Wang Chen

"Don't barge in, you..."

"Stop, halt!"

"You..."

When they discovered someone had forced their way past the checkpoint, several Mutual Aid Society members responsible for guarding the central square immediately called out to stop him and moved to intercept.

However, when they saw the wounded man on Pei Chao's back, covered in blood and missing his right arm, they gradually fell silent.

Qin Chengming, who had only been promoted by Wang Chen yesterday to become a team leader, said, "The Mutual Aid Society has already made rules. If there's a wounded person, you don't need to line up and can enter directly. Not only that, we'll help clear the way for you. There was no need for you to force your way in."

Pei Chao shot Qin Chengming a glance and snorted coldly.

"Get out of the way!"

As he spoke, Pei Chao shoved Qin Chengming aside, quickly brought Feng Buzhi to the crystal at the center of the square, and laid him down.

Seeing several Mutual Aid Society members gather around them, Pei Chao said, "Don't even think about collecting food from us. If you want some, collect more from them. You don't dare explore beyond the town, yet all you do is stir up this kind of mess."

As he spoke, Pei Chao pointed at the long line beside them, signaling for those people to collect food from the people waiting there instead.

Based on past experience, once Pei Chao displayed such a forceful attitude, the Mutual Aid Society people would usually leave awkwardly.

But today was a little different.

After Pei Chao spoke, Qin Chengming stepped forward instead.

Under Wang Chen's management, the Mutual Aid Society had become increasingly well-organized over the past few days. Many things had already been set on the right track, so naturally it could no longer be like before.

Qin Chengming explained, "We only wish to collect some easily stored food in case of emergencies. We will carefully record all the food everyone contributes. This is absolutely not arbitrary collection. The Mutual Aid Society's purpose is mutual assistance. You..."

Before Qin Chengming could finish, Pei Chao had already grabbed him by the collar.

Pei Chao said disdainfully, "That sounds nice. Why should we help each other with you people? Because I'm out there fighting those Green-skinned Dwarves while you hide here trembling in fear, busy with this kind of nonsense?"

Pei Chao's words left Qin Chengming unable to refute him, and for a moment, he was speechless.

Just then, a burst of applause came from behind him. It was Wang Chen, president of the Mutual Aid Society.

Wang Chen was in his thirties, with regular features and an air that made people feel close to him and willing to trust him.

But Pei Chao did not much like that sort of air. Back in the Caribbean Sea, whenever he brought back supplies, unscrupulous merchants with that very demeanor would always swindle a great deal of money out of him.

"You're right. You fight and struggle in the Weird Mist, while we enjoy comfort and safety in town. You should not receive the same treatment as us. That would be unfair."

Wang Chen agreed with Pei Chao, but swiftly changed tack. "However, humans are ultimately social creatures. A ruler has its strengths, an inch has its weaknesses; everyone has a field they excel in. Can you guarantee that you will never need anyone else's help?"

The people nearby who were lining up to receive food also began to grumble after hearing Wang Chen's words.

"Didn't he just go out and kill a few Goblins? Does that mean he can break the rules whenever he wants?"

"Acting like he's some big shot."

"Brother, I'd advise you to keep a lower profile."

As the surrounding crowd spoke, Wang Chen revealed a subtle smile. He pressed both hands downward, and the chaotic discussion gradually quieted.

Wang Chen said righteously, "Seven days ago, the twenty thousand of us arrived in this Weird world. In our confusion and unease, more than a hundred of our compatriots have already died. In the future, perhaps even more will die.

"I don't know who our enemy is, nor do I know what we will have to face.

"But one thing I do know is that our compatriots cannot continue dying in such a muddleheaded way.

"Not every one of the twenty thousand is suited to become a warrior. They each have things they are good at. What we should do is cross the river in the same boat and weather this crisis together. That is also the purpose behind my founding of the Mutual Aid Society."

Wang Chen's words drew bursts of applause and cheers from the nearby crowd. Several people who had not previously joined the Mutual Aid Society even declared on the spot that they wished to join.

Wang Chen smiled and quietly observed Pei Chao's expression.

In truth, Wang Chen had been waiting nearby for Pei Chao for a long time.

Yesterday, after Pei Chao fell out with Zhao Gang, Wang Chen received word and waited here like a hunter by a tree stump for a rabbit, expecting Pei Chao to come exchange for food so that he could persuade him to join the Mutual Aid Society.

As a Caribbean Sea pirate, Pei Chao possessed considerable combat strength. According to the information Wang Chen had gathered, Pei Chao was even slightly stronger than Zhao Gang.

And among the town's three teams, Zhao Gang's team was the strongest.

Besides that, reliable intelligence indicated that Pei Chao also possessed extremely high resistance to the Eerie Whisper in the mist outside town. Ordinary people could barely endure several dozen minutes in the mist, but Pei Chao could remain in it for hours without any noticeable change.

In some respects, calling Pei Chao the strongest person in this city would not be an exaggeration.

His only flaw was his prickly temperament, which made him seem difficult to discipline.

But in Wang Chen's eyes, Pei Chao was actually simple-minded and easy to control.

With that thought, Wang Chen continued, "To help us weather this crisis more effectively, the Mutual Aid Society has decided to select its finest members and establish two exploration teams. I intend to invite you to become the captain of one of them. As for the captain of the other team..."

As Wang Chen spoke, a blond man in a military uniform approached. It was Ryan, the soldier who had started with an assault rifle and grenades and claimed to be from the Marine Corps.

Pei Chao had met Ryan a few times, though they had not spoken much.

Nearly ninety percent of the humans who had appeared in this small town were Chinese, while the remaining ten percent were of other ethnicities. Naturally, those people had gathered together.

Of the town's three exploration teams, one was made up of people of various ethnicities, and Ryan was one of its members.

It seemed Ryan had already been brought under Wang Chen's command.

Pei Chao was somewhat puzzled as to why Ryan had joined Wang Chen's Mutual Aid Society. As he remembered it, Ryan had clashed with the Mutual Aid Society only a few days ago.

Seeing Pei Chao's confusion, Wang Chen smiled. "It seems you're wondering about what happened a few days ago. The conflict between the Mutual Aid Society and Ryan has long since been resolved, and Ryan has already recognized the Mutual Aid Society's ideals.

"A team of only a few dozen people is simply too small. Without the support of an organization behind it, the team will have all sorts of shortcomings. Take intelligence, for example. Do you know that power can be obtained within the Mist?"

As Wang Chen spoke, Ryan extended both arms. A layer of strange black smoke enveloped them.

Several Mutual Aid Society members brought over a stone brick. Ryan tossed it into the air, then punched it into several pieces.

Seeing Ryan smash the brick, Pei Chao said disdainfully, "I learned that information the day before yesterday. Zhao Gang was the first to discover that place, and I was standing right beside him at the time. Zhao Gang never asked us to keep it secret, so I suppose someone spread the news."

About four kilometers east of town, the mist was denser, forming something like a labyrinth. At the center of that labyrinth stood a strange structure resembling an altar.

The altar seemed to tell people that they could obtain power simply by touching it.

Because of Zhao Gang's warning, most of the people on Zhao Gang's team had not touched the altar. Only a handful had tried.

After several hours of unconsciousness, they had gained some abilities.

Of the six people who touched the altar, one could cover his right hand in a layer of ice crystals, another's arms became flexible, three others experienced changes to their legs, and one had changes in both shoulders. His ability had not revealed itself, but the itching and pain were unbearable.

In terms of strength, although these people had gained some superhuman abilities, the improvement was not significant for the time being.

According to what they said after waking, once they lost consciousness, their awareness had entered a place called the Endless Abyss, where they underwent a terrifying and strange experience.

Furthermore, while using their abilities, these people would also sense strange and horrifying images and sounds. Their minds were constantly tormented, and they could easily fall into a dazed state.

It could be said that touching the altar carried enormous side effects. This was also why most of Zhao Gang's team had chosen to wait and see.

Pei Chao had not touched that altar either, not because he feared the side effects, but because he vaguely felt that there might be another altar better suited to him.

In truth, Pei Chao had ventured deep into the Mist alone early that morning, following that feeling as he headed toward another place where he could obtain power...