Although Rowan hadn't experienced a Snow Season here, he knew well the severity of the army's food supply being cut off; it was probably similar.
Rowan frowned slightly, sinking into contemplation.
Seeing this, Yanan told Rowan not to worry: "Rest assured, no matter what, the tribe will protect every Omegina safely through the Snow Season; you don't need to think so much."
Rowan couldn't just keep accepting others' care like this; moreover, he wasn't an Omegina incapable of protecting himself.
If that was truly the case, then he also had to plan for himself soon.
Yanan avoided this heavy topic, telling Rowan some interesting recent events in the tribe.
Rowan listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a few words to show he was still listening.
Yanan was very happy; by the end, he was even a bit reluctant to leave. It was rare to find someone willing to sit and talk to him so much. Although Rowan didn't talk much, he was a very good listener.
Finally, seeing he had been out for a long time and Genia was probably about to return, he had to bid farewell to Rowan to leave.
Rowan didn't let Yanan refuse, seeing him back to his cave before returning.
Rowan returned to his cave, contemplating future plans.
The next day, as usual, Leo prepared to gather Beastmen, counting enough people to go hunting, when he saw a shadowy figure blocking their way on the road.
Getting closer, wasn't this Rowan? He didn't know what business he had coming to find him now; this was the first time he proactively sought him out.
Leo was delighted, walking quickly to Rowan: "What's the matter? Did you come to see us off?"
The tribe had an unspoken custom that Omeginas could come to see off their Beastmen; this could boost the Beastmen's morale, helping them hunt more prey.
Like in the current Snow Season, only a few Omeginas came to see off Beastmen. Most Beastmen couldn't bear to let their Omeginas out in the cold so early, usually just seeing them to the door and telling them to go back to rest.
Rowan shook his head: "I want to go hunting with everyone."
He even specially made a wooden spear that fit his hand, sharpening the tip to stab prey.
Actually, Rowan didn't necessarily have to go hunting, but hearing Yanan mention yesterday that the tribe was still in difficulty, he wanted to repay the care Asa and everyone had given him.
Hearing this, Leo raised his voice in surprise: "You want to go hunting with us? Did I hear wrong?"
Rowan nodded: "That's right, rest assured, I absolutely won't cause you guys extra trouble."
Hearing this, other Beastmen looked disbelief, thinking Rowan came to cause trouble.
However, those Beastmen lucky enough to witness Rowan kicking Leo flying with their own eyes remained silent.
Leo decisively refused: "No way, go back, it's cold, don't stay here or you'll freeze. If you catch a cold, my Papa will skin me alive."
Rowan had anticipated this situation and prepared a countermeasure to convince them.
Weren't they just worried he had no ability to defend himself and hunt? Then beating them into submission would do.
Rowan never wasted words on anything that could be solved with fists.
"I challenge you to win; you must agree to let me go hunting together." Rowan directly declared war.
The Beastmen in the tribe thought Rowan was joking, kindly telling him to hurry back and not waste time here.
A few Omeginas who hadn't left heard this and whispered among themselves, thinking Rowan was crazy; how could an Omegina beat a Beastman?
Leo looked at Rowan's unjoking face, retracted his smile, and said: "Are you sure?"
"Certain. Which of you goes first?" Rowan looked disdainfully at the group of Beastmen treating him as a joke.
At this moment, the Beastmen started to get interested in this bold Omegina; this was the first time an Omegina came to provoke them, a very fresh feeling.
Then, a Beastman stepped out: "Alright, but I will only use human form to fight you; that's fairer."
Rowan found this Beastman looked familiar but couldn't remember where he had met him; but it didn't matter, having someone willing to stand out for him to make an example of was good.
Other Beastmen looked disdainfully at this Beastman wanting to bully an Omegina; an acquaintance couldn't help pulling his arm, signaling him not to cause trouble.
Carter didn't want to miss the chance to interact with Rowan. Since the Snow Fur Beast he hunted was rejected by Rowan, he had always wanted to find an opportunity to prove himself.
At least make this Rowan look at him with different eyes. He realized Rowan didn't remember him, which made the Beastman a bit heartbroken.
"Also fine, come on." Rowan immediately took a stance, staring at the opponent.
Leo was helpless; he knew Rowan's stubborn personality, so he signaled Carter to be careful, not to accidentally hurt him.
Seeing Leo tacitly agree, other Beastmen stepped back a few paces to make room for them.
Carter attacked proactively, rushing straight at Rowan. Rowan raised his hand to block Carter's blow, using skillful force to easily neutralize it.
Immediately after, he unceremoniously threw punches as fast as lightning, creating waves of afterimages with Carter, the sound of whistling wind ringing in ears. Carter was beaten back continuously by Rowan, shocked in his heart. Without waiting for him to catch his breath, Rowan seized the opponent's opening, launching another kick.
Carter fell sprawling, his body sliding across the ground flying out, until blocked by Leo.
The Beastmen present were so surprised they couldn't close their mouths, eyes wide, staring blankly at Rowan who had abruptly ended the fight.
Carter couldn't believe it either, but losing was losing; he had to admit defeat to Rowan, clutching his aching chest and stepping back.
He had no face left to pursue this strong Omegina anymore.
"Anyone else want to try?" Rowan scanned the present Beastmen sternly.
The Beastmen were silent, while the few remaining Omeginas looked at Rowan excitedly with admiring eyes; finally, an Omegina made them proud.
"A bet is a bet, you must take him along, don't go back on your word. We saw it all." Those Omeginas stuck out their chins, speaking up for Rowan.
Rowan looked at Leo; Leo also had no choice but to agree: "Then you follow behind us later, don't force yourself; outside is much more dangerous than you think."
Rowan replied: "Let's go, I'm not as weak as you guys think."
This was the first time taking an Omegina out hunting; the Beastmen, intentionally or unintentionally, surrounded Rowan in the middle. In their eyes, no matter how formidable an Omegina was, ultimately, they were still objects needing protection.
Today they planned to go to a further place to hunt; prey nearby had basically been harvested by them.
Rowan's training results were quite good; basically, he could keep up with the Beastmen's pace. His body control ability had also been raised to a new level, much more agile.
Leo led them to a place where prey had to pass when migrating south to ambush. When the silhouettes of many animals appeared, the hunt officially began.
The Beastmen coordinated tacitly to rush into battle, striving for a big haul.
Only then did they discover the benefit of having an Omegina participate.
Some prey they couldn't hold onto, almost escaping, were all finished off by Rowan with one blow.
This significantly increased their hunting efficiency.
Now no Beastman dared to look down on Rowan anymore; they treated him as their comrade, actively coordinating in hunting.