“I am both surprised and disappointed.” the merchant overlooking the monster remains sighted. “I expected some damage, but this was one magnificent pelt of extraordinary value. Slashes all over and then there is this huge rip in the midsection. You need to learn how to dress the monster properly and the sooner the better. Hah.” He sighed again. “Next time use arrows or spear, this tends to leave less damage on the pelt.”

“I told you so! You should get yourself a weapon.” The half-elf was quick to jump on the band wagon bashing Grey and heading to – ‘You’re An Idiot’.

“Hmm the core is also missing, what did you do to it? You know what, I don’t want to know. The rest, however, the fangs, scales and key organs seem to be fine. So even if it is half destroyed, I will give you a good price.”

Grey shrugged, he didn't care much for the pay, only that it was a bit of a waste to leave the corpse discarded. Specifically, the idea of someone else claiming the kill irked Grey. So as long as he got some money out of it, it was fine.

“How much?” The she-devil rubbed her palms together, an ugly grin of greed was tainting her otherwise flawless face.

“Ten gold. But you need to haul it back outside the city where my workshop is. Next time just bring the corpses there, my son deals with the butchering there. Just tell him I have sent you.”

“I told you so!” the elf harlot was shouting again.

Grey wondered if she actually liked to be hit in the face, she was definitely asking for it. He grabbed the carcass ready to drag it all the way back to the edge of the city.

“Ah! Just before you leave!” The rude merchant shouted out to leaving Grey. “Do yourself a favour: save the fangs and get a weapon made. For fuck’s sake!”

“Fuck off!” Grey was fed up with the situation.

Eventually, he found himself on the outskirts of the city. The entire district reeked of ammonia and alchemy. This was the place where monsters were processed. Countless workshops were set up for that sole purpose. The one he was looking for was the butcher. Apparently, there were a few of them but with some asking, he had found the one.

A man taking charge of the workshop looked almost like a copy of the merchant only a tad bit younger, equally beastly looking and likely equally rude. Grey explained the situation to the man.

“I see, you should have brought it here from the start. What were you thinking dragging the corpse all the way to the market? Are you slow in the head? It’s a small miracle the guards didn't stop you.”

Yup, equally rude. Grey, for a moment, considered slugging the young butcher to teach him some manners.

“Incidentally, did my father give a price?”

The half-elf was quick to jump to answer that. “Yes! Eleven gold.”

“Hmm, eleven…” the butcher dragged the number out while thinking.

Grey growled in displeasure, he had told the she-devil not to speak for him, and like the real she-devil, she had lied. He wanted no part in her schemes.

“Ten Gold!” He corrected while showing the woman away from the butcher and out of sight.

“Eh? I’ll take you on that offer then.”

The butcher extracted the two fangs out of the monster’s maw and put them next to the ten gold coins.

“My advice is to bring them to the Dwarfin Hammer, the guy works wonders with monster parts.”

Grey nodded and pocketed the coins before the she-devil could snatch them, and she did try but Grey was quicker.

Moments later he stood in front of the brick and mortar building, a sign with letters and a hammer hung above the door, a very small door. There was no way Grey could squeeze past the entrance. This was beyond unfortunate since he had never seen a dwarf before. He wondered if they look tasty.

Regardless of idle toughs, he was here for business so he told the elf in annoyance. “Go in.” He gave her the money and the fangs reluctantly.

Then he waited and waited and his patience ran out. He peeked at one of the iron-barred small windows, more a slit than a window. The small space inside housed a huge amount of weapons and tools. The arsenal looked exotic, the designs were wild, some even impractical. Every weapon was different and unique in its own way. But Grey being Grey, was unable to appreciate all of this since he never was interested in weapons. The important part was that he couldn’t see neither the elf nor the shopkeeper. He sniffed the air, the monster parts made it smell funny, but he was able to sense the she-devil nearby.

He could try to smash his way in, or he could give half-elf a shout. The walls were brick and stone, so a shout it was. If only he knew her name, in his mind she always was designated as either a dessert or she-devil.

He opened the door to squeeze as much as possible in and shouted “Hello?”

“What are you doing?” A mocking question was fired from behind and then accompanied by hearty laughter.

Grey squeezed out backwards and looked at the miniature man; he was short but broad, and very hairy. He didn’t smell appetising either – soot, fire and acrid alchemy.

“Big fella, ya won’t fit in t’ere – ha, ha.” Follow me to the back entrance.”

While Grey was still sizing the dwarf curiously, the dwarf continued talking. “Now t’en I saw ya, I’ll ‘ave ta change the initial design.”

“He thought the weapon was for me” The elf added.

“Aye, I did. A misunderstanding, t’is all.” he laughed it off.

The dwarf led Grey to the back entrance, which led to what seemed to be the warehouse and the actual workshop. Various monster parts and pieces of wood and metal lay scattered everywhere.

“T’is where the magic ‘appens!” He exclaimed happily.

“Very impressive.” Grey said in a flat uncaring tone. “So, I need a weapon for hunting.”

The dwarf nodded. “The lass told me dat much. I was thinking of a spear, let's stick with dat. Since it’s ya and not the lass I’ll use the metal shaft, or else it might break...”

The dwarf continued to explain his design for the weapon. Grey stopped to listen midway, as long as he made a functional weapon Grey will be fine with it.

“… and ya won’t need two fangs, one is enough. So… give me the other one and I’ll make ya a discount.”

“Fine, how much?”

“With the discount…” He thought for a moment “Let's settle for five gold. A good bargain, no?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The she-devil gasped at the price clutching the gold coins closer.

“Deal!” Grey just wanted to be done with all of this, he was getting peckish.

“Deal.” The dwarf stretched his arm for a shake.

The gesture was lost on Grey for a moment, but soon he grasped the idea and the tiny hand in his clawed fingers careful not to decapitate the tiny man; he will need that appendage to craft Grey’s spear.

The half-elf reluctantly parted with the five coins and they left.

“Money.” Grey motioned for the coins.

The she-devil pretended to be deaf. Grey slapped the back of her head, but only gently yet hard enough to send the coins clattering away from her secret pocket – her blossom.

“Why the hell you stacked my money there?”

“It’s gold, it has to be kept safe.” She ran to collect the runaway coins.

All five recovered, all five in Grey’s hands.

“My dinner? The mage, there is it?”

“Ah, that…” She seemed reluctant. “I told her to wait, but it has been a while hasn’t it.”

Grey glared at the woman.

“Now, now, it’s not my fault is it?” she defended herself.

“It will be If decide to eat you!”

“Come on, there is no need for that. Worst case I will get her back in the morning, just don’t disappear like that again.”

“I do what I want.”

They headed back to their lodgings. There next to it was a tavern, the tavern where the mage was supposed to wait.

And there she was, a familiar image of a rogue mage. She wore tight black leather and her face was hidden in the shadow of a hood. She was sitting alone consuming watered-down beer. The half-elf approached her acquaintance leaving Grey behind.

“Aerith, what took you so long? I was beginning to think you have changed your mind.”

“Ran into some trouble.”

“Anything I need to worry about?”

“No, not at all.”

The rogue mage sipped from her mug. “So do you have it?”

“The potions? Yes, but not here, obviously.”

“Obviously.” She finished her drink and dropped a few silvers on the table. “Let’s go then, I have waited enough.”

“Sure sure, I have the box nearby.” Aerith motioned for her to follow.

The two left the building.

“I never thought I will be working with you again, Aerith. Not after what had happened.”

“Well, I don’t hold grudges. And I am doing this for money.”

“As I can see…” The rogue mage eyed the multiple rings and bracelets adorning Aerith's hands. “It pays well doesn’t it? I was wondering who is your sponsor this time?”

“Oh, you will meet him soon enough.”

“By the way, did you hear what happened to Lionheart?”

“No, What?” Aerith faked a surprised reaction.

“He got done. Like done-done, and at his own base.”

“He died? Good!”

“I guess. I was just wondering if you had to do anything with this. You owed him quite a sum.”

Aerith shrugged it off. “The potion stash is here.” She pointed at the horse stable.

“That’s a dodgy place to hide contraband. Not quite safe…”

“I know the stable master. I assure you the goods are there.”

Aerith let the rogue to one of the empty partitions. There she dug a small chest out of a pile of hay.

“See, this is it.” She handed the chest to the mage.

The mage opened it peering inside.

“What is this?!”

It was empty.

“What are you waiting for? Now!”

Grey appeared seemingly out of nowhere and grabbed the rogue from behind.

“Don’t even try, I will crush your wrists.” He warned the mage against trying to cast.

“Bitch, you sold me out!” the rogue shouted accusingly. “What do you want?”

Grey pressed his face towards the neck and took a big whiff of her smell. “Your body.” He rasped in a monstrous voice.

“So this is your revenge? You never did let the grudge go, just you wait...” The rogue spat her words like venom.

Aerith cut her off “Shut the fuck up!” And tried to kick her former acquaintance in the gut.

However, Grey moved his prize out of her way and growled. “Hands off! Mine!”

“Fine! I will just watch.” Her face distorted into a wicked grin.

The rogue mage spat some more profanities and attempted a casting of a spell. Grey felt the magic condensing in her hands so he grabbed them and crushed her palms and fingers with hands of his own.

The woman screamed out in pain.

“Yes! You get what you deserve.” The half-elf exclaimed in glee.

Grey pushed his victim on her knees, not that he had to put much effort.

“You smell exquisite. The blood is rich in mana.” Grey salivated as he spoke.

“What… What do you want with me?” The rogue asked through tears, her mangled hands shaking.

“I told you.” Grey rumbled pleasantly, but it came off as anything but pleasant.

He pulled her hood off to reveal her face. She had short black hair and her facial features were delicate.

“Your face looks tasty!” He exclaimed in glee and gave it a big wet lick. “Let's see the rest of my dinner.”

One of his hand’s held his prey by the shoulder, the other ripped the front of her leather exposing a pair of perky breasts.

The rogue yelped in alarm. “No! Please.”

“You think you know what will happen, but believe me you don’t.” She-elf watched it with joy-filled eyes.

Grey didn't quite expect the she-devil to take pleasure in his actions, he liked the opposite but whatever. She may watch. He ran his fingers past his victim's breasts, they bounced shyly and he savoured the texture. His victim begged and pleaded, her pained voice music to his ears. His tongue tasted her neck and breasts, the sweat stimulated his taste buds.

“Delicious!” He groaned smacking his lips. “How long has it been since I tasted the succulent mage flesh?”

His hand moved down towards her tight trousers, he pressed one of his fingers in and with a claw ripped it open, when pulled the trousers off making the mage to collapse on her back uncomfortably. He pressed her down firmly with his hand. Fat drops of saliva dripped on her body.

“I will savour every inch of you.” He proclaimed gleefully.

The mage's thighs shut even tighter, to protect what was the most precious.

“Please, anything but this! I will pay you, I will kill for you, I will do whatever!”

“Ah, don’t you bargain. No need. Will you bleed for me?” Grey asked teasingly.

“Yes! Yes, I will!”

Her readiness surprised Grey, but only momentarily. He continued to run his hand all over her pristine white skin, it was silky smooth and pleasant. The tongue tested the chemistry her body was releasing; panic and despair.

“Sure you will. My sweet, sweet snack.” Grey tried to refrain from biting into her.

Instead, he nibbled at the round lumps carefully not to draw blood. These were like a tasty morsels before he got to the main meal, her heart. The woman squirmed in disgust and displeasure.

“I will rip you open now.” He said matter of factly.

“Wait!” The rude half-elf interrupted his meal. “Why don’t you play with her more?”

Grey frowned at the she-devil, she was enjoying this too much. But yes, he liked to toy and play with his food, a bad habit of his. “What do you have in mind?” he asked mischievously. He will use her ideas against her when he will be eating the half-elf; just to spite her. He was able to imagine the irony and shock on her face when that day comes. Soon. He let out a hushed giggle.

“You know, you could take her. That would be a good start.”

Grey tilted his head displaying confusion.

“You know.”

Grey tilted his head to the other side.

“You are fucking with me, no?” She paused but then continued. “Just screw her, man.”

“Eww.” Grey’s face contorted in disgust. He wasn’t doing that to his food, the she-devil almost had spoiled his appetite. What a devious bitch, she did that on purpose – Grey assumed. “Get a fuck out of my sight!” He roared.

“Fine! It’s not like I want to see what comes next.” She left stomping in anger but not before adding. “Oh, and don’t worry about the mess, I have arranged the clean-up. No need to thank me.” She whispered the last sentence, it was laced with animosity.

Grey snorted ignoring the rude elf. Instead, as he should, he put his undivided attention back to his trembling dinner. He had to put himself back into the mood so he repeated the steps. Eating was a form of art, it took skill and discipline. Grey made sure he involved all of his senses. His ears enjoyed the rugged breathing and soft begging voice, his fingers explored feeling up the flesh for texture, the tongue probed for taste, and his eyes enjoyed the beautiful sight.

It took only moments and he decided that he had enough. Grey opened his mouth wide and locked his jaw on her neck drawing blood and ending her pleading voice. The mana-rich blood filled his mouth, her trembling body tensed up but then relaxed. The life left her body and flowed right into his core. It was the supreme culmination and the beginning of an end.

He dug in like a ravished beast, aiming for her heart. It melted like sweet candy in his mouth. Soon after the rest of her body followed and in the end, only some stray fragments remained.

Grey stood up and wiped the blood off his chin. The she-devil, despite her shortcomings, has delivered.

“And she will deliver more,” Grey spoke to himself.

He left for the exit to chase the elf down, after all, she was rude and still needed to be punished or else her bad manners might continue.

Right by the gate, there was a beastkin boy. Grey eyed him suspiciously. His ears were pressed down. His tail was stiff with hairs standing on the ends. The tiny creature bowed at him.

“Ah. The clean-up.” Grey surmised.

It was hard to trust. He never liked to leave witnesses. But to move forward, he had to make some allowances; for the sake of convenience. Grey sniffed at the air picking up the distinct half-elvish scent.

Not even halfway towards his destination, the same boy caught up to him.

“Master!” He shouted for attention. “Master. You have forgotten this.” He offered a small pouch.

It was small, but it was filled with coins. Almost bursting at the seams. The distinct smell of rogue-mage still lingered on the item.

He collected everything he needed; his stomach full. The personal possessions of his food were of little interest to him.

“Keep it.”

The boy bowed deeply once again, yet this time, his tail was wagging side to side happily.