Azure, the bluebird, was currently surveying the area where his other team is resting.

Although he was treated like trash, he does not feel anything. Not at the moment at least. Azure will not deny the fact that he has severe grudges towards his tribe and is willing to do anything to get back at the humiliation he underwent.

However, for a mutant like him, his treatment was at least five times better than Hugh Ibrahim, the lion mutant. Though, if his snake blood is to be revealed, he will be eliminated on the spot. Considering this, Hugh was still in a better position than Azure is.

No.

Both of the mutants are in a tight position. The one on the hide or the one suffering—it is very hard to determine who has the most difficulties as mutants.

Nevertheless, Hugh was a lion, a dangerous existence, and could kill their entire tribe if he runs wild. However, as he was still a child, he was afraid of killing someone and the sight of his fellow animals dead and cold pales him, which is why Hugh Ibrahim was holding himself from losing his rationality.

It was not the only reason why Ibrahim was still left to live despite the bird tribes hating mutants. It was because he was a lion. Lions protect their own, even if Hugh was a mutant, he still has a dominant lion's blood running in his veins. And the lions always admire and respect the dominant ones.

If this reaches the lion's ears, no doubt, they will attack the forest with the half—if not the entire force of the felines. It is a war that will only end in tragedy without a clear victor as both sides will suffer and deal with heavy damage.

For now, although the lions are aware of Hugh, the birds are claiming he was living just fine.

Besides, it came directly from Hugh's mouth, though he was threatened by his grandparents, that he wanted to stay in the bird's tribe where his grandparents are when his father, a dominant lion, visited him once. And the father respected the decision believing it was what Hugh truly wish.

Azure felt both envy and pity for Hugh Ibrahim.

However, if the time comes that Ibrahim will take over, Azure wanted to follow him and devote his life to Hugh. Because he was the safest option for Azure to survive considering the mutant's cruel fate in the forest.

In truth, Azure quite treasures Hugh and even treats him like a younger brother though he could not admit it as he has serious—in reality, shy tendencies.

Currently, Azure was planning on freeing Ibrahim from his room that is no different from a prison cell. Moreover, he decided to come to today's hunt to study and make an escape route in case of emergency during their escape.

Suddenly, Azure stopped walking. Without looking back, he cautiously asked.

"Who are you?"

He felt it, the presence of someone else life force. Although very faint, as if it was only showing a bit enough for him to notice. This means that the creature following him has some business with him.

Azure looks back when there was no answer.

He was about to search when he found a small creature with crystal-like wings and a brightly shining body—it was a male creature with fresh leaves as its clothes.

For your information, fairies have genders but Reece is still androgynous. Daniel said it was impossible to have one so Reece has to accept he was neither a man nor a woman.

Back to reality, the small creature flew towards him and stopped right in front of his face.

A fairy and a pink one.

"Hey, I am Reece, certainly a fairy. I want to talk to you."

However, Azure's eyes were wide open from surprise so he was not able to introduce himself. Azure did not expect a fairy, a very rare yet fairly powerful existence, to come and find him.

What are they?

Fairies are creatures born from the World Tree. They are a pure existence albeit not the purest as they are physically alive with a corporeal body, unlike spirits who only comprise pure life force and do not have a physical body.

Fairies are also good to have one as a partner for powering up though not as powerful as Spirit Guardians in a contract, fairies are still good support.

However, unlike spirits, they can leave the Elven World without contractors as they are capable of living without the support of the World Tree as long as there is nature, the source of their power.

Besides, fairies do not and could not enter a contract to use their full prowess, which is why they have to be treated as equals or partners if one wants a fairy as a companion.

Since those with Guardian Spirits treats each other as master and servant and are obliged to protect the other with their life on the line.

"Hey, talk to me."

Reece's voice held impatience.

'Look at that height.'

Truthfully, Reece was slightly intimidated considering how towering the bird in front of him is so this is him acting tough. Still, it is a fact that the bluebird was one of the smallest at foot 8 and less muscular than most.

'Though his beautiful face lessens my worries.'

The bluebird was extremely beautiful and his beauty is comparable to any Greek gods. Although completely naked, the blue feathers were enough to cover the bird's private parts.

"O... oh."

Azure was able to gather his senses because of the charming voice of an adorable existence before introducing himself.

"Am... I am a bluebird from the Long Fang Birds Tribe. My name is Azure, it is a pleasure to meet you, pink fairy."

"P-pink fairy... Haa."

The fairy mumbled and looks at him with a dumbfounded expression. Moreover, it looks like it was done with something.

"Is there a problem?"

Azure worriedly asks. He was worried that he offended the tiny being.

The fairy is something Azure could use to escape as they are creatures that are most familiar with nature. And they are in the middle of a forest, it was obvious that the fairy is one of the strongest existence there.

If he can persuade the fairy to come and work with him—be his companion, in other words—their chance of success will increase to at least 55 percent.

But of course, he cannot simply ask him a favor, so he first has to listen to what the fairy wanted from him that it was even willing to reveal its existence to a lowlife.

"... No, it is nothing."

The fairy looks around to confirm there was no one listening before looking back at him with a serious expression.

"I am someone who wanted to see and met the miserable mutant child named 'Hugh Ibrahim' that is stuck in the Long Fang Tribes."

Reece was straightforward when he asks while waiting for Azure's response. It was not only the mutant who was nervous but Reece is as well.

Reece was ready to throw away his job if the snake mutant bluebird suspects him and ran far away. Who cares about the destruction of the bird's tribe or this world, Reece does not ever want to risk his second life for strangers, not even a tiny bit worth it.

"Does that mean you want to free him as well?"

Contrary to Reece's expectation, Azure has a more positive response with a beaming expression.

Though it was cute as Azure has a very handsome appearance if you ignore the blue feathers, Reece thought it was creepy. Because Azure was making it obvious that he has hidden intention.

'Well, so am I.'

Reece simply shrugged it off as it was due to his job so it is needed. He stares at Azure and thought.

'Daniel was right, he did not suspect me at all.'

Daniel has mentioned that since he was currently in a form of a fairy, his ability is overseeing what is happening in the forest through nature. That is why Reece being aware of Hugh's existence and his misery was not something suspicious.

"Hm. That is right. Do you want to help me free him?"

"Help you?"

Azure's eyes shined bright. He was waiting for this opportunity!

The pink fairy cutely nodded its tiny head as it speaks.

"You see, despite being a fairy and is the strongest with nature, I am someone who cannot directly fight. That is why I believe it will be dangerous to sneak into your tribe with your chief, being the strongest, might be able to sense a tiny of my presence."

It was a lie.

Daniel said he can completely conceal Reece's presence but he needed an excuse to get close to Azure and be his companion for now. They have to get close so Reece could get closer to Hugh.

'But I have a bad feeling about lying...'

This lie, somehow, Reece felt it is dangerous to lie about this as it could get back to him later as Azure was said to be sharp and observant on top of being intelligent on which Reece quickly added on.

"I mean, I think I could hide my presence, but just in case. We never know."

'Yes, yes, we never know.'

"Indeed."

Azure nodded in agreement.

"The chief and all elder birds in our tribe are living with nature the longest as we also have long lives so there is a possibility of them sensing you, sir."

Although most races without connection to the Elvin World could not feel the spirits and fairies at all on the surface still, those who live for hundreds of years with nature can recognize that there is a living presence of a higher existence nearby for a short amount of time.

"But why do you think it is dangerous? Despite being prideful, they all recognize the fairies as the monarch of the forest and respected them."

Azure's voice was full of curiosity and still not a hint of suspicion.

"Hm... ah?"

Reece thoughtlessly blurted it out. He was saying it will be dangerous for him who is not a real fairy, let alone a spirit guardian.

Reece immediately calls for Daniel.

'Hey, I think I need help.'

[Repeat. 'I live in hiding all these years. I do not wish to reveal my existence or it will spread and it will be dangerous for me.']

"I live in hiding all these years. I do not wish to reveal my existence or it will spread and it will be dangerous for me."

"Ah! Of course. Truly, it is dangerous."

Reece simply repeated Daniel's word without putting in much effort that it sounded rather dull.