~ Aika learns that survival attracts predators (political ones)
Aika officially hated cliffs.
They were dramatic. Windy. And usually accompanied by conversations that ended with someone getting thrown off.
She sat on a flat stone near the edge, legs tucked close, Mochi snoozing against her chest while Kazuki stood a few steps away, staring out over the valley like a war god contemplating violence as a hobby.
"So," Aika said carefully. "When you said other clans would 'evaluate' me… did you mean interviews or murder?"
Kazuki didn't turn. "Both."
"Cool. Love that for me."
The system chimed.
[NEW ROLE ASSIGNED:] [DIPLOMATIC VARIABLE]
"…I'm bait," she realized.
Kazuki exhaled slowly. "Yes."
She stared at his back. "You could've eased me into that."
"You survived this long. You will adapt."
"That's not reassurance. That's threat-adjacent."
He finally looked at her. "You are alive because you are unpredictable."
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
A ripple of pressure rolled through the air.
Kazuki stiffened instantly.
"Someone's coming," Aika whispered.
"Several someones," he corrected.
The forest below them shifted.
Figures emerged—three this time, not envoys. Warriors. Their armor bore unfamiliar sigils, eyes sharp with intent.
Kazuki moved without hesitation, placing himself directly in front of Aika.
"Stay," he ordered.
She grabbed his sleeve. "If this turns into murder, I want to be emotionally prepared."
His lips twitched—barely. "If this turns into murder, you will be behind me."
The warriors stopped at a respectful—but tense—distance.
The leader stepped forward, bowing shallowly. "Alpha Kazuki."
"Speak."
"We come from the Emberfang Clan," the warrior said. "We wish to see the human."
Aika whispered, "I don't like how he said that."
"You will not," Kazuki replied coldly.
The Emberfang leader smiled. "Then perhaps you misunderstand. We do not ask."
The temperature spiked.
Mochi stirred, flames flaring instinctively.
Kazuki's aura surged, silver runes blazing. "You forget where you stand."
"And you forget," the leader replied smoothly, "that the Beast Council does not own her."
Aika's stomach dropped.
"But neither do you," he added.
Silence fell like a blade.
The system flashed urgently.
[CRITICAL WARNING:] [THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO TEST ALPHA CLAIM AUTHORITY.]
Aika's brain raced.
If they fight, people die. If Kazuki kills them, politics explode. If she stays quiet, she becomes a prize.
…Nope.
She stood up.
Kazuki spun. "Aika—"
"Hi," she said loudly, stepping out from behind him before fear could stop her. "I'm the human. Please don't fight over me like I'm a limited-edition merch drop."
The warriors blinked.
The Emberfang leader stared. "…You speak boldly."
"I panic loudly," she corrected. "Different skill."
Kazuki's hand hovered near her shoulder, tension coiled tight.
She kept going, voice shaking but stubborn. "You want to test something? Test me. Not him."
Mochi chirped.
The Emberfang leader's eyes narrowed. "You would offer yourself?"
Aika swallowed. "I would offer… conversation."
Kazuki growled low. "You will not—"
"I'm not leaving," she whispered back. "I'm just… talking."
The system chimed, delighted.
[UNEXPECTED PLAYER ACTION DETECTED.] [ADAPTIVE SCENARIO INITIATED.]
The Emberfang leader studied her closely.
"…Interesting," he murmured. "Very well. Human. Prove your worth."
Aika's heart pounded.
"Prove how?"
He smiled.
"Survive."
The forest trembled.
From the shadows behind the warriors, something massive shifted—eyes glowing, heat rolling off its body.
Aika's breath caught.
"Oh come on," she whispered. "I just ate breakfast."
Kazuki stepped forward, voice lethal. "If you touch her—"
The leader raised a hand. "Not us."
The beast behind them snarled, stepping into the light.
A trial beast.
Big. Mean. Burning.
Aika looked up at Kazuki, terrified.
"…You're going to stop this, right?"
His jaw was tight, eyes burning.
"If I interfere," he said quietly, "they win."
Her chest tightened.
"So I really am bait."
Kazuki met her gaze.
"…You are protected bait," he corrected.
The system chimed one last time.
[NEW TRIAL QUEST:] [SURVIVE WITHOUT ALPHA INTERVENTION.]
Aika took a shaky breath, clutching Mochi close.
"Okay," she muttered. "Okay. I can do this."
The trial beast roared.
Kazuki's fists clenched.
And for the first time since Beastworld noticed her—
Aika had to survive on her own.