Chapter 25: Hidden from view

-Third POV-

"Queen to H8."

In the Occult Research Club, another chess match was taking place.

"Knight to G6, checkmate."

Unlike the previous matches two years before, this one ended in barely 10 minutes, which showed the vast gap that formed between the two players.

"...*sigh* I can't beat you in chess anymore, Hachiman." Said Rias, slumping in her chair in defeat.

Honestly, she was tired of trying to beat him. If this was two years before, her chances of winning would have been quite high, guaranteed even. The boy was a logical thinker, that alone made him a difficult opponent to defeat in the game. Now coupled with his ridiculous learning capabilities, victory was but a farfetched dream at this point.

"Can Sona even win a match against you?" Aside from herself, the heir of the Sitri house was probably the only person she could think of that had the glimmer of a chance to defeat him.

"Don't know, ever since we got locked in a standstill, she has been doing everything to avoid me playing another game. Whether it be if I visited the student council room, she would always take me somewhere else, to a mission, school inspections, and even tried to hide the chessboard from me." Her eyes widened in realisation. Oh right, she had completely forgotten about that rule Sona put together against her suitors; that she would marry anyone who wins over her in a game of chess

"At first I did not care much, but her reaction just makes me want to see what happens if I beat her in a game of -"

"No! You can't!" She was already losing against Akeno, Rias did not want to compete against Sona as well!

"Wha-what?"

Hachiman was caught off guard by Rias's sudden aggressive reply. He was even more unprepared when the girl with a frown on her face came to his chair and sat on his lap facing him. Her breast squished against his chest and her aroma invaded his nose. Their heads were just inches apart, her eyes still intensely staring at him.

"You listen to her, mister, it's fine for you to play chess with Sona, but don't you ever think of beating her in a match, get it!" Rias drove her point further by poking his chest continuously.

"O-Okay?" Said Hachiman, stuttering a bit from confusion. "Can I at least ask why?"

"We-well, it's because Sona set some rules on what would happen if someone beat her in chess. Trust me you wouldn't want to be the one." Rias tried to find the proper words to explain the situation to Hachiman. Sona had asked her to not make this matter known to people outside the devil circle. Of course, Hachiman was on their side, but then again a promise is a promise. If Sona herself hadn't revealed anything to him, so why should she?

A part of Rias just wanted to forget about the promise and just tell the truth to Hachiman, but that would be betraying the trust of her childhood friend.

"You know what? Forget it." Hachiman just sighed before picking up Rias in a bridal carry, earning a small yelp from the girl with a blushing red face, her arms unconsciously circled his neck as she gazed at him with a lost look...before dumping her unceremoniously on the couch. "Kya!"

He then walked to the windows and noticed a familiar face, hiding in the bushes outside the building. "By the way, do you know that boy's name?" He asked Rias who sported a cute pout.

He just couldn't stop messing with her.

"Oh him? I sent Akeno and Koneko to do some research on him, his name is Hyoudou Issei. A second-year student, who just entered the school this year, he along with his two other friends are quite infamous for their perverted nature and peeking at the kendo girls. Despite getting beaten several times they still have not backed down." According to Koneko, the boy had a slight scent of a dragon lingering around him. A dragon-based sacred gear most likely. "Fufufu, apparently Sona has been getting quite the headache dealing with them, she tried many times to expel them but was rejected on her demands."

"By who?" Wondered Hachiman.

"By me of course, we co-own the school, so she can't make a decision without my explicit consent." The Gremory and Sitri had to work together to manage this land, including taking care of matters related to the academy. "And there is no way she would ask for help from Serafall-sama." She still remembered that frustration etched on Sona's face, she tried everything in her power to hide her smirk and satisfaction from that situation. Sona was a prideful girl, Rias just knew there was no chance of her asking one of the Maou's for assistance on this matter.

Checkmate for Rias.

Akeno really was a bad influence on her.

Concerning the matters with Hyoudou Issei and his ragtag perverted group, even if he didn't possess a sacred gear, she still wouldn't have agreed with Sona to expel them. Their actions were quite fun to watch and not harmful to anyone. Basically, she didn't see a problem with their behavior.

"Humph, well I shouldn't be surprised by your decision, his perverted actions pale in comparison to you and Akeno." Said Hachiman with a smirk. He pinched her cheeks to her utmost embarrassment pulling them like she was a plushie!

"Jeez, stop doing that!" She smacked his hands away playfully, her heart skipping beats from his touch. "By the way, what are your plans for this weekend?" Their relationships had gone well these last few years, they joked around, trained together, and spent generally a lot of time together.

They were very close friends right now, she just needed to push it a little further for it to become something more. But then her mood plummeted with his following words.

"I plan to go on that promised date with Akeno, she has been bugging me for another one for quite a while." He complained but the smile said otherwise. "Honestly, she can be such a spoiled brat sometimes."

"Yeah...you both are now officially a couple…" Even if she knew it was only a matter of time, her heart couldn't help but grow jealous of them. "While I still have to deal with him…" Her problem still lay ahead for her to face.

"Rias," Hachiman saw her depressed face and chose to comfort her by rubbing her hair. "Remember what I said to you long ago back in my house? Share some of your burdens, I will always be here to help you no matter the case." There he was being all sweet and considerate, again. It just made her feel worse knowing that he belonged to Akeno instead of her.

"I know." Even if Hachiman and her Queen were a couple, it didn't mean she would give up. She was greedy, she had long accepted her nature, so she would show it to him why she deserved him as well. "But I also want to show you that I'm capable of handling my problems." And she would prove herself by defeating Rizer on her own.

These last few years, to her immense opposing opinion, she asked for her brother's help on her training. She didn't have a choice on this matter as Akeno had long since surpassed her in all aspects. A king shouldn't let their servants do all the heavy lifting.

Her brother nearly fainted from joy that day, he couldn't stop crying on how his Ria-tan finally came back to onii-chan. Hurgh! She felt like digging herself a hole to hide in for all eternity when her brother does that.

At least Hachiman wasn't there or else she would have died inside from embarrassment.

Rias went a step further and requested Shuri-san for help in meditation and magic control, her queen's mother gladly accepted. She has changed much during her time in the Gremory Castle, Her mother and Shuri-san became nearly inseparable, they would always be together, do everything together like two long-lost sisters. According to her brother, even her father felt all alone these past few months.

"..."

"You are a difficult girl to handle, Rias." Hachiman sighed exasperatedly while scratching his head.

"I know, but it was you who taught me how to handle my problems by myself haven't you, Service Club president?" Rias said cheekily, making fun of Hachiman's habit of teaching people how to solve their problems

The Service Club got quite popular, if anyone had any kind of problems or was going through some depressing moments, they knew who to look for. Another thing that made the club so popular was how difficult it was to become a member, to join in.

Hachiman was especially harsh on people who tried to apply, he showed little to no mercy. Until now only a single person got accepted in; Kiryuu Aika.

This of course surprised everyone as the girl was infamous for her extreme perverted nature on par with the trio. Nobody knew why Hachiman accepted her, not even Rias herself. He never gave anyone an explanation, only telling everyone to trust her.

"Hehehe, I guess I did." He left it up to her to make her own decisions in life. If she thought herself capable enough to handle her problems, then he wouldn't interfere. She has grown a lot compared to her past lazy and selfish self.

"Anyways, I must be going, got to make some preparations for the date." He remembered that he had some plans for his date with Akeno. Hachiman wanted to make sure everything was perfect. So he bid his goodbyes and left the room.

Rias stared at his back before it disappeared behind the doors, she wondered...if things had gone differently...would she be the one in Akeno's place?

"Hachiman…" She contemplated the question of 'What if…' in her head countless times. All alone in her club dyed in orange light by the setting sun.

{Break}…

-Hachiman POV-

That was awkward.

I wasn't blind to Rias's affection, she never tried to hide it these past few years. Even if she backed down a bit after Akeno and I announced our official relationship, there were moments where I could see that look in her eyes once more.

I wasn't trying to be a jerk by ignoring this issue, but I just came to terms with Akeno. This was new territory for me, even with my decades of experience in life, I was but a newbie when it came to the matters of the heart between couples. I don't want to ruin what I had with Akeno, instead, I am trying to find a solution to this problem.

I knew Rias, she wouldn't give up.

And I knew Akeno, she wouldn't let go.

You might think why not accept them both? Well slow down there buddy, I ain't your generic harem king protagonist who could pull any impossible scenario out of his ass.

I'm not even sure if they'll even want to be in a harem...but then again this world is weird, so it might work...Wait! Am I trying to make it work!?

Man, I've changed way too much from my past self.

*Ding~*

My phone rang as I received a message from someone. It was Aika who texted me, the message saying to meet her over the clubroom. 'Weren't we done for the day?'

Not wanting to keep that girl of all people waiting, I just head towards the clubroom building. On my way, many people came to offer their greetings and thanks for our club helping them out.

"Good evening, Hikigaya-senpai!"

"Hey Hikigaya, thanks for the help the other day!"

"I made you some cookies, senpai!"

Just why did they never show such behaviour with Rias or Akeno? Every time those two walked around the hall, everyone made way for them like the red sea. While in my case they ambush me like a herd of buffalos. Made my five minutes journey turn into half an hour!

All in all, groups after groups of people made their way to me, with every girl that I passed by, at least one of them would hand me a small gift. Somehow, someone spread rumours about how much I liked coffee which was...not false, but I preferred SUPER coffee.

Anyways, nearly all of my gifts were treats or pastries the girls baked, all made with coffee beans or just ground up coffee. I was grateful to them but the amount I kept accumulating made it impossible for me to consume all of them without dying from caffeine overdose.

'Aika will suffer with me.'

As I reached the door of the Service Club, I couldn't help but stop for a second and marvel at how far this club came from my first year in Kuoh to my third year in the present.

The first time Sona showed me the room back then, the door was your regular old boring grey colour blank piece of wood. But now, it was filled with notes of kinds from past 'customers' all giving us their blessing and thanks.

Our slogan proudly written on a wooden board.

-Helping us to help you; Service Club-

Other parts had drawings of me or Aika made with super realistic details, drawn by the art club for the time we helped them publish their artworks in a museum. Conveniently owned by Azazel no less. 'Why the hell does he own one anyway? I'll ask Kala when I get the chance.'

As I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of Kiryuu Aika, the infamous queen of degeneracy, sitting cross-legged on the table, and giving me a view of her black lace panties. I felt fed up at the everyday lewd sight and quickly looked at the perverted woman in the eyes. She was smirking, licking her lips trying to get me to react. She saw where I was looking and I just gave her an eye roll.

She wears pink framed spectacles, has gold-coloured eyes that seem to glitter when she causes mischief, and slightly messy brunette hair tied into braids on each side with black ribbons. She had a modest figure that fit comfortably in her school uniform. She wasn't as fully mature as the other women in my life, but she did have her own cute charms that made her attractive.

Better not let her know I thought that or else she might go a mile with it.

When I say she is the queen of all things perverted I really mean that even after knowing Akeno.

Unbelievable, I know.

Those two must never hang out, or else I fear for my sanity...

...and my chasity.

"Hey there buchou, I see your c*** is still as big as ever. Have you found a poor girl to break with that monster yet?" She started to uncross her legs and started to spread them open bit by bit, giving anyone who can see a view of her forbidden garden, "If not, I don't mind giving you a hand… or both in this case. I'll promise to treat you gently if you return the favor. Its my first time, Kukuku~"

She was an evil temptress who likes to tease me every chance she gets.

My eyes stayed lazily on her own hungry ones that were tempting me to look, but I'd been dealing with her for long enough to manage.

Stay strong Hachiman.

I've dealt with Kala and Akeno, she is not on their level… yet.

Fuch this world.

"..."

*Inhale*

*Exhale*

I could hear my headache approaching, which is supposed to be impossible, but not with this thirsty girl around.

Yeah, I wasn't joking when I said she is a bigger pervert than Akeno. She didn't hesitate to give lewd advice to people, mock some of the boy's sizes and even grope girl's breasts or proposition me every chance she gets. I wonder why she wasn't classified as the 4th member of the trio.

No one was safe around her.

"My eyes are up here, Aika." I would prefer you leave my Hachiman Jr alone you thirsty temptress. "So I'm here, what did you need me for?" I sat down on my seat while sharing some of my 'loots' with Aika. As a general rule of thumb in this club, if I have to torture myself by eating mountains of snacks, you're joining in as well.

She cringed at the sight of cookies and cakes, and jumped off the table, her temptress persona gone for the moment, and grabbed herself a seat next to me, "Coffee again!? We've been having the same thing for months!" She hesitantly took a bite out of one of those pastries and gagged a bit at the taste.

"Hurg, I hate these...never going to a bakery again in my life."

She used to love these in the beginning, but I believe eating the same thing every day in large amounts would make anyone sick of it.

"I'm gonna hurl if I take another bite, why don't we just throw them away?" Aika suggested as she threw the pastry back in it's container.

"No," I denied, shutting down that notion. "They were handmade, the girls put effort into making them the best they could, so the least we can do is eat them," I said as I ate a coffee cake.

I could barely taste anything.

My taste buds, having died for the last two years.

Maybe I should find a way to get rid of these without throwing them away. Maybe donate them to a soup kitchen?

I gave them to Koneko after a few months of constant sweets, making her more happy then I have ever seen her but Rias said that I should stop spoiling her and that I was going to make her fat from all the sweets.

Koneko wouldn't talk to Rias for weeks, until she let her have some but only once a month.

Sadly, I already gave her some this month.

"Those girls are too horny for you, buchou. Who knows, maybe some of these cakes might even have their love juices as a secret ingredient, to giving it that extra sweet taste." She added with a small smirk.

"Hurk!" Now it was my turn to gag, my brain visualising the scene and forcing me to spit out the food. "Aika! What the hell?! Do I need to get the spray bottle again!?"

"So you wanna get me wet? I'm glad that your finally returning my feelings buchou, I hope your good at eating p****, Kukuku~"

I let out a groan, and was ready to go get the bottle.

"Hahahaha! I'm just joking, just joking. Still, I called you here cause I need your help."

I began to clean up the mess from Aika's little prank, no longer in the mood to eat another piece, "With what?"

{Break}

-Outside-

A cat in a tree

"Of all things, a cat in a tree. Talk about cliche. Why is there a pet here anyway? Isn't that against the rule?" I said to myself as I was joined by Aika and Mono Hanakai, a former human and the newest bishop of Sona's peerage.

A white haired girl, who just like the rest of the girls in this reality had the body of a supermodel.

Seriously, what the hell is up with women in this world? Is overattractness the standard here?

"Hehe, well...the cat isn't really my pet." Momo said embarrassingly, not looking me in the eyes, "I found it near the school gates a few weeks ago and decided to feed it regularly. Unfortunately, it got too comfortable and decided to venture near the clubroom dorm, something scared it and now it's stuck on the tree." Her eyes were locked on me with an accusatory stare.

Oi, don't blame me for your faults woman, the rules exist for a reason, I can't help if the cat sensed something disturbing. "Aren't you a member of the council, I wonder what would Sona say if she learned about this."

'And also, why didn't she just fly towards it? Maybe it must be because of the present students.'

Her face grew pale with horror plastered in her expression, "Please don't tell Kaichou anything, Hikigaya-kun! I'll don't anything!" She rocked me back and forward while grasping my collar, pleading with me with tearful eyes.

By my side Aika had her perverted smile, eyeing the both of us in amusement. "Hehe, anything? Why don't we get a room and-"

*Squirt*

"Aika!" I gave the girl a well-deserved spray to the face to curb her desires. She gave me a hiss like an angry cat while hiding behind the tree, "Look here Momo, I'm willing to keep my mouth shut on only one condition."

"...Is it a kis-"

*Squirt*

"Hiss!"

I gave this one another spray as well. Seriously, where did she even get that idea from?

I'm gonna run out of water at this rate.

"That's mean, Hikigaya-kun! Gentlemen shouldn't be getting woman wet in public!" She said with a cute pout, not caring at her words can be misconstrued in the wrong.

"Oi! Phrasing, and I only do it to keep her in line, and not terrorize the female populace. And did you forget I have a girlfriend?"

"I'm sure Himejima-senpai would be angry with you on how you treat woman"

She still hasn't met the real Akeno, since she was able to say that with a straight face.

"Tell that to her then." Our conversation divulged into a series of back and forth. What I've found about Momo is that she can be a calm, serious person at times but also a hard-headed stubborn person the next.

"If you two are done down there, can ya help me out?"

We immediately stopped our small argument and looked up to see Aika somehow having climbed the tree all the way to the top and with the cat secured in her arms.

"Aika!"

"Kiryuu-san!"

Both Momo and I panicked as we feared that she might fall from losing her balance. "How did you even get up there, Aika?"

"Well, I'm quite good at mounting hard stuff." She said, her innuendo so plain to see, as she stared me straight in the eye, "How's the view down there, buchou~?"

"Be serious! You might get hurt, wait up there and I'll try to get you down!" With my strength this is not a problem, I'll just have to be careful abou-

"No need, just catch me!"

"What!?" She tilted sideways and began falling from the tree. Time slowed down, I let my senses work a thousand miles a second, taking into account the best way to catch her without hurting her or the cat.

I ran forward, sliding downwards as I allowed my body to act as a cushion for her to land on. "Oof" She fell butt first on my stomach, my back hitting the ground with a loud thud.

"Hurgh…"

This girl is chaotic to her core.

"Well buchou, it seems that I'm the one who is on top of our relationship." Glad to hear she's fine.

"Mind getting off?"

"Not in public, bucho~. Save it for the clubroom~."

*Sigh* Here comes the migraines.

{Break}

As we saw Momo take the cat away to a local shelter, the animal kept hissing at me constantly. I don't blame it, honestly. Animals could sense things beyond humans.

That or maybe because of my fish eyes. Who knows…

I made Momo promise to me to keep Genshirou Saji at a distance. To my horror, the man was actually a Vritra sacred gear holder and the events from the past led me to avoid him like the plague.

I even heard from Sona that the boy kept having regular headaches and chest pain since she turned him into a devil. His gear had awakened but his compatibility would never surpass mine. Which would only lead to one outcome…

'I'll need to talk with Azazel.'

"That was quite stupid of you, Aika. What if I couldn't catch you in time?" I decided to take this opportunity to reprimand her actions. "You could have seriously been hurt, a broken bone, a concussion, do you realise how grave those injuries are?"

"Oh lighten up, honey! I trust you to not let me get hurt. After all, we're partners!"

Oh...

"...partners?"

"Yeah, we always got each other's back and stuff."

Always having each other's back...

.

.

.

Partners…

...Partner…

...Vritra...when will you wake up?

I…

...can't keep this up for long.

"Buchou?" I felt a gentle tap from Aika, waking me up from my daze-like state. She gave a concerned look which I rarely see from her. "Are you feeling okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

No, "Yeah, I'm fine… I was just lost in my thoughts."

I tried reassuring her but was only met with a skeptical look. Nothing gets past her.

"I'll be going, for now, see ya."

I quickly left the scene, not wanting to let my emotions build up once more, leaving a worried Aika. I didn't notice the worried gaze she was giving me or the hand that was reaching out to me.

{Break}

As I walked out of the school gates, making my way to the bridge nearby. I couldn't stop touching my chest where my heart was.

Even after two years...I still haven't got an answer from him, not even a pulse.

I had no one to blame but myself for his state.

The constant silence in my head made me feel so lost at times.

*Wshhh!*

"-?"

As I continued to wander in my thoughts, a sudden chill went up to my spine, not like a dangerous feeling or anything, rather something foreign, nearby.

'A Fallen?'

"Well, well, well, isn't that a Fallen in disguise?" To my surprise, I caught a disguised Fallen 'confessing' to none other than Issei. What I found funny was her barely hidden killing intent. "Seems like Hyoudou isn't even seeing the irony of a random girl asking him out of the blue despite his reputation. Guess that's how a hormonal teenager will react with a beautiful girl."

Seriously, how can you be that blind? I guess leaving your whole life in solitude would do that to anyone.

'She looks like Akeno with her hair down like that.' I wouldn't be surprised if they were distantly related or something...but then again Baraquiel supposedly never had any child before meeting Shuri-san.

But it's not her resemblance to Akeno that intrigued me, it's her presence here in Kuoh.

Not to say they weren't welcomed, working together with Azazel has strengthened the relationship between the Devils and the Fallens and we even have some fallen residents at this point.

'Why is Azazel's little patrol group leader here?' Raynare, I think that's her name. I've seen her before in pictures from Kalawarna's phone. From her stories, she is quite the arrogant type with a huge crush on her governor.

After Kalawarna left her post due to her being reassigned somewhere else, she had been informed that Raynare and her group were sent somewhere in Italy.

Which begs the question.

Why is she here?

*Ring*

*Ring*

I felt my pocket vibrate with that same ringtone I kept for two years. To my surprise, the caller was none other than Kalawarna.

'Think of the Fallen and she shall appear.'

And once again, she somehow changed the photo. It was a photo of her blowing a kiss at me

No matter how many times I changed her caller ID, it's always changed to something teasing and downright provocative.

I'm pretty sure Azazel is helping her out.

I accepted the call, "I hope this is about this Amano Yuuma girl that I happened to encounter, Kala." I needed answers.

"Why hello there darling! It's been a while since we last talked, won't you remind your secretary how much you've missed her? Do you want to see the new swimsuit that I'm wearing~?" Remember when I mentioned that she was reassigned? Well, Azazel thought it was a good idea to have someone like an assistant helping me out with my daily affairs of the supernatural world.

And of course, he chose her.

'Fuck you Azazel.'

"Alright, alright, how are you, Kala? Are you doing well? Hope you find that vacation I paid for you in Hawaii enjoyable, would be a shame if it were to be cut off." Hey, I wasn't in the mood to joke around. So understand when I say I really didn't have time for this.

"Oho, is that anger I hear in your voice? I like it! Showing me how dominant you can get, really gets my motor running darling~." And there she goes again. "To answer your question, yes this is about Raynare. I contacted Azazel-sama to know more on this matter, and what do you know, she and her group were sent to Kuoh for a scouting mission. He told me that both of the heiresses had approved of it.

"Oh? Then it's all good I guess, except for that clearly visible killing intent showing off in her eyes! Honestly, if looks could kill…"

This obviously surprised Kalawarna, "What? She was ordered to only spy her target from afar and to never take any hostile actions for he might become a possible ally of ours!"

Is that the stench of hidden political plots I smell in the air? Yes, it is. For someone like Raynare to disobey Azazel so openly either meant she did it on her own accord or got the support of someone else to do so.

"I'll look into it, in the meantime update Azazel on this matter right now."

"Got it, darling. I'll send you a picture of my new swimsuit when this is over. Should really get your blood pumping"

Cheeky woman.

Doing my best to ignore the mental image of the type of swimsuit Kala would wear, I guess I'll have to postpone my preparations for the date.

I am not looking forward to Akeno's 'punishment'.

I dialed another number, a simple task that anyone can accomplish, especially him.

"Hey Kiba, remember that leaflet I gave you?"

"Yes, Is there a problem?"

Before I could explain to him the situation, I got a new text message.

"Hold for a moment."

I saw that it was a text from Kala.

'Enjoy~ 💖'

Before I realized the meaning behind the text, another one came through.

.

.

.

*Drip*

"Gah!"

"Hachiman-kun!?"

DAMN THAT CHEEKY WOMAN!

{Break}

Damn, I felt like a creepy stalker following them around.

I required no sketchy disguises like a black hoodie with sunglasses to hide my identity, simple magic was enough.

With my current powers, someone as weak as Raynare had no hope of sensing me.

I walked alongside them for the whole day, I even sat at the same table and ate Issei's parfait. 'Kinda skipped breakfast this morning.'

Their confused faces did make me laugh a bit.

If I was visible, this would have been like a three-way date.

When we reached the park, I got a flashback from my fight against Vali. 'I wonder if the current me can hold a fight against that prick.'

This place was a magnet for trouble. I wonder if there is a cursed object buried somewhere? Anyways, I didn't miss the growing killing intent from Raynare, someone as clueless as Issei wouldn't ever figure it out.

"Hey, Ise-kun" She called out his name.

That is when I knew it was time.

Her entire appearance changed, black wings on her back, her frilled clothes replaced by dominatrix leather straps clothing that dug deep into her breast. Even her face seemed to grow a few years older.

But seriously, what the hell is up with this woman's outfit? Have some darn decency woman! Or at least some common sense!

Honestly…

The moment Issei started panicking, that teleportation leaflet I gave him began glowing. "Let's see if it works."

Unlike the devils I couldn't just teleport wherever I wanted, not because it was impossible but rather the method required was too difficult too learn. So I just had to resort to basics and place small teleportation anchors all over Kuoh, the pamphlet being one of them. I had originally planned for Kiba to test it out and summon me, but this works too.

For beings weaker than me, I could easily teleport them wherever I wanted in a certain radius but not myself, unfortunately.

And also becaus I had developed a thing for cool entrances, bite me.

As my body was halfway teleported, I willed some tentacles like whips to bust out from the ground and pierce Raynare's hands and knees, sending blood everywhere, ruthlessly entangling her.

I may have gone too far, as I first intended to just capture her without any injuries but the scene of her about to pierce Issei in the stomach brought up some bad memories.

My sacred gear formed around me, lacking Vritra's iconic voice.

"Hey there Issei, got yourself in a bit of trouble haven't ya?"

The Black Dragon King has finally made his appearance.

-----------------

Chapter 26, 27 and soon to be released 28 are available on my P@treon at /NimtheWriter.