Chapter 5- Food

Chapter 5: Chapter 5- Food They glanced around the little cramped bedroom. The cave walls remained unchanged, with only a bed in the middle and a mini fridge. Julian sat on the bed, the only available place to sit. He frowned at the hardness beneath him and glanced toward Eva, whose head was buried inside the fridge. Eva's eyes searched around for food, but there was nothing. She shoved her face deeper into the fridge, squinting as if the lights were playing tricks on her. But the reality of the empty fridge set in. Her stomach growled loudly, and she collapsed onto the ground, staring at the ceiling in a daze. "I'm hungry." Her expressionless face remained focused on the ceiling as her stomach growled again, the sound echoing in the room. Julian left the bed and squatted down, his finger poking her cheek. "Are you hungry? " he pressed her soft cheek a few more times, amused by the sensation. Eva frowned, swatting his hand lazily, but he pulled away just in time. "How do you survive the dungeon being this slow?" Julian asked, his tone was light but his eyes were serious. Ethan squatted beside them, his face still flushed, but his cold expression barely revealed it. "You saved our lives. what reward do you want?" His deep voice caught her attention, and a spark lit up in Eva's eyes. She turned slowly to meet his gaze. "Food." The single word left her lips, stunning both men. "Eva dear, think calmly. You can ask of anything." Julian's words hinted at her the magnitude of the favor they owe to her. Eva grew silent, the only thing on her mind was food. She only saved them for the cat and nothing else. "Food." Her green eyes flashed with stubbornness. Her stomach growled again, to show her desire. Ethan stared at her eyes, which were clear of greed or calculations, only desire for food, and he couldn't help but explain to her. "We're dungeon conquerors. You can ask for wealth, join our team, or even ask for a house. Anything- except our lives. So, what do you want as payment." At Ethan's patient explanation, Eva's eyes brightened and a greedy light flashed in her mind, making both men feel this was what a normal person's reaction to be but they felt a hint of disappointment in their hearts. "Okay... Food for... Two years." Eva did the calculations, by then she would have improved enough in her power to hunt the dungeon beast. She was more of a loner and didn't like depending on people that much. And secondary food was expensive anyway. To her, food was expensive, but to those who had wood power working under them, it was very cheap. They were shocked, Julian exchanged looks with Ethan, whose eyes flashed with a thought. "What's your power level?" Julian asked, his grey eyes fixed on Eva. Eva's mind searched through the novel she read before she was able to know this body's power level. "Level 2," Eva answered, confused at how giving her food relates to her power level. "Okay, welcome to our team." He spoke confidently, Ethan mirrored his expression with his approving gaze, waiting for her reaction only to be poured a bucket of cold water by her question. "How does... does it... Concern... My food?" Her tone was flat, her eyes staring at them as if they were scammers. Julian's lips twitched, and he had the urge to shake her senses back. She made him feel that their powers were nothing in front of her. Ethan stood up, walked to the bed, and sat. He doesn't want to be bothered by her, or he might lose control and freeze her to death. Eva didn't know that she had stimulated the Lords too much, she gave up on them, feeling she wouldn't get anything. Her hands went for her pocket, bringing out the two candies, she ate one with squinting eyes, savoring it knowing she wouldn't be left with any after she finished them. Suddenly she felt a grip on her chin, she looked up to meet a gray eye staring down at her, "Eva dear, do the calculations. When you join us, you be able to eat every day of your life." Julian spoke through gritted lips but Eva's mind was focused on eating every day of her life. "Leader... Take care of me." Eva's tone was polite, looking at him like he was a walking food bank. Julian's eyes flashed helplessly at her fast change in attitude, he could only take care of this innocent fellow or she would be sold for a piece of food. "We'll leave tomorrow when the warp gates open. Pack your things." Ethan instructed from the bed. Eva sat up, energy bursting into her body, her eyes darted around the room and saw they weren't anything of value except the bed and the fridge. "Okay let's eat,'' Julian said and brought out, a table of food from his space bag. Eva's eyes widened, and she crept closer to Julian, her eyes staring at the small bag in wonder, she didn't know when her hands touched and opened it. Her head peered inside to see how a table and food could be placed inside such a small bag. Before she could be lost in her curiosity the scent of meat drifted into her nose, making her mouth water. She lost interest in the bag, and shifted to the table, her eyes on the plate of meat and rice. She selectively ignored the vegetables. Julian's hand was raised to ruffle her hair, but he suppressed his actions and followed the green eyes staring at the food with drooling eyes. She turned to them, for permission being it wasn't hers, she still held her principles even if she was blinded by food. Seeing them nod, her sluggish action became faster, but her hands paused when she saw the dried blood on her hands. She stood up and dashed to the little bathroom, washing her hands quickly, she returned and picked up the meat. Both of them were surprised at her speed, they thought she was slow naturally or injured but it seemed otherwise.