The mont he saw Evangeline, his Beast Eyes narrowed, flashing with a sharp glint.
Suddenly, a cry as clear as an oriole’s song rang out from the crowd. "I want him!"
Everyone turned to look. The crowd parted like a tide, clearing a narrow path.
A group of people walked straight through and stopped before the altar.
The female in the lead was slender, her body covered in colorful feathers. Her features were quite ordinary, but her amber eyes were exceptionally bright, like those of a Wild Beast locking onto its prey. Her gaze was fixed on Drake on the altar.
The Old Bear Chief narrowed his murky eyes, staring at Penna. He suddenly grinned. "Alright!"
As he spoke, he held out a thick palm. Penna stepped forward and placed a Beast Core securely in his hand. The mont their palms touched, Penna gave the Old Bear Chief’s hand a deliberate, asured press.
The Old Bear Chief understood. As he took the Beast Core, he and Penna exchanged a look of tacit understanding.
Today’s trade in a wandering Beastman was just a sham. It was all to see if his female would take the bait, allowing them to finally ferret out the Fallen Beastman lurking in the background!
"Wait—"
From the crowd, a voice suddenly rose, halting the transaction.
A glint flashed in Penna’s eyes as she turned to look at Saskia behind her.
Saskia understood. She quietly scanned the crowd, her gaze finally landing on the person who had spoken.
But when she saw who it was, her brow furrowed. After a mont’s hesitation, she simply shook her head at Penna and the Old Bear Chief before shrinking back, not daring to make a sound.
’That night, she had seen Evangeline in the Iridian Tribe’s territory. The mory still sent a chill down her spine, filling her with lingering fear.’
’Evangeline was an utterly ruthless female, her thods rciless and her power imnse. The Iridian People were no match for her. Saskia had slipped away quietly, hoping not to attract Evangeline’s attention.’
’Fortunately, things had been calm since then. They had made it through the rainy season safely, and no further incidents had occurred.’
’Now, several major tribes had gathered for the sole purpose of capturing that Fallen Beastman!’
’This ti, not only the Fallen Beastman, but even Evangeline wouldn’t be leaving here alive!’
Saskia lowered her gaze, a dark undercurrent swirling in her eyes. Her heart was filled with hatred.
’They might have set up an inescapable trap, but no one could guarantee things would go off without a hitch.’
’She was, after all, just a female. In a situation like this, self-preservation was the wisest course of action. If things went south, she had to be the first one out. She had no intention of becoming collateral damage in this hunt for a Fallen Beastman.’
anwhile, Penna frowned and turned toward the speaker.
Another tribe was making its way through the narrow path to the altar. The one in the lead was adorned with golden feathers. Penna froze for a second, a flicker of apprehension in her amber eyes. She took a step back and said, "So, the Goldeagle Clan has arrived."
The words "The Goldeagle Clan" struck like a clap of thunder. Drake went rigid.
He snapped his head up to look at the newcors, his crimson-gold pupils filled with a complex swirl of emotions. A sharp CRACK sounded from his hands, which hung at his sides, as his nails dug deep into his palms, but he didn’t seem to notice.
The male leading the Goldeagle Clan stepped forward. His towering, nearly two-ter-tall fra stood out from the crowd like a crane among chickens. His golden hair was tied in a high ponytail that whipped in the wind behind him. Draped in golden feathers, the man himself seed to glow.
He tilted his chin up slightly. Every gesture exuded a vibrant, youthful arrogance, so dazzling that it was hard to look at him directly.
Julian looked at the wretched figure of Drake on the altar and pressed his lips together.
He slowly bent at the waist in a formal tribal salute. His falling golden ponytail hid the turbulent emotions in his eyes. He bowed respectfully to Drake, his voice equally complex. "Brother!"
Julian’s fingertips trembled slightly, his respect tinged with sorrow.
"Brother?!" Penna’s expression changed drastically. She turned to look at the wandering Beastman on the stage, bound by vines and pitifully being sold off in a trade.
Penna took a deep breath and shot Saskia a furious glare.
’She knew this male and the Fallen Beastman shared a Contract with the sa female. She also knew he was a Beastman from the Goldeagle Clan whose Star Pattern had been shattered, forcing him to leave his people. But she never imagined he was the brother of the current leader of the Goldeagle Clan!’
’The Goldeagle Clan was proud and had always stayed out of inter-tribal affairs, which was why they hadn’t been notified about this hunt for the Fallen Beastman! Who would have thought they’d run into the notoriously protective Goldeagle Clan now!’
Penna’s brow furrowed deeply. She looked at the Old Bear Chief and shot him a aningful look.
’Now that the Goldeagle Clan was here, they had to be placated. Otherwise, this could escalate into a major conflict with them. The plan needed to be adjusted imdiately, or it might jeopardize today’s entire operation to hunt down the Fallen Beastman.’
As she thought this, her gaze swept over the various exits of the tribal trading gathering.
The Old Bear Chief, completely oblivious to her signal, planted himself in front of Julian and said gruffly, "What do you want? This is a trade for a wandering Beastman. If you want to buy him, then hand over a Beast Core!"
Penna’s mouth twitched. ’That idiot!’
She watched as Julian’s golden eyes narrowed, a strange black ring appearing around his irises.
Julian had just raised his head when Drake’s hoarse voice ca from the altar. "I am not your brother. Go back."
"Brother!" Julian cried out, his fingertips digging deep into his palm.
He looked up, his icy gaze fixed on the Old Bear Chief, his voice freezing. "This is my brother, a Warrior of the Goldeagle Clan! Not so piece of rchandise! Did you ask the Goldeagle Clan for permission before trying to trade him for a Beast Core?"
As he finished speaking, a pair of gilded Feather Wings abruptly unfurled from Julian’s back, flashing with a blinding golden light in the morning sun.
"Ha!" The Old Bear Chief laughed in fury, the brown fur all over his body standing on end. His muscles strained against his beast skin, making it creak. "So what if you’re from the Goldeagle Clan? You think this old bear is afraid of you?!"
The Old Bear Chief glared, his eyes wide. He pounded his chest, about to shift into his beast form and have it out with Julian!
At that mont, Saskia suddenly darted between the two of them. "Please wait, you two leaders!"
She looked up at Julian, eting his brilliantly shining golden eyes. A gleam flashed in her own.
"Leader Julian," Saskia called out softly. "Actually, there’s more to this tribal trading gathering than ets the eye. Why don’t we step aside so I can explain the details to you?"
After speaking, she glanced at Drake on the altar. "Don’t worry, you can take him with you shortly."
"More to it?" Julian’s eyes narrowed. He turned to look at Drake and said coldly, "I don’t care what’s going on. Release my brother now. I’m taking him and leaving. The Goldeagle Clan has no interest in your affairs."
Saskia tilted her chin up slightly and looked at Penna. "How about this, then? Why don’t we take Leader Julian’s brother and step aside to clear things up? Otherwise, I’m afraid today’s business will be affected."
Penna was getting a headache. She looked around, then finally said to the Old Bear Chief, "Let’s just do that."
Her voice carried a weary resignation. ’Catching a Fallen Beastman is truly difficult,’ she thought.
"Bullshit!" The Old Bear Chief took a heavy step forward, his bell-like eyes glaring at Julian. He spat. "No one is taking this guy away today!"
"Since you two are at a standstill..."
A seductive, languid voice cut in, tinged with a faint laziness.
"Why not... let join in?"
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