The Black Wolf Witch nodded. "For now, this is all we can do..."

His words had barely left his lips when a black shadow shot out of the basket on Yuan Lang’s back. Before anyone could react, it brandished its claws and pounced on a Black Wolf Tribe Beastman Warrior standing at the very edge of the group.

Everyone’s hearts clenched. A middle-aged Black Wolf Beastman Warrior nearby moved in a flash to attack the shadow, but Yuan Lang grabbed his arm. "Don’t move."

Just then, the Beastman Warrior at the edge let out a pained roar, immediately followed by another cry—one filled with utter satisfaction.

Only then did the group get a clear look at the little black furball. It was a fluffy, chubby little beast.

At that moment, however, the little beast sat ramrod straight, its chubby bottom planted on the ground. One forepaw was on its hip, while a black-and-red insect was impaled on a sharp claw of its other paw.

The insect was struggling, letting out a HISS HISS HISS.

Seeing this, a flash of disdain crossed the little beast’s glossy black eyes. It reached out with the paw on its hip and flicked the insect’s tail, sending it spinning several times around the claw it was impaled on.

The System glanced at the dumbstruck people, pursed its lips, and let out an "awoo."

’Seriously, guys? Can’t you take a hint? Have you never seen one of these things before?’

"AWOO AWOO AWOO!" it yelped, dangling the insect on its sharp claw. The Beastman Warriors and even the Black Wolf Witch could swear they saw a smug look in its tiny eyes.

Everyone turned to Yuan Lang in unison. "That’s a Poisonous Insect, isn’t it?"

Yuan Lang’s face was stiff. "...I think so..."

’Why are you all asking me?’

’As if I’d know!’

’He was starting to have his own doubts. Was this incredible little beast really the one he’d brought back with him?’

At this thought, the Beastman’s eyes narrowed, and he walked straight toward the chubby furball.

The System stood there with its paws on its practically nonexistent hips, its little chin held high. It extended the claw with the impaled Poisonous Insect toward Yuan Lang. "Awoo awoo!"

"I’m not eating it. You can have it."

The System was instantly horrified. It stared down at the black-and-red Poisonous Insect in its paw, which was emitting a strange smell...

It instantly rubbed its little claws together, crushing the life out of the thing, then grabbed a nearby leaf to wipe the insect’s fluids from its paw.

Yuan Lang, who had just reached its side, watched this display with undisguised disgust. He unfastened the bamboo canister at his hip, his gaze cold as he looked at the furball. "Give me your paw. It’s filthy."

The System glared with its little black-bean eyes. "Awoo awoo!"

’I’m the hero who killed the Poisonous Insect! Shouldn’t I be getting some affection for that? Why is he looking at me with disgust instead?’

The little beast’s accusing stare could not have been more obvious. Unfortunately, it wasn’t facing Wu Yue, who had a weakness for fluffy things, but the stoic Yuan Lang.

"Paw!" The Beastman’s gaze was indifferent, completely lacking the gentle warmth he showed when he was with Wu Yue.

Dejectedly, the System held out its chubby paw...

’Of course. Men are such pigs. They call you their treasure when they need you, and when they don’t, you’re less than dirt.’

The furball’s tail, which had been wagging proudly just a moment ago, now drooped.

Meanwhile, the Beastman Warrior whose neck had been scratched by the little furball had his bleeding stopped thanks to the Black Wolf Witch’s treatment. He was now staring at the furball with a burning gaze, his eyes filled with desire.

The Black Wolf Witch approached with a grin like the Big Bad Wolf, squatting down beside the little furball as it scrubbed its chubby paws. "What kind of beast is this little fellow?"

He asked with an air of nonchalance.

Yuan Lang glanced at him. "I don’t know. Wu Yue gave it to me."

Hearing this, the Black Wolf Witch’s eyes lit up. "Are there more? Get me one, too."

The words had barely left his mouth when, before Yuan Lang could respond, the little furball started hopping up and down, waving its two dripping paws. "AWOO AWOO AWOO... AWOO AWOO AWOO AWOO!"

’A special creature like me is one of a kind! What do you mean, ’get you one, too’?’

’Do you think I’m some common chicken at a market stall, waiting to be sold?’

But...

...the perpetually complaining System had completely forgotten its current state.

So, after it had been "awoo-ing" for a good while, the Black Wolf Witch looked at Yuan Lang blankly. "What’s it saying?"

Yuan Lang looked with amusement at the System, which was stunned into silence by the Black Wolf Witch’s question. "I have no idea."

Once the injured Beastman Warrior had recovered a bit, the group dared not linger and set off directly for the Snow Tiger Tribe.

The distance wasn’t great, and by early morning, they had arrived at the entrance to the Snow Tiger Tribe.

The Snow Tiger Tribe Leader, who was just about to lead his Beastmen out on a hunt, was completely baffled by the sight of Yuan Lang with the bedraggled Black Wolf Witch and his Black Wolf Tribe Beastmen.