Two days later, as Cayne entered the Exploration building, he immediately sensed the tense atmosphere.
Lucas was already there, standing silently. He merely nodded as the others arrived.
Once everyone was present, he spoke.
"I have a new mission for you all. Through extensive research, we've hypothesized that another village exists further down the river.
We need to find and explore it for potential dangers and assess whether it could serve as our next base of operations."
He proceeded to explain the details, outlining the composition of the teams.
The group was divided into three teams of four, each exploring a different direction.
Cayne found himself assigned to a team with Ruth and two others.
It was common knowledge that the leader was occupied searching for others; otherwise, he would have attended such an important meeting himself.
Would he? Cayne wondered, stealing a glance at Ruth. She looked visibly disappointed—clearly wishing Alexander had come.
The meeting concluded with the decision to depart the next morning.
.....
At dawn, Cayne stood among the assembled team, waiting for Lucas.
A few surprised gasps rippled through the group as, instead of Lucas, Alexander arrived with Mary and Sara in tow.
Ruth's face lit up, her earlier disappointment vanishing.
Cayne, however, was perplexed by Alexander's uncharacteristic behavior.
He was neither particularly social nor a strategic genius, he couldn't fathom why Alexander came. Yet, here he was.
Stopping before Ruth, Alexander met her gaze and spoke in a gentle tone.
"I'm sorry I couldn't speak with you yesterday. I hope you'll be okay on this journey, Ruth.
I know you're strong, and I trust you'll return safely and will also complete mission successfully.
I'll be waiting for you here, in your home."
His voice was soft, almost tender.
"Of course," he added, addressing us, "I sincerely hope you all will also be safe and reach back here without any mishaps."
Cayne shuddered.
He wasn't naive; this was classic manipulation.
Deprive, then provide.
Alexander was playing the long game.
Having the best for oneself, and still not letting go of important resources even if they do not suit his tastes.
He glanced at Sara, who was visibly upset but suddenly smirked. A bad feeling crept over him.
He couldn't help compare himself with Alexander. Atleast somewhere he shares a similarity.
Ruth, meanwhile, was blushing furiously, her face nearly hidden by her large chest.
A clean hit by Alexander. That such a simple exchange satisfied her was almost laughable.
Cayne sighed internally. Things were getting more complicated. He likes such challenges, though.
.....
That night, the exhausted exploration team sat around a bonfire.
Cayne, seated near Ruth, was tasked with grilling the meat, having both hunted and prepared it.
His time surviving alone in the jungle had made him a better cook than the others.
Tearing off the best portion, he handed it to Ruth instead of eating it himself.
His goal was simple—to unsettle her. People like her had protective shells, and the best way to break them was through unexpected kindness.
Ruth hesitated briefly before accepting. She muttered a barely audible "thank you" before nibbling on the meat in an elegant manner.
Tomorrow, they would have to cross the river.
...
The next morning, after crossing the river, the teams split into pairs to cover more ground while staying within earshot.
Cayne deliberately forced Ruth to be his partner. She had started to object, but he cut her off before she could finish.
Now, she was walking ahead of him, seemingly wanting to put distance between them. But that only worked in his favor.
And what a tantalizing sight it was.
Her narrow waist and curvaceous figure would put Earth's models to shame. Every step she took made his breath hitch. Her clothes failed to fully conceal her form, and while he found her face unappealing, at least this angle was pleasant.
Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to act on anything. Still, he could indulge in the view.
After a while, Ruth straightened her posture, her movements becoming more controlled.
She must have sensed his gaze.
Eventually, she gave up and moved behind him.
Cayne smirked.
'Tch, tch. You should be happy I'm even interested.'
Feeling mischievous, he exaggerated his movements, swaying his hips unnecessarily.
Moments later, he heard a soft thud. Turning back, he saw Ruth picking herself up, clearly flustered.
'Can't handle my charm, huh?' he thought smugly.
Then, a sound reached his ears.
'Puchi.'
Ruth had covered her mouth, but it was unmistakable. She had laughed. Even if it was just a small chuckle, it was enough.
As she laughed, her chest trembled slightly beneath her robe. Though the loose garment concealed her shape, her figure was undeniable.
Truly lamentable.
As they resumed walking, Ruth now walked beside him.
It wasn't a significant shift, but it marked the first step in breaking down the distance between them.