Valkar had told Kael Virell nearly everything about this world.
The entire realm consisted of a vast continent ruled by one deity—the God of Beasts. And though there were islands above the sea, floating cities in the skies, and even domains beneath the ocean, all the major civilizations were under the reign of this single god.
The various species of beasts coexisted, traded, and formed alliances much like the nations in Kael Virell's own world. But as Valkar continued to describe the world, Kael Virell's eyes widened in disbelief.
Why?
Well...
There were no females in this world. Or more precisely, there was only one type of female.
The law of this world was absurdly simple—so much so that Kael felt dizzy just trying to comprehend it.
When a new life is born, it manifests in one of two forms, and that form determines its classification.
Male beasts are born in their beast form—powerful, primal, and driven by strong instincts for survival.
Females, like Kael, are born in the form of fragile, human-like children—weak, small, and taking years to mature.
"N-No... wait... hold on..." Kael waved his hands in the air, forming an 'X' with his arms to signal the beast-man sitting across from him to stop talking.
Of course, the dragon lord wasn't familiar with internet memes or body-language symbols, but thankfully, he paused as soon as Kael spoke and looked at him with those striking violet, feline eyes.
But Kael was not in the mood to admire any beauty.
The talk of childbirth and mating had sent his blood boiling.
[Does this beast society have no concept of decency? How can he say such filthy things with a straight face? And just look at him! He's staring at me like he doesn't even know what he did wrong. Damn it...]
Poor Valkar, who had never mingled with other tribes or species and had always been direct in speech and action, had shared with perfect detail everything Kael had asked about.
And by "everything," that included even the most intimate details of mating and reproduction... in disturbingly vivid detail.
Kael: "..."
I don't need an adult film playing in my head, thank you very much.
"Is there anything else you wish to know?" Valkar asked, once Kael had calmed down and the blush had faded from his face.
In Valkar's eyes, Kael was just a young female—naïve and unacquainted with the world. He didn't know where this beautiful creature came from, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that Kael belonged to him now.
And it wasn't unusual for females to lose their homes or clans in wars or disasters.
That's why, for his own reasons—some even he might not fully understand—Valkar never asked Kael about his past, his family, or his home.
It didn't matter.
He was his now. His and his alone. He would protect him, spoil him, and give him everything he desired.
They would live happily together, and he would make sure Kael never remembered—or missed—anything from his former life.
"No. No, nothing. Thank you for telling me all that… I don't need to know more," Kael replied firmly.
He did not want to hear another vulgar word. Please, spare him.
Sure, he had read a ton of fantasy and BL novels—but he was still a pure-hearted idiot, both in body and soul.
He knew nothing about that side of life... ahem, the one we're all familiar with.
Kael had always been a quiet, serious person—diligent in his studies, focused on his work. The worst thing about him was perhaps his addiction to fantasy novels—but even that didn't count.
Why?
Because the fool never even read anything above a +15 rating.
And yes, I'm dead serious about that.
In all the novels he had devoured over the years, the most explicit scene he had ever read was… a deep kiss between two protagonists that lasted two full minutes.
...
That was it.
You might doubt it, but it was the truth. Kael, despite being 24 years old, was still a blank page.
And he couldn't really be blamed.
Ever since elementary school, he hadn't been hated, exactly—but he was practically invisible. Kids didn't play with him. Teachers rarely called on him. Even in high school, he barely spoke to classmates—just exchanged a few words and then drifted away again.
Kael loved ice. Loved skating. But he didn't take it seriously until he was fourteen.
That was when he began competing—and winning, of course. All solo competitions. He preferred dancing alone on the ice. It made him feel free. Like he belonged.
Still, the skating team he joined was a good one. They treated him like a younger brother despite his aloof personality.
Even the coach would scold him to make him talk more, to help him open up.
Thinking of his coach… and the upcoming competition… Kael's soft brown eyes flickered with hesitation and longing.
[If only there were a way back. Not that I have much waiting for me there—being an orphan and living alone—but… there's the national competition coming up. Coach Zhao must be in chaos right now. No one can take my place on such short notice and learn all those routines.]
"Who are you thinking about?"
A deep, gravelly voice suddenly cut into his thoughts.
In a flash, Kael found himself pulled forward by the arm. Val'kar drew him close, staring into those tear-filled eyes.
[Since the moment these eyes saw me, they've shown nothing but fear, anxiety, and hesitation. Nothing but negative emotions. But now… now he's gazing into the void with that distant look—of longing. I hate it. I don't care if it's for a person, a family, or a tribe— I hate that he has feelings for anything that isn't me. I'm his beast-man. His mate. He should be looking at me like that, not at anything else.]
"Ow… that hurts." Kael winced as Valkar's grip tightened around his wrist. His eyes watered slightly, and when he could no longer bear it, he finally said it out loud—hoping the terrifying dragon would show mercy.
But to his confusion, Valkar responded in a voice that trembled with far deeper pain.
"I hurt too. I hurt so much I feel like dying. I hurt so much I want to rip my heart out just so I don't feel it anymore. I hurt in ways I can't even describe."
Hearing those words, Kael couldn't help but look into the man's eyes.
And what he saw there stunned him.
[What… what's going on? Why does it feel like a storm of emotion is swirling in those beautiful eyes? Why does he look… sad?]
Maybe it was sympathy. Maybe it was the trap of beauty.
But Kael slowly raised his free hand, gently brushing the man's lashes… then touched the lower lid of his eye.
He heard himself whisper, "Don't be sad."