Tatehan noticed that the commander ate normally. She didn't chew her food too loudly or have it falling from her mouth as she ate. Instead, she ate in a remarkably civilized manner.

And for the first time since arriving on Mars, Tatehan witnessed true precision in eating. The way she lifted her fork, the way she pierced the chicken with it, the way she brought it gracefully to her mouth, it was all done with charisma and precision, like she had formally learned how to do this, as if it were some refined skill passed down through training.

Meanwhile, most of the other people at the table ate like maniacs, munching loudly and having drops of food fall from their mouths as they talked and laughed.

Tatehan watched them with slight surprise and growing curiosity. They ate like people who had never been taught proper table manners before, or perhaps had simply never cared to learn them.

He tried to eat normally himself, lifting his fork with some deliberate precision like the commander did, and setting it down carefully the same way after each bite.

The dinner was an incredibly loud affair. The people seated at the table laughed boisterously and exchanged crude jokes, their mouths often still filled with food as they spoke.

'Don't talk while eating...' Tatehan thought to himself with mild discomfort. This was a fundamental table manner back on Earth, one that as a kid, he would have been severely scolded for failing to adhere to.

It seemed Mars had never learned this particular rule of etiquette here.

Almost done with his meal, Tatehan started to notice that many eyes were fixed on Riven. The eyes of men scattered around the table.

They looked at Riven with unmistakable curiosity, admiring her intensely and openly.

Tatehan stared at them at first with confusion. Were they looking at Riven because some large monster was at her back, or was something happening to her that he couldn't see?

He glanced at Riven and noticed that nothing was at her back and nothing was wrong with her appearance. She just sat there eating her meal quietly, doing nothing but that simple act.

Tatehan stared back at the men more carefully, and then suddenly realized the real reason they were looking at her that way.

They were just admiring her. Her delicate features, her face, her presence—everything about her.

And even though he and Riven weren't dating or romantically involved in any way, he started to feel slightly irked by their looks. Even Riven was beginning to appear uncomfortable, her posture becoming more rigid as she sensed their attention.

The commander seemed to notice the men looking at Riven in this inappropriate way, and with a voice loud and clear enough for everyone to hear, she said sharply:

"She's the Mauler Slayer's woman. Keep your dirty eyes off her."

The men laughed good-naturedly and made exaggerated bowing gestures toward the commander, clearly amused rather than chastened.

"Sure thing, Commander!" they said loudly, nearly in unison, their voices carrying across the hall.

Throughout the remainder of the meal, Tatehan tried to learn more about the clan—what they truly stood for and what their real aims were beyond the obvious.

Of course, part of their purpose was to protect Waython Hollow and the city that had formed around it, but Tatehan was certain there was something more significant to their existence.

He would have simply asked the commander directly, but he decided that approach wouldn't be particularly wise.

How would asking: "Hey Commander, what exactly does the Red Crest Clan do? Give me all the details," sound? It would sound awkward and frankly dumb. And if he were to ask in a more casual way, the answer he would likely get was simply that they protected Waython Hollow and the city around it—the surface-level answer.

Finishing the last piece of chicken in front of him, Tatehan suddenly heard a low voice in his head. One that only he could hear—it was the distinctive voice of his system.

He saw glowing words and heard the voice simultaneously:

[Congratulations host, you have gained knowledge of the Red Crest Clan through observation and context. You shall receive information.]

At that precise moment, understanding flooded into Tatehan's mind...

[SYSTEM INFORMATION DOWNLOAD]

The Red Crest Clan serves as the primary military force protecting Waython Hollow and the sprawling city that has grown around it over the years. They are not merely guards or a local militia—they are a organized warrior faction with strict hierarchy, intensive training protocols, and a singular purpose: defending their territory from external threats.

Their responsibilities include patrolling the wasteland borders, eliminating dangerous creatures that venture too close to inhabited areas, training new recruits in combat techniques, and most critically,engaging in ongoing conflict with organized enemy forces.

The greatest threat they face comes from the Obscuron.

The Obscuron controls the entire western region of Mars with an iron grip, commanding vast armies and resources. But of recent months, his forces have begun expanding aggressively toward the north, directly toward Waython Hollow's territory.

His ultimate aim is clear: complete domination of Mars.

The Red Crest Clan stands as one of the few organized resistances against this expansion. They engage the Obscuron's troops regularly in skirmishes and larger battles along the contested borders, fighting to keep his influence from spreading further into their lands.

Casualties are frequent. Resources are strained. But they continue fighting.

Mub had played an absolutely crucial role in these defensive efforts. He commanded the warriors of the Red crest clan on the battlefield.

Whenever the clan's warriors went out to engage the Obscuron's forces on the battlefield, Mub led them. His tactical mind, combined with his devastating beast transformation ability, made him irreplaceable as a field commander.

He could tear through enemy lines personally while simultaneously coordinating troop movements and strategies.

His presence alone often turned the tide of battles that would otherwise have been lost.

But now...

You know how Mub ended.

[INFORMATION DOWNLOAD COMPLETE]

Tatehan blinked as the information settled into his consciousness, pieces of a larger puzzle suddenly clicking into place.

This was a large amount of information he had just absorbed. While it was brief, it was impactful. Now he knew that the obscuron was very well active. No wonder the Spaceship's Ai had warned him to be fast with repairing the spaceship. No wonder it sent him to go look for the bio neutral core, a very strong core that would significantly increase the repair points of the spaceship.

'Shit!'

The obscuron was much nearer than he imagined.

He looked up at the commander, who was now engaged in conversation with a senior warrior to her right, discussing something in low tones.

A cold realization crept over him.

He hadn't just killed their champion in a duel.

He'd killed their military commander. Their battlefield leader. The strategic mind that had been holding back the Obscuron's northern expansion.

While the commander sitted across him was the leader of the clan. Tatehan was the fighters leader. That was to be expected though noting he was the strongest and most powerful member of the clan — the Best!

And now the Red Crest Clan would have to face their greatest enemy without him.

Tatehan's appetite suddenly vanished completely.

[A/N: The error with the last paragraphs of the former chapter has been fixed. My apologies.]

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