Roused by alluring, savory smells, a carnal growl roared from a hungry beast, rumbling at my side.

My. What a feisty one. I thought, glancing at the perpetrator hidden behind a black cloak in the seat next to mine.

The thunderous sounds silenced a large and packed establishment, the place the fleshy ones called a ‘restaurant.’

It was a strange area of congregation, mixed with mouth-watering aromas and the foul smells of day-old—maybe even week-old—unbathed adventurers. But don’t be mistaken by the previously happy chatter and occasional drunkard slamming their mugs on the tables. The restaurant was where the organic creatures went to feast on others.

The particularly famished one beside me roared again from Gael’s depths, and all eyes in the room converged and fell upon our small table for two by a corner window—seated by me and Gael. Although I wasn’t eating anything, I sat leaning in the wooden chair next to Gael, rightfully so, while his bag lay on the ground.

Like a wailing child, the beast inside Gael did not relent and continued throwing a tantrum. No more did the room buzz with clattering spoons on bowls and knives cutting through meats and scratching the plates.

Gael’s cheeks faintly turned pink as his head slightly tucked into his shoulders from the weight of embarrassment. Rubbing the growling monster in his belly, he attempted to quiet the beast. But to no effect, as it protested against Gael’s hand by rumbling even louder.

It was like Gael had another pet other than Nuria, the tear-shaped fiery mass who sat jiggling on his left shoulder. The stomach whining with growls in Gael's belly was rather fussy. Understandably, of course, seeing how my new owner neglected the poor thing all day. Not a morsel of food or a sip of water was given.

Haaaa… Organic creatures and their everyday plights.

Thank the Great Spirit I didn’t need to eat and expel what I ate afterwards. Such strange creatures, organic beings were. They all eat, only to be eaten. The many great races typically did most of the eating. But now, they, too, were eaten by Dungeons. What an odd circle of life. There was always something bigger that ate those smaller ones. Not even Dungeons were safe.

But back to Gael and his pets. Nuria bobbed excitedly up and down on his shoulder as rescue arrived.

“What’s this I hear?” Said a plump lady in a coarse beige dress. Her two hands were full with a rectangular tray on each side, both teeming with overlapping plates of food ready to be served.

Although I lacked the sense of taste, as I sat leaning back against the chair beside Gael, I could smell delectable aromas wafting from the trays into the surroundings. Whatever was soon to be gobbled down by Gael and his monstrous stomach smelled divine.

I always wondered what the hype around eating was about. But the curious smells indirectly told me I missed out.

Placing one tray down, steam rose off the piping hot food, and Gael gulped down a mouthful of saliva.

“You starving yourself again, Gael?”

“Work’s been busier than normal today, Patty. Had no time to eat.”

Giving Gael a knowing eye, she quipped back, “Cus you went to ‘sell your wares’ at another nearby Dungeon, I bet.”

Gael shrugged. “Business has been slowing down on the road to the Dungeons on the eastern side.”

Glancing around the densely packed tables full of customers, who now ignored Gael’s rumbling belly and gorged down on their bowls of scrumptious food, my guy noticed even more customers walking into the restaurant.

Gael sighed, “Haaaa… Unfortunately, my business isn’t always booming like yours.”

“And whose fault is that?” The plump, middle-aged lady said while puffing out her chest. “I’ve been telling you, to settle down, Gael. Open a shop. I know you got loyal customers.”

Gael’s forehead slightly contorted as he frowned with hints of frustration. “I would, Patty. I think I could make it too with everyone’s help. It’s just that-”

“Then do it! Ain’t no time like the present, you know?”

“…Permits, Patty. I can’t because of the requirements. I don’t meet the standards of Dwelf City or the Guilds in order to set up a crafting shop.”

“Oh…”

Gale broke the awkward silence.

“But that’s why I’m working on the side for now—building up my skills until I’m considered a One-Star Blacksmith.”

“Right!” Patty exclaimed, maybe happy that Gael did not take offense. “AND a One-Star Apothecary. You’re so talented, Gael! Stupid rules, everyone in the eastern part of the city knows you’re practically beyond an apprentice already.”

Gael faked a smile that showed more hurt than anything. “Rules are rules, unfortunately. It would have been easier to acquire my badges if I was an apprentice under an established master craftsman. But none were willing to take on an Artificer.”

Sensing Gael’s distress, Patty smacked him on the back.

“Screw them, Gael. What do they know? You’re striving to be as great as the legends of the past. Those old boogers will soon regret not taking you as a disciple.”

Determination returned to Gael’s eyes, and seeing that her words reached Gael’s heart, Patty gave him one more smack of encouragement.

Gael grunted, “Oof,” as he rubbed his stinging back.

“Cheer up, Gael. You’ll get there if you keep working at it. For now, eat. Harold’s comforting food will help you feel better.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Thanks, Patty. Give my compliments to your husband. I know it’s going to be good.”

“Bah! Don’t stroke his ego, Gael.” Waving Gael off, Patty walked to serve a group of waiting customers three tables down.

Hmmm. I pondered, observing my new master. The smack to Gael’s back seemed to lift his drooping head and re-energize the momentarily defeated Gael. I took note of the point about my new owner. I needed to figure out how he ticks in order to make a good deal. But…

My new owner…was he a masochist?

Gael flashed a small genuine smile at the lady’s words. Or was it from the smack to his back?

Regardless, as the lady left to distribute the plates of food on her other tray, Gael slurped back the drool in his mouth as he ravenously eyed his five-plate meal. Lifting the spoon off the table, Gael quickly dipped it in the closest bowl to scoop up a bite.

Now that the tray with five dishes was laid on the table, I could properly see what was served.

The spoon sank into a thick and puréed soup—maybe tomato soup? It glistened in a rich red and orange color that rippled with shines of infused golden oils.

But as Gael lifted a spoonful that contained chunks of meat and hearty potatoes, fragrant spices of cumin, coriander, and curry powder swept into the air and tickled my senses. I was partially right. There were tomatoes, but it was not soup. I smelled a balance of sweet ripened tomatoes and cool yogurt coming from the curry dish.

I gulped seeing Gael close his eyes and moan as he savored the flavors.

“Mmmmm… Perfect every time.”

“Puriiii!” The wiggling ball of fire complained while pulling on Gael’s ear.

“Haha! Yes, yes. But don’t get too excited and burn anything in Patty’s restaurant, okay, Nuria?”

“Pi, pu, pi!”

Taking another spoonful from the bowl of curry, Gael fed Nuria a bite.

“Puuuuuuu!!!”

“Right? So good, huh?”

The slimeball nodded while swinging its round belly back and forth as tiny extensions from its side clasped its cheeks.

Again, Nuria earned fawning chuckles from the surrounding onlookers.

Me too! Me too! I can show everyone how good it tastes! Albeit, I wouldn’t really know. But I could try! “Hey G-!”

Immediately, Gael gave me ‘the look.’ I stopped and drooped to the side. Gael eyes widened with menace, but I simply slid to the corner of the chair and ignored Gael. It was normal for a leaning sword to fall over.

…

Again I waited as Gael and Nuria warfed down their food.

I was angry at myself for taking a glance this time, but I was too curious about the voracious slurping noises coming from the duo.

The two finished another two trays of food. Mostly eaten by the small fireball.

Where did it all go? Maybe Nuria simply vaporized everything it ate?

“Done, Gael?” Patty said, dropping by to check on her customer. “Need anything else?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“You, little Nuria?”

“Pi, pi,” Nuria said, patting its bulging belly.

“Haha! Glad you liked it, little one.”

Grabbing one Big Silver from within his black cloak, Gael handed it over to Patty to pay for his meal. “Keep the change, Patty.”

“Wait, this is still too much, Gael!”

“It’s okay, you and Harold have helped us many times when we first arrived here. Aeron and I are grateful.”

“Speaking of the devil, where is he?”

“He’ll probably come down after I go up.”

“Ah…” Patty said with a knowing voice. “You’re still pretty unknown on the west side of the city. But here in the East, the two of you should eat together. That’s what families do. Everyone here already knows about you two.”

“Just in case, Patty. Until I get more established there. Someone might cross the Divide, come to the East, see us, and ruin the show.”

“Maybe… But it’s unlikely with how far they’d have to travel. The Divide is too troublesome to fly over. Costly, at that, too. Most people only stay on one side. Only you and your brother bother taking the long route back and forth around the dang canyon crater. For your better interest, I recommend staying in the West.”

“The West? When we get to have food fit for nobles like this here? The food alone is worth every trip.”

“Oh, stop, you!” Patty said with a beaming smile while unable to look Gael in the face. “Go on. Get to rest so Aeron can come down for a meal.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Gael said, smiling back as he stood up.

“See you next time, Nuria,” Patty said, showing hints of worry at Gael. “Keep an eye on your master, okay?”

“Pu, ri, pu!” Nuria said with a salute of its little arm, and Patty chuckled.

Sticking me in his bag, Gael picked everything up and kept it to his front. He carefully dodged around the other patrons enjoying themselves at the many tables and headed to the stairs in the opposite corner of the large building.

Walking up two flights of stairs to the third and top floor, Gael lightly tapped on the first door on his right before unlocking and heading into the room next to it. After a few moments of closing the entrance to Gael’s room, the muffled swinging noises of a door opening creaked through the walls.

“Have a good dinner, Brother,” Gael whispered as steps trodded down the staircase.

Immediately, I zoomed out Gael’s bag, having to deal with an eternity of waiting. Hovering in the air, I rapidly spun, unraveling the cloth wrapped around my body.

“Finally! Do you know how long I waited for you, New Owner?”

Frantically looking at the walls of the room, even though no one else was inside, with a finger pressed to his lips, Gael hissed, “Shhh!!! Not so loud! The walls are thin!”

“So? Can’t you bring in a companion? I’m sure you heard worse. You know, the excessive moaning and pounding that happens at night? Who cares if I talk?”

“That- Why do you know about that?!” Gael whisper-shouted. “Ugh! That’s beyond the point. Don’t you get it? You’re a talking sword! Everyone will care! A new talking item, especially a sword, has not been found for over a few millennia! You’ll be the center of attention! Wars may even be fought for you!”

“Oh…” I was momentarily taken aback. “Wait. Wars will be fought in my honor? Isn’t that, like, awesome? Alright! Now we’re talking! People are finally seeing my worth! Let the games begin! How do we start this war?”

“Are you crazy!?” Gael hissed. “When has war ever done anything good!? The accumulated malice from the hundreds of millions who died during the Fourth Age formed the twisted will of those damned Dungeons!”

“Hmmm…” I pondered. “True. Yet, not everyone sees Dungeons in that way. Isn’t that why adventurers still willingly enter the mouths of those monsters?”

“Because they are fools! The Dungeons now grow not only in power but also more cunning! All they desire is to consume all! Why can’t anyone see that?!”

I wanted to continue the debate, but now Gael was the one ironically shouting.

Jeez, my man. What did the Dungeons do to you?