The Gourmet Demon

Given Nakiri Erina's aloof and shy personality, what could she possibly manage to say?

Hayashi looked at it briefly then closed his phone.

Continued reading his book.

"I love learning, learning makes me strong."

Vibration is a universal phenomenon in the universe, generally divided into macroscopic vibrations like earthquakes and tsunamis, and microscopic vibrations like thermal motion and Brownian motion of elementary particles.

Resonance

Material states, vibrational temperature...

Physics defines absolute zero as the temperature at which even elementary particles cannot vibrate, which is also the lowest temperature in the universe.

"Huh? So that's how the lowest temperature can be produced?"

"The legendary absolute zero, which is -273.15°C, is the temperature at the lowest kinetic energy point of particles."

Seeing the knowledge in the book, Hayashi gained a lot.

He opened one hand.

An iron spoon was pulled from the kitchen to his hand by thin threads.

"Let me try this."

He gripped the iron spoon, controlling the vibration in his hand toward negative control rather than generating vibration.

But soon Hayashi discovered.

Compared to making vibrations intense.

Making vibrations calm down was actually harder.

It was like how you could easily raise temperature to thousands of degrees, but it was very difficult to lower temperature to negative one or two hundred degrees.

"So there's this effect too." Hayashi had never known this before.

He tried his best to reduce particle vibration effects.

Soon he discovered.

The iron spoon became brittle!

Iron was supposed to be tough and malleable, but now it had become brittle.

Hayashi held the spoon in his left hand, bent his right index finger, and lightly flicked it.

"Ting~"

Crack

"?" Tohru looked at Hayashi puzzledly: "What's wrong? Is the spoon no good?"

"No, just experimenting with a new idea."

"Wow, genius!"

"I haven't even said anything yet and you're already praising me."

"Anyway, you're a genius~!"

Tohru directly maxed out the emotional value.

Making it hard for Hayashi to suppress the corners of his mouth.

The broken spoon didn't matter.

Taking it back in his hand, placing it on the table, he pointed directly at it.

"Repair magic."

The next moment.

The broken spoon pieced itself back together, returning to its previous state.

This was magic - so useful!

Scientific knowledge lay in experimentation.

Experimental tools that broke didn't need to be thrown away - they could be repaired and experimented with again.

Of course, don't do this with lab mice.

That would be truly playing Yama, the King of Hell.

Experiment complete.

Hayashi read his book for a while longer, continuing to study.

Magic required studying knowledge!

Fortunately, modern society had plenty of knowledge!

Enough to get by.

Just like that.

After studying for about another half hour.

Hayashi had finished his ice cream.

Tohru and Kanna hadn't finished theirs, so Hayashi froze them again.

3 PM.

The Devil Hunter Division 4 people arrived.

Power charged in front, wearing shorts and a short T-shirt, showing off her long white legs and graceful figure.

Bursting through the door and feeling the cool temperature, she exclaimed loudly.

"Wow! So refreshing, this temperature!"

"I love this place! I love the coolness! I love the food! I love the shop owner!"

Power shouted her declarations of love.

Then was pushed inside by Himeno: "Don't block the door, idiot."

After everyone entered.

Feeling the perfectly cool temperature inside the restaurant, they all breathed sighs of relief.

The outside temperature was now nearly 30 degrees.

Standing still was fine, but any movement would definitely cause sweating.

Power was pushed inside.

She looked around, wanting to ask Hayashi for food and also to see her cat.

But then was attracted by the ice sculptures before her.

Looking up.

They were two giant dragons.

Because they were too lifelike, and Power knew exactly who they were.

She shrank her head and quickly ran to Hayashi's side, asking weakly.

"Hey... shop owner, why did you put such dangerous creatures in the center of the shop..."

"Dangerous?"

Hayashi looked at the ice sculptures - where was the danger?

What danger could ice sculptures pose?

Power glanced over and said weakly again: "The aura is too terrifying..."

Only then did Hayashi understand.

They were too realistic.

"They're fake, what are you afraid of? Tohru won't beat you up for no reason." Hayashi pushed Power away, telling her to sit properly.

Devils' first impressions were based on distinguishing targets through aura.

Power was no exception to this.

The second impression was the image remembered by the eyes.

Because the ice sculptures carried Hayashi's magic power.

The carved magic power evolved into relatively realistic aura.

That's why Power was afraid.

If they were ordinary ice sculptures, no matter how similar, they wouldn't have this effect.

"Fine." Power glanced once, then forced herself not to look.

Saying "fine" with her mouth, but actually staying far away from the ice sculptures.

Clearly a coward.

But that was normal too.

Who wouldn't be afraid seeing Tohru's aura?

After the others came over.

Hayakawa Aki, Himeno, and Kobeni all greeted Hayashi.

Hayashi nodded: "Sit down. Makima sent you here, right? But I know it's definitely not just about eating - she instructed you about other things too, right?"

At these words.

Power and Kobeni had no reaction, not understanding.

But Hayakawa Aki and Himeno were startled.

Then nodded.

Actually.

Makima really did tell them to just come eat.

If the devil hunters didn't appear.

Then they'd just eat normally.

But she reminded them to stay alert to their surroundings.

The other public safety squads weren't reminded.

Because of Hayashi.

Makima only reminded Division 4.

"Alright, then sit down. Have some ice cream." Hayashi nodded.

Then had Tohru distribute ice cream to everyone.

Hayakawa Aki, Power, and Kobeni directly started eating.

Then all widened their eyes and frantically ate.

Only Himeno sat across from Hayashi, holding her spoon, somewhat hesitant, wanting to eat but not daring to.

"?" Hayashi noticed: "What's wrong with you? That expression."

After being asked, Himeno.

Even as a mature woman, turned her head slightly.

"Cough cough..."

"Oh~~" Hayashi immediately understood.

It was that time when she couldn't eat cold things or drink cold beverages.

That thing that happened every month.

No wonder she wanted to eat but was hesitating.

Understanding, Hayashi reached out: "Give it to me first."

Himeno pushed the ice cream over.

After Hayashi caught it, he reached in and infused it with healing magic that restored blood and qi.

Then pushed it back.

"It's fine now, eat up. You won't hurt after eating it."

Himeno looked, and though she didn't know why, she just believed him directly.

Picking up her spoon, she started eating: "Thank you."

Power was eating on the side.

Suddenly looked up curiously and asked.

"Why couldn't Himeno eat it before but can now? If you're not eating it, give it to me!"

When she said this, Himeno didn't get shy like a little girl.

Instead, she couldn't help laughing.

Hayashi knocked Power's head: "Eat yours properly, there's plenty."

"Oh..." Power lowered her head and continued eating.

Hayakawa Aki silently ate his ice cream.

Kobeni giggled on the side.

Hayashi glanced at him, and he immediately stopped laughing.

Bored.

Hayashi read his book while chatting with them.

"Have you been on any missions these past few days, Power?"

Power lifted her face from the bowl: "Yeah, killed some mediocre devils, then just patrolling and stuff."

"That's not bad."

Hayashi turned to Himeno: "What happened with that building incident last time?"

Himeno wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue and answered seriously.

"Most of the people in the building were yakuza, but several escaped, like the yakuza boss's grandson who's still out there. We can't find him now - seems like he's colluding with civilian devil hunters."

"For the rest, Makima-san sealed the information. Others don't know, probably only the cabinet knows."

Hayashi nodded: "Mm."

So Makima had manipulated the case.

She would modify the specific abilities and data of the Eternity Devil, as well as alter her own abilities and the abilities Hayashi had revealed, etc.

In short, the case report given to higher-ups looked real on the surface, but was a mix of truth and lies inside.

Like the building being destroyed by everyone together.

Like the Eternity Devil really being killed by everyone.

Nothing else remained.

"This bad woman is really bad." Hayashi sighed.

Fortunately, toward him, she was basically genuinely good.

Because he was a much stronger version of the Chainsaw Devil, and Makima loved that.

What was this called?

My wife is utterly wicked?

Hayashi shook his head with amusement.

Whatever.

Hayashi continued reading and chatting.

At this time.

His phone received messages.

Opening it, he saw they were from Shiyu and Mai.

Shiyu: "Today in the fan group, suddenly many fewer people plan to go to your shop. What happened? Something's not right, Hayashi-kun."

Mai: "This is bad, shop owner. In Shiyu's fan group, the same situation as mine before seems to be happening. They've all forgotten about your restaurant. I spoke up twice and they suddenly don't recognize it."

So they were worried about this.

In order.

First reply to Shiyu: "It's fine, this is just me using some tricks. Too many people would kill me from exhaustion. Just think of it as a supernatural ability."

Then reply to Mai: "I deliberately did this. After all, with too many people, there's no lazy lifestyle. The specific operation is a bit like your ability."

Hearing this, both girls breathed sighs of relief.

They thought Hayashi's shop had blown up or something had happened.

As long as it wasn't an accident, it was fine.

But immediately, they said they'd find time to come to the shop.

Tomorrow!

Hayashi replied that was fine.

After chatting.

He prepared to close his phone screen.

But before closing it, another message popped up.

Makima: "Emergency!"

Makima: "Devil hunters are nearby, be careful."

Makima: "If there's an emergency, please let Power and the others die first!"

Hayashi: ....

Just as the messages ended.

Before Hayashi had time to complain.

He felt an inexplicably familiar sensation from the alley entrance.

"Gun?"

Yes, he sensed the presence of guns.

Since familiarizing himself with the Gun Devil's sensory abilities during the day, he immediately became familiar with this feeling.

And now it appeared again.

Hayashi turned to look at everyone.

Everyone else felt nothing, still eating, chatting, or watching TV with Kanna.

Only Tohru was humming.

Suddenly her voice got quieter, then she slightly frowned, feeling something was wrong.

When the threat entered the alley entrance.

That clear and definite killing intent and purpose.

Made Tohru look unhappy and immediately turn to look at Hayashi.

"Hayashi... san?"

When Tohru looked at Hayashi.

Hayashi held up his index finger to her, indicating "shush."

Tohru immediately quieted down.

Among those present.

Only Himeno, sitting across from Hayashi, noticed this action.

So she looked puzzled.

Hayashi gave her a look, indicating to just wait.

Himeno nodded, showing she understood.

Below the midnight diner.

Countless thin threads began spreading, laying foundations, extending.

Like an invisible large net, in the blink of an eye it filled the underground and walls of the entire street.

At this time, at the alley entrance.

Anteiku was operating.

Kirishima Touka was serving coffee, occasionally looking outside.

After discovering there really were much fewer people today.

Her attitude toward Hayashi was only admiration.

She glanced outside the window again.

Then was startled and looked carefully.

At the alley entrance, a man and woman with somehow wrong auras had entered.

The man was wearing all black in the middle of summer.

Plus a black windbreaker and black leather cap.

The woman had short blonde hair.

Wearing a red oversized hoodie, clearly with something in the pocket.

Mainly it was their aura.

As an S-rank ghoul.

And with considerable combat experience.

Touka's first instinct was that these two were problematic.

"Kaya, I'm going out for a moment."

Kirishima Touka went to the bar counter to put down her tray, took off her apron, and immediately said to Irimi Kaya.

Irimi Kaya was still making coffee, unaware of this situation.

But seeing Touka's expression, she knew something was up.

"What's wrong, Touka?"

"Not sure yet, I'm just going to follow and see. Call you if there's trouble."

Touka left after speaking.

Irimi Kaya nodded.

At this distance, Touka following first then alerting them was completely sufficient.

They were SS-rank ghouls after all.

On the other side.

Reze, working her regular job, was still selling coffee.

She was also wearing an apron, helping out.

But what she was thinking was: "When will the midnight diner have fewer people? Now there are lines until late night every day, no chance to go eat. What to do..."

Reze wanted to eat Hayashi's cooking.

But these past few days there hadn't been any opportunity - it was always packed.

As for assassination and such.

That... that could be discussed later.

It wasn't her fault the Chainsaw Devil couldn't be found.

As for Makima.

That was even less something she could handle.

Better focus on living her own life first.

"Speaking of which, I didn't see anyone queuing toward the alley today. Could there finally be time today?!"

Reze looked worriedly out the window.

She was really hungry and wanted to eat.

At this time.

Two inexplicably familiar figures walked toward the alley.

Reze was startled, searching her memory.

These two people...

She didn't really recognize the woman.

Hadn't the man appeared in intelligence reports?

This was a devil hunter.

They were...

"Bang!"

Reze didn't know what was wrong with herself.

Watching that pair enter the alley.

She suddenly panicked and hurriedly ran outside.

As soon as Reze went out.

She happened to face Touka, who was also coming out, across the street.

After the two made eye contact.

They both stared toward the alley entrance.

Those two people walked in.

The woman said something unknown to the man, who nodded. His two hands, originally at his sides, changed to his left hand gripping his right wrist.

Others might not understand.

But Hayashi understood clearly - this was the operation before the Katana Devil's transformation.

Same as the Chainsaw Devil needing to pull the chainsaw cord.

The woman also gripped something in her pocket.

Beginning to disguise as customers with the man.

Stealthily yet pretending to be casual as they walked toward the yard.

"!"

"?"

At this point.

Both Kirishima Touka and Reze sensed something was wrong.

Touka instantly charged forward: "You guys!..."

While Reze watched Touka in surprise, she also reached toward the pin at her neck, hesitating whether to transform.

Memories of Hayashi flashed through her mind.

Just as she decided to pull it.

The world ahead suddenly changed!

"Threads~!"

In an instant.

As that man and woman reached the yard front, the woman drew her gun, and the man pulled off his right hand.

Overwhelming crystalline threads instantly shot out from underground, walls, and various angles, tightly binding their hands, feet, necks, waists and other parts!

Then directly hoisted them up!

That man and woman showed shocked expressions.

"What?!"

Kirishima Touka emergency-braked after charging some distance.

Reze's pin-pulling motion stopped.

Division 4 in the shop looked outside in surprise.

And at the alley entrance.

It was sealed by a layer of magic-infused threads so thin they were invisible - from outside you couldn't see the situation inside at all!

Didn't even notice it was sealed!

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