"That is the situation overall. This attack was orchestrated by the Hunger Devil, Fami, targeting the War Devil, Asa Mitaka. I cannot reach Tokyo from Kyoto in time. From what I know, Cael is the only one strong enough to handle this."
After hearing Makima's explanation, Cael's expression darkened.
No wonder Asa's phone had been unreachable for so long.
Fami, you damn scheming devil.
Targeting Asa, you really chose the wrong person.
Cael inhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Understood. I am heading there now to deal with the Falling Devil."
There was no time to hesitate. He immediately abandoned his work.
Asa was in real danger.
Unlike him and Reze, whose Weapon Human bodies were abnormal and difficult to kill, Asa was only a human fused with a devil. She could bleed. She could die.
"Do not hang up yet. I have advice for you," Makima said.
"I know you are in a hurry, but listen first."
"Alright."
Makima quickly organized the information in her mind.
"The Falling Devil is not in her complete form, but as a Primal Fear, her strength remains overwhelming. However, you may approach this differently."
She continued calmly.
"No matter what, she is acting under a contract. If defeating the chef proves difficult, target the Hell diner who placed the order. Break the contract, and the Falling Devil loses her purpose."
Cael nodded slightly.
"Thanks, Makima. I will keep that in mind. Honestly, I am lucky to have you."
Silence followed.
Makima froze.
Cael thanked her.
Her cheeks warmed faintly.
"Maintaining social stability is my responsibility," she said, trying to sound composed. "If Cael wishes to thank me, when I return to Tokyo, we should go on a date."
Cael paused for half a second.
Makima saying something unexpected was not unusual anymore.
"As soon as I save Asa, I will go out with you as many times as you want, Makima."
He ended the call immediately.
Right now, saving Asa came first. He had no patience left to argue.
Buzz!
Cael grabbed the ripcord on his chest and pulled.
The roar of a chainsaw erupted as he transformed, choosing speed over transportation. Traveling like this was far faster than driving.
He shouted toward the only person left inside the room.
"Reze! Asa is in danger. I am heading out now. The shop is yours!"
Wind exploded outward.
Cael vanished instantly.
With the Typhoon Devil ability combined with the massive agility boost from his devil form, his speed became terrifying.
Bang!
The corpse disposal room suddenly exploded behind him.
"What?! Asa Mitaka is in danger?!"
Reze stared in disbelief.
"Who the hell thinks they can touch her besides Cael?!"
Her emotions slipped for a moment, accidentally blasting the prepared corpse into ash.
"I am coming too!"
She strapped several blood bags onto her body and grabbed the circular ring at her neck.
Bang!
Kyoto.
After ending the call, Makima remained seated on the bench as the wind rustled her hair. Cael's final words replayed endlessly in her mind.
"As many dates as I want..."
She murmured quietly.
"Does that mean there is actually a chance?"
She swallowed nervously.
As a devil, Makima had never truly experienced intimacy. The idea of emotional excitement, of feelings surging uncontrollably, fascinated her.
A rare blush appeared across her face.
"Come on, Cael. Defeat the Falling Devil and save Asa Mitaka."
Not long earlier.
Tamano Mall had already become the Falling Devil's market.
To resist the reversed gravity pulling her upward, Asa desperately clung to the edge of a roof.
The upside down world made her stomach churn violently.
A public telephone booth stood only ten meters away.
Yet every time she leaned outward, the upward force dragged her body away from safety.
Every attempt failed.
Yoru tried speaking to her, but nothing eased the heaviness crushing Asa's heart.
Then, beneath the moonlight, a graceful figure dressed like a chef slowly approached.
Yoru's pupils shrank.
"Asa! She is coming!"
"I..."
The Falling Devil floated gently nearby and bowed politely.
"Oh dear, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
She lifted a bloodstained shopping bag.
"A little fear, a little screaming, the sweetness of fruit mixed with the richness of blood. A rare main course like you deserves proper side dishes."
After presenting her ingredients, the Falling Devil softly pointed toward Asa.
"Fall."
Boom!
The building shattered instantly.
"Ahhh!"
Asa screamed as the collapsing structure carried her upward into the sky.
Cold hands suddenly touched her face from behind.
Drip.
Blood from the Falling Devil's severed head fell onto Asa's cheek.
"Tense muscles, sweat filled with fear. Asa Mitaka, have you not already lost your attachment to life long ago?"
Her voice sounded gentle, almost comforting.
"You are not afraid of death. You fear the sensation of falling, the darkness above you, the moment of impact."
Asa's eyes widened.
Every word struck directly at her heart.
"Please close your eyes and relax," the Falling Devil whispered softly. "As your chef, I will provide a peaceful experience, like floating safely before birth."
"Asa! Do not listen!" Yoru shouted.
But the Falling Devil's mental pressure crushed Yoru's voice completely.
Painful memories replayed endlessly inside Asa's mind.
Failures.
Loneliness.
Regret.
Then distorted thoughts appeared.
Even Cael dying horribly because of her.
A small smile formed on Asa's face.
So that was it.
If she disappeared, everything would return to normal.
Maybe she had always been the problem.
Once she accepted that truth, the pain faded.
Slowly, Asa released her grip.
"It really does feel warm... comfortable. Thank you..."
Her body relaxed completely as she drifted upward.
Her heart would no longer hurt.
She would not burden Cael anymore.
Still...
At the final moment, loneliness crept in.
She thought of him again.
I am sorry, Cael.
Please do not come save me. The Falling Devil is too dangerous.
Asa closed her eyes, hands folded over her chest as she slowly descended toward death.
The Falling Devil smiled faintly.
"Thank you for your contribution to culinary art."
Buzz...
She suddenly heard a strange sound.
"Hm?"
"Buzz... buzz...?"
BUZZ!
The furious roar of a chainsaw tore through the night sky.
Boom!
A black figure wrapped in a raging hurricane crashed forward at impossible speed.
"So YOU are the Falling Devil!"
Cael's voice thundered across the sky.
"Who the hell gave you permission to touch my girl?!"
In a single instant, his chainsaw sliced through her waist.
The Falling Devil's body split apart, exploding into a storm of blood.
To avoid harming Asa, Cael instantly returned to human form.
He caught her gently in his arms and used the downward force of the Typhoon ability to counter the reversed gravity, lowering them safely back to the ground in a princess carry.
"Cael?!"
Shock.
Relief.
Guilt.
Too many emotions flooded Asa at once.
Cael frowned as he examined her.
One fingernail was missing. A long scrape cut across her palm.
His expression darkened immediately.
He carefully held her injured hand, anger rising in his chest.
"Asa, what happened to your hand?"
His voice dropped dangerously.
"Did that freak do this to you?"
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