A Miasma rested on my chest as I waited to hear news from the boys. Serria had returned safely, and I had gotten a report from Hilda that everything had gone well with the purr-ifiy.

I also had the map back open and was on edge. The moment that I had opened it back up, I had seen three red blips at the northern edge of the map.

I wasn't sure if they had somehow figured out what my viewing range was, but that was something that I wanted to be able to increase as soon as possible. I had been hoping that the shop would have something for that.

Instead, it was more like a stat upgrade window that I could funnel my extra Hive Points I gained. The Gacha system and the Guardians were the only things that felt shop-like, but maybe those options would expand as the hive grew and I completed more Hive Tasks.

[Queen System] Activated!

[Hive Task] Activated!

[Out Skunk Them!]: Stop the Skunk Folk from poisoning the Nightmares drinking water. Completed!

[Reward]: Hexagon Hive Docking Station. Activated!

Suddenly without paying attention to any laws of logic, a dark and undulating storm cloud appeared above Miasma and me. Miasma began to shake as she slowly started to turn, but I grabbed her shoulders with my lower arms and her face in my upper hands, turning her to me.

"Darling, stop shaking, and just help me up and stay directly behind me. She shouldn't be nearly as big this time, but you will be safe with me. A witch of a god, she might Bee, but she's our witch, so we need to give her a bit of respect," I said to Miasma but was interrupted by the sound of the whip cracking.

We both looked up to see a jagged crack in reality itself separating. Down floated Beezli, Goddess of Bees, in a beautiful flowing golden gown, but she was no bigger than me.

"My little Honey Suckle, things Hive Bee-gun to Buzz faster for you now, and new enemies are rising. Honey dew you think that you Hive the stones to keep Buzzing?" Beezli asked me as she floated down to sit on our bed.

There was now overwhelming pressure or need for subservience this time, making me feel far less on edge when talking to her. It was time to play the game and squeeze that blessing out of her; no random jokes this time, I would Bee-at her with basic conversation because I had some questions.

[Bee-guage] Activated!

"Orange, you going to tell Bee what I should do? I need to go Bee the Trash Bandits to get seeds for my Honey Trees, but then what?" I asked with a straight face.

"Hive you Appled yourself Nut you really need? May-Bee you should Hive a look at your Arm-Bee," Beezli said, making herself comfortable.

Miasma had come out from behind me and now was sitting beside me, gently holding my hand in hers. I kind of felt bad that Miasma had to listen to this ridiculous banter, but it was for the good of our people.

"The Yak Hare of one, you mean? You must Hive some idea of Bear I could Seal an arm-Bee from then?" I asked her, and Beezli narrowed her eyes at me.

"Ham I supposed to solve your Beef? I can't… BAH! FINE! Turn the Bee-gauge off; you win! Seriously, you need to find some warriors, and you will get some with the Raccoon Folk, but that still won't be enough. Their village is tiny, due to Predator raids on them," Beezli explained after dropping out of the puns battle.

[Bee-guage] Deactivated!

"Why? I just mean you said that we were going to be getting warriors, but then why would the Predators attack them if they were so few and only fighters?" I asked, but Miasma was the one that squeezed my hand and spoke up.

"There were more, they had a village that was bigger than ours, but the warriors had been sent out to help a far-off kingdom. When the fifteen returned, they found half of the village killed, and the rest were missing. Still, the Predators send raids on them, but the Fifteen are very strong, and the hunters are always pushed back," Miasma explained.

I was in shock, and I could hardly believe what I had just heard. These monsters killed and then kidnapped most of the village, and yet they were still attacking them? What was the problem with these animals?

*Poof!*

"They are predators, but they also have the human instincts for sport and challenge. I accept that the fact that they provide them an actual challenge to kill is why they continue to attack, right, Beezli?" Hilda said while buzzing over to the goddess.

"Yes, they are humanoid at heart and mind, but beasts in urges and hunger. Luckily none of them care for the flesh in a carnal way; they just eat them. The Raccoon folk will Bee a good addition, but I suggest you go deal with the Trolls, they will Bee the ones that you need to keep you safe, and then you can go get the Snakes," Beezli explained to me.

"Thank you, I will figure things out from here. I think that that might solve a couple problems at once," I said, bowing my head gratefully.

"We will see each other again soon because you have yet to receive the task for the Raccoon Folk. Once you meet with them, you will receive the Hive Task and then get them to be given Bleesam Stone while you are here so we can chat again without all the bravado that I normally have to display around the mortals. I can be like this with your striped kitten, but the rest I have made you feel my love and power," Beezli explained and stretched her arms up, letting out a long yawn.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, in private?" Hilda asked out of nowhere as she Buzzed into Beezli's face.