Chapter 76: Life Link
As Wolfie caught sight of Gene, he immediately glanced towards a pile of rocks.
There was no one there.
Filled with disbelief, Wolfie exclaimed, "No! This can't be! I broke all four of your legs and arms, how could you possibly stand up again, completely unscathed!"
Gene grinned without explaining, charging straight towards Wolfie.
With his reckless fighting style, he ignored attacks from other Giant Bone Wolf Riders, determined to keep Wolfie occupied.
At this critical moment, Wolfie was on the verge of breaking down. He quickly hurled Gene away and urgently shouted to the other team members, "Retreat! Everyone, retreat immediately!"
This time, Wolfie ignored Gene's entanglement and focused solely on escaping.
Once he reached Plata Plain and left the jungle behind, the monkeys of the jungle wouldn't be able to catch him, ensuring his safe return to the Mpondo Tribe. Perhaps Chief Reg would reprimand him, but surviving was paramount.
Fear of death was inherent in human nature.
However, something unexpected happened.
Urging his Giant Bone Wolf to run faster, it suddenly cowered on the ground, head low, trembling as if encountering a terrifying creature.
Then rustling came from the trees.
Wolfie looked up in alarm, stumbling and falling to the ground.
Above him, from the canopy, emerged an immense blue serpent. The serpent opened the skin on both sides of its neck, emitting a loud, hissing sound.
Perched atop the blue serpent's head was a person.
As the blue serpent lowered its head, Wolfie saw the person clearly.
It was a young man dressed in a rare white tiger-skin coat, adorned with no other decorations but with eyes as deep and profound as the night sky.
Such a terrifying gaze, Wolfie had only seen on Lord Freya.
"Who are you?" Wolfie's voice trembled with fear of being killed. He knelt down, raising his hands and hastily pleading, "Don't kill me! I surrender!"
Who would willingly choose death over life?
Enzo leapt down from Arceus's head and approached Wolfie. With each step, green light appeared and flew into the bodies of the injured around him, rapidly healing their wounds.
Wolfie understood how Gene had recovered—it was all because of this person before him.
Before long, Enzo stood in front of Wolfie.
Without answering his question,He said coldly, "The jungle is not a place you can come and go as you please. You've offended the jungle, and there must be consequences! Gene, escort the person back to the camp."
"Yes, Lord Enzo!" Gene replied, extremely excited.
...
Usually, after capturing someone in battle, if they are ordinary people, they are labeled as slaves, made to do tedious chores, or sold to specialized traveling merchants who deal in slaves.
However, in the jungle where resources are scarce, there are no such slave-trading merchants.
But if the captive is not an ordinary person, such as a tribe's warrior or priest with significant abilities.
Their fate is only one — death!
Powerful individuals are highly unstable factors, and without complete control, no one would consider them as slaves.
Enzo is no exception.
Although Enzo doesn't view Wolfie's strength as particularly formidable, compared to ordinary people, Wolfie still poses enough threat. However, he cannot be killed outright; his death must have some value.
At the ritual square, Gene brought Wolfie and the others back. Similarly.
Over a dozen Giant Bone Wolves were bound with thick vine ropes around their limbs, aware of their impending demise. They struggled restlessly on the ground, occasionally howling.
Wolfie pleads incessantly, "Please, don't kill me..."
Disdain fills Gene's eyes, his face contorted in displeasure. It's because of individuals like Wolfie that they find themselves in such a predicament. If it weren't for Lord Enzo's intervention, Gene might have been a corpse by now.
In the face of Wolfie's plea for mercy, Enzo showed no hesitation.
Setting aside any concerns about the potential risks of keeping Wolfie alive, merely arranging prison facilities and guards would be troublesome enough, and Enzo never liked trouble.
Next, compared to plunderers like Wolfie, these people are no better.
At least hundreds of members of the Jungle tribe have died at their hands.They are the sworn enemies of the Jungle tribe.
"Gene, Lester, you take care of them, leave none alive!"
Enzo ordered.
Realizing he couldn't survive, Wolfie cursed loudly.
He screamed madly, "I curse you! Even if I die, I will return as a ghost to seek revenge on you! Just wait, Chief Reg will avenge us, and everyone in your tribe will be..."
Gene and Lester each held spears and thrust them into Wolfie's throat and heart.
He died instantly.
This scene was witnessed by all members of the Crimson Star Tribe and other tribes. Their bodies trembled slightly, as if some kind of shackles had been broken.
They looked towards the square, still feeling a surreal sensation.
The people of the Jungle tribe were executing members of the Plata Plain tribe!
This wasn't a dream!
The cries of the Giant Bone Wolf Riders and the howls of the Giant Bone Wolves were the clearest evidence!
They also realized that the people of the Jungle tribe could kill members of the Plata Plain tribe. Those on the plains would now fear death.Tthey were not invincible!
Discussion among the crowd began, dense and numerous like swarming bees.
Eventually, all voices turned into loud slogans, everyone shouting as if to release all the grievances they had ever endured.
In this atmosphere, the tribal fire surged even higher.
What surprised Enzo, however, was that at this moment of shifting tribal thoughts, the second leaf of the leaf totem of the life tree condensed detailed veins. He sensed a new power emerging.
...
Plata Plain, Mpondo Tribe.
As dusk approached and the sun began to sink behind the mountains, Reg, the leader, grew uneasy. The squad of Giant Bone Wolf Riders led by Wolfie had not returned.
Something's wrong?
This is impossible!
Reg immediately dismissed the thought.
They rode out on Giant Bone Wolves. Even if they encountered danger they couldn't overcome, they should have been able to escape. It's absurd to think those jungle monkeys could have killed them.
Yet, the sun disappeared completely and night fell.
There was still no sign of Wolfie and his group returning. Reg's expression grew grave as he realized something was amiss. Lighting a torch, he gathered all the tribe members.
"We might have lost Willa and Wolfie." he declared then.
Chaos gripped the Mpondo Tribe.
Reg didn't elaborate further but issued his command: "Tonight, everyone prepare weapons and food. At dawn, we march on the jungle!"
However , unbeknownst to Reg, a similar scene was unfolding in the Crimson Star Tribe.
The death of Wolfie and his group had caused significant shifts in the thoughts of many tribe members, emboldening some to more daring ideas.
In the meeting hall, alongside leaders of the Crimson Star Tribe, various tribe priests gathered.
Enzo sat at the forefront, idly playing with several small bamboo tubes, remnants of potions scavenged from the Giant Bone Wolf Riders.
However, lacking labels, their effects were unknown.
And Enzo dared not use them recklessly.
The camp needed a Potion Master.
Enzo's thoughts were interrupted by Gene's bold suggestion: "Enzo, sir, I believe tonight is our chance to infiltrate Plata Plain and wipe out the Mpondo Tribe. It's the perfect opportunity!"
This sparked immediate debate.
"Gene, this is reckless! It could lead to heavy losses for the tribe!"
"I disagree. We shouldn't take unnecessary risks."
"I think this proposal has merit. Wolfie mentioned there are fewer than fifty remaining Giant Bone Wolf Riders with the Mpondo Tribe. With our bows and a surprise attack, we can handle them. Most importantly, if they don't see Wolfie return tonight, they will become suspicious."
"..."
Some opposed, some supported, and their reasons were compelling.
The crowd was at a loss for ideas.
They all turned to Enzo, eager to hear his opinion.
Sensing their gaze, Enzo handed the bamboo tubes to Amy and addressed the eager crowd with some news. "Neville has sketched a rough map of Plata Plain. I've had copies made. You have one hour to memorize these maps and gather your tribesmen. In one hour, the Crimson Star Battle squad will head to the Mpondo Tribe and seize it, establishing the first camp of the Crimson Star Tribe in Plata Plain!"
"I will personally join this battle!"
Enzo's declaration silenced any lingering doubts among the hesitant.
His words also sparked jubilation.Lord Enzo's personal participation meant assured victory with his formidable strength.
So, didn't this mean they could easily complete the mission and earn silver coins?
With that thought in mind, many couldn't sit still.
They promptly excused themselves and left to gather their tribe members.
Before long, the meeting hall was left with only Enzo, Amy, and Tia. Just as they were about to inquire about Enzo's specific plans, they noticed a green glow emanating from his palm, forming lines that connected everyone present.
This was the ability brought forth by the second leaf of the Life Tree Seedling—Life Link.