The Demon's Menu - Chapter 12: Meatball

In her previous life, her family was destroyed.In this life, she was reborn and decided to save her family, never letting history repeat itself. But with all the men in her family having already sacrificed, how can her family rise again? At this moment, he appeared and said, “Your family belongs to a prosperous lineage, and for a hundred years, there has never been any waste of talent, including among women.”Later on...The eldest sister became an invincible warrior, the second sister a formidable head of the household, and the third sister a wealthy merchant. Her family was rejuvenated.Because he had helped her countless times in her previous life, she secretly returned the favor in this one.On a snowy night, outside the city wall:“You've saved me so many times, do you like me?” he asked.“No, you are mistaken,” she replied.“Then if I've saved you so many times, can you grow to like me?” he asked again.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

[WSA 2025] To confront the threat posed by monsters and demons, humanity summons a hero endowed with a mysterious system and an unrivaled capacity for evolution. He becomes the last bastion of hope for mankind. However, one of his mistakes gives rise to a calamity far worse than the Demon King.This calamity is conceived in a dungeon, abandoned as a fetus by its mother, and raised by the Demon King himself. Upon the Demon King's death, all the restraints he had placed upon the creature are shattered. Thus, the hero's nameless son begins to lay waste to everything. The greatest calamity the world has ever known is born.