Joining the Militia Team

At dusk, after Lin Yi returned to his apartment from the studio, he logged into Apocalypse World once again.

Today, he had logged in several times during his spare moments and completed two Woodcutting Quests.

Perhaps the several completed quests had earned him Gu Yongqiang's favor, because Gu Yongqiang gave Lin Yi another new quest.

"You don't have a place to stay in Ancient Pool Village yet, so you can live in the woodshed in the courtyard. However, my legs are inconvenient, so every morning, you need to fetch two buckets of well water from the east side of the village for me."

"Ding! Gu Yongqiang of Ancient Pool Village has issued you a daily quest. Complete the Water-Carrying Quest to obtain the Woodshed Dwelling Right."

From Liu Hong's Diary, Lin Yi knew how dangerous Apocalypse World became at night. If he chose to log in at night, having nowhere to stay simply would not do.

He had seen the woodshed Gu Yongqiang mentioned. Though it was small and dirty, it had a wooden bed where he could rest, so it at least counted as somewhere to settle down.

"Thank you, Brother Gu. Don't worry, I'll fetch the water first thing tomorrow morning."

Gu Yongqiang nodded, pleased with Lin Yi's attitude, then brought him some clean bedding and sheets.

The bedding and sheets had been washed until they were nearly faded. They had clearly been used for more than ten years, but they looked clean and carried a faint scent of soap.

Lin Yi could not help nodding. Brother Gu was quite a decent and kind man.

However, apart from gradually learning about Apocalypse World, his main reason for staying by Gu Yongqiang's side was Gu Yongqiang's External Skill.

In Lin Yi's understanding, External Skills in Apocalypse World were equivalent to skills in a game.

As far as Lin Yi knew, the sword technique Militia Captain Gu Man had used against the Ghost Fiend that day was an External Skill.

At the time, Gu Man and the Ghost Fiend had seemed evenly matched. Yet after Gu Man used a Spirit Artifact to unleash his External Skill, the Ghost Fiend was defeated in a miserable state and captured within a few moves. This showed just how greatly an External Skill could increase one's strength.

Liu Hong's Diary had also mentioned External Skills once. It said that External Skills were rare things. Once learned, they could even be used in the real world, and their power was immense.

The sky gradually darkened. Lin Yi gave the small woodshed bedroom a simple tidying, and seeing that he did not have much online time left, prepared to log out.

However, footsteps sounded in the dark courtyard at that moment, followed by voices talking in Gu Yongqiang's room.

"Captain Yongqiang!"

"Don't call me Captain. My leg is crippled, and I stopped being your captain long ago. Besides, shouldn't you be managing your Second Team? What are you doing here...?"

Clearly, the visitor was Gu Chenghu, captain of the Militia Second Team.

The voices gradually lowered until Lin Yi could no longer make out anything. He shook his head and logged out.

Inside the room, the conversation continued.

Gu Chenghu said, "Brother Yongqiang, I heard a Newborn came to your home? Was he recommended to you by Elder Gu He again?"

Gu Yongqiang nodded. "That old man does this sort of thing all the time. I'm used to it. This is already the third one this month."

"What is this Newborn's character like? How is his talent?"

Gu Yongqiang asked in surprise, "What? Are your Militia Teams that short on people? You even want to take in a fresh Newborn? Besides, didn't I hear that your Second Team doesn't want Newborns?"

"Brother Yongqiang, I'll be honest with you. Our Second Team lost another two men outside the city today. They probably won't be able to patrol or work for a while. Some team members said that Newborns have been arriving in the village recently, so I came to see whether there were any suitable ones."

"He isn't suitable. He has only been here for two days. If he goes to your Militia Team, there's only death waiting for him. As for whether he will be suitable later, I'll observe him for a while longer..."

On the third day in Apocalypse World, Lin Yi logged in early. Before dawn, he fetched two buckets of well water for Gu Yongqiang from the east side of the village, then accepted another Woodcutting Quest and went to the hill behind the courtyard to chop wood.

During that time, Lin Yi also drew an Omnipotent Talent once.

However, this time, the talent was still a White Talent.

'Lone Star of Fate' (White Talent): With this talent, you will encounter dangerous incidents several times more often than ordinary people. Those close to you will have an increased chance of dying tragically. However, danger comes with good fortune, and you have a certain chance of receiving fate's reward amid good fortune.

Without question, this was another trash talent whose negative effects outweighed its benefits.

There was no way Lin Yi would ever solidify such a talent.

Still, since the talents he had drawn for three consecutive days had all been white quality, drawing a good talent likely required both time and a certain amount of luck.

That day, Lin Yi kept to the same schedule. He continued working at the studio, cashed out and sold the gold coins and equipment the studio had earned over the past few days, then paid the studio members their wages.

During that time, Lin Yi also sent Liu Bo several messages. However, that kid replied very slowly. Lin Yi guessed that Liu Bo had probably already used the Activation Code and entered Apocalypse World.

The kid had been decisive. Lin Yi could only wish him good luck in Apocalypse World.

And so, for three consecutive days, aside from handling matters at the studio during the day, Lin Yi spent his spare time entering Apocalypse World to explore.

The longer he stayed in Ancient Pool Village, the more information Lin Yi gathered.

Perhaps because Lin Yi had performed well in front of Gu Yongqiang over the past few days, on this morning, the moment he logged in, he received another new quest from Gu Yongqiang.

Inside the room, Gu Yongqiang looked at Lin Yi and said, "In Ancient Pool Village, chopping wood alone cannot guarantee your safety. You are a Newborn and need experience. I've seen that you've been patient enough to chop wood these past few days. You are a steady person. Are you willing to help the Militia Team?"

"Help the Militia Team?"

Lin Yi froze, then asked, "Brother Gu, don't Militia Teams only recruit members above Level 5?"

Gu Yongqiang shook his head and explained patiently, "Not join the Militia Team, but help them. You also know that Newborns like you are special. As long as you kill Monsters and Ghost Spirits, special items can drop. Sending you to help the Militia Team means assisting them in killing Monsters and Ghost Spirits. You can also gain Experience Points for growth."

Seeing Lin Yi's thoughtful expression and that he had not immediately agreed, Gu Yongqiang added, "Don't worry. Your strength is currently low, so you'll only be helping with the kills, not charging at the front. The Militia Team will also send people to protect you and will not let you get hurt."

Though that was what he said, Lin Yi was still somewhat hesitant.

Being able to follow the Militia Team and farm experience before reaching Level 5 was indeed a good opportunity.

But Lin Yi possessed the Omnipotent Talent. As long as he developed steadily, randomly drawing a good talent would also open up a broad road for him.

Moreover, although Gu Yongqiang said the Militia Team would protect him, Apocalypse World was far too dangerous. Even Militia Team members could not guarantee their own safety.

If danger arose that even the Militia Team could not handle, no one would likely care about a Newborn like him.

Lin Yi fell silent.

Seeing that Lin Yi had not answered for a long time, Gu Yongqiang frowned slightly.

Lin Yi was only Level 1 now and had no means whatsoever to counter Monsters or Ghost Spirits. In truth, Gu Yongqiang did not recommend that Lin Yi go help the Militia Team either.

However, just yesterday, Gu Man, captain of the Third Militia Team, had successfully used materials dropped by Newborns to forge a defensive Spirit Artifact. His strength had greatly increased, and around dusk, he had even killed a Level 10 Ghost Spirit that had tried to sneak into the village, earning a reward from the Village Elder.

Such an achievement made the captains of the other Militia Teams restless. One after another, they wanted to imitate Gu Man by taking Newborns along to kill monsters and farm materials.

Last night, Gu Chenghu, captain of the Second Team, had come to him again and proposed a plan to help Newborns grow while working together to farm materials. The premise was that the Newborn had to possess sufficient character and quality to be worth investing in.

Lin Yi's performance here over the past few days had been quite commendable. He had always handled matters steadily, without impatience or rashness.

Thus, Gu Yongqiang had recommended Lin Yi to Gu Chenghu.

But he had not expected Lin Yi to seemingly have no desire to take risks now.

Gu Yongqiang raised an eyebrow. This Newborn called Green Mountains Never Age seemed a little too steady. He did not fit Gu Yongqiang's understanding of Newborns.

After all, Gu Yongqiang had met quite a few Newborns during this time. Once they learned that their abilities could be brought back to their own world, every one of them had acted extremely crazily.

Not only had they begged him to teach them External Skill saber techniques, they had also wanted to use his connections to join the Militia Team and farm monsters.

Why was the Newborn before him so different?

After thinking for a moment, Gu Yongqiang said, "If you are willing to go, I can consider teaching you my External Skill."

"An External Skill?"

Upon hearing that, Lin Yi's thoughts stirred.

If the benefits were sufficient, he could choose a somewhat riskier path.

"Brother Gu, what External Skill do you have?"

"The Sun Flame Saber Technique. It is a saber External Skill I learned in Tianshui City ten years ago, and its power is immense. However, I once promised my master that I would not teach it to anyone without exceptional talent. If you can advance to Level 4 within half a month, I will teach you the Sun Flame Saber Technique."

"Alright, Brother Gu. I agree to help the Militia Team."

Seeing Lin Yi agree so decisively, Gu Yongqiang smiled and shook his head. He had previously thought Lin Yi was a steady Newborn who could endure hardship, but now it seemed he was someone who would not act without seeing the reward first.

He did not know whether recommending him to Gu Chenghu had been right or wrong.

At noon that day, under Gu Yongqiang's lead, Lin Yi arrived at the garrison of the Militia Second Team for the first time.

The place was a tiled house within a courtyard, and many Sun Trees had been planted inside.

Sun Trees were a unique tree species of the Apocalypse Continent. Their bark was pale red, while their branches grew in an unusual blood-red color.

Lin Yi noticed many scratches on the bark of the Sun Trees in the courtyard, though he did not know what had caused them.

Noticing Lin Yi's gaze, Gu Yongqiang explained, "Sun Trees are a special tree species. Applying their sap to the eyes allows one to see the aura of Ghost Spirits at night. Several Militia Team garrisons in Ancient Pool Village have Sun Trees for nighttime patrols. The scent emitted by Sun Tree sap can also drive away some Ghost Spirits."

Lin Yi nodded. So that was the reason.

"Brother Yongqiang!"

At that moment, several people came out of the house, led by Gu Chenghu. They were members of the Second Militia Team.

It was clear that the members of the Militia Second Team held Gu Yongqiang in great respect.

Gu Yongqiang nodded and said, "I've brought him here. I'll leave him to you. Protect the village well, and don't disappoint me..."

After giving them a few reminders, Gu Yongqiang left.

Gu Chenghu looked Lin Yi up and down and asked, "You are Green Mountains Never Age? Why did you choose such a strange name?"

Lin Yi rubbed his nose. He had chosen the game name casually, so naturally it did not suit Ancient Pool Village, where surnames were the norm.

"Captain Gu, just call me Qingshan."

"Fine. Qingshan, come in with me."

Gu Chenghu said no more and led Lin Yi into the garrison house.

After entering, Lin Yi discovered that aside from himself, there was another player in the room.

Players had a different temperament from the people of Ancient Pool Village. Even if they wore the same clothes, they could still be recognized at a glance.

The man wore ordinary clothes and had a leather bow hanging from his waist. He looked to be in his thirties, and his eyes narrowed slightly whenever he looked at someone, as though he wore glasses in reality.

He stepped forward and smiled as he extended his hand. "Little brother, what level are you? Are you here to help the Militia Team too? My name is Dugu Feng. Nice to meet you."

Lin Yi was not timid either. He extended his hand and said, "Green Mountains Never Age. I'm a newcomer who just arrived in Ancient Pool Village."

Dugu Feng laughed. "Haha, newcomers aren't qualified to come here. Looks like you're quite lucky, Brother Qingshan."

"You flatter me..."

Lin Yi nodded and exchanged a few polite words.

He remained extremely wary of players in Apocalypse World.

Before coming here, he had deliberately used a piece of Brown Linen Cloth to cover his face, but Gu Yongqiang had pulled it off midway.

Gu Yongqiang had said that anyone concealing their face in Ancient Pool Village was either a wanted Wandering Bandit or a Monster that had infiltrated the village. The Militia Team would attack such people without a word upon seeing them.

With no good means of concealing his appearance, Lin Yi could only show his true face.

At that moment, Gu Chenghu came before the two of them and said, "Alright. Since you were recommended here, your character has been recognized. I won't test you. From now on, the two of you are probationary members of our Militia Second Team. Though neither of you is strong—one of you is Level 4, and the other is Level 1..."

Upon hearing "Level 1," Dugu Feng turned and looked at Lin Yi. He was somewhat surprised. This player really was a newcomer.

This newcomer was lucky indeed, managing to join a Militia Team at Level 1.

After all, in the Novice Villages of the Apocalypse Continent, the fastest way to level up was to follow a Militia Team and farm experience.

Gu Chenghu continued, "Our Second Team's current Duty Days are the odd-numbered days of every month. We either conduct Outer City Defense during the day or Village Patrol at night. Of course, your levels are currently too low. If you encounter a Ghost Spirit, there is only death waiting for you, so you will not be assigned to nighttime duties. But during the day, as long as you are in Ancient Pool Village, you must follow our Militia Second Team..."

"My requirements for you are not high. Be obedient, be serious, and do nothing that harms Ancient Pool Village. We previously had a Newborn in our team named Long Haixin. In order to increase his strength, he actually raised Ghost Spirits. In the end, I killed him with my own hands. If either of you does the same, I guarantee you will die without an intact corpse..."

After those stern words, Gu Chenghu's tone became gentler. "Of course, I am not a bloodthirsty person. As long as you obey and do not act on your own during dangerous moments when dealing with Monsters and Ghost Spirits, I will not punish people arbitrarily..."

"Becoming probationary members of our Second Team comes with many benefits. Aside from the daily Silver Coin Reward and Dividends from killing Monsters and Ghost Spirits, if your performance is outstanding, you will also receive a share of the Blood Food distributed by the village each month."

"Blood Food!"

Upon hearing Blood Food, Dugu Feng revealed an excited expression.

Lin Yi was somewhat surprised as well.

According to the information he had gathered from Gu Yongqiang, Blood Food was a unique reward of Ancient Pool Village. Consuming Blood Food could increase one's attributes.

Whether Newborns or natives of the Apocalypse Continent, everyone encountered a Bottleneck when advancing from Level 4 to Level 5. The attributes gained from consuming Blood Food could help one break through that Bottleneck.

Dugu Feng could not help asking, "Captain, there really is Blood Food? What kind of performance is needed to receive it?"

Conditions?

Gu Chenghu thought for a moment before saying, "It isn't difficult. Assist in killing five Monsters or Ghost Spirits each month."

"Alright, thank you, Captain!"

Dugu Feng was extremely excited. He had been in Apocalypse World for a month already, but his Qi-Blood attribute was too low, leaving him stuck at Level 4 and unable to reach Level 5.

During this time, he had used every means to bribe Gu Shan, a member of the Militia Team, all so he could join the Militia Team and obtain the Blood Food reward.

Now that Gu Chenghu had promised Blood Food, how could he not be thrilled?

Gu Chenghu was a decisive man. After explaining the Militia Team's rules to Lin Yi and Dugu Feng, he immediately brought them to familiarize themselves with the patrol routes.

"Today is an even-numbered day, so the First Team and Third Team are on duty. The captain of the First Team is Gu Liehai, the strongest person in Ancient Pool Village beneath the Village Elder. The captain of the Second Team is me, Gu Chenghu..."

As he led the way, Gu Chenghu introduced the situation of the Militia Teams.

Ancient Pool Village currently had Four Militia Teams, each with around twenty members. Their captains had to be Level 10 Experts possessing Spirit Artifacts, while the ordinary members had to be at least Level 5. Most were minor experts at Level 7 or Eighth Rank.

When they reached the Outer Wall of Ancient Pool Village, Gu Chenghu looked at the distant Wilderness and forest before introducing more. "The closest village to Ancient Pool Village is called Hexian Village. It lies beyond the Three Great Mountains, around fifty li away. Do not be fooled by the short distance. Monsters are countless along the way, and danger lurks everywhere."

"We once had contact with Hexian Village, but ever since Newborns like you began appearing frequently and the number of Monsters increased, we have lost contact with Hexian Village..."

"In the mountains and wilderness around Ancient Pool Village, the most common Monsters are Heart-Devouring Wolves. These Monsters generally appear in packs and are cunning by nature. If you discover them, you must notify the Main Force... There are also Ghost Fiends and Mirage Crows, which are skilled at sneaking into the village..."

Gu Chenghu spoke until his mouth was dry, introducing seven or eight dangerous Monsters near Ancient Pool Village in one go.

Not only did he carefully describe the appearances and traits of those Monsters, he also explained their weaknesses in detail.

Lin Yi had gained a great deal.

Joining the Militia Team truly brought many benefits, allowing him to understand the Apocalypse Continent more quickly.

"Alright, I've said everything that needed saying. Do either of you have anything else to ask?"

Gu Chenghu looked toward Lin Yi and Dugu Feng.

Lin Yi asked curiously, "Um, Captain, I previously heard Brother Gu mention Tianshui City. What kind of place is that?"

Dugu Feng also leaned closer and listened with curiosity. He had spent so long in Ancient Pool Village, yet he had never heard of Tianshui City.

"Tianshui City? Brother Yongqiang actually told you about that? Looks like he plans to teach you the Sun Flame Saber Technique."

Gu Chenghu smiled, then said, "Tianshui City is a Large Human City, humanity's true support. Before induction, all of us Militia Team captains must travel to Tianshui City according to the rules."

"However, Tianshui City is far away, and dangers fill the route. Every journey requires a great mobilization, and you must travel under the protection of the Village Chief and Village Elder. If Newborns like you can become Professional level, perhaps you will have the chance to encounter Tianshui City. For now, don't think too much about it..."

At that moment, Dugu Feng asked, "Professional level? Captain, how does one become Professional level?"

Gu Chenghu shot him a glance. "I told you not to aim too high. Even I'm not Professional level yet. Why are you asking so much? Wait until you reach Level 10 before considering Professional level!"

After being reprimanded, Dugu Feng did not dare ask further.

Lin Yi had many questions as well, but seeing the impatience in Gu Chenghu's tone, he did not speak again.

Seeing this, Gu Chenghu brought the two of them back.

"These are your clothes. Tomorrow, our Second Team is assigned to the Outer City Shift. Discuss when the two of you will log in, then come directly to find me at the city gate."