A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 47

"Mountain porters are workers who carry goods up the mountain using a shoulder yoke. They are a group of people who truly deserve our respect.

"This time, we're going to learn from them and experience what it's like to work as a mountain porter," Matt explained, his smile bright as he addressed the group.

Hearing this, no one dared to complain anymore. Matt had framed the task with such a noble purpose that voicing any objections now would feel inappropriate.

"But I've never carried anything with a shoulder yoke before," Chad said hesitantly.

In truth, the others felt the same way but were too embarrassed to admit it.

"The program crew will have someone teach you. Of course, there's an easier option. You can use a basket to carry the goods on your back."

Though Matt offered an alternative, the mischievous glint in his eyes hinted that neither option would be easy.

Once again, no one voiced any complaints.

Matt led the group further up the mountain trail, where they met four mountain porters who would serve as their instructors for the task.

To everyone's surprise, one of the porters was a woman.

"A woman doing this job? Can she even handle it?"

"What's so surprising? Some women do this because their families are poor or they've lost their husbands. They have no choice but to take on hard labor to survive."

"That's incredible. Respect to her."

"No matter the reason, I admire people who do this kind of work."

The comment section quickly filled with messages expressing respect and awe.

The four mountain porters wasted no time and began teaching the group the proper techniques for carrying goods with a shoulder yoke.

Carrying goods up the mountain required much more skill than it seemed. One hand had to be positioned in a specific way on the shoulder yoke, while the other moved in coordination to maintain balance. The ideal route wasn't a straight line but a zigzag pattern, angling diagonally upward.

In other words, mountain porters often walked double the distance that tourists did when climbing. Yet, despite the extra effort, they were often faster than the tourists.

As the mountain porters began teaching the contestants, they focused most of their instructions on the four male contestants, assuming the women wouldn't be able to handle the shoulder yokes.

This assumption proved mostly correct, as three of the female contestants admitted they wouldn't be able to manage it. Except for Demi.

"Just carry a smaller load, and you'll be fine," one of the porters, a dark-skinned, thin man with a cheerful grin, encouraged the male contestants.

"If you use a bamboo basket, it'll be easier to manage," the female porter added, encouraging the women.

"All right, everyone. Please select your shoulder yoke or basket and carefully calculate how much cargo you want to carry," Matt instructed.