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Edge of the Razor Plain.

In the dense forest on the hillside, campfires crackle within the fenced-in campsite.

Vajra sits cross-legged beside the fire, his lizard-like face reflecting gloom.

In his human hand, he tightly grips a bone knife, swinging it up and down, repeatedly stabbing at the frozen chunks of meat, venting his dissatisfaction.

Vajra is a mixed blood with pronounced beast-like features.

Unlike other mixed bloods.

Vajra's father is the leader of the Bloodscale Tribe.

Moreover, Vajra has personally established the Black Scale Tribe, leading one hundred and thirty-three mixed bloods, with eighty human slaves to his name.

Vajra once led his subordinates to kill the lord of the Razor Plain, massacring the town and plundering food and various resources.

Black Scale Tribe, although not a dominant force on the Razor Plain, is strong enough to establish a foothold here, even more powerful than average alien races.

But Vajra still isn't satisfied.

Because Vajra has yet to receive recognition from his father.

The high-ranking leader of the Bloodscale Tribe, his father, has never looked at this mixed blood son.

Just because Vajra's mother was a human female slave, an utterly lowly being in the eyes of the Bloodscale Tribe.

Vajra also therefore despises humans and resents his mother.

Even though the human bloodline brought him wisdom.

This mixed blood identity makes him scorned by the tribe, forcing him to exert a hundred times the effort to gain his father's approval.

To prove himself, Vajra offered the Black Scale Tribe he created with his own hands to his father.

He called himself "Black Scale," attempting to use this name to cleanse the shame and gain the Lizardman's recognition.

But all he got was cold mockery.

Especially from Vajra's elder brother, a purebred Lizardman, who always treats him like a slave.

Whenever he feels displeased, Vajra suffers his elder brother's beatings and insults.

More importantly, purebred Lizardmen despise him, seeing him as weak like a human.

For instance, at this moment, the Lizardmen have all gone hunting, while Vajra has to stay at the camp with the cowardly, timid Yak People.

And his elder brother left Vajra with only dozens of mixed bloods.

Not a single real Lizardman.

Because a lowly mixed blood does not deserve to command Lizardmen.

"Leader, perhaps... we should just leave?"

Beside the fire, Vajra's deputy whispers his suggestion.

The deputy's voice makes Vajra stop his action and raise his head.

His cold gaze pierces through the campfire, staring intently at the deputy, Zack.

Zack's limbs are covered with dense scales, with a tail like a partial stump behind him.

But Zack's head and limbs are human-like.

The animal features of mixed bloods are not fixed; head, limbs, tail, and others, some even have only the eyes.

Seeing Vajra remain silent, Zack can't help but continue, "The Bloodscale Tribe has never truly regarded us, nor cared about our life and death."

"The brothers you brought have died or been wounded by half, all used as cannon fodder for the charge!"

Vajra's eyes narrow sharply, flashing a dangerous gleam like a predator.

Zack swallows hard, his voice trembling, "Leader, I'm only speaking the truth..."

"Shut up!"

Vajra snaps coldly, thrusting the bone knife into the ground, "This is our home!"

"Those are the trials imposed by the Bloodscale Tribe on us!"

"As ones with mixed blood, we must endure these to be recognized!"

"Those foolish ones who died were weak and didn't deserve to live!"

Vajra approaches Zack, staring coldly at the deputy,

"What? Do you want to seek refuge from those who see us as monsters, weak humans?"

"No, Leader, we can align with no one."

Zack, somewhat afraid but still mustering courage, replies, "Our previous tribe was good too, and there are so many mixed bloods in the Desert..."

"Enough! Mixed bloods without the protection of a God Lord have no future at all!"

Vajra's eyes burn with fervor, "Only by joining a true tribe can I prove myself! Don't mention leaving again, or else..."

He draws the bone knife, pointing at Zack, "I'll take your head!"

"Yes, Leader..."

Zack shrinks his neck back in fear, lowering his head.

Even though he has grievances in his heart, Zack dares not voice them, only silently sighing inside.

Truthfully, his leader is quite capable and not lacking in wisdom.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have fought to establish a group of over a hundred mixed bloods.

But Vajra is so obsessed with the Lizardman's recognition that he's lost his mind.

No matter how much abuse, torture, curses, or beatings from the Lizardmen, Vajra shows no intention of giving up.

It seems to be the sole meaning of Vajra's life.

Zack silently shakes his head within.

He truly cannot understand.

Alas, had he known this, he shouldn't have followed him.

Vajra seems to realize his tone was too fierce, stands up, and pulls Zack to his feet.

Vajra's voice softens a bit,

"Come, patrol with me."

"Okay, Leader."

Zack rises, motions to two mixed bloods, and quickly follows Vajra.

Leaving the warmth of the campfire, both involuntarily shiver.

"See, it's because of our filthy human blood that we feel cold."

Vajra curses softly, "So we have to wear beast skins, damn it!"

Zack follows without uttering a word.

But inwardly, he can't help but agree.

The human bloodline also gave you wisdom.

While silently complaining inside, Vajra suddenly stops walking.

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