I woke from my sleep in a haze. Last night had been a rollercoaster of immeasurable pleasure, guilt, and a solid dose of YOLO. My legs were still a little wobbly — felt like I was walking on clouds. I've never believed in love at first sight, but after last night? I believed in miracles. There had to be a God out there, because that… that was a blessing.
I sat up and was greeted by the cutest little ass.
"Monsters don't wear panties. Noted," I said, admiring the view.
"Perv." Shyara wiggled her hips — flaunting it.
"I'm not the one free-lipping it for the world."
"Correction: for you." She rolled onto her back, dress flipping up.
"What're you doing?" I asked, deadpan.
"What're you looking at?"
"Oh, you know what I'm looking at."
"Facts. Want a better view?"
"Nah. Got a pretty good look from here."
"Wuss." She flipped her dress down.
"Exhibitionist."
I rolled out of the cot and stumbled to my feet. She tugged at my shirt, trying to pull me back in, but I'm an important guy. Things to see. People to do. She let go, but sent me a rapid-fire slideshow of very specific thoughts through our link while I walked away. Girl knew my tastes — and wasn't afraid to weaponize them. But I ain't no simp.
I'd slept way later than planned. Not my fault — I was being tempted by a goblin succubus.
I pulled up the party status. First up: Nyla.
No change. Stable. Affection still at 150%. Twenty-six days until the big day. My heart still wasn't ready. Me, a dad? Fuck~.
Shoved that thought aside. Focus. Threats were probably on the way. Maybe. Definitely someday. I hated wasted effort, so if I was playing monster matchmaker for no reason, I'd be pissed. But Shyara swore it mattered — and I had to admit, the experiments were kinda fun. Reminded me of that game I used to binge before… well, this whole world happened.
Next: Quadbear. Time remaining — 8 or 9 hours before delivery.
Except…
Quadbear
Level: 6
Status: In labor. Childbirth imminent!
"Of course," I muttered, sprinting through the cave toward the nursery chamber.
The Quadbear was already on her side, breathing hard, fur slick with sweat. Her body tensed with each contraction. The fox sat at her side, paw pressed to her back in quiet solidarity.
I shot him a nod. Real man. I want to be like you when I grow up, fox.
The spider and slime stayed tucked in the corner, pretending this had nothing to do with them. Technically true. Still cold.
The first cry came quick — a low, guttural sound of effort. Then, a wet plop.
Ursa Kitsu (Hybrid)
Level: 1
Rank: Unknown
Born of a Quadbear and Bremlakin. The first of its kind. Possesses abilities and traits of both species. Congratulations, Dad!
Piece of shit system. Was that "Dad" line supposed to be funny?
Ping.
Alright, I'm sorry. Damn.
The newborn was tiny — Bremlakin's foxlike face, Quadbear's body. Small for a cub, but new life all the same.
Minutes later, another push, another delivery. This one was bigger — Quadbear face, Quadbear body, but two tails and fox ears. Stronger. Solid.
Then the air changed. Heavy. Charged. Even the spider and slime froze, their bodies drawing tight.
The Quadbear was straining harder now, body trembling. Her roar shook the chamber. Mana flared — thick, electric — spilling from her like a living storm.
With one final, primal cry, the third baby burst free, wrapped in a cocoon of blinding mana. The light painted the walls in shimmering blues and purples. I shielded my eyes as the pressure in the air pressed down on my chest.
Status pinged.
Ursa Kitsu (Mutated): Born through the influence of Monster Mage. Mutated traits unknown. Figure it out yourself.
"…What?"
Ping.
"I really don't know. Figure it out," the system repeated.
Not being a dick — just useless. Got it.
As the mana shell thinned, I got my first look.
Six arms.
A single horn rising from the forehead.
Blueish-purple fur on its ears, matching hair that fell in soft, wild tufts.
Jet black eyes — entirely black — locking on mine with unnerving focus.
It didn't cry. Just reached for me.
I hesitated, then held out a finger. Tiny hands — all six of them — latched on.
Ping.
Monster Tamed.
Ursa Kitsu (Mutated)
Male – Level: 1 – Rank: D – Rarity: Ultra
HP: 50/75
Attack: Invalid
Defense: Invalid
Agility: Invalid
MP: Invalid
Intellect: Increasing
Unique Skill: Pending
No stats. Ultra rare. Strong? Unique? Dangerous? Hell if I knew.
The mana faded. The baby's breathing slowed to a gentle rhythm, like any newborn — if "any newborn" had six arms and a horn. The other two cubs had already begun nursing. The mother lay limp but alive, the fox curling close beside her in quiet devotion.
Real stand-up guy. Maybe love at first sight was real.
I leaned against the wall, staring at the little anomaly now dozing in the bedding.
"Oh, right. You need a name," I said. Thought for a moment. "Hexara. That's you."
The bond flared in my mind — unfamiliar, but already there.
Never a dull moment.
Welcome to the team, rookie.
Elsewhere, far from the Wildreach, deep inside the Guild's War Room, a crystal pulsed with urgent light.
"Alert: new monster species registered," the attendant read aloud. "Classification… hybrid. No record found. Sire—unknown."
The guild master's eyes narrowed. "Unknown?"
She hesitated, then added, "…Based on location, there's only one person it could be."
His frown deepened. "The Chosen."
"Send word to our advanced party. We're out of time. Move in the Reach."
Hexara's birth had been a message. And the world had had received it. And perceived it as challenge.