Despite being stuck away for just a day and a half within the dimensional gateway's space, David recently came to realize that he had actually been gone for an entire month when he checked his smartphone's calendar.

It turned out that a solitary day spent trapped within the gateway translated to a whole month passing in the human world. The marvel of this discovery resonated within David, highlighting the intriguing difference in the flow of time within the gateway.

To his dismay, the gateway roughly bounced him out of its space on his ninety-sixth attempt to pass through it, staunchly denying him any further access.

Yet, armed with the insights gained during his time in the gateway, David comprehended that his status as a non-born tribe individual was the barrier preventing him from venturing into the world of superhumans. Furthermore, lacking an exclusive TRIBE tool or a related dedicated ornament, his prospects of crossing the gateway had significantly diminished.

To compound his despair, these essential items could only be forged and acquired from within the TRIBE.

DAVID: "[Expresses frustration with a groan.] Blast it all! That devious soldier, Fiona Deity, played me for a fool! But why withhold crucial details about the gateway's prerequisites? Forgetful, or deliberate deception?" David mumbled, his face etched with a confused expression, grappling with the enigma of Fiona's motives hindering his ascent to the TRIBE.

Misled by her initial guidance, David had mistaken the Map of Mysteries as his ticket to traversing into the superhuman world. However, the harsh realization struck him too late – the relic merely served as a guide to the gateway's location. Faced with this truth, he reluctantly decided to abandon his pursuit for the time being and prioritize seeking Fiona.

She owed him an explanation.

With a deep breath, David resolved to navigate a random route back to the military base. Although still angry at Fiona, he recognized the necessity of consulting her to explore alternative solutions for passing through the gateway.

But just as David walked down a hill, he abruptly caught sight of some armed group of men—five in number, chasing after a young, white-headed girl within the nearby woods.

Frustration and annoyance consumed David's thoughts, overshadowing any concern for the girl being pursued by armed men. He was ensnared in his urgent quest to find Fiona and pass the gateway, leaving him with a choice to dismiss the fleeing girl's plight.

But not long after, a sudden loud bang erupted from the woods, seizing David's attention. He witnessed before his very eyes, the tumultuous fall of a tree ablaze in cyan flames.

Overcome by an unexpected intrigue, David's curiosity outweighed his initial indifference. The notion that investigating might offer some insight compelled him to decisively venture into the woods to unravel the mysterious occurrence.

***

In the woods, Aurora found herself encircled by five elite soldiers from the Scale Shield organization. Hemmed in from all sides, their enhanced firearms trained on her, leaving no avenue for escape.

Desperation surged within Aurora as she harnessed the raw power of her flames to forcefully push the Scale Shield soldiers back, carving out a momentary gap between herself and them. Yet, her hopes were dashed as she swiftly discerned the futility of direct attacks; the soldiers were shielded by power-resisting tech suits. Frustrated but unyielding, she persisted in launching fiery blasts, striving to keep them at bay, acutely aware that this strategy held only a temporary respite.

Aurora's fiery assault blazed a destructive path through the woods, reducing trees and leaves to smoldering coals and ashes. Unmindful of the collateral damage, she defiantly resisted the relentless pursuit of her adversaries.

In her heart, she silently prayed for intervention against her dire situation, yearning for a miraculous savior to emerge.

Unfortunately, the soldiers' patience wore thin, and one of them targeted a shot at Aurora's leg. The woods echoed with her anguished cries as the intense pain compelled her to buckle. Collapsing to one knee, her fiery blasts abruptly ceased, leaving her vulnerable and overpowered by the elite soldiers.

ELITE SOLDIER 1: "Good, we finally have our main target. Now, we must transport her back to the Hidden Hills laboratory and ensure her continued experimentation," the elite soldier spoke to his colleagues, fingers entwined in strands of Aurora's hair as they prepared to carry out their directive.

Just as the they were on the verge of dragging Aurora away, David abruptly emerged on the scene, stepping in to intervene on her behalf.

From one of David's outstretched hands, a focused beam of searing yellow flame erupted, propelling one of the elite soldiers away from Aurora. The unexpected attack caught the remaining soldiers off guard, prompting them to swiftly redirect their attention to the new threat.

DAVID: "Humph. Did your mothers ever tell you never to abuse a female?" David scowled at them, his arms hidden in the pockets of his lengthy gray jacket.

ELITE SOLDIER 1: "[Glares furiously at David.] Humph, he's one of them. Seize him!" The elite soldier instructed his colleagues, a pointed finger singling out David for their immediate attention.

DAVID: "[Shakes his head in pity.] Heh! It seems like someone's gonna regret the choice they've made today. Bring it on, you cunts! I've got lots of venting out to do."

David bounced lightly on his feet, assuming a poised stance as he awaited the enemy's first move. One of the elite soldiers charged at him with a punch, but David skillfully deflected the attack in another direction, responding swiftly with a counter elbow strike aimed at the soldier's throat. The elite soldier clutched his neck, gasping for air as he staggered backward, ultimately colliding with the cold ground.

The remaining three elite soldiers charged simultaneously at David, brandishing daggers in their hands. Their attempts to stab and slash met with swift evasions from David, who skillfully sidestepped their assaults.

He knocked one elite down with a powerful round kick, while fracturing the bone joints of another's arm. As the third soldier raised his gun, preparing to shoot, David outpaced him, redirecting the fire arm's trajectory with a swift upward kick. Cumulating his offensive, David incapacitated his opponent with a somersault kick, shattering the latter's teeth in the process.

Standing tall and unscathed, David casually tucked his hands in his pockets and took a brief sigh of relief.

But within that momentary breath, he instinctively executed a dodge, evading a bullet aimed at his head from behind without even glancing. Adjusting his head to the side, his respite transitioned into a lightning-fast retaliation. He swiftly rushed at his unseen attacker with inhuman speed, effortlessly sidestepping a barrage of bullets directed at him, each shot seemingly an echo of futile intentions.

Closing the distance, David swiftly disarmed the shooter with precision. His punches delivered a primal intensity, tearing through the elite soldier's power-resisting tech suit as if it were tissue paper. Reduced to tatters, the suit's defenses crumbled, allowing David to rain down a flurry of devastating blows, each strike infused with scorching yellow flames. He pummeled the vulnerable soldier without mercy, concluding the fight with a decisive knockout punch.

Meanwhile, Aurora, who observed the battle's aftermath from the sideline, wore an awed expression. Her silver eyes gleamed in admiration as David showcased his impressive fighting skills, his unexpected emergence as her rescuer also leaving a lasting impression.

However, as Aurora glimpsed the battered elite soldiers still writhing in pain on the ground, a shadow abruptly cast over her initial relief. She hadn't anticipated that David would refrain from delivering a fatal blow, leaving her surprised.

AURORA: "Why spare their lives? You should have finished them!"

DAVID: "Though they did wrong, killing them isn't the way for now. Moreover, are you alright?"

AURORA: "[Gets surprised at David's response.] You don't understand, they won't stop coming."

DAVID: "Then let them come. Moreover, I don't think these lads right here would be able to move around freely for a long while. So consider yourself safe." David replied with a confident smile, directing his thumb at his defeated opponents.

Aurora's gaze revisited the incapacitated elite soldiers, and she found herself reluctantly nodding in agreement with David. While he had shown mercy by sparing their lives, the severity of the beating he had unleashed upon them was enough to consign them to a hospital bed for months.

AURORA: "[Shakes her head and sighs.] Hmm, anyways thanks for saving my ass. I owe you one."

DAVID: "[Helps Aurora get to her feet.] No, no, my lady, it was nothing actually. These cunts were barely a warm-up for me."

AURORA: "[Glimpses at David with an endearing smile, her chuckle like a gentle melody.] Alright, but I must insist in my gratitude."

DAVID: "[Sighs in reluctant surrender.] Very well, have it your way. Now that you're fine, I must bid farewell. There's a destination calling, and I cannot tarry any longer," David remarked, poised to continue his journey.

AURORA: "[Halts David with a plea in her eyes.] Wait, please..." Aurora implored, her countenance conveying a mixture of urgency and vulnerability.

DAVID: "Hmm? What's the matter? I really have to get going, you know." David remarked, a hint of curiosity in his tone as he expressed his need to continue on his journey.

AURORA: "I understand. I don't mean to be selfish right now, but I really need your help."

DAVID: "[Wears a blending expression of surprise and amusement.] But we just met? You don't even know me."

AURORA: "I know. But I can also tell you mean me no harm. Else, why would you risk your life to rescue me?" Aurora asked with a sense of intrigue and curiosity.

DAVID: [Expresses reluctance.] I was just passing by."

AURORA: "[Persists in her plea, vulnerability resonating in her voice.]... I'm lost, separated from my brother, and I fear he may be in potential danger. I know this is too much to ask but I'm yet to fully recover my strength. Please, I need your protection against the Scale Shield while I find him.

Anyways, I'm Aurora... Aurora Deity!" She urgently introduced herself with a shy handshake.

DAVID: "[Gets startled by the revelation of Aurora's family name.] Deity is a rare surname. Are you, by any chance, related to a girl named Fiona Deity?"

AURORA: "[Gasps.] Fiona? Absolutely! She's a gifted member of our esteemed Deity family, and more than that, a cherished cousin of mine." Aurora affirmed with a touch of surprise, inwardly intrigued by David's knowledge of her relative.

DAVID: "Hmm. It appears our encounter wasn't in vain. By the way, I'm David Blaze. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Aurora Deity," David replied with a serene smile, his hand extending in a friendly gesture for a handshake.