The Angel Devil hesitated, glancing at Cael with a mixture of caution and disbelief. He didn't mention, not in front of everyone, that his ability had been completely ineffective against him.
"Alright, alright," Yasuda Yuzuki said gently, trying to diffuse the tension. "Angel, calm down. Cael didn't do it on purpose."
"And Cael," she continued with a soft chuckle, "just think of those two months of your lifespan as a lesson. A little time like that is nothing; most Public Safety Devil Hunters don't even make it to Mr. Kishibe's age."
The remark carried a morbid humor.
"Oh dear, did I scare the newcomers?" Yasuda covered her mouth, realizing she might have overstepped.
Her concern was valid. Higashiyama Kobeni's hands trembled as she held her plate.
Mr. Fú sighed, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "When I was young, I worked as a hotline customer service agent. I handled the problems that the regular online support couldn't. Public Safety is no different. We deal with devils too dangerous for private hunters. That's why the mortality rate is so high…"
Even during a victory celebration, the room's mood briefly turned somber.
Power scoffed, shoving fried chicken into her mouth with zero manners. "Heh. This Great Me is going to be World President for a hundred years. You're the ones dying, I won't die."
Cael blinked. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Or maybe a few days apart had just leveled up her ego.
"Waitress, bring me a glass of draft beer, thanks," Yasuda Yuzuki said, handing her empty glass to the server.
"Yuzuki-chan, didn't I just order a whole crate? That should be enough, right?" Himeno slurred slightly, leaning on Hayakawa Aki with a hiccup.
"Draft beer is fresher, lighter, and tastes better," Yasuda explained.
She then glanced around, a serious note amidst the banter. "We don't have any minors here, right? Only juice for them, no alcohol."
Chug, chug, chug. Himeno finished a bottle and grabbed Aki's hand, raising it. "Minors, raise your hands!"
No one moved.
"Huh? Just Aki and me?" Himeno groaned. "Too much booze again…" Aki rubbed her forehead.
With the "World President" and the "Drunkard" stirring chaos, the mood turned lively again.
"By the way," Yasuda turned to Cael, "Mr. Zombie looks really young. How old are you?"
Zombie Killer a moment ago, now "Mr. Zombie"? Cael answered calmly, "19."
"19?" Yasuda's eyes widened. "What a great age. Young and promising. I'm about ten years older than you."
Cael's professional instincts kicked in. Pinching his chin, he observed her face closely.
She looks younger than her age, he thought. Based on his experience with corpses and understanding human facial features, he estimated her age around twenty-four or twenty-five.
Yasuda noticed his scrutiny. "Haha, thanks."
A burly man with a stern look spoke up. "Since this is a Special Division 4 exchange meeting, newcomers should introduce themselves: name, age, and your contracted devil."
"Tch," Power huffed. "Dare give orders to the future World President? Balls, human."
Aki shook her head. "This is a public place. Fine, talk about other things, but don't reveal contracted devils. Only share abilities with those you can trust."
The burly man glanced at her. "Still rigid as ever, Aki."
Yasuda raised a finger. "Why not introduce your hobbies instead? It's a fast way to know someone."
"Let's start with Angel!" she pointed.
"Me?" Angel seemed dazed. "I'm a devil. Why do human things? Exhausting…"
"Don't be a buzzkill. Fun's the point, cheer up a bit."
Angel stood reluctantly. "Angel, 17, Angel Devil. Hobby: skipping work."
Himeno blinked. "17?! Then why didn't you raise your hand earlier?"
Power jumped up impatiently. "This Great Me is Power. Age? Forget it, assume 18. Favorite thing? Nyan-ko."
"Not blood?" Mr. Fú raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Cael's turn. He stayed seated. Standing would make him feel inferior.
"Cael, 19. Can't talk about my contracted devil. Hobby? Forget it. You're still eating, so definitely can't say it."
Aki twitched. Could it relate to her profession? Only Himeno, Aki, and Kobeni knew about Cael's Undertaker role.
Power pointed triumphantly. "I know! He's my Prime Minister's Hand. Hobby? Helping me stamp documents!"
Finally, Kobeni stood, fists clenched. "Higashiyama Kobeni, 20. Contracted devil: secret. Hobby: eating delicious food."
Yasuda smiled. "By the way, those clothes are cute."
"Indeed," Cael agreed.
Kobeni blushed. "Hand-me-downs from my older sister…"
Yasuda added, "Kobeni has nine siblings. Impressive, right?"
"Nine? Really?" Cael was genuinely surprised.
The burly man frowned. "Leaving aside the temporary worker Zombie Kid, Kobeni, you're young. Why risk life as a Devil Hunter? Shouldn't you be studying or finding a proper job? Cowardly too. You'd be better off resigning."
Cael remained speechless. What the hell is 'Zombie Kid'? And his comment to Kobeni… zero empathy.
Kobeni's bottom line shattered. Tears streamed. She covered her trembling lips.
"My parents only intended for my brother to go to university. I had to work to pay his tuition… But I have no education, no skills. So many places wouldn't hire me… The only high-paying jobs for me? Public Safety or… sex work!"
She wept openly. "I don't want to risk my life as a Devil Hunter! I don't want to die! I want to go to university too!!!"
____
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MAY ALLAH'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU TODAY, TOMORROW, AND EVERY DAY
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