The Taste of Survival

Luke looked straight into the eyes of the woman in the dress. He didn't dare to lower his gaze, because he wasn't sure if he could control the urge in his stomach.

When he saw the remains on his plate, he was completely shocked. However, he calmed his heart surprisingly quickly. After all, he remembered the words from the book.

"Astral beings are not able to interact with our world.Luke thought, wiping his mouth.'It means that these remains are not real. An illusion?'

The woman's eyes narrowed a little and she smiled.

I'm surprised you've calmed down so quickly. Very commendable. You'll need a cool head in this world.

The woman's voice was melodious and smooth, like the murmur of water.

Luke frowned a little and tried to smile back. I don't think he did it.

"What was that?" Verification?Luke asked, not taking his eyes off the woman.

— You could say that. Just don't blame me for this. After all, I have to check who I might have a contract with.

Astral's smile grew a little wider, and her eyes sparkled with gold.

She stuck her fork into a piece of meat and put it in her mouth. The golden marks on her cheeks that came from her eyes, like tears, glistened with golden light.

"A contract?"Luke asked.

"Well, that's why you called me, wasn't it?" You caught my attention, so I answered your call.

— Yes... exactly, the contract. Tell me about your ability and conditions first, then I'll think about it. And... remove these remains.

Luke tried to make his tone as confident as possible. However, he felt very uncomfortable in his heart.

The woman waved her hand and the plates with the bloody mess disappeared.

"Your attempts to appear to be in control of the situation amuse me. You don't have to try to seem so calm. I know you're not a Halloween Carnival.The woman said in an authoritative voice."Isn't that right, Luke Adler?"

The thoughts in Luke's head froze for a second, but immediately entered a stormy stream. He had a lot of questions, but he couldn't show weakness right now.

"Luke Adler?" This is the first time I've heard of it.

"Leave this show alone. Most of all, I don't like being lied to.

The woman's voice became a little colder, and the food on the table seemed to stir.

Luke swallowed, and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead.

"How do you know my real name?"

— The bird whispered. By the way, you can call me Eri.

Luke's frown deepened, and his palms were sweating.

—Okay... Eri. I see you know a lot about me.

"What else would you expect from someone who does nothing but watch people?"

Luke sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair. He needed to put his thoughts in order, but he didn't want to incur the wrath of this woman by staying silent for too long.

It was written in the book that astral can't influence the human world in any way. But what about this place? Luke couldn't be sure he was safe here. Therefore, you should be careful what he says to her and how he behaves.

"Since you know my real name, you're probably aware that I'm not from this world."Luke said.

- what? Are you not from this world?— The woman was surprised. Her eyes sparkled."You're more interesting than you look."

Luke's heart stopped for a moment and his face contorted a little, despite his attempts to remain calm.

'I mean, she didn't know?'Did I just give out such valuable information? Damn, you need to watch your mouth better.'

Luke sighed irritably and looked at Eri.

Her smile widened and she twirled a strand of hair with her finger.

Ringing laughter cut through the silence. Eri was laughing and trying to cover her mouth with her hands. The marks on her cheeks were glistening gold, and her eyes were watering.

Luke was at a loss. She was sullen a few minutes ago, but now she's laughing as if nothing had happened.

For a few more seconds, Eri laughed, but then she pulled herself together and sat up straight in her chair.

"Oh, Luke, your face should be immortalized!" I even wish I had a mirror to show you this sight. Although what is it not? Look!

At that moment, a small mirror appeared in Eri's hand and Luke involuntarily looked into his reflection.

He didn't see his own face. Luke saw the nameless girl's face, and her eyes bulged out of their sockets. Red blood sprayed from the empty eye sockets directly into Luke's face through the surface of the mirror!

Luke jumped back and fell off his chair, clutching his face.

"What the fuck!"

Luke shouted at Eri and looked down at his hands. There was no blood on them, and he himself felt that his face was clean.

He looked at the woman in the dress. She clutched her stomach and laughed. A few tears were running down her cheeks.

It took two minutes for her to calm down and sit back down at her chair.

"You know you're very funny, right?"Eri said, wiping away her tears."Don't worry, I already knew you were from another world. It will be a lesson for you in the future. It's not worth revealing all the cards, even if you think your opponent already knows them.

Luke was in shock.

'This woman is twirling me around like a doll! The situation is completely in her hands and she understands it herself.'

Luke was confused. He already wanted to move on to the contract as soon as possible or just escape from this place. However, there was no word in the book about how to stop talking to the astral. In general, Luke is currently stuck in an unknown place with an unbalanced astral.

To be honest, I thought that some knight would answer my call.Luke said. There was chagrin in his voice.

— So what are you not happy with. After all, your call was answered by a stunning person like me.Eri said, twirling one strand of her hair.— Moreover, you didn't do anything to make a good astral respond to your call.

Luke was surprised.

- why?

Eri looked at Luke like he was a complete idiot, but then she seemed to remember something and shook her head.

— In order for the valiant astral to answer your call, you need to lead a righteous life. By this, I mean a "too righteous" life. Your call was not answered, as you did not distinguish yourself in any particular way. And if they had, it would have been a very weak astral. The most he could offer you is to strengthen your attacks against evil spirits.

Luke nodded understandingly.

— By the way, why did you answer my call? Anyway, what kind of abilities do you have?Luke asked.

Eri smiled and looked at the guy.

"You got me interested because you ate a monster on your first day in this world.Eri said, pointing her finger at Luke.

He was genuinely surprised by this. Memories of the dark mother flashed through his mind.

"But why this particular thing?"Luke asked.

— It's simple. I am the demon of hunger. And most of all, I like to eat delicacies. However, in my understanding, a delicacy is a well—cooked monster.

Eri licked her lips and stuck her fork into the meat on her plate.

— Only a well-cooked monster can bring me true pleasure.Eri said and put a piece of meat in her mouth.

The golden footprints and Eri's eyes sparkled with golden light.

Luke considered what the woman in the dress had said. At least he got an answer to that question. However, there were still many of them.

"I see now.Luke began.— What is your strength?

—The strength you will receive if you sign a contract with me will really amaze you!— She began enthusiastically."My power is getting the features and abilities of those you eat. Literally. If you eat, say... a Samurai yellow-nosed scorpion, then you can use its body features. You will be able to build up his shell on top of your skin, as well as spit fire! There are no limits to the number of creatures whose abilities you can absorb. If you've eaten someone, then their body belongs entirely to you.

Deep in thought, Luke scratched his chin.

'The ability is really quite good. She has great potential and in the future, I will be able to become practically invulnerable. Of course, it depends on what exactly I'm going to eat.'

Luke looked at Eri.

— What's the catch?

"There's no catch.Eri shook her head."The only thing I want in return is for you to eat at least one monster at least once a week." There is only one condition for using my power.

— And if I violate this condition?

— You have lost this power and I will devour all the monsters that you have eaten throughout your life.

Luke was surprised by the last sentence.

"How will you absorb them if I eat them?"

Eri shook her head and waved her hands.

— It's simple. I'll eat you. Just imagine what you'll taste like. After all, all the monsters that you will eat during your journey will be imprinted on your body.Eri licked her lips, imagining it.— You will be a mix of delicious flavors that will combine them all together. It will be truly amazing!

Eri bit her lip and looked at Luke. It seemed that she already imagined how she would eat it. He didn't like it very much.

"Then I'm refusing."Luke said shortly.

Eri woke up from her daydreams and looked at the guy.

Her tone was a little sad and surprised.

"Are you still asking?" You're saying that you'll literally eat me if I don't fulfill this condition!

Eri shook her head in disagreement.

"What did you want?" In fact, these are not such harsh conditions. For most astral people, the conditions are worse, as well as the punishment for non-compliance. I'm not asking for much.

Eri ate another piece of meat and the smile on her face widened.

— Moreover, you should not refuse.

Luke looked at her in surprise.

"Why is that?"

— Apparently you don't know.— The girl said sadly.— If you cancel your first contract with Astral, then you will never be able to sign it again.

Luke frowned.

"What nonsense is that?"Luke asked."Don't lie.

—Nonsense? I know you've only read a couple of pages of that senile guy's book. So, don't bluff here.

Eri ate another bite and waved her hands.

"Believe it or not. However, are you willing to take that risk? If I'm right, you'll lose a lot of opportunities, and this world won't miss it by trying to kill you.

Luke was deep in thought.

"She's completely in control of the situation, despite her demeanor. Is she lying? I don't know. However, the risk is really high.Luke mused.

He sighed heavily and looked at the astral girl.

— Okay, let's make a contract.Luke said.

Eri smiled playfully and put her fork and knife on the table. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and snapped her fingers.

In the next instant, Luke and the girl found themselves in the middle of a small office.

The room was about four square meters. The walls were white and the floor was gray.

Almost the entire room was occupied by a rectangular table at which Luke and astral were sitting.

Only one small light bulb illuminated the entire room. Because of this, the room seemed even smaller.

Luke looked at Eri. She's changed a bit.

Instead of a form-fitting dress, she was now wearing an office white shirt tucked into a blouse. The girl was not deprived of nature and her figure looked good in these clothes.

Eri's hair was tied up in a big ponytail with a fluffy elastic band.

She crossed one leg over the other and adjusted her glasses.

After that, she held out a paper and pen, and also pointed her finger at the bottom corner of the sheet.

— Sign here.— She said and smiled.

Luke took a piece of paper and began to read it carefully. He adjusted his own glasses and concentrated.

After a few minutes of careful reading, Luke put down the paper and picked up a pen.

He looked at Eri.

— It seems like everything is as you opened it. I get your absorption power, and in return I have to eat at least one monster once a week.

"That's right.

Luke looked straight into the girl's eyes. Their golden irises glittered a little.

"Are you ready to swear that you're not lying to me?"Luke asked.

Eri looked at the guy in surprise, then put the spider on her chest.

"I swear on the honor of the holy hero Lucius Starling that everything I've said is true.

"I do not know him."

"You'll find out.

Luke sighed and signed the contract.

Eri took the piece of paper in her hands and examined it carefully. After making sure that everything was correct, she put it down and smiled at the black-haired guy.

— Congratulations to Luke Adler... or Carnell Halloween? However, it doesn't matter. Now we're connected! Take care of me.

Eri smiled broadly and extended her hand to Luke.

He shook it and also smiled a little.

"Okay... you take care of me too."

As soon as he said these words, Luke woke up and saw a nameless girl in front of him.

She sat by the campfire and stared blankly at the guy. Her bloody eyes were actively studying him.

— How did it go?"What is it?" she asked.

Luke looked back and realized that he was still standing in the middle of the ritual circle.

He walked away from him and sat down by the campfire.

It was still dark outside as well. Apparently it hadn't been very long since he'd been in a trance.

"I think it's... okay?"Luke said.

Memories of the nameless girl's remains flashed through his mind and he quickly dispersed them.

[Come on. I was just joking.]

Luke jumped in surprise and fright.

He had just heard a voice right in his head. It was pleasant and melodious, but it felt a little strange. It was as if they were his own thoughts, but he knew they weren't.

[Don't be so scared.] — The voice in my head said playfully.— [Now you and I are connected, so we can communicate through thoughts.]

Luke was surprised, but outwardly he didn't show it so that the nameless girl wouldn't understand it.

'Eri?' He thought.

The melodious voice rang in his head again.

[That's the one.]

Luke frowned a little.

'Is she going to read my mind all the time now?' The guy thought.— 'Even when I'm thinking about her curves?'

[You're right, so I advise you to learn how to filter your own thoughts as soon as possible.] —Said Eri.

Luke cursed under his breath.

'I think I'm already feeling a little sorry.'

[It's a shame actually.]

Luke sighed heavily and massaged his temples.

He hoped it was worth it.

[Definitely worth it]

'Damn it.'