Chapter 9: So they are combat chicken?
"Hello, my name is Shao Qiang," he introduced himself to the curious Sun Jing, who was scanning the surroundings. At a towering height of 185 centimeters and a well-built physique, Shao Qiang's muscles rippled under his shirt. Sun Jing grinned and responded with a quip, "I've seen so many people with question marks hovering over their heads that I can't help but be intrigued."
Shao Qiang chuckled, offering an explanation for the hovering question marks, "That's because your level is too low to see beyond that." He leaned in and studied Sun Jing with interest, "May I ask how you cleared the test, Brother Jing?" Sun Jing responded bashfully, his hand scratching his head in embarrassment, "I killed the creature accidentally." A suspicious gaze swept across Shao Qiang's face, finding Sun Jing's explanation doubtful. Sun Jing knew it too and hastily added that he was about to reach his goal when the creature approached him, and he reflexively threw the cross at it in fear.
Earlier, he had contemplated setting his level at 2 to conceal his true skills, but he was unsure of the rationale. "Perhaps you could claim you killed the creature by accident," the lady suggested. Sun Jing hesitated, doubting the plausibility of the excuse, but after the lady's assurances that others would believe him, he conceded to her suggestion.
Suddenly, a slightly plump fellow interjected, "Hey, I also accidentally killed the creature." Shao Qiang remained unfazed by the interruption and focused on Sun Jing, placing his hands on his shoulders in a reassuring manner, "Do not fret, my friend. I believe you. The creature's attacks may be formidable, but its defenses are weak. If it gets too close, you can easily vanquish it." Sun Jing breathed a sigh of relief and turned to acknowledge the newcomer. He noticed that the guy was also a level 2. Sun Jing cordially introduced himself and Shao Qiang to the newcomer. "Hello, Brother Jing and Brother Qiang, I am Long Tao. While I may not possess any skills yet, I am confident I'll unlock some in due time. Would it be possible for me to join your team?" he inquired. Shao Qiang beamed with enthusiasm and suggested to Sun Jing, "Why don't you join me instead, Brother Jing?" Sun Jing agreed with a smile and motioned for Shao Qiang to allow Long Tao to join their team. Shao Qiang scrutinized Long Tao briefly before assenting, "As long as you follow our orders, I have no objections to you joining us." Long Tao nodded earnestly, vowing to obey their every command.
"Your team lacks balance in terms of levels. May I have the pleasure of joining you?" The trio turned their heads towards the new arrival, noting his level 3 status, lean build, and towering height of 190 centimeters - slightly taller than Shao Qiang. Were he handsome, he would undoubtedly be popular, but his most distinctive feature was his voluminous mouth and thick lips. Sun Jing smiled, seeking Shao Qiang's opinion as the team's leader. Shao Qiang appraised the new guy and inquired, "What is your skill?"
With confidence, the newcomer responded, "My skill is 'Enlarge'. I am capable of increasing the size of my cross, which would enable me to handle a group of enemies single-handedly."
Long Tao desired to acquire such a useful skill and inquired about its acquisition. "At the time, I was considering slaying the creature instead of reaching the goal. So, I threw the cross at the creature, but it continually dodged my attempts. It occurred to me that enlarging the cross might help me hit it. I pulled the opposite ends of the cross to increase its size," explained the new member.
Long Tao winced as he considered the prospect of injuring himself to unlock the skill, while Sun Jing was fascinated by the newcomer's method and hoped to try it for himself someday.
"After several attempts, my palm began bleeding, and then I unlocked the skill," the new guy elaborated.
Long Tao inspected his palm, contemplating whether he should attempt to unlock the skill as well. "Subsequently, I tried again, but the creature dodged my strike. I conceived a new plan - I enlarged the cross once more after it dodged, and it ultimately perished," said the new guy.
Excited by the prospect of acquiring the skill, Long Tao retrieved his cross and prepared to try it himself, but Sun Jing intervened, cautioning him that they might not be able to unlock new skills in that area. Shao Qiang affirmed Sun Jing's opinion, having asked the lady previously.
Then, Shao Qiang extended his hand and welcomed the new member warmly. "Welcome to the team. I am Shao Qiang."
"I am Hao Ren," responded the new guy with a grin.
Subsequently, the group of friends surveyed their surroundings and beheld an abundance of individuals beginning to form their own teams. "Brothers, we have finally accomplished our dreams. We have arrived in this other world endowed with powerful abilities. We shall make a fortune here and be emancipated from the drudgery of working for those intolerable pigs," one man proclaimed grandly to his comrades, who appeared exceptionally motivated. Meanwhile, ten women were attempting to establish their own group. "There are only ten of us ladies here. We should band together," suggested a muscular lady who is level 3. Another female student wearing a high school uniform, level 2, scanned the area for handsome guys. "Or we could try to find some strong guys to protect us," she proposed. The muscular lady promptly cautioned the high school girl, "They will not be interested in a young girl like you." Instead, she persuaded the females to join her team and be protected. She approached the level 5 high school girl, who was wearing headphones and could not hear her, "I am Ya Hui, would you like to join our team?" she inquired. "I am Yi Lin. If you require assistance, I will offer it to you, but I will not join your team," replied Yi Lin, declining her request. "Do not waste your time asking her. She is very popular in our school. Despite her height, she is very athletic, and the guys always flock around her because of her prodigious bust. She is just a promiscuous girl," Mei Zhen, the high school girl, revealed to Ya Hui, who was inquiring about Yi Lin. Mei Zhen and Yi Lin attended the same school, and she was jealous of the attention Yi Lin received from the guys. Ya Hui asked Yi Lin if Mei Zhen's jealousy was the reason she refused to join them, but Yi Lin shook her head and disclosed that she preferred to work alone.
Suddenly, the stone platform situated in the center of the verdant field began to illuminate, and a lady donning a cloak appeared. "Greetings, everyone. I'm pleased to see that you've all made some acquaintances. We have a lot to discuss, and time is of the essence. Therefore, I'll only mention the most crucial things you need to know." The woman spoke rapidly, and everyone was paying close attention. "Firstly, you can die in this world. It's extremely perilous, unlike your previous world. Our world is overrun with monsters. However, fortunately for you all, you possess the knight fragment, which grants you your abilities. If you perish for the first time, the fragment will revive you, but you'll lose it in the process. Once you lose the fragment, you'll lose your abilities." Everyone was taken aback and began to panic upon hearing the news. "Silence! I understand that everyone is enthusiastic, but I believe that everyone should be aware of the risks before they decide to come here. We don't force anyone. If you want to leave, simply surrender your fragment, and you can go." Upon hearing this announcement, most people began to consider leaving. "I'm sorry, Jia Le, but I have to support my family. If I perish, who'll take care of them?" Jia Le was the man who had given a speech earlier, and one of his team members decided to depart. Jia Le understood the man's concerns. He didn't have a wife, but he had his parents. He came here to earn more money for his parents. As the man left, many of the females also opted to leave. "I don't want to die here. I want to find a boyfriend," exclaimed one of the girls, and she departed. Ultimately, only three girls remained: Ya Hui, Yi Lin, and Mei Zhen.
"Considering your determination to proceed with the adventure, I would like to share the last important information. You have been designated as temporary knights, and I advise you to strive towards achieving the rank of a true knight. This can only be accomplished through your best efforts. That concludes my message. I wish you all the best of luck on your endeavors." The lady's presence dissipated as she finished her counsel. Suddenly, the group found themselves teleported to a vast hall, with numerous doors lining its walls. Large, plump chickens, each bearing the title "Combat Chicken" hovering above their heads, were visible everywhere. "Combat Chicken?" Long Tao queried, taking note of the aforementioned label. As they were observing the area, a massive timer appeared on the wall, commencing a ten-minute countdown.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone