Chapter 016: Layers of Hidden Deadly Traps

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[Congratulations, Host, your territory is the 1274th to undergo a Basic Upgrade trial, currently ranked 192 in the region, rewarded with Special Building*1.]

[Congratulations, Host, for passing the territory's first upgrade trial, rewarded with Building*2, upgrading the Lord's panel...]

[...]

[Congratulations, Host, for slaying a lv.5 Dark Demon Wolf, received Beast Meat Gift Pack*10, Anti-black gift pack*10, Wolf Skin*10, Experience Points*100, copper coin*100, dropped grocery store blueprint*1.]

[...]

At this moment, Zhou Bai finally understood that this sudden Demon Beast invasion was an inevitability after the territory upgrade, a danger hidden behind the facade of prosperity.

At the time she believed that diligently upgrading the territory could strengthen it and provide a better life for the residents, she received a harsh blow.

It was a close call, a very close call. Had she not established the Guard Team, had she not rescued the refugees, and had the Demon Beasts come amidst their complacency, their territory's fate would have been much more tragic.

Those 1,000-plus territories that vanished in the initial upgrade trials stood as a stark lesson.

She couldn't help but feel a bit of self-reproach.

If she hadn't been in such a hurry, could she have allowed for more people to join the territory, allowing everyone to adapt before facing this trial, and thereby avoided the loss of so many survivors?

"Xiao Bai, how are you doing?" At this time, Ding Qiurou had already rushed over to check on Zhou Bai's condition. The moment she saw her daughter, she sensed something a bit off in her demeanor, a hint of panic in her expression.

"Mom, I'm a bit scared," Zhou Bai blurted out as she plunged into Ding Qiurou's arms, her voice muffled. She feared she couldn't bear the responsibility of a territory; too many people had died this time, and she was directly confronting such brutality.

Reflecting back, the contrast between the harmonious moments before the Demon Beast invasion and the vivid faces of those who had perished flashed in her mind. The warmth she felt then turned into deep heartache with the following events.

She was truly afraid. Afraid that the territory's future path would be even more brutal, and whether she might make another mistake that could cost others their lives.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Bai, there's nothing to fear," Ding Qiurou soothed while holding Zhou Bai.

At that moment, Zhou Zhengping also joined them. Seeing Zhou Bai's vulnerability, he spoke directly, "Xiao Bai, your father is proud of you."

Zhou Bai's ears twitched at the sound.

"You have done really well!" Zhou Zhengping didn't hesitate to continue his praise, knowing that his daughter was facing a setback from the game and needed plenty of encouragement.

He had his guesses too, but he didn't believe Xiao Bai was wrong. On the contrary, it was because of her alertness that their territory had overcome this crisis.

Now Li Xingteng arrived. He wasn't aware of the details and thought Zhou Bai had been frightened. Echoing Zhou Zhengping's words, he said, "Yeah, Xiao Bai! Thanks to you for making a prompt decision, or more people would have died! In the future, we will all strive to become stronger. If the Demon Beasts dare to come, we will make sure they can't return. The harder the times, the stronger we must be."

This event was a shock to them as well, but the nature of mankind is to become more courageous in the face of adversity, never to give up!

Because there were other people around, and her emotions had eased, Zhou Bai had already let go of Ding Qiurou. It had to be acknowledged that in just this short while, her emotions seemed to have calmed a bit.

That's right, what she had done wasn't really wrong—it was a choice any normal person would have made.

She just hadn't expected the game to be this treacherous!

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Bai brushed aside the bit of guilt that had nagged at her, her gaze becoming resolute.

Although they had paid a heavy price this time, it also brought a new growth. No one would overlook the numerous dangers hidden in this world any longer, and nobody would dare to be lax again, right?

"Thank you," Zhou Bai said to Li Xingteng with gratitude.

"You're welcome," Li Xingteng replied.

At this point, the other survivors who had also been greatly shocked by the event began to come to their senses.

"This world is too fucking shit!"

"I won't just give in like this."

"I want to live, to keep living. I don't want to die."

"Same here."

"So let's get stronger! We get stronger, the territory gets stronger, and we'll make sure the Demon Beasts can't bully us anymore."

"..."

Today's incidents made them acutely aware of the unpredictable cruelty of this world.

At this moment, many had undergone a shift in mentality.

They knew very well, if they continued to indulge in the mindset from before the apocalypse, death was all that awaited them.

Yet as they thought this, many of their faces still showed a hint of bewilderment.

Zhou Bai noticed and remembering the rewards mentioned in the notifications for killing the Demon Beasts, she reminded them, "The rewards for killing the Demon Beasts tonight seem to have doubled!"

As the sound of Zhou Bai's voice fell, many promptly focused on their personal panels.

[Congratulations, Host, for slaying a lv.3 Dark Demon Wolf, received Beast Meat Gift Pack*6, Wolf Skin*3, Experience Points*60, copper coin*60, and dropped Anti-black backpack blueprint.]

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"Congratulations, Host, for slaying a lv.2 Dark Demon Wolf, you've obtained a Beast Meat Gift Pack*4, Wolf Skin*4, Experience Points*40, copper coin*40, and dropped an anti-black hat blueprint."

"Congratulations, Host, …, dropped Night Vision Glasses blueprint."

"…"

"Holy shit! Tonight's rewards are really hefty, with all loot dropping double, and there's even special blueprints."

"I got some too, I actually got the blueprint for Night Vision Glasses, does this mean we can go out and slay Demon Beasts at night from now on!"

"I've finally learned one thing, danger and opportunity exist side by side."

"Exactly, today's daytime loot doesn't even compare to what we've got now!"

"With so many gains, it's some consolation at least!"

"The game isn't screwing us over after all."

"For sure, if we have to face powerful Demon Beasts, then high rewards are also necessary."

Spurred by the dropped items, those who were a bit lost earlier now had a much more determined look in their eyes, at least the future held hope, they needed not only to get stronger but also to live better!

"Right, with so many blueprints, it's difficult for us to gather materials ourselves, let's sell them to the territory! I believe the territory will be able to make them soon, and then more people will be able to buy them."

"Yeah! If it hadn't been for the territory this time, we might really have been done for."

"The territory is good, everyone is good."

"I saw that the territory's fence has been constantly being repaired today, it must have used a lot of materials, so when everyone goes out later, help to collect some materials for the territory, only with materials can the territory build."

"Okay, we all agree."

"The territory is our home, it depends on everyone to care for it!"

"…"

At the scene, as one person started speaking, others joined in one after the other, and by the last sentence, the word "home" had entered everyone's hearts.

Their past homes were no more; now they had only one home—the territory.

Zhou Bai listened to these words with a moved expression.

Disasters, they always had a way of bringing people's hearts closer together.

"Everybody is tired tonight, get some good rest, our Guard Team will continue to watch over the territory, and everyone can sort out their gains tomorrow." Li Xingteng stepped forward to speak at this moment.

Hearing what Li Xingteng said, many people noticed that the sky was already growing bright outside; unbeknownst to them, they had been fighting for so long, and the weariness swept over many all at once.

"Okay, then we'll go rest."

"Thank you for your trouble."

"…"

After speaking, many formed groups and headed toward the residential area.

"You guys should go rest too! I'll arrange for a few people to watch; after tonight's big battle, there probably won't be any Demon Beast attacks today." Li Xingteng proactively said to Zhou Zhengping and the others.

"Okay." Zhou Zhengping didn't refuse and then took Xiao Bai back home.

Once home, Zhou Zhengping asked Xiao Bai about the specifics of what had happened.

Xiao Bai directly informed him of the information she received.

After listening, Zhou Zhengping rubbed Xiao Bai's head, "Out of more than a thousand territories, less than two hundred succeeded, probably because they leveled up too fast and didn't prepare well, but you led us to overcome it!"

As for the residents living under those territories, he could only say it was unfortunate.

But this disaster was global, and all they could do was take care of themselves.

"That's right, if it hadn't been for this territory, everyone would definitely have been finished!" Ding Qiurou also chimed in eagerly.

"I understand now! Dad, Mom, don't worry!" Zhou Bai said earnestly.

"That's good to understand." Zhou Zhengping nodded, "Build the territory as you see fit, and be more steady and firm with the upgrades going forward, trust yourself!"

Zhou Bai nodded, having to say, the support from her parents gave her a lot of courage.

"Get some good rest!"

"Okay."

Afterward, lying in bed, Zhou Bai's gaze turned to the control panel, everything was upgrading, she'd look at it tomorrow!

Tomorrow, she should be able to learn more about the world and then decide which path to take in the future.