The Black Wolf Witch nodded. "That’s the most likely scenario. His Poisonous Insects can devour Life Energy. That guy is up to no good."

The Worm Witch, who was indeed up to no good, sat in his cave with a grim expression. His gaze on the Beastman Warrior below was glacial. "You still haven’t found them?"

The Beastman trembled, struggling to keep his composure as he spoke. "We’ve searched every accessible part of the Polar Forest, but we haven’t seen any of our tribesmen who went there before."

"Damn it. Why did a flood have to happen now of all times? It’s completely ruined my plans."

He waved his hand in disgust. "Send more men to patrol the edge of the Polar Forest. If you find any of the tribesmen who went there before, bring them back to me immediately."

The Beastman acknowledged the order and promptly left.

The Worm Witch lovingly stroked the Poisonous Insect in his hand. "What a shame. It seems we’ll have to wait a while longer."

「Snow Tiger Tribe Caves.」

Ever since the members of the Black Wolf Tribe arrived, the Snow Tiger Tribe had developed a new skill: sneaking food!

And they did it right out in the open. Since there was no longer any space to cook in the communal clearing, everyone had started preparing food over the fire pits in their own caves.

In the clearing, the members of the Black Wolf Tribe would take a bite of the wild vegetable balls in their hands, inhale the fragrant aroma of cooking food wafting from all directions, and tell themselves it was as good as eating meat.

The Beastman Warriors could accompany the Snow Tiger beastmen on hunts, but no matter how skilled they were, they couldn’t bring back enough meat to feed everyone in the tribe.

Even in seasons of plenty, hunting was an extremely dangerous affair, and often, it came down to luck.

Good luck meant a bountiful hunt. Bad luck meant running into a ferocious, savage beast, and then it was uncertain if you would even make it back alive.

Furthermore, many areas were now submerged by the flood, which teemed with Sharp-toothed Fish and ferocious Water Beasts. If a hunter was careless enough to be dragged under, certain death was the only outcome.

So, while hunting was important, the main source of food for most of the tribe was still gathering.

But in contrast to the meek Black Wolf Tribe members, whose faces were turning green from eating wild vegetable balls, the Scorpion Beastmen, who had already been living with the Snow Tiger Tribe for a while, were faring much better.

The Snow Tiger Tribe still allocated some wild vegetable balls to them each day, but to the Scorpion Beastmen, these little green bundles were barely enough to get stuck in their teeth.

Every day, after their morning meal of wild vegetable balls, Angry Beast would lead his tribe’s Beastman Warriors to the water’s edge. He’d lie down lazily, flick his tail into the water, and start fishing.

One team fished while another processed the catch. Their division of labor was clear and extremely orderly.

As a result, their meals were every bit as good as what the Snow Tiger Tribe members ate.

The Black Wolf Witch, sitting at the entrance of the Snow Tiger Witch’s cave, watched the Scorpion Beastmen below stuffing themselves until their mouths dripped with grease, and a sour feeling grew in his gut.

He turned to the Snow Tiger Witch beside him with an indignant huff. "Why are you feeding beastmen from some tribe in the outer forests?"

The Snow Tiger Witch yawned, glanced at him, and said, "Why shouldn’t I? One wild vegetable ball a day is enough to keep them from starving, isn’t it?"

The Black Wolf Witch snorted. "Don’t try to fool me. That bunch is eating way better than my tribesmen. You’re playing favorites, Tiger!"

The Snow Tiger Witch gave him a look one might reserve for a complete moron. "And what, exactly, makes you think they’re eating better than your tribesmen?"

The Black Wolf Witch pointed toward the mouth of the cave. "Just look! Look at what they’re eating! I can smell it all the way up here."

A little puzzled, the Snow Tiger Witch looked over. He saw the Scorpion Beastmen, each holding a stone bowl, eating with great relish.

Smelling the familiar aroma wafting on the air, the Snow Tiger Witch smiled and shook his head. "They got that food themselves. It’s not from the Snow Tiger Tribe’s stores. If your tribesmen want some, they can go look in the water outside, too."

The Black Wolf Witch froze. "In the floodwaters outside?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The Snow Tiger Witch nodded. "That’s right."

The Black Wolf Witch flared up. "Damn you, are you still trying to mess with me? Besides those Sharp-toothed Fish and Water Beasts, what else is there to eat in the floodwaters outside?"

As soon as the words were out, his expression froze. He stared at the Snow Tiger Witch in disbelief. "Are you telling me... those Scorpion Beastmen are eating the Sharp-toothed Fish and Water Beasts?"