Rebirth With the Beast_25

 Chapter 118 continues....

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What? By what right?

This female had clearly been watching for a long time, choosing the exact moment Xinuo wasn’t home to show up. Su Yi knew he’d come prepared, and the last thread of reason in his heart snapped the instant the man crossed Su Yi’s bottom line.

When Su Yi came back to his senses, he realized he had pushed the female down. Just then, someone happened to arrive and, with perfect timing, pushed open Su Yi’s front door. So the scene of Su Yi shoving him was seen by many people.

Everyone clearly froze for a moment. No one had expected mild-tempered Su Yi to actually strike someone. And the flash of killing intent that had just passed through his eyes had frightened them even more.

The female covered his slapped face, tears streaming, and looked at Su Yi.

“Miriel, I know you don’t want me telling Xinuo about your past. But no matter how unsightly your past was, we’re friends, and you two are lovers—you can’t hide it from Xinuo for a lifetime.”

As he spoke, the female began to sob softly. The beastman who’d come with him was also shocked when he saw Su Yi. Earlier, when his partner said he’d run into Miriel, he hadn’t believed it. But now, seeing Su Yi and seeing him strike someone, he instantly remembered how Miriel used to bully his partner the same way. The beastman grew furious and roared at Su Yi: “Miriel, don’t go too far. Back in the tribe you loved to bully Ramira, and now—even after being sold off—you’re still the same?!”

People looked at one another, confused.

Wasn’t his name Su Yi? Why were they calling him Miriel?

And they said Su Yi had been sold out before—so he used to bully people in the tribe?

Speculations, doubts, and strange looks all fell on Su Yi. He wasn’t in good shape; he knew he’d been set up by this guy. For someone as clever as he was, he couldn’t believe he had failed to spot such an obvious trap.

Helpless, Su Yi was just about to explain—

A female suddenly cried out.

“Su Yi—Su Yi, you’re bleeding…”

The crowd erupted. Whether Su Yi had lied or not was beside the point now. Everyone surged forward, trying to help support him. But with too many hands, they just crowded into a jumble. Su Yi’s chest had already felt tight; with all those people pressing in, his body went limp and he collapsed. As he fell, he clearly felt someone kick him in the belly.

A wave of fear like never before swept over Su Yi. As consciousness slipped away, a senseless powerlessness and despair washed through him.

He had never thought himself weak—not even when he’d been shot before had he felt despair. He had never applied that word to himself. But now—now he felt utterly powerless.

And his child…

Child… his child…

When Xinuo rushed back, he saw a mass of people crowding around Su Yi. Su Yi’s eyes were shut tight, tear tracks at their corners.

Xinuo went mad on the spot, grabbing people and hurling them out. Perhaps his fury was too terrifying, because everyone was stunned silly. As they were thrown out, all they could think of was Xinuo’s eyes the instant he half-transformed—serpentine, venomous, flashing with bloodthirsty frenzy.

Tang Yu was in even worse shape. When he heard what happened, he wanted to drag that female out for a beating, but Jels held him fast. Jels soothed him at his ear: “Easy. A beating won’t vent this hatred. I’ll make him pay a much heavier price.” Tang Yu suddenly gave a cold little laugh, and Ramira’s whole body went stiff at the sight. Maybe it was an illusion, but he felt like Tang Yu was about to tear him apart. Ramira drew a deep breath and reassured himself: No, they wouldn’t dare. If they try anything, my partner will protect me. And the clan leader here is an ordinary beastman—Lie looks like a fair and selfless man; he won’t allow them to harm others at will.

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Chapter 119

But clearly Ramira’s thinking was too naive. First, the chieftain’s position had been ceded to Lie by Su Yi himself. Second, Lie was no saint. And Lie’s lover was Su Yi’s best friend. This late-arriving Ramira obviously had no idea how deep the waters of this valley ran.

If not for Su Yi being near his due date, and for his pregnancy symptoms being worse than others’, that clumsy scheme would never have worked.

Call it Su Yi’s bad luck—other people’s pregnancies didn’t come with so many reactions. But ever since he conceived, he either fainted or vomited to the point of the sky spinning.

Mino’s face was dark as iron. He said someone had struck Su Yi; otherwise he wouldn’t have gone into premature labor. Mino had found suspicious marks on Su Yi’s body—on his belly.

At those words, everyone present panicked. They had all meant well, trying to help Su Yi, but they hadn’t imagined someone would use the chaos to take revenge.

Lie led people to surround Su Yi’s house and, without a word, arrested Ramira and his partner.

Everyone said Su Yi struck first. But Su Yi’s injuries proved someone had harbored ill intent. And Ramira, who’d had the main conflict with Su Yi, became the obvious target of everyone’s anger.

In these honest people’s eyes, no matter the grudge, you never target an unborn child. So the moment Ramira was seized, the crowd encircled him, cursing in fury. But no matter how angry they were, Su Yi’s condition remained dire.

Tang Yu rushed over, heard of Su Yi’s injuries, and then turned ashen and hurried home.

Su Yi had told him to keep an eye on Ramira, and he had—Ramira had been quiet for so long Tang Yu thought he’d do nothing. He hadn’t expected him to suddenly strike now. And Tang Yu felt that someone had set their sights on Su Yi’s child.

He returned carrying something, his face like the bottom of a pot. The moment people saw that thunderous expression, they fell silent.

When Tang Yu entered, Xinuo was already half-transformed, clutching Su Yi in a death grip, eyes wary and feral, as if he might spring at anyone at any moment.

Jels drove everyone else out, leaving only Ian, Mino, and Tang Yu.

Xinuo was the only one he couldn’t move; he could only wait anxiously outside.

“Ian, go boil water. Jels, bring in a wooden tub, and prepare some boiling water to drink.”

Tang Yu called out loudly. Those who’d been straining to listen outside sprang into action as soon as they heard him.

When Ian came out, the smell of blood clung to him, and his expression was dazed. Lie, standing at the gate of the courtyard, saw his lover’s deathly pale face and felt a stab of heartache. Ian was genuinely terrified. Lie wanted to go over and gather him carefully into his arms, but he didn’t move. He knew Ian disliked being treated as a frail female, so even though Lie ached for him, he obediently stayed where he was.

In the courtyard, the two children were surrounded by the other kids, who chattered on, trying to comfort Yilai and Dino. But both boys kept silently shedding tears. They were full of remorse—why hadn’t they stayed by their mother-father’s side? They didn’t know Ramira had chosen his time precisely, coming when they weren’t home. If they had been there, he wouldn’t have dared show up. Just as Su Yi had suspected, this had been premeditated for a long time.

Su Yi felt awful. This was probably the most bedraggled, most vulnerable moment of his life. He was exhausted, and his belly hurt. He’d never given birth; he didn’t know what labor pain felt like, but he sensed it was different from the pain he had now. It felt like drowning and realizing he didn’t know how to swim—so helpless, so lonely and despairing.

But he knew he couldn’t close his eyes. If he did, it would be hard to open them again. Xinuo would be devastated. And who knew whether Tang Yu could be relied upon—would he forget the thing Su Yi had given him?

Just then, he felt someone giving him water. Tasting that familiar flavor, he relaxed inside—Tang Yu had made it after all. But the instant he relaxed, irresistible drowsiness crashed over him. He was so sleepy; his eyelids felt glued together. So sleepy…

When Su Yi opened his eyes again, two days had passed. He stared blankly for a moment, then remembered something and moved slightly. The small motion still alerted the person beside him. Xinuo, who had been keeping vigil, jerked his head up the moment Su Yi stirred.

Their eyes met, and Xinuo trembled all over. He wanted to reach out and embrace him, but remembering Mino’s words, he restrained himself and didn’t rush forward.

Su Yi looked at the haggard Xinuo—at those heterochromatic eyes laced red with bloodshot veins. Slowly, he reached out and touched Xinuo’s cheek.

“Made you worry.”

His voice came out hoarse and ragged.

Xinuo hurried out, and with his exit came a burst of clatter and commotion in the courtyard.

First the two children came scrambling in, all flustered. Before they could climb onto the bed, Xinuo grabbed one in each hand and held them back.

Little Yilai looked back at him, sniffling; his eyes were swollen, as if he’d cried for a long time. Dino calmed down the moment Xinuo held him.

Following them in were a somewhat dazed Tang Yu and an anxious Mino.

Seeing Su Yi truly awake, they all exhaled in relief.

Tang Yu sat at Su Yi’s side, the heavy stone in his heart finally set down. Mino hurried to fetch a cup of hot water for Su Yi.

Xinuo took it from Mino, then carefully supported Su Yi and held the cup to his lips.

After a few sips, Su Yi suddenly thought of his child and couldn’t help asking, “Where’s the baby?”

At his question, Ian hastened out, then returned from another room carrying the child.

Su Yi stared, dumbfounded, at the milk baby in Ian’s arms. That’s right—a swaddled infant. He asked, uncertain, “Th-this one… I gave birth to?”

Pfft.

Heartlessly, Tang Yu burst out laughing. He glanced at the chubby, fair baby and said with a grin, “If not you, then who—me?”

Su Yi had been half-conscious by then. Fortunately, Tang Yu had brought the water; without it, Su Yi would have fainted and been unable to deliver. But Su Yi couldn’t remember the birthing itself—only that he’d felt unbearably awful and in pain.

Because the baby was premature, she was thin and weak. Even her cries were feeble. The child was a female, so she was born as a little “doll.” But due to the external trauma that caused the premature birth, the little female had almost not made it.

Tang Yu had secretly carried the baby to another room. He already felt filled with guilt for failing to protect Su Yi. If the child Su Yi had fought so hard to bring into the world were to die because of a mishap, Tang Yu felt he’d never have the face to see Su Yi again. So he made a bold decision—he fed the baby the water Su Yi had given him.

That night, none of them slept. At dawn, both the baby and Su Yi finally improved a little, and only then did everyone take turns getting some rest.

Su Yi listened silently, and only after hearing Tang Yu’s words did he feel a pang of fear. If he had been just a little careless, either he or the child would have been lost.

Thinking this, Su Yi reached out his hand, still trembling slightly, and took the child into his arms. He lowered his head to look at the baby. The baby no longer looked as wrinkled as it had on the first day, but it was still painfully thin. Su Yi estimated the baby’s weight—probably just over six pounds.

Su Yi’s heart ached, but his voice was cold as he asked, “Hmm, where is that guy now?”

That guy?

Everyone immediately understood who he was referring to. Tang Yu answered, “He’s been captured by the hunters.”

Su Yi nodded, then placed the child beside him and let out a yawn. Everyone understood—Su Yi wanted to rest. After a few words of advice, they all left. Over the past few days, they had been staying at Su Yi’s home. Now that Su Yi was awake, their hearts could finally rest.

The two children were also sensible; they left their room with reluctant backward glances.

Only after they had gone did Su Yi open his eyes, his gaze filled with terrifying coldness.

Xinor came over and embraced Su Yi, and the ice in Su Yi’s eyes seemed to melt. He softened, leaning into Xinor’s arms.

“I know what you’re thinking, but you should rest now. Leave the rest to me.”

Su Yi shook his head. “No, I know you’re powerful now, but I want to take care of this myself.”

Yes, if he didn’t settle this, he would never feel at peace.

Su Yi slept for a while, then entered his space. He diluted a basin of water, first washing himself, then gulping down large amounts of the pool water. He needed to recover immediately—he didn’t want to be weak. This weakness reminded him of his past helplessness, like a drowning man who couldn’t swim. Su Yi, who was used to being strong, hated feeling this way.

After drinking the pool water, Su Yi curled up on the ground in pain. It took a long time before he could crawl back to his feet.

When he stood again, Su Yi’s expression and eyes had changed.

After emerging, Su Yi changed into clean clothes. He noticed his hair had grown long, so he took out a dagger and began trimming it himself.

Su Yi cut his hair very short, but it made him look even more striking, especially with his all-white fur garment. Since it was the last month of the cold season, the weather was already warming up. The fur Su Yi wore was short, soft, and thin. Having stayed indoors recently, Su Yi’s skin, which had once been tanned, had grown pale again. Against the white fur, he looked even more fair and beautiful.

Su Yi and Xinor took the children out, first dropping them off at Mino’s home before heading toward the hunter’s place.

The hunter had just moved into Ian’s home before Su Yi gave birth. This had caused quite a stir in the valley, but no one dared to do anything about it. Ian’s mood had been improving, and he no longer cared much about the gossip.

From Mino, Su Yi learned that the man was being held in a cave near Ian’s home. Su Yi had been there before; since it was close to Ian’s place, Ian used it for storage.

Su Yi didn’t go to greet Ian. Instead, he walked solemnly into the cave. Over the past few days, Su Yi had been in poor condition, and Lamira and his partner had been locked up here.

The cave was damp and filthy, with a foul smell. Lamira, bound, lifted his head at the sound of footsteps. When he saw Su Yi, he didn’t recognize him at first. Su Yi’s appearance had changed drastically since his pregnancy—both in demeanor and looks.

But when Lamira saw Xinor behind Su Yi, his face suddenly paled, and he shouted, “It’s you! Why aren’t you dead yet?”

Lamira’s shrill voice echoed in the cave, waking his still-sleeping partner.

Xinor remained silent. He knew Su Yi wanted to handle this himself, though he was displeased. He stayed quiet and still.

Su Yi slowly crouched down, his eyes lazily fixed on Lamira. There was no emotion in his gaze, but Lamira couldn’t help but turn pale, his body trembling slightly. Behind Lamira, his partner was also terrified.

They were so afraid because, over the past two days, they had been threatened by many people—Su Yi’s two children, Tang Yu and his partner, Redra, and others. Most of them had come, said nothing, and just stared coldly. Though they hadn’t spoken, Lamira knew they were warning him.

Su Yi, who had given birth prematurely and been injured, was supposed to be weak. They had thought a soft, pregnant male like him would die. But now, seeing Su Yi unharmed and in good spirits, they felt even more uneasy.

Su Yi’s silence, his unblinking stare, made them feel like they were already dead.

Lamira finally couldn’t bear it and spoke: “Mirel, Mirel, I really didn’t mean to. I just wanted to provoke you, to get a better life. I never wanted to kill you.”

Su Yi made a gesture as if touching his stomach. Seeing Lamira’s face grow even paler, Su Yi finally spoke softly, “Mm, Mirel is already dead. After being sold by you and your people, he was as good as dead.”

If Mirel hadn’t been lucky enough to meet Xinor, what would have become of him? Maybe he would have ended up like Ian—miserable, or even as a tool for giving birth, or abused and discarded. No matter what, it would have been tragic. Though Mirel was annoying, he had never truly harmed anyone. But these people, out of jealousy and intolerance, had sold their own kind.

And now? Meeting the person who had hurt him again, instead of regretting their actions, they had the nerve to ask Su Yi for favors.

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Chapter 120

Sensing Su Yi’s emotional turmoil, Xinor carefully took his hand. The coldness in Su Yi’s body faded, and he turned to smile at Xinor. He could see the concern in Xinor’s eyes. “I’m fine.”

Though Su Yi said this, Xinor’s expression didn’t improve. His face was icy as he glared at Lamira and his partner, as if he wanted to kill them with his eyes.

Lamira’s face was ashen, his body trembling as he tried to press against his partner. But his usually brave partner was also terrified, staring at Xinor.

They remembered Su Yi’s labor—how Xinor had half-transformed, his eyes blood-red like a venomous snake. If not for Su Yi’s condition, Xinor would have torn them apart.

Now that Su Yi was recovered, Xinor seemed ready to teach them a lesson, but Su Yi insisted on handling it himself. Xinor could only stand by and watch.

That evening, Su Yi dragged them to the small square in the valley. Many people saw Su Yi and Xinor dragging someone along, and Lamira’s wails soon attracted even more onlookers. Those with nothing else to do brought their children to watch.

Tang Yu, hearing that Su Yi had taken the man to the square, hurried out. Before leaving, he put on his newly invented baby-carrying outfit, tucking his precious dragon cub inside so only its big eyes were visible. The weather had warmed, and by the time Tang Yu arrived, panting and sweating, he was exhausted. The dragon cub, though small, was heavy, and Tang Yu was worn out.

Su Yi was sternly reprimanding Lamira, his tone severe.

“No matter what misunderstandings there are between us, you should never have targeted my child—especially a female. How could you be so vicious as to harm an unborn child?”

Su Yi didn’t use harsh words, but every sentence cut deep.

Everyone in the beastman continent knew how precious females were. Su Yi glossed over his personal grudge with Lamira, emphasizing instead how Lamira had nearly cost him his child. The crowd erupted in outrage.

Harming an unborn child, especially a female—this was truly evil. They began loudly condemning Lamira, even suspecting that he and his partner had come to the valley with ulterior motives.

Lamira, crying, knelt on the ground and shouted, “I didn’t do anything! You all saw—he was the one who attacked first. I didn’t do anything!”

Su Yi’s eyes grew colder. “Is that so? Since you want to talk about this, let me ask: Everyone knew I was about to give birth. In such a dangerous situation, why did you choose to come to my home when no one was there, just to say vicious things to provoke me? What kind of heart do you have?”

Su Yi’s questioning made Lamira tremble with rage. He had hoped to take advantage of the situation, to provoke Su Yi, and ideally, to harm Su Yi’s child—or even Su Yi himself.

Many females in the valley gave birth prematurely, and in Su Yi’s condition, both mother and child usually didn’t survive. But Su Yi had not only survived, he had safely delivered his child.

What was even more infuriating was that even when Su Yi was unconscious, no one believed Lamira. Instead, they had captured him and his partner.

“He wanted to kill my little brother!” Little Ilay suddenly emerged from the crowd, followed by many young beastmen, all furious.

The young beastmen had been taught to protect young females, but there were so few in the valley, and one was already promised to Dino. Their future prospects were even fewer.

Now, Little Ilay’s family had finally produced a female, but before she could even cry, she had nearly been killed by the vicious Lamira. Thinking of how beautiful Su Yi was, they could imagine how beautiful the little female would grow up to be. Whether she would ever look at them or not, as beastmen, they had to protect her. The more they thought about it, the angrier they became, their faces filled with righteous indignation as they roared in anger.

The families of these young beastmen, of course, knew what their children were thinking. When Mino had announced that Su Yi’s child was female, many in the valley had already been eyeing her.

Now, their future daughter-in-law had nearly been killed before she was even born. Everyone’s expressions were grim.

In their fury, no one heard what Lamira and his partner were saying. People picked up stones and threw them, and some young beastmen even stepped forward to strike them. The hunter didn’t stop them; instead, he rested a hand on Ian’s shoulder, chatting idly.

Everyone had expected Su Yi to make a big deal out of this, but instead, he changed his expression and said, “For the sake of the Beast God protecting my child, I won’t kill you today. But you can no longer live in this valley.”

Hearing this, the crowd felt that Su Yi was truly a good person, so kind even after being harmed. They believed that the Beast God had indeed protected his child.

Tang Yu, however, was not surprised by Su Yi’s decision. Mino tugged at Tang Yu’s arm and whispered, “Just let them go? I feel like this is too lenient.”

Not only Mino, but even Dirson and others felt the same.

Tang Yu lowered his voice, “Don’t worry, Su Yi isn’t the type to let himself be wronged.”

Mino, Dirson, and Ian didn’t immediately understand. The hunter saw Ian staring at Tang Yu with confusion, his beautiful eyes wide. The hunter couldn’t bear it and whispered in Ian’s ear, “I suspect that after letting them go, Su Yi will find another way to take revenge.”

The hunter looked at Ian’s fair profile, which flushed red as he spoke. The hunter’s blood-red eyes deepened.

“Is that so?” Ian said, unable to bear the warmth on his face, and his body instinctively shrank back.

The hunter wouldn’t let him escape and pulled Ian into his arms.

Ian looked around and saw many people watching, his face growing even redder. Especially when he saw Old Taylor looking at him with concern, he felt even more embarrassed. Old Taylor had always treated Ian like his own child. Seeing Ian’s happy expression now, Old Taylor was also happy. Though he didn’t like the hunter much, for Ian’s sake, he let it go.

The people of the valley threw Lamira and his partner out of the valley, threatening them sternly before returning.

By now, it was dark. After they left, several shadowy figures slipped out of the valley under the cover of night.

Su Yi had intended to track them himself, but since Lamira had a beastman with him, Xinor was uneasy and insisted on coming along. They hadn’t expected Jers and Tang Yu to join as well, so the tracking party grew from one to four.

Su Yi glared at Tang Yu, displeased. They followed Lamira and his partner from a distance. With two excellent beastmen accompanying them, they weren’t afraid of losing track.

“Where’s your precious baby?” Su Yi asked, annoyed.

Tang Yu rubbed his nose. He still felt guilty about Su Yi’s premature birth—Su Yi had warned him, but he had messed up. He wanted to make it up to him, and now was his chance. He wasn’t about to miss it.

“Sent to Ian’s place,” Tang Yu said. At the mention of Ian, he shivered. When he had taken the dragon cub there, Ian had been happy, but the hunter had looked ominous. It seemed the hunter didn’t like the dragon cub being a third wheel.

Su Yi suddenly realized that he and Tang Yu were not qualified parents. His little female had just been born, and he had already sent her to Mino’s, while Tang Yu had sent his little beastman to Ian’s.

Because of their irresponsibility, those two couples had gotten an early start at practicing being fathers.

After following for a long distance, they finally shifted into their beast forms and caught up.

Lamira was grumbling to his partner, speaking venomously, when he suddenly fell silent. He felt an invisible pressure, as if something was looming over him. He looked up—and was shocked by what he saw. 

High above, a huge dragon was gliding with outstretched wings, and on that massive body a female with a teardrop mole at the corner of his eye was aiming a bow and arrow straight at him.

Whoosh.

A rain of arrows split the air and shot directly forward.

It wasn’t that Su Yi wanted to wipe them out to the last; it was that Ramira was truly vicious. Su Yi recalled how Ramira had said he would bring his own tribesmen to seize the houses in the valley, and how he had spitefully reviled the “ill-omened” beastmen. Su Yi felt that if you don’t pull weeds up by the roots, they’ll cause greater danger later. After all, Ramira already knew where the valley was and how good the conditions were. If he lured in more greedy people, the consequences would be endless.

Especially with such adorable children in the valley—just thinking they might be harmed hardened Su Yi’s heart.

Su Yi and Xinuo lured a herd of beasts and brought them right to where Ramira and his partner were.

Tang Yu shot and wounded the two of them; the heavy reek of blood sent the herd into a frenzy. They did not stay to admire Ramira’s misery—turning around, they headed back.

After they left, Ramira’s partner carried him up into the tallest tree. Just as the partner was about to climb up too, a wild beast clamped down on his leg.

The beastman reached out a hand to Ramira for help, but Ramira hesitated. One glance told him his partner’s body was covered in wounds large and small—he wasn’t going to survive. Looking down at the herd below—only seven or eight beasts, smaller ones, spiny dragons—Ramira steeled himself, turned away, and continued climbing, ignoring his partner’s cries for help.

Staring up in despair at his mate turning away, the beastman realized he had never truly seen his partner’s nature. He let out a furious roar and, enduring a body-rending pain, half-transformed and tore apart the spiny dragon gnawing on him.

The sounds below terrified Ramira. He curled up in the tree, shivering, muttering under his breath, “I can’t die. I won’t die. I won’t die…”

When the storm below finally subsided, Ramira shakily looked down—and immediately retched in fright.

The scene beneath the tree was horrific—but that didn’t matter. In Ramira’s mind, mutual destruction was the best outcome. That way, he could live.

“Su Yi—Su Yi—just you wait! I’ll make every last one of you die!!!” Ramira spat his curse. But before he could continue shouting, a figure burst out of the forest not far away.

The wandering beastman stood there, face cold, staring up at Ramira in the tree. The scar on his cheek made him look like a demon fresh from hell.

This wandering beastman was the unfortunate one whom the people of the valley had taken in. He had been out hunting in the forest when he happened upon Su Yi and the others. He knew what Ramira had done and had originally come just to watch the show. But when he saw Ramira abandon his own partner, it stirred memories of his own past.

Hatred for the female in the tree welled up—especially after learning this female wanted to kill Su Yi. The wanderer decided he had to erase him.

His feelings toward Su Yi were complicated—something like friendship. They had hardly exchanged a few words, yet the wanderer had a deep impression of him. He remembered when the herd attacked: other females hid, but Su Yi actually came out alone. Su Yi had been trapped in a house; the wanderer wanted to rescue him from outside, but there were too many beasts for one person to handle. Just then, Su Yi raised a bow and, working in perfect tandem with him, took down the beasts—

From that moment, the wandering beastman had regarded Su Yi as a friend—even if only on his side.

Now, with Su Yi in trouble, he was more than willing to help clean things up.

After dealing with Ramira, the wanderer went off again to hunt. He brought down a few animals, cleaned them in the wild, and set off in the direction of the valley.

He hadn’t gone far when he saw, by a nearby stream, a very small, thin beastman washing his face. The wandering beastman, long accustomed to indifference, had no intention of meddling—but the little beastman spotted him at a glance.

Skinny and small, filthy all over and wounded, he ran over happily when he saw the wanderer. “Hey! Which tribe are you from?”

The wandering beastman gave him a cold look and began to half-transform.

“Wow, you’re a wandering beastman? So cool!”

Realizing the other was a wanderer, the little beastman showed no fear or disgust—instead he looked at him with open admiration and envy. The wandering beastman suddenly felt he’d run into a little weirdo.

Author’s Note:
Almost finished—final-chapter anxiety is kicking in.