An Overwhelming Lack of Calories

Inside the detention center, us "trash" only got fed once a day.

A crowd of people who looked like a pack of vagrants formed a line in the courtyard to receive their rations. The menu consisted of a piece of rock-hard bread and a bowl of soup.

As I took my meal, I could feel the eyes of everyone around me boring into my back.

They were definitely targeting the newcomer’s food.

They were trying to be discreet about it, but they were about as subtle as a brick to the face.

Since I’m getting a high-quality meal from Zack later anyway, I wouldn’t really mind having this stolen to keep up my mob-character persona, but I’m also a little curious about the taste.

Well, whatever.

I shielded the food with both hands, clutching it to my chest as I hurried through the throng. Come on, if you're gonna mug me, now's the time, I thought, projecting that perfect "vulnerable victim" vibe.

Ultimately, I made it through the courtyard and reached my little corner of the hallway that Zack had carved out for me.

Now then, let’s see how this tastes...

First, I tried the soup.

The only "ingredients" were a few vegetable scraps and a couple of sad little beans. As for the flavor... it was basically just lukewarm saltwater.

To be honest, it was disgusting, but I could probably choke it down if I had to.

The bread was just as bad—full of grit and impurities. Its only saving grace was that it was reasonably large.

If I dipped it in the soup first, I could probably manage to eat it.

In summary: gross, but edible.

The real problem was the overwhelming lack of protein. The only decent source of it was those tiny beans.

But even worse than that was the total calorie deficit. This whole meal was maybe five hundred calories, tops.

There was no way in hell someone could survive a full day on just this.

No wonder everyone was so emaciated... and no wonder they were willing to fight over food.

"Yo, new guy."

Two men approached me while I was eating.

Both were skin and bones, but their eyes were gleaming with a predatory hunger.

"We need to have a little chat."

"W-what is it?"

I did my best impression of a cornered herbivore, looking up at them with wide, trembling eyes.

"How about you hand over that food of yours?"

"Eh? But... this is all I have to eat today..."

"Hey, listen up! I told you to hand it over!"

The two men loomed over me, their voices dripping with intimidation.

"Give it up quietly and you won't have to get hurt. Try to resist, and you'll get a beating and lose your food. You're smart enough to know which choice is better, right?"

"B-but..."

"Tch... thick-headed brat."

One of the men grabbed me by the collar and slammed me against the wall.

"I guess three punches ought to make you behave."

He raised his fist, but just as he was about to swing—

"Stop right there."

A girl’s voice interrupted them.

"Who the hell do you—!?"

"Y-you’re..."

I looked toward the voice and saw a beautiful girl standing in the hallway. She was dressed in the same prisoner rags as the rest of us, but her pink-blonde hair stood out. She looked strangely familiar.

"Let him go."

As the pink-blonde girl glared at them, the two men hung their heads.

"Tch, let’s go..."

"A-ah..."

They released my collar and hurried away.

"Th-thank you so much. You are...?"

"That was a bit of a disaster, wasn't it?"

The beautiful pink-blonde girl gave me a reassuring smile.

There were a few female prisoners in this detention center, though they were rare. Most were women brought here specifically for the Doem Faction, but she seemed different somehow.

"Food is precious here, so you should eat it quickly."

"Y-yes..."

"If you ever have any trouble, feel free to talk to—"

"Lady Clara, this boy was talking to one of the Doem Faction's men."

A burly man appeared from behind the pink-blonde girl. He was looking at me with a harsh, suspicious gaze.

"I see... but he probably just doesn't know any better yet."

"Even so, please be careful..."

"...I know."

"U-um. I was just having Zack show me the ropes..."

"Don't worry about it. Just... well, a lot of things happen in this place, so please be careful."

With that, she turned and left, the sturdy man following close behind. As they passed me, the man gave me one last sharp glare.

I maintained my "terrified mob" act until they were out of sight, then muttered to myself.

"She definitely seems like an important character."

I’d have to shake Zack down for info when I went to get my real meal later.

But that girl, Clara... she really did remind me of someone. Ah, right.

She kind of looks like Senior Rose. Maybe it’s an Oriana Kingdom connection?