Miko stumbled and sat on the ground, completely drained of strength.
Watching the evil spirits charging towards her, Miko felt like they were playing unfairly, even resorting to entrapment.
Watching the evil spirits, tongues lolling out, rushing towards her from close by, she began to pray internally.
'Gods or devils, please, I beg you, you must save me.'
At that moment, the card in Miko's hand seemed to sense something.
Buzz!
The magic circle on the card emitted a dazzling white light.
Miko was enveloped in a pillar of light, and the evil spirits were kept out. Then, the card in her hand broke free from her grasp and fell to the ground. The pattern on the card grew larger and a giant magic circle appeared beneath her feet.
Miko was too stunned by the scene before her to speak.
Could this card really summon a devil?
The next moment, a figure entered her vision.
Miko stared in disbelief at Abel, with his white hair and red eyes, floating in the air before her. Immediately after, a pair of wings unfurled from behind Abel.
Are there really devils in this world?
Miko stared blankly at Abel, completely ignoring the evil spirits pounding on the pillar of light around her.
Abel, looking at the girl before him, was momentarily stunned, not expecting it to be this strong female lead.
Then he looked around.
So many evil spirits!
Seeing Miko still in a daze, Abel waved his hand in front of her eyes and said, "Snap out of it."
Miko came to her senses, then stammered, "Are you... a devil?"
"Of course."
Abel crossed his arms, a smile on his face, and subtly moved his wings.
Miko's worldview was currently undergoing a drastic reconstruction. She could see spirits, and now she had summoned a devil.
What has this world come to?
Swish!
Abel retracted his wings.
Then, with his arms crossed, he spoke from above, "Greetings, Summoner, Abel Astaroth has answered your call."
Hearing Abel's words, Miko slowly calmed down.
Although she didn't know what this world had become, it wasn't important now.
She cautiously said, "Devil-san... could you please help me deal with these spirits?"
"Of course, summoner."
Abel nodded, looking at the spirits blocked outside.
At this moment, more and more spirits were gathering, and those from the surrounding area were also attracted.
Abel waved his hand lightly, and the light screen dissipated.
"You can all see!"
"Hahaha, kill you all, devour you all!"
Watching the spirits charge at him, Abel snapped his fingers.
Snap.
A crisp sound rang out.
Control magic, activate!
The spirits froze motionless in mid-air.
"Although they are low-level and vile souls, there are many of them." Abel said calmly, stroking his chin as he looked at the paused spirits.
"Then... I'll take them."
Saying that, Abel extended his hand, palm upwards.
Spirit Gathering Magic!
A gentle breeze began to swirl around Abel, and all the spirits transformed into soul energy, forming a tornado. Then Abel closed his hand.
The black tornado converged in Abel's hand, forming a black orb.
The matter was resolved so quickly that Miko hadn't even reacted.
Just a snap of the fingers, then a clench, and so many spirits were... just like that, resolved?
Am I still dreaming?
Abel held the black orb in his palm, toying with it, and turned to look at Miko, who was in an internal storm.
Next, it was time to collect his reward.
He raised an eyebrow at Miko and said, "Alright, the spirits are dealt with, summoner. Let's talk about the pay."
"Huh?"
"What pay?"
Miko looked a little bewildered.
Abel said with a smile, "Of course, it's the price for summoning me. Do you intend to get a free ride?"
Miko was a bit flustered and stammered, "I... I have nothing to give you."
Abel shook his head. "No, there is something, you know."
"Wh-what?"
Abel scrutinized the girl before him. A girl with spiritual sight, reincarnated as a demon, should be quite good, right?
Abel took out an ordinary Evil Piece—Pawn and played with it in his hand, saying, "Of course, it's you."
"Huh? Me?"
Miko pointed to herself, looking utterly confused.
Immediately after, she reacted.
This...
Could it be that this devil has taken a fancy to her tender flesh and wants to eat her?
It's over!
Out of the tiger's den, into the wolf's mouth.
Miko's face turned pale with fright, her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground again.
She widened her eyes in terror, shaking her hands repeatedly. "No... don't eat me, I don't taste good!"
Abel looked at her expression and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Who wants to eat you? I mean for you to become my servant, to become a devil."
Miko froze for a moment, suspecting she had misheard. "Become... a devil?"
Abel sat in the air, legs crossed, playing with the orb and smiling.
"That's right, become a devil and gain extraordinary power. That way, you won't have to fear these spirits, and once you're a devil, mere spirits can be extinguished with a flick of your hand."
"Besides, you don't want to live in fear of spirits forever, do you?"
Miko was momentarily stunned, it seemed she had been cornered.
Is it better to be a human, constantly threatened by spirits and in mortal danger, or to be a devil, free from fear and able to fight spirits?
This... it seems there's no choice.
After making her choice, Miko found herself unusually calm.
She had no resistance towards becoming a devil. Since there's an extraordinary path, why not choose it?
She imagined it for a moment.
Waking up every day to a ghost screaming in her face.
Especially when going to the bathroom and showering...
Miko began her self-psychological construction.
Abel watched quietly, not speaking, waiting for Miko's decision.
After a while, Miko's gaze became firm.
She, Miko, was no longer going to be human!
She wanted to become a devil!
Abel asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Facing Abel's inquiry, Miko nodded. "Yes, I have."
Abel looked at Miko and said, "Then speak your answer."
Miko firmly said, "Humans have limitations, so Devil-san, please transform me into a devil. I, Miko Yotsuya, will no longer be human."