Chapter 121: Importance of power
The next day came in a flash as most woke up on full stomachs while others had grumbling sounds as their alarms.
Everyone knew at this moment that the camp was not a joke. No one cared if they were injured or couldn’t eat. And to add on top of their various injuries from yesterday’s fight and hunger was thirst.
No one had dared to leave the camp after what happened that night . They were King Realm monsters near the camp hunting for them.
Ronan came out of his house. Although he pretended to be calm, he was worried about Hesa and Yen as he approached them.
He could see a lot of people getting up from the ground, their faces twisted in both anger and disappointment.
"Are you guys okay?" Ronan asked as he looked at the two women. They looked really different this morning, and not only them, but everyone who slept outside.
"Master..." Yen hugged Ronan, her heart pounding.
"Ah... Yen." Ronan hugged her back as Hesa glanced at the two and sighed.
"What happened? Why do you guys look like this ?" Ronan couldn’t help but ask as Yen started.
"Master, the... some people died yesterday, unable to take the hunger and thirst. They ventured out of the camp, and they were directly eaten by King Realm beasts.
"It was an eye-opening event. No one dared to go out again, but the loud noises of the beasts could barely allow us to sleep, and everyone always felt they were being watched," Yen explained as Ronan raised an eyebrow.
He could swear he didn’t hear any beast voices and slept soundly yesterday. Either he was a deep sleeper, or the house had some way of blocking out such noises. But as some of those in the houses spoke with them, Ronan got his answers.
The houses actually blocked out noises, and while those who slept inside the houses woke up feeling refreshed with their bellies full, those outside had bags under their eyes and were hungry.
"Hello, everyone."
Just then, a calm male voice was heard as the man that appeared yesterday was seen.
His voice spread around as even the top ten came out, and over 1,000 humans gathered before the man.
"My name is Instructor Kali, and again, I say welcome to the Monster Camp."
He smiled as he looked at the humans. Some were angry, others calm, but they all were curious, waiting to hear him speak.
"You guys should already have an idea of how the Monster Camp is, but let me make everything clear."
Putting his arm at his back, he began.
"First and foremost, whatever you are... whether a royal offspring, a prince, princess, son of a mayor, part of the noble family, a relative to the Emperor, the heir—none of this matters."
"In here, the only thing that guarantees your survival is your strength. That has been the iron rule of survival since the olden days, as you have experienced from yesterday."
"Those stronger got houses to sleep in, while some had mundane food and no water for bathing. Others had good food, fresh water with the ability to change it to warm or cold."
"Some even have cultivation rooms in their houses, and while you were sleeping on the cold ground, others were already growing stronger."
The instant everyone heard this, their eyes changed.
What the hell? Of course, they knew a bit about the houses, like the availability of food and water, but who knew some even had cultivation rooms and were growing stronger?
"This was granted to them because of their strength. Yesterday, some of you were able to improve your ranks. The numbers on your wrists are just an estimate of your observed power. It doesn’t mean it is 100% correct. Some can burst with stronger strength when pressured, while others have secret abilities that could enhance their strength. So never be afraid to challenge anyone. Anyways, they can’t refuse, and also, your challenge can end in injuries, but also in..."
Instructor Kali paused before he said slowly.
"Death."
Hearing this, the crowd burst into murmurs.
"Impossible. If I die, my family will destroy this camp!"
"How is it possible? I am a prince!"
"What the hell? My ancestor won’t agree with this!"
Hearing some of their words, Instructor Kali smiled before he spoke.
"All your ancestors, fathers, relatives are aware and agree to this. So, like I said earlier, put your connections from outside away. It is just you and your strength here. That is all that matters."
Instructor Kali spoke as they gritted their teeth, but it was not over.
"Now, there are other instructors that will attend to you all, but not for free," Instructor Kali spoke as the crowd’s faces twitched.
"They cost points, and to talk or ask an instructor a question costs 50 points. A lesson costs 100 points, and an extensive one costs 200 points."
"Now, you might ask, what are points and how do we get them?"
"Well, points are gotten by killing beasts, and I am not talking about Sovereign Realm beasts but King Realm beasts."
Thud!
Someone sat on the ground, his eyes widened.
"A King Realm beast costs 10 points. A Supreme Realm costs 100 points. There’s also a Legend Realm beast at the core of this island. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean only you should kill this beast, but the more you are, the lesser the points you get."
"Of course, these points can not only be used on us instructors, but you can use them to buy water, which costs 0.5 points per liter; food, which costs 1 point for a meal like breakfast or lunch. And you can use it to secure cultivation rooms, which help in the mastery of traits, abilities, and cultivating essence, for as low as 50 points. The one that would have you grow in strength is none other than the weapons we have."
"The exclusive ones are Grown based weapons and God blessed weapons , which start from as low as 500 points. Whatever you can think of is available in this camp."
"The stronger you are, the easier life is for you in this camp. And should I say the obvious? But there’s no rules. No one will save you if the one you challenged wants to kill you. You can also be ganged up on and killed. Your points can be stolen too, so anything goes."
By the time Instructor Kali finished speaking, everyone’s expression changed to horror.
This... this... what the hell?
No one even noticed when Instructor Kali left. Their gazes were just full of fear.
No rules?
That means at any time, anyone can be killed, and no one would care about it.
There was silence for a few seconds, then...
"Please, can I join you? I will do anything. I will wash your clothes, I will—"
"Please, mister... I can help you in bed."
"...Sorry, but I can be your slave."
"Hello, please, I can be your follower and—"
The place erupted as people gathered around the top 200, all with the goal of creating some kind of connection with them.
The truth was, if this was said yesterday, most would not have been like this. After all, although they saw some people dying, it was meant to be a camp that trained them, so they believed or expected to meet resources that could make them grow stronger.
But yesterday, after the reality of things set in...
The hunger... thirst... they remembered the screams of those that went outside and were killed.
They knew Instructor Kali was not joking. This was real, and without strength, they would truly be killed, and no one would care about them.
The top 50 refused anyone that came to them as they chose to form teams of their own in duos and trios.
If the points were going to be shared equally among everyone if they were in a team, then wouldn’t it be better the fewer they were, especially since they already had an idea of how strong they were?
While those outside the top 50 accepted some people, as connections were formed.
"Do you guys still want to be alone?" Ronan asked. Things had changed. No one expected the camp to be like this, but...
"Sorry, Master. We will still choose to be alone," Yen smiled as she said. Hesa nodded from the side as Ronan paused, then...
"So be it... Be safe, and if things get too hard or there is someone that wants to make things difficult for you, do tell me," Ronan spoke as the two women nodded.
"Ah... mister, please, can I be your follower, slave, anything?"
"Hey, boss, I—"
"Hello—"
Just as Ronan finished talking with the two women, he was rushed by people, mostly those outside the top 200, seeking to be his slave, follower, or anything.
To this, Ronan rejected them all, not because he didn’t want a team, but he had some secrets he couldn’t show others, and more importantly...
Ronan grinned.
He wanted enemies. With that, if he was attacked, he could kill people and steal their traits, so why would he refuse?
But no doubt, the reality of the camp had sunk in as these people struggled to adapt and fight for a chance of survival.