WORLD OF BEASTS: A Girl For The Beasts

A False Appearance

Chapter 031: A False Appearance

“A village chief... A man who's supposedly ninety-seven years old?! BLACK ORCHID really exists!”

Without realizing it, Anindira cried out in her own language, her small voice trembling with a mixture of astonishment and shock.

Mischa glanced briefly at Halvir, a puzzled expression crossing his face—this was the first time he had heard a statement like that.

“I don't know either,” Halvir answered honestly, a faint smile forming on his lips. “But you'll get used to it eventually.”

“What?!” Mischa responded with his mouth hanging open, clearly confused.

Anindira lowered her head for a moment, trying to process the absurd situation. Her mind drifted back to the conversation she had shared with Halvir the previous night.

Halvir was forty-five years old. Hans was thirty-five.

Yet both men appeared remarkably youthful, handsome, strong, and carried the aura of mature adults. Even if they enrolled in a high school as students, aside from their bearing and attitude, no one would ever guess their real ages.

Mischa, a village chief nearly a century old, looked little different from Halvir—slightly more mature, perhaps, but still possessing that same ageless appearance.

“The appearances of the Beasts in this world are fake. They don't match their ages,” Anindira murmured inwardly. “Even so... their bodies are different. Their bodies carry traces of experience.”

Her thoughts drifted to the young man who had approached them by the river, comparing the scars on his body to those of Hans, Halvir, and Mischa.

“The scars on his body are nothing more than cat scratches compared to Halvir's and Mischa's. Halvir's and Mischa's wounds are deep, and there are more than one of them. They came from different periods of time. That means... they've gone through terrible experiences over and over again. Is life in this world really that harsh? Three months... and I still don't fully understand the situation here,” Anindira thought, her eyes studying every scar, trying to measure the hidden experiences engraved upon the powerful bodies of the two men.

“Dira, hey!”

Halvir called out, gently but firmly shaking Anindira's shoulder.

“Huh?!” Anindira exclaimed, startled out of her thoughts, her face flushing red. “What?!”

“I didn't bring you here so you could stare at Mischa like that...” Halvir said firmly, his serious tone leaving no room for her curiosity.

“Hm... oh right...” Anindira replied absentmindedly, still half lost in thought, an awkward smile appearing on her lips.

“Dira,” Halvir called again, sounding slightly annoyed, “were you really staring at Mischa's body?!”

“Hm, yes...” Anindira replied before suddenly realizing what Halvir had said. “What?! No! Um... forgive me... I didn't mean to be rude...”

“Why were you staring at Mischa's body?” Halvir pressed, his brows furrowing sternly.

“What?!”

“You were staring at Mischa's body... do you like him?!”

“Kak Halvir!”

Anindira cried out in irritation, grabbing Halvir's hand tightly as she rejected the accusation.

“Hey, Halvir, calm down!” Mischa intervened, his voice gentle yet firm. “There's no way that's the case. I'm sure she knows I already have a mate.”

“Exactly!” Anindira exclaimed, instantly joining forces with Mischa against Halvir. “I'm not interested in an old man who already belongs to someone else!”

Halvir looked at both of them, clearly dissatisfied with that answer.

“Then why were you staring at Mischa's body?”

“Because I was curious!” Anindira answered loudly, meeting Halvir's gaze directly. “I wanted to know what kind of events left those scars on both of you. Kak Halvir saw me looking at Uncle Mischa, so you should know I was looking at your body too!”

Mischa froze in surprise, staring at Anindira with admiration. The girl's courage in confronting Halvir so openly and firmly caught him completely off guard.

“Hahaha...”

Mischa burst into warm, lighthearted laughter.

“Now I understand why you rejected everyone else but can't let her go.”

At that moment, Halvir immediately understood what Mischa meant, and all he could mutter was,

“You think you know everything.”

“Of course I do. I've watched you grow from a child into the man you've become today,” Mischa replied with a smile.

Halvir gave up arguing. He simply lowered his head slightly and allowed Mischa to continue speaking.

Inside, Anindira was startled.

“Oh... now I understand... he's not just a village chief to Kak Halvir...”

“Anindira, wait a moment!” Mischa said kindly but firmly.

He hurried upstairs, then returned a short while later carrying a young girl in his arms.

Anindira's eyes immediately lit up.

The girl was petite, not much different from Anindira herself. She was the first woman Anindira had met in this BEAST WORLD.

Her long, straight caramel-colored hair looked somewhat dull and tangled, but her clear hazel eyes radiated cheerfulness. Her defined jawline, balanced forehead, and prominent cheekbones gave her a striking sense of determination.

“This is my daughter, Zia. She turned eighteen this year,” Mischa said as he introduced her. “Zia, this is Anindira. Halvir is leaving her in my care for a while... could you look after her and let her stay with you?”

Zia smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

With practiced ease, she climbed down from her father's arms, skipped toward Anindira, took her hand, and immediately linked arms with her.

“We're going to play together! How old are you, Anindira?” Zia asked warmly and openly, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

“The same age as you... eighteen,” Anindira replied with a smile, warmth spreading through her heart.

The happiness instantly washed away the lingering awkwardness and jealousy she had felt moments ago.

Zia's friendliness and familiarity made Anindira feel comfortable—as though she had found her first friend in this strange world.

“We're the same age!” Zia replied happily, her eyes sparkling at the thought of having someone to play with.

Just as Halvir had said, Zia was cheerful and straightforward, very much like Anindira.

It was no wonder Halvir often mentioned her name from time to time.

Halvir and Mischa smiled as they watched the two teenagers become friends almost immediately upon their first meeting. A warm atmosphere settled over the village chief's yard.

“All right, Village Chief, these are for you...” Halvir said, handing three *Amber to Mischa.

“Halvir, that's not necessary,” Mischa replied, politely refusing with a wave of his hand. “You've already helped me plenty. Looking after one extra girl isn't a problem...” he continued sincerely.

“I know, but no,” Halvir said firmly. “It's my responsibility as her man. You have every right to accept this. Besides, there are two women here for you to take care of, and you'll need it. I don't want my woman owing a debt to anyone—especially another man.”

“Halvir, I already have a mate...”

“I know. That's exactly why I'm entrusting her to you. You'll also have to keep away any single men who might approach her,” Halvir replied seriously, fixing Mischa with a sharp stare.

Mischa let out a long sigh.

“Huft... fine, have it your way. Nothing I say is going to change your mind.”

He surrendered, fully aware that Halvir had firmly claimed his woman.

Halvir smiled in satisfaction.

“Dira, be a good girl and wait for me to come home!”

He gently stroked Anindira's head, lowered his face, and kissed her forehead.

“Try causing a little less trouble while I'm gone,” he whispered softly.

At first, Anindira felt touched by the kiss.

But the moment she heard Halvir's message, irritation immediately appeared on her face.

Even so, deep down she wanted to hug Halvir one more time.

She held herself back.

She didn't want to make this farewell any harder than it already was.

“Village Chief, I'm leaving her in your care,” Halvir said, taking a deep breath.

“Go, and come back as soon as possible!” Mischa replied, patting Halvir on the back. His eyes carried both concern and trust.

Anindira could only watch Halvir's back as he slowly walked away, his steps steady as he left the yard.

Her lips trembled as she held back tears she could not release.

One hand remained pressed against her chest, as though she wanted to feel Halvir's warmth one last time before they were truly separated.