The cave was quiet except for the soft drip of water somewhere deep in the stone and the occasional rustle of Naga's coils shifting against the stones.
Alex sat cross-legged in the center of the massive nest, still wrapped in his makeshift moss-towel, cheeks flushed from the earlier heat haze and the even more embarrassing conversation that had followed. Naga lounged in a loose spiral around him, upper body propped on one elbow, emerald eyes fixed on Alex with that unnerving mix of hunger, adoration, and satisfaction.
The system cat floated lazily above them, tail flicking like it was conducting an invisible orchestra.
[System: Sooooooo… if I'm not interrupting something, time for the real talk nobody asked for but everybody needs. Beast World 101, baby!]
The system stretched mid-air, paws extended like it was about to give a TED Talk. A little holographic chalkboard popped up beside it with the words "Beast World 101" written in sparkly pink letters.
[System: Okay, crash course time! Beastmen—like your big scaly hubby over there—bond for life. One mate. No take-backs. No refunds. No "it's not you, it's me." The mark on your tummy? That's the magical equivalent of a wedding ring, a house deed, and a blood oath all rolled into one. Permanent. Eternal. Congrats, you're basically married now!]
[ Oh, another important and interesting thing I forgot to tell you. ]
[ Females of beast world can have multiple mates.
Their main goal is to reproduce as many children as possible and strengthen the tribe And as I said, omegas are practically females so, you can also have multiple husbands and your goal is to become pregnant with many children as possible to save this world. ]
[ A.k.a., you have to get many husbands and get banged multiple times. ]
Alex: (• ロ •)
" Are you fucking kidding me? What do you mean pregnant? I can get pregnant? " Alex's scream bounced off the cave walls like rubber ball in a tin can. Birds outside stopped chirping mid-note. Big butterflies stopped flying.
" Pregnant? You can get pregnant? " Naga snapped his head towards Alex. Thumping his tail once.
" Yes. It says I have to become pregnant with as many babies as possible. " Alex spoke with the fury of the man who got scammed by the destiny.
" Explain. "
Alex turned his head back to the system so he didn't noticed how Naga's tail thumped thrice on the ground and his eyes soften.
The system cat spun in a slow, smug circle, tail flicking.
[System: Omegas can get pregnant so it's Not "can." It's Technically will. High compatibility + female (in heat) pheromone + that shiny new mate mark = walking beastman magnet= high possiblity of pregnancy.]
[ Female are extremely rare compare to male in this world. So polyandry is the norm here. So, expect suitors. Lots of them. Very enthusiastic ones. Think Black Friday stampede, but with abs, fangs, fluffy ears and tails. ]
[ And let me tell ya, you have no idea what extent a male beastmen goes just so the female they like would mate with them and give birth to their babies.]
Alex sat bolt upright, clutching his leaf-towel like it was the last life jacket on the Titanic. His curly hair stuck out in every direction, making him look like an angry dandelion.
""No. Nope. Hard pass. Return ticket! Now!" he demanded, jabbing a finger at the floating cat. "I have a biology exam in—like—negative three days! I still don't know the difference between mitosis and meiosis! I have no intention of getting my ass broken again. So tell me how can I get home! "
[ Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you your main mission.
Collect seven different coloured sacred stones and save the Beast World.]
[ Reward: Grants any one of your wish( including resurrection in human world) ]
" Resurrection in human world... you mean I'll revive back in my world if I collect all those colourful stones? " Alex asked pointing his finger at the system panel.
[ Yes, but it's kinda difficult. Those stones are guarded by seven powerful tribes. Those stones carry large amount of this world's pure energy and collectively can open an interdimensional portal which can send you back home if that's what you want.]
Alex's eyes went comically wide, like a cartoon character who just realized the cliff edge had crumbled.
"Held by seven super-powerful tribes? That sounds like the plot of a video game I would rage-quit on level one!"
The system cat floated upside-down now, batting at an invisible ball of yarn.
[System: Ding ding ding! Exactly like a video game. Except no save points, no extra lives, and the final boss is probably a dragon who wants to add you to his hoard. Fun, right?]
Alex turned to Naga, who was still coiled protectively, looking ready to murder the very concept of "other husbands."
"Naga, buddy, hubby, Mr. Snake—tell me this is a joke. Tell me beastmen don't actually do the whole 'collect seven shiny rocks to go home' quest."
Naga frowned, tilting his head. "Sacred stones? Yes. Each of the seven great tribes guards one. They are ancient, powerful, said to hold the blood of the world's first beasts." He paused, then added firmly, " Do you want one? "
Alex blinked once. Twice. Then a third time, just to make sure his brain hadn't finally short-circuited from information overload.
"You… you have one?" he squeaked, voice cracking like a prepubescent boy's. "One of the seven magical MacGuffins is just… chilling in your house? Like a decorative paperweight?"
Naga gave a slow, proud nod, scales glinting in the dim cave light. "Yes. The Black Crystal of the Serpent Tribe. Passed down through my bloodline for generations. It is mine by right." His golden eyes narrowed possessively. "And now, through our bond, it is yours as well, little mate."
The system cat let out a dramatic, wheezing laugh that sounded suspiciously like a hairball coming up.
[System: Oh this is RICH. One down, six to go! And the first one's basically a wedding gift. How romantic~ ♡]
[Warning: The other six tribes are not gonna be this easy. Most of them are led by apex predators who have never seen a creature like you. Expect courtship rituals. Expect gifts. Expect very intense staring. And possibly aerial battles, duels to the death, and at least one dramatic kidnapping attempt.]
Alex buried his face in his hands, moss-towel slipping dangerously low on his hips. "I'm gonna die," he mumbled into his palms.
"I'm going to die of either embarrassment, exhaustion, or being railed into the next dimension by a pack of horny beastmen."
Naga's tail tightened protectively around him at the words, a low hiss rumbling in his chest. "No one will touch you," he said, voice dark and velvet-rough. "You are mine. Marked. Bonded. Any male who tries will learn why serpents are feared."
Alex peeked through his fingers at the massive snake. Naga's expression was deadly serious—fangs slightly bared, pupils narrowed to slits. For a second, Alex felt something fluttery and stupid in his chest that was definitely not fear.
Then reality slapped him again.
"Right. Great. Super reassuring," Alex muttered sarcastically. "But I still need six more rocks. From six more terrifying tribal leaders. Who will probably want to… add me to their collection." He shuddered.
"Can't I just, I dunno, FedEx them a polite rejection letter? 'Dear Mr. Dragon Lord, thanks but no thanks, please mail the shiny rock to—'"
[System: Nope! Sacred stones only transfer through formal acceptance of courtship or conquest. Translation: you either say "yes" to being their mate… or someone has to beat them into submission and take it by force.]
Alex groaned louder. "Of course. Because nothing says 'I just want to save the world' like involuntary harem-building or gladiator death matches."
Naga's arms slid around Alex's waist, pulling him gently but firmly against his broad chest. The cool slide of scales against bare skin made Alex yelp and flush bright red.
"We will go to my home first," Naga murmured, voice low in Alex's ear. "You will rest. Eat. Heal." His forked tongue flicked out briefly, tasting the air—or maybe tasting Alex's neck. " And I'll give you the stone you like and if you want, I'll get all of the other ones for you. "