Seven Sins System Chapter 379. Dumpster

Seven Sins System Chapter 379. Dumpster

Without another word, I reached out and grasped her hand, pulling her towards the shimmering portal that loomed before us. She hesitated for a moment, her expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty, but didn't protest as I tugged her forward.

We stepped through the portal and I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at her continued distrust. "I know I'm a devil, but you should trust me once in a while," I muttered under my breath, my voice tinged with frustration. "It's not like everything that comes out of my mouth is lies."

She walked behind me in silence, her footsteps slow and deliberate. I was unable to decipher the expression hidden beneath her stoic facade. Part of me wanted to shake her, to demand that she believe in me despite all evidence to the contrary. But another part of me was simply tired—tired of constantly fighting against her doubts and suspicions.

Once we emerged from the portal, I blinked in the harsh light of the alley, taking a moment to orient myself. We were on the same street as the academy, just a stone's throw away from a diner that was popular among students.

"Well, here we are," I remarked. I released Puriel's hand and slipped mine into my pocket. "I'm a little hungrier than usual. So, I believe this place is more suitable for us," I remarked casually, nodding towards the end of the alley where the diner awaited just two buildings away.

To my surprise, Puriel followed behind me without protest, her expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As we walked, I caught her eyeing a dumpster nearby, where a group of rats seemed to be having a rowdy party. A frown creased her forehead, and I could practically hear the gears turning in her mind.

“I thought you would take me at least to a street stall or something. Not to the dumpster," she remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I mean, I know you can eat anything, but I can't," she added pointedly, a reminder of our stark differences.

I stopped dead in my tracks, a grimace contorting my features as Puriel's words sank in. "Though I'm a poor combat doctor in this realm, I'm not that desperate. There's no way I'll eat from the dumpster," I complained, shaking my head in disbelief. "I would rather steal than do that. Besides, did you forget? I can turn anything into gold, you know?" I protested, my voice tinged with indignation.

Puriel's response was a dry smile, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Well, there are a lot of rats there,” she pointed out, gesturing towards the dumpster with uncertainty evident in her voice. "And you just mentioned eating skeletons to me earlier. You are a cannibal, so…” She trailed off, her innocent smile belying the teasing glint in her eyes.

I shot her a flat stare, unimpressed by her attempt to twist my words against me. “If I wanted to do that, why would I need to take my wallet back to begin with?” I retorted, injecting a healthy dose of logic into the conversation. It was true—I might be a devil, but I had standards. Dumpster diving was definitely not on my list of preferred dining options.

I’m the prince of the underworld for my father’s sake!

Puriel's expression softened, a hint of sheepishness creeping into her smile. “Yeah, you have a point there,” she admitted, her voice tinged with grudging respect. It was a small victory, but I'd take it.

A pang of frustration shot through me. 'What she remembers seems to be only my bad,' I thought, feeling a twinge of annoyance at the one-sidedness of our interactions. But rather than dwell on it, I chose to keep my thoughts to myself and continued walking.

Without a word, I turned on my heel and started moving again. Behind me, I could sense Puriel's presence as she fell into step beside me.

Once we emerged from the dimly lit alleyway, the hustle and bustle of the street greeted us with a cacophony of noise and activity. And there it was—a simple diner building standing at the corner of the street, its neon sign flickering cheerfully. The place wasn't grand or imposing, but there was a warmth to it that drew me in.

The diner itself wasn't particularly large, but it exuded a cozy charm that was hard to resist. The windows were adorned with colorful curtains, and the sound of chatter and laughter spilled out onto the sidewalk, mingling with the aroma of sizzling bacon and brewing coffee.

Despite its modest appearance, the diner seemed to be buzzing with activity. Waitresses darted back and forth, trays balanced precariously in their hands, while customers chatted animatedly over steaming plates.

Once we got in, a waiter, clad in a crisp white apron, greeted us with a warm smile as we approached. "Welcome! How many of you?" he asked cheerfully.

"Two," I replied, returning his smile. "We're here to eat."

With a nod, the waiter gestured for us to follow him, leading us to a cozy booth nestled in the corner of the diner. He handed us each a menu and assured us he'd be back in five minutes to take our order.

As I scanned the menu, my stomach grumbled impatiently, but nothing on the list caught my eye. "Hmm, nothing looks interesting to me," I muttered, disappointment tugging at the corners of my lips. "And they don't even have tomato juice. Bummer."

Beside me, Puriel furrowed her brow in concentration, her eyes darting across the menu. "I guess you'll just have to settle for something else," she remarked with a shrug.

"Oh right. Just make sure your order is not too expensive," I reminded her. "Or I have to resort to using my Devil's Craft skills to make gold or hypnotize the cashier."

Puriel shot me a pointed look, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Don't worry," she replied with a wry smile. "I'm not Gluttony or Greed."