"So this little thing… you created it?"
Looking at the floating mascot in front of her, Freya had a huge question mark written all over her face.
Especially since Paimon could talk normally and think logically. No matter how you looked at it, she didn't resemble a puppet at all.
And yet Cao Ye insisted she was accidentally created.
Stranger still—Freya couldn't detect any sign of a lie.
That left her a bit stunned.
Since when had the world become so absurd that a mortal child of the lower world could create life?
"Little one, what's your name?"
Freya asked curiously.
"My name is Paimon. I'm the Traveler's partner and guide!"
"Paimon, huh? What a cute little thing."
Freya reached out and grabbed Paimon.
Especially that adorable face—when she pinched it, the texture felt just like real skin.
Was this really a puppet?
Being squished like that made Paimon extremely uncomfortable.
She immediately shot a pleading look toward Cao Ye.
Unfortunately…
Cao Ye turned his head away as if he hadn't seen anything.
Sacrifice one, save everyone.
"I'm Freya, the goddess of Cao Ye. Nice to meet you, little Paimon."
"Lady Freya~"
Paimon forced a smile.
Though the smile looked more and more strained the longer it lasted.
Fortunately Freya soon released her.
The moment she was free, Paimon flew up and quickly put distance between herself and the goddess.
This woman felt far too dangerous.
Keeping a safe distance was essential.
"Traveler! That was terrible! You didn't help Paimon at all!"
Paimon floated in front of Cao Ye and angrily pointed at him.
"Lady Freya wouldn't hurt you," Cao Ye replied calmly.
"Besides, being favored by a goddess is a blessing countless people dream of."
"I don't care! You bullied Paimon!"
"So what do you want then?"
"I'm hungry. I want delicious food."
"You're a cursed corpse. You shouldn't even feel hunger. Absorbing my magic power should keep you alive."
"Waaah! Traveler won't even give Paimon food!"
Paimon's eyes filled with tears.
She looked like she would burst into tears any second.
"Alright, alright… we'll eat. I'll take you to get food."
Cao Ye sighed helplessly.
Where had she learned this trick?
She had literally been born yesterday.
What Cao Ye didn't realize was that while creating Paimon, he had accidentally poured a lot of random memories and information into her.
"Paimon wants a feast!"
"A feast! A feast!"
Cao Ye shook his head.
Even as a cursed corpse, Paimon's foodie personality remained perfectly intact.
Freya watched the scene with great interest.
It was fascinating.
This so-called "puppet" behaved far too realistically.
If she didn't know the truth, she would never believe it wasn't alive.
"Lady Freya, I'll take this little one out to eat."
"Mm. Go ahead."
Freya smiled mysteriously as she watched him leave.
Cao Ye didn't think much of it.
Because Paimon was already desperately impatient.
Soon Cao Ye left Babel Tower and headed toward the Market Street, where all kinds of food stalls lined the road.
"Wow! So much delicious food!"
"Traveler, I want this!"
"Alright."
"Mmm! So tasty! I want that one too!"
"Bought."
"Traveler, Paimon loves you! I want all of those too!"
"Fine, fine—buy them all."
And just like that, the Traveler and the Emergency Food began their sweeping food raid.
More than 80% of the stalls caught Paimon's attention.
And Cao Ye bought something from almost every single one.
After all—
He was rich now.
Even though he had already spent 20 million valis yesterday, he still had several million left.
And with Golden Rule, money would never be a problem again.
Soon a strange scene appeared on the busy street.
A tiny fairy-like mascot floated through the air, stuffing food into her mouth nonstop.
Behind her followed a handsome young man carrying a mountain of food.
"Hm? What's this?"
With her arms full of snacks, Paimon suddenly spotted another stall.
"Those are fried potato balls. Want some?"
The stall owner was a muscular man who clearly had the aura of a martial artist.
"Fried potato balls? Are they good?"
Paimon asked curiously, momentarily forgetting the food already in her hands.
"Of course they're good. Want some?"
"Yes!"
"What flavor?"
"Hmmm… one of every flavor!"
Paimon declared boldly.
After all, if you're going to eat something, you should try all the flavors.
Besides, the Traveler was rich now.
Free food is the best food.
Cao Ye stood to the side, speechless.
But he had already gotten used to it.
All along the street, Paimon had never stopped eating.
The total amount of food she consumed was bigger than her entire body.
Where exactly was it all going?
And since when could cursed corpses eat food?
"Uh… every flavor? Can you even finish that?"
"Don't underestimate Paimon! Paimon is very powerful!"
The stall owner looked awkwardly toward Cao Ye.
After all, Paimon looked like a mischievous child, while Cao Ye looked like the responsible adult.
Cao Ye simply smiled and nodded.
"Well… alright then."
If the "parent" said yes, who was he to argue?
And it was a big order anyway.
Soon the stall owner packed up several bags of freshly fried potato balls.
Even though they were still hot from the fryer, Paimon immediately took a bite.
Her face instantly filled with pure happiness.
For Paimon—
Delicious food was the greatest joy in life.
It was a personality trait Cao Ye had designed for her.
And she had embraced it completely.
Watching plate after plate of fried potato balls disappear into Paimon's tiny stomach, the stall owner stood there stunned.
"Wow…"
"This little thing can really eat."
For Early Access of Full story please check out patreon.com/UchihaAce