"What! I just pecked your cheeks," I said the moment Ryker’s lips parted from mine.

"You pecked her cheeks?" Veyra asked and turned to stare at Bibi, the disgust visible in his eyes, and I sighed.

"Okay, that’s enough. I’m going to sleep now," I mumbled and brought the duvet under my bed, but Bibi wasn’t letting this go...

"Hey, you have to pay," she said, and I couldn’t help but groan. Oh my gosh, she was a pain in the ass. But thinking back on it, she did brighten my day. After all, these days had been so quiet and boring. I couldn’t help but smile.

When—

Ding!

[Mission Reminder: Increase Bibi’s affection level by 10%

Rewards: Encyclopedia and teleportation magic

Failure: Death

Duration: 7 days]

Staring at the hologram, I couldn’t stop my jaw from dropping in total shock. What the hell? Death? Isn’t that a little too much just for Bibi? Was she even that important? I thought and licked my bottom lip.

"Orange. Why can’t I just do this with Liora instead?" I called out, and the whole room faded to black and white, then Orange appeared, gently walking towards me.

"Liora’s affection level is already at 88%. There is no use trying to win her over. Raven, plus it’s supposed to be a challenge, that’s why it’s Bibi," she spat, and my eyes darkened.

"With Bibi? Ughhh I would rather jump off a roof," I yelled, and Orange’s smile widened. "Of course, do jump. You are free to," she added and yawned, staring at her fingers.

"They are all crusty again," she murmured.

"What is the Encyclopedia about? And what’s it used for?" I asked, and she snapped her head to me. She gently sat down on the soft bed I had arranged for her.

"It’s a book that has written instructions of some very important things: you can treat wounds with it, find helpful herbs, and ingredients that will make you rank up faster," she added, and I let everything settle in my head.

"But I have healing magic. I didn’t think I would need herbs or leaves that helped with healing," I said, and she sighed. "It could come in handy someday, Raven. Don’t be so narrow minded," she snapped, and I sighed.

"Chill," I said, noticing her eyes were already dark. She seemed like something was bothering her.

"Are you okay?" I asked, and she nodded. "I’m fine, or should I not be, Raven?" she asked, and my lips parted, but I closed them almost as fast. I didn’t think she needed me to know what was wrong, or perhaps... I stared down at her paws, and an idea popped into my head.

"Orange, could I get some modern beautician equipment?" I asked.

"For what?" she asked, and my smile widened. "It’s a surprise!" I said, and she sighed.

"I can’t give you that for free unless you actually accomplish a mission! Because getting modern equipment here might be a bit difficult."

"What mission?" I asked, and her eyes brightened.

[Objective: Increase synchronization between you and a chosen beast-man through close proximity.

Condition: Heart rates must align for 3 continuous minutes

Hint: Physical closeness required

Failure: Bond instability

Reward: Transportation of modern beautician equipment]

Seeing this, my eyes brightened. "Thank you," I said to her, and she nodded. The room faded back to normal.

"Really, how would you compensate me?" she asked as I rolled my eyes, but then something sinister crawled into my mind, and I smiled.

"You can peck my cheeks back. Then we will be even!" I said, and her eyes widened. Even her cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile.

"Fr—"

The door opened, and Liora walked in, holding a tray with a bowl on it.

"Huh? What’s happening? Did I miss anything?" Liora asked, and I smiled at her, stretching my left hand. She moved closer and gently held it.

"Did Miss Bibi bully you?" she asked, and I laughed. "Are you going to beat her up if I say yes?" I asked and watched as Liora’s eyes widened, but then they filled with determination. "Yes."

Hearing her words, Bibi’s eyes widened more, and she sneered. She folded her arms under her boobs and licked her lips. She glared at Liora and then back at me. "You guys really suit each other," she said and opened the door to walk out, but then Liora turned to her.

"You are always welcome to join us!" she yelled, but Bibi had already slammed the door shut.

I sighed. "Do you like her?" I asked, and Liora nodded. "I think we could be a good trio," she said, gently swirling the spoon inside the soup. I suddenly felt bad for Liora. She trusted too easily, and that was bad.

"Evil people don’t change," I said, and she paused, turning to look at me, and her smile widened. "Raven, a bully turned friend is a friend forever," she said, and it did make a bit of sense to me.

"But still, people hardly change," I countered.

"But you did," she muttered and blew gently on the spoon, placing it next to my mouth.

"Raven, take a sip already," she said, and my lips parted. I gently sipped it.

Just then, the door opened, and Thyrian walked in with Azrael. He had a small sack in his hands, the herbs were in there. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Are they bitter?" I asked, and Thyrian’s lips parted. "No, but they do leave a sour taste on the tongue."

Sour taste? That I could actually handle. Thyrian walked to the kitchen. Thinking of this, I also hardly entered the kitchen to cook for my beast-men. I was a good cook.....I learned from a young age and I wanted my beast-men to taste my cooking... but first, I had to deal with the mission right in front of me.

Gosh, this was giving me a headache! Especially Bibi, i don’t even like her. I groaned girlishly and took the bowl from Liora. Before she could say a word, I gulped it down instantly and wiped my lips clean.

"That was hot," she said, and I arched my brow. "Really? I didn’t notice!" I said, but then froze. My tummy suddenly felt heated...

"Ahh!" I screamed, holding my tummy. "My insides are melting!" I cried out, and Ryker’s hands rested on my belly. Soft orange mist swirled around...

And...