Chapter 25: The Spear of Starvation
"Excuse me," Kyouka chimed in. "That toad had a lot of shinies. Is there a way to obtain them? Do you need them, miss?"
To Nith's disbelief, now that their lives were no longer in jeopardy, Kyouka remembered the accessories piercing the toad's stone body.
The swarm of ravens had devoured them all, but perhaps Famine didn't have any significant use for them.
She'd gladly take them all!
"I do not," Famine replied.
A single raven coalesced over her shoulder. It perched amidst the feathers of Famine's dress and leaned toward Kyouka, parting its beak and spitting out an avalanche of golden items.
"That thing nearly killed us, and you want its items?" Nith asked.
"You say that as if you wouldn't pick up loot from it! Loot is loot! Besides, you're surely not leaving behind that white orb, right?" Kyouka explained her reasoning while holding her cupped hands up, cradling all the items in her palms.
"That's our reward for toiling here… but your reward doesn't compare to the white orb, you know?" Nith asked.
Kyouka smirked. "I'm someone's bitch."
"You're fucking weird. I swear, you have a few loose screws."
"Shut up! It's your fault! You can't be nice, can you? And if you say something nice, I'll have goosebumps for a week! Anyway, I'll never forget what you said! And besides… hehe, my new title…" Kyouka smiled from ear to ear, grinning as she recalled her new title amidst the golden avalanche of items piling in her palms.
Nith sighed. 'What does this woman see in me? And this crazy girl really became my soulmate?!'
As Kyouka gathered all the loot, she forced Nith to open an inventory for her. Since Nith's arms were still useless, Kyouka needed his guidance.
Throwing items into an invisible sphere was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
She thanked Famine again. "Thank you, miss! Next time we meet, I'll gift you a nice pair of golden earrings. I can already see a good design that'll go well with your beautiful eyes!"
"…that I don't mind," Famine replied. "I may not be particularly interested in fashion or have an eye for it, but there's something within my core that makes me want to stand out and look gorgeous."
"Ah, that's because you're a woman!" Kyouka chuckled.
-
Nith kicked the white orb with his knee, then perched it on the top of his foot like a pro soccer player.
Opening his inventory screen, he made a makeshift goal. Kicking the white orb high, he waited for it to align with his crosshairs, then slammed his foot into it, scoring a goal.
The entire floor trembled. Cracks spread everywhere, dirt billowed in all directions, and water on all floors began sizzling and evaporating. The crushing of stones against the floor produced so much noise that speaking became impossible. Keeping balance gradually became a challenge, too.
The scene was straight out of a horror movie, but Nith and Kyouka weren't worried about their safety at all because a portal appeared in front of Nith.
It would take them to the safe zone, away from the chaos.
Looking over his shoulder, Nith saw Kyouka catching up to him. Famine stood across from them, completely indifferent to the mess. No, the mess eluded her.
He shouted, "You have my gratitude for today. In the future, whatever you need me for, just call me."
Did she hear him amidst the raging cave?
Famine's voice resounded in Nith's mind. Gula has a web of pawns. I, however, do not yearn for pawns myself but loyal allies. A vast power gap separates us, but I have a weapon for you that will not only serve as a token of our friendship but will also facilitate your venom. If you feel gratitude toward me, tame that power.
Nith narrowed his eyes.
His gaming instincts and natural desire to prove others wrong flared up within him.
He curtly nodded at the woman.
She pointed her palm at him, from which a long object emerged, barreling toward Nith's heart. It lodged deep within him before sinking into his flesh and taking a home inside him.
[You have received a new title.]
[You have received a new weapon—The Spear of Starvation.]
'The way I see myself in the future is way different from what I used to be as a player. I was sure I'd fight in melee, but not with a spear. Sounds like a challenge,' he thought. "Until next time, Famine."
"See you soon, Famine!" Kyouka waved at the woman.
The duo went through the portal.
At the same time, a black tornado wrapped around Famine, warping her out of the chaos.
On that day, the disappearance of the low-danger zone swept through The Mythverios Kingdom and its neighbors, as well as The Adventurer Guild and other powerhouses.
The culprits weren't thinking about it at all.
Instead, their romcom continued.
"You can't move your arms… it means!"
"Yeah, it means you'll have to wipe my ass."
"DEMON!" Kyouka scurried away to her basement.