DING!
[NEW MAIN QUEST UNLOCKED: THE STONE PALACE!]
[Objective: Construct the first proper multi-story building in the Beast World!]
[Requirements:]- Building must be at least 2 stories tall. Must include: proper plumbing system, ventilation, multiple rooms, and defensive capabilities. Must be completed within 14 days
[Reward: Advanced Hygiene Package (includes SOAP FORMULA!!!) + 200 System Points]
[Failure: Die from System overload! ☆]
Xin Yi sat bolt upright. "SOAP?! DID YOU JUST SAY SOAP?!"
[Yes! Real, actual soap! The kind that foams and smells like lavender! (◕‿◕)]
"LAVENDER?!" Xin Yi was on her feet, pacing. "Oh my god. Oh my GOD. System, do you know how long it's been since I smelled like anything other than leaves and river water?!"
[4 days, 7 hours, and 32 minutes! But who's counting? ☆]
"I need that soap." Xin Yi's eyes took on a determined glint. "I NEED it."
[Then Host better start planning! A two-story building is no joke! (⌐■_■)]
"Two stories.…." Xin Yi's mind was already racing with the construction knowledge the System had downloaded into her brain. "I can do this. I CAN do this."
[Remember: Host can't build it alone! You'll need help! ♪]
Xin Yi looked out her window at the two rival clans.
A slow smile spread across her face.
Oh, she knew exactly how to get help.
~
The next morning, Xin Yi called an emergency meeting. Both clans gathered, Panthers on one side, Tigers on the other, their Alphas at the front looking suspicious of each other. "Thank you all for coming!" Xin Yi stood before them, trying to project confidence. "I have an announcement!"
"Is this about the courting?" Hei Yan asked hopefully.
"In a way, yes!" She clasped her hands together. "As part of the courting process, I've decided to set a challenge!"
Feng Huang's ears perked up. "A challenge?"
"Yes! Where I come from, males prove their worth through great deeds!" Xin Yi gestured dramatically. "And the greatest deed of all is.….building a monument!"
"A monument?" several voices echoed.
"A massive structure!" Xin Yi continued. "One that will show off your strength, intelligence, and ability to work together!"
"Work together?" Hei Yan and Feng Huang said simultaneously, then glared at each other.
[Host is playing with fire! (≧▽≦)]
"Yes! Together!" Xin Yi nodded firmly. "Because a good partner must know how to cooperate! So here's the challenge, you must work together to build me a palace!"
"A palace?" Feng Huang's eyes gleamed with interest.
"What is a palace?" asked one of the younger Panthers.
"It's a grand building!" Xin Yi explained. "Two stories tall! With multiple rooms, proper ventilation, even running water!"
Now she had their full attention.
"Running water?" Hei Yan repeated. "Like.….water that moves by itself?"
"Exactly! Using what I call.….plumbing!" Xin Yi was making this sound as impressive as possible. "And whoever contributes the most to this palace will earn major courting points!"
The two Alphas' competitive spirits ignited immediately.
"I'll gather the strongest wood from the northern forest!" Hei Yan declared.
"I'll quarry the finest stone from the mountains!" Feng Huang countered.
"My Panthers are the best builders!"
"My Tigers are superior craftsmen!"
They were nose-to-nose now, growling.
"BOYS!" Xin Yi snapped. "This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about! You need to work TOGETHER! No fighting! Cooperate!"
Both Alphas backed off, but continued glaring.
"Fine," Hei Yan muttered.
"For the courting," Feng Huang added.
Xin Yi sighed. This was going to be a disaster.
[Or very entertaining! Either way, Host gets a palace! ☆]
~
The construction began immediately.
Xin Yi drew up plans in the dirt with a stick, showing them the layout. The beastmen gathered around, fascinated by the concept of a "two-story" building.
"So... one floor on top of another floor?" asked a Tiger male, scratching his head.
"Exactly! And stairs to connect them!"
"What are stairs?"
"Steps! For climbing!"
"Why not just shift and climb up?"
Xin Yi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Because we don't all turn into big cats, okay? Some of us need stairs!"
The foundations went down first. The beastmen were astonishingly strong, carrying boulders that would have required machinery in her old world. They mixed her cement formula in large batches, working with surprising efficiency.
Hei Yan took charge of the Panthers, directing them with sharp commands. He personally hauled the largest support beams, his muscles rippling under his skin.
Feng Huang, meanwhile, organized the Tigers with lazy gestures that belied the precision of his orders. He inspected every stone, every measurement, ensuring everything was perfect. And somehow, through sheer competitive spite, they actually worked well together.
"No, no!" Hei Yan barked at a Panther male. "That beam needs to be reinforced!"
"He's right," Feng Huang added, examining it. "Use the iron-wood. It's stronger."
They exchanged a brief look of mutual respect before quickly glancing away.
Xin Yi watched from the sidelines, impressed despite herself.
[They're actually doing it! (◕‿◕)]
"I know! I can't believe it's working!"
[The power of competition and the promise of mating! ☆]
By the third day, the first floor was taking shape. By the fifth day, they were starting on the walls. By the seventh day, the structure was tall enough that Xin Yi could walk inside and see the divisions of rooms.
It was actually starting to look like a real building.
"This is amazing," she breathed, running her hand along the smooth stone walls.
"Do you like it?" Hei Yan appeared beside her, looking eager.
"It's incredible! You've all done such good work!"
His chest puffed up with pride. "Of course! Nothing but the best for—" He caught himself. "For you."
Feng Huang materialized on her other side. "The second floor will be even more impressive. I'm personally overseeing the construction of your bathing room."
"My bathing room?"
"With heated water, naturally." His smile was smug. "And a view of the sunset."
Hei Yan scowled. "I am building you a kitchen."
[Host has them wrapped around her little finger! (^▽^)]
"I do not!"
"Do not what?" both Alphas asked simultaneously.
"Nothing!"
~
On the tenth day, disaster struck.
Well, not disaster exactly. More like.…..an incident. Xin Yi was inspecting the second-floor construction when she heard raised voices below.
"That is NOT how you install a water pipe!"
"I have been installing water pipes all week! I know what I'm doing!"
"You're doing it WRONG!"
"YOU'RE wrong!"
She rushed to the edge and looked down. Hei Yan and Feng Huang were in each other's faces, both holding pieces of bamboo pipe.
"Oh no," Xin Yi muttered.
[Uh oh. The fragile peace is breaking! (⊙_⊙)]
"THAT IS THE WORST ANGLE I'VE EVER SEEN!" Hei Yan shouted.
"YOUR MEASUREMENTS ARE TERRIBLE!" Feng Huang roared back.
"MY MEASUREMENTS ARE PERFECT!"
"NOBODY'S MEASUREMENTS ARE PERFECT, YOU ARROGANT FURBALL!"
"FURBALL?! AT LEAST I DON'T STRUT AROUND LIKE A PREENING PEACOCK!"
"I DO NOT PREEN!"
"YOU'RE PREENING RIGHT NOW!"
Xin Yi cupped her hands around her mouth. "BOYS! STOP FIGHTING!"
They both looked up at her.
"Sorry, little female!" Hei Yan called.
"My apologies!" Feng Huang added.
Then they immediately turned back to each other and continued arguing.
"YOUR ANGLE IS STILL WRONG!"
"YOUR FACE IS WRONG!"
Xin Yi rubbed her temples. Why did she think this would work?
[Because Host is an optimist! Also, they're still building the palace even while fighting! Progress! ☆]
True enough, even while arguing, both Alphas were still working. Their hands moved automatically, installing pipes, adjusting supports, fitting stones. It was like they couldn't help but compete even while fighting about competing. By sunset, the palace was nearly complete.
Two full stories. Multiple rooms. A proper bathing area with clever plumbing that would heat water using underground hot springs. Windows with shutters. A reinforced door. Even a small defensive wall around the perimeter.
It was magnificent.
Xin Yi stood in front of it, speechless.
"So?" Hei Yan asked nervously. "Do you... like it?"
"Like it?" Xin Yi's voice cracked. "I LOVE it! This is—this is incredible!"
Both Alphas visibly relaxed.
"So who won?" Feng Huang asked.
"Won?"
"The challenge." His golden eyes glinted. "Who contributed the most?"
Xin Yi looked between them. Hei Yan had organized the labor and done most of the heavy lifting. Feng Huang had ensured the quality and added artistic touches.
"You both won," she said finally. "You both did amazing work."
They looked disappointed but accepted it.
"However," Xin Yi added, and both perked up. "There's still the interior to furnish. And I'll need ongoing maintenance. So the courting isn't over yet."
[Quest Complete!]
[Reward: Advanced Hygiene Package Unlocked + 200 System Points!]
[NEW ITEM IN INVENTORY: SOAP FORMULA!]
[Host can now produce lavender-scented soap! ☆]
Xin Yi's eyes went wide. "System.…..did you just..."
[Yes! Check your dimensional storage! (◕‿◕)]
She opened her dimensional inventory and there it was, a glowing recipe card for soap. All the ingredients, all the steps. She could make SOAP.
Real, foaming, lavender-scented soap.
Xin Yi almost cried.
"Little female?" Hei Yan looked concerned. "Are you alright? Your eyes are watering."
"I'm fine!" She wiped her eyes. "I'm just—I'm very happy!"
"Because of the palace?" Feng Huang asked, looking pleased with himself.
"Yes! Because of the palace!" She wasn't about to explain that she was more excited about soap than architecture.