A reward-are you going for it?

"We've got a job, everyone!!"

Himeno clapped her hands sharply to fire everyone up.

"Himeno, you startled me."

"Are you really that timid, Meng Fan? You were just shaking Miss Makima's hand and swearing you were the best person to kill the Gun Devil. We haven't even left, and you're already panicking?"

"Those are two different things. Killing the Gun Devil would be like chopping vegetables for me."

"I bet you just wanted an excuse to touch Miss Makima."

"I think so too. Miss Makima's hand was so silky, soft, and supple, after all."

"Whose fucking apprentice are you? Why do you always side with other people?"

"Master, what does 'side with other people' mean?"

"It means this." Meng Fan bent his elbow outward.

"All right, let's get moving. Give Miss Makima some peace and quiet."

Himeno urged everyone out of the office.

Makima was left standing alone, her gaze fixed on Meng Fan's retreating back.

She felt as though something had happened when she shook Meng Fan's hand.

But she had no idea what it was.

Then she put it out of her mind.

"We're also bringing two colleagues who've been trainees for over six months."

"Isn't that a few too many people?"

"What do you know? This is how they train and gain combat experience. Besides, with a lineup as strong as ours, one devil shouldn't be a problem."

With an undying companion like Meng Fan to rely on, Himeno felt emboldened.

Her confidence had multiplied several times over.

After they walked out through the Public Security Department's front entrance,

a man and a woman were already waiting outside.

The woman was named Kobeni. She had delicate features and a slight build, and her fidgeting made her look shy.

The man was named Arai. His name wasn't much to speak of, but he looked dependable and eager to work.

"Senior Himeno!" Arai called out like a recruit addressing an officer.

"Let's go. We have three more rookies joining us on this mission."

"Three rookies? That many?" Arai looked over the unfamiliar trio.

A fiend and a punk.

As for the other one, aside from being rather handsome, he was impossible to read.

"H-hello." Kobeni greeted them politely.

"Hello, Kobeni," Meng Fan replied.

"I... that's not quite my name. It's Kobeni."

"I'm calling you Kobeni from now on, because you're the only one who won't get stabbed."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, stick with me, and I'll keep you safe."

"Don't make big claims, rookie. Being a Public Safety Devil Hunter is a dangerous job. We have far more experience than you. Just look after yourself when the fighting starts. I might not have time to protect you," Arai lectured in the tone of a senior colleague.

After being a rookie for so long, he finally had a chance to teach other rookies.

"Arai, you don't need to worry about him at all. This guy can't die."

Just then, Himeno pulled up behind them in Meng Fan's Mercedes-Benz.

"Since when did you have a car, Senior Himeno?"

"It's not mine, but we need to get going. The people at the hotel just called me again."

"Yes, Senior Himeno." Arai hurried into the car.

"Kobeni, you're riding with me."

Meng Fan put an arm around Kobeni and led her toward another car.

"Hey, rookie! Don't put your arms around someone you just met!" Arai shouted, sticking his head out the window.

He was the only one in the whole group making a fuss.

"Damn it, are all rookies this self-centered now? Once the mission's over, I'll have to teach them a proper lesson on Senior Himeno's behalf." Sitting in the back seat, Arai punched his thigh.

"Arai, I'd advise you not to provoke him. He's the strongest one among us."

Himeno glanced in the rearview mirror at Arai, who was clearly displeased with the rookies.

As his senior, she had a duty to warn him.

"He's that strong?"

As they spoke, Aki Hayakawa got into the car as well.

Everyone else was in Meng Fan's car.

"Aki, what's that guy's background?"

"I don't know either. All I know is that even Miss Makima can't kill him."

"Even Miss Makima can't kill him?!" Arai was shocked, and he deeply regretted the scolding tone he'd used earlier.

"It's fine, Arai. Don't be scared. He's easy to get along with."

With that, she stepped on the gas and drove out of the Public Security Department.

Meng Fan's car followed behind.

Some time later, both cars stopped outside the Morino Hotel.

Quite a few family members had gathered at the entrance, waiting for news.

They included relatives of hotel guests, Devil Hunters who had entered and never come back out, and hotel staff.

"Senior Himeno, Senior Aki, you're here." A young Devil Hunter quickly approached them.

"Get them out of the way."

Aki Hayakawa led the way, holding a piece of the Gun Devil's flesh suspended from a cord.

"Everyone not involved, clear the way! The team Miss Makima assigned is here."

Hearing that this was Makima's chosen team, the relatives on both sides turned hopeful gazes toward them.

"Please, save my Momotaro!"

"My wife and her male best friend are trapped inside the hotel. Hurry in and save them!"

"Quiet, all of you! Your families will be rescued. If you keep shouting and interfere with the senior hunters, I can't guarantee what'll happen," the young Devil Hunter barked at the crowd.

For their families' safety, the crowd immediately fell silent.

"Master, what's Aki doing?"

"He's using that piece of flesh to locate the devil. If the devil in the hotel ate a piece of the Gun Devil's flesh, that thing will react."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the piece of flesh dangling from Aki Hayakawa's hand began to sway.

"The devil inside ate a piece of the Gun Devil's flesh. It's no longer an ordinary devil," Aki Hayakawa said, turning back to warn them.

"That makes things a lot trickier." Himeno deliberately looked at Meng Fan as she spoke.

"Don't keep counting on me. I'll only step in when things get critical. If I kill it instantly, the rookies won't get any training."

"That's all I needed to hear." Himeno smiled sweetly.

"But Himeno, wouldn't giving the rookies a little reward before the fight boost morale?" Before going inside, Meng Fan didn't forget to angle for a little perk.

"Of course there can be a reward."

At the mention of a reward, everyone turned to Himeno.

"Whoever defeats our target devil gets a kiss on the cheek from me."

"Ah!!"

"Senior Himeno, are you serious?" Arai drew in a sharp, heavy breath.

He looked even more excited than Denji.

"That's right. A reward gives you motivation."

"Himeno just wants to kiss someone, so she's found a respectable excuse."

"What?! Senior Himeno, I didn't know you were that kind of person!"

"Arai, don't listen to his nonsense."

"But Denji, why aren't you reacting? You've never kissed anyone before, have you?"

"I haven't, but I only want to kiss someone I like. I'll pass on a kiss from Himeno. If I beat the devil, I'll give the reward to my master."

"That's my apprentice. Taking you on wasn't a waste." Meng Fan nodded in satisfaction.

Denji's indifference only piqued Himeno's interest.

She immediately leaned close to his ear and whispered something.

No one heard what Himeno said.

But they saw Denji's face turn red in an instant. "Sorry, Master. Pretend I never said any of that."

"You fucking traitor!" Meng Fan gave Denji a thumbs-down.

"All right, hurry up and get inside," Aki Hayakawa called from the front, then entered the hotel first.

The others hurried after him.

"Aki, everyone in this hotel has been evacuated, right?" Himeno asked.

"Apparently not. The guests on some floors still haven't come down."

The two at the front discussed it quietly.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past them.

On closer inspection, it was Denji and Arai competing in a speed-walking race.

They both seemed far too fixated on the reward.