Chapter 6 Awakening Two Talents

Zareth's entire body tensed. Before he could react, he was already on the ground, toppled by her sudden advance. Their lips and teeth tangled together, pulses hammering against each other. Karina rose and straddled him, just about to lean in again when strong arms suddenly encircled her waist. With a single sweeping motion, Zareth shoved the beast crystals aside, clearing the ground beneath them. In the next moment, the world spun. Karina gasped as she found herself flipped over, pressed against a firm, muscular chest. A strong hand gripped her chin, tilting her face upward—leaving her nowhere to escape. She met his gaze—those golden, beast-like eyes locked onto hers, dark and unreadable. His pupils were slightly dilated, holding a clear restraint, as if he were barely keeping himself in check. “What exactly are you trying to do?” His voice was low, hoarse with tension. Something about her had been different since yesterday. Karina lifted her gaze, taking in the sharp angles of his face, the shadows cast by his brooding expression. There was a fleeting ruthlessness in his eyes, a dangerous edge that made it seem as though he could crush her in an instant. Yet, she showed no fear. Instead, her lips curled into a coy smile, her voice sultry and teasing as she whispered, “I want to absorb the beast crystal. But what I desire even more... is to be with you... intimately.” Last night, he had been relentless, leaving her body aching in ways she had never experienced before. Beastwomen were delicate, yet their ability to recover was astonishing. In her previous life, she and Zareth had tragically missed each other. But now, she understood his feelings—his devotion, his longing. And she had no intention of holding back anymore. She wanted to fulfill his desires. And more than that, she wanted him just as much. Zareth's breath hitched, his restraint snapping like a taut thread. No longer holding back, he let the flames of desire consume them both. In the heat of their union, they moved like water, flowing together, merging as one. The night stretched on, the cycle repeating again and again until Karina, utterly spent, finally drifted into deep sleep. By the time she awoke, morning light was already spilling into the room. The beast crystals that had been scattered across the floor were now neatly packed back into the bag, though it looked noticeably flatter. A soft tiger pelt was draped over her bare body. As hazy memories of the previous night surfaced—of their joint effort to absorb the beast crystal—warmth spread across Karina's cheeks. A flush of color crept up her neck. For two consecutive days, Zareth's energy showed no signs of waning. If anything, he only seemed to grow stronger. She was starting to struggle to keep up with him. “You're awake.” Zareth stepped inside, carrying a stone bowl filled with warm water. “Here, drink. Don't talk too much, or your throat will hurt.” The intensity of last night's activity had been substantial. Karina glanced up, catching his stoic expression and his flushed ears. Amused, she chose not to tease him. Instead, she accepted the bowl with a soft smile, sipping delicately. Zareth's clear, composed voice broke the moment. “I've advanced. I'm now a Level-Two beastman—thanks to your Level-Two beast crystal. Last night, I also absorbed twenty Level-One beast crystals. If you need them back, I'll return them as soon as I can.” “You advanced?” Karina's eyes lit up with excitement. She hadn't expected Zareth to possess such incredible potential. Zareth nodded. He had already been at the peak of a Level-One beastman, but the opportunity to break through had always eluded him. After absorbing the Level-Two beast crystal, he had finally shattered his limits. “What do you mean 'return'? You're my husband—what's mine is yours, including my beast crystals.” In her excitement, her fingertips trembled slightly. Suddenly, a sizzling sound crackled in the air, and a streak of crimson and violet light flashed across her hand. In an instant, the stone bowl in her grasp split open. Zareth reacted in a flash, swatting the shattered pieces aside before grabbing her hand, concerned. “Are you hurt?” Snapping out of her daze, Karina blinked in confusion. “No... but what was that?” If her memory served her right, whenever Zareth used his talent, a strange glow would also appear. “It's both lightning and fire—you've awakened dual talents.” Zareth's response confirmed her suspicions. “I've awakened my talent?” A thrill shot through Karina, her heart pounding with excitement. “But why does it happen to be the same as yours?” “It must be because I helped you absorb the beast crystal,” Zareth replied matter-of-factly. A bright smile bloomed on Karina's face. “Zareth, you really are my lucky charm.” Without hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then, lowering her gaze, she studied her hands, completely missing the way the usually composed young man froze in place—his entire body stiffening, his face flushing red. Beastwomen were naturally fragile, relying on the protection of their male counterparts to survive. But now, with the awakening of her innate abilities, Karina could finally have combat ability like the beastmen. Even if she truly had no reproductive ability, she could still rely on her own strength to earn a place for herself in this world. Moreover, it was widely acknowledged that lightning and fire were the most powerful nature-type talents when it came to raw attack power. Excitement bubbled within her, and she was eager to test her newfound abilities. However, despite her best efforts, the only result was a faint wisp of white smoke curling from her fingertips—nothing more. “What's going on?” Karina frowned. This is far too weak! At this rate, I'd probably exhaust herself before even getting the chance to kill Xelrik. Seeing her frustration, Zareth reached out, his large hand wrapping around her fingertips. “Stop forcing it,” he said calmly. “It's normal for a newly awakened talent to be unstable. If you want to train, I'll take you to the forest later.” The forest was fraught with danger, a place where beastwomen were typically forbidden to go. But whatever she wanted—no matter what it was—he would help her achieve it. Karina's spirits lifted. That's right. I've only just awakened my talent. I can't expect to master it overnight. “All right, I'm counting on you, Zeth.” Karina waved her small fist in determination. “Tonight, let's continue absorbing the beast crystals. We'll aim to absorb them all.” The moment she finished speaking, she felt Zareth's hand suddenly grow hot. Before she could dwell on it, her stomach let out a loud growl. “You haven't eaten in two days,” Zareth stated. “I'll handle the game and prepare some grilled meat for you.” Without another word, he abruptly pulled his hand back, hoisted the prey onto his shoulder, and strode out the door in a hurry. Watching his hasty retreat, Karina chuckled softly. “Why run? I said tonight. It's not like I'm going to devour you right now.” Knowing that Zareth, as a serpent, preferred cold food, there was no firewood in his house. After some thought, Karina decided to gather some herself. The beastmen of the Darkvale Tribe often gathered firewood from a small grove to the east of their settlement. After absorbing the beast crystal, Karina felt an abundance of energy coursing through her veins. The exhaustion from the previous night had completely vanished, and her strength had noticeably increased. In no time, she had gathered and tied up two large bundles of wood with sturdy vines. Carrying one in each hand, she turned to head home—only to come face-to-face with the last person she wanted to see. “Karina, are you still following me?” Xelrik sneered, stepping into her path. “I've already mated with Ava. How much longer do you plan to cling to me?” Disgust flickered across his face as he looked her up and down. Karina's brows twitched slightly. “Following you?” How is this guy so shameless? “You're a beastwoman, and yet you came all the way here to collect firewood? Isn't it just an excuse to see me?” Xelrik sneered, his expression tinged with arrogance. However, as he recalled the humiliating incident from the previous day, his face briefly darkened. He continued, “That said, I'm not entirely heartless. If you hand over the beast crystal, I might just let yesterday's offense slide.” While Avani had no beast crystals to offer, she possessed something even more valuable—exceptionally high fertility. It was rumored that her reproductive ability ranked at Level-Six. Just like beastmen's combat abilities, a beastwoman's fertility was ranked from one to nine. A Level-Six beastwoman was a rarity, nearly impossible to find within the tribe. Avani had been stalling their mating, and what Karina did was of great help to him. He wasn't at a loss. Karina couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity of his words. “Let yesterday's offense slide? You?” Xelrik puffed up his chest, completely unfazed. “Yes. If you hand over a Level-Three beast crystal, I can mediate with Avani on your behalf and help mend your relationship with her,” he declared, as if bestowing her with an act of great generosity. His arrogance was almost comical. Avani had once told him that Karina's parents had died early, leaving her with only an older brother, Corvus, whose mind wasn't sound. She was alone, vulnerable, and the person she cherished most was Avani—her so-called best friend. Karina, listening to his self-important tone, felt an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. Not far away, Draven, who had been observing the scene unfold, clamped a hand over his mouth in disbelief. Draven spun around in a panic and spotted Zareth by the river, diligently cleaning his prey. Without hesitation, he hollered, “Zareth! Zareth! That wicked woman Karina is off flirting with Xelrik again—” Crack! Before he could finish, a streak of violet lightning crackled across the stone slab Zareth had been using as a cutting board, splitting it cleanly in two. Draven swallowed hard. Zareth's expression was as dark as a brewing storm, his golden eyes flickering dangerously.