"What is this?"

I absentmindedly felt the object in my hand. The torn, tough wrapper, the rectangular shape—these were familiar to me.

"…Why is this…?"

My mind was sluggish, not quite functioning properly, but I could at least recognize that what I held was a calorie bar. The very same snack my master always used as a meal substitute. It was a marvel of food engineering, designed to sustain someone for days with just one bar.

Rustle, rustle.

I quickly unwrapped it and brought it to my mouth.

Chew, chew.

I forced my stiff tongue and jaw to move, struggling …