The Final Ingredient

Morning came with a low fog hugging the tribe's outskirts. Kaoshi tied up her still-drying black loose mushrooms and stepped outside to gather more dried grass for basket-making. The three cubs followed, energetic and eager after the previous day's success.

Before long, several curious beastwomen who had admired the grass backpacks the day before returned, bringing animal skins, dried herbs, and bartered odds and ends.

"You really made these from scratch?" one of them asked, her tone skeptical but not unkind.

Kaoshi nodded, already kneeling to demonstrate. "It's simple once you know how. The trick is using grass that's been dried just right. Too green, it'll rot. Too old, it'll snap."

The beastwomen gathered closer, murmuring among themselves. Even if they still saw her as an outsider, their interest was real.

As she worked, a silver-furred she-beast named Renji squatted beside her. "There used to be a type of peppery fruit called grass fruit in the southeast hills. Haven't seen it in a while, but my mother swore it still grows wild there." She shrugged. "Might be worth a look."

Kaoshi's ears perked up. The system's final gathering item. She smiled, tucking the information away. "Thank you. I'll check it out."

After lunch, she packed a small satchel and turned to the cubs. "Want to explore a little more? Let's go see if we can find something new."

The cubs scrambled to grab their grass bags, each proudly wearing their beast form as they followed her toward the edge of the southeast hills.

The sun had just begun its slow descent when Chawang came bolting down the slope, eyes shining. "Mama! Mama! I found it—I think I found the pepper fruit!"

Kaoshi followed as he led them uphill, past tangled brush and mossy rocks. There, tucked under low-lying ferns, was a patch of bulbous green fruits, each shaped like a fat pepper and slightly glossy.

She bent to inspect one. The system pinged silently in her mind:

> [System Notice: Item recognized — Grass Fruit acquired.]

[Mission Complete — +20 Points awarded.]

[New Reward Unlocked: Low-Tier Item Roulette - One Free Spin Available.]

Kaoshi's lips curved slightly. "Good work," she said, ruffling Chawang's hair. The cub beamed, his tail swishing proudly.

Back at the house, they unloaded their findings while Kaoshi excused herself inside. As the cubs cleaned the grass fruit, she focused inward.

> "Little Yao, spin the roulette."

[Spinning...]

[Reward: Medium-Sized Stone Mill – for food preparation.]

[Item added to Inventory.]

Useful. With red fruit and pepper fruit now available, she could begin creating more complex meals. Maybe even make flour someday.

As dusk fell, Jinling returned, hauling a bundle of fresh prey over one shoulder. "Hunting was light today," he said, brushing dirt from his arms. "But I brought back enough."

"You've done enough," Kaoshi said, placing a leaf-wrapped portion of red fruit and dried meat in front of him. "Sit. Eat."

Their fingers brushed briefly. Jinling's eyes lingered on her, warm and unguarded. "You're getting used to this place."

She nodded, but her gaze flicked toward the cubs. "It's safer here for them. I'll never forget that."

He looked like he wanted to say more, but a soft voice cut in from behind.

"Kaoshi."

She turned. Mile stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed over her chest. Her voice was poised but laced with irritation.

"I just wanted to let you know," Mile began, her green eyes fixed on Kaoshi's, "I plan to pursue Jinling. He's strong. Desirable. And unlike others, I don't let pride keep me from what I want."

Kaoshi's chest tightened before she could help it. The instinctive reaction surprised her—but she pushed it down.

Her tone stayed neutral, her eyes steady. "I won't stop you from trying."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering just enough to carry weight.

"But I don't think you'll succeed."

Mile's brows twitched, a flash of disbelief crossing her face. But Kaoshi had already turned away, her cubs calling to her from inside.

That night, she lay awake beside their small sleeping bodies, staring at the wooden ceiling.

She wasn't ready to admit what she felt.

But something in her heart had shifted.