28 Chapter 28

Sam was in the office. After meticulously detailing last night's events in a report, he exhaled a long sigh of relief.

No one with a physical job like devil hunting enjoys paperwork.

On the other hand, he was finally free to pursue what he desired: establishing contacts with more devils and exploiting their powers.

'Making that infinity lifespan contact was the smartest decision I've ever made. No wonder my Wisdom Points were the highest among all my stats when I transmigrated,' he thought as he approached Makima's door.

"It's open," she said before he had a chance to knock.

He entered. After closing the door behind him, he stretched his arms. "Just finished the paperwork."

"And?" Makima inquired.

"You didn't forget what I asked you last night, did you?"

"Are you in a hurry to die?" Makima responded. "You realize that devils would love to take something in return for their deals."

"Don't worry. I have a plan," Sam said firmly, exuding confidence.

"A plan?" Makima tilted her head.

"When I'm near the end of my lifespan, I'll offer some devils a mercy for their lifespan," Sam explained. "It's not my first time tricking a devil."

Makima chuckled and said, "You are quite naive, yet you managed to make me laugh."

"Is there something wrong?" Sam asked.

"Hope to see you succeed in doing that," Makima said, pushing him away. "Wait, you did that before?"

"Well, I did not long ago. I won't say I spared their lives, as I promised not to take their lives with my hands for some of their lifespan," Sam said. "I kept my word."

"You let a devil go free?"

"No, I stomped on their hearts with my food" Sam nodded.

"You're quite unpredictable, aren't you?"

Shrugging, he replied, "Most devils play with words in their deals, so I played with mine," Sam chuckled.

"But still, if you keep burning your lifespan, you'll end up dead," Makima warned.

"I'll figure it out," Sam said, briefly considering that Makima might be showing genuine concern. He didn't completely trust her yet, but he didn't let it show on his face.

"And what if you don't?"

"So be it," Sam shrugged. "At least I'll have died trying. If that happens, I want one thing from you."

"What is it?" Makima asked.

"Don't cry for me," Sam smiled.

"I should have expected you to say that," Makima sighed, pointing at the door. "Leave."

Sam did as he was told.

After some time, Aki contacted him to meet outside.

Sam left the office and found Aki smoking a cigarette while sitting on a public chair.

"So, you're the one who wants to make deals with devils," Aki remarked, looking at Sam's face. "You're quite young for that, aren't you?"

"Meh..." Sam shrugged, not knowing how to reply. "Are we going to make the deals or not?"

Aki stood up. "Just be careful not to trust these devils. Try to bargain your way and don't let them sense your desperation."

"Okay," Sam nodded. Aki got in his car, and Sam followed him. They soon arrived outside the city at a shrine near a graveyard.

Sam and Aki stood in front of the yard. Aki held his sword and said, "Curse Devil, there is someone who wants to make a deal with you."

Sam was alerted that a devil appeared out of nowhere.

Without a second thought, he used Flash Step and disappeared from sight. He reappeared ten meters back, turning his head in the direction of the sensed danger, but he couldn't see anyone.

"Another human... Interesting. He can sense me approaching," the devilish voice sounded amused. "So, Aki, you summoned me for this one."

A dark pair of lips hovering in the darkness appeared.

"Yes," replied Aki. He nodded toward Sam, signaling for him to speak.

Sam faked a few coughs and said, "Dear Curse Devil San, it's finally an honor to meet you."

"What do you want?"

"I want a weapon from you, and I'll offer you some of my lifespan in exchange."

"How much are you willing to offer?"

"As much as you like," Sam replied. By this point, he didn't care how much lifespan he had to give; when it came to dealing with devils, he felt like a wealthy man.

"What kind of weapon do you want?" asked the Curse Devil.

Sam thought for a moment. He already had an enhanced sword, so having another was unnecessary. He turned to Aki and asked, "Are they unbreakable?"

"To some extent, yes," Aki nodded his head.

Sam then said to the Curse Devil, "In that case, I want claws, a glove with claws." Something he could use for defense and attack. 

Suddenly, the Curse Devil became visible—a large, two-headed skeleton with horns. Its right skull appeared human, while the left skull had three eye slits and longer, mandible-like teeth. It had clawed hands and a large, distended ribcage.

The devil extended his hand, and a glove with claws at the fingertips fell from it. Sam picked it up.

"Interesting. You seem to have plenty of life left," the devil said. "I'll tell you how this works: wound whomever you want to kill with the claws three times, and each time, say the trigger word, let's call it 'Die.' I'll take some of your lifespan each time, depending on who you want to kill."

Sam wore the glove on his left hand and closed his fists, smiling. "Thanks, man. I may summon you soon. Hope you don't disappoint me."

"Hohoho," the devil vanished into the darkness. "Don't get cocky. Your life will soon end." Then the devil disappeared.

"We are done for the day," Aki said, looking at Sam with newfound respect.

Sam shook his head. "Where do I meet... you know, that Fox Devil? I heard he likes humans."

"Are you willing to sacrifice more of your life?" Aki asked.

Nodding, Sam replied, "Why not? You heard the Curse Devil. I still have plenty."

"Are you immortal?"

"I just don't fear death."

Aki opened his eyes widely. Unlike Makima, Aki couldn't see through his lies. Sam felt proud of himself for leaving Aki dumbfounded with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Very well then. I'll summon the Fox Devil for you." Aki smiled.