I kept following the idiot.
Even easier now that that girl appeared.
Yuuma Amano.
The moment I saw her, I knew exactly who she was and why she was here.
Raynare.
She was setting up Issei for a clean execution.
A perfect opportunity.
I crouched on the rooftop edge, arms resting lazily on my knees as I watched the two of them on the dim street below. Akeno landed silently behind me — I didn't need to turn to know she was there.
Yuuma smiled sweetly.
She was setting up Issei for a clean execution.
A perfect opportunity.
I crouched on the rooftop edge, arms resting lazily on my knees as I watched the two of them on the dim street below. Akeno landed silently behind me — I didn't need to turn to know she was there.
Yuuma smiled sweetly.
"Rin," Akeno whispered, voice calm but sharp, "you're awfully focused."
"Just thinking," I murmured.
"About what~?"
I smirked.
She knew exactly what.
Yuuma leaned closer to Issei. He blushed, thinking he scored.
I felt a little sorry for him, He didn't do anything bad, if we don't consider his perversion.
"Tell me," Akeno pressed, stepping beside me. "What are you planning?"
I shrugged lightly.
"Simple. Watch him..."
I tilted my head, feigning innocence.
"What do you think I want to do?"
Akeno's breath caught just slightly.
Not fear — amusement.
"If you say so~" she said with a teasing warmth, "And I will watch you behave."
Below us, Yuuma finally dropped the innocent-girl act.
Her eyes darkened.
Her aura sharpened.
Her wings broke through her back in a burst of black feathers.
Issei froze.
She summoned her light spear — the signature death sentence for humans.
"Oh? Look at that," I whispered. "She's going for a clean heart strike."
Akeno crossed her arms, watching with narrowed eyes.
"You know Rias wanted us to only observe."
"I am observing," I replied with a grin.
Akeno sighed, but I could tell she was smiling.
She liked trouble too much to be annoyed by me.
Yuuma raised her arm.
Issei's eyes widened, his voice cracking as he stumbled backward.
The spear glowed.
"This is your unlucky day, Issei," I murmured, leaning forward slightly.
"I'm about to save you from the burden you had to carry."
Akeno's gaze sharpened.
"Rin—"
Too late.
I was already moving.
Yuuma's spear was inches from Issei's chest when she froze.
Because she finally sensed me.
Her eyes widened— confusion, hostility, all tangled together.
"…You."
Her voice cracked. "Who are you?!"
I tilted my head.
"Evening."
Before she could attack me—
A flash of violet lightning ripped the air.
Akeno appeared in front of me and Issei like a curtain of thunder made flesh.
Her hair lifted in the crackling air, her shrine-maiden outfit fluttering.
Her eyes were cold.
"Ara~ Raynare," she said with a smile that promised suffering.
"Going around killing students again? Naughty~"
Raynare snarled.
"You devils—! Out of my way!"
Akeno raised a hand. Lightning hummed between her fingers.
"Rin is under our protection. And that boy…"
Her eyes slid to Issei, then back to Raynare.
"You won't be killing him tonight."
I knelt beside Issei, who was staring up at Raynare in dumb terror.
He didn't even see me reaching for his throat.
'I don't even have an attack skill. Useless system.'
Akeno and Raynare clashed—
light spear against lightning blast—
the impact shaking the air so violently Issei didn't even hear himself choke.
My fingers tightened.
His face reddened.
He clawed at my wrist, confused and dying.
"Shh," I whispered.
"If you're going to die anyway… at least let it benefit someone who deserves it."
His grip weakened.
[Extraction activated: Boosted Gear acquired, Harem halo acquired.
+7 Strength, +6 Agility, +8 Endurance, +4 Intelligence, +10 Spirit, +1 Luck
New title obtained: Protagonist Slayer]
Below the clash of powers, Raynare suddenly stiffened—
her eyes widening in horror.
"…His soul—?! W-what did you DO?!"
Akeno didn't notice at first—
she was too busy incinerating Raynare's spear mid-air and forcing her back.
"You're trembling," Akeno said, smiling. "How cute. Running away, Raynare?"
Raynare backed up, wings flaring.
"S-stay away from me! I won't fight a devil like you!"
She took off the first second an escape path opened.
Lightning chased her for a few meters before Akeno let her flee.
Akeno turned, panting lightly, brushing dust off her shoulders.
"Rin, are you—"
She froze when she saw the body.
Issei.
Neck bent at an impossible angle.
Dead.
I stood, wiping my hand on my pants calmly.
"Damn Fallen," I sighed.
Akeno blinked.
"…The Fallen killed him?"
"Of course," I replied, pointing at the scorch marks.
"She got a lucky shot in when you were defending me."
Akeno frowned.
Not suspicious—
just disappointed the boy wasn't salvageable.
"Well… Rias won't be happy," she murmured.
"But blaming the Fallen isn't wrong. They did intend to kill him."
"Intent matters," I said with a smirk.
But she did notice something.
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing at my chest.
"…Rin. Your aura changed."
I kept my tone light.
"Must be the stress."
She didn't believe that.
But she also didn't press.
"In any case," Akeno said softly, "Rias asked me to watch you. Not him."
She glanced at Issei's corpse one last time, then turned away.
"We should report this. Come."
I followed, hands in my pockets.
Boosted Gear pulsed inside me—
a sleeping dragon waiting to be woken.
And behind Akeno's back, I allowed myself a quiet smile.
This mission was already paying off.