Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

These craghyenas had clearly heen drawn over by the newly appeared energy source and the scent of “food.” The light of the basic–level shield flickered violently, and it was clear it wouldn’t hold much longer

“Clive is outside.” Dora’s chest tightened, and she got up at once, wanting to go out and check.

“Meow” A sharp, warning cat cry rang out.

Lioren sprang up from the cushion. He staggered a little from his injuries, but he still placed himself between Dora and the door without a moment’s hesitation.

He arched his back, all his fur puffing out again, and his amber eyes fixed on the window. Beyond it, the blurry sight of Clive’s black figure clashing with the craghyenas was already visible.

A shocking presence erupted from Lioren’s tiny body. He thought, ‘It’s dangerous outside. Are yoù, a fragile female, going out there to get yourself killed? Stay here. He turned his head and let out an urgent meow at Dora, his gaze fierce and

anxious.

Dora’s steps faltered. She looked at Lioren’s small form standing protectively in front of her, still so weak himself, and her heart melted,

A

Clive’s fight was over quickly. A few craghyenas didn’t seem to pose much of a threat to him. His black figure moved like a phantom, weaving through lunges and snaps.

A faint glint seemed to flash in his hand, and every strike he made was precise and ruthless. Soon, the dying howls of alien beasts and the heavy thuds of bodies hitting the ground came from outside.

The shield’s vibrations stopped. After a moment, Clive’s voice came through, carrying a barely noticeable trace of breathlessness and coldness. “Handled. Come on out.”

Dora pushed the door open.

Clive stood in the doorway. His combat suit was stained with some dust and blood, and he wore custom fighting gloves on his hands. His eyes remained icy. But when his gaze swept over Dora and confirmed she was unharmed, that iciness softened slightly.

Then his gaze landed on the small cat still standing in front of Dora. Lioren’s posture had relaxed, but he was

still alert.

Clive hadn’t been completely unaware of what had happened inside just now. Lioren stared back at Clive without flinching. Though their sizes were worlds apart, the killing intent in his eyes matched Clive’s perfectly. ୮

Dora looked from Clive to Lioren at her feet and suddenly burst out laughing.

“Not bad,” she remarked, her tone light and brimming with genuine admiration. “I guess we’re comrades who’ve fought together now.”

She bent down. This time, Lioren didn’t dodge and let her pick him up.

Dora stroked Lioren’s head, her voice soft and laced with laughter. “Thanks, fuzzball. But next time, don’t stand in front of me. We can figure things out together.” She had no intention of staying the one being protected forever.

Lioren turned his head away stubbornly, but the tip of his tail lightly hooked around her wrist. He thought, Mind your own business. I’ll protect you if I want to.”

Clive watched the scene, his eyes darkening a little. But in the end, he simply spoke in an indifferem tone, “Those eight

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Chapter 23–

raghyenas dropped three Level–2 crystal cores and four Level–1 crystal cores.”

After saying that, he handed the crystal cores to Dora. “Hold onto these for now. I’ll go process the craghyena hides. They can be used to cover the floor

With that, Clive turned and walked toward the battlefield from earlier to deal with the alien beast remains. His back was still straight and coldly aloof.

Dora stepped forward, following behind Clive. “Clive, wait. Once the meat and hides from those alien beasts are processed, you can store them with me, too.”

Clive didn’t turn around, but he smiled, “Okay.”

In this moment, the unspoken understanding of this home began to take shape.

After everything was taken care of, Dora returned to her tent. She sat cross–legged on her brand–new, thick, soft cushion, with the pale blue light screen projected by her Optical Brain spread open before her.

The tent was quiet. There was only the faint rustle of Dora’s fingers brushing across the light screen, and the distant sounds seeping in from outside the tent.

She could hear the breathing and stirrings of the different males, all of them holding their presence in check.

Clive was in his black military tent. His presence was steady and calm. Elmer had already returned and was in his own tent. He seemed restless, and the occasional rustling of items being organized could be heard from time to time.

Lioren was curled up on the new blanket in the corner of Dora’s tent, resting with his eyes closed. Only the slight rise and fall of his belly and the occasional twitch of his ear tips proved he was still awake.

But Dora had no attention to spare for the subtle atmosphere inside and outside the tent right now. Her entire focus was fixed on the plan before her.

Tonight’s alien beast ambush had been a stark reminder to Dora of how brutal survival could be in this interstellar world. Repairing the house and strengthening the family’s core fighting force were both urgent.

Before teaming up with Mindy’s family, Dora’s current group should first go to the training zone to get in sync. At the very least, her own team needed to build its teamwork chemistry first.

As was her habit, Dora always made a thorough plan before any big decision. First, she sorted out the basic materials for repairing the house.

She pulled up the list of basic building materials she had searched for earlier.

Γ

It included at least four basic–level energy stabilization piles, a massive amount of moisture–proof, heat–insulating composite panels, a basic temperature control module core, a protective energy shield, a water purification and circulation module, and more.

Next to every item was an eye–popping starcoin price, and the available stock all showed zero. Which meant even if she had the starcoins, she couldn’t buy them.

The main route was to go to the training zone to obtain raw materials or complete specific tasks with high rewards in exchange for them.

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