The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye's POV)

Grrrrrr—!

My stomach growled the moment I opened my eyes.

"Ugh..."

I felt weak and lightheaded.

"... I'm hungry..."

I mumbled, a deep frown forming on my face. I honestly felt like I could pass out any second.

Though, strangely—

"Hm...?"

I also felt like I could do almost anything at the same time. It was weird. Confusing even.

But before I could dive deeper into that thought—

-RAYE!!!

-MEEP!!!

I heard two familiar voices shouting from in front of me.

And when I looked up...

"Ah...!"

"Zephyrus! Pyro!"

I saw the two of them flying toward me at terrifying speed. And in a split second—

PSH—!

"Oof...!"

They crashed into me.

Pyro slammed straight into my chest, clinging tightly, while Zephyrus stopped just inches from my face, flapping his wings.

I nearly lost my balance from the impact, my legs trembling from hunger.

"Haha, I missed you guys."

I whispered weakly, patting Pyro's small head as he buried his face deeper against me.

-Meep...

Pyro let out a soft sound, clearly feeling the same.

-...

On the other hand, Zephyrus just floated there silently, not saying a word.

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head and looked up at him.

And then—

-...

I noticed that he was just staring at me. His eyes slightly widened.

"What?"

I asked him, confused.

And Zephyrus—

-Umm... Ahh...

He mumbled, his beak opening and closing like he was hesitating to speak.

A small frown creased his fluffy face. Then after a moment of struggling—

-Ugh, whatever... I'll just tell you later, it's not that urgent.

He finally decided to speak, shaking his head.

-There's something more urgent than that right now.

He said seriously.

"What is it?"

I asked again, my head pulsing with a dull, persistent ache. I winced slightly.

And as he scanned me from head to toe—

-You need to eat, you look like a walking corpse.

Zephyrus declared that bluntly with a shrug of his wings.

"..."

I quietly looked down at myself at his words.

Thin arms. Skin pale. Ribs slightly visible under the skin.

"...You're right."

I mumbled to myself, half shocked, half amused.

Then opening my mouth again—

"Do you guys have something to eat?"

I asked, my voice awkward and a little embarrassed.

But without missing a beat—

-Meep!

-We have food... We'll prepare it for you. Just rest there.

The two of them replied at the same time, determination flashing in their eyes.

*****

F W O O S H~

Tap- tap- tap—

Zephyrus and Pyro immediately flew toward the pile of supplies they kept nearby as I walked behind them.

"..."

I watched them silently, feeling a soft warmth bloom inside my chest despite how weak I was.

'These guys...'

They probably worked so hard while I was unconscious.

I'm really glad to see them.

Anyway, as I was thinking about that...

Fwip— Fwip—

-Meep!

SWAAAA~

Pyro quickly started a fire using some dry wood and his spirit magic. He summoned a small, concentrated fire, just enough to ignite a spark.

Meanwhile, Zephyrus grabbed some already prepared meat from their stash.

-[Gust]

FWOOSH~!

Then he effortlessly made them fly toward the fire to cook them.

'Their control over their magic had increased.'

I immediately thought after seeing them work.

-Meep!

Pyro chirped proudly, puffing up his chest as he controlled the strength of the fire.

-It'll only take a while, rest for now.

Zephyrus said, clearing his throat like he was trying to act cool and calm.

"Is that so? Sure."

I just smiled faintly, resting my aching body on a nearby rock as I watched them move busily.

...

...

...

Not long—

Sizzle— Sizzle—

The smell of roasting meat soon filled the air.

GRRRRRR—!!

My stomach growled even louder.

"Smells good..."

I mumbled under my breath.

Both of them perked up when they heard me.

-Meep meep!

Pyro chirped excitedly, hopping around the fire.

Zephyrus, on the other hand, just snorted and looked away.

-Of course it does. I'm a natural at this.

He said that, smiling a little.

...

...

And finally, after a few more minutes—

-Here.

Zephyrus floated over and handed me a large piece of roasted meat wrapped in some big leaves they probably found somewhere.

-Meep! Meep!

Pyro followed right after, carrying a much smaller piece proudly with both his tiny hands made of fire!

It was awesome and cute!

Too bad I'm too hungry to talk about it at the moment.

So moving on...

"Thanks..."

I said softly, accepting the food with both hands from them.

And then—

Chomp—!

I immediately took a big bite without hesitation!

And after tasting it...

"—!"

My eyes widened.

It was good!

The meat was tender and juicy, seasoned just enough to bring out the flavor.

"This is awesome!"

I exclaimed between bites, a small but genuine smile tugging at my lips.

"It's so good."

I added.

And at my words—

-Meep meep meep!!!

Pyro chirped loudly, jumping up and down, his small body vibrating with excitement.

Meanwhile—

-...

Zephyrus quickly looked away, his wings twitching a little.

-It's not a big deal. It's just basic survival cooking.

He muttered, but the tips of his feathers were trembling slightly.

It was obvious he was trying to hide how proud he felt.

"Pfft, right..."

I just chuckled quietly, savoring the warm feeling building up inside me even more than the food.

'I'm lucky to have these guys.'

I thought.

Chomp— chomp—

Then I continued eating quietly.

*****

After devouring the food they prepared—

"Haaa..."

I leaned back on the rock behind me, feeling a little bit of strength return to my limbs.

I closed my eyes for a second, letting the warmth from the fire, the food, and my two companions soak into me.

"..."

But then—

"Fwaaaaah...!"

I opened them back up again not long with a good stretch of my body.

And without further ado—

'I need to check... what changed.'

I thought of that.

FWIP—

Clenching my fist slowly—

"..."

I could feel it.

The mana flowing inside my body was denser. Thicker. Wilder.

Stronger.

It moved through my veins like a slow, powerful river, unlike the thin streams it used to be before.

'My control... it's better too.'

I realized.

I could feel even the tiniest strands of mana in my core now. Before, they used to slip through my senses like mist. Now, it was like holding water in my palms—firm, tangible, alive.

Fwish—

"..."

I shifted my gaze to my left and right.

-...

-...

Zephyrus and Pyro were sitting quietly, still watching over me.

"..."

A small smile naturally tugged at my lips again.

'I'm not the same as before.'

I thought calmly.

'And soon...'

'...I'll be even stronger.'

I mumbled in my head.

Then, opening my mouth again—

"Status."

I muttered that.