According to Rias, eliminating rogue Devils that appeared within her territory was also part of their duties.
Standing at the center of the clubroom, Akeno Himejima had already finished preparing the teleportation spell. A red magic circle spun beneath her feet, glowing brighter with every turn.
In just a moment, Ryuichi would be accompanying three beautiful girls on a real Devil extermination mission.
"Let's go."
With a confident command, Rias stepped forward. Her crimson hair fluttered behind her as she moved onto the glowing circle with an air of absolute authority.
Ryuichi stood just behind the three of them. The circle's rotation grew faster, the energy whipping up gusts that made their clothes ripple.
And, of course, that wind sent the girls' skirts dancing too.
For one fleeting instant, Ryuichi caught glimpses of dazzling scenery he really shouldn't have seen.
Swoosh!
A flash of blinding light swallowed his vision. It felt like his body had just passed through a thin layer of glass—and in the next instant, the world around them changed completely.
Thick shrubs surrounded them on all sides. Ahead stood the crumbling shell of an unfinished building—long abandoned, its walls covered in moss and grime.
"There's a smell of blood," Koneko said immediately, wrinkling her small nose. She raised a sleeve of her uniform to cover it.
Her sense of smell was far sharper than a normal human's.
The area was eerily silent, as one would expect from the outskirts of town. But even without words, all four could feel it—the thick, oppressive hostility and killing intent that lingered in the air.
"Yeah… this definitely feels like the kind of place someone would use to dump a corpse," Ryuichi muttered casually, scanning their surroundings. If that Rogue Devil was hiding anywhere, that decrepit ruin was the most likely spot.
"My, my," Akeno said with her usual teasing smile. "It seems we're not exactly welcome guests."
Rias placed a hand on her hip, standing tall and composed. Her presence alone radiated strength and confidence; even faced with danger, her smile didn't falter.
"Of course we're not welcome," she said cheerfully. "Let's head in."
With that, she led the way toward the abandoned building, her long hair swaying elegantly with each step.
The others followed close behind.
As they crossed the threshold, Rias glanced back at Ryuichi."Ryuichi, this is a rare opportunity. Why not experience firsthand what a real Devil's battle looks like?"
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "I haven't even managed to sign a single contract yet. Do you really think I can take on a Rogue Devil, President?"
"Hmm, no, not really." Rias spread her hands with a disarming smile.
That honesty stung a little.
Ryuichi sighed and rolled his eyes. Sure, he knew his current power was nothing compared to Rias and the others, but hearing her say it out loud still hurt.
Reality check: he was nowhere near their level.
How depressing.
"Hehe, then just watch from the sidelines and learn," Rias said. "Oh, and do you remember what I told you before about Evil Pieces?"
"I do."
Of course he did—he was, after all, the holder of two Knight Pieces and eight Pawn Pieces.
"Then this'll be a good chance to see Koneko and Akeno's abilities up close."
Before her words even finished, Ryuichi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
That sense of hostility and killing intent—it had spiked sharply.
"The target's here," Koneko murmured.
The temperature seemed to drop. In the silence, a faint, distorted breathing echoed through the ruins.
"Ahhh… there's a scent that smells… disgusting. But another one smells delicious. Sweet… or bitter, I wonder?"
The voice was enough to send shivers crawling up one's back.
It sounded like something straight out of the depths of Hell—cold, distorted, and echoing unnaturally inside Ryuichi's skull.
Maybe, he thought uneasily, this was what a Devil's true voice really sounded like.
Rias stepped forward, her crimson hair and skirt rippling as her aura flared.
"Rogue Devil Baisa," she called out sharply. "We're here to execute you."
A burst of shrill, unhinged laughter answered her."Kehehehehehe…"
That twisted laugh alone was enough to make it clear—whatever this thing was, it was no longer human… or even a sane Devil.
From the shadows of the half-collapsed building, a figure emerged.
At first glance, she looked like a woman—long, straight black hair, and a face that could have been called beautiful in another life.
But as Ryuichi's gaze lowered, he froze.
She wasn't wearing a single piece of clothing. Her upper body was completely bare, exposed without a hint of shame.
…Wow. Devils sure had different standards of modesty.
That thought had barely formed before she began to rise into the air—floating slowly upward, revealing her entire lower body.
Thud… thud… thud…
Heavy, monstrous footsteps echoed from below.
Her lower half… was no longer human.
It was the grotesque, twisted body of a giant beast.
Ryuichi couldn't help blurting out, "Wait—so I guess not all Devils are beautiful like you, President… or Akeno… or Koneko."
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
His eyes burned a little just looking at her.Seriously, the top half looked… fine. Attractive, even. But the rest? That was nightmare fuel.
He was definitely washing his eyes when they got home.
All three girls went silent for a moment. Ryuichi's priorities were as baffling as ever—seeing a monster, and instead of panicking, the first thing he commented on was her appearance.
"Those who betray or murder their masters and use their power recklessly…" Koneko said calmly, stepping forward. "Their hearts and bodies become equally ugly."
The Rogue Devil—Baisa—smirked. "So self-righteous. You suppress your true nature and call yourselves Devils? How hypocritical."
"Coming from someone who betrayed her own master for selfish desires?" Rias's voice cut through the air, her red hair flaring like fire. "In the name of House Gremory, I'll see you erased from existence!"
"Heh… big words," Baisa sneered. "You're just a little girl who hasn't even matured yet. I'll kill you and paint your body the same shade as your hair!"
Rias scoffed. "Funny how small fry always bark the loudest."
Her cool tone only enraged the creature further.
With a roar, Baisa lifted one massive, clawed leg and brought it crashing down toward Rias.
The sound tore through the air like a cannon shot——but none of the four moved.
Just as the beast's leg was about to strike, it suddenly jerked backward with a deafening crash, slamming into the wall behind it.
Koneko was already standing in front of Rias, her small fist extended, her golden eyes cold and steady.
She'd punched the monster's attack straight back with nothing but raw strength.
Despite her petite, adorable appearance, the girl known as the Rook possessed immense physical power and defense—the traits of her Evil Piece.
That tiny, doll-like body contained a force that could shatter stone.
The kind of power that could terrify even a Devil.