“Hihi, so you like it?”

“Nn!”

I nod, my smile stretching from ear to ear. After all, who wouldn’t be excited? I now have a sword of my own—a messer sword! And the best part? I’m carrying it openly for the world to see! How cool is that? It’s literally a dream come true, the best gift ever!

I can’t wait for Eris to teach me some sword skills so I can be like a badass anime character!

As we stroll through the bustling streets of Mistvale, I notice that many people are also armed to the teeth. Some carry small swords and axes, while others lug around massive weapons almost as big as their own bodies! Sure, oversized weapons are common in anime and games, but seeing them in person? It hits different! I can’t help but wonder…

How heavy are those things?

How do they even swing them?

And honestly, are they even practical?

“Eris, what weapon do you use?” I ask, now curious since she isn’t carrying any visible weapon.

Well, maybe she’s hiding them somewhere in her clothes—who knows?

“Hmmm, pretty much everything…” Eris says after thinking for a moment. “Swords, axes, hammers, knives, bows, crossbows… I don’t think there’s anything I haven’t tried.”

“Whoa, so you’re like a total weapon master?”

“Yep, you could say that!”

“And what about scythes?”

“Scythes?”

“Yeah! Big scythes! Wooshwoosh!” I swing my arms around like I’m holding an imaginary scythe. The image of Eris, wielding a scythe, reaping the souls of her enemies like a grim catgirl reaper, flashes through my mind. Oh my! It would be so cool to see Eris wielding a scythe! And if possible, I want to try wielding a scythe too!

However…

“Pfft,” Eris laughs, holding her belly. “Sure, if your enemies are grass!”

“Wait!!! There are grass monsters?!”

“Of course not, silly!!!”

Aaaa!

I feel so stupid again!

I’m flustered, which only makes Eris laugh harder.

Just then, a massive bear Furren walks by, dragging a ridiculously oversizedgreatsword behind him. It scrapes against the cobblestone street, creating a deep, grinding sound that makes me cringe a little and I have to cover my ears with my tiny hands. The thing is enormous—easily bigger than both of us combined!

“A-alright! And what about that thing? Have you tried using one of those?” I point at the big sword, my curiosity bubbling over.

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“Oh, of course!” Eris says without missing a beat. “Actually, behemoth swords are one of my favorites!”

“Heeeeeh? Really?” I squint at her. I’m skeptical, very skeptical.

I mean, sure, Eris is strong—her muscles are no joke—but compared to the hulking bear Furren over there, she is just a slim and petite catgirl. I can’t exactly picture her lifting, let alone wielding, something that big.

“What? You don’t believe me?” Eris asks, arching a playful eyebrow at my doubting expression.

“Nah,” I giggle, shaking my head. “I mean, you’re strong, but that thing looks crazy!”

“Alright,” Eris crosses her arms, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips. “I’ll show you one day. You’ll see.”

“Yeah! I’m looking forward to it!” I laugh.

If what she said is true, it would be so cool to see her wielding an insane weapon like that!

———————————————

Moments later, we find ourselves at the bustling heart of Mistvale’s street food market.

WOAAAAAAH!!!

There’s good food everywhere!

My eyes go wide as I take in the scene before me. Stalls stretch endlessly down the street, each one sizzling, roasting, or frying something that smells absolutely divine. My nose is assaulted by the most glorious mix of scents—grilled meats, rich spices, sweet pastries, and something crispy and savory that I can’t even begin to describe.

It’s like I’ve died and gone to fantasy food heaven!

Everywhere I look, there’s something delicious calling my name: vendors flipping kebabs with chunks of smoky meat skewered on sticks, crackling over hot charcoal. The rich, tangy BBQ glaze drips off the meat, making my mouth water. Nearby, another stall boasts crispy Filoan wings, slathered in a sweet and spicy honey glaze that has me weak in the knees.

And then, there are the pastries—oh my goodness—the fluffy moondust cakes are bigger than my head, dusted with powdered sugar that glitters like stars, and soft, buttery rolls shaped like flower petals, oozing with fresh herb butter!

And just when I think I’ve seen it all, my gaze lands on the more… exotic offerings. Bright pink snails bubbling in some mysterious sauce that looks like molten lava, must be extremely spicy I guess, and… what in the world? Deep-fried Tarantulian spiders, each one as big as my palm, skewered and battered! They look like a horror movie come to life. Definitely not touching that!

Aside from the terrifying spiders, though… everything looks AMAZING! The portions are huge, the smells are mouthwatering, and my stomach feels like it’s about to riot from sheer excitement!

Brrrrrr!!!

It’s rioting right now!

“Aaaaaaaa~!!” I wail, clutching my head in dramatic agony. “Eris, help meee!!!”

“Eh?”Eris turns to me, eyebrows raised. “What’s wrong now?”

“There’s just too much food! I don’t know what to try first!” I exclaim, my eyes darting from one tempting stall to the next. My stomach growls loudly enough that I swear people down the street can hear it.

“Haha, is that so?” Eris laughs out loud this time. “Alright! Follow me, I’ll take you to one of my favorites!” she says, her grin spreading.

“Yesssss, let’s gooo!” I squeal, practically bouncing after her.

And after that, Eris grabs my hand and leads me through the chaotic maze of stalls and people. We pass a dozen food vendors that all look equally delicious, and my stomach protests loudly with every step, but Eris seems to have a specific destination in mind. I’m practically vibrating with anticipation.

Finally, we stop in front of a small, unassuming stall sandwiched between two much flashier setups. The sign above reads “Schleimfisch.”

It’s nothing fancy—no dazzling colors or oversized banners to grab attention. Just a humble little food stall.

But…

The line is hugeeeee!!! There are no less than 30 people lining up here, waiting for their turn!

And the best part? Nearly everyone in line is a cat Furren!

“Yeah! We cat Furrens go crazy for this stuff, this is our signature dish!” Eris says, beaming with pride. “Felicia, you have to try it! Quick, get in line before it gets any longer!”

And before I can even process what’s happening, Eris pulls me into the line, her excitement infectious.

Now, she’s practically bouncing on her feet like a kitten about to get a treat.

“Oooh, I can’t wait! It’s been forever since I last had Schleimfisch!” Eris gushes, wiping the drool off the corner of her mouth.

Seeing her react like that, I can’t help but get caught up in the excitement too.

I mean, if this is a dish that drives catgirls wild…

HECK YEAH!

I NEED TO TRY THIS!!!

However… something isn’t right.

…

What is that weird smell I’m smelling?