Chapter 41: Chapter 316: Weakness is Not an Obstacle to Survival
Ever since the Garlic Tribe was founded, the buildings constructed by the pixel people have all served a survival function.
The thatched huts of the past and the wooden houses of today were all residences for shelter from the wind and rain, while some of the larger buildings were barns.
There were also some enclosures made of stone and wooden fences, used for raising camels and sheep.
In the forest, there were also two Forest Houses, which were temporary camps for Hunters, allowing them to go deep into the woods to track and hunt prey.
The simple dock was also a place for mooring dugout canoe fishing boats.
Unlike previous constructions, the Monument had no practical purpose. It was the first cultural landmark to appear in the tribe. After the Monument was built, many of the little people would stop here, looking at the records on the simple stone tablet and discussing the tribe’s past History with one another.
There was a short inscription on the Monument.
"Headhunter: One of the tribe’s first two Heroes. He bravely fought against the Demon Believers and died battling Burrower Monsters to protect the tribe."
After his closest comrade-in-arms died, Hero Yu Zou also came here often.
He stood silently before the Monument, his mind racing.
’If I had fought alongside him until the very end, maybe he would have survived.’
’If we hadn’t attacked that group of Burrower Monsters, if we had chosen to avoid them and retreat, Headhunter would probably still be telling me stories about the White Wild Boar.’
’I was too weak. My brother, I couldn’t protect you. Instead, I became your burden.’
’...You were the Hero. I’m just a deserter.’
’We need more training, better weapons, and more territory to protect the tribe.’
After experiencing Headhunter’s death, Yuzou’s personality changed drastically. He lost his former talkativeness and energetic excitement, becoming silent and reserved.
Most of the time, he was teaching the Hunters combat techniques: how to kite, how to dodge, and how to retreat.
Witnessing death firsthand made Yuzou exceptionally prudent from then on.
Under his leadership, the Hunters moved closer to becoming professional soldiers. They never engaged in pointless risks or attacks, always making sure to patiently observe their opponents before battle. This also became the combat style of the Garlic Tribe.
Luh Yao looked down on all of this and suddenly thought of something the Garlic Tribe could use right now.
He put on his shoes, locked the door behind him, and went downstairs.
A little over ten minutes later, Luh Yao returned with an iron hammer in his hand.
This was the next [Blessing] he had decided on.
The Garlic Tribe had already learned the [Mining Technique] and had discovered minerals like copper, iron, gold, and crystal. However, they had not yet mastered smelting techniques, only using the most basic method of firing natural ores. They treated the resulting metal as collectibles rather than tools.
The root cause was that their lives were too comfortable.
The little people of the Garlic Tribe had no worries about food or clothing, nor did they face pressure from powerful enemies. When trouble arose, Isabel would handle it. Above them, there was still Luh Yao, who could use a Miracle to turn the tables at any moment.
Without need, there is no motivation.
As a result, the Garlic Tribe’s civilization had recently entered a state of Stagnation.
Luh Yao had thought several times about steeling his heart and hitting them with a Hurricane or a torrential downpour, just so they would understand that life is unpredictable.
But in the end, he could never bring himself to do it.
Every single one of these pixel people was precious to Luh Yao.
But now, his thinking had changed.
’Spare the rod, spoil the child. Especially for a bunch of lazy dogs from the tribal era; sometimes you have to be harsh. I need to make them understand it’s too early for them to be just coasting along, waiting to die.’
’Besides, I have Ghost City Saniluo now, which is the main source of Faith production.’
’This place is perfect to use as a testing ground.’
Luh Yao selected [Miracle] and initiated [Rainfall].
At first, the Garlic Tribe didn’t realize something was wrong. But as the rain grew heavier and was accompanied by a Hurricane, the Five Grain Barns and the grain inside were utterly destroyed by the Storm and downpour. A dozen or so farm plots were ruined as well, and a few people even died.
The little people of the tribe were in a complete panic.
The downpour didn’t stop, and the Hurricane still loomed menacingly near the tribe.
They could only pray beside the Divine Hall, hoping to receive their God’s protection and that this terrifying natural disaster would soon pass.
The Prophet knelt in the Divine Hall.
"Great Yao God, the tribe does not know which god we have angered to bring this disaster upon us. We beg for your mercy, that you might restore peace to our tribe."
"The tribe feels deeply guilty. We have not presented you with a Sacrificial Offering, and have committed the blasphemous sin of sloth. We implore your forgiveness."
This time, Luh Yao gave him no hints, merely watching with a cold gaze.
The downpour and Hurricane continued, battering every member of the Garlic Tribe.
Luh Yao was resolved this time.
He spent a total of 250 Faith to show the Garlic Tribe that the heavens are unpredictable and disaster can strike anywhere.
Once he felt the pressure of the disaster was sufficient, Luh Yao guided the Prophet to the front of the Monument.
The Prophet was silent for a moment, then an exclamation mark lit up above his head.
"Lord God, are you telling the tribe not to forget the shame of Headhunter’s death?"
"I understand. The tribe’s outstanding Hero died at the hands of monsters, yet we survivors had no awakening, still relying on the Lord Apostle’s power... What arrogance and sloth this is."
"From now on, we will surely remember our current weakness. We will never stop moving forward and will always be prepared to face disaster."
"We, who are weak, have no right to stop and rest."
The Prophet’s realization was a little different from Luh Yao’s original plan.
But it was consistent in its general direction.
Seeing his goal was achieved, Luh Yao stopped the Miracle.
The sky above the Garlic Tribe cleared once more. All the pixel people breathed a sigh of relief and began to rebuild their ruined homes together.
While they were busy repairing houses and farmland, exclamation marks suddenly appeared above the little people’s heads.
"A Blessing from our God!"
"Yao God has bestowed his grace!"
"A revelation from our God!"
"Merciful Yao God, great Yao God!"
"It’s a hammer! A hammer! An unbreakable hammer!"
The hammer was brought out from the Divine Hall by the Prophet, and it was the carpenters who first put it to great use.
The two carpenters couldn’t put the hammer down, giving it the highest praise. They considered it a great tool, an indispensable aid in constructing houses and wooden products.
Soon, a series of notifications appeared on the game interface.
[The Garlic Tribe has learned to use hammers.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned the Copper Refining Technique.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned Stone Architecture.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned Copper Usage.]
[The Garlic Tribe has gained prestige among other tribes by mastering new technologies.]
In the time that followed, the Garlic Tribe built a furnace out of stone. The little people began to smelt copper in it, which they then used to make Copper Hammers.
The Hunters used copper to improve their bows and spears, creating copper arrowheads and spearheads. Shortly after, the Shaman personally crafted copper shields and Copper Armor. With this, the metal copper finally came into widespread use in the tribe.
Luh Yao watched with a sense of wonder.
’The little people of the tribe really do have a common human failing... When life is easy, with plenty to eat and drink, they lose all their fighting spirit. Only when faced with disaster and hardship do they erupt with astonishing creativity and drive.’
’I’ll have to keep this tribe of little people on their toes with a sense of crisis.’
Meanwhile, Isabel had finally crossed the Heavy Peaks and Mountains, finding the Salt Pool Tribe on the other side.
