Chapter 213: The Countdown Begins!

"Roan caught a boar," Neve explained to Cael, pointing outside where Roan was still working on processing the meat. "A really big one. Roan thought we could share it with the villagers. Everyone has been struggling with food during the winter."

Roan raised a brow at that, looking a bit confused at first. It was not his idea at all. It was all Neve’s decision to share the meat with the people. Somehow, Neve was giving him the credit for the generosity.

But Cael was pleased with it. He nodded approvingly and immediately joined in, helping to organize the distribution.

"That is a good idea," Cael said, squeezing Neve’s shoulder. "The people need to see their new chief and his mate are taking care of them."

When all the beastmen living in the cave were fully involved, the work got faster. Everyone moved with purpose and efficiency.

Ryker, Cael, and Roan went ahead to share the meat with the villagers while Neve went straight to roasting the best pieces for the cave.

Neve did the roasting outside, so everyone could have a good evening gathering around the fire, eating meat and drinking wine or beer that he ordered from the market using his Bond Points. The scent of the meat filled the cold winter air, smoky and delicious.

Even Varek had returned that evening, drawn by the smell of food and the warmth from the fire.

Doris’s siblings sat close together, eating until their bellies were full. Sif smiled widely, enjoying her share. Everyone ate and thanked Roan over and over for bringing such a large animal.

Of course, if it had not been for him, no one would have eaten this well in weeks.

Neve held his plate while silently watching as everyone gathered around Roan to ask him what else he could do. They were curious about his hunting skills, wanting to know if he could bring more food.

He watched them smile at Roan, accepting him into their group. He watched Roan’s eyes shine with happiness at being included. He watched the connection forming between Roan and the tribe.

Neve smiled, happy with the way they all got close to the lion beastman.

But then he lowered his head, starting to feel a bit sad.

He remembered the truth. All of this was an illusion. All of these people were code and programming. Their smiles were artificial. Their acceptance of Roan was predetermined. None of it was real.

Before he could even think about tearing up, Aldric’s voice penetrated his ear.

"Everything alright, Neve?" the bear beastman asked softly, sitting down beside him.

Neve smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I am fine," he said, trying to sound convincing.

Aldric tucked Neve’s hair behind his ear gently, his massive hand surprisingly tender.

"You do not look alright," Aldric said, studying Neve’s face. "You look sad. Like something is bothering you."

"I am," Neve said, biting his lip. "I am just a bit tired. The pregnancy is making me exhausted."

Aldric just nodded in acceptance.

"If you ever need anything, let me know," Aldric said, placing a warm hand on Neve’s back. "I will do whatever you need. That is what mates do."

Aldric whispered, his cheeks flushing hot.

Neve smiled and nodded again, feeling the weight of his secret even more heavily.

Silently, Neve thought to himself about what he was going to do about this situation.

Should he stay with this illusion and just lose his life? He did not even have anyone outside waiting for him anyway. His school friends had probably moved on. His parents were gone. He had no one in the real world.

Or should he complete the final mission and leave here? Should he return to his real body and try to continue his life outside with people who had stopped caring about him just a few days after his fall at the zoo?

Even though he hated to admit it, he wanted to choose the first option. He wanted to stay here with these fake people who loved him. He wanted to stay in this illusion where he belonged.

But staying meant death. Staying meant his body would fail and he would die in that hospital bed with tubes in his arms.

So he later decided to do the first mission. Wait, no. He decided to complete the final mission.

That way, he could find out why Nexus Medical Institute had put him through all of this. That way, he could possibly shut them down and make sure they never did this to anyone else.

Neve suddenly stood up and all the attention turned to him immediately. Everyone stopped eating and looked at him with concern.

"Do you need something?" Cael asked, standing up already, his protective instincts kicking in. "Are the cubs coming out? Is something wrong?"

"No, no," Neve laughed and waved at him. "I am fine. Everything is fine."

Cael walked toward him and saw that Neve was about to leave.

"I would have come to sleep with you," Cael said, "but I have to spread the information about the Spring Festival to the other tribe leaders. It is important that everyone knows where and when it will happen."

Neve nodded in understanding. Cael’s responsibilities as the new chief came first.

Neve tapped Cael’s chest gently, whispering a soft goodnight before leaving and entering the cave.

"Is something wrong with Neve?" Popi’s voice carried through the night air.

"He seems so down," another voice added.

Neve could hear their worried voices as he walked faster toward his room. He sighed as he threw himself on the bed and pulled his phone out from under the pillow.

The manager had texted him with a message.

Neve opened it and read.

"Thank you for accepting the final mission. I know this is difficult for you. But know that what you are experiencing here is real to you. Your emotions, your feelings, your memories. They are all real in your mind. The people around you may be artificial intelligence, but the love you feel for them is genuine. That is what makes you special, Neve. That is why we chose you. You are capable of loving something that is not real and making it matter. Good luck. I am rooting for you."

Neve read the message several times, his emotions swirling.

The manager was saying that his emotions were real even if the people were not. That the love he felt was genuine even if it was directed at artificial beings.

Neve clenched the phone tight and smiled bitterly.

"If I have three weeks, I will make use of it then," he whispered to himself. "I will complete this mission and find out the truth about everything."

.

.

Two weeks later...

"Do we start leaving for the festival since it would take time before we get there?" Neve asked Cael one morning as they sat together eating breakfast.

"You are not going anywhere in that condition," Cael said firmly, putting a protective hand on Neve’s belly where the cubs were growing. "I am sure Skarr would have gotten the message I sent to him. He will meet us here and teleport us directly to the outcast territory. Let us wait, shall we?"

Neve smiled and nodded.

"Of course, it is just one week left," Neve said, trying to sound casual. "Let us wait."

But inside, his heart was pounding.

One week. He had one week left before he had to find the key and complete the mission. One week left before his body failed.

He pulled out his phone discreetly and checked the time.

The system notification appeared suddenly on his screen, interrupting him.

[CRITICAL ALERT]

[TIME REMAINING: 6 days, 23 hours, 47 minutes]

[MISSION STATUS: Find the Gateway Key to Earth]

[WARNING: Biological body shutdown imminent. Consciousness transfer must occur within 7 days or death will occur. No exceptions. No extensions.]

[If mission is not completed by the Spring Festival night, consciousness will be permanently severed from body. Subject will cease to exist.]