Chapter 3

Rika woke up the next morning with heavy eyelids and a pounding headache. She blinked, trying to adjust to the morning light streaming in through her small bedroom window. Her body ached, especially on the right side where her hand used to be. She squirmed in her bed, trying to shake off the nightmare from the night before that still haunted her thoughts. "Did all that really happen?" she murmured to herself.

She checked her bed, ensuring there were no wounds or signs indicating the presence of strange beings like Fitz or Greed. But the pain from her missing arm was undeniable. Rika stared at her absent right arm in disbelief. "This is real... my hand is really gone," she whispered, covering her face with her left hand as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Suddenly, a small meow filled the silence of her room. Rika dropped her hand and gasped in shock. In the corner of the room, an orange cat lounged casually, its tail flicking lazily as its sparkling eyes locked onto Rika. "Good morning, Rika," the cat said in a relaxed tone that clearly didn't match its small size.

Rika jumped out of bed reflexively, nearly knocking over the table beside her. "W-What?! The cat... is talking again!" she screamed hysterically, pointing at Greed, who was simply yawning and licking his front paws. Greed looked at her with half-closed eyes, seemingly unimpressed by Rika's over-the-top reaction. "Yes, I'm talking again. What do you think I am? A doll?" he replied sarcastically.

Rika huffed in annoyance, wiping away her remaining tears and shooting Greed a sharp glare. "Why are you here? And... what happened after last night?" she asked, panting, still struggling to come to terms with all the bizarre occurrences she had experienced.

Greed hopped onto the table, sitting there calmly as he regarded Rika. "Remember our contract, Rika? Since you accepted it, I will always be by your side. Whether you like it or not, I'm now a part of your life," he explained bluntly, leaving Rika speechless.

Rika furrowed her brow, trying to process the information. "You mean... we have to be together all the time, like this?" she asked incredulously, imagining how strange her life had become with this annoying talking cat as her companion.

Greed nodded, lazily flicking his tail. "More or less. This contract binds us together. I won't appear in front of other humans unless absolutely necessary, but I'll always be near you. Until one of us dies, you won't be rid of me."

Rika bit her lower lip, feeling a heavy weight in her chest. "So... if I die, you're free, right?" she asked bitterly. Greed merely shrugged his small shoulders, his expression hard to read. "You could say that. But I'm not going to let you die just like that. You're my vessel now, and I have no intention of finding a new one."

Rika let out a long sigh and stared at her ceiling, trying to understand the implications of this contract. "Why do I have to be stuck with you?" she murmured softly, more to herself than to Greed.

Greed twitched his ears and replied casually, "Maybe because you're lucky... or unlucky, depending on your perspective. But hey, I'm a cute cat, right? Think of the bright side—you now have a free roommate."

Rika couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Even though the situation was bizarre, Greed's slightly sarcastic remarks lightened the mood. "Yeah, yeah, you're such a cute... and annoying cat," she retorted with a sarcastic tone, trying to find humor in their chaotic predicament.

Greed yawned widely, showing off his tiny sharp teeth. "Cute is subjective. But I know one thing, Rika... this world is not as beautiful as you think. Eternals like Fitz are just the beginning. And I can't explain everything in detail if you keep panicking like this."

Rika took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She looked at Greed seriously. "Okay, I'll try not to panic... even though I'm actually panicking," she said, squeezing her left hand, trying to come to terms with this new reality.

Greed gazed at Rika with a slight smile on his feline face. "Good. Then listen carefully. Eternals are a threat to humans, although most people can't see them. On the other hand, there are us spirit beasts who can form contracts with humans to fight against them."

Rika tilted her head, trying to understand Greed's words. "So... spirit beasts like you are some kind of... guardians?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, a bit confused by the concept. Greed shook his head. "We're not guardians. We're more like partners... or parasites, depending on how you see it."

Rika scrunched her face at Greed's cynical answer. "Parasite? That sounds really unpleasant," she commented with a pout, even though she was curious about the many unanswered questions swirling in her mind.

Greed lifted one of his front paws as if shrugging, then continued. "That's how it is. A human and a spirit beast that have formed a contract will stay together until one of them dies. And as long as that contract is in effect, I will only appear in front of other humans when absolutely necessary."

Rika pondered for a moment, reflecting on everything Greed had explained. She had never imagined her life would become this complicated. "So, if I wanted to get rid of you, I'd have to... die?" she asked half-jokingly, although a little fearful of the reality.

Greed chuckled softly, his laughter sounding like a cat's hiss. "Yeah, something like that. But don't worry, Rika, I have no intention of killing you... unless you become very, very annoying."

Rika bit her lip again, trying to suppress a smile that was slowly creeping onto her face. "Well, I'll try not to be too annoying so we can work together well, okay?" she replied, extending her left hand as if offering a handshake to Greed.

Here's the translated passage into English suitable for a novel, maintaining clarity for readers:

---

Greed stared at Rika's outstretched hand with a flat expression. "You know, I don't have human hands to shake yours," he said with a sour tone, though a hint of humor flickered in his voice. Rika withdrew her hand with a small laugh, feeling the atmosphere lighten a bit despite the chaos surrounding her.

Though she hadn't fully accepted this new reality, Rika realized that the only way forward was to acknowledge Greed's presence by her side and try to understand more about the threat known as eternal that she now had to face. This chapter marked the beginning of her struggle to comprehend a new world filled with mysteries, alongside her unexpected partner—a sardonic cat full of secrets.

Greed watched as Rika continued to process all the information he had just shared. However, he knew that this wasn't the right time to let her dwell too long in her thoughts. He leaped down from the table, landing gracefully on the wooden floor of her room, and said, "If you understand this contract, let's talk about the battle from last night. You were reckless, Rika. It's a miracle you're still alive."

Rika sighed, recalling the fight once more. "I didn't know what to do at the time. You know, Greed, I'm just a pizza delivery girl, not a fighter." She gripped the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the floor. Rika felt foolish for nearly being killed last night, despite having Greed's power.

Greed nodded, even though he knew Rika wasn't looking at him. "Precisely because you don't know, you need to start learning. With our contract, the power I have now also belongs to you. But without basic combat skills, you'll only be a burden to me and to yourself," he stated flatly.

Rika shot Greed a glance, irritation bubbling within her at his words. "You really don't know how to speak nicely, do you?" she retorted with a slightly sharp tone. Greed merely licked his paw, appearing unfazed by her reaction. "There's no time for niceties. Besides, I'm not a motivational coach; I'm a spirit beast."

Rika couldn't suppress a small laugh at Greed's blunt and sarcastic manner. At least, despite how frightening all of this was, Greed's presence offered some comfort in its own way. She exhaled deeply and said, "Alright, alright, I get it. But what should I learn first?"

Greed turned to her, his sharp eyes glowing like two little torches in the dark. "You need to learn to control my power, Rika. The power of a spirit beast isn't easy to manage, especially for a human who has never experienced it before. If you're reckless, you could end up killing yourself while using it."

Rika swallowed hard, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of her power spiraling out of control. "That… sounds terrifying," she murmured softly. Greed nodded firmly. "Of course it's terrifying. That's why you shouldn't take it lightly. I don't want a partner who dies needlessly because of their own foolishness."

Rika smiled wryly. Although Greed's words sounded harsh, she could sense a hint of concern behind them, and for some reason, that gave her a little courage. "Okay, I'll try. But you have to be patient while teaching me. I'm not a fast learner."

Greed flicked his tail, appearing a bit more relaxed. "I have no other choice, do I? If you end up dead, I lose out. So, I'll teach you… even if it will frustrate me later." Rika couldn't hold back her laughter any longer, and this time it felt freer.

However, amidst the laughter, Rika suddenly remembered something. Her expression turned serious, and she looked at Greed anxiously. "Greed, why did you say last night that I shouldn't tell anyone about our contract? Is there a danger greater than the eternal?"

Greed paused for a moment, then gazed at Rika with an unreadable look. "There are many things you don't know, Rika. This world is full of parties interested in the power of spirit beasts. If you get involved with them, you could become their target or tool."

Rika bit her lip, feeling her heart race. "So… aside from eternal, there are other humans who might hunt me if they find out about our contract?" she asked incredulously. Greed simply nodded, his expression remaining serious.

"Exactly. And some of them are far more dangerous than the eternal you encountered last night. They wouldn't hesitate to kill you to obtain my power," Greed added, his voice quieter and deeper, casting a more somber atmosphere in the room.

Rika felt a chill spreading throughout her body. "Why does it keep getting more complicated? I don't even know how to fight eternal properly, and now there are humans who could hunt me?" she complained, allowing herself to fall back onto the bed in frustration. Greed jumped onto her pillow, staring at her with a flat expression.

"Yes, you are now in a larger and more dangerous world than before. But you're not alone. You have me, and we'll face everything together… even if you sometimes make me want to scratch your face," he said, his tone slightly annoyed but with an underlying warmth.

Rika couldn't help but smile this time. "Hey, that sounds like a promise, Greed. Don't run away first, okay?" she said half-jokingly, trying to mask her unease. Greed snorted, his tail waving lazily. "Trust me, I'm much tougher than you think, Rika."

In an instant, the previously tense atmosphere began to thaw, even though threats and uncertainties still loomed over them. But Rika knew that at least she wouldn't have to face everything alone. Even if her partner was a sarcastic cat who preferred criticism over praise, she felt a little stronger than before.

***

Rika stood in front of the restaurant where she worked, gathering the courage to go inside. She was ready with a shy smile on her face, hoping no one would make too much of her now-missing hand. As soon as the door opened, she felt a different atmosphere. Her coworkers, who usually greeted her casually, now looked at her with confusion and pity.

Her boss, a middle-aged man with a round belly and a bald head, approached her with a puzzled expression. "Rika, what happened to your hand?" he asked in a tone lower than usual, as if afraid that his loud voice might make Rika uncomfortable. Rika just smiled faintly, trying to appear relaxed even though turmoil brewed inside her.

"Oh, just a little accident on the road, Sir. But I'm fine," she replied briefly. She didn't know what reasonable explanation to give for why her hand was gone. But it seemed that answer was enough to make her boss nod uncertainly, though he still looked suspicious.

Her coworker, Aki, a girl with long hair who was usually cheerful, approached and looked at Rika with concern. "Are you really okay, Rika? You don't look... like you usually do." Rika knew Aki was worried about her, but she couldn't explain the real situation. So she just chuckled softly and nodded.

"Seriously, I'm fine, Aki. You know me, right? A bit clumsy but strong!" she said, trying to lighten the mood with a joke. Aki nodded slowly, though the smile on her face couldn't hide the underlying worry.

As Rika began to work, Greed, who was always with her in her mind, started commenting on everything he saw. "These people really care about you, even though they have no idea how strong you are now," Greed said casually in her head.

Rika almost dropped the stack of plates she was carrying when she heard Greed's sudden voice. "Hey, Greed! Don't speak so suddenly like that! I'm still at work!" she replied half-whispering, though she knew others couldn't hear Greed's voice. Still, it felt strange talking to a voice in her head.

Greed chuckled softly. "You chose to come back to this job, Rika. But I don't mind, even though this place is full of annoying food smells. And why do humans love wasting time with pointless conversations?" Greed remarked with a cynical tone.

Rika sighed inwardly, trying to stay focused on her work. But Greed's constant chatter overwhelmed her. "Please, Greed, can you be quiet for just a moment? I'm already stressed enough here without comments from the arrogant cat in my head," she replied, sounding annoyed.

However, Greed just laughed again, and Rika knew he wouldn't stop. That day felt so long for her, trying to keep a calm face in front of her coworkers while trying to ignore Greed's voice in her head. But amid her busyness, she suddenly felt something that sent chills down her spine.

Outside the restaurant, across the street, Rika saw a man in a black suit standing still, watching her. His face was hidden by the shadow of his hat, making it hard to see clearly. Rika tried not to think too much about it, but every time she glanced over, the man was still there, watching her with an inscrutable gaze.

Rika's heart raced, and she tried to stay focused on her work. However, fear began to creep in. She felt as though there were eyes constantly watching her, making it hard to breathe. Her hands trembled as she carried an order to a customer's table, and she couldn't shake off the bad thoughts that haunted her.

Her boss, already quite annoyed with Rika's clumsiness today, finally scolded her again. "Rika, if you can't focus on your work, you'd better go home! I don't want customers feeling uncomfortable!" he shouted harshly.

Rika bowed her head, suppressing the shame and frustration that began to build up. "Sorry, Sir. I'll be more careful..." she replied softly, though she really wanted to run as far away from this place as possible. But her fear of the mysterious man only made her feel trapped.

In her mind, Greed's voice sounded again, this time more serious. "Rika, something's not right. I can sense there's energy stalking us. Maybe they don't just want to watch."

Rika bit her lip, feeling increasingly uneasy. "What do you mean, Greed? Does that mean I'm really being targeted?" she asked, glancing toward the man in the black suit who was still standing out there. She felt more paranoid, and her thoughts grew chaotic.

Greed just sighed, his voice sounding tired. "That's why I told you not to tell anyone about us. This world is more dangerous than you think, Rika. And if we're not careful, we could become easy targets."

Panic washed over Rika, and she knew she couldn't keep going like this. With a trembling voice, she finally decided to do something that weighed heavily on her heart. When lunchtime came, she approached her boss and, in a quiet but firm voice, said something surprising.

"Sir, I... I want to resign," she said softly but clearly. All her coworkers turned to her in shock, and even her boss was silent for a moment before finally exclaiming, "What do you mean, Rika? You just came back, and now you want to leave again?"

Rika smiled weakly, trying to hold back the tears that were about to spill. "I have personal issues to deal with. Thank you for all the opportunities you've given me so far..." she said, even though she felt like her stomach was being twisted.

Her boss huffed and shook his head, but he couldn't force Rika to stay. "Alright, if that's your decision. But you know, Rika, it will be difficult for you to find another job under these circumstances," he said, pointing at Rika's missing arm.

Rika just forced a bitter smile and nodded. "I know, Sir. But I have to try. Once again, thank you," she said as she bowed before turning and leaving the restaurant for the last time.

As she stepped out, Rika felt a little more relieved, even though a lingering fear still hung in her heart. The man in the black suit was no longer where he had been, but the shadow of that cold gaze continued to haunt her. In her head, Greed murmured softly, "We need to be more careful now, Rika. Maybe this is just the beginning."

Rika could only nod, trying to stay strong even though her steps felt heavy. She didn't know what awaited her ahead, but one thing was for sure—she had to be ready to face whatever came, alongside Greed, who had now become her only ally.

***

Rika stepped out of the restaurant with mixed feelings. The night wind brushed against her face, bringing a cold chill that made her shiver for a moment. The atmosphere on the street was quite quiet, with only a few people wandering around. But Rika couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her from a distance. When she glanced back, she caught a glimpse of the shadow of the man in the black suit at the end of the street, still standing tall with his gaze fixed on her.

She swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart. "Greed, he's still there... He's following us," she whispered softly in her mind, hoping Greed could hear her without drawing attention from anyone around.

Greed's voice sounded relaxed in her head, as if there was nothing to worry about. "Don't panic, Rika. Just act normal. If you show fear, he might become even more suspicious," he said confidently. Rika tried to control her feelings, taking a deep breath and continuing her steps as if nothing was wrong.

Even so, the shadow of the man continued to haunt her at every turn she took. Occasionally, she glanced back to ensure the man in the black suit wasn't too close. However, Greed kept reminding her to stay focused ahead. "You can't do anything right now, Rika. If we get into a confrontation now, it will only make things worse," Greed said, sounding a bit more serious this time.

In the midst of her journey, when Rika passed a narrow alley that was usually empty, her gaze landed on something that left her stunned. At the end of the alley, a small child knelt with a terrified expression on his face, while in front of him stood an old woman who appeared frail, with a hunched back and disheveled white hair.

However, there was something strange about the old woman. The way she smiled, the way her eyes looked at the child with a terrifying hunger—something that sent chills down Rika's spine. "Greed... Is that what I'm thinking?" Rika asked with a trembling voice in her mind.

Greed sighed, his voice sounding annoyed yet certain. "Rika, think about it. When was the last time you saw an old woman trying to eat a child? That's not human; that's an eternal in disguise."

Rika still hesitated, staring at the old woman who was slowly approaching the child with stiff and creepy movements. "But... What if she is really human? I can't just attack her, Greed," she replied anxiously.

Greed let out a quiet laugh, sounding cynical. "If you want to gamble with that child's life, go ahead and stay here and see what happens. But if you truly want to be a strong User, you need to act now."

Rika clenched her left fist, trying to muster her courage. She knew Greed was right, and she couldn't let an innocent child become a victim. Without thinking twice, Rika activated her power, feeling Greed's energy flow into her body. Her right hand, which had previously been lost, now returned, glowing bright blue as before, with mysterious markings enveloping it.

"Do you really think you can hurt that little boy, huh?" Rika shouted as she ran towards the old woman. She swung her fist with all her might, hitting the woman's face without hesitation.

The old woman was thrown backward, her body flying and crashing against the wall with a loud thud. Rika felt a strange sense of satisfaction seeing her punch succeed, but as the dust around her began to settle, she realized that she hadn't just struck an old woman.

The old woman transformed, her body contorting and stretching, becoming a horrific creature with a very different shape. She now resembled a fat man with a pig-like face, a large flat nose, and dark red skin that looked burnt. The creature's body swelled to five meters, filling the narrow alley with its intimidating presence.

The creature let out a snort and a growl, then laughed with a raspy voice that shook the entire alley. Rika took a step back, trying to suppress the fear creeping into her. But Greed didn't give her a chance to hesitate. "Don't stop now, Rika. You've started this; finish it quickly before something worse happens," Greed urged in a serious tone.

The frightened child now ran away, giving Rika a little relief. But her focus remained on the terrifying creature in front of her. The pig-faced man now stepped forward heavily, the ground shaking beneath him with each step.

Rika clenched her glowing right fist, feeling Greed's power flowing within her. "Then I'll face you! Never underestimate someone who is desperate!" she shouted, her voice trembling but filled with determination.

She stepped forward, her right hand raised high, ready to confront the creature. In her mind, Greed prepared for battle, confident that Rika had the potential to overcome this challenge.

The pig-faced creature growled loudly, then lunged with a movement that was unexpected for its large body. Rika, despite her nervousness, tried to brace herself for the battle that would determine her fate.

The narrow alley had now transformed into a deadly battleground, with two powers clashing against each other. However, in the shadows of the alley, the figure of the man in the black suit who had been watching Rika wore a small smile.

"Finally, you're showing yourself...," he murmured quietly, his voice nearly drowned out by the commotion of the ongoing battle. "Let's see how far you can go, new User..."

To Be Continued..