The world awakens in chaos.
A man in a black robe stands outside the glass window, holding a communicator. His voice, distorted and fragmented by electromagnetic static, comes and goes:
“XX-0863.”
Hearing his voice, in the pure white and empty room, the only bed’s round, lumpy quilt shifts, and then a small head pokes out.
“Mmm… have we eaten yet?”
I rub my eyes, yawning. My stomach is empty, growling with hunger.
“Today is Evaluation Day. I need to conduct a Perception Assessment for you.”
“Oh… so it’s not time to eat.”
My excitement instantly drops, and I shrink back into the quilt.
“First question, who are you?”
“Sui. My name is Sui. Yes, I’m a person.”
My voice is muffled by the quilt.
I’ve answered this question countless times; it comes naturally now.
“Second question: What do you think humans are to you?”
“Delicacies! Um—” I quickly cover my mouth, “They’re Companions. Fragrant, tasty Companions.”
He doesn’t respond, just keeps reciting like an incantation: “Third question: Do you think you can control your own behavior?”
“Mm-hmm, I can.”
If I’m hungry, I find food on my own. I don’t trouble others.
“Assessment complete.”
“Then can I go out now? I’ve been locked up here for so, so long, I’m getting moldy, and there’s nothing tasty here. I’m going to starve to death.”
“As usual, no.”
My face falls. I stick my head out from the quilt again and look at that opaque Single-sided Glass Wall.
My reflection is clearly visible: fair and tender, a cute and charming girl—except for the constantly spinning, interlocking spiral pupils like teeth, and the huge horn-like protrusions behind my pointed ears.
Right now, her face is full of displeasure. Deep red symmetrical markings flare with each breath along her cheeks, making her look both seductive and strange.
But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
I just look a little different, but deep down, I’m still human.
I remember a lot of things.
Like how to eat, how to play with a phone, how to open doors, how to fight crickets.
Other than a few memories fading, I’m still pretty normal.
But these people just won’t listen, locking me up here, even shocking me. They’re the real bad guys.
Hehe, when I get out, I’ll eat you all up and rid the world of evil.
The same verdict as always. I’d long given up hope and was ready to go back to sleep, when this time, the voice outside the mirror didn’t stop abruptly.
“But this time, there’s an exception.”
“I can go out?!”
I fling off the quilt. The cool air prickles my bare skin, but I don’t care. I jump off the bed, running barefoot across the smooth floor toward the mirror.
“Can I go out now? Can I?”
“Can I? Can I?”
My voice echoes, gradually fading.
No answer.
I frown.
Is he messing with me? I’m really not happy right now, there’s nothing to eat, and I’m in a foul mood.
Clack.
A hidden compartment suddenly opens in the ceiling, and several items drop down, hitting the floor with a ringing clatter.
Just then, his voice resumes.
“Put it on, and then I’ll bring you out.”
I crouch down, curious. The objects on the ground are three rings, two small, one large.
“What’s this?”
“Restraint Ring.”
“What does it do?”
“If you break the rules, I’ll detonate the Restraint Ring immediately.”
“Will I die?”
“Yes.”
“Alright then.”
I pick up the rings and slip them onto my wrists, then put the big one around my neck. The indicator light turns green, meaning the restraint is active.
“Feels… doesn’t really feel different, just a bit heavy.”
I move around a little. Nothing seems off.
As soon as I put them on, the Single-sided Glass Wall finally turns transparent, and a door opens beside it.
Ahahaha!
Freedom!
I dash over on my short legs. Just then, a lump of soft flesh slips out from under my white robe, dropping with a sticky splat and splattering a bit.
“Ah, sorry, my tongue fell out. Wait a moment.”
I say sheepishly, crouching to pick up the still-wriggling, pink, tender lump.
Lifting my robe, I reveal my abdomen, where a terrifyingly dark, gaping mouth chews, causing my whole stomach to rise and fall with each breath like a living thing.
“Since I haven’t eaten, my big mouth decided to eat its own tongue.”
I explain this matter-of-factly, handing the giant tongue back to my belly. “Big Mouth” seems to sense it, stops chewing, opens wide, and lets me put the tongue back inside.
After finishing, I finally relax.
If only I’d eaten more yesterday, I wouldn’t have ended up eating myself… Maybe I should ask him where there’s something to eat?
Food, food.
Hehe.
I think he smells delicious—he must taste great.
Too bad I can’t eat him now, or I’ll be blown up.
I wonder if begging would let him let me eat him?
After leaving the room, I realize the person isn’t human, but a robot.
“Huh?”
All happy for nothing.
“Follow me, and don’t run off. Otherwise, I’ll detonate the Restraint Ring immediately.”
“Got it.”
Although robots don’t look tasty, it’s not impossible. Just have to chew more, though it’s hard to digest and causes constipation.
From a health standpoint, robots aren’t suitable as a staple food.
I follow him, through pitch-black corridors and flickering white suspension bridges, then up in an elevator.
Going up is boring.
Everything’s black: the glass is black, the lights are black.
Creak—
I spit out the metal finger joint in my mouth, and in the next instant, the Restraint Ring zaps me with electricity. I collapse to my knees, body trembling.
My tongue uncontrollably stretches out, long and limp. The one on my belly stretches out too, licking the metal floor, drooling as saliva spreads across the ground. My body steams, even my hair stands on end.
“So numb… ptooey ptooey…”
Didn’t think I’d get caught.
If I’d known it was so tough, I wouldn’t have tried to sneak a bite.
I thought with it so dark, it wouldn’t notice.
“First warning. Three strikes, and that’s it. Restrain your habits and instincts, or I’ll take you back to the Containment Cell and you’ll never leave again.”
“Sorry, I was just too hungry. I won’t do it again.”
You really aren’t tasty at all.
He says nothing, but I don’t mind.
Freedom, hehe…
There’s so much food outside. I want it all… all of it… eat it all…
As hunger gnaws at me and I wait, the elevator finally arrives. With a ding, the doors open, and the robot leads me out.
“Wow! That’s sunlight! It really shines! What’s this? Is it grass? Can I eat it?”
I look around excitedly.
It’s a corridor, long and spacious. Sunlight pours through the glass, illuminating the deep red carpet on the floor, and the green plants growing in porcelain vases by the wall.
None of this was in the Containment Cell. Of course, I’ve seen sunlight, and grass, and those horned, big-headed dogs…
But seeing is one thing; experiencing it firsthand is another.
And I really, really want to eat it, just to taste.
There are two more chances. Getting shocked once more shouldn’t matter.
“Keep up.”
The robot interrupts my thoughts, stopping before a dark wooden door.
“Okay.”
In the end, I don’t eat any of those things.
Because I smell the scent of people.
As I approach the door, voices arguing come from inside, accompanied by banging on the table.
“I said, I don’t want to stay here anymore. No matter how hard you try to keep me, it’s pointless.”
“I understand how you feel. But please, just this last time, I beg you—help me finish this. Once you do, I promise no one will bother you again. You can pursue the peace and quiet you desire. This is the last time, Qu Le.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
The voices quiet down.
The robot knocks: “Sir, I’ve brought the subject.”
“…Come in.”
It opens the door, and I follow inside.
It’s a study, filled with books. Two people are there: one scruffy and unkempt, with messy, wild hair like a tuft of weeds. Looks like he wouldn’t taste good.
The other is much cleaner, dressed like a real person, as delicate as a fancy dessert—makes my mouth water.
“Is it her?”
The dessert looks at me.
The robot replies, “Yes. I’ve put the Restraint Ring on her, but the target is still dangerous.”
“I understand. You can go now.”
The robot pauses, then bows and leaves.
Only the three of us are left.
I rub my arms, lick my lips, and swallow my saliva, but the mouth below won’t stop drooling. It soaks my clothes, trails down my thighs, and leaves dark stains on the floor.
So hungry…
Really want to eat them…
But if I do, I’ll be executed. One full meal versus a lifetime of meals—I can tell the difference.
I must hold back.
“Um… little girl, what’s your name?”
Little girl?
Name?
“Eat… no… I’m… very hungry… Sui…” I stammer, then suddenly switch topics, licking my lips, “Big brother, can I take a bite out of you?”
His smile freezes, as if he’s heard something unbelievable. Then he covers his face, but a low chuckle seeps through his fingers.
He lets go, looking excitedly at the scruffy man.
“See, Lu Xiu? Didn’t I tell you? You get it, right? Do you know what this means?”
“No, I just think you’re crazy.”
The scruffy man, Lu Xiu, leans against the bookshelf, one hand always at his waist—a stance ready to spring.
“What are you talking about? Can’t I just take one bite? Not a lot.”
Just one bite with Big Mouth, hehe.
I didn’t bite on my own—I asked first. That’s polite, so I didn’t break any rules. No punishment.
“Answer my question first, and I’ll prepare a big feast for you. Can you wait a bit? If I get hurt, you’ll be vaporized on the spot.”
“…Fine, fine… There’ll really be a lot of food?”
If that’s the case, I can hold back… as long as there’s enough to eat.
“Absolutely.”
Qu Le nods.
“Now, let’s continue. Sui, do you want to live?”
I open my mouth, head tilted.
“I want to eat more.”
“Alright, let me rephrase. Do you want to stay alive so you can eat more delicacies?”
“Yes!”
My mouth answers before my brain catches up.
“Good, good. Then listen. There’s an opportunity now to realize that dream, but you’ll have to pay a small price—a contract, you could say.”
“Mm.”
I don’t care about contracts or prices. I just want to eat.
“Now, you’ll be his Companion. You’ll help him handle some things, and in return, I’ll provide you with endless food and ensure your survival. Do you accept?”
“I disagree.”
Before I can speak, the scruffy uncle jumps in first.
“Pair up with some unknown monster? Aren’t you afraid she’ll bite you?”
“I’m not a monster, I’m human!”
Really now, I’ve explained so many times. Are they deaf?
Oh, I guess I never told them.
Alright, they’re forgiven. One more time, and if they don’t listen, I’ll eat them.
But the two men both ignore me.
Qu Le sighs, “She has the Restraint Ring. If she attacks, you can destroy her instantly.”
“But if I’m hurt, my trust is wasted, and I get nothing out of this.”
Lu Xiu won’t give in.
“You’re basically putting a bomb in the city. What if she goes berserk? What if there are casualties? Who takes responsibility?”
“I will.” Qu Le cuts Lu Xiu off, looks him in the eye, and repeats, “I will. If she causes casualties, I’ll take responsibility. Everything is on me.”
“You really are crazy.”
“Yes, I’m crazy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to you… Lu Xiu, you’re the one I trust most in the whole Response Bureau. That’s why, after capturing her, I didn’t report it… I hid her existence.”
Lu Xiu is taken aback.
“Lu Xiu, she’s not an Aberration, nor a Devil, and she’s very different from an Innate Spirit. She’s a being who retains a sliver of humanity—she’s a possibility.”
Qu Le clenches his fist.
“A possibility to break the current status quo… These past few years, aberrations are increasing, devils are more active, and everything is sliding into an unknown abyss. Are we just going to stand by and watch the world march into its doomed grave?”
“Is it the Possibility Devil? Did you make a deal with it?”
Though it’s a question, Lu Xiu speaks as if he’s sure.
Faced with this, Qu Le finally nods.
Silence spreads between them.
“Gurgle—”
My stomach breaks the quiet.
“I’m hungry… hehe.”
I scratch my head.
Well, they keep talking, and no one cares about me. It’s normal to be hungry.
“So you want to find the only safe signal among ninety-nine detonation buttons?”
“…Yes.”
“Not afraid to die?”
“It’s better than dying ignorant, isn’t it? At least… it’s the death I chose.”
Silence again.
Only this time, my stomach doesn’t growl.
“I understand.”
Lu Xiu leaves just that one line, then turns to walk out.
So… negotiations fell apart?
Will I still get food?
As I’m still dazed, that man’s voice comes from behind.
“And… apply for four more sets of Restraint Rings for me.”