Chapter 3: An Unexpected Reward

Rias's rejection was polite.

Kenji, however, didn't care at all.

His mind was entirely focused on Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory, resting inside his system's inventory.

A triumphant smile crept onto his face. After all, his confession had never been about romance—it was just a means to an end.

He looked back at Rias with a relaxed expression.

"I see. Then, I'll take my leave, Rias-san. I hope we can still be friends."

He spoke with ease, not a single trace of disappointment in his voice.

Then, without another word, he turned around and walked away—his steps light and eager.

At this moment, all he wanted was to return home and inspect his new legendary weapon.

---

Watching him leave, Akeno and Rias exchanged confused glances.

Neither of them had ever seen someone get rejected—and then look happier than before.

Akeno placed a hand on her chin, her lips curving into an amused smile.

"Ara~ Ara~... That was unexpected."

Rias narrowed her eyes slightly. "Something's strange about him."

Both girls had the same thought—Kenji wasn't normal.

---

Nightfall…

By the time Kenji finally reached home, the sky was already dark.

But that didn't dampen his mood.

He was still thrilled about getting Excalibur.

Just as he was about to enter his apartmen—

"Crack… Crunch…"

Kenji froze.

A faint, eerie sound echoed from a dark alley nearby.

It was the unmistakable sound of something being chewed apart—bones being crushed under sharp teeth.

His enhanced senses—thanks to Thunder Breathing—made the noise painfully clear.

His grip on reality hardened. This world was filled with monsters.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Deep within the shadows—

A figure moved.

"Ohhh?"

A grotesque voice rang out.

"A late-night snack? How wonderful! You came right to me!"

Kenji's pupils shrank.

Standing in the alley, a grotesque creature loomed in the darkness.

It had the upper body of a woman—but its lower half was that of a massive spider.

Its mouth dripped with blood. Fragments of bone clung to its lips.

It had just finished eating someone.

Kenji instinctively felt fear.

But then, he clenched his fists.

He wasn't the same powerless human from before.

He had Thunder Breathing. He had Excalibur.

And more importantly—he wasn't going to run.

Kenji exhaled slowly, calming his nerves.

Then—he reached into his system inventory.

In a flash—a golden katana appeared in his grip.

The moment his hand wrapped around the hilt of the Nichirin Blade, his eyes sharpened—his battle instincts igniting like a roaring flame.

"A Stray Devil?"

Kenji muttered, taking a step forward.

His stance shifted into a swordsman's posture.

His breathing slowed—then deepened.

A fine mist of white steam escaped from his lips.

"Perfect. I needed something to test my strength."

"Thunder Breathing… First Form—Thunderclap and Flash!"

The spider-woman's grin twisted into anger.

"How dare a human talk back to me?!"

With a sharp screech, she lunged forward—fangs bared, claws outstretched.

But—

Kenji disappeared.

A bolt of golden lightning flashed through the alley.

In the blink of an eye—Kenji reappeared behind the Stray Devil.

His blade was already sheathed.

Schlick.

A thin red line appeared on the creature's neck.

Her body froze mid-motion.

Her eyes widened in confusion.

"Huh?"

She tried to move—but her body no longer obeyed.

Her severed head slowly toppled off her shoulders, landing with a sickening thud onto the pavement.

Her lips moved, as if trying to form a final thought—

But before she could finish, darkness consumed her.

---

Kenji stood still, his heart pounding.

Then—

Ding!

"Congratulations! You have acquired a One-Star Golden Egg!"

"Opening…"

"You have obtained—Rias Gremory's original… underwear?!"

Kenji froze.

He stared at the cloth strip in his hand.

Still warm.

Steam rose from it in the night air.

For a full three seconds, his mind went blank.

Then—

"SYSTEM! WHAT THE HELL?!"

Kenji's scream echoed into the night.

---

Meanwhile…

At a luxurious old mansion in Kuoh Town—

Rias Gremory had just stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her.

She walked over to the window—only to pause.

Her face darkened.

"Huh? Where did my underwear go?"

A cold breeze blew through the open window.

Rias frowned.

"Weird… Did the wind take it?"

---

Elsewhere…

Less than fifteen minutes after Kenji left—a blond swordsman arrived at the alley.

He stood over the Stray Devil's corpse, his eyes narrowing.

"…Dead?"

The young man crouched, inspecting the wound.

It was clean—the work of a swordsman.

A faint trace of lightning energy still lingered in the air.

His expression grew serious.

This man—Kiba Yuuto, Rias Gremory's trusted knight—had seen many things.

But this… this was new.

After a moment, he stood up, sighing.

Then, without a word—he turned and left.

He needed to report this to Rias.

---

The Occult Research Club

Back at Kuoh Academy's old school building, a grand hall glowed under candlelight.

Rias sat on a sofa, freshly dressed. Across from her, Kiba stood at attention.

Akeno sat nearby, sipping tea. Beside her, Koneko Toujou nibbled on a snack.

The room was silent—until Kiba spoke.

"I found a Stray Devil's corpse in the alley."

Rias's eyes flickered with interest.

"Did you handle it?"

Kiba shook his head.

"No. Someone else did."

The air grew heavy.

Rias's gaze sharpened.

"Who?"

Kiba hesitated.

"Unknown. But the technique… It was a swordsman. And…"

He paused, considering his words carefully.

"The attack carried traces of… Thunder."

Rias's eyes widened slightly.

Akeno's smile faded.

Koneko paused mid-bite.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Finally—Rias spoke.

"Find out who it was."

A slow, knowing smile crossed her lips.

"I have a feeling we'll be meeting them soon."

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