In the Crimson Star camp, the atmosphere was incredibly heavy, everyone immersed in grief.
The sudden attack by the Chew Bone Tribe not only exposed the jungle's cruelest side but also made many tribal members proud of the current achievements of the Crimson Star Tribe realize— the Crimson Star Tribe was not yet strong enough.
Insufficient strength meant that such events could happen again.
This was something Enzo could not accept.
So, after burying Sovita and the others who had passed away, Enzo did not give the other tribespeople time to mourn. Instead, he gathered them at the ceremonial square.
Once the injured were healed, he brought out the essence of the supernatural creatures they had acquired and singled out several tribe members, saying "Clara, Heru, Rhode, Anse, Lupus... Next, I will bestow upon you supernatural powers. But there is one condition: After gaining these powers, you must forever pledge allegiance to the tribe, fight for the tribe, and avenge our fallen kin. Are you willing?"
Clara was the first to respond, saying, "I am willing!"
She continued, "I pledge my eternal allegiance to Lord Enzo, to fight for the Crimson Star Tribe, and to repel all enemies who dare to offend us!"
Others joined in with shouts.
Many tribe members were filled with anger, loudly chanting, "Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"
Enzo nodded and raised his hand, gesturing for the tribe to quiet down.
Then, he stirred the flames in the stone brazier, which originally held the tribal fire, but under the influence of the leaf totem of the Life Tree, it transformed into the Totem Fire, numbering over a hundred flames.
Next, seven flames shot out and landed on the chosen individuals like Clara and Heru.
Enzo said, "Each of you take a piece of the supernatural essence and absorb it using the Totem Fire."
After he spoke, Clara and the others stepped forward one by one, orderly picking up pieces of the essence from the supernatural giant crocodile. These essences swiftly melted under the scorching Totem Fire and were absorbed by them.
Changes began to manifest on their bodies.
The most noticeable transformation was in Clara, who was enveloped in a fiery red glow.
Meanwhile, Heru and the others emitted a silvery-white light similar to the supernatural power controlled by Tia, varying in intensity. This led Enzo to ponder: did different colors of light signify different powers?
And what did the seven colors of the leaf totem of the Life Tree represent?
However, now was not the time for such contemplation.
Enzo looked up towards the setting sun on the verge of disappearing behind the mountains. He turned to address all the tribespeople gathered in the square, declaring, "At first light tomorrow, we depart... to avenge our fallen kin!"
The multitude of tribespeople shouted in unison once again, "Revenge! Revenge!"
Their voices echoed through the mountains and forests.
...
Meanwhile, deep in the jungle.
Crue, accompanied by the plunderers of the Chew Bone Tribe, was preparing to return. He was not tall or robust, rather lean and with few wrinkles on his face, yet always maintaining a solemn expression that made him appear aged.
Suddenly, Crue stopped in his tracks.
The others immediately asked, "Crue, what's wrong now?"
Someone else complained, "Damn guy, it's all because of you that we lost several people and failed the mission. Going back like this, we'll definitely get an earful from Chief Mog!"
Despite these accusations, Crue paid them no heed.
Moreover, he noticed the faint scent of medicinal powder, which, if his nose was not mistaken, Clara used to mark prey.
As the Priest of the Chagga Tribe, he was familiar with the fragrance of such powders.
After all, Clara was the most seasoned Battle Squad leader of the Chagga Tribe, and many of the animals she brought back bore the same scent.
However, Crue chose not to voice his observation.
He spoke up, saying, "I have something else to take care of. You all go back and report to Chief Mog."
The others sensed something amiss and questioned, "Crue, are you planning to desert us?"
Crue chuckled, "You can report it that way."
With that, Crue's figure slowly faded away, as if he had vanished into thin air.
"He's gone!" someone shouted.
"Damn it!" another cursed. "We need to inform Chief Mog immediately. Crue is a traitor. His misinformation caused the mission to fail!"
Several of them decided to pin the blame for the mission's failure on Crue.
They then departed from the area.
Shortly after, Crue's figure reappeared, but instead of returning to the valley where the Chew Bone Tribe resided, he headed towards the original campsite of the Chagga Tribe.
There, he had preparations waiting for him.
At the same time, he muttered to himself, "Mog, Madeline... such fools. But it's precisely because they're foolish enough that my plan can unfold. However, the Crimson Star Tribe is truly surprising. They actually have such powerful individuals. It's possible that they might not even need the help of other tribes to annihilate Mog's group on their own..."
...
Meanwhile...
In the diverse regions of the jungle, conversations with similar themes are taking place in different tribes - the arrangement of battle formations and the intention to attack the Chew Bone Tribe.
Due to competitive relationships, there is little communication between tribes.
However, this lack of communication and competitive dynamic exists only among the smaller tribes. In larger tribes, there is not only active acquisition of information from other tribes and trade of goods, but also support for the union of male and female members between tribes, thus strengthening tribal relationships.
All of this stems from the cohesion of the Totem Fire.
The larger the number of tribal members, the faster the Totem Fire coalesces. However, attempting to engulf other tribes through conflict is likely to result in excessive casualties, unless in cases of overwhelming strength where the costs are justified.
The majority of the area where the Crimson Star Tribe is located consists of small tribes.
Many of these tribes are even unaware of the concept of Totem Fire, let alone the idea of communication.
However, this time, spurred by the call of Giant Bear Tribe's Priest Gene, dozens of members from the Giant Bear Tribe have been dispatched to neighboring tribes, expressing their intention to unite.
Under the oppression and animosity of the marauders from the Chew Bone Tribe, these tribes have vowed to unite.
They will dispatch teams to collaborate with the Gene Tribe in eradicating the plunderers of the Chew Bone Tribe.
The Crimson Star Tribe has also been approached.
At this time, the sky is just beginning to brighten.
The sorrow within the Crimson Star Tribe's camp has not yet dissipated when the envoy from the Giant Bear Tribe, Lott, swaggered in. Finding no one to welcome him, he loudly called out, "Who is the Priest of the Crimson Star Tribe? Come out and greet me!"
The commotion roused everyone.
Enzo was included, who looked at Lott with an icy demeanor and asked, "Who are you?"
Lott haughtily replied, "I am the envoy of the Giant Bear Tribe, named Lott. Lord Priest Gene sent me to inform you of the alliance to dispatch a team to eliminate the plunderers of the Chew Bone Tribe. Considering the poverty of your Crimson Star Tribe, only half of your people are needed."
Enzo sneered.
He casually thrust his spear through Lott's arm, and said, "Go back and tell your tribe's Priest that the Crimson Star Tribe does not need to unite. Now, get out of here immediately!"
"You!" Lott held his bloodied arm, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He was filled with intense anger and disdain.
Casting a cursory glance around the chaotic Crimson Star camp, he surmised that the people of the Chew Bone Tribe had already passed through. Seeing the mournful state of the Crimson Star Tribe's members, it was evident they were incapable of resisting.
This only deepened his scorn.
However, the pain from the pierced arm made his face turn pale and filled him with dread.
He dared not linger any longer and could only leave, but as he departed, he couldn't resist taunting, "Do not regret this! The Crimson Star Tribe is the bottom of the barrel among the remaining tribes. It is an honor for you to be invited to join forces with the Giant Bear Tribe!"
Enzo, already consumed by anger, did not waste words.
He swiftly moved forward and delivered a kick, sending the completely unprepared envoy of the Giant Bear Tribe, Lott, flying.
Then, with all his people, he left the camp.
The camp had already been exposed, and if the Chew Bone Tribe were to retaliate again, those left behind in the camp would be in great danger. In addition to this, there was the matter of the battle at the lake the day before, leaving behind the Giant Mountain Turtle and a large number of fish killed by the giant turtle. This was food that could not be wasted and needed to be tended to.
So, Enzo led his people to the location of the lake. He also instructed Clara to go ahead to the Venom Tribe to inform Priest Lucy.
Upon meeting with Priest Lucy, Enzo took stock of the battle personnel before setting off.
At the lake, there were some members of the Venom Tribe and some battle squad members of the Crimson Star Tribe guarding the ordinary people, in addition to watching over the massive body of the Giant Mountain Turtle.
On the way to the Chew Bone Tribe, Priest Lucy once again utilized her totemic abilities.
Enzo inquired, "Priest Lucy, what is the situation?"