The final day of the "Week of Trials" dawned, and I felt like death warmed over. My body was a collection of aches. My head throbbed with a constant, dull pain. Just getting out of bed felt like a major victory. My hands shook as I pulled on my clothes.
At breakfast, Asia's eyes were wide with fear. "Issei-san, you're so pale! Please, you can't go out today. You're sick!"
I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. "I'm okay, Asia. Just... a big test at school. I'll rest after, I promise." The lie tasted bitter. I couldn't meet her eyes.
My mother felt my forehead, her brow furrowed. "You don't have a fever, but you look terrible, Issei. Maybe you should stay home."
"I can't, Mom. It's really important." I slipped out the door before they could argue further.
The world seemed blurry at the edges. My first two Devil jobs were a struggle. I helped a shop owner lift heavy boxes, my muscles screaming in protest with every lift. I found a lost dog, but running after it left me dizzy and gasping for air.
**[ System Warning: Host's physical integrity is compromised. Recommend immediate cessation of activity. ]**
I ignored it. I was so close. Just one more job.
The final contract was to clean up a cluttered attic for an elderly couple. It was dusty, hot, and filled with heavy furniture. Every movement was agony. I moved a large old trunk, and a sharp, stabbing pain shot through my lower back. I saw stars for a moment, leaning against a dusty wall to keep from falling.
"Are you alright, young man?" the old woman asked, her voice full of concern.
"I'm... fine," I wheezed. "Just... need a second."
I pushed on, my vision swimming. The dust in the air made it hard to breathe. I could feel my demonic energy was completely drained, a dry well. I was running on nothing but pure, stubborn will.
Finally, I placed the last box in the corner. The attic was clean.
As I stepped out of the house, the elderly man pressed the payment into my hand. A small trickle of life energy flowed into me, but it was like a single drop of water in a desert. It did nothing.
Then, the golden screen I had been waiting for appeared, brighter than the sun to my tired eyes.
**[ System Quest: 'Week of Trials' - Complete! ]**
**[ Rewards: 10,000 Points have been awarded. ]**
**[ New Balance: 11,050 Points. ]**
Relief, so powerful it was almost a physical force, washed over me. I did it. I actually did it. I had the points. I could get stronger. I could protect them all.
A wide, exhausted smile spread across my face. I took a step forward, intending to head home and finally, finally sleep for a week.
But my body had other plans.
The moment the relief hit, the last bit of strength holding me together vanished. The world tilted violently. The colors of the street swirled together into a muddy brown. The sounds of distant traffic faded into a high-pitched ringing in my ears.
My legs turned to jelly. I didn't even feel myself hit the ground.
The last thing I saw was the concerned face of the old man, his mouth moving but no sound coming out.
The last thing I heard was a frantic, distant voice—maybe Asia's, maybe Rias's—screaming my name from far, far away.
Then, everything went black.