Chapter 40: A Step Too Late

Kenji woke up the next morning feeling well-rested.

But the moment he opened his eyes—

A chilling gaze locked onto him.

His instincts screamed danger.

Slowly turning his head toward the door, he saw Koneko Toujou standing there, staring at him.

Her expression was cold, but her golden eyes were filled with judgment.

"…Koneko-chan?"

Kenji's brain was still waking up, but something about her look felt… off.

Then, she spoke.

"Pervert."

With that single word, she turned around and walked out, leaving Kenji frozen in place.

A moment of silence.

Then—

A soft chuckle.

"Little Master~ It seems your little kitten misunderstood something."

Kenji's body tensed.

Slowly, he turned to his left.

And there, lying next to him—Medusa (Rider).

Wearing something far too revealing.

Kenji facepalmed.

"…This is your fault, isn't it?"

Medusa simply smirked, stretching lazily. "Oh my, you wound me, Kenji-kun. I was merely keeping watch over you."

Kenji sighed.

He should've known.

Koneko must've come to check on him in the morning—only to find Medusa sleeping beside him.

And now, she probably thought he was some kind of degenerate.

Wonderful.

After getting dressed, Kenji headed to the living room, where Koneko was silently eating breakfast.

She didn't even look at him.

Kenji sat down with a sigh.

"Alright. Let's clear this up."

He motioned toward Medusa, who was now sitting beside him, still smiling.

"This is Medusa. She's… a special kind of servant."

Koneko finally glanced at him.

"…A devil's servant?"

Kenji hesitated.

"Something like that."

Technically, Medusa wasn't a devil's servant—she was a Heroic Spirit bound to him through the system. But explaining everything would be too much trouble.

Koneko stared at Medusa for a few seconds.

Then, she nodded.

"Okay."

Just like that, she accepted it.

Kenji blinked.

"…That's it?"

Koneko took another bite of her food.

"As long as she's not weird."

Kenji side-eyed Medusa, who was clearly holding back laughter.

This girl was too straightforward.

Still, at least she wasn't mad anymore.

---

Since it was the weekend, Kenji decided to go out for once.

Staying inside all day was boring.

So, together with Medusa and Koneko, he spent the afternoon exploring Kuoh Town.

They walked through the shopping district.

They visited a video game arcade.

They stopped by a café, where Kenji paid for way too much food because of Koneko's bottomless appetite.

And, of course—

He received plenty of glares from jealous men.

Walking around with two beautiful girls naturally drew attention.

Kenji could feel the hostility in the air.

But he was used to it by now.

By the time they returned home, the sun was already setting.

---

The next morning, Kenji left home early.

He had unfinished business.

There was still a four-star golden egg he needed to claim.

And right now—

It was in Hyoudou Issei's hands.

---

At a small park, under the warm morning light—

A young girl with long black hair and violet eyes stood in front of Issei Hyoudou.

She wore a gothic black dress, her fingers nervously fidgeting.

"Isse-kun…" she said softly. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

She looked shy, almost vulnerable—like a girl about to confess her love.

Issei, eyes wide with excitement, nodded eagerly.

"Of course, Yuma-chan! Anything for you!"

The girl's lips curved into a sweet smile.

"That's good," she whispered.

Then—

Her expression changed.

Her soft smile twisted into something sinister.

The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by cold amusement.

"Then please…"

Her voice dropped into a murderous whisper.

"Die."

Issei's entire body froze.

"…Huh?"

A pair of black wings spread from her back, casting a dark shadow over him.

She wasn't human.

Before Issei could even process what was happening, a spear of light formed in her hands—

And she threw it.

SPLURCH.

The spear pierced straight through his chest.

His body jerked as blood exploded from the wound.

His legs buckled, his vision blurred.

The pain was unreal.

He stumbled, falling onto the ground, his hands clutching his gaping wound.

His breath became shallow.

Weak.

His life was slipping away.

Standing above him, the girl—Raynare—sighed in boredom.

"What a disappointment," she muttered. "I thought you might be special."

Her wings fluttered, preparing to leave.

But then—

A voice cut through the silence.

"Leaving so soon, Miss Fallen Angel?"

Raynare froze.

She turned, eyes widening—

Only to see golden chains shoot out from thin air.

Before she could react, they wrapped tightly around her body, suspending her midair.

She struggled, but the chains wouldn't budge.

They were too strong.

Then—

A young man stepped forward, his face cold and unreadable.

Kenji.

His eyes flickered toward Issei, who was still lying in a pool of his own blood.

His expression darkened.

"Tch. Too slow."

Raynare gritted her teeth.

"Who the hell are you?!"

Kenji didn't answer.

Instead—

He snapped his fingers.

A blazing fireball materialized above his palm.

"Doesn't matter," he said flatly.

"You're dying either way."

Raynare's eyes widened in fear.

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