My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 59: The Vanishing Stockpile

"Claire, stand back. I'll move the rock."

Rufus stepped forward and shoved the huge stone with both hands. His muscles tightened, veins standing out along his arms. With a loud grind, the rock rolled aside and dropped into the snow.

A cold wind rushed out of the cave.

Rufus moved in front of Claire and blocked it completely.

"Thanks, Rufus!"

"Hmph. If you want to thank me, get better soon and have my kids."

He grabbed her hand and led her inside.

The cave wasn't dark at all. With beastfolk eyesight, everything was clear. Food was piled everywhere—sweet potatoes, silkroot, dried fish, jerky, and all kinds of dried vegetables.

It was packed full. There was barely any space to walk.

Claire loved it.

Even if winter lasted forever, they wouldn't run out of food.

"Rufus, remember what I told you yesterday? The big news?"

"Of course! Just tell me already!"

He was about to burst with impatience.

"I know you're in a hurry, but hold on. Watch this."

Claire walked over to the nearest pile of dried fish.

Rufus watched closely. Just as she was about to bump into the pile, he frowned and prepared to warn her.

The next second, the entire pile vanished.

"What... no way!"

Rufus stared at her in disbelief.

He hadn't blinked. Where did all that fish go?

Claire smiled. She picked up a strip of jerky and showed him.

In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from her hand.

"When I was giving birth, the Beast God thought I worked too hard," she said. "So I got something called a storage space. You can't see it or touch it, but it can hold things."

Rufus grabbed her hands and checked them over.

"So all that food just now... went into that space?"

"Yep! Pretty amazing, right?"

Claire walked around the cave like she was taking a casual stroll. Wherever she went, she reached out and touched things. The moment her hand made contact, the items vanished.

In no time, the cave was empty again, just like before.

"Claire, this is unbelievable. Only the Beast God could do something like this."

Rufus was still stunned when Claire dusted off her hands and walked back, looking relaxed.

"Let's go home."

Now all the food was safely stored. It wouldn't spoil, and no one could steal it.

Claire felt completely at ease.

By the time Rufus carried her back to the clan, he was still trying to process everything.

But as soon as they arrived, they saw Fiona standing in the square with a group of beastfolk, staring at them.

Before Claire could even ask what was going on, Fiona spoke loudly.

"Everyone, I saw it with my own eyes! Claire has been hiding food in that cave outside. She refuses to turn it in. She wants us to starve!"

Rufus glared at her, disgusted. He looked like he wanted to tear her apart.

The crowd began to stir.

Winter had only just begun, but the cold was already brutal. The wind and snow never stopped. It was worse than any winter before.

Everyone knew this season would be hard.

Most beastfolk didn't have enough food to last.

When they heard Fiona's words, they all looked at Claire with sharp, accusing eyes.

Especially Hazel. She stepped forward, speaking firmly.

"Claire, you've helped the clan before. You found new food, and you had many children. But you shouldn't hide food. In winter, all food must be turned in and shared by the clan."

Claire looked at the crowd, so easily stirred, and shook her head.

"Then let me be clear. First, does anyone really know how the food is shared? Every winter, Hazel decides everything. And every winter, people still starve or freeze to death. Is that fair?

"Second, I know many of you hide food outside. So why target me, Fiona? Is it because those people are your supporters?"

Some of the beastfolk exchanged awkward looks.

It was true. During hunts, some of them quietly hid a little food. Everyone knew, but no one said anything.

Claire listed each point one by one. Some of the beastfolk began to come to their senses. They looked at each other, awkward and unsure.

Fiona suddenly jumped forward and laughed loudly.

"So, Claire, are you admitting you hid food outside?"

Claire raised an eyebrow. "When did I say that?"

"You did! You totally did!" Fiona snapped. "I saw it with my own eyes. You and Rufus went into that cave. And there was a strong smell of meat coming out of it!"