The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"You? A Devil?" Aki remained wary. "You look human. No demonic traits... Even calling you a Fiend would be a stretch."

"I am a Devil. Just a weak one, indistinguishable from humans," Shoko said nonchalantly. "It's less frightening for others, which is nice, right?"

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Shoko, the Desire Devil."

"Desire...?" Aki frowned. The word seemed out of place for a Devil, as incongruous as an "Angel Devil."

"Strange, right? I think so too. Why would such a beautiful concept have a Devil?" Shoko chuckled. "But that's how it is. Too many people liked me, so I was too weak to survive in Hell. I came to Earth."

"But life in Tokyo is tough. Everything costs money… I'm currently crashing at someone's place, a tiny, run-down shack. The poor kid can barely afford food. So, I need to find ways to earn money, help him eat, and maybe fix his house."

"What are you trying to do?" Aki sensed she wasn't lying, but her story was too bizarre.

A human-looking Devil wanting to earn money to help a human? Devils weren't benevolent.

"Let's be blunt. I want to make a deal." Shoko cut to the chase. "You're a Devil Hunter. You struggle with the price of using Devil powers, right? Make a contract with me, and I'll take on that burden. You won't have to worry about dying young."

She glanced at the nail on his back. "The Curse Devil, Katana. He has a huge appetite. He used to gnaw on me in Hell. How many uses do you have left?"

"..." Aki wasn't afraid of death, but her offer was tempting. Using Devil powers without consequence would make hunting Devils and finding Gun Devil fragments much easier.

"What's the price?"

"The price—" Shoko held out her hand.

"Give me money."

"?"

"Not much. Just half the average Japanese salaryman's annual income: 3 million yen. Pay me 250,000 a month."

"...The average salary isn't 6 million. But if what you say is true, it's a very good deal." Money was important, but not to Aki. He had no need for it. His sole purpose was killing the Gun Devil. He had no living relatives to provide for.

250,000 yen a month was a small price.

But...

Aki narrowed his eyes. What Devil wants money? Is she a con artist?

"How can you prove it? And how would you even do it?"

"I'm no fighter, but as the Desire Devil, I have my ways." Shoko smiled faintly. "Just make a wish. Wish for the price of using the Fox and Curse Devils' powers to be removed."

"You said you'd bear the burden, not remove it." Aki caught the discrepancy.

"I can't just erase the price. I'm a weak Devil. I can only transfer it to myself," Shoko sighed dramatically. "As for wishes having a price… even at a shrine, you toss coins in the offering box before ringing the bell. And I'm taking on your burden."

"Of course, if you want to freeload, be my guest. See how that works out for you~"

"Don't worry about me scamming you. I offer a free trial. Try it for two days, and if you're satisfied, transfer the money to my account—oh, I don't have a bank account. You'll have to help me open one."

"250,000 yen a month in exchange for you bearing the cost of my Devil contracts." Aki stared intently at Shoko. "Is that the contract?"

Devils could lie, but not about contracts. They were bound by their words.

"Yes, that's our contract." Shoko smiled. "But add one more clause: you can't reveal our agreement. I don't want to wake up in a Public Safety lab, endlessly harassed by Devil Hunters for contracts. I'm really quite weak, you know."

A reasonable request. But can she really transfer the cost?

"So, what do you say?" Shoko leaned forward, smiling.

"Do you have the courage to walk with a Devil?"

"...I already am." Aki looked at her. "One last question: why me? You knew my name. Do you know me?"

"I'm the Desire Devil. I hear the desires of human hearts." Shoko leaned back, weaving a lie. "Yours is hard to miss. A powerful obsession, a burning desire."

"I've already made a contract with that boy, but a human with such a powerful wish… I feel obligated to help, as the Desire Devil. Makes sense, doesn't it, Mr. Vengeance?"

"...I understand. Let's make a contract." She knew about his vendetta against the Gun Devil. She must be the Desire Devil.

He didn't know her true motives, but he wouldn't pass up a chance to become stronger.

"Test your powers, and if you're satisfied, remember to pay up." Shoko puffed out her chest proudly. "And try not to overuse them. Devils regenerate quickly, but too much at once might kill me. If I go back to Hell, our contract might be void."