Diego shrugged. "We considered it, but that'll just cause problems down the line."
"Okay but what about the scarcity plan," Tiffany cut in. "We feed the ones actually working more than the cowards hiding. We aren't starving them, we're just managing resources."
"Relax, Tif," Diego sighed. "I was gonna agree with you anyway. I was going to agree and add points to everyone's ideas. But everyone keeps bombarding me with words. Relax. I'm not a fucking computer. Let me process what I hear for more two seconds. Or you know, put it on paper—like I suggested—so I can get back to it later."
Everyone sealed their lips as Diego ranted. At the end he rubbed his forehead and turned to Faust.
"Kindness isn't the only reason we aren't starving people. The Town Hall functions on a recognised authority. Most of the ten thousand people here know me—after painstaking hours spent going door to door instead of hunting…."
Diego sighed once again. "But if I go against so many people, the Town Hall will stop recognising me and stop generating resources."
Faust listened patiently. It was quite the dilemma. But he needed everyone to participate. He was sure it would be one of the system's requirements at this point. The system thrived on conflict and difficulty.
What better conflict than making ten thousand animals agree on anything?
Individual conversations about the tactics continued. They consulted him and Roland occasionally for possibilities and to make decisions, but they mostly let him think.
"I want to start mobilising before rewards are announced so we have to agree quickly," Diego said tensely to his opposition.
"You're the one not listening to me," Rin argued. "My Rotations idea takes into account the need for a Special Strike team. We can gather relevant individuals and mobilise them immediately."
Putting random people to work together is dumb. Long established teams are just better.
But that idea could be communicated later. He had something to say now. He pushed his chair and stood up. Everyone turned at the sound of the chair screeching.
"I have an idea for how we can increase participation. But it'll have to wait till after the rewards are distributed."
Diego sat up. "What?"
Faust smiled and faced the air. "Livestream."
◇◇◇
Ding!
[Rewards for the first wave are being distributed!]
The village square had grown lax after thirty minutes of waiting. Food was shared and people took seats around the large empty space, chatting casually.
Faust looked down at the panel with a slight frown.
"Didn't get as many rewards as you thought, Mr MVP," Diego asked by his side. "Oh. The system did me good. I got a five Goblin Essence. But more importantly I got some pants."
Old Dog started taking off his cargo shorts to the dismay of many people.
"Can you not do that here?" Tiffany said with a wrinkled nose. "No one's trying to see hairy man leg here."
But Diego just chuckled and pulled on his new black pants. "Plus five to Spirit. Goes well with the bonuses from my coat."
"I was wondering what the unemployed pirate look was about," Faust mused. "You got the item from the treasure Chest in Hunter's dream?"
"You've been there by yourself?" Diego asked. "Goddamnit. Took ten men with me to face those Jackals. Came back with only eight."
Horus shrugged and turned to his rewards. Everyone else was busy with theirs too. His 100% Drop Rate didn't work for system rewards like this, since the monsters weren't dropping them. But they were not bad
[You have been rewarded 400 experience points]
[Origin Coins: 1000]
"Finally. Level 3," Kite hummed beside him. "Did you level up?"
Faust shook his head. But he had killed around 40 level 1 or 2 goblins, which, at his current level 5, amounted to a whopping 40 to 60 exp normally. So he wasn't complaining.
[Goblin Core x15]
[Goblin Mage Core x15]
[5x Goblin Essence: Consuming will increase Agility by 2.]
[5x Goblin Mage Essence: Consuming will increase Spirit by 2.]
[3x Goblin ears: Alchemical ingredient used in many potions.]
[8x Goblin Axe (Bronze): Poorly made bone weapons]
[4x Goblin Dagger (Bronze): Poorly made steel weapons.]
[4x Goblin Mage Staff (Bronze): Grants enhancement to spells. +10 Spirit. Requirements: Level 3, 30 Spirit]
[4x Skill Stones: can be used to upgrade skills.]
[4x Enhancement Stones: can be used to upgrade equipment.]
[You have gained skill book "Observe (Iron)"]
[You have gained skill book "Stealth (Iron)"]
No equipment or special rewards…. Is it because I was late? Or because more than half the fucking village isn't participating?
The rewards were really standardised and poor, meaning he got a bunch of stuff from monsters he didn't really kill much of, but less of things like Essence of Goblin cores. Even the skills books were generic.
"Did anyone get an attack skill book or something to do with sight?" Kite asked loudly. "I Can trade for a Fireball Skill book."
The system must read that she was mage-focused and gave her those skills. Then it did the same for him, since he was Stealth-focused. But the automation of the rewards meant Faust was also getting skills he already had.
He pulled out Observe and Stealth and passed them to Kite. "I don't want Fireball so you'll have to pay me later."
"Oh. Thank you." She looked surprised, which he took offense to. Faust considered himself a very generous person… depending on the situation.
He swallowed all the rewarded essence, used the skill stones on Fireball since he still had that Scorched Earth schema, and used the enhancement stones on White travelling Cloak and Iron Cutlass.
After considering saving for upgrading Bolster and Midnight Fur Hat next round, he concluded more rewards would come later. But he needed strength now.
And if his plans worked the rewards next round would be much better.
[Agility: 180 > 190 (+40)]
[Spirit: 119 > 129 (+40)]
[Congratulations! You have upgraded "Fireball Lv2" to "Heavy Fireball Lv3".]
[Heavy Fireball Lv3 (Iron): Generate a powerful ball of flame that scales in size and range depending on mana invested. Requirements: 70 Spirit, Level 3. Cooldown: five seconds. (Fireball has more force)]
[Congratulations! Your "White Travelling Cloak," and "Iron Cutlass" have been enhanced]
[White Traveling Cloak +3 (Bronze): +20 Strength, +20 Constitution, comes with the "Journey Wind" movement skill. Requirement: Level 2]
[Iron Cutlass +3 (Iron): The Chief's weapon, made of decent steel. +50 Strength, +10 Constitution. Requirements: Level 4, 50 Strength.]
As for the extra equipment he didn't really need it since they were pretty trash and his hands were already too full for a mage staff. So he sold it to the others with written agreements of what they would pay.
Soon all that was left was for Diego to give his speech.