Chapter 78: The Rookie King

“Damn! How does the announcement have its own opinions?”
“Has the announcement gained sentience?”
“I don’t think it’s become sentient—I think it’s just the words of a host or someone working behind the scenes!”
“Ever since I entered this game, I’ve felt like a pawn inside it. Everything here is bizarre, even more twisted than the Hunger Games!”
“No kidding, I’ve always felt that way too!”
“Are we focusing on the wrong thing? Instead of guessing who’s behind it all, shouldn’t we pay more attention to the beast tide mentioned in the announcement?”
“According to what it says, only the mobile treehouses can withstand the beast tide! But we don’t know when it’s coming, so we need to hurry and upgrade our houses to level three treehouses!”
“The person above makes sense. We shouldn’t worry about whether the mastermind is human or ghost; we need to focus on surviving right now!”
“I urge everyone to consider teaming up to upgrade treehouses! One person can’t do it alone. If two feels unstable, try a team of three—the triangle structure is more reliable!”
“I second that!”
“My sister and I merged our treehouse, and you’ll find it gets much bigger. Upgrading it only needs a tenth more materials, not double! It’s super cost-effective!”
“Anyone want to join up, DM me!”
“I’m a water mage, planning to build a super team. Anyone want to join?”
“I’m a healer, I can treat injuries! If anyone wants to make me the team leader, contact me!”
Upgrading a treehouse to a mobile treehouse is impossible alone in a short time, so players began to consider banding together for warmth.
At the same time, Ye Da realized how diverse the players’ abilities were.
It seemed...
He’d have to be even more careful if he met other players again!
Who knew what tricks these players might pull!
And...
That ability supposedly worse than farting—what was it again? That person hadn’t said!
Ye Da remembered, just as he was about to send a message to ask...
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to player “Long Yi” for achieving second place! You will receive two spins on the Grand Roulette!]
[Possible rewards include: Treasure, Equipment, Runes, Base Upgrade Cards, Spatial Storage Backpack, Ability Training Guide, Herbal Compendium, Monster Encyclopedia, Monster Distribution Map...]
“Long Yi?”
---
“Long Yi, the big boss, only got second place?”
“Only? Do you even know what ‘only’ means, or what second place means?”
“Why not?”
“Long Yi's the one I told you about, who recruited a bunch of subordinates. His treehouse is already upgraded to mobile, and he’s reached Iron Second Stage. How could he be second?”
“Iron Second Stage?! That fast?!”
“He’s got help, so upgrading is faster. With resources, isn’t it normal?”
“If Long Yi could only get second, does that mean first place is Bear Slayer?”
“Very likely!!!”
“I’d rather Bear Slayer win than some capitalist. At least he started from nothing!”
“I vote Bear Slayer too!”
“Oh, please! He’s just a merchant selling meat and bananas, and you treat him like a big boss? He didn’t show up all yesterday—I bet Bear Slayer is already dead!”
“Honestly, I don’t support the capitalist either, but I don’t believe an ordinary guy can beat him! I think first place is some hidden expert we don’t know.”
“Yeah, you don’t even know who you’re guessing, but you look down on Bear Slayer? Was that necessary?”
“Hey, don’t argue with him! He’s just sour!”
“I’m just being honest. Why would I be jealous of someone who didn’t show up yesterday and is probably dead? You’re hilarious!”
“Stop fighting. Can someone finally tell me what that ability worse than farting is?”
“Maybe it’s pooping?”
Ye Da’s eyes lit up when someone brought it up, ready for gossip.
But then...
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to player “Long Yi” for drawing: one Monster Encyclopedia, one Treasure Ring!]
“Long Yi really is a big boss, winning a treasure!”
“Treasure Ring? Is that a weapon?”
“Yes, weapons with special effects, could be special skills too, super powerful!”
“So envious!”
“Now only the first place remains, right?”
---
“I can’t wait to see who the Newcomer King is!”
“If third place gets one spin, second place gets two, then first place gets three?”
“Damn, if they draw three Base Upgrade Cards, could they instantly upgrade their house to...”
“Tsk tsk!”
“Nonsense! When have you ever seen one prize appear three times in a spin? You think this is a slot machine?”
“True, but whatever they get, it’ll be enviable! Nothing here is trash, right? Worst is probably those encyclopedias.”
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to player “Ye Da” for achieving first place in this rookie competition! You have earned the title of Newcomer King and will receive three spins on the Grand Roulette!]
[Possible rewards include: Treasure, Equipment, Runes, Base Upgrade Cards, Spatial Storage Backpack, Ability Training Guide, Herbal Compendium, Monster Encyclopedia, Monster Distribution Map...]
“It really is Ye Da!”
“I said it’d be Bear Slayer! Whoever said it wasn’t him, come out and face the music!!!”
“Haha, Ye Da is amazing! Honestly, his achievement feels so natural, considering he slaughtered a bear on his first day here! Back then, he didn’t even have abilities, right?”
“Definitely not. He’s like a warrior from the north, tearing bears apart with his hands!”
“Curious what he’ll draw!”
“Me too, waiting for the results!”
At this moment, not just the other players—even Ye Da himself felt a touch of excitement!
As the announcement appeared, a roulette appeared on the screen before him, each segment showing a prize.
Just as the announcement said: not only equipment and weapons, but also precious upgrade cards and other rare items!
But what Ye Da wanted most...
Wasn’t a Base Upgrade Card—something he could collect anyway. He wanted items that couldn’t be gathered.
For example...
An Ability Training Guide!
Or treasures and monster distribution maps—these were clearly valuable!