Well, well, well...
I'd gone and made a second contract with the Control Devil herself. I suppose you could call that happiness, couldn't you?
Why happiness?
The simple fact that I'm still breathing—that's happiness enough for me. Thankfully, she'd agreed to what appeared on the surface to be straightforward terms, though hidden beneath lay an intricate scheme to ultimately enslave Makima.
As for killing the Gun Devil? That worked entirely in my favor. Such a powerful demon would make excellent fuel for my growth, no matter how challenging the battle might prove.
Whatever. I wasn't in any particular hurry.
For now, the priority was tracking down fragments of that demon's flesh to set my plans in motion.
Which explained why our squad was currently en route to another mission.
The car ride passed in relative silence as I stared out the passenger window, watching the city blur past. Power mirrored my posture on the other side, her nose practically pressed against the glass as she took in every passing building with childlike curiosity.
— So which demon are we putting down this time? — I finally asked our so-called "leader."
— Unknown. We only received an extermination request. Full briefing happens on-site.
— Got it. Anyone else joining besides our merry trio?
— The remainder of our division. Six hunters total. — Aki's voice carried its usual stiffness, the man's grip tight on the steering wheel.
With a noncommittal grunt, I returned to my window watching—until Aki suddenly broke the silence again.
— Denji. — His tone carried an edge I recognized immediately. — What exactly did you and Makima discuss yesterday?
— Why's that any of your business? — I smirked, enjoying how his knuckles whitened on the wheel.
The spike of irritation radiating off him was delicious. Nothing quite like riling up the emotionally constipated guy.
When it became clear I wouldn't elaborate, Aki clamped his mouth shut, focusing aggressively on the road ahead.
— Oh relax, Aki. — I exhaled dramatically before deciding to throw him a bone. — After we finished with all those godawful documents, Makima told me about a certain demon that every hunter wants dead.
— ...The Gun Devil? — he guessed instantly.
— Bingo. Gave me the whole spiel about its history and possible future attacks before asking nicely if I'd handle it.
I'd done my due diligence afterward, digging through Public Safety's archives. The records painted a grim picture—that thing had left quite the bloody trail across the world.
Thirteen years ago, nations had tried capitalizing on firearms as anti-demon weapons. The result? Skyrocketing gun crime rates and civilian uprisings. Constant media coverage amplified global fear of firearms to unprecedented levels.
No real surprise there. The world never lacked for idiots who didn't realize they were feeding the very monsters they feared.
Then came November 18th—the day a massive terrorist attack in America gave birth to the Gun Devil. It struck Japan mere seconds later, slaughtering 57,912 people in 26 seconds flat.
And Japan had been just the beginning.
The demon ravaged multiple countries in rapid succession, claiming 1.2 million lives within five horrific minutes.
Yeah... I'd need significantly more power before tangling with that nightmare. More demon hunts were clearly in order.
Those two bloodsuckers I'd killed recently had given me a slight boost, though I hadn't really noticed it at the time.
After its rampage, the Gun Devil vanished, but its legacy lived on through sweeping international weapons bans meant to curb firearm-related fears.
Ugh... What a fucking mess...
— ...
Aki's prolonged silence spoke volumes. The man was practically vibrating with unasked questions.
I knew exactly which one topped his list.
— Look, Makima and I had a... private discussion about our contract. Can't share details, but nothing indecent happened. So relax. — My grin widened at his tense shoulders.
Not that "hugging and sharing body warmth" sounded particularly innocent either.
Aki seemed to marginally relax, though skepticism still colored his expression.
— We're here. — He announced our arrival at last, killing the engine outside a nondescript hotel.
I should mention—Power had been suspiciously quiet the entire ride. Wanna know why? Because twenty minutes ago, a certain fiend nearly got us all killed by trying to wrestle the wheel from Aki mid-drive.
A quick flash of my contract-marked hand and my sweetest "or else" smile had solved that problem instantly. She'd promptly glued herself to the window in sulky silence.
Now as we exited the car, I shot her a look.
— You're cleared to talk again.
— FINALLY! The great Power shall handle this pest alone—you all may wait here! — She stretched dramatically before marching toward the hotel entrance like a conquering general.
I snagged her by the collar before she took three steps.
— Unhand me this instant!
— Remember what happened last time you ran off alone? — I reminded her of Makima's scolding after our first mission together.
She froze, actually pausing to think—a minor miracle in itself. The saying "smart thoughts chased her, but she was faster" remained blessedly unused... for now.
— Enough fooling around. — Aki cut in, nodding toward the hotel entrance where three figures waited. — The others are already here.
Indeed, more Public Safety hunters stood assembled near the doors. Their faces tickled my memory...
As we approached, I adjusted my tie and nearly forgot my axe—until Power unexpectedly shoved it into my hands.
Not that I'd thank her for it. The last thing I needed was her getting smug.
Time to assess the new players.
First, the only other male—a spiky-haired guy with a distinctive scar across his left cheek. Dressed in the standard Public Safety uniform, he looked about as remarkable as wet cardboard.
Next, a petite girl with short chestnut hair tied in a messy ponytail, four beauty marks dotting her face, and enough nervous energy to power a small city. Cute, in a jittery sort of way.
Finally, the woman who could only be Aki's oft-mentioned partner—Himeno. Strikingly beautiful with pale skin, dark blue eyes, and sleek black hair styled in a blunt bob with bangs. The missing left eye added a dangerous edge to her appearance. Dressed sharply in her uniform, cigarette dangling from her fingers—the very picture of cool sophistication.
Ah, now I remembered—they'd been present during the bloodsucker incident. Hopefully they wouldn't flinch around me like startled deer.
— Took you long enough, Aki. — Himeno greeted with a smoky exhale.
— Traffic. And... complications. — He shot a meaningful glance at Power.
While they exchanged pleasantries, I studied our battleground. The "Hotel Morin" loomed before us, its ordinary facade belying the demonic presence within.
The entire structure reeked of demon, yet its presence felt erratic—shifting between rooms like a ghost. Tracking the damn thing would be annoying as hell.
— Let's make introductions quick and get started, shall we? — Himeno clapped her hands together with far more cheer than the situation warranted.
— I'm Himeno, your senpai. — She flashed a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes. — These are my adorable kouhai—Kobeni-chan and Arai-kun.
— H-hi... — Kobeni's greeting came out as a squeak, her entire body trembling.
— Pleasure to meet you all! I'm Arai! — The scarred guy bowed stiffly, his voice several octaves too loud.
I'd reserve judgment for now, but something told me these two would prove more troublesome than Power.
My instincts rarely steered me wrong.
Pulling out a cigarette, I lit it with deliberate slowness before exhaling a cloud of smoke.
— Name's Denji. Also new, so skip the formalities. This walking headache is Power, my so-called attendant.
— HOW DARE YOU REFER TO THE GREAT POWER AS SOME COMMON—!
I intercepted her lunge with a palm to the face, holding her at arm's length with effortless ease.
The stunned silence from our audience was almost comical.
— Must you two always— — Aki began to scold.
— We'll behave. Give us the sitrep, Hayakawa-san. — I took another drag, cutting him off.
His eye twitched, but professionalism won out.
— Demon confirmed at Hotel Morin. Unknown number of survivors. — He produced a familiar bullet suspended on a string. — Several private contractors already died attempting elimination.
— Brutal. — I flicked my cigarette away. — So we're looking at an above-average threat?
— Unconfirmed. But... — He dangled the flesh bullet, letting it swing freely.
The fragment slowly oriented itself toward the hotel, as if drawn by invisible forces.
— ...There's Gun Devil flesh inside. And the resident demon's likely consumed some already.
— At least it's not the actual Gun Devil. — I hefted my axe, feeling its familiar weight.
— Senpai, are we sure we can trust them? — Arai suddenly spat, his earlier politeness vanishing. — A fiend and some street rat? With all due respect, I don't like this.
Called it.
— Listen here, Arai. — I exhaled slowly through my nose. — I'll let that slide because unlike you, I understand nuance. But remember this—those words might just come back to haunt you when some deranged hunter decides to put a knife in your back someday. — My glare hit him like a physical blow, watching with satisfaction as his confident facade cracked.
The effect rippled through the entire group—even Kobeni stopped trembling long enough to gape. I wasn't even flexing my demonic aura, but something in my expression did the trick.
Only Power remained unaffected, watching the exchange with bored disinterest.
— Denji. — Aki's warning carried an edge.
— Chill. I don't bite without provocation. Consider this a... teachable moment. — I flashed a sharp-toothed grin.
To my surprise, Himeno extended her cigarette pack toward me.
— I like your style, Denji-kun. — Her single eye crinkled with amusement. — Scary but sharp. Well said.
This woman was seriously weird...
— Appreciate it, miss. — I took two cigarettes—force of habit—and tucked them into my breast pocket. Suddenly I'd lost my taste for smoking.
— Bold move, taking two from a lady. — She noted with raised eyebrows.
— You offered, I shrugged. Anyway, this situation killed the all my mood.
— Ooh! I know! — Himeno clapped excitedly. — Let's make this a competition! First one to kill the demon gets a kiss on the cheek!
— Hard pass. — I looked away pointedly.
— T-that's highly inappropriate! A proper lady should reserve such affections for marriage! — Arai protested, though his flushed cheeks betrayed his interest.
— Oh lighten up! Everything's more fun with stakes! — She threw an arm around Kobeni, who looked ready to faint from embarrassment.
— Whatever. Let's move. — I turned toward the hotel entrance, rolling my shoulders. — I'm itching for some action.
Time to hunt.
To be continued...
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