Reborn with Steve Stand

Chapter 356: Chapter 353: The Future is the Best!

"Seems like you were just talking about me?"

Makima pushed open the door and slowly walked in from outside: "Is Aki-kun feeling better now?"

"I... am okay."

Seeing that it was Makima who came, Hayakawa Aki also reluctantly reined in his emotions: "As for my wound, it's no longer a serious issue now."

"That's good."

Makima nodded and said: "Starting now, the other departments of the Special Division have all been merged. This is a proposal from above. The nature of this shooting incident is very grave, and basically, only the Devils from the other departments survived. Aki-kun, you'll be working with them from now on."

"Understood."

Hayakawa Aki's mood was indeed low at the moment, and upon hearing Makima's words, he simply responded briefly.

"For some reason, Denji-kun seems to have attracted the attention of a Devil. I had planned to strengthen the members of the Fourth Division, but I didn't expect the shooting incident to happen so suddenly."

Makima continued: "However, since Aki-kun has survived, you should also think about enhancing your strength. This time in Kyoto, I brought back someone who can guide you. I will personally handle things for Power and Denji-kun. As for Aki-kun, they will help you."

After saying this, Makima stepped aside.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and Hayakawa Aki looked up to see a man and a woman in suits.

"I still have to deal with matters related to other people, so take care of yourself, Aki-kun. I'll be leaving now." Perhaps because Fang Mo was always staring at Makima, she quickly said goodbye and left, worried that Fang Mo might actually stuff that thing into her mouth.

After Makima left.

Hayakawa Aki also subconsciously looked up at the two people.

These two seemed quite amiable, quickly introducing themselves as members of the Kyoto Devil Hunters Division, Yutaro Kurose and Michiko Tendo. It's worth mentioning that this Devil Hunters Division seemed different from the Special Class, apparently having a lower death rate, not being those who charge to the frontline.

While the two were introducing themselves, Hayakawa Aki was also observing them.

After all, Hayakawa Aki had consumed the Golden Apple and Essence Berry, and in terms of physical fitness, he had already surpassed humans. So, with one glance, he could tell that these two... didn't seem very strong.

If it weren't for their amiable attitude, Hayakawa Aki might have asked them to leave right away.

"You can guide me?"

After thinking for a while, Hayakawa Aki still asked: "Does this guidance... refer to training?"

"Not exactly, our combat ability is limited."

Tendo explained: "The Special Class has always been fighting on the frontlines, and one could say that they are constantly in training. In this aspect, we don't need to guide them."

"That's right." Kurose also agreed: "Instead of calling it training, it's more like targeted discussions and exchanges, similar to career planning. It allows you to understand your own weaknesses more clearly and address them."

"Career planning for something like this?"

Hayakawa Aki inquired.

"Please forgive us, as the words we are about to say might be somewhat unpleasant."

Suddenly, Kurose made this statement, and then his expression turned serious: "Hayakawa Aki, I've heard that your goal is to kill the Gun Devil, but... do you really think you can do it?"

"You lost this time to someone who killed more than twenty people in the Special Division, and now you're trying to beat someone who killed millions worldwide?"

"..."

Hearing this, Hayakawa Aki unconsciously furrowed his brow.

"Actually, both Tendo and I have suffered a lot because of the Gun Devil, which is why we joined the Metropolitan Police Department's Devil Division," said Kurose, ignoring Hayakawa Aki's expression and continuing, "But even so, neither of us is crazy enough to think about killing the Gun Devil. It's obviously impossible."

"Honestly, I find your current state quite annoying. You're clearly weak, but you set these grand goals like some kind of protagonist. Have you ever heard of the term 'Chuunibyou'? It's really cringeworthy."

As he spoke, Kurose rolled up his sleeve to show Tendo: "See, doesn't it make your hair stand on end? I'm not lying, am I?"

"Not at all."

Tendo, standing nearby, glanced over and said, "You're talking nonsense again, aren't you?"

"It's just a metaphor."

Kurose rolled his sleeve back down and turned to Hayakawa Aki, saying, "So, what I'm about to say might not sound pleasant, but I still suggest you leave the Special Division, Hayakawa Aki. Isn't it better to stay alive?"

"That's true."

Upon hearing this, Tendo nodded and added, "Your partner has already been sacrificed, right? Maybe next time it'll be your turn, so the best option is to leave the Special Division."

"So, the so-called career planning is to persuade me to give up being a Devil Hunter, is that it?"

Upon hearing this, Hayakawa Aki couldn't help but speak up: "This is the first time I've seen a superior send someone specifically to persuade someone to quit. It's certainly been enlightening. Anyway, thank you for coming all this way to give me so-called guidance, but I refuse to follow your advice."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Kurose sighed somewhat helplessly: "There's not a single normal person in the Special Division."

"I know, the more I lose, the more I lose myself. But at the same time, I'm well aware that I can't keep going if I don't do this." Hayakawa Aki said calmly: "So please spare me the complaints, just shut up and watch. It's not too late to mock me after I lose... after I die."

"I see."

Kurose sighed, "As expected, the persuasion has failed again."

"If you're not planning to resign," Tendo, standing beside, also started speaking, "then you must be prepared, Hayakawa Aki."

"I have been prepared for a long time," Hayakawa Aki said.

"Alright then," Tendo nodded and continued, "Given your current situation, if you're not resigning, then try to form a contract with a more powerful Devil. Only then can you achieve your goal. Of course, the Metropolitan Police Department will provide you with better equipment."

"A more powerful Devil?"

Upon hearing this, Hayakawa Aki subconsciously turned to look at Fang Mo beside him.

"Do you have any suggestions, Advisor Fang Mo?" Tendo noticed Hayakawa Aki's gaze and turned to Fang Mo, "You must be a Devil cooperating with the Special Division too. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"I don't mind," Fang Mo said, "Hayakawa Aki is just my contractor, not my wife or anything. It doesn't concern me how many Devils he contracts with at the same time, as long as his body can handle it. Just don't overdo it and harm yourself. But I must state one thing, I am the most awesome among them."

"I see," Tendo nodded unconsciously, "We have already prepared many Devils. Are you ready to proceed now, Aki-kun?"

"I'm ready anytime," said Hayakawa Aki. "I'll go change my clothes and be right back."

After a short while, Hayakawa Aki changed into a new suit from the Special Division and then they left the hospital, driving to a very hidden base. They took the elevator directly to a deep underground level.

This place was actually no different from a prison, with very old and messy facilities. Located deep underground and imprisoning tough Devils, there were stains and a rotting, musty smell everywhere. Just walking here, one could already feel a suffocating atmosphere.

"The Devils captured alive by the Metropolitan Police Department are imprisoned here," Tendo, who was leading the way, said. "Each cell contains one Devil, but the one we've arranged for you is more powerful. Of course, the price might be cruel. I assume you are prepared, right?"

"What kind of Devil?" asked Hayakawa Aki.

"The Future Devil."

Kurose explained, "On our side, someone made a contract with it, resulting in one person's lifespan being halved and another losing their vision, sense of smell, and taste."

"..."

Hayakawa Aki remained silent.

"Of course, if favored by a Devil, perhaps the cost wouldn't be so severe." Kurose seemed to think his words were a bit frightening, so he added, "Don't bear too much psychological burden."

"We have arrived."

As they were talking, Tendo, walking beside them, stopped and looked directly at a door: "The Future Devil is imprisoned here."

"Then, please enter."

Saying this, Kurose also opened the door of the cell, revealing a pitch-black room inside.

"Hmm..."

"Wait." Just as Hayakawa Aki was about to enter, Fang Mo suddenly spoke: "I'll go with you."

"Huh?"

Hearing Fang Mo's words, both Kurose and Tendo were taken aback: "Wait, this doesn't comply with the rules, right? Typically, contracts with Devils are made alone..."

"Hey, hey, he's my contractor, okay?"

Before they could finish speaking, Fang Mo interrupted them: "There's only so much on him that can be traded. What if other Devils take it all? How would I then cause him trouble? Huh? Can either of you replace him? Besides, I am also a Devil; what if the one inside gives me some face? Maybe the contract could even get a discount."

"This..."

Kurose hesitated for a moment, but Tendo reacted and nodded, saying, "Alright then, Advisor Fang Mo will go in with Hayakawa Aki."

"That's more like it, let's go."

Fang Mo patted Hayakawa Aki and then led him directly into the cell.

The room was pitch-black, so dark that even the skylight above couldn't illuminate the far-off darkness. As soon as they entered, they could smell a strong mustiness and hear rustling sounds, which seemed quite eerie.

Hayakawa Aki looked around and soon spotted an eyeball in the darkness opposite him.

"The future..."

Just then, a strange voice suddenly echoed in the room.

"The future is the best!"

"The future! The best!"

Accompanied by this sound, a figure gradually emerged from the darkness in the distance.

It was a tree-like Devil, with twisted roots for its lower half, gradually transitioning into human limbs on the upper body. There was a huge fissure on its belly, inside which floated an eyeball. At this moment, the creature spread its arms, resembling a sinister cross.

"The future is the best!" "Yeah!" "The future is the best!"

After appearing, the Devil inexplicably became excited, as if it was dancing with itself: "This is awesome! The future is the best! You two, shout it with me!"

"I am here to make a contract with you."

Hayakawa Aki ignored it and said calmly, "Name your price."

"Your attitude is..."

The nearby Future Devil seemed a bit disappointed upon hearing this. Its previously writhing body suddenly stopped. But before it could complain, a thrilling voice resounded.

"Hi Hi Hi! The future is the best!!!"

Suddenly, Fang Mo, standing next to Hayakawa Aki, took out a music box and placed it on the ground, then started shouting: "CNM, let's get excited! A future without a future is not the future I want! I will always love the future! Ah, my Hatsune Miku, Princess of the Future! The future is the best!"

"..."

The Future Devil seemed stunned and a bit slow to react.

"Hey! You shout it too!" At that moment, Fang Mo suddenly pointed at the Future Devil: "Hurry up and shout 'The future is the best!'"

"Ah??? What???"

The future Devil was completely dumbfounded.

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