Surviving The Beast World With My 'Sassy' System-Chapter 36: Invitation To The Tribe

She didn’t hesitate. "Yes. I rely on plants more than anything else—roots, vegetables, stalks, whatever I can find. I’ve learned a wide range of them. If you want to know about them, I can explain whatever you’re curious about."

They exchanged excited glances. Within moments, they brought over one of the bundles of foraged goods they had collected over the past few days. When they unfolded it before her, Lavayla couldn’t help the warm surprise tugging at her mouth.

Inside were Wild peas, Groundnuts, wild peanuts, pineapples, Yams, Sweet potatoes, Cassava, Wild taro, ripe mangoes, unripe mangoes, passion fruits, kiwis, cucumbers, Fatty seeds, Berry seeds and beneath them lay a colorful spread of vegetables—spinach, waterleaf, pumpkin leaves, and wild carrots—along with several types of berries clustered in large woven leaf pouches.

She felt admiration warm her chest. They had gathered far more than she expected, and not just random things either—these were staples, the kind of foods that could sustain a settlement for months if handled right. She looked up at them with an approving smile.

"You people really got some good things. Let me start with the fruit."

"Oh, these are called fruits?" Eiran asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"Yes," she replied, lifting the ripe mango between her fingers, "They’re eaten raw. You just wash them and eat them. So, this is a ripe mango, and this is a non-ripe mango. You see—they’re the same thing, but one is ready to eat and the other isn’t yet. The one that’s not ready is usually sour, and the one that’s ready is sweet."

The women hummed in fascination, several leaning closer.

"These ones are called Legumes." Lavayla shifted her hand to the pile of groundnuts, tracing the familiar shells with her thumb before pausing. "How do you cook them?"

"Oh, we just boil it, add a little rock salt for the children," one of the women answered, scratching her head shyly as if expecting her to scold them for doing it wrong.

Lavayla nodded, impressed by the thoughtfulness. "That’s actually good. Boiling is one of the simplest and safest ways to prepare them. Groundnuts can also be roasted—dry heat brings out the oil inside and makes them crunchy. They’re rich in fat, so they give a lot of energy, especially for warriors who burn through stamina faster than normal people."

A few of them straightened at that, clearly pleased by the idea that their casual snack counted as "warrior food."

She continued smoothly, guiding them without rushing, her voice warm and steady. "Wild peas fall into the same family. You can cook them with roots or vegetables to make them heavier, more filling. They work well in soups, especially when dried first. If you ever pair them with something like yam or sweet potato, you’ll get a meal that keeps you full all day."

"And these—" she lifted a cluster of Fatty seeds "—are extremely useful. They’re small, but each one carries enough oil to keep your strength up during long hunts. You can eat them raw, roast them lightly, or grind them into a paste to mix with other foods."

Beside the seeds, she brushed her fingers over the vegetables that filled the cloth like a miniature harvest festival. "Spinach, waterleaf, pumpkin leaves—these are good for your blood, your strength, and recovery. You cook them lightly; don’t boil the life out of them. Pair them with tubers or meat and you get a balanced meal."

Eiran leaned even closer, eyes practically glowing. "Balanced meal... So these things make us stronger?"

"In the right combinations, yes," Lavayla replied with a small smile. "Meat gives power, but plants keep the body functioning. You can’t build a tribe just on meat alone. You need things like this—roots, vegetables, legumes—to keep your strength steady."

She reached for the yam, running a finger along its rough skin. "Yams, cassava, sweet potatoes, taro—these are your true heavy foods. They’re perfect for children and elders too. Roast them, boil them, pound them, mash them—whatever works. They’re the backbone of a stable diet."

The group murmured among themselves, clearly excited by her explanations, some already making mental notes.

Once the potatoes were done boiling and soft, the warm, earthy scent drifted pleasantly through the air. Lavayla tested one with a forked twig, and when it yielded easily, she picked it out of the pot and held it up for them to see. The skin slipped beneath her fingers as she peeled it in one smooth motion, revealing the steaming, tender flesh underneath.

The Beastmen watched with bright-eyed focus—then, one after another, they reached into the pot with practiced ease, plucking out the softened tubers and carefully peeling them just as she had. Their hands were larger, claws sharper, but they moved with care, mimicking her technique.

The moment they tasted it—oh, the reaction was instant.

"Mmm—" a low hum circulated through the group.

Vira pointed at the peeled potato resting on her leaf, eyes wide with simple joy. "This is so good. So soft. Right, Ressha?"

Ressha nodded with a small, satisfied smile. "Yes, it is very good."

Even the more reserved warriors let out unguarded sounds of appreciation.

Once everyone finished their share—licking fingers, wiping mouths, some even glancing shyly toward the pot as if hoping for more.

Dark cleared his throat twice.

Just loud enough to draw the others’ attention.

Lavayla looked up at him, curious. "You wanted to ask something?"

He glanced at Ressha first—seeking silent confirmation—then squared his shoulders and faced Lavayla with a seriousness that made the others shift slightly as if sensing the importance of the moment.

"Since you do not have somewhere to live..." he began, voice steady but gentler than usual, "Then, would you like to follow us to our tribe? You do not have to worry—we will treat you just like our tribe members. Our chief and the shaman will be very happy to take you in. Actually, everyone in our tribe would be."

Lavayla’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened instinctively around the baby in her lap. She hesitated before speaking, her voice dipping low with honesty. "Won’t me being human be an issue? Because you guys may be kind, but other people won’t be the same as you. In a tribe, there are a lot of different people with different views and personalities. I’m sorry, it’s not that I’m refusing to..." Her gaze dropped to her hands. "Of course I know living solitarily in fear every day isn’t right, but..." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Before she could finish the thought, Garrick suddenly surged to his feet, startling her. He thumped a strong fist against his chest with such conviction the sound echoed.

"Miss Lavayla," he declared, voice loud with sincerity, "I promise you that no one—not even the kids in our tribe—will make life difficult for you. They will not dislike you or make things difficult for you."

His expression was unwavering, fierce with loyalty.