Chapter 23

Sam was quite surprised when K gave him a call in the middle of the night. What the call held for him reminded him about the cannon event. The angel girl who was cuddling him would die by the very same person Sam was looking for.

"He has changed his name for some unknown reason. But he's known as the Samurai Sword among his peers. He excels in swordsmanship and has committed many crimes."

"And?" Sam said. "Did you locate him?"

"Yes. But… he's surrounded by bodyguards. Recently, he met a blonde woman. I suspect that she has a contract with the Snake Devil, which I advise you to stay away from."

The Snake Devil. You know. The scarier the name of the devil, the stronger it would get.

Snakes were very scary creatures. They had venom, and they can kill you with one bite. Let's not forget that they were predators and grave diggers.

Such a devil would be very powerful. Physically at least. But its name didn't have a strong concept anyway.

"I see."

"I'll send you the location," K said. "Also Sam, I haven't called you at all."

"Don't worry. You didn't."

"Good boy."

K hung up the call. Sam received a message with the address of the Samurai Sword and places where he'd be staying.

Sam sat up. His gaze turned from relaxed into a dead serious one.

He turned his head to the sleeping Himeno. "Although we're just friends with benefits, I won't let anyone hurt you." He put his hand on her hair and rubbed it a bit. It was soft, smooth, and pleasant to touch.

Sam decided to face the Samurai man.

As a gamer from his previous life, Sam had to respect the code when you fight a samurai fighter.

Meaning that he'd focus on his building to be more of a samurai.

'Hold on. That's my build in the first place.' Sam got off the bed. 'Let's play Sekiro.'

[Swordsmanship up to level 10]

[Flash step up to level 3]

[Speed increases by 300% for a short distance]

He then used his Affinity points.

[Wisdom up to 15]

[MP up to 300]

[Agility up to 19]

Now, he had no SP or MP. But what he had was power.

He started dressing up, wearing his attire as a normal citizen. Just a black t-shirt and sweat pants. Tonight, he had no business hunting devils. He'd chase humans who were worse than devils. Humans who would kill everyone he knew, and his colleagues, so that they could get the Chainsaw Man's heart.

But Sam felt that he should give the enemy the credit for knowing how to turn a human into a fiend.

"Sam… where are you going," Himeno's sleepy voice echoed, catching his attention.

"Just getting some business done," Sam said.

"I'm coming with you," she said, sounding more about to sleep. Sam sat next to her, put a hand on her face, and smiled.

"Go back to sleep. I'm not hunting."

"OH. That's reassuring," she closed her eyes.

"Reassuring?"

"Mm…" she nodded. "Please, don't die."

Sam felt a tickle in his heart. The least thing he could say was that he was touched to see someone showing him such attention and warmth.

"Don't worry, I'll be alive."

"Zzzz…" she turned and hugged the pillow, her awareness seeming to be in a world made by her subconscious.

Sam took his hand back and sighed. "Never mind."

-x-X-x-

Sam was outside, hands in his pocket as he walked down the street. The neon lights and the smell of the smoke filled his senses. Drunk people puking in the corner, and yakuza members playing. It was a sight one could get used to when used to living at night.

'It has been a long time since I got out for a walk alone. It's refreshing.'

Sam suddenly paused when he saw a rat looking at him. It felt a bit strange to him.

Could it be Makima spying on him?

In that case, he simply smiled at the rat before continuing his walk while holding his phone, checking the address repeatedly.

It was quite annoying. He'd come from an area where people navigate with GPS. Now, he would have to check the address time and time again.

A bunch of people were playing with dice. Tattoos filled their exposed arms. And next to them, laid their katana swords.

'Gangsters are like tigers. They don't share lands. This must be the Samurai Sword's territory. So these are his lackeys.' After thinking that, Sam walked to them.

Some turned their heads to him.

"He's a sword," one of them said.

They stopped playing.

"Hold on, right there," said one of them. "If you don't want death, turn around and leave."

"Actually. I'm here with good intentions," Sam stopped, hands in his pockets. "I'm trying to save your lives."

They paused. Then a laugh echoed from some.

"Hahaha… Save us from who?"

"Myself," Sam opened his eyes widely, unleashing what looked like bloodlust, which the gangsters felt.

Sam continued. "If you don't want to die, lead me to the Samurai Sword." He extended his sword forward, thumb on the grip, and he pushed it up out of the sheath a bit.