Chapter 25 — The King's Hidden Hunt

At the Same Time — Scavenger Race Grounds

The crowd roared, energy pulsing through the stadium like a live wire. Cheers, chatter, and excitement filled the air. The scavenger race was about to begin, and everyone was watching—unaware of the silent threat lurking in the chaos.

Hidden within the audience, a Rank 3 demon quietly approached a civilian, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Ainz sat in the audience, clenching his fists. He had detected the demon but couldn't act—not now. His face was tense, eyebrows furrowed. He glanced toward Rose, who stood near the edge of the stands, her arms crossed and eyes calm—but not relaxed.

"He'll handle it," she murmured under her breath. "He's Arsh."

Meanwhile, Arsh stood at the starting point, scanning the crowd with his calm smile. A voice echoed in his earpiece.

OSAI: "Target confirmed. You are being watched. Would you like to proceed with item swap?"

Arsh smirked. "Change my unique item into 'a man with a black coat.'"

OSAI: "Confirmed. Altering objective."

The whistle blew. The race had begun.

All participants darted in different directions, trying to locate their designated items hidden across the field. But Arsh moved with purpose. He approached the demon calmly—directly.

Just as the demon was about to strike an innocent man—

"Excuse me, sir!" Arsh interrupted cheerfully, stepping between them. "You're a perfect match for my scavenger item. Would you please come with me?"

The demon blinked, caught off guard. The camera zoomed in on Arsh, broadcasting him live. Neither he nor the demon could make a move under public scrutiny.

"...Sure," the demon said, forcing a smile.

They walked together, side by side, heading toward the checkpoint. Unseen by the audience, Arsh's hand slipped silently into the demon's coat and deftly removed all his concealed weapons—knives, syringes, even a hidden blade in the boot.

By the time they reached the checkpoint, the demon was disarmed.

"Thank you, sir," Arsh said with a polite bow. "I'd thank you properly, but I'm still in the race."

The demon nodded, still trying to process what just happened.

As Arsh sprinted off, the demon tried to return to his task—but something was wrong. He reached for his knives.

Gone.

His eyes widened. How?

His blades were always hidden in impossible places, guarded by his hyper-aware senses—and yet he hadn't even noticed when they were taken.

Checkpoint Four

Arsh had already passed three checkpoints, nearing the fourth. But Hikari, one of the fastest racers, had already secured first place.

Still, Arsh kept moving with his quiet determination.

Meanwhile, the disarmed demon, still dangerous, decided to change tactics. He lunged toward a student, intending to snap their neck.

OSAI: "Shall I interfere?"

"Interrupt the mic frequencies," Arsh ordered calmly.

Suddenly, the stadium speakers let out a burst of static, drawing attention.

Perfect timing.

Arsh slipped behind the demon and stabbed a thin, poisoned needle into his back. The demon didn't die, but the tranquilizer did its job. Dizzy and staggering, the demon stumbled out of the main field—right into the alley where Sora stood waiting.

One clean strike.

The demon fell.

Race End

Arsh crossed the final checkpoint with a time that placed him third. The crowd cheered.

Waiting outside the field, Ainz, Rose, and Luna greeted him.

"Really, bro?" Ainz said with a grin. "That race was insane, and you still placed top three? You're something else!"

"I just got lucky," Arsh replied, waving it off.

Ainz rolled his neck. "Anyway, I've got my last match now—basketball. You?"

"Dough ball match," Arsh replied.

"I'll go with Arsh," Luna offered.

Rose nodded. "Then I'll go with Ainz."

Later — Basketball Court

The stadium was packed, the crowd buzzing with excitement. Commentators roared into the mics.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The final basketball match of the day! Featuring none other than our very own Ainz Frost!"

Ainz scanned the court. His eyes narrowed.

Three lesser demons on the opponent team. Two more in the stands.

He clicked on his earpiece. "Rose, two demons in the audience. you handle them?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "You're not my boss, you know. Ask nicely."

Ainz sighed. "Please. Can you take care of those two demons?"

"Better," Rose smirked. "But I promised Arsh I wouldn't use my powers without permission. Should I call him?"

"He's in a game," Ainz muttered. "He won't pick up."

"He has OSAI, stupid," she shot back. "You focus on the game. I'll call him."

Same Time — Dough Ball Grounds

The field was smaller, the crowd less intense. Arsh arrived with his team and waved at Luna, who waved back, cheeks flushed when he smiled at her.

The opposing team entered. One man stood out. Arsh narrowed his eyes.

OSAI: "Demonic signatures detected. Rank 4 demon on the opposing team. Lesser demon in the audience. Rank 5 demon... in your own team."

Arsh kept his calm.

"Make the ball a little heavier."

OSAI: "Deploying micro-drone... Ball weight adjusted."

Suddenly, a discreet call came in through Arsh's glasses.

Rose: "Two demons in the audience. Can I eliminate them?"

Arsh sighed. "Fine. Keep it clean."

"Always do," she replied.

Basketball Court

The whistle blew.

Ainz darted forward, grabbing the ball. One of the opponent team's demons moved to stab a player.

Ainz hurled the ball at the perfect angle. It slammed the demon's hand mid-air.

The crowd gasped. But then he missed another shot. Then another.

"Why's Ainz off his game today?" a spectator murmured.

Up in the stands, a demon rose blade hidden under his sleeve.

Before he could move, a chill washed over him—a dense, ancient miasma.

He froze.

Rose stood behind him, whispering, "You're going to kill your own comrade. Take him to the roof."

The demon trembled. Controlled by the aura, he obeyed. Moments later, Sora ended both demons cleanly on the rooftop.

Rose returned to her seat casually.

"Ainz," she whispered. "I'm done. You?"

The buzzer sounded. Ainz's team had won. 3:1. No one injured.

The Demons got out after losing and Sora finished them.

Dough Ball Grounds

The whistle blew.

A demon from the opposing team threw the ball directly at Arsh.

He didn't flinch—just leaned slightly.

The heavy ball flew past him and struck the demon on Arsh's team, knocking him out. He was carried away by the medics and that attacker got a warning.

Second round.

The audience demon tried to make a move.

Arsh smiled.

That smile—subtle and sharp—triggered the opponent demon, who lunged at him in rage.

But Arsh sidestepped, and the deflected ball slammed into the audience demon's arm. Medics rushed in.

The Demon got banned and he got out of the court, The demon was ejected and stormed out—only to collapse moments later.

He reached for his neck.

A hidden needle.

He fainted.

Back in the court Arsh's team won.

After the Games

Luna rushed to Arsh. "Congratulations!"

He chuckled. "But weren't you asleep?"

She blushed. "You noticed? Ugh—sorry…"

He smiled and rub his head and said: you are really cute.

her face got red.

Later, the group reunited to watch Luna's volleyball match. She won, 25:18.

As they left, the sun dipped low on the horizon.

"That match was boring," Ainz muttered, stretching.

Arsh turned to Luna. "I'm treating Rose to dinner. Ainz is coming too. Want to join us?"

Luna paused, cheeks red, then nodded. "Sure… Boss already gave us leave for the Summer Festival."

Evening — Small Restaurant

They entered a modest eatery—two rows of four tables, warm lighting, a quiet atmosphere.

Rose leaned into Arsh's ear and whispered, "This place? I want your cooking…, and it's not even five start."

He whispered back, "It's the safest zone right now. Trust me—the food's worth it."

As they were about to sit, a man bumped into Arsh and quickly left. Outside, he checked his hand—no wallet.

Just a note: Sorry, but pocket picking is a bad idea.

Seconds later, police tackled him in an alley.

Back at the table, dishes arrived.

Rose tasted hers. "Hmm… not even close to your cooking, but still—delicious!"

Luna blinked. "Azura can cook too?"

"A little," Arsh shrugged. "She's just picky because she grew up on my food."

They laughed and talked over dinner.

Later — Dorm Road

They walked together under the soft orange sky. Luna waved goodbye and disappeared into her dorm.

Inside her room, she collapsed on the bed, muttering into her pillow.

"Why am I this happy and shy? Do I… like him? Still it's best day in my life."

She smiled.

Meanwhile — The Safe House

Back home, Rose collapsed onto the couch. Ainz flopped into a chair beside her.

"This was the best day in weeks," Rose sighed. "Better than those awful paperwork-filled days…"

"Okay, okay," Arsh chuckled. "Don't make me feel like a dictator."

Ainz yawned. "I done a lot work and I am really tired, Still… I enjoyed today."

The doorbell rang.

OSAI: "Sir, Sora and Noar are here."

They bowed. "We're home, Your Majesty."

"You both did well today," Arsh said warmly.

Sora: "Thank you, my lord. But I must report about the forest base…"

"Did you eat?" Arsh asked.

Noar shook his head. "Not yet, sir."

"Sit. I'll make something."

Minutes later, food was served.

Sora: "There are many demons in the forest, sir—but the problem isn't the number. In the center… there's a house surrounded by over 50 Rank 3 and 4 demons."

"Go on," Arsh said calmly.

Sora: "In the garden… at least six powerful Demon Beasts. They're feeding on lower demons—growing stronger fast."

Arsh sighed. "I expected as much. Rest for tonight. I'll give the orders tomorrow."

Midnight — Sitler Forest Demon Base

Deep in the heart of the forest, Greed sat on a dark throne.

A demon knelt before him, trembling.

He said: I am sorry my lord. He start crying.

Without a word, Greed grabbed his throat and crushed it.

The body fell limp.

"I was a fool to act from the shadows, to fill this place with chaos" Greed growled. "Not again."

His laughter echoed through the cave.

He stood before a massive iron cage.

Inside, a monstrous demonic bear snarled and thrashed violently.

"This… is my next gift to Arsh."