The Tycoon's Odyssey

Though they fought wildly without any martial arts postures, their attacks had enough strength to take down even those black belt martial artists who had just trained under regulations and would likely be kicked and beaten to death if these people confronted them.

And despite the number of guards, being surrounded by the villagers posed a grave serious risk. Escaping was one thing, but doing so without hurting them several—now that was a problem. They might be able to escape but they can't hurt them badly.

The gears worn by Evan's men protected them from getting injured by the attack of the villagers, but if dozens of them were to get hold of one and tried to twist their bodies, it would cause a problem.

Moreover, Evan was still inside, so they had to protect him as well.

As the fighting grew more intense, Evan's bodyguards formed a defensive line around the cottage while the chaotic clash of tribal warriors continued outside. The atmosphere was fraught with danger as tribal people fought fiercely, their desperation evident in their wild attacks, which fueled the chaos even more.

Suddenly, the sharp blast of three war horns cut through the melee, the sound echoing with an urgent, commanding authority. The tribal warriors, momentarily confused, ceased their fight and turned toward the source of the noise.

One horn sound was signed to attack, but three war horns were meant to halt.

While blowing the horn, the Chief, closely followed by Evan, emerged from the chaos, his presence demanding immediate attention.

"Stop... everyone stop!" the chief's voice rang out, laced with authority.

The tribal warriors hesitated as they lowered their weapons and they cast bewildered glances at their leader. The chief's gaze was steady, though his words seemed to carry an air of forced calm. "It was a mistake... I wanted to show the horn to outsiders and blew it by accident."

He then continued, "And I have another announcement. We are going to work with him."

Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd. "What does this mean?" someone asked.

"Why should we listen to him?" another voice questioned. "He is an outsider."

"He will destroy our land!" a panicked voice shouted.

The cacophony of voices grew, a mix of fear and anger in the crowd. The chief raised his hand, silencing them with an authoritative gesture. "Everyone, calm down. For the future of our people and our land, I have decided to accept the man's proposal."

The murmurs of dissent grew louder, voices clashing with the chief's decision. "What? Why?"

"He's from outside; he doesn't understand us," someone cried out.

"He'll ruin everything we have!" another voice echoed.

With the tribe in uproar, the chief continued, his voice steady but firm. "He is the owner of this land and has come to reclaim it. He has promised that this place will remain untouched, and he will provide us with food and assistance to make our lives better. He has even taken an oath on the name of Great Deity Pulga to prove his sincerity."

Evan stood behind the chief, his expression impassive as he listened to the chief's declaration. His bodyguards maintained their defensive positions, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of renewed aggression.

The chief's words seemed to slowly sink in. The crowd's anger began to wane as they grappled with the unexpected announcement. Though still skeptical, the promise of assistance and the chief's authoritative stance started to quell their immediate unrest.

As the tribal people reluctantly began to lower their weapons and murmur among themselves, Suri took the opportunity to survey the scene. Her sharp eyes caught sight of several tribal warriors who were still visibly agitated, one could see their distrust in them, which she didn't find weird.

She signaled the bodyguards to remain alert, knowing that the situation was still far from settled.

Noticing the shifting dynamics, Evan approached the chief. "Your decision has calmed them for now, but we need to ensure that the promises you made are kept. We cannot afford any more conflicts."

Though the chief nodded, his gaze remained wary. "I understand. I will uphold my promises. But for now, we must work to rebuild the trust that has been shattered."

_____

Two days later…

The scene shifted from the previous battlefield to a clearing field where dozens of VR headsets were laid out in neat rows.

Evan's teams arrived, bringing huge boxes filled with head gears.

The tribal people, still grappling with the recent upheavals, gathered around and faced this new technological marvel. Curiosity and skepticism were evident as some approached the headsets with hesitation while others eyed them with intrigue.

A few bold members attempted to dismantle or destroy the devices, unable to comprehend their purpose. However, their resistance was quickly quelled by the chief's stern warning. According to tribal belief, disobedience could bring misfortune and karmic repercussions, a concept that had been deeply ingrained in their culture.

Respect for their leader was absolute, and this cultural reverence eventually brought them into compliance.

With reluctant acceptance, the tribal people began to wear VR headsets. Aurora, stationed in the server room, observed the process with a focused expression. She took over the controls and initiated the virtual experiences designed to transform the tribal people's perceptions.

The VR world created by Aurora was breathtaking and immersive, designed to showcase the wonders and potential of modern technology. As the tribal people explored through the virtual landscapes and interacted with digital landscapes, their initial apprehension gave way to amazement, the beauty and innovation of the virtual world gradually breaking down their resistance.

Meanwhile, for those not yet engaged with the VR headsets, a different kind of transformation was underway.

Trucks and ships, loaded with vast quantities of food arrived, presenting a generous display of abundance meant to sway the tribal people's sentiments. Rice, meat, and an assortment of modern snacks were delivered in large quantities. The sight of such abundance was a spectacle in itself.

Having planned far ahead, Evan had already ensured that one entire cruise ship was filled to the brim with food grains, meat, and other supplies.

The modern snacks, with their unfamiliar flavors and enticing packaging, elicited wide-eyed wonder from the tribal people. They eagerly sampled the offerings, their initial skepticism giving way to delight and curiosity as they experienced the rich, varied tastes of the outside world for the first time.

Having ensured that the VR experience was a success, Aurora joined Evan in overseeing the distribution of food. She observed the tribal people through numerous cameras as they interacted with the new technology and savored the diverse array of food, noting the gradual shift in their demeanor.

The once-hostile atmosphere was now replaced with a mixture of fascination and gratitude. The tribal people, having tasted the benefits of the new alliance, began to see the value in the promises made by Evan and his team after undergoing a change in mindset, something that made them see the world in a new light.

As the tribal people adapted to their new reality, their initial resistance softened into a willingness to embrace the transformation, setting the stage for a new era of progress.