On the stage, the brown bear, towering and powerful, pinned the red wolf beneath a massive paw. With a dismissive shake of his head, he let out a guttural roar that seemed to shake the very heavens. The sound was raw and primal, reverberating through the cave, sending a wave of anticipation and adrenaline through the onlookers.

  The other beastmen followed his lead. One by one, they joined in, their roars merging into a deafening chorus that filled the cavernous space, amplifying the intensity of the atmosphere. The walls seemed to vibrate with their collective power, as if the cave itself was alive, echoing the primal energy of these warriors in the throes of battle.

  The crowd's fervor grew. Cheers erupted from all corners, with members of the pack chanting and calling out names, their voices full of pride and excitement. The Cub’s voices were especially loud, their high-pitched cries of "Kieren! Kieren!" cutting through the deeper tones of the adults. Though other names were shouted as well, they were lost in the cacophony.

  But Noah's attention was elsewhere.

  Up on the stage, the brown bear lifted his massive forepaw, waving in Noah's direction with an almost childlike glee. His delighted expression, so at odds with the blood-soaked battlefield around him, was striking.

  Noah couldn’t help but smirk at the sight. Even in the midst of all this chaos, Kieren had the audacity to acknowledge him, to proudly dispy his victory like a Cub showing off a prized possession. "That big idiot," Noah muttered to himself, amusement flickering in his eyes.

  Kieren transformed back into his human form and, without missing a beat, he leaped down from the stage and began making his way toward Noah. The crowd parted for him, chanting his name and egging him on, their voices rising in an electrifying wave that filled the cave.

  The other four males who had remained standing on the blood-soaked stage followed suit, each shifting back into their human forms as they descended. Their eyes were set firmly on the new females, eager to stake their cim.

  The problem, however, was that Kieren had transformed right in front of the entire pack—and he was completely naked!

  Noah’s eyes involuntarily drifted down to Kieren Jr., and... yep, it was just as lively as it had been yesterday. Fortunately, it wasn't standing up.

  'Seriously?' Noah thought. 'Does this guy have no shame at all?' The big idiot seemed utterly unfazed, striding over like he owned the pce, his confident grin never wavering.

  Kieren, oblivious to any sense of modesty or the chaos he was causing in Noah's mind, approached him with a broad grin, his eyes bright with triumph. He stopped just in front of him, his posture rexed and proud, like a warrior presenting himself after a hard-fought battle.

  "I did it, Noah!" Kieren's voice boomed with excitement, his chest heaving with adrenaline and satisfaction. "Did you see me up there?"

  Noah crossed his arms. "Yeah, I saw," he replied dryly. "And now everyone else saw a little more than they bargained for."

  Kieren tilted his head, a momentary look of confusion crossing his face before realization dawned. He gnced down at himself, his grin faltering for just a heartbeat before it came back even wider if that were possible. "Ah, right! Sorry, I forgot about it!" he said with an unapologetic ugh as if he were merely talking about forgetting to bring a snack.

  The crowd, unfazed by the nudity, continued to cheer and chatter amongst themselves. It wasn’t uncommon for beastmen to transform freely, so most of them barely batted an eye. The other four males, now also standing before the new females, were in simir states, though a few had managed to cover themselves with scraps of clothing or fur.

  One of the females, a tall, slender tiger female, eyed Kieren with a raised eyebrow. "You might wanna dress up before making any bold decrations, Chief Warrior," she teased, her tone half-joking, half-admiring.

  The tiger female turned her attention to the newly arrived females, her demeanor shifting to one of excitement. "Come on now!" she called out, her voice cutting through the noise with ease. "Don’t just stand there gawking—find your spirit! Dance, eat, and enjoy! Let’s give our newest members the celebration they deserve!"

  The crowd responded with renewed vigor.The tiger female, now fully in her element, turned her attention to the new females with a commanding yet welcoming tone. "Come on now! Look alive, people! Tonight’s a night of celebration!" she urged, her voice brimming with infectious enthusiasm.

  A rge bonfire bzed at the center of the cavern, surrounded by several smaller fires that flickered with a warm, inviting glow. The new females were guided towards the bonfire closest to the main one, where the celebration was already in full swing.

  Noah, observing the scene, couldn’t help but wonder where all the smoke was going. The cavern, despite the numerous fires, seemed unusually clear of smoke. It was as if the cave itself had an efficient ventition system, allowing the revelers to enjoy the festivities without the discomfort of smoke choking their celebration.

  Ezra fluttered his wings and gave Noah a curious look as if he had been waiting for the right moment to expin. “Oh, it’s super cool!” Ezra began with a wide-eyed enthusiasm. “The cave has these really big ol’ cracks and tunnels up high that ya can’t spot from down here.”He pointed upwards with a little flutter of his wings. “The smoke and hot air go up through those cracks, an' fresh air comes in through other little holes and cracks lower down. It’s like the cave breathin’ in an’ out! So even with all these fires, it doesn’t get too smoky.”

  Ezra’s face lit up with pride as he continued. “It’s kinda like magic, but it’s really just the way the cave is made. It keeps everything nice an' clear so we can party and not chokin' on smoke!”

  Noah listened intently, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He was impressed by Ezra's knowledge and the crity of his expnation. For a Cub and a primitive beastman, Ezra’s understanding was remarkable. and his perceptiveness to other people's emotions was quite sharp.

  “Wow, Ezra, that’s really something,” Noah said, his voice warm with appreciation. “You’ve got quite a knack for expining things. I’m really impressed.”

  Ezra’s reaction was quite cute. His cyan eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as he fluttered his wings, basking in Noah's praise. He looked up with a shy smile, the blush on his cheeks deepening just slightly.

  “Oh, thanks, Brother Noah!” he said, his voice soft but carrying a hint of satisfaction. “I reckon I’ve learned a lot from watchin' and listenin'."

  Decisively, the new females were separated into smaller groups, each one being guided to different areas around the cave. Noah observed the process with a thoughtful nod. It was a cssic strategy: divide and rule. By separating the newcomers, the pack could more effectively integrate and assimite them into their community.

  Noah reflected on the process, realizing that it wasn't just merely celebrating victories or welcoming new additions; it was about ensuring that the newcomers felt truly part of the pack and understood their pce within it.

  In a way, Noah saw a parallel to his experiences at the end of the world. In those dire times, simir processes of integration had occurred, often done strategically.

  As he observed the pack, Noah couldn't shake the feeling that the members might not fully grasp the depth of their own approach. What seemed like an instinctive, natural process to them was, in reality, a highly effective method of ensuring cohesion and stability.

  It was a blend of tradition and tactical wisdom, shaped by their own experiences and needs, and Noah admired the unspoken understanding that unguided their actions.

  Noah settled himself comfortably beside one of the fires, feeling the warmth seep through the chill of the cave. Ezra and Liam fnked him on both sides as they bombarded him with their chatter.

  Liam, brimming with enthusiasm, was the more talkative of the two. He spoke animatedly about everything from the duels to his dreams of becoming strong like the warriors he admired. His excitement was palpable, and his questions were endless, making sure Noah was thoroughly engaged.

  Ezra, on the other hand, was quieter but still very much present in the conversation. He would occasionally interject, his voice soft and gentle, making sure Noah could follow along with Liam's rapid-fire chatter. It was as if he was transting Liam’s excitement into more digestible pieces, adding context or crifying details. His wings fluttered slightly as he shifted to make himself comfortable, always careful not to let them get too close to the fmes.

  Kieren, having finished his rounds of distributing meat, now approached with a fresh batch of succulent pieces.

  “Here you go, Noah,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the ambient chatter around the fire. “Got the best pieces for you.”

  Noah accepted the meat with a nod, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks, Kieren. At least now you remembered to put something on before walking around again,” he teased.

  Kieren chuckled sheepishly.

  Liam, who had been animatedly discussing perked up at the sight of Kieren. “Chief Warrior! Did ya see me practicin' earlier? I’m gettin’ real good, right?”

  Kieren grinned and nodded. “Yeah, I saw you, little warrior. You’ve got promise.” He reached over and ruffled Liam’s hair, which only seemed to fuel the boy’s excitement further.

  Ezra, meanwhile, looked up from where he was carefully pulling apart his meat with his small cws. “If Liam doesn’t trip over his own feet first,” he added with a pyful smirk.

  “Hey!” Liam protested, pouting. “I ain't that clumsy! Right, Brother Noah?”

  Noah gnced between the two boys and couldn’t help but chuckle. “I think you’ve got a little more practice ahead of you, Liam,” he replied, amusement evident in his tone. “But with Ezra keeping you in check, I’m sure you’ll get there.”

  Kieren ughed along with them. “Stick with it, and one day you might even be as strong as me,” he added with a mock flex of his muscles, earning a collective groan from Noah and Ezra, while Liam jumped up in excitement, pumping his fist in the air.

  “I’ll be even stronger!” Liam decred, his eyes sparkling with determination. “Just you wait!”

  Kieren chuckled, amused by Liam's enthusiasm, and turned back to the fire to tend to the meat. The fmes danced, casting flickering shadows across his face as he carefully rotated the skewers, making sure everything was evenly cooked and not burnt. The aroma of sizzling meat filled the air.

  Noah, watching Kieren’s practiced movements, reached into his bag and pulled out the small pouch of salt that Kieren had given him the night before.

  Liam and Ezra, ever curious, leaned in to peek at what Noah was holding. The moment they realized it was salt, their eyes widened comically—googly and exaggerated, with their mouths hanging open in astonished disbelief. It was as if they’d just discovered some kind of hidden treasure.

  Noah couldn’t help but chuckle at their reactions. With a bemused smile, he reached over and gently pushed their mouths closed with his hands. “You’d better close your mouths. Are you trying to catch flies?” he teased.

  Liam and Ezra snapped out of their stupor almost simultaneously. With a sudden burst of energy, they lunged forward and practically pounced on Noah, trying to shield the salt pouch in his hand from view. Their small bodies pressed tightly against his, practically crushing him in a clumsy hug as they brought him down to the ground, eyes wide with genuine panic.

  “Shh, Brother Noah! Don’t let anyone else see it!” Liam whispered urgently, his voice trembling with exaggerated urgency. “If everyone finds out, they’ll all want some!” His body was half-draped over Noah's arm, his small hands gripping Noah's wrist tightly.

  Ezra, on the other side, was no less frantic. He leaned in closer, his wings fluttering in agitation as he added in a hushed tone, "Durn it, Brother Noah, this could cause a stampede! Imagine everyone fighting over it! If they find out ya have salt, the whole pack will go crazy!"

  Noah looked down at the two of them, his expression caught between amusement and exasperation. “Hey, hey, calm down, you two! I get it, I get it!” he chuckled, trying to sit up but finding himself stuck under the weight of their desperate clinging. “You guys really know how to overreact, huh?”

  But their dramatics only intensified. "Just salt?!" Liam nearly squealed. “Brother Noah, that ‘just salt’ could change everything!” His voice was filled with a kind of innocent sincerity that made Noah snort.

  Ezra nodded furiously as if they were discussing the fate of the pack. “Brother Noah, salt isn’t just for fvor. It’s mighty important! It keeps food from spoilin' and helps our bodies stay strong. Packs even trade and fight over it! It’s like... Havin' salt is like havin' ...power.”

  He looked up at Noah, his big eyes earnest. “And bein' wanderin' beastmen, other tribes aren’t very keen on trading with us," he added in a more subdued tone. “So, having salt like this… It’s a big deal,” he reasoned, eyes darting around to make sure no one was listening.

  Noah knew that salt was often referred to as "white gold" in the past, but he hadn't realized just how serious it could be for these people.

  In the early years of the apocalypse, he had once been stuck in a salt storehouse for 15 days. He could still remember the walls lined with endless bags of salt, the air so dry and pungent that it seemed to crackle with it. By the time he had managed to escape, he was already sick of the sight of it. For him, salt had been nothing more than an unpleasant reminder of those days of desperation.

  Kieren, catching sight of the three of them tangled together in a heap of limbs on the ground, burst into a hearty ugh. “What is this now? A cuddle pile?” he teased, his voice rumbling with amusement.

  He feigned a pout and added, “Aww, now I'm sad I wasn’t invited. Here I am, working hard with the meat, and you’re all over here having a good time without me!”

  Noah shot him a deadpan look from beneath the pile of excited boys. "You sure about that? With how lively you are today, you might crush us all."

  Liam, still wrapped around Noah's side, chuckled. "Yep, we don’t want to be bear pancakes, Kieren!"

  Kieren snorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, can’t say I wouldn’t enjoy that. But I’d probably prefer something a bit more... meaty," he added with a wink aimed squarely at Noah, the pyful innuendo clear.

  Noah rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming, you big oaf."

  Ezra, ever the opportunist, chimed in, “Or we could just make Kieren handle all the cookin' while we enjoy our 'cuddle pile.' That way, everybody wins!"

  The suggestion earned him a ruffle of his hair from Noah and a faux-offended gasp from Kieren. "Betrayed by my own," Kieren mented, hand over his heart in mock drama. "You two are lucky you’re cute."

  Liam and Ezra, still giggling but somewhat relieved, nodded eagerly. They settled back down beside Noah, but not without shooting occasional suspicious gnces at anyone who came near as if guarding a precious secret. The night continued with the same lively energy, but now with a little extra yer of conspiracy among the group.

  As Noah listened to the Cubs chatter and bicker, a loud, unabashed ugh suddenly cut through the ambient noise, drawing his attention. He turned his head towards the source, spotting the commotion two bonfires away from them, near the main bonfire where Bai Lei and the elders were gathered. There, amidst the flickering fmes and smoke, stood a figure he recognized all too well.

  The man was tall and powerfully built, his muscur frame illuminated by the firelight. His tanned skin contrasted sharply with his wild, blonde hair, which was spiked up like a bzing fme, held in pce by some kind of transparent gel. Two thick strands fell artfully on either side of his face, framing it. Just above his forehead, a pair of yered, curved golden horns jutted out, gleaming against his dark skin—a striking feature that added an almost regal, yet menacing air to him.

  His eyes were even more unsettling. Pink irises surrounded by stark white, slitted pupils that resembled a cat’s, giving him a predatory look that was hard to ignore. To make matters worse, he wore thick bck eyeliner that extended sharply from his upper eyelids toward his temples and trailed down from his lower eyelids along the sides of his nose bridge, elongating his eyes and giving him an even more intense, almost theatrical appearance. He looked like a long-lost cousin of Cleopatra, blending an eerie elegance with something wild and untamed.

  Those eyes curved upwards slightly as he grinned, glinting with a barely contained madness. A mouth-splitting smile stretched across his face as he ughed with a kind of deranged joy that sent a chill down Noah’s spine. It was a ugh that echoed through the cave, filled with a wild, unpredictable energy that seemed ready to burst at any moment.

  There was something unmistakably dangerous about him—like a predator that reveled in chaos. And from the way the other pack members around him seemed on edge, Noah could tell he wasn’t the only one who noticed. The man was a presence—a votile force of nature amidst the celebration, and it was clear he enjoyed every second of the attention.

  Azazel was an anti-vilin in the novel.

  He was also Bai Lei's twin brother.

  And a truly eccentric pervert with a violent streak.

  Written as someone who would go to any lengths to get what he wanted by the author, he often refused to work with most people, if he bothered to work with anyone at all. That is.

  His moral compass was so twisted that when he saw Bai Lei becoming what he called a 'pathetic beastman' because of the female lead, he casually suggested that Bai Lei either kill her or let him do the job for him.

  Azazel was fully aware of the toxicity of his actions and even seemed to revel in it. The only time he felt a hint of remorse was when he was electrocuted and locked up in the Abyssal Trench for being overly aggressive and threatening the female lead with serious bodily harm, because it meant he couldn’t participate in the war between the Beastmen and Elves. But that thought was fleeting—almost immediately, he took over the prison with the other captive and criminal beastmen, showing his relentless, unpredictable nature.

  In that insane novel, for Noah, this crazy pervert was ironically the most sane person, as his actions, however extreme, were always brutally honest and straightforward.

  Azazel's presence in the story was a twisted kind of stability amid the chaos of conflicting motivations and hidden agendas. For Noah, who had to navigate the convoluted plotlines of the novel, Azazel’s insanity was at least consistent. The man’s brutal honesty, even when it was violent and perverse, was easier to predict than the deceit and manipution from supposedly more 'noble' and 'holy mother' characters.

  Now, seeing him in person—ughing "Bwahahahaha" maniacally by the bonfire, his eyes wild with unsettling glee, his legs spread apart, and his hands spping his thighs as if he had heard the funniest joke in existence.—was almost surreal for Noah. It was like a piece of that twisted novel had sprung to life right in front of him.

  Azazel’s presence wasn’t just intimidating—it was suffocating. The crowd around him didn’t dare gnce his way, let alone speak too loudly. Even the elders seated around the main bonfire watched him with a mixture of wariness and caution, clearly aware of the potential danger this man posed.

  Noah couldn't help but wonder what brought Azazel here. What was his game here? He wasn’t the type to come to a celebration just for some good old fun and socializing. No, Azazel thrived on chaos and discord, and Noah could feel that something was brewing beneath the surface.

  Noah's instincts fred; he knew Azazel's chaotic nature far too well. It wasn’t long before Azazel’s eyes—those unsettling pink irises—swept across the crowd and nded on him. The recognition was immediate, and a slow, twisted grin spread across Azazel’s face. There was a glint in his eye, a dangerous kind of delight as if he’d just spotted a new toy to py with.

  Kieren, noticing Noah’s sudden tension and the direction of his gaze, turned to see what had caught his attention. His expression shifted from pyful to serious in an instant. “Noah,” he muttered under his breath, “it’s best not to look in that direction.”

  Noah's lips thinned into a tight line. "Unfortunately, I already have."

  He had a feeling this night was about to spiral into chaos, and he could only hope he’d be ready for whatever Azazel had in mind.