"HEY! Are you gonna keep ignoring me?!" Saji shouted across the room.
"…"
Izo stared silently out the window.
"YOU—"
"Saji." Sona's voice was stern.
"But, Kaichou! He CLEARLY knows what happened back there. In fact, he knew the entire time!"
Saji was agitated. The reason? Hyoudou Issei. Not only had he managed to defeat a human with pseudo-intent without having any himself, but to Saji's annoyance, his friend and rival, Izo, refused to share anything about his brother.
"Izo, is this something you're not allowed to speak about?" Sona asked.
Izo gave a small nod.
Saji clicked his tongue in frustration and began pacing the room impatiently.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Sona Sitri was the most shaken right now.
'Defeating a supernatural being without powers? Is that even possible? Doesn't that make him supernatural too? Izo's reaction... He isn't allowed to speak about his brother? RED FLAG! Total red flag! Someone who can give him such an order must be supernatural. By that logic— It is very possible—'
…that he is part of the supernatural world. Sona was trying to disprove this hypothesis, her mind racing.
"…But wasn't that scorpion kick amazing?!"
Tsubasa Yura, Sona's rook, said excitedly.
"He even used both legs—"
"YEAH!" Saji interrupted. "That was the cleanest execution I've ever seen. His switch-kick too, not to mention that insane combo at the end! I didn't expect him to mess up the tornado kick but overall blah blah"
The others sweatdropped as Saji pranced around excitedly, like a kid talking about his favorite superhero cartoon.
"It was amazing, right, Kaichou?!"
"Yeah…" Sona said absent-mindedly. "Not only at fighting but chess too…"
"Eh?"
"… … … Ah."
Silence filled the room.
"Chess? Hyoudou Issei's chess record?" Tsubaki said. "I don't remember seeing anything like that…"
Sona felt like she was being deep-fried under their curious gazes.
"Uhm… Kaichou?" Ruruko Nimura said, catching on. "Did you, by any chance, play chess with him?"
"… ... Yes."
"What?! No way!" Saji said excitedly. "Was it yesterday? When we were all out? Actually, scratch that! How many moves did he last?! He must have done really well for you to say that!"
Saji beamed at Sona. But all his newfound interest in Issei came crashing down as soon as…
"Kaichou…" Izo said in a low voice, his face pale.
…as soon as Izo finished his sentence.
"You lost, didn't you?"
…There was a stunned silence. Everyone's faces went through a series of emotional transitions. First, ridicule, dismissing Izo's statement. Second, a collective look at Sona's face. Third, realization. Followed by more realization about the potential implications of losing.
Saji's face, which had been beaming with curiosity moments ago, looked painfully contorted now.
"No way… That is not true, right, Kaichou?"
Sona tried to say something, but… she couldn't find the right words—no, she had no idea what to say right now.
She opened her mouth to speak again but—
KNOCK KNOCK
BARGE OPEN
"Sorry for barging in! I wanted to let you know that—"
All heads turned to look at Rias, their faces straight from horror movies.
FLINCH
"U-uhh… Did I come at a bad time?"
"No…" Sona said, swiping her forehead and composing herself. "What brings you here, Rias?"
"Oh… I just wanted to let you know that my team was assigned to the Viser's case."
Sona sat up straight.
Rias continued, "The orders for my team were to inspect the area where she is believed to be, while one person from your team keeps watch around the perimeter."
Rias looked at Izo.
"Ideally by the Red Dragon Emperor."
"I see," Sona said. "But, you could have relayed that message over a magic circle. Is there any special reason you came personally?"
Rias' face flushed.
"I-It's nothing! Um, there was a good café that sells really good pancakes, and since we barely see each other outside of work, I thought…uh—w-why not hang out for a change?! Hahaha—"
She fumbled with her hands, and Sona's glasses slid down her nose.
What…?
"But it's okay!" Rias added quickly, as the room continued to stare at her with stone-cold faces, "You must be busy. Another time—"
"Wait!" Sona said, standing up. "…I'll come with you."
Sona looked at her peerage and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. I need some air."
...
"Intent?"
It was nighttime. My hospital gown clung to my skin as a gentle breeze blew through the hospital balcony. Ophis had explained this whole concept of 'intent,' which is a power in the supernatural world.
[Yes.]
I internalized my voice.
[So, you're telling me that it's a thing like mana, Ki, demonic powers, and all that, and that's why he suddenly went all green?]
[Yes, his aura was probably fluctuating,] Ophis explained.
[Damn, so I defeated another supernatural being without any powers? That must be a world record.] I thought proudly.
[You seem to misunderstand,] Ophis said. [I said you were the youngest human to have ever killed a supernatural being without having an active sacred gear.]
[But I got Kuro after defeating Raynare, though? So doesn't that mean I still won without any powers?]
[No, you were using intent.]
I stood straight.
[What? I was using intent…?]
You mean I was in color too? I had a pre-existing supernatural power within me? Doesn't that make me supernatural too?
... What is up with this guilt?
[Yes. During both times.]
[…]
So, against both Raynare and Hiro Satoru, I was using intent?
I looked at the sky and sighed.
[But I didn't see colors around me.]
[My stealth ability hides it.]
…I gripped my hands tightly. So I was that close to exposing my abilities to the supernatural. To think both of the rulers were there in the cafeteria. If it wasn't for Kuro, then…so much for being a vigilante.
Rias' face came to my mind.
"A human with a sacred gear often ends up getting killed or gets recruited by a supernatural faction. That is the fate of humans with sacred gear. Also, the fate that probably awaits you."
Ophis' words rang in my ears.
...
She seemed like a caring, sincere girl. Could she really be someone cruel and sharp who would use a human as a trophy?
… Just as each human is unique, maybe each devil is different too.
I want to observe more. But, more importantly…
[How do I use this 'intent'?]
[I don't know]
… What?
[You are supposed to be a god…]
[I am a dragon god]
[Shouldn't a god know things like that?]
[Dragons don't learn intent. As our aura matures, we just gain powers that are much stronger than intent.]
I sighed.
This isn't going anywhere.
Whoosh
A gentle breeze washed over me.
I suddenly remembered the kick at the end of my fight with Hiro.
Something was seriously off with that kick. That kick packed one hell of a punch. Maybe it is related to intent?
There was no one on the balcony. I got into an orthodox stance and closed my eyes.
Feel… … … something…
I opened my eyes. Swirls of shadow circled my legs. I frowned in frustration.
[… To be clear, does Kuro boost my strength?]
[No]
TURN
I turned 360 degrees…
Lifted my left knee…
WHOOSH
And executed the tornado kick with my right.
I landed softer than I thought… Did Kuro cushion the impact?
But anyway, this was nothing like the kick from earlier.
[But there is one more thing to add,] Ophis said.
[Hm?]
[For some reason, when you used intent, the amount of Kuro you have increased. So—]
Swirls of darkness flowed out from my body and morphed into a small girl, Ophis.
"…"
I inhaled deeply, my eyes wide.
'Shit! That scared the hell out of me!'
[I can make an artificial body outside]
There was no lip-sync. The Ophis outside, staring at me, wasn't moving her lips. Her voice was still inside my head…
I turned away and took a couple of breaths to calm myself.
'That's even scarier!'
[Ophis… warn me next time.]
I turned to face her.
"…weren't your eyes black before? Why are they red now?"
Her eyes looked like a vampire's now.
[I don't have fixed body characteristics.]
As if to prove her point, another head grew from her shoulder.
"…"
I covered my mouth and turned my head away.
'If this continues, my tender heart is gonna be traumatized!'
[But it seems like my clone body is influenced by your aura,] Ophis continued as if nothing happened.
Her second head shrank back into her body.
"Uh… Ophis, can you please move your lips when you are speaking?"
[Even though I am speaking here?]
"Yeah…"
[You have strange demands.]
Her lips moved according to the words, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. You know if someone talks to you without moving their lips, it causes… extreme discomfort for some reason. I wonder what is going to happen when humanity discovers telepathy.
...
I went downstairs. The doctor said that Matsuda, Motohama, and I would be discharged tomorrow morning after a final checkup. Even though I didn't have as many injuries as them, the doctor insisted that I should get a checkup tomorrow with them, just in case. We were given a private room with three beds, and all bills were covered by Hiro Satoru. They even permitted me to wear my clothing if I wished to. I didn't have any clothes except for my tattered uniform. I don't know what that guy is trying to do, but since he already paid the bill, I am just going to shamelessly enjoy myself. The hospital staff are quite caring; we are being treated like royalty and what else do I—
"Seriously, just how much are you going to embarrass us?!"
My legs froze. It was the voice of a young girl, coming from our room…?
I peeked inside to see what was going on (I wasn't alone; many were doing the same). A girl, who looked around the age of 15, was pointing her finger at Motohama, who was ignoring her. Matsuda was staring at his phone, occupied…or pretending to be occupied. He was stealing glances at them every few seconds.
"With all your antics," she was exploding at him, "I knew it was only a matter of time before you would end up like this!"
"Let me guess," she continued, "you and this goofus here peeped on some girl who had a boyfriend and got your asses beat, right?!"
… First impression: -99
She was saying it so loudly that even people outside the room, like me, could hear her.
"Mom and Dad are down below, paying your medical bills— Hey! Listen to me when I am talking to you!"
"Get out," Motohama said coldly.
She was more agitated by his response.
… I didn't even know Motohama had a sister. Come to think of it…
...
"Issei-kunnnn! You are not gonna believe this, you know the shopkeeper…"
"DUUDEEE, you know Aizawa, right?! I saw him…"
"Hey hey, did you hear….."
"You are not gonna believe this! I saw Kiryuu…"
...
It was never about them. Nothing they said was ever about them.
"Get out? Hah! You are gonna say that but still ask Mom or Dad to stay over tonight! Seriously, whose idea was it to give you a private room…"
She stared at the third bed, my bed.
"Is there another person here?"
"…Our friend."
She looked at Matsuda.
"Other than this doofus, who else—"
CREAK OPEN
"Oh…" I did a polite bow, "Nice to meet you, I'm Hyoudou Issei."
She looked—no, glared at me from head to toe.
"…You look like a dead fish," she said. With a disgusted face, she turned to Motohama, "Why are all your friends like this?"
…
… … Uppercut or Back kick?
No…calm…
Looks like I need a heavy meditation routine for the coming days. All these power-ups are destabilizing my psyche…
She was someone I had a hard time believing was related to Motohama. She had brown, shoulder-length hair, with soft waves. Her eyes were hazel. She looked around the age of 15. They didn't have any common features as fas I can see.
But her mouth is like…
"Her mouth is like an open trash can which I can smell all the way from another town…"
Silence.
… … I said it out loud…
Her face went through a flurry of emotions. Motohama's mouth opened like a fish. Matsuda turned to the other side, away from us, holding his breath.
Her face became red with anger.
… Not gonna lie. Satisfaction level: +999.
"You—"
"Matsuda!"
A middle-aged couple rushed through the door, ignoring us, towards Matsuda. He put his phone down, his face stiffening.
"Are you ok?!" His mother was frantically checking him.
"…Yeah," he said, directing his gaze at his lap.
His father was fidgeting with his hands and looked like he wanted to say something.
"Motohama!"
This time it was a male voice. It was Motohama's parents.
I saw a 180-degree shift in Motohama's sister's behavior.
"Mom, Dad!"
She threw herself at her parents.
?
The mother was consoling her daughter…? Why is she acting like she is the one who is hospitalized?
"Not now, Yui."
Mr. Shinya pulled away from her grasp and went towards Motohama.
Her face contorted in anger.
… What is up with that hostile expression?
"Moto, you okay? What happened? I came as quickly as I could."
"I'm fine," Motohama said, looking away.
I glanced at both sides, two opposite images. On one side, the mother was concerned for her son while the father was standing away, and on the other side, we have a concerned father, while the mother was standing away (ignore the brat). While both sons are looking away from the concerned parent…
I… don't know anything about them...
I was a little more concerned about Motohama's situation because of his sister. She threw herself into her parents' arms when they had come to visit her hospitalized brother. Is she an attention freak? But her mother…
She looked like the older version of her daughter. Brown hair, and hazel eyes.
She had an indifferent expression as she scanned the room. Her eyes eventually fell on me.
Smile
… That is one creepy smile.
She came closer, her daughter trailing behind her.
"Hello, I am Motohama's mother."
She said, doing a small bow.
"Hyoudou Issei," I said, returning the bow, "I'm his friend."
"It seems like my son has caused you some trouble," she said, "Were you also dragged into their fight?"
"… Quite the opposite, Oba-san," I said, bowing again, "They were dragged into my fight."
"Oba-"
She coughed.
"Oh…" she said, covering her mouth, "If you don't mind me asking, are you somehow related to the Hiro family?"
"…"
… I see now. They were probably informed downstairs that the Hiro family paid for their son's bill and she must have confused me being related to the Satoru family.
"No, but the student we beat up was," I said, attempting a smile.
Her face faltered. Her daughter's face went white.
"But everything ended well, don't worry," I said, reassuring her.
"I-I see…" she said, "What do your parents do? If you don't mind me asking…"
"… I don't know Oba-san," I said, "We don't have a good relationship."
She forced a smile, nodding sympathetically.
"Don't worry," she said, "I am sure you will make up with them."
… If the daughter scored -999 on first impression, the mother scored -999999.
During this short conversation, she didn't ask me even once how her son got injured. What she seemed to want was to build a connection with me because it seemed like I was related to the Hiro family.
I have always been indifferent to most people but this…
My first impression of her is a hopeless opportunist, a kind which I dislike.
"I hope so," I made a sad expression, but then lightened up, "I envy the good relationship you seem to have with your children."
Her smile looked barely like a smile anymore. I purposefully said, 'children' to remind her about Motohama.
"… It was nice meeting you, Hyoudou Issei," she said, "Now if you will excuse us…"
She excused herself and went to Motohama.
Shinya Yui, her daughter, looked at me angrily and opened her mouth to say something.
… GLARE
The last trace of a smile vanished from my face.
"Hic!"
She scurried after her mother, scared.
… Satisfaction level: +2 Million.
I left the room to give them space.
…..
An hour later
….
The visiting hours were over.
When I entered back into the room, I was greeted with two awkward faces.
"Hey, sorry about my sister…" Motohama said.
"It's fine."
Motohama seemed hesitant to say anything more.
"Issei, listen," Matsuda sat straight, "As you might have already guessed, we both don't have the best relationship with our family…"
"It's not that we wanted to hide it from you," he added quickly, "We just thought... you wouldn't be interested."
"…"
I remained silent.
How am I supposed to respond to that statement? Should I say I do care when I clearly didn't before? No, no, I gotta start somewhere.
"… Same here- no, uh…"
… I also didn't want to share anything with them… But is that really because I thought they wouldn't be interested or because I simply didn't want to?
"… Issei, what about your parents?" Motohama asked, "Did they already visit—"
"They didn't come."
A long silence followed
"… I guess, I'll turn in," Matsuda said, turning away from them, covering himself with his blanket.
"… Goodnight guys," Motohama said, doing the same.
That night, we failed to open up to each other.
"… Goodnight," I said, turning in.
But I was sure, one day we will.
…
A few hours ago
…
"So, what made you think about hanging out with me today?" Sona asked.
"Is-isn't it normal?," Rias said, "It is important for friends to hang out together sometimes."
They were at the cafe' Rias mentioned, eating pancakes.
"…" Sona narrowed her eyes.
Rias was talking about the number of people who apologized to her and wished her all the best.
"… So how did it go?" Sona asked.
"Hm?" Rias looked at Sona, "What did?"
"Your talk with Hyoudou Issei," she said.
"cough cough! How did you know?!" Rias wiped her mouth with her hanky.
"You said you were going to hospital earlier," Sona said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh that… yeah," Rias said, quickly, "It was fine."
"… Rias," Sona said, pushing her glasses up her nose, "We have been friends since our childhood, but as we grew older, the responsibilities of our clans forced us apart. We were continuously compared to each other. By the time we were assigned to this territory, we had grown so apart that it didn't matter if we were together anymore."
Rias didn't say anything.
"So I am curious as to what made you suddenly invite me to hang out," Sona said.
Rias sighed.
"Fine, you win."
Rias relayed her conversation with Issei to Sona, what the whole agenda with him was. Sona listened with interest.
"So, when I asked him, when should we go to the amusement park, he suddenly interrupted me and—"
….
"Rias-san, there is one thing I have to tell you," I said, "Earlier I said, let's look at the positive side of things, for me the most positive thing was-"
"What happened today helped me realize that there are people willing to stand up for me," Issei said, "I hadn't actually thought of Matsuda and Motohama as my true friends, until today. It is evident from the reward I asked you. That has to change. So as my first step of accepting them is…"
…
"Going to the amusement park with them," Rias said, "When I heard that, I thought about you and…"
"… I see," Sona said, smiling, "I guess surprises like these aren't so bad every once in a while."
The two friends talked about something outside work topics after a long time. They did run out of topics and had to eventually talk about work-related topics again but that was fine. Just the environment itself was a big change compared to their usual conversations.
….
The moon was partially covered by clouds.
A ball made of swirling shadows hovered in the corner of the hospital balcony.
Jiggle
It suddenly morphed into a human figure and started walking to the center. It was Hyoudou Issei. He checked his body with his hands to make sure everything was in place.
...
"Spawn point, successful," I said, gripping my hands in victory.
Remember how I used a clone to fool that 'familiar' or whatever that was, while I went outside to spray paint the message on the wall a few days ago? At that time, I was following Ophis' instructions on how to do things. My powers are cool, no doubt. But I don't know their full potential.
For example, I learned that I can set spawn points like this to escape if I get in trouble, like last time.
I took a deep breath.
Now…
Time to roam the city.
[You are doing this today?] Ophis asked.
[I don't think anyone would assume that a hospitalized high schooler like me is the one roaming around the city playing vigilante.]
[Your injuries?] Ophis asked.
[You mean, what about my injuries? It's going to be fine, but just in case…]
I made a ball of shadows and sent it to the corner. Another spawn point set. Making a ball was easy.
Now I just need my mask and I am set to go—!
A chill ran down my spine. My vision went dark.
….
Something was moving in the darkness. I could barely make out its silhouette. A… Is that a centaur?
But isn't the lower body way too big? And the upper body… is that a woman?
….
I snapped back to reality.
Something… there was something in the west direction. Suddenly, the sensation disappeared.
[Ophis…] I asked, [What was that? What is going on?]
[It seems like a supernatural being just tried to enter the human world and was pushed back into their world] she said in her monotonous voice.
[… Shouldn't the being be 'hiding its presence' or something?]
If I could sense their power like this, then most likely, they are not suppressing their aura. Yeah, that is a thing here. I can see aura even if people try to hide it. However, I cannot say the same for my sensing abilities. I need to be within a certain radius to sense them. I think it is around 10-15 meters. But if they hide it, Ophis said I can't sense them at all, which is why I have been relying on my eyes till now.
But maybe now, the sensing range has improved—
[You are mistaken] Ophis said. [What you felt was not aura, but bloodlust. Your range of sensing hasn't improved much.]
[… Then the magic circle I sensed the other day was…]
[It would have been hard for low-level supernatural beings, but my ability has given you heightened senses,] Ophis said.
[Heightened senses that can pick up strong signals like from the mana circle and this… uh… bloodlust?]
[Yes.]
[… If a mana circle's power comes from 'mana', then bloodlust is from…?]
I hope it is not from killing people.
[From killing living things. From the strength of the bloodlust, I think it has killed more than a dozen.]
[… A dozen..?]
I looked in the east direction, where I could make out the old abandoned church.
[Are you sure the fallen angels live there?] I asked.
[Devils can't enter a church,] Ophis said. [There is no other suitable place in this town.]
… Is that bloodthirsty centaur with them? I wonder what pushed it back into the supernatural world.
[… Is the supernatural world an alternate reality or something?] I asked, remembering my fight with Raynare.
[It is,] Ophis said.
… I have no clue as to what I can do. I don't have a way to enter the supernatural world…
[You can enter the supernatural world,] Ophis said.
!
I can?!
[How?]
[Cover your body with my power and…] Ophis trailed off.
[… … And?]
[mumble mumble]
I waited patiently.
[mumble mumble]
I could make something out like 'Centaur' but…
[Um… Ophis?]
[… Oh… and simply think of entering the supernatural world.]
[…]
C'mon… it can't be that simple, right? But, she is the teacher here, I gotta do my work.
I closed my eyes and tried to bring out Kuro from my body.
It was a mess. But I finally managed to cover myself properly. It was much more difficult than simply making a shadow ball.
I tried to picture those empty streets and the colorful sky.
I closed my eyes and imagined entering that world.
… … A few seconds passed by. Nothing happened.
[You can go outside.]
I absorbed back the energy into my body and looked around.
Nothing seems to be different—
!
It was brighter than usual… The sky was red.
The devil's territory, Kuoh.
…...
A few minutes before...
...
"Hm~ Hm~" Rias was humming, cheerfully.
"Buchou…" Akeno said with a pained smile.
Rias' peerage and Hyoudou Izo were on their way to an abandoned mill through a bunch of dense trees where a stray devil, known as Viser, was known to be located. This stray had killed around a dozen human beings. It was ordered to be killed by Rias' peerage.
"Ah…" Rias rubbed her cheeks to make her smile go away.
She was doing something unsuitable to the mood. She took a deep breath.
"Nice to have you, Hyoudou-kun," she said.
He bowed.
Rias looked at everyone.
"Let's keep our heads up—"
Bloodlust hit them like a wave. It was coming from the mill.
Their expressions darkened.
"… I will go guard the perimeter," Izo spread his devil wings and took off.
Rias and her peerage rushed inside the shack.
"I smell something bad. But I also smell something delicious. I wonder if it's sweet, or if it's bitter?"
A woman with a voluptuous upper body and long black hair came out from the darkness. But her lower body was beastly, her front legs featuring humanoid hands with red claws and a snake tail.
Kiba, Katase, and Murayama brought out their swords. Koneko got into a fighting stance.
"We can't let it go outside," Rias said. "Akeno."
"Yes," Akeno raised her hands. A huge, glowing magic circle covered the floor.
Everyone including Viser was transported to the supernatural dimension.
…...
A figure was sliding over the rooftops, occasionally disappearing now and then and appearing at another rooftop.
On closer look, it was a man with black hair, wearing a fox mask, and a jacket that seemed to be made of smoke.
…
[Not gonna lie,] I said, [I didn't know you could change my hair color and recreate the items using Kuro.]
Moonslide + Shadow Step is the ultimate movement combo.
I wanted to go to my house and take them but Ophis said those wouldn't last against a supernatural being. So she recreated those using Kuro. My only complaint was that the mask lost its white design marks. But she said it would have been possible to make them if I had mastered my powers more…
But the cool thing was she made my hair black, which is soooo cool. I landed near some trees. I could see an old mill through the trees.
… Isn't that the haunted mill?
I remember that mill, it was there even during my childhood. Rin used to make up ghost stories about this place and how I should never go near it.
Clash
Screaaamm
I flinched. Horrible sounds were coming from there.
… I took a deep breath.
'Damn that Rin! He and his stupid horror stories!'
… As a matter of fact, ghosts exist in the supernatural world…
I shook my head and carefully moved towards the shack.
[Hide presence,] Ophis' voice echoed in my head.
I froze.
[… Isn't that passively active?]
[My ability makes you look like a normal human,] she said. [You are a human walking around in the supernatural world.]
… That sounds totally wrong…
[H-how do I hide my presence?] I swallowed.
[Close your eyes,] Ophis said. [Concentrate on your heart.]
I did as she told me.
[Collapse your energy around you into your heart.]
Energy around me…?
[Your presence is your energy.]
…
It was a weird feeling, like a black hole opening in my chest.
This was definitely DBZ-level stuff.
…
With my presence hidden, I went towards the mill, still cautious. I circled the building to see if I could take a peek inside without going through the front door.
There were huge commotions going on inside and curiosity was killing me.
"Hm?"
There was a set of stairs outside the shack, leading to a platform above, and there was a window there.
I slowly climbed the stairs and peered.
!
I pulled my eyes away from the window.
… … … 'THAT'S NOT A CENTAUR!'
I clutched my heart. I had seen too many scary stuff today. With great courage, I peeked inside once again.
[Ophis…] I asked. [What is that?]
[Stray devil,] Ophis said. [Or Hagure Akuma. They are Reincarnated Devils who have diverted away from their masters for their own selfish desires. Without their masters to keep their powers in check, they become a great threat if their powers go beyond their control. The Devils take this case very seriously, and any Devil who becomes a Stray will usually be killed on the spot.]
[…]
I tore my eyes away from that creature.
!
Another surprise.
Rias Gremory. Along with… yep, all the Occult Research Club members, I knew it. Rias looked really different now—
So they are here to kill the stray devil?
Right now, the first year, Toujou Koneko was engaged—
CRUNCH
I covered my mouth. Toujou Koneko… just got eaten by that monster.
… But the rest of them seem calm…?
?!
CRACK
She opened those big jaws as if it were nothing?!
The creature screamed in pain.
[That is probably Rook,] Ophis said, [Their ability is strength.]
Those evil chess piece powers? Damn… so OP…
"Triple Rook formation!" Rias shouted.
Koneko freed herself from the jaws of the monster and joined the Kendo duo, Murayama and Katase.
"Triple what? I thought there were only two Rook pieces—"
""PROMOTION ROOK!"" The duo shouted.
[Pawn,] Ophis said. [Ability: Promotion.]
Jesus…
Koneko was definitely stronger than the duo.
The creature tried to slap them away with its huge snake tail, but Koneko stopped it with her bare hands, while the Kendo duo targeted its hind legs, throwing it off balance.
"Koneko fall back, Kiba, triple knight formation!"
Kiba lowered his stance, disappeared, and reappeared near the stray devil.
?!
'Instant transmission?! What?!'
[He is a Knight,] Ophis said, [Ability: speed.]
[How did he make that sword appear?] I asked, [Spatial storage?—]
""PROMOTION: KNIGHT!""
The scene that followed was bloody. The handsome prince cut off the creature's arm.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
It screamed in a horrifying sound.
"Formation Recover!"
The three knights pulled back.
"Akeno," Rias said.
"Yes~" Akeno raised her hand.
[What does she do—]
BZZZZZTTTTTTT
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
I pursed my lips, my eyes wide. The stray devil was being electrocuted right before my eyes.
[Queen,] Ophis said, [The strongest all-rounder.]
[… All-rounder? Really?]
Akeno lowered her hand for a second. The golden lightning stopped.
The creature withered in agony.
"Ara~ Still lively?"
BZZZZZZZZZZZT
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
I turned my eyes away.
She is crazy… I can't believe she is one of the goddesses the whole school simps after.
I looked at the scene again. She was giggling—
"Uh?"
Something was crawling towards Rias from her blind spot… Is that—IS THAT THE CUT-OFF ARM FROM THE CREATURE?!
Nobody seems to have noticed it.
?!
Should I make some sound?! What should I do?! But if I make some noise—
[Watch out.]
… … … It was a familiar feeling.
My instincts were screaming to move to the side.
CRASHHHH
BOOOMMMM
Something crashed through the window from behind. If I had been there for another second, I would have been a goner…
I peered through the broken glass. Smoke was rising in the mill.
GLOW
I could make out something glowing green through the smoke and also a smoky figure…
Is that… a Ben-10 watch…?
That green glow was coming from the hand of the figure.
SPREAD
Two wings spread behind its back, clearing the smoke around it.
?!
Izo?!
That thing in his hand… Thanos' infinity gauntlet…?
[It's Boosted Gear,] Ophis said. [I recommend getting out of here.]
[You mean that Longinus—]
WELSH DRAGON: BALANCE BREAKER!
[Did he just get an Iron Man suit—]
DASH
He crossed the distance between us in a blink and grabbed me by the neck, pulling me up.
"I know it is you," he said through his helmet.
… Fuck! This is scarier than backrooms!
[You cannot win against him now,] Ophis said. [Use spawn point.]
I gritted my teeth and concentrated on the spawn point.
…
?
"Hiding behind a mask?" Izo pulled at my mask.
I pulled it closer to my face in panic.
[Ophis?! OPHIS?!]
The spawn point was not working!
[… It seems you are out of range.]
…. So this is how I die, huh?
[But you said I could use it if I wasn't too far away!]
[The maximum range would be the point where we crossed the trees,] Ophis said.
She's gotta be kidding.
I kicked at the bastard in armor.
SHIVER
The kick sent vibrations up my leg.
"… How pathetic," Izo said.
…
"I am positive now, it can only be you—"
BLIND
Izo's vision suddenly went dark.
"What the—"
He shook his head, but the darkness didn't go away. His helmet was covered with Kuro.
He threw me inside the shack in panic.
…
"Why did that jerk crash-land here?!" Katase said, coughing.
"Did he just use his balance brea—" Murayama started.
CRASH BOOM
"cough cough GREAT! WHY DO YOU KEEP—"
Murayama's voice trailed off…
It wasn't Hyoudou Izo. It was a guy in all black.
"Don't let him get away!" Izo screamed from above, "He is the guy who killed the fallen!"
…
"Urgh…" I turned to my side.
My custom-made clothes had absorbed a lot of the impact from the crash.
"!"
I was face-to-face (mask-to-face) with Rias' peerage.
"Hu-Human…?!"
The creature got up with vigor. The face of the woman distorted into something piranha-like.
"HUMAN!"
SLIDE
I moonslided on the floor to escape its jaws.
!
Katase and Murayama were onto me in a flash.
"Katase, Murayama, hold him off until Sekiryuutei recovers!" Rias ordered, recovering from the shock, "Akeno, go help Sekiryuutei. Kiba, Koneko, with me!"
'"YES, BUCHOU!""
Akeno flew over to Izo.
The creature's eyes were fixed on me. Her snake tail pointed toward Rias' direction and sprayed venom at her.
Rias raised her hand to create a barrier that evaporated the venom as soon as it came in contact with it.
"DON'T STAND IN MY WAY!" It screamed.
Her upper body arched and lowered towards me. She looked overwhelmed with excitement by the thought of having me (as food)…
[Ophis, do I have a voice changer?]
[No,] Ophis said.
[Right…]
So, I can't politely refuse this woman.
I slid backward with MoonSlide.
Katase and Murayama circled around the creature towards me.
"What is that?!" Katase yelled.
I kept my silence, which pissed them off more for some reason.
Katase sped up towards me, but just when her blade was about to reach me—
DISAPPEAR
"!"
I used Shadow Step to increase the distance between us.
"Just… Just what kind of sacred gear is he using?!"
I glanced at the exit. If I do two Shadow Steps in a row, I can reach it.
[Your energy level,] Ophis warned.
[I know, I know…]
It is dwindling fast. Because I am nervous, I am using more Kuro for moonsliding than necessary. But… Here goes nothing!
STEP DISAPPEAR STEP
"?! He is going for the entrance!" Murayama yelled.
Yes, I can do this!
.
.
BOOOOMMM
Something crashed into the floor, right before the entrance.
"You aren't going anywhere."
Izo had removed his helmet, his eyes were glowing green.
…...
Clouds were gathering in the sky.
"You aren't going anywhere."
His head was oddly matching with the armor…
DASH
DISAPPEAR
We both disappeared.
SHIFT
… I barely managed to dodge his dash with a quick ShadowStep. Izo's eyes widened in surprise.
NOW!
I Moonslided toward the door, desperate to get within range for a ShadowStep to the outside.
. .
BoostBoostBoost
BOOOM
"Uh?"
Before I realized it, Izo's hand had closed around my collar, his grip like iron.
He spread his wings and took off, lifting us both into the air.
CRACK BOOM
We burst through the roof, soaring higher and higher into the night sky.
BoostBoostBoost
As we reached a terrifying altitude, Izo suddenly stopped.
"Now what?" Izo asked, mockingly, "Think you can pull off your tricks up here?"
His grip tightened around my neck. Above us, dark clouds churned, charged with electricity.
"Why don't you try that little trick from before?" he threatened. "Who knows, maybe you'll enjoy the fall."
…..
"Hyoudou-kun, don't kill him!"
It was Yuuto Kiba.
"We need him as proof—" Kiba's words faltered.
Something was off.
Izo noticed it too. He glanced up at the sky.
The clouds above us were swirling ominously.
….
Down below, Akeno felt a shiver run down her spine as she stared at the gathering storm.
"Buchou… Buchou, we need to leave!" she urged, her hand already raised to conjure a teleportation circle.
Rias, sensing the danger, quickly gathered everyone together.
In a flash of light, they teleported away.
The stray devil, Viser, could only watch the sky in horror.
"N-no…"
The storm overhead continued to build.
….
"What…?" Izo's eyes widened in shock. He looked down at the masked man in his grasp.
"HYOUDOU-KUN! Get out of there!" Kiba shouted, already retreating at top speed.
"Damn it!" Izo cursed, releasing Issei to flee.
GRAB
But Issei wasn't letting him go.
Bzzt
Red sparks of lightning crackled around my body.
.
.
.
Glowing red eyes glared at Izo's terrified face through the mask.
"You…"
The sky flashed with blinding light.
.
.
The thunder roared, crashing down in all its glory.
…
In the human world, a train traveled through the quiet, moonlit night, running late.
At a window seat, a young nun named Asia Argento sat with a suitcase on her lap. She smiled softly at the scenery outside, wondering what the future held for her tomorrow, in a new town.