Chapter 9: Welcoming Refugees
On the way back to camp, Li En checked Aminos' stats.
[Name: Aminos]
[Level: 1 (32/100)]
[Race: Demi-human / Yak]
[Strength: 4, Agility: 4, Intelligence: 2, Spirit: 3, Constitution: 5]
[Talent: Polar Adaptation (Cold Resistance)]
[Satiety: 67]
[Loyalty: 90]
Stats improved with leveling, similar to heroes—though the growth was slower, and workers lacked unique skills, making individual training less valuable.
Li En confirmed this "official version" of Era of Divine Revelation hadn't altered core mechanics.
Back at camp, he and Shir waited for Aminos to deliver the coal.
Once the first batch arrived, Li En upgraded the campfire.
[Campfire upgraded successfully!]
[Campfire: Lv. 4]
[Effect: +10°C to +20°C within 40m]
[Current Population: 6/16]
[Consumption: 1 Coal / 15 minutes]
[Next Upgrade Requirements: Iron Mine, Wood ×100, Stone ×40, Coal ×20, Iron ×20]
[Attract nearby refugees? Available Slots: 4. Daily Food Cost: 8. Cooldown: 24h.]
(Refugees will automatically enter the territory. Options: Recruit, Reject, Expel, Enslave, Kill, etc. Note: Choices affect member loyalty.)
During the newbie protection period, territories were shielded—hostile entities couldn't enter without the lord's permission.
But attracted refugees bypassed this restriction.
Li En wanted to experiment. He handed wolf meat to Shir for lunch preparation while crafting fishing rods and bows in the cabin for the frozen lake expedition.
Soon, Shir called everyone to eat.
As the group settled in the cafeteria, Li En activated the refugee attraction function.
Black smoke billowed from the campfire, staining the clear sky—a beacon for the lost.
---
"Look! Smoke!"
A refugee pointed at the dark plume rising in the distance.
The four survivors had fled Norn Town, only to face bandits, blizzards, and beasts. Now, starving and frostbitten, they clung to this last hope.
Following the smoke, they stumbled upon the camp—warmth radiating from the upgraded fire.
"Praise the gods..."
They searched for the camp's leader, finding everyone gathered in the cafeteria, feasting on steaming meat stew and roasted wolf.
The aroma made their stomachs growl.
Too timid to intrude, they lingered at the doorway until one man—driven by hunger—stepped inside, eyes locked on Li En's half-finished plate.
His companions hissed warnings, but the scent overwhelmed him.
"F-Forgive the interruption, honored lords..." He swallowed hard. "We escaped Norn Town... May we rest here awhile?"
Li En skewered a piece of meat with a wooden pick, twirling it lazily.
"Is that all you want?"
The man's lips trembled.
"I... I..."
"Do you want meat?"
Tears welled in the refugee's eyes as he collapsed to his knees.
"Please... Take us in. We have nowhere left..."
The others followed, bowing desperately.
Li En stood, pulling the man up.
"From today, you're part of this territory. Obey, and you'll never starve again."
Shir served them hearty portions, and the first bite reduced the refugees to tears.
"This... this is ambrosia!"
One clutched Shir's hands. "Are you an angel sent by the goddess?"
[Territory member: Human - John Anderson's Loyalty +10. Current: 70.]
[Territory member: Human - Theodore Jones's Loyalty +10. Current: 70.]
[Territory member: Human - Jerry Cruise's Loyalty +10. Current: 70.]
[Territory member: Human - Liam Hanks's Loyalty +10. Current: 70.]
Even the yak-men's loyalty rose, moved by Li En's mercy.
[Yak-man Minotaurus's Loyalty +5. Current: 80.]
[Yak-man Minotauros's Loyalty +5. Current: 80.]
[Yak-man Aminos's Loyalty +5. Current: 95.]
Li En smirked. Better than expected.
Enslaving or killing the refugees would've bred fear—but compassion bred devotion.
---
Over lunch, the refugees shared their story:
Norn Town had fallen to a beast tide, scattering survivors.
Their group aimed for Denva Town but was ambushed by marauders, leaving only these four.
Marauders...
Li En's eyes gleamed.
Where there are bandits, there are prisoners and loot.
He began probing for more intel about this world.