Chapter 10: Shadows in the Underworld

[System Notification]

New Event Triggered: "The Assassin's Arrival"

• Objective: Survive the assassination attempt.

• Bonus Objective: Identify the organization behind the attack.

• Rewards: 2,000 XP, Combat Skill Upgrade, Reputation Boost.

Gremory Mansion – Midnight

The Underworld was never truly silent. Even in the depths of the night, the air hummed with magic, and the skies glowed with eerie red and violet hues.

Naruto lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, mind still buzzing from his training session with Serafall.

"Ice Magic, huh? Not bad. But I need to refine it more."

Despite his exhaustion, his instincts wouldn't let him sleep. A nagging feeling in the back of his mind kept him alert, as if something was… off.

Then it hit him.

The room was too quiet.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. Something's here.

He closed his eyes, expanding his newly developed Ice Domain Perception. The air in the room was normal—except for one spot, near the window, where the temperature was slightly off.

"There you are."

Without hesitation, Naruto rolled off the bed, dodging just as a dagger embedded itself into his pillow, slicing clean through where his neck had been.

BANG!

The moment he moved, the entire room exploded into motion.

A masked figure dressed in black combat gear lunged from the shadows, two curved daggers glowing with dark energy.

[System Alert!]

• Hostile Detected!

• Threat Level: High-Class Assassin

• Enemy Affiliation: Unknown

Naruto's crimson eyes glowed as he dodged the second strike, twisting mid-air before landing in a crouch.

"An assassin, huh? Someone's getting desperate."

The masked figure said nothing, moving without hesitation, their daggers striking like fangs—quick, precise, lethal.

Naruto smirked, already predicting the attacks thanks to his Instinctive Combat skill.

Clang!

A quick parry with an Ice Blade, and Naruto countered with a palm strike, sending the assassin skidding backward.

But the moment they landed—

They vanished.

Naruto's instincts flared as he immediately jumped backward, avoiding a dagger swipe aimed at his ribs.

"Fast."

But not fast enough.

Naruto's system chimed.

[Skill Evolution Triggered!]

New Ability: Frost Reflexes (Passive)

• Increases reaction speed in cold environments.

• Enemies caught in Ice Magic suffer slowed movement.

Naruto grinned. This is getting fun.

The assassin rushed again, but this time—

Naruto took a deep breath, channeling his newly developed Ice Magic into his hands.

"Frozen Calamity!"

A blast of ice energy erupted from his palms, coating the entire room in frost, forcing the assassin to slow down.

Perfect.

Naruto moved like lightning, appearing behind his opponent in an instant.

"Demonic Compression Blade!"

A razor-sharp arc of destruction-infused ice cut through the assassin's armor, sending them crashing into the wall.

For the first time, the assassin spoke, their voice distorted.

"…Not bad."

Then, before Naruto could move—

The assassin threw down a small black sphere, and instantly—

BANG!

A shockwave of darkness spread through the room.

By the time Naruto cleared the energy, the assassin was gone.

[System Notification]

Assassination Attempt Repelled!

• Enemy Escaped.

• Clues Uncovered.

Naruto exhaled, rubbing his neck.

"Tch. So they weren't just some random hitman. That was professional work."

He turned toward the dagger left behind, the blade still pulsing with black energy.

"Let's see who sent you."

Scene Change – Occult Research Club

The next morning, Naruto sat in the Occult Research Club's main hall, flipping the assassin's dagger in his fingers.

Across from him, Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko watched with serious expressions.

"An assassin?" Rias repeated, arms crossed. "Are you hurt?"

Naruto smirked. "You should see the other guy."

Kiba leaned forward. "You sure they weren't just some rogue mercenary?"

Naruto tossed the dagger onto the table. The moment it hit the surface, dark sigils pulsed across the blade.

Rias's eyes narrowed. "That's…"

Akeno frowned. "…Forbidden Magic. That's not something just anyone can get their hands on."

Koneko sniffed the air. "The scent on it… it's faint, but there's a trace of noble devil energy."

Naruto's grin faded. "So a noble house wants me dead."

Rias's eyes darkened. "That limits the suspects."

Akeno smirked. "Sounds like someone is scared of you, Naruto-kun~"

Naruto leaned back. "Good. Let them be scared."

Before anyone could continue, the door swung open.

Sirzechs Lucifer stepped in, his expression unusually serious.

And behind him?

Ajuka Beelzebub.

"Naruto," Sirzechs said, his blue eyes unreadable, "we need to talk."

[New Quest Available!]

"Hunting Shadows"

• Objective: Uncover the noble house responsible for the assassination attempt.

• Bonus Objective: Make an example out of them.

• Rewards: 2,500 XP, Unique Perk Unlock, Title: "The Unshaken Devil."

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter Teasers:

• Naruto meets with Ajuka Beelzebub again.

• The truth behind the assassination attempt is revealed.

• A deadly duel against a high-ranking noble devil.