Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

Deep in the remote Sami Black Forest, a well-equipped research team of more than 20 people, led by a local guide, slowly made their way through the snow.

"Ms. Elchi, how far are we from the Tree Scar Tribe? Can we arrive before dark?" Andrénet Mariam, the head of the Rhine Life Science Research Institute and a Kuranta ancestor leading the way, slowed down and turned to look at the Cyclops Elchi.

“If the Tree Scar Tribe hasn’t migrated, at our speed, we should be able to arrive before 5 p.m..” Elqi raised his head, his deep gaze piercing through the dense forest, and quickly judged the distance between the two places based on the outline of the Wintertooth Mountains.

"Alright, let's speed up and rest when we reach the Tree Scar Tribe." Mariam nodded slightly after receiving the reply and gave the expedition team the order to speed up.

“Yes, Director.” A Liberian girl, carrying heavy equipment and wrapped in thermal clothing and protective gear, answered loudly and energetically.

Magellan's passion for exploring uncharted territories far surpassed that of most of her team members. Before joining the Rhineland Life Sciences Expedition, she had participated in numerous scientific expeditions to complete her coursework.

Therefore, after joining the team, Magellan naturally became the director's assistant, whose main job was to assist Director Mariam in data collection and research, as well as to carry various scientific equipment.

With the help of a powered exoskeleton funded by RheinLife Engineering, Magellan carried the equipment without difficulty and even had the energy to help other team members.

The sun was setting quickly, and the exhausted expedition team encountered Tree Scar Warriors patrolling the outskirts of the tribe in the dim forest.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" The Tree Scar warriors raised their wooden shields and scimitars, forming a battle formation to block the scientific expedition team's path, their sharp eyes filled with vigilance and wariness.

This forest near the Wintertooth Mountains is frequently plagued by strange phenomena due to the influence of demonic corruption. The well-equipped team before us may be a result of this demonic anomaly, and must be taken seriously.

Seeing this, Director Mariam stepped forward, intending to negotiate with these elite warriors. During his years of exploration in Sami, he had learned and mastered the languages ​​of various tribes, including, of course, the most powerful Tree Scar tribe.

“Don’t be nervous, warriors of the Tree Scars,” Elki explained before Mariam could, while showing the gift from the giant beast Sami on his wrist—a ribbon of snow and earth. “They are a scientific expedition team from outside, uncorrupted by the demons, and wish to camp and rest for the night in the tribe.”

“You are a guest recognized by the ancestral spirits, so I can trust you. However, anyone else who wants to stay overnight in the tribe must be investigated by Lord Snowshade.” The Tree Scar Warrior captain gestured for his warriors to put away their weapons and pointed at Mariam and the others.

“No problem, we are willing to be explored.” Led by the Tree Scar warriors, the expedition team successfully entered the tribal residential area and was arranged to rest in an unused woodshed.

The Snow Priest of the Tree Scar Tribe recognized Elqi's identity and became much friendlier towards the expedition team. After confirming that no one had been corrupted by evil spirits, they were allowed to move around within the tribe.

“Ms. Elchi, two months ago, your companions brought a lot of strange mechanical equipment. They built sturdy roads and bases near the stargate, and they are currently at the camp. Would you like to see them?”

The elderly Xue Si and El Qi sat by the fire chatting and reminiscing, intentionally or unintentionally bringing up the Kazdel engineering team's large-scale construction near the stargate.

"It's already started? So fast..." Alqi, who was deeply involved in the subspace passage project, naturally knew that those people's job was to build subspace passage facilities in preparation for the future repair of the stargate.

"Then I'll have to trouble you." Elqi bowed slightly and, led by a maid, met the engineers stationed at the Tree Scar Tribe to learn about the progress of the project.

After being granted permission to move freely within the tribe, Director Mariam, along with Magellan, conducted interviews and investigations among the tribe's residents, obtaining a great deal of useful information.

Before the expedition arrived, Kazdel had already established friendly relations with the Tree Scar tribe, reached the gate at the end of the ice field, and established outposts and roads nearby.

"Director, the Tree Scar tribe is located deep in Sami. How did those Sarkaz manage to transport the equipment and materials in?" Magellan asked curiously as he followed behind Mariam, holding nuts and dried meat given to him by the tribe's residents.

“I don’t know either, but it certainly wasn’t through conventional transportation.” Mariam shook his head. “It’s too late now. Maybe we can get the answer by trying to contact their people tomorrow.”

"After nightfall, don't go out unless necessary. Some inhuman beings in the forest are especially active in the darkness. The ancestral tree of the Tree Scar tribe can provide early warning, but it cannot resist the pervasive spiritual pollution." Mariam turned his head, casting his gaze into the deep, dark forest, and solemnly warned.

“Okay, I’ll go back and tell the others too.” Magellan nodded seriously. She had learned a lot about the terrifying legends of the demons from the local Sami people, and she had to be extremely careful in dealing with them.

The joint expedition team set up camp at the Tree Scar Tribe. Magellan wrapped himself in a warm sleeping bag and, by the orange glow of the Originium camp lamp, wrote his expedition diary.

The team members in the same tent had already fallen asleep, occasionally muttering a few meaningless words in their sleep. They seemed to be sleeping soundly, which Magellan, who was still working hard, found quite enviable.

"...Finally done." Magellan wrote the last few words with a vengeful gesture, slammed the diary shut, carefully put it back in his backpack, and went to sleep.

......

The warm sunlight streamed over the steep ridges of the Dongya Mountains, and the tranquil Tree Scar tribe came alive once more. Women and children busied themselves making handicrafts, sewing animal hides, and drying meat. Warriors went out on patrol, hunting wild animals and gathering firewood.

The expedition team got up early, had a quick breakfast, and set off towards the Dongya Mountains. Led by Elki, the team followed the road built by the Kazdel Engineering Team, seeing outposts and ring-shaped structures under construction along the way.