Chapter 68: Heru Returns
In the conference room, Amy spoke up, asking, "Lord Enzo, I remember you mentioned the Adventurer's Association before?"
Ward and Monta, among others, were unsure. This topic had only been discussed casually between Enzo, Clara, Amy, and a few others. Perplexed, Ward and the others asked, "Lord Enzo, what is the Adventurer's Association?"
Enzo gave a brief explanation.
Then, he continued, "Amy, your intuition is spot on. The initiative to recruit externally can serve as a catalyst for developing the Adventurer's Association. Tasks needed within the tribe will be posted as missions within the Association. Anyone can take on these tasks or propose new ones."
After hearing this, Ward and the others remained silent for a long moment.
They were deeply impressed. "Lord Enzo, this is truly a brilliant idea!"
In this world, there were no guilds or similar organizations; almost everyone gathered in tribal forms, forming their own groups.
However, the Adventurer's Association was an exception.
Seemingly requiring no prerequisites for joining, it offered numerous benefits upon membership. For all tribes, this was undoubtedly a great advantage.
But there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Once the tribes began enjoying the conveniences brought by the Adventurer's Association, they would become reliant on it. They might even voluntarily support it, despite knowing it would diminish the tribe's independence.
Eventually, the Association might even dissolve the tribes altogether.
Of course, this process would take time.
However, Enzo had bigger plans. Unsure how other tribes operated, he believed that continuing the Crimson Star Tribe solely in tribal form, despite increasing productivity, wasn't sustainable.
Building a city or a kingdom was the right direction for development.
Ignoring the praise from Ward and the others, Enzo instructed, "You all, tally up what personnel we need, decide on the rewards, finalize the tasks, and report to Amy for coordination."
They all responded in unison, "Yes!"
Meanwhile, Jessica, Tia, Clara, and Amy were eager to take action, even though they didn't need additional manpower.
Tia and Clara handled combat-related matters, which outsiders couldn't participate in.
Amy, as Enzo's assistant, managed decision-making tasks while Ward and the others handled detailed affairs.
Jessica need nobody.
There were over fifty Venom Tribe members, commanded her own following.
Seeing their eagerness, Enzo announced directly, "Ward, inform the members of the visiting tribes that I will announce this news tonight."
Excitedly, Ward replied, "Yes, Lord Enzo!"
The group dispersed, leaving Amy behind.
She frowned, contemplating the market's next steps. "Lord Enzo, should we begin the next phase of the plan and start sharing pottery and linen-making techniques?"
Enzo shook his head. "Not yet."
He continued his analysis, saying, "The tribal market has just opened, and we need to give some time for other tribes to adjust. Another point is, even if we relax the learning conditions, other tribes don't have much time left. The weather is gradually getting colder, and winter will be upon us soon."
Upon hearing this, Amy's expression turned serious. She said, "We don't have enough animal hides."
Enzo nodded in agreement.
In reality, in the tribes living in the jungle, almost every tribe faced a shortage of animal hides. Every time winter approached, many people would perish from the cold, especially when heavy snowfall occurred. Dry firewood would become damp and difficult to ignite.
Every winter was a disaster.
Moreover, Enzo harbored concerns for the tribes on Plata Plain. With no news from Neville's side for so many days, it wasn't a good sign.
Before the storm, the sky was unusually calm.
At that moment, Enzo sensed the arrival of a presence and a smile spread across his face. He said, "Heru has returned!"
...
Outside the northern gate of the tribal camp.
Heru addressed Priest Gene of the Giant Bear Tribe, saying, "Priest Gene, the northern gate of the tribe and the market are ahead. You can proceed on your own. I've just received orders from Lord Enzo to escort Lord Arceus through the southern gate."
Gene quickly replied, "Understood."
He couldn't help but wish Heru would hurry and take Arceus away sooner.
Despite knowing that the blue serpent had been tamed, facing such a colossal creature still filled Gene with natural fear.
It was terrifying!
Soon after, Heru led the Vanguard squad on a detour.
Before long, they appeared at the southern gate of the tribal camp, near the entrance by the bamboo walls. Enzo and Amy walked out as well.
Heru hurried forward, "Lord Enzo, I have notified all the surrounding tribes!"
Enzo nodded, patting Heru on the shoulder. "Well done, Heru! You can head back now. While you're at it, you can visit the market or lend a hand to Shirley."
Upon hearing Shirley's name, Heru became eager.
He quickly agreed and led the Vanguard squad across the floating bridge into the camp.
Enzo called out, "Arceus!"
In the next moment, the blue serpent darted out from a hundred meters away, swiftly swimming up to Enzo and lowering its proud head upon sensing Enzo's presence.
Amy was astonished. "Arceus seems to be more than just an ordinary supernatural creature."
Enzo nodded. "Yes, based on the classification of supernatural creatures, Arceus is almost at the level of a giant."
Just then, a deep, booming roar echoed, causing the ground to tremble.
The Huge Silver Backed Bear Betta, who had been fishing on the lakeshore, sensed Arceus's presence and came charging. It lunged at Arceus, but Arceus merely flicked its tail lightly, sending the Huge Silver Backed Bear Betta flying. The Betta's massive body crashed into the bamboo grove, letting out angry roars.
Enzo quickly intervened. "Betta, stop!"
Betta approached Enzo, looking aggrieved, and lay down beside him, growling softly, as if complaining.
Amy chuckled, covering her mouth. "Betta, Arceus is also a supernatural creature tamed by Lord Enzo. You two need to get along."
Betta let out a growl in response, seeming to acknowledge Amy's words.
Seeing this, Enzo gathered two orbs of totemic power in his palm, and both Arceus and Betta swiftly approached.
Enzo tossed one of the orbs to Arceus, saying, "Arceus, from now on, you will live in the lake. If there's nothing urgent, you are not allowed to enter the camp."
Arceus seemed to grasp the command to some extent. In terms of intelligence, however, Arceus was not as adept as Betta.
Nevertheless, it understood this order.
After swallowing the totemic power given by Enzo, Arceus wriggled its massive body and dove directly into the lake. The lake was expansive enough to accommodate Arceus's movements.
The other orb of totemic power was fed to Betta.
Betta swallowed it directly, causing a shimmer of silver light to ripple across its body before quickly dissipating.
However, this was what puzzled Enzo.
According to the usual biological advancement, Betta had already accumulated enough energy to metamorphose into a supernatural creature... Yet Betta had not undergone this transformation; instead, it continued to grow.
In just half a month, its size had increased considerably, and its aura had grown significantly stronger.
This led Enzo to consider another possibility.
Mutation!
During the process of biological advancement to supernatural status, there was a minute chance of mutation. Mutated supernatural creatures would gain even more powerful abilities, which seemed to fit Betta's current condition perfectly.
Of course, whether this was the case would only be known once Betta's advancement was complete.
After feeding Betta, Enzo instructed, "Betta, go back now. Also, you are no match for Arceus at the moment. Don't provoke it unnecessarily. If you really must fight, do it outside the camp. Understand?"
Betta roared in acknowledgment and returned to the lakeshore once more.
...
Meanwhile.
Much like Lester and his group, Gene was equally impressed upon entering the market with his members.
However, the Giant Bear Tribe had much better conditions.
Especially this time, Gene had prepared a large amount of goods. After learning some market insights from members of the Crimson Star Tribe, he immediately instructed his people to start selling the goods .
While he wandered around.
At that moment, Gene heard someone call out, "Priest Gene!"
Turning his head, Gene spotted people from the Flower Cat Tribe helping to sell items at a stall, including two pottery jars and fresh wild fruits...
Curious, Gene asked, "Lester, you're here too?"
Stopping Gene in front of Emily and Raham's stall, Priest Lester explained, "Well... Emily and Raham have been a great help to me. I've used up all my money, so I thought I'd lend them a hand in selling their goods. By the way, the managers of the Crimson Star Tribe just spread the word that there will be a big announcement tonight."
Intrigued, Gene asked, "What announcement?"
Lester shook his head. "I don't know."
Next to him, Raham speculated, "It's likely about your tribe. I've heard from others in the tribe that this market is just a trial run. Once they gather enough experience, they'll expand it further. More goods will be available, and more tribes will participate."
Gene and Lester exchanged concerned looks.
However, it was all speculation.
After chatting briefly, Gene left. Many people greeted him as he walked around, owing to his previous efforts in rallying various tribes against the Chew Bone Tribe. This reception pleased Gene immensely.
Until he arrived at a certain shop.