Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 23: Obsession
"The adult Magnaris of the previous generation, along with the few surviving elders, appear to be heavily inclined toward breeding."
Roman carved the observation into the stone wall using the written symbols he had gradually developed for the Magnari language.
Over the years, he had transformed their spoken tongue into a complete writing system of its own.
Now that the Magnaris had fully adopted the language he had painstakingly taught them, there was nothing preventing him from introducing writing itself.
It would undoubtedly prove far more difficult than teaching vocabulary through speech alone.
But it had to be done.
There were plans he intended to realize in the distant future, and no civilization without writing could preserve knowledge beyond a single generation.
He continued carving.
"The onset of puberty in male Magnaris begins at approximately thirteen years of age. The changes are drastic. Their vocal cords gradually deepen, their complexion darkens, and both their physical strength and aggression increase noticeably."
"Throughout this period, male Magnaris experience considerable emotional instability. Their judgment becomes easier to influence, making them significantly more susceptible to manipulation than before." frёeωebɳovel.com
Roman paused briefly before carving the next section.
"Female Magnaris, on the other hand, enter puberty much earlier—around nine years of age."
"Unlike the males, their voices become softer, while their skin undergoes another complete shedding cycle, much like terrestrial snakes. The newly formed layer possesses a smoother texture and far more vibrant coloration, naturally enhancing their physical attractiveness."
"Their mentality also develops differently."
"They become more emotionally grounded, mature at a much faster pace, and display a noticeably stronger curiosity toward unfamiliar emotions and interpersonal bonds."
"As their bodies continue maturing, specialized glands gradually develop for egg production. Unlike human females on Earth, however, Magnaris do not experience menstruation."
"Instead, at regular intervals, their bodies release a unique pheromonal toxin."
"It serves two purposes."
"First, it acts as a biological signal indicating reproductive readiness."
"Second, should they desire it, they can consciously intensify its fragrance into a naturally alluring scent, attracting the particular male toward whom they hold affection."
The shedding of skin was the very reason Roman had chosen a cave far from the settlement.
Gre Ka Chu was currently undergoing the process. Though many female Magnaris considered it rather embarrassing, she had stubbornly insisted that Roman remain by her side, claiming she feared something might go wrong during the shedding.
Roman knew exactly what she was trying to do.
After all, Gre Ka Chu had long since grown into one of the strongest females in the settlement. With the techniques he had personally taught her, she could most likely defeat several ordinary male Magnaris if she truly wished to. Such strength hardly matched the timid excuse she had offered.
Still...
Roman never pointed it out.
Instead, he simply regarded it as yet another opportunity to observe the biology of the species he himself had created.
’It’s fascinating...’
’To think an entirely different species would mature in such a way.’
Quietly, he whispered,
"Status."
[Name: Gre Ka Go (Pseudonym in Effect)]
[Age: 12 Years]
[Affinity: Fire]
[Believers: 0]
[Lifespan: 100 Years]
[Karma Points: 475]
Three years had already passed since the incident with Vardantooth.
During those three years, the Magnari tribe had undergone remarkable changes. Every Magnari who had chosen to remain beside Roman had steadily grown stronger under his guidance, while an entirely new generation had already been born, learning to walk, speak, and wield their tiny hands with surprising dexterity.
As Gree Ma Go’s generation reached childhood, the adult Magnaris once again entered their peculiar state of hibernation. Several months later, they returned carrying new eggs, adding yet another generation to the steadily expanding settlement.
Roman had eventually concluded that it was simply part of the Magnaris’ natural reproductive cycle.
Whenever they wished to breed, bonded pairs would leave the settlement together, isolate themselves for several months, then return carrying fertilized eggs to be raised alongside the rest of the tribe.
An unusual yet surprisingly efficient system.
Another interesting observation was the stark behavioral difference between the two sexes.
Female Magnaris were remarkably possessive.
Once they acknowledged a male as their partner, they desired him to remain theirs alone, rarely showing any interest in another afterward.
The males, on the other hand, behaved almost oppositely. They enjoyed displaying their strength before multiple females, instinctively flaunting their abilities as though attempting to establish themselves as the superior choice.
Roman quietly committed the observation to memory.
Among the two elder pairs who had remained beside him, only one was still capable of reproducing. The older pair had instead taken responsibility for raising the younger hatchlings while the others entered hibernation.
From merely twenty Magnaris...
Their numbers had already risen to thirty-five.
And Roman knew full well that by the time he himself stepped into adulthood, the settlement would most likely be bustling with life.
"Mmh..."
A soft, almost honeyed voice escaped Gre Ka Chu’s lips.
Roman shifted his gaze toward her once more.
Thin layers of her old scales gradually separated from her body, peeling away one after another to reveal the smoother, healthier layer beneath. The entire process reminded him somewhat of Earth’s serpents, yet it appeared far more refined, almost as though the Magnari body was meticulously renewing itself rather than merely discarding old skin.
He watched the phenomenon with genuine curiosity, committing every minute change to memory.
’How fascinating...’
As the final layers slowly slipped free, Gre Ka Chu quietly lowered her gaze.
Whether it was because of embarrassment...
Or because Roman’s attention had remained fixed on her from beginning to end...
Even she wasn’t entirely sure.
A faint crimson blush gradually spread across her face as she instinctively stole another glance at him.
’He... He’s looking at me! HE’S LOOKING AT ME! Did I become more beautiful? Or... am I ugly now? What does he think? I... I need to know!’
Her cheeks burning, she subtly adjusted her posture, trying to appear more graceful... more feminine... more desirable.
Roman continued observing with quiet fascination.
Even during their training sessions, the once-timid Gre Ka Chu would deliberately feign failure just to move closer to him, hoping for the slightest touch or even a tiny fragment of affection.
At times, she became bold enough to gently caress Gre Ka Go with open affection while carefully gauging his reaction. Every so often, she would also display subtle possessiveness, as though silently reminding everyone that he belonged to her.
’He isn’t taking his eyes off me! Does he like it? Seeing me like this? Look at him... staring so openly. Oh, Gre Ka Go... you... you truly love me, don’t you?’
She shifted her posture again and again, stealing nervous glances at him after every movement.
Each time, she was rewarded with the same warm smile.
His eyes continued studying every detail of her body, completely unaware that what she perceived as admiration was, in reality, nothing more than scientific curiosity.
’He loves it! Every inch of it... just look at him! His eyes never leave me!’
An obsessive glimmer flickered within Gre Ka Chu’s eyes.
Mistaking his unwavering attention for unspoken desire, her heart pounded harder with every passing second.
Without realizing it, the toxin secreted from the glands beneath her newly shed scales began diffusing into the air. Its scent steadily intensified, transforming into an irresistibly sweet floral fragrance that slowly filled the cave while countless fantasies raced through her mind, each one drawing her obsession deeper than the last.
[You have awakened a Unique Skill: Obsession within a Magnari.]
[Reward: 300 Karma Points.]
Roman’s expression changed instantly.
The notification completely stole his attention away from the species he had been meticulously observing and documenting.
Pure disbelief spread across his face.
For the first time since arriving in this world...
Something had happened that lay completely beyond Roman’s expectations.
An emotion turning into an unique skill.
