SCT-Novel Chapter 104.2: Monsters Are Here
Chapter 104.2: Monsters Are Here
Chapter 104.2: Monsters Are Here
The people who received bamboo slips were organized into different groups and led away by uniformed security officers (former militia). Jimmy, who was part of the squad maintaining order, spotted the four and waved at them. "Simon, Allen! What are you doing here? If you want to do odd jobs, get in line!"
Jimmy was around the same age as these four and had played with them in their younger days. Simon's eyes lit up on seeing a familiar face, and he hurriedly went over.
"Jimmy, we wish to meet Mr. Rex!"
"...Huh?"
"Who wishes to meet me?" A man in the midst of the boisterous crowd turned around.
From half a street away, the four unprepared youngsters caught sight of the person who had spent quite a while speculating and discussing about, Charlie Rex.
When they saw the new lord clearly, their four mouths gaped—He was so young!
Charlie Rex didn't seem much older than them! He even looked younger than Jimmy, whom the four had played with in their childhood.
Rex scanned this group of three men and a woman. Certain that he didn't know them, he turned to Jimmy, the security officer they had been speaking to.
"Th-these are my friends. They are people from town." Jimmy nervously introduced.
"I'm Charlie Rex. Is there something you need?" Rex smiled kindly at the four Weisshem youngsters.
Caroline, standing furthest forward, instinctively stood a little straighter and responded immediately, "Hello, sir. I am Caroline Meghan. We... we hope to be able to have a chat with you."
Rex waved to signal for Jimmy to return to his post, then, with a smile, nodded at Caroline and her companions. "Sure. This way, please."
After patiently listening to the stumbling explanation from these brave young town residents, Rex couldn't help chuckling.
"Of course," Rex gave his verdict gleefully. "You guys don't have to rent a cart for this business. I can rent you a tricycle cart. However, the current price of fabric per meter is already at its lowest. It wouldn't go any lower even with bulk purchases. Are you guys agreeable?"
The four youngsters nearly jumped on the spot from delight.
"Of course, of course," Caroline replied nervously. "B-but we don't have enough capital..."
"The first batch of goods can be put on credit. You all can settle the payment when you come to pick up more goods later," Rex kindly offered. "But there are taxes—a 10% transaction tax—and you need to pay your personal high-income tax in full."
"Yes, yes!" Caroline finally relaxed and revealed an ecstatic smile as she nodded vigorously.
"Let's sign the contract and collect the goods, then." Rex waved his hand and immediately led the four to the town hall.
The four youngsters trudged along as if they were in a sweet dream, having no strong sense of reality at all. It wasn't until they reached the town hall and had the contract placed in front of them did they snap back to reality.
"Can this fabric really be given to us?" Simon asked in a daze, as if he was talking in his sleep.
Helpless, the elders of these families could only grit their teeth and seek help from friends...
Unaware that the opportunity he had given to those youngsters had turned into chaos for the four families, Rex had already gone looking for Ji Tang.
There were over 20 villages in Weisshem's territory, the closest ones being around three kilometers away from the town, while the furthest ones were situated in the mountainous areas around 15 kilometers away. To roughly determine the amount of funds needed for the collective purchase of autumn harvest grains, Ji Tang had already informed Rex and asked him to set aside some time to go to the countryside for an on-site investigation.
If it wasn't for his skeletal appearance that would likely cause issues, Ji Tang had originally planned to go in person...
The town lord and town mayor, Weisshem's two "highest authorities," set off from Weisshem on the all-terrain mountain bikes they had first ridden when coming from Exile Town.
"The village chiefs registered in the town hall records are from over 20 years ago. The previous mayor really... didn't manage anything else but Weisshem during his tenure," Rex, who usually had a good temper, couldn't help expressing his dissatisfaction. "I don't even know how many village chiefs have changed since then. Ji Tang, how should we deal with these people?"
"It's our first time visiting and we are unfamiliar with the circumstances. Let's not rush to conclusions. We should conduct a thorough investigation first before deciding. Even if we do need to rectify the situation in the villages, we shouldn't take action right away. At least wait until we have a stable footing and a certain level of public support," advised Ji Tang, who was used to giving suggestions.
Rex was silent for a bit, then said, "Can't we have the undead serve as village chiefs?"
"...I don't think it's a good idea," Ji Tang replied.
Brother Lahong had fought tooth and nail to become the mayor of Exile Town, though his ambitious aspirations lasted only two days before he returned to lead his team in monster-farming quests.
Relying on players to engage in tedious and unrewarding administrative work in the "game" was simply impractical.
Rex mulled for a bit, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright... I'll go with your advice."
Weisshem's countryside was similar to southern villages in China, just that there was an absence of rice paddies. The natives here cultivated wheat and corn instead.
This wasn't to say that this world lacked rice; it's just that rice cultivation required a more advanced level of water management. In places like Weisshem, where the only main road was built through the flesh trade, irrigation projects were out of the question.
After visiting several villages, interacting with some of the bolder locals, and understanding the farming situations, Ji Tang, who had only planted vegetables for two years before joining the army, came up with loads of ideas about using technology to assist rural development and aid poverty alleviation.
As they made their way to the next village, the two saw a large group of people appearing on the main town road from a distance.
Rex stopped and got off his bike, gazing intently at this group.
There was quite a distance, and only vague silhouettes could be seen, but... there was no need to get a good look. It was clear that these people weren't friendly.
Not only were they all riding horses, but they were also clad in shiny armor reflecting the blazing hot afternoon sunlight!
"Enemies!" Rex said gravely to Ji Tang.
Ji Tang had also seen the mounted men in shiny armor.
However, unlike Rex, who was awaiting the enemy's approach, the first thought that came to Ji Tang's mind was—Monsters are here.