Chapter 41: Asia Argento

A faint golden glow rose from Issei's corpse.

Kenji's eyes sharpened.

> "Congratulations, host! You have unlocked a four-star golden egg and obtained the Boosted Gear—one of the Thirteen Longinus."

The system's voice echoed in Renji's mind as a powerful surge of energy flowed into his body.

His right hand burned with power—a deep crimson glow enveloping it.

The sensation was overwhelming, but at the same time, it felt right.

This was the Boosted Gear.

The legendary Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet.

One of the most powerful Sacred Gears in existence.

Renji clenched his fist, feeling the raw strength pulsating through it.

"It's not the rarest reward I could've gotten," he muttered, "but… I'll take it."

A grin tugged at his lips.

He had gained something truly formidable.

And now—

He turned his gaze toward the fallen angel suspended in the air.

---

Raynare was trapped—her body bound by the golden chains of Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven.

She struggled, but no matter how hard she fought, the divine chains wouldn't budge.

Her violet eyes flashed with desperation and rage as Renji approached.

"Now then," Renji mused, arms crossed. "What should I do with you?"

"Should I kill you? Or maybe… hand you over to the Church?"

His voice was mocking, filled with amusement and menace.

Raynare's face paled.

The moment he mentioned the Church, her fear was impossible to hide.

"You… You can't!" she hissed. "I am a subordinate of Azazel, the Governor of the Fallen Angels! If you harm me, Lord Azazel will not let you go!"

Her voice trembled slightly.

She was desperate now.

"But," she forced a smirk, trying to regain confidence, "even with a Sacred Gear, you're still just a human compared to a fallen angel—"

CRACK.

The golden chains tightened.

Raynare let out a gasp of pain.

Renji's expression remained cold.

"If Azazel were standing in front of me right now," he said flatly, "I might be concerned."

"But you?"

He tilted his head, eyes sharp.

"You're nothing."

Raynare flinched.

Renji stepped closer, his presence overpowering.

"You're just a pawn," he continued. "A disposable tool that Azazel used for a test."

The truth hit her like a dagger.

Azazel had never cared about her.

And now, she was completely alone.

Her mind raced for a way out.

Renji saw her hesitation.

"Two choices," he said. "Surrender… or die."

Raynare's hands shook.

"I will never betray Lord Azazel!" she snarled.

Renji sighed.

"Yeah, I figured."

His grip tightened—and the golden chains constricted violently.

CRACK.

Raynare's body twisted unnaturally—and in the next second, her lifeless corpse crashed to the ground.

---

As Renji left the area, silence fell.

Only the faint echoes of battle remained.

But then—

A crimson magic circle illuminated the ground.

A tall, elegant figure stepped through—her long red hair flowing in the wind.

Rias Gremory.

Her sharp blue eyes scanned the area.

Her gaze landed on the bloodstained ground.

"...I was too late."

She already knew.

Hyoudou Issei was dead.

Rias had sensed the presence of a Sacred Gear inside him and had intended to recruit him as her servant.

But before she could act—Raynare had struck first.

And now…

She had lost her chance.

With a sigh, she glanced at the surrounding area one last time.

Nothing useful remains.

And so, with a single step—she vanished into the night.

---

Several days had passed.

Renji was walking through Kuoh Town's commercial district, accompanied by Koneko Toujou.

Ever since she started living at his place, they had been going to and from school together.

At first, it had caused a massive stir at Kuoh Academy.

The boys hated him.

The girls admired Koneko.

It was expected—Koneko was one of the most popular girls in school, and Renji…

Well, he was practically an untouchable legend now.

But he didn't care.

He had more important things to think about.

However, as they walked—

A sudden cry caught their attention.

"Ah!"

A young girl in a white nun's outfit stumbled forward, tripping over her own feet.

She was about to hit the ground—

Until Renji moved.

With lightning-fast reflexes, he caught her just before she could fall.

The girl blinked up at him, her face red with embarrassment.

"T-Thank you…" she stammered.

Renji's eyes narrowed slightly.

Something about her felt… familiar.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded quickly, looking away.

Her shyness was obvious—like she wasn't used to being close to men.

A small chuckle escaped Renji's lips.

"No need to be so nervous," he said. "It was just a reflex."

He turned to leave with Koneko—

But then—

"Wait!"

Renji paused.

The girl hesitated before speaking again.

"My name is Asia Argento," she said softly.

Then, she clutched her hands together.

"Sir, do you know where I can find the church in this town?"

The moment Renji heard that name—

Something clicked.

His eyes slightly widened in realization.

Asia Argento.

A holy maiden.

A girl with the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing—also known as The Smile of the Holy Mother.

She could heal any wound—even those of devils.

And now, she was here.

Looking up at him with innocent eyes, unaware of the dangers lurking in this town.

Renji's lips curled slightly.

He already had a plan forming in his mind.

"The church?" he echoed.

"We do have one here… but it was abandoned a long time ago."

His gaze sharpened.

"You're really planning to go there?"

Asia nodded.

"Yes… I was sent here by my superiors. I must go."

Renji's smirk deepened.

So it begins.

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