Chapter 108: The Reward Trap

[ Host, how about I motivate you with some incredibly crazy rewards?! ]

For what, collecting mates? Seriously, you think that’s going to work? Nuan countered mentally, tossing a small pebble into the dirt. The moment I arrived in this world with a broken ankle, you offered me a healing potion, and I still flat-out refused it. Now that I’m perfectly fine, why on earth would I fall for your rewards?

[ Because you don’t have to jump straight into collecting a mate to get the goods anymore! ]

Yeah? Then what?

[ There are levels now! ]

Levels?

[ Yes, yes!! The scale goes from Stranger, to Acquaintance, Good Friend, Close Friend, Best Friend, Crush, and then finally, Mates! On every single step, you will unlock exciting rewards!!! ]

Hm?? Why are you sounding like an online shopping app trying to offer cashback? And what’s in it for you if I just decide to stop at the Best Friend level?

[ You won’t. You can’t resist unlocking more rewards. ]

Is your grand strategy really just to make me greedy so I collect mates for the loot?

[ Yes. ]

It’s not gonna work! If anything, you just dug a massive hole for yourself, blue buddy.

[ We will see. ]

The neon-blue screen instantly vanished from her vision. But deep back in her subconscious mind, the system let out a highly satisfied digital smirk.

[ A human woman and a beastman can never be just friends! ]

[ Once the host starts befriending potential mates just to scam me for high-tier rewards, she will inevitably end up catching actual feelings for at least one of them! Victory is mine! ]

(Next Morning)

Nuan woke up early, the crisp dawn air filling her lungs. She did a light, refreshing jog around the camp clearing to get her blood flowing, then carefully laid her newest clay pottery out on the flat rocks to dry in the morning sun.

Nuan opened her blue system interface, and she checked her inventory screen. Bows, arrows, my steel knife... hmm, I see.

A small timer icon showed that there were still 8 hours before her craftsmanship hands ability could be used again.

I’ll make a proper spear later tonight, then. For now, this gear is more than enough.

Nuan gave a long stretch just as the hunting troop began stepping out of their dens. The younger pups were already awake, shaking the sleep from their fur and rolling around in the dirt.

Nuan loudly clapped her hands together, drawing every eye in the clearing to her. "Well, well, well! Can I have the honor of leading our hunting session today?"

"Yes, Witch!!!" the hunters and pups cheered in unison, their tails creating a collective breeze from wagging so hard.

Kael stepped out of the Alpha den, lazily stretching his massive silver-grey wolf form before trotting over to stand right beside her, his chest puffed out and completely ready for action.

"Okay then!" Nuan cleared her throat, raising her voice so it carried across the camp. "Is it okay with the elders to tag along with us today?"

Elder Syra, Nyra, and the older wolves immediately began murmuring nervously among themselves.

"Us?"

"Oh, I am far too old for this!"

"I can’t be bothered with chasing down an adult moose at my age!"

"Call us if it’s rabbits or small deer, Witch!"

"Oh, don’t worry at all! Just tag along for observation and help me scout some good locations," Nuan reassured them with a wave of her hand.

Selka, who had been sitting quietly at the top of her den rock in her sleek wolf form, gracefully climbed down.

She walked over to the hesitant group of elders, looking back at Nuan. It has been a long time since I last participated in a pack hunt. I suppose it will be good exercise!

"Oh, now that’s the spirit!" Nuan chirped, grinning. "What about the rest of you? No pressure, though!"

"Yeah, alright, we will join too!" the elders grumbled, a spark of old excitement lighting up their eyes.

"Good, good! So, Lyra, Tala—you two keep a sharp eye on Koda and the other pups on our way out!"

Both sisters nodded instantly, falling into position near the rowdy youngsters.

"Well then, elders and Miss Selka, lead the way! Take us to an open clearing where a moose or a bison might wander by around noon!"

The elders and Selka exchanged a quick look, sharing a silent nod before turning toward the western forest path. Everyone, follow us! Selka called out.

"Great!" Nuan cheered. With a nimble, athletic hop, she easily mounted Kael’s broad back, gripping his thick silver fur. "See, buddy? I am riding you today, not Koda!"

Kael’s ears pinned back happily as he let out a low purr through the telepathic link. Yes!!! I will protect you!

Yeah? Well, we will see about that, Nuan murmured with a playful smirk.

Kael paused, tilting his wolf head back toward his spine to look at her in utter confusion. What is that supposed to mean?

"You will soon find out," Nuan said, giving his fluffy silver neck a playful tap.

They marched steadily through the dense jungle, the group maintaining a casual, observant pace.

The elders led the front line, navigating the familiar trails with practiced ease, while Koda and the younger pups walked safely inside a protective wall formed by the older sisters and the hunter troop.

Nuan and Kael brought up the very rear, keeping a sharp eye out to track everyone and ensure no one lagged behind.

After about an hour of navigating the thick foliage, the dense trees finally parted to reveal a massive, sweeping clearing.

The open land was blanketed in vibrant green grass that looked remarkably lush for the peak of the summer heat, all surrounding a small, glittering pond of clear water.

This wide, circular clearing looked like the absolute perfect sanctuary for large bulls and heavy moose to visit once the afternoon sun started beating down.

Nuan scanned the landscape, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked toward Selka. "How come there is so much green grass remaining on this land? Don’t the herds come and strip it bare?"

Oh, they do, actually, Selka replied through the link, her ears twitching as she surveyed the clearing. But this specific type of grass grows back significantly faster than any other greenery in the jungle.

Nuan squinted her eyes, kneeling down to pinch a blade of the thick turf, examining the glossy underside and smooth structure. "Perennial ryegrass," she murmured under her breath. "No wonder it recovers so fast. It thrives under heavy grazing."

Standing back up, she dusted off her hands and turned toward the eager hunters, hopping down from Kael’s broad back.

"Uhm, alright, everyone! Before our prey actually shows up here around noon, we are going to do the one thing you all are incredibly good at!"

"We hide in the bushes, stay silent, and then chase them down?!" the hunters chorused proudly, their tails ready to wag.

"No," Nuan said, her face dropping into a completely flat, deadpan expression. "You guys are going to dig a big hole. Hurry up."