Strategy game? Then I'll have to control you properly.

Seeing that his peer, Rose, not only adapted to the rhythm of battle quickly but also performed steadily and reliably, Lin Miao made up her mind to use the monster essence she had just obtained to try to awaken Bruno's hidden abilities.

Lin Miao first deactivated Attila and Rose's battle status, as they desperately needed rest and recovery, allowing them to safely exit the game world.

He then used the mouse to drag Bruno, who was outside the camp tending to the horses with the elders of the tribe, directly into the game.

The red-haired boy, who was picked up by the mouse, was instantly transported to a completely new scene.

Bruno, still holding hay for feeding the horse, suddenly appeared in front of Lin Miao's character. His face turned deathly pale, his eyes wide open as he stared intently at Lin Miao, and he froze on the spot.

Lillie, who remained in the game, was the first to react and immediately understood Lin Miao's intention.

She stepped forward with a gentle smile and softly comforted the frightened Bruno.

Just by looking at the boy's trembling pupils, you could tell how nervous he was.

However, after hearing Lillie's explanation, Bruno's tense shoulders finally relaxed a little, and his emotions calmed down considerably.

Bruno (tribal member)

【Specialty: Spellcasting】

[Configuration: Minecraft]

Lin Miao released his grip, and the monster essence that had been floating in the air darted into Bruno's arms, instantly merging into his body and transforming into his own power, slowly drawing out the magical properties hidden within him.

Just like when Lillie awakened her martial arts ability, at the moment of awakening, she will suddenly understand the true meaning of power and feel the strong aura spreading wildly within her body.

Bruno also clearly sensed this power, and his eyes widened in shock, his face filled with disbelief.

"Put Lillie in Chapter 2, then put Mista and Bruno in Hunting Mode, and we're done for today."

After helping Bruno complete his awakening, Lin Miao didn't stop what she was doing, busy using the mouse to adjust the personnel configuration. Now that Attila and Rosie have graduated and can stand on their own, it's time to have the Mista brothers fill the vacancies and begin their job change training.

Even including Bruno, who has just awakened, there are only four warriors in the tribe. They must complete Chapter 2 as soon as possible to unlock the hunting mode for Chapter 2.

Otherwise, we'll have to start a new game and put the extra staff into it.

Running two games simultaneously is already putting a strain on the computer, and starting a new game would be too difficult, unless the tribe's population increases to the point where it has to be split up.

Everyone's reactions were pretty much the same.

When Lin Miao appeared before the Mista brothers as the Black Soul Knight, the two brothers showed the same shock and bewilderment as Attila and Roche when they first arrived here.

Even though they had heard Attila explain the situation repeatedly beforehand, their reaction was still so exaggerated when they saw this scene that defied common sense.

Lin Miao met the two people's gazes, which were a mixture of wariness, awe, and confusion, and pointed to the various weapons that could be used for job changes not far away.

Mista, a steady young man like Lillie who is naturally suited to be a warrior, can quickly master any weapon he chooses. However, Bruno, who has magical talent, must choose a staff and take the path of a sorcerer.

Just as Bruno was sneaking around trying to follow his brother with the spear and reaching for the longsword beside him, Lin Miao suddenly controlled his character to jump over and block his way.

Lin Miao's actions clearly startled him, and a panicked Bruno staggered backward.

Lin Miao didn't say anything, but repeatedly pointed at the sorcerer's staff, sometimes squatting down and sometimes standing up, gesturing to him again and again.

In the end, Bruno, with trembling hands, grasped the staff.

The moment he selected his weapon, the subsequent job change process proceeded automatically and smoothly.

Compared to Rosie, who had absorbed the essence of the players and experienced a huge surge in experience points, Bruno, who was a complete novice, did make Lin Miao a little worried. However, with his older brother Mista, a mature and steady warrior, by his side to take care of him, there shouldn't be any problems.

"So busy, so busy!"

Lin Miao muttered a wry smile, immediately disconnected from the hunting mode, and controlled his character back to the town in Chapter Two, returning to Lillie's side, who had been waiting in the same spot.

There are only a few people now, and they are already so busy that they can't even breathe. When the number of people in the tribe increases in the future, it will be impossible for them to personally guide each other like this.

Bruno was somewhat speechless: "I can't even wield a sword anymore... I've only ever used a sword in my entire life..."

After Lin Miao, who had guided the two brothers through their job change, completely disappeared into the sky, Mista finally snapped out of his amazement. Looking around at the game world that Attila had only described, and then at his brother's dejected expression, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're a magician, Bruno. That's not a skill anyone can learn. The fact that you were chosen by that person means you're special enough, so don't be too discouraged."

What this young man calls a lifetime is really just a few short years when he can lift the lightest sword and swing it haphazardly.

Although it was indeed a pity that he could no longer use the sword skills he had worked so hard to learn, the grassland tribes had always revered special and mysterious powers such as magic rather than the martial arts that warriors generally practiced.

"It doesn't feel like a magician's power; it's a slightly different kind of power."

"Different powers?"

Indeed, the power Bruno gained after changing jobs was completely different from the magic system they were familiar with.

As the name of this property suggests, this power is more like the native magic used by the indigenous peoples who live on the other side of the world barrier.

Bruno, who had just automatically learned the relevant skills, instinctively and clearly perceived the difference between them.

Outside the safe zone, the faint, whimpering roars of the wandering soldiers could be heard.

Upon hearing the sound, Mista patted his younger brother on the shoulder and suggested they go out and try their hand at combat.

"It doesn't matter. Anyway, you've gained that person's approval and acquired exclusive power. Now go out and try it out; you need to see for yourself just how strong this power really is."

"……yes!"

Bruno naturally wouldn't refuse.

Following in his brother's footsteps and becoming a powerful warrior has always been Bruno's life goal.

However, a series of unimaginable events he has recently experienced have filled him with fear. In particular, after witnessing the active performance of Rose, a girl of the same age, he is even more eager to hope that such a miracle can also happen to him.

"Wow!"

As soon as he stepped out of the safe zone, Bruno was so frightened by the sight of those undead wandering soldiers who looked like rotting corpses that he instinctively took a few steps back. But he still had his reliable older brother by his side.

"Use the power you received from that great one with confidence. It's coming!"

The wandering soldiers spotted them and immediately roared, charging forward like madmen with their weapons in hand.

Almost simultaneously, Bruno raised his staff, instantly activating the spell he had just learned.

A series of blazing fireballs were launched, which was the basic attack skill Fireball Spell.

Mista gripped his spear and swung it horizontally, easily shattering the skull of the first ghost to charge. He then turned to his brother, who was standing there stunned, and shouted, "It's so hot!"

As Mista watched the fireball glide past his cheek and explode in the distance, instantly obliterating the oncoming vengeful spirit, a cold sweat broke out on his back.

His younger brother, whom he had always thought was too weak, unleashed an attack that was ridiculously strong.

When the two brothers logged out of the game and returned to the village, they were completely exhausted from hours of fierce fighting.

Attila looked at the two men, armed and disheveled, and saw that they were just like himself when he first emerged from the game. He couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The two brothers, engrossed in their newly acquired power, unleashed their skills without restraint, ultimately resulting in both their physical and magical energy being depleted, leaving their faces as white as paper.

"Don't overexert your strength like that next time. The monsters there are endless, and eliminating them is never our ultimate goal. We must always save some strength."

"what……"

Attila offered advice to the two men in a gentle tone.

Mista quickly grasped the deeper meaning of his words and nodded hurriedly.

The so-called "preserving reserves" means always having a minimum level of combat readiness.

After all, as warriors of their tribe, their duty is to deal with potential raiders or even those strange, corrosive entities at any time. This is a principle ingrained in their bones and the most natural advice.

"I will remember it."

"There are emergency medications at the camp, so you don't need to worry too much. Just get some rest today. Although nothing unexpected should happen today, it's still best to recover your strength as soon as possible."

Attila advised his two brothers to go back and rest. In fact, even in a truly critical moment, there were ways to deal with it.

When hunting monsters in Hunting Mode, one of the most important uses of the low-level potions you can collect is to restore your consumed stamina and mana.

The only problem is that there isn't much medicine, so we have to use it sparingly.

"The wall construction has progressed to this point already! When we left this morning, there wasn't much of it built yet."

"With two more ability users, the construction speed will naturally double."

As Mista was preparing to go home, she looked at the stone wall being built in the distance and couldn't help but sigh softly in admiration.

Maureen, who possesses the Porter trait that allows her to directly manipulate blocks in the game, is working with another companion who has awakened the same trait to rapidly build this 3-meter-high and 1-meter-thick stone wall, which now encircles most of the village.

Although it is only a basic wall at present, Attila, who has witnessed the limits of block building in the game, is absolutely certain that in time, this wall will become a magnificent and indestructible city wall.

"But I'm a little sorry to everyone who's been working so hard on this; we might have to tear this wall down and start over," Attila muttered, scratching his head. "If the new tribe members can join smoothly this time... well, we need to expand the camp."

In fact, he had already planned to send the scouts to negotiate with the newly discovered small tribe as soon as they returned. If the tribe was willing to join, the camp's walls would have to be expanded.

◆◆◆

"It seems increasing the population is easier than I thought."

Having just finalized the job change arrangements for the Mista and Bruno brothers, Lin Miao began controlling her character to help Lillie advance through the main storyline of Chapter Two.

Lin Miao switched to the windowed game interface and used the mouse to drag the scouts who were ready to go in the camp directly to the vicinity of the small tribe they had previously discovered.

While simultaneously operating the two game interfaces, Lin Miao also took the time to glance at the situation on the scout's side.

As with previous procedures, the reconnaissance squad, under Attila's orders, was cautiously approaching the tribe members, attempting to communicate with them.

After explaining their purpose to the other side, the scouts continuously offered the food and supplies they had brought as gifts, patiently trying to persuade them.

The middle-aged man, who appeared to be the tribal chief, hesitated for a long time with a solemn expression. However, Lin Miao saw the other tribesmen constantly peeking at the chief's expression and knew that this matter would most likely be resolved peacefully, just as Attila wished.

"Are they about to break three hundred people? Now it's time to shed the 'small tribe' label."

If this tribe successfully joins, the tribe's total population will exceed three hundred.

It is precisely because of the abundant resources continuously provided by the game that this small tribe, which initially consisted of only thirty people, has been able to grow to its current size in such a short period of time.

Even though they had been enemies and competitors in the past, they shared a common language and culture, so there were no obstacles to their integration.

"it is good."

Just then, the clan chief on the screen finally made a decision. He shouted a few words to the gathered clansmen, who instantly burst into cheers.

The scouts sent by Attila bowed in greeting, clearly indicating that the two sides had reached a consensus.

Those tribe members who were originally in a neutral state and could not be controlled by Lin Miao with the mouse are now all controllable.

Lin Miao was planning in her mind that once they had packed up their moving supplies, she would use the mouse to drag the entire tribe over. However, her hands didn't stop moving. While controlling her character to advance the game, she would occasionally peek at the scout's screen.

"The collapse of the barrier and the rampant demons are undeniable facts, but those fools insist on denying them."

In the second chapter of the game that Lin Miao and Lillie are currently progressing through, even though Lin Miao is temporarily distracted by matters concerning the tribe, the side quest to enhance skills continues to advance automatically.

"?"

"They are afraid, fearing that these changes will take away the power and wealth they hold tightly in their hands."

The NPC responsible for enhancing players' skills is an old paladin who was ostracized. He was banished here for speaking out against the corrupt cult.

Lillie was naturally good at dealing with people and could always strike up a conversation with NPCs naturally. At this moment, the old paladin was facing her, talking non-script lines and complaining about the corruption of the order.

"If you are truly hunters who hunt demons, I can offer my assistance. However, you must first prove your strength."

The mission ultimately proceeded as planned.

The old paladin announced that as long as players could pass his trial, they would be granted the power to slay demons, which is the core of this side quest.

"Come on, bring it on, I don't mind if both of you come at me at once."

Despite being an elderly man, the paladin was still physically robust. He slowly stood up and drew his longsword from his waist with a whoosh.

A slightly panicked Lillie glanced at Lin Miao subconsciously, but Lin Miao did not hesitate at all. He immediately swung his staff weapon, shooting out a crackling bolt of lightning, and launched the first attack.

Originally, the Paladin Trial was supposed to be a solo challenge for the player. However, due to Lin Miao's unconventional fighting style, the old Paladin had no choice but to keep his promise and forcefully withstand the combined attack of Lin Miao and Lillie.

"Wow, they actually have this kind of strength..."

To be honest, Lin Miao underestimated Lillie to some extent.

She not only grows at an astonishing speed in the game, but is also a battle-hardened warrior in real life, so Lin Miao has invested a lot of resources in her.

Lin Miao provided ranged support with magic from the rear, while she suppressed the enemy at close range on the front line. This was a basic tactic that the two had practiced countless times.

The azure light emanating from her sword sliced ​​through several thick tree trunks in succession, and the ground was cleaved in deep cracks by the sword wind before exploding with a deafening roar.

Throughout the entire exchange, it was the battle-hardened old paladin who suffered repeated defeats.

This boss, known for his complex and tricky moves and infamous as a "beginner harvester," was eventually cornered by Lin Miao and Lillie and had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Heh...not bad, a qualified female knight."

When Lillie stepped on the old paladin's shoulder as he tried to lift it, he finally gave up completely and loosened his grip on the sword.

"This is the legacy bestowed upon the paladins. Now it is given to you. Continue to stand in the way of those stubborn, foolish members of the cult, and stop the advance of the demons."

The old paladin handed over the agreed-upon reward: a secret potion that could enhance skills, but there were two bottles instead of one, according to the game's rules.

"?"

Lillie picked up one of the bottles, turned around, and pushed it in front of Lin Miao's character.

Just like last time when I received two blessings at the same time, the reward for the task has also become double.

Lin Miao hesitated for a moment, but still accepted the secret medicine and used it to enhance her character on the spot.

To continue matching Lillie's battle rhythm, your own character must also constantly become stronger.

With an empty expression, the old paladin addressed the two departing figures, offering his final parting words: "I am serious. Although I do not know your purpose in hunting demons, I see in you a hope that shines brighter than that of those high and mighty paladins of the Order."

"—" He nodded in satisfaction after hearing Lillie's soft reply.

For this old paladin, all of this was his most authentic reaction and choice in the reality he was in.

After all, he also places all his hopes on the players.

Looking at him like this, Lin Miao felt a subtle, inexplicable emotion.

After all, for Lin Miao, all of this was merely a means to achieve her goal.

"For Lillie, all of this will become part of her growth experience."

Lin Miao secretly glanced at Lillie, who was walking side by side with her, and thought to herself.

A natural-born strong person like her can always absorb everything she experiences and transform it into her own power.

◆◆◆

"Can I gain power simply by drinking this potion?"

Even though she had experienced many mysterious events, the world is vast and full of wonders, and there are always things that happen that are beyond her comprehension.

The old paladin's words, blaming the order for its incompetent leadership, still echoed in Lillie's ears.

She stared at the small medicine bottle in her hand with a complicated expression, her mind filled with confusion.

The old paladin said that this was a secret medicine of the order, which only paladins who had made great contributions could take. After drinking it, their magic power would surge, making their skills even more powerful.

However, for Lillie, who has always believed since childhood that true strength can only be obtained through arduous training, this game-like growth system is still difficult for her to understand.

"But that sir is unlikely to make the wrong choice."

Despite her confusion, she ultimately chose to believe and drank the secret medicine from the bottle.

The entire decision was made solely based on absolute trust in that person.

Ultimately, Lillie had always intended to unconditionally follow any instructions from the person who had led her to where she was today.

This was not only because he was the benefactor who had shown her kindness and saved the entire tribe, but also because she firmly believed deep in her heart that only by following him could she achieve true growth.

Moreover, she witnessed him drink the medicine with his own eyes as easily as if it were candy.

To outsiders, the act of pouring potion directly into the gaps of the faceplate without removing the helmet seemed absurd and bizarre. Incredibly, however, the character controlled by Lin Miao didn't spill a single drop of potion.

"This, this is..."

As Lin Miao controlled the mage character and used a secret potion to enhance one of her skills, Lillie suddenly felt the immediate effect of the potion and widened her eyes in surprise.

For her, who was used to relying on intuition to use skills, there was no such thing as a convenient game interface. However, based solely on her body's instincts, she could clearly perceive that earth-shattering changes were taking place inside her body at this moment.

The magical power that can be released has become completely different.

Seeing that he turned slightly to the side, as if signaling her to try her skills, Lillie immediately nodded in understanding.

She drew the longsword from her waist, closed her eyes, and completely surrendered her body to the new, surging power within her.

The Knight's passive skill [Strong Strike], which enhances basic damage, has received another significant boost with the help of the potion.

The sword, which originally only glowed with a faint blue light, was now completely enveloped in raging flames, radiating a scorching heat.

"The realm that Master spoke of."

Her pupils trembled slightly. In the legends passed down among the steppe warriors, there truly existed a dreamlike realm where the sky could be torn apart with burning magic, and countless steppe warriors devoted their entire lives to cultivating for this day and night.

Although the skills gained through the game are fundamentally different from the legendary realm, for Lillie, this power is also a real and powerful force that she earned through self-proving and fighting her way through.

It seems there are still unfinished matters.

As Lillie calmed her turbulent emotions and sheathed her sword, Lin Miao, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly turned and stepped forward.

Without the slightest hesitation, she obediently followed behind him.

Lillie knew perfectly well that as long as she followed Lin Miao, she could reach the distant place she wanted to go and get everything she wanted to pursue.