Anne raised an eyebrow at Feng Ye's laugh.
"You're loosening up. Careful, I might start thinking you actually enjoy our company."
"Don't push it," Feng Ye replied smoothly.
Flora chuckled softly at their banter. Her eyes were amused and flicked toward Feng Ye. "He's not so mysterious when surrounded by snacks and sarcasm."
Feng Ye cracked one eye open and gave her a side glance. "And here I thought we had a perfect arrangement."
Anne tilted her head and had a curious expression. "Arrangement?"
Flora's smile didn't falter, but it turned a little guarded. "Just logistics."
She waved her hand casually. "You know, I helped assign him a few tasks back at the branch. Paperwork, delivery slips, that kind of thing as he's a newby adventurer that recently registered."
Anne's eyes lit up with mischief. She turned toward Feng Ye, grinning."You never told me you were a newbie adventurer."
She then turned to Flora. "Are you telling me Ye Feng has been freeloading off your desk work?"
Feng Ye leaned back slightly. "I prefer the term... efficient delegation."
Flora laughed, though she still had a flicker of guardedness beneath her smile. "Let's just say I have a good eye for potential."
Anne's grin widened. "Well, now I feel left out. You two have fun secrets, shared histories, and mystery tasks. I need to start closing my own behind the scene deals."
She leaned back against the wagon wall and gave Feng Ye a sly look.
"Still, not bad. You've managed to network your way through a corrupted guild branch and into my party all in one week."
Feng Ye stared at her before replying in a calm voice. "Some might call that impressive. Others might call it efficiency."
Anne winked. "Either way, you're stuck with us now, Ye Feng, Mr Efficient."
Feng Ye sighed. "And here I thought I was keeping a low profile."
"Yeah, well," Anne said, leaning her head back with a small smile, "turns out mysterious new guys attract attention."
Laughter filled the wagon.
The sun had moved below the treetops. At this time, the caravan came to a halt. The lead wagon driver called for a break so the horses could rest.
Within minutes, an encampment had formed near a bend in the dirt road. Adventurers that were patrolling sat nearby in the shade. Many merchants and adventurers alike got out of the wagons and pitched tents, laid out mats, and started warm campfires.
A few campfires were started in the clearing due to the numerous groups.
Very soon after, the smell of roasted meat filled the surrounding area. A few experienced merchants had started to cook a few low level wild beasts that were slain by the adventurers earlier in the day.
Feng Ye sat a little apart from the others and leaned against the trunk of a large tree. Anne and Flora sat around the campfire occasionally tossing jokes and discussing various topics.
It has been a long time since Feng Ye had been able to loosen his nerves. Not fully loosened due to being in a completely different world and in the wilderness, but much more than before. The dancing of the flame of the campfire nearby and the merry sounds and discussions of the caravan members nearby gave a sense of peace.
Almost too peaceful.
Feng Ye exhaled and mentally pulled up the system interface. He browsed the logs that he had been prompted when he first arrived in this world.
--
[Welcome Candidate 15864457]
[Reincarnation and Transmission Successful.]
[Enters World: World 2580233]
[Difficulty: Lower Order World - Level 3.]
[Main Objective: Trial by Fire Initiation Task.]
[Survive and become the last otherworlder standing. Eliminate all other otherworlders.]
[Side Objective: Obtain 20 monster cores. (Current Progress: 16/20)]
[Side Objective2: Obtain world fragment. (Current Progress: 0/1)]
Note: Failure results in forced execution. Mention of this system to related lifeforms will also result in forced execution. Due to unfamiliarity with the world language, the candidate will be able to understand the native language due to system adjustments.
--
The logs looked the same except for one update. He had obtained around 16 monster cores from the bandit leader and as a guild reward. The system seemed to have recognized any grade of core. However, due to the ease of almost finishing this side objective, it may not be a fantastic reward.
He still had no idea what a world fragment was. He stared at the glowing text in his mind for some time lost in thought.
[Survive and become the last otherworlder standing. Eliminate all other otherworlders.]
The directive is clear. It was brutal and straightforward. But as he watched the fire dancing around the campfire and the sounds of Flora's laughter at Anne's teasing comments nearby, his thoughts couldn't help but wander.
What was the true goal? What's the win condition? Technically, if more otherworlders kept coming into this world, wouldn't there be endless otherworlders?
What was the system's true goal?
He scrolled further down the log history.
--
[Candidate 15864457 - Welcome to the Trial by Fire initiation task. This trial determines whether you are fit to become a contractor.]
[Upon accepting a contract with the
[To be officially converted into a contractor of the
[As a candidate, you have limited access to the system. Only your inventory and candidate profile are available. All other system functions are restricted.]
[Prompt:
[Warning: Natives of this world are hostile toward otherworlders.]
[Prompt: Survival of the fittest ensures only competent individuals serve the World Administrator. Candidates unfit for the role will be terminated.]
--
The end goal was to determine the suitability of a promotion from his candidate status to an official contractor of the system. The trial by fire started to feel more and more like an observation rather than a mission. A test and observation of his adaptability, strengths, weaknesses, and what he will do.
The system had remained quiet since his arrival with the exception of the system reward when he dealt with the tentacled demon and guild branch leader.
To serve the World Administrator as a contractor… What defines competency? Killing? Leadership? Growth potential?
There definitely was more to it. Feng Ye continued to be lost in thought as he stared at the campfire nearby where Flora and Anne continued to joke around.
Anne felt his stare and turned around and glanced at him. "You okay over there Mr . Efficient?"
Feng Ye snapped out of his thoughts and locked his gaze with Anne. "Just… thinking." He gave her a faint smile.
"Dangerous hobby there." she mused.
Flora nearby also glanced at Feng Ye and added. "Don't do anything crazy."
Feng Ye didn't respond right away, but his gaze lingered on the flames.
This trial had a deeper meaning. He had to find what the system considered competent.
At the capital, he should have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.