According to Rias, eliminating stray devils that appear within her territory was one of their regular duties.
Standing in the middle of the clubroom, Akeno's crimson magic circle rotated beneath her feet, glowing brighter with each passing second. She had already finished preparing the teleportation spell.
Next up, Ryuya would be accompanying three beautiful girls on a real demon-hunting mission.
"Let's go."
With that single command from Rias, her crimson hair swayed elegantly as she stepped onto the teleportation circle, radiating confidence and authority.
Ryuya stood just behind the three of them. The magic circle spun faster and faster, the wind from its energy blowing their clothes around. From his vantage point, he couldn't help but catch fleeting glimpses of the scenery beneath their fluttering skirts.
Whoosh!
A flash of blinding light enveloped his vision. His body felt as though it passed through a thin, invisible membrane—and in the next instant, they had arrived at their destination.
Around them stretched a dense thicket of shrubs, and up ahead stood a derelict, half-finished building. Its walls were mottled and overgrown with moss, showing clear signs of long abandonment.
"There's the smell of blood," said Koneko softly, her cute nose scrunching up as she covered it with her sleeve. Her sense of smell was far keener than a normal person's.
Since this was the outskirts of town, the area was eerily quiet.
Yet everyone present could feel it—the heavy air filled with hostility and killing intent.
"It really is the perfect spot for murder and corpse disposal…" Ryuya said calmly, surveying their surroundings. If that stray devil was hiding anywhere, it would have to be inside that abandoned building.
"Ara ara, it seems we're not exactly welcome guests," Akeno said with her usual teasing smile, narrowing her eyes.
Rias stood proudly with one hand resting on her hip, her posture commanding, her expression cool yet confident. In a situation like this, she radiated reliability.
"Of course we're not welcome," she said lightly, smiling as she led the way toward the ruined structure.
The others followed behind, stepping into the darkened, decaying building.
"Ryuya," Rias suddenly said as they entered, "since we have such a good opportunity today, how about getting some firsthand experience of what a real devil's battle feels like?"
Ryuya raised an eyebrow. "I haven't even formed a single contract yet, President. Do you really think my current power's enough to handle a stray devil?"
"Well," Rias admitted with a playful shrug, "your strength is still pretty lacking."
That was brutally honest…
Ryuya couldn't help rolling his eyes. Sure, he knew she was right—but hearing her say it out loud still stung a little. Compared to Rias and the others, his current ability was miles behind.
Depressing, really.
"Hehe, then just stay back and watch us fight this time," Rias said with a smile. "Oh right—remember what I told you before about devil chess pieces?"
"Of course."
How could he forget? After all, his own body contained the power of two Knight pieces and eight Pawn pieces.
"Good," Rias continued. "Then take this chance to see for yourself just how strong Koneko and Akeno really are."
But before she had even finished speaking, Ryuya suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. The air around them had grown heavier—the hostility and killing intent had intensified.
"The target's here," Koneko said quietly.
A wave of chilling air swept through the ruined building, and Ryuya could faintly hear the sound of breathing—soft, yet unmistakably close.
"Ah… ah~ such an interesting scent. Some parts smell… disgusting, but others smell absolutely delicious. I wonder which one you are—sweet… or bitter?"
The voice sounded like it had crawled straight out of the depths of hell.
Cold and eerie, it seeped into Ryuya's mind, its whisper dripping with madness, making goosebumps rise along his skin.
He suddenly realized—perhaps this was what a true demon's voice sounded like.
Rias, however, stepped forward fearlessly, her crimson hair fluttering as she radiated commanding confidence.
"Stray devil Baisa," she declared, her tone regal and unwavering, "we've come to exterminate you."
"Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku-ku…"
A grotesque, unnatural laugh echoed from the darkness. It was immediately clear—this was not the voice of a human, nor even a sane devil.
From the shadows of the half-finished building, a woman slowly emerged.
Her straight black hair framed a surprisingly attractive face—one that, at first glance, could pass for human.
But as Ryuya's gaze lowered, he realized she was completely naked, her upper body shamelessly exposed before them.
Uh… devils sure are bold, he thought dryly.
The woman floated upward, her form rising gradually as her lower half came into view—
Thud… thud… thud…
Heavy footsteps echoed, but what appeared beneath her human torso was no longer remotely human.
Her lower body belonged to a massive, monstrous beast—grotesque, scaly, and pulsing with demonic energy.
"…I thought all devils were beautiful and charming, like you, President—or Akeno and Koneko," Ryuya muttered, unable to hold back his comment.
His eyes burned from the sight.
Seriously, her upper half had been downright seductive—what was with that abomination of a lower body?
Great. Now he was going to need to go home and wash his eyes.
The three girls fell silent, each giving him a helpless look. His priorities, as always, were unusual. Even in the face of danger, his first concern was… aesthetics.
"If a devil betrays or kills their master and abuses their power, both their body and soul will become twisted and hideous," Koneko said quietly, her voice calm but her expression cold.
She took two deliberate steps forward, placing herself at the front as she faced the monstrous stray devil head-on.
Baisa sneered, her tone dripping with mockery. "Hypocrites. You suppress your instincts and pretend to be noble—do you even call yourselves devils anymore?"
Rias's crimson hair flared as she met that glare, her eyes burning with sharp determination. "You betrayed your master and indulged your lust for power. For that alone—you deserve to die a thousand times."
She raised her hand, her voice ringing through the air.
"In the name of Duke Gremory—I'll turn you to ash!"
"Heh… such arrogance," Baisa hissed. "You're just an immature little girl. I'll kill you and stain your body red—just like your hair!"
"All small fry love to bark before they die," Rias replied coolly, not even blinking.
Her calm only enraged the monster further. With a furious roar, Baisa raised one massive beast-like leg and brought it crashing down toward Rias.
The air howled as the monstrous limb descended—
But none of the four moved.
And then—just before it struck—
BAM!
The beast's leg jerked backward violently, sent flying by an invisible force.
Koneko now stood between Rias and the monster, her small fist still extended from the punch. Her stance was firm and unshakable, her golden eyes blazing with quiet strength.
The entire attack had been stopped—overpowered—by her raw physical might alone.
Though she looked small and impossibly cute, the girl who bore the title of Rook possessed terrifying defensive power and monstrous strength.
Within that delicate, doll-like frame lay strength that could shatter monsters with a single blow.
---
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