Chapter 7 – 007
【007】 Recruitment
The next morning, many of the residents quickly noticed the changes in the territory, with the first being the rows of neat residential houses that had appeared behind them.
“Look, there are so many houses over there!”
“They look just like the ones the lord lives in.”
“Are these houses for us?”
“Maybe we need copper coins for them?”
“Ah, I still don’t know when we can live in a proper house. I just managed to gather enough wood to become an official resident, and even normal work only keeps us fed.”
“It’s already much better than before.”
“Well, having a dream is nice too. I wonder what the requirements are to live in these houses?”
“…”
Many of the residents were discussing it and began habitually heading towards the Village Affairs Center.
The Village Affairs Center constantly updated information about the territory, and sometimes there were job opportunities.
For many, survival seemed more important than living conditions at the moment.
Some of the newly arrived residents, under the guidance of the older ones, had learned about the situation in the territory and hurriedly went to the Village Affairs Center.
This time, they weren’t disappointed, as they saw a bunch of job recruitment notices on the large screen, with so many notifications that they were constantly refreshing.
【Recruiting one tailor, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Recruiting one cook, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Urgently need 10 farmers to cultivate farmland, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Building a Primary General Goods Shop, construction experience preferred, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Building a Primary Warehouse, construction experience preferred, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Building a Canteen, construction experience preferred, 1 copper coin per day, meals included.】
【Team up to explore the territory map, construction experience preferred, 2 copper coins per day, meals included.】
【Opening residential house applications, 100 copper coins per house for sale, 10 copper coins per month for rent, maximum 10 people per house.】
【…】
As they read through the notices, many residents were momentarily stunned, then one by one, they became excited.
“1 copper coin a day isn’t much, but it includes meals! Collecting 100 units of wood is just enough to feed me for the day, and I can save 1 copper coin doing this work! Most importantly, working in the territory is safe!”
“Yes! This job is great.”
“I’ve been surviving out in the wild these past few days, encountering so many magical beasts. I really don’t want to go out anymore. If I could stay in the territory, that would be perfect. I want to sign up.”
“Where do we sign up?”
“I used to help build houses, I have experience.”
“Is there an age limit?”
“I’ll bring my wife along, she’s very skilled.”
“Oh my god! Does that mean the residential houses can fit ten people? Ten people living together, and each person only needs to pay 1 copper coin per month!”
“Looking at these announcements, I finally feel like I’m alive again!”
“…”
In an instant, the entire Village Affairs Center became lively.
This was when Gu Qing, Ulysses, and Albert entered the Village Affairs Center.
As soon as they appeared, the crowd immediately surrounded them.
“Lord, I’d like to sign up for farming. I used to take care of the fields at home.”
“Lord, I’m quick with my hands. I can explore the surrounding area, I can do it.”
“Lord, …”
Gu Qing saw the eager expressions in the residents’ eyes and made a gesture to signal them to quiet down.
Seeing this, the atmosphere immediately became calm, and everyone eagerly looked at Gu Qing.
“Those who want to apply can go directly to the windows over there for registration and interviews,” Gu Qing said, pointing to several empty windows in the Village Affairs Center. Then, she, Ulysses, and Albert each occupied one window. As soon as they sat down, long lines formed in front of each window.
“Name.”
“York.”
“Position you want to apply for.”
“Can I apply for both farmer and construction worker? I’ve worked on the farm before, and I’ve also worked with the construction team.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll ask you a few questions, answer truthfully.”
“…”
Meanwhile, the three of them were busy with the registration process, asking questions one by one according to the pre-prepared list.
As for Gu Qing, during the registration, she had the system display each person’s attributes, so she could select the best options.
—
At this time, in the temporary camp.
Inside a makeshift tent, the space was cramped and filled with a strong odor.
“I’m going out to gather wood. Keep an eye on the kids,” Tang En said to his wife, Mei Li.
“Be careful. If you encounter a magical beast, don’t try to be brave, just hurry back,” Mei Li said, holding their daughter, Vanessa, in her arms, a layer of worry on her face.
They had arrived at the territory yesterday. Thanks to the lord’s guidance, they gathered some wood and were able to stay safely overnight in the territory.
Since their family of four needed 40 units of wood for temporary housing, they had some wood left from yesterday, but it wasn’t enough for today. Tang En had already been injured slightly during a magical beast attack yesterday. If possible, Mei Li really hoped he would heal before going out again.
But there was no other choice, their family’s survival depended entirely on Tang En.
With that thought, Mei Li couldn’t help but add, “Why don’t I go with you to gather wood? Bill can look after Vanessa.”
“Vanessa’s health was dangerously low because of illness. You need to take good care of her. You also got hurt protecting her yesterday and need to recover. It’s too dangerous to go out now. Don’t worry! I’ll be careful. I’ve asked around. The risk of encountering danger is very low when you go out with the group. Even if we run into magical beasts, they’re more likely to provide us with food,” Tang En declined his wife’s suggestion.
Mei Li, hearing this, looked at their daughter sleeping in her arms and pursed her lips.
Although they had entered a safe territory, there were still many difficulties ahead.
“Where’s Bill?” Tang En asked about his son.
“He said he was going to the trade center to see if there was anything else to buy,” Mei Li replied. As she mentioned their son, there was a hint of pride in her expression. Though still young, he was already trying to help the family with its problems.
“I’ll go check it out too,” Tang En said.
At that moment, a small figure rushed into the tent. It was their son, Bill.
“Bill, what’s going on outside?” Mei Li asked, concerned, seeing her son panting heavily.
“Father, there are so many people at the Village Affairs Center. They said the territory is hiring for jobs, like chefs, tailors, construction workers, farmers, and more. They pay one copper coin a day and provide meals,” Bill quickly relayed the information he had learned, his face flushed with excitement. “Father, you’ve worked in a construction team in other territories. You have experience, maybe you can get hired first!”
After hearing this, Mei Li looked at Tang En happily. “Tang En, you should go! That way, you won’t have to go out and take risks for now.”
If there was a better, safer job, why not take it?
“Alright, I’ll go check it out. As for the chef… Mei Li, you should try it too. You’re really good at cooking!”
“Can I?” Mei Li clearly felt a bit unsure.
“Go ahead and try. There’s no harm in it.”
“But what about Vanessa? I need to take care of her!”
“Take her with you! I’ll look after them while you’re in the interview, and when you’re in the interview, I’ll look after them. If you do get the job, you can keep Bill and Vanessa with you, and let Bill take care of them while you look after them.”
“Alright.” Mei Li’s heart raced. If she got selected, their whole family’s life would change dramatically.
Similar conversations were happening all around the camp. Everyone was excited about the changes in the territory.
—
Since there were fewer people, Gu Qing and the others worked very efficiently. With the assistance of the system, Gu Qing quickly selected the right candidates from the applicants.
“Post these lists at the Village Affairs Center and immediately arrange the work,” Gu Qing said, handing the list to Ulysses.
“Understood.” Ulysses was surprised by how quickly Gu Qing made her selections, but he trusted her judgment.
Soon, the large screen in the Village Affairs Center began refreshing the data, and the list of selected candidates appeared.
The moment it was displayed, the Village Affairs Center erupted into excited discussions.
“The list is out!”
“Wow, that was fast!”
“Is my name on it?”
“Can someone who can read help us out?”
“I’ll read it…”
“Wow! I was selected for the construction team, to build the warehouse! It must be because I have experience with building warehouses.”
“I got into the construction team too, but for building the general store.”
“I wasn’t selected. Oh well, I’ll just go gather materials! The territory is still buying wood and stone.”
“…”
Those selected were naturally very excited, while those who weren’t selected didn’t feel too disappointed because they still had other options. Most of them quickly collected themselves and went back to gathering materials, as the reality of survival left no time to rest.
Those who remained at the Village Affairs Center were mostly the selected candidates, staying in place as instructed by the screen.
“Dad, you got into the construction team, and Mom, you got the job as a chef!” Among the crowd, one person excitedly called out. It was Bill, who was ecstatic about the good news.
The content of the conversation instantly attracted the attention of many people around them. Seeing his expression, they couldn’t help but smile knowingly, understanding exactly how the little guy felt.
They were all equally excited but were doing their best to hold it in.
The fact that both of this couple got hired made others feel… envious, especially the chef position, which might be a steady job with long-term security!
As for Tang En and Mei Li, who were mentioned by Bill, they were also very happy to see their names on the big screen.
Especially Mei Li, who was almost at a loss for words, “I don’t even know how I was selected. I just answered a few questions.”
When Gu Qing, Ulysses, and Albert arrived, they happened to overhear Mei Li’s words.
Gu Qing glanced at Mei Li, and the impression of her was still fresh in her mind, because during her interview, 999 had excitedly whispered something in her ear.
【Host, this person’s talent lies in cooking! It’s an exceptionally high-level talent. No matter what ingredients she works with, she can bring out the best in them. If she is properly trained, when her skills reach a certain level, the food she cooks will have special effects.】
No other chef candidate received such an evaluation from the system. Only this one person, Mei Li, was selected.
Thinking about it, Gu Qing was really looking forward to the food Mei Li would cook. She no longer wanted to just gnaw on raw carrots.
“The lord must have his reasons for choosing this person.” Seeing how nervous Mei Li was, Tang En comforted her while holding their daughter in his arms.
Mei Li felt much calmer hearing this. Looking at Vanessa, who had woken up and was quietly staying in her father’s arms, her heart softened, and her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears. “This is great. With two copper coins, we’ll be able to take good care of Bill and Vanessa. Vanessa will surely recover completely.”
Hearing this, Gu Qing paused for a moment, glancing at the little girl in their arms. She was small, with yellowish skin, clearly showing signs of malnutrition. It was rare to see a child in this territory.
She hoped that the child would grow up healthy.
At that moment, others had also noticed Gu Qing and her group. With a shout of “Lord,” everyone remaining at the scene fell silent and turned their eager eyes toward Gu Qing.
Bringing her thoughts back, Gu Qing spoke under their expectant gazes, “From now on, you will start working in your designated positions in the territory. Materials can be collected from the village chief. Afterward, you can pick up your wages directly from him. Anyone caught slacking off during work will be permanently disqualified.”
Although Gu Qing’s tone was light, there was a hint of authority in it that resonated with the residents.
“Lord, don’t worry. We won’t slack off.”
“We’ll work hard!”
“Thank you, Lord, for giving us this opportunity.”
“You are our savior.”
“…”
Each person looked at Gu Qing with eyes full of reverence.
In addition to Gu Qing’s inherent leadership abilities, another reason for their admiration was that most of these people had been saved by her.
Through multiple layers of gratitude, Gu Qing had become their savior in their eyes.
Looking at their expressions, Gu Qing was genuinely moved at this moment.
The indigenous people at the bottom of the social ladder had endured so many hardships that surviving seemed to be enough for them.
Thinking of this, Gu Qing couldn’t help but recall the Earth survivors who had entered this world with her.
It had been two days now, and she had rescued several groups of refugees, yet she still hadn’t encountered a single Earth survivor.
What were their current situations like?
Compared to the indigenous people of the game world, how were the survivors, who had come from a peaceful society, adapting to this dangerous new world?