Chapter 9

It was savory, decedent, and most of all filling. He felt the power coursing through him, everything felt right. In a sense, it was almost beautiful. The fight it put up, even on its way down his throat, the struggle it maintained even after the final bit of the beast was pushed down. It was glorious in his mind. He just finished the demon level monster, it slowly coxed its way down his throat until he felt it settle with the others. His belly swayed and moved with movement, but he couldn't be happier with it.

"You just went all out, didn't you?"

His eyes opened as he turned and saw Garou staring down at him. "Hm, I think Snek's right, this wasn't quite the reaction he was expecting, nor was I, you're actually enjoying this."

"Far from it." Amai protested. "I am merely… making the most of it all…" he paused to cherish the sensation surged through him once more. "I am trying to find the beauty in it all, and I may have discovered it." He rested his hands on his bloated belly before caressing himself rather contently. "These… monsters, the ones that unleash death and chaos into the world, and yet, when they are consumed by me, they feed the one who brings about their end. Such a befitting way to take a monster from this world, use it to fuel the hero who removes them!"

Garou rolled his eyes, as Melee was soon to enter the room. "Oh for the love of God" she sighed. "You always do this!"

"What do you mean?" Amai asked.

"I have known you long enough to know this. When you find something that indulges you, you take it too far!" she said. "You have an addictive habit like that, why do you think you are obsessed with movies, shows, music… you do it all because you are addicted to it! Now, since you can't you found a new vice to latch on to."

"Melee… I am merely… finding beauty in this."

"Yeah, sure you are. You look like a bloated snake sausage."

He didn't care anymore, Amai was content, and that's all that mattered to him. Garou rolled his eyes to it all. "Better get Amai fat ass home."

"I will not be insulted like that!" he protested. "I just saved those associates from being killed by this monster and those it tried to liberate."

"Yeah, but you made the stupid mistake of eating them alive. Only I can do that since I digest them instantly. What you did is reckless. If any one of them is strong enough, they could burst out of your gut!"

"They haven't succeeded yet."

"I swear if you are going to enjoy this I will make you eat until you are sick of it!" warned Garou.

Melee had to levitate him up the stairs and to the main floor. The kids were waiting for their parents, yet they all appeared rather disturbed to Amai's state and agitating stomach. Hunter took the hoodie Sweet Mask left behind and covered Amai's head. "I'm actually embarrassed to be seen with you right now. Snek at least had self control"

"Snek couldn't eat as much as I can" Amai said in a proud tone.

"No, he knew better and paced himself," sighed Alley.

They were home before anyone knew it; Melee took Amai back to his room and left him there to savor his latest meal. She couldn't help but stare at him oddly as he appeared to be enjoying himself a little too much. "How deprived are you?" she asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Despite the fact that you are not quite enjoying this little experience, and yet you are. You have starved yourself not just in this form, but even in your human state. Not to mention what better way for you to get the attention you crave so much than to do something stupid like this. Seriously, this is stupid!"

"Snek never did it, did he?" he asked with a coy grin.

"Once," explained Melee. "He did this once, to a level demon monster because he was pissed off about what happened that day. He said he wouldn't do it again, and that was after breaking most of its bones so it wouldn't struggle as much."

The grin on Amai's face didn't vanish. It only grew. "You're concerned for me, aren't you?"

Melee rolled her eyes. "Yes," she said reluctantly. "That's also because you are under the care of Garou and I. Anything happens to you, I doubt we would hear the end of it."

"You're concern isn't valid, besides I can easily handle this. It's a simple matter to contend with." He said as he caressed his body. "I do admit though, this sensation I am getting. It's remarkable, and nearly… savory at times."

Melee cringed to the news of that, she left shortly after leaving Amai alone to relish his meal.