Eden Transmigration

The fat merchant grinned as he examined Melinoe, his beady eyes filled with greed. He reached out, grasping her chin roughly and tilting her face from side to side. "Exquisite," he muttered, his breath reeking of stale meat and alcohol. His stubby fingers trailed down to her neck, then to her collarbone before he yanked her closer by her hair.

Melinoe winced, her heart pounding as she struggled against his grip. "Tsk, strange garments," the merchant sneered, pulling at the fabric of her dress. "Let's see if your body's as rare as your face—"

Before he could fling her dress aside, a deep, guttural growl resonated from the cage behind her. The black leopard, its icy blue eyes gleaming with fury, struggled violently against the chains restraining it. With a vicious snarl, it lunged forward, sinking its fangs into the thigh of one of the men restraining it. The guard shrieked in agony, collapsing to the ground.

"You wretched beast!" one of the armed men shouted, drawing his sword, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Melinoe's body moved before she could think—she threw herself over the black leopard, shielding it with her own frame. "Stop! Don't hurt it!" she cried out, trembling but resolute.

The fat merchant snarled, waving his hand. "Enough! The girl is valuable! Put away your weapons!" The men hesitated before lowering their swords, though their gazes remained wary.

Melinoe turned to the merchant, her mind racing. "I'll treat his wound. In exchange, don't punish the leopard."

The merchant raised a thick brow, intrigued. "You a healer? A witch?"

Melinoe shook her head. "No, a student nurse."

The surrounding men murmured among themselves, not recognizing the term "nurse," but the merchant's curiosity was piqued. "Fine, prove your worth."

She hurried to the wounded man, who clutched his bleeding leg. Pulling out her first aid kit, she donned a pair of gloves, her hands surprisingly steady despite the fear in her chest.

Step one: Control the bleeding. She grabbed clean gauze from her kit and pressed it firmly against the wound. The man flinched, hissing in pain, but she didn't waver. "Apply pressure," she muttered to herself, keeping her weight on the wound to slow the blood loss.

Step two: Clean the wound. She took out a bottle of antiseptic and poured it over the bite. The injured man groaned loudly, the sting causing him to jerk, but she held him still. "It's to prevent infection," she said, though she doubted he understood.

Step three: Stitch the wound. With a needle and suture thread from her kit, she began to carefully sew the deep gashes together. She worked swiftly but meticulously, making tight, even stitches to close the wound. Sweat formed on her brow, but she didn't stop until the last knot was tied.

Step four: Dress the wound. She wrapped it in clean bandages, securing them in place. "Keep it clean. No running or it'll reopen," she warned, though she doubted anyone understood her words.

The merchant let out a slow, greedy chuckle. "Oh, you're worth far more than I thought."

Melinoe was then chained alongside the other captives and dragged into a large tent, where they were kept in an oversized cage. She sat on the cold ground, the black leopard resting its head on her lap. She absently stroked its fur, trying to calm herself.

Then, the tent flaps parted, and a man entered. Clad in a black robe, his face hidden behind a mask, he surveyed the prisoners before his gaze landed on her. His posture stiffened.

Melinoe felt his eyes trace every curve of her body—her full breasts, the gentle dip of her waist, the smoothness of her exposed legs. A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "What an unexpected gem," he murmured, stepping closer.

A chill ran down her spine as he reached for her, his gloved fingers tilting her chin. "How did a beauty like you end up here?"

Before she could react, a low, menacing growl rumbled from the black leopard. The masked man hesitated for a moment but quickly regained composure. "Feisty, are we?" He turned back to the fat merchant. "Name your price."

The merchant grinned, yanking the chain around Melinoe's wrists and ankles. She stumbled forward, but before she could hit the ground, the masked man caught her in his arms.

The scent of something musky and dangerous filled her nostrils. His grip was firm—too firm. She gasped when his face drew close, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "No need to fear, my dear. I'll take good care of you," he whispered.

His hand slithered up her back, then traced along her neck. He inhaled deeply, groaning as he took in her scent. "You smell divine…"

Melinoe's stomach twisted. She struggled, but he was too strong. His tongue flicked out, about to taste her skin—

Then, chaos erupted outside.

A guard burst into the tent. "We're under attack! The beasts are revolting!"

The fat merchant cursed, rushing out. The masked man, however, grinned, yanking Melinoe's chain. "Time to leave, my lovely."

He pulled her toward a carriage. "Don't worry. You'll be my eighth concubine. We'll have many children—"

Melinoe recoiled, horror filling her chest. "Let me go!"

The masked man frowned but dragged her forward. As they stepped out into the open, the scene before them was pure chaos—tents ablaze, guards battling against feral beasts.

Then, a blur of black fur flashed through the air. The black leopard lunged, slamming into the masked man. He barely had time to react before razor-sharp fangs clamped down on his throat.

With a sickening crunch, blood sprayed into the air.

Melinoe gasped, her eyes wide as the masked man let out a gurgled cry. Then, right before her eyes, his body shifted. Fur sprouted, bones twisted—he transformed into a jackal, his body writhing in agony as blood pooled beneath him.

She was too shocked to react. "D-Did he just…?"

Then, the black leopard turned to her, its blue eyes locking onto hers.

Before she could process what was happening, the leopard's form shimmered. Muscles expanded, fur retracted, and in its place stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with tan skin and piercing blue eyes.

Melinoe's breath caught in her throat.

The black leopard… was human.

And he was staring straight at her.