Chapter 186: The Bond Point Disappointment.

Neve knew what he had said. He knew it was quite a shocker, telling people who had been punished for staying in a strange land for more than a decade without any access to the rest of the tribe to join his tribe.

A tribe that he had not even built yet.

Besides, he knew there was no way Maren would agree to such a thing. After all, Maren was still looking for a way to leave this beast world and head back to Earth. Maren had his own mission to complete. Maren had his own goals that did not involve staying in this world forever.

Neve also wished to go back to Earth. He also dreamed about returning to his original body. But what if it was impossible? What if his body in a coma in the original world remained exactly like that forever? What if there was no way to return?

At the same time, he wanted to find out how this entire situation had happened. Were there people that controlled this world? Like those voices in that control room. Were they humans or were they gods? Were they aliens? Something else entirely?

He did not know and he wished to find out. But he was conflicted between staying in the beast world and returning to his former world. Both options had their appeal. Both options had their dangers.

His hand rubbed his bulging stomach as he looked back at Maren and his mother.

"I know you’re both shocked, but trust me when I say I want a place where every tribe can live together as one," Neve repeated himself again, trying to convince them of his vision. "A place where there is no fighting. No oppression. No suffering."

Maren’s mother shook her head slowly, her weak hand reaching out to touch Neve’s arm gently.

"Child. If others had listened to you, if you had said those things publicly to other tribes, you’d be stoned to death or something worse," she advised, her voice carrying the weight of experience. "Even if there are places and times when a lot of beastmen meet, like trade spots and festivals, they wouldn’t want to stay there for long. There are tribes that are enemies of the other tribes. Ancient grudges. Old blood feuds. Thinking of making them stay together is forbidden, especially in your condition."

She paused, looking at his pregnant belly.

"You’re carrying cubs. You need to focus on your health and your children. Not on impossible dreams of unity."

Neve lowered his head in realization.

Since he was not from this world, surely he did not understand the deep divisions between the tribes. Surely he did not know about the centuries of conflict and hatred that existed between different beastmen.

"I see," he muttered quietly.

"Don’t feel bad now, Neve," Popi linked her hands with his, offering comfort. "You already have us. You already have your mates. We’ll all be part of your tribe. That’s enough. That’s more than enough."

Neve smiled at Popi’s words, feeling grateful for her support.

"I see," Neve smiled, repeating the same words.

Then suddenly, he heard a ding in his head.

He blinked, staring at the system notification that appeared in his awareness. He had almost forgotten he had the system. With everything that had been happening, he had not checked it in a while.

[Bond Point Calculation Completed]

Neve blinked at the notification. He just realized he had heard a similar message after what had happened with Aldric. He had been too tired that he lost consciousness and forgot to check it. So much had happened in such a short time.

"Is there a problem?" Maren asked, noticing Neve’s distracted expression.

"Nothing," Neve said, waving a dismissive hand. "You should spend some time with your mother. I’ll return to check on her in the evening. Feed her something light also. Something soft that’s easy to digest. Her stomach has not had proper food in a long time."

He was already walking toward the entrance of the hut.

"Thank you, Neve," Maren said, his gratitude evident.

Neve did not even look back. He just walked away quickly. After all, he was going to see Maren later tonight for the marking ritual. There was no need to drag out this goodbye.

.

.

As Neve and Popi walked back through the territory, Neve continued staring at the notification that had popped up in his mind.

He had been unable to get any bond points ever since he completed the mission because he did not have any mates by himself. Yes, he had Zyreth and Maren, but they were not his mates then. Not yet. They had not marked him.

But since Cael and Aldric were both here, and they had already marked him, he would be able to gather bond points with them. All he needed was to be intimate and increase his relationship with them. Physical contact. Kissing. Maybe more.

It sounded easy in theory, but he did not even know what to do. How intimate did he need to be? What counted as enough bonding?

"...eve! Neve!" He heard his voice being called and snapped out of his thoughts.

"Hmm?" He lifted his brow as he looked at Popi who had been calling out his name repeatedly. He had not even realized he was spacing out again. Getting distracted. Forgetting what was happening around him.

"What are you thinking so much about?" Popi asked. "Do you want to watch the snake beastmen competition with me? Varek is going to be watching to see who wins the king’s seat. It starts soon."

"Ah, it was today?" Neve turned his head away. He needed to check his system, so he did not have time to watch anything. "You should watch it alone and tell me how it went. Since Varek is there, he will be able to protect you."

"Sure," she said, already walking away. "Take care of yourself. Call for me if you need anything!"

She waved as she left, heading toward where the competition was being held.

Neve just smiled as he watched her leave. He could see the eyes of other beastmen on her. At that moment, Popi was the only female in the whole territory, so surely they could not keep their eyes away from her. The attention was intense.

’Thank goodness for Varek. If not for him, I can’t imagine what they would have done to her,’ Neve thought as he went back to his cave.

He sat down carefully, wincing as he held his stomach. The weight of the cubs was becoming more noticeable every day.

As soon as he was settled, he pulled up the system.

"Show me how much bond point I have now," he said aloud.

[Bond Point total loading...]

[...]

[Bond Point: 98]

Neve rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Just 98 points from getting marked and kissed by Aldric. It felt little, but he should not say that yet. He did not know what 98 points could get him at the market. Maybe it was enough for something. Maybe it was not.

But he was so excited to try. He rubbed his palms together eagerly. He could not wait to order some ramen. He had been craving it since he arrived in this world. Real instant ramen with proper noodles and broth and flavoring.

Then he froze as he looked at his stomach.

"Is ramen good for pregnant women?" he asked himself out loud. He did not know the answer but he shrugged. "It didn’t matter anyway. I’m not a woman."

"Open market," he ordered the system and the interface glitched for a second before changing completely.

It was like he was shopping online. Pictures of different items appeared with prices listed next to them. It was just like those online shopping websites from his original world.

His eyes widened in excitement as he saw the first section filled with pictures of different flavors of ramen. There were egg ramen, shrimp ramen, beef ramen, spicy ramen, seafood ramen. Each one had toppings listed: eggs, vegetables, chicken, seafood, mushrooms, green onions, seaweed, bamboo shoots, corn. His mouth started to water at the thought of eating real ramen.

But as soon as his eyes dropped to the price section, he froze completely.

One cup of ramen... 100 bond points?????

One single cup of instant ramen cost 100 bond points.

And looking at his total, he had just 98 points.

He was two points short. Two points away from getting his ramen.

His hands were shaking with frustration and disappointment.

He had been through so much. He had completed multiple missions. He had gotten marked by Aldric. He had kissed the bear and all he had gained were 98 bond points.

And it was still not enough.

Just two points short of buying a simple cup of ramen. A food that cost a few dollars in his original world. A food that was considered cheap and disposable back on Earth.

Neve suddenly grabbed his hair, pulling at it in frustration.

"This fucking system!!!!" he yelled out loud, his voice echoing through the cave.