I turned to Helen, my voice firm but gentle. "You go back to the tribe. I will come after you."

Helen shook her head violently, her eyes wide with fear and determination. "No! My King, how can I leave you alone? I—I can't—"

I pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Don't you know my true power?" My voice was low, steady, leaving no room for argument. "No one can harm me. Just listen to me and go back. Don't worry about me. This is an order."

Helen hesitated for a moment, her gaze searching mine, before she finally nodded. With one last, lingering look, she turned and ran toward the tribe's location, just as I had pointed.

Mary didn't even notice us. She was too busy crying, her hands pressed against Veronica's bleeding stomach, her sister's body convulsing with pain. Veronica was coughing up blood, her breath ragged and shallow, her eyes glazed over as she struggled to stay conscious.

"Sister..... no... no, no, no—" Mary's voice was broken, her tears mixing with the blood on her hands.

The sight of Veronica lying there, pale and bleeding, her breath fading with every shallow gasp, twisted something inside me. She had tried to save me—even if it meant turning against her own sister.

Even if it meant risking her life. I wasn't a good person. I didn't pretend to be. But I couldn't just stand there and watch her die like that. Not after what she'd done.

Mary's voice cut through the air, sharp and broken, as she stumbled to her feet, her gun trembling in her grip. "It's because of him—all of this happened! I'll kill him!" Her eyes were wild, her grief and rage twisting into something dangerous.

I didn't hesitate.

With Eternal Vitality surging through me, my body stronger and faster than ever, I closed the distance between us in an instant. My hand clamped around Mary's wrist, my grip like iron as I wrenched the gun from her fingers. Before she could react, I knocked her out with a single, controlled strike. Her body crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Veronica was worse off. Her skin was ashen, her breath barely there, her body slipping into unconsciousness. I knelt beside her, pressing my hands against her wound. The warmth of Eternal Vitality flowed into her, sealing the bullet wound, knitting her flesh back together. Her breathing steadied, her color returning as the healing took effect.

When I was sure she was stable, I carried both Veronica and Mary up to the treehouse, laying them down on the mattress. They were both unconscious, their chests rising and falling with slow, even breaths.

I stood there for a moment, staring at them, wondering what their reaction would be when they woke up—when they realized I was the one who had saved them. What lies would I tell them? What excuses would I make?

But before I could decide, a loud commotion erupted outside.

I moved to the window, my body tensing as I saw Helen, Ravina, Sabina, and the rest of the tribe charging toward the treehouse, their spears raised, their faces set with determination. They were ready to fight—to the death, if necessary.

I climbed down from the treehouse just as Ravina reached me. Her hands immediately went to my arms, her eyes scanning my body for injuries. "Dexter... you're not hurt, are you? Let me see..." Her voice was thick with worry, her fingers trembling as she searched for wounds.

I gently took her hands in mine, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Aunt, I'm fine. Don't worry."

Sabina stepped forward, her grip tight on her spear, her voice sharp with fury. "Helen, tell me—who wanted to harm you and Dexter? I will kill them."

I shook my head, my voice firm. "Aunt Sabina, let's just get out of here. Don't interact with them."

Sabina's eyes narrowed, her expression conflicted. "But—how can we just—"

I cut her off, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Let's just go back."

Sabina hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Ravina and the rest of the tribe followed without further protest, their spears lowered as they turned back toward the forest.

As we walked away, I cast one final glance back at the treehouse, its silhouette standing stark against the fading light. Mary and Veronica were still inside, unconscious, their fates uncertain. I didn't know what would happen when they woke up—whether they'd come after me again, fueled by vengeance, or if they'd finally accept that they'd lost. But one thing was certain:

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

The tribe moved with me in silence, their spears lowered but their grips still tight, their expressions a mix of relief and lingering tension. Helen stayed close to my side, her fingers occasionally brushing against mine as if to reassure herself I was still there. Ravina and Sabina walked ahead, their voices low as they spoke to the others, their eyes scanning the forest for any sign of further danger.

We reached the edge of the clearing where the huts stood—some newly constructed, others still half-built, abandoned when the tribe had rushed out to search for Helen.

But my mind was elsewhere.

It had been hours since I left the Kronos Tribe. By now, they would have noticed my absence. They would be searching for me—Kronos, the elders, the warriors. They wouldn't rest until they found me.

I turned to Ravina, who was overseeing the final touches on one of the huts. Her hands were steady, her expression focused, but I could see the worry in her eyes. "Ravina," I said, my voice low enough that only she could hear. "Take care of each other while I'm gone."

She turned to me, her brow furrowing. "Dexter, are you going back again.. please sta..—"

I didn't let her finish. Instead, I pulled up the Supermarket Store interface, my fingers moving quickly. I needed a way to stay connected, a way to ensure they could reach me if something happened. My eyes landed on a small, discreet device—an earpiece with Bluetooth, so tiny it could be hidden inside the ear without anyone noticing. It cost 300 Pervert Points, but it was worth it.

I purchased it instantly.

The earpieces materialized in my hand, sleek and nearly invisible. I placed one carefully in Ravina's ear, adjusting it so it was completely hidden.

Then, I inserted the other into my own ear, testing the connection. "Can you hear me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ravina's eyes widened slightly, her hand instinctively reaching up to touch her ear. "Dexter...? Yes, I can hear you," she replied, her voice hushed with amazement.

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