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🺔Married To Many Beast Humanoid From Beast World”ðŸ…
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Author: Trinity_Beash
Written By:Â Villa
Published:Â 09/20/24
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   Chapter 13:
Clashing Instincts: Baji’s Dilemma, 2 Unexpected Neighbor
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“Talking”
‘Thinking’
*Movements/Emotions*
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༻﹡﹡No One’s POV﹡﹡༺
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As winter’s chill began to seep into the forest, the landscape transformed into a stark white expanse. Heavy snow blanketed the ground, turning the once lush terrain into a cold, inhospitable environment.
The animals, sensing the harsh conditions ahead, retreated into their burrows or hibernated, leaving behind a desolate silence. The number of prey dwindled significantly, making survival increasingly challenging.
In preparation for the unforgiving season, the beastmen had always been diligent about stockpiling food. They knew that their survival depended on gathering enough provisions before the snow settled in.
This year, however, winter had arrived two months ahead of schedule, catching everyone off guard.
The unanticipated early onset left Mikey and Draken with a frustratingly short window to gather the supplies they needed.
Had they been alone, Mikey and Draken might have managed to scrape by with sheer determination and a bit of luck. But their circumstances were different now.
Alongside them was Takemichi, their delicate little mate who needed special care to endure the winter’s harsh conditions. His presence added a layer of urgency to their preparations.
Takemichi required more than just the basics: he needed a warm, secure shelter and an ample supply of food to ensure his safety and well-being throughout the cold months.
Among the essential supplies were meat and herds, particularly the kinds Takemichi favored. He had a particular taste for certain meats, which made it crucial for Mikey and Draken to secure them.
Additionally, red berries were vital, not only for their nutritional value but also because Takemichi enjoyed them.
Speaking of Red berries…..
Draken’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden recollection of a week ago.
He remembered something crucial that he had failed to mention to Mikey—a detail that could impact their preparations.
The realization made Draken frown, his mind racing as he pondered over the forgotten information. With the urgency of their situation, it was imperative that he informed Mikey as soon as possible.
As he contemplated the upcoming conversation with Mikey, Draken felt a weight on his shoulders.
The responsibility of ensuring their little mate’s survival during the winter was immense, and every decision mattered.
The early winter had thrown their plans into disarray, but they had no choice but to adapt and overcome the challenges that lay ahead.
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“Who sent this?”
Takemichi’s voice rang out from behind him, breaking the silence in the cave.
“Hmmm….. Who was here?”
Takemichi asked curiously, looking at Draken as he entered with an animal skin bag in hand.
Draken brought the bag close to his nose, taking in a deep breath to catch the scent of whoever had left it.
His expression quickly darkened as he identified the scent. It was familiar, unmistakably Baji’s. Draken frowned, his thoughts racing.
‘Baji must have come by and left this’
It wasn’t like they were hiding Takemichi from everyone, but for now, both he and Mikey were hesitant to share Takemichi with others.
Things were already complicated enough between the two of them, both vying for Takemichi’s attention, and now someone else was getting involved.
Draken sighed inwardly.
‘First it’s Seishu, and now… Baji.’
He couldn’t help but feel a knot form in his stomach at the idea of even more competition for Takemichi.
Seeing Baji’s action, he might had the possible idea as to why now He could only hope Seishu—that still sleeping male wouldn’t take an interest in the little male they were so protective of. When he woke up.
Not knowing he already did, and he was the first before Baji.
“I’m not sure”
Draken finally answered, his voice calm but his eyes betraying a hint of unease.
“By the time I opened the door, he were already gone.”
‘He?’
Takemichi thought.
He gestured toward the animal skin bag.
“This was left outside. They must’ve dropped it before leaving.”
Draken placed the bag on a nearby table, away from Takemichi, where some of the other foraged items were stored.
Lang zhu, a medicinal herb, lay scattered across the table.
Takemichi noticed the subtle tension in Draken’s movements and the way he avoided eye contact after setting down the bag, but he chose not to push further.
He trusted Draken, even if something about his behavior seemed off. The two had been together the whole day, yet this was the first time Takemichi had seen Draken look so tense.
The uneasy feeling in Takemichi’s chest grew, but he quickly shrugged it off, putting his faith in Draken’s judgment.
Not long after, the old witch doctor, Lang Zhu, returned to check on the group as he did routinely.
He examined the two cubs, ensuring that their physical condition was stable and they were well. After confirming that both were in good health, Lang Zhu let out a sigh of relief.
With their health check over, it was time for the group to head back to their cave for the night. Takemichi had already stepped outside, his breath visible in the cold air, while Draken lingered in the cave.
As Draken prepared to leave, his eyes flicked to the animal skin bag filled with red berries. He pointed at it and spoke to Lang Zhu.
“This bag was left outside, probably by Baji. It’s for you, I think”
Draken said, his tone slightly dismissive.
Lang Zhu’s eyes widened at the mention of Baji, and without hesitation, he grabbed two of the red berries from the bag.
He examined them closely, lifting them to his nose to catch their scent.
A knowing smile spread across his wrinkled face, his sharp mind already piecing together the reason behind the gift. Baji wasn’t just leaving these berries for Lang Zhu—he had someone else in mind.
Lang Zhu’s gaze shifted back to Draken, his expression sly.
Draken might not have been Mikey, but the witch doctor had known Draken since he was a child. He had practically helped raise the boy alongside the other cubs. Even though Draken could be intimidating, Lang Zhu was one of the few people who wasn’t easily fazed.
With a glint in his eye, Lang Zhu extended the animal skin bag toward Draken.
“These are for the little male”
He said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Take them to him. He’ll enjoy them.”
Draken’s face tightened.
He was speechless for a moment, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts.
Now he understood why Mikey had been so wary of letting Lang Zhu get too close to Takemichi.
It wasn’t that Draken disliked the old man—far from it. Lang Zhu had been a father figure to him for most of his life, and Draken respected him deeply. But when it came to matters involving his mate, even someone as revered as Lang Zhu wasn’t exempt from Draken’s protectiveness.
Still, Draken decided to play along, though in his own way.
He glanced at the bag briefly before turning back to Lang Zhu with a calm, controlled smile.
“Sorry, Lang Zhu, but Takemitchy isn’t in the mood to eat more today. He’s already had enough for now.”
Draken’s eyes flashed with a hint of finality as he continued.
“Besides, I can’t keep my soon-to-be mate waiting outside, can I? We’ve got to get going, and I’m sure Mikey’s already at the cave waiting for us. So, if you’ll excuse me, we’ll be heading off now.”
Without leaving any room for argument, Draken turned and strode out of the cave, leaving Lang Zhu standing there, speechless and somewhat taken aback.
The old man stared after him, frozen in place, his thoughts scrambling to catch up. It wasn’t until Takemichi called out his own farewell from outside that Lang Zhu finally snapped out of his stupor.
“Wait!”
Lang Zhu called, rushing outside as quickly as his crutches allowed.
But by the time he reached the entrance of the cave, Draken and Takemichi were already gone, their figures disappearing into the snowy forest.
Sighing in defeat, Lang Zhu shook his head, muttering to himself as he slowly made his way back into the cave.
‘Those boys…’
He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
‘They really are something else.’
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Draken groaned in irritation, thinking about how their once peaceful life had become chaotic ever since that day. Both he and Mikey had been living a hellish existence, trying to protect Takemichi from someone, all while Takemichi remained oblivious to it.
He only noticed that the two were acting strangely but didn’t question it much.
Draken didn’t know whether to consider themselves lucky that Seishu—the one he hoped won’t take any interest on takemichi—was the only one bothering them.
In One whole week, Seishu develop a habit of showing up unexpectedly and clinging to Takemichi, making things worse for both Mikey and Draken. It was as if Seishu had no boundaries.
Mikey had already reached his limit and was on the verge of snapping. If Draken hadn’t intervened, Mikey might have done something drastic to Seishu.
For the entire week, Draken had been the one holding Mikey back, ensuring he didn’t lose his temper.
They’d initially thought that since Seishu, a high-ranking member of the Black Dragon gang, had found his way to them, the other higher-ups might also appear. However, no one else had shown up, and for that, they were somewhat grateful.
The fewer people who knew about Takemichi’s presence, the better. Still, Seishu’s constant interest in Takemichi was enough to drive them crazy.
Draken had to admit, though, that Seishu’s persistence was one of the reasons he respected him. Even though Seishu clearly had the same desires as them, he was subtle about it and never openly declared his intentions to anyone else.
Lost in his thoughts, Draken realized that he hadn’t mentioned Baji to Mikey. Oddly enough, Baji hadn’t made an appearance in the past week either. Though Draken wondered about Baji’s whereabouts, he decided to brush it off.
As long as only a handful of people knew about Takemichi, that was all that mattered.
Lang Zhu’s voice snapped Draken and Mikey out of their thoughts.
“This winter is not only coming early, but it may also be the coldest winter in history. I suggest you stay and wait until it’s over before leaving.”
Mikey cursed under his breath. He had planned for them to leave soon, but fate seemed to have other ideas.
Draken, on the other hand, listened carefully to Lang Zhu’s advice. He knew the wolf tribe’s location was ideal for surviving a harsh winter.
Situated on a rocky mountain, the tribe wouldn’t be submerged by snow, and the surrounding terrain made it difficult for small tribes to invade.
Draken’s practical mind saw the logic in staying, but Mikey wasn’t so easily convinced. Still, they both knew what Lang Zhu’s true intention was. He wanted them to stay because of Takemichi.
The old witch doctor had his eyes on their little male, and Draken could sense that Baji had something to do with it.
Mikey scowled, looking at Takemichi, who was completely unaware of their internal struggle. Takemichi was happily playing with the two cubs they had adopted, his innocent smile lighting up the gloomy cave.
Seeing him like that, Mikey couldn’t bear the thought of putting Takemichi in danger by forcing him to survive the winter outside the tribe.
Gritting his teeth, Mikey finally relented.
“Fine, we’ll stay—but only for the winter! As soon as it’s over, we’re leaving.”
For Mikey, nothing was more important than Takemichi’s safety.
“Good. Now, you need to move out of the cave you’re currently in. I’ll take you to choose a more suitable place to spend the winter.”
Lang Zhu smiled, pleased with their decision.
Just as they were preparing to leave, a system prompt suddenly echoed in Takemichi’s mind:
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“Trigger one of the series of tasks!â€
“The cold winter is coming. Please prepare a house for winter shelter. The house must be no less than 40 square meters and have at least one complete set of furniture such as beds, tables, chairs, and cabinets.â€
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Takemichi’s heart raced with anticipation as the rewards were announced. He vividly remembered the last time he completed a novice mission—the system had granted him the power of fire and a photo album, both of which had proven invaluable.
Now, with this new mission sounding far more challenging, he couldn’t help but feel excited. If the novice rewards had been that impressive, the prizes for this mission were bound to be even more powerful and generous!
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The wolf tribe had been preparing for winter for months.
The harsh, cold season demanded resilience, and the tribe took it seriously. They had dug a spacious corridor deep into the rocky mountain, carving dozens of pathways branching off from it.
These paths led to caves on both sides, which served as homes for the wolf orcs. Each cave was occupied by one or more wolf orcs, making it a well-structured but intricate living space.
As Takemichi stepped inside, the tunnel stretched before him like a maze. He instantly felt disoriented, the twists and turns blending together.
The deeper they went, the more he struggled to tell which way was forward, the darkness swallowing everything.
The cave was dimly lit, but the orcs’ eyes—especially those of the wolf tribe—were well-adapted to the lack of light. They could see clearly in the dark, their vision capable of penetrating the gloom for up to ten meters.
But Takemichi, being human, lacked such a gift. He instinctively grabbed Draken’s hand, squeezing it tightly, fearing that he might lose his way or, worse, run straight into one of the rock walls. His pulse quickened as they ventured further, the sensation of helplessness creeping in.
Draken noticed the tight grip and raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Takemichi to cling to him like this.
While surprised, Draken took full advantage of the situation, a smirk playing on his lips. He glanced down at their hands and then looked ahead, walking confidently as if nothing unusual had happened.
Mikey, who was leading the way, remained oblivious. He was deep in conversation with Lang Zhu, the wolf tribe’s leader.
“You can pick any place you like and dig your own cave. Just make sure not to dig into someone else’s.”
Lang Zhu pointed to an empty spot near the far end of the tunnel.
Mikey paused, his gaze sweeping over the area before making his decision. He pointed to a remote corner, far from the busier sections of the corridor.
It was quieter, with fewer people around—a place where they could have some peace.
He turned to see if Draken and Takemichi approved, only to notice Takemichi gripping Draken’s hand tightly. His brow furrowed, feeling a sudden pang of irritation. He knew Takemichi was only holding Draken’s hand because he was scared of the dark, but seeing them so close made something twist inside him.
Draken, sensing Mikey’s gaze, smirked even wider, making no attempt to hide the smugness on his face.
The two locked eyes, and for a moment, it looked like they were ready to fight. The air around them grew tense, but beneath it, there was a familiar rivalry—a game they played between friends.
“Well, if that spot works for you, it’s yours.”
Lang Zhu, oblivious to the silent standoff, cleared his throat.
“Yeah, this place is fine.”
Mikey, tearing his gaze from Draken, nodded.
After Lang Zhu left, Mikey gestured toward a large, flat stone in the center of the chosen area.
“Takemitchy, sit here and rest for a bit”
He said, his voice softer now.
Takemichi did as he was told, sitting down and taking a deep breath. Mikey, without wasting any time, transformed into his beast form—a massive winged lion. With his sharp claws, he began tearing into the rock wall with ease.
The sound of claws scraping against stone echoed in the cave, and in no time, Mikey had dug out a spacious room, more than 20 square meters in size.
Draken, meanwhile, had returned to their old cave to gather their belongings. Takemichi stood by, watching with wide eyes.
“Mikey-kun”
Takemichi called out.
“Umm…. C-can you dig two more small caves here? Maybe for storage or something?”
Mikey didn’t respond verbally, simply grunting as he resumed digging. His claws made short work of the stone, and soon, two smaller caves appeared, adjacent to the main chamber.
The rock here was solid, and there was little worry about cave-ins. Mikey polished the rough walls and floors, ensuring there were no sharp edges that could harm Takemichi.
The largest cave, of course, was designated for Takemichi as the master bedroom, with a smaller bedroom and a modest kitchen area beside it. Takemichi had initially wanted to dig a toilet as well, but the lack of a drainage system made it impossible.
The idea of having a cave filled with the stench of waste was unbearable.
“We’ll have to think of something else for that,”
Takemichi muttered to himself.
His attention then shifted to furnishing the space. This world was still in a primitive era, with most of the tribe’s possessions made from stone. But Takemichi disliked the idea of using such heavy and cumbersome items.
He envisioned wooden furniture instead, something lighter and more practical.
“Mikey-kun, let’s go cut some trees!”
His eyes lit up with excitement.
Mikey, still in his beast form, paused and looked at Takemichi with wide eyes. Seeing Takemichi’s enthusiasm made his heart skip a beat. He gulped, his face heating up as he tried—and failed—to hide his blush.
“O-okay”
He stammered, completely under Takemichi’s spell.
To Mikey, cutting trees seemed like a silly, playful idea. But how could he say no when Takemichi looked so adorable?
Just as Mikey was about to carry Takemichi out of the cave, they both noticed something strange. Two more caves had appeared next door, carved into the rock at some point while they were inside.
“When did these get here?”
Takemichi asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“No one was here earlier…”
Mikey frowned, equally puzzled.
Before they could speculate further, Baji stepped out from one of the new caves, his expression as arrogant as ever.
“I-it’s you!?”
Takemichi exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. He remember his name from how much Lang zhu was talking about him that day.
“What are you doing here?”
“Baji?”
Mikey mirrored Takemichi’s reaction, his own surprise quickly turning into suspicion.
Baji, acting nonchalant, crossed his arms over his chest.
“So what if it’s me?”
Baji shot back, avoiding eye contact with Mikey and focusing on Takemichi instead.
He had already heard about Mikey and Draken’s connection to Takemichi, and the knowledge still gnawed at him.
“Oi, Baji. Why are you here?”
Mikey narrowed his eyes.
This time, Baji can’t ignore Mikey’s presence anymore.
“Where else would I live? This place suits me.”
Baji huffed, trying to maintain his composure.
“But… no one was living here earlier…”
Takemichi blinked, confused.
“I live here now, so mind your business!”
Baji cut him off.
Mikey’s eyes darkened with the disrespect and the suspicion.
He knew Baji too well. There was no way his childhood friend would just randomly pick this remote spot without a reason. Especially since Baji usually stayed in a much larger cave with his mother.
Something didn’t add up.
Before Mikey could press further, Draken returned, arms full of their belongings.
“Yo, Baji. What’s going on here?”
All eyes turned toward the newcomer as Draken approached, carrying some of their belongings. Takemichi’s face lit up with a wide grin when he saw Draken helping out.
Baji, feeling the tension in the air, shot Mikey a look before turning back toward his cave.
“Nothing that concerns you”
He muttered under his breath, disappearing inside.
Mikey, his irritation clear, before anyone could say a word, Mikey took advantage of the moment.
Without warning, he scooped Takemichi up effortlessly and headed straight for their destination, not bothering to say a single word to Draken or Baji. His silence was as abrupt as his actions, leaving the others standing there, confused and slightly annoyed.
This left both Draken and Baji standing there, speechless. Draken rubbed his temples in frustration before letting out a sigh of defeat.
‘How did I end up with a leader who acts like a child?’
He thought to himself.
It wasn’t the first time Mikey had pulled something like this, and after almost sixteen years of following the beastman, Draken wondered how he had managed to keep his patience intact.
“Seriously… how am I stuck with these idiots?”
He said, meant for everyone but not for Takemichi.
Mikey, Draken, and even Baji were all the same age—27. But looking at them now, you wouldn’t think it. Mikey had darted off with Takemichi like a sulking child, not even bothering to explain or say goodbye to Draken or Baji.
And of course, Baji was no better, cursing under his breath at the Winged Lion for leaving so abruptly.
Watching the little male disappear around the corner on Mikey’s back. Baji muttered curses under his breath, annoyed at Mikey for dashing off without so much as a word. His gaze followed the retreating figures of Mikey and Takemichi as they disappeared around the corner, his frown deepening with irritation.
When Baji first heard from Lang Zhu that Takemichi was moving into the area, his immediate instinct had been to rush to his own cave and dig a place of his own nearby. He’d arrived just an hour after Takemichi had settled into their new cave.
He had assumed he’d be the only one living close to the trio. So why…?
Whose cave is this?
To his surprise, there was another cave nearby. And not just any cave—this person had clearly claimed the space before him.
‘Who the hell moved in?’
He thought with a growing sense of irritation.
Lang Zhu had mentioned earlier that Mikey had chosen this remote area specifically because few people liked living in such a secluded spot.
So who was this?
For a moment, the thought of investigating the unknown cave crossed his mind. But he quickly pushed it aside.
“No time for that”
He told himself.
‘I need to finish digging before those three idiots realize I’m here.’
After that 2 hours passed and the scene from earlier happened and now Baji is Found standing in from of Takemichi’s Cave.
‘Why the hell did I rush to be his neighbor again?’
He mentally question.
From the doorway of his cave, Baji stared after Draken, who had already gone inside. His own behavior felt absurd to him.
‘I don’t even like that little male…. so why did I rush to live next to him?’
The realization hit him hard. Was it just to see Takemichi more often? Twice a day, maybe more?
‘This is so stupid!’
He cursed inwardly, shaking his head at himself.
Despite the frustration bubbling in his chest, Baji couldn’t stop himself from taking a step in the direction Mikey and Takemichi had gone. His feet moved before he could fully register why, as though drawn toward the pair by some unseen force.
His thoughts were a jumbled mess as he followed their trail. He felt ridiculous, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was pulling him closer to the little male.
‘Damn it, what is happening to me?’
With a frustrated growl, Baji quickened his pace, his mind still trying to make sense of it all.
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The forest was quiet, aside from the sound of trees swaying in the breeze. There wasn’t much else to see, but the abundance of trees kept them busy.
Under Takemichi’s direction, Mikey had already felled several trees in quick succession. Using his sharp claws, he skillfully stripped away the bark and cut the wood into perfectly uniform boards.
Mikey placed the smooth, polished boards in front of Takemichi and asked….
“Is this okay?”
“Yes, Mikey-kun, that’s perfect! Thank you—you’re amazing!”
Takemichi beamed, nodding eagerly.
Mikey’s face lit up at the praise, his heart swelling with pride. He lowered his head slightly and affectionately rubbed the back of Takemichi’s hand with his cheek.
Takemichi reached out to stroke Mikey’s soft, furry ears, and Mikey practically melted under his touch. His eyes closed in contentment, resembling a relaxed, graceful cat.
Not far away, hidden in the shadows, Baji watched the scene unfold.
A surge of jealousy rose in his chest, his irritation showing as his right arm morphed into a wolf’s forelimb. His sharp claws dug deep into the trunk of a nearby tree, shredding it to bits in his frustration.
“It’s just chopping trees and cutting wood. I can do that better than Mikey!â€
Baji fumed silently.
Why hadn’t the little male—Takemichi—asked him for help?
Unbeknownst to any of them—Mikey, Takemichi, or even Baji—another presence lingered nearby.
Someone was watching, eyes fixated on Takemichi. The figure remained hidden, but their green eyes glinted in the shadows, reflecting Takemichi’s every move.
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༻﹡﹡To Be Continue…﹡﹡༺
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Author’s Note:
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Oh~, look who’s in a dilemma—our Black Wolf, Baji!
Baji’s facing quite a predicament.
But who do you think is the first neighbor to outmaneuver him?
And who’s the second person stalking Takemichi, just like Baji?
Share your guesses below here👇ðŸ»!
(Comments here)
And what ways your thoughts about this whole chapter? Did you all enjoy?
(Share your thoughts here)
We’ll uncover the answers in the next chapter. So go now!
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