[ Stop ignoring the main topic.... Your man wants babies and as a wife it's your job to fulfill it. ]
Alex froze mid-chew, a chunk of dire boar still dangling between his finger tips.
"…What do you mean my job?" he echoed weakly, voice cracking. " Don't forgot it's you and your stupid transferring protocol or something that got me into this shit. "
[ So what can you do about it? You're already have a identity in this world and in order for me to reboot you out of this world you need those sacred stones. ]
[ But in order to achieve that, you have to unify all the powerful tribes through subjugation. I'm sorry but you have no choice here, host. ] System said, tail flickering low.
Alex stared at the floating cat, the half-chewed chunk of dire boar finally dropping from his limp fingers onto the furs.
The cave suddenly felt smaller. The fire crackled too loudly. Naga's coils, which had been lazily draped around the perimeter of the nest like a living fortress, tightened by a fraction—just enough for Alex to feel the shift in pressure against his spine.
"Unify… all the powerful tribes," Alex repeated slowly, each word tasting like ash. "Through subjugation."
The system cat had the decency to look almost apologetic, which was somehow worse than its usual smugness.
[System: I didn't design the rules of this world, Host. I just… operate within them. The seven sacred stones are bound to the seven apex tribes. They won't willingly hand over something that literally contains a fragment of the planet's lifeblood unless the new bearer has either:]
1. Formally accepted courtship from the tribe's guardian (i.e., added another husband to the nest)
2.Conquered the guardian in ritual combat and taken the stone by right of strength.
[There is no third option. No diplomacy loophole. No "pretty please with sugar on top." The stones recognize dominance or devotion. Nothing else.]
Alex's laugh was short, sharp, and bordering on manic.
"So my choices are: fuck my way through six more apex predators… or fight them to near-death and hope I win?"
Naga made a low, dangerous sound deep in his throat—half warning growl, half barely-contained fury.
"No one will lay a claw on you without going through me first," he said, voice so low it vibrated the stone beneath them. "And if they think to challenge for you—" His fangs flashed. "—they will learn exactly how many pieces a body can be broken into before it stops screaming."
The system cat raised both paws in a placating gesture.
[I don't want to add oil to the fire pit but there's a time limit.]
The cave went silent except for the crackling fire.
"...Time limit??," Alex repeated in a tiny voice.
[System: Yep! You have three years before your data fully integrates with this world. After that, the transfer becomes permanent and irreversible. No gate, no stones, no going home. You'll be 100% beast world property.]
The system pulled up a glowing countdown timer that materialized in the air like the world's worst game show.
TIME REMAINING: 2 years, 364 days, 16 hours, 23 minutes
"Three years," Alex whispered. "To unite seven tribes. Of giant magical murder-beasts."
[System: Well, when you put it like that, it does sounds hard.]
"BECAUSE IT IS HARD!"
A low, rumbling growl vibrated through Naga's chest—not threatening, but thoughtful.
Dangerous-thoughtful. The kind of thoughtful that historically preceded very bad decisions.
"If you need the stones..." Naga's hand came up to cup Alex's face, thumb brushing over his cheekbone with surprising gentleness. "Then we will take them."
"WE?!"
"You are my mate." Said simply, like it explained everything. "Your goals are my goals. Your enemies are my enemies. Whatever you want I'll get it for you. That's my duty as your mate. "
Despite everything—the insanity, the panic, the sheer impossibility of it all—Alex felt something warm and decidedly inconvenient lodge itself in his chest.
"You'd help me collect murder-rocks from six other apex predators," he said slowly, "knowing that the only ways to get them involve me either mating said predators or you fighting them to the death."
Naga's expression did something complicated. His coils tightened possessively even as his thumb continued its gentle path across Alex's cheekbone.
"I would prefer option two," he said flatly. "Very, very strongly prefer option two."
[System: Host, just FYI—ritual combat for sacred stones is usually ends at in death of the loser party. Even if the winner let the loser live, they will be shamed and outcasted by the whole tribe, they ended up choosing death in the end—]
"NOT HELPING!" Alex and Naga shouted in unison.
The system's ears flattened. [Just trying to provide accurate information...]
Alex dropped his face into his hands. "This is insane. I can't ask you to fight six apex predators for me. That's—that's suicide!"
"I am the lord of the Serpent Clan," Naga said, voice taking on a formal quality.
"I have held my territory for one hundred-three years. I have never lost a challenge." His eyes gleamed. "I do not intend to start now."
"One Hundred and three—" Alex's head snapped up. "How old ARE you?!"
"Two hundred and sixty-two." Said like it was completely normal. "I am in my prime."
"I'M NINETEEN!"
"A perfect age difference. You will have many decades of youth while I am still strong." Naga looked pleased with himself. "Very efficient."
[System: Actually, omega males in this world live significantly longer than their original-world counterparts—usually 200-300 years. Side effect of the biological modifications. Surprise bonus!]
"STOP GIVING ME SURPRISE BONUSES! I DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY OF THIS!"
" So are you agreeing to mate? " Naga asked.
Alex's smile dropped when the topic he was desperately trying to avoid came back around.
" Wh- why are we talking about it again?"
" Because mating is the most important ritual between mates. " Naga replied nonchalantly.
He swallowed hard. His brain scrambling to find anything that might divert this giant snake's attention. "Hey, Naga, speaking of important rituals…how-how about we talk about other six sacred stones? You know, the super shiny quest items that I want?"
Naga, who had been inching closer with that slow, predatory glide that somehow still looked affectionate, paused mid-coil. His tongue flicked out, tasting the air (and probably Alex's sudden spike of panic).
"The other stones?" Naga repeated, emerald eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You wish to speak of them… now?"
"Yes! Right now! Immediately!" Alex nodded so hard his curls bounced like springs. "Super important! World-saving! Way more urgent than—"
He waved his meat skewer in a vague circle that somehow encompassed the entire concept of mating, "—whatever Chapter 3 of your reptile romance novel suggests."
Naga blinked slowly. "But you have not finished eating. Or bathing. Or—"
"Stones first! Stones are healthy! Mental health, emotional health, quest health!" Alex shoved the rest of the dire boar into his mouth like he was cramming for finals, cheeks bulging. "Mmph—see? Done eating! Multitasking champion!"
[System: Host has achieved new skill: Deflection Level 2. Reward: +5 Panic Points.]
Naga watched Alex chew frantically, looking equal parts amused and frustrated. His tail tip thumped the stone floor once—thud—like a judge's gavel.
"Very well," he sighed, the sound dramatic enough to rival a soap opera. "We will speak of the stones."
He leaned back on his coils, folding his muscular arms. "Which one interests you first?"
Alex swallowed the boar brick, nearly choking in relief. "Uh—the closest one!"
Naga coiled thoughtfully, tapping a claw against his chin. "The closest is the Lion Tribe. Their golden stone is guarded by Leo, the white lion lord. Very proud. Very strong."
He grinned, fangs flashing. "I have fought him three times. We are… not friends."
Alex sat up. "Great! Perfect! Nothing says 'friendly visit' like pre-existing beef. Any chance he'll just hand over the stone if we ask nicely?"
Naga snorted. "No."
"Thought so." Alex rubbed his temples.
"Okay, plan B: we go, you flex, he gets intimidated, hands over the stone, we leave. Minimal drama."
Naga tilted his head. " What is mini_mal drama? Anyway, that tiger won't settle down without a fight. He's too proud for that. "
Alex pointed a finger at him. "Minimal. We're going for minimal."
" Fine whatever you say. So after I give you the stone, will you make hatchlings with me? "
Alex squeaked. "We're back to it already?!"
[System: So much for your touching moment, he's like a heat-seeking missile locked on the breeding target. Impressive single-mindedness.]
Alex slapped both hands over Naga's mouth (well, tried—his hands were comically small against that fanged face).
"New rule!" he declared. "No talking about cubs, mating, breeding, knotting, eggs, litters, or anything baby-related until we have at least three stones. Deal?"
Naga gently peeled Alex's hands away, looking amused. "Three stones?"
"Four?" Alex bargained.
"Two," Naga countered, tail curling possessively around Alex's ankle.
"Three and a half?"
Naga actually laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the chamber like distant thunder mixed with warm honey.
"Very well, my stubborn little mate. Three stones. Then we discuss babies again."
Alex exhaled in relief. "Deal! Shake on it—no tail wrapping, that's cheating."
[System: Congratulations! You have successfully delayed the inevitable some time depending on how fast Mr. Possessive over here murders the competition.]
[New side quest unlocked: "Operation: Distract the Snake with Shiny Rocks"
Reward: Temporary abstinence + possible survival.]