She held a similar skill to Grom, but her strength was not. He didn't know how strong a stat of 17 was, but compared to him, it would result in a one-sided battle.
Wang Jun was poised to reject the woman's offer, but as he felt the collective gaze of the crowd fueled with anticipation, he hesitated.
Glancing past the woman, he noticed that the revelry had come to a halt, all eyes now fixed upon them. Despite his inner turmoil and the words of refusal on the tip of his tongue, he found himself unable to utter them.
Unwilling to disappoint the expectant onlookers.
"Or perhaps you're just another charlatan, akin to those deceitful goblins..." Freya's words hung in the air, punctuated by Wang Jun's silence. She pressed on, undeterred.
I know that there is always one person, but let me enjoy my meal first...
Narrowing his eyes, Wang Jun inwardly resolved, But if that's the game you want to play, woman. While I may not possess your physical strength, I come from an era where intellect triumphs over brawn.
Wang Jun breathed heavily, as the college student from the modern era was about to fight a barbarian from a different era using… words. He stood up from his seat.
"There indeed lies in Grom's words. I may not be as powerful as you think I am. I can't easily slay a wolf like you can, and I can't carry that large pot with my body. But let me remind you, why do you respect the elder?"
"Because he is my grandfather," Freya replied.
Wang Jun's mouth twitched slightly as he clarified, "No, not that."
He pointed towards a young man in the crowd. "You, why do you respect and follow the orders of the elder?"
"Because he is wise, knowledgeable, and has led our tribe to where it is now. Without him, the tribe would collapse and fall into starvation, like it was before-"
"Alright, I may not have physical strength like you, but I possess knowledge surpassing even that of your elder, and perhaps all of you combined.
While my knowledge may pale in comparison to your physical prowess, I will lead this tribe not through strength alone. With my intellect and understanding, I will provide the tribe with what it has been lacking: a sustainable food supply, robust health for our people, sturdy shelter, and..."
Wang Jun paused, locking eyes with the woman.
"Weapons capable of defeating any foe, even gods…"
A hushed silence fell over the crowd as they absorbed the words of their Chieftain, each syllable laden with promise and possibility. It was as if his words were gilded treasures, igniting a fire within their hearts and causing their respect for him to swell even further.
'You have gained +1 charm'
Grom nodded, a smile playing on his lips, as he absentmindedly traced his finger along the wooden stick. He refrained from intervening, content to listen further, his expression a mix of pride and curiosity.
"But—" Freya began, but Wang Jun swiftly cut her off before she could continue.
"So, what can your strength do?" Wang Jun interjected, his tone firm yet inquisitive.
"Physical strength is undoubtedly important—it protects us from danger and threats, it saves us. Grom told me the tale of how you killed three wolves, but why then are we still starving and weak? Why do we allow other tribes to rob us of our food and our women?"
The weight of Wang Jun's final question pierced Freya's heart like a sharp arrow, but its impact was felt not only by her but also by the men of the tribe.
Slowly, realization dawned upon them, and a sense of discomfort settled in. Some shook with uncertainty while others nodded in acknowledgment.
"I...I..." Freya faltered, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the words to respond.
Did I go too far?... No, I only wanted to protect myself.
Wang Jun paused, noticing Freya's struggle to speak further. There was no need to further humiliate the woman.
He knew how this world worked, and he also understood Freya's perspective. No one could deny that strength was one of the most important things when it came to ruling. But Wang Jun was someone who just wanted to protect himself. He couldn't fight Freya, as he didn't know any fighting techniques.
He didn't want to tarnish his image by lying motionless on the ground. Moreover, all his words were true; they were not invented. When he thought about improving the life of the tribe, he remembered a certain king.
Well, there was a bit of a lie—it was a weapon to kill God. Of course, Wang Jun was not some kind of mad scientist capable of such a feat; he added it because he wanted to create a powerful atmosphere with his words.
But it wasn't really important right now.
Wang Jun's attempt to console Freya was abruptly halted by Grom's intervention.
"That's enough, Freya," Grom interjected. "While I appreciate your dedication, we must heed the wisdom of our Chieftain. Mere physical prowess alone will not secure our tribe's future prosperity."
Grom turned towards the gathered crowd, his voice resonating with conviction.
"Behold, our Chieftain," he announced, gesturing towards Wang Jun with a sense of reverence.
"He is not just our leader, but also our kin. Under his guidance, we shall find our way forward and flourish."
"Chieftain!"
A burly barbarian bellowed, his voice cutting through the clamor of the crowd. Soon, others joined in, their shouts echoing through the tribe until the air hummed with the sound of his name.
Freya's head bowed in remorse, a wave of regret washing over her. Yet, beneath the weight of her contrition, there lingered a subtle sense of relief, coursing through her veins as she tightened her fist. With a fleeting glance at the gathered crowd, she then humbled herself, sinking to one knee before Wang Jun.
"I apologize, Chieftain," she murmured, her voice carrying the weight of sincerity. "My intentions were only to secure the well-being of my tribe."
...
Wang Jun's house stood at the heart of the tribe, its size dwarfing the neighboring dwellings. While its structure mirrored that of the others, it commanded attention with its grandeur.
Inside, a sprawling haystack bed occupied one corner, its rough-hewn frame a testament to years of use. Adorning the walls were trophies of past hunts—skulls of various beasts and an array of weapons.
Despite its imposing size, there was a simplicity to the interior
Wang Jun lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as various thoughts swirled through his mind. He longed for the comforts of home—his phone, his comfortable bed with its air conditioner, his cozy blanket.
Suddenly, a wave of homesickness washed over him, leaving him wondering why he was in this unfamiliar place.
There is no use thinking about such things. I should solve my problems first... before figuring out how to get home.
He shook his head, knowing he needed to sleep, as he had more important things to do tomorrow.
…
The sun's rays bathed the tribe as dogs barked, signaling the start of the day's activities. Men set out for the hunt, while women tended to their children and searched for tasks to assist the tribe. It was a daily routine for the Barbarian tribe, a perfectly coordinated effort to support their community.
Wang Jun called for the elder to come to his house, seeking his opinion before planning the development of the tribe. Aware of his lack of experience in this area, he knew that developing territory was not his forte, so he needed more brains to assist him.
"You've yet to partake in a meal, Chieftain," Grom remarked, observing the clean house before stepping inside.
"I've already instructed someone to deliver food to you. If it hasn't arrived, I apologize for the oversight. Our custom dictates that we dine only once a day, typically after the hunters return from their expeditions. It's a routine we've grown accustomed to."
"Don't mind it, I'm still full of last night," Wang Jun waved his hand dismissively before proceeding to ask the elder, who answer easily.
The tribe had a population of only 100, mostly comprised of men. However, their main issue was the lack of a reliable food source. They were skilled in hunting animals and gathering fruits, but they lacked knowledge of how to raise livestock.
Wang Jun then noted in his mind all the important things he must do. First, the tribe must establish another food source. Second, they need to improve the defense of the tribe. Third, he needs to utilize his gift, so he must accompany the hunting group to earn EXP.
This was the current need of the tribe right now. He must at least lay the foundation first before proceeding to more complex development.
Wang Jun then shared all his plans with Grom, except for his gift, as he listened intently, nodding to every word he said.
"But, Chieftain," Grom continued, his tone thoughtful, "cows, goats, and chickens are scarce in these parts. They dwell deep within the forest, and our hunters are restricted to the vicinity of the tribe for safety. Venturing further poses the risk of encounters with goblins and trolls, a threat we cannot underestimate. However, we do have the option to trade with larger tribes for these provisions, albeit with the challenge that they are unwilling to engage in commerce with us."
"Hmmm..." Wang Jun thought for a moment then he asked, "Why? Trading can also help them."
"Indeed," Grom conceded, his tone grave, "but Chieftain, we must acknowledge our vulnerability. Why would larger tribes engage in trade with us when they could simply seize our resources by force? It's a risk we cannot afford to take."
"Well, that's true…" Wang Jun replied. As far as he knew, there was historical evidence suggesting that trade and cooperation were prevalent in ancient times. Additionally, human societies have always exhibited a range of behaviors, including kindness, cooperation, and conflict, regardless of the period.
However, he couldn't say it out loud. Grom might have spoken from experience. They had tried trading, but it only worsened the situation.
And also, this is another world.
"How about the smaller tribes?"
"The neighboring tribe has already sown seeds of hostility by raiding our food supplies and abducting our women," Grom explained grimly.
"Reconciliation will undoubtedly be challenging, but it is not beyond reach. There are other tribes with whom we've had no conflicts, albeit situated at a greater distance. Nonetheless, if you deem it fit, Chieftain, we can extend an olive branch and forgive past grievances. Our tribe will heed your decision, for ultimately, it is our collective future at stake."
As Wang Jun contemplated the situation, he realized that trading might indeed be their only viable option. However, he also recognized the need for a group of powerful individuals who could lead and protect the tribe in times of crisis.
Additionally, as he would be personally involved in the trade negotiations, he understood the necessity of having capable bodyguards to ensure his safety.
And that's where his gift comes into purpose.