That night by the fire in the cave, when Lee So-yeon first heard Tang Yumo's description of this man, she was skeptical.
An ordinary Chinese man achieving so many unimaginable feats alone? She suspected Tang Yumo was exaggerating.
But as the leader who promised her companions survival, Lee So-yeon was increasingly desperate on this island...
So her initial thought was to try this path, even if Chuck wasn't as outstanding as described, even if her sister opposed it, and even knowing the potential consequences of a beautiful woman asking a man for help here.
For her companions, she had to try.
Now, seeing Chuck in person, she finally understood Tang Yumo wasn't exaggerating.
Over 1.9 meters tall, broad shoulders, muscular arms and chest. Though his face was ordinary, the sharp lines exuded masculine hormones.
Facing this towering man, Lee So-yeon remained calm on the surface, but fear rose uncontrollably in her heart.
The primal instinct of a female submitting to a powerful male.
Looking at him, there was no reason to doubt his capability.
On this island, body and strength were the most important capital.
Undoubtedly.
For her companions, despite her fear, she had to negotiate well and extract maximum benefits, hoping to lessen the suffering of the sisters who trusted her...
...
Looking into Lee So-yeon's eyes, Chuck didn't answer immediately but scrutinized her.
Her gaze was calm and frank, even composed.
Not Yitong's fierce front masking weakness, nor Kaoru's unreasonableness. Just flawless calmness.
The women around her instinctively clustered around her, looking wary and assessing, clearly following her from the heart.
A capable leader.
Besides the beautiful Korean sisters, the other women—White, Asian, Latina—were decent-looking, scoring 7-8/10 in Chuck's eyes.
Okay, but ordinary compared to his harem and the sisters.
It seemed survivors on the island were not just female, but generally above-average looking.
With a female leader and female members, this northern settlement was likely an all-female group.
Though Lee So-yeon looked composed, Chuck spotted flaws in her companions' faces. Not emaciated, but thin with unhealthy lip colors.
Chuck knew this look. Yitong, Kaede, and Kaoru looked similar before joining him.
Signs of long-term nutritional imbalance.
Clearly, relying on bananas and wild fruits without stable staples and meat couldn't sustain them long-term.
Lee So-yeon's calmness was a façade.
Unless they had a warrior like Valentina, this group of weak women could only gather fruits.
Thinking this, Chuck had a plan. He didn't answer directly.
He looked up at Lee So-yeon and asked back.
"Ms. Lee, did Tang Yumo tell you I built a settlement in the south?"
Lee So-yeon nodded.
"She did. Mr. Chuck's ability is truly impressive."
"It's alright."
Chuck nodded without modesty, then pointed behind him at the faint black peak.
"Did you see the anomaly in the sky this morning?"
"...I did."
This question finally cracked Lee So-yeon's composure.
Supernatural phenomena terrified everyone.
The orange light panicked her, but it was towards the southern volcano—territory of a terrifying existence that cost a sister her life.
Since the volcano likely had no food, she ignored the light and continued her routine until it vanished.
But now... was the light related to this man?
"It's complicated, but I came to investigate the light and accidentally found a path here. Then I met your sister."
Chuck answered concisely, positioning himself proactively. He arrived by accident, not to beg.
"I see..."
Nodding slightly, Lee So-yeon digested this. Her stiff smile relaxed. She looked at Chuck kindly.
"Mr. Chuck, since fate brought us together as fellow survivors, perhaps we can look out for each other?"
"Haha, of course."
Chuck smiled and nodded, unmoved inside.
Empty pleasantries. Like "let's have dinner sometime." Chuck heard it all his life. This Korean's level was amateur.
Having managed a company, Lee So-yeon was skilled in social interactions. She saw through Chuck's insincerity.
Her fists clenched slightly.
With top-tier looks and background, she usually got help with a hint. Now, she found it hard to ask.
Just as Chuck's patience ran out, Lee So-yeon spoke again.
"Mr. Chuck, how about this?"
Her clear eyes flashed with merchant shrewdness.
"Essentials here are clothing, food, and shelter. Since the island is large, resources must differ between north and south. Why don't we communicate periodically and exchange supplies to improve everyone's life?"
"Exchange supplies?"
Chuck raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise but sneering internally.
This Korean woman thinks I can't see her game.
His settlement rivaled modern rural life. He lacked nothing essential; his goals were now convenience and luxury.
Bluntly, she had nothing he wanted. No reason to trade.
However...
"Ms. Lee is thoughtful."
Chuck smiled and nodded.
Hearing this, Lee So-yeon rejoiced internally, almost losing composure. She smiled generously and whispered to a Latina companion.
The Latina's pupils trembled. She looked at Lee So-yeon in disbelief.
"So-yeon... are you kidd—"
Lee So-yeon stopped her with a hand gesture. The Latina hesitated, then turned and left dejectedly.
Chuck watched curiously. He chatted with Lee So-yeon, exchanging simple info. He learned they had been here for nearly three months.
No wonder she gathered so many companions.
"And you, Mr. Chuck? How long have you been here?"
Chuck opened his mouth but couldn't answer.
How long?
Since having three women and nightly orgies, days were full, nights were fun, and time flew. He lost count.
But it didn't matter. With potions extending lifespan and essence keeping the women young, time was meaningless.
"Definitely over a hundred days."
Lee So-yeon smiled, but scrutiny flashed deep in her eyes.
Not counting days on a deserted island? How careless.
This man isn't suitable as a companion. Only for trading.
...Or exploitation.
The pleasant chat stopped. Both pondered silently with their own agendas. Soon, hurried footsteps returned.
Chuck looked. The Latina returned holding a small, skinned hare.
Reluctance filled her eyes as she handed it to Lee So-yeon. Lee took it calmly, walked to Chuck, looked up with a bright, stunning smile, and offered the hare.
"Mr. Chuck, first meeting, nothing much to offer. Please accept this greeting gift. Let's look out for each other and survive together."
Looking at the hare, Chuck hesitated, then took it.
"Thank you, Ms. Lee."
He nodded, then took out his phone.
"Ms. Lee, do you have this?"
Lee So-yeon's gaze focused. She nodded.
"Yes. Seems you discovered the island's magic too. Communications work. We have a few phones; long-distance contact is convenient."
"Haha, great. Saves me the trouble of explaining."
They smiled politely, neither mentioning they avoided this crucial intel earlier.
Exchanging numbers and pleasantries, Chuck bid farewell.
"Meet in two days then, Mr. Chuck. We'll call to discuss details."
"No problem."
Watched by eight women, Chuck turned and walked back into the jungle. A sneer formed on his face.
Before receiving the hare, he saw the Latina's expression.
Clearly, the hare wasn't something they could give away lightly. It might be precious food.
Yet Lee So-yeon gave it without hesitation.
Her demands would be greater.
The hare was bait. If he bit, he'd become the fish, passive in future trades and squeezed dry...
But the angler can also be hooked.
If trading resources, Chuck could be the fish, or the angler.
It's just a contest of whose bait is bigger, more fragrant, and more tempting.
In this regard, Chuck had every reason to be confident.
Climbing the steep slope, Chuck's smile grew more evil.
This Lee So-yeon—cold, beautiful, calm, meticulous, charismatic.
As a Korean woman, she had a unique flavor.
Let's see who fails to resist temptation first, and who eats whom dry and clean...