Chapter 273: A New System?

"But can you really determine their Beast Rank just by looking at the eggshells?"

Sora was still somewhat skeptical. She turned toward Xavier, who was holding the seven snake eggs as though they were his most precious treasures.

"Can you actually tell their Beast Rank while they’re still inside their eggs?"

"Of course," Xavier replied confidently. "I’ve already examined them. Once they hatch, you’ll see for yourself."

Seeing how certain he was, Sora didn’t question him further.

After all, she possessed a human soul and knew very little about snakes. Since Xavier was a snake himself, he naturally understood these things better than she did.

Beside them, Lukan frowned thoughtfully.

"Why would anyone place a curse on Kaelira for no reason? What could they possibly gain from ruining her appearance?"

Ace nodded in agreement.

"Exactly! Could someone have been jealous of her beauty and deliberately cast the Visage-Fading Curse on her?"

Lucas rubbed his chin as he considered the possibility.

"It’s not impossible. However, if we want to uncover the truth, Kaelira, you’ll have to find your Adoptive Mother. She might know something about your past that we’ve overlooked."

The moment Sora heard the words Adoptive Mother, her heart skipped a beat.

Why had this matter come up again?

She had only just managed to settle the situation involving Damien’s Contract Totem. Now, they were bringing up her Adoptive Mother once more.

Sora couldn’t help wondering how Drake’s investigation into the Black Bear Foster Mother was progressing.

She instinctively turned toward him.

Drake was staring blankly at Damien, his brown eyes seemingly lost in thought.

What was going on with him?

Why did he look as though something had caught him off guard?

Sora was momentarily distracted by his strange expression.

When she failed to respond, Lucas called her name again.

"Kaelira?"

She immediately snapped out of her thoughts.

"Yes. I’ll find my Adoptive Mother when I have time. For now, let’s focus on the little cubs."

After all, she had only just given birth. There were seven snake eggs, three wolf cubs, and a beautiful little Mermaid to think about. She already had enough on her hands without adding another mystery to the list.

Lucas understood her reasoning and didn’t press the matter.

Afraid that someone might continue asking questions about the Black Bear Foster Mother, Sora quickly changed the subject.

"Speaking of the little cubs, shouldn’t we give them names? What do you think would be good names for them?"

The moment Martin heard this, he immediately glared at her.

"What’s the rush? We should wait until my precious grandsons grow a little bigger. Once we discover their Supernatural Abilities, we can choose names that suit them!"

Sora was speechless.

Was this really necessary?

They were only newborns, yet Martin was already treating them as though they were the greatest treasures in the world.

Still, she couldn’t deny that his excessive affection was rather amusing.

Unfortunately, Martin had already claimed the naming rights for the little cubs.

But Sora wasn’t about to surrender everything.

She raised her chin slightly and declared, "Fine. You can name the little cubs. But I’ll name the little Female myself!"

Such a beautiful little Female deserved a beautiful name, and Sora intended to choose it personally.

The only problem was that Ryan still hadn’t returned with their daughter.

Martin looked somewhat reluctant. He clearly wanted to have a say in everything concerning his precious grandchildren.

However, when he saw how determined Sora was, he eventually gave in.

After all, she was their Mother. It was only reasonable that she should decide her daughter’s name.

Seeing Martin’s slightly unhappy expression, Sora chuckled.

"Father, how is the cooperation with the City-State progressing?"

The question successfully redirected his attention.

Meanwhile, far away from the Wolf Tribe, Serena was lying alone at the bottom of a cliff.

Her situation was miserable.

Her limbs had been broken, leaving her unable to stand or even crawl properly. Even drinking water had become an exhausting struggle.

She had spent what felt like an eternity dragging herself forward with her elbows before finally discovering a small pond.

The moment she reached the water, she lowered her head and greedily drank several mouthfuls.

The cool water eased her thirst, but it did nothing to quiet the rumbling in her stomach.

She was hungry again.

Serena stared at the surrounding wilderness, desperately hoping to find something edible.

But with her limbs in such a terrible condition, even moving a short distance was difficult.

She had no choice but to keep crawling.

Perhaps she could find some fruit or something else to eat if she managed to move farther away from the pond.

However, just as she turned her body, dizziness suddenly overwhelmed her.

Before she could regain her balance, she toppled sideways into the water.

Splash!

Cold water rushed over her face.

She tried desperately to struggle, but her hands and feet remained completely immobile. She couldn’t push herself up, let alone swim.

Water began entering her nostrils.

Panic seized her.

She tried to lift her head, but her broken limbs refused to cooperate. No matter how desperately she struggled, she couldn’t keep herself afloat.

Serena stared helplessly at the water surrounding her.

Was this really how she was going to die?

After everything she had endured, was she going to drown in such a pathetic place?

Just as despair began to consume her, a mechanical voice suddenly sounded inside her mind.

Ding!

[I am the Charmer System. Does the Host wish to bind with me?]

A system?

What was that?

Serena’s thoughts were becoming increasingly muddled as she struggled against the water.

She wondered whether she was hallucinating because she was about to die.

Have I finally lost my mind?

Before she could think further, the mechanical voice spoke again.

[If the Host binds with me, I can save you immediately. I will also provide a Newbie Gift Pack containing a Bone-Setting Reward that can restore your broken limbs to their original condition.]