The tribe had gathered around a massive bonfire, dancing and celebrating what Xin Yi realized with horror was supposed to be HER mating ceremony. Huge chunks of raw meat were being passed around, people tearing into them with their teeth.
The smell hit her like a truck.
Raw. Bloody. Gamey.
Xin Yi's stomach lurched. She pressed her hand over her mouth, trying not to gag.
Then she saw her.
The woman with long black hair, standing with a group of other females. When their eyes met, the woman's face went pale with shock, clearly, she hadn't expected Xin Yi to return alive.
"That's her," Xin Yi said, pointing. "That's the woman!"
Hei Yan's entire demeanor changed. The warm, purring male disappeared, replaced by the Alpha.
"MEI HU!" His voice boomed across the clearing.
The woman, Mei Hu, flinched but stepped forward, her expression shifting to false innocence. "Yes, Alpha?"
"You deliberately took her to the snake's territory." He snarled.
"I—I did no such thing!" Mei Hu's eyes widened. "Alpha, I was only trying to help clean her! How was I to know the snake king was hunting there? This female—" She pointed at Xin Yi accusingly, "—she's lying! She probably went there herself to—"
SMACK!
The sound of Xin Yi's palm connecting with Mei Hu's cheek echoed across the clearing.
Complete silence fell.
"I DID NOT!" Xin Yi shouted, her hand stinging, her chest heaving with anger. "You dragged me there and abandoned me, you terrible liar!"
Every tribe member stared at her with shocked expressions. Then Hei Yan threw his head back and laughed.
"Oh…..." His eyes gleamed with delight as he looked at Xin Yi. "Feisty."
Xin Yi's anger immediately deflated into embarrassment. "I... sorry, I just..."
"Because you tried to have her killed," Hei Yan announced, his voice cold as he turned back to Mei Hu, "you are banished."
Mei Hu's face went white. "B-banished?! Alpha, please—"
"Go."
"But I have been part of this tribe since birth! You can't—"
"I SAID GO." The command in his voice was absolute.
Mei Hu's eyes filled with tears, of rage more than sadness. She glared at Xin Yi with pure hatred before her form began to shift. In moments, a sleek black panther with blue eyes stood where she had been. With a final snarl, she bounded into the forest.
Xin Yi tugged on Hei Yan's arm. "Isn't that.….too much? I mean, banishment seems—"
"Too much?" He looked at her incredulously. "She tried to have you killed. If the Snake King had claimed you, I would have had to wage war to get you back." He said it like it was obvious. "And even if you'd just drowned, you'd be dead."
"I... oh."
The tribe members were murmuring among themselves, shooting curious glances at Xin Yi.
Before she could process any of it, Hei Yan lifted her into his arms again, seemingly his favorite way to transport her, and carried her to a raised platform where the Alpha apparently sat. He settled himself on the largest fur pelt and positioned her directly on his lap.
In front of them was the biggest piece of meat Xin Yi had ever seen.
Raw. Bloody. With the fur still partially attached.
Her stomach turned. "Eew..."
"You don't eat meat?" Hei Yan asked, tilting his head.
"Not raw!"
[Ding! New Quest: Cook and prepare meat for yourself, and for the Alpha!]
[Rewards: 50 System Points + Alpha's affection + not starving to death!]
"How?" Xin Yi whispered frantically. "I can barely make instant noodles!"
[Don't worry, Host! I'll guide you step by step! First, you'll need: firewood, a flat stone surface, and these herbs...]
Images appeared in Xin Yi's vision, highlighting certain plants growing nearby.
"Um." She looked up at Hei Yan. "Can you help me?"
He blinked. "Help you? With what?"
"I want to.….prepare my food differently."
"The meat isn't good?" He looked almost offended.
"The meat is fine! I just want to make it.….differently." She tried her most winning smile. "Please?"
Hei Yan's expression turned calculating. "What will I gain in return for helping you?"
[Ooh! Suggest continuation of the mating! (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
"NO!" Xin Yi squeaked out loud.
"No?" Hei Yan looked disappointed.
[Fine, fine... suggest a kiss then! That's innocent enough!]
Xin Yi's face burned. "A... a kiss?"
Hei Yan's eyes lit up, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "A kiss?" He leaned closer. "I accept."
"I—wait—I didn't actually—"
"You offered. I accepted. Come, show me what you need."
[Host just successfully negotiated her first deal! I'm so proud! (ᵔᴥᵔ)]
"I hate you," Xin Yi muttered.
~
With Hei Yan's help (and System's detailed instructions), they set up a cooking area away from the main fire. Xin Yi directed him to gather specific stones to create a flat cooking surface, collect dry wood for a smaller, controlled fire, and fetch water from the river.
"Why so much work?" he grumbled, but did everything she asked.
"Trust me," Xin Yi said, though she had no idea if this would work.
[First, cut the meat into smaller portions…..use that sharp stone! Yes, that one!]
[Now, crush these herbs between two rocks, they'll add flavor!]
[Good! Now place the meat on the hot stone, not too close to the flames!]
Xin Yi followed every instruction, her hands shaking. Back home, she had burned rice and somehow made instant noodles crunchy. But with System's guidance, she carefully seasoned the meat with the crushed herbs, turning it on the hot stone until it browned beautifully.
The smell changed.
From raw and gamey to rich and savory.
Xin Yi's mouth watered.
"What.….." Hei Yan leaned in, his nose twitching. "What is that smell?"
Xin Yi cut a small piece with the sharp stone and blew on it to cool it down. Then she took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
"DELICIOUS!"
The meat was tender, flavorful, seasoned perfectly by the herbs. It was the best thing she had tasted since arriving in this nightmare world. The only thing, really.
By now, other tribe members had started to gather, drawn by the incredible aroma.
"What's that smell?"
"It smells so good!"
"What is the Alpha's female doing?"
But Xin Yi wasn't paying attention to them. She cut a piece for Hei Yan. "Here, try it."
He took the offered meat, eyes never leaving her face as he chewed. His expression transformed into pure bliss.
Then he proceeded to eat. Everything.
Every. Single. Piece.
"Hey!" Xin Yi watched in dismay as he devoured the last bite. "I made that for both of us!"
Hei Yan licked his fingers, looking completely unrepentant. "It was too sweet. I couldn't stop."
"Bad kitty," Xin Yi muttered.
He had the audacity to pout. "Make more?"
"You ate all of it!"
"Please?" Those purple eyes went wide and pleading.
Xin Yi rolled her eyes. "Later. Tomorrow. If you behave."
Before she could react, Hei Yan scooped her back into his arms, standing up.
"Nobody disturb us," he announced to the entire tribe.
"Wait, what?"
He started walking toward the largest cave at the edge of the village.
"No! Where are we going?!" Xin Yi squeaked, pushing against his chest.
He just smirked down at her.
[Ooh! Here we go, Host! Time to fulfill your promise!]
"What promise?!"
[The kiss, remember? You made a deal! ( ̄ω ̄)]
Xin Yi's eyes went wide with horror. "No! I didn't actually mean—I was just—"
But Hei Yan was already carrying her into the darkness of his cave, his eyes glowing purple in the shadows.
"Time to collect my payment, little female."