The silence after the system announcement felt dangerous.
Andrew stood still, his grip tight on his sword. His bird shifted behind him, ready to attack at any moment.
Stefan noticed it.
Nami noticed it too.
Andrew didn't trust them.
Nami spoke softly.
Nami: "He's scared."
Stefan didn't deny it. He walked forward slowly.
Andrew's eyes sharpened instantly. The bird moved slightly.
But Stefan didn't stop.
He reached him and placed his hand on Andrew's shoulder.
Everything froze for a moment.
Stefan: "We won't harm you."
Andrew didn't respond.
Still alert.
Stefan continued.
Stefan: "You told us everything."
A pause.
Stefan: "You trusted us… even a little."
Nami stepped closer, watching carefully.
Stefan: "We're not that cruel."
Silence.
Andrew's grip loosened slightly.
Andrew: "…We'll see."
Then the system appeared again inside their minds.
A cold voice echoed.
System: "New rules updated."
All three focused.
System: "The mainland is already divided into seven blocks."
System: "Each block has a master."
Nami frowned.
Nami: "So it's already decided…"
Andrew nodded.
Andrew: "We're late."
The voice continued.
System: "Masters control their blocks and create rules within system limits."
System: "Those who refuse may be eliminated."
Stefan's eyes narrowed.
This was control.
Absolute control.
The next rule appeared.
System: "Masters cannot join or create clans."
System: "They are granted extra power."
Nami: "So they stand alone…"
Andrew: "And stronger than everyone else."
Another rule followed.
System: "Clans can challenge a master and take control of the block."
Stefan stayed silent, thinking.
Power could still change hands.
That meant opportunity.
The final rule appeared.
System: "Tamed beasts cannot be killed by their owners for food."
Nami instinctively looked at Rex.
Nami: "…Good."
Then suddenly—
Something new activated.
A map appeared inside their minds.
Clear.
Detailed.
Divided into seven massive sections.
Stefan focused on it.
He could move it, zoom it, and even mark locations.
Stefan: "It's interactive…"
Nami looked surprised.
Nami: "I can see everything…"
The system spoke again.
System: "Clan members can share maps and markings in real time."
Andrew gave a small smile.
Andrew: "That's useful."
Nami: "And dangerous."
Stefan nodded.
Stefan: "We can track others… and they can track us."
Stefan looked at the map again.
Then spoke.
Stefan: "We're not in any block."
Andrew nodded.
Andrew: "This island is outside the zones."
Nami crossed her arms.
Nami: "So no master controls us."
Stefan's eyes sharpened.
Stefan: "For now."
Silence followed.
Because once they step into the mainland—
Everything changes.
Stefan looked ahead.
Stefan: "We use this time."
Nami nodded immediately.
Nami: "We get stronger."
Andrew looked toward the mainland.
Serious.
Andrew: "Because once we enter…"
A pause.
Andrew: "…we're in someone else's territory."
Stefan spoke calmly.
Cold.
Clear.
Stefan: "Then we make sure we're not weak."
The wind moved around them.
And this time—
It felt like war was coming.