novelraw Chapter 7: Rules of the Game
Chapter 7: Rules of the Game
"I think I'm starting to understand the gameplay rules of this mission."
Standing by the small stream with an axe slung over his shoulder, Li Wei searched for trees to chop while pondering.
"First, in terms of plot setting, the three of us players are playing a refugee family, with harmony, unity, and mutual affection as the core theme. For example, I can't just take my axe and chop Penny down."
"Second, the plot development actually includes the family's subsequent choices, like a role-playing game. But the plot isn't fixed - just like when Penny decided to build a house three days ago, that fit the plot logic, and at that time I had to chop wood to cooperate with her, unable to voice opposition by saying I wanted to build a wall instead."
"And now, with the house structure already built, we can naturally proceed to the next plot development. So Penny took on the wall-building plot, and during this period I can gather firewood and hunt."
"If I hadn't said anything earlier, I might have missed this plot opportunity. As it stands now, I've essentially claimed the wall-building plot."
"Fila and Penny are definitely opposed to this, but based on the roles they're playing, they can't oppose it because as long as it fits the plot logic, opposition isn't allowed."
"Once Penny finishes building the house, she'll definitely open up new plot directions. Since the family has limited human and material resources, once those are committed, I won't be able to start new plot directions."
"Her profession is Apprentice Craftsman, so she'll definitely open directions related to that."
"My profession is Apprentice Farmer, so I must fight for farming-related directions.""If I don't fight for it, then I'll probably be eliminated before my farmer profession ever gets to play its role."
"This is somewhat like a farming management game, except there are three people giving orders."
"Unless the three of us compete for the position of Family Head - using the Family Head identity to issue commands would have different effects."
After figuring all this out, the confusion in Li Wei's heart vanished. He knew what he needed to do now.
Currently, his assigned plot tasks were gathering firewood, hunting, tree chopping, and building the wall. These had to be completed before Penny finished building the house.
Glancing back, sure enough, Penny was like a human motor, starting to frantically move stones.
Well then, nothing more to say - just get to work.
Li Wei routinely used a long stick to beat around the forest edge first, driving away at least three to five venomous snakes. Then he began breaking down the branches and treetops from the trees he'd chopped earlier, moving everything to the campsite to dry.
Although these branches had high moisture content, as long as the sun kept shining brightly, they would become standard firewood.
After working hard for half the morning, he moved all the branches to the campsite. Almost simultaneously, he received a message.
[You have obtained one unit of firewood without Family Head task assignment and without relevant plot constraints. You have gained 1 point of Gathering Experience. Will you donate it to the family? You will receive 1 point of Family Contribution.]
[Friendly reminder: Family Contribution will improve your status within the family and qualify you to initiate voting for Plot Kill when conditions are met. Alternatively, you can consume sufficient Family Contribution to be exempted from Plot Kill.]
[You have chosen to donate one unit of firewood to the family. You have gained 1 point of Family Contribution. Current total Family Contribution is 1 point.]
——
So that's how it works! How delightful!
Li Wei laughed heartily three times in his mind, but didn't continue gathering firewood. He was certain that once the house was built, Penny would gain much more Family Contribution.
So, time to chop trees - this way he could gain both Logging Experience and Construction Experience.
His hands were now covered with calluses, and when he raised the axe for heavy chopping, the movements flowed naturally. His body was gradually adapting to this kind of physical labor.
So easily, by noon, he successfully chopped down two trees, gaining two points of Logging Experience.
Returning for lunch at noon, none of the three family members spoke, all remaining silent. Because whenever the three gathered together, it was easy to trigger plot developments.
After eating, Penny continued moving stones, frantically.
Clearly she could sense Li Wei's threat.
Li Wei felt the same, but instead of rushing to chop trees, he went to the forest edge and continued harvesting the lush wild grass with his Short Knife. This was to maximize venomous snake deterrence and expand his activity range.
Additionally, the grass cutting reminded him of something.
While cutting grass now couldn't be preserved, when autumn came with reduced rainfall, he could cut grass on a large scale, then dry and store it properly. Right now, that old ox could eat the fresh green grass all over the mountains, and even in winter it could eat dried grass. But what about when heavy snow sealed the mountains?
This dried grass, properly dried and stored, would be the lifesaving food for that old ox.
Better to prepare early.
Of course, before that, Li Wei needed to first build a hay shed to store the dried grass.
Just like how the supplies on the ox cart were Fila's personal property, this dried grass would definitely become his personal property.
After cutting grass nonstop for an hour, he gained a larger activity area.
While harvesting the wild grass, he also picked several handfuls of ripe berries.
After eating them, they actually provided him with 10 points of stamina.
This forest was truly a treasure trove.
After resting briefly, Li Wei took up his axe and began chopping trees. By evening, although he was still quite tired, he had successfully chopped down three trees, gaining another three points of Logging Experience.
By now, his Logging Experience had accumulated to 10 points, with 1 point of Gathering Experience and 6 points of Construction Experience. After deducting today's food expenses of 2 points, he actually had a net gain - provided those two bitches didn't cause more trouble.
Fortunately, during dinner, the three family members silently drank their wild vegetable soup, none speaking.
After the meal, Penny and Li Wei continued sleeping by the fire, while Fila took responsibility for night watch and adding firewood.
If his guess was correct, this also earned experience points.
In any case, according to plot logic, as a mother, Fila couldn't possibly let her children get cold at night or get bitten to death by venomous snakes.
Slept well through the night - Li Wei was even getting used to the mosquito bites.
After breakfast, Penny continued moving stones. Building the stone wall required many stones, and from Li Wei's perspective, it would take at least three to five days to complete.
So both sides were under pressure.
Li Wei walked around all four sides of the house, preliminarily determining the wall's perimeter, and couldn't help but feel fortunate he had chosen the right plot direction.
The ground around the house was all soft soil, easy to dig. Now he just needed to determine the wall construction style.
Thinking this way, he headed toward the forest, routinely using the long stick to beat the surrounding area to avoid being killed by venomous snake plot, then began tree chopping.