The rain had finally stopped.
The two of them descended the mountain.
Denji felt like he was dreaming.
The old man had been possessed by the Zombie Devil. And yet, Cael had killed him with ease. Stronger than the Zombie Devil itself—could Cael even be a Devil? The thought made Denji a little nervous.
But he quickly shrugged off the worry. As long as he had food, what did it matter whether Cael was a Devil or human? The man had saved him. That was enough.
Still, he didn't even know his name.
"Priest Brother, what's your name?" Denji asked, his dirty face lifted.
"Cael," came the calm reply.
"Oh… Cael…" The boy stumbled over the unfamiliar sound. "So you're a foreigner, no wonder you're so tall."
Cael chuckled, ruffling Denji's hair. "Drink your milk, and you'll get this tall too."
"Milk? I can drink that?"
"Of course," Cael nodded. "Work hard, and you won't starve."
"Mhm, I love working!"
As they walked, Denji suddenly froze, clutching himself. "Mr. Cael, wait! I need to pee."
"Go ahead, I'll wait here."
Denji darted into the roadside bushes.
Watching him retreat, Cael let out a quiet sigh. Compared to the spoiled kids he had seen before transmigrating, Denji was remarkably sensible.
Taking him in wasn't just kindness. The funeral home was short-staffed after the original Cael's parents died, and hiring externally was too costly. A capable kid like Denji was perfect.
Of course, Cael wouldn't mistreat him.
No way could he hand over the shop to a child, though. This world was crawling with Devils, and death was everywhere. The funeral business would always be secure.
"Waaah!"
Denji screamed, leaping out of the bushes before he had even pulled up his pants.
"What's wrong?" Cael frowned.
Denji pointed to a nearby spot. "Mr. Cael, there's… a severely injured Devil there."
"A Devil?" Cael's mind sharpened instantly.
Attribute points. A severely injured Devil. Perfect.
"Don't be afraid. Let's check it out." Cael strode forward, pushing aside the bushes.
Soon, an oak tree revealed the injured creature.
It was a small, plump, orange puppy with a tiny chainsaw protruding from its head and a triangular pull-ring at the tip of its thin black tail. Two chopstick-sized holes marred its belly, blood gushing from the wounds.
"What kind of Devil is this? Puppy Devil?" Cael asked Denji.
Denji shook his head. "I don't know either… but it looks like it's going to die."
The little Devil struggled to rise, hissing at them.
A black vortex formed at Cael's fingertip. "It's weak. Denji, be careful. Living like this is agony. I might as well put it out of its misery."
The puppy barked loudly in response, sensing his hostility.
Denji spread his arms and stepped in front of it. "Mr. Cael, can we not kill it?"
"Huh?" Cael blinked. "It's a Devil."
"I heard that if you make a contract with a Devil, it can help with tasks," Denji said quickly. "You must be short-handed. Why not contract this Devil and use its powers to help the funeral home?"
Cael raised an eyebrow. Not bad for a kid.
"Alright, Denji, you've convinced me." He withdrew the black vortex.
Denji's face lit up. "Great! Devil, Mr. Cael will spare you!"
The little puppy whimpered weakly and collapsed.
"So, how do we make a contract?" Cael asked.
The original owner hadn't known much about Devils, so Cael had only basic knowledge.
Denji touched his own arm. "Contracting a Devil requires a price. But since it's so weak, saving its life counts as payment."
Cael nodded. "I'll take it to a hospital, then."
"Wait, is there a Devil hospital?" Denji asked, puzzled.
Cael frowned. Devils couldn't go to human hospitals.
Denji smiled faintly. "No need. As long as they're alive, Devils just need blood to heal."
"Is that so?" Cael nodded.
"Since I suggested contracting it, let me pay the price…" Denji moved his hand closer to the puppy.
"Wait." Cael grabbed his arm. "You're too skinny. I'll handle this."
Relief washed over Denji. Cael wasn't going to harm the Devil.
Cael extended his arm. "Drink. I saved you. Once you drink, you'll work for me."
The puppy latched onto Cael's arm, swallowing his blood eagerly.
Half a minute later, its eyes were bright and joyful. Its tail wagged endlessly.
"Woof woof!"
Denji squatted down to pet it gently. "Mr. Cael, should we give it a name?"
"It needs one… how about Doggy?" Cael suggested.
The puppy whimpered in response.
"Haha, looks like it doesn't like that name," Denji laughed.
"I'm terrible at naming things. Denji, your turn."
Denji thought for a moment. "Little guy, how about… Pochita?"
"Pochita?"
The puppy barked enthusiastically.
"Pochita it is," Cael said, holding the Devil in his arms. "Let's make some good money together."
"Woof!"