The roar of the helicopter des filled the air, their deafening whup-whup-whup reverberating through the clearing as they descended onto the cracked earth.


    Dust and dirt flew in swirling eddies, blurring the scene as everyone in Lyerin''s group raised their arms to shield themselves from the onught of gritty wind.


    Lyerin remained still, his gaze unwavering as he watched the arrival of the neers, a mixture of intrigue and simmering disdain glinting in his eyes.


    The helicopters touched down with a forceful jolt, the doors swinging open with practiced precision.


    Out stepped a line of men, each one impably dressed in suits that seemed almost absurd in the rough, open wilds.


    They moved with synchronized grace, their polished ck shoes barely touching the dusty ground as they positioned themselves in a formation that was both disciplined and cold.


    In their hands, they held heat guns, each weapon sleek and deadly, with a faint hum of energy pulsing from the barrels.


    The gleam of high-tech weaponry in the rough wilderness created an eerie juxtaposition—a stark reminder of the sh between the harsh, primal world Lyerin inhabited and the cold, calcting force of the government.


    Lyerin''s tribe members shifted uneasily behind him, their hands clenched tightly around their crude weapons.


    The Pig Orcs stood resolute, their tusked faces showing no sign of fear, but their narrowed eyes betrayed their readiness to strike at the first sign of danger.


    Even Gregor, despite his recent failures, managed to stand his ground, his remaining hand gripping his spear with a determination that, for once, seemed genuine.


    The suited men surveyed Lyerin''s group with practiced, impassive stares.


    Their leader, a man with salt-and-pepper hair slicked back meticulously and a face that was as sharp and expressionless as the de of a knife, stepped forward.


    Unlike the others, he carried no weapon, relying instead on the silent authority radiating from his bearing.


    Clearing his throat, he looked directly at Lyerin, a small, practiced smile flickering across his lips.


    "Greetings," he began, his voice smooth and calcted, pitched to carry over the dying roar of the helicopters.


    "I am Lucas Fairbanks, representative of the United Governmental Alliance for the Reformation of Survivors. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."


    He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing with a perfectly timed gesture of his open hands, as if inviting them all into a well-rehearsed camaraderie.


    "We are here on a mission of unity and progress," he continued, his voice taking on a tone of practiced inspiration.


    "Our world has changed dramatically, as you all well know. The wilds are filled with dangers, both natural and… otherwise."


    He allowed himself a small smile, casting a knowing nce at the various beasts and Pig Orcs standing near Lyerin.


    "But in every great challenge lies opportunity. The world needs order, stability—a guiding hand to bring together the scattered remnants of humanity, and to protect them from the perils that now roam free."


    Lyerin''s expression didn''t change, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, almost imperceptibly.


    He recognized the hollow promises for what they were.


    Every word that fell from Lucas''s lips was coated in the honeyed tones of someone skilled in the art of maniption. In Lyerin''s mind, it was clear: this wasn''t about safety, about unity, or about survival.


    This was recruitment, in and simple.


    These men were here to gather people, to enlist them into their machine of power and bureaucracy.


    Lucas continued, undeterred by the silence.


    "Our organization is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the lives of survivors. We offer shelter, sustenance, and security to those willing to join us, to work together under a single, unified banner.


    "You see, we believe that by pooling resources, knowledge, and skills, we can create a new era—a society where we no longer need to fear the dark ces of the world, or the creatures that lurk within them."


    He turned his gaze pointedly toward Lyerin, his eyes gleaming with a calcting gleam.


    "We seek individuals of strength and fortitude, people who can lead, who can inspire others. Your group, your… abilities, have not gone unnoticed.


    "This tribe is exactly the kind of partnership we seek to cultivate. We can help each other, you see. We can build a new world together. One where no one has to face the dangers of this ce alone."


    The tribe members exchanged nces, their expressions a mixture of hope and suspicion.


    Krise, standing close to Gregor, whispered something under her breath, her eyes darting nervously from Lucas to Lyerin.


    It was clear the government''s promises struck a chord with some of them. Shelter, food, security—these were things they had fought tooth and nail for every day. And now, it was being offered on a silver tter.


    But Lyerin could see past Lucas''s polished words.


    The faintest trace of a smirk yed on his lips as he watched Lucas spin his web, fully aware of the game the government official was ying.


    Lyerin understood power, and he recognized this as an attempt to rope him and his tribe into the fold, to assimte them as just another cog in the vast, grinding machine of the United Governmental Alliance.


    Lucas''s speech wound on, each word calcted to sound inviting and inspiring.


    "Together, we can create safe havens," he continued, his eyes never leaving Lyerin''s face.


    "ces fortified and protected by the best technology and weaponry our remaining civilization has to offer. Your people could live infort, free from the constant threat of these... creatures," he said, nodding toward the beasts in the background.


    "No more foraging for food in dangerous territory. No more risking lives just to survive another day. All we ask in return is your loyalty, your cooperation, your willingness to contribute your skills, your strength, and your resilience to the greater good."


    A flicker of amusement shed in Lyerin''s eyes.


    This man truly thought he could lure him in with these shallow promises, with the offer of a "safe haven."


    Lucas may have seen his group as little more than another resource to be exploited, but Lyerin saw the truth beneath theyers of diplomacy.


    This wasn''t an alliance.


    This was subjugation in disguise.


    Lucas finally paused, his arms extended, the picture of magnanimity.


    "Now," he said, with a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes, "if you would, please introduce yourselves. We''re always eager to learn the names of those who would join us in this great endeavor."


    Lyerin remained silent, his gaze steady, cold.


    The man''s sharine smile began to falter slightly, but he quicklyposed himself, his eyes scanning the group, lingering on each face for a moment before returning to Lyerin. And then, almost imperceptibly, his eyes widened.


    A flicker of recognition sparked in his gaze as he looked at Lyerin again, more closely this time.


    The change was immediate.


    The man''s polished mask of professionalism slipped just a fraction as he cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing with a newfound wariness.


    He took a step back, fumbling momentarily before regaining hisposure.


    The heat gun held loosely in his subordinate''s hands now seemed to weigh heavier, as though he understood just what he was dealing with.


    Lyerin''s smirk widened, noticing the subtle shift in Lucas''s stance, the way his gaze flitted toward the helicopters, toward the distant city, as if weighing his options.


    "Excuse me," Lucas said, his voice now holding a hint of tension. He turned away, whispering into a small earpiece pressed to his ear. "Sir… it''s Lyerin Stonehooves. Yes… the same Lyerin from the Survival Game."


    The faint sound of a voice crackled through his earpiece, barely audible over the hum of the helicopters.


    Whatever response he received made Lucas pale slightly, but he nodded, swallowing hard as he turned back to face Lyerin.


    Lucas cleared his throat again, his voice far more respectful, thoughced with barely concealed anxiety.


    "Mr. Stonehooves," he said, inclining his head in a slight nod, his tone now bordering on deference. "Our, ah, organization... would be most interested in working with someone of your... unique talents."


    Lyerin''s eyebrow raised, intrigued despite himself.


    The corners of his mouth twitched, his curiosity piqued.


    The government was aware of him, it seemed—aware enough to know who he was, and what he was capable of.


    He didn''t mind this; in fact, he rather enjoyed it.


    It was clear they weren''t here merely to recruit an unknown group of survivors.


    They hade looking for him.


    Lucas took a breath, his voice lowering as he continued, "Would you perhaps be open to discussing a... proposal? One that might be mutually beneficial, Mr. Stonehooves?"


    Lyerin leaned forward, the smirk returning to his face as he met Lucas''s gaze with a glint of dark amusement. "What kind of proposal, exactly?"


    Lucas hesitated, a nervous smile creeping onto his face as he cleared his throat once more, preparing himself to respond.