The Tycoon's Odyssey

Evan's eyes narrowed as he watched curiously, wondering if their plan worked. But…

To Evan's surprise, as the Chief and his entourage approached, they suddenly dropped to their knees, pressing their faces into the dirt.

The sight was both bewildering and unsettling. What he had hoped for was cooperation—what he got was something entirely different. The Chief's voice, laden with deep and trembling with reverence, began to chant loudly.

"O, Saviour, we beseech you! Grant us your salvation!" The words echoed through the clearing, punctuated by the collective, desperate pleas of the men surrounding him.

Evan's eyes widened in shock. He blinked in disbelief and glanced at Suri, who stood beside him with a cold, amused expression. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of smirk playing on her lips, "Mr. Savior… Please lead them to salvation."

Evan's lips twitched in a mix of disbelief and frustration.

'Is this seriously happening?'

He took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing Mac. "Give them some of our snacks."

Mac, still puzzled, followed the orders and handed out the goods. The villagers hesitated at first, but as soon as they sampled the food, their reactions were immediate and dramatic. Their eyes widened, and they began to dance with excitement.

"What kind of sorcery is this?" one villager exclaimed, his voice brimming with awe.

"This is the food of the gods!" another cried out, raising a piece of the snack to the sky as if it was a sacred offering.

The chants grew louder, the air thick with fervor. The villagers began to proclaim, "We were right… the gods have led us to him for salvation!"

Seeing this, Evan rubbed his temples, knowing well that a headache was on its way.

The spectacle was both surreal and exasperating for Evan. He watched as the villagers, completely captivated by the food, were lost in their ecstatic celebration. Their belief had clearly only deepened by his unexpected treatment.

'This can't go on…'

Unable to tolerate the absurdity any longer, Evan turned to his team. "Put the helmets on. We're initiating the integration process again."

As the team set about reapplying the headgear to the villagers, Evan took a deep breath.

"Finally, it's over…"

_____

KRUNG!KRUNG!KRUNG!KRUNG!

In a secluded area far from the tribal villages, a vast expanse of land was being cleared by a large group of tribal people.

The site, designated as a safe zone, was situated a considerable distance from the tribal settlements, ensuring that their activities would not disrupt their traditional lands or way of life.

The scene was bustling with construction activity. A significant number of tribal individuals, now accustomed to the modern tools and techniques introduced to them, worked together with impressive coordination. They were dressed in a mix of traditional attire and modern work gear, reflecting their transition from their old ways to new methods.

The land, once dense with shrubs and small trees, was now being systematically cleared.

A team of tribal workers wielded various tools, axes, chainsaws, and other modern equipment alongside traditional methods like manual clearing and burning. The air was filled with the sounds of chopping, sawing, and the occasional roar of the machinery, the ground scattered with the remnants of trees and underbrush, which were being gathered into piles and burned or hauled away.

Amidst the busy landscape, some workers were seen constructing rudimentary barriers and markers to outline the newly cleared area. These markers would help demark the safe zone for future construction and ensure that the newly cleared land remained protected from outside influences.

The workers moved under Aurora's command, their combined efforts focused on transforming the land into a usable space.

Despite their initial unfamiliarity with the tools and techniques, they displayed remarkable adaptability and skills. Their teamwork was evident from their synchronized movements and the seamless way by which they handled both modern and traditional equipment.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its light on the expansive worksite, the cleared land gradually took shape.

The once-overgrown area now bore the unmistakable signs of progress. The scene reflected a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity as the tribal people embraced new ways while also maintaining their cultural identity.

By the end of the day, a substantial portion of the land had been cleared and prepared, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to develop the safe zone. The tribal workers, tired but satisfied, took a moment to rest and reflect on their hard work, their faces flushed with a mixture of pride and relief as they gazed over the transformed land.

The scene faded as the tribal people gathered together, their work completed for the day. They took a last look out over the newly transformed land, ready to continue their efforts tomorrow.

Meanwhile, along the coast, another group of tribal people made their way towards a large cruise ship.

One by one, they boarded the vessel, looking around excitedly with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Some of them still felt nervous, unsure of what awaited them aboard this strange new world.

_____

Inside the cruise ship, a bustling scene unfolded.

A group of technicians and assistants work efficiently, fitting the tribal people with nerve gear. The process was methodical, involving careful adjustments and thorough checks. Around a batch of one hundred individuals were being processed, and the staff worked diligently for nearly half an hour. Once the nerve gear was removed, a profound change swept over the tribal people.

Previously wild and aggressive, their demeanor shifted dramatically. They become surprisingly docile and composed, their earlier savagery replaced by a sense of quiet contemplation. As they began to grasp the modern values and learn about contemporary society, a wave of embarrassment washed over them.

They fidgeted uncomfortably, acutely aware of their own lack of knowledge and cultural sophistication.

As they left the ship, the tribal people carried a few simple wares made from fibers, their eyes reflecting a newfound understanding and humility.

In the distance, another cruise ship sails gracefully, followed by two large cargo vessels. What had initially begun as the journey of Evan's squad with two cruise ships, now culminated in the transport of various goods and materials.

Onboard the cruise ship, Elina and Maria stood observing the tribal people from a vantage point, their faces lit with childlike curiosity and wonder.

Elina, a small child with wide eyes, exclaimed loudly, "They look so different! And all those tattoos and piercings—doesn't it hurt, Sister Maria?"

Maria, peering intently at the tribal people, responded softly, "Well, those are symbols of their beliefs and bravery. It's a part of their culture."

After a moment, Maria shook her head with a hint of sympathy. "Poor guys… never even had the chance to taste KFC or drink cola. I really pity them."

Elina's expression turned puzzled as she frowned and looked at Maria with a hint of disapproval. "Sister, aren't you being a bit… racist?"

Maria's eyes widened in surprise. "Racist? What are you talking about? I'm just stating some facts, you little brat…"

Maria then knocked Elina's head softly, eliciting a glare from the little girl.

"Sister Maria…you are a bully," Elina pouted, sticking out her tongue.

Elina's gaze remained firm, while Maria simply shook her head with a bemused smile. The scene closed with the two of them standing side by side, watching the tribal people as they blended into a new, unfamiliar world.

On the deck of a sleek yacht, Suri basked in the sunlight, her gaze fixed on a group of people working in the distance. Her expression was solemn, reflecting her inner conflict.

"Evan, do you think this is the right approach?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Aren't we destroying their culture and this land? They lived here peacefully, and now our presence might ruin everything."

Sipping his cocktail and smiling, Evan shook his head. "I thought the same at first, but..."

He continued, "In a world driven by greed, these tribal lands won't remain untouched for long. With the possibility of World War III looming, this place is ideal for a base. I've ensured that they retain their cultural beliefs and respect for nature. Plus, all the energy here will come from renewable sources. The place will change, yes, but their origins won't be erased."

Suri sighed, her gaze drifting to the nerve gear. Its brainwashing capabilities were terrifying. If the government found out about it, they'd be willing to do anything to get their hands on it.

Breaking out of her reverie, she wiped the sweat from her brows. "Everything you invent seems to bring trouble. My life after marriage is going to be quite a nightmare… Haaa! No rest for the wicked…"

Noticing her pensive mood, Evan shivered slightly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Suri replied, trying to shake off her thoughts. "My vacation is over, so I need to leave."

Evan looked surprised. "Already?"

He had to admit that after staying close to Suri, he had grown attached to her and felt saddened by her departure and would surely miss her.

Suri grinned playfully. "What, are you going to miss me? Maybe you want to give me a kiss?"

"Come on, give me a goodbye kiss…"

Evan froze for a second, and…

Before he could react, Suri lunged at him playfully. He scrambled away with a laugh, dodging her playful attack as she chased him across the deck.