The time was here. Issei, having readied himself, was going to take on the last dungeon and finally get to the end of things. What's more, they got word from Shirone that Rias and her peerage will be out on the field, taking care of some business, and that they won't be around, meaning today was the perfect chance. They ventured out during the day, which was risky, but they didn't have that much of a choice. From what Shirone told them, Rias actually lived in the old school building, in a room that was remade into her own room.

They could not go there during the night, as Rias would most likely sense them and, despite her promise, be up in arms and get her peerage to corner them. As much as Issei wanted to say otherwise, his level was still lower than theirs, meaning he could expect some hefty resistance and not a bit of winning insurance.

But when they arrived at the last dungeon, Issei noticed something strange. Namely, no such thing as a dungeon warning about them entering was shown, only a prompt asking them if they wished to go, meaning Kuroka was getting to tag along as well.

"Something doesn't feel right." Kuroka said as she and Issei went inside the dungeon, going down the stairs and arriving in the hallway.

"I agree. Something feels wrong about this place, more so than the rest." Issei commented as well as they walked, then he opened the first door, and to their shock, it opened up to the main room of the place, which was full of destroyed golems. "What happened here?!" He gasped seeing the golems, and he noticed how some seemed to still be smoking and twitching.

"This damage is fresh!" Solomon said, noticing the damage. "Whoever did this, they are likely still here!"

"Kuroka could go into the dungeons as soon as Issei killed the boss…Do you guys think the reason she could enter this one as well is that the boss is dead?" Ddraig proposed, and the idea made Issei react badly.

"Oh hell, that means we cannot complete the dungeon!" Issei said, fearing the worst. "Who knows what kind of loot was lost too!"

"Doesn't that also mean that the boss is dead and we can find the office?" Kuroka said.

"She is right." Solomon said, backing her up. "We must still push through the dungeon, and see if the main office still holds any bit of loot or information to help us progress. With a bit of luck, whoever came in here left something behind. Not to mention that I have my doubts about the boss being dead."

"What makes you say that, nya?" Kuroka asked.

"Wouldn't the quest have been completed if they were?" Solomon said, rubbing his beard. "Granted, I do not know what happens if an outside force clears a dungeon for you. Obviously, we do not get EXP from killing the enemies, but what about the boss? Or rather, our quest? If the boss was dead, then our quest would have likely been completed. Unless…"

"The boss is not dead." Issei said, finishing Solomon's sentence. "But this damage is very fresh, so whoever did it must be progressing toward the boss!"

"Very possible!" Ddraig said. "And we cannot let them steal all the loot there is inside this place and get away with it! I say we take advantage of their hard work and push through to the boss's room! Whatever resistance that remains that they missed will fall under us!"

"Nya, not to mention I get to tag along this time!" Kuroka added with a gleeful smile on her lips. "I really am curious what kind of being is within here that would be classified as a boss."

"Then we better not stand around here, talking about it." Issei said, smacking his fist into his palm. "Let's go, we have ass to kick.."


Earlier that day, before Issei and Kuroka arrived during the early afternoon, and after Koneko send her message, Rias took her peerage, which consisted of Koneko, Kiba, and Akeno, to the dungeon's entrance, being guided there by Kiba. "Here it is, President." He told her, pressing on a brick and opening up a door in a back alley, close to Kuoh Academy. Koneko recognized what this was, as she and Kuroka had been talking about it. She knew of the existence of the dungeon, and she was worried.

"Great job, Kiba." Rias replied, going to the entrance and looking down. Devils have natural night vision, but yet, looking down, it was still very dark and went deep underground. "They sure put a lot of effort into making those." She turned to her peerage. "Alright, listen up! The beings within are lifeless dolls made of various materials, so there is no real need to hold back! Destroy everything that moves!"

"Yes!" They all applied, then one by one, with Rias in front, they went inside the dungeon. Once there, they walked through the hallway and eventually ended up in a larger room, but upon entering, multiple golems dropped from the ceiling, all of them armed with weapons. This is what Kiba warned them about before. She could see the ones on the ground which he cut down before as well.

However, with only a gesture of her hand, her peerage attacked. Kiba rushed through the golems, using his sword to cut them to bits while Akeno made quick work of them with well-placed magical strikes and Koneko took them out with her fist. Still, a couple snuck past them and tried to attack Rias.

But in doing so, they sealed their fate. Raising her hand, she called upon her [Power of Destruction], which destroyed all the golems who tried to come in too close. Safe to say this first chamber was cleared swiftly, leaving behind multiple broken golems. "Fufufu." Akeno giggled, looking down at them. "Their numbers were the only thing worthy about them, they are pretty weak, all things considered."

"Still, whoever made them was likely a skilled magician. Look." Kiba said, showing them a golem torso with the seal exposed, but it vanished quickly. "They are powered remotely."

"I see. Indeed, whoever created them must be quite skilled." Rias commented. "However, if this is all they got, their skill must be limited."

"Shall we continue onward?" Akeno asked.

"Yes." Rias replied, but Koneko remained behind a bit, trying to send her sister a message of warning. But it was no use. Being so deep underground, there was no signal to her phone. The best she could do, she figured, was help Rias' power through this place and leave before her sister and Issei arrived. She went to them, following them into the next room, where they found another hallway with multiple doors on either side. Inspecting them revealed multiple rooms, but further searches only revealed the ash of destroyed documents.

This irked Rias, seeing that whoever was here erased most information, but that didn't fully stop them. What did irk them was a pair of concrete golems that came out of the wooden walls of the hallway, revealing empty spaces where they were stored to ambush intruders. Unfortunately, they managed to score a good strike on Kiba, forcing him back, but Akeno was able to strike the two with her magic, causing extended damage and Rias was able to finish them with her power again, turning them to gravel.

"Are you alright, Kiba?" Rias asked, turning to her knight who was kneeling on the ground, holding his stomach.

"I will be fine in a few seconds…They got me well in my gut." He replied, then he took in a few breaths to help recover a bit more. "Those golems…Those concrete ones are no joke. They pack a good punch."

"This place has nothing of value." Akeno added. "But it seems like a good enough place to rest for a bit, to allow Kiba here to continue."

"It's alright." Kiba said, getting up. "I was just taken by surprise, but they didn't do any real damage. It's just a bit of pain, I will be alright."

"Are you certain, Kiba?" Rias asked, worried for his well-being. "We still do not know what kind of dangers are in this place, specifically."

"I will be fine. I cannot allow you all to be dragged down because of me." He replied, then Rias, knowing he wouldn't back down, decided to listen to him and they all continued on their road within the dungeon, eventually coming upon a larger room or sorts. It resembled some kind of gathering room, with two doors on either side.

"Two ways to go." Akeno said. "What do we do now, President?"

"There is no rush in regards to our actions here, not to mention we need to be throughout. However, in case of another ambush, splitting up is risky." Rias said, then she pointed at the door on the right. "We will all go one way, then once we are finished checking that side out, we will go back the way we came and tackle the next place." With her peerage agreeing, they went in through the door on the right, going down the hall until they reached some kind of suspended viewing room. "What is this?"

Rias' question was soon answered, however. "A viewing room." A voice came through the intercom system of the room. "And you lot are not going to bug me any further."

"Who is there?" Rias asked, demanding to know who was speaking.

"They call me The Puppet Master. I am the one who made all the golems you wrecked so far. Granted, luckily for you, I know it was not you who destroyed the ones in the last couple of bases." The Puppet Master said, sounding almost annoyed by that. "It was either some band of Strays or, which is who I was waiting on, the Red Dragon Emperor."

"You mean to tell us you were waiting on the Red Dragon?" Kiba asked.

"Yes. That is why I returned to this particular place, having deduced that he will be here last." The Puppet Master said. "You see, some of my creations have what you'd call a recording function. While in rest I simply made sure to leave some security measures in place at the other bases. I saw the Red Dragon Emperor destroy my creations, and even kill Stray devils. He is one hell of a boy."

"Boy?" Rias said, catching on to that detail. "Wait, you mean to tell us you saw him without his Balance Breaker on?"

"Of course I did!" They replied. "But why should I tell you what he looks like? The recorders have no audio. I only know his looks, not his name."

"Oh my, quite the predicament." Akeno said. "However, correct me if I am wrong, but this little viewing chamber seems made of glass and wood only…What makes you think it can hold us?"

Catching on to her message, Rias stretched her arm to use her power to bust out, but to her horror, nothing was happening.

Nothing. Was. Happening.

"W-what?"

"You finally noticed." The Puppet Master said, disappointed. "The room you are in was also changed. You see, the Red Dragon is no devil, but just in case one of the two peerages tried to intervene during our little play date, I made sure they could only end up in the viewing boot you are occupying right now. I surrounded it with my own little magical wonders, a special barrier that subdues Demonic Power and makes all powers of devils null."

"Why you-" Rias was annoyed by the Puppet Master's trick, but she caught on to his words. If Demonic Power didn't work…" Koneko!"

Getting out her tail and ears, Koneko lit up her fist with blue senjutsu fire and launched it at the glass, trying to break out. However, what she got was a pulsating shield of energy. "I am not stupid. There is a barrier on the inside as well."

"What type of game are you playing? What do you want to do with the Red Dragon Emperor that makes you want to make us just sit back and watch?" Rias asked.

"Simple. He has taken out more of my creations than I anticipated when I first saw him. He managed to take out some pretty powerful models, even if they were just prototypes. He made me curious, and if I denied my curiosity, then that would go against my very way of life. As such, I decided to test him some more, by facing him in a more…direct manner."

"You will fight him?" Kiba asked, to which the Puppet Master was quick to reply.

"I am not even in the building." They said, sounding relieved even. "But I have something else prepared. What you lot are seeing down there is the arena, where the ones in this particular base test new recruits. In that place, I will face them, and you will be forced to watch. Once either of us wins, however, the barrier will drop in 30 seconds."

"It sounds like you are not certain of your victory." Kiba pointed out. "Are you even trying to win?"

"I am being realistic. I am not going to face you, a feeble knight who gets so easily defeated by one mere strike from a concrete golem."

"Why you-"

"My point is proven!" The Puppet Master continued. "The Red Dragon is a beast in his own league currently. You see, I saw some things that I personally find confusing while I watched him. Something is…new regarding this generation's red dragon."

"What do you mean by that?" Rias asked.

"As much as I'd love to answer that…I am afraid I need to prepare. The Red Dragon Emperor and his little girlfriend have just entered the first chamber, where you left quite a mess. They will be here any minute now!"

"The Red Dragon is here?" Akeno asked aloud, but then Kiba cut in.

"Wait! This might be our chance to see them and discover their identity!" He added, and his words spooked Koneko quite a bit, making her worry.

"Ha!" But that mocking laughter told them otherwise. "Here is something to know about me, Gremory Peerage. I respect it when a man works hard. And the Red Dragon worked hard to keep his identity hidden from what I heard, so who am I to ruin that?"

"You bastard-" Suddenly, the sound cut off, meaning that no one could hear anything from within the viewing boot. Rias was left fuming in here, clenching her fist. She wanted to get ahead of the Red Dragon and set up some kind of situation to learn his identity, but she ended up getting herself and her peerage captured in the process. Despite the fact they were to be released, it still frustrated her, and the fact they won't get the identity of the Red Dragon either further bugged her.

She was utterly defeated. Brought into checkmate.


"This is strange." Issei said as he and Kuroka arrived at the room with the two doors, seeing one of them open, but leading only to a solid wall. "I knew interior design was not the forte of whoever built those places, but this is ridiculous."

"Very funny." Hearing the voice made Issei and Kuroka both go on their guard, with Issei summoning his gear. "Rest assured, Red Dragon, I won't harm you."

Issei widened his eyes a bit as he heard that. "H-how do you-"

"Because I have been watching you. The bases you attacked before…Some recording devices, hidden in the walls, were still online, and I saw everything." They said, further making Issei more and more worried. "And I am curious about you. A lot so. I am The Puppet Master, the one who made the golems you have been thrashing."

"The Puppet Master?" Kuroka echoed.

"Looks like this truly is the final dungeon, Issei." Solomon commented.

"And the boss is anything but dead." Ddraig added.

"What do you want?" Issei asked.

"I want you to continue onward." The Puppet Master replied. "I prepared a more fitting opponent this time around which I hope you'll find quite challenging. However, I do ask that your pussy cat stays here."

"Oh come on!" Kuroka in frustration. "I couldn't accompany I-"

"Kuroka!" Issei called out to her, getting her attention before she said his name. She was a bit embarrassed by that, almost messing up, so she remained silent. "Very well. I will do as you say."

"Marvelous! Oh! However, I do find myself warning you about something…The Gremory Peerage is going to be watching the battle."

"What?! Where are they?!"

"See the sealed door?" Issei looked towards it. "They went down there and I trapped them. They are safe but unable to escape. The barriers keeping them in are going to go down half a minute after our fight concludes."

"Nya! That means my sister is there as well!" Kuroka said, showing her displeasure. "I swear, if you harm her in any way, I will-"

"I am no monster, Nekomata." The Puppet Master said. "I hold my word, and I promise you that your sister, as well as the entire Gremory Peerage, will NOT be harmed here."

"How do we know you are trustworthy?" Issei asked. "From all we know, you might have broken that promise already."

"You sure are asking a lot of questions. Fair enough, not like I will lose anything. You can check yourself after you go inside the arena, as you will be able to see them just as well as they see you." They replied. "But that being said…" Suddenly, the way back closed down behind Issei and Kuroka. "I won't let you leave until you play my game, Red Emperor."

"Fine!" Issei said.

[Scale Mail!]

Deploying his Balance Breaker, Issei then went down the hallway to the arena, leaving Kuroka behind to wait for when he was finished. Despite not liking this one bit, Kuroka knew they had no choice. From all they knew, this Puppet Master had the entire dungeon trapped and rigged to blow at any moment if they didn't obey.

And Issei was not about to risk everyone's life.

Arriving in the arena in his Balance Breaker, Issei looked up to the side where he saw the spectator boot with the entire Gremory Peerage within. It made him nervous to have an audience, but he needed to keep his wits about him and focus. He faced forward, looking at the center of the arena and seeing nothing there. "It makes me very happy to be fighting with you here, Red Dragon."

"Too bad we cannot say the same." Ddraig said, making sure to help Issei keep his voice secret.

"Fair is fair. Well, in that case, allow me to introduce one of my more private works." The Puppet Master said as the floor of the arena opened up, allowing for something to rise up from it which had Issei's breath hitch. It resembled the golems he has fought before, but more modernized and up to date, not to mention not made of random materials. The being before him resembled more of a suit or armor than anything, with its entire body covered with, or maybe that was its body, a metallic piece of armor.

They were mostly without detail, but then the eyes of the golem lit up, and Issei noticed how the joints seemed to move with more fluidity than the other golems. What the hell, concrete ones couldn't even bend their elbows! They didn't even HAVE elbows! But this golem was more bad news. Upon the golem stretching himself, he noticed how certain bits in the wall opened, flying to the golem and attaching while other bits fell from it. This reminded him of the golem he faced before, the one which was made from multiple golems combined.

On its left arm, some kind of white crystal was attached to its wrist, and on the right arm multiple crystals attached themselves to its forearm, light blue, red, green, and yellow in color. The main body of the golem turned black completely, then its armor fell off, except for a piece on the chest, which contained the same kind of white crystal it had on the left arm.

However, the details were not done. "What do you think, Red Dragon?" The voice of the Puppet Master was now coming from the golem. "So far, you have faced mostly mindless puppets, but now, you will face the one behind them as well. I will be controlling this golem remotely for our fight."

"We see." Ddraig said, and Issei took a stance. "Well then, Puppet Master, I hope that puppet of yours is sturdier than the others."

"Come at me, Red Dragon, and check yourself." The Puppet Master challenged, then Issei charged in.

[Explosion!]

The announcement played out, and applied the four [Boost] he had stored before he launched a [Power Punch] at the golem. However, it put up its arms in some kind of guard, summoning forth a translucent white shield of energy that absorbed his strike. Issei was caught off-guard by this, but he didn't get to process what happened for long as the golem pushed him back, then delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen, forcing him back. Issei spread his wings, taking the higher ground, and fired multiple rounds of his [Fireball] spell at the golem, but it summoned that barrier again, blocking them.

Skill Level-up! Your [Fire Magic - Novice] is now level 4!

"Is that all you can do, Emperor? Well then, allow me to use mine!" The boss mocked, then he spread forth his arm, launching a bolt of lightning at Issei, which he barely dodged by maneuvering in the air. However, the boss kept launching them at him, making it difficult to keep dodging them. "Come on now, you are disappointing me!"

"Just what kind of golem is this?" Issei asked himself and decided to use his skill on it. But the result was something he REALLY did NOT like!

BOSS

[The Puppet Master - Proxy]

[level 30 C]

[HP: 50000]

This thing was not just powerful, but it was on a whole different rank! He still struggled a bit with D-rank enemies, how the fuck is he going to win against a C rank?! He will need to make use of all of his skills and resources, meaning he cannot afford to be on the defensive. However, seeing as it took no damage worried him. He needed some kind of way to get past that barrier of his.

Changing his direction while flying, Issei went straight for the golem. Despite needing to accept a hit from a bolt for doing so, he managed to crash into it and smash them into the ground before they were able to put up that barrier again. "Gotcha!" Issei then summoned forth his [Wyvern Shot], thinking there would be no way for this golem to remain undamaged at such a range. However, as the attack commenced and did strike, a white light pulsated off the golem, and a chuckle came from them as well.

"Like that, Emperor?" It asked as he grabbed onto Issei's arm, then Issei felt a great deal of pain as the heat rose to painful levels too quickly, forcing him to back away from the golem. He inspected his arm, seeing that his Balance Breaker armor had some even redder marks on it. The golem got up, seemingly unharmed. "I guess I should have mentioned; this golem of mine is one of my proudest models for it is equipped with multiple magical crystals, enabling it to utilize magic as long as it remains powered."

"Tch." Issei clicked his tongue, then he dodged out of the way as the golem charged at him, a blade of ice in one arm ready to pierce his body. The blade flew by his head, but knowing that the magical barrier might intervene, Issei didn't use the slight opening to strike, and instead, he rolled past the golem, putting some distance between them.

"Going on the defensive, Emperor? That won't-UGH!" The golem was interrupted as Issei launched his [Water Whip] spell and grabbed it by the neck. He then pulled the golem up and began to throw him around, smashing him into the walls, floor, and even the ceiling. Solomon was actively talking to him, telling him that there was no way he could keep the barrier up through all kinds of damage and unlimited amounts. Wherever he blocks damage, he consumes mana, meaning that if they can reduce its reserves or use a moment of weakness to destroy the crystals, its defense would fade.

"Damn, you!" The golem cursed as it suddenly touched the water, freezing it solid and enabling itself to break free. Issei dismissed the spell, then he prepared himself as he saw the golem charge at him again. Seeing this, Issei took out his sword and used it to surprise him, using [Slash], but no effect. At least, no major one. The presence of the blade did throw his charge off-balance, and using the opening allowed Issei to deliver a strong [Power Kick] to the chest of the golem, making him see the barrier around its body crack and shatter, sending the golem flying back into the wall.

As he fell to the ground and kneeled, white shards fell from the golem's chest. The crystal was ruined. "Looks like we managed to leave you without your precious barrier."

"It would seem so indeed…" The golem said, dropping the shards on the ground. "However, don't expect me to stand here, licking my wounds." Generating two daggers made of ice, the golem once again charged at Issei, who readied his sword to counter-attack. However, he was tricked. The golem dismissed the daggers and slid under his blade, and right between his legs, enabling him to fire a close-up fireball at him. The strike had Issei dazed and blinded, which allowed the golem to get behind them and powerfully kick Issei in the back, sending him flying forth and rolling on the ground before he settled.

The golem charged in, then he jumped up, trying to deliver a flying kick to Issei, but he recovered and rolled out of the way, making it so the golem stomped only on the ground. He raised his hand at the golem, activating his [Firestream] and blasting the golem back, this time dealing some real damage to him. However, it didn't take long for him to deploy its smaller, stronger shield, making Issei's fire useless.

But Issei was making use of Solomon's wisdom. The fire was a distraction, allowing him to get close again and activate his [Furious Fist] skill, which he combined with [Power Punch], striking the shield heavily, in order to listen to Solomon's advice and try to exhaust his mana supply.

Skill Level up! Your [Martial Arts: Asura Style - Novice] is now level 4!

The last strike caused the shield to flicker, enabling Issei to launch an additional [Power Kick] into the golem, sending them back.


"The Red Dragon is fighting well…" Kiba remarked.

"He uses magic and hand-to-hand together efficiently, but his moves seem to be more fitting for a novice in the long run." Rias remarked as well. "Still, they got stronger. They used water magic as well now."

"Before, they only gave signs of knowing fire magic." Kiba added. "Do you think they are still hiding more secrets?"

"Very possible." Rias said. "Still, the way he is fighting that golem, he is not doing so with stupidity."

"I agree." Akeno said, watching the fight with pleasure. "He took out its shields first in order to have a more direct way to damage it."

"Or make damage possible." Koneko corrected.

"However, the question is how long he will last now." Akeno continued. "Seeing him fight like this, struggling and being merciless, even if the golem is a lifeless being controlled from afar, shows just how powerful he can be in a fight. I was also unaware he used swords."

"He is not half bad with them either." Kiba added. "He seems entirely capable of using it, but against such an opponent it is less effective."

"Maybe- Wait, what is that?!"


As Issei and the golem continued to struggle against one another, at some point, the golem got struck back by Issei, unable to react with the shield in time, and allowing Issei to [Stab] him through the chest. That was a critical hit, making the one behind the golem click their tongue as they were forced to make Issei leave the sword within them. The golem blasted Issei once again at close range with a ball of fire, sending him back and making him let go of his sword inside the body of the golem.

"Ugh…This is- b-b-bad." The golem said, but for some reason, it seemed glitchy. "Hehe- you f-f-f-ool. This strike r-ruined the main c-c-control seal. The b-back-up one is i-i-inferior. "

"Calling us the fool here is a far cry, considering you are the one with a sword going through you." Ddraig commented, this time using his own personal words. "And a mindless golem sounds better than a controlled one."

The golem laughed. "That is what you may think." Suddenly, the golem extracted the sword and threw it back to them. However, in doing so, something seemed to happen as the crystals on its body began to glow brightly, to the point they blinded Issei. He was forced to cover his eyes, the same with the people watching. However, when the light died down, the golem did not explode or anything. On the contrary, the damage was fixed! But when Issei checked again, he found something interesting.

BOSS

[The Puppet Master - Proxy]

[level 30 C]

[HP: 25000]

The HP was down to half its original value. He knows for a fact he didn't get it THAT low already, furthermore, the green crystal it had was black now and it crumbled to the ground. "Restoration magic." The Puppet Master said. "A one-time deal in case critical damage was dealt."

"Annoying little-"

Issei didn't let Ddraig finish as he launched a [Dragon Grenade] at the golem, who, seeing it, put up its shield to reduce the damage from the blast. Still, the damage was real, sending the golem back into the wall. Not even Issei was spared from the shock and a bit of damage from the blast, but it also kicked up a cloud of dust, which was what Issei was going for. He dismissed his helmet and quickly got out some HP potions to recover.

He downed two of them, then he put his helmet back on, holding the empty bottles in his hand. Once the smoke was cleared enough for him to see the golem, he threw the bottles at it, seeing him use lightning to blow up the glass, but that distraction allowed Issei to charge up and launch a [Dragon Shot] at the golem, which struck true in more ways than one.

"AGH! Damn it!" That swear told him everything. When the dust fully settled, Issei was met with the image of the golem, left without its arm where it had the crystals giving it the offensive part of its magic. This was it. That critical strike has likely put the golem on low HP, meaning that this was now or never! Issei charged in at the golem, activating his [Furious Fist] once again together with [Power Punch]

Skill Level-up! Your [Furious Fist] is now level 2!

Issei struck the shield two times before it completely fell, then he began to strike the chest and head of the golem time and time again, eventually even uncovering a metallic skeleton underneath. Once his combo was done, he grabbed the head, with the metal now exposed, and triggered his [Scorching Touch] spell, slowly draining its HP as the metal heated up and he watched it bent inwards.

The golem kneeled in front of Issei, a burst of laughter escaping it. "Good job, Red Dragon…Your power is the real deal, but it seems I also underestimated your wit. Please, allow me to offer my apologies." The chest of the golem opened up, revealing a seal within that glowed with a powerful crimson color.

"Issei, jump back, it's going to explode!" Solomon shouted at Issei, warning him, but just as he activated [Power Jump] to jump away, the golem went off, blasting him in the direction of the office, through a wall that was hiding the hallway to it.


The barrier surrounding the viewing boot Rias and her peerage were pulsated from the blast, but it held strong. "What…happened?" Rias asked slowly, not seeing the Red Dragon anywhere in the arena, but she did notice the hole in the wall. She tightened her fist. "Once the barrier is down, we will leave."

"What? But Rias, the Red Dragon is right there!" Kiba argued. "I can see his feet too! His Balance Breaker is down, meaning we can find out who he is-"

"Kiba!" Rias half-shouted, getting his attention. "I promised to stop chasing the Red Dragon, and despite the coincidence, if we go there now that would mean I went back on my word, something I don't want to do."

"I…I understand, Rias." Kiba said. "I apologize."


Once she heard the explosion, Kuroka rushed in, went through the arena, and, seeing the hole in the wall, went inside it. She only spared a slight glance towards where her sister was, but she simply went to Issei. "Ise!" She called out to him once she reached him, seeing him passed out on the ground. She lifted him up, trying to shake him awake. "Come on, come on, wake up!"

"Ugh…My head." Issei said as he slowly got up, holding his head. "What happened?"

"The golem self-destructed. A last-ditch attempt to take you out most likely." Solomon said.

"If not for your active increase in DUR, Balance Breaker, and armor, you would have been killed too. Check your stats."


HP: 230/5030 (1HP/Min)

STA: 155/3655 (1STA/Min)

Mana: 570/4850 (1 Mana/Min)


"That…was close." Issei said as he got up, his feet unstable. Kuroka had to help him walk, and they began to slowly make their way inside, and eventually, they reached the main office. Kuroka put Issei on the chair, letting him rest. He was using his [First Heal] spell as much as possible, with the leftover Mana he had.

Skill Level-up! Your [First Heal] skill is now level 2!

"God…I feel like shit." Issei said, and Kuroka went to him to check to make sure he didn't have any other severe wounds.

"You got a bit roughed by the explosion, but other than that, you seem in good enough health." She said, "At least we finished with the crazy dungeons."

At that moment, the notifications began to pout in.

Congratulations on defeating the boss and clearing the dungeon! Here are your rewards:

-20000 EXP
-100K Yen

Quest Complete!


CONQUER THEM ALL!

Main Objective: Clear all the dungeons market on the map you recovered! Progress: 5/5 -Complete

Quest Time Limit: N/A

Main Objective Reward: 10K EXP, ?, 2 Skill Books(?), Access to the Shop.

-Unclaimed

Failure Penalty: Death.


Do you wish to claim the rewards of this Quest?

Y/N

Issei tapped on the 'Y', and sure enough, the rewards poured in. He did have some more unknown kinds of rewards, but for now, he was happy enough with what he got.

SHOP UNLOCKED!

Congratulations on unlocking the shop! Here you can sell/buy items using the money you acquired throughout your journey! The Mechanics of the Shop are made in such a way to prevent the Gamer from growing too powerful too fast, and as such, the shop will present you with 5 random items for you to choose from every 24H.

"I'll have it." Issei said, making Kuroka turn to him. "I just unlocked the shop, but it turns out it is limited by the system in the aspect of being presented with 5 random items every day or so."

"I guess it is better than nothing. Try checking what is being sold right now."

"Alright." Bringing up his shop, Issei looked through it.


SHOP

-Basic HP Potion; Stock: 6; Price: 2000 Y

-Basic Stamina Potion; Stock: 3; Price: 2000 Y

-Inventory Expansion Pack; Stock: 1; Price: 50K Y

-Elven Bow; Stock: 2; Price: 10K Y

-Iron Broadsword; Stock: 5; Price 5000 Y


It was not that bad, actually. Issei looked at the prices, then at his finances. 185762 Yen in his pockets…Yeah, he could afford most of the stuff here. But first, he purchased the Inventory Expansion Pack, being met not with an item, but a message.

Congratulations on your purchase! The object you purchased has expanded your inventory to a maximum of 50 slots!

That worked. At rest, he bought out all the HP and Stamina potions in the shop, emptying the stocks. In the end, he spent 68K Yen on everything, but he found the purchases to be worth it. He checked out the information on the other items, but they didn't really strike his fancy. The Elven Bow could fire arrows made out of mana, but he was not a bow guy, so to say. He checked the rest of his quest rewards too, checking the mystery item he got, but he was pretty confused overall.

It was a stone. A small one too!

[Magic Emerald Stone]

[An emerald-like stone used in the creation of various magical items]

He will keep it in his inventory until he learns what to do with it. For now, however, he got two new skill books to consume and gain 1000 EXP from each thanks to his perk.

[Skill Book: Shield-Breaking Punch]

[A powerful skill which allows the Gamer to use a martial arts technique focused around weakening and breaking the defense of the enemy! When you successfully land a strike with this skill, the DUR of the target will be lowered by 5%. 100 Stamina per use with a 1 minute cooldown between uses. ]

[Skill Book: Aura Sense]

[This Skill enables the user to sense the aura of other living beings! This Skill enables the Gamer to sense beings which are within 10 M of them, being able to also tell what type of being they are as well. This Skill is passive in nature, and does not require a Stamin cost. ]

Issei didn't waste time, and learned both of them, watching the skill books vanish and get added to his Skill list. However, he also got a new message, offering him a notification.

Due to the Gamer acquiring three [Aura-] skills, the Skill [Auromancy - Novice] was added to the Gamer's Skill List and all [Aura-] skills moved under it.

Checking his list of skills, Issei saw a new category there, with all of his aura-based skills in it.


[Auramancy- Novice] (Level 1| 000/400): Meddling with aura, which is an energy produced by one's soul, and allowing the user to perform various feats with it.

[Aura Suppression]: ( Level MAX): This Skill enables the Gamer to hide their Aura and Power from other beings, making them seem like a normal human being for the most part. The Skill is able to hide the user's power from all High class and below Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, and other supernatural beings, allowing the user to pass unnoticed. The Skill can prevent the listed beings from detecting the user entirely, and even conceal the power of their Sacred Gear completely. However, beings who are above High-Class or have specialized skills, can partially bypass this Skill. Additionally, Youkai are able to bypass this Skill entirely, no matter the level. This Skill has no cost. This Skill does not affect the bonus given by [Draconic Aura] to the Gamer's Relationship points

[Aura Flare] (Level 5| 100/6400): Flaring your Aura lets everyone know you are there, but also works to attract any curious being to you. This Skill costs 10 STA to use and 5 STA to maintain per minute. Additionally, those who feel your Aura can receive the Status Effect, [Intimidation] with a x% chance equal to the difference in the total Stat value divided by 10.

[Aura Sense] (Level 1| 000/400) This Skill enables the user to sense the aura of other living beings! This Skill enables the Gamer to sense beings which are within 10 M of them, being able to also tell what type of being they are as well. This Skill is passive in nature, and does not require a Stamin cost.


Well, at least his Skill page maintained itself organized.

"Let's check the office here and then leave." Issei said, and he and Kuroka began searching around the place for anything of interest. However, it didn't take them long. "What the?" Issei pulled out another map from the drawer of the office which was hidden within the pages of a journal of sorts. "Oh Hell, there is more?!"

"Wait, Issei, better read the journal first." Solomon told him, although he was equally sick of dungeons for today.

Slowly, Issei opened the journal, Kuroka standing close to listen to him as he read it aloud.

"Fuckers actually did it…" The journal had burned pages and bits missing, but some parts survived. "I won't beat around the bush, I KNOW we will be punished once higher command learns of this. My confession here is simple: My comrades caught wind of information from within the Old Satan Faction, namely, the whereabouts of Ingvild Leviathan, the half-breed daughter of the Leviathan house who caught the Sleep Disease."

"D-daughter of the Leviathan Clan?!" Solomon gasped.

"Half-breed?" Kuroka echoed. "Oh my…"

"Wait, what is the sleeping disease?" Issei asked, curious about what that was.

"It is a rare and potentially fatal disease, partner." Ddraig said. "I once lost a host to it. It makes devils fall into a sleep-like coma from which they never wake up, their bodies gradually growing weak, and then, unless they are maintained in a hospital, they perish."

"Holy shit…" Issei said slowly, then he continued to read.

"Her Sleep Disease has been going on for 100 years now. Despite the efforts of the best doctors out there, both within our organization and outside of it, no cure was found for it. They apparently plan to use her as a bargaining chip against the Old Satan Faction, to enable the Snake of Adam to break off more easily instead of waiting for the General. Fools…They are keeping her in Kuoh as well, where only one base was left operational after the sisters of the Satans moved there."

"There is an active base here in Kuoh?!" Kuroka gasped in surprise. "How come I didn't sense them? Such a high concentration of Devils would be felt for miles to a Youkai such as I!"

"They are likely employing some kind of specialized barrier to mask themselves." Solomon said. "But this sleeping disease they speak about…It's new to me."

"Huh? Wait, you mean to tell me you never encountered before in your time, Solomon?" Issei asked.

"Not at all! In fact, I doubt it even existed!" The king replied. "But then again, the demons and devils are different. There must be an explanation to this kind of ailment, and if there is, then a cure is also possible."

"Unless I missed something, old friend, I am pretty sure they said no cure or treatment exists." Ddraig replied. "Are you really going to try and tackle it?"

"Only if Issei wants me to." Solomon said smugly. "After all, this does sound like a damsel in distress here. One which has been waiting for a century to wake up."

Issei caught on to what he was saying pretty quickly. "Solomon…You sly dog, you know I would never leave a woman in harm's way!"

"That I do." the king replied. "With that being said, I will retreat into the depths of your mind, Issei, and ask Ddraig here to help me understand some bits about this disease too. If possible, some books on the subject would help as well."

"I think I can get that kind of information pretty easily." Kuroka said. "But there seems to be more."

"I leave here a map with the location of the base to whoever finds this. I only ask this: Save the girl, if you can."

"Ominous ending." Issei said, then he checked the map, looking it over very well. "The location of the base seems to be on the outskirts of Kuoh, to the south of the town. But…"

"It is an active base." Ddraig pointed out. 'This means no golems, Strays, or easygoing. This might be the hardest challenge before us so far."

"Preparations are in order." Solomon stated. "We better return home and get ready. This, I am afraid, means we need to level up the skills we have to make them stronger and try to increase the stats as well. We are going Stray hunting again."

"At least my title will make it easier." Issei pointed out, then he looked at Kuroka. "Shall we?"

"Let's go." She replied, taking his hand and teleporting out of the dungeon.


Somewhere else, however, inside a dimly lit room, a figure obscured by the shadows sitting in the middle of a magical circle with multiple devices around him stood motionless, a sly smile on his face. Suddenly, the door opened, allowing for a strange devil to walk in. Their armor was mostly made of hard leather and only had thick metal platings on the vital areas, being painted in white, black, and dark crimson colors. Their faces were also covered with a mask, obscuring their eyes. "Puppet Master, the Commander is requesting a report."

"I lost the battle." The Puppet Master replied. "However, the data I gathered from this is priceless. Tell the Commander that he will have his new weapons."

"The Commander will not be pleased to hear this, Puppet Master. It is getting increasingly difficult to keep the information about the Red Dragon from higher command." The soldier continued. "He was hoping you would be successful in removing the Dragon Emperor, given the resources wasted on the golem you used."

The Puppet Master chuckled. "Of course he did, but then again, he should have been smarter than that. I was not facing a weak opponent, but a Longinus user, meaning my chances were already pretty low all things considered. I expected them to use mostly brute force, but I failed to consider the possibility of a smarter, more cunning opponent. A mistake I intend to learn from."

The soldier nodded their head. "Very well, Sir."

"Oh! And before you leave, soldier." The Puppet Master said, getting the soldier's attention. "Tell me, what are the rumors regarding…The General?"

The soldier gulped. "Not good. It has been a long time since his last DIRECT orders, and despite the strength of The Snake of Adam, cracks are showing. Rumors say that one of the Colonels, a member of the Five-Leaf Council, plans to get the other to vote him as the new General."

At this, the Puppet Master broke into a fit of laughter. "One of those guys? No disrespect, but as capable as they are, none of them quite knows how to give their troops a war boner better than the General."

"S-Sir! Please, don't speak of the Colonels like that!" The soldier said, reacting to his words.

"Yeah, yeah, like I care. Last I remember, I only answer to one of them, right?" The soldier nodded. "I only answer to Colonel Marakus Aim!"

"I am aware, Sir…" The soldier replied. "If that is all, I will take my leave."

"When you do, remember to put out my usual requests for materials."

"I will, Sir." And with that the soldier left, leaving the Puppet Master in his room by himself to go over the data he collected of the Red Dragon Emperor. He was looking over recordings, and his right hand shook with anticipation as he looked at the way the Red Dragon was fighting. Striking him with a long-ranged attack at short range like that, that grenade-like attack which he used to blind him and strike his arm, not to mention he wondered WHERE he pulled that sword from!

He was excited to the point he admits he could just as well whip out his dick and jack off! But he needed to maintain a level of professionalism, not to mention the last time he did it he was scolded a lot by his superiors. For now, however, using the data gathered, he will learn and make his creations BETTER. That is what FAILURE is to him; an opportunity to see where he failed, where his designs were flawed, and a way to learn and improve. Only fools refuse to learn from their defeats, choosing to instead lick their wounds and whine, but not him. To him, failure was just as sweet as defeat.

And at times, way, way sweeter.


In another location, Danbooru and Leon were sneaking around the Underworld, trying to reach a certain location. Currently, they were seemingly walking in the middle of nowhere, but once they passed a hill, it came into view. "There it is." Danbooru said as the two laid eyes on a paradoxical sight.

Before them was a glacier with an entire prison built into it, within a patch of land trapped in an eternal winter. However, what was strange was how an entire wing of the prison was unfrozen. Around it, the snow turned to water and the temperatures were abnormally high for this particular place. "Shit, when they said he was a hot piece of trouble they were not kidding," Leon said, a drop of sweat running down his face. "Are we really about to break in just to interrogate him?"

"We have no other choice. We already left the Red Dragon with the duty of eventually rescuing the daughter of the Leviathan." Danbooru replied. "Now, we must make sure the General is informed."