Chapter 27：Unexpected Gains

The transition to Allen's new role went smoothly. The lower-ranked team members had no choice but to follow orders, with no room for resistance.

With Little Obion's praise and support, Allen's authority as captain was even greater than before.

Once Little Obion left, the team members crowded around, respectfully greeting their old captain.

Those who had previously sided with the crippled leader and badmouthed Allen were the first to prostrate themselves at Allen's feet.

Such is the nature of opportunists; they never fully commit to any side but sway with the strongest wind, devoid of shame, driven only by fear.

While Allen smiled outwardly, he was already planning how to cleanse this corrupt team.

After all, his plans bordered on rebellion!

With such unreliable subordinates, how could he effectively hunt, smuggle, or stage a revolt?

As he pondered, Allen led the unfaithful subordinates into the forest, beginning a day's patrol.

Despite it being his first day back on duty, the miserly Little Obion wouldn't let Allen off the hook.

Since Allen had previously been the captain, he was sent to patrol and catch poachers.

Additionally, he was to collect large red fireflies and rainforest bullfrogs to ensure there were enough materials for the secret potion.

The recipe Allen gave Little Obion had been altered.

Besides the renamed inferior magical brain mushroom, fireflies, and bullfrog eggs, Allen added some rare but non-essential materials.

He intended to leverage Little Obion to gather materials for his advancement to the second level.

Though Allen's current strength was far from upgrading, early planning was crucial for facing future challenges.

...

Patrolling the forest was second nature to Allen. The village was small, surrounded by dense rainforest.

Allen and a few ranger team members crossed the Baken River via a wooden bridge, entering the rainforest on the other side.

Remarkably, the wooden bridge had survived the swamp dragon's attack, a true miracle.

The rainforest across the river had a higher concentration of redwood trees, though still outnumbered by other trees.

Roughly estimating, there was about one mature redwood per square kilometer.

As Little Obion's primary source of income, he valued these resources highly.

This lush rainforest was also where Allen planned to establish his base.

With dense foliage, Allen could patrol while taking detours, ensuring no one discovered the hidden base.

Allen didn't fully commit to patrolling the forest that day.

His opportunistic subordinates had no loyalty and were unwilling to work diligently for Little Obion.

Therefore, Allen had them stop at a shallow pond to catch fireflies and bullfrogs.

With many species of these creatures, Allen didn't have them differentiate; their skills were limited.

They caught everything, leaving Allen to sort them later.

While his subordinates were busy, Allen quietly headed to the developing base.

The base was being constructed as a treehouse, this time reaching the canopy level.

Using the dense canopy for cover, it was well-protected from detection.

After navigating a series of complex turns, Allen arrived at the hidden base.

Bernice was directing the construction efforts.

As a member of a hunting tribe, Bernice had valuable experience in building treehouse platforms and hidden fortifications.

Under her guidance, the construction progressed smoothly and efficiently.

The boy Allen had knocked out and brought back was an orphan with no name, called "Little Stinker" by his mother.

After his mother's death, he became a neglected orphan.

Initially fearful, the boy gradually calmed down.

Seeing familiar faces like the blacksmith and receiving comfort from the kind Bernice, he quickly integrated into the group.

Allen intended to recruit orphans to build his base, starting with Little Stinker.

When the construction paused for a break, the blacksmith distributed food, giving Little Stinker a piece of white bread.

The boy was overjoyed, having never tasted such a delicacy.

Seeing Allen, the boy mustered the courage to greet him, "Boss Allen..."

Allen patted the boy's head, reassuring him, "Alright, kid. You know my plans. Are you willing to work with me?"

Despite his young age, the boy wasn't foolish. As an orphan, his options were to starve or be eaten by wild animals; survival alone was nearly impossible.

Hearing Allen's question, he eagerly nodded, patting his chest, expressing his willingness to follow Allen and do great things.

Surprisingly, Little Stinker claimed to have a treasure for the boss.

Allen chuckled, knowing that children like Little Stinker were like weeds in the rainforest, vulnerable to any threat.

But these resilient lives, like wild grass, had a survival instinct, seeking water, yearning for sunlight, and clinging to the strong.

Allen never underestimated the actions of small individuals and waited patiently for Little Stinker's offering.

The boy whispered to Allen, "Boss, my treasure is hidden under the stove at my house, buried in the ground."

Allen's interest piqued, "What is it?"

"A while ago, when the big snake attacked the village, it dropped a large scale!"

What! Allen was stunned.

A scale from the transcendent swamp dragon, a genuine dragon scale!

Such an event, stumbled upon by a young orphan, was sheer luck.

Little Stinker had hidden the scale instead of trading it for goods, and had it not been for Allen's actions, this treasure would never have come to him.

This reinforced Allen's principle of treating small individuals well, often yielding unexpected rewards.

Suppressing his excitement, Allen praised the boy, "You're clever. You did well."

He then instructed the blacksmith, "Tonight, grill two big fish for Little Stinker. Also, if he wants to learn a craft, teach him diligently."

Allen had already rewarded the boy before obtaining the dragon scale, but for an orphan, such a small reward was as precious as water in a desert.

Allen didn't stay long at the base, quickly returning to the ranger team. He discreetly retrieved the hidden dragon scale on the way back.

By evening, he returned with his team, having caught a significant number of fireflies and bullfrogs.