Chapter 146: Toothless Old Tiger.

Big Vince was not finished. He pulled out a gun and executed two of the half-life beasts on the spot. One bullet to the head was enough to do the job.

The remaining beast, on seeing the others die, panicked. It flapped its heavy wings and flew off into the night, abandoning the fight and its master altogether. This was something which was only possible if the bond between the beast and human was not strong in the first place.

If the human was lucky, the beast would search for them and they would be reunited. If not, the bond would break as time went on, and the beast would become feral. The human would have to nurture another beast egg for five years and pay a very high price to enter a resonance pool again.

The first time was free, but after, the price was high enough to buy someone a small house in the capital city.

The villagers, watching from their windows and hiding places, couldn’t believe their eyes.

"They_ they beat them!" someone gasped.

"The beasts are dead!" Another whispered.

"Get them!" a young man yelled, grabbing a pitchfork.

Inspired by the victory, dozens of villagers surged out of their homes holding wooden beams, hoes, hunting arrows, sticks and knives.

The bandit leader took one look at his unconscious crew, looked at Vince’s bloody knuckle, and backed away in terror. He grabbed a woman from the villagers who had rushed out and put a gun to her head, walking back to the entrance slowly. "I will shoot her," he threatened. "You may kill me, but I am sure I can take some of you with me."

"Shoot him." Someone screamed.

Big Vince looked at the villagers that were trembling in fear. He didn’t have a clear shot. If he missed and the bandit leader retaliated, the woman and innocent people would probably die.

The bandit leader fired a warning shot and people screamed, spreading out in different directions. He shoved the woman away in the chaos and fled into the darkness.

Daniel reared to go after him, but Big Vince stopped him. "Not tonight. This is the wild lands. He is on foot and he smells like blood. He won’t make it far. If he is lucky, he will only lose a part of his body."

The village erupted into cheers.

Mr. Krugger pushed through the crowd, grabbing Vince and Daniel’s hands, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "Thank you! Oh, thank you! You saved that poor girl!"

However, Krugger’s smile didn’t last long. He looked up at the dark sky, his shoulders slumping. "But if that leader gets back to his main camp, he will bring more men. And you two won’t be here to protect us next time."

Mr. Fisher stepped forward, holding a heavy iron bar he had picked up off the ground. His face was set with newfound determination. "Then we defend ourselves! We can’t keep hiding like rats every time someone brandishes a weapon. They showed us these thugs can be beaten!"

Several men in the crowd shouted in agreement, waving their weapons.

Vince wiped the blood off his cheek and nodded slowly. "Fisher’s right. You have to stand up for yourselves. Build a real wall if you can, train your men, and fight back."

Knowing they had already stayed far too long, Vince and Daniel said their quick goodbyes. They climbed into the scooter and rode home.

As they drove off, silent and tired, neither of them noticed two pairs of glowing red eyes watching them from a high tree. The bandit leader had not gone far, and neither had his beast. And both were thirsty for revenge.

*******

Inside Sabrina’s private office at the Kaelion estate, the air hung thick and warm with the rich, cozy scent of chocolate tea that Loveline had just brought in.

Loveline paced back and forth across the thick rug, her arms crossed tight over her chest. She was reporting what had happened at the family dining hall, and her face was twisted in absolute frustration.

"I’m telling you, Mother, Lita isn’t sick at all!" Loveline huffed, her voice sharp with irritation. "She just used ’feeling unwell’ as an excuse to skip dinner. She thinks if she acts pathetic and frail, the grand Patriarch will pity her and finally notice her! She’s totally pretending!"

Sitting nearby on a plush velvet sofa, Andrea blew on her fingernails and chimed in, "It’s true. When I and Mrs. Igor went to inspect Lita after returning, the girl was sleeping on her bed, completely fine. Not a single fever, not even a sniffle."

Loveline frowned even harder, stomping her foot like a spoiled young mistress. "And you know what’s even weirder? The grand Patriarch actually told her to rest in her quarters until Brother Elliot comes back! No more chores for her. It’s insane."

At those words, the pen in Sabrina’s hand stopped mid-air.

Sabrina, who had been busy signing official clan invitations for the upcoming clan gathering, slowly raised her head. Her dark eyes fixed directly on Loveline. "Father did that?"

"Yes!" Loveline nodded eagerly, feeling validated. "I was totally shocked! You know how strict he is. The grand patriarch never shows affection to anyone, except for_"

Loveline suddenly froze. She pinched her lips tightly together, nearly biting her own tongue. She had almost blurted out that name_ the name that was strictly forbidden around Sabrina unless you wanted to be punished.

Sabrina’s expression didn’t change, though a dangerous coldness flickered in her eyes. She put down her pen and waved her hand dismissively. "I see. Thank you for telling me, Loveline. You may go."

Loveline bowed quickly, relieved she hadn’t crossed the line, and scampered out of the office like a frightened rabbit.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Sabrina let out a dry, disdainful cluck of her tongue. She picked up a fresh card, her voice cold and calculating. "Andrea, tell Mrs. Igor to keep a closer eye on the old man’s movements from now on. He might be up to something with that girl. He is shrewder than me, so I don’t think he is being kind for kindness’ sake."

Andrea, who was leaning back on the sofa, let her fingers rhythmically tap against the carved armrest. She scoffed softly, shaking her head. "Oh, come on, Mother. What could Grandfather possibly do?" Andrea tossed her hair over her shoulder. "He’s just a toothless tiger these days! Ever since you cleverly plotted against him and voted him off the Apex scavenger Industries’ board of directors, he’s had zero power. He can’t even order a single guard without asking you first!"

Sabrina’s eyes narrowed into sharp slits. She set the card down with a dull thud. "A toothless tiger?" Sabrina asked, her tone dropping dangerously low. "Andrea, I have told you not to underestimate people especially your grandfather. Do you remember what happened to the five senior elders who voted against him alongside me during that board meeting?"