17 Chapter 17

Sam was at his house late that night. He had a few things to do before starting to hunt the katana man. One of them was to open the mystery box he'd gotten and the skill book. The system had a reward sectoin next to the quests, and all he had to do is to mentally click open.

[Skill Book - Open]

[+Skill: Flash Step]

[Increases speed by folds, making it seem as if the user teleported.

Current level: Speed increase by 200%

Each level added 50%

20 MP/use]

Although not as good as his Wind Cut, it didn't consume too much mana, making it a useful skill for escaping harsh situations. However, he didn't want to try it here as it was unnecessary.

[Mystery Box Open]

[+Sharpness Powder]

[Apply on a weapon for a permanent increase in sharpness by 100%]

A bag with golden powder appeared in his hand.

Sam scratched his head and grabbed his sword. He unsheathed it, pouring the golden powder onto it, causing the sword to absorb it. As much as he was tempted to test it here, he didn't want to accidentally damage his precious furniture.

Knock Knock

"Sam, some woman is knocking at your door. She's quite young," Power yelled from her room.

Sam was snapped out of his thoughts. He sheathed his sword, stood up, and walked to the door.

"You're smelling their blood, don't you?" Sam said, opening the door.

"Did you only just figure that out? Isn't it obvious?" Power replied as she walked to him.

Himeno appeared standing in front of the door in casual clothes, holding a bunch of alcohol bottles.

Sam smiled. "Sempai... You showed up."

"Since you did your best in the morning, I thought you needed something to relax," Himeno replied. "Or are you against this, like smoking?"

"No."

"Good. There's no point in worrying about health in an occupation where people die young," she replied. Sometimes, Sam gave her words some thought. But again, there was no point in becoming an addict who needed a substance to feel normal.

"Another devil hunter?" Power commented as she placed her chin on Sam's shoulder.

"So this must be the fiend you're taking care of," Himeno said, examining Power. "She's quite attractive, though. You haven't corrupted her, have you?"

"Not yet," Sam replied.

Power looked at Himeno and said, "Don't cause any trouble. My househusband works too much. You get it!"

Himeno looked at Sam with a confused look.

Sam laughed and invited her in. "Get in. This is Power. You'll get used to her. Power, go to your room."

"But I don't want to leave you two alone," she said, looking at Himeno. "She's a woman just like me. And you love staring at—"

Sam placed a hand on Power's mouth. "I'll make you a nice juicy steak if you give me some private time."

"Okay. Make it medium rare," Power nodded as she walked to her room.

Himeno and Sam then walked to his room. Himeno took off her shirt and suit and stretched her arms up as she sat on his bed, like a kitten declaring a stranger's house as her own. She threw Sam a bottle.

"For a date, this is fresh." Sam opened his bottle and took a sip. He tightened his stare. It had been a long time since he'd had a drink.

"I know. It feels like I'm back in high school," Himeno reached into her pocket, grabbed a cigarette, and lit it up. "Hope you don't mind."

"Do as you like. My sense of smell isn't that strong," he said, pointing to his nose.

"Very fitting for our job," she said, examining him for a bit. She then took a deep drag from her cigarette and said, "It's like you were created to be a devil hunter."

"What do you mean?" Sam smiled as he sat next to her. He found it funny because his character creation had literally made him a devil hunter.

"You know, your healing ability, stamina, speed, and power. Your intuition for finding devils and your resistance to bad smells," she said as she ran a finger through his shoulder, sending an electrical sensation down his spine. "Your strengths and weaknesses, all are suitable for your job."

She then finished her bottle in one go before opening another one.

"Are you admiring me?" Sam asked.

"Why would I? I bet you're quick to finish," she said, teasing.

Not taking that personally, Sam said, "You know what a wise man once said?"

"What?" she asked.

"If you don't try, you'll never know," he replied, taking another bottle before throwing it, noticing that it didn't have any effect on him.

Crossing her legs, she replied, "How much would you bet on yourself?"

"My next salary and Power's salary," Sam said confidently. He then placed a hand on her shoulder. "What are you willing to bet?"

He didn't know how this conversation had taken this route, but he knew that Himeno was feeling frisky. She was even provoking him while making it seem like she was teasing his masculinity. Knowing her, who enjoyed everything because death was near, so be it.

"I'll let you off your debt and the 'benefits,'" she replied, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Those words were like music to his ears. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her closer, her ample chest pressing against his. Blood rushed to his groin, and he couldn't help but move his lips closer to hers. However, as someone beyond human in both speed and power, he needed to be careful. But his body seemed to have other ideas.

-x-X-x-

"Okay. You win the bet," Himeno replied as the sun rose. "You're not quick to finish. Gosh, my head."

Both of them were naked on the bed.

"Booyakasha," he exclaimed, raising his fist in victory. "Debt-free, nothing holding me back."

"You also didn't tell me that you had almost endless stamina. Geez, you're hornier than the horniest person I've seen, and that's me."

He scratched his nose. Those were the perks of having a game-like character body: endless stamina or only needing a short break.

"Didn't know. It's my first time as far as I can recall." He said, not knowing if this body had any previous relationships.

"First time!?" she put her hand on her head. "Hope you don't get too emotionally attached."

"Why would I?" he replied.

"Good. I was afraid that you'd tell me you love me or something," Himeno said.

"As much as I would laugh since it happened all of the sudden. I think we both know why you don't want to," Sam sighed. She had witnessed a fair number of her colleagues dying on the battlefield. She'd be too afraid if they started dating. Well, Sam didn't mind. In fact, this night was mind-opening and stress-relieving.

"I too don't want to get emotionally attached to a devil hunter. Don't want to cry too much in your funeral. Hope you understand that. Let's just stay friends."

"Friends… as in with benefits?" he asked, hopefully.

"Yep." She reached into her pocket to grab a lighter to smoke. "I need to do this more often. I have needs too."

"Okay." He lifted his hand. She clapped it.

"So what do we do now? Watch TV?"

"Maybe. There's a good show around this time," she said. Suddenly, her phone buzzed, and then his phone did the same.

They got a message from Makima, summoning them to her office.

Sam's heart sank. "Himeno. By any means, is sleeping with other devil hunters prohibited?"

"If it's unprotected, then yes." She then palmed her head. After a small chuckle, she said, "Don't worry. I'll take the morning-after pill. I tend to forget when I drink."

"Don't worry. I tend to forget all the time," he said as he stood up. "I wonder why Makima is calling me. Do you think she found out?"

"No. She called and asked me to bring my rookies with me. It's a mission." Himeno stood up, starting to dress up.

"I think I'll bring Power with me." Sam replied.