The Demon’s Menu

The sea churned ceaselessly, waves undulating.

The small boat was swallowed in an instant.

The ‘Piper’ leaped up.

As if flying, he landed on the wooden bridge of the harbor.

That abruptly changing color, had already returned to normal by the time he landed.

It seemed as if nothing had happened at all; disregarding the surrounding guards, he strode directly towards the ‘Octopus Pub’.

There were no guards in front of the ‘Octopus Pub’.

The door was open, too.

Inside, the tables and chairs had been cleared out save for one table and two chairs.

Divided into four plates, they were placed in front of Jason.

However, Jason wasn’t attracted to the food before him.

He was watching the person at the pub’s entrance.

Or more precisely…

The ‘flute’ in the other’s hand!

The emerald flute, under the sunlight, shone with dreamlike colors.

A scent unlike any before wafted towards him, and Jason couldn’t help but inhale deeply.

The next moment—

Gurgle, gurgle.

The sensation of hunger writhed in his belly like explosives, blasting forth as his stomach involuntarily growled.

Saliva began to flow like water from a turned faucet, rapidly secreting.

He swallowed his saliva and to cover it up, he picked up a grilled sausage and placed it into his mouth.

He chewed with big bites.

At first, it was a cover, but hunger soon took over, and Jason unconsciously reached for another sausage, then another.

One after another.

A whole plate of grilled sausages was swept clean in just a few breaths.

Then, after taking a sip of pea soup, Jason wrapped bacon in a thin pancake and put it in his mouth.

Only after all the food on the table was gone did Jason come back to his senses.

By then, the ‘Piper’ was already sitting in front of him, inspecting Jason with a look mixed with curiosity.

This was the first time Jason had truly seen the ‘Piper’.

The other had a narrow face, handsome features, long dark green hair cascaded over his shoulders, and deep eyes as profound as an abyss, looking into them felt like being pulled into its depths.

Fear.

Terror.

This was the impression a normal person got upon seeing the ‘Piper’ for the first time.

And even involuntarily shuddering.

But Jason?

Delicious!

What did it taste like upon entry?

Was it crunchy?

Or soft?

Sweet or salty?

Fried or boiled?

Unconsciously, Jason’s eyes once again showed anticipation.

The sensation of hunger reemerged in his stomach.

The food he had just eaten seemed as if it had never been consumed.

Such a gaze made the ‘Piper’ curious, and also…

Gave him an inexplicable shudder.

A shudder that was fleeting.

Very faint.

As if an illusion.

But the pain that welled up within his body was telling him.

It was real.

He was surely being influenced by ‘sugar’ again.

He told ‘himself’ that.

He had used many methods, but ‘sugar’ clung to him like a persistent maggot, impossible to shake off.

He scanned his surroundings.

But found nothing.

This made ‘him’ even more irritable.

Squinting his eyes, ‘he’ masked this irritability.

His face took on a kind expression.

“Good appetite.”

The other remarked.

“I had a light breakfast.”

Jason answered.

“Is this the consequence of being affected by the ‘Bizarre’?”

The ‘Piper’ continued to inquire.

“Mhm.”

Jason nodded his head.

“You’re much luckier than others who have been affected by the ‘Bizarre’.”

The ‘Piper’ said with a smile.

“Mhm.”

Jason nodded once more.

They conversed with each other, almost like friends.

However, at this moment, the ‘Piper’s’ face suddenly darkened.

An immense presence bore down on Jason like a mountain.

“Who is it?”

The ‘Piper’ asked.

Confronted by an oppressive force as heavy as a mountain, Jason remained expressionless.

He had long since learned to hide his emotions.

Lifting his head, his eyes stared directly at the “Pied Piper.”

Jason said indifferently,

“Guess.”

The intent to kill erupted in the Pied Piper’s eyes.

But ‘he’ restrained himself.

‘He’ remembered his purpose.

“Tell me its information,”

“I will give up the alliance with the Federation,”

‘he’ said.

Jason kept silent.

He truly did not know the information of that ‘Bizarre.’

But even if he did, he wouldn’t say it.

Before coming here, Gerard had already told him not to believe any words from the other party.

Although the Pied Piper had become a symbol of an era, it’s his untrustworthiness that left a deeper impression.

“Not enough?”

“What if I ally with Gerard again?”

the Pied Piper continued.

Jason shook his head.

“What, you don’t believe me?”

the Pied Piper asked with a smile.

“No.”

“It’s Gerard who wouldn’t ally with you,”

Jason said with certainty.

Although their acquaintance had been brief, Jason had come to understand Gerard’s character well enough.

Gerard would definitely not ally with someone like the Pied Piper.

Just as Gerard and his old friend had parted ways.

Ideologies!

Differing ideologies, when they come close…

There’s only collision!

Only explosion!

Only Devouring!

Only one can remain!

There is no such thing as tolerance!

“Heh.”

The Pied Piper chuckled softly as ‘he’ started fiddling with his ‘flute.’

This ‘flute’ that sent shivers down the spine of everyone in the ‘Federation,’ attracted Jason’s gaze.

The Pied Piper clearly misunderstood this attraction.

‘He’ did not see the desire and restraint in Jason’s eyes.

Or rather, ‘he’ mistook such desire and restraint for fear and timidity.

Therefore, ‘he’ said calmly the next moment,

“Gerard is Gerard.”

“And you?”

the Pied Piper asked in this manner.

“Me?”

“I naturally stand by Gerard’s side.”

“After all, he’s my cousin,”

Jason said slowly.

“Then…”

“It’s really a pity.”

“I originally thought we would have a good conversation.”

“And that we might reach some understanding.”

“What a pity…”

“You seem too little to cherish it!”

With these words, an even more powerful killing intent burst forth from the Pied Piper.

This intent affected reality itself.

The entire ‘Octopus Tavern’ began to tremble as if it might collapse at any moment.

Then, the Pied Piper sat unmoved, pointing the ‘flute’ directly at Jason.

This was the most direct threat.

But to Jason, it only made the scent all the more intense.

A threat?

Nonexistent!

What existed was food!

And moreover…

The food was right in front of his eyes!

Jason licked his lips, warning himself to prioritize the bigger picture, not to act impulsively.

But he couldn’t help fantasizing, what would happen if he suddenly took a bite now…?

No,

I mustn’t do this!

I have to consider the bigger picture!

he thought.

Thought.

Thought.

And then…

He bit down on the ‘flute’ within his reach.