The Plot Thickens

"Kon." With a calm voice, Aki summoned the monstrous fox head, which devoured the giant Frog Devil between buildings.

The potential disaster was averted before it could begin.

And the one responsible was none other than Aki Hayakawa, diligently fulfilling his duties as a Devil Hunter.

"You've been using me quite frequently. Aren't you worried about your injuries?" The Fox Devil's curious voice echoed before it vanished. "I thought you'd found some quick healing method, but the others haven't."

"A secret," Aki replied curtly, his expression cold.

The Fox Devil's cooperation with Public Safety wasn't born of benevolence. It simply sought a stable supply of human flesh without the risk of extermination. Aki had no desire to engage with such a creature.

Their relationship was purely transactional. Each use of the Fox Devil's power cost him flesh and blood. He owed it nothing.

"My, how cold..." The Fox Devil chuckled, its voice laced with amusement, before disappearing. Aki stood alone in the empty street.

The area would normally be bustling, but the Devil's appearance had sent citizens fleeing. Those too slow or too curious had become frog food.

But the casualties were minimal, less than five. A good result for a Devil of that level.

"I don't mind covering your costs, since we have a contract…" A slightly resentful voice spoke behind him. Shoko lifted the hem of her dress, revealing a mangled leg. "But aren't you overdoing it lately? I'm suffering every other day!"

"...There's been an increase in Devil activity recently." Aki turned away, averting his gaze from Shoko's bloodstained skirt. "It shouldn't be like this anymore. I'm sorry."

He had no kind words for the Fox Devil, but with Shoko… he had to admit, he was taking advantage of her.

Despite being a Devil, she'd never harmed anyone, never done anything malicious. Aside from occasionally freeloading meals, she was like any other girl.

And he was transferring his burden, the gruesome price of his powers, onto her, for a paltry sum of money… It was his duty as a Devil Hunter to bear that cost.

He sometimes avoided looking at Shoko, filled with a sense of… shame and guilt.

[Energy +1800]

Soft-hearted people are so easy to farm. This past year of cultivating favorability has paid off. Shoko smiled inwardly, lowering her skirt to hide the wound.

She'd successfully raised Aki's favorability to level 9. Denji's was maxed out, though the exact number was beyond the system's display limit.

They were similar in a way. Both had lost their families. They presented a facade of apathy or playful indifference, but underneath, they craved affection. Treating them with familial kindness, especially with constant proximity, easily earned their favor.

To maximize efficiency, Shoko visited Aki regularly while Denji was away, meticulously scheduling her favorability farming sessions. A true master of time management.

"Battles happen. I understand. It's fine. But did you really pay attention to the contract details with the Fox Devil?" Shoko folded her arms, looking at the confused Aki. "You should have specified which body parts it could take. It's not just taking skin, you know."

"That sly fox probably figured out you're transferring the cost. And you probably just said 'a part of your body,' not which part."

"Several times now, it hasn't taken skin, but internal organs. I was having dinner with Denji when I suddenly started vomiting blood. He was terrified."

"Devils are deceitful, especially foxes. Pay attention to the details next time." Shoko expertly bandaged her wound. "I was going to freeload dinner, but if you're busy, it's fine. Just give me the cash equivalent. I'll feed myself~"

"..." Aki silently handed her two 10,000 yen bills.

While their contract stipulated a monthly payment, he doubted 250,000 yen was enough for Shoko and her "brother." He didn't mind her occasional freeloading.

Besides, thanks to her, he could use his Devil powers without limitations, boosting his performance and earning him substantial bonuses. This small amount was nothing.

He could easily support Shoko and her brother, but she seemed reluctant. He'd offered to increase her monthly payment, but she refused. Despite her human-like appearance, she had a Devil's adherence to contracts.

A contract was absolute.

Unlike the shameless Fox Devil, some Devils honored contracts even at the cost of their lives. Shoko seemed to be one of them.

"Ah, found you! Aki-kun and his secret girlfriend~" A flirtatious voice called out. A one-eyed woman in a black suit and white shirt appeared behind Aki, draping an arm around his neck. "I followed you for ages. Aren't you going to introduce us?"