Extreme joy begets sorrow; this saying is absolutely correct.
Xia You was about to follow Little Eight's advice and escape from her predicament when her feet were entangled by the Spider Vine next to her. She pushed hard with her feet, only to find that the Spider Vine tightened even more, firmly restricting her previously free lower body. Worse yet, during her struggle, her Physical Strength dropped to 20 points in one go. Her hard-earned physical strength was depleted again, and she felt dizzy, re-entering a "Low Ability State."
"Don't waste your effort. The Spider Vine was specially set up by Colonel Washington. Your Reconnaissance Skill is too low, that's why you didn't notice. The Spider Vine's only special skill is 'Blood Sucking.' If you keep resisting, you will lose your life," NPC Maggie quietly walked in, in Xia You's eyes it was just a hollow in a bush, but it was actually a natural prison where the rebel army detained unimportant people.
The Spider Vine, for high-ranking officers like Colonel Washington, is no different from the weeds in the forest, but for a "Low Ability" private like Xia You, it is fatal.
NPC Maggie brought two items. First, she sprinkled some Insect Repellent Powder near the Spider Vine, which went soft as it had insect attributes, then she took out a dagger and started chopping. Each chop reduced the Spider Vine's health by 10%, and after a few more cuts, the vine quickly withered away.
"Every creature has Biological Attributes, and striking their weak spots successively can cause double damage," NPC Maggie spent over ten minutes to thoroughly clear the Spider Vine entangled around Xia You. She was young and turned pale and breathless after the exertion.
In the "Military Road" system, besides soldiers, there are many civilians like NPC Maggie. They don't have exceptional physical strength or spiritual power, but the harsh living conditions have taught them various ways to fend off prehistoric creatures. Sometimes, the tricks they figure out can be more useful than what experienced soldiers know.
"Your physical strength recovers really fast," NPC Maggie regained her breath and went to Xia You's side, surprised to find that Xia You's physical strength had recovered significantly.
After Colonel Washington had knocked out Player O, he thoroughly searched her equipment and found only basic useless equipment; not even the basic rifle and stink bomb provided by the Government Army, which dispelled his suspicions, and casually threw her into the Spider Vine.
"My constitution is strong," Xia You answered cluelessly, assuming that after resting one's eyes, everyone's physical strength should return to normal. However, that is not the case in Military Road. Those with higher spiritual power also have better physical recovery. Of course, newcomer Xia You wouldn't know this causal connection.
"Here, but before taking this, you must promise me that you will not disclose anything about this place to the Government Army." NPC Maggie handed Xia You a capsule, sneaking in to visit without Colonel Washington's knowledge.
Although this low-class soldier did not possess any substantial threat, she was ultimately a member of the Government Army.
Xia You took the capsule, "Stamina Capsule, it will help you recover your physical strength," NPC Maggie explained.
After taking it, Xia You felt a warm flow rise from her stomach, and the "Low Ability State" quickly disappeared.
Her physical strength recovered to 70, while her spiritual power remained at the value of 100, with no change.
"Promise me not to talk about what happened here. While it's still early, I'll lead you out of this hollow, then head straight north following the direction of Venus, and you'll be able to return to the Government Army camp," after dropping the initial hostility, NPC Maggie was a very likable little girl.
"I'm sorry, I can't promise you," Xia You squatted down and gently patted NPC Maggie on the head. The previously amiable atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
"Player O, is your brain short-circuited? Will you die from telling a lie? With such a lifeline laid out for you, you still won't choose it. How many more methods do I need to think of to get you out?" Little Eight cursed uncontrollably.
NPC Maggie turned her head away, pulled out the small knife that had chopped off the Spider Vine, and aimed its blade at Xia You.
A little monster that can throw knives and use poison powder, Little Eight cried out repeatedly. If Number 0 died, it meant staying in the Sub-God Space forever without any peace. She could provide Number 0 with certain combat guidance, but she couldn't directly intervene in the game's combat results. She was just a Sub-God, not yet omnipotent.
"You misunderstood me," Xia You patiently explained, "I mean, even if you lead me out of the depression, I can't return to the Government Army's camp. You are more familiar with the terrain than I am, on the way back, there must be many things like Spider Vine and Moth Dragons, right? I have to make sure I can survive and get out of this forest."
From the moment Xia You encountered the Pterosaur crawling on the ground, she had recognized the reality of her situation, just as Little Eight and the haughty Colonel Washington had said, she was merely a Private, not worth the manpower to guard.
Escaping the rebel army's headquarters with the help of NPC Maggie or Little Eight could lead to unknown dangers along the way. Even if she returned to the Government Army's camp, what skills did she possess to accumulate Military Merit Points and get promoted to Private First Class?
Xia You wasn't foolish, years of marathon competitions and gaps in her memory had honed her brain, giving her greater stress resistance and thinking capacity than the average person.
"I'm sorry, Maggie," Xia You said in her heart, "When Little Eight told me I must rely on my own strength to leave this unknown world, I had already resolved to make it out intact. Only by escaping can I have a chance to see the real Maggie and my family, I can only deceive you."
Surviving in prehistoric times, facing extinct predators and armies that don't distinguish friends from foes, the helpless Xia You, regardless of which faction she was in, would find it difficult to make any progress. Since progress was difficult, she might as well keep a low profile, learn some life-saving skills, or gather more favorable information within the rebel camp.
After the explanation, NPC Maggie's face softened again, the logic of this Private made sense. Although NPC Maggie was curious about how Number 0 had entered the Dinosaur Forest, judging from her current situation, she indeed had little chance of safely returning to the Government Army's camp.
"What do you plan to do? Colonel Washington is not going to waste food on an enemy like you," NPC Maggie, although a child, was quick to react, and had already considered the next issue after deciding not to let Xia You go.
"Is this how you treat... us?" Xia You didn't want to describe herself as a captive or prisoner. Being from the future, there should be some awareness of human rights, like treating prisoners well, for instance.
"It's not that we want to mistreat... you, with the situation of the rebel army, as a member of the Government Army, you should understand," NPC Maggie favored Xia You, her smart little brain quickly grasped Xia You's meaning.
Xia You managed a forced smile, she too wished she knew everything and could do anything, but her relationship with Little Eight was very ordinary, and he hadn't shared any extra information with her.
"The Government Army occupies the best geographical environment; the rebels don't have surplus water or food, we don't even have basic medical facilities," NPC Maggie's eyes reddened, it was clear, she wasn't lying.
"What about the Stamina Capsule you just gave me?" Xia You wondered, if it was as NPC Maggie said, that Nutrition Capsule was very valuable. Why then would she give such a precious thing to her?
"That was a gift from the Colonel rewarding me for finding the hemostatic herb," NPC Maggie responded with both pride and regret. For injured people, Stamina Capsules are very efficient in restoring Physical Strength, but for ordinary NPCs, a Stamina Capsule can substitute several days' worth of food.
After she finished, NPC Maggie's stomach made several rumbling noises.
Xia You stiffened, staring at NPC Maggie, realizing that these NPCs were not just virtual characters; they could feel sadness, hunger, and even face death. Were these people truly just illusory existences?
"Maggie," a white woman in her thirties with a panicked expression, burst in and grabbed NPC Maggie.