At the first call for assistance, a group of serpentfolk quickly arrived. Leading them was a robust man in his forties or fifties, his body packed with powerful muscles.

His presence was far stronger than that of those around him. His thick, muscular serpent tail swept over the ground, and in the blink of an eye, he had closed the distance, standing before Aino.

The female serpentfolk who had spoken earlier stepped forward and whispered something to him. After she finished, the leader gave a calm nod and addressed Aino:

"You truly came from the Outer Zone and encountered a member of our tribe along the way?"

This was not the first time Aino had been asked this question. Feeling slightly exasperated, she nodded once again to confirm.

Upon receiving her confirmation, the leader’s expression remained unchanged. He gestured for the other tribe members to step back, leaving the two of them with ample space.

"The situation is urgent. To prove the truth of your words, I must ask you to demonstrate your strength."