Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 42: Helping Tiger Tribe

As soon as the thought appeared, Visha received a task from the system.

[Objective: Alleviate the Tiger tribe’s hunger without compromising your own tribe’s security or resources.]

[Reward: 250 CP, Nature’s Echo upgrade (Commune)]

Just as Visha noticed the shift, so did the man and the tribe leader.

Visha was not happy about the change in the attitude of the people who claimed to be a part of their tribe. It was understandable that they would want to meet old friends. But the eagerness they showed made it appear as if they wanted to go back to the Tiger tribe.

She would not confront them in front of everyone here. This is something that needed to be addressed when they were alone.

"We will stay for the night, only for the night. The next day, we will leave. As a show of good faith, I will help you find food," Visha said.

The Tribe Leader looked at Visha. She could see that he did not believe her. But he had already won the victory by getting them to stay. She could see the smugness in his eyes.

The tribe leader and the man led them to a large hut.

As they walked, they could see the tribe was filled with people. However, they were all thin. Some huddled together for warmth. Some watched as they passed, some didn’t look at all. However, they all had one thing in common.

They were all hungry.

Visha could see the hunger in their eyes. The way their gazes linger on their baskets. Visha knew that the beastman’s senses were extraordinary. She was sure they could smell the meat in the baskets.

Visha had no intention of giving them any.

As soon as they arrived at the hut. Visha spoke, "I will need three people. People who aren’t afraid of the cold and a little hard work."

The tribe leader scanned Visha, "Why do you need people?"

"I’ve already said. I will help you find food in exchange for our night’s stay. Did you think I was joking?" Visha asked, her face serious.

The tribe leader laughed mockingly, "We have already scoured the land. There is nothing there. Do you think you, a female knows better than our best warriors?"

Visha put a hand on Uri and Xeno. She felt their posture and emotions shift. She didn’t want to cause additional problems.

"Do you want food or not? I am well aware that the Tribe Leader does not welcome us. But I will not stand here and be disrespected by a man who cannot feed his own tribe," Visha said evenly. "I will need three people. If you want your tribe to eat, you will bring them to me."

The Tiger tribe leader stepped forward, a deep growl leaving his chest.

Xeno and Uri stepped forward, muscles coiled, ready to fight.

The man stood at the side, watching the exchange.

"We will give you three people. I hope you will do as you have said," the man said, giving a shrewd glance.

He touched the tribe leader on his shoulder, steering him away from them.

When they left, Visha turned to the others in the hut. She fixed her gaze on these people. Pinning each of them with a look.

"Do you know what you’ve done?" Visha asked flatly.

This is the second time Visha has felt disappointed with these people.

"We only wanted to see some friends," Fil stepped in.

Visha laughed incredulously. She didn’t want to talk to these people. She didn’t continue speaking; she walked to a corner of the hut.

"What you did wasn’t wanting to see friends. What you did was let them know that our Warm Pack is divided," Uri snarled.

Hearing the word Warm Pack, everyone realized where they had gone wrong. Yes, they were no longer a part of the Tiger tribe. They were the Warm Pack. The leader had already said they wouldn’t stay, but because of one word from the Tiger tribe’s priest, they changed their minds.

"If you don’t want to be a part of the pack, then tell us now. You can stay." Xeno’s low voice reached their ears. Everyone could hear his disappointment as he did not try to hide it.

Both left the group and sat beside Visha. They needed to talk about their plan to leave tomorrow.

Krag and Chi had already found a space for themselves.

The remaining people were standing. Heta included. She did not leave the group.

When she saw the people of the Tiger tribe, she began questioning herself. She wondered if she made the right choice. She couldn’t help but wonder whether she should stay.

She didn’t know that even if she did want to stay, Visha wouldn’t allow it.

For someone willing to give up on the people who took care of her for the people who threw her away. Vish didn’t want someone like that in their pack. It would only lead to trouble later.

Everyone in the hut had their own thoughts.

It wasn’t long before three people came to the door with the tribe leader.

The three people in front of her were like all the other, thin. But they held their chins high in a show of bravery that made Visha smile.

"Lead the way, Visha said to them.

Visha, Krag, and Chi left with the three females. It was decided that Uri and Xeno would stay with the rest of them.

The ground crunched under their feet. Although winter had ended, there were still parts of the earth that were frozen. Greenery was developing, but it hadn’t reached its fullest potential.

Krag and Chi flanked Visha on both sides. Their eyes scanning for danger. Visha kept her eyes on the ground. Nature’s Echo was active, and she was looking for something specific.

She hoped she would be able to find. As long as there were enough underground, the Tiger tribe should be fine.

"There is nothing here. We’ve already looked." One of the females said impatiently.

Visha didn’t get upset, "You’re looking for what you always look for. I’m looking for something new."

They walked towards an area of land that was full of fissures. The mounds of land that covered the area didn’t look like much, but Visha knew what was underground.

She asked the three of them to start digging.

"Dig?" the same woman asked.

"Yes, dig." Visha gestured. "Or do you not want food? I have pointed you in the right direction; the work is up to you. If you want me to help, you must give me half."

Neither she nor the other two did anything. This is for their Tiger tribe; they were not a part of the Tiger tribe; they were only offering their assistance.

None of the three wanted to dig. But between starving and digging, they preferred the latter.

The work was slow and labour-intensive. From time to time, the females would look at the three people standing a distance away. They didn’t dare to ask for help.

They knew if they did, half of whatever they were digging would belong to them.

They used sticks to move the dirt. Not long after they started digging, one of the females got down on her knees. She brushed the dirt aside to see something bumpy and twisted.

It didn’t look appetizing.

"That’s it," Visha stated. "That’s a winter-knot potato. Just throw it in the fire, let it boil for a while, then eat it."

Different from the sweet potatoes Visha had dug up when she first came. These potatoes grew especially during winter. The harsher the winter, the better they grew.

The one in the female’s hands was big. She had to hold it with both hands. But Visha thinks there might be bigger.

Hearing this was food, although they were skeptical, they dug them up. The more they dug, the more they found. The females got excited. Visha watched them digging with their hands. Their faces no longer held the previous displeasure.

She didn’t wait for them to stop digging; instead, she spoke loud enough for them to hear.

"If you look around and see similar places like this, most likely it will have these kinds of potatoes."

She watched them dig for another few minutes. They didn’t show any sign of stopping, their excitement only growing when they saw the size of the ones they dug later.

"Hey!" Visha called out.

None of them stopped. Visha called out to them a few more times, but they didn’t stop. Finally, Chi decided to take matters into her own hands.

She walked up to the females and kicked them.

"Didn’t you hear someone talking to you?" she said, irritated.

"We’re trying to get food for the tribe. Why are you hurting us?" A woman with blue eyes complained.

"Stupid. Look at what you’re digging up. Can you carry all of these back to your tribe?" Chi pointed at the number of winter-knot potatoes they had dug up.

The three women looked at the number, shocked. They hadn’t realized they had dug up that many. With their size, there is no way they could carry them all back.

"One of you go and get your tribesmen. Have them bring people to collect the things."

Visha gave the instruction. Letting them decide amongst themselves who would go.