The silence I usually cherished in my small apartment had been replaced by the insistent thwack-thwack of digital combat. Bennia, a whirlwind of dark purple and unsettlingly bright golden eyes, was deeply engrossed in Elden Ring, which was totally different from her bored look in the forest. A very strange houseguest indeed.
"This… giant crab thing," she muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration "It's clearly cheating. No normal crustacean moves that fast."
"It's a video game, Bennia" I offered, my voice being calm contrary to the on-screen chaos. And she's someone connected to a mysterious 'master' and yet struggling to defeat the crab. Perspective is a funny thing indeed.
She finally tore her gaze away from the screen, a playful pout on her lips "But the immersion, Rei-chin! It's supposed to feel at least somewhat plausible. Come on!"
Maybe the developers just enjoy our suffering. Who knows
"You play this every day?"
"Occasionally," I replied, gesturing vaguely at the game. It was a fleeting escape from a reality I barely understood "When I have the time."
"You have good taste, I approve" she declared, returning her attention to the digital battlefield "Though your character build probably needs work. You seem to die a lot."
My eyebrows rose slightly but didn't comment to it.
She tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the screen "So… you willingly subject yourself to this… cycle of simulated struggle and defeat? For… amusement?" She then glanced at me, a hint of genuine confusion in her gaze "Is this a common human pastime? To repeatedly fail at a task for… enjoyment?" Her concept of leisure seems very different because I don't die this much as a cultured gamer.
"So, Bennia," I continued, wanting to understand more about the person who had so abruptly become my roommate "You mentioned a 'master' and a job that fried your circuits"
Her expression still held a hint of something beyond the playful facade flickering in her golden eyes "Yeah. It's… complicated. Let's just say I work for someone with a rather significant portfolio in the afterlife department. Think… management. And sometimes, well, sometimes the paperwork involves a lot more… hands-on soul retrieval" She shrugged, as if discussing mundane office tasks "It's… a demanding line of work"
Soul retrieval. The words sent a shiver down my spine. The scythe, her unsettling energy… it was starting to paint a clearer, and more ominous, picture. A grim reaper or maybe I was wrong but this was the most accurate assumption I came to.
"A demanding line of work" My words echoed as I tried to keep my voice calm as much I could.
She grinned, a touch of pride in her eyes "One of the best, if I do say so myself. Though this 'vacation' was mandated. Apparently, I was getting a little… overzealous in my duties."
An idea, one that felt both opportunistic and necessary, resurfaced. I needed to learn. I needed to be able to protect myself in this world "Bennia" I chose my words carefully "While you're… taking this mandated break, perhaps we could come to an arrangement."
She tilted her head, her golden eyes sharp with curiosity "An arrangement?"
"You're staying here," I pointed out, gesturing to my small apartment "In exchange… perhaps you could teach me something."
Her playful demeanor returned instantly "Teach you how to avoid getting flattened by giant digital crabs? It's an ongoing process for even the best of us."
"No," I corrected gently "Teach me… how to fight. You clearly have experience." My gaze flickered to the scythe. That weapon wasn't just for show. "I need to be able to defend myself in this world"
Bennia leaned back on the couch, considering my request "Hmm. Training a mortal? That's usually not in my… break schedule. Besides" she added with a mock-indignant tone, "Relaxation, recovery, and maybe finally understanding the convoluted lore of this game are my top priorities right now"
"And my apartment is your current relaxation zone," I countered, a hint of a mischievous smile playing on my lips "A roof over your head, yes. But meals? Maybe even some tips on how to finally beat that crab? Those are negotiable"
Desperate times demands desperate measures.
Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of playful panic behind them "Hey! You can't just… bargain with someone who deals with the afterlife over digital crab-slaying advice and food!"
"I'm merely establishing the terms of our cohabitation," I said calmly with closed eyes "A place to stay, yes. Think of it as a starter kit. The upgrades depend on your… helpfulness.."
She stared at me for a moment, a comical mix of annoyance and amusement on her face. Then, she sighed dramatically "Fine, fine. You win, you ridiculously pragmatic human. But don't expect me to go easy on you. My training sessions doesn't exactly involve gentle encouragement"
A genuine smile finally broke through my usual reserve "Understood"
"Good," she said, a hint of her earlier energy returning "Now, about those meals you mentioned. Can I get some?"
"Smoked salmon with rice?" I offered, turning towards the small kitchen on the corner.
Her brows furrowed in confusion "Smoked… what now?"
I sighed, a familiar weariness settling in. Explaining human cuisine to… a reaper. Just another Tuesday in Kuoh. "It's fish. Prepared… differently" I walked towards the kitchen, and after few minutes, the scent of the smoked salmon, now fully permeating the small apartment, seemed to catch her attention.
Her golden eyes widened slightly, and she inhaled deeply, a look of surprised delight spreading across her face "Whoa… what is that smell? It's… surprisingly delicious. Not at all like… well, never mind. Is it edible?"
She floated off the couch, a curious expression on her face, and followed me, her movements surprisingly graceful despite her earlier clumsiness in the forest "Fish? You humans eat… water creatures?"
"Among other things," I replied, opening the refrigerator, taking out the chilled soda can.
"So," she continued, her golden eyes watching my every move as I began plating the simple meal, her earlier playful energy now tinged with genuine anticipation "That power you used in the forest… to, you know, neatly bisecting that rather sturdy branch. What was that?"
I hesitated for a moment, then focused my ki, letting a faint, white glow emanate from the tip of my finger. It pulsed gently in the dim light of the kitchen dancing at my fingertips "It's ki"
Bennia's eyes widened, a genuine spark of excitement in their depths "Whoa… that's… cool! It feels… different. Not all dark and… well, you know. It's all… warm and… tingly" She reached out a tentative finger touching the faint glow "Can you do more?"
"I'm still learning to control it" I admitted, extinguishing the small display of power.
"But you sliced through a tree branch!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm bubbling over that little act. She puffed out her chest slightly, a smug grin spreading across her face "Well, you've come to the right person, Rei-chin! I've tangled with all sorts of nasty things in my line of work. My… skills are quite exceptional."
As I began plating the smoked salmon and rice, the aroma filling the air causing her to practically vibrate with anticipation, a sudden, sharp noise echoed from my front door. It wasn't a friendly knock; it was insistent, almost demanding. Bennia's playful expression instantly twisted into one of pure irritation, her golden eyes narrowing with annoyance. Before I could react, the door was shoved inward, revealing two figures cloaked in dark, concealing robes. Their faces were obscured by shadows, but an aura of cold authority emanated from them.
The taller of the two spoke with a low resonant drawl "Bennia. Hand it over. The artifact you were sent to retrieve"
Bennia sighed dramatically, her hand resting casually on the handle of her scythe "Seriously?" she muttered, her voice laced with exasperation "You couldn't have waited five minutes? I was just about to eat the food Rei chin cooked" She shot a pointed look at the plates of smoked salmon. "This is incredibly rude."
Both figures took out their scythes as I could feel the same dark chi that I felt from Bennia. Fuck, they are reapers too. What in the hell have I stumbled into?
The delicious smell of smoked salmon suddenly felt like the prelude to a very unpleasant and troublesome confrontation.