(Gavin)

After recovering from his shock at my power, Greytail directed me to the hill through which we can access their underground society. We also talk a little, mostly to satisfy my curiosity about a few things.

His people don't have mines, so they rely upon whatever materials they acquire from others, and do not have forges themselves. None of the beastkin tribes in the area he knows of do, and his tribes are merged with the bear beastkin tribes, sharing territory and underground caverns.

They also don't have clothes. Apparently, even suggesting they wear them is offensive to his people, though I explained that I had come across a similar type of people before who did wear clothes.

He took great interest in beastborn, and was thoroughly confused by the 'humans with some animal traits'. That's… honestly the best explanation for them. They're basically just humans with some animal traits, as well as the nerf to Experience and shit.

At least he forgave me for the insult, realizing I was being honest in not knowing it was insulting to suggest that beastkin wear clothes. To them, it is shameful to hide one's body.

As we pass through the tunnels and caverns, I notice that we only pass male beastkin of varying ages – no females. They probably keep them elsewhere, just in case.

Greytail stops as I'm examining the tiny tails of the bear beastkin we're passing by while wondering what that familiar smell is, then slowly turns and faces me, frowning.

"What's your CHA?"

"685."

He blanches for a moment, then frowns.

"I've never heard of anyone having such a CHA before."

I show him my Status, and he blanches further, then stutters for a few moments before collecting himself. This is probably the first time I've shown anyone my Status in a long while.

"How did you acquire such high Stats?" He asks.

"Three things," I answer. "The first, as you'll have noticed, is my first Primary Class. It provides a bonus to all Stats currently available, hidden or not, as long as they are not locked. It is also at Tier IV, and has provided a bonus every Level from the start. Then there is the thing called 'Bloodline' you'll have noted. It provides a bonus of 25 to All Possible Stats each Level."

"And you have Advanced your Species to Tier II," he says, gaining us the eyes and ears of every person within range. "I have never heard of such a thing happening before. The only difference I see between you and other Humans are your eyes, and this feeling of… what magic are you using to give me this feeling of inferiority to you? Is it your CHA?"

"It's my Species," I casually remove my robe and tunic, folding them over one arm. "According to the Divine, that feeling is natural, when faced with someone of a higher Tier of Species than you. And my eyes actually have nothing to do with my Species, but something else. My Species has afforded me something else, which I have the capability of 'hiding'."

I manifest my wings, which have to remain partially-folded in order to fit within the cavern we're within.

"It also increases," I say. "The base for all of my abilities beyond that of a normal Human's, so one with the exact same Stats as myself would be weaker."

I release my wings, then pull my tunic and robe back on.

"I assure you, however," I say. "That my only reason for using any of this power would be if you showed hostility while we are attempting peace. Consider me a third party with minimal interest in ending the war. I am here to keep the peace and act as a sort of mediator."

"No wonder the Howls didn't work," he mutters.

"I have Mental Resistance Level 10," I state. "Mind magic would have next-to-no effect on me even without my Stats and Tier II Species."

"You're… a Tier II Human?" General Samuel asks.

Greytail looks between us, then twitches his lips in a smile before resuming his stiff expression.

"Your own ally wasn't aware of this?"

"He is from Trii," I state. "I am from Jozan. I am here to see if there is a way your peoples can find peace. I didn't find it necessary to inform him of my higher status, and nor did I find it relevant to the situation. Shall we continue?"

Greytail's lips twitch once more, then he leads us into another cavern, passing through another room, then I stop and turn, facing the Alpha Wolf Beastkin.

"Is that salt I'm smelling?" I ask. "I wasn't aware we were near the ocean. Though it doesn't smell like the permeated air ocean salt I've smelled before."

Greytail stares at me for several moments, then shakes his head.

"The Snake Beastkin tribes to the east harvest salt from underground," he informs me. "As well as from the ocean to their south."

"Salt?" The General asks. "Your people harvest it?"

It's a rare and expensive mineral used for preserving meats, though it can also be used to season foods. However, due to its rarity and cost, it's only used for preserving meats here. It's been used elsewhere a bit more commonly, though.

In other regions of the world. It still isn't too common, but preserved meats are more common for travelers out there.

"Likely through the mining process," I say. "Commonly used in Shelri, to the northeast. They also likely use solar evaporation."

"What is solar evaporation?"

"Evaporating water in shallow ponds," I say. "Leaving behind just the salt. It's a bit more complicated than that simple process, but that's how it was explained to me."

"Indeed," Greytail nods, his tail flicking a little. "You have come across it before?"

"Elsewhere," I nod.

"Elsewhere?" He asks. "I've known only of the Snake Beastkin who utilize it."

"You know of how the world is a sort of loop?" I ask. "One that causes you to circle around the continent?"

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Yes."

"That isn't the whole world," I state. "But simply part of it. We live within one of our world's many regions, believing this to be the whole world. Each region believes them to be the whole world. There are ways to travel between them. There are powerful barriers separating them. Eventually, they will be taken down.

"That is neither here nor there, though," I say. "I have traveled to several regions of the world, and heard of the method of solar evaporation in one of them, during my time studying under some masters of Aura."

"You can wield Aura?" Greytail asks, then frowns. "Right. That was in your Status. I've never heard of an ARA so high before."

"As a gesture of goodwill from Jozan," I say. "I would be happy to grant you several Aura Expansion Techniques. However, they do require some basic understanding of Dekami Runic Language. As long as you know the runes and how to apply them properly, you will be able to increase your Aura Pool through the methods."

"By up to twenty points apiece," he nods. "We have knowledge of four."

"I can double that for you," I state. "And again, this is as a gesture of goodwill from Jozan. Do not allow it to affect your discussions with Trii, as it is unrelated."

He nods, then continues leading us to the chamber that was our destination the entire time. There are several pieces of furniture, all made of wood, no cushioning at all. Several guards stand nearby, though Greytail tells them after several minutes of discussions that there is no need for them.

They don't want to leave, but they do.

Around twenty minutes after the guards leave, a female wolf beastkin enters with a tray of drinks with a bitter smell to them. It is a deep, dark brown, almost black, liquid that is steaming hot.

Is this…?

She serves it to us, and I take a sip of it. Far too bitter for my taste, though Greytail drinks it without issue. The General is hesitant, though I assure him that there are no toxins in it, if that's what he's nervous of.

Greytail is obviously irked at the suggestion.

Please remember, I think into his mind, and he stiffens. That you have been at war with his people for a long time. His mind naturally went to the thought that perhaps you would poison him after getting him comfortable. It is a long-standing war tactic, poisoning your enemies.

"What is this drink?" The General picks up his mug. They're made of ceramic, not metal. "I have never seen such a thing before, nor heard of one."

"We call it 'coffee'," Greytail answers.

"It is good," I say. "For when you are tired, though there are those who drink it at any time of the day. An excellent drink for when you have a long night ahead of you for paperwork, General. I believe it is something that nobles of all nations might desire for those long parties. I have also heard that it is excellent for dealing with a hangover, though the one who told me that has never experienced either."

"You have had coffee before?" Greytail asks.

"Never," I answer.

"You failed to react when you tasted it," he says. "How high is your Acting Skill?"

"Level 10."

He thinks for several moments.

"I know someone who comes from an area where coffee was common," I say. "He informed me of the existence of coffee. Only with my Language Skills allowing for translation of words into my native tongue was I even aware that you were referring to the same item, though I suspected when I tasted it. To reduce the bitterness of the coffee, some people would add sugar, milk, or honey to it.

"While Trii does have several farms where animals are miked," I say. "Naira possesses both sugar and honey. In addition, the scent of alcohol has not entered my nose at least once. Trii is famous for several of its brews and wines.

"This, right here," I say. "Are different things at least three tribes of beastkin could trade with two Human kingdoms. In addition, the Human nations could also trade various supplies to your people."

"Such as?" Greytail asks.

"Are you aware," I say. "That drinking from stone increases the odds of sickness? The stone cannot be properly cleaned, after all. Not without magic. Using metal or glass cups would decrease the amount of your people who grow sick from simply having a drink. If you would prefer more comfortable seating arrangements, you could trade for cushions for your seats – or even seats that have them built into them.

"Of course," I say. "Since your people have been at war with the Human Kingdoms for so long, people would be suspicious of consumables on both sides. The Human people would likely demand some sort of payment from you as proof that you bear no ill intent towards them.

"That is stupid and foolish," I say. "As they are just to blame for the war as you are. If the two of you settle for simply peace, then that is well. If you would settle for trades of some sort, then that is well as well. My only interest here is seeing if peace is feasible. Whether or not it is will be up to the leaders of the beastkin tribes and the representatives of the Human kingdoms.

"And so," I say. "If you would kindly inform the four beastkin hiding behind the false wall that they may listen to us and actually participate, then I believe we can begin, yes?"

Greytail twitches his ears for a moment.

"You are perceptive."

"You've seen my Stats."

"Indeed, I have," his lips twitch into a smile for a moment, then return to his moody expression.

He's definitely more in-tune with his animal side than Michael was, and yet… the beastkin aren't that much different. In fact, I'd say there's really just a physical difference between the two sides, though that's yet to be seen as being wholly true.

"Enter."

The wall behind Greytail swings open, startling the General. An Alpha Wolf Beastkin walks out, along with two Alpha Bear Beastkin. The fourth one is an Alpha Tiger Beastkin.

He has white fur on his chest and face, the rest of his body covered in orange fur with black stripes. Unlike the others, his face more closely resembles his animal species, protruding out a bit more like a tiger's than a human's. He has a pair of triangular ears atop his head, just like a tiger's, and a long, slim tail, striped as well.

The General stares at the Tiger Beastkin, and I remember that tigers… aren't exactly a common thing. Or known. I noticed some jungles to the southwest as we flew to the mountains… is he from those tribes?

"I wasn't aware there were Tiger Beastkin in the area," I say. "I was wondering if there were only bears and wolves here."

"It has been a long time," the Alpha Tiger Beastkin, Grazin Flametail, says. "Since my people have come anywhere close enough to interact with Humans. How do you know of tigers?"

Nies? I check to see if my patron is paying attention. Would you mind sending me one of your tigers?

No.

No, you don't mind?

Too lazy.

There are Tiger Beastkin here.

"Seriously?" Nies appears next to me. "OH, MY GOODNESS! THERE ARE!"

He's riding a tiger. As usual.

"Flametail," I say. "Allow my to introduce my patron Divine Being, Nies, the Origin of Adventures. He has a fascination with big cats, especially tigers, as you can see."

"Can I ride you?" Nies asks, and the Tiger Beastkin looks horrified.

"He's a person, not a mount," I say. "You're a Divine Being, Nies. Will you act like it for once?"

"Want me to Smite you?"

"The person who net you millions of followers and made the first shrine to you in thousands of years?"

"That won't work forever."

Keep telling yourself that.

He probably will.

"I can sense him," Nies scans the room. "I KNOW THAT'S YOU, NAHOR! TWIST TOLD ME!"

"My apologies," I say to the startled beastkin and General. "Nies… is a bit more childish than most Divine Beings. Don't be fooled, however, as he's the second-eldest in existence. He could wipe out this entire world with a flex of his Divine fingers – and accidentally, too. Nies, you're drooling."

"I wanna ride the kitty."

"Will you act your age?" I ask. "And you're already riding one."

Nies looks down at his mount.

"Yeah," he looks at me, snuggling into the fur. "He's so warm and cozy. I invented tigers, you know."

"To impress Ultarna," I say. "Yes, I'm aware. How is your newest girlfriend?"

"Pregnant," he sighs. "We're expecting another boy sometime in the next… sometime. Divine pregnancies are weird. Her hiccups are cute, too."

He sighs again, a happy look on his face.

"I was asking him to send one of his Sacred Tigers here," I look at Flametail. "And as soon as I said there was a Tiger Beastkin, he showed up. Being a God of Chaos means he's a bit… unpredictable. Though in hindsight, I probably should've expected that.

"Anyway," I say. "Nies here created tigers himself, and they're his Sacred Animal. One of them, anyway. So while we may not have seen them, considering what we'd have to go through to get to your region, I'm aware of them because of Nies.

"Speaking of whom," I look at my patron. "How does your son feel about getting another brother?"

"Ugh," he sighs, vanishing, alongside his tigers.

"So," I look at the Alpha Tiger Beastkin. "Was this the first time you've ever encountered a Descended Divine Being? If so, what are your thoughts?"