Aries watched from a distance, a dark glimmer in his eyes.

Victor Kane had waited. Five long days.

He wasn’t a fool—he knew that once hunger dug deep enough, people would flock to him, desperate to be one of the six he’d promised to keep alive. Flattery, deals, maybe even bloodshed—anything to earn their place.

Darius Thorn's faction, meanwhile, wouldn’t hold up.

Darius had tried to save everyone, regardless of their usefulness. But unity built on weakness wasn’t unity at all. The capable were growing restless, and it was only a matter of time before they drifted toward Victor, drawn to power.

Victor was patient. He waited until the perfect moment, goading Darius with every passing hour. It was calculated—he knew how people worked, how their minds fractured under pressure. And now, he was the most relaxed man in the room.

"How about me?"

A hand shot up from the crowd.

Sofia stepped forward. She had once humiliated herself before Aries. Now, her gaze fixed on Victor, a new plan forming in her mind.

"You?" Victor raised an eyebrow, sneering. "What can you do? You think I’ll hand over my food just because you’re a little pretty?"

She flinched but recovered quickly, pushing out her chest, eyes unwavering.

"I can do anything. Anything you want."

Victor’s gaze crawled over her body, slow and predatory.

A shiver ran through her, but she stood her ground. For five days, she had fought to survive. When Aries had refused her, she turned her sights on Victor. Sure, he was ruthless, heartless even, but his skills were sharp. He would last longer than Darius, that much was certain.

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If she played her cards right, she could make him king. And if he became king, she’d be queen.

Victor licked his lips, eyes gleaming.

"Alright. You get a pass. But for the rest of them—" he grinned, "strict requirements. Here, eat while you wait."

He tossed her a loaf of bread. She caught it and bit into it without hesitation, devouring it like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted. She knew the others were watching. She could feel their stares, the hunger gnawing at them. And that was exactly what she wanted.

People began to salivate, eyes glued to her every bite.

"Me! Will you take me?"

"I’m stronger! You need me more!"

One by one, they broke. The crowd rushed toward Victor, each one offering their services, their loyalty. The balance had shifted.

There were two clear sides now: Darius and Victor.

Darius stood tall, voice steady. "Victor, splitting into two groups will get us killed."

Victor clicked his tongue, unimpressed.

"Just worry about your own future, alright?"

Darius was losing ground. Victor’s momentum was unstoppable, and soon the chosen few held their heads high, as if they’d been crowned nobles. Ranks were forming.

Darius’s idea of ‘saving everyone’ wasn’t gaining traction. People were starting to think getting rid of the weak was a better option.

He needed a breakthrough.

His eyes drifted toward Aries.

Aries had never lost his top spot among the survivors. He had more food than anyone, yet whenever Darius asked for help, Aries ignored him.

Could they force him? Maybe. But even then, it would be risky. Aries wasn’t just a survivor—he was a predator, a wolf.

Darius had no choice. If he let this slide, Victor would take over completely.

Aries met Darius’s gaze. He seemed to understand.

Without a word, Aries moved toward the center of the room. The murmurs died down instantly. He had never made a move like this before, and the shift in the air was palpable.

Aries’s voice cut through the silence. "I’m going to explore the outskirts of the temple. All volunteers will receive two loaves of bread and fresh water every day."

The room froze.

The sheer insanity of the statement rippled through the survivors. The outskirts? That was where the monsters roamed, where death awaited anyone who stepped too far outside the temple’s crumbling walls.

Was he serious?

The offer of bread and water didn’t make the risk any more appealing. No one wanted to die.

Aries, however, stood there, arms crossed, expression indifferent. It was as if he didn’t care if anyone joined him or not.

Then, a voice broke the silence.

"Mister... can it be three loaves? For me and my father?"

A little girl stepped forward. She couldn’t have been more than nine, her cheeks still round with baby fat. Beside her, her father—an armless man, a victim of the monster attacks.

Death awaited them outside. They couldn’t even defend themselves.

But Aries’s response shattered everyone’s expectations.

"Welcome."