13 Chapter 13

Sam watched the scene unfold, flipping his sword as he enjoyed the show. Power, previously known as the Blood Devil, had an old score to settle with the Bat Devil, who sported a missing arm and an injured one.

The Bat Devil had abducted her cat, exploited her, and nearly devoured her. Now that Sam had liberated her cat, Power couldn't have been happier with the opportunity for retribution.

"Power, stop. We had a deal," the Bat Devil pleaded, leaping backward, narrowly avoiding Power's attack.

"Deals don't exist between devils and demons," Power declared as she pursued the devil, striking its leg and shattering the bones.

"Why are you doing this? You're betraying your own kind. We should cooperate to take down that devil hunter," the Bat Devil reasoned.

Sam directed a piercing glare at the Bat Devil, disappearing from his position and reappearing in front of it, slashing across its chest. The Bat Devil was sent sprawling onto its back, taking Power by surprise as she watched Sam's swift action.

'Man, I'm dying to say this,' Sam thought to himself.

He pointed his sword at the Bat Devil's throat. "You stabbed the devil in the back, forcing her back into the life she left behind. You burned down the temple. Now that you've lost her cat, and she's free, where do you think she'll turn her attention?"

"Sam, I don't understand what you're saying, but I couldn't agree more. I don't have to follow him anymore," Power conceded. She then held her hammer and jumped on the bat's head, smashing.

Seizing the opportunity for extra XP points, Sam stabbed the Bat Devil's heart.

The Bat Devil's head was crushed, and Sam earned the kill.

[+10,000 XP]

[+Mystery Box]

[Swordsmanship + …XP]

"Meow," the cat said as it approached Power, who tossed her hammer aside and bent down to pick it up.

"Did you miss me?" she asked her cat.

"Meow," the cat replied.

"She says yes," Power translated to Sam.

Sam extended his hand, attempting to pet Meowy, but the cat swatted his hand away.

Power giggled. "She only likes me."

"Cats like those who feed them," Sam remarked.

"True. By the way," Power lowered her head, "seeing how Meowy was about to die, I think I understand your feelings. Why you wanted to kill the Bat Devil."

"Huh?" Sam turned his head.

"Your cat that he killed," Power said in a softer tone.

"Ah, right." Sam extended his hand and patted her head, letting out a sigh of relief. He had almost died because of a cat. One had to be careful with their wording when dealing with devils; that was a universal fact.

"Now, don't forget about our deal," Sam said as he patted Power's dirty blond hair and playfully teased her red horns, his smile growing wider.

"What deal?" Power seemed to have forgotten momentarily, and when she remembered, her smile almost turned into a saddened expression.

"You know, you got your cat back," Sam reminded her.

"So, I'm obedient to you and have to be a good girl," Power said, still sounding incredulous. "Yes."

"Yes," Sam smiled. "I bet you thought I would die, so you didn't mind making the deal with me. Well, guess you guessed wrong."

"Don't you dare abuse the power you have over me!" Power shouted, grabbing his collar.

Still smiling, he said, "Put your hand down and give yourself a gentle slap."

Grinding her teeth, Power lowered her hand and followed his command.

Sam placed his hand on his stomach, laughing heartily. "Man, this obedient Power is so cute." He teased her a bit more but stopped when he noticed her glaring at him without saying anything.

"Let's head back; I have a report to make," Sam suggested.

"Fine with me. I'll leave Meowy at your place if that's okay," Power said.

Sam shrugged. "As long as you take her with you later."

-x-X-x-

Sam had his reasons for reporting back to Makima immediately. With the possibility of the overpowered Control Devil watching over him, he decided to play it safe. There were a few agents within the Devil Hunting Association who acted as he did.

Makima was seating in her office, with Power and Sam standing before her.

"So, you're saying that the Bat Devil was holding Power's cat hostage. She made a deal with you to save her cat in exchange for being obedient and following your orders," Makima summarized. "Then you saved her cat, and the two of you killed the Bat Devil before returning to report."

"Yes," Sam confirmed.

"Boss, he basically turned me into his dog," Power complained, her eyes downcast as she seemed embarrassed about letting such a deal happen.

"I'd prefer to say, his kitty," Sam countered. Seeing the expression on Power's face, he couldn't have been happier.

"Good job on Sam," Makima commended. "I'll give you a direct order not to abuse that power. You'll still take orders from me. Hers order also come from me."

"As for Power, she'll move in with you." Makima added

Taken aback, Sam slammed his hands on the table. "You must be joking!"

"Is there a problem?" Makima asked.

"First, I live in a single-bedroom apartment. Second, I have a limited budget, can't afford two people and bills with bank taking half my earnings." Sam explained, his eyes tearing up. "I'm also a single guy. I can't even afford to date, let alone live with a sexy woman. Even if I managed to find a woman, where would I bring her? You're ruining me, boss."

"Do you think Power is sexy?" Power interjected, looking at Sam's face and then at her own body. "Is this body your type?"

"Shut up!" Sam snapped at her. He was negotiating with Makima to secure some benefits.

Makima sighed. "You have this responsibility because you're in control of her. If you take her in, I'll move you into a two-bedroom apartment and pay off your debts. But I understand if you don't want—"

"I'll take her," Sam interjected, wrapping his arm around Power. "We get along well." He then glanced at Power. "Isn't that right?"

"Geez, Sam. You're just after the money," Power scoffed." Money dog."

"Shut up, Power. With more responsibility, comes the money." he said. "Besides, my reasoning is right."

"Dismissed," Makima declared. Sam held Power's hand and led her out.

'Alright, I managed to pay off my debt. I've got a larger new house, and Power... she's like a free housewife. Man, I won't have to do all the chores anymore,' Sam thought with a grin.