yin xiao

The world of beasts is ruled by the law of the strongest; it is not a civilized or modern world, since the beings that inhabit the continent of beasts are bestial men and women. The males can take animal form according to their species and will; however, the females, who are scarce, are much more fragile. They cannot transform, and this is why they usually have many males as husbands, so that they can protect them, reproduce, and spend their lives together.

The law of the world is simple: since females are so few and their births so rare, males share only one female. The beast god dictates that if a female accepts a male, she must mate with him. After intercourse, a tattoo representing her new beastly husband will appear on the female's body. Following this ritual, the male cannot abandon, deceive, or harm her, due to the world's rules that penalize such acts as aberrations.

Of all the existing species, Yin Xiao is a snake beastman. His scales are white, and he can transform into a snake completely, partially, or simply retain his human form, though he does retain pointed, elf-like ears. Females typically avoid reproducing or taking beastmen who are not useful or whose offspring, like snakes, are unpleasant. This is why, despite being the leader of the mountain tribe, Yin Xiao has yet to find a suitable mate.

Today, like every other day, Yin Xiao had left his tribe's home group. He separated from the group shortly after, chasing a large boar that yielded useful meat and hide. Little did he know that this day would be different from the others.

While following the boar in its semi-beastly form, with its lower half being a long, scaly snake tail.

• Ahmm?! Is it... a female?

He found a small female on the banks of the river that flows down from the highest peak of the mountain