Chapter 330: Standing Ground and Advancing
Chapter 330: Standing Ground and Advancing
If Rayze possessed the skill of an organizer.
With these words, coupled with his leadership in the team, he would surely be able to win over the hearts of the people.
But he didn't.
So, after Rayze finished speaking.
Instead of cheers and support, he was met with a silent gaze.
"Rayze, I think we're fine here."
Soon, an Awakened one spoke up.
But he bluntly refuted Rayze's viewpoint, and his reasons were sound:
"Since Nine Bays City is at war, we can't return, so we should make good use of this cleared land. If danger lies ahead and behind, why seek trouble?"
As soon as this person finished speaking, the surrounding Awakened ones immediately agreed:
"That's right!"
"We've barely managed to hold this land, why take another risk?"
"The Rebel Forest and the war will end eventually. Can't we just wait here?"
"..."
The Awakened ones in the camp unanimously echoed this conservative viewpoint.
Rayze stood in the center of the camp, looking at these like-minded individuals, and heaved a slight sigh.
He scanned the surroundings.
It wasn't that there were no Awakened ones supporting the explorer, but they were limited to the core members of the original team, like the female physician nodding at him, expressing support as she did during their adventures.
"In that case, it's fine."
Rayze nodded slightly, he didn't continue to rally the crowd but spoke his mind honestly:
"Since that's the case, I won't force everyone to agree with me."
"Since we have differing opinions, before we part ways, I wish you all safety..."
Rayze bid farewell.
But as soon as he mentioned splitting up, some other Awakened ones felt uneasy.
The explorer and his companions were all experts in wilderness survival. Their presence was essential for maintaining the camp.
Rayze had only spoken halfway when someone spoke up to stop him:
"Rayze, don't be impulsive! Can you guarantee success if we venture into the forest?"
"That's too risky! It's better if we stick together and hold this land, at least we won't face unexpected dangers."
"Don't forget the snake swarm from last night," Rayze pointed out their oversight, "Monsters follow their violent instincts and attack. Whether we stay here or venture into the forest, we'll inevitably face such risks."
Rayze took a deep breath.
He filled his chest with air and shouted to the surroundings in a deep, resonant voice:
"Moreover, I am an explorer!"
"If we could return to Nine Bays City, I'd ensure your safety. But now we face a dilemma! The changes in the forest not only threaten our safety but also affect the villages and towns within.
"If my actions can improve this crisis, even if the hope is slim, I'll definitely give it my all!"
Rayze's words resonated with determination.
The Awakened ones who had been refuting or advising him fell silent, leaving only uncertain gazes.
They watched Rayze cautiously.
The timid ones glanced at the brave, their eyes like mice gazing at a lion.
After a long pause, someone asked weakly:
"Can you guarantee success if we venture deeper into the forest?"
"Heh—success?" Rayze shook his head and laughed, pointing at his heart, "Adventures don't consider success rates. They look here, at the courage and wisdom of humans!"
"..."
The nearby Awakened ones were momentarily stunned.
Lei Ze was expected to provide some reliable and practical data, but no one anticipated such an adventurous statement from an Explorer.
As the conversation reached this point, the thoughts of the two groups were essentially divided.
The team was on the verge of splitting up.
But just then, someone else stepped forward.
A Commoner who had been observing the dispute among the Awakened without interrupting, finally spoke up:
"Mr. Lei Ze, I'm willing to venture with you!"
"It's truly foolish to not take action when we can do something!"
"Let's go into the forest and take a look!"
"Who knows, we might find the treasure that the City Lord mentioned, and that would be a double win!"
"..."
The Awakened present were shocked.
None of them expected these Commoners to support Lei Ze at this critical moment.
Even the Explorer himself, along with all the other Awakened, wore expressions of subtle surprise.
And witnessing this scene,
Lindsey, who had just stood up, sat back down on the wooden shelter.
Wicknar, sitting beside him, noticed this and quietly asked:
"Mr. Drake, do you think the adventure that Mr. Lei Ze mentioned is worth our effort?"
Lindsey replied calmly, "Only those with the courage to take action are worthy of choosing their own fate. The path ahead may be smooth or a precipice, but at least it's a choice they make."
As he spoke, Lindsey turned to the young man beside him, his gaze becoming serious, "Take Wicknar, for example, aren't you also a brave one?"
"..."
Wicknar's lips trembled, unable to speak.
He felt that Lindsey, in front of him, seemed somewhat different from the other Awakened, but his limited ability to express himself left him unable to articulate his feelings.
Lindsey looked at the camp.
The Commoners continued to express their support for Lei Ze, and the atmosphere in the camp shifted like a tsunami, changing instantly.
"We did ignore them,"
Lindsey sighed softly.
When Lei Ze and the other Awakened were debating,
They centered their thoughts on the Awakened, neglecting the Commoners' perspective.
But the truth was—even under the influence of the Organizer's skill, the Commoners who dared to be the first to leave the city during this time were also those who wanted to seize the opportunity!
The forest's anomaly and the internal strife in Nine Bays City.
After these two events concluded,
As long as the Awakened themselves didn't encounter any problems, they could still enjoy the same conveniences as the superior Awakened.
Considering things from their own perspective was perfectly fine.
But these Commoners were different!
They were inspired by Muleran Huen, and from the start, they carried the desire to change their fate as they left Nine Bays City and joined the forest exploration team.
They yearned for success even more!
Countless times more than the Awakened! So, when the Awakened wanted to take a conservative approach, and the Explorer Lei Ze was clearly at a disadvantage,
These Commoners didn't hesitate to show their support for the latter.
They were willing to risk their lives and follow the Adventurer deeper into the forest.
And the reason was simple.
This might be their chance to change their fate!
"Mr. Drake, you're just joking."
At the edge of the shelter.
Wicknar, under Lindsey's gaze, scratched his cheek awkwardly.
But like the Commoners outside the camp who supported Lei Ze, he replied in a small but firm tone:
"I definitely don't deserve to be called a brave one."
"But if I had to choose, I'd also say that continuing deeper into the forest is more appropriate."
"Who knows, our actions might just resolve the forest's anomaly?"
(End of Chapter)
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