Chapter 172: 172:The Tribal Land[II]
Suri moved with fluid precision, her kicks precise and powerful. She landed a high kick on a tribal warrior in the chest, making him stumble. Another warrior swung a spear in a wide arc, but Suri dodged with a nimble sidestep, countering with a sharp jab.
The tribals fought with fierce resilience, ducking and weaving, evading punches and kicks with agile footwork. One grabbed a fallen spear and swung it in a wide, dangerous arc, narrowly missing Evan's head. Anticipating the move, Evan blocked the spear with his shielded arm and retaliated with a powerful kick to the warrior's side.
Each clash was intense, tribal warriors grunted with effort, their strikes marked by raw, unrefined power.
They grappled like fighters trying to pin down the opponents in a brutal UFC match, with close-quarter combat and relentless exchanges. Evan's team used their strength and advanced gear to their advantage, their responses a blend of strategic defense and powerful counterattacks.
A tribal warrior lunged at Big Mac with a spear, but now freed from his trap, Big Mac used his bulky body to push the warrior away before delivering a crushing blow with his fists. Seeing their comrades fall, the remaining warriors became increasingly desperate. They fought with a primal intensity, their shouts and guttural cries echoing through the forest.
Eventually, Evan's team subdued the last of the tribal attackers and the fight ended, leaving the area littered with fallen weapons and exhausted fighters.
The battle was a frenetic dance of violence, with the forest around them becoming a stage for their struggle. The tribal's cries and roars grew more frantic as they faced the relentless onslaught from Evan and his team. Each movement was a blend of calculated strikes and desperate parries, leaving the forest floor littered with fallen foes and broken weapons.
As the last tribal warrior fell, the forest slipped back into its eerie silence. The team, battered but victorious, took a moment to catch their breath. Only the distant calls of wildlife and the fighter's heavy breathing broke the stillness.
Evan wiped the sweat from his brow and surveyed the scene. "We're clear," he said, his voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. "Let's secure the area and continue with the mission."
With the immediate threat neutralized, the team moved forward, their eyes scanning the dense forest for any further surprises while they pressed on with their objective.
Big Mac nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting warily from one shadowed corner to another. He readied his weapon, a high-tech rifle with electric bullets that were designed to give an electric shock and paralyze upon impact.
As Evan made a gesture, the team resumed their advance, moving with heightened caution. The silence of the forest was interrupted only by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot or the distant birdcalls. Each member of the team remained vigilant, their senses heightened by the constant awareness of potential threats.
When they reached a clearing, Evan gestured for the team to take cover behind large trees and boulders. The clearing offered a view of what appeared to be an ancient tribal settlement consisting of a cluster of huts, partially obscured by the trees and smoke from small fires drifting lazily into the sky.
Evan's gaze was fixed on the settlement as he analyzed the layout. "We're close to the target," he said. "Our objective is to assess and secure the area without drawing attention. The tribespeople are likely on high alert."
Suri nodded, her expression determined. "We'll move in and scout the perimeter while you and the rest of the team establish a secure position."
With a final check of their equipment and a brief nod of understanding, Evan and Suri, accompanied by Big Mac, began their approach towards the tribal settlement. The rest of the team followed at a distance, maintaining their defensive positions and watching for even the slightest signs of trouble.
As they neared the settlement, the forest seemed to close, the shadows around them growing longer as the sun sank lower in the sky. The mission was about to enter its most critical phase, and every member of the team was acutely aware of the delicate balance between success and failure.
As the evening fell, Evan's team settled in and watched from the edge of the forest. The tribal settlement came into view in the fading light—a collection of rustic huts with thatched roofs arranged in a circular pattern and elevated on wooden stilts. Smoke rose lazily from communal fires at the center, mingling with the evening mist.
Wooden totems and stone markers etched with tribal symbols stood around the huts, their shadows dancing in the flickering firelight. The tribespeople adorned in animal skins and feathers, moved about the settlement, their presence illuminated by the warm glow of the fires. The rhythmic drumming and distant murmurs of the tribe added to the primal atmosphere.
Hidden and with their figures barely discernible against the dense foliage, the team surveyed the settlement from afar, preparing for their next move.
Crouching down beside Evan, Suri whispered, "What are you going to do with them?"
Her expression became uncanny for a moment as she watched the peaceful community.
Hearing this, Evan glanced at Suri with a crooked smile, "What would you do if I said that I am going to enslave them and kill those who resist?"
Suri's eyes widened and blood drained her face for a moment.
Gasping heavily, she shook her head with a resolute expression and said firmly, "I am sorry, Evan. I can't let this happen."
"I am ready to fight with you against the world, but only if we are fighting against bad ones or those who pose a threat to your life. Killing innocent people and those who aren't even related to us or don't pose any danger to us —is just too much."
"So what?" Evan asked, his gaze darkening as he stared Suri in the eyes. "Are you gonna stop me if I want to kill them?"
"Yes, I will," saying this, Suri braced herself for what was to come.
Behind them, the bodyguards who had overheard all the conversation were shaken, wondering—now what?
They observed their boss and Suri eyeing each other like predators.
'What the hell is going on?'
'Do we have to fight Miss Suri?'
'Damn! It won't be easy, will it?'