CHAPTER 161: CHAPTER-161

Kaya invited them over with a tilt of her head.

"Let’s talk on the other side," she said casually, the neem stick now tucked between her fingers.

Abhaya nodded, then glanced behind at her group. With a second nod, wordlessly, they began to follow—silent, watchful.

Kaya led them through the narrow path that curved past nikala beastmen’s hut. Just beyond that, in front of the hut, sat a wide, flat stone slab carved out for sitting—simple, solid, and just isolated enough. Probably the only place decent enough for a proper talk in this half-settled land.

She stopped there, turning slightly to make sure the others followed.

As Abhaya and her group rounded the corner of the hut, their eyes widened a little. Before this, they had only seen the twin huts at the edge of the shore—modest, silent structures. But now... now they saw the other side.

The soil was turned and dug through, signs of fresh labor. Piles of wood and stone were arranged in thoughtful order. And among those moving figures, working with silent discipline, were not just any beastmen.

The White Fox Tribe was there.

Seeing the Fox tribesmen, Abaya turned around.

Her eyes scanned the familiar yet unexpected figures in front of her—and then slowly drifted back to her own people.

They were staring too, just as stunned. The same quiet shock written across every face.

Because everyone in the Beastman tribes knew about the Fox tribe.

They were useful... yet useless.

A strange contradiction, but one that had settled into common belief.

Not because the Fox tribe lacked skill or intelligence. But because their bodies were too fragile, too light for hard labor. They couldn’t lift what others could. They tired faster. They weren’t built for the physical demands that most tribes faced without flinching.

So, people just stopped giving them work.

Why would you hand over a task to someone who might collapse halfway through it, when another tribe could do it better—and faster?

It wasn’t cruel. It was just... how things had always been.

That’s why it felt strange—almost unbelievable—to see Fox tribesmen actually working again.

Not helping. Not assisting in the background.

Working.

Really working. Like they belonged there.

And for the first time in what felt like forever... they did.

Seeing the strange silence spreading around, Kaya turned her head slightly and looked at Abaya with a confused frown.

"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly.

Abaya blinked, startled out of her thoughts. She quickly shook her head.

"Um... no. Nothing," she mumbled.

But inside, there was something. She wanted to ask—really ask—what in the world was the Fox tribe doing here?

But the words never came.

It wasn’t like she and Kaya were friends. Not really. Just... partners. This was a job, not a friendship. A transaction. And Kaya probably had no idea either.

And even if she did... what did it matter?

This wasn’t Abaya’s business.

Her elders used to say, "Curiosity killed the cat."

So fine. Forget curiosity.

She just needed to finish her work and go home.

Quietly, Abaya sat down on the edge of a wide, flat stone tablet, just beside Kaya’s hand. The stone was huge—big enough to seat twenty people if they squeezed in.

After a while, Cutie and Rin came over, their arms balancing several glasses of water. Thank the stars for their numbers—Nikale Beastmen. With so many of them, utensils weren’t really a problem. They were used to making do. If something wasn’t available, they’d simply weave bowls out of leaves or shape bark into cups. These Beastmen were talented like that—resourceful and resilient.

As Cutie and Rin handed out the water, the lion Beastmen accepted it with tired nods, quietly sipping as if finally grounding themselves after a long journey. Kaya’s eyes moved from face to face, doing a quick count. Excluding Abaya, there were fifteen of them.

Seven males. Eight females.

And the males—Kaya’s gaze lingered on them a second longer—looked absolutely spent. Their eyes were half-lidded, some blinking slowly, others yawning without shame. It was clear: they were barely keeping themselves awake. Drowsy didn’t even begin to cover it. It was like the exhaustion had soaked into their bones.

After drinking the water, Abaya looked at Kaya with a soft smile, then glanced away thoughtfully.

"Well... I know we came unannounced and kind of suddenly," she began, brushing her hair behind her ear, "but winter’s closing in fast. We need to get things done quickly, gather supplies, finish work..." Her voice trailed off as she looked around again, her gaze landing on Kaya.

Then, with a teasing smirk, she added, "Your numbers just keep growing, huh?"

Kaya blinked, following Abaya’s gaze around the crowded space. People—beastmen—everywhere. She let out a tiny sigh, her lips twitching into a helpless smile.

"Yeah... I thought the same," she muttered, scratching her head like she herself couldn’t explain how they multiplied so fast.

Abaya chuckled lightly at her reaction and then said, "Alright. Just like you said..."

She turned to her group, and they nodded back silently, moving into action.

Moments later, they came forward—bringing with them not meat or hide like most would expect, but live animals.

Yes, live ones.

Because Kaya had told them to bring meat and hide, but these beastmen were practical and skilled. Carrying live animals was easier. No mess, no spoilage, and everything could be used fresh.

Kaya blinked as they laid the animals out. Her eyes widened a little.

There were small, rabbit-like creatures with soft, snowy fur—some of which the Nicale beastmen had already caught. But there were also larger ones. A few looked like sheep, but fluffier, with round, curled horns and thick wool blanketing their bodies.

As Kaya’s eyes scanned the animals, her gaze paused. Then she froze.

Before her stood seven, maybe eight beasts—towering creatures that resembled cows, but with an intensity that made them anything but ordinary.

Their horns were sharp, almost wickedly curved, and their bodies were stocky and rugged, with a presence that felt more warrior than livestock.

If one looked closely, they were not much different from cows... just too robust. Too wild. Too close to something from her past.

Kaya’s breath caught.

She took a step back. Then another. Then a third—more hesitant than the last.

It wasn’t loud or dramatic. Just... quiet steps. But full of dread.

Cutie, who had been standing beside her, blinked in confusion. Vayu, on her other side, frowned and glanced toward her. The others noticed too. The air shifted.

And then—Kaya did something no one expected.

Without a word, she slowly, almost timidly, moved behind Cutie. Like a child seeking shelter. She completely hid behind her friend’s frame, then reached out and clutched Cutie’s hand—tight. Her grip trembled, almost invisible, but it was there.

Vayu’s brows knitted together. He followed her gaze to the animals. Nothing seemed dangerous. None of them even looked aggressive—they were calm, eating hay, their tails flicking idly. Why would Kaya react like this?

Vayu’s mind raced. These weren’t vultures. Not hyenas. Not wild attackers.

So why—why was Kaya, the same girl who had ripped through predators without hesitation, suddenly... scared?

Even Cutie turned to glance at Kaya, his lips parting to speak but stopping when s

he saw the paleness in Kaya’s face. That blankness. No, not blankness—something deeper.

Fear.

Real, quiet, paralyzing fear.

And that made everyone fall silent.

Because if Kaya was afraid... Nah its not possible.

Vayu glanced at Kaya, and for a moment, a strange thought crossed his mind. He wasn’t sure where it came from—but it felt important.

He followed her gaze.

Kaya, whose eyes usually gleamed with cold steel and quiet bravery, now had something else in them. A soft tremble. Just a flicker—but enough.

She wasn’t saying anything, just staring at the cows.

Vayu looked at the animals, then back at Kaya... then at the cows again. They stood still, calm and quiet, their big eyes blinking slowly. Beasts known for their gentleness—docile, harmless even.

So why did Kaya look like that?

The thought returned. Silly, maybe. But he tested it anyway.

He pointed toward the cows and said softly, "What about them? Should we get a few more?"

The moment his voice reached her, Kaya flinched—not visibly, just the smallest twitch in her shoulder. Then she turned her head and looked at him.

There was a beat of silence.

Then, almost too calmly, she replied, "Yeah. I also think so."

But her eyes had already moved away.

Vayu looked at Kaya, a glint of mischief lighting up in his eyes. Then, with a teasing tone, he stretched his words and said,

"Right? I thought the same."

His lips curled into a slow smile as he paused for a beat, then added with a playful tilt of his head,

"How about checking by touching?"

Before Kaya could respond, Vayu gently walked over, took her wrist softly, and said with a grin,

"Come on. Let’s take a closer look. I mean, how else would you know if they’re healthy or useful if you don’t check them properly?"