Chapter 169: Accompanying the Falling Devil on a Shopping Trip
When Otonashi Chiya and the Falling Devil departed, Quanxi let out a soft sigh of relief.
She had no intention of heading back just yet, choosing instead to remain stationed here.
Until the Devil Hunter Association completely lifted its alert status, she needed to hold her ground right here.
Pingtsi was still feeling somewhat shaken even now.
"I told you before, that boy isn't someone we can afford to provoke,"
At that, Quanxi stroked Pingtsi's head and gave a slight, quiet sigh.
That boy was far more terrifying than she had originally imagined. The mere notion of contracting a Primal Devil was entirely beyond comprehension!
Being able to harness the power of a Primal Devil placed his combat capability on a completely different tier from her own.
...
Although a large area surrounding Modu Qingfeng Middle School had been cordoned off, the commotion generated by the Falling Devil had still attracted the attention of numerous clueless citizens, though they had no idea what was actually happening.
Because the Falling Devil had restricted her "Falling Domain" almost to its absolute limit, only the Devil Church members within the school zone were affected, while people on the outside couldn't perceive the domain at all.
Saying it was restricted to the absolute limit meant that if the Falling Devil had exerted even a fraction more effort, let alone the school vicinity, gravity across the entire globe would have been inverted.
Consequently, outside the cordoned-off zone—especially beyond the school perimeter—ordinary civilians were still carrying on with their normal lives without major disruption.
"What was that just now? It felt almost like an earthquake tremor, didn't it?"
"Sounds like it came from the direction of Modu Qingfeng Middle School. They suddenly cleared everyone out from around the school just now, a devil must have appeared, right?"
"A devil... Well, I'd better stay far away then. If a devil breaks out of there later, I certainly don't want to become devil chow."
"Wait... wait a second... That person up ahead, are they human or a devil...?"
People out on the street were chatting amongst themselves when they suddenly spotted a woman standing roughly two meters tall, bleeding from her facial orifices, and wearing a chef's uniform approaching from ahead.
Upon closer inspection, this woman's head and neck were actually detached, held up by a pair of bizarrely positioned hands, while a pair of weird, misshapen wings protruded from her back...
This was fundamentally not something a normal human could ever look like!
"Th-This is probably a devil... We better run!"
"Hold on! Look closer, there's a boy walking right beside that thing, and he's wearing the uniform of the Devil Hunter Association!"
"Ah, you're right! And that insignia looks like an SSS-rank devil hunter? That probably means everything's fine, right...?"
"Ohh, so maybe that woman is also a devil hunter, and she just looks like that because of a devil contract?"
The street crowd had originally intended to scatter in panic, but after catching sight of Otonashi Chiya walking right beside the Falling Devil, they quickly calmed down—though a portion of the populace still chose to hide.
The presence of an SSS-rank devil hunter from the Devil Hunter Association gave them a tremendous sense of security. Even though that woman looked exceedingly strange and terrifying, they figured the young man would definitely be able to protect them.
"Gentlemen and ladies, I am the Falling Devil, but I harbor absolutely no intention of harming anyone here, provided none of you actively attack me."
The Falling Devil spoke in a remarkably friendly tone.
"Why are you even introducing yourself... Actually, you could've just stayed quiet; as long as they see me, they probably won't do anything anyway."
Otonashi Chiya couldn't help but inwardly吐槽 (comment wryly).
"I see. It appears your prestige among humans is quite high. In that case, I shall refrain from speaking further."
The Falling Devil was quick to correct her mistake, replying with genuine humility.
Hearing this, Otonashi Chiya only found himself increasingly convinced that this Falling entity genuinely possessed profound manners.
Had you not witnessed this entity's terrifying capabilities firsthand, it would be nearly impossible to associate this polite and elegant woman with a Primal Devil.
"A devil? It really is a devil... Should we still run away, or...?"
"It's fine, it's fine. Look, isn't that young man chatting quite happily with the devil lady, and she even seems to hang on his every word?"
"Ah, then it's probably a contracted devil or something? As expected of an SSS-rank Devil Hunter, even his contracted devil is this incredible!"
Ordinary people had no concept of what a Primal Devil was; they only knew that the name "Falling Devil" sounded like it might be quite powerful.
Had they known the true horrors of a Primal Devil, or witnessed the Falling Devil's power firsthand, they certainly wouldn't have dared stand out on the street chatting so cheerfully.
"The shopping mall is right ahead, let's head in. By the way, what kind of condiments do you need?"
Otonashi Chiya pointed toward a mall not far ahead on the right.
"Apples, leafy greens, and dragon fruit," the Falling Devil said with a smile.
"Are those even considered condiments... Fine."
Otonashi Chiya was slightly lost for words. "I'll lead you to where those are."
A mall attendant was about to walk over to greet the customers when she was instantly startled by the Falling Devil's appearance.
The patrons browsing the mall nearby were similarly alarmed.
Otonashi Chiya promptly flashed his official credentials. "I am a devil hunter from the Modu Devil Hunter Association. Everyone, there's no need to panic or be afraid; just carry on with your normal shopping."
Hearing this, the attendant and the shoppers instantly felt a wave of relief, though they still gave the duo as wide a berth as possible.
If not for the fact that the Falling Devil's appearance wasn't quite as grotesque and horrifying as other typical devils, they probably would have bolted straight for the exits.
Otonashi Chiya quickly led the Falling Devil to the sections containing apples, dragon fruit, and greens.
"Ten portions of apples, ten portions of dragon fruit, and ten portions of greens. With these final 'condiments' now prepped, today's main course is practically complete."
The Falling Devil systematically tossed all these "condiments" into her plastic bag.
"Pardon me... May I ask if I can just take these items directly? It seems you humans require a certain something to acquire goods... currency, is it?"
The Falling Devil specifically went over to ask a store clerk.
Yet the moment the clerk laid eyes on the Falling Devil, she turned tail and fled, offering no response other than panicked shrieks.
"Oh my~ is everyone truly this terrified of me..."
The Falling Devil let out a soft, mildly troubled sigh. "If I genuinely had no alternative regarding currency, I wouldn't wish to engage in something so unbefitting—stealing, an act reserved for naughty children..."
Otonashi Chiya simply extended a hand. "Hand the bag to me; I'll go pay for you."
"Understood. I am truly grateful."
The Falling Devil handed the plastic bag over to Otonashi Chiya.
As Otonashi Chiya settled the bill, the cashier at the front desk had hands that were visibly shaking, drenched in cold sweat, primarily because the Falling Devil was standing directly behind Otonashi Chiya.
The moment Otonashi Chiya and the Falling Devil left the premises, everyone inside the mall finally let out a collective sigh of relief.
Right then, however, Otonashi Chiya caught the wail of police sirens drawing closer from a distance.
It seemed someone out on the street had dialed the emergency lines earlier, and numerous police officers and devil hunters had already rushed to the scene.
This was entirely within Otonashi Chiya's expectations. He let out a faint sigh, muttering,
"Good thing I came along with you, otherwise a whole bunch of people would've ended up dead right about now..."