Bian fell silent. He didn't know how to respond to this situation. Gideon hadn't explained much, and Bian couldn't make assumptions without any facts.
The only way to understand what was behind Gideon's behavior was to follow his orders.
He saw Lyra already geared up in her military outfit, holding her black iron weapon. Bian and his two friends nodded. They would help Gideon.
He took the front, his two friends flanking him on the right and left. The soldiers lined up in a neat row, Lyra watching from behind.
"Be careful."
"Yes, Captain," Lyra replied.
One by one, the Moko soldiers stepped out of the tent slowly. Occasionally, they winced in pain when walking too much. But they quickly recovered and returned to formation.
Gideon walked out and stood in front of the emergency tent, watching the line while occasionally glancing at the building where the elders were. There was no movement from them yet.
Lyra turned, seeing her captain standing alone inside the tent amid the tense situation in the village. She was worried. If conflict broke out tonight without the team's help, Gideon might get hurt.
"Lena. Luke. Status?" asked Gideon, returning to the tent.
"We've arrived at Kitsune village. I've informed Lady Mitsuko. She and the Kitsune will help," Lena reported over the radio.
"Thank God. Lyra's on the move. Evacuating twelve Moko soldiers," Gideon said firmly.
"Understood. We're moving."
BEEP!
BEEP!
BEEP!
Gideon heard the alarm from Lyra laptop—something was approaching. He stepped closer and saw multiple heat signatures advancing toward the tent in large numbers.
"Mayday!" Gideon shouted.
"A group's approaching the tent," he added.
Lena and the others looked shocked. She and Luke immediately left Kitsune village, their movement caught by Lady Mitsuko.
Lyra heard the same report. She turned around and began heading back toward the wolf village. The three of them were worried about Gideon's condition—especially since he was surrounded by enemies in enemy territory.
'Damn it! Why'd the conflict have to start tonight?'Luke thought.
"Lena. Lyra. High alert. Falcon in danger!" Luke ordered.
"I repeat. Falcon in danger!"
Lena and Lyra acknowledged. Bian noticed Lyra's tactical movements, as did Lady Mitsuko. Curious, Mitsuko and a few guards stepped out and stood near the wolf village. She wanted to monitor the situation and ensure Gideon's safety.
"What exactly is happening in the wolf village?" Mitsuko whispered.
At the center of the village, Gideon stayed on alert. He raised his rifle and released the safety again. His attention kept shifting front and back—there were two entrances to the emergency tent.
He stood in the middle, guarding while checking the laptop screen, seeing the area surrounded by the radical wolf faction—or as Gideon called them, the conservatives who rejected change.
The front flap of the tent opened. Gideon aimed his rifle forward and saw Hui entering alone. His eyes narrowed.
"Captain!" Luke called.
"Hold position. Wait for my signal!" Gideon commanded.
"Understood."
Gideon stepped forward, keeping his distance from Hui. He glanced behind him and caught a glimpse of wolf-men approaching with iron spears.
'So it's happening today after all,'Gideon thought.
"Sir Gideon," Hui greeted.
"What?" Gideon replied curtly.
Hui took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Then—surprisingly—he dropped to his knees, bowing his head to Gideon. A move completely outside of Gideon's expectations.
"The wolf race has always been oppressed by superior races. We're lucky we've survived this long. You and your team's arrival is a blessing to us," Hui said.
"We've tried to accept the Moko people. I've been trying to convince them. But they made a specific request," Hui continued.
"What is it?"
"Please… give us one of those iron weapons. Then we'll consider your proposal," Hui said.
'I know it.'
Gideon remained silent. Hui kept looking at him, eyes full of sadness and hope. But for Gideon, giving up even one of his rifles meant disaster.
They didn't have bullets—but if Gideon forged some with the help of a blacksmith, they might leak and fall into enemy hands.
Eventually, the mythic races would possess firearms like the M4A1.
"I've told you before."
"I will not give up even one of my weapons. Not to anyone. Not even to the Moko."
"Yes, you've helped me. But that's not a reason for me to give you my weapon," Gideon explained.
"Please, Sir Gideon," Hui pleaded.
Gideon grinned and stepped forward, crouching right in front of Hui. After seeing how the wolf race behaved over the past two months, Gideon had reached a conclusion.
The wolf race was obsessed with superiority.
"Be honest with me. You want that weapon so you can conquer the other races. Am I right?" Gideon asked.
Hui froze, his eyes widening in shock—realizing Gideon had seen through his real motive. Still, Hui tried to deny it. He insisted he had no such intentions.
"I've seen people like you in my world. They always start with self-defense. But once they realize how powerful the weapon is, they start invading."
"War brings destruction, famine, and suffering. War gives birth to new hatred," Gideon said.
"My answer is still no."
Hui went silent for a moment, then slowly stood from his kneeling position. Gideon noticed his posture change—readying himself.
"All stations. Stand by!"
"Roger that!"
Hui raised his head, staring fiercely and wildly at Gideon. That wasn't a friendly gaze.
"I bowed. I lowered myself. I begged you. And still, you said no!" Hui snapped.
"You've disappointed me, Sir Gideon!"
WOOF!
Hui howled into the night, a loud, piercing sound that overwhelmed the ears. Gideon remained on alert. He didn't know what that signal meant.
In a flash, Hui's frail body transformed—swelling into a muscular, powerful werewolf form. His height nearly matched Gideon's, sharp claws gleaming from both hands.
"I'll get that iron—even if I have to kill you!" Hui roared.
Gideon's eyes widened, adrenaline surging. "All stations. Open fire!"
Luke and the others nodded. They ducked low, aiming their rifles forward. Red-dot scopes activated, locked onto the wolves surrounding Gideon's tent.
BANG!
Bullets tore from rifle muzzles, aiming for vital points on the wolves. The suppressors came off—Luke was done tolerating the wolf race's arrogance.
Let them hear the sound of bullets flying. The sharp cracks that would wake every soul from their sleep.
Gideon smiled. He raised his rifle and fired straight at Hui's left chest. But one bullet wasn't enough to bring him down.
'Damn it! His muscles are too thick!'
Just as he was about to fire again, Hui kicked him—sending Gideon flying backward into a tree trunk with a loud crash. Blood spilled from his mouth in pain.
"CAPTAIN!" Luke and the others shouted.
Lady Mitsuko's eyes went wide. She clearly saw Gideon's team fighting close-up. The black iron they carried was powerful—incapacitating multiple wolves in just a few shots.
'What kind of battle is this?'Mitsuko wondered, stunned.
Elsewhere, Gideon struggled to stand, his body aching. He crouched and aimed his rifle again—this time at Hui, who was advancing on him.
"Target: Beast Hui. Focus fire!"
"Understood," Lena and the others responded.
They shifted their fire from the surrounding wolves to Hui's muscular form. Luke was shocked. How could Hui transform into such a terrifying werewolf?
"Run, Captain!" Luke ordered.
Gideon nodded and quickly retreated, heading for open ground. Villagers watched and listened to what was happening—but none dared help Gideon, not against Hui.
"Frag grenade out!" Gideon yelled.
He pulled the pin and tossed the grenade forward. Then he ran and dove behind a large rock.
BOOM!
The explosion rang loud, startling everyone—Mitsuko included. She was still near the battlefield, too curious to leave.
The blast severely injured Hui's lower half. He fell, blood spilling from his mouth, while Gideon stayed hidden behind the rock.
"Target status?" Gideon asked.
"Dying. Still moving."
Gideon peeked out. He turned and saw Hui crawling on the ground, trying to reach him.
"I… have to get that iron," Hui groaned, struggling.
Gideon stepped out from behind the rock, approaching Hui—the alpha of the wolf village. With precise aim, Gideon fired several 5.56mm bullets into Hui's head to ensure he was dead.
BANG!
"Status, Captain?" Luke asked.
Gideon crouched, checking Hui's pulse. Nothing. The headshots had done their job. He wasn't moving.
"Target is down. Clearing the area."
"Roger that!"
Luke and the others shifted their focus back to the remaining rebel wolves. Seeing Hui dead, the wolves had no choice. They surrendered.
They knelt down as a sign of submission. Luke and the rest stopped firing, then reloaded their mags. The situation was quickly under control—though Gideon had taken a hit from Hui.
His stomach and back throbbed in pain. Things weren't looking good.
"Status, Captain?" Lena asked.
"Internal injuries. Exhausted. All fine."
"Return to base. Area secure."
Luke and the others acknowledged. Gideon walked unsteadily toward the surrendering rebels. But among them, he didn't see Ula or Sif.
"Tch. They ran."
Bian arrived in shock—many wolf-men lay dead, shot. He demanded a full explanation from Gideon.
"What did you do, Sir Gideon?!" Bian yelled.
"Calm down. I'll explain everything to you," Gideon answered firmly.
Bian pointed at him sharply. "You better explain!"