They all looked with curious eyes filled with profound awe.

The boys stood in a semi-circle, their eyes darting from the glowing keypad to the metal hatch, and finally to Hana. To them, she had just performed a miracle. She hadn’t used magic or brute force; she had used a tiny, hissing tool to silence the ’heart’ that had nearly killed the falcon Chief.

​"It stopped humming," Kulu whispered, stepping closer to the port. He reached out a hand, then pulled it back quickly, glancing at Hana for permission. "The air... it doesn’t sting my nose anymore."

​"It’s fixed," Hana said, tossing the heavy lead gloves back into the maintenance kit. "But it’s not a toy. If any of you touch that port without me, I’ll let Caspian use you for target practice."

​Caspian huffed and let go of Raiden’s tails, which poofed out like pink dandelion clocks the moment they were released.

"My poor tails," Raiden sobbed as he hugged the tails that had just been released from captivity.

The Dragon-King stepped into the hallway first, his massive frame nearly brushing the ceiling. He sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring.

​"It smells like... nothing," Caspian grumbled, looking disappointed. "No dirt. No prey. Just cold stone that isn’t stone."

​"It’s called ’sterile,’ Caspian. And let’s try to keep it that way," Hana muttered. She turned to the entrance where Taga and the Boars were peeking in, their tusks gleaming in the new white LED light. "Taga! Get your brothers in here," Hana called out. "Grab the silver boxes. Take them out to the cliff and put them in neat piles." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

​The Boars moved in, their wide eyes darting around the glowing walls. Taga led them, pointing at the crates with a shaky finger.

"The silver ones, brothers! Like the Female said! Lift with your legs, not your tusks!"

​As the heavy-set boar beastmen began to haul the boxes out, Hana moved deeper into the storage bay. She cracked open a plastic container.

> [ITEM DISCOVERED: TOUGH CLOTHING - GRADE B]

Clothes?

​Hana pulled out a pair of dark, sturdy cargo pants and a reinforced utility vest.

Hah, I never thought I’d see the day. She thought, thinking back to how she only ever wore cargo pants and tactical vests for better navigation and to keep her skin covered at all times.

She looked down at her silver, tattered dress and her bare, dusty feet. This material was amazing, but she needed to get out of this ’Saint’ costume and into something that didn’t make her look like a target.

Guess I used up hours making this dress for nothing. It was regrettable when she thought of her efforts in making it, and the fact that it was her first sewn dress in this world, so she decided to keep it on for a while longer.

​"Hana! Hana, come look!"

​Raiden’s voice suddenly echoed from a small side room.

Hana walked over to find him standing in front of a polished, stainless-steel locker door. He was leaning in so close his nose almost touched the metal.

​"I... I am a masterpiece," Raiden breathed, his voice dropping into a thick, honeyed drawl. He smoothed a hand over his cheek, mesmerized. "I knew the world was a drab, ugly place, but I had no idea I was compensating for it this much. Look at the depth of my emerald eyes, Hana. They’re like jewels stolen from a king’s hoard."

​He fanned out his nine tails, watching them ripple in the reflection like a blooming flower.

​"It’s almost a tragedy, isn’t it? That I’ve had to walk around only half-appreciating this perfection," he whispered, tracing his jawline. "Hana, my love, you really are the luckiest female alive. To have a creature this divine in your bed? I’m practically a gift from the gods to your eyesight."

​He blew a kiss to the locker and winked at himself. "I think I’ve just fallen in love. Don’t be jealous, Hana—it’s only natural to adore the best."

Then go fuck yourself. She was very tempted to say, but instead, said, ​"It’s a mirror, Raiden. Don’t get stuck to it,"

​"I shall guard this mirror with my very soul," Raiden declared, finally giving her a predatory grin. "The heavy boxes are for the bird and the lizard. But this? This stays with me."

Hana just looked at him, goosebumps creeping up her spine. She knew he was somewhat of a narcissist, but it seemed the mirror had unlocked more of his narcissistic side.

We’re taking everything to the den anyway. She rolled her eyes and then walked away.

On the other side was Kulu. He was staring at a microwave, as if he wanted to challenge it. After staring for about a minute, he poked a button, and when the little tray slid out with a whir, he jumped back, his wings knocking over a stack of trays.

​"Hana! This metal box is reaching for me!" Kulu hissed, his feathers standing up. "I think it wants to fight."

​"It’s just a machine, Kulu. It doesn’t fight," she said to him. And then a loud metal clatter came from the other side.

Hana whipped her head toward the sound. Caspian was standing in the middle of a narrow aisle, his massive tail twitching awkwardly behind him.

He had accidentally swiped a rack of metal canisters, sending them clattering across the floor like a dozen miniature drums.

​"Caspian!" Hana barked, her voice echoing sharply off the steel walls. "Hold your tail before you break something important. If you break one more thing, you’re sleeping outside the den tonight."

​The Dragon-King actually looked sheepish, his obsidian scales gleaming under the LED lights as he quickly tucked his tail between his legs.

"It’s not my fault, Hana. The walls are moving in on me," he grumbled, his voice a low vibration that made the floor hum. "This cave is for small creatures."

"Then would you like to wait outside?" Hana asked, but he simply pouted. Why did he have to be the only one to wait outside?

The question was written all over his face.

Because you’re the biggest creature here, Hana thought and then sighed. She clapped her hands together to draw all their attention.