The vitality of a Devil Weapon Human far surpassed that of a Fiend. As a Bomb Weapon Human, Reze could regenerate countless times as long as she had blood and could pull her pin—but her clothes couldn't survive the explosions.
She stripped off the destroyed outfit from her previous body and changed into fresh clothes. The cratered mountain road was empty—Cael and Beam were long gone.
"They moved fast. I thought he'd stick around to watch me change…" Reze muttered, frustrated. Thanks to the three private Devil Hunters stalling her, Beam had carried Cael far from the danger zone, heading toward their teammates.
"Chainsaw Boss, hang in there! Blood for you is coming!" Beam encouraged, his energy barely keeping him upright.
Cael's condition was dire. Reze's severed-hand explosion had nearly drained his body of blood, making it difficult to trigger his chainsaw form for recovery. Among all the devils he'd faced, Reze's destructive capability was unmatched. Even Chainsaw Man's exaggerated constitution struggled to endure it. Low-level devils like Bats, Mantises, and Leeches were laughably weak compared to her.
"Yeah, she's tough. We need stronger allies if possible," Beam remarked.
In the past, Cael wouldn't have admitted that. After Katana Man, he hadn't faced setbacks for a long time. Reze's devastating attack shattered his arrogance, clearing his mind.
He silently allocated attribute points, boosting both his Constitution and Agility to 600—double his previous levels. Luckily, he had saved enough points from farming zombies, leaving him with 862 remaining.
Ahead, the Special Division 4 trio waited—Hayakawa Aki, Himeno, and Power. Beam reverted to human form, placing Cael near them.
"Do you have blood? Chainsaw Boss needs it!" Beam asked.
"We don't have any," Himeno said solemnly, taking in Cael's injuries.
"Aki, the Fiend, and I just came after a civilian report. I didn't expect it to be you…"
Hayakawa Aki's eyes widened. She'd seen Cael's combat prowess before, but this level of injury was hard to imagine. Fortune favored the bold—if she could eliminate the devil that harmed him, she would secure her place in the Gun Devil Subjugation. Her achievements were nearly complete.
"I'll cover the rear," Cael said, his voice hoarse. "Aki, stay calm. This is the most dangerous devil I've encountered. You can't handle her."
Aki clenched her fists but didn't back down. "I'll call for backup, of course. Shark, move him quickly."
"You'll die…" Cael warned.
"Devil Hunters can die at any time," Aki replied firmly. She still had her trump card—the Curse Devil. If it landed three successful strikes, the effect was instant death. Lifespan loss didn't matter to her when it came to achieving glory in the Gun Devil Subjugation.
Power crouched in front of Cael, uninterested in the strategizing. "Braid Girl and Eyepatch Girl, stop fussing. If you need blood, ask me. I'm the Blood Fiend—I've got plenty."
She sliced her wrist, feeding Cael blood. "Prime minister's hand, I'm saving you again. Better thank me properly." She pulled her pin, restoring Cael to peak condition.
"I swiped a pair of pants along the way. Put them on," Power added. Cael dressed and exhaled a long breath. "Thanks, Power. I feel much better."
Tap, tap. Faint footsteps echoed down the quiet street under the bright moonlight. A slender figure appeared, shouting, "Public Safety! Help! There's a devil chasing me!"
Himeno and Aki exchanged glances with Cael.
"Is it her?"
"Yeah." Cael's expression darkened.
"Beam, Aki, Himeno, Power, leave first. I'll handle this. Your safety is more important."
Aki bristled. "Cael, do you really think I'm a burden? I have my own way of fighting."
Himeno grabbed her wrist firmly. "Aki, promise me, don't use the curse. It's five against one—we have the advantage."
"Fine, fine…" Aki muttered.
Reze's expression shifted to disappointment. "Eh? You're not coming to save me? I said a devil was behind me…" She pointed at Cael and the group. "One, two, three… Cael, didn't we agree to go to the festival together? Why are other girls standing next to you? This makes it very hard for me—"
Kon.
Boom!
Aki cast a hand sign instantly, summoning a giant Fox Devil head that swallowed Reze whole. Silence fell over the world.
"Fox, swallow her!" Aki commanded again.
The Fox Devil hesitated, distorted in disgust.
"Ugh… this taste… as bad as the Gun!"
"Hayakawa Aki, you made me eat this?"
"I might as well die trying!" the Fox Devil protested. Huffing, it turned to mist, severing all connection with Aki.
Reze reemerged in her Bomb Devil form, holding a huge, bloody chunk of the Fox Devil's tongue.
"I don't like killing. Could you leave me be and not disturb my date with Cael?"