The mountain path twisted like a silver snake beneath the afternoon sun, and Lisa—now forced to answer to the name Lucy for her safety—walked silently behind Rylan. The echoes of their… accidental kiss still burned on her lips, and every time she dared glance at him, her heart twitched.
Rylan hadn't said a word either. Maybe he was embarrassed. Maybe he was confused. Or maybe—Lisa nervously thought—he was regretting saving her.
But the worst culprit was not the man walking ahead of her.
It was the Beastmen Lewd System, floating smugly inside her mind.
[System Notification: Increasing Rylan's favorability is recommended. Reward panels unlock at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%.]
Lisa clenched her fists.
Shut up, you stupid system. I know what I'm doing!
[Correction: Host clearly does NOT know. Host fell on him like a deranged squirrel.]
"I DID NOT!" she hissed aloud.
Rylan slowed and turned, eyebrows raised. "Lucy? Are you alright?"
Lisa froze. Heat climbed her cheeks. She forced out a stiff smile. "Y-yeah… j-just yelling at, uh… myself."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "You say strange things, you know."
Great. Now he thought she was crazy
The trail opened wider, sunlight filtering through the high pines. Lisa forced herself to focus on her surroundings—and not on Rylan's broad back and the way his tail flicked every time he was amused.
Something caught her eye.
On the side of a massive tree trunk, a cluster of pale mushrooms glowed faintly in the shade.
"Ooh! Food!" Lisa rushed forward.
"Lucy, stop!" Rylan barked, transforming instantly from shy young warrior to stern guardian.
She plucked one before he reached her.
Rylan grabbed her wrist—not hard, but tight enough to show his worry. "These are poisonous. Fifteen tribe members died last winter from eating them."
Lisa blinked at the mushroom, then at him. "Poisonous? But they look fine."
Before Rylan could scold her, she snapped at the system silently:
System! Info window! Hurry!
[Scanning item…]
[Result: Upper portion is edible after roasting. Lower stem contains lethal toxin.]
Lisa raised a smug eyebrow. "Actually, only the lower part is poisonous."
Rylan stared at her, stunned. "How do you know that?"
"I, uh… read a book."
On Earth, she added silently.
Rylan let go of her wrist slowly. "That's… incredible. Even our Grand Sage doesn't know that. You must be from a very knowledgeable tribe."
Lisa forced a calm smile, but inside her heart was pounding.
If this world valued knowledge this much…
Then her system might truly be a lifeline.
"Lucy," Rylan said gently, "you should learn more about us. It'll keep you alive."
Lisa nodded, grateful for something normal to talk about. "Then tell me about your… clans?"
Rylan brightened, happy to explain. "There are four major beast clans around these mountains."
He lifted a finger.
"The Wingman Clan—they specialize in aerial combat. They have the Wind God Totem, which gives them control over wind currents. They nest in the high peaks of the Andes-like ranges."
Another finger.
"The Lion Clan—fierce warriors, unmatched in fire combat. They possess the Fire Totem and live near the Volcano of Inglus."
A third.
"The Wolf Clan—their specialty is stealth and assassination. Their Ice Totem lets them manipulate frost. They roam the frozen valleys."
And finally his thumb pointed to himself.
"Our Bear Clan—the strongest physically. We carry the Earth Totem. It grants strength, defense, and control over tremors. We live in the mountain foothills and tunnels."
Lisa's eyes sparkled in fascination. This is like a real fantasy world… with superpowers!
"So the totems… they're like magical artifacts?" she asked.
Rylan nodded. "Totems choose their wielder. Only our tribe's Grand Sage can draw out the full power. But Chief Warriors and above can use a part of it."
Lisa tilted her head. "Then what's the tribe structure? You mentioned ranks before."
Rylan began counting on his fingers again.
"From highest to lowest:
1. The Queen – ruler of the tribe.
2. Grand Sage – wielder of the totem's magic.
3. Chief Warriors – elite leaders.
4. Elite Warriors – strong fighters who support the chiefs.
5. Normal Warriors – our main force.
6. Commoners – the rest of the tribe."
Lisa inhaled sharply. "A queen…?"
Rylan nodded seriously. "Female beastkin are extremely rare. Any female born is immediately protected. If a female outsider is discovered, she would either be forced into another clan or… worse."
Lisa swallowed.
The system hadn't lied.
She really was in danger.
She tried to lighten the mood. "So what about you? Where do you stand?"
Rylan blinked, then scratched his cheek shyly.
"I'm… um… the son of Matriarch Rola."
Lisa froze.
"Wait—you're the son of the leader!?"
He winced. "I don't usually bring it up. People treat me differently. But yes… I'm the young head of the tribe. A future Chief Warrior."
No wonder he was strong.
No wonder he carried himself with dignity.
And no wonder she felt a strange flutter whenever he looked at her.
The system chimed smugly in her head:
[Target's background: Excellent. Perfect for conquest.]
[Host should continue flirting. Favorability +1 recommended.]
Shut up… Lisa silently groaned.
This system was going to be the death of her.
As the sun dipped behind the peaks, Rylan motioned her closer.
"We'll be at the tribe borders by nightfall. Stay near me, Lucy. The mountains aren't safe at night."
Lisa nodded, stepping closer than necessary.
Rylan noticed—his cheeks reddened—but he didn't move away.
They walked side by side, silent but strangely comfortable.
Lisa looked at him from the corner of her eye.
Strong. Kind. Protective.
And unaware that she was the very thing this world could fight wars over.
But she had a system.
She had knowledge.
She had a promise she made to herself:
I will survive. I will rise. And I will turn this world upside down.
And somewhere deep inside her, she sensed fate shifting.
This was only the beginning.