Lisa's legs ached as she followed Rylan through winding tunnels deep within the mountain. The deeper they went, the dimmer the light became, until only faint bioluminescent moss lit the path in shimmering blue.
Her new cat ears twitched with every drip of water and distant echo.
Everything in this world felt sharper—sound, smell, instinct.
She didn't know whether to be terrified… or fascinated.
Rylan stopped when the cave opened into a hidden cavern, warm and glowing softly from natural crystals embedded into the walls. It was surprisingly beautiful—like a secret sanctuary carved by nature itself.
"You'll be safe here," Rylan said, releasing her hand. His voice was calm, but there was something tense behind his eyes.
Lisa sat on a smooth rock, catching her breath.
"Rylan… what is going on? Why are other beastmen looking for me?"
He hesitated.
"Because you're female."
Lisa frowned. "That doesn't explain anything."
His jaw tightened.
"There are… things you must understand about this world," he said slowly. "Especially about beastkin."
He stepped closer, lowering himself to her level.
"In this world… females are nearly extinct. Across all clans—wolf, lion, fox, tiger—only males remain. Hundreds of years of war, corruption, and curses… wiped out almost every female."
Lisa felt a chill crawl down her spine.
"Almost… every female?"
Rylan nodded.
"Some tribes haven't seen a female in generations. Some believe females are myths. And those who do appear…" He stopped himself, eyes darkening.
Lisa swallowed hard. "What happens to them?"
Rylan didn't answer immediately.
The silence was louder than any words.
Finally, he said quietly:
"Females are captured. Controlled. Used by the strongest males… until they break."
Lisa's stomach twisted.
"Used… how…?" she whispered, even though she feared the answer.
Rylan looked away.
"In breeding camps. Or locked in harems. Or taken by entire clans who believe mating with a female will elevate their bloodline."
Lisa shivered violently.
"And if I'm found…?"
His gaze snapped back to hers—intense, protective, almost fierce.
"They will fight over you until someone dies. And if the clan wins…" He inhaled deeply, voice dropping to a pained rumble. "They'll use you until there's nothing left."
Lisa pressed a hand to her mouth.
The world tilted.
"I… I didn't ask for this. I just screamed for excitement. Not… not this nightmare."
Rylan reached out, gently touching her arm.
She flinched, but he didn't pull away.
"You're safe while you're with me," he said softly. "I won't let anyone take you."
But Lisa's heart still pounded in dread.
"Rylan… I'm weak. I can't fight. I don't understand your world. I can't survive here like this."
Her breath shook as tears welled in her eyes.
"I need help. I need something—anything—that can let me protect myself."
As if the universe listened again—
A soft chime echoed in her mind.
Ding.
Lisa froze.
Rylan's ears perked. "Did you hear something?"
"Y-Yes… I think—inside my head?"
A glowing blue screen suddenly appeared in front of her.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
[WELCOME, HOST.]
[YOU HAVE AWAKENED: THE BEASTMEN LEWD SYSTEM]
Lisa's eyes widened.
Rylan stared. "A… system? That's ancient magic…"
Words continued appearing:
[This system shall guide the host—Lisa—to survive, grow, and rise in the Beastmen World.]
[Your human knowledge is valuable. Use it to evolve the clans.]
[Human science, technology, medicine, agriculture, engineering, and social systems—can be reconstructed here.]
Lisa gasped.
"I-I can bring human knowledge… into this world?"
[Correct.]
[The more bonds you form with beastmen, the more system energy you gain to unlock knowledge, tools, and upgrades.]
Lisa blinked rapidly.
"B-Bonds? As in…"
The screen flickered.
[Lewd bonds generate the fastest growth.]
Her face turned bright red.
Rylan leaned closer. "What does it say?"
"N-Nothing! Just… weird stuff!"
The screen, oblivious to her panic, continued:
[This world is on the verge of collapse.]
[Beastmen have no females. Their societies are falling apart.]
[Only you—Host—can change their fate.]
Lisa stared at the last line.
[Use your human knowledge. Rise to power. Become their Queen.]
Her breath caught.
Queen?
Her?
The bored office girl who just wanted excitement?
The screen flashed once more:
[Do you accept your destiny?]
[Yes / No]
Lisa stared at the glowing words.
Her heart thudded.
She remembered her pathetic cubicle… her empty apartment… her friend mocking her… the loneliness she tried to laugh away.
She remembered screaming at the mountain—
"Make all men my simp! Even a beast is fine!"
And now…
She was in a world where a single female had the power to command tribes.
A world where she could change everything.
A world where she didn't have to be weak or ignored or lonely.
Lisa wiped her tears.
Her voice trembled, but her eyes hardened with determination.
"I accept."
The system chimed again.
[DESTINY LOCKED.]
[BEGINNING HOST EVOLUTION.]
Rylan stepped back in awe as the screen dissolved into shimmering particles.
"What… just happened?" he murmured.
Lisa stood slowly, feeling something warm pulse through her veins—strength, possibilities, purpose.
She met Rylan's stunned gaze.
"I'm not going to be some weak captive," she said quietly. "Not in this world."
Her new cat ears tilted confidently.
"I'm going to survive. I'm going to grow strong. And I'm going to make this mountain clan's life better."
Rylan watched her with a mixture of shock and something else… something deep and instinctive.
"Lisa…" he whispered, almost reverently.
She smiled—a small, fierce smile.
"This world thinks females are hunted, captured, and used."
Her eyes gleamed with new fire.
"But I'm going to turn the tables."
She stepped closer to Rylan.
"And I'll make sure this clan—the first one that showed me kindness—rises above all others."
The system chimed again, softly.
[Host has taken her first step toward becoming… Queen of Beastmen.]
Lisa exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of her new destiny settle on her shoulders.
"Let them come," she said, voice steady. "I'm not afraid anymore."
And for the first time since waking up…
She truly meant it.