fighting

As Ryo entered the Occult Research Club room with Kiba, he immediately sensed a heavy atmosphere enveloping the place. The room was silent, almost as if it had separated itself from the academy's noise outside, and the old-fashioned design added a majestic and mysterious touch.

The dim lighting in the room cast deep shadows throughout, thanks to the carefully placed candles in the room's corners and on the main table. The faint candle flames danced on the walls, creating strange ghost-like shadows and shapes that heightened the sense of mystery and awe. A faint aroma of aged wood and incense filled the room, as if concealing ancient and secret tales of demons and supernatural creatures.

In one corner, shelves were filled with books with dark, worn covers, some bearing barely visible titles, though Ryo managed to make out a few like "Ancient Hell Manuscripts" and "Legends of Demons." These books seemed to radiate a unique aura, indicating they weren't just ordinary books, but treasures of knowledge about magic and secrets that few ordinary people could access.

At the center of the room was a wooden desk, where Rias sat gracefully, offering a calm smile and welcoming the club members with a look full of confidence. Next to her stood Akeno, with her own self-assured smile.

In front of the desk, off to one side, Koneko sat eating from the box of biscuits Ryo had given her, glancing at him from time to time with an unreadable expression.

Across from Koneko sat Issei, whose mood shifted the moment Ryo entered. Jealousy flared up within him immediately, and dark threads of envy began to emanate, which Ryo quietly absorbed.

Near the window, where heavy dark curtains hung, stood a metal statue of a demonic creature, its features embodying both mystery and ferocity. Meanwhile, in a small corner, there was a miniature altar adorned with strange objects that might have been used for magical rituals, emitting a dark aura.

Rias spoke, "Ryo, Kiba, it's good you arrived on time."

Kiba smiled slightly and moved to his place beside Koneko.

Ryo nodded toward Rias and walked over to the window, standing beside it. He felt a light breeze sneaking through a small crack. Gazing out through the dust-covered glass towards the academy grounds, his expression remained stoic and his face neutral, yet his gaze was filled with deep thought.

Rias took a moment to observe him, as if trying to read the emotions hidden behind his calm features. Then, she said in a quiet but firm voice, "We have some important tasks today. Akeno, could you brief us on the updates?"

Akeno smiled and began speaking in her soft voice, "There has been unusual activity in the forest area near the academy. We've received reports of demonic creatures approaching the borders. We'll need to divide tasks and ensure the campus remains protected."

At that moment, Ryo shifted his gaze from the window toward Akeno. Her tone was serious, but her hidden smile held a strange hint of enjoyment, as if she relished the excitement of these challenges.

Though Ryo wasn't entirely interested in the mission, the idea of dealing with demonic creatures sparked his curiosity. He thought of the opportunities it could offer to test his growing abilities and a way to train with his new powers without drawing attention.

Kiba asked with curiosity, "Rias-senpai, how would you like to divide the tasks?"

Rias replied with focus, "We'll split into two groups. Akeno, you'll accompany Koneko and Issei to scout the southern edge of the forest. Kiba and Ryo, I want you two to explore the northeastern area."

Ryo glanced at Kiba briefly and nodded without objection. Although he usually preferred working alone, having Kiba with him might prove helpful, given Kiba's expertise in dealing with demonic creatures.

While Rias explained the mission details, Koneko continued to watch Ryo. But her gaze wasn't merely curious; it seemed as if she was searching for something missing, something that used to radiate from him before he became this colder, more mysterious version of himself.

Rias finished her briefing with a slight smile, "Alright, let's get started. We don't want to waste time."

Ryo turned toward the door, ready to leave with Kiba. But before he could take a step, he heard Rias's voice once more, "Ryo, be careful. We don't yet know the nature of these creatures."

Ryo nodded calmly and replied in a quiet tone, "I'll be careful."

Ryo and Kiba left the Occult Research Club room, heading toward the nearby forest. Outside, the air was cool, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves. With each step, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the surrounding silence, as if the world around them was anticipating what would happen next.

The forest appeared ordinary; there didn't seem to be any demons here.

As they entered the forest, the scenery changed noticeably. The dense trees stretched high, separating the sunlight as if blocking every ray from entering. The air here was colder, and the eerie silence surrounding them added to the tension. The ancient oak trees seemed to be watching them, every branch and leaf seemingly preserving secrets that had existed for centuries.

Rio knew this forest hadn't always been like this, but now it had transformed, as if it wasn't the same forest in Kou City.

Rio's eyes wandered around, noticing that the shadows cast by the trees created strange shapes on the ground, increasing the sense of unease. "Do you feel anything strange, Kiba?" Rio asked as he paused for a moment, trying to sense anything unusual.

Kiba replied, cautiously examining their surroundings, "Yes, the air feels heavy. It's like something is waiting for us." His tone indicated discomfort, and his combat instincts were ready to accept any threat.

They continued walking in silence, and as they approached a darker area, they heard strange whispers, as if creatures were conversing among themselves. The echoes traveled through the trees, making Rio feel that something unusual was surrounding them.

Suddenly, ten demonic creatures emerged from between the trees, rushing toward them unexpectedly. Their forms were distorted, their eyes glimmering in the darkness, and their sharp teeth gleamed under the faint moonlight.

"Get ready, Rio!" Kiba shouted as they both prepared to face those creatures.

At that moment, Rio felt a powerful surge of energy within him. He summoned his powers and crafted a European-style sword from darkness as he had trained. There wasn't a trace of fear, only excitement; he intended to use this opportunity to test his abilities.

The creatures approached them, but Rio was prepared. He sensed a demonic power pulsing within him, as if it wanted to burst out and destroy everything. He opened his eyes wide, as if everything around him had become clear.

"Let's see what we can do!" Rio said confidently as he charged toward the demonic creatures.

He raised his sword for a vertical slash, contracting his muscles and channeling his physical strength, enhancing it with demonic power.

"First Form: Dark Dragon Slash!"

A dark Eastern dragon launched from Rio's sword strike, tearing up the ground and cutting through one of the demonic creatures.

Kiba didn't lag behind; he used a sacred weapon, creating a demonic sword, and dashed quickly toward a demonic creature, slicing it at incredible speed.

The battle between them lasted for fifteen minutes before the last demonic creature fell at Rio's hand.

Kiba was panting due to his energy expenditure, his state in poor condition, with his clothes torn and his body covered in both large and small wounds. Even Rio wasn't in much better shape, though his wounds were gradually healing.

Rio looked at the bodies of the demonic creatures and began absorbing the demonic energy and collecting their souls.

Then he directed his gaze to the depths of the forest, feeling that there was something distinctive and alluring about these demonic creatures, something that had caused the forest to change. Yet, at the same time, he felt a familiar sensation calling him to come.

However, he decided to return to the Occult Research Club and sent Nero to investigate the matter.

He looked at Kiba and spoke calmly. "All the creatures have been taken care of. Let's head back to the Occult Research Club."

"Yes, let's go back."

When Rio and Kiba returned to the Occult Research Club, the atmosphere was charged with tension and concern. Initially, silence surrounded them in the room once more, but there was a strange feeling that things had changed.

They paused at the door, and Rias turned toward them, her face showing concern as she noticed the exhaustion on their faces. "How was the mission?" she asked, but her tone suggested she expected something unpleasant.

Kiba took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before responding, "There were ten demonic creatures. We took them down, but... the forest wasn't as you'd expect. Something strange is happening."

Rias turned to Rio, as if searching in his eyes for a deeper answer. Rio's expression was cryptic and as frozen as usual, but there was an underlying feeling that went beyond that. "What did you see in the forest?" Rias asked him sharply.

Rio thought for a moment, recalling the mysterious impressions from the forest, "I think something is causing the forest to change, and it's not just the demonic creatures."

Akeno, who had been listening attentively, added, "Then we need to find out more about this change. We have to make sure there isn't a bigger threat."

Meanwhile, Koneko, who had been silent the entire time, looked toward Rio with a look of fear. "Do you think there are more creatures waiting for us?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Rio replied calmly, "I don't think there's anything to worry about now. But we should be careful."

Everyone present could feel the worry. Koneko was watching him, as if trying to understand what had happened. But Rio had decided to stay vague about the details, preferring not to raise more questions.

Rias spoke again, "We'll form another team to investigate the forest. Akeno, Koneko, can you go with Rio and Kiba again?"

"Of course," Akeno replied with determination. "We need to explore further, and I'll be ready—"

Rio interrupted, "Sorry, but I'm injured, and so is Kiba. Where is Issei?"

Suddenly, he felt that Issei had been injured.

This made Rias feel concerned, and she immediately directed herself to a magic circle to teleport to Issei's location.

Rio watched calmly, but he couldn't help feeling a tinge of disappointment at Rias's reaction.

He looked at Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko. "I'll return home."

Akeno tried to stop him, but Rio had already left.

As Rio walked away, he murmured quietly, "Nero, go to the forest and find out what's there."

After receiving the order, Nero separated from Rio's shadow along with the other shadow soldiers.

"I need to discover what's in the forest before Rias arrives or Sona intervenes."

Rio stood still, and a black magic circle with mysterious symbols appeared before he disappeared within it.