Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

For the sake of energy values, he could still hold on, but now that they were depleted, he was somewhat unable to persevere.

"I'm going to sleep..."

Youth is great, falling asleep as soon as one's head hits the pillow.

...

[Feedback from the commission: Your Reflexes +0.1, Ranged Weapon Mastery Experience +28, Light Weapon Mastery Experience +26, Combat Mastery Experience +29, Tech - Basic Electrical Manufacturing and Processing Experience +149.]

A sense of unease, as if being watched, lingered in his mind, and Bai E, who had already had a good rest, woke up instantly from his sweet sleep.

His vigilant eyes opened, bright as two stars in the night.

Inside the cave, all was peaceful. The howling wind above seemed only to be an accompaniment that helped one sink deeper into the world of dreams, the refugees' breathing steady, enjoying an evening of rare mental tranquility.

There were no enemies, nor was it the return of demons.

Elder Gilder sat not far from Bai E, his aged eyes watching with some hesitation.

After the impulsive gratitude of being saved had cooled down, the experiences of his past life overshadowed his rationality.

Where there are people, there is strife.

Could these refugees, who had been rescued, truly start a new and beautiful life as this officer said?

Not very realistic.

Resources are the most realistic topic in this world.

If they had no special skills, how would they be allocated the survival resources that everyone in this era needed?

Was the so-called Blackwater City truly a utopian world of legend? If such a world existed, it was likely already overrun with people.

He had not shared this worry with anyone, hiding it in his heart instead.

Their companions, who had been driven out of the town together, had just escaped from the clutches of demons. It would be ill-advised to plunge them back into fear for the future, which might invite the terrifying demon once again.

Would there be a second savior then, or would they be rescued one more time by this gentleman?

There are not so many blessings in this world, but since the gentleman had made such a commitment at the time... did it mean that he had some ability to ensure a new life for everyone?

Gilder was unclear about the system in Blackwater City; he only knew that in their old town, the powerful always had their own private armed forces and retainers.

"What's wrong?"

Upon waking, Bai E proactively inquired in a soft voice to the elder.

"Elder, please come with me," Gilder said resolutely through gritted teeth, whispering as quietly as possible to Bai E.

...

Bai E swept his gaze around the shadows, everyone else was resting.

Be it his teammates, or the refugees.

No one noticed what was happening here...

"Okay," Bai E nodded, agreeing to the elder's request.

Following Gilder, the two arrived in a tunnel where they were unlikely to disturb the others who were resting.

"Can we speak now?" Bai E looked at Gilder, who had turned around, and calmly asked.

"It's like this, sir..." Gilder twisted his palms, pausing for a while before saying with difficulty his personal thoughts, "I was wondering if you... have your own... faction?"

Gilder observed the gentleman's expression with utmost caution; his life in the dark seemed to give him a certain Dark Vision, allowing him to make out some images in the darkness.

"Uh?" Bai E's tone hesitated slightly, "Why do you ask?"

Since he had decided to speak up, Gilder was candid, "I... I don't know what kind of system Blackwater City has, but where we come from strong men have their own factions. I think... it might be better to follow under your leadership rather than with the city's central authority."

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Although following Bai E might not even amount to being the head of a chicken, even being the neck, the body, the heart, or the lungs of the chicken would still be good...

Such a splendid figure as Bai E was someone he had never seen in the town. Following a character like him, one would not have to worry about being arbitrarily discarded one day.

Not to mention that their prolonged wandering had broken their spirits; without learning to bow and adapt, one cannot survive in this world.

...

A moment's silence.

Bai E was somewhat indecisive.

He had never imagined the elder would speak of such a matter.

To grow his own faction?

After deceiving players and desperate Ratmen, was he to accept such a large group of refugees?

Wouldn't that be too conspicuous?

Not to mention whether he could support them, the sheer numbers were enough to be branded as rebels.

He was not yet aware of the city's plans for these refugees, nor did he know whether the city permitted the existence of large private groups. Taking the refugees in, given his status, was definitely not appropriate.

At least not at present.

"Sir, rest assured, we may not have any special abilities, but we can ensure absolute loyalty. Most of the four hundred people are men; with some training and arms, they could fight for you! I may not be very capable, but having lived so many years, I do have some experience.

I could look after the team and help with internal affairs," Gilder confidently vouched for himself and the others while Bai E silently pondered.

There is no love without reason in this world, even the purest relationships ultimately require the need for benefits and value.

Facing Gilder's hopeful gaze, Bai E spoke thoughtfully.

"You were specifically asked to be brought back by the commander; it's not appropriate for me to intervene directly."

Bai E's words were ambiguous, not a flat rejection. Who knows what the future might hold?

His main quest required him to raise the reputation level of his forces to Level 2. The elimination of a Black Street force by the players had only slightly increased it, and perhaps the remaining requirements could include a hard number of people?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was uncertain, but he could not discount the possibility.

Gilder's eyes brightened at the response, "I see..."

Not being directly refused meant the gentleman might really have his own faction.

Was it just due to the rules...

But almost immediately, the wisdom gained from many years and countless events led him to think of a workaround, "How about this, sir? Your commander doesn't know our exact numbers, right?"

Let alone the long journey that could easily lead to some falling behind...

"Missing one or two shouldn't be a problem. Let an old man like me first join you. For them... we'll see if there's another turn of fortune?"

Bai E's eyes flickered.

He was indeed in need of a warehouse manager for his own place...

The 5 points of energy value provided by the elder before could be considered a form of "loyalty."

Maybe it could work.

But he still needed to give it further thought.

Bai E turned and walked back towards the cave, "We'll discuss it later."