He did not want to be one if not for the benefits of being the tribe and it was tempting. He was tempted, allowing him to change his mind and fight for the position, 30 years ago.

'They are nothing but fools.'

His tribe was the worst of the worst.

Even when he was the Chief and have yet to hide his real status within the tribe, now that he was pretending to be the Acting Chief, they barely listened to him. They gave him nothing but a headache. That was why he doesn't care if they are no more.

'This guy though.'

Russell stares at the Snake Mutant, Azure.

A mutant. A disgusting yet unique and interesting individual.

'I really like him.'

Although the bluebird's mother, also his teacher and savior, ask him a favor to protect the bluebird while also offering him something very valuable.

However, Russell did not like mutants. He hates them, just like the rest of the birds.

He could not touch Hugh Ibrahim though because he was a dominant animal of a higher existence. Offending such an affectionate tribe is dangerous.

But he could touch Azure, as his parents are both dead and the bluebird was talentless.

That is why he hired some assassins to kill the snake mutant years ago, and he was there watching. He naturally witnesses everything and he was amazed.

The hatred was then gone and replace by interest and slight admiration for the Snake Mutant. After observing him some more, he completely gives up his real intention.

He even helps out Azure by dragging himself, Joan, and the strongest warriors, out of the tribe. It will weaken the tribe's defense and with a lion without restriction got out, they have no chance of surviving.

Well, this benefited him, to say the least.

He was now not part of any tribe, just like in the past, so he was a free person now. He was free and could do what he wants without babysitting arrogant punks.

"My intention? Who knows?"

Azure did not reply anymore as he readied himself. He will fight.

"Wait! Wait! I am not planning on fighting, okay?"

"Why would I believe you?"

Who knows if this bird suddenly chases after him as he retreated.

Plus…

Azure glances at something laying on the ground next to the redbird and is covered in a white blanket.

'I have to get that back.'

He does not know what was inside, but it was from his mother. And he was also curious about the item his mother gifted the Chief. Surely, it is not something ordinary without anything special.

'It will appear to everyone that you are mocking the Chief.'

A Chief is always or one the strongest within a tribe. Giving something so ordinary is also viewed by everyone as mocking.

The redbird notices Azure's gaze onto the ground. He immediately picks up the item without removing the blanket wrap in it and carries it with one arm.

"You want this? Sorry, I can't give this to you."

"Why? I can just force myself."

The redbird waves his hand.

"It was mine, so I can't give it to you. And I told you already, I don't wish to fight you."

There were now wrinkles on Azure's forehead.

"A trade then, since you are planning that in the beginning."

Azure has one item with him that looks like it has some value. However, he is willing to give it up for that one item. After all, he happens to pick it up somewhere near the Snake Tribe when he was sneaking out back then when he just found out he was a snake mutant.

But the redbird shook his head in disagreement.

"Ah, no. I wasn't planning on trading it. I was just pretending to trade it as Joan keeps bothering me about it."

The annoying bird, Joan, has feelings for him and keeps on asking him to be her husband. The reason why he also brought her with him today so that he can finally get rid of her himself.

"And to tell you the truth, this isn't even the real one. However, I still can't let you see this replica as you might see how it looks like. That'll be bad."

Azure was smart and has sharp observational skills, so Russell still finds him dangerous.

This 19-year-old bluebird's strength was puny though even with his mutant blood compared to him who has lived for 200 years already. It is easy to slit his throat but Russell was not planning on doing so.

Reece, who was listening, found something odd the more he observes.

"That redbird. He is odd today."

He was still the same redbird, but something was different from him compared to when Hugh first sees him a few days ago.

[I agree.]

See? Even Daniel agrees with him.

[However, I do not know how he was different. I could not identify the reason.]

Daniel was a cheat, but that doesn't mean he knows everything. He may be able to see and hear everything using a skill, can temporarily control time, and can tell the past and future of some individuals, there is a limit to what he can do.

He did inform Reece about something. He can only see the past and the future of the characters that were on the list and their trusted companions who also contribute.

"It's fine. It's not important right now."

Reece yawns before smiling widely. He then pointed to the screen that is still showing Azure and Russell.

"Let's go there."

[Are you sure?]

Daniel was hesitating as going there to the rescue was not in the bluebird's blueprint. Revealing Reece to others was also not part of his plan. He has to be kept mysterious by any means.

"Yes. I need to meet that bastard."

He has a feeling that the redbird is something he will need in the future. Reece has to drag him.

[Denied. I cannot allow you to go there.]

The fairy snorted.

"Didn't you the one who told me that this is my job and not yours?"

Reece cannot let go of that redbird that seems to know quite a bit of history. Since Daniel could not tell what was different about him, that redbird must be important somehow.

"You are an assistant right? The boss always has the final say."

Ah…

"I am the boss."

The voice, Daniel, has nothing to say anymore.

"Also."

Reece looks where the trade team was originally heading although there was nothing there but trees.

"Let's steal some more."

Supposedly, that was Azure's original plan as they needed to have some items with them that will help them survive the danger of the forest. It is going to be only the three of them. A horde of animals or a single monster is enough to devastate their group.

But Reece rejected the notion as he was not sure how strong both of the mutants are.

'Now I know.'

The fairy has a grin on his face, unbefitting his majestic and elegant figure.

'Seeing how strong Azure and Hugh are, we can make it!'

A trade. It is always bound to some things that are interesting and rare.

… What an idiot.

With Reece gone, he was not able to hear more of Azure and Russell's conversation, but Daniel did so he listens carefully.

"By the way, who is helping you?"

Azure stiffen at that question. But Russell did not care as he continued.

"That poison is hard to acquire even for someone at my status."

The bluebird slightly flinches as his gaze sharpens.

'Reece...'

The fairy claimed he will make a poison that will make their escape and fight easier. He then manages to create one, a high-leveled poison.

Truthfully, a fairy creating a poison is never heard of before. A healing potion is understandable, but the poison is not.

'But he knows about the poison?'

How did Russell know what type of poison it was without examining it first? He did not even move from his spot nor peeked toward the birds that died because of the poison.

"Seeing your confuse reaction, you probably have no idea about what that poison was."

He really did not know.

Reece only said it was a 'poison.' That is it and he did not try to pry anymore as he thought Reece probably wants to hide the identity of his poison.

"And?"

"Not to mention, you even have the antidote that is ten times harder to have."

'What...?'

Azure flinches again and it is more noticeable.

Russell then began to smile more.

However, it was not actually an antidote. Reece explained why.

'What is this? An antidote?'

'That is a poison resistance. I can't give you an antidote since they usually work fast and don't last that long once you've drunk them.'

'I understand.'

The bluebird was now frowning. Reece will be in a lot more trouble once everyone found out he could create resistance.

He then answered the redbird without hesitation.

"I don't care about the poison nor the antidote."

"Heh."

Russell was chuckling in amusement.

However. Seeing that serious look in his eyes, Azure was sure that Russell will probably try to get Reece to his side once he knew of his existence. He could not allow it.

Reece is someone who volunteered to help without having any benefit for his side. Azure knew he could not simply throw him away even after they have fulfilled their true intentions.

"Hey, I could even trade this thing you really wanted if you tell me."

Flinch.

The sudden change of mind surprises Azure.

The redbird was desperately trying to hide the identity of the item that was gifted to him by his mother. Now he changes his mind? That quickly too?

"I don't trust you."

"Well..."

The redbird scratches his head.

'I hope Reece and Hugh manage to hide.'

This bird in front of him will probably search for Hugh if he refuses to tell.

'I really have no choice but to fight.'

Azure did not try to talk anymore as he was about to go in his fighting stance when the redbird smiles.

"No need. Someone similar to you is coming this way."

'What...?'

The bluebird's eyes grew wide. Could it be what he was thinking?

'Hugh!'

He was taking it way too long and Hugh must have been worried that it decided to go out of hiding to find him.

And if Hugh was truly coming here, Reece is also probably with him.

'Shit!'

Azure could not help but curse.