreating figure, the White Ape King's face turned grim.

This was because the newcomer came from "Sun-Eroding Island," located to the east of Dragon Scale Island.

There, mountain ranges stretched endlessly, and the island was rich in spiritual mineral resources.

Unlike Dragon Scale Island, where resource extraction was nearly exhausted, the resources on Sun-Eroding Island were completely controlled by a major power.

This race was the "Faceless Tribe."

Because the environment in the mining areas on Sun-Eroding Island was harsh and prone to sudden dangers, the annual mortality rate for the mining laborers reached a terrifying 46%.

To ensure that resource extraction proceeded smoothly, the Faceless Tribe would periodically send new laborers to Sun-Eroding Island to serve as tools for their continued mining.

There were two sources for these laborers.

One was purchasing them from the slave markets in the east, and the other was capturing members of weaker tribes near the sea.

However, the Faceless Tribe generally adopted the second method.

The man who had just arrived was a "Hunter," specifically tasked by the Faceless Tribe with capturing laborers.

The White Ape King dared not disobey his demands.

Otherwise, nothing awaited them but the annihilation of their tribe.

While filled with inner rage, a sense of the sorrow inherent to the weak welled up in the White Ape King's heart.

He looked up at the "good neighbors" not far away, who were smiling as they lined up to receive resources, and suddenly felt a bit of envy toward them.

Though they were foolish, at least they lived every day quite happily.

The next day.

The Hunter's figure streaked across the sky and landed directly within the White Ape tribe's territory.

By this time, the White Ape King had long since made his preparations.

With an expressionless face, it let out a low growl, and ten sturdy clansmen behind it immediately stepped forward.

The White Ape King knew very well what awaited these clansmen.

However, for the sake of the White Ape Tribe's future, he had no choice but to do this.

Just like the Old Ape King before him, he too chose to compromise and submit to the orders of the Faceless Tribe.

Glancing at the ten clansmen chosen by the White Ape King, the Hunter nodded in satisfaction. He reached out to pull out a chain, which extended as he swung it, binding the ten white apes one by one.

The Hunter then prepared to leave.

At this moment, he suddenly noticed a group of figures rushing over from the distance.

Their faces were beaming with smiles, which made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"White Ape King, morning! Have you eaten yet?"

"Brother Ape, where's today's pay?"

"Oh ho, why is there a bird-man standing here?"

Listening to their chattering, the Hunter's face showed displeasure. With a wave of his hand, the chain extended, binding the dozens of arriving players as well. He then flapped his wings, taking the players and the white apes into the air.

The players were carried away by the Hunter while still in a state of utter confusion.

While flying, a player immediately used an analysis ability to check the Hunter's information.

[Three-Phase (Faceless Race)]

Biological Details: A member of the Faceless Race from Sun-Eroding Island, affiliated with the "Hunter" organization. His duty is to capture outsiders to serve as forced labor.

Strength Rating: Level 33

Personality: Calm, cruel, and bloodthirsty

Status: Normal

"Holy crap, I checked the analysis info—we're being taken as forced labor! What the hell!"

"Hey you, let me go! If you've got the guts, let's fight one-on-one!"

"We are so unlucky, but I'd rather die than be a laborer!"

After viewing the Hunter's analysis info, the players were filled with righteous indignation.

They never expected that coming early to the White Ape Tribe's territory to collect their daily resource share would result in being captured as forced labor.

The players couldn't help but curse loudly.

However, the chains were locked tight, and no matter how much they struggled, it was to no avail.

Throughout the flight, the players, having given up on struggling, saw an island appear in their line of sight.

The island was covered in rolling mountains, and the air was filled with the unpleasant smell of coal.

At this time, the Hunter descended, carrying the players onto a mountain peak and arriving at the entrance of a mine.

After landing, the Hunter shook the chains, causing them to retract and release the bindings on the players and the white apes.

At this moment, the players, who had been holding back the entire way, were ready to start cursing.

In the players' eyes, they had their dignity.

Although their strength was weak, they would never compromise and become forced laborers.

Just then, several laborers pushed a cart filled with spirit ore out of the mine.

The players' gazes were immediately drawn to the spirit ore in the cart.

[Coal Spirit Gem (Level 2 Ore)]

Ore Information: Common spirit ore buried deep underground, possessing high hardness.

Ore Usage: Forging weapons, armor, special tools, special buildings, etc...

Market Sale Price: 9 points of Divine Power

Seeing the spirit ore in the cart, the players suddenly realized.

Laborer = mining laborer; they had been captured to mine.

"Wait... I'm not leaving!"

"Being a laborer is great! I love working, hurry up and send me in!"

"Actually, trying out being a laborer is pretty good—it's about experiencing all walks of life."

The players who were just talking about fighting for their lives on the voice channel changed their tune on the spot.