Dax pressed the glowing green Tier-3 crystal directly into the center of Cora's palm. He wrapped both of his massive, calloused hands around hers, locking the stone in place.
He leaned in close, his voice a low, urgent rasp. "This is going to hurt like hell. But I will wrap my fire around your heart to protect it. Do not let go, Cora. Your husband commands you to survive this. "
Before she could nod, a tidal wave of violent, untamed life energy erupted from the crystal. It smashed into her palm and ripped up her arm.
Cora screamed. It felt like boiling acid was being injected straight into her veins. The pressure was unimaginable; her blood vessels bulged against her skin, threatening to rupture.
Just as the pain reached a breaking point, Kay Lake's mechanical voice sliced through the agony.
High-tier energy intrusion detected. Activating Assisted Absorption Protocol. Converting energy to host's Mental Resonance frequency.
Instantly, the chaotic, tearing energy was hijacked by the system. The violent flood was forcefully separated into smooth, manageable streams. One stream was diverted straight to her womb, feeding the starving triplets. The other stream began to aggressively rebuild and widen her fragile energy channels.
Outside her body, Dax felt the sudden shift. The wild, destructive energy he was fighting to control suddenly became docile and perfectly ordered.
His ice-blue eyes widened in shock. This level of perfect energy manipulation... it was impossible for a defective rabbit-mutant. It felt exactly like the ancient, mythical "Life Catalysts" from the deep Northern legends. His female was special. Chosen.
But he shoved the thought aside. He poured his own energy into her, shielding her organs as the crystal drained. He would give her everything he had.
Ten minutes later, the glowing green stone crumbled into a pile of gray ash in Cora's hand.
Cora's eyes snapped open. A brilliant, emerald-green light flared in her pupils.
A sudden gust of wind exploded outward from her body. In the corner of the ruined clinic, a dead, withered medicinal plant suddenly sprouted a vibrant, glowing green leaf. Life responded to her. She was no longer defective.
Dr. Clarke, still slumped on the floor, pointed a shaking finger at the plant. She looked at Cora as if she were a god. "Tier-2... you actually broke through to Tier-2! The defective female has ascended! "
Ding.
Congratulations to Host. Tier-2 achieved. Energy backlash crisis averted. Female authority ranking restored. Basic Farming Store unlocked. Additional husband slots now available.
Cora's clothes were soaked in cold sweat, sticking to her skin. But beneath the exhaustion, her body felt incredibly light. A new, pulsing strength flowed through her muscles. She slumped forward, resting her forehead against Dax's chest, and gave him a weak, triumphant smile. She had done it. She had claimed her power.
Dax caught her, burying his face in her hair. The crushing terror in his chest finally evaporated. He pressed a hard, trembling kiss to her sweaty forehead. His female was alive. He had not failed.
After catching her breath, Cora stood up. They thanked a still-stunned Dr. Clarke and pushed open the splintered door of the clinic.
The moment they stepped into the street, they ran straight into a crowd of onlookers. Standing at the front was Kim Travis, the settlement leader's daughter, dressed in pristine, expensive furs.
Kim crossed her arms, her eyes sweeping over Cora with pure disgust. She sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "Well, if it isn't our famous genetic defect. I heard you dragged some wild beast back from the wasteland. What, were you so desperate not to freeze to death that you opened your legs for the first stray you found? You think having one male makes you a proper female? "
The crowd of mutants snickered. Kim lifted her chin, reveling in the chance to crush Cora's dignity in public.
Dax's eyes went dead. A lethal, freezing aura locked onto Kim. He stepped forward, fully intending to snap the arrogant female's neck. No one insulted his female.
Cora slapped her hand flat against his chest, stopping him. This was her battle. She stepped around him, her spine straight. She looked Kim dead in the eye, a cold, mocking smile twisting her lips.
Cora raised her right hand.
A vibrant, swirling orb of green Wood magic ignited at her fingertips. In the wasteland, that green light was the absolute symbol of life and power. The mark of a true dominant female.
Kim's smug smile vanished instantly. The laughter in the crowd died. Every eye was glued to the impossible green magic in Cora's hand.
Cora's voice rang out, sharp and clear, echoing down the muddy street. "My first husband is a Tier-9 apex predator. And I am a Tier-2 Wood magic user. I am a female of this settlement, and I demand the respect I am owed."
She took a step closer to Kim. Her eyes were like shards of glass. "You are nothing but a parasite feeding off your father's title. You don't have the right to breathe the same air as me, let alone judge me. Know your place."
Kim stumbled backward, her face turning a sickly shade of gray. The oppressive weight of Cora's new magic choked the words in her throat. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. A defective female had just asserted dominance over her. The shame was absolute.
Cora didn't waste another second on her. She turned her back on the trembling girl and faced the shocked crowd. She dropped her final bomb.
"Starting today, I am taking over the abandoned sandy plot on the east side of the settlement. I know this sandy plot is considered dead wasteland, but from today, I am going to use my Wood magic to heal this soil and make it yield food! I will let everyone know we don't have to starve! I am going to change this settlement. And any male who wishes to join my household and serve me may present himself for consideration."
Leaving the crowd in stunned, absolute silence, Cora grabbed Dax's hand. Like a queen walking through her conquered territory, she strode down the street, never looking back. Her first husband at her side. Her household begun. Her reign just starting.
