Morning came with the distinct sound of something enormous stomping toward them.
Jemil sat up with a jolt, leaves and vines still tangled around his arms from Sylfa's "affectionate" nighttime cuddling. Lyra was sprawled over his lap, mumbling something about "cuddling rights." Sylfa had somehow wrapped a vine around his waist like a leash in her sleep.
He was still blinking blearily when the ground trembled.
"Did anyone order an earthquake?" he asked groggily.
[Beast Signature Detected]
[Warning: Large. Horned. Extremely muscular. And… in heat.]
[Mood: Confused. Territorial. Hungry. Lonely. Aggressively flirty.]
Jemil groaned. "Let me guess. This one doesn't want to cuddle. She wants to wrestle and then eat me."
[…Yes.]
The trees parted.
And out stomped a beast that made Jemil's soul whimper.
She was seven feet tall, with thick, muscular thighs, bronze skin, and barely-contained curves that jiggled with each thunderous step. Two polished black horns curled from her head, and her long, wild hair hung down her back in a cascade of smoky silver. Her chest was encased in what could only be described as leather scraps pretending to be armor.
And her eyes—those huge, deep red eyes—locked directly onto Jemil.
She snorted. The ground shook.
Then she charged.
"AAAAAAH—!"
Jemil ran.
It wasn't graceful. It wasn't brave. It was pure panic-fueled flight as he sprinted through the forest, dodging trees and low branches.
The minotaur girl barreled after him like a living siege weapon, snorting with every breath.
"Come back!" she shouted. "You smell like a mate! A sexy one!"
"That's NOT a compliment!" Jemil wheezed.
[Beast Encounter: Grahla the Lonely Minotaur]
[Rank: C]
[Special Trait: Bull Rush – Charges enemies with double strength when aroused.]
[Bonding Potential: Medium-High]
[Warning: She is NOT subtle.]
"She's going to flatten me!"
[Stat Suggestion: Dodge like your chastity depends on it. Because it does.]
A vine suddenly caught his wrist and yanked him sideways—just as Grahla's charge smashed through the spot he'd been standing, leveling two trees.
Jemil landed hard—right on top of Sylfa.
"You ran ahead without me," she said dryly.
"Because she's the size of a barn and wants to mate me into the dirt!"
Sylfa raised an eyebrow. "Mating rituals vary by species."
"This is not the time for National Geographic!"
Lyra appeared beside them in a puff of flame. "She's faster than she looks."
Jemil sat up. "Wait—she's not evil, right? Just… really horny?"
"Basically," Sylfa said. "Minotaurs mate for life. If she's fixated on you, she'll chase you until she gets a response."
"What kind of response?"
Lyra deadpanned. "Usually a broken bed."
The trio regrouped as Grahla stomped into the clearing, looking a little confused now.
She pouted. "Why run? You're cute. Smell strong. Mmm… lots of mana. My nose says you're compatible."
"I'm not a breeding cow," Jemil said firmly.
She scratched her head, looking awkwardly huge and a little adorable despite her terrifying strength. "I just want someone to hug. And maybe smother with love. A little squishing. No dying."
"Define 'a little squishing.'"
"…Half-snuggle, half-power slam?"
Jemil turned to the girls. "Is it just me, or are my life choices getting worse with each chapter?"
[New Bond Option Detected: Grahla the Lonely Minotaur]
[Bond Difficulty: High]
[Tamable Through: Physical touch, trust-building, and a willingness to get flattened affectionately.]
[Quest Added: Tame the Bull]
[Reward: +1 Strength Stat, New Passive: "Iron Cuddle"]
[Optional Sub-Quest: Survive Grahla's Hug without passing out]
[Current odds: 22%]
[…Bring snacks.]
To everyone's surprise, Jemil didn't run this time.
He took a deep breath, walked toward Grahla, and raised both hands. "Okay. Let's talk. No flattening. No sudden lung-crushing hugs. Just… talk."
Grahla blinked. Then smiled.
"Okay," she said. And immediately hugged him anyway.
CRACK.
"AGH—OKAY TOO TIGHT TOO TIGHT—!"
[Health -10]
[Bones mildly bent. Ego severely bruised.]
[But Bond initiated.]
Later…
Jemil sat by the campfire, cradling his sore ribs while Grahla sat nearby sharpening a giant axe she called "Snugglecutter."
"I'm going to die in my sleep," he muttered.
Lyra leaned on his shoulder, smug. "At least she's cute."
"She's also a tank. Literally."
Sylfa sat on his other side, twining a vine around his fingers. "I don't think she knows her own strength. But she's loyal. And very straightforward."
[Beast Bond Established: Grahla – The Lonely Minotaur]
[Bond Level: 1]
[Trait Unlocked: Juggernaut Hugs]
[Passive Added: "Tauric Defense" – Allies take -10% physical damage when standing near Grahla.]
[She considers you her "Mate-In-Progress."]
[Prepare accordingly.]
Jemil groaned and lay back in the grass.
"This isn't a team. This is a traveling harem of magical chaos beasts."
Lyra curled up beside him. "And you're the lucky beast tamer they all want."
Sylfa leaned over. "Lucky. Or doomed."
Grahla walked over, plopped down beside him, and pulled him into her lap like a teddy bear. "Soft squish time."
Jemil didn't even resist. "Fine. Just don't break me again."
[+1 Intimacy Point]
[Bond Progress: 3/5 Beasts Acquired]
[Warning: More beasts are noticing your scent. And reputation. And rapidly declining common sense.]
✅ Call to Action:
🎯 Jemil now has THREE dangerously attractive beast girls in his harem, and only two working ribs left.
💬 Drop a comment and hit that power stone if you're ready for Chapter 5: "The Elf Girl Who Stole My Underwear (And My Heart?)" 🌿💗