The morning sun spilled softly across the rugged cliffs, the scent of damp soil rising with the early mist. Lisa blinked awake, her body still weary from the chaotic events of the night before. She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, wondering for a moment if everything had simply been a bizarre dream.
But then she heard the steady rhythm of chopping wood and spotted Rylan a short distance away—barefoot on the cool earth, hair loose around his shoulders, slicing fallen timber like it was nothing more than soft bread.
Lisa stared at him for a long moment, her lips unconsciously pursing.
This man…
He was too much.
Too strong.
Too handsome.
Too composed.
Too everything.
Compared to the men back on Earth—men whose only functioning brain cell was located below the waistline—Rylan felt like an entirely different species of existence.
Well… technically, he was another species.
Lisa sighed heavily.
At least he wasn't like those office idiots whose idea of "romance" was asking if she wanted to "hang out after work" only to lead her straight to a budget motel. Or her friend's boyfriends who rotated weekly like a cheap subscription service.
Rylan lifted the last log and set it neatly on the pile. When he turned and noticed Lisa watching, his expression softened.
"You're awake," he said. "Did you sleep well?"
Lisa shrugged, averting her gaze. "As well as someone can sleep after getting knocked around by giant beasts."
Rylan chuckled, brushing dirt from his hands. "Fair enough."
Lisa cleared her throat. "So… what do you plan to do now?"
Rylan didn't hesitate. "Return to my tribe. My mother will be worried. And as for you…" He paused, looking her straight in the eyes. "You should come with me."
Lisa instantly tensed. "W-with you?"
"Yes."
His tone was firm, leaving no space for argument.
Lisa opened her mouth to refuse—she would deny him out of sheer stubbornness if nothing else—but the moment she met Rylan's calm, serious gaze, her voice simply melted away.
"…Fine," she muttered, feeling defeated. "I'll go."
> [System: Host accepted because he is handsome.]
Lisa's nose flared. "Shut. Up."
> [System: Your choices are guided by hormones too, Host.]
"I swear I will uninstall you."
Rylan paused. "Hm?"
Lisa coughed. "Nothing! Nothing at all—let's just… eat."
---
They roasted the crab meat over a small fire, the aroma rich and savory. Lisa closed her eyes in bliss as she took a bite; it was tender, almost buttery, and miles better than the cafeteria food she used to suffer through.
"Wow," she said with her mouth full. "This is heavenly."
Rylan smiled faintly. "Good. You need energy for the journey."
Lisa nodded, chewing happily—until a strange sensation crawled down her spine. Her chewing slowed. Something felt… wrong.
A gaze.
A prickling, crawling, heavy gaze.
Lisa slowly lifted her head and scanned the treetop shadows behind them. She saw nothing at first. Just dense green, branches swaying softly.
She told herself she was imagining it.
But the unease continued.
The air suddenly felt too still.
The forest too silent.
She swallowed her food harshly.
Then—
Rylan's hand froze around his spear shaft.
His entire expression shifted—calmness wiped away, replaced by cold, simmering fury. The sudden change sent a tremor down Lisa's arms.
"Rylan…?"
He didn't answer.
In a single, fluid motion, he summoned his spear. The weapon gleamed with a deadly light.
He turned his body slightly, muscles tightening.
Then—without warning—he hurled the spear into the distance with lethal precision.
A violent crash echoed a heartbeat later.
Leaves exploded into the air as a massive shadow plummeted from the treetops nearly a hundred meters away.
Lisa jolted. "What—what was that?!"
Rylan strode forward slowly, retrieving his weapon before the dust settled.
Only then did the creature reveal itself.
A hulking four-armed ape lay sprawled on the ground. Its fur was mottled grey, eyes bloodshot, mouth leaking frothy saliva. Its chest heaved, exuding a strange, sickly-sweet scent that twisted the air around them.
Lisa gagged as the odor reached her.
"Ugh—what kind of monster is this?"
Rylan's voice was ice cold. "A Pheromone Ape. A lust-driven and greedy species."
Lisa's face tightened. "L-lust-driven…?"
Rylan nodded grimly. "Their bodies emit pheromones that target the desires of their prey. Anyone who inhales it becomes clouded, impulsive… emotionally unstable."
Lisa shivered. "Impulsive in what way?"
Rylan hesitated before answering, choosing his words with restraint. "The pheromones amplify the emotions usually buried deep inside. Desire, attachment, aggression, longing… whatever lies dormant."
Lisa felt her cheeks heat. She could already guess the darker implications.
But Rylan continued, his expression hardening further.
"If someone is exposed for too long, they can lose themselves completely and fall under the creature's control."
The system flashed in front of Lisa.
> [System: Host, I recommend remaining five meters behind Rylan at all times. You attract trouble.]
"Shut up, I'm processing trauma here!"
Lisa crossed her arms tightly. "That thing was watching us?"
Rylan's jaw clenched. "Yes. From earlier this morning."
Lisa froze. "Earlier?! And you didn't tell me?!"
"I didn't want you to panic."
His voice was level, but she felt the protective undertone.
Lisa was about to snap something back when Rylan continued:
"Pheromone Apes are known for seeking out vulnerable females. There are… many reports of them abducting women."
Lisa's stomach lurched. "Abducting them for what?"
He exhaled slowly. "Their pheromones create dependence. Once a victim loses control, the ape can manipulate them in… certain ways. To drain vitality, to steal life essence, to increase its strength."
Lisa turned pale.
The implication was there—but not spoken aloud.
Her hands trembled slightly. "That's… disgusting."
Rylan nodded. "Indeed. They are one of the more vile beasts in these mountains."
Lisa stepped backward unconsciously, stomach twisting. "I think I'm gonna vomit…"
Rylan approached her, placing a warm hand on her back. "It's alright now. The creature is dead."
Lisa glanced at the ape again, repulsed. "Thanks… for killing it."
Rylan gave a small nod. "Of course. Besides—"
His tone dropped, deeper, rougher.
"No creature has the right to look at you that way."
Lisa's face turned scarlet. "W-what way?!"
Rylan didn't answer directly. Instead, he stepped closer, lowering his head slightly so she could see the dark intensity in his eyes.
"A way that is not allowed."
Lisa's heart slammed against her ribs.
The system chimed with relish:
> [System: Warning—Host's heart rate dangerously high. Favorability potential rising. Rylan is entering overprotective mode.]
Lisa nearly screamed. "Shut up!!"
Rylan blinked in confusion. "Lisa?"
She waved frantically. "N-nothing! Keep talking!"
Rylan sighed and returned to a safer topic. "Be cautious. These apes never travel alone."
Lisa stiffened. "…What?"
"They live in groups. Forty to fifty per troop."
Lisa felt faint. "F–forty? Fifty?! Like—right now?! Around us?!"
Rylan nodded calmly. "We are in their territory. They likely circled the area during the night."
Lisa grabbed his arm instantly. "We need to leave. Now. Right now. Immediately."
> [System: Host finally displaying survival instincts. Congratulations.]
"Not. Now."
Rylan gave a faint, amused smile at her panic. "Relax. I killed the strongest one. The rest will scatter. They are cowards unless led."
Lisa exhaled shakily, clutching her chest.
Her heart was still pounding too loudly.
Rylan stepped closer again, brushing his fingers lightly against her cheek to steady her.
"You're safe," he murmured. "As long as I'm here."
Lisa didn't respond. She couldn't. Her brain was short-circuiting.
The system chimed once more:
> [System: Host, your attraction level is increasing rapidly. Favorability opportunity: extremely high.]
Lisa wished for death. "S-shut… up…"
Rylan tilted his head. "You're red. Are you feeling ill?"
Lisa turned away instantly. "I'm fine! Perfectly fine! Let's—just pack and go."
Rylan nodded, retrieving his spear and gathering their belongings.
As they prepared to leave, the dead ape lay motionless beside them—a dark reminder of how ruthless and dangerous this world truly was.
And for the first time, Lisa fully understood:
Without Rylan, she wouldn't survive even a day.
And perhaps…
That thought scared her more than the monster.