C29 In the Valley

The merging of two worlds wasn't an overnight process; it required thirteen iterations and nearly a year to reach completion. According to a past-life master, once fully integrated, the new world would expand nearly a hundredfold. Of course, whether this claim held any truth was anyone's guess, given the abundance of so-called masters in the apocalypse, few of whom were actually credible.

Crossing a narrow mountain passageway, Lin Yuan was greeted by an expansive view. Before him lay a small valley bustling with people and dotted with numerous tents—a modest campsite.

Lin Yuan watched the camp's inhabitants bustling about, a smile creeping onto his face. Nearly a month had passed since he left the campus, and this was the first time he'd encountered so many people. It inexplicably warmed his heart.

Within the camp, Lin Yuan noticed several vendors with their stalls set up, their wares varied and plentiful, creating an almost mesmerizing array. As he strolled past the stalls, he grew increasingly impressed; they truly sold everything imaginable.

It made sense to sell daily necessities and the spoils of hunting, but selling waste? That was baffling—no one dared linger within ten meters of the stench!

Driven by insatiable curiosity and donning a gas mask, Lin Yuan approached the standout stall and pointed at the sizable heap on the display. "Brother, you must be the only one in the world peddling such filth. What's the story behind it?"

The vendor, a gaunt man in his thirties, stirred the mountainous dung heap with a stick as he replied with a grin, "There's definitely a reason. I wouldn't dare sell this stuff if there wasn't, right? This came from a massive creature I encountered while ascending the mountain ridge the day before yesterday. Other monsters steer clear of this pile, so it's incredibly effective for warding them off!"

"What kind of massive creature?" Lin Yuan inquired, his curiosity now fully engaged. He could sense that, beyond the repulsive odor, there was something about this heap that instinctively made him want to keep his distance.

"It's somewhat human-like, but imagine something towering four or five meters high, built like a wall."

"Right, and it has just one eye."

The vendor's encounter with the monster had clearly made a lasting impression, as he recounted the details without hesitation.

The more Lin Yuan heard, the more the description struck a familiar chord, and he couldn't help but wince.

"Does it also happen to wear drab gray plate armor and wield a massive axe?"

"Exactly! That axe is huge, like a cartwheel!"

"Brother, you've seen that behemoth too?"

The vendor nodded vigorously. Lin Yuan inhaled sharply. Damn, a Cyclops!

A formidable Silver-tier creature, it stood as one of the apex predators at this stage. He never imagined one would be lurking on this humble hill.

"So, what do you say, bro? Two pounds sound good? Sprinkle some of this stuff around your tent tonight while camping—it's tried and true."

Effective, sure, but wasn't it revolting? Lin Yuan shook his head, smiling as he inquired,

"What's your selling method? Bartering?"

"No need for complications. Two hundred Rhelaweth bucks a pound, fair and square."

"What currency?"

Lin Yuan was puzzled. Was there already a monetary system in place?

"What else but Rhelaweth currency!"

The vendor gave Lin Yuan a quizzical look. Lin Yuan just grinned.

"Does it still hold any value?"

"It's a bit tricky at the moment, but I'm confident it'll come back into use. The country won't abandon us."

The country. Lin Yuan sighed inwardly. It had been ages since that word held meaning.

Rhelaweth's government had been commendable, but it vanished in the blink of an eye during the first convergence collision.

"Bro, take my advice. Trade for necessities. Right now, money is the least valuable commodity."

With that, Lin Yuan walked away, leaving the vendor deep in thought.

At one stall, Lin Yuan swapped a rifle for a dozen pairs of underwear and three sets of work clothes. At another, he traded a handgun for a sack of rice and a dozen cans. Then, without looking back, he set off again.

While this place has its charms and a nostalgic air, it's not somewhere to linger. Ultimately, strengthening oneself is what matters most.

"Looking for a team to slay monsters and pioneer new territories! Generous rewards for those who join us!"

Lin Yuan's steps halted at the booming voice. It seemed someone was treating monster hunting as if it were a mere game!

He followed the sound to a corner of the valley where a scruffy-bearded man stood atop a boulder, calling out to a gathering crowd of twenty or thirty people.

"Old Three, where do you think you're pioneering? This isn't a game. If you die here, it's for real!"

"Yeah, and what about forming a team? Who gets the experience after the monsters are slain? Games have instances, but reality doesn't. What's this nonsense about pioneering?"

Voices from the crowd rose in protest, and the onlookers nodded in agreement. This was no game—death here was permanent, with no second chances.

"Don't shoot the messenger. The sponsor's right here; I'm just the megaphone. Direct your questions to him."

Old Three gestured to a man beside him wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who smiled and waved to the crowd.

"We're not just exploring for the sake of it. I'm on the cusp of reaching the Tenth Rank of Dark Iron and need the Blood Essence of higher-tier monsters to ascend to Bronze."

"A couple of days ago, I discovered a Silver-rank Poisonous Insect in a cave on the mountainside. It's too much for me to handle alone, so I'm seeking assistance."

"A Silver-rank monster? That's a death sentence for anyone, no matter the numbers. You won't find help here!"

A burly man, as broad as he was tall, bellowed out, and the crowd echoed his sentiment with nods.

The Silver rank was a term only recently coined by a self-proclaimed Savant, representing the pinnacle of power. Against such might, a horde of Dark Iron would be no match.

"I admit, I didn't give the full picture," the man with glasses conceded, adjusting his frames.

"It's a juvenile of the Silver-rank species, with abilities barely surpassing Bronze. I wouldn't dare face a fully grown one. Think about it—doesn't that make sense?"

The onlookers exchanged glances—if that was the case, it might be worth considering.

"What about the reward? Do I get it upfront or afterwards?"

A wiry fellow called out, and the man with glasses responded with a smile:

"The reward is given upfront, and there's no need to return it, regardless of the outcome."

"You get to pick your own reward. It could be an alloy steel tactical long knife, 20 grams of gold in small bars, or wild fruits."

As he spoke, the man laid out a handkerchief on the ground, tipped the contents of a jar onto it, and then arranged a sleek, finely-crafted straight knife in its sheath alongside several small gold bars.

"These wild fruits—most of you have probably encountered them recently and are aware of their value. Whoever chooses the fruits, all of these are theirs."

The crowd erupted in excitement. The rewards were quite generous, with the tactical long knife catching particular attention for its unmistakable quality.