Chapter 3: 003
【003】 The Refugees Arrive
999 System: 【Host, refugees are coming.】
Gu Qing had just gotten up when she immediately heard the system’s prompt.
Refugees? Are they the native people of the game world that the system mentioned before?
【How did they find me here?】
【Territories with a lord’s token will appear on the map of the natives. They are coming based on the map.】
Gu Qing nodded in understanding and immediately got out of bed.
The next moment, a new notification appeared on her screen.
999 System: 【Host, do you accept the refugees as villagers of Qingyun Village?】
【Have they entered the village?】 Gu Qing asked.
999 System: 【Without the lord’s permission, they cannot enter the territory. They are still outside the fence. The host can set the conditions for entry in the Village Affairs Center.】
【I’ll go outside and take a look.】 Gu Qing said, already stepping out the door.
When the refugees saw her appear, they all turned to look at her.
“Excuse me, are you the lord of Qingyun Village?” The leading refugee asked Gu Qing.
“Yes.” Gu Qing nodded but was also sizing up these so-called refugees.
Because they had been wandering, these refugees were covered in filth, their exposed skin was smeared with dirt. When facing her, their expressions were somewhat nervous, though the refugee who stepped forward to ask had a much more determined look in their eyes.
It was this one who, after Gu Qing’s answer, continued, “Lord, do you accept refugees?”
“I do, but there are conditions.” Gu Qing said without hesitation.
She needed people, of course, but it was impossible for her to just take them in without any conditions!
“What conditions?” When the refugee heard that there was a chance to be accepted, they immediately asked.
Other refugees became visibly excited, their gazes burning as they looked at Gu Qing.
It was so difficult to find a territory. They had been facing attacks from monsters while wandering, and by the time they arrived, only a tenth of their group remained. They were physically and mentally exhausted. Finding a shelter like this was a rare opportunity, and they were naturally eager to join and settle down.
They had been drifting around this area until yesterday, when they saw a newly recognized territory on the map. They immediately rushed over to it.
They knew that joining a newly established territory would offer them a better chance.
Although this territory might not last long, surviving for just one more day would be a blessing.
“You’re lucky. I’m short on people right now, so if each of you can provide me with 100 units of wood or stone, you will officially become villagers of Qingyun Village.” Gu Qing said directly.
She needed to expand her territory, and so far, wood and stone were essential. If she were to do it alone, the construction would really take an eternity.
With these refugees coming to her door, of course, she had to take full advantage of it.
“Thank you, Lord! You are too kind!” The group of refugees, hearing the conditions, were all filled with excitement and tears of gratitude.
Gu Qing watched this scene, her lips twitching slightly.
She had misjudged it. They probably didn’t understand the current situation.
【999, what’s the situation in this world? Is it really that bad?】
Gu Qing recalled the prompt about the “end-time game” and the mention of merging with the game world. If things went as expected, this was the game world she was in now.
It was clear that this world had its own complete civilization system and worldview, and it was likely far more complex than Earth.
The difficulty of evolving this civilization… probably wasn’t something ordinary.
999 System: 【Yes, it’s very bad. There are regular beast tides. The larger the territory, the more frequent the beast tides. There are small tides every month and large tides every year. Under such attacks, many territories are often flattened by beast tides due to lack of preparation. Many original inhabitants become refugees, seeking help from other human territories, but the capacity of those territories is limited. So, there are a lot of refugees in this world.】
Gu Qing understood upon hearing this.
The more refugees there were, the more unstable the world became. And with the beast tides… the danger was everywhere!
【What about after the two worlds merged?】 It seemed the information mentioned a fusion.
999 System: 【It’s not a true fusion, but rather an intertwining in some aspects. The specifics are confidential and cannot be disclosed. The host only needs to know that the territory here is larger than Earth, with more resources, but also more crises. Everything is uncertain. This is not only a test for the natives but also a test for you.】
Gu Qing listened thoughtfully, her expression shifting. She recalled the light orb before the official game launch. It seemed to be referring to the beginner’s package?
【So, this world is also in the process of evolving? Only in this way would there be an intertwining.】
999 System: 【Yes, this world is indeed in the process of civilization evolution. This is a common occurrence in the evolution of civilizations. So far, the model between the two planets is similar.】
【What level of development qualifies as successful evolution?】
999 System: 【It would be considered successful evolution when the crisis is overcome. If it fails, it leads to destruction.】
【When will the evaluation take place? Is there a time limit?】
999 System: 【Please look at the top left corner, host.】
Gu Qing glanced at her empty panel and saw a number: 1095.
This number was so small that it was easy to overlook if she didn’t pay close attention.
【1095 days? 3 years?】
999 System: 【Yes, so the host only needs to live a vacation life in this world for 3 years. Whether civilization evolves successfully or not, the host will be able to leave this world after that.】
Gu Qing looked at the number, and her previous resistance to this world diminished once again. But… just three years.
What followed was more curiosity about the situation in this game world.
In her previous tasks, she had never encountered a world like this.
Vacation, vacation, so it really was a vacation here.
Shaking her head, Gu Qing continued to ask.
【Does this world also have the End-Time Game System?】
999 System: 【No, this world itself is a game world. Various minor bosses, monsters, and game-like existences are normal in their eyes. In other words, you can think of them as conscious NPCs. Since Earth is a new world, new survivors from Earth are given certain privileges. The End-Time Game System is a form of compensation for you. As long as you work hard, the gap between you and the native inhabitants of this world will quickly close, and you may even surpass them. In the future, survivors from the new world, like you, may lead. However, there is one exception in this world—the lords. In the territory of the lord, they have control over everything.】
【So, the lord token… is it only available to the native inhabitants of the game world?】
999 System: 【Yes, although there may be hidden conditions in the future. But for now, you are the only Earth survivor with a lord token.】
Listening to the 999 system’s explanation, Gu Qing understood the situation between the two worlds. Oh no, now there was only one world left—what remained were just the native inhabitants and those who came later.
After that, Gu Qing stopped asking. She already understood that having the 999 system was a huge advantage, and with the lord token, her starting point was much better than other survivors. She really was on a vacation.
Gu Qing’s gaze then turned to the refugees. They had already started working together outside the fence to build a temporary camp. The stronger men were heading toward the forest, clearly to collect wood and stone.
One could only say that the refugees adapted to the new environment faster than expected.
As for Gu Qing, she simply prepared to leave the territory to collect wood and stone. She had realized that gathering wood and stone also increased her experience points. Whether for leveling up or simply experiencing the world, she could try it out.
The place where Gu Qing was collecting wood and stone wasn’t far from where the refugees were working.
When the refugees saw Gu Qing struggling to gather materials, their expressions were filled with shock.
Privately, they began to whisper among themselves.
“Ulysses, the lord is even collecting wood and stone herself. She… is really different from other lords.” The refugee Albert said, surprised, to their leader, Ulysses.
They had wandered through many territories and seen many lords, most of whom were the type to enjoy luxury and amass wealth. Even those who treated their people well were still aloof, unlike the current lord who was collecting wood and stone herself.
Ulysses, upon hearing this, looked at Gu Qing thoughtfully and then said, “If we could meet a more wise lord, we might be able to live peacefully for a longer time.”
“I think the lord of Qingyun Village is very wise.” Albert said firmly.
Ulysses did not confirm or deny this, saying instead, “Gather more wood and stone. The lord urgently needs them now. In addition to exchanging for residency, we can also trade for other things in the territory.”
“Got it.” As soon as Albert heard about the residency, he was filled with energy.
A similar scene continued to unfold among the refugees, each person working hard to fight for their tomorrow.
By the time it was close to noon, Gu Qing returned to the territory.
At this point, many refugees were already waiting outside the fence.
When they saw Gu Qing appear, they instantly became excited and shouted, “The lord is back!”
“Lord, we have collected enough wood and stone,” one by one, they looked at Gu Qing with hopeful eyes.
Gu Qing scanned the refugees and spotted the one who had previously asked her about joining. “What’s your name?”
Ulysses was taken aback for a moment when asked, but he quickly responded with his name.
“Ulysses, please help me register the ones who’ve completed the task.”
“…Yes.” Ulysses was slightly stunned but quickly regained his composure and agreed.
The other refugees, seeing that Ulysses had been noted by the lord and assigned a task, looked on with a hint of envy in their eyes.
After receiving the response, Gu Qing, feeling exhausted, headed back to her house and began nibbling on a carrot again.
“This life… is really not fit for humans.”
999 System: 【Host, if your territory is developed and the market becomes active, won’t you have plenty of good food?】
The host was good at everything, but there was one thing she had never managed to learn, no matter how many worlds she participated in—cooking.
Hearing the 999 system’s words, Gu Qing immediately realized.
【You’re right. It should be about time for the registration to be completed.】
With that, Gu Qing stepped out of her house again and saw Ulysses standing out among the refugees.
As soon as he saw Gu Qing, Ulysses respectfully bowed and said, “Lord, I have finished recording the list.”
After Ulysses spoke, a system notification appeared on Gu Qing’s screen.
【Host, Ulysses has completed the task you assigned. Do you want to reward him?】
Following the prompt, a list of items from her personal backpack appeared.
Gu Qing immediately chose a piece of rabbit meat.
After confirming the selection, her backpack now contained a list of refugees and hundreds of pieces of wood and stone.
In Ulysses’s hands, a piece of rabbit meat appeared.
“This is your reward.” After saying this, Gu Qing turned and headed toward the village affairs center.
To register the refugees, it seemed that she needed to record their household registration in the village affairs center provided by the territory.
Meanwhile, Ulysses, who stayed behind, looked at the rabbit meat in his hand, his expression fluctuating with emotion.
“Ulysses, you’re really lucky!” Albert said enviously, looking at Ulysses.
The rabbit meat given by the lord was not just food, it was a symbol of honor.
“You’re right,” Ulysses suddenly said to Albert.
“Hmm?” Albert looked a little confused.
“We’ve encountered a wise lord.” Ulysses said seriously.
Albert, seeing Ulysses agree with his previous words, burst into laughter.
At the same time, other refugees looked at Ulysses with envy. However, despite their envy, they dared not act on it.
Ulysses was the strongest among the refugees and had led them here, so while they envied his luck, they knew it was his skill.
Meanwhile, Gu Qing had already entered the village affairs center.
999 System: 【Host, do you wish to connect the lord’s panel to the village affairs center? First-time connection only.】
【Yes.】
As soon as Gu Qing confirmed, a horizontal line appeared in the construction section of the lord’s panel, indicating that it could be opened.
Gu Qing clicked on it and saw the control panel for the village affairs center.
【Building: Village Affairs Center】
【Household Registration: Official Residents (1), Temporary Residents (0)】
【Taxes: 0】
【Assets: 0】
【Resources: Rabbit Meat 1012, Rabbit Skins 1013, Carrots 2020, Tree Seeds 30, Wood 1200, Stone 500】
【Announcement Board: Operations】
After browsing, Gu Qing understood the function of the village affairs center. Simply put, it was to manage the entire territory.
She had to admit, this made things much more convenient.
Next, Gu Qing glanced at the official residents section of the household registration and quickly clicked on the list in her backpack. She soon registered these people, and individual identity tokens appeared in her backpack.
As for the temporary residents section, she understood it was for entry and exit management as mentioned by the 999 system. After some thought, she decided to make a few adjustments.
After registering the residents, a new notification appeared on the screen in front of Gu Qing.
【The population of the territory has reached 10.】
【The conditions for upgrading the territory have been met. Do you wish to upgrade the level 0 village to a level 1 village?】
With a simple “Yes” from Gu Qing, the system displayed a prompt.
【Congratulations, Host! The territory has leveled up. Reputation +1. The lord’s panel has been upgraded. Reward: Building blueprints 2, Reward: 10,000 copper coins.】
At the same time, Gu Qing’s lord’s panel refreshed.
【Territory: Qingyun Village (Level 1 Village)】
【Reputation: 1 (Unnoticed)】
【Population: 12/100】
【Tax Rate: 10% (can be adjusted in real-time by the lord)】
【Resources: Rabbit Meat 1012, Rabbit Skins 1013, Carrots 2020, Tree Seeds 30, Wood 1200, Stone 500】
【Buildings: Village Affairs Center, Fence, Residential Houses】
【Buildings Required for Next Upgrade: Trading Hall, Beginner Tailor Shop, Beginner General Store, Beginner Warehouse, Residential Houses (Already Owned), Farmland】
Among the rewards were blueprints for the Trading Hall and the Beginner Tailor Shop. Gu Qing clicked on them as she was familiar with the process, and the corresponding wood and stone materials appeared.
Trading Hall: 1000 Stone, 500 Wood
Beginner Tailor Shop: 500 Stone, 250 Wood
With the blueprints in hand, it wouldn’t take long to gather the necessary wood and stone.
However, it was evident that wood was easier to gather, so today the refugees focused on collecting wood. The shortage of stone was more significant…
In addition, the territory would have dozens of official and temporary residents, and if she wanted them to live peacefully, she had to make trade within the territory more active.
Looking at the 10,000 copper coins as a reward, Gu Qing already had a plan in mind.
—
A moment later, after leaving the village affairs center, Gu Qing saw the refugees eagerly waiting outside the fence.
As soon as the refugees saw Gu Qing, their eyes lit up.
Gu Qing walked up to the fence, took out the identity tokens from her backpack, and handed them to Ulysses to distribute.
Once the refugees received their identity proofs, they were all extremely excited.
“I’m now an official resident! I can enter the territory!”
With cheers, the newly registered residents hurriedly entered the territory with their belongings.
The refugees who had not received their identities looked on enviously but silently decided to collect all the wood needed tomorrow.
Looking at these people, Gu Qing spoke directly, “Apart from official residents, the territory will also accept temporary residents. Temporary residents can stay in the territory, but they will need to pay 10 units of wood every day, otherwise, they will be expelled.”
“Thank you, Lord…”
At the scene, several refugees excitedly voiced their gratitude, kneeling in front of Gu Qing.
Gu Qing looked at these ragged refugees but didn’t say anything. She turned and left.
After she left their sight, the refugees continued to go out and gather resources.
Tonight, they would finally be able to sleep peacefully.