Chapter One – Into the Beast World
"Be careful, everyone! This forest feels a bit strange. Olivier, are you sure we didn't take the wrong direction?"
A young woman with glasses pushed through the thick brush, her voice carrying a hint of unease.
"Err… we're still on the right path. This is the map our teacher gave us, and according to it, we're headed in the correct direction," another girl replied firmly.
The first woman released a long sigh. "I don't know why, but I can't shake this feeling that something's off," she muttered under her breath, continuing forward. After a moment, she glanced back. "What next, Olivia?"
There was no answer.
"Olivia?" she called again, louder this time, but only silence greeted her. A pang of fear seized her chest. She spun around, scanning the trees. "Olivia! Where are you?"
Her voice trembled with panic. "I knew something was wrong… Olivia, are you okay?"
Still no response. The dread clawed deeper into her heart.
"Wait… maybe it's not Olivia who's lost—maybe it's me," she thought, tilting her head upward to the sky. Adjusting her glasses, she whispered, "Why does the sky look so—"
Before she could finish, a sudden portal ripped open in the air and swallowed her whole.
---
The once-clear sky split apart, and from it fell a human body.
"Ahhhhh!"
Her scream echoed as she plunged into a river with a thunderous splash. Fortunately, she wasn't injured—perhaps by sheer luck, or by some unknown intervention.
"Damn it… what just happened?" she groaned, her vision swimming. "Where are my glasses?"
She began to sink back into the water, determined to search, when something firm coiled around her waist and pulled her toward the riverbank. Her legs still dangled in the water when she landed safely against the shore.
"Wh-who's there?" Her heart pounded wildly. Straining her eyes, she could see nothing but blurry outlines. "Thank you… for saving me. Can you… can you please help me find my glasses?" she pleaded softly.
A moment later, an object was pressed into her palm. She instantly recognized the familiar shape without even looking.
"Thank you so much," she breathed with relief, slipping them back onto her face.
The world came into sharp focus—so did the figure before her. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Oh my goodness! I'm losing it! Damn!"
Just inches away stood a man of extraordinary handsome. His long black hair flowed like silk, his ink-dark eyes shimmered with strange pupils, and his sculpted chest revealed a body of flawless muscle. His lower half remained hidden beneath the water, yet his presence was overwhelming.
Her heart thudded uncontrollably. She flushed crimson and tried to steady herself. "Damn it… is this reality or just a dream? This guy is too handsome to be real!"
The man moved closer and cupped her cheek with a large, steady hand. His voice was low, gentle. "Such a beautiful female… why are you so soft? It feels as though you could break with the slightest touch."
The words jolted her back to reality. "Excuse me? Can you speak normally, like a human being?" she countered sharply.
The man studied her with quiet intensity. "Which tribe do you belong to?" he asked.
She pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing inwardly. "Is he the one who's sick, or is it me?" Then, forcing a smile, she murmured, "You've got beautiful eyes."
His brows knit. "Does she want my eyes?" he wondered. Aloud, he questioned, "You… want them?"
She chuckled incredulously. "Are you seriously asking me that?" Shaking her head, she glanced around, only for her expression to freeze. "Wait a second… what is this place?"
The wilderness stretched endlessly, dense and primal, with the river at its center. Nothing resembled the forest she had been walking through before.
"Where are we?" she demanded.
Before the man could answer, glowing letters appeared in the air before her.
> Welcome to the Beast World.
Man Number One – Name: Unknown.
Strength: Unknown.
Origin: Beastman.
Title: Snake King.
Personality: Cold, deadly, unapproachable.
Mate: None.
To learn more, you must earn points. Current information is limited.
...
Her jaw dropped. "The Beast World? And this person I've been talking to is actually a… a snake? Doesn't that make me his meal? I'm doomed!"
Her pulse raced violently, her body trembling.
"Female, are you unwell?" the man asked with evident concern.
Her head grew heavy. "So this is how I die. Just… disappear without even leaving a body behind." Darkness overtook her as she fainted.
The man's composure cracked, and he swiftly gathered her into his arms. With urgency, he carried her out of the river and into a nearby cave.
---
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a dim, unfamiliar chamber. "Am I… in hell?" she muttered, pushing herself upright. The moment her bare foot touched the stone floor, she winced and yanked it back.
"What the hell? Why is the ground so cold? Isn't it supposed to be hot in hell?"
"You're awake," a male voice rumbled.
Startled, she turned and instantly recoiled.
"Why is he here? Does he plan to devour my soul as well?" Fear clouded her gaze.
"Are you still unwell?" He stepped toward her, worry flickering across his sharp features. "Where do you feel pain?"
Her confusion deepened. "Wait… he doesn't look like he wants to harm me. What is happening here?"
"Pearl, are you uncomfortable? Tell me, and I'll call for a healer right away," he urged.
She blinked at him, utterly bewildered. "What… did you just call me?"
"Pearl," he repeated without hesitation.
She stared, dumbfounded, then pinched her arm. No pain. Her eyes widened. "Oh my God… I'm not dead? He didn't kill me?" she whispered in disbelief.
Another glowing message appeared before her eyes:
> Congratulations on becoming the Snake Beastman's mate. Your name is now officially Pearl. You have earned 100 points. You may use these points to ask questions.
This time, her mind went completely blank.