The Female Supporting Character Refuses to Be Human Again - Chapter 208.2

Over the past few days, the Chieftain had fully recognized Meng Changjin’s incredible abilities, and naturally, he would not leave her out. People with her kind of talent were always welcomed wherever they went.

The two groups of hunters had been operating separately but left markers for each other to follow. The Chieftain, leading his team, soon found traces left by the other group and followed the signs to the supply point where they were staying.

When they arrived at the supply point, it was clear that the other team was in a worse state than theirs. Not only had they captured less than half the prey Meng Changjin’s group had managed, but several of their members were injured.

Although Meng Changjin didn’t have specific medicinal pills for healing, the ones she did have contained spiritual energy, which could still be beneficial. The injured were members of the Yan Tribe—her people now—and though she couldn’t share the full truth about her abilities, she was more than willing to help.

She handed out a few of her pills to the injured hunters, and they didn’t hesitate to take them. They trusted Meng Changjin implicitly, knowing that whatever she gave them would be in their best interest.

Seeing their straightforward acceptance of her help, Meng Changjin felt a deep sense of satisfaction. This kind of trust was rare and valuable, and it made her feel even more connected to the tribe.

As they waited for the other hunters to return to the supply point later that night, they filled them in on the situation. The combined haul from both groups was significant, perhaps even more than they could carry back to the village in one trip.

After some discussion, they decided it was best to head back. Initially, they had planned to stay out hunting for over ten days, but they were ready to return after just six. The hunt had gone far better than anyone had expected.

Moving at night wasn’t ideal, so the groups stayed put until the next morning. At dawn, they gathered their gear and the hunters from both supply points came together to organize the trip home.

Thanks to Meng Changjin’s pills, the injured had improved significantly overnight. They weren’t completely healed, but their quick recovery left everyone in awe.

When the second group saw the haul, which included some of the most challenging prey to catch, their jaws dropped. Learning that most of the credit went to Meng Changjin only added to their amazement. Her reputation grew even stronger, and she found herself the object of even more admiration.

Everyone’s admiration for Meng Changjin was obvious. She was starting to feel overwhelmed by all the praise. Although she wasn’t someone who cared much for compliments, the tribe’s simple and sincere appreciation was hard to ignore.

The more the tribe expressed their gratitude and respect, the less Meng Changjin felt she could even think about taking their fireseed. How could she betray the trust and admiration of these pure-hearted people by stealing their most precious treasure?

Sighing, she made up her mind to give up on that idea entirely. The Yan Tribe was her people now, and she couldn’t bring herself to harm them. If she was going to covet anyone’s fireseed, it would have to be from a rival tribe like the E Tribe.

The E Tribe had wanted to attack the Yan Tribe, so Meng Changjin didn’t feel bad about plotting against them. She figured that if a tribe lost its fireseed, its members would become wanderers. She didn’t fully understand why wanderers were so desperate for a fireseed, but their dependency on it was clear.

Meng Changjin turned to one of the hunters beside her and asked about wanderers. The hunter seemed surprised by her question.

“How do you know about the wanderers?” the hunter asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. It wasn’t common knowledge, and usually, only those who had either become wanderers themselves or had encountered them knew about their existence.

Meng Changjin quickly improvised an answer. “I heard someone mention it once,” she said casually, trying to brush off the question.

The hunter nodded in understanding and explained, “Wanderers are those who have lost their fireseed. Without it, they’re like us, but slowly, they begin to weaken. Over time, they become frail, losing their strength until they’re as weak as the Long-Eared Beast.”

Meng Changjin’s eyes widened as she absorbed this information. The fireseed wasn’t just a source of warmth or a symbol; it was what gave the tribe members their extraordinary strength and vitality. Without it, they would gradually become weaker and weaker.

She looked around at her fellow hunters, all carrying loads far heavier than their own body weight, and it dawned on her how much the fireseed had enhanced their abilities. Without it, they would lose all of that power.

With this new understanding, Meng Changjin finally realized why the Yan Tribe members had been so desperate when they were attacked. At first, they fought alongside the original mission-giver but later defected to other tribes, all to avoid becoming wanderers.

🔥 Fireseed Frenzy: “The Power and Politics of Ancient Fire!” (≧▽≦)

Let’s talk about this amazing concept of the fireseed! In the Yan Tribe, the fireseed isn’t just a symbol of survival—it’s the lifeblood that keeps them strong and united. The idea of it being crucial for physical strength and community ties is similar to the “eternal flames” in other ancient cultures. For example, in ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins were charged with maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta, believed to protect the city from harm and ensure prosperity (Bradley, K. (2007). The Importance of the Sacred Fire: Religious Practices of Ancient Rome. Cambridge University Studies, 7(2), 155-178).

Similarly, the fireseed in Meng Changjin’s world isn’t just fire—it’s a source of supernatural strength that amplifies the abilities of the tribe’s people. It’s like the legendary hearth fires in Celtic traditions, where each home’s fire was considered a direct connection to divine blessings and protection (Green, M. (1992). Celtic Myths and Legends. London: Thames & Hudson).

But what really struck me was the tribe’s pure-hearted nature! Their admiration for Meng Changjin, despite the tough environment they live in, reminded me of how communities rally around their heroes, both in history and modern times. It’s that sense of loyalty and respect that keeps traditions and legends alive even in the harshest of conditions. It’s like seeing sports fans cheer for their team’s star player, no matter how tough the game gets! (^_^メ)

And Meng Changjin deciding to protect their fireseed instead of taking it? That’s the kind of character growth we love to see! She’s turning into the ultimate guardian of her tribe, even if her eyes are still set on some sneaky future plans against her rivals. It’s all part of the game, after all! (￣▽￣)