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"Ding! Please choose!"
"1: Take the villagers of Root Village as followers, raise each person's level to 30. The upper limit is 10 people, and each person will reward 1% of the completion of the Garp template."
"2: Take at least 20 villagers of Root Village as followers, raise each person's level to 40, and successfully resist a disaster wave. The reward is 20% of the completion of the Garp template. If anyone quits or dies, no reward will be given."
"3: Take at least 30 villagers of Root Village as followers, raise each person's level to 50, and successfully resist a disaster wave. The reward is 25% of the completion of the Garp template. However, if anyone quits or dies, there will be no reward."
Jason didn't expect to have a choice at this moment and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
The first option offers a high degree of freedom—you can choose the number of followers as you see fit. With the upper limit set at 10 people, he could obtain up to 10% of the Garp template completion. Additionally, only upgrading them to level 30 makes this task relatively easy and rewarding.
The second choice offers a much more tempting reward—20% completion—but having to gather 20 people is a bit much. As long as one person quits or dies, the reward is forfeit.
Earlier, there were about 30 people kneeling outside. Jason doubted all of them could survive his trials. By now, only a few were likely left.
If he wants to recruit 20 people, he'll have to weed out those unworthy, and anyone who can't pass his test won't have the necessary willpower or loyalty.
Leading such a group to level 40 and successfully resisting a disaster wave would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
The third choice was even worse.
Jason could already picture himself shepherding 30 helpless individuals like babies needing to be fed and carried, guiding them through their trials while protecting them from disaster. By the time they reached level 50, many would have left, unable to bear the hardships and dangers, making it impossible to complete the task.
"Forget it, let's go take a look first."
Jason decided to check on the state of the villagers before making any decision.
"Get up! Lord Shield Hero is coming!"
Suddenly, a man rushed outside the village chief's house, shouting, before turning and running off.
Upon hearing this, Fa Funan and the others quickly stood up, kneeling on the ground with pained expressions, as if they had truly been kneeling there all afternoon.
Soon, Jason arrived at the village chief's house with Raphtalia and Filo. When he saw the villagers still kneeling outside, he was slightly surprised.
Originally, he thought only a few would survive, but to his surprise, 13 people remained, obediently kneeling there.
The villagers of Root Village seemed to possess more willpower than he initially expected.
Jason nodded in satisfaction, but soon noticed something was off. His expression darkened.
Seeing his mood change, the villagers all trembled.
"You... and you, leave!"
Jason walked directly up to a fat man, pointing at him and another person.
"Lord Shield Hero, what do you mean? I've been kneeling here all afternoon, without lunch or dinner. Now you're telling me to go? Of course, I won't refuse, but at least give me a proper explanation."
The fat man wore a look of injustice, mixed with slight anger. His indignant expression was convincing—he could almost pass as an actor.
"You've left a huge human-shaped mark on the ground, and there's dirt all over the back of your clothes. Do you think I'm blind or stupid? You have 10 seconds to disappear, or I'll break your legs."
Upon hearing Jason's words, the fat man glanced back. Sure enough, there was a clear imprint where he had been lying down.
Realizing his act had been exposed, his face turned pale. He stood up with the other person and left, clearly regretful.
Jason then turned to a tall, thin man and said, "Stand up."
"Lord Shield Hero, what are your orders?"
The man immediately stood, squinting with a courteous smile.
"Leave."
Jason's face was cold and expressionless.
"Why? I wasn't lying down all afternoon like they were."
The tall, thin man froze for a second, confused.
"You weren't lying, but you weren't kneeling either."
Jason then walked over to Irene, the blonde-haired woman, and said, "Stand up."
"Yes!" she quickly responded.
Irene nodded and slowly stood up. At that moment, her legs gave out, and she fell directly into Jason's arms.
"See? This is what happens when an ordinary person kneels for an entire afternoon. Their legs go so numb they can't even stand properly, but you stood up as if nothing happened."
In this country, it is customary to kneel before the high and powerful, but not for extended periods. The people here are used to kneeling, but not for long, and Jason knew this from experience.
"I understand."
The tall, thin man, having been seen through by Jason, lowered his head in disappointment and slowly walked away.
At that moment, the others couldn't help but admire Jason. They marveled at how perceptive Lord Shield Hero was, able to easily expose all the tricksters with his sharp observations.
"Do your legs feel any better now? Can you stand on your own?"
Jason ignored the man who had left and gently lowered his head, asking Irene, still in his arms.
Irene nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed, as she pulled away from Jason's embrace and attempted to stand on her own.
"Very good. Congratulations to all of you—you've successfully passed my test."
Jason glanced around at the group and spoke slowly.
The remaining villagers now numbered exactly ten: eight men and two women. Jason had made his choice, deciding not to pursue higher rewards with a group of burdens that could easily lead to failure and no rewards at all.
It was better to choose those with potential, those who could contribute more after they grew stronger. Besides, there were still many rewards to be gained from reaching 10% of the Garp template.
"Lord Shield Hero, do you mean... you're willing to accept us?"
Despite Jason's words, Jack still asked in disbelief, and so did the others.
"Of course, but if you're going to follow me, you must be ready. My requirements and standards are very strict. Are you prepared?"
"We're ready!"
The boys and girls shouted excitedly, though they were still unaware of the grueling and hellish journey that awaited them. After all, Jason had never been known for his kindness.
"Very well, then I'll give you one hour to prepare. We leave for the southeast of the kingdom shortly after."
Jason nodded in satisfaction, announcing his next steps.
"Lord Shield Hero, are we leaving so soon?"
"Why? Do you have a problem with your first order?"
"No, of course not. We wouldn't dare."
"Then hurry up and prepare. If you have any luggage to bring or goodbyes to say, handle it now. When we return, it will be in a month's time."
After giving his instructions, Jason left with Raphtalia and Filo, leaving the boys and girls to look at one another in bewilderment. They eventually got to their feet and began to walk back to their homes.
Only Jack remained kneeling on the ground.
"Jack, what's wrong? Lord Shield Hero has accepted us. Why are you still kneeling? Don't you want to follow him?"
His older sister, Lilith, asked with concern.
"No... It's not that. I... My legs are completely numb. I can't stand up. Help me."
Jack looked up at Lilith with tear-filled eyes.
"Ahh~~~ You're as useless as always!"
Lilith sighed dramatically, but still reached out her hand to help him up.
Little did they know, this seemingly innocent and honorable boy, along with the girl filled with dreams of love, would one day terrify the kingdom's first princess, haunting her with nightmares that would last for days.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11
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