Five minutes later, another commotion rose outside. This ti Lothar and Rokhan entered together. "Tribe Lord! We killed two deers!"
Ash walked out of the main hall in excitent once again.
Two six-ter deer lay side by side, their antlers sprawling like twisted trees.
He exhaled softly and waved his hand. "Cook them too."
This ti, he didn’t return to the main hall. Instead, he remained outside near the cave entrance, arms folded loosely as the fires were stoked higher.
He glanced toward the forest, waiting for the others as he wondered what beasts they were going to bring because he was certain that they wouldn’t return empty-handed.
Today, they would feast like kings.
...
For the last 15 minutes, all of the subjugation teams and people who went out to hunt beasts had arrived.
Thurgan and Kargon each killed a 5th rank goat. Draven killed another 5th rank boar while Boruk arrived last and killed another 5th rank cow. As for the 4th ranks, most of them brought at least two each of 4th rank cows, boars, and deers.
But there was actually soone who managed to hunt a 4th rank fish, which was sothing that could be considered an extrely hard thing to do.
Subsequently, Ash waited inside the main hall for a little bit more than half an hour before a few dozen people brought over the dishes made from the 4th and 5th rank beasts.
The mont the dishes made from the freshly hunted beasts were finally carried into the main hall, the atmosphere changed completely.
Dozens of large trays were placed upon the massive oval table. The cuts were thicker, richer, darker. Steam rolled upward in visible waves, carrying an aroma so dense that even the 5th Ranks swallowed subconsciously.
At the center of it all lay the 4th Rank river serpent fish. Five ters long even after being cleaned, its body had a snake-like shape, slender yet muscular.
Its circumference was nearly half a ter thick at the middle, tapering gradually toward the tail. The flesh was white but faintly translucent, layered in tight fibers unlike the flaky structure of the 3rd Rank fish Ash had eaten earlier.
Ash did not hesitate as he stood first and walked toward the fish, he grabbed a long blade and sliced straight into the thick middle section.
He cut a massive chunk, over sixty centiters long and placed it onto his own large tray without the slightest sha.
Then he added portions of 5th Rank red cow beef, 5th Rank goat at, 5th Rank boar, and deer.
Only after securing what he wanted did he glance around the hall. Around eighty people filled the seats, 4th Ranks lining the sides, 5th Ranks closer toward the center.
Ash waved his hand casually. "Enjoy yourself."
That single sentence ignited movent as the 5th Ranks stood first.
Naturally, the 4th Rank serpent fish beca the main attraction because it was extrely rare since it was a hard thing to hunt to the point that the previous Urthak Tribe had only managed to catch a few tis a year.
The ten 5th Ranks each carved themselves a portion, none was too greedy, but none modest either. By the ti everyone had taken their share, the fish was gone.
Only after they were satisfied did the remaining 4th Ranks finally approach.
Ash returned to his seat and looked down at the massive chunk of serpent fish on his tray.
He lifted it slowly. The aroma was fresher than the 3rd Rank fish. But beneath that freshness was a deeper scent, sothing more refined and concentrated.
He cut off a thick slice and placed it in his mouth. The difference was imdiate because unlike the 3rd Rank fish, which had been flaky and delicate, this one was firm yet elastic.
It did not fall apart. Instead, it resisted slightly before yielding, releasing a burst of cool, crisp flavor. It reminded him that this was not a simple river fish.
As he chewed, a powerful but gentle wave of energy flowed into his body. Not explosive like the 5th Rank boar. Not grounding like the cow, but more like a fluid one.
It slipped into his ridians like running water, circulating smoothly without resistance.
"So this is the difference between 3rd and 4th Rank fish..."
Even the structure made sense. The 3rd Rank fish had been normal in shape. This one was more like-serpentine.
Ash nodded in satisfaction and took another bite. Then another.
Only after finishing a large portion did he move on to the 5th Rank red cow beef.
He sliced into the tenderloin carefully. The at was darker than the 4th Rank version, marbled with thin veins of fat that shimred faintly under the hall’s crystal light.
He lifted the piece and placed it in his mouth.The mont it touched his tongue, his pupils shrank slightly as it tastes far richer.
The flavor exploded imdiately with deep, savory, slightly sweet, with a complexity that lingered across every part of his palate. The fat lted smoothly, though not quite as Wagyu A5 from his previous life.
In terms of flavor, it completely surpassed it. Wagyu A5 was luxurious, but this was more like perfection.
The taste carried layers of natural energy. It wasn’t just about texture. It was about vitality compressed into flesh. Each chew released waves of warmth that spread through his chest and limbs, strengthening his muscles subtly.
He continued eating the next one. The 5th Rank goat was sharp and powerful, its flavor intense and slightly wild.
The 5th Rank boar was robust and heavy, its energy surging like a charging beast. The deer was refined, lighter, but carried excellent nourishnt.
All of them were tastier than their 4th Rank counterparts. But none shocked him as much as the cow.
After testing everything thoroughly, Ash leaned back slightly as he was finally full.
His entire body felt warm and stable, like tempered steel that had just been forged and cooled perfectly.
Around him, laughter echoed as the warriors drank.
So were already arguing over which at tasted best. Others sat silently, savoring the aftertaste.
Ash closed his eyes as his mind began moving again since there were many things to handle.
The crystal mine, territory expansion, rank distribution, subjugated tribes’ integration, and many things.
Especially Kargan since he hasn’t settled the debt for his betrayal. Though, he wasn’t worried because no matter what the sches he had been brewing behind his back, all of these won’t matter since he had the strength to crush them all.
Though, he wasn’t in a hurry as he would deal with it later on.
After thinking through several layers of planning, Ash slowly opened both eyes again.
At this ti, the hall had quieted down as most plates were empty.
People leaned back, feeling satisfied.
Seeing that everyone had finished, Ash straightened slightly in his seat. His gaze swept across the hall.
The chatter died instantly as he said. "First of all, thank you for your contributions to Ragh’Tal Tribe."
The warriors straightened unconsciously.
"The subjugation, the dungeon, and today’s hunt. You’ve all done well."
Ash leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table.
"As for your rewards..." He paused deliberately. "Most of you are stuck at Peak 4th Rank."
Excitent flickered in many eyes as they knew what ca next.
"I will now tell you your missions." Ash chuckled lightly.
Everyone beca excited but didn’t dare make any commotion as they could only stay silent.
Then, one by one, Ash began telling them about their missions.
So required hunting specific beasts. So required gathering rare herbs. So required leading small units to subjugate neutral tribes or their enemies’ tribe. So required training under certain 5th Ranks to polish specific weaknesses.
Each mission was tailored for them.
More than an hour slipped by as Ash continued.
By the ti he finished, the atmosphere in the hall was no longer relaxed.
It was burning with ambition and at the head of the table, Ash leaned back once more, calm as ever.
Ash let that silence linger for a few seconds. Then his gaze shifted slightly, to the few 3rd Ranks seated at the far end of the hall.
They had remained quiet throughout the feast and the mission assignnts. Compared to the Peak 4th Ranks and 5th Ranks, their presence felt small.
"You guys, I won’t tell you your missions..." He said with a calm expression.
Looking at their disappointed expression, Ash imdiately explained himself with a chuckle that the reason why he wouldn’t tell them was purely because there was no need to do that since he would upgrade them later.
All of the third ranks imdiately stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Tribe Lord!"
Ash waved his hand dismissively, then he glanced at everyone and looked above their heads as there was a translucent blue panel data that only he could see.
Ash smiled in satisfaction as he noticed that their loyalty points had risen considerably.
He then continued. "Second thing..."
The hall quieted again.
"For the ti being, all of you will close your respective strongholds." He continued as he glanced at everyone present.
Several 4th Ranks looked up, confused.
"No one is to roam freely outside your territories without authorization."
Murmurs began to form, but died instantly when Ash’s gaze swept across them.
"The news about must not spread outside." He said coldly.
That was the real reason as they knew his capabilities and it would be such a huge trouble if the news spread and reached to a tribe that he couldn’t handle even if he were to upgrade a few people to 6th ranks.
The thing was.... He didn’t know anything about the outside world. That’s why he needed to be extra careful in doing things.
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