Surviving The Beast World With My 'Sassy' System

Chapter 93: Rewards

They were still holding each other when the voice returned.

Though it still had that coldness in it, with that unshakable authority, the tone carried a faint warmth now, as though it had stepped a fraction closer to them.

"Both candidates have successfully passed the inheritance trial and have proven themselves worthy successors. You will now inherit the Ancient Ravine Mist Space."

Lavayla stilled.

The words settled over her, but her mind did not linger on them. Something else tugged at her attention. Vai.

She lifted her head, her gaze moving quickly across their surroundings, searching.

Where was he? She hadn’t seen him since she got out of the illusion.

Then she saw a basket sitting a short distance away, half-hidden where they had left it earlier. Her breath caught as she spotted the small form inside.

"Vai..."

She pulled away from Mirek without thinking and hurried toward it. Her chest tightened with every second until she reached the basket. As she drew closer, a faint shimmer revealed itself, a translucent barrier wrapped gently around it.

Lavayla slowed, her hand hovering for a moment before she leaned in.

Vai lay inside, curled up and asleep, completely undisturbed.

The tension left her body all at once. She let out a breath she had not realized she was holding, her shoulders easing as relief spread through her. A small, helpless smile tugged at her lips as she reached in and carefully lifted him into her arms.

He was warm and safe.

Behind her, Mirek approached. The moment he saw Vai, the last of the strain left his face, his expression softening.

He did not say anything at first. He just looked.

Then he closed the distance and wrapped his arms around both of them.

Lavayla let out a soft sound of surprise as she was pulled forward, her body pressed against his chest. One of his arms came around her back, firm and steady, holding her and the child securely between them.

For a moment, she froze.

Then she felt the slight tension in his hold, the way his breath left him, uneven and quiet, as if he had been holding it in.

Her grip on Vai tightened just a little.

"...We’re fine," she murmured, the words softer than she intended.

She was not sure if she was saying it to him or to herself.

Mirek did not answer, but his hold did not loosen.

Lavayla let herself lean into him.

For a few seconds, she did not move at all. She could feel the steadiness of his hold and the faint unevenness in his breathing as it gradually settled. The tension in her own chest loosened in response.

She shifted slightly, careful not to disturb the child in her arms, then lifted her free hand and tapped Mirek lightly against his side.

"Hey," she said softly.

Mirek loosened his hold at once, though his hands lingered for a brief moment before he stepped back. His gaze flicked over her face, then to Vai, as if making sure they were truly fine before letting go completely.

Lavayla adjusted her hold on Vai, then turned her attention forward. Her chin lifted slightly as her eyes moved upward, searching the empty space as though she could trace the voice back to its source.

"Okay," she began, her tone steady but still carrying a trace of leftover breathlessness, "so now that we are done with the trial, you said we will be inheriting the space. How are we going to go about that?"

She shifted her weight, glancing briefly at the uneven ground beneath her feet before looking up again.

"And can we leave this place first? I would like to... sit somewhere comfortable before the whole procedure starts. If there is a procedure."

The voice answered without delay.

"Of course. I apologize for not considering that."

The moment the words settled, the space around them began to change.

The ground beneath their feet lost its solid definition, dissolving into drifting strands of pale mist. The air thinned, the edges of the world blurring. The shapes of the ravine stretched and unraveled, fading into nothing.

Lavayla’s grip tightened instinctively around Vai. Her eyes moved quickly, taking in the shifting space, and then she turned toward the baskets they had left behind.

She stepped forward at once, crouching to gather them. Her fingers closed around the woven handles, careful not to crush the fragile shoots and saplings inside. Once she had both secured, she straightened, her eyes closing for a brief second as the last of the mist swallowed everything.

When she opened them again, the world had changed.

Soft light greeted her first.

Then greenery.

It stretched out in every direction, deep and vibrant, layered with shades so rich they almost felt unreal. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of earth and blossoms. A stream wound its way through the open land, its surface catching the light in small, shifting ripples. Trees rose in gentle clusters, their branches full and wide, heavy with leaves and fruit. Wildflowers spread across the ground in loose, natural patterns, their colors bright but not overwhelming.

Birdsong filled the air, clear and unhurried, wings fluttered softly as butterflies drifted between the flowers.

Lavayla stood still, her fingers tightening slightly around the basket handle as she took it all in.

Her lips parted, but no words came out at first.

Mirek stepped up beside her. His gaze moved slowly across the landscape, his posture still, though there was a faint surprise in his expression.

Lavayla finally found her voice.

"Where are we?"

"We are at the core of the Ravine Mist Space," the voice replied. "You should take a seat first."

Lavayla nodded automatically, though her eyes were still moving, trying to take in everything at once.

"But there is nowhere to..."

Her words trailed off as she turned back.

A long stone bench stood just behind them, smooth and solid, as though it had always been there.

Lavayla blinked, then let out a small breath that sounded halfway between a laugh and disbelief.

"...Right."

She moved toward it and sat down, setting the baskets carefully at her side before adjusting Vai in her arms. She shifted him so he rested more comfortably against her, his small body leaning lightly into her as he remained asleep.

Mirek took a seat beside her.

The voice spoke again.

"Now, before we begin, I had said there would be an additional reward, as I pulled both of you into your trials without prior notice. You may state what you want."

Lavayla’s brows lifted slightly.

"Anything we want?"

"As long as it is within the space’s capabilities."

Lavayla hesitated. Her fingers brushed lightly over Vai’s back as she thought, her gaze dropping for a moment before she turned toward Mirek.

He met her eyes and gave a small nod, his expression calm, as if telling her to choose without hesitation.

A faint smile curved at her lips.

"I actually have not thought about it before," she admitted, then paused, something settling into place in her mind. "But there is something I want."

Her grip on Vai tightened just slightly, not enough to disturb him.

"For my reward... I want Shalika to remain here. I do not want her to disappear. Can you do that?"

The voice did not answer immediately.

The silence stretched for a brief moment, just long enough for Lavayla to feel the significance of her own request.

Then it spoke.

"If this is your request, it can be granted. However, this will count as your reward. There will be no additional opportunity."

Lavayla nodded without hesitation.

"I understand. I am just glad it is possible."

There was a pause.

Then the voice continued.

"Your request will be granted. However, you still retain the right to ask for another reward."

Lavayla blinked.

"What?" She leaned forward slightly, her brows drawing together. "What do you mean? I just used my reward. Why would I still get another one?"

"Because your first request reflects both your suitability as a successor and serves the interests of the space. Preserving the forest guardian benefits this domain."

For a moment, Lavayla simply stared ahead.

Then a smile spread across her face, slow and bright, her eyes softening as she turned to glance at Mirek.

She let out a quiet breath, "...I see."

Lavayla looked forward again and shook her head gently. "In that case, I will keep the second one for now. I have not thought of anything else yet."

"That is acceptable."

The voice shifted its attention.

"To you, Beastman. What do you want?"

Mirek turned slightly toward Lavayla. She met his gaze and gave a small nod.

"Go on," she said. "Ask for something you want."

He held her gaze for a moment, then looked forward again.

"I would like to enter both the stone desert illusion and the gravity illusion for training whenever I choose."

"Your request is granted, Mirek."

There was no delay this time.

"As long as you remain within the Ravine Mist Space, you may summon either illusion at will. You will have full control over their duration and intensity."

Mirek gave a short nod.

"That is enough."

The voice continued, its tone carrying that same quiet steadiness, though the faint warmth from before had not completely faded.

"Now that the rewards have been distributed, we will proceed with the inheritance."

Lavayla straightened slightly, her attention focused.

"From this moment onward, both of you will hold complete authority over the Ancient Ravine Mist Space."

A brief pause followed.

Then, calmly:

"Let us begin."