"Fuck... Tasha, what's wrong with your leg??"
"Mmh? Oh, don't worry about it, it's just edema."
"Edema?"
"Hey, no need to make a fuss, my wrists and ankles occasionally get it too. It's gotten a bit better recently, probably due to malnutrition."
"Yeah, eating this kind of stuff every day, it'd be weird if our bodies didn't have problems. Rather, the fact that we've held on until now is already amazing..."
"..."
On the left side of the fire, the members of the Stay-behind Faction were complaining while eating wild fruits, bananas, and a nearly tasteless vegetable soup stewed with wild vegetables and sparse shellfish.
The atmosphere was visibly low and depressed.
But just a few meters away on the other side, the women of the Dedication Faction, although eating the same food, even slightly less in portion, had a quite relaxed atmosphere.
Bursts of laughter even rang out from time to time.
And Lee So-yeon, sitting in the middle, looking left and right, wore an increasingly troubled expression on her face.
Following her speech before, the women of the northern island settlement had gone from their previous individual calculations to the current state, showing different stances openly.
It could even be said to be a split.
The companions of the Stay-behind Faction felt that the Dedication Faction were all a bunch of shameless sluts willing to give up their chastity for benefits. The companions of the Dedication Faction felt that the Stay-behind Faction were all a bunch of stubborn, foolish, pretending-to-be-aloof patients with persecution paranoia.
Both sides had their own thoughts and reasons. There was no right or wrong, but because of Chuck's existence, the originally united and like-minded companions had now truly become strangers who walked different paths.
Lee So-yeon's brows furrowed increasingly tight.
Things were somewhat beyond her original imagination and gradually slipping out of control.
This won't do... a big mess might happen.
"Yeah, we're living so hard right now, but some people are about to start enjoying a carefree life soon."
"..."
A mock clearly carrying emotion rang out without warning by the noisy fire, but instantly quieted everyone down.
Lee So-yeon and Sofia's faces stiffened simultaneously. The latter's eye twitched for a moment, and she stood up abruptly.
The girl from Spain had a fiery personality, and similarly, when her temper flared, it was extremely explosive.
"Hey, Tasha! What did you mean by that?!"
"Nothing, just stating a fact."
The Black woman named Tasha didn't even look up. She remained sitting, holding her bowl and drinking soup while responding in a cold tone.
"Everyone, please calm down."
Lee So-yeon also immediately put down the food in her hand and stood up nervously. Looking at the two women at daggers drawn, she smoothed things over with a troubled face.
But Lee Na-eun, sitting in the corner, didn't stand behind her sister to speak this time, just silently watching the situation develop.
"We make our own choices. If you don't like it, you can totally survive on this island relying on your own abilities!"
"Don't misunderstand, that's what we planned all along. After all, you people who have already given up your dignity were just dead weight anyway. It's actually a good thing to be without you."
"You!!"
Sofia was so angry her short hair swayed, and her plump lips trembled.
The gap in physical strength and workload made her unable to find words for a moment, even if she wanted to refute.
"Stop arguing!!"
The conflict intensified, and just as they were about to completely tear at each other's throats, an angry shout from Lee So-yeon finally broke this situation on the verge of losing control.
Her slender shoulders trembled slightly. On her already pale and cold face, a rare expression of exhaustion appeared. After a moment of silence, she looked at the fire in front of her and spoke in a low voice.
"Everyone has been trying hard to live on the island until now, but life has never improved. The biggest reason is me."
"It's my limited ability that failed everyone's initial trust in me. So blame me if you must. After all, we are companions who have experienced so much together. Even if we must part ways, please at least leave some dignity for each other in this final period..."
Lee So-yeon's words made all the women in the cave lower their heads silently, and the atmosphere by the fire became unprecedentedly serious.
"Don't say that, Sister So-yeon, you've done well enough."
"Yeah, without you, who knows how many of us would have already died on this deserted island."
"Sorry, I was too agitated."
Several companions of the Dedication Faction spoke up successively, either comforting or apologizing. But the few people of the Stay-behind Faction still kept their heads down, their faces somewhat stiff in silence.
Lee Na-eun unobtrusively surveyed her surroundings, her expression turning increasingly ugly.
Her sister had already said such words, taking all the responsibility upon herself. Normally... everyone should clearly be like them, comforting her sister in return.
But now, besides those women opposite the fire who had decided to give up their dignity, not a single one of these companions around her spoke up.
At this moment, a trace of wavering finally appeared in Lee Na-eun's heart.
From her perspective, she could actually see that her sister had already done her utmost. Coupled with the understanding of these companions around her from spending day and night together, she could be certain that among everyone present, no one could do better if put in her sister's position.
That everyone's life was so difficult now was purely because this deserted island was too cruel, and the limitations they faced in all aspects as women. It wasn't that her sister hadn't done well somewhere.
But these companions beside her who advocated staying behind were all Black or South American Latina women with better physical fitness among the women. Right now, they not only seemed dissatisfied with the Dedication Faction, but even seemed to question her sister's leadership.
Then what would they do next?
Thinking of this, Lee Na-eun's gaze trembled, and a chill ran down her spine.
In the past, out of a desire to help her sister, she just worked desperately, all her actions for everyone's sake. But now that disbanding had become inevitable, when the people of the Dedication Faction successively left here to join Chuck, would these remaining Stay-behind Faction members honestly stand by and watch?
Would they blame the disbandment on her sister?
Would they resist her sister's leadership, and consequently erupt into more extreme and dangerous behaviors?
Some words, although unpleasant and unspeakable, didn't mean Lee Na-eun didn't have an idea in her heart.
These Black and Latin American companions who were now the Stay-behind Faction, although they could still talk properly now, Lee Na-eun knew that none of these women were easy to mess with.
They either came from slums in Europe and America, or grew up in turbulent societies since childhood. Although they retained their chastity, some things they experienced since childhood were probably unimaginable for East Asian women like them who grew up in safe greenhouses.
Especially that female companion from South America, who was the attendant during Lee Na-eun's first meeting with Chuck, and also the member with the strongest physical strength and force. During a late-night chat once, she had told her a story she had personally witnessed, called "Candied Apple."
Every word spoken from her mouth that night still made Lee Na-eun shudder when she thought of it now.
Cartels lived in lawless lands, and this isolated deserted island was a place far beyond the reach of rules and morals. Human nature has both good and evil sides, neither of which can be neglected or underestimated.
Compared to so-called companions, Lee Na-eun cared most only about her sister's safety...
What should be done?
Although there were no signs yet, waiting until signs appeared to prepare would probably be too late!
She had to make plans early.
Lee Na-eun's hands gradually clenched.
Although due to family reasons, she had a psychological aversion to men since childhood, after the previous events, although she hadn't completely let down her guard, she could at least be certain that Chuck wasn't a thug, at most just a sex maniac.
Thinking of this, a barely perceptible, strange radiance finally flashed deep in her eyes, and the always unwavering thought in her heart also quietly underwent some kind of change.
Although she didn't plan to offer herself to that man so simply, but...
Perhaps she could try driving the tiger to devour the wolf?
...
Compared to the tense atmosphere in the north of the deserted island, Chuck's life was still steady and cozy.
The unexpected effect of the Nettle Potion left Chuck and the women in the family refreshed and full of stamina. It was like receiving a buff that improved the work efficiency of all members; everyone was highly motivated.
The improvement of the ballista bolts was quickly completed under the joint efforts of Chuck and Valentina. As he envisioned beforehand, he increased the size and weight of the arrowhead, while additionally adding blood grooves, maximizing the lethality of a single shot. He then entered the testing phase without stopping.
During this process, a small interlude occurred—the mature cow duo, Yitong and Janet, came together to find Chuck, asking for instructions and planning to slaughter a female goat that had given birth to lambs. Chuck, after confirming their intention and the lamb reserves at home, happily agreed.
He was also very tempted by fresh barbecue and hot pot himself, not to mention that the day after tomorrow was the time to go to the north of the deserted island to recruit people. By then, Lee So-yeon, that woman, without thinking, would definitely open her lion's mouth. Therefore, this fresh lamb happened to be a good choice.
Chuck's current policy towards them was sugar-coated bullets. If the smoked meat from before made them react like that, this fresh lamb, which would be quite valuable even in modern society, would probably be more tempting to those malnourished women than any gourmet dessert they had ever seen in their lives.
That afternoon, after conducting a power test on the beach with the ballista and improved ballista bolts, and making some minor improvements based on the results...
The Three-Bow Ballista—Improved Power Version Against Volcanic Giant Bird, was officially declared complete.
Although he had the most crucial weapon, it didn't mean Chuck would go hunt that giant bird immediately. First, he had to wait for a rainy day. Second, besides the ballista, for this hunt, Chuck naturally needed to make some additional preparations.
Traveling the island on a stormy day, although no longer difficult for Chuck, the rain obscuring his vision and completely soaking his clothes would also severely affect his movements.
So before waiting for the next storm to officially set off to hunt that annoying giant bird, Chuck planned to find a way to make a raincoat for himself...
And a pair of goggles for the rain.
But having finished the ballista, things still couldn't be rushed. Working together, plus the assistance of Julia and Valentina, Yitong and Janet spent half an afternoon completing the slaughter, bleeding, skinning, and butchering of a female goat methodically.
Some precious parts were promptly stored in the storage space by Chuck. The remaining lamb that was originally meant to be hung and smoked was skillfully sliced into plates of lamb rolls by Yitong, and neatly arranged on the dining table along with various other ingredients.
It wasn't until evening approached that everyone lit a fire outside the house after a long time. Then they placed a pot of hot soup seasoned with spices and a red-hot iron griddle on either side.
The first Hot Pot \ Barbecue Gala officially began.
Chuck brought out the mulberry wine stored in the cave. Not long ago, a lot of mulberries had accumulated at home, so Chuck asked Momo to use her small feet to trample and press them once again, replenishing the freshly brewed low-alcohol fruit wine.
The burning wood crackled. With the addition of alcohol, the atmosphere among the women gathered around the fire grew increasingly heated, all somewhat impatient.
The dining table was also moved outside. The sliced lamb on the plates was stacked layer by layer, the tender meat exuding a tempting luster under the firelight. Yitong skillfully controlled the heat. As the water in the pot gradually boiled, she cleanly and neatly put in a few slices of lamb and fresh wild vegetables.
The soup base, prepared with spices, emitted dense white steam. The slightly curled lamb slices tumbled with the soup base, fragrant, bubbling, and emitting bursts of rich meat aroma.
Of course, the barbecue couldn't be left behind. On the red-hot iron griddle next to it, Janet carefully placed slices of lamb. Amidst the sizzling sounds, the aroma of fat instantly escaped into the air, fresh, juicy, and filled with a roasted fragrance. Finally, sprinkling the ground and prepared chili and pepper powder on top, the smell really whetted the appetite.
The aromas of hot pot and barbecue intertwined. Everyone moved their stools and sat together in a circle, holding their bowls, chatting and laughing while looking at the large pot and iron griddle in front of them, showing expectant smiles.
Chuck licked his lips. Just as he was about to prepare for a feast, he suddenly thought of something. He immediately got up, quickly returned to the room, and walked out holding his phone under the women's puzzled gazes.
Returning to his seat and sitting down, by the moonlight overhead and the firelight in front of him, Chuck turned on his phone and aimed the lens at this ultimate lamb hot pot and barbecue feast in front of him.
Seeing this, Julia beside him suddenly opened her mouth, a trace of a wicked smile appearing in her exquisite eyes.
Although she had never seen those women in the north of the deserted island, she could imagine what a group of people who had lived entirely on wild fruits and vegetables until today would think upon seeing such a tempting feast.
Chuck pressed the record button, hesitated for a moment, preparing to find a place to prop up the phone so he could also eat peacefully.
But unexpectedly, a sudden vibration interrupted his action.
He frowned, picked up the phone in confusion, and pulled down the notification bar.
After seeing the message appearing on the screen, his gaze subsequently froze.