Between a Cook and a Hard Place

– Good numbers go up, bad numbers go down, good number go up, bad numbers go down, good numbers go up…

She disappeared behind the swinging door and rushed through the empty corridor. Good numbers go up and bad numbers go down, she ran into the janitor's closet, locking the door behind her. Silence. Good numbers go up, she took a towel from the shelf. Bad numbers go down, she held it tightly to her mouth and screamed. She screamed with all her might again and again and again.

When the itch finally disappeared, she let out a sigh before sitting down on the floor.

– Alina, are you in there? – a voice asked from the other side of the door.

The woman didn't make move, just sat there, watching the doorknob. It was pushed down and then released, then pushed down again. She didn't move.

– Alina! Fine, then let's play the waiting game.

She watched the doorknob go up once more. Silence ensued. She felt an urge creep up her back. It was painful, but she tried holding it back, scratching her arm gently, then with more and more force, until she just couldn't hold it in anymore. She screamed into the towel again, hurting her throat in the process.

– It's not fair! – she rushed to the door and opened it.

On the other side was a woman in the same uniform. Her skin was made of metal, her eyes were blue and her plump lips didn't move as she spoke, only the blue flickered in her eyes.

She entered the small room, closing the door. Both of them sat down facing each other.

– Alina my dear, did you tic again? – her voice sounded like that of a forty years old smoker's.

– One of the clients said something really stupid and I thought about screaming, then the urge just came and I couldn't do anything about it and I…

– It's fine. – she sat closer, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder. – No need to explain.

– It's so embarrassing! I don't want to do it, I really don't! It just comes and I cannot do anything about it! I hate it so much!

– Have you tried seeing a doctor?

The woman lowered her head, not giving an answer.

– Alina, why won't you go and see a doctor?

– I'm just… I did it already! They said it gets better with time and gave me some medicines. That's it. That's all that happened.

– And did the medications help?

– A bit. I can handle the tics a bit more easily, but they still come and I have to… you know… tic them out.

– Then tic them out.

– But then people will think I'm weird!

– So what? Every time you feel an urge to shake your head or a make a noise, you'll just lock yourself here and cry?

– Well… I guess. – she pulled her legs closer and hugged them, putting her head on her knees. – I'm just scared of being bullied.

– I'll defend you. That's part of my job.

– Oh yeah, about defending people, have the two weirdos talked to you?

– Who are you referring to?

– The chef and the arcane archer.

– Is that a joke?

– Wait, they haven't? – she raised her head.

– I have no idea who you're talking about.

– Oh, spirits help us… get ready, we're going on a field trip.

– – –

Small clouds swam in the light blue sky. A pair of birds rushed over the two adventurers head, landing deep inside a bush. They were far from the city. As Katsumi observed, it was built on a lowland surrounded by hills. The golden wheat fields made the outskirts of Titannia visible, copying the town's circular shape.

– Look! – Aeren rushed at one of the trees, slamming his body to its trunk.

– Hey dude, what are you… – Katsumi stopped as a fat apple fell on her head.

– Today's lunch! The stars are with us!

– Yeah, I can see them already.

– Here, take one! – Aeren put an apple in her hand, which made a message pop up in her eyes.

/// Congratulations! ///

New Ingredient unlocked: Apple

+1 HP (Stack infinitely)

– Yo, Aeren! I think you just unlocked something!

– Oh cool, what exactly?

– Eat this apple!

– What?

She pushed the apple into his mouth.

– Eat it all up! Come on now, show me your big boy teeth!

With muffled screaming, he ate the fruit. As he could finally breath, he grabbed Katsumi by her uniform.

– What the heck was that?

– Do you feel any better?

– Yes! You saw how I almost choked to death? That was my way of shoving approval!

– So you're not feeling as if anything changed, perhaps your body became stronger or something?

– No! I don't!

– Interesting… well, it did say ingredient. I wonder what counts as an ingredient and what counts as complete food. I'm going to try something, so get ready!

– For what?

– DESCRIPTION! – her shouting startled the boy.

– For the love of the divines, tell me when you're about to yell!

– MENU!

– I'm going to punch you!

– ABILITIES!

Finally, a screen popped up, displaying two names under each other: 'Novice Ingredient Knowledge' and 'Supermarket'. The latter looked a bit off, its letters shaking and suddenly disappearing, then reappearing.

– Mom told me not to hit girls, don't make me become a disappointment!

– NOVICE INGREEDIENT KNOWLEDGE!

/// Description ///

Passive ability which allows the user to see the hidden stats of edible items. When preparing a meal, based on which ingredients the user decides to use, it's hidden stats activate on the final product.

– I'm clenching my fists!

– Shut up already, I'm reading!

– You're so complicated…

– I'm going to scream one more time, get ready!

– Why can't you just whisper?

– SUPERMARKET!

/// Description ///

Food for a price.

– Uh… supermarket? – Katsumi searched her eyes for more text.

– I understand what a market is, but what makes it super?

– Where I'm from, we have these huge buildings that are full of goodies and stuff. I'm a bit surprised to see it here, but uh… it's description only says 'food for a price'.

– You could've chosen to become a warrior, you know.

– Hey, shut up! It hasn't been a day since I got here and I don't know a thing about this world! Thankfully I'm still in this weird state of not knowing whether this is a dream or not, which is the only reason I'm not freaking out!

– If this is your normal state, I don't want to know the others.

They slowly approached the fringe of the forest. The trees were taller than what Katsumi was used to, being three times the size of the biggest tree she's ever seen. Their long trunks were dark-brown. Each tree had only a few branches, most of those reaching to the skies, holding a small leaf crown up in the air. Even from down there she could tell that the forest looked like a flat blanket from above.

Before entering it though, Aeren stopped. Next to the road was a grey rock with a tap. A red symbol was painted on top of it in the shape of a circle in a square, connected by a line at the bottom. Aeren let water run from the tap to a hole carved into the rock. When it was filled, he bowed and returned to Katsumi.

– Bow.

– Sure…

She could see her reflection in the water. Her hair was messy, but the green uniform was still clean. She bowed respectfully, before following Aeren into the dusky forest.

– Hey, uh, why did we just do that?

– To guarantee our safe travel, we made an offering of fresh water to the spirits. Also, try to not scream in here. They don't like that.

– As a heads up, should I fear spirits?

– Be respectful and you won't have to worry about a thing. They cannot hurt us physically, but spirits have the ability to create strong curses which leave a mark on your body.

– You remember that titan from before?

– Yes. The paint on his body was not decoration, but rather sign of curses, very dangerous ones. He's probably someone who takes pride in angering the dead.

– Damn, he should go to Japan sometimes, see how that works out.

– Japan? What's Japan?

The way was lit by mushrooms hanging from the trees. They emitted a blueish light from under their cape, the spore's luminescence. Alone those little balls didn't have much light, but with entire clouds floating in the air, most of them just above the ground floor, they kept darkness out of the forest.

– Katsumi?

– Yes?

– Do you feel something… strange?

– Now that you say it, something feels off.

– Katsumi.

– Yes?

– We're exactly where the mission pointed to.

Around them were black trunks and ghostly spores.

– I don't see anything special.

– Did you pick up a stick on the way here?

– Yeah. Club would be a better name for that.

They put their backs together to have a full view of the forest. Chiming sounds of spores bouncing off of each other filled the forest. Only that. Nothing more, nothing less, just that and their breathing.

– You have your weapon out? – Katsumi asked, not letting her eyes off the trees.

– Not yet.

– Jeez dude, stop being so shy…

From the corner of her eye, she saw a purple hooded figure disappear behind a tree. She grabbed the closest stone on the road and threw that after him.

– I saw you, fucker! Come out this instant and we might spare you!

– Katsumi.

– I saw it! It was a hooded figure, possibly a man and…

– Katsumi, we're surrounded.

– What?

She observed her surroundings to see more and more figures disappear from the corner of her eyes. Out of nowhere, a stone hit her in the forehead.

– Oh, that's it! You are dead meat!

– Don't move.

– Why not?

– This was a trap and we walked right into it.

– Shit, you're right…

– Katsumi, you're wiser than me, if I'm correct.

– Yup and I think we should run.

– Cannot do.

– Why not? – her confidence started to disappear.

– We don't know where we are.

– What?

She looked around to see the same pattern of trees repeat each other. Even the spores turned on them and hid the road.

– Katsumi, we're friends, right?

– Y-Yes, why?

– Friends fight together, correct?

– Absolutely!

– Can I count on you?

– What kind of question is that? I got your back, little guy! Literally!

– Then it's time for you to see my weapon.

He took one step forward, almost making the girl fall. Putting one hand on his heart, he took a deep breath. Stars began forming around him, bringing a mist into his hands. Constellations glimmered in the gas cloud as it equipped the form of a shortbow.

– Pegasus Starfire! Lend me your strength!