Chapter 159: Return.
The atmosphere went quiet as everyone turned to the scene. The tribe leader stared at the bag that had fallen to the ground, his expression turning cold with fury.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?! I told you not to let it fall!" he snapped as he angrily approached the scene.
While he did, the beastman who had dropped the bag shivered in fear. He quickly got to his feet and struggled to pick up the bag with the help of some others.
As they tried to lift it, the bag burst open, and its contents spilled out. This left everyone speechless and shocked.
Everyone paused, staring at the scene before them. What had fallen out of the bag wasn’t what they expected at all. There were no crops for planting—just weeds, dead leaves, dead plants, and even heavy rocks.
This left everyone speechless. "What’s this?"
"What’s happening? How is this possible?"
The tribe leader approached the scene, shocked beyond words. He bent down and touched the contents. "What are these? Why are they in this bag?"
To be sure, he ordered them to open the other bags, and they did as he said. When they opened the other two bags, they were even more shocked.
The same things were inside—weeds, dead leaves, dead crops, and more rocks. Everyone went crazy with shock.
"What’s this?!"
"Huh? So we’ve been carrying rubbish and rocks all this time?"
"How is this possible? This is crazy!"
They went insane while searching through the bags but found nothing of value. Everyone was stunned as the tribe leader stared in immense shock.
He fell back onto his backside from the shock, staring at the scene. He couldn’t even believe his eyes. He could see everything he had worked for crumbling right before him.
"What’s happening..." He shook his head. "What are all these? Did we work hard for this?" He panicked as he struggled to his feet and cried out loud, "What are these?!"
---
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host! You’ve successfully acquired the required crops needed for the farming season!]
[Proceed to the next step.]
[Step four: Plant crops into the land properly!]
While the other two tribes panicked over their current situation, Sunnie and the rest had happily arrived at their home in the evil forest.
They were so exhausted and tired upon their return that the husbands fell to their backsides on the ground, dropping the bags aside while panting and catching their breath.
As soon as they saw them approaching, the women rushed out to welcome them. The mouse beastman brought out a rocky seat for Sunnie to sit on. She thanked him and sat down with Maren in her arms.
They gathered around, staring curiously at them, wanting to know the results of their journey. Zuna had brought them some fruits with Elza and Mii. They had gathered some fruits while Sunnie and the others were away.
"Here, you all should have some to regain your strength," Elza said as they served them all some fruit.
They all accepted happily. "Thanks for your hard work," Sunnie appreciated as she took a bite.
"I want fruit. I want..." Maren watched her mother eat and demanded some. Sunnie smiled and handed her some fruit to enjoy as well.
Elza smiled. "Mii missed little Maren so much while you all were away. Who knew Maren would run off with you guys without anyone knowing?" She laughed. "Luckily she’s okay and back. Mii will be so happy now."
Mii rushed to Sunnie’s side to share some of her apples with Maren. Sunnie stared at the two of them with a smile. "I suppose so."
"So how did it go?" Elza asked them.
Sunnie smiled as she stared at her husbands, Little Black, and Zukka, who were sitting down in exhaustion. "It worked out well, and we got the needed crops," she said, satisfied.
The women had happy smiles on their faces as they stared at the three big bags in the corner. "That’s nice! That’s nice!" They danced a bit in celebration. "At least now we have something solid to rely on from now on."
Sunnie smiled with a nod. Recalling the system notification, she guessed the system didn’t even mind whether she played fair or not. The system’s instructions were to get the crops, and she did. Didn’t she?
"It was a long journey, so we’ll rest for today. By tomorrow, we’ll proceed with the farming fully," she expressed, watching Maren eat.
"Intruders!" Zuna instantly panicked at the sight of little chipmunk beastmen walking around the scene, admiring the place. No one had seen them until now.
Immediately, Atan pulled out his weapon to attack the enemy. The women stepped back, alert. But Sunnie smiled as she said, "Oh no, no! They’re not enemies at all. They’re friends!"
"...."
Everyone paused while they stared in their direction. "Huh? Friends?" Zuna asked, confused.
"Yes, they’re friends. They helped us while we were there. And now they came back with us to stay," Zukka explained.
"They’re also skilled workers on the farm. So they’re going to assist us with the farming and all!" Little Black expressed enthusiastically.
"Oh..." Elza slowly nodded upon hearing that. "That’s interesting, then." She smiled as she stared at the little ones. "We’re so sorry for the misunderstanding. Don’t worry, you’re welcome! We’re more than happy to have you."
The chubby chipmunk smiled as he shook his head. "Don’t worry! We understand."
The leader folded his arms as he mumbled, "Hmph. Only you are okay with it, though. I’m not."
Mii stared at the little ones, intrigued. "Eh, small. Mama, can I take it?"
"...."
The leader panicked as he stared at Mii. "What does the kid mean by that?"
Elza blinked. "Oh no, you can’t..."
But it was already too late. Maren had jumped down from her mother’s lap after eating the fruit and rushed off with Mii. The two of them began running after the little chipmunks, arms stretched out to catch them.
The chipmunks ran for their dear lives.
"Leave us!"
"Stop now!"
"AHH!"
They screamed, running at top speed while the little ones chased them, smiling and laughing happily.
Sunnie and the rest watched the scene. At first they panicked, but soon smiled as the women ran after them to stop the kids from chasing the chipmunks.