Hvisland: A VR Colony Sim Game

My colonists gathered again in the main room, minus Eric. They were no longer looking for a solution this time because I had already decided what they had to do. Now, it\'s just a matter of how they execute it.

"I think, if Eric\'s ex-tribe can get through this snow, then we can too." Manu rubs his chin.

"I agree about that." Leva replied. "But, what about you, Manu? Once you get to their place, will you be able to fight to the max?"

Manu wiggled his right shoulder while wincing in pain. "Well, I\'ll try."

"There\'s that powder." Kat, who had been silent all this time, suddenly burst out. Her gaze fell on the wooden floor. "Devil\'s tears. I still have it."

Manu gulped, Leva\'s gaze sharpened, while Seb just raised an eyebrow in confusion. I remember the drug Kat was referring to.

"Ah, indeed that thing can make me forget about pain and fight even more fiercely. My speed won\'t be hindered by this scar on my leg either." Manu nodded. "But where did you get it, Kat?"

"When taking care of the victims of the stump scorpion." Kat answered.

Leva shook his head. "I\'ve never seen the actual use of that thing. However, if the effect it gives is according to what people are talking about, we\'d better stay away from that thing."

"But, it can be an advantage for us, who are outnumbered and outgunned by them." Manu sighed. "I\'ve seen firsthand the performance of the drug. The addiction it creates is just a myth. Yes, it is true that your muscles can hurt from being forced to work beyond the limit, but that will eventually heal over time."

I, who previously agreed with Leva, started to have doubts. We did need something more to win against the Congraylham colony.

"What exactly are you all talking about?" Seb finally asked.

Leva sighed. "They call it devil\'s tears, satan blessings, and some other names. It\'s a kind of drug that has the effect of increasing speed and strength, but also makes your mind unclear."

"Perhaps the condition of whoever consumes it can be likened to Leva\'s berserk state." Manu added.

"At the very least, if you\'re already going to raid, keep that thing with you." I gave instructions to my colonists, unable to determine whether the drug would actually be used or not.

At the very least, I will consider all possibilities.

"I already asked Eric. The Congraylham tribe is about four days\' journey in the snow." Leva continued the discussion. "Honestly, I don\'t think Eric will come with us. So, the only ones who could go were me, Kat, and Manu. The problem is, we won\'t be able to bring all those stolen resources back here with just three people. Even though Seb said, to get through winter, we need everything they stole…. Well, maybe Rox can bring a little too, but of course it doesn\'t make much of a difference. Maybe we need two trips there…."

"Why do we have to come back here?" Manu cuts off the conversation. "Why don\'t we just bring all our members, including Seb. Then, we take over their place of residence."

All eyes turned to Manu, whose expression grew more serious. Yes, Manu certainly has a point, but there is a consequence that must be paid.

Seb gulped hard. His eyes widened slightly. "But, that means we have to kill them all."

"So?" Manu chuckled. "If we don\'t kill them all, they\'ll just come back here to steal ours again." The man then looked around his colleagues, who were just silent. "Remember. Like them, we do all this to survive too."

"Can all of this be resolved without violence?" Seb massaged her forehead. His voice sounded hoarse. "Too many people have died already."

"If you have a better idea, please tell me, Seb. As long as you don\'t think about persuading them, it\'s definitely impossible. They divide our supplies that should be for five people, into seven people. They are desperate." Manu\'s tone was firm.

Seeing Seb, who just opened and closed his mouth in confusion, Manu said again. "And don\'t forget, we\'ve been trying to find other solutions for days, to no avail."

The door creaked open. Eric, who had been outside all this time, finally entered. "I heard you guys talking.... So you\'re going to take my dad there too?"

"If these friends of mine agree to this plan, Eric." Manu laughed bitterly, looking back at his comrades. "What about all of you? Has anyone objected? Any other ideas? Say it now. Don\'t waste time."

Leva closed his eyes. "I agree with you, Manu. It will be more effective and efficient if we take over their residence."

Seb shook his head. "Leva, please think about this again."

"How are you, Kat? Do you agree with this plan?" Manu cocked his chin at the amber-eyed girl. "This is for your dog too, Kat. You don\'t want him to starve to death, do you?"

Kat stroked her dog curled up beside her, then said. "I agree."

"Come on, guys." Seb rose from the floor. "Are you guys crazy? All of you are planning to slaughter one group."

Manu got up too, brought his face closer to the blonde-haired man. "Do I really like doing this? No. Just so you know, I basically don\'t like violence. Yes, just like you, Seb. However, there are two things that set me apart from you. First, my brain is not right which sometimes pushes me to take revenge. Second, if need be, I can force myself to do what I hate, and not run away like you."

Seb just froze and was speechless.

Eric approached my colonists. "I know the weakness and the terrain around their house. I\'ll help as much as I can."

"Eric, please don\'t go along with it." Seb looked at his son with a pleading expression. "You don\'t want to kill your friends, do you?"

"Former friends." Eric corrected his dad. His lips started to tremble. "I\'ve chosen you, Dad. There\'s no point in doing this half-heartedly, I\'ll keep you alive no matter what."

Seb had opened his mouth to refute, but I quickly stopped him. "Please, just do what they do, Seb. I don\'t want to do this either, but it can\'t be helped."

Finally, the blonde-haired man lowered his head. His teeth gritted, and his hands clenched into fists. "Why all of you…."

"Dad also once persuaded me to join the raid if that happened, right? Even if that time you used indirect words." Eric interrupted.

Seb lifted his face with teary eyes. "Honestly, I didn\'t know why I said that at the time."

After speaking like that, Seb headed out.