Chapter 14 - Reward
"And if that's not enough, and you're into small girls, then I can do it."
That "casual" offer from a little girl left Sona Sitri and Tsubaki Shinra taken aback. They had assumed Yayoi Hozuki was just small in stature with big courage, but they hadn't expected her to be that brazen. Yet Evan knew she was serious.
Indeed, Yayoi was earnest. She might've been half-joking, but Eiko was her only family, and she didn't want her big sister to die from some malignant curse—especially one brought on by her own actions.
"Let me see the curse first, then we'll figure out the fee," Evan said.
They followed Yayoi down the mountain. Before reaching the base, they spotted a young woman in a car, anxiously waiting. Through the driver's-side window, she saw the figures on the slope—her worried expression turned to delighted surprise. She unfastened her seatbelt, pushed open the door, and ran over.
"Yayoi, are you okay? Not hurt? Who are these people? Did it work? Where's Kishimojin?"
Compared to Sona and the others, this girl looked more mature—likely a college student, judging by her age and driving. She was fair-skinned, beautiful, with a great figure, trendy style, wearing accessories, her hair in wavy curls. She looked like a cover model for a fashion magazine.
"Miss Eiko Hozuki, I'm Sona Sitri, the devil who manages Kuoh Town. You must've received a flyer from my familiars," said the glasses-wearing young aristocrat in a formal tone. Despite her youth, her demeanor far outclassed Eiko's.
"Huh? A d-devil? You're real?! I thought it was just some scam marketing stunt!"
Eiko's eyes widened. She covered her mouth in shock. A quick nod from Yayoi reassured her that Sona spoke the truth. Eiko had heard urban legends at school, including ones about devils granting wishes, but most treated them like the "Seven Wonders of the Campus"—fanciful rumors.
"I see... But you've dealt with malevolent spirits before, right? Why believe in them but not devils?" Sona asked in exasperation. Perhaps because devils were "mythological," people found malevolent spirits easier to accept.
"It was just a subconscious assumption, I guess. Anyway—Yayoi, what about Kishimojin?"
"We defeated her, but she can't remove your curse now. She'll need five years to recover," Yayoi replied.
Eiko's face sank. An unsightly curse on her arm was miserable, but she forced a smile. At least there was a solution, even if it meant waiting five years. By then, she'd have graduated college.
"But it's okay. I found someone more reliable than Kishimojin," Yayoi said, introducing Evan and summarizing how he'd saved her.
"Evan, thank you!" Eiko exclaimed. She didn't catch all the details, but learning he'd rescued her sister sent her goodwill soaring. Only then did she notice his striking looks and aura, hitting her sweet spot perfectly. Coupled with the hero angle, her heart raced with special feelings.
"Let me see the curse first," Evan said, eyeing the young woman. The original male protagonist from Dark Gathering was absent—likely due to the merged setting causing some characters to vanish. No matter; it was a small detail.
Eiko hesitated, but with Yayoi's encouragement, she reluctantly removed her gloves. Beneath them, her hands were covered in white, wart-like growths.
Warty growths covered both palms, spreading up her arms. Even Sona felt a chill; the dense clusters were eerie.
"Can't you cut them off and treat her?" Sona asked.
"No. Every three or four months, Sis Eiko visits a shrine where a miko trims the threads. Even if cut away, they grow back," Yayoi answered. "The miko said the curse must be removed entirely, or it'll never stop."
Silence fell. Evan stepped forward for a closer look, gently touching the growths. Eiko gasped in pain.
"They're tied to her nerves and blood vessels. Tricky," Evan said. Yayoi's mention of a miko meant they'd sought spiritual help, but the miko's power only treated symptoms, not the root, and it was painful.
Eiko sighed, forcing away her gloom. "I've sort of gotten used to it. Didn't Kishimojin say I just wait five years?"
"The miko warned the curse could worsen. In five years, even Kishimojin might be helpless," Yayoi reminded her.
"Huh? She said that?" Eiko froze.
"Enough pity. It's troublesome, but there's a solution," Evan said, examining Eiko's aura. A blackish energy lurked within, nearing fusion with her life force. Once merged, it'd be nearly impossible to remove.
Yayoi blinked. He'd called it troublesome, yet claimed a solution?
"I just purified Kishimojin, so I can't do it today. Let me rest, and contact me in a few days. I need time to set my fee."
"Isn't a 'benefit' enough? Sis Eiko's a well-known beauty at school. Guys chase her from East Street to West Street," Yayoi said, puzzled.
"And if that's not enough, I can make a 'sacrifice' too. I won't call the cops."
"A 'benefit'? What benefit?" Eiko asked, poking her head over curiously.
"You know… this and that…" Yayoi explained, reddening Eiko's cheeks.
Eiko pulled Yayoi into her arms, pressing her head down with an awkward smile. "Sorry to trouble you. Yayoi's just spouting nonsense. She's a kid and doesn't know better."
"It's fine. I never took it seriously," Evan replied calmly.
"But I was serious," Yayoi insisted. Trading a "benefit" for Eiko's cure was a steal, especially with Evan's handsome charisma—a peek wouldn't hurt.
"Anyway, we'll be in touch. Name your price later, and we'll accommodate," Eiko said. Waiting a few days was fine; a miko serving a deity couldn't fix this, but Evan offered a real chance. She was grateful.
Evan was fine with it. He needed rest after purifying Kishimojin, and he hadn't settled on compensation. He wasn't desperate for "benefits" but wouldn't refuse if offered, though it wasn't his sole demand.
They exchanged social media contacts. Eiko drove off with Yayoi, who waved from the backseat.
At the temple mountain's base, Evan, Sona, and Tsubaki remained. With Kishimojin purified, the area lost its eerie edge, growing calmer.
"Sona, do devils often cooperate with deities?" Evan asked suddenly.
Surprised, she adjusted her glasses. "Only in some cases. Kishimojin, for instance, guides deceased infants. If deities don't cause trouble, the Underworld grants leeway, as lost souls need destinations. Our department for spirits struggles, per my sister, so malevolent spirit attacks on the living are rising."
She sighed. Malevolent spirits hid deeply, often possessing humans, forcing devils to react post-attack, wasting time on investigations.
Sona paused, realizing Evan had called her "Sona" directly—a bold move in Japan. Deepening their partnership was ideal, so she let it slide.
"You completed this request perfectly. Any reward in mind? Money, antiques, gold, or Underworld exclusives?" Sona asked.
"I'm good on money. Got grimoire for demonic power training?" Evan replied. Though he could manipulate demonic power, he lacked formal training, limited to offensive releases without deeper proficiency.