Uragiru stared at the amount of blood coming from his mouth as it soaked the ten thousand yen bill on the ground. Reiki wiped the knife clean using Uragiru’s clothes as he glanced at all the injuries on him. Reiki said. “... Three minutes…” Uragiru froze as blood dripped from the corners of his mouth, he slowly turned his head to face him and said. “... W-Waht?” Blood flowed out of his mouth while Reiki used the knife as a mirror to see the reflection of his hollow and dead eyes. Reiki continued. “Until you bleed out.”

 

His eyes were covered by his unkempt and scraggly hair, Reiki used the knife to point at all the severe injuries on Uragiru’s body. Reiki said. “One of those wounds is enough for a visit to the ER.” Uragiru used his one good eye to glance at the window while Reiki let out a chuckle and said. “The talisman is never going to run out of magic.” Uragiru’s heart dropped as he moved his gaze onto him as Reiki placed the knife a few centimeters away from the eye that he was using to see.

 

Uragiru started to sob as tears started to fall from his eye while his other eye was letting out tears mixed with blood. He said. “R-Reiki… Let’s t-talk… This ou-.” Reiki inserted the knife into Uragiru’s good eye.

 

[System: User has dealt 51 Damage.]

 

Uragiru let out a soft hoarse scream while spitting some blood, his vision turned almost completely dark as he could still perceive some sunlight seeing a faint outline of Reiki’s figure. Uragiru placed a hand on his eye while Reiki made his way around to the side of Uragiru’s dislocated arm. Reiki grabbed the dislocated arm by the forearm and started stretching it.

 

Uragiru felt the pain in his shoulder as he tried to kick Reiki while he stretched it even more. Reiki thought. The second most painful thing someone can experience is a dislocated shoulder. Reiki stretched Uragiru’s arm upwards as he got even more violent and made wider moves when trying to kick him. Uragiru fell onto the floor as he slammed the heel of his shoes against the cabinets in pain. Reiki continued his train of thought. The feeling of your muscles, tendons, and ligaments being stretched… Glad I only experienced it once.

 

Reiki positioned the knife just under Uragiru’s wrist. Reiki made a small incision and started peeling off long thin strips of Uragiru’s skin.

 

[System: User has dealt  13 Damage.]

 

[System: User has dealt  10 Damage.]

 

[System: User has dealt  11 Damage.]

 

……

 

From Uragiru’s wrist, Reiki skillfully peeled a thin layer of skin that reached just above the crease above the elbow. The long strip of skin fell onto the ground as Reiki moved the knife back near Uragiru’s wrist and sliced off another strip of skin.

 

[System: User has dealt  15 Damage.]

 

[System: User has dealt  14 Damage.]

 

[System: User has dealt  12 Damage.]

 

……

 

Reiki was in the middle of peeling off another long strip of Uragiru’s skin, he came to a stop and turned his head at Uragiru lying on the ground. Reiki thought. This is what I get for playing too much, I didn’t even get a proper chance to torture him. He let go of the chef's knife along with Uragiru’s hand as both of it fell to the floor, Reiki said. “Q, I have a snack-.” 

 

[System: Queen has used Devour.]

 

Before he could finish his sentence black tendrils grew from his lower back as it rushed at Uragiru’s body. The black tendrils shapeshifted in a makeshift maw as it swallowed the body in one go while Reiki watched Q munch on Uragiru’s body. With each chew, he saw the body slowly being turned into mush while the bones were treated as chips as it constantly created crunching noises that filled the kitchen. Reiki thought. I need to make sure she’s well-fed… Otherwise, she’ll eat the majority of the human population.

 

Ender’s voice rang in Reiki’s head, he said. [Where’s the work first you have in every mission?] Q gulped down a large mouthful of red mush as the makeshift maw turned back into tendrils and started to spread around the room.

 

[System: Queen has gained 0.01 Hunger.]

 

Reiki thought. Cut me some slack, Ender. I’m a kid again, the only entertainment I have is games. The good ones released in about three to five years, Uragiru and his two brothers are the only source of fun I have. The tendrils picked up the cleaver as it licked the burnt skin stuck to it while a few tendrils were licking drops of blood on the ground. Reiki continued his train of thought. Worse is I have to somehow make those older brothers of his last until god knows when I have a good reason to torment someone.

 

A single tendril made its way to Reiki’s hand, he looked down and moved his fingers closer as the tendril cleaned the dried blood in his fingernail. Another tendril made its way to Reiki’s shirt to clean off the bit of blood on it while the other tendrils started searching the entire kitchen. Reiki stared at the eating utensils all over the ground, he said. “If there were something in the drawers… That would mean…” Reiki made his way to the fridge as the tendril that was growing from his back detached itself, he opened the fridge and saw it filled to the brim with food.

 

Reiki thought. Don’t mind if I do. He took out a tattered pouch from his pocket and started placing everything in the fridge into it. Behind him were the tendrils that were slowly changing into dozens of black lizards as they scattered around the room searching for any trace of Uragiru in the room. Reiki emptied the fridge, placed the pouch in his pocket, and stood up while holding onto a round ham that was still wrapped in plastic, he said. “Q, thanks for-.” He stopped, turned his head, and stopped mid-sentence when he noticed there was nothing in the room. Reiki continued. “Where’d she go?”

 

Dozens of black lizards quickly crawled from the bottom of the counters as they made their way to Reiki. The lizards started to merge into a single thick tendril as it connected itself back onto Reiki’s lower back, he said. “Thanks for doing all the cleanup, Q.” The tendril slowly shrunk its size as it slowly shaped itself into a hand with monster-like features as it grabbed the round ham that Reiki was holding. The ham was slowly enveloped with black tendrils as Q ate it along with the plastic, Reiki thought. There’s probably more stock somewhere around the back…

 

Reiki made his way out of the kitchen and started walking down the hallway, he took a left turn and thought. It should be right around… Here.. He opened the door revealing a large cold storage room, Reiki continued his train of thought. Jackpot. Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [Just to save us both some time, I’ll take over your left hand for a moment.] Reiki thought. What are-? Before he could finish his thought. Ender took control of Reiki’s hand as it took out the tattered pouch from his pocket.

 

Ender placed Reiki’s index finger in the pouch as everything in the storage room vanished. Reiki stared at all the empty racks as his left hand placed the pouch back in his pocket, he thought. Ender, how did you do that? It’ll be useful if I ever decide to rob a bank. Ender didn’t reply as Reiki grabbed the doorknob and stared at it, he said. “I need to wipe my fingerprints.” He thought. I guess I’m also stealing a hand towel today. Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [What about your hair?] Reiki made his way out of the room as he headed back to the kitchen.

 

He thought. With the mess in the kitchen, they would need to clean up. Reiki entered the kitchen and made his way to the sink that still had the damp hand towel in it. He picked it up and looked around the kitchen, Reiki thought. What did I touch again?

 

~Five Minutes Later~

 

Reiki had a hand towel draped over his shoulder as he looked around the empty restaurant, he saw the knife thrown in the middle of the table and neatly placed it back on top of the tissue along with the fork. He sat back down on his seat and placed his hand above the large hamburger, Reiki thought. Still somewhat hot. Reiki took out a talisman from his pocket, he stared at it, and said. “Ender, how do I undo its spell?” Ender spoke in his head, he said. [You tear it apart.] Reiki’s brows furrowed, he said. “That’s it?...” He tore the talisman into two as the sound of people having conversations filled the restaurant.

 

Reiki picked up a knife and fork as he started eating, he thought. This cheese stuffed hamburger steak isn’t worth the nine thousand yen price tag. He quickly ate through half the hamburger steak while the sound of a heavy thud came from deeper in the restaurant. Reiki quickly put on a meek expression as he kept his head down while the same waiter made his way at him. The waiter glanced at the empty seat and gestured at the chair across from him, Reiki kept his head down and said. “... He got a call and went home early…”

 

A hint of worry appeared on the waiter's expression while Reiki took out a couple of ten thousand yen from his pocket. He showed him the money and said. “... H-He gave me his share of the bill…” The worry in the waiter’s face vanished as he gave him a smile, he said. “Enjoy your meal.” Reiki glanced at him from the corner of his eye, he thought. I’d like to see you keep your job after I’ve stolen everything in the storage. Reiki quickly finished the hamburger steak, he moved the empty sizzling plate away from him and moved the other steak closer.

 

Reiki used the knife and fork to cut off a large piece of the steak as he saw the same waiter walking toward another table with panic all over his face. Reiki had a smirk on his face while he stabbed the piece of hamburger steak he cut off, he thought. They’ve found the empty fridge. Reiki quickly finished off his meal as he let out a burp and said. “Excuse me.” He made his way to the counter, he let out a yawn while glancing at the waiter who was deeply bowing to different tables with customers sitting in chairs.

 

Reiki reached the counter as a female was standing behind the cashier, she gave him a polite smile and said. “Are you here to pay for your meal?” Reiki gave her a polite nod as he moved his gaze to the counter, he said. “... My friend and I ordered the extra large hamburger steak stuffed with cheese…” The cashier tapped on the screen a couple of times and said. “Are you going to pay with cash or credit?” Reiki took out two ten thousand yen bills from his pocket, he said. “Cash…”

 

He handed the money to the cashier as the woman tapped on the screen a couple of times. The cashier said. “Your change totals to two thousand yen. Thank you for your patronage.” She handed over two one thousand yen bills as Reiki took it off her hands as he made his way out of the restaurant. He stared at all the people walking by while doing some light stretches, Reiki thought. … I want to eat some Mexican food. I’m craving for some overloaded nachos so badly… I’d kill for a large plate of chili fires…. His stomach let out an audible growl which got a few people giving him a side glance while walking.

 

Reiki started walking down the street and continued his train of thought. Might as well go back home and make something to eat.

 

________________________________________________________________________________

In A Testing Room

 

Mika was sitting on a chair while holding onto a test tube in each hand, she slowly poured both liquids into a beaker. The dark red liquid and clear liquid mixed with each other as Mika made sure to keep an eye on it for any kind of reaction. She placed the two test tubes back onto the test tube rack that had over a dozen tubes on it with different colors of liquid with varying viscosities.

 

Mika picked up the beaker and slowly swirled the red liquid, she thought. I’ve been doing this for two days… Please work… She watched the red liquid slowly meld with the clear liquid, after a couple more swirls of the beaker the two liquids split as Mika let out a long sigh. She placed the beaker down on the table, took off her glasses, and gently massaged her eyes. Mika placed her glasses on the table as her eyes squinted as she could barely see the outline of the beaker.

 

She let out a long sigh and thought. I can’t even dilute a potion properly… Mika placed her elbow on the table and rested her cheek on the palm of her hand. She didn’t notice the door behind her open revealing Akemi carrying a plastic bag. Akemi made her way toward Mika as she placed the plastic bag on the table, she said. “With how much you’re getting paid now, there’s no harm in trying… Expensive food…” Mika put her glasses back, looked up at her, and said. “I don’t judge what you’re having for lunch.”

 

She grabbed the bottle of green tea in the bag and twisted the cap off and took a sip while Akemi stared at the large rectangular table that had dozens of beakers along with herbs scattered around it. Akemi said. “So you didn’t like the miyazaki beef we had for your celebratory dinner?” Her lips curled into a slight smirk as Mika who was about to take a sip of her green tea had to stop to wipe some drool on the corner of her mouth. Mika said. “Trust me, as someone who lived off food in a convenience store, that beef was delicious. I almost had a heart attack seeing the prices on the menu.”

 

Akemi let out a chuckle as she gently flicked her fingers on one of the test tubes, she said. “I would suggest you get used to it since you have such a bright future ahead of you.” Mika placed the cap back on the bottle of green tea, she said. “You say that but out of two hundred attempts.” She gestured at the table and continued. “I’ve only diluted one poison potion.” Akemi rolled her eyes at her, she said. “I told you to stop counting your attempts.”

 

Mika made some space on the table as she took out the convenience store lunch box from the plastic bag along with the disposable pair of chopsticks wrapped in paper. She said. “I’m having a tough time doing that since every attempt costs around half a million yen.” Akemi lazily waved her hand in dismissal and said. “It’ll be fine, we have the money. You’ve been to a college that focuses on nurturing potion brewing, so the cost shouldn’t even come as a surprise.” Mika took the see-through plastic lid of the bento.

 

She said. “It sounds good on paper, but even then there was heavy favoritism in the university. By the time all the top pupils were done the rest of the class would be fighting over a handful of herbs.” Mika placed the lid in the plastic bag, picked up her disposable pair of chopsticks, and removed the paper wrapping. Akemi’s brows furrowed as she placed a hand on her hip, she said. “How bad was it?” Mika placed the chopstick wrapper into the bag and said. “As someone who was at the bottom of the class, I would always get herbs that were starting to decompose.”

 

She placed her chopsticks on the table with the tip of it resting on the corner of the bento, Mika said. “Itadakimasu.” Something vibrated in Akemi’s pocket as she took out a smartphone, she said. “And you somehow made potions with decaying herbs?” Mika picked up her chopsticks and said. “I learned that I had a better chance of making a potion if I ripped out the rotten parts.” She split the chopsticks into two while Akemi glanced at her phone and started typing on it. Akemi said. “How did you get your diploma again?”

 

Akemi pocketed her phone as she moved her gaze back onto Mika who used her chopsticks to pick up a large piece of shrimp tempura. Mika said. “I managed to brew a mana potion that met all the requirements.” She took a bite out of the tempura while Akemi stared at her with bewilderment in her eyes. Akemi said. “I don’t know whether to be amazed you did it with leftovers or be sorry on your behalf for everything you’ve been through.” She watched Mika use the chopsticks to pick up a couple of mouthfuls of rice.

 

Mika shook her head sideways, held her pair of chopsticks with her thumb, grabbed her bottle of green tea, and took a sip from it. She let out a satisfied exhale and said. “Don’t be, I’m just glad that I don’t have to return to that hellhole.” Mika used her chopsticks to pick up the shrimp tempura she had already taken a bite out of while Akemi had a hint of confusion on her face. Akemi said. “When we were having a drink at dinner, you told us you had the highest score in the entire school.” Mika gave her a nod.

 

While in the middle of chewing she used her hand to cover her mouth and said. “I did, it was countered by the teachers claiming written tests and exams make up only ten percent of your total grade.” She gulped down a mouthful of food while Akemi’s phone in her pocket started ringing, she took the phone out of her pocket and answered the call. Akemi said. “Hello.” Mika continued eating her lunch while staring at the liquid inside the beaker. Akemi continued. “I’m here with her.” She placed her hand over the phone and said. “Can you tell me what bento you’re eating?”

 

Mika used her other hand to take a sip of her green tea as she gave her an odd look, she said. “Why are you asking me? Weren’t you the one who bought it?” She let out a chuckle while ignoring Akemi who was trying to burn a hole through her. Mika placed her bottle of green tea on the table and took the lid from the plastic bag, she said. “Tempura special.” She stared at the stickers on the lid while Akemi moved her hand away from her phone and said. “Tempura special… Yep, convenience store bento. Again.”

 

Mika placed the lid back into the plastic bag, she said. “Some tempura special… It didn’t even come with tentsuyu.” She used the chopsticks to pick up an eggplant tempura while Akemi placed her hand over the phone again and said. “Mika, Chishiki has something to say to you.” Mika gulped down a mouthful of food and shook her head sideways, she said. “Tell her I’m busy.” Akemi moved the phone back to near her ear and said. “She’s eating so she decided the speaker phone would be better.” Mika had a slight frown on her face as she glared at her.

 

The corner of Akemi’s lips curled into a slight smirk as Chishiki’s voice came from the phone. Chishiki said. “Mika…” Mika let out a sigh as she leaned on the backrest of the chair, she said. “Don’t say it.” Akemi made her way closer to Mika as she placed the phone on the table. From the phone Chishiki said. “You promised us you would at least eat a balanced meal.” Mika placed her chopsticks on top of her bento, she said. “If you take into account what I had for breakfast, this is a balanced meal..” Akemi let out a laugh while she wasn’t bothered by Mika’s side-eye glance.

 

Akemi stared at Mika’s slender arms while Chishiki’s voice came from the phone. Chishiki said. “I’m going to humor you and ask… What did you have for breakfast?” Mika scratched the side of her head and said. “... Two cups of instant ramen…” She heard Chishiki let out a sigh from the phone while Akemi poked Mika’s arm a couple of times. Akemi said. “... Maybe I should try your diet…” Chishiki spoke from the phone as her voice had a hint of anger, she said. “You better not.” Akemi let out a sigh and said. “I mean look at her, she eats store-bought food for every meal and has a slender body. You and I exercise every day and we’re still a few pounds away from our weight goals.”