Greed : The Strongest Spirit Beast

In this world, life goes on as usual. People fill the city streets with the bustle of their routines—office workers rushing to catch the train, students chatting on the sidewalks, and the busy traffic, like the heartbeat that keeps the city alive. From the outside, everything seems normal, yet something dark and hungry lurks. Something that ordinary people never notice, and even if they did, it might be better for them not to know.

They are unaware of the presence of creatures called "eternals"—spirits that emerge from the darkness, never tiring, never stopping, always seeking prey. For most people, sudden deaths and disappearances without a trace are dismissed as accidents or unsolved criminal cases. No one suspects the unseen hands pulling these people into the shadows.

However, the world keeps turning without any significant change. Those who know, choose silence. Those who don't, continue their lives in a comforting ignorance.

In a dusty corner of the city, there is a small restaurant selling cheap pizza—Rocco's Pizza. This place is known not for the taste of its pizza, but for its affordable prices, catering to students and low-income workers. This is where Rika Moritaka works as a pizza delivery girl.

Rika is a 19-year-old girl who doesn't stand out—with short black hair, large glasses that always slide down her nose, and clothes that often appear loose or wrinkled. Her job isn't what she dreamed of, but she needs the money to survive, so here she is. Every day, she deals with pizza orders, always accompanied by customers' complaints about missing toppings or overcooked pizzas.

"Rika! Come here for a moment!" a gruff voice snapped her out of her daydream.

Rika turned towards the source of the voice. In the kitchen doorway, her boss, Mr. Tanaka, stood with a red face and clenched fists. His bulky body seemed to shake with an anger that was ready to explode. This wasn't the first time Rika had been called out like this, and she could guess what was coming next. Rika swallowed nervously.

"Yes, Mr. Tanaka?" Rika tried to smile, but it looked more like an awkward grimace. She approached her boss hurriedly.

"Do you know how many times I have to repeat this, huh? Orders need to arrive on time! No customer wants a cold pizza! What do you think this is? A charity shop?" Mr. Tanaka ranted on endlessly, like a broken record playing on repeat. Rika could only nod, even though she was tired of hearing the same lecture over and over.

Rika knew she wasn't the fastest at her job, but her old bike also often broke down. Yet, every time she tried to explain this, Mr. Tanaka would just ignore her.

"Sorry, Mr. Tanaka, I'll do better," Rika replied, trying to calm her boss's anger. But it came out sounding like an apology repeated too many times, losing its meaning.

"Just take this order! It's for a customer in the Gintama apartment complex. And don't be late again, or I'll dock your pay, got it?!" Mr. Tanaka shoved a pizza box at her roughly.

Rika nodded again, accepting the pizza box carefully. She knew the customers in the Gintama area were known for being quick to complain if there was any delay. "Okay, Mr. Tanaka. I'll head out right away." Hurriedly, Rika packed the pizza box into her delivery bag and walked out of the restaurant.

---

Rika started her old, scratched-up motorbike. It had been with her for the past few years since she started working as a pizza delivery girl. The engine rattled roughly as Rika turned the key, and the sound of the bike was like an old man grumbling when asked to get up early. She quickly put on her helmet, took a deep breath, and then sped off onto the road.

However, just a few meters from the restaurant, her bike started to sputter. "Brmm... brmm..." and then the engine died completely. Her bike broke down in the middle of a relatively busy street. Rika groaned in frustration. She tried starting it again, but the bike only made a raspy noise without starting.

"Ah, why now of all times?" she muttered in frustration while kicking the starter pedal repeatedly. But the bike remained unresponsive, as if mocking her patience, which was wearing thin.

Rika took a deep breath to calm herself, then glanced at the passing pedestrians. Some people looked at her with sympathetic expressions, while others just averted their gazes, not wanting to get involved. Rika bit her lip, then tried to start the bike once more. After several attempts, the engine finally roared back to life, though it sounded like it was coughing.

"Thank you for holding on a little longer," Rika said, patting the bike seat. She quickly hit the gas towards the Gintama apartments, trying to make up for lost time.

After about 20 minutes of riding, Rika finally arrived at the apartment complex. She glanced at her watch, and her face paled. "Oh no, I'm 15 minutes late," she whispered. Rika hurried to the entrance, carrying her delivery bag and the pizza box.

When she reached the customer's door, she knocked awkwardly. "Good afternoon, your pizza has arrived!" she called out, trying to sound cheerful despite her anxiety.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with a sour expression. His eyes immediately landed on the pizza box in Rika's hand. "Do you know what time it is, huh? I ordered this pizza almost half an hour ago! It's already cold!" the man snapped angrily, making Rika shrink even more.

Rika gave a stiff smile, trying to find words to ease the man's anger. "I'm sorry, sir. My bike had some issues, so I got here late..."

"But that's not my problem, is it? I paid extra for fast delivery, not for cold pizza! Do you know how valuable my time is?" the man retorted loudly, drawing the attention of some other residents.

Rika nodded quickly, not wanting to prolong the argument. "I'm really sorry, sir. Maybe I can ask my boss to give you a discount on your next order?"

The man scoffed but finally grabbed the pizza box from Rika's hands. "Next time, don't be late! And tell your boss, this is the last time I order from your place if the service stays like this!" With that, he shut the door roughly in Rika's face, leaving her standing in the apartment hallway.

Rika let out a long sigh, feeling like her burdens had gotten even heavier. She took out her phone and sent a quick message to the restaurant, informing them that the delivery was done. But she knew, once she returned, her boss would definitely scold her again because of the customer's complaint.

She rode her bike back to Rocco's Pizza, trying to ignore the shame and frustration bubbling inside her. When she arrived in front of the restaurant, Mr. Tanaka was already standing at the door, waiting for her with a disappointed look.

Rika handed over the delivery bag with trembling hands, trying to avoid eye contact with her boss. Mr. Tanaka took the bag and checked its contents before letting out a long sigh. "Rika, do you know how many complaints we've received because of this delay?"

"Sorry, Mr. Tanaka. My bike broke down again, so I..."

"I don't want to hear any more excuses, Rika! If your bike breaks down, find a way to make sure it doesn't happen again! Do you know how important customer satisfaction is for a small business like ours?" Mr. Tanaka cut her off with a harsher tone, catching the attention of some other employees who looked on sympathetically.

Rika could only bow her head, clutching the edge of her worn-out uniform. "Yes, Mr. Tanaka. I'll try harder..."

Mr. Tanaka sighed heavily, looking like he'd run out of patience. "Just save your apologies. Take a break now; I don't want to hear any more complaints from customers today because of you. Tomorrow, if your bike has any more problems, I won't hesitate to cut your pay. Understand?"

Rika nodded quickly, holding back the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. "Yes, sir. I understand."

Mr. Tanaka turned back and re-entered the restaurant without another word, leaving Rika standing alone at the entrance. She clenched her hands, trying to suppress the frustration swelling in her chest. Her heart felt heavy, but she knew this was not the time to cry.

***

The day was turning into night when Rika finished her shift at Rocco's Pizza. The restaurant was quieting down, with only one or two customers still enjoying their dinner. Rika took off her apron, stained with sauce, placed it on the rack, and changed out of her uniform into regular clothes. The creaking sound of the heavy door marked her exit from the restaurant, greeted by the cold evening breeze.

Rika took a deep breath, filling her lungs with fresh air after being cooped up inside the restaurant all day. The city looked different at night, with streetlights casting a dim yellow glow. The streets that were once bustling with people were now a bit quieter, and the sound of passing cars muffled the silence of the night. Rika pulled her jacket tighter, trying to fend off the chill creeping up her skin.

As she took out her phone to check the time, a message notification popped up. It was from Haruka, the only friend Rika had since high school. Rika read the message with a slight frown.

"Rika, come join me at the cat café tonight! There's a new cat that's super cute, you'll love it. When else can we just hang out there? My treat, promise! :)"

Rika smiled slightly at the message. She knew Haruka was a huge cat lover, and the offer to visit the cat café was nothing new. But after a day filled with scoldings and mistakes, this offer sounded very tempting. After thinking for a moment, she typed a short reply.

"Okay, I'll come. But don't be late, okay? You know I don't like waiting outside alone."

Haruka responded quickly, sending a cute sticker of a cat nodding. Rika put her phone back into her pocket and began walking towards the cat café, just a few blocks away from her workplace. The quiet and chilly evening streets seemed more inviting with the thought of meeting Haruka and some adorable cats that might brighten her unlucky day.

After a few minutes of walking, Rika finally arrived in front of the café. A neon sign featuring a cat flickered above the entrance, casting a warm orange glow. From outside, Rika could see through the large glass window that showcased the cozy atmosphere inside, with a few people playing with cats roaming freely.

Rika paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. But before she could open the door, a familiar voice called her name from behind.

"Rika!" Haruka waved her hand energetically, walking quickly toward her. Haruka was a girl with long red hair, always dressed in stylish clothes. Her smile was bright, and in her hand was a bag full of cat-shaped keychains.

Rika waved back, feeling slightly lighter seeing her old friend's smile. "Hey, Haruka. You're on time this time, huh?"

Haruka chuckled softly, shrugging. "Well, I didn't want to make you wait again. Besides, I'm really curious about the new cat here. They say it's super cute and loves to be petted."

Rika smiled faintly, feeling a bit better. Haruka always knew how to make Rika feel at ease, even after a tiring day. Without further delay, they both entered the café, welcomed by the warm aroma of coffee mixed with the familiar scent of pets.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. There were several tables with comfy sofas, and plenty of spaces for the cats to play or rest. Some cats were napping in the corners, while others roamed around, seeking attention from visitors. The dim hanging lights created a cozy and calm ambiance.

Rika and Haruka chose a seat near the window, and soon after, a white-furred cat with big blue eyes jumped onto Rika's lap. The cat meowed softly and began rubbing its head against Rika's hand.

"Aww, so cute! What's its name?" Haruka asked as she petted another cat walking nearby.

Rika smiled while stroking the cat on her lap. "I don't know, but it looks like it loves attention. Maybe its name is Snowy or something."

Haruka chuckled softly, then ordered drinks for the two of them. While waiting, Rika and Haruka continued to pet the cats that came their way. Rika felt the tension that had been weighing her down gradually fade away. There was something healing in the warmth of the soft fur and the gentle purring sounds.

Not long after, their order arrived—two cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. Haruka grinned, taking one cup and sipping it slowly. "So, how was your day? You look really tired. Did your boss scold you again?"

Rika sighed heavily, leaning back against the sofa. "Yeah, as usual. My motorcycle broke down again, and I was late getting to a customer's house. They were mad, and when I got back, my boss yelled at me. I almost got my pay cut again because of that."

Haruka nodded sympathetically, while she rubbed the belly of a cat sleeping next to her. "Seems like your boss never runs out of things to complain about, huh? Poor you, Ri. But try not to think about it too much, or you'll get even more stressed. At least now we can relax here."

Rika gave a tired smile, but there was warmth in her eyes. "Yeah, thanks to you, Haruka. If it weren't for you, I might have been crying in a corner tonight."

Haruka laughed out loud at that, but not in a mocking way. More like the laughter of a friend who truly understands. "Hahaha, if you were crying in a corner, I'd probably show up with a blanket, and we'd watch cartoons together. Or maybe I'd bring some pizza from your workplace, though I'd probably get in trouble for that too."

Rika laughed along, feeling her mood lift bit by bit. They continued talking while playing with the cats that gathered around them, as if sensing that the two girls needed some cheer.

Some cats started to gather around them for attention, and Haruka was busy petting a gray-furred cat with a long tail. "Hey, Rika, look at this cat. Its tail is so long! I wonder if it could sweep the floor."

Rika stifled a laugh, imagining the cat acting like a cleaning tool. "Maybe if they put it to work cleaning the restaurant, it might be more useful than me, huh?"

They laughed together, filling the night with simple jokes and smiles. Rika felt like all the burdens of her day lifted slightly with Haruka's presence and the warmth of the cats they cuddled. That night, even though it started with complaints and frustrations, turned into a moment that was warmer and filled with joy.

After a few hours at the cat café, the night grew later, and the air outside became even colder. Rika and Haruka finally decided to head home. Haruka, with her ever-present smile, picked up one of the cats briefly before gently setting it back down. Rika patted the head of the white-furred cat that had stayed in her lap all evening, as if saying goodbye.

They walked out of the café, greeted by the cold night air and a breeze that brushed against their faces. Haruka looked up at the sky, now dotted with stars, and said, "Rika, thanks for coming with me. I hope tomorrow's better for you, and that your boss doesn't get on your case again."

Rika gave a small smile, shrugging slightly. "Let's hope so. But even if it doesn't, at least tonight was pretty nice." She glanced at Haruka and nodded slightly. "Thanks for inviting me, Haruka. I really needed a moment like this."

Haruka smiled widely, then gave Rika a brief hug. "You're welcome. If you ever need someone to talk to or just want to hang out with the cats again, don't hesitate, okay? I'm always here." After saying goodbye, they walked in opposite directions—Haruka heading towards the nearest bus stop, while Rika made her way home, not too far away.

Rika walked with a feeling slightly lighter than before. Even though the cold night seeped into her bones, there was a warmth in her heart that she hadn't felt when she left the restaurant earlier. Rika smiled faintly, storing the memory of that night as one of the moments that helped her get through the challenges of her life.

***

The night grew late, and the streets Rika walked through became increasingly quiet. Her footsteps echoed along the empty sidewalk, interrupted only by the occasional sound of a distant vehicle. The dim streetlights cast long shadows of her figure, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Rika pulled her jacket closer, trying to fend off the chill that seeped into her bones. She wanted to reach home quickly and rest her tired body.

But suddenly, Rika felt something strange. A shiver ran down her spine as if someone was watching her from the darkness. She halted, glancing around. There was nothing but the shadows of trees and empty buildings along the deserted road. Fear began to creep into her mind. She tried to calm herself, thinking it might just be her imagination.

Yet before she could take another step, she heard a heavy dragging sound across the asphalt. Rika turned quickly, and there she saw it—a creature emerging from the shadows, slowly coming out of a narrow alley between two buildings. Its body was large but oddly shaped. Its short legs seemed disproportionate compared to its long arms that dragged along the ground, with sharp claws scratching the asphalt, producing a screech that made Rika wince. Its face resembled a wolf, but it was hairless, revealing rough skin that looked like unhealed wounds.

Rika was stunned, her eyes wide with shock at the sight of the creature. She had never seen anything like this before—something that resembled a wolf but was far more terrifying. The creature stared at Rika with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul, its lips curling into a grin that revealed rows of jagged, sharp teeth. It snorted with a deep growl, making Rika feel as if her heart would explode.

Suddenly, the creature lunged forward, swiping at Rika with its long claws. Rika jerked back, barely avoiding the strike. The sound of sharp claws scraping against the sidewalk was sharp and clear, creating small sparks from the friction. Rika panicked, her blood rushing in terror. She had no idea what she was facing, but one thing was certain: this creature wanted her dead.

Rika ran as fast as she could, leaving the creature behind. But the dragging sound of the creature's steps grew quicker, closing in mercilessly. Rika's breath came in gasps, and her legs began to feel heavy as her fear escalated. She glanced back, hoping the creature had fallen behind, but instead, she saw those long arms reaching nearly to her back.

"Is this a nightmare...?" Rika muttered to herself, hoping to wake up in her warm bed. But everything felt real—the cold night air, the pain in her lungs from running, and the pounding footsteps of the creature drawing ever closer.

The creature leapt at her with a brutal motion, knocking Rika to the ground. Pain shot through her knees as they hit the sidewalk, but she had no time to focus on it. Rika could only raise her arms to shield her face as the creature's massive hand swung towards her. She felt powerless, unsure of what to do besides screaming for help, but the night was too silent, and there was no one around to hear her.

The creature stared at her with a ravenous gaze, as if it could hardly wait to tear Rika apart. She panted heavily, watching as the creature raised its massive arm, ready to strike with full force. For a moment, Rika glimpsed the sharp teeth behind the creature's sinister grin, teeth eager to rip through her flesh. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her entire body tremble.

At that moment, Rika knew there was no place left to run or hide. The creature stood before her, ready to end it all. In the darkness of the night that seemed to swallow the whole world, she could only wait with bated breath as the monstrous hand descended, aiming straight for her.

To be continued...