As we sprawled across my bed, planning next moves, a sharp chime sliced through the moment. The Gamer System's blue screen flared, its edges pulsing with an urgency that made my pulse skip—then stabilize under Gamer's Mind. Raynare's eyes narrowed; she'd seen the system's glow before, but the new restriction (death and soul erasure for revealing it) forced me to play it off as a "mystical intuition" again. Asia, downstairs, remained blissfully unaware, but the fallen trio sensed the shift, their wings twitching.
System Update: Quest Enhancement and Power Calibration
Quest Update: Forge of Allies
Updated Objective: Assist Rias Gremory and her peerage (Akeno Himejima, Yuuto Kiba, Koneko Toujou) in reaching Level 45 within 10 days (now 8 days remaining until Rating Game). Training must utilize the second Empty Dungeon Ticket. Quest remains incomplete until Riser Phenex and his peerage are defeated in the Rating Game.
Updated Rewards:
Bragging rights: Eternal system acknowledgment for enabling Rias Gremory's peerage victory over Riser Phenex.
+50 Relationship score with Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Yuuto Kiba, Koneko Toujou (capped at 100/100).
New Addition: If Rias Gremory's relationship score reaches 100/100, she becomes your girlfriend (Lover status, 100/100, Eternal Bond upon mutual commitment).
Failure Penalty: Rias Gremory's peerage defeated; -50 to all user's stats; alliance dissolved.
Updated Time Limit: Must be completed before the Rating Game starts (8 days) and finalized after Riser's defeat.
Power Upgrade: Power of Destruction Evolved
Description: Your Power of Destruction has been upgraded to match Sirzechs Lucifer's perfected version. Enhanced potency, precision, and scalability (damage output now scales at 1.5x Intelligence). Adds area-of-effect annihilation fields and molecular disintegration effects. Mana cost reduced by 30%.
Note: This upgrade aligns your offensive capabilities with top-tier devil lords. Use strategically to avoid collateral damage.
The screen vanished, leaving me reeling. Rias as a girlfriend? The system was doubling down on my harem trajectory, pushing boundaries I hadn't anticipated. Her current score was 48/100—Ally, not Lover—but a +50 boost could get her there, and 100/100 would lock her in, just like the fallen trio. The implications were dizzying: a high-class devil as a partner, alongside three fallen angels and Asia's Best Friend bond. But the quest's update meant no victory until Riser fell, tying my fate to the Rating Game's outcome. Eight days to push Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko to Level 45, using the second Empty Dungeon Ticket? It was a tall order, even with infinite time.
The Power of Destruction upgrade was the real kicker. Sirzechs Lucifer's version—molecular disintegration, annihilation fields, 1.5x scaling with my Intelligence? That meant blasts hitting at 225 base damage, plus area effects that could erase entire squads. I flexed my hand, feeling the crimson-black aura pulse, sharper and hungrier than before. Ddraig's voice rumbled: "Now you're playing with the big boys, partner. That power'll shred Phenex's flames—if you aim true."
Raynare's hand on my shoulder snapped me back. "You're zoning out again. Another 'hunch'?" Her tone was teasing, but her Observe thoughts (from earlier) flickered: "He's hiding something massive. But I trust him—always."
I smirked, dodging the system trap. "Yeah, big one. Rias's team needs a serious boost, like you three got. I've got another… artifact. One more shot at that timeless realm. We're training them there, starting tomorrow."
Kalawarner grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Good. Those devils are scrappy, but they're babies compared to us now." Her stats at 145 made her a juggernaut, her confidence infectious.
Mittelt bounced, her drills swaying. "Ooh, we get to play coaches? I'll make that kitty-girl sweat!" Koneko's sweets obsession was already a running joke with her.
Asia knocked softly, peeking in. "Issei? Pizza's cold… oh, are we planning?" Her innocence was a shield I'd protect at all costs. I waved her in, keeping the supernatural details vague. "Just prepping for a big school project, Asia. You okay chilling tonight?"
She nodded. "I'll pray for you all. Good luck!" Her Twilight Healing hummed, resonating with my copy—a reminder of our shared bond.
The fallen trio and I mapped out the plan: I'd pitch the "artifact" to Rias tomorrow, convince her to bring Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko into the Empty Dungeon. Gasper's exclusion made sense—his time-stop was unstable, and it would overwhelm his psyche. We'd frame the dungeon as a "draconic training ground" tied to Boosted Gear, avoiding system leaks. My Intelligence spun a convincing tale by midnight, the girls adding devilish flair to sell it.
Sleep was brief, Gamer's Body negating the need for much. Dawn broke, and I headed to school, the weight of eight days pressing. Classes blurred—Math, History, Matsuda's bad puns, Motohama's glasses glinting with conspiracy theories about "Yuuma's hot friends." Their scores hit 68/100; I'd owe them arcade time post-Riser. Rias caught me at lunch, her crimson hair a beacon in the cafeteria. Observe:
Name: Rias Gremory
Level: 25
HP: 8,000/8,000
MP: 12,000/12,000
Strength: 51
Endurance: 61
Agility: 56
Intelligence: 81
Luck: 41
Thoughts About You: "Issei's pushing us harder than I expected. That power… draconic, yes, but there's more. He's hiding something, but his loyalty's real. We need him against Riser's new strength."
She was warming, sensing my commitment. "ORC, after school," she said, voice low. "We ramp up. Riser's… different. Stronger. I felt it last night."
I nodded, masking my knowledge. "Got a plan to even the odds. Trust me."
The ORC room buzzed with tension as I arrived. Akeno poured tea, her smile laced with mischief (Observe: "Issei-kun's got a spark today. I want to see it ignite."). Kiba polished his sword, his calm exterior hiding a warrior's edge ("He's strategic. Good for us."). Koneko munched a donut, eyes less hostile ("Pervert's useful. Still weird."). Gasper's box trembled, but he stayed silent—excluded for now.
Rias stood, maps of the Rating Game arena pinned to a board. "Riser's power spiked—confirmed by my brother's scouts. His peerage too. We're outclassed unless we evolve."
I stepped forward, Gamer's Mind weaving my pitch. "I found something—a draconic relic tied to Boosted Gear. A pocket realm for training. Time slows outside; inside, it's endless. We can grind levels—er, power—until you're ready for Riser. One-time use, so we go all in."
Akeno's eyes gleamed. "Ara, a secret realm? How romantic." Her lightning crackled faintly.
Kiba tilted his head. "Draconic? Fits your aura. I'm in."
Koneko paused mid-bite. "No sweets in there? Lame. But fine."
Rias studied me, her Observe thoughts flickering: "A relic? Convenient. But if it's real, it's our shot." Her score hit 50/100—halfway to something deeper. "Do it, Issei. Lead us."
I nodded, heart steady. "Meet me at the quarry, dusk. No one else."
The quarry was deserted, the perfect stage. The fallen trio joined, their presence a quiet flex—Raynare's commanding gaze, Kalawarner's towering strength, Mittelt's playful energy. Rias's peerage arrived via teleport circle, Gasper left behind. No questions about the "exchange students"—my Luck at work.
I focused, the second Empty Dungeon Ticket humming in my mind. "Enter Empty Dungeon." The vortex bloomed—azure, silent, infinite. We stepped through: me, Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Raynare, Kalawarner, Mittelt. Eight occupants, within the ticket's limit.
The void unfolded—a customizable coliseum I'd shaped: obsidian arenas, shifting terrains (flame-pits, ice fields, urban ruins), holographic foes mimicking Riser's peerage. Time was irrelevant here—no fatigue, no hunger, just endless growth. Gamer's Body extended to all, ensuring relentless training.
"Welcome to eternity," I said, Boosted Gear glowing. "We train until you're strong enough. Riser won't know what hit him."
Rias's eyes burned with resolve. "Then let's begin."
The grind was relentless, my Intelligence orchestrating a multi-phase regimen. Phase One: Baseline Calibration. I summoned waves of holographic exorcists (Levels 15-20), forcing Rias's team to sync. Rias's Power of Destruction blasted clusters, Akeno's lightning chained, Kiba's swords sliced through, Koneko's fists pulverized. Raynare, Kalawarner, and Mittelt acted as coaches—Raynare barking tactics, Kalawarner sparring Koneko, Mittelt weaving illusions to test Akeno's precision. EXP flowed; by "day two" (arbitrary), all hit Level 27. Auto-stats kicked in: +4 per level (+2 x2 from system). Rias's Strength jumped to 55, Endurance 65, Agility 60, Intelligence 85, Luck 45. Akeno, Kiba, Koneko mirrored—small but compounding.
Phase Two: Elemental Extremes. I dialed the arena to Phenex flames—1,500-degree infernos. Rias countered with destruction blasts, her control sharpening; Akeno's lightning pierced heat haze; Kiba danced through, swords deflecting; Koneko tanked, her Rook durability shining. My Sirzechs-level Power of Destruction led demos—annihilation fields vaporizing waves, molecular disintegration shredding dummies. "Focus the blast!" I coached Rias, her blasts tightening, mimicking my upgrade. Levels hit 30, stats +12 total (Rias: Strength 59, Endurance 69, etc.). Akeno's score rose to 25/100 ("He's a leader. And… deliciously commanding."), Kiba's to 18/100 ("His power's real. I'll match it."), Koneko's 15/100 ("Strong. Still no sweets, though.").
Phase Three: Peerage Synergy. I summoned Riser's full team—holographic knights (126 Agility), bishops (126 Intelligence), rooks (126 Endurance). Rias orchestrated: her blasts with Akeno's lightning formed devastating combos, Kiba flanked, Koneko disrupted. My fallen trio joined, their prowess guiding—Raynare sniping, Kalawarner tanking, Mittelt's illusions sowing chaos. Levels climbed: 35 by "week two." Rias's stats hit 67 Strength, 77 Endurance, 68 Agility, 93 Intelligence, 53 Luck. HP 7,100, MP 4,650. Others matched, their growth exponential.
Breaks were strategic—meditation in a conjured oasis, my Twilight Healing copy soothing minor wounds (their Gamer's Body-like state in the dungeon minimized damage). Bonds deepened: Rias confided about her fear of losing freedom, her score hitting 55/100; Akeno teased but respected, 30/100; Kiba shared sword techniques, 22/100; Koneko offered a rare fist-bump, 20/100.
Final Push: Boss Gauntlet. A Level 45 Riser hologram—135 stats, regenerating flames. I led with Sirzechs-level destruction, obliterating wings; Rias mimicked, her blasts nearing my potency. Akeno's lightning stunned, Kiba's swords severed, Koneko's punches staggered. The fallen trio amplified—Raynare's spears pierced, Kalawarner's strength matched Koneko's, Mittelt's illusions baffled. Level 40 hit, then 42, 43, 44. At "month three" (arbitrary), all reached Level 45: Rias's stats 95 across (Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Luck), HP 9,500, MP 4,750. Akeno, Kiba, Koneko mirrored, their synergy lethal.
We exited, five seconds passing in Kuoh. The ORC room materialized, the team panting but radiant. Rias gripped my arm, eyes blazing. "Issei… we're ready." Her score: 60/100, a leap. Akeno: 35/100. Kiba: 25/100. Koneko: 25/100.
The quest remained incomplete—Riser's defeat was the final piece. My upgraded Power of Destruction burned in my veins, a promise of annihilation. Eight days left, a god-tier team, and a harem of fallen queens. The game was ours to win.