Chapter 2: A Dilapidated Courtyard and Three Silly Farmers [Please Favorite and Recommend]

After Zong Shen completed his third background selection, the light screen refreshed once again.

【What did you become after your youth?】

【Squire】 (Strength +1, Agility +1, Riding +1, Weapon Mastery +1, Power Strike +1, Leadership +1, One-Handed +30, Two-Handed +30, Polearm +30, Bow +10, Crossbow +10, Throwing +10, Starting Gold +20, Ragged Leather Tunic, Tattered Leather Boots, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts, Old Travel Horse, Smoked Fish)

【Bard】 (Charisma +2, Weapon Mastery +1, Persuasion +1, Leadership +1, Pathfinding +1, One-Handed +25, Crossbow +10, Starting Gold +80, Sturdy Short Robe, Ragged Light Leather Boots, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts, Old Travel Horse, Smoked Fish)

【Peddler】 (Intelligence +1, Charisma +1, Riding +1, Trade +1, Pathfinding +1, Inventory Management +1, Starting Gold +90, Leather Gloves, Leather Jacket, Ragged Leather Boots, Fur Hat, Wooden Club, Hunting Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts, Travel Horse, Pack Horse, Linen, Pottery, Wool x2, Smoked Fish)

【Apprentice】 (Intelligence +2, Weapon Mastery +1, Surgery +1, Wound Treatment +1, Persuasion +1, One-Handed Proficiency +20, Crossbow +20, Starting Gold +80, Sturdy Linen Tunic, Woolen Pants, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts, Old Travel Horse, Smoked Fish, Random Book)

【Blacksmith】 (Strength +1, Intelligence +1, Weapon Proficiency +1, Engineering +1, Tactics +1, Trade +1, One-Handed Weapon Proficiency +15, Starting Gold +100, Ragged Leather Boots, Vest, Tunic, Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts, Tools, Travel Horse, Smoked Fish)

【Poacher】 (Strength +1, Agility +1, Power Throw +1, Tracking +1, Spotting +1, Athletics +1, Polearm +10, Bow +35, Starting Gold +10, Chipped Axe, Rawhide Coat, Fur Boots, Hunting Bow, Barbed Arrows, Heavy Pack Horse, Dried Meat x2, Fur x2)

Seeing these options, Zong Shen, who already had a plan in mind, decided to start with a Strength-based build and see how things went from there.

So, he decisively chose the 【Squire】 option.

Possessing the Strategy System, he could perceive the hidden items and attributes behind every choice.

These choices were actually quite fair; it was just that each one emphasized different attributes.

For instance, the Peddler increased Intelligence and Charisma. The Bard was all about Charisma.

According to Zong Shen’s thinking, it was best not to be too flashy at the start. Specializing in one path was the most reliable, especially Strength, which inevitably involved combat and would be of great help for early survival.

Zong Shen made his choice based on this line of reasoning.

After this round of selection was finished, the light screen changed again.

【What is the reason you became a lord?】 (Hang in there, this is the last choice.)

【Personal Vendetta】 (Strength +2, Power Strike +1)

【Lost a Lover】 (Intelligence +2, Ironflesh +1)

【Love for Adventure】 (Agility +2, Pathfinding +1)

【Driven Out by Family】 (Strength +1, Intelligence +1, Weapon Mastery +1)

【Desire for Power and Wealth】 (Agility +1, Intelligence +1, Looting +1)

There wasn't much to think about for this option either. Since he was going for a Strength build, Zong Shen chose 【Personal Vendetta】.

Once this choice was made, the entire light screen suddenly began to shatter into square particles, like a mosaic.

Zong Shen was surrounded by pitch-black darkness; he couldn't even see his own hand.

However, he didn't feel any panic.

Because a golden strategy caption appeared before his eyes.

(Don't panic, your life as a lord is about to begin.)

He had figured it out now.

This Strategy System responded entirely to his thoughts. As long as he had a doubt in his mind, the strategy prompt would appear.

Likewise, with a mere thought, he could make the strategy text disappear.

Sure enough, a few seconds after the strategy appeared, a beam of light descended from the sky, shining upon Zong Shen.

Then, the surrounding scene changed abruptly.

It shifted from darkness to light. It shifted from blurry to clear.

In a daze, Zong Shen found himself in a brand-new place.

Beneath his feet was soft green grass. The air was very fresh. Not far away, the chirping of small birds could be heard.

Zong Shen turned his gaze around.

Behind him was a dilapidated house with holes in the roof. Surrounding him was a small courtyard made of equally broken green brick walls.

This wall was uneven, varying in height, with broken bricks and stones scattered everywhere. The entire courtyard was about two hundred square meters in size.

Besides that, there was a large wooden crate by his feet, just as tattered as the rest.

Just as Zong Shen was observing, the rotten wooden door of the house was pushed open.

Three short, fat, and sturdy figures came scrambling out.

Their hairstyles were messy, looking exactly like bird nests. They wore tattered hemp clothes and rotten straw sandals; they looked even more like beggars than actual beggars!

They also carried a sour, musty smell.

These three people knelt directly in front of Zong Shen, hugged his thighs, and began to cry with snot and tears.

"Lord, we have finally waited for you!"

"Yes, yes, we haven't had a full meal in three days; we've only eaten some berries."

"Ah, dear Lord, your beauty could topple goddesses, your talent could unify the continent, your martial prowess could subdue epic dragons..."

The three of them spoke all at once, making Zong Shen’s head spin.

"Stop, stop, stop! Shut up!"

Zong Shen roared, then struggled to pull his thighs out of their grasp.

"Who are you?"

As soon as this question was asked, before the three could answer, the light screen appeared again.

Different information appeared above each person's head.

【Farmer: Er Gou (Can be renamed)】 【Aptitude: Dull】 (Aptitude can be gradually improved through learning and mastering labor skills. The higher the aptitude, the higher the labor efficiency.) 【Level: lv1】 (Experience points can be gained through combat and learning to level up. Every ten levels, one can advance once, which requires consuming certain materials.) 【Attributes: (Click to expand)】 (Each level adds 1 point to base attributes) 【Hunger: 59】 【Loyalty: 70】 ……

【Farmer: Gou Dan】 【Aptitude: Dull】 【Level: lv1】 【Attributes: (Click to expand)】 【Hunger: 59】 【Loyalty: 70】 ……

【Farmer: Tie Zhu】 【Aptitude: Ordinary】 【Level: lv1】 【Attributes: (Click to expand)】 【Hunger: 59】 【Loyalty: 70】 ……

The names and data of the three people were clearly visible, hanging above their heads like game NPCs.

Zong Shen looked at the three silly-looking farmers in front of him, feeling somewhat speechless...

At this moment, the Strategy System's suggestion also appeared.

(Three little idiots. As long as they are well-fed, they will be loyal to you. They can perform some simple labor to gradually improve their aptitude. I suggest you organize them into a squad; that Tie Zhu with ordinary aptitude is the best candidate for captain right now!)

Emmmm...

Zong Shen felt awkward.

Starting with a broken little courtyard and three silly farmers, this is it...

This is what you call a lord!

This is more like the leader of a destitute beggar gang!

But right now, this wasn't the time to consider that.

"Sigh, let's take inventory of the starting supplies first."

Zong Shen sighed and turned to walk toward the large wooden crate.

(End of chapter)