Chapter 53
Mino rushed to Nina’s side at once, panic written all over his face. “Nina—you’re… you’re going into labor? How do you feel right now p>
“My stomach hurts,” Nina said, her little face pale as she frowned. “And I think my water has broken. Carry me to the bed first. Then you two go boil some hot water and have it ready p>
“Alright p>
Mino carefully lifted her and laid her gently on the bed. “Nina, are you about to give birth now p>
She shook her head. “It’ll probably take a while. The contractions aren’t that strong yet p>
“Okay. I’ll go get the shaman p>
He turned to Yanai. “Yanai, you boil the water. I’ll bring the shaman back. Keep a close eye on Nina. If anything changes, tell me p>
“My ability can heal too,” Yanai said. “Why do we need a shaman p>
“You’re not a professional shaman,” Mino shot back. “And have you ever delivered a baby before p>
Yanai froze awkwardly. “No p>
His healing ability worked, but he rarely treated other beastmen—let alone delivered a child.
Sal cast him a disdainful look. Useless wolf. What a waste of power.
“Then stay here and take care of Nina,” Mino continued. “If she feels worse, use your healing ability on her and see if it helps p>
He wasn’t even sure whether healing energy would ease the pain of childbirth.
Nina had already tried. It didn’t help. Pain was pain.
“Fine. Hurry back,” Yanai said seriously. “If she suddenly goes into full labor, I might not be able to handle it alone p>
“I’ll be as fast as I can p>
Mino gave Nina one last worried look before rushing out.
Inside her mind, Nina asked, “Little Bun, when should I take the painless childbirth pill p>
[Host, take it right when labor truly begins. Not too early. If you take it too soon, you might not feel the baby’s condition clearly, which could affect delivery. You’ll have to endure a bit first p>
“Okay p>
Nina closed her eyes and bore the waves of pain. Sal stayed beside her, watching her pale face, unable to hide the distress in his eyes.
Yanai hurried off to prepare hot water.
Mino ran straight to the shaman’s house—only to find it empty again.
He rushed next door and demanded, “Where’s the shaman? Do you know where he went p>
“Dora is about to give birth,” a male replied. “Her mates brought the shaman to her place p>
A vicious light flashed in Mino’s eyes.
Dora again. He should have killed her that day.
Without wasting another second, he asked for directions and sprinted toward her stone house.
Inside, the shaman stood over Dora, whose face was bloodless as she screamed in pain.
Her baby’s position was wrong—lying sideways. It would be difficult. The egg was also larger than usual, and she was already bleeding more than normal. After delivery, she might hemorrhage badly.
In the beast world, babies were oval-shaped eggs, similar to chicken eggs but longer.
“Ah! Shaman, it hurts! Why won’t the baby come out?” Dora cried, drenched in sweat, lips bitten raw, fingers clawing into the fur beneath her.
Her previous pregnancy had been smooth. She didn’t understand why this one was so difficult. The pain was unbearable.
“The baby’s position is wrong,” the shaman said gravely. “I’ll adjust it slowly. Don’t push yet. Control your breathing. Relax p>
He carefully repositioned the egg while Dora endured the agony.
At that moment, Mino arrived outside.
Dora’s mates immediately blocked him, wary. “Mino, what are you doing here p>
“Is the shaman inside?” Mino demanded.
“He’s helping Dora deliver. Wait until he’s done p>
“I don’t have time to wait. Get him out p>
“No. Dora hasn’t finished delivering. We won’t let him leave p>
They stood firm at the doorway.
“You think you can stop me p>
Mino attacked without hesitation. Within seconds, they were sent flying and collapsed outside.
He didn’t step inside. Instead, he shouted, “Shaman! Come out now. Don’t force me to act p>
The shaman heard the commotion. With one final adjustment, he corrected the baby’s position.
“Wait a moment,” he told Dora before stepping outside.
Dora stared toward the doorway, her expression dark and venomous.
“Mino, what do you need?” the shaman asked.
“Nina is about to give birth. Come with me p>
“What? Nina too?” The shaman frowned. “But Dora’s situation is unstable p>
“Her situation has nothing to do with me. I need you to come now,” Mino said coldly.
The shaman sighed. “How is Nina p>
“Her water broke. She’s in pain p>
“How frequent are the contractions p>
“I don’t know. Stop asking and come with me p>
“She probably won’t deliver that quickly. Why don’t you wait until Dora finishes?” the shaman suggested.
“No. Nina could give birth at any moment. We can’t wait p>
“I truly can’t leave now. Dora’s condition is dangerous. If Nina’s labor is normal, she should be fine p>
Mino’s gaze turned icy. “Someone once said Nina’s baby might be large. You’re coming with me. If you refuse, I’ll go inside and kill Dora right now p>
The shaman hurriedly grabbed his arm. “Mino! Nina wouldn’t want you to kill Dora. Otherwise she wouldn’t have stopped you last time. And think—if you kill Dora and are exiled to Sin City, who will take care of Nina and your child p>
“I can take her away,” Mino argued.
“Will you have Nina and the newborn flee with you as fugitives p>
The shaman spoke earnestly. “I’ll teach you the basics of delivery. Go back first. If Nina goes into labor early, follow what I teach you. I promise I’ll come immediately after Dora delivers p>
Mino hesitated.
He could forcefully drag the shaman away—but if the shaman held a grudge and became careless or malicious during Nina’s delivery, that would be disastrous.
After a brief internal struggle, he nodded. “Fine. Teach me quickly p>
The shaman rapidly explained key delivery steps. Mino memorized everything and rushed back.
Inside the house, Dora had overheard everything. Her eyes narrowed slyly.
When the shaman returned, he resumed helping her.
But Dora deliberately stopped pushing, trying to stall for time.
The shaman grew anxious. “Dora, push! If the baby stays inside too long, it’ll be dangerous for both of you p>
Only then did she reluctantly begin to exert force.
Meanwhile, Nina’s labor was beginning in earnest.