Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Dora’s casual outfit and solitary figure drew more than a few curious glances.

She didn’t flinch. She turned, took a deep breath of the training grounds‘ familiar smell of rust and energy drink, and lifted her chin, striding confidently into the entrance hall.

Her Optical Brain automatically linked to the facility’s network, projecting a holographic guide interface with detailed

zones.

[Comprehensive Combat Zone: recommended for Rank–4+ supernatural ability users: Level–4 and lower alien beasts appear here.]

[High–Risk Alien Beast Hunting Zone: recommended for Rank–6+; Level–6 and lower alien beasts appear here.]

There were even Team Coordination Practice Zone and Supernatural Ability Development Zone…

And then there was the one Dora immediately locked onto: Cub and Female Adaptation & Training Zone.

Tapping it, a notification popped up: [This area simulates a relatively gentle environment. Only Rank–1 alien beasts with extremely low aggression, or otherwise harmless species, are present.]

[It’s primarily designed for cubs to practice basic hunting skills, and for females to train plant recognition, basic defense, and other support abilities.]

[Tasks focus on gathering, observation, assisting, and maintenance. It has a high safety level.]

“Perfect.” Dora snapped her fingers.

She knew that if she was going to survive in this interstellar world, this was the place to start.

The air around the training zone carried dust, a faint tang of rust, and the subtle metallic scent of energy minerals.

Everything here was rougher than Dora had imagined.

The ground was hard–packed dirt, scattered with gravel and the trampled remains of pollution–resistant plants.

In the distance, the sharp cries of small alien beasts echoed, muffled and far away behind protective barriers.

The zones were clearly divided. Near the entrance was the safe experience area, designed specifically for cubs and females.

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Here and there, Dora spotted little ones accompanied by adult male beastfolk, or small groups of females walking together, curious but a little tense.

Their tasks mostly involved collecting harmless mineral samples in designated areas, clearing low–level contaminants, and earning symbolic starcoin rewards.

Dora accepted the most basic task: collect ten standard energy rock fragments.

The reward was barely enough to buy two of the cheapest nutrient drinks. Still, it was the only thing she could do right now with almost no risk.

She needed to learn the area as fast as possible and save some starcoins.

Dora bent down and searched the dusty ground carefully, avoiding suspicious stains and sharp scraps of metal.

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Chapter 13

Whoul proper tools her fingers were soon rubbed red by the rough edges of the rocks.

Every time she picked up a fragment that met the requirement and felt the weak energy pulsing inside it, she silently counted how many more she still needed.

How ironic. The once–proud Southwell daughter ended up as a survivor counting every last coin.

Just as she was focused on digging out the fifth Kagment, something small flickered past behind a pile of discarded metal parts not far away. A faint scraping sound followed, like tiny claws dragging over metal.

Dora froze and looked up warily.

That spot was right on the edge between the safe zone and the buffer area. In theory, no dangerous alien beast should appear there, but that didn’t mean some little thing hadn’t slipped in from deeper inside.

She held her breath and slowly moved a few steps closer, peering through the gaps between the metal parts.

Then she met a pair of eyes. It looked like a little kitten, no bigger than her palm, and it was filthy from head to toe.

The kitten was curled up in a shallow dent on a relatively clean metal plate. Its soft fur was covered in dust and unknown stains, badly matted. One of its hind legs seemed injured, tucked beneath it at an unnatural angle.

But what made Dora’s heart skip was its eyes. They were round and amber.

In the dim light, its pupils had narrowed into thin slits. There was no innocent softness of a baby kitten in them. Instead, they held a fierce, razor–sharp glare, as if trapped inside that tiny body was a wounded beast that still refused to bow.

It stared coldly at Dora, letting out a low rumble from its throat, full of warning.

But even that sound was weak. The tip of its tail drooped withour strength, and only its arched back still held the bare shape of defense.

The contrast was almost ridiculous. It was a miserable, helpless little kitten, yet its eyes practically screamed warning.

Dora’s heart skipped a beat. It was not from fear, but from excitement.

That unyielding, fierce glint in the kitten’s eyes struck a chord in her, a reflection of her own desperate struggle to survive.

And it looked injured and weak.

Almost instinctively, Dora softened her voice and stepped a little closer. “Hey, little one, what are you doing here? Are you

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hurt?”

Her mind flicked to her empty tent and her empty stomach, but looking at those cold, stubborn eyes, a powerful urge surged inside her, a desire to rescue the kitten.

Dora thought, ‘Maybe with a companion, the nights on this wasteland won’t feel so lonely!

The kitten’s pupils narrowed sharply, and its warning rumble grew louder. It tried to retreat, but its injured hind leg made it stumble awkwardly.

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