Exiled Villainess: They Threw Me Out, Now Every Beastman Wants Me novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Nature’s Rubbish Pile

The storm had already built half her shelter for her.

She had constantly been having the system scan the area since it had a limited range, and she had to keep checking each distance they passed.

But Tera finally found a spot. It was a disaster, but one she could work with.

The flash flood had ripped through this section of the hillside like an angry god, uprooting massive trees and flinging them into the rocky outcrops like matchsticks.

Three enormous trunks had wedged themselves between stone formations at different heights along the slope, their root systems jutting upward like wooden walls waiting to be finished.

These three had especially called across a smaller hillside slope, forming a somewhat natural barrier against the entrance of a wide, gaping hole.

Remembering how she had hidden with Ermin from the first storm, her trained eye felt this would be a perfect spot.

Especially since there were more rocks than mud in this area.

’System, please scan this formation. I need its structural integrity, size, and if that hole leads to a larger space inside.’

[Scanning...]

[( ⊙_⊙)]

[How did you find this?]

’What do you mean, how? You scanned the area!’

[Isn’t your task to construct emergency flood defences—]

’Just do what I asked! Of course, I won’t leave the shelter as it is!’

[Structural Assessment Complete]

[Multiple connected enclosures along slope at staggered elevations]

[Upper pockets: Well above the estimated flood line. Wind-sheltered by root systems and rock]

[Mid pockets: Above flood line. Partial wind exposure. Adequate with reinforcement]

[Lower pocket: Marginal. Near the entrance. Exposed to wind and rain splashes. Above flood line but vulnerable to spray and cold]

[Warning: Earth in this area is soft. Internal walls in several pockets show signs of crumbling. Structural reinforcement of internal supports is recommended to prevent collapse]

Tera nodded.

This might definitely count as construction. She had gotten a point just for tying sticks together during the last storm to help the beasts.

Surely, reinforcing an entire multi-level shelter system from natural debris is qualified.

[This system did not account for Host repurposing natural storm debris as a structural framework]

[This system is recalibrating its assessment of Host’s intelligence]

[Upward]

Tera would have gloated if she weren’t freezing and running out of time.

’Don’t tell me you freaking expected me to build something from scratch in such an environment?!’

[(ᵕ—ᴗ—)]

Tera turned to the clan before she could start throttling a floating screen.

"We should stay here!" she announced, gesturing at the slope.

They stared at the jumble of fallen trees, exposed roots, and muddy rocks with the enthusiasm of people being told their new home was nature’s rubbish pile.

Several of them were still avoiding her eyes from the cub-induced confession earlier. The fox-eared woman looked like she’d rather chew off her own tail than take orders from the shiftless troublemaker.

One beast man had his arms crossed so tightly it looked like he was trying to fold himself into a defensive cube.

"And why should we listen to you? Do you know anything about—"

Someone smacked the other beast’s head. "She helped us back then. Why not now?"

"But the storm has ended."

’Not this again!’

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