Jisoo's heart nearly leapt out of her chest as she stared at him. Cold. Dangerous. Radiating a presence that made the very air feel heavier around her. Every instinct screamed: run.
What should she do? Stay? Run? Her mind scrambled for answers as her eyes darted around, searching for an escape. Oh god… I have to run! she thought frantically.
She spun on her heel, ready to sprint, when his voice cut through the air—low, smooth, and deadly:
"Going somewhere?"
She froze mid-step. Her chest tightened. His gaze sliced through her like a blade, and her brain screamed again: Run! Run faster!
With a gulp, she bolted, weaving through the forest, dodging trees and leaping over roots. Her legs pumped like pistons, adrenaline coursing through every vein. But no matter how fast she ran, she couldn't shake the feeling that he knew exactly where she was. Every step she took felt anticipated, predicted, inevitable.
Oh no… oh no… oh no! she muttered under her breath. I just wanted to explore, okay? I didn't sign up for Beast Lord-level danger!
And yet… even as fear gripped her, a reckless part of her couldn't help thinking: He's terrifying… but damn, he's insanely handsome. If I survive this, I'm going to have a story to tell.
---
Branches whipped against her face, roots threatened to trip her, and every step made a thud that she was certain he could hear. Focus, Jisoo, focus! she muttered under her breath. Think… clever… fast… strong…
She leapt over a fallen tree, landed in a crouch, and on instinct ripped a branch from the ground, swinging it like a boomerang. It spun through the air, and she thought she heard it hit something.
A low, amused chuckle echoed behind her. Oh no… he wasn't just fast—he was enjoying this.
She zig-zagged through the trees, testing her Beast Sense. Every rustle of leaves, every subtle shift in the air, told her where he was. She wasn't running blindly; she was controlling the chase.
Then, a flash of silver fur darted between the trees ahead. Yes! A shortcut! she thought, veering sharply—but her instincts screamed too late. The Beast Lord appeared directly in front of her, eyes glowing gold, a faint smirk on his cold, perfect face.
"Running won't save you," he said, voice deep enough to rattle her bones.
She skidded to a stop, crouching into a fighting stance, adrenaline mixing with panic. I'm not running, she told herself, smirking. I'm… strategically repositioning.
Even as she lied to herself, a thrill coursed through her veins. This chase, this danger—it was insane, and she loved it. She wasn't just some human tossed into the Beast World. She was strong. Too strong for him to underestimate. And if he wanted a challenge… well, she was ready to give him one.
---
She froze mid-step, and couldn't help her eyes drifting down, just for a few seconds—lingering on his impossibly perfect, muscular build.
Oh my gosh… Jisoo, stop looking at him! she scolded herself, panic and fangirling warring in her chest. Her brain short-circuited between fight for your life and wow… just… wow.
The Beast Lord's golden eyes didn't waver. Calm, unreadable… he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.
Great. He probably can read minds too, she groaned, snapping her gaze back to his face. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest. Focus, Jisoo! Survival first… fangirling later.
---
She tried to straighten up, take a deep breath, and act ready for anything. Okay… strong, confident, badass Jisoo. You can do this. You can handle the Beast Lord of the South.
She lifted her chin, attempting her most intimidating glare. "Listen," she said, voice calm but fierce, "I don't know what you want, but I'm… strong. Really strong. So if you plan to mess with me—well, think twice."
The Beast Lord tilted his head, golden eyes narrowing, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "Bold," he said, voice low, smooth, dangerous. "Few humans have the audacity to speak to me like that."
Jisoo puffed out her chest, trying to keep up her brave act, though her brain was screaming: He's way too handsome. Stop staring. Stop hyperventilating. Stop everything!
"Bold? Pfft. That's me," she said, trying to grin but failing miserably. "And if you want to see how strong I am, I—uh… can show you. Maybe. Or not. Depends on my mood."
The Beast Lord's smirk deepened, dangerous glint in his golden eyes. "Interesting. Most humans are either scared or useless. You… are neither. I might actually… keep an eye on you."
Jisoo choked on her own words. Keep an eye on me? Is that an ally… or a problem? Panic and excitement tangled in her chest. "Uh… thanks?" she stammered, waving her hands awkwardly.
A low chuckle rumbled from him, sending a shiver down her spine. Do not mistake my amusement for kindness, human, he warned, stepping closer, every movement radiating power. One wrong move, and…
Jisoo gulped, backing up—but even in fear, she couldn't hide her wide-eyed admiration. Survival first… fangirling carefully later.
---
Then the system pinged again, and Jisoo nearly fell over.
"[Objective Updated: Seduce the Beast Lord of the South]."
She blinked. Twice. Then her jaw practically hit the ground.
Excuse me… what?! she muttered, spinning around as if someone else might have programmed this nonsense. Nope. Just her, her brain, and this ridiculous system.
"Hello? Did I… hear that wrong? Am I dreaming? Is this a nightmare?" she shouted, clutching her head. "Seduce… the Beast Lord? Are you serious?! Who designed this messed-up system?!"
The Beast Lord tilted his head, watching her with that same dangerously calm smirk. Oh no… he knows. Her heart skipped a beat. Great. Now he probably thinks she's trying to… ugh, stop thinking that, Jisoo!
She ran a hand through her hair, muttering: Okay, okay… deep breaths. Focus. Totally insane. But… strong Jisoo, remember? You can survive this. Somehow… someway…
She whispered under her breath, mostly to herself: I did not sign up for… seducing a Beast Lord. Like, at all. Why does my life have to be like this?!
The Beast Lord let out a low, amused chuckle, and her stomach did a terrifying little flip. Oh no… he's enjoying this. Definitely enjoying this.