On the other side of the river, the scene was bustling with activity. The males had set up bonfires, fmes crackling and sending up spirals of smoke into the evening sky. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat from freshly caught prey— smaller beasts being skinned and cooked. The wandering beastmen flocked to the newly arrived females the moment they disembarked from the backs of the beasts.
“Look at this!” one male boasted, holding up a rge wild rabbit he had caught. His muscles rippled as he swung the carcass over his shoulder. “Caught it myself, it's meat is tender and juicy. especially delicious." He flexed his arms, showing off his biceps to a wide-eyed female, trying to gauge his reaction.
Another beastman chimed in, his voice loud and proud. “That’s nothing! I took down a pack of wolves, bare-handed,” he said, pointing to the row of wolf pelts id out near the fire. “These hands can protect you!” He stretched out his arms, clearly showing off his broad chest and scars.
“Don’t listen to them,” another male cut in, his voice softer but firm. “I’m not just muscle. I can build, carve, make tools—whatever you need.” He held out a roughly carved wooden figurine of a bird. “You’d be well taken care of.”
The air was filled with a chorus of voices, each trying to outdo the other:
"Little female, little female, I am Mack, strong and able to protect you. Choose me as your partner!"
"Little female, little female, I am Bone. I have sharp fangs and cws. I can catch a good deal of prey for you. You’ll never be hungry again if you choose me."
"Little female, little female, look here…"
Nearby, Kieren hung back a bit with Noah, watching the spectacle unfold. His dark eyes flickered between the males trying to woo the new arrivals and Noah’s reactions.
"Should I… do something too?" Kieren muttered, half to himself but loud enough for Noah to hear. His brow furrowed as he watched the other males flex and boast.
Noah gave him a sidelong gnce, lips quirking up. “You really want to py that game?” he teased, his tone half-joking but also genuinely curious about what Kieren might do.
Kieren's face flushed slightly, his eyes still fixed on the other males. "I mean… if that's what it takes," he mumbled, his deep voice hesitant. “I could… catch something big or… do something impressive, right?”
Noah's smile took on a pyful edge. "Sure, show me something then?" he said, his tone half-challenging, half-amused.
Kieren's eyes widened for a moment, then lit up with excitement. "Alright! Wait right here, I’ll find something special!" he replied eagerly.
Before Noah could say another word, Kieren was off, his rge frame moving with surprising agility as he dashed toward the forest. The other males were too busy with their own antics to notice him leave.
Noah chuckled to himself as he watched Kieren disappear into the trees. He turned back to the bustling camp, shaking his head slightly. “This should be interesting,” he muttered under his breath, a small smile still pying on his lips.
Just as quickly as Kieren had vanished into the forest, he returned, carrying a rge blue pheasant. His expression was filled with pride as if he’d just fetched a rare treasure. Without saying a word, Kieren gently nudged Noah to sit on a tree log near his bonfire. Noah raised an eyebrow, amused but curious, as he settled down.
Kieren wasted no time. He plucked the feathers from the pheasant with quick hands, gutted it, and then washed it thoroughly in the river. Once it was cleaned, he skewered the bird on a sturdy stick and positioned it over the fmes of his bonfire.
Nothing else happened. Kieren just obediently sat by the fire, bnkly staring at the meat in the fmes without any intention of doing anything else.
“Um, what about the seasonings?” Noah eventually asked, breaking the silence.
Kieren seemed to snap out of his daze. He gnced around, then carefully reached into a small pocket sewn into his leather skirt. From it, he pulled out a tiny animal skin pouch, tied tightly with a vine. His movements were slow, almost cautious, as he handed it over.
“What’s this?” Noah asked, his curiosity piqued as he took the pouch.
“Salt,” Kieren said in a hushed tone as if sharing a great secret.
Noah tilted his head in confusion at his secretive actions. “Salt?” he echoed and had a sudden realization. In this primitive world, salt wasn’t just a seasoning; it was a precious commodity, rare and valuable, unlike back on Blue Star, where he could buy a pack for a few coins at any supermarket.
“Take it,” Kieren urged softly, his deep voice almost reverent, his eyes fixed on Noah's hands.
Noah accepted the small pouch of salt, feeling its weight, both literal and figurative. He took a small pinch and sprinkled it over the pheasant, turning on the spit. As the salt hit the roasting skin, it sizzled faintly, mingling with the smoky aroma of the fmes.
Kieren's eyes widened slightly. "Wait," he blurted out, his voice filled with mild panic. “You’re not supposed to put salt on it now! You add it after the meat’s done roasting. It’ll fall off if you do it this way.”
Noah gnced at him and chuckled softly. “Rex. Trust me,” he said with a smile, his fingers deftly working on something inside his small satchel.
Reaching into his bag, Noah pulled out a wrinkled sour orange. With practiced hands, he began peeling it.
“What’s that?” Kieren asked, his gaze following Noah’s every movement.
“A little trick from where I’m from,” Noah replied, his smile widening. “It adds a different kind of fvor. Watch.”
He squeezed the orange over the pheasant, letting the juice drip down onto the roasting meat. The acidic tang mixed with the salt and smoke, releasing a burst of mouth-watering scents that made both their stomachs rumble. The sizzling intensified as the juices hit the fmes, creating a tantalizing aroma that wafted through the camp. The enticing aroma attracted the attention of the other males, but their curious gazes quickly diverted when they noticed Kieren’s protective stance behind Noah, gring at them with a warning that made them think twice about approaching.
Kieren sniffed the air, his nose twitching. “Smells... good”
“Good? It’s going to be amazing,” Noah replied confidently. “The citrus helps to tenderize the meat and adds a nice, tangy fvor that pairs perfectly with the salt.”
Kieren watched Noah, his usual stoic demeanor softening into a slight smile. "You know a lot about roasting meat," he murmured, his eyes never leaving Noah's face.
Noah chuckled softly, his hands busy skewering some ordinary white button mushrooms he had picked earlier in the day. “You could say I’ve had some practice,” he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “Now, just wait and see. I promise you, this will taste better than anything you’ve ever had.”
Kieren’s smile faded slightly, repced by a worried frown. “Those mushrooms… You can’t eat them. They’re poisonous. Someone died from eating them once,” he warned, his tone suddenly serious. His protective instincts fred up, and he leaned closer as if ready to swat the mushrooms away from Noah's hands.
Noah paused, gncing at Kieren with a reassuring smile. “I know what you mean, but not all mushrooms are the same. Some that look dangerous can be perfectly safe. Trust me,” He continued, preparing the mushrooms, a confident smile on his face. “These are completely fine if you know what you’re doing. I’ve eaten them countless times and never had any problems. Not everything that looks simir is the same.”
Kieren hesitated, his brow furrowing as he watched Noah’s steady movements. He could feel the sincerity in Noah’s voice, but couldn’t shake off the remnants of his caution. “Alright… if you’re sure?” he mumbled, his heart softening despite the doubt still lingering. He decided he would try first it ter.
“Absolutely,” Noah reassured him, giving the mushrooms a final turn over the fire. “And if you still don’t trust me, I’ll be the first to eat them.” He shot Kieren a pyful wink, adding, “Besides, who’d want to hurt such a cute bear?”
Kieren’s eyes widened, and he felt his face heat up. “N-No! I mean… yes? No, wait—” he stuttered, clearly flustered by Noah’s unexpected flirting. It was a new experience for him; he had never had a female flirt with him before. Seeing Noah ughing at his reaction, Kieren coughed into his fist, trying to regain his composure, his cheeks still flushed. “I-I mean… I’ll eat it first,” he blurted out, his voice gruff but clearly embarrassed.
Noah’s ughter softened into a warm smile. “Alright, big guy. I’m holding you to that,” he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Let’s hope I impress you with my roasting skills, then.”
“By the way, what’s your name?” Noah asked, leaning back a little as he turned the pheasant and mushrooms over the fire. “You can call me Noah.”
Kieren blinked, caught off guard by the question. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated as if the simple act of saying his name was more difficult than it should be. “It’s Kieren,” he finally managed, his deep voice tinged with a hint of shyness. “I’m... Kieren.”
Noah nodded, smiling. “Kieren… That’s a nice name. Suits a strong bear like you,” he said with a friendly grin.
Kieren looked away, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips. “Thank you... Noah,” he mumbled, his voice soft. It was as if he was testing the way Noah’s name felt in his mouth, savoring it like it was something rare and precious.
Noah couldn't help but be captivated by the sight of Kieren's flushed face, his usually rugged features softened by an innocent blush. There was a quiet allure in the way the bear beastman’s expression seemed to change under the firelight, his eyes reflecting a warmth that Noah hadn’t expected. For a moment, he simply stared, caught off guard by how gentle Kieren could appear.
The comfortable silence between them was broken only by the crackling of the fire and the distant chatter from the camp.
Suddenly realizing he’d been staring, Noah snapped back to his senses, feeling a flush creep up his own cheeks. He cleared his throat, trying to cover up his embarrassment. “Ah, the pheasant—it's ready!” he blurted out, a bit too loudly. He quickly turned his attention back to the food, pretending to busy himself with taking the pheasant off the fmes.
He could feel Kieren’s eyes still on him, and for a second, he wished he could disappear into the smoke rising from the fire. "Here, let's give it a try," he said, trying to regain his composure as he sliced off a leg of the roasted pheasant and handed the rest to Kieren.
Kieren took the offering with a nod, his eyes still lingering on Noah before shifting to the pheasant. He brought the meat to his mouth, hesitating just a moment as if bracing himself. Then he took a bite.
As he chewed, his eyes widened slightly. The fvors hit him all at once—the tenderness of the meat, the bright tang of citrus, and the perfect hint of salt bringing it all together. A soft, appreciative growl escaped his lips, and he quickly took another, rger bite. This time, he chewed more eagerly, a satisfied rumble vibrating deep in his chest. "This is... really good, and sweet!" he mumbled through a mouthful as the deyed sweetness swept through his taste buds.
Noah chuckled, his earlier nervousness fading away. "Told you I know what I'm doing," he said with a wink, enjoying the sight of Kieren devouring the food. Sure enough, the big bear really liked sweet things.
Next, Kieren picked up a mushroom skewer, eyeing it warily. He sniffed at it first, then gave it a tentative lick, and finally took a small bite…
After a moment of careful chewing and study, he seemed convinced it wasn’t poisonous and proceeded to stuff the entire mushroom into his mouth. “Still,” he said between bites, his tone half-scolding, “You have to be more careful in the future.”
Noah made a vague sound of agreement, watching with a smirk as Kieren quickly devoured the entire skewer and then moved on to finish the rest of the pheasant. The sight of the big bear happily gobbling down his cooking was strangely satisfying, and Noah felt a warmth of pride swell in his chest.
Kieren’s appetite was impressive, almost mesmerizing, and as Noah watched him eat with such enthusiasm, he felt his own stomach grumble in response. “Guess I should have made more,” he murmured with a chuckle, amused by Kieren’s unrestrained delight.
Kieren paused mid-bite, blinking at Noah with a bit of meat still in his mouth. He swallowed hastily and mumbled, “Sorry… I can find more if you’re hungry.”
Noah waved a hand dismissively. “No need to apologize. It’s just nice seeing someone enjoy my roasting.” He grabbed the leg of the pheasant for himself and bit down.
As the night deepened and the fires began to die down, the camp gradually grew quieter. Kieren added a few more logs to the fire, watching the fmes crackle and dance. They needed to rest well before departing in the morning, so it was time to settle in for the night. Kieren rose to his full height, his rge form casting a long shadow over the dimly lit ground, and carefully id out an animal skin bnket beside his bonfire. He then turned to Noah, his expression earnest yet a bit hesitant. “You can sleep here,” he offered, patting the bnket with a gentle gesture.
Noah looked at the bnket, then back at Kieren, arching an eyebrow. “Then where will you sleep?” he asked.
“I’ll sleep here.” Without hesitation, Kieren transformed into his bear form, his body swelling and reshaping into a massive, fur-covered creature. He padded over to a spot beside the bnket and curled up, his thick, warm coat providing a natural shield against the night chill. His presence shielded Noah from the cold, offering an unexpected comfort.
Noah blinked, taken aback by the gesture. A soft smile tugged at his lips."That’s... considerate of you," Noah said, his voice softer. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the offer, sitting down on the bnket. "I guess it’s not every day I get a giant, furry bodyguard to keep me warm," he teased lightly, settling into a more comfortable position.
Kieren let out a low, contented rumble. Although he couldn’t speak in his bear form, his thoughts conveyed warmth and reassurance. 'I’ll keep you safe for an eternity if you want... but what's a bodyguard?', snuggling closer and settling into a protective position.
As the night air grew colder, Noah found himself instinctively scooting closer to Kieren’s warm, furry side. The comforting heat and the rhythmic sound of Kieren’s deep breathing worked their magic, and Noah soon drifted into a peaceful slumber, the sense of safety enveloping him in a comforting embrace.
————
He standing in a convenience store, surrounded by dim, flickering lights. The shelves were barren, covered in dust, and scattered with debris. In front of him, a pregnant woman shuffled and groaned, now turned into a zombie, staggered toward him with a jerky, unnatural gait. Her belly was grotesquely swollen, and her eyes were hollow and dead. Her mouth hung open, and a low, guttural moan filled the air. The smell of decay permeated the room as she lurched toward him.
His vision suddenly shifted. He was sitting in a car, the engine idling softly. The road was cracked and overgrown, and the air was thick with tension. Suddenly, mutant animals—a pack of grotesque, deformed creatures—burst from the bushes on the side of the road, unching themselves at a fleet of cars ahead. Snarling and cwing, they attacked with ferocity. The rgest of the pack, the alpha wolf with twisted limbs and patchy fur, lunged directly at the car he was in. The vehicle rocked violently as the beast smmed into it, its jaws snapping and cws raking against the metal.
His vision changed again. He was standing on the edge of a cliff. Loose stones crumbled beneath his feet, tumbling into the abyss below. On his right, a woman stumbled, losing her footing. She teetered on the edge, her eyes wide with panic. He reacted swiftly, grabbing her arm with one hand while his other gripped a thick, strong tree root jutting from the cliffside. With a surge of effort, he pulled her up to safety. She nded on solid ground, panting heavily, but then her lips curled into a sinister smile. Without warning, she dug her fingernails into his hand, scratching deep. His grip slipped, but he held on. She gritted her teeth, pulled a dagger from her thigh, and drove it into his hand. His fingers lost their hold, but he managed to grab her wrist as they both plummeted into the void.
The scene shifted again. He was falling into the open maw of a mutated, building-sized pitcher pnt. Its slick, fleshy walls glistened with moisture, and its insides pulsed with a sickly glow. He plunged his dagger into the wall, slowing his descent. Looking down, he saw the bubbling acid at the bottom, hissing and spitting, waiting hungrily for him to fall.
The person beside him suddenly moved, and Noah woke up. After five years of surviving in the apocalypse, he had become hyper-aware of his surroundings, even in his sleep.
The furry arm beneath his head retracted, and Noah blinked, still groggy. Something soft repced the arm, and a voice spoke from above. “Did I wake you? Sorry. Why don’t you sleep a bit longer?” Kieren's deep, gentle voice rumbled softly in the early morning stillness.
Without another word, Noah’s body instinctively rexed, his tense muscles unwinding as he sank back into the comfort of the makeshift bedding. This time, Noah’s sleep was deep and undisturbed. An hour passed like a blink, and he felt a gentle nudge against his shoulder.
“We will be leaving after breakfast,” Kieren’s voice broke through the haze of sleep, bringing Noah back to reality.
Noah opened his eyes slowly, blinking up at the bear beastman, whose face was close enough for him to see the softness in his dark eyes. The morning light had just started to seep through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over the camp.
Stretching, Noah rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Alright, I’m up,” he mumbled, still shaking off the remnants of sleep. He felt surprisingly well-rested, the deep slumber having done wonders to clear his mind and ease his exhaustion. “What’s for breakfast?”
After a quick meal of BBQ and fruits, Noah felt refreshed and ready to go, climbing onto Kieren’s broad back.
“Let’s take off,” Bai Lie called out from the front of the pack. With a powerful leap, he transformed mid-air, wings spreading wide as he took flight. Several other winged beastmen followed suit, their forms soaring gracefully above the tree canopy, cutting through the crisp morning air.
On the ground, those without wings began their journey, muscles rippling under fur and skin as they broke into a steady run. The group on the nd was led by the stag elder, his antlers gleaming in the sunlight. Right behind him was Kieren, the brown bear, carrying Noah. The bear moved with a powerful yet smooth gait, each step purposeful, keeping up easily with the pace set by the leader.
Noah, perched on Kieren’s back, gnced up at the sky, watching the winged beastmen glide effortlessly above. For a moment, he envied their freedom in the air. Since ancient times, humans have yearned to fly freely in the sky.
But there was something grounding about the rhythmic movement of Kieren’s strides beneath him. He leaned slightly forward, his hands gently gripping the thick fur, feeling the powerful muscles shifting with each step.
They had been on the move for eight straight hours when Noah’s eyes caught sight of a breathtaking waterfall in the distance. At first, it was just a shimmering veil of white against the greenery, but as they drew closer, its grandeur became more apparent. The cascade of water tumbled down from a height, creating a dazzling dispy of nature’s power and beauty.
Before the apocalypse, Noah had been caught up in the relentless pace of his career, leaving little time for travel or leisure. This was the problem with 90% of people in modern times, being born in poverty or just above the poverty line. He often wondered how many people, trapped in the cycle of modern life, missed out on the simple joys and splendors of the world due to their busy schedules. The harsh reality for many had been to focus solely on survival, they did not have the time to enjoy their lives, the beauty of nature, the luxury of food, or the elegance of the cssics.
And after the apocalypse, forget traveling, mere survival had become a luxury. Anyway, pollution and devastation have left the pnet scarred, to the point of no return. So now, seeing this magnificent view, a breathless “wow” escaped his lips, his eyes wide with awe.
Lost in the view, Noah didn’t immediately notice that Kieren, below him, didn't slow down, instead, he sped up.
The bear’s powerful muscles rippled as he surged forward. It wasn’t until the cool mist of the waterfall began to touch his skin that Noah realized they were speeding up. He looked down, surprised, and saw Kieren’s focused expression. “Hey, Kieren! What’s the rush?” Noah called out, his voice tinged with arm.
A shout came from behind, cutting through the roar of the falls: "Lower your heads, and keep your bodies low!" The urgency in the voice jolted Noah into action. He instinctively leaned forward, pressing himself ft against Kieren's broad back, though not before punching the bear repeatedly in startled desperation and letting out a shriek that sounded suspiciously like, "Wait, wait, wait—" just as they plunged into the thick curtain of water.
Kieren leaped from rock to rock with surprising agility for his size. Each jump sent them crashing through the water, the cold spray soaking Noah to the bone and making it difficult to breathe. Just when Noah thought the worst was over, Kieren made a particurly rge leap through the water curtain, and they began to descend rapidly. Panic cwed at Noah’s chest as they dropped, his heart hammering in his ears. But before they could fall too far, Kieren found a foothold, his powerful legs tensing as he pushed off again.
This time, instead of another watery barrier, they smmed into a curtain of thick vines. Noah grunted as they were spped by vine after vine, his body jolting with each hit. Finally learning his lesson, he pressed himself even closer to Kieren, gripping tightly to avoid getting flung off. The bear's movements were chaotic, like riding a bucking bull through a jungle. Noah's knuckles turned white as he held on, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his heart racing with adrenaline and disbelief.
Each jarring jump felt like it would send them both plummeting into the abyss, but Kieren’s strength and instincts kept them moving, bounding from one precarious foothold to another, until they finally cleared the obstacles and nded on solid ground. Noah exhaled in relief, his body trembling from the rush. "You... you could’ve warned me!" he panted, half-ughing, half-gasping.
Carefully, Noah looked up, still keeping his head low as the vine curtain parted. What he saw on the other side took his breath away. It was a scene straight out of a fantasy novel—only, he reminded himself, he was actually living in a world that was no less fantastical.
They had emerged into a vast cave hidden behind the waterfall. The entire cave was flooded with water, save for a small isnd in the middle. At the edge of this isnd stood a towering tree, its massive trunk rising from the water like an ancient sentinel. The trunk was so thick that even three bears standing paw-to-paw wouldn't be able to encircle it. Its gnarled roots disappeared into the dark, clear waters, adding to its imposing presence.
The tree stretched upwards for nearly 40 meters, piercing through the roof of the cave where it created a natural skylight. Sunlight streamed in from the hole, casting dappled patterns across the flooded cave, while vines and creeper pnts cascaded down from the opening above, hanging like emerald-green curtains. The interpy of light and shadow danced across the water's surface, creating a serene yet otherworldly atmosphere that felt almost sacred.
【? Astralroot Mangrove Rank A
The Astralroot Mangrove thrives along goon shores and coastal regions. Its thick, twisted roots rise from the water like ancient limbs, creating a protective web.
The tree's deep indigo bark is speckled with silvery, star-like patterns that seem to twinkle in lunar light. Its rge, dark green leaves shimmer faintly when touched by moonlight and are said to emit a soft hum at night.
Under a full moon, the roots glow silver, calming rough waters and soothing those resting beneath its canopy. The tree produces a rare, luminous sap prized for enhancing potions. However, this sap is guarded by water spirits, and collecting it without care risks angering them.
Notes: The Astralroot Mangrove is a sacred site for rituals reted to the moon, stars, or water, as its lunar resonance amplifies their effects. It is an ancient and powerful presence, and disturbing it without respect can lead to dire consequences, including curses.】
In the middle of the isnd stood a small and inconspicuous, bare white tree, its trunk bent away from the Astralroot as if bowing in reverence.
The little dummy, 001, was also marveling at their new surroundings, poking his head out from Noah's satchel, looking left and right. His movements were so exaggerated that he tumbled out of the bag. Noah noticed from the corner of his eye and reached out, but 001 filed his arms too much. Just when Noah thought 001 would fall into the water, the dummy nded gently on the surface instead. Only then did Noah realize that just beneath the water, near the cave walls, was a bed of rge, round, green leaves and flower buds, providing a natural carpet that cushioned the fall.
【? Luminis Lotus Rank B
The Luminis Lotus is an exquisite aquatic pnt that thrives in clear, tranquil waters with minimal sunlight. Its leaves are remarkably strong, capable of supporting up to a ton without sinking.
The lotus blooms just above the water, with pearlescent white and soft pink petals that emit a gentle bioluminescent glow at night. At the heart of the flower are golden stamens that produce a unique, luminous nectar, attracting a specific type of firefly known as Glowflies. This nectar acts as a rexant with mild anesthetic properties.
Notes: The Luminis Essence must be collected with care, preferably during the twilight hours when its glow is at its strongest, or it will turn poisonous.】
Noah picked up 001 and gave him a light spank on his little butt, a mixture of exasperation and relief on his face. "That’ll teach you to stay put," he muttered, though his lips twitched with a hint of a smile.
Kieren circled around the small tree, following a path formed by the Luminis Lotus leaves. From here, Noah could see that the massive roots of the Astralroot Mangrove formed a natural pond within the water. The roots were covered in vibrant green moss and dotted with tiny, glowing blue parasol mushrooms. The tree's shadow stretched over the pond, causing the mushrooms to shimmer like scattered fairy dust against the dark backdrop.
As they continued deeper into the tunnel-like passage, the water gradually receded, giving way to the cold, rocky floor of the cave. The passage opened up into an even rger cavern, one as vast as a football field. The walls echoed with cheers and howls as they emerged. Males stood on both sides of the path, forming a parade route, and they roared and hollered with excitement.
The atmosphere was electric. Noah understood the reason for their enthusiasm. In any tribe, females were considered a vital resource, and today was a day of celebration.
At the center of the cavern, a rge bonfire roared, its fmes dancing high. Above it, an even rger stone pot simmered, filled with a hearty broth made from dinosaur bones and wild vegetables. The aroma of the rich, bubbling soup wafted through the cave, mingling with the sounds of revelry and anticipation.
Further ahead, the beastmen had cleared a wide space, revealing a roughly hewn yet sturdy stone ptform that served as a stage, raised slightly above the ground to give it prominence. It stood as the focal point of the cavern, illuminated by the flickering light of the bonfire, which danced across its surface, while the ceiling above sparkled with clusters of luminous crystals, casting a soft, otherworldly light throughout the space. The beastmen gathered around, their eyes fixed on the stage with anticipation as if waiting for the main event to unfold.
Three beastmen were standing on top of the stage. They were the stag elder and the young chief, Bai Lei, while the other was an old female beastman.
The five new females, including Noah, were led up to the stage. Before parting, Kieren whispered softly to him, "Don't worry."His words, though simple, were a small comfort.
From here, Noah had a better view of the cavern. They were positioned on the right side of the stage. Just below them, behind the stage, were the females and cubs of the drifter beastmen, who were watching intently.
The stag elder stepped forward, his voice echoing powerfully through the cavern. "Today, we celebrate not just the arrival of these new Females but also the triumph of our young chief, Bai Lei. Through courage and wisdom, he has secured a valuable alliance and brought us five new females, strengthening our future. Let us raise our voices in honor of our hero, Bai Lei, whose bravery and leadership have illuminated our path forward."
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices blending with the crackling of the bonfire. Bai Lei stood there, his face bnk but his posture proudly without any humility as he acknowledged the praise.
Next, the old female beastman took center stage. Her voice, rich and melodious, wove a poetic welcome for the newcomers. "In the heart of our sacred cavern, beneath the gaze of the stars and the warmth of the fire, we welcome you, our new Females. You are like the dawn's first light, bringing promise and hope. May your presence here be like the soft rain that nurtures the earth, and may your hearts find a home among us. Here, amidst the flickering fmes and ancient songs, we embrace you as a part of our herd."
The stag elder's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at the five females huddled on the side. Turning back to the crowd, he announced, "The new females will choose their males on this first day! Each of you will have the chance to prove your worth at this stage. Good luck to those who compete!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the beastmen below the stage, their excitement so fierce it seemed to shake the very walls of the cavern. Noah quickly covered his sensitive goat ears, the noise was almost too much to bear.
"But..." the female elder interjected, turning back toward the White Tiger, her eyes narrowing with a knowing glint before she gestured toward the huddled females. "As our Leader, Chief Bai Lei, will have the honor of making the first choice from among the new females."
A hush fell over the cavern. The crowd held its breath, waiting for Bai Lei’s decision.
Bai Lei disinterestedly raked his eyes over the huddled females, his expression hardening with each passing second. To him, they all looked the same, small and timid, their bodies tense with uncertainty, eyes downcast or darting nervously. None of them held his gaze. Annoyance bubbled inside him like a simmering pot.
His lips curled in a slight sneer as he continued to survey them. His eyes moved from one to the next, finding nothing but fear and hesitation. The murmurs of the crowd quieted down, sensing his displeasure. Some of the beastmen exchanged uneasy gnces, waiting to see what their chief would do next.
Bai Lei's sharp gaze finally settled on Noah, who stood slightly apart from the others.
"You."
Sun_Mo
