Chapter 84: Clang! The Newbie Village Boss Makes an Entrance

Sitting alone on the long bench in the sanctuary, the weary Qiu Yi opened the system‑provided notebook.

【38th way to kill oneself: after a running start, crash headfirst and snap the neck】

【Death speed: instant】

【Death difficulty: hard】

【Death pain: extreme agony】

After recording the final line, Qiu Yi leaned against the back of the chair and couldn't help rubbing the neck, which still felt a bit stiff.

To end oneself in such a reckless way requires great courage, and Qiu Yi wrestled with it for a long time before finally deciding.

But…

No way, if it hurts that much in the game, won't reality just make me scream in pain right here?

Letting out a long sigh, Qiu Yi began pondering what the next method of death would be.

After a long silence, Qiu Yi realized the tools at hand were far too few and truly couldn't think of any new tricks.

Still, Qiu Yi recalled that someone on the public chat had said that, in theory, as long as one follows the armory northward, the second map can be reached.

How about heading to the Training Ground to try his luck?

He stepped into the portal and set off on his journey.

But for some reason, this armory was deathly quiet.

Previously, a goblin or two would pop up from time to time; now there aren't any at all.

"Could it be that at 2:30 am they're gathering for a party?"

Qiu Yi was too lazy to care, hands in pockets, whistling.

Only after he swaggered far away did a few scattered goblins crawl out of the ruins, screeching wildly as they charged.

In order to have more tools for trying different deaths, he naturally didn't exchange for armor.

Yet as a notorious troublemaker who was famous in several high schools back then, dealing with these green monkeys was still a breeze.

Moreover, to let goblins kill him in twenty‑one different ways, he had already examined all of their abilities.

With a dagger in one hand and a short sword in the other, he easily ended the fight.

The collapsed buildings gradually became scarce, and the sloping terrain slowly flattened.

When he passed through a massive doorway, the system finally popped up a notification.

【Map·Training Ground: Unlocked】

"A beginner stage, that's it?"

He glanced forward, then looked back, couldn't help but grin wildly, and the air of despondency on his face lightened a bit.

It was a taste of victory and success he hadn't savored in a very long time.

"Pah, better go find a way to die first."

The Training Ground truly lived up to its name; unlike the comparatively complex armory, this place is filled with expansive plazas.

Fortunately, the number of raging goblins had also plummeted, otherwise he would have been surrounded by a swarm of green ones as soon as he set foot here.

Strangely, those inexplicable pits also stretched all the way here.

At first Qiu Yi thought some moles or worms were lurking, and he proudly dug around, only to find they were just plain holes.

"Could someone be tomb‑raiding in this god‑forsaken place? How boring."

Qiu Yi spat, glanced at the dimly shrouded surroundings that all seemed the same, and felt a stir in his heart.

"Could it be that this is some kind of alternative guidance?"

Anyway, he wasn't afraid of death, so he simply followed the pit downward.

Yet soon the trace of the pit vanished completely.

Qiu Yi scratched his head, walked forward a bit more, and finally made a different discovery.

He crossed over a ruin, and on the sand and stones, it seemed a battle had once erupted here.

Dragging, melee fighting, the ground was covered with traces of fresh blood.

Although the corpses had been cleared, he still recognized the owners of some of the footprints.

"Dog???"

Qiu Yi's eyes widened; he'd never seen dog prints that large.

But considering the game's setting, this is probably a new species!

Then…

Is the new species strong?

Are its special skills ruthless?

Does being killed by them with a knife, a spear, a club, an axe, or a hammer hurt?

He let out a low laugh, immediately followed the intermittent footprints, and soon saw a platform appear not far away.

On the platform stood many rough, unsightly stone structures, clearly built later by hand.

Village!

There must be more ways to die inside!

He excitedly climbed the not‑very‑tall stone steps and witnessed a scene he would never forget.

"Uh… whose pet shop turned into a collective spirit?"

Looking around, the village was populated by strange beings roughly human‑sized but bearing pet‑dog heads.

Moreover, unlike the average‑red‑named raging goblins, they all bore friendly green names.

Qiu Yi was still hesitating whether to approach for negotiation or wait for another chance, when the village‑guarding dog‑people spotted him.

"Who are you?"

On the left a Golden Retriever, on the right a Labrador, each gripping a sharpened iron rod at the tip, all looking comically tense as if trying to be fierce.

Mom, hi, the dog is speaking!

Qiu Yi thought for a moment and raised both hands.

"Hello, I mean no harm; I am…"

The Labrador twitched its nose twice.

"Are you a Pioneer?"

"Uh, yeah, I am…"

"You finally came!"

With a cheer, the two dog‑people who had just been shouting battle cries all reverted to natural smiles.

Without a word, they eagerly pulled him into the village.

Inside, the village was a grand garden; the villagers were truly a variety of pet dogs.

When he was ushered into the most luxurious building, the one seated on the main throne, smiling, was an over‑ripe Old Bread.

【Dog Village Village Chief·Elder Da Huang】

"Ha ha, hello, Pioneer."

Village chief, ally, could it be…

Qiu Yi frowned, suddenly enlightened.

The thought just sprang up, and before his eyes a light and fireworks display erupted.

【Congratulations, you are the first to discover the Beginner Village!!!】

【Title obtained: Pioneer】

【Pioneer: Humanity's hymn is the hymn of courage; humanity's greatness is the greatness of courage; anyone who cannot kill me will only make me stronger】

【Title effect: After each death, you receive free attribute point rewards according to your current life‑cycle's personal value】

【Current acquisition limit: (0/5)】

【Note: The acquisition limit increases as your level rises】

Whatf**k?

However, before Qiu Yi could speak, Da Huang stroked his beard and began.

"The Holy Seat's elders had already cleared the way in advance, saying that a group of human Pioneers would arrive in a few days; I didn't expect it to be true after all."

As he spoke, he picked up his cane and pointed toward the village center.

"If you wish to take on commission quests, they're all written there."

"Is it really a Beginner Village?"

Seeing that the path had been shown, Qiu Yi stopped bothering and walked straight out of the village chief's house.

Following the gravel path, there truly was a bulletin board on the small central plaza.

Yet on the other side of the board stood a conspicuously small stall.

The stall displayed various items never found in shops, even a bottle of Second Generation Rejuvenation Pill.

As for the vendor, it was a mysterious figure standing aside, entirely cloaked in a black robe.

Above his head were four yellow characters—Mysterious Merchant.

Stroking his chin in thought, Qiu Yi silently walked over.

Wave left, hop right.

Seeing no reaction, he inhaled deeply and swung his arm in a wide arc toward the vendor.

"Kindly!"

Yet before his palm could touch the mysterious man's cheek, he saw an axe magnify in his field of view.

"Ah!"

【You were killed by the Mysterious Merchant】

【Title activated: Free attribute points +3】

Crouching inside a transparent glass tube, Qiu Yi stared blankly for a long while.

He slapped his thigh.

"Whoa, the Beginner Village boss!"