"What does that have to do with the agency?"
"The agency is mine, not the clients'."
"If they don't like it, they can talk somewhere else. If they really can't stand it, they can take their business to another detective agency."
His only purpose in creating the Trash Fox Detective Agency was to help people in need.
Charging a small fee was just a formality.
Even if no one came, it didn't matter; he wasn't short on cash.
The System Shop could provide enough money to last dozens of lifetimes whenever he wanted.
"I'll let her know right away!" Utaha and Sora's eyes lit up with excitement.
Toya nodded. "Do as you like."
"Kawashima, you're the best!" In her excitement, Utaha threw her arms around him.
"I've wanted to raise kittens for ages, but I never had the chance."
"Even if I bought an apartment, I'd have to worry about the neighbors!"
This was why Yukinoshita Yukino had approached Toya. His agency was a standalone three-story building.
It was spacious enough that a few kittens wouldn't disturb anyone.
Toya pushed Utaha away without hesitation. "That's not a real reward. Pick something else."
"Like making me a big lunch. I've been starving all day."
He hadn't eaten much since accepting the commission that morning.
As his strength increased, so did his appetite.
Until he reached a higher level of existence, he still needed to eat every day.
Compared to a hug, a filling meal was much more practical.
Realizing how bold she had just been, Utaha's face flushed red.
She smiled brightly. "Since Kawashima agreed to my request, I can't be stingy."
"Sora-chan, come to the supermarket with me. Let's buy ingredients for a feast."
"Okay!" Sora put down her phone and excitedly followed Utaha out the door.
"Utaha is getting used to the evil spirits, too." Toya noted with satisfaction.
Seeing Utaha adapt so quickly was a relief.
Otherwise, he'd be constantly worried about her getting targeted by spirits whenever she went out, effectively turning him into a full-time babysitter.
Alone in the quiet agency, Toya picked up his phone and browsed the forums, waiting for them to return.
Half an hour flew by. But instead of Utaha and Sora, an uninvited guest came knocking.
"You damn villain!"
"Surprised? Jashin-chan is back for revenge!"
"Today is the day you die!"
"Next year, today will be the anniversary of your death!"
With the upper body of a cute blonde girl and the lower body of a green cobra—it was Jashin-chan.
She leaped into the air, whipping her snake tail fiercely.
Crash!
The glass door of the agency shattered, sending fragments scattering across the floor.
Jashin-chan slithered quickly over the debris, marching aggressively toward Toya.
"You've got guts."
Toya's face turned cold. "You really are a bold snake."
He was actually angry now.
Smashing his front door right in front of him? That was a declaration of war.
Sensing Toya's anger, Jashin-chan flinched but quickly regained her haughty attitude.
"I am not a snake!"
"I am Jashin-chan!"
"But you don't need to remember my name, because you're about to die."
How could a dignified High-Class Devil be afraid of a mere human?
Even without her full power, she could easily crush a human.
"Hmph." Toya laughed coldly, standing up and grabbing the Demon Sword Murasame from the display case. "I applaud your courage. Now die."
Bang!
With a loud boom, Toya vanished from his spot.
"What?!" Jashin-chan's pupils constricted. Before she could react, a cross-shaped flash of light slashed through her body.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed from the wound, splashing onto the floor.
"He's fast!" Jashin-chan's expression turned serious, and she hurriedly retreated to put distance between them.
"You run fast." Toya stood exactly where Jashin-chan had been moments ago, the tip of Murasame pointing at the floor.
A drop of Jashin-chan's blood dripped from the blade.
Jashin-chan opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly felt something wrong with her wound.