The Gara territory was still part of the vast forest, but it was infamous as the home of deadly beasts. Creatures prowled those woods, creatures that wouldn't hesitate to tear apart anyone even those who have crimson or azure ID. It was a place most people feared.
Despite the dangers, Gorvex and the Mad Clan set up their temporary shelters, allowing some of their men to rest. They were confident no one would dare attack them. After all, no one ever had before. People usually steered clear of them.
The captured villagers were huddled together at the edge of the camp, surrounded by guards who kept a close watch on them. Most of the captives were an even mix of men and women.
One of the men, his wrists tightly bound, shifted uncomfortably. He raised his voice hesitantly, "Uh, may I go relieve myself?"
The guard closest to him scoffed, glaring down at him. "Huh? Do it right where you are!" he snapped.
The guard's eyes gleamed with leer as he scanned the women, a perverted grin spreading across his face.
"But the ladies... you can go," he said. "I'll even escort you." His words slurred with lust as he practically drooled.
The women, heads lowered, tried to disappear under his gaze. But Naisha didn't look away. She glared at him, her eyes hard and unwavering.
Her defiance only fueled his twisted desire.
"Well, well," the guard sneered, stepping toward her.
Before she could react, he grabbed her roughly by the collar, yanking her close. He pressed his face near her neck and inhaled deeply, his breath hot and disgusting against her skin.
"Damn!" he growled. "You smell amazing."
The guard was practically trembling with lust, overwhelmed by Naisha's scent, his grip tightening on her clothes.
But Naisha stayed still, her expression cold. She didn't fight back—not yet. She needed the right moment to strike—when he least expected it.
"Hey! What are you doing?" a sharp voice called out.
Gorvex's right-hand man stepped into view, flanked by two others.
The perverted guard whipped around, immediately defensive. "Please, just let me have this one," he begged.
"Shut up!" the right-hand man snapped. He turned to the two men behind him. "Take that woman to the boss," he ordered, pointing directly at Naisha.
The perverted guard clicked his tongue in frustration and his head hung. The boss wants Naisha for himself so he has no choice but to obey.
They yanked Naisha forward and separated her from the others. The rope around her wrists biting into her skin as one of the men pressed a knife to her throat.
When they finally reached the tent, Gorvex was waiting.
He was draped in a cloak and wearing what looked like white boxer shorts. And his eyes flickered over Naisha, a predatory gleam in them as he looked her over.
As they led her inside, Naisha's gaze flicked to the side of the bed.
A woman lay there, barely conscious, her body slumped and naked, too exhausted to even move. The woman's skin was bruised, and it was clear she'd been used.
One of Gorvex's men approached the woman, effortlessly picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder like a ragdoll.
Naisha couldn't see the woman's face, as it was turned away, but the hollow, lifeless way she hung there made Naisha's stomach twist with disgust and sympathy for the woman.
"Leave us," Gorvex growled.
His right-hand man hesitated, glancing between Gorvex and Naisha.
"But boss, this woman—she's dangerous," he warned.
Gorvex's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation flashing across his face. He stretched out his palm, revealing his status.
[Gorvex Stormchain, 41, Male.
Identification: Crimson
Race: 100% Human Blood
Class: Chain Berserker, Rank C
Abilities: Chain Manipulator.
Skill: (Hidden)]
"Are you saying I can't handle a mere verdant woman like her?" he snarled.
The right-hand man didn't argue further. With a reluctant nod, he turned on his heel and exited the tent, leaving Gorvex alone with Naisha.
Gorvex immediately grabbed Naisha and raised her arms above her head. She struggled, but his sheer strength and size made it impossible for her to resist.
"I was interrupted earlier. I've only had three, and that girl passed out already," he said, gripping her chin, and admiring the smoothness of her neck.
Slowly, he ran his hand down her neck toward her chest, then yanked down her top, tearing it apart.
Gorvex smiled at the sight. Even in the dim light, Naisha's pale skin seemed to glow. Her curves and smooth skin reignited his lust.
When Naisha tried to move and resist, he tossed her onto the bed effortlessly.
"Don't even think about fighting back," Gorvex sneered. "Remember, I have the boy you're protecting. If I were you, I'd behave."
Naisha's heart sank at his words. Ken—her little brother—was her weakness. Her love for him ran so deep that she would sacrifice everything to keep him safe.
Tears threatened to spill, but Naisha fought to hold them back. She clenched her jaw, trying to keep her composure as Gorvex moved closer.
'Please, someone... save me,' she silently prayed.
Suddenly…
*Bam!*
A blurred shadow loomed beside Gorvex. When Naisha glanced over, her eyes widened in shock.
His right-hand man stood there, blood pouring from a deep wound where a branch was lodged in his stomach.
Before Gorvex could react, chaos erupted outside the tent. Shouts rang out, and the sounds of fighting reached their ears. It was clear—something had gone horribly wrong.
"What the hell?!" Gorvex snarled as he tied back his robe, his eyes narrowing as he rushed toward the exit.
But before he could make it, a branch shot through the air with explosive force, aimed straight at him.
He barely managed to leap to the side, his foot scraping across the ground as he caught the blow.
The force of the impact sent a jolt through his hands, but he recovered quickly, seething with anger. He snapped the branch into pieces with a vicious twist of his hands.
"Who's there?!" Gorvex bellowed, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
A figure appeared in the doorway. "Is my woman in here?" the voice asked.
Naisha's heart skipped. 'That voice'... She recognized it instantly.