Codename: Devil

"Devil, I'm on my way to fight an esper."

She turned around.

"What, are you asking me for help?"

"I wouldn't mind it. It's not easy for me to fight while protecting someone at the same time."

She looked over at the injured girl behind me.

"It's not like you to protect someone~? Is she important for something?"

"Not really."

"You're acting really out of character. The old Oliver would never do something like this. Did you lose your personality along with your memories?"

"I'm not as evil as you think I am."

"I wouldn't call you evil, just very pragmatic. Still, protecting someone and asking someone for help? You're completely different."

"If you think I'm a bubble of benevolence, you'd be mistaken. If it makes you feel any better, I'm planning on taking her with me back to Yokusuka."

"Ah, for the you-know-what. Still, don't you think she's a little young?"

She made a crude gesture with her fingers.

"It's not for that."

"Well, I'm not really following, but you should know that you'd better be ready to offer something in exchange if you're going to ask for aid."

"It's a small task. If you want something in return, I'll drop you ten dollars."

"Eh, an S-rank selling her skills for ten dollars is too little, don't you think?"

"It's a small task. One worthy of ten dollars."

"Hmph, if the task is that small then you do it yourself."

"But it'll be slightly inconvenient."

"Do you think I'm an errand girl?! I'm an S-rank, don't forget that."

"Oh well, you don't have to come if you don't want to. But judging by what you were saying earlier, it seems that you might ask me for a favour in the future."

"You in your current state is no use to me."

"If that's what you believe then why are you still following me?"

Walking a few steps behind, she followed me as I made my way toward the designated location. Like a lost dog, she just continued blindly.

"Well, you're lucky I'm pretty bored right now. I'll remember this favour in the future."

"You can do as you wish."

Making our way through the litter-filled streets, we eventually arrived at the general area where the distress call came from. From what I could see, several of the police force members had already fallen victim to the esper.

Seeing us, one of the search party members rushed over.

"What took you so long?!"

"Sorry, there were some troubles on the way."

"Well, there's an esper who can control the cement in the buildings. We have no way of fighting against him, he just keeps blocking our bullets."

I turned to Devil.

"Can you deal with that?"

"I suppose so. This is a bit underwhelming though."

Before long, the cement-manipulating esper appeared from behind the remains of the demolished building. Circling himself with a swirl of moist, malleable cement, he was able to make himself a decent barrier.

Still, it wouldn't stand a chance against Devil.

She raised her arm, conjuring a single ray of light from her palm.

In an instant, the area lit up.

Penetrating right through his defence, the ray of light struck through his chest. Like a doll, he fell to the ground, instantly becoming lifeless. A small puddle of blood gathered at the scene.

This was the power of an S-rank.

"Are there any others?" I asked.

"N-no... he was the only one... um... who was that...?"

"Are you talking about Devil? She's an acquaintance of mine."

I suddenly felt a slap on the back of my head.

"Am I just an acquaintance?" she asked.

"I mean, I'd describe you like that. Unless you think otherwise?"

"Ugh, you're as distant as ever."

"Sorry, I guess."

Making our way over, we buried the corpse underneath the rubble a little bit. The rule of the search party was to not kill any terrorists unless our lives were threatened. I could've probably just brushed it off, but hiding the body was marginally safer.

"Well, we'll be going now. You can deal with the rest right?" I asked the police officer.

"U-um... can you guys stay here... um, just in case we get attacked a-again..."

"No can do, we've got other places to get through. Only call for us if there's really no other way."

"O-okay then..."

With that, Devil and I left the scene. The girl from earlier was also still beside me.

"Was that it? I was expecting something more considering you asked for my assistance."

"As I said, it was a small inconvenience."

"Ah, you really meant it."

As we walked along the street, Devil spoke up once again.

"By the way, can you stop calling me Devil?"

"As I said, I don't know your real name."

"It's Reina, nice to meet you, again, Oliver."

She stuck her hand out toward me.

I took it.

"Well, it's nice to get to know you better."

"Ah, you speak in such a distant way. There's no need to be so polite with me, Oliver~"

"Um."

"You know what, call me Reirei!"

"No."

"Yeah, I guess it sounds a little bit childish. But still, it's uncomfortable when you speak to me like I'm a complete stranger. Even back then, we were pretty laid back."

"I guess it'll take some time before I can get used to it."

"Well, that's fine then. Anyways, what are you doing now?"

"I'm going back to camp and rejoining the search party."

"Ah, I'll come with."

"Are you sure?"

"Honestly, life's pretty boring out of the Project. There's only so much to do out here."

"Surely lots of people would like your help."

"That's true, but going around like a charity doesn't fuel anything for me. It just feels... mundane. Most of the time I just ignore them."

"Ah, how come you helped me then?"

"We've got history, Oliver. Also, I was expecting something more interesting."

"Well, sorry to have disappointed you."

"It's fine, it's not your fault."

"Anyways, what are you even doing, hanging around here?" I asked.