Chapter 220: New Grand Elder.

The grand patriarch frowned at Sabrina, reprimanding her like an elder does an unruly younger one. "Behave yourself Sabrina, this is not a family squabble. It is a matter that affects the prestige of our clan. Elliot is my grandson and I have many other grandchildren here elder Von could have recommended. But personal glory must come after clan glory. The Kaelion clan must last for generations. You need to learn this if you want to be a proper leader."

Clan members applauded.

Sabrina clenched her jaws, heaving angrily.

A wave of giggles and snickers spread through the surrounding crowds. The grand patriarch had pulled a fast one!

Grand Elder Simon sighed, shaking his head at the pathetic display. "Fine. Then Maverick will be the main fighter, and Elliot will be the clan’s backup fighter."

Standing in the center, Maverick arched an eyebrow. To add a backup fighter was an insult to him.

Grand Elder Simon had no idea, but with those simple words, he had just painted a big target on his own back.

Sabrina sat back down, a dark, wicked smirk slowly spreading across her face. Backup fighter, huh? That statement just changed everything. She turned her sharp gaze toward Elder Von. The poor man was trembling like a leaf in a storm, clutching his phone so hard his knuckles were turning white. Just two minutes ago, he had received a text message containing very high-definition, very scandalous blackmail photos of himself and his mistress. What the blackmailer wanted had been clear.

A few feet away, Grand Patriarch Ralf smiled softly to himself. Who knew that keeping evidence of Von’s secret affair would come in so handy today?

Suddenly, Grand Elder Simon let out a heavy groan of pain. He clutched his chest, his face turning pale as he leaned heavily on his cane.

"Grand Elder!" several people gasped.

Simon raised a weak hand to calm them down. "I am old_" he wheezed out, his voice frail. "I can no longer carry out my duties properly and you all know that i have been wanting to resign for some time now. Today_ I am stepping down as Grand Elder."

The hall went dead silent once again.

"I have already chosen the person who will take my place." Simon continued, struggling to breathe. "The new Grand Elder of our clan will be Ralf Kaelion."

"What?!" Sabrina whispered, her heart dropping straight into her stomach. This couldn’t be happening! She had done everything for Simon! She had run his dirty errands, done his dark deeds behind the scenes, given him Somnivore goodies, and now he was just dumping her like trash and handing all the power to her father?!

Grand Patriarch Ralf stepped forward, placing a hand over his heart, and bowed deeply to the crowd. "I promise to serve our clan with the utmost dedication, just as I always have."

Considering everything he had just said about putting the clan first, a round of welcome applause swept through the room.

Sabrina stared at her father’s smiling face, her blood running cold.

This was no coincidence. Not at all. Her father was systematically taking back all his old power and stripping away every single person she controlled. First, he took the clan loyalty. Now, he took the Grand Elder position.

Next_ he was coming for Apex.

Sabrina clenched her fists under her long sleeves, her nails digging deep into her palms until it hurt. No, she thought, her eyes burning with pure malice. I have to get rid of him. The sooner, the better.

*****

The night was young, and the people of Beast Valley were celebrating a successful hunt. The King Beast, along with several other carcasses, were stretched out across the main courtyard for anyone who wanted a look. People were practically lining up to choose what pieces of edible meat they intended to take home. They were practically drooling. Many wanted to take pictures, but Zyra had forbidden it.

If they did, they would post about it, and then everyone would want to know who had taken down the serpent. The government and thieves would find out about the resonance stones. It was more trouble than it was worth.

Under the shade of the large elm tree, the half-life beasts stood in a cluster, shaking their heads in collective embarrassment.

"Look at what that idiot Scotty is doing." Another commented.

The beasts turned their heads. Over by the barbecue station, Scotty was currently sneaking pieces of roasted squid off the grill. He shoved a massive piece into his mouth, immediately froze, and proceeded to spit it out with a dramatic yelp as the scorching chili oil burned his tongue.

The beasts burst into a chorus of snorts and rumbles.

"His mouth is always busy," Spice chimed in, tossing her tail. "If he isn’t eating, he’s talking nonsense."

Meanwhile, a few paces away, Zyra was having a grand old time with her link band. Achilles kept sending her video clips of Lita getting humiliated, and she couldn’t stop the snickers escaping her lips.

[Ding!] A crisp, mechanical voice rang directly inside her head.

[Host, you have successfully paid off half of your shelter debt. You have unlocked a new section of the System Shop: Beast Trucks are now available!]

"What are Beast trucks?"

[Ding! Fill the jar mission completed: You have received 500,000 resonance points. New mission: Feed any of the beasts with energy from 10 resonance stones and trigger an automatic evolution.]

"Yes!" Zyra shouted out loud, pumping her fist in the air. She had done the task an hour ago and assumed she failed because there was no notification.

Hunter walked over right at that moment, carrying two tall drinks. He handed one to Zyra and slouched into the seat next to her. Right on his heels was little Yaya, waddling like a eager puppy. She was holding a giant circular lollipop that was easily twice the size of her face, struggling fruitlessly to fit the entire thing into her mouth.

"Yaya, go find Aunt Denea," Hunter groaned softly, tapping the little girl’s shoulder.

"No!" Yaya muffled around the giant candy. "Want Daddy!"

"Just give up and be a daddy," Zyra teased, taking a sip of her fruit drink and nudging Hunter’s arm.

Hunter turned his head, giving her a slow, sly grin. "Sure, if you agree to be the mommy."

Zyra didn’t even blink. "I’m already a mommy, remember? I have a human egg waiting to hatch."

Hunter let out a defeated laugh, exhaling a deep breath. "You really know how to ruin a smooth line, don’t you?"

He gave up on arguing, stretched his long legs out, and lifted Yaya up to sit on his lap. He swung her gently from side to side, making the little girl squeal with delight. Zyra chuckled, clapping her hands to cheer Yaya on.

Despite the looming danger and chaos outside the valley, the atmosphere inside was warm, noisy, and full of life.

Suddenly, Hunter jutted his chin toward the far end of the grounds. "What’s up with her?"

Zyra followed his gaze. Down in the last courtyard, away from the party, Tessi was pacing back and forth like a trapped ghost, frantically muttering to herself and wringing her hands.

Zyra shrugged, waving back at Yaya, who gave her a sticky, bright smile. "Not sure, but I will find out."