Chapter 32: The Challenge

Theriault was taken aback by the man's words, looking at him with a confused expression. "The devil? Which one?" He asked, ignoring Hunter's and Shen Yi's shocked expressions.

"Devils exist too!" Shen Yi said way too loudly, causing Cu Chulainn to flinch. Luckily no one was paying them any mind.

"Yes girl," Cu said, "Devils are very real, and this isn't just any devil, it's The Devil, the big bad, Lucifer himself..."

Theriault scrunched his eyebrows. "Oh... Well, I guess Shen Yi doesn't have to feel too bad, I didn't think he existed either." Theriault cleared his throat. "Then this hunting attire?"

"A cover-up, Lucifer has set up his fortress-like labyrinth, every turn is more monstrosities, it's never-ending, having him on my confirmed kills list would be a fitting end to my warrior's career... But even now after nearly 300 years he's evaded me and lived comfortably," Theriault nodded as Uathach came back from the back with Theriault's drink, setting it in front of him as the boy thanked her and shot Hunter and Shen Yi a look that said to drop the subject.

"So will you accept the mission Theriault? I will gladly reward you," Uathach said, smiling sweetly as they all looked at her in confusion.

"Huh? Mission?" Theriault asked.

"Well, to go and defeat my mother and convince her to travel here to kill Lucifer... Weren't you guys talking about it just now? I'm getting tired of his dark presence in our town."

Cu Chulainn gawked at her as Theriault inwardly sighed. 'She literally has the key of foresight, what was the point in trying to keep it a secret...'

"Uh, Uathach, that isn't necessary, I can handle my problems on my-"

"Oh quiet, you're just scared she'll ask you to give back Gae bolg, is this town not more important than that stupid spear?" Uathach asked, her voice rising.

"No not even close, I'd definitely choose Gae Bolg over this town..." The man said with zero hesitation.

Uathach smiled wide, even though she was starting to get mad. She knew there was some reluctance among men when it came to protecting their pride.

"Well I already saw it, you'll try again tomorrow, and when you fail you'll ask Theriault and his two friends here to traverse to the isle, so why waste any more time?" She asked, looking between her husband and the trio.

"So... Lucifer huh? That's pretty deep shit," Theriault said, interrupting the couple. He couldn't tell if this was a "Lover's Quarrel," but he didn't want it to continue.

"Yes, the most famous fallen angel of all time, one of the main kings of hell..." Cu said, clearly trying to scare Theriault.

In truth, Cu didn't want to ask this boy to try. The thought that he could do what Cu couldn't made him almost... Angry. His wife had so much faith in this boy, he couldn't just let Theriault outdo him.

"Is that it? So he's just a devil?" Theriault said, smiling a bit as he caught on to what Cu was trying to do.

He didn't even want to help out, but if the legendary hero was going to try and pshych him out of it, he'd gladly take up the challenge.

"He's not just a devil, he's The Devil," Cu emphasized.

"Meh, been through worse," Theriault said, shrugging as Cu began to lose his temper.

"Well if you think he'll be so easy you take a shot at him!" Cu yelled out, annoyed by the boy's ignorance of the very apparent danger.

Theriault smiled, he always had a way of pissing people off, but to get what you want you have to make some people angry.

Cu only realized what Theriault had done a few seconds later, sighing as he looked at Uathach. "Alright fine... But I will go in one more time, and I'll take him with me," Cu said, smiling now as Uathach looked shocked.

"I think it's best if you just keep everything predictable dear," Uathach said, a slight edge to her voice as Cu shook his head.

"Nope, that's boring, we leave at first light... Unless you have second thoughts of course," Cu finished as he looked at Theriuault, a challenging look in his eye.

Without an answer he left by getting up and leaving to the backroom; Their cafe doubled as their house.

"He can be so frustrating sometimes!" Uathach said, getting up and following her husband to the back room, her body language looking as if she was going to beat the man.

Theriault watched the woman leave before turning back to his companions.

"I know I said I would, but you guys don't have to go, I understand you feel the need to follow me everywhere, but I'm giving you this chance to opt out-"

"Gladly," Shen Yi said interrupting him.

"Yeah same here, I am not fighting the literal devil, demons were hard enough," Hunter agreed as Shen Yi smiled, clearly pleased to have backup.

"Well... Cool then," Theriault said, taken aback but trying to hide it. "You guys can go make some money then, just to hold you guys off for a bit, I'll go and discuss this reward with Uathach."

"How the hell are we supposed to make money?" Shen Yi asked as Theriault got up and held up his hand.

"Hm, we're in Ireland, you're a slightly attractive female, I'm sure you can find some lonely guy tonight to entertain for a few hundred," Theriault said, walking to the back as his implication dawned on Shen Yi.

He disappeared into the back just as she began yelling obscenities, all while Hunter coughed, trying to mask his laughter.

Theriault looked at the backroom, it was just like a normal apartment, except the kitchen had been upgraded to fit their cafe business. 'Where'd they go?' He thought to himself as he walked deeper into the backroom only to stop as his ears picked up something interesting.

"Yes, Setanta!" He heard Uathach yell, "Right there! Harder!."

Theriault quickly spun on his heel, walking right back out to see Shen Yi still furious. "On second thought, let's all go earn money as a team, we don't interact enough..."

"Why? Let me guess you aren't getting paid for helping with The Devil?" Shen Yi asked, smirking as she saw him walk back to the other side of the booth, gesturing toward the door.

"Sure, Sure whatever you say, just come on," He said, continuing out the door.

As soon as they stepped outside, the fresh chilly air hit them full force, making both Shen Yi and Hunter gasp as the cold wind blew across their faces. It took several minutes to get used to the chilly breeze as they looked around.

"S-S-So what's the plan?" Shen Yi asked nervously, rubbing her hands together, wishing she had brought gloves with her.

"Just wait here till sundown," He said simply as he walked up to the curb and sat himself down, clearly unfazed by the cold.

"Just wait?" She repeated, and not getting an answer she decided to just sit down next to him, shivering as the breeze picked up more.

"Well we can't make money until tonight, at least not with my plan..." Theriault answered after a bit.

"Then why wait outside? It's warm inside," Hunter said, choosing to stand up behind the two.

"Alright, if you want you can go and ask them for directions to the town marketplace, hell, maybe they'll let you join in on their pleasure time. I'm sure you'd love to see that," Theriault said with an annoyed tone as Hunter blushed slightly.

"Oh..."

...

Night fell and Uathach and Cu Chulainn had still not come out to close up shop. Shen Yi's solution for not making it awkward had been to just wait till they closed the cafe.

"What the hell is taking them so long?" Hunter complained as he stood behind Shen Yi and Theriault, leaning against the wall of the building to stay warm.

"They must be really enjoying themselves," She said sarcastically, watching as the sun slowly dipped lower and lower.

"You think you can put on a believable show? I know it's hard pretending you can beat me, but would you be able to do it?" Theriault asked as Shen Yi rolled her eyes.

"If you intend for us to fight for entertainment, then yes I can easily pretend to be beating you... Are we doing a street show or something?"

Theriault chuckled, "No, we're adventurers now, criminal acts are truly the only ways to make money during times like these, so while we distract the townspeople, Hunter will be taking their wallets, jewelry, any stray valuable items..."

"What!?" Hunter said, "I can't steal!"

"Don't worry, we won't be stealing anything big, no one will notice since everyone in the area probably doesn't own a single thing worth more than 20 euro anyway," Theriault told him confidently.

Hunter seemed hesitant, but with a little convincing her agreed, and so, they had their money making plan.