Chapter 11

  The First Blood

  Before sleeping, as usual, Sam asked AIRS to scan the surroundings.

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Scanning perimeter…

  - Human presence detected earlier within outer forest radius.

  - Subjects retreating. Distance now beyond immediate interception range.

  Sam’s eyes opened slowly.

  “They found us.”

  He immediately gathered everyone.

  “Someone has discovered our location,” Sam said calmly. “From now on, no one goes outside alone. No reckless movements. Stay alert.”

  The air grew tense.

  From that night onward, Sam and Lie guarded in shifts — one for the first half of the night, the other for the second. Days passed like this.

  But no one came near the shelter.

  Since gathering outside was risky, they stopped venturing far. Instead, they prepared land inside the wall for cultivation — spices, fruits, vegetables.

  With AIRS’ assistance, Sam selected the most fertile section within the walls.

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Soil mineral composition adequate.

  - Recommend organic reinforcement and irrigation channel formation.

  - Projected sustainability: high.

  They enriched the soil. Dug irrigation paths. Built small raised beds.

  Days passed quietly.

  Too quietly.

  Gradually, tension lowered.

  Outside gathering resumed.

  Xian, Yuner, and Fang went out for herbs and fruits.

  Sam and Lie resumed scouting.

  The Uncle Trio continued cultivating.

  Aunt Luo handled the shelter.

  Before leaving, Sam warned them again.

  “Do not lower your guard. Danger never announces where it comes from.”

  Meanwhile, the scouts had reported everything to Uncle Mu.

  The reason he had not attacked yet was simple — he was gathering an elite squad.

  He wanted certainty.

  He wanted overwhelming force.

  Several safe days passed.

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  The routine felt normal again.

  Too normal.

  One day, as usual, Xian, Yuner, and Fang went deeper into the forest.

  They did not notice it at first.

  But Fang did.

  His steps slowed.

  His ears lifted.

  His instincts were far superior to any normal predator.

  They were surrounded.

  From all directions.

  Hidden presences.

  Waiting.

  Yuner whispered, “What is it?”

  Fang’s body tensed.

  Then—

  A powerful howl tore through the sky.

  A warning.

  A signal.

  Far away, Sam froze mid-step.

  He looked at Lie.

  “That was not random.”

  They moved instantly.

  Sam ran like a cheetah across the ground, pushing his body beyond limits. Lie followed, leaping from tree to tree like a shadow.

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Adrenaline spike detected.

  - Muscular output increasing beyond baseline.

  - Trajectory optimal.

  Back at the clearing, the elite squad emerged.

  Armed.

  Disciplined.

  Surrounding Xian, Yuner, and Fang.

  The squad leader stepped forward, a massive axe resting on his shoulder.

  “So the exiled princesses hide behind a beast now?”

  Xian’s eyes hardened. “Why are you here?”

  “To bring you back. Or your heads.”

  Yuner’s voice trembled slightly. “We were banished. Why attack us?”

  The squad leader smirked. “Orders.”

  Xian clenched her fists. “We were your comrades once.”

  “Not anymore."Squad leader replied.

  The circle tightened.

  “Stand down,” Xian warned. Wind began swirling around her palms.

  “Last chance,” the leader replied.

  The fight exploded.

  Wind blades cut through air.

  Trees splintered.

  Several warriors were thrown back violently.

  But Xian and Yuner hesitated.

  They did not want to kill.

  These were once their people.

  That hesitation cost them.

  A blade grazed Yuner’s shoulder.

  Another strike knocked Xian to one knee.

  Fang roared.

  Unlike them, he had no hesitation.

  He lunged.

  Claws tore through armor.

  Fangs sank into flesh.

  He could handle dozens of wild beasts alone.

  But these were trained warriors.

  Organized.

  Strategic.

  And there were too many.

  Worse — Fang’s movement was restricted as he shielded the girls.

  He injured many.

  But wounds began covering his own body.

  Blood darkened his fur.

  Seeing this, the squad leader grew furious.

  He raised his axe and charged directly toward Xian and Yuner.

  Before the strike landed—

  Something changed.

  The atmosphere shifted.

  A cold aura radiated from Fang’s body.

  The air itself seemed to freeze.

  Within a blink, Fang appeared before the girls and took the full force of the axe.

  The impact echoed.

  Fang’s body crashed to the ground.

  Severely injured.

  The squad leader lifted his axe again.

  “To end it.”

  Then—

  A sharp sound cut through the air.

  An arrow.

  It pierced through the squad leader’s torso.

  He staggered.

  Blood spread.

  For his luck — Sam had missed the heart.

  Anger had shaken his precision.

  Sam stepped forward from the trees.

  His eyes were no longer calm.

  They were cold.

  Sharp.

  Filled with killing intent.

  Even Lie, arriving beside him, felt a chill.

  Xian and Yuner froze.

  They had never seen Sam like this.

  The remaining squad members charged in rage.

  Lie intercepted them.

  He moved with ruthless precision.

  Breaking bones.

  Disarming weapons.

  Injuring — but not killing.

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Emotional instability detected.

  - Initiating cognitive stabilization protocol.

  - Breathing regulation recommended.

  Sam’s vision steadied.

  His anger cooled into focus.

  He rushed to Fang’s side.

  “AIRS, scan him.”

  Inside his mind-

  -- AIRS

  - Severe blood loss detected.

  - Multiple fractures.

  - Internal trauma moderate.

  - Immediate intervention required.

  Sam worked quickly.

  Applied medicine.

  Pressed herbs to wounds.

  Stopped bleeding.

  Lie finished disabling the last opponent.

  Breathing heavily, he looked around at the injured warriors.

  Sam stood.

  He looked at Xian and Yuner.

  Low-intensity wind magic residue filled the area.

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Wind output recorded below maximum threshold.

  - Combat restraint confirmed.

  Sam understood.

  They had held back.

  Because they did not want to kill.

  Because their hearts were kind.

  But kindness had nearly cost Fang his life.

  Anger flickered in Sam’s eyes again.

  But this time it was controlled.

  But still it was visible through his actions.

  As Fang slowly regained consciousness, Sam and Fang began moving back toward the shelter.

  Before leaving, Lie questioned the squad members.

  “Who ordered this?”

  They remained silent.

  After gathering enough information, Lie released them.

  Broken.

  Humiliated.

  Alive.

  On the way back—

  Inside his mind—

  —AIRS:

  - Anomalous energy fluctuation detected in Fang.

  - Energy signature comparable to secondary signature previously detected around Xian.

  - Similarity index: 63%.

  - Further observation required.

  Sam glanced at Fang.

  Then at Xian.

  Something was changing.

  Something deeper than exile.

  Som

  ething that Uncle Mu could not possibly understand.

  The forest was no longer silent.

  And blood had finally been spilled.

  End of Chapter 11

  To Be Continued…