~ Aika learns the rules of staying alive in Beastworld (spoiler: they're stupid)
Aika learned three new Beastworld rules in under an hour.
One: Kazuki did not walk—he patrolled.
Two: "Stay close" meant within arm's reach at all times.
Three: If she died now, it would be considered a political failure, not a tragedy.
Which felt… worse.
She shuffled beside Kazuki as he moved through the forest with lethal ease, Mochi snug against her chest in the mantle sling. Every beast they passed either bowed, froze, or vanished entirely.
Aika whispered, "Do they all think I'm a hostage?"
Kazuki didn't slow. "No."
"Then why are they staring?"
"Because you smell like my territory."
Her brain short-circuited. "I smell like… real estate?"
"Yes."
"…Is that bad?"
"It is possessive."
The system chimed with malicious delight.
[STATUS EFFECT APPLIED:] [TERRITORIAL MARK — MINOR]
Aika squeaked. "MARKED?! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?"
Kazuki glanced at her. "…Earlier."
"EARLIER WHEN?!"
"When I gave you my mantle."
She stared down at the fur like it had betrayed her. "That's not a blanket—that's a CLAIM."
"It is clothing."
"In what court?!"
He ignored her and stopped suddenly.
Aika nearly walked into his back.
He raised a hand.
The forest went quiet.
Too quiet.
From the shadows emerged a beast—lean, sharp-eyed, feline in shape, with gold markings along his spine.
He smiled.
"Alpha Kazuki," the stranger purred. "Walking with such… interesting company."
Kazuki's claws flexed. "State your name."
The beast inclined his head mockingly. "Rin of the Glass Claw Clan."
Aika whispered, "That sounds evil."
"It is," Kazuki replied flatly.
Rin's gaze slid to Aika. "So this is the human."
Aika smiled tightly. "Hi. Please don't kill me. Or eat me. Or both."
Rin chuckled. "Relax. You're far too valuable for that."
Aika stiffened.
Kazuki stepped forward. "Say what you came to say."
Rin's eyes glinted. "The council watches. Other clans will too. You've brought a rare toy into the forest."
"I am not a toy," Aika snapped before she could stop herself.
Kazuki's aura spiked.
Rin's smile widened. "Oh, she bites."
"She survives," Kazuki corrected. "That is all that matters."
Rin leaned closer, gaze lingering on Aika and Mochi. "Enjoy your protection while it lasts, little human."
Then he vanished into shards of light.
Aika exhaled shakily. "I hate him."
"You should," Kazuki said. "He collects leverage."
"Is that like blackmail?"
"Worse."
The system chimed again.
[WARNING: MULTIPLE FACTIONS ARE EVALUATING YOU.]
Aika rubbed her face. "I didn't sign up to be evaluated."
Kazuki looked down at her. "You did."
"…When?"
"When you survived."
They continued walking.
After a while, Aika dared to ask, "Why are you really protecting me?"
He didn't answer immediately.
The forest thinned ahead, revealing a cliff overlooking a vast valley—rivers like silver threads, beast settlements carved into stone and tree alike.
Kazuki stopped.
"…Because if they take you," he said quietly, "they will use you."
Aika's chest tightened.
"And because," he added, softer, "you stabilize my territory."
She blinked. "I do?"
"The forest is calmer," he admitted. "Even now."
Mochi yawned, flames flickering gently.
The system pulsed.
[INSTINCTUAL BONDING: DEEPENING.]
Kazuki's jaw tightened.
"This should not be happening," he muttered.
Aika hugged Mochi closer, heart pounding.
"…I'm sorry."
He looked at her then—really looked.
"…Do not apologize for surviving," he said.
The words settled into her chest, warm and heavy.
And somewhere far beyond the valley, something old and cruel took notice of the human who refused to die.
Aika had a bad feeling.
Which, in Beastworld, usually meant she was about to be right.