Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Dora stood in the middle of Ker new home, facing the wind and sand in silence.

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The sky was slowly darkening. Just as she stared at the barren land and tried to figure out how she was supposed to get through the night, a concerned female voice came from nearby.

“Huh? A female?” The voice was a little husky but bright.

Dora startled and spun around.

On the neighboring land, which looked just as barren but had at least been roughly cleared around the edges, stood a young female in durable work pants and an old jacket.

She seemed to be in her twenties, tall and fit, with healthy tan skin and neat short hair. Her features were clean and pretty, especially under the last glow of the setting sun.

Right now, she was looking Dora over with amber eyes full of curiosity and concern.

She asked, “Why are you standing here all by yourself? This dump isn’t safe after dark, especially for a single female like you.”

*

The neighbor, Mindy Finn, crossed the weak shield boundary in quick steps and came over. Her gaze swept over Dora’s thin, wrinkled coat, then her pale, exhausted face that still couldn’t hide how delicate and pretty she was.

Mindy frowned. “Where’s your beast mate? How could he leave you here alone? Did you just get this plot assigned?”

Clive’s cold, gloomy face flashed through Dora’s mind when she heard Mindy mention her beast mate.

She immediately shook the thought away and replied, “He’s… uh, busy with work. Super busy. He works for the interstellar survey team. Yeah, he got called out on an emergency mission. Not sure when he’ll be back.”

Dora came up with a lie so lame that even she could barely stand it. She then added an exaggerated helpless gesture. “So I had to come check the place out first. And, well… didn’t expect it to be this close to nature.”

Mindy nodded like she understood. A trace of sympathy crossed her eyes. Clearly, she didn’t fully buy it, but she didn’t

press.

“So what are you planning to do tonight? Just stand here?” asked Mindy.

Dora forced an awkward smile. “Still figuring that part out.”

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“It gets freezing here at night. Sometimes we even get small radiation dust storms or low–level alien beasts passing through. That starter energy shield won’t protect you from much. I walked right through it like nothing, didn’t I?”

Seeing that Dora was clearly trying to hold herself together despite being helpless, Mindy sighed. Then she turned toward her own land and said, “Rock, bring out that spare tent we used in the training zone. Hurry!”

At the edge of Mindy’s land, a makeshift shelter had been erected from scrap boards and waterproof cloth. It wasn’t much, but it offered cover and protection, a small sign of life in the barren landscape.

A broad–shouldered man poked his head out, glanced over at Dora, and gave a simple reply, “Got it.”

He turned back inside and quickly returned with a large, grayish tent bag. It looked a bit old and worn, but still intact

Dora waved her hands and said, “Oh, you don’t have to-

3:31 pm P p p.

Chapter S.

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Nu heel for that We’re neighbors,” Mindy said with a bright laugh. “When we first got here, we didn’t have anything either. Being neighbors means helping each other out.

“The tent is a little old, but it protect against wind, light radiation, and small alien beast bites. Just use it for now.”

Mindy took the tent bag from her beast mate and shoved it gently but firmly into Dora’s arms.

The bag was heavy, smelling faintly of dust and un–baked fabric, but the weight pressed into Dora’s arms, sending a strange, sold sense of warmth through her.

Mindy added, “This tent is a bit worn, but it’s waterproof and windproof. There’s a thin mat inside too. Rock, grab a blanket for her as well.”

Soon, Rock returned with a thick synthetic blanket, edges a little frayed. “It’s a bit old, but washed clean. Use it for now.”

“Thank you so much,” Dora said, holding the heavy bundle close. A long–dormant mix of relief and gratitude stirred in her chest.

In a cold, harsh world like this, the kindness of strangers felt especially precious.

“I’m Mindy Finn, and this is my beast mate, Rock,” Mindy introduced herself. “We’re neighbors now. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.

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“Oh, and make sure your beast mate comes back soon. At least get the basic shield and living module set up first. That’s the most important thing.”

Dora listened carefully and nodded.

Mindy waved her hand and said to Rock again, “Rock, help her set up the tent. Put it in the middle of her land and make sure it’s stable. I’ll grab a hot nutrient drink for her. She looks so pale”

Rock nodded and quickly opened the tent bag, taking out the frame and fabric.

He was strong, but his movements were surprisingly careful. Before long, he had set up a small gray dome–shaped shelter in the middle of Dora’s bare land.

It was simple, but the moment it stood, it cut off the empty wasteland outside and gave her a temporary place to hide from the world.

Mindy soon came back from her shelter with a small heater. On top of it sat a warm tube of standard nutrient drink.

Mindy handed it to Dora and said, “Drink this first and warm up. You can figure out the rest tomorrow. We’ll head back now. Have a good night.”

Dora nodded gratefully, held the warm nutrient drink in both hands, and ducked into the newly set–up tent.

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