"You're a half-beast, and an unusual one at that—it seems you're a blend of two different beast species, and even from separate factions."
"It must be hard to fit into your group. I've heard that beastfolk tend to be strongly bound by traditions or have deep-seated issues, particularly when it comes to inter-faction mixing. Aeros, in particular, seem to be the most troublesome, and considering your wings..."
His comment intrigued me. I didn't recall reading about this in the books, which merely mentioned that individuals born with mixed racial traits were more likely to face prejudice. But judging by his words, it seemed to be a far more significant issue within the beastfolk factions.
"I haven't met many of my kind. Can you tell me more about this?"
He looked surprised at first but then seemed to recall my identity as an adventurer.
"Well, I'm not entirely certain. In the Southern Continent, there aren't any major beastfolk factions—they're more scattered. Their imperial strongholds are either in the oceans, for the Aquos, or in the central continent. There might be smaller groups here, though. But... there's an interesting story."
"What is it?" I asked, watching him intently while noting his peculiar movements and the flicking of his tail.
"It's said that in ancient times, the beastfolk race faced a great conflict. They were created by three sibling deities: Undine, the goddess of the sea; Aleph, the god of the wind; and Tera, the goddess of the earth. But one day, one of the gods betrayed the others, siding with an enemy deity. This betrayal led to a massive war, forcing the remaining two to join forces against the common enemy.
"No one knows exactly what caused the betrayal or how it unfolded, but despite the equal strength of the three, all of their bodies were ultimately destroyed and fragmented. This event caused the division of the beastfolk into three factions. Since then, they've remained deeply separated, though the reasons for the conflict are uncertain—perhaps an inherited grievance from the past."
The story fascinated me. I recalled reading about these three gods who created the beastfolk, but it seemed there was much more to uncover. I'd have to investigate the major bases of the races in the future.
"We're here," the guard announced, pointing to our destination.
I turned to see a house ahead. It was built from wood and straw like the others, but the materials were clearly of better quality, and the structure was sturdier. Unique fabrics adorned with symbols written in what appeared to be the naga language decorated the house.
"Wait here. The chief is aware of your presence and will call you when ready," the guard instructed before leaving.
I didn't mind waiting and calmly sat on the ground.
....
After 25 minutes, a voice called from within.
"Enter."
The voice was calm, feminine, and carried an elder's tone.
I stepped into the hut and found myself face-to-face with a large naga. She was much larger than any I had seen so far, her massive tail stretching across several meters. She had long, slightly graying hair and wore a light burgundy cloak. Despite her gray-streaked hair and mature voice, her overall appearance suggested someone in their late thirties or early forties.
"An intriguing young one," she began. "You radiate a magical energy akin to that of a mage. But most fascinating of all—you're a half-beast of two distinct and rare species."
Her words carried a weight of inspection, and I felt a piercing gaze upon me. However, the intensity soon dissipated.
"I can see you must be one of the new beings descending into this world—adventurers, either cursed or blessed by other powers. You also appeared in a rather unusual area, and I imagine you're looking for a place to establish yourself, correct?"
I bowed respectfully and made my request.
"Yes. I don't have a home yet, and I arrived in this world only recently. I'm seeking an initial base to gather information and shelter. Human settlements could be complicated, and given my race's circumstances, things don't seem ideal."
She smiled, and I felt my body tense in the silence that followed.
"I understand your situation, especially regarding your race. I can allow you to stay here, but you'll need to pass a few challenges first."
As expected, a quest appeared.
---
Quest: Stay in Ophi Village
Objective:
- Enter the dungeon *"Skin That Doesn't Break Even in Water".
- Collect 80 Iron Mangustos hides.
Rewards:
- Ophi Village Stay Token
- +Reputation with the Naga Tribe
- +Reputation in the Southern Continent
Description:
You've left the starting village and descended into the Southern Continent. The first sign of civilization you encounter is a village of a unique race that doesn't easily accept outsiders. To stay, you must complete the tribal leader's mission.
---
"Your task is to explore this dungeon. It's home to a species of iron-skinned mongooses. They're quite resilient, both physically and magically, due to their metallic hides. We need their hides to craft armor for our guards, as it's an ideal material with a low refinement cost.
"Of course, since we want the hides, try to avoid excessive damage to them."
"Understood," I replied with a nod.
The village leader seemed satisfied.
"Retrieve the map from the guard who brought you here."
"Understood. Thank you very much," I said, bowing deeply.
Though I was tempted to check her status, I refrained—it was our first meeting, after all.
---
Outside the hut, the guard was already waiting with a smile.
"Looks like you had an idea of what she'd ask for," I said, returning his grin.
"That's usually the kind of initial task," he replied with a chuckle.
He handed me the map and guided me toward the village's exit.
"The primary monster in this dungeon is the iron-skinned mustang. They're resistant to physical and most magical damage due to their metallic properties. While there are other creatures, they're less significant. The monsters here range from level 12 to 15, so be cautious—especially since you're alone."
"I suggest finding isolated targets and working your way up," he added.
I nodded obediently. While I wasn't an ordinary player, it was always wise to proceed with caution.
After exchanging a few more tips and information, he left me at the entrance leading to the dungeon.
"From here, walk about 800 meters. Thanks to the dungeon, there shouldn't be many monsters or other races nearby—but always stay vigilant."
"Got it. Thanks," I said.
Ignoring the obvious red flag in his parting words, I smiled and proceeded toward the dungeon.