-Day 9-

So it has been a few days since we claimed this mansion as ours. Why someone would just let it stay uninhabited was beyond me, despite the fact that it was just battered to bits. Still, a massive upgrade from sleeping on grass under trees for Saria for sure.

We found a river nearby the orchard where Saria is regularly taking food from. I was sure this river would be able to lead us further into human civilization if we wanted, but we enjoyed the time we spent talking together and exploring the area. With the most necessary stuff out of the way, which was water, food and a roof, it actually became kind of enjoyable to loaf around. A nice change of pace from my previous life of work.

About the food problem, we still went to that orchard. It was the plan to go there once a day. I did tell her to get a grip and eat the monsters that just magically appeared whenever I even dared to use my Take Over skill, but she vehemently refused to eat any of the prey we took out.

(Saria) "I don't wanna eat those disgusting things! They are yucky!"

Yes, she is that kind of kid. Behind the gracious facade she could put up, she was an absolute monkey on the inside.

On that note, we were currently on the daily patrol around the area and were on our way to secure some of the so-I've-been-told delicious fruit from the orchard. As usual now, she went up and plucked a few apples (I'm just calling them apples at this point, Saria doesn't know what they are either) and put them in the bag we found back in the mansion. The ones that were scattered around on the ground went in the bag first, and if it didn't fill it, she took the ones on the trees.

One tree probably had enough for four or five weeks of food though, and there were a lot of trees. As long as we didn't piss off the farmers who conveniently never showed up to protest against this theft we wouldn't be getting into any issues.

(Draven) «Seriously though, don't you get sick eating the same food every day...?»

(Saria) "What? No, they are delicious!"

She said while chomping on one with her mouth filled. I could only let out a sigh in response to that.

(Draven) «Just be sure not to pick too many from the same tree so we don't leave behind traces that we-»

A sudden chill in my back hit me. Was this a danger-sense? In the blink of an eye I enveloped Saria in my shadows and used Take Over. I caught a spear-like weapon mid-air, centimeters away from Saria's body. This was way too close and could have caused a bad injury.

I looked around in a hurry to figure out where the weapon came from. The assailant was an older man with overalls a good ten meters away from us. More importantly, a human! The first human I had seen in this world. No wait, scratch that, I killed those summoners back then. But now I got a closer look without everything being all blurry.

Well, he looked like a human. When he noticed his assassination attempt had failed, he fell down on his behind. Was he maybe afraid of me? Oh right, I was looking like a nightmare incarnate when using Take Over.

I walked my way towards him to try and talk with him, breaking the spear, or rather a pitchfork on closer inspection, in two to show him not to mess with us while approaching him.

(Draven) «"You understand what I am saying, right?"»

The old geezer looked like he was paralyzed with fear, which made things a bit difficult.

(Draven) «"Don't throw this thing at strangers. We're just here for the fruit."»

(Farmer) "The- The fruit?"

(Draven) «"We're just hungry. Although we're going to take a few extra apples now to make up for your shabby assassination attempt. You're lucky I caught it in time."»

He got his footing back again. Looked like he calmed down, but he clearly still had his guard up. The fact that he threw a pitchfork of all things meant that he didn't have much else in terms of weapons, so clearly he wasn't prepared for combat. Which means there would be little danger for us.

(Farmer) "Is this- Is this some kind of trick...? You just want something to eat?"

(Draven) «"Uh, of course, why else would we be here? I do hope we're not gonna have any disagreements just because we poach some of the apples. We don't have any other food, and honestly it's not like you seem to be in a position to stop us, but I'd at least like to start a good relationship with you for a compromise."»

(Farmer) "Uhm... Yes, take it, please. But I can't believe it, you're not going to harm us? That's not why you're here?"

(Draven) «"What? You thought that's why we're here? Is it not normal to establish friendly relationships if you want something from someone else?"»

The dude just had his mouth open. Did I say something wrong?

(Draven) «"Just, next time don't try to impale us, okay?"»

Still no response. I went ahead and started picking up the fruit that fell out of the bag Saria was carrying to make things a little less awkward, hopefully.

(Draven) «"Sigh, well, I'm a shadow beast and my name is... Uh, mister shadow, for now I suppose. And I'm controlling the body of a demon called Saria. Or maybe I shouldn't tell too much."»

(Farmer) "Ah, no, please. I... Just find it fascinating to be talking with a monster. I- I have never heard of one willing to just talk with a human unless contracted."

(Draven) «"Is that so? Guess there is a first to everything, innit?"»

He seemed friendly enough, albeit slightly confused. Apparently it wasn't normal for us to be talking to him. But if I could form some kind of deal with him then we might be able to get some information about the humans around here while also making friendly relationships with them. Oh, and the food too. This is exactly the kind of reward I had in mind when I thought about work for Saria!

Of course that depends if there even was work, if not we'd have to continue taking the fruit until we found something else.

(Draven) «"Say, you need any help around here?"»

(Farmer) "Help?"

(Draven) «"You know, need someone to do some work? We wanted to find some work anyways, and this place doesn't look like it's sprawling with danger."»

(Farmer) "W- Well, we couldn't possibly contract something as... A being such as you-"

(Draven) «"We are looking for work. W, o, r, k. Not some stupid contract. Do you not have anything to do here? We could guard the area for all we care, just something that gives us food and maybe some money."»

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Saria was going to be so mad that I was asking this in her stead right now. But that's nice too. Doing something she wouldn't want to do can be good motivation to find something for her that she likes doing. Like going out of your comfort zone and working for so-called trashy humans.

(Farmer) "There is an issue of other monsters disturbing our crops just like you- I mean... I- If you are able to keep them away, it would be more than enough for us to give you a part of the crop. But... You see, my wife and I do not have much in terms of money..."

(Draven) «"Oh well, that's okay too. Guarding the crops should be easy. In fact, we can show you right now what we can do."»

There was a wild animal approaching me once again. This time a weird beaver-look-a-like appeared, with the same antlers as many of the other animals that looked like they enjoyed assaulting me while using Take Over. This one was alone unlike the rats, wolves and everything else we've encountered so far. Guess beavers don't hunt in packs. I just didn't get why these were all after us though.

Now for whatever reason, Saria categorized many different animals in this forest as fae, even though there was a wide variety of opponents so far. The only thing common about them were those antlers that grew out of their heads, which for Saria was enough to call them fae for.

This beaver fae wasn't really approaching though. We had dealt with some really intense numbers before in the last few days. But that little critter was nothing compared to the larger stuff I had sliced. It had the expression of "I really want to have a go at it, but I'm probably going to regret it" marked across it's face.

Anyhow, waiting around was in nobody's favor, so I made quick work of it. The beaver was alone. It was a convenient way to show this farmer that his request wasn't difficult. Speed and power packed in one.

(Draven) «"See? It's easy."»

In two or three seconds I had quickly rushed towards the poor thing and cut it in half. The farmer could only look in awe at the overwhelming difference between predator and prey.

(Farmer) "Wha... This power, and you really want to work for food only?"

(Draven) «"It's all we need right now."»

(Farmer) "Hm... Alright. If you truly wish to guard these crops of ours we would be happy. My name is Jack Claude."

He didn't look overly happy though. More than likely he was still unsure considering the being that he was talking to. The thing I had become apparently didn't have the best reputation visually.

(Draven) «"Wait. This is probably going to end badly, but I want you to meet the actual Saria too."»

I went back to my original form as a shadow to give Saria her free will and soon to be angry voice back. I figured that if we ever wanted to interact with other humans, which she sees as a blight on the planet, then she would need to bite the bullet and practice contact with them.

(Draven) «You're free to talk again.»

(Saria) "What in hell's name? Mister shadow, are you for real?! I'm happy that you stopped that weapon from hitting me, but I am NOT helping humans with-"

(Draven) «Oh, shut up. We get free food without needing to worry about it anymore and we get to do combat exercise. Even better, we might be seen as nice guys by other humans so that we can use them later on for our own goals.»

(Saria) "I- I'm not doing something this degrading. No chance."

(Draven) «In that case you will have to say goodbye to your apples.»

(Saria) "Wait, what? No, I want the apples!"

(Draven) «Then work for the human.»

(Saria) "But... Can't we just take them?"

(Draven) «We can't.»

Who knew her love for apples would help her overcome one of her first hurdles... Not like I'm complaining about the education through the stomach here. She was sure to see what benefit it would grant us later if we could trade and mingle with humans.

(Saria) "Hnn, fine... Human! I will reluctantly work for you in exchange for these... really delicious apples you are growing here. But you better give me some each day, else I'll just take them myself."

She had her arms crossed an looked to the side as if she didn't even want to recognize the guy.

(Jack) "Uh... of course. But, you're a different person from the... mister shadow I just spoke to?"

(Saria) "Hmph. Obviously."

(Jack) "Uhm... That is, uh, good to know. We will be in your care if you can protect us then."

...

Was the demon talking to herself? No, her appearance changed to that of a more harmless demon child. It clearly had two personalities from the way that it suddenly changed attitude. A shadow beast and a demon, two of the most powerful monsters you could encounter sharing the same existence... What other choice did he have but to accept their demands...

It was soon time to harvest the fruit, but it became increasingly difficult finding an opportunity to do so if monsters kept crawling between the trees, lured in by the harvest. The regular guard patrols around the area that usually dealt with them were suddenly gone. But now, as if too good to be true, a seemingly intelligent and, most importantly, emotional monster wanted to help him and his wife for the low cost of basic provisions...

It had sliced a fae beaver into pieces like it was nothing. It had no issues deflecting an ambush against itself. Yet it still wished to work for the food that it could just as well take. It had to be planning something, he was certain of that.

(Jack) "We- Well, let's... Would you like something to eat right now? I am sure that eating these tropicots must instill a hunger for other kinds of food."

(Saria) "Tropicots? What's that?"

(Jack) "Tropicots are the fruit I'm sure you were talking about. Could it be that you didn't know of them? They are a delicacy around these parts and only properly mature in forests like these. Anyways, let me not bore you out here. Let's go inside for the moment."

He had to get on it's good side. Even if it meant spoiling the demon somewhat. Only an associate would be able to deal with this hellish strength it displayed. Stalling for time was the only thing he could do.

(Saria) "Hn, sure."

Monsters typically were not as much of an issue. They were small critters such as the fae beaver earlier, something that could be dealt with. The patrols helped keep the more dangerous beasts such as fae rats which lived around these parts away. For the last couple of days, these patrol units refrained from taking their regular patrols though. As if preparing or afraid of something.

And of course, at the same time, a demon of all things happened to find solace in the tropicots he was nurturing. He had never seen one before, but he instinctively knew it was one when he saw her the first time sneaking onto the orchard to eat. Not wanting conflict, he kept low despite regularly seeing the monster through the windows of the house, but if he and his wife were to make enough money to survive the cold seasons this year, then he had to take action himself to protect his crops. Too many went to waste to monsters eating them, and the demon regularly visiting would have a heavy toll on the harvest over time.

The one and same demon he was afraid of engaging with was now being led into his abode by himself. What was he even thinking...

(Jack) "Please enter. I will have Erin prepare tea for us."

And sure enough, it entered. The one named Saria, a name usually recognizable for more divine beings in myths, made herself comfortable in one of the chairs in the kitchen.

(Jack) "I will be right back."

(Saria) "Sure, whatever, I've got time."

Erin, his beloved wife, must have seen what was going on through the window in the living room. There was no way that he wished for Erin to aid him taking on whatever monsters lurked outside. His wife was pregnant with their child, so endangering her was absolutely not an option. Yet, if the demon wishes to "work", they would meet sooner or later.

It was his judgement that the two meet each other before the demon were to suspect that he was hiding things from him. Erin was a kind woman, so if the demon truly had emotions like humans do, then she surely would reach through to her.

(Erin) "Oh, dear, please tell me what is going on. It didn't perform mind magic on you, did it?"

(Jack) "Erin, there you are. You won't believe what happened..."

He hugged his wife and told her the full story of what happened. In the meantime, she prepared some tea from the heated water next to their fireplace.

(Erin) "So it wants to help? That's great, isn't it?"

(Jack) "Yes, but it's a demon, Erin. I've never heard of a demon that willingly wants to work for their reward. I've never heard of any monster that would do such a thing."

He tried to sigh as much as possible to give her a vibe of how he feels about the situation, but he knew her too well. She had optimism in her voice.

(Erin) "I'm good at reading people, Jack. You know that. The patrols are ignoring us and if we don't do something, we'll end up not being able to live here because of all the monsters that lately are settling down here either way, right?"

(Jack) "Right..."

She couldn't help but smile at him to assure him that things would work out. Naturally, he couldn't resist smiling back when seeing this.

(Jack) "I'm just worried about you both. I just... We should leave for the city when it's not looking, if something were to happen to you, then-"

(Erin) "I don't want for a fate like that to happen to our coming child, but if it is toying with us and plans to kill us, there isn't much we can do. The orchard is where our home is, Jack. Let's just try to be as inviting as possible, right?"

(Jack) "Sigh, I knew you would say that."

(Erin) "Of course. Nobody knows me better than you, after all."

He was able to let out a small giggle. The smile that was in front of him that kept him alive was irresistible after all.

(Jack) "Then let's talk to her properly. Is the tea ready?"

(Erin) "Yes, give me just a second dear."