For a brief moment, Cael considered ramming Reze directly with the SUV.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. It would be a Pyrrhic victory at best, causing more harm to himself than the enemy. Reze could create massive explosions with her body, and making rash contact was too dangerous. Even if Cael, Beam, and Power could withstand the blast, Hayakawa Aki and Himeno—two ordinary humans—would almost certainly be killed.
Screech—
Cael brought the SUV to a stop.
Reze nodded in satisfaction, tossing aside the katana and Susugi Misato's head.
"It's these two who insisted on getting in my way. If possible, I don't want to kill anyone. Cael, get out and come with me. The rest of you, leave quietly."
Sigh. There was no escaping this. The duo who had boasted so boldly hadn't lasted even a few minutes against her.
Cael opened the door and stepped out. "Reze, do you want my heart that badly?"
"I…" Reze hesitated, facing Cael's cold stare. A mix of emotions churned within her. This was a mission she was assigned to, a tool executing orders… yet her words betrayed something deeper. "Of course. So many want the Chainsaw Man's heart. Why shouldn't I?"
No. What she truly wanted wasn't his heart—it was him.
Cael pointed to his chest. "It's right here. If you want it, you'll have to take it by force."
"Fine then. Since I could take your tongue, taking your heart probably won't be a problem either."
At that moment—
"Ghost, pin her down!" Himeno activated the Ghost Devil's ability through the car window.
"Hm?" Reze felt invisible shackles restraining her slightly.
Vroom!
Hayakawa Aki, now in the driver's seat, slammed the accelerator. The SUV roared to life and darted forward. Cael was about to transform, but Power grabbed him and dragged him back into the car.
With a screech of tires, the vehicle drifted around Reze and sped away.
"Cael, don't fight her. We're outnumbered. We need to reach Devil Hunter headquarters immediately to find help!" Aki shouted.
Himeno's hand trembled, fingers dislocated and aching. "Aki's right. This person killed Katana Man and Susugi Misato with ease. Even the Ghost Devil couldn't affect her. She's no ordinary devil—we need reinforcements."
Finding help was wise, but Reze's speed was supersonic.
"We'll be caught soon. Her target is only me. You don't need to worry about me," Cael said earnestly.
"You are our partner. How could we not care?" Himeno replied matter-of-factly.
Aki exhaled deeply. "Cael, I don't like your casual attitude toward being a Devil Hunter, but I certainly won't let a devil dictate terms."
Tch. Cael felt a twinge of irritation. When did they become so sentimental and righteous? He was a temporary worker—they had no deep emotional foundation. It was uncomfortable.
Crack—
A loud bang came from above.
Just as Cael expected, Reze caught up, landing on the SUV roof. Her feet dented the metal as she crouched.
"What a pain… I've given you many chances. Since you won't listen, don't blame me for turning you all into charcoal," she warned.
Her missile-shaped arm smashed toward the cabin!
"Hey! Take this—!"
A dark shadow moved at incredible speed, a clean, decisive side-kick knocking Reze off the roof.
"The Special Division 4 reinforcements I called are here!" Aki shouted, poking her head out. "We're saved!"
The reinforcer wore a Public Safety uniform, a plague doctor mask hiding their face under a hooded cloak. It was Galgali, the Violence Fiend of Special Division 4. Among the fiends of the unit, Galgali's combat power was top-tier, far beyond Shark Fiend Beam.
Reze staggered from the kick, her head spinning as she hit the ground before slowly standing.
"Hwah! Watch the leg!"
Galgali leapt, his left leg swinging like a battle-axe straight at Reze.
She blocked with her forearms. Crack—Boom! The road beneath her cracked like a spider web, sinking dozens of centimeters. She rubbed her arms and stepped out of the pit, ready to fight again. "Not bad. You're stronger than those two Weapon Humans from before. Come on, let's continue."
"Eh?"
Galgali retreated several steps, horrified. "Are you kidding me? I was attacking seriously!"
He turned to Higashiyama Kobeni, trembling nearby. "Kobeni, change of plans! This lady is way stronger than us! We'll die if we keep fighting! Retreat! Strategic retreat!"
"Yep, that's it. Ciao~" Galgali waved to Reze and ran off, dignity abandoned.
Reze's gaze turned to Kobeni, also in a Public Safety uniform and holding a knife. The girl's tears blurred her vision as she watched Galgali flee.
"I… I threw my back out. I can't… can't run anymore…"
"Do you want to hunt me too?" Reze asked faintly.
"Eeeek!"
Kobeni dropped her knife, collapsing to her knees, slamming her head to the ground. "I'm sorry! I wouldn't dare hunt you! Spare me! I'll resign as a Devil Hunter! Please forgive me!"
Reze's bloodlust remained low. Facing a willless opponent, she did not want complications.
Boom!
She leapt high, the recoil of the explosion propelling her toward Cael once again.
Seaside Road. Inside the SUV, Cael and the others heard the heart-pounding blasts.
"I see her! The explosion girl is catching up again!" Power shouted, lingering fear in her voice.
Aki felt immense pressure. "Could even Special Division 4's experts not stop her…"
Sigh. Cael exhaled.
"The one who tied the knot must untie it," he muttered, glancing at the others. "Thanks for trying to help, but I have to attend this date personally."
"Our reinforcements are on the way, Cael. Don't be impulsive!" Himeno warned.
More reinforcements? This wasn't reinforcement—it was a comedy of errors. Their power was far inferior to the "Grandpa" Cael they were trying to save.
Vroom!
Cael pulled the cord and transformed into Chainsaw Man! He sawed through the roof, leapt into the air, intercepting Reze.
"Reze, since you're so infatuated with me, it seems I have no choice but to keep our appointment."
"That's right, that's how it should be." Reze's missile-shaped head revealed a terrifying smile. "I've been waiting for you for a long time."