Surviving The Beast World With My 'Sassy' System-Chapter 40: Injuries

Lavayla wasn’t sure how long they ran before Nima finally slowed and came to a stop. All she knew was that it had been a long while. The cold had crept in gradually, the wind drilling into her bones until her fingers felt stiff and her face numb.

When they stopped, the sudden stillness left her disoriented. The world felt wrong without motion, her ears still ringing with imagined wind. It was the baby’s thin whine, soft but insistent, that pulled her back.

She lifted her head and realized Nima had fully stopped.

Lavayla slid down from Nima’s back, her feet touching the ground unsteadily. Nima shifted back to her human form, her skirt and top settling around her as if she never turned. For a moment, Lavayla just stood there, grounding herself.

Then she checked the baby.

Only when her arms came up empty did she remember the wraps. She quickly loosened the knots at her side and lifted him free, cradling him against her chest. He was warm, alive, eyes squeezed shut as he whimpered in small, breathy sounds. His tiny hands clutched desperately at her neck and clothes, fingers digging in as if afraid she might disappear.

A seven-month-old beastbaby, she realized dimly, reacting the only way he knew how.

She held him close, patting his back in slow, steady motions, murmuring softly. Gradually, his cries eased into broken little sounds, his grip loosening just enough for her to breathe. He pressed his face against her collarbone, still clingy, still shaken, but calming.

Not long after, the rest of the beastwomen arrived.

One by one, they shifted back into their human forms, exhaustion etched plainly into their movements. Their eyes went straight to Lavayla, checking her first, then the baby. Seeing them unharmed, the tension in their shoulders finally eased.

They exchanged looks, silent communication passing between them before Ressha spoke.

"Don’t worry," she said calmly. "They’ll find us soon. We just need a place to rest for now. It’s already evening, and it’ll get darker fast. They’ll follow our scent."

Then she turned to Lavayla, her voice gentler. "Miss Lavayla, let’s go."

Lavayla nodded, adjusting the baby in her arms, and followed as they moved on.

They searched carefully, moving with purpose but no panic. Compared to what they had already faced, the dangers they encountered felt almost merciful. A Shriektail Rat burst from the underbrush screaming its piercing cry before being put down swiftly. A Slither-Spine Snake lunged from the ground, its jagged ridged back unmistakable. Later, a Gloomwick skittered from the shadows, its many legs moving unnervingly fast before the beastwomen crushed it.

Ressha named each one as they went, briefly explaining their traits, and Nessa quietly confirmed the information in Lavayla’s mind.

After nearly thirty minutes, Ressha raised a hand and told them to stop.

Lavayla swallowed. Her throat felt dry, her lips cracked, thirst gnawing at her. She couldn’t take water from her space vault here, not without questions she couldn’t answer. Instead, she looked around.

They had left the densest part of the forest behind. The trees were sparser here, the ground layered with dry leaves and shallow roots. The terrain reminded her of a coastal ridge forest, uneven and open, though it still carried the same heavy presence as the rest of the forest.

Then she saw it.

A massive slab of rock rose ahead, forming a natural hill. Set into it was a dark opening, wide enough to enter.

Everyone saw it at the same time.

A collective breath escaped them.

"Don’t let your guard down yet," Ressha said immediately. "We don’t know if something’s living inside. Sela, Vira, with me. We’ll check it. Nima, Tila, stay with Miss Lavayla."

The three disappeared into the entrance.

Minutes passed. Then sharp, high-pitched squeaks and screeching echoed out. Moments later, a small but still unsettling creature, something between a bat and a bird, flew out erratically, injured and panicked, before disappearing into the trees.

"You can come in," Ressha called.

Nima and Tila moved first, and Lavayla followed.

Inside, the cave was cool and surprisingly spacious, the rock walls curving inward to form a natural shelter. The air felt cleaner.

They got to work immediately.

Vira fashioned a makeshift broom from long dry grass tied with vine and began sweeping dirt, stones, and leaves into piles. Others arranged supplies while a few went back out to gather materials for a fire. Lavayla helped Sela organize the bundles, frowning faintly as she did, wishing again for something as simple as a backpack.

Eventually, the cave was cleared.

When they returned, Lavayla volunteered to start the fire. With practiced ease, she worked the materials together, and within seconds, flames caught and spread, casting warm light across the stone walls.

She returned to her spot and sat down, the baby cradled in her arms. He murmured softly now, small sounds that rose and fell as he settled, his body relaxing against her.

Ressha spoke into the quiet. "We’ll wait. They’ll find us. But first, let’s eat."

With no chance to search for water yet, they shared what fruit they had. Lavayla chose the softest pieces, carefully feeding the baby first before eating her own portion.

Night fell slowly.

The forest darkened, the sky above the cave entrance filling with stars. Shadows stretched long, the fire crackling softly.

Then movement appeared at the edge of the clearing.

Figures emerged one by one.

The beastmen had arrived.

Relief flooded Lavayla so suddenly her chest felt tight. She hugged the baby closer, her breath finally steadying at the sight of them.

But as they stepped into the firelight, the relief dimmed.

They were all injured—some lightly, some more so. Blood marked fur and skin, exhaustion dragging at every step.

Ressha moved first.

She crossed the clearing quickly, her eyes scanning the beastmen from head to toe, already counting injuries before she spoke. "What happened?"

Miren shifted as he answered, his voice rough with fatigue as he explained the split, the pursuit, the way they had shaken the jackals but not without cost. As he spoke, Ressha listened without interrupting, her expression tightening at certain points, her jaw setting harder with every detail.

When he finished, she nodded once. "Shift back."

The beastmen obeyed, their forms changing with tired familiarity. Once they were human again, the extent of their injuries became clearer. Cuts, bite marks, bruises already darkening beneath the skin.

Ressha turned immediately. "We’ll need herbs. Strong ones."

She scanned the women, then pointed to Sela, Nima, and Vira. "You three. Go and look for the herbs we use. Stay close to each other."

Miren stepped forward. "Vors and I will go with them." He rolled his shoulder once, testing it. "We’re the least injured. And this area isn’t safe enough to move without guards."

Vors nodded in agreement.

Ressha hesitated only a moment before giving a nod. "Fine but don’t go too far."

As they turned to leave, Lavayla stood.

"I want to go too."

The words cut through the quiet.

She gently handed the baby to Tila, making sure his grip transferred securely, then stepped forward. "I can help."

Ressha turned on her immediately. "No, you can’t."

Lavayla didn’t move back. "I can identify plants. Not just the common ones. If there are medicinal herbs around here, especially ones that work fast, I can recognize them."

"That’s not the issue, Miss Lavayla," Ressha said firmly. "It’s dangerous."

"I know," Lavayla replied, voice soft but just as firm. "That’s why I won’t wander. I won’t cross boundaries or split from the group. I know what I should and shouldn’t do."

Ressha held her gaze, clearly weighing the risk.

Lavayla pressed on, quieter but no less resolute. "You don’t have to worry about me slowing anyone down. If the herbs are here, I can find them faster than guessing."

For a long moment, Ressha said nothing.

Then she exhaled slowly. "Alright, you have to stay with the group. You do not move on your own. If they say you should all turn back, you all turn back. No arguments."

Lavayla nodded immediately. "I understand."

Ressha looked at the others. "Sela, Vors, Miren, Vera, Nima. You keep Miss Lavayla in sight at all times."

They acknowledged her words without question.

Lavayla followed as they moved off into the forest, the firelight fading behind them, aware with every step that they were still too close to danger to be careless.

They worked for a while, moving steadily through the forest while there was still enough light to see. Torches flickered between the trees, their glow catching on bark, roots, and the occasional glint of eyes far too small to worry about. No one spoke much.

About thirty-five minutes in, Nessa’s voice surfaced in Lavayla’s mind.

’Host, you’re searching for medicinal herbs, correct?’

Lavayla slowed slightly but didn’t stop walking. ’Yes.’

’Three meters ahead, to your left. There is a small basin hidden beneath dense tree cover. Several herbs are growing there. They are native to this world. You would not have encountered them on Earth, but their medicinal properties surpass the herbs the Beastmen previously used on you.’

Lavayla’s breath caught. ’You’re sure?’

’Of course. Host, have I ever lied to you?’

A corner of her mouth twitched. ’Alright. Thank you, Nessa.’

She stopped and turned to the group. "Everyone, let’s check that way."

They followed her gaze. At first glance, there was nothing but trees and shadow layered over more trees and shadow.