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

"I've basically completed all the side quests I could do; all that's left is to advance the main storyline."

Even after successfully enhancing her skills and returning to town with Lillie, Lin Miao still had plenty of stamina. However, it was already late, so she decided to stop playing for the day.

Even though I've gotten this far, it doesn't mean I should immediately turn off the game and go to bed.

After sending Lillie back to the tribal village, Lin Miao leaned back in her chair, staring blankly at the computer desktop, which had become much more spacious.

The new residents who moved in today have successfully settled into the village, and the already bustling village is now even more lively.

These new villagers, whom Lin Miao dragged and moved over with the mouse time and time again, were just like the tribe members who had recently joined. When they first landed, they were completely bewildered.

The villagers, who were already familiar with the process, couldn't help but laugh at their appearance. They patiently explained the situation to them while providing them with ample food and supplies to help them settle in.

These people, who had been forced to migrate to barren lands and lived in constant fear before finally deciding to merge into the tribe, first calmed their still-shaken hearts after receiving stable material support, and then showed relieved smiles, which were particularly noticeable on Lin Miao's screen.

"Oh? Another one with the Transporter trait? No, two? There are only two Warriors left. Although the heavy casualties were the main reason, the percentage of awakened Warriors is less than 5%."

While collecting and organizing data on the characteristics of the new villagers, Lin Miao was secretly delighted by the constant emergence of new talents.

But he quickly realized that his eager-to-find-talent-many-boss demeanor made him feel a little embarrassed.

But then I thought about it again, and realized that all of this was for the benefit of the entire tribe, so I felt relieved.

"To upgrade Minecraft, which is responsible for resource supply, to level 4, it actually requires a whopping 5000P."

As the tribe expanded, new troubles arose.

Since activating the desktop destruction function, Lin Miao has only accumulated 3000 points, which is still far from her goal.

After all, apart from conquering the insect hive, there haven't been any major events that can earn a lot of points during this period.

"We still need to gradually reduce the number of miners and increase the number of farmers."

Lin Miao was making plans in her mind.

In the world of the tribes, this game is a miracle that can overturn reality, so the points required for upgrades are naturally not cheap.

Instead of complaining about how hard it is to earn points, we should first optimize our current staffing.

Villagers like miners, who have awakened their resource-gathering abilities, can utilize those abilities in the real world, even if they're not in the game.

Now that they have awakened their traits, there is no need to keep them trapped in the game doing repetitive work.

This will free up a lot of manpower, and the older villagers should already be able to formulate their own action cycles and complete their daily activities in an orderly manner.

So, is it time to consider starting a new game?

"To be honest, I'm really curious."

Lin Miao muttered to herself in a daze, her gaze unconsciously drawn to the recently popular FPS game icon on the desktop.

In a sandbox game where you can freely create and gather everything, the villagers are systematically collecting resources; while in an action RPG where you can become stronger by completing quests along the storyline, he can help the villagers unlock new skills by changing jobs.

He couldn't even imagine what kind of chemical reaction would occur when these types of games collided with the current system.

Lin Miao was incredibly curious about the impact that action games involving hunting giant monsters, survival games set in a zombie apocalypse, online MOBA games, and so on would have on the tribe.

However, the system hasn't provided any relevant recommendations yet, which is making Lin Miao hesitant to make a decision. He is also well aware that adding another game might exceed his current energy capacity.

[Li Sushang: Is it convenient to contact me now?]

Just then, Li Sushang suddenly sent a message.

Lin Miao immediately replied to her question, typing, "What happened?"

[Li Sushang: It's nothing, I think I played pretty well. Choosing an MMORPG seems better than a hardcore action RPG. After all, my character can resurrect without any penalty even if they die.]

She naturally reported her recent situation to Lin Miao.

After ensuring a stable supply of resources, the second game she installed was a domestically produced online MMORPG, similar in genre to Dark Souls, which Lin Miao played, but with a completely different core gameplay.

Although both games allow residents to change jobs and acquire skills through the system, unlike Lin Miao's game which follows a fixed storyline, the game Li Sushang chose focuses on diverse side quests and leveling up by grinding monsters in the wild.

What Lin Miao found most absurd was that this complete gaming novice, whose gameplay was atrocious, still proudly claimed that even if her character died, they could revive on the spot without any penalty.

[Li Sushang: Following your method, I used a screenshot program to test their talents. Thanks to this, several residents were promoted from ordinary farmers to skilled warriors and archers. However, a slight emergency has arisen now…]

"An emergency?"

Lin Miao replied immediately.

He noticed that she was so anxious that she even made mistakes with words she rarely mistyped.

Unlike Lin Miao, who spends all day in front of the computer, anything that can make her say the word "urgent" must be something extraordinary.

[Li Sushang: Our village might be attacked, not by a malfunctioning entity, but by... other forces.]

"Oh, is that so?"

Lin Miao was a little confused when he saw the follow-up message. After all, being attacked by other forces was a very common thing in the game. However, the grassland where his guardians lived was completely different from the living environment of Li Sushang.

Li Sushang later added that a villager who went out to collect herbs discovered something unusual: a large group of fully armed bandits were poised to attack the village.

[Li Sushang: Although the desktop destructor was installed, activation still requires 6800P.]

"Well, there's nothing we can do then. We can only trust the residents now."

Lin Miao typed a reply.

After much thought, Li Sushang couldn't find a way to directly help the villagers.

Fortunately, she has already activated the second game and cultivated a group of trustworthy warriors.

If these warriors had the strength of Lillie, they could easily drive away a mere group of bandits.

[Li Sushang: There's a second thing I wanted to tell you. The business project I mentioned last time has been found.]

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up? You're calmer than I thought."

Despite the urgent situation, Li Sushang remained surprisingly calm.

After discussing the village's crisis with Lin Miao, she immediately activated the second game and sent a message saying that she had found a way to monetize the current situation.

[Li Sushang: If we brought the potions from the game into real life... we could definitely sell them, and for a really high price. I would never let this opportunity pass me by. Want to do it together?]

"...Give it a try."

Just as she had said when they first met, she formally extended an invitation to Lin Miao to collaborate.

Lin Miao could sense that she was trying to get him on this boat, but he didn't care.

If this matter can be accomplished smoothly, allowing him to catch his breath, he will be able to focus more on the development of the tribe.

[Li Sushang: Since we're partners, I won't let you suffer any losses.]

"That's enough."

"Pfft..." Lin Miao chuckled softly as she typed.

There is no such thing as a contract that can confirm mutual trust. In any case, even if such a contract were written, it could not be taken to court and would have no legal effect whatsoever.

But between them lies a unique bond, one that only the other in the entire world has been drawn into this strange event.

"It would be a real shame to give up a company I finally got into."

After lying down, Lin Miao tossed and turned in bed, her mind filled with thoughts of resigning.

What he actually regrets is never the job opportunity he finally got.

Rather, it is my life so far, which has been lived step by step, and that originally ordinary future, which is destined to be completely changed.

Looking back, he was just one of the ordinary people you could find anywhere in this world.

Study ordinary books, go to university in an ordinary way.

Ordinary exams, ordinary jobs—that's how life should be lived, following the rules and regulations.

But his life was turned upside down in an instant because of those guys who suddenly appeared on his computer desktop.

Actually, aside from the very beginning when he was almost killed by the malfunctioning tentacles that the residents had overlooked,

During this period, he basically just played games while observing the lives of the villagers.

But as time went by, he gradually developed genuine feelings for these villagers, as well as a heavy sense of responsibility.

Today, his role as a manager is deeply ingrained in their lives.

If Lin Miao were to suddenly disappear, this growing community would most likely fall apart instantly.

Since things have come to this, we can only do our best.

Otherwise, people will die.

He himself would also be in mortal danger.

◆◆◆

"Cough cough."

As dawn broke, the villagers gradually got up and began their day's work.

Bruno, as usual, got up early to prepare for the activity.

In the past, he would always help the elders in the clan with chores first, and in his spare time he would hide away and practice swordsmanship alone.

But today, everything is different.

He waited quietly in the village, deliberately conserving his strength, his fingers unconsciously stroking the ancient wooden staff that felt comfortable in his hand, desperately suppressing the inexplicable sense of superiority surging in his heart.

According to the tribe's plan, they were to head to the mysterious giant castle today to confront the monsters that kept pouring out of it.

Although the prospect of fighting to the death with the enemy filled Bruno with dread, his desire to fight as dashingly as his brother made his anticipation equally intense and difficult to suppress.

Although he is now practicing magic instead of the swordsmanship he has used for many years, the power of magic is truly astonishing.

Bruno once admired the warriors' skills and believed that that was true power, but now he is deeply attracted by the terrifying destructive power of magic.

"Now, I am a true warrior too."

Bruno tried his best not to let his emotions show on his face, but the surge of pride in his chest was impossible to suppress.

Moreover, this was not an ordinary awakening of magic; he had gained the approval of that god and thus became a sorcerer. This honor was enough to make him proud for a lifetime.

At that moment, the newly joined villagers from the North were making a ruckus not far away, and Bruno was filled with barely suppressed excitement, eagerly anticipating being recognized by everyone.

Just then, Rose, fully armed and preparing to cross the rift to the game world, suddenly appeared in front of him.

Bruno couldn't help but call out to Rosie first: "Just you wait and see. I'll soon gain recognition and go to that place too."

Despite being a girl the same age as herself, Rosie's superb skills and formidable hunting prowess have already far surpassed that of ordinary warriors.

For Bruno, she was both a huge shock and a powerful catalyst that spurred him to catch up, and also someone who once plunged him into deep despair.

However, now that he has gained the power to catch up with Rosie, his excitement and joy are only natural.

Roche, who frequently visits the Dark Souls Hunting Grounds and teams up with Attila for missions, has now become Bruno's most desired target to catch up with.

Rosie, however, seemed not to understand his words at all, and frowned slightly: "Don't be too happy yet. I heard you've only ever dealt with Wraith Soldiers so far? Abyss Skeletons and Black Knights are much stronger. Only by defeating them can you obtain potions or gold coins to offer to the gods."

"I'm not excited at all," Bruno retorted stubbornly.

"I still feel I'm not strong enough. The memory of that day keeps replaying in my dreams—those countless enemies who attacked the village and killed my parents… Even if I went back then, could I really stop them?"

Bruno, upon learning of Roche's painful past, trembled slightly but could not utter a single word.

Luo Xie stared at him silently for a moment, then turned and walked into the rift without looking back.

Mista, who had been watching this scene from a few steps away, couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and patted Bruno on the back, saying:

"Everyone has their own hardships. Otherwise, how could that child have survived those desperate situations? You don't need to worry too much about it, but don't forget the weight of this burden."

Bruno seemed to have taken these words to heart, his mind preoccupied. Even when he and Mista were lifted into the air by Lin Miao with a mouse and teleported to the hunting grounds, his face still carried a complex expression.

After a brief conversation with Bruno, Rosie crossed the rift and arrived at the central square of the village, where Attila was already waiting for her.

Lillie, fully armed, had just arrived. Attila, seeing everyone was there, spoke solemnly, "Among the new companions, there might be others like Rosie and Bruno, whose talents have been recognized by that lord. To awaken their talents, we must hunt monsters and obtain those blue monster crystals."

Today, the resources needed by tribes are no longer limited to food and iron tools.

Potions that can heal injuries and illnesses, and monster spirits that can awaken magic and stimulate talents, have all become core resources that must be collected first.

Everyone in the tribe knew that with each additional warrior who awakened magic, the tribe's fighting strength would experience a qualitative leap, so Attila placed great importance on collecting monster spirits.

"The village is a bit chaotic because of the newcomer, but we can't worry about that now. Let's go."

After saying that, he took the lead and stepped into the rift. The group then passed through the rift and entered the game world, beginning their hunt for the day.

Their top priority for the day was to ride horses through the wilderness in search of boss-level monsters that drop monster essences.

During their journey on horseback, Attila advised Lillie to conserve her energy: "In battle, try to let Rosie and I handle things. Lillie, you must conserve your energy as much as possible."

"This level of combat isn't too difficult," Lillie replied with a smile.

"This is also for our cultivation, and even more so for you. For you, the most important thing is the operation you will be carrying out with that person this afternoon," Attila added earnestly.

Lillie couldn't refute Attila's words, after all, she was indeed going to act with Lin Miao this afternoon.

"How many more soldiers does Father think will be needed in the future?"

"...At least twenty people. Of course, those of us who have received that great man's blessing are different from ordinary warriors, so perhaps the number could be even smaller."

Hearing Lillie's question, Attila sighed softly.

The raiders who utterly destroyed their village and forced them to flee all the way to the border were not only powerful but also numerous.

Even now, those raiders may have become even more powerful than before through countless raids and wars, or they may have been swallowed up by forces even more ferocious than themselves.

These enemies, like natural disasters that could strike at any moment and in any form, constantly hung over their heads.

Attila, who had a blood feud with them, had long foreseen that they would clash again one day, and he constantly pushed himself and his companions to do the same.

"Look, those little devils' lairs. If we spend the whole day like yesterday and only get one monster essence, I won't have the face to see that person. Please, let's get a few more today."

Soon, the group, who were searching for traces of monsters, discovered a skeleton's lair.

Rose's eyes lit up, and she pointed towards the direction of the nest.

The necromancer who leads the lair is a boss-level monster that drops monster essence.

To avoid injuring their horses, the group dismounted and, without hesitation, approached the lair.