Chapter 27: Humble Status

The Babylonian tribe.Houses were scattered yet orderly, indicating a certain level of prosperity.The power of the three witches was vastly inferior to Gilgamesh's, but they could still barely resist the invasions of giant beasts and protect their homes.Humans occupied a mid-tier position in the vast food chain dominated by giant beasts.While they couldn't withstand some terrifying giant beasts, not every type of giant beast could simply treat them as food. Even powerful beasts had to pay a heavy price to attack the tribe and feast upon them.

In the farmlands, women were cultivating crops.In the distance, people clad in animal hides were dissecting the carcasses of enormous, ten-meter-plus giant beasts.Warriors constantly patrolled the tribal perimeter, preventing terrifying giant beasts from attacking the Babylonian tribe.After achieving stable survival, they began to rapidly procreate and expand their population. A large population base was crucial, as it allowed more women to merge with the Evil Eye blood, leading to the emergence of more witches—their only means of self-protection.

Deep within the lush green mountain stream outside the tribe, in the Aimiya Pool, resembling an ethereal fairyland, vibrant green grass and blooming flowers were shrouded in wisps of white mist. Three beautiful women were bathing, their skin as white as ice jade, their figures slender and graceful, like perfect goddesses from mythology.Over a decade had passed, and the original three witches were now in their thirties.At an age when other bug-apes died of old age around thirty or forty, most of their peers had already passed away or were nearing the end of their lives. Yet, time seemed to have left no trace on them.As they bathed in the Aimiya Pool, the three women exuded youthful vitality and possessed athletic physiques, appearing like teenagers.In the past, Gilgamesh had lived for over two hundred years after integrating the second gene. Now, in their thirties, their long lives were just beginning.

Medea, the decisive witch in charge of tribal warfare and honor, was submerged in the clear spring water. She languidly stretched her perfectly rounded legs, letting them surface. "Melixte, she also passed away last night... The sisters who grew up with us, who explored together as children, and excitedly dreamed of conquering giant beasts in the tribe, are now white-haired old women."Cassandra, the gentle witch responsible for herding and herbs, softly rippled the water. She murmured reflectively, "Countless children and grandchildren guarding an elder's bedside, bidding her farewell—that's already the most fulfilling end to a life... As long years passed, I realized that only the bond between us three sisters is eternal. Everything else changes, but we three sisters will not age."Circe smiled alluringly, her eyes sparkling. "My dear sisters, how can you, as the great and majestic guardians of Babylon, be so high and mighty, yet so alone? Don't you envy ordinary girls who have loving husbands and children?"Circe swam over from the pool, her slender fingers gently tracing the white backs of the other two, teasingly saying, "You two, sisters, have never experienced the pleasure of men, nor tasted their wonderful delights. That's why you've always been so distant and refined. Why don't I take the place of a man and let you both experience the joy of being a woman right now..."Medea and Cassandra simultaneously recoiled a few steps, watching her warily. They stated calmly, "Circe, show some respect! Don't try your tricks on us."

"What's the harm?" Circe chuckled playfully, her body swaying alluringly. "It's not like I'm harming men's lives. And I'm not like those weak men; your uncontrollable bursts of psychic energy can't kill me."Yet, the two women continued to eye her cautiously.They knew what Circe wanted: to make them gradually succumb to desire, to become like her, enjoying the forbidden pleasure so much they couldn't stop, eventually preying on men themselves and joining her ranks.Long ago, after witnessing Circe's downfall, they had silently sworn an oath, establishing three strict iron laws for witches:One, before undergoing the Evil Eye blood test, a witch must be a virgin and swear an oath to the heavens never to have a beloved in her life.Two, after becoming a witch, all impure acts are strictly forbidden! Contact with any male is prohibited. Self-defilement will lead to corruption, abandonment by the Lord, and transformation into an evil witch.Three, witches are forbidden from abusing their power or harming people.

Circe was a classic negative example.She had a husband before and strong desires. After becoming a witch, she couldn't resist seeking out men.However, a witch's psychic energy was so immensely powerful that even an uncontrolled emotional outburst could kill a weaker man.This powerful and volatile psychic energy came with a terrible side effect: they were destined not to have lovers.Over the years, Circe had become synonymous with death and fear within the tribe. Every man she vaguely enticed in the dead of night would pass away after a night of pleasure and satisfaction.Countless men lived in fear.Although Circe knew about self-control, a few men in the tribe still died mysteriously every month.In fact, over a decade, hundreds had died, and four new witches had been born.These new witches had also strictly adhered to the "Three Iron Laws of the Witches," becoming guardians of the tribe. The Babylonian tribe now had four affiliated tribes.Over these years, male warriors had indeed participated in the deadly Evil Eye blood test—the tribe never lacked brave individuals. However, the Evil Eye blood was unique, and women had a much higher success rate than men.Yet, it wasn't as if no men had ever succeeded.Over a decade, the individuals who successfully accepted the power were four women and one man, leading to the unexpected birth of the very first rare male witch, which thrilled Circe immensely.With the emergence of a male witch, Circe believed she had finally found a man who could please her without dying.Unfortunately, Circe's psychic power had only grown stronger over the years. Other men typically couldn't survive a single night, dying in pleasure. Even this male witch, after a week of Circe's delirious, daily indulgence, eventually suffered a complete mental breakdown and died.The sudden death of the only male witch left the remaining men in the tribe utterly despairing.On this day, the brave and skilled warriors of the Babylonian tribe finally understood...—"We have been utterly reduced to tools for procreation."