Chapter 032: Survivors of Other Territories

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Hope Village.

"There's a territory ahead, we'll be safe if we make it there," Cao Jingshan, leading the group, loudly reminded everyone, his voice filled with determination but his eyes lacking luster, revealing a sense of weathered hardship.

It wasn't just him; many of the survivors there felt the same way.

After he spoke, other voices emerged in succession.

"But entering the territory costs money! We don't even know if we can get in. The last lousy territory required one gold coin to become a permanent resident and one silver coin per day. I'm afraid the price for this territory will only be higher, who can afford that?"

"Exactly, maybe dying is a release! This damned game, ever since we entered, there hasn't been a single day of peace—can't get enough food, can't stay warm, and just when we find a place to rest, it's attacked by a Demon Beast. So many people died horrific deaths at the jaws of the beast, and that's not even the end of it; today suddenly, this torrential rain is depleting our Life Value, I don't know how much longer I can last. Rather than struggle, I might as well die."

"I'm so tired! My Life Value isn't much anymore, I probably won't make it to the territory."

"I've lost a hand, I'm disabled now, there's no point in me living."

"If a Demon Beast appears now, with our current state, we simply can't fight it."

"There's still some distance to that territory! Everyone knows, the Demon Beasts within the territory's range are more numerous and stronger than those in the wild."

"We have too few high-level people here! If only they hadn't left."

"Those people thought we would drag them down, so they went in another direction, hoping there was no territory that way."

"But without a territory, with their levels and skills, they're likely to survive easily, unlike us."

"..."

The incessant, persistent rain made everyone's mood increasingly irritable, stirring up dark emotions.

Those speaking were venting, like a last struggle before death.

Because, all life had brought them so far was disaster; they saw no hope.

Yet, while they still had the energy to speak, there were many more who remained silent, utterly exhausted.

"Let's get to the territory first! At least think of our families—it's better to live terribly than to die," Cao Jingshan clenched his teeth and spoke again, "We're just a step away from a territory, are you content to give up now?"

Hearing Cao Jingshan's words, many felt a blur before their eyes.

How could they be content? But, there was nothing they could do!

Yet, as Cao Jingshan said, since they were close, they might as well make one last effort!

Seeing everyone's mood seemingly stabilize a bit, Cao Jingshan shouted, "Move quickly, everyone! Those in the middle, hold onto the wood board over your heads tightly; be careful not to let it fall, and those on the outside, don't let go of your weapons. Once we enter the territory, the Demon Beasts will increase."

Following Cao Jingshan's command, everyone gripped their belongings tighter.

The sudden downpour that also reduced their Life Value caught these wilderness dwellers off guard. Thankfully, many had bought weapons and gathered wood, desperately making wooden shields for protection.

The wood shields had slowed the rate of their Life Value dropping, allowing them to hold on for so long.

However, one issue was that these makeshift rain shields made of wood weren't very durable and needed frequent replacement.

The group continued to move forward.

After walking a short distance, they started noticing something unusual.

"The Demon Beasts in this territory seem to have been cleared out!" At this moment, someone astutely noticed a difference.

He had previously ventured out with a group in Canglei Village and knew something about the distribution of Demon Beasts around the territories.

The closer they got to the territory, the more numerous the beasts.

Yet, they had been inside for a while now, and they saw hardly any beasts.

"Really?" someone responded, a glint of hope sparking in their eyes, the clearing indicating there were people.

This was good news for them!

"But in this weather, how could anyone from the territory come out to clear them? The rain costs Life Value, surely nobody would risk their lives for money, right?" someone objected, almost unconvinced by their own skepticism.

"No matter what, let's just go and check out the territory," Cao Jingshan asserted still hopeful, considering his wife and daughter at his back.

This bit of news rekindled a flicker of hope in most of them.

But in the following team, a group exchanged glances and gestures, clearly plotting something.

Shortly after walking a bit further, they finally encountered a group of Demon Beasts.

"Qua qua qua…" A squad of Magic Frogs hopped toward them, and as they extended their tongues, a barrage of venom sprayed on them.

It not only corroded their clothes but also caused their Life Value to drop continuously.

However, checking the levels, most of which were around 5, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they believed their numbers would allow them to handle it.

As the temporary leader of this group, Cao Jingshan drew his weapon first, "Those with enough Life Value, follow me. Let's make it quick."

Immediately, some brandished their weapons and began combating the group of Magic Frogs.

[Congratulations Host, killed a lv.5 Magic Frog, obtained venom*5, Experience Points*50, copper coins*50, and Anti-poison Clothes*1.]

[Congratulations Host, killed a lv.4 Magic Frog, obtained venom*4, Experience Points*40, copper coins*40.]

[Congratulations Host, killed a lv.4 Magic Frog, obtained venom*4, Experience Points*40, copper coins*40, and Anti-poison Clothes*1.]

As Cao Jingshan successively killed several Magic Frogs, noticing the unusually high drop rate, a flicker of peculiarity crossed his eyes.

Previously in other places, though they had killed Level 4 and Level 5 Demon Beasts and occasionally obtained drops, the drop rate was never this high.

Others noticed too, but without dwelling on it, they fought more fiercely.

Anti-poison Clothes were equipment, and should sell for a good amount in the territory. Their food supplies were running low from yesterday to today, and it was unclear if food was expensive in Hope Village. Their equipment durability was also nearing exhaustion and needed quick replacement.

Earlier, in Canglei Village, they had mostly spent their money on equipment, and he thought the price of equipment between territories shouldn't differ too much. It made sense to save up more money.

After all, in Doomsday Game, equipment was the foundation of survival.

Before they had finished clearing the group of Magic Frogs, however, a scream rang out from the rear of the team.