Ray read the description of the Hybrid-Armor with a sense of deep satisfaction. This was exactly what he had envisioned—a tool to save lives, a protective layer that could be worn without arousing suspicion.

He carefully folded the armor, placing it in a secure spot, and prepared to leave. But as he looked up, his movements froze.

Surrounding the lake, not just one or two, but more than fifty wolves had emerged from the forest, drawn by the lingering scent of blood.

They formed a silent, menacing circle around the clearing. Ray felt a flicker of frustration. He wanted to simply store all the crocodile meat in his inventory, but the trial restrictions were a constant leash on his true power.

The System only allowed him a single inventory slot, which was why he couldn't carry his powerful magic gun.

If he could, he wouldn't need these elaborate plans; he could simply topple the heads of the city lord and his minions with a single, brutal display of force. But alas, that wasn't the case here.

Paiga, sensing the danger, became restless, pawing at the ground nervously. But Ray remained calm.

He could see the fear in the wolves' eyes. They were vigilant, yes, but they were also terrified of the man who had so nonchalantly butchered a dozen crocodiles. He simply held the reins and asked Paiga to move forward.

"Just keep moving, girl," he murmured softly. "They won't stop us."

As Paiga took a step, the wolves began to open their circle, creating a clear path for them. It was a silent agreement. To them, Ray wasn't prey; he was an apex predator, a force of nature they didn't dare to challenge.

Their target was the feast of crocodile meat he had left behind.

Ray didn't mind. He had what he came for, and a few dozen meals for the local wildlife was a small price to pay.

He rode Paiga through the living corridor of wolves, their eyes following his every move until he was out of their sight.

The journey back to the village was swift and uneventful.

He arrived as dusk was settling in, a new weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders. He had the tools now. The Wrist-Needlebow for Manoban, the modified grain to gain favor with her family, and the Hybrid-Armor for himself and for those close to him.

The chessboard was set, and the pieces were in place. The game was no longer just about survival; it was about taking control of the narrative, changing the fate of Astban and Manoban, and defying the cruel hand of the city lord.

The trial was his to conquer, and he would use every bit of his power to win. His mind was already racing, plotting his next move, knowing that three days wasn't much time at all. He had to be one step ahead of everyone, especially the city lord.

Back in the village, Ray first sought out Belar. The man was stunned to see Ray's clothes stained with blood.

"What happened to you, Ray?" he asked, his voice laced with alarm.

Ignoring the question, Ray held out the newly crafted Hybrid-Armor. "Belar, listen to me," he said, his voice low and serious.

"I'll explain everything tomorrow morning. Just come to my room. For now, take this and wear it. Always. No matter what. I'll tell you why tomorrow."

Belar, taken aback by Ray's solemnity, simply nodded, taking the armor. It felt light, yet strangely solid. After giving the horses a quick feed, Ray returned to his room and changed out of his blood-stained clothes.

He waited, a sense of unease settling over him.

He had expected Manoban to visit him, but she didn't come until much later. When she finally arrived, her mood was somber, and her eyes were puffy and red. The joy she had shown earlier was gone, replaced by a deep sadness that twisted Ray's heart.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft with worry.

Manoban began to cry, the words tumbling out of her. "My parents… they told me everything. The city lord, his offer… he doesn't want to help us. He wants to marry me. He wants to take me against my will."

A cold fury ignited in Ray's chest. He had known this was coming, but seeing Manoban so heartbroken made him want to kill the city lord with his bare hands. He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her as she cried.

"Don't worry," he whispered, stroking her hair. "We're not going to let that happen. I have a plan to change things forever."

After she had calmed down, he pulled back slightly. "What about the grains? What did your parents say when they saw them?"

Manoban's expression was a mixture of hope and resignation. "They were so surprised. They've never seen anything like it. They said they've never tasted anything so good. But… they don't think it will be enough.

They think even with this, the city lord won't let us go." She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"They even said… they suspect the damaging of our fields was his doing all along, a way to force them to give me to him."

Ray knew that simply running or fighting wouldn't solve anything in the long run. To truly save Manoban and her family, he needed power, and the feudal lord was the key.

'One thing was certain: the feudal lord held far more authority than the city lord'.

If Ray could secure a connection with him, there was a chance to end the city lord's twisted game once and for all.

This was why he had modified the grains. His plan was to pique the feudal lord's interest, to present him with an offering so valuable that it would be impossible to ignore.

He wasn't just playing to survive anymore; he was playing to win, using the very tools of deceit and ambition that the city lord employed. He would use every advantage he had, every trick from his playbook, to turn the tables on the man who thought he controlled everything.

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