Chapter 108: The peak of Divine Mountain

It turned out this was a nurturing system.

The realization struck Sora so suddenly that she almost laughed out loud.

No wonder.

Everything finally made sense.

She had always wondered why Lukan’s affection toward her felt so different from everyone else’s. Xavier, Ace, Ryan, Lucas, and the others had gradually fallen for her after spending time together. Their feelings had grown because of everything she had done.

But Lukan...

He had been different from the very beginning.

He had looked at her with a strange tenderness that she could never quite understand, as though every flaw she had carried simply didn’t exist in his eyes.

Now she finally understood why.

It wasn’t because he had poor judgment.

Nor because he was blinded by love.

He had literally watched her grow up.

The "first attraction value" wasn’t some magical blessing at all.

It was the affection of someone who had once carried a little girl in his arms.

...

Sora blinked several times before another question surfaced in her mind.

"If the original owner was so fair when she was little..."

She touched her own cheek.

"...then why did she become so dark later?"

The memory puzzled her.

She had inherited the original owner’s body but not all of her memories. There seemed to be countless missing pieces scattered throughout her past.

Could something have happened?

Was it simply because of years spent working under the scorching sun?

Or...

Was there another secret hidden behind it?

She silently stored the question away.

The System had already mentioned there was a surprise waiting somewhere near the Divine Mountain.

Perhaps the answer would reveal itself there.

After several more hours of climbing, the sky gradually shifted into shades of orange and crimson.

The blazing sun slowly disappeared beyond the distant mountains.

At last...

The peak of Divine Mountain came into view.

Everyone let out relieved sighs.

The mountain summit was surprisingly flat, almost like a massive stone platform carved by the heavens themselves.

Standing proudly at its center was a magnificent temple built entirely from smooth white granite.

Even after countless years of wind and rain, the building remained spotless.

Its towering pillars stretched toward the sky.

Ancient beast totems decorated every corner.

Huge stone wolves, tigers, foxes, bears, and countless unfamiliar beasts guarded the entrance with solemn expressions.

The atmosphere was sacred.

Almost oppressive.

No one dared make unnecessary noise.

One after another, beastmen and females entered respectfully.

Lukan carried their supplies while Sora followed quietly beside him.

The interior of the temple was enormous.

Rows of stone pillars supported the ceiling.

Oil lamps burned with golden flames.

Numerous couples had already found places against the walls to rest after the exhausting climb.

Finding an empty corner, Lukan spread out their animal skin blanket.

"You should sit."

Sora smiled gratefully.

"You’ve worked harder than I have."

"You climbed."

"I only carried things."

His calm reply made her smile widen.

She obediently sat beside the wall.

After climbing nearly an entire day, every muscle in her body ached pleasantly.

Stretching her legs, she leaned against the cool stone wall and sighed.

"This feels wonderful..."

Lukan silently handed her a bamboo bottle of water.

She accepted it naturally.

"Thank you."

Just as she took another sip—

"Haa..."

A strange sound suddenly echoed through the temple.

Followed by another.

Then another.

"Hng..."

"Mmm..."

Heavy breathing filled the air.

Sora froze.

"..."

She slowly turned her head.

One couple nearby was embracing openly.

Another female had practically climbed into her beast husband’s lap.

Elsewhere, someone was shamelessly kissing without caring about the dozens of people around them.

The entire temple...

Was unexpectedly lively.

Sora’s lips twitched.

"No wonder this place is called the Land of Offspring..."

She muttered under her breath.

"With competition like this, everyone is certainly working very hard."

She couldn’t help becoming curious.

Who exactly was breathing so dramatically?

She instinctively tried to peek around.

Before she could satisfy her curiosity—

Rustle.

Cloth shifted beside her.

She turned around.

Only to meet Lukan’s unusually dark gaze.

His silver-gray eyes seemed deeper than usual.

Without saying a word, he loosened the leather strap across his shoulder and removed the heavy bundle from his back.

His broad shoulders finally relaxed.

Then...

He crouched in front of her.

"What are you doing?"

Sora blinked.

Lukan looked over his shoulder.

"Come."

She stared blankly.

"Hm?"

"I’ll carry you."

Sora’s face instantly heated.

"W-What?"

"You’ve climbed enough."

His tone remained gentle.

"Your legs are shaking."

She hurriedly looked down.

Only then did she notice that her calves were indeed trembling slightly after the long climb.

"I can still walk..."

"I know."

Lukan nodded.

"But I want to carry you."

Such straightforward words left Sora speechless.

Without waiting for her refusal, he gently pulled her arms over his shoulders.

The next second—

She found herself securely resting on his broad back.

Her eyes widened.

"L-Lukan..."

He stood up effortlessly.

His back was broad and warm.

The muscles beneath his skin were firm, making her feel surprisingly secure.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders to avoid slipping.

At first, embarrassment flooded her heart.

Surely everyone would stare at them.

But the moment they stepped outside the temple—

She froze.

"..."

All around them...

Other females were being carried exactly the same way.

Some were lying lazily in their beast husbands’ arms like pampered princesses.

Others clung tightly around their husbands’ necks.

One particularly bold female was practically hanging from her beast husband like a koala, laughing happily as he walked.

Compared to them...

Sora suddenly felt ridiculously conservative.

She coughed awkwardly.

"So..."

"I’m actually the normal one."

Lukan chuckled softly.

"You are."

Her ears turned pink.

Since they had arrived after sunset the previous evening, Sora hadn’t been able to properly observe the surroundings.

Now, beneath the bright morning sky, everything appeared completely different.

The temple gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

Its white granite reflected soft golden rays, making the entire structure seem almost divine.

Blue skies stretched endlessly overhead.

White clouds drifted lazily.

The crisp mountain breeze carried the fragrance of pine, wildflowers, and damp earth.

Looking beyond the temple, Sora discovered a vast forest covering the mountaintop.

Unlike the shrubs below the mountain, towering ancient trees flourished here.

Their branches intertwined overhead, creating a lush green canopy.

The sunlight filtered through the leaves like scattered pieces of gold.

Sora observed carefully.

"So that’s why..."

The temple had been built on the sunniest side of Divine Mountain.

Plenty of sunlight.

Rich soil.

Abundant rainfall.

Naturally, plants grew exceptionally well here.

Not far away, other beastmen had already entered the forest with baskets and leather bags.

Some searched for edible herbs.

Others collected wild fruits.

A few hunted small prey.

Life bustled everywhere.

Lukan adjusted Sora slightly on his back.

"Where should we go?"

She scanned the forest carefully.

Her eyes sparkled.

"There."

She pointed toward a cluster of bushes glowing faintly red beneath the trees.

"If I’m not mistaken..."

"There should be lots of raspberries over there."

Just remembering yesterday’s sweet, juicy berries made her mouth water.

Those raspberries had been far sweeter than anything she’d tasted in either her previous world or the apocalypse.

She couldn’t resist wanting more.

Lukan nodded without question.

"As you wish."

He changed direction immediately.

The two disappeared into the peaceful forest together.

Above them, birds sang among the branches.

Gentle mountain winds rustled through the leaves.

Neither of them noticed...

High atop one of the ancient trees, a pair of mysterious golden eyes quietly watched them from the shadows.

The owner of those eyes smiled faintly.

"So..."

"They’ve finally arrived."

A soft breeze swept through the forest.

Somewhere deep within Divine Mountain...

The hidden surprise the System had mentioned was slowly beginning to awaken.