Chapter 11: Shadows of the Underworld

[System Notification]

New Quest: "The Mark of Nyx"

• Objective: Investigate the sigil left by the assassin.

• Bonus Objective: Discover the true identity of the organization targeting Naruto.

• Rewards: 2,500 XP, Unique Ability Unlock, Increased Influence in the Underworld.

Gremory Mansion – War Room

The air inside the Gremory War Room was thick with tension.

Naruto stood at the center of a large, circular table where a holographic projection of the strange sigil—the same one left behind by the assassin—floated above.

Rias sat beside him, her crimson eyes sharp with focus.

Akeno leaned casually against the wall, though her smile was more subdued than usual. Koneko sat silently, her golden eyes flickering with hidden rage.

Even Kiba Yuuto had joined, his usual friendly demeanor replaced by a rare, serious expression.

Serafall wasn't present, which was unusual, considering how she'd been glued to Naruto since their training. But this felt different.

"She's probably dealing with political nonsense." Naruto thought, though something about her absence nagged at him.

[System Notification]

Passive Skill Activated: Tactical Instinct

• Enhances perception during strategic discussions.

• Increases insight into enemy tactics and hidden motives.

Naruto's gaze remained on the floating sigil.

"Any luck identifying this thing?" he asked.

Rias shook her head. "Nothing concrete. I've checked through the Underworld's archives, but this symbol doesn't match any known noble house, faction, or rogue group."

Akeno's eyes glinted. "That means they're either very new… or very old."

Kiba nodded. "The way the assassin fought—it wasn't just skill. It was refined, almost like a martial art designed for killing devils specifically."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You're thinking an assassin's guild?"

Kiba hesitated before responding. "Maybe. But this feels… different. Like they're more than just hired blades."

Rias tapped her fingers against the table. "They left that sigil behind intentionally. It wasn't an accident."

Naruto smirked. "A calling card. They want us to know they're watching."

Akeno's smile returned, though it was cold this time. "How cute~ They think they're scary."

Scene Change – The Underworld's Black Market

The next lead took Naruto and Rias to the Underworld's Black Market, a place filled with all sorts of shady characters, illegal trades, and forbidden knowledge.

The streets were dark, lit only by flickering crimson lanterns. Devils of all shapes and sizes moved about, their eyes filled with suspicion and greed.

Naruto walked beside Rias, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, though his senses were razor-sharp.

"Sure this is the place?" he asked.

Rias nodded. "If anyone knows about that symbol, it's the information brokers here."

They entered a shadowy tavern, the scent of smoke and cheap alcohol filling the air. The bartender—a grizzled, one-eyed devil—glanced at them but wisely said nothing.

At the far end of the room sat their contact: Veyron, a half-fallen devil known for dealing in secrets.

Rias approached him with the authority of a noble. "We're looking for information."

Veyron's eyes flicked toward Naruto before returning to Rias. "Information has a price, Princess."

Naruto grinned. "How about this for payment?"

He snapped his fingers, and a small pulse of Destruction Magic blew apart Veyron's drink.

The entire tavern went silent.

Veyron's face paled slightly. "I… see. No charge for friends."

Naruto's grin widened. "Smart man."

They showed him the sigil.

Veyron's face darkened immediately. "I've seen this before… but only once."

Rias leaned forward. "Where?"

Veyron hesitated, clearly afraid. "It's connected to an organization known only as Nyx's Veil."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Nyx's Veil?"

Veyron nodded. "They operate in the shadows—beyond the reach of even the Great Satans. They don't care about politics, power, or even money. Their goal is… chaos. They destabilize, assassinate, and manipulate. No one knows who leads them."

Naruto crossed his arms. "Sounds like a bunch of cowards hiding in the dark."

Veyron shook his head. "No. They're worse. They don't kill for contracts… they kill to send a message."

Rias's expression hardened. "And what message were they trying to send by targeting Naruto?"

Veyron swallowed hard. "It's not about you, Princess. It's about him."

He pointed at Naruto.

"They're afraid of what he might become."

Naruto's grin grew. "Then they should be."

[System Notification]

Quest Updated: "The Mark of Nyx"

• Objective: Confirm the existence of Nyx's Veil.

• Bonus Objective: Survive their next attack.

Scene Change – Ambush in the Alley

As Naruto and Rias left the tavern, their senses immediately flared.

They were being watched.

"Get ready," Naruto muttered.

Figures emerged from the shadows—cloaked assassins, their eyes glowing faintly under their hoods. They moved with inhuman speed, blades drawn, silent as death.

But Naruto was ready.

[Battle Initiated: "Ambush of the Veil"]

• Opponents: Nyx Assassins (Elite-Class)

• Objective: Survive and capture one alive.

• Bonus: Defeat the leader of the ambush squad.

"Demonic Compression Blade!"

Naruto's weapon formed in an instant, black-red energy crackling as he clashed with the first assassin. Their blades met in a shower of sparks, the force of the impact shattering the nearby walls.

Rias wasn't idle, summoning her own Power of Destruction, disintegrating two assassins with a single wave of her hand.

But they kept coming.

One assassin managed to slip past Naruto's guard, aiming a dagger directly at Rias's back.

Naruto's eyes flared.

"Not today."

He moved instinctively, faster than he'd ever moved before—

"Frozen Calamity!"

A wave of ice magic exploded outward, freezing the assassin mid-lunge.

Rias turned, her eyes widening slightly. "Thanks."

Naruto smirked. "I'm not letting them ruin my day."

They fought back-to-back, a perfect balance of destruction and control. Naruto's Destruction Blade sliced through the enemy ranks while Rias's raw power obliterated anything that got too close.

Finally, only one assassin remained—the leader, cloaked in darker robes with markings of Nyx's Veil etched into his armor.

Naruto pointed his blade at him. "Your friends are dead. Ready to talk?"

The assassin laughed quietly, his voice distorted. "You think this is over? You're just the beginning."

He lunged.

But Naruto was faster.

"Demonic Burst!"

A concentrated blast of pure destruction energy hit the assassin head-on, sending him crashing into the alley wall, unconscious.

[Battle Complete!]

• Objective Achieved: Captured a Nyx's Veil operative.

• Bonus Achieved: Defeated the squad leader.

• Rewards: +2,500 XP, Unique Ability Unlock: "Shadow Resistance."

Naruto exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a prisoner."

Rias nodded. "Let's see what he knows."

As they dragged the assassin away, Naruto's system flashed one last message.

[New Threat Detected…]

• Warning: A higher-ranking member of Nyx's Veil has taken an interest in you.

• Codename: The Night Reaper.

Naruto's grin returned.

"Good. I was starting to get bored."

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter Teasers:

• Interrogation of the captured assassin.

• Rias's growing feelings for Naruto.

• The Night Reaper makes his move.