Paper, after getting Rock healed, headed with him to the small cage of the humans, where Mark, Kate, and Charlotte were trapped.

Actually... there was no one inside. The door of the cage was open. The three had somehow managed to escape.

Charlie, already having noticed their flight, was searching for the three without mercy. Meanwhile, Mark, Kate, and Charlotte found themselves inside the village chief's tent, anxious and waiting. "We need to prepare,"

Mark said, with his tense face:

"Charlie won't let us go that easily."

"But what can we do?" Kate asked, trembling unusually. "We have no weapons, and she's much stronger than us."

Just then, from the entrance of the chief's large tent, Charlie appeared. "You humans want to keep playing explorers? Because this is not a game at all," she said, advancing toward them.

Mark stepped forward, trying to appear brave. He attempted to leverage Charlie's emotions by talking about Trugoy:

"What will happen to your position? Your boss will appreciate what you're about to do?"

With a cold gaze, the assistant replied:

"You know nothing about the boss. You know nothing about me. Do you think you can control my emotions, human? It almost makes me laugh. Almost."

Charlotte, with a sweet voice, replied: "Ma'am... we just want to go home." Kate wanted to say something too, but the words fled from her trembling lips.

"I listen to the Chief, humans. And if the Chief is not here, then I decide. Clear?" Charlie took a step forward, her gaze piercing into the eyes of the kids.

The assistant's gaze froze. Her eyes remained still. Pointing to the tent's underground, she said: "I don't want to hurt you. Go back to your cage." Mark, confused, asked: "Assistant... Excuse me... I heard during the battle against Rock... that you think it's your fault that humans haven't accepted you..."

Charlie's breath became heavier. "... Why do you think that?" Mark finished the sentence.

The girl clenched her teeth tightly. Then she took a deep breath. "I repeat: go back to your cage." She repeated, looking down at the floor.

"Just tell me the-" "GO BACK INSIDE! IF YOU STAY HERE, I WON'T BE ABLE TO PROTECT ANYONE! UNDERSTOOD?! NO ONE!" she shouted.

Charlie was out of breath. After a few seconds, she realized she had been swept away by her emotions, exactly what she wanted to avoid.

From the entrance of the tent, two figures appeared.

One was quite tall. The other, however, was shorter. They were Trugoy and Jeff.

Trugoy, eyes wide open, said: "Charlie. In the office. Wait for me there."

Charlie, admiring the intricate flooring, stepped out of the tent, likely disappointed in herself.

<Chapter 27 will be revealed on 02/14/25>