Limitless Evolution Through Conquering Primal Beauties-Chapter 11 - Two Hours of Wandering

Leonard walked away from Borami’s house with sluggish steps. The night wind pierced his skin, which was covered by nothing but thin leather pants. He shivered, wrapping his arms around his body, but it didn’t help much.

’How many hours was I actually unconscious?’ he wondered.

From the darkness of the night and the position of the moon high in the sky, it was probably already midnight. The last thing he remembered, it had still been daytime during his fight with Lily. That meant at least several hours had passed.

He didn’t know for sure. In a world without watches or phones, time felt blurred.

Leonard looked around. Along the dirt path he walked, more male beastkin could be seen. They moved in groups—some carrying fresh meat over their shoulders, others dragging parts of large animals behind them. All of them were bare-chested, their bodies packed with muscles that looked powerful despite the cold night air.

’Aren’t they cold?’ Leonard shuddered as another gust of wind blew past. He could feel goosebumps rising on his skin. Maybe because their body hair was thicker. Or perhaps their higher stages made them resistant to the cold.

These returning men must have been the hunting party Alice mentioned earlier. They had left in the morning and were only now returning, bringing back their prey. In several houses, Leonard saw women coming out to greet their partners, taking the meat and chatting cheerfully.

Leonard swallowed. He was hungry. Very hungry. His stomach had been growling for a while, but he had no food and no idea how to get any.

Meet the ape tribe chief first, he reminded himself of Beatrice’s message. Ask for shelter and work.

But where was the ape tribe chief’s house?

Leonard observed his surroundings. In the distance, to the west, he saw more houses with slightly different architecture. But the path wasn’t clear, and he needed directions.

He approached a deer-horned beastkin man who was sitting in front of his house, skinning a small piece of meat.

"Excuse me," Leonard said carefully. "I’m looking for the ape tribe chief’s house. Could you point—"

The man looked him up and down. Then he smirked.

"Oh, you’re the one who lost to that rabbit girl?"

Leonard frowned.

The man laughed. "The whole village knows. A powerless foreign man was kicked unconscious by a weak rabbit girl in the village."

He laughed louder.

"Embarrassing."

Leonard restrained himself. His face burned, but he didn’t retaliate.

"The ape tribe chief?" he repeated patiently.

The man jerked his thumb toward the west. "That way. But are you sure you want to go there? They’re apes, are you an ape too? You don’t look like one. You’re so skinny and soft like a woman, and you don’t even have fur."

Leonard didn’t reply. He walked in the direction indicated.

But after walking quite a distance, he realized—there were no ape houses here. Only a small forest and a river.

Damn it.

Leonard turned back toward the settlement and asked again. This time, a middle-aged woman with a squirrel tail.

She looked at him with pity, then pointed in the correct direction.

"West, but not near the river. More toward the center, near the big tree."

Leonard thanked her and walked again.

Two hours later.

Leonard was almost ready to give up.

He had walked all over the village—east, west, south, north, again and again. Some people deliberately pointed him in the wrong direction. Others just laughed and mocked him. Only a few gave the right directions, and even then, only after they were done ridiculing him.

’Savages,’ he cursed inwardly, staggering from exhaustion. Lose one fight and you’re treated like trash.

But he couldn’t protest. This was a primitive world, a world where strength was everything. He had already proven himself weak—utterly defeated by Lily, a girl who was considered the dumbest in the village. Of course no one respected him. Especially since he was a man. A weak man in their eyes was probably lower than a woman.

Finally, after nearly getting lost twice, Leonard reached the western area.

And he stopped.

In front of him, dozens of beastkin gathered around several large bonfires. The atmosphere was lively, even this late at night. They were celebrating—roasting meat over glowing embers, laughing, telling stories loudly. The rich smell of grilled meat stabbed Leonard’s nose, making his stomach growl even louder.

The returning hunters were celebrating their catch.

Leonard observed them more closely. This had to be the territory of the ape tribe. Their physical traits were different from those of the other beastkin he had seen so far.

Their skin was darker—deep brown, black, or tan. Their bodies were extremely muscular; even the women looked strong. And fur... they had plenty of fur. The men’s chests were covered in thick hair. Their arms were furry, though not overly dense, and even their backs and shoulders had a fine layer that made them look like true half-man, half-ape creatures.

Leonard glanced at himself. He clearly looked different. Smooth pale skin. A flat chest without a single strand of hair. Thin arms without significant muscle.

I really do look strange here.

As soon as his feet stepped into the camp area, several heads turned. Whispers began.

"Look, it’s him."

"The one who lost to the little rabbit?"

"Yeah. Knocked out with one kick."

"Hahaha... so weak..."

Leonard ignored them, walking past group after group. His eyes searched for someone who looked like a leader.

And he found him.

In front of the largest bonfire sat a giant of a man. He was probably over two meters tall—even sitting down, he looked massive. His body bulged with muscles at every angle. His chest was broad, covered in thick gray hair. His face was hard, with a strong jaw and sharp eyes. Around him, several other men sat respectfully, listening to every word he said.

Leonard focused his gaze, and the system screen appeared.

[ Tharun ]

[ Bloodline: Gorilla ]

[ Stage: 4 ] 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

[ Evolution Progress: 3,147 / 10,000 ]

[ Affection: 3% ]

[ Lust: 0% ]

[ Trust: 14% ]

[ Status: Stranger ]