The first thing Bellathria felt when she woke up was… softness.
The second was warmth.
The third.... utter embarrassment when her brain caught up to the fact that she had spent the night in a stranger's house. A male beastman's house, no less.
She cracked one eye open, scanning the unfamiliar ceiling made of polished wood beams. Right… tiger man. Forest. Magical wall. Handsome face.
With a soft groan, she dragged a hand down her face. "Ugh… I actually fell asleep in his bed. Real smooth, Bellathria. Ten out of ten for first impressions."
And of course, because the universe liked to hit her when she was down, her System chimed in cheerily the moment her consciousness fully returned.
[Good morning, Host! You have successfully arrived in a tribe! Now.... target locked: Ferox. Handsome man with high cultivation = promising children!!! ]
Bellathria stared at the ceiling for a solid five seconds. Then she rolled her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into her skull.
"Seriously? It's too early for your matchmaking nonsense."
[Host, you're being mean to me! (｡•́︿•̀｡)]
She let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. You're the best system ever, okay? The pinnacle of artificial intelligence. My beloved wingman."
[I know right!! ヽ(≧∀≦)ﾉ]
Before she could fire back with another sarcastic quip, the door creaked open. She sat up instinctively, tugging the fur blanket up to her chest as if she'd been caught doing something suspicious.
Ferox stood at the doorway, framed by morning light. His expression was as stoic as ever, but in his arms were two freshly caught pheasants, their feathers ruffled and wings limp.
Of course he'd look annoyingly majestic holding dead birds like some wilderness prince.
When he noticed she was awake, he set the pheasants aside with efficient grace and walked toward her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone clipped but surprisingly gentle.
"I'm good. Thank you… for helping me last night," she answered, trying to sound modest rather than mortified. "I owe you one."
"You're welcome," he said simply, then his brows furrowed slightly. "What happened to you? Who would leave a female like you alone in a dangerous forest?"
Bellathria mentally snorted. Good question, tiger man. The answer involves rooftop falls, celestial contracts, and a sarcastic talking voice in my head.
Outwardly, she lowered her eyes, fiddling with the edge of the blanket in what she considered a decent performance of "meek and delicate maiden."
"I… don't know. I woke up yesterday in the forest," she replied softly.
Technically true. Just missing a few cosmic details.
Ferox's expression softened at her words. In this world, females were treasured like living relics. The idea of someone abandoning one was unthinkable. His gaze flicked over her silver hair and emerald eyes.... features unlike any female he'd seen in his tribe... and his heart tightened.
"You can stay here," he said, voice steady but his ears were visibly turning red. "The tribe would love to have you. I… want you to stay."
Bellathria blinked at his straightforwardness, then bit back a grin. Oh. He's shy.
The contrast between his cold face and blushing ears was too much. She laughed softly behind her hand, amused. "Okay~ Fer. I'll stay."
His eyes lit up in a way that made her momentarily forget this was a beastworld, not some romantic drama. The smile that broke through his usual stoic expression was so bright it caught her off guard.
"Alright," he said, a rare warmth in his tone. "I'll prepare food for you first."
Without missing a beat, he grabbed the pheasants and carried them to what looked like a small open kitchen area. Within moments, he was plucking feathers with practiced movements.
Bellathria watched him work, propping her chin on her hand. Is this what being a female here means? I get rescued, carried, housed, and now breakfasted? …I could get used to this.
[Host seems satisfied! ˃͈◡˂͈]
"I like this world," she admitted under her breath. "A girl wakes up and someone's already making breakfast for her. Ten out of ten hospitality."
[I'm glad, Host! Also...]
The System's voice turned sparkly, like a game notification popping up in her peripheral vision.
[Task Quest: Locate a tribe and become a tribe member. (COMPLETED) ]
[Reward: 1000 Points]
[Congratulations on your first task completion, Host! You can now access the System Shop!]
Bellathria perked up. "Finally, something useful."
A translucent window appeared before her, and she scrolled through the shop with growing curiosity.
Bags of salt: 10 points.
Basic seasonings: 15–30 points.
A stainless steel knife set: 50 points.
Mosquito repellent lotion: 5 points.
She raised a brow. "Huh. So basically, I can build my own modern convenience store here."
[Exactly! The System Shop is here to help you adapt to primitive life while also boosting your fertility missions!]
She ignored that last part, already mentally cataloguing what would make her life easier in this back-to-nature world. She wasn't in a rush to spend her points yet. Strategy first.
She glanced at Ferox, who was currently skewering pheasant meat over a fire pit like a competent survival expert. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing lean, strong arms, and the way he moved was so efficient it almost looked choreographed.
Her lips twitched. "If the System's idea of a partner is based on cooking skills and jawline sharpness, I might be in trouble."
[He's a high-cultivation beastman, Host. Just imagine the offspr.....]
"Don't finish that sentence," she warned.
She stretched lazily and lay back down, staring at the ceiling again. Her body was still tired from the previous day's adventure. The warmth, the faint smell of roasting meat, and the distant crackle of fire lulled her senses.
Within moments, her eyelids grew heavy again.
Ferox glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of her already half asleep. A faint smile crossed his face. Most females were pampered, but something about her felt different. She didn't act weak, yet somehow she fit into his home as if she belonged there.
By the time breakfast was done, Bellathria was already peacefully dozing again, looking utterly at ease.
He shook his head slightly, amused despite himself, and set the food aside to keep it warm.