Cold.
That was what shook Aries back into the lands of the living. His head ached badly, and his eyes squinted under the heavy water being poured on him.
As his hands wiped his face clean, another bucket was poured on him, and his sight was clouded again until the water stopped bordering him, and harsh brushes washed against his skin.
His teeth clenched together as the pain dug into him. 'Is this another round of torture? How do they use this to bathe?'
'And why are they even bathing me?' he looked around. 'These angry beastmen?'
"Keep your head in one place!" one of them shouted, and he understood too well especially with the brush pressing harder into his skin.
But to reply? No, he couldn't. His throat was still tightly shut, and he only opened and shut his mouth. Soon, the beginning torture was over, and he was dragged into a room, and this time, Aries smiled.
He managed to breathe properly. The room was nearly tidy, with neat sheets spread on the bed. He could breathe in comfort, and he was dragged to sit on the bed; his bum hit the mattress hard.
'Just like I figured, the bed isn't the type I like. Soft and sinking… fuck… what is happening really?'
The gate cracked open, and beast women entered the room. The cloth that had been used to wrap his body was removed, and he was dressed in simple wolf-skin shorts and a top.
And just as they finished, the ladies left.
'They'll just leave me like that?' he thought as he stared at the gate.
Aries sat on the bed, confused and seeking answers. And then, his brain finally seemed to function properly.
'If I look at this well, it doesn't really seem like I'm going to die or get tortured again… right?'
'So, I was dying, then got miraculously healed, then fainted, and what was that voice in my head?'
[That would be me.]
The voice sounded again, and Aries jumped up.
'Yes… tell me—how… why… what is happening?' Aries poured out all his questions.
[Host, first, you'll need to calm down and sit your ass— ahem, I mean, sit down on the bed.]
Aries nodded and followed the instructions. 'I'm sat. Now talk.'
[Good.
You should call me The Celestial Breeder System. And what am I for? To guide, protect, and assist you in completing all necessary tasks and missions. And do you know what happens at the end? You get to return home.]
Aries' ears perked up at that.
[Yes, I knew you'd love to hear that.
I brought you to this world through a portal and, of course, you can go back through it.]
'What is this world? And why can't I speak?'
[That's because of a feature I put on you. To be sure you wouldn't talk and get yourself killed before I even show myself, I put a speech barrier on you. But don't worry, it'll be off soon. If you want to know more about your mission and me, you'll need to purchase Celestial Breeder Guidance, and it costs 10 Celestial Energy.]
Aries' jaw dropped.
Guidance?
Was this thing seriously charging him for explanations?
[Host should request for Host Interface to see your current stage.]
'Host interface?' Aries said, more like asked, and then a hologram screen appeared before him. He jumped back. It was literally a jump scare.
He leaned forward again to stare at it:
[HOST INTERFACE]
Name: Aries
Race: Human (Unclassified)
System: Celestial Breeder System
Current Celestial Energy: 0 / 100
System Stage: Dormant Seed
(Beginning stage — limited functions available. Requires Celestial Energy to unlock further abilities.)
Speech Barrier: ACTIVE
(Prevents host from accidentally provoking beastmen before briefing.)
[Host! Beastlord is approaching. Take caution!]
And Aries heard steps approaching. His eyes locked with the beastlord he had last seen in the prison.
'As if I've not had enough today… it's the angry beastlord again… now, what does he need?' Aries sighed as he sat back on the bed.
The beastlord entered and dragged his eyes over Aries' body.
"You are different," he said, brows knitting.
Aries didn't say anything, or couldn't. He simply stared back.
The beastlord approached, and Aries felt his heart beat as fast as if he was about to pass out.
"You smell different," the beastlord muttered.
'So? And? What should I do about that?'
"You smell delicious," he added as he now stood directly before Aries. Aries lowered his gaze, staring at the beastlord's hand because he had lost the strength to meet the man's eyes.
Then suddenly, he was yanked by the cheek and forced to look up.
"So, what you did in the dungeon—do it again."
'Huh?'
Aries was utterly confused. 'What did I do in the dungeon?'
As if he heard Aries' thoughts, the beastlord continued, "The healing thing. Do it again. Completely heal my wounds."
'Oh… that?' Aries finally understood. He gestured with his hands trying to signal 'free me first… I think?'
He pressed a hand against the beastlord's hard chest. It worked. He was released and sat back on the bed, while the beastlord sat before him, expectant.
'Ermm… here goes whatever…' Aries took the beastlord's hand.
1 second…
2…
3… 4… 5…
Nothing.
The beastlord's face darkened. He yanked his hand away.
"Why aren't you doing anything?"
Aries panicked and waved his hands frantically. 'Wait, wait, don't kill me yet!'
'How do I activate this? I don't know! Just have patience!'
Shockingly, the beastlord calmed slightly.
"I'll give you one minute to find something to do. Otherwise, you're going back to the dungeon. And I'm sure you wouldn't like that."
'I think the first time this healing stuff worked was when I was injured. So… does that mean I need to injure myself?'
He looked at the beastlord. His eyes fell on his claws.
'Good. Sharp claws.'
And without another thought—
SLASH.
Pain exploded across his mind. The beastlord grabbed his neck again.
"Are you trying to end your life?"
His system's panicked voice echoed inside:
[Host! Don't harm yourself! What are you even trying to do?!]
'So now you see I'm trying to do something?' he muttered inwardly.
The beastlord released him, and Aries gestured again: 'Wait. Just wait.'
'Look, the beastlord wants me to heal him again. Otherwise, I'll die.'
[CELESTIAL ENERGY REQUIRED]
Host cannot perform healing.
Current Energy: 0 / 100
To gather Celestial Energy, Host must complete ONE (1) Beginner Task.
[BEGINNER ENERGY TASKS — CHOOSE ONE]
1. ⟢ Task: Steady Contact
Hold the Beastlord's hand for 30 seconds.
Reward: +20 Celestial Energy
Risk Level: Medium
Note: Beastlord may react aggressively to physical touch.
2. ⟢ Task: Eye of Submission
Maintain direct eye contact with the Beastlord for 30 seconds.
Reward: +20 Celestial Energy
Risk Level: High
Note: Prolonged eye contact may trigger dominance aggression.
3. ⟢ Task: Forced Proximity
Sit on the Beastlord's lap for 10 seconds.
Reward: +30 Celestial Energy
Risk Level: Extreme
Note: Action may trigger mating instincts. Only recommended if Host prefers death-avoidance over dignity.
[SYSTEM REMINDER]
Only ONE task may be selected.
Beginner stage permits only one self-initiated task per hour.
'So… that was it.'