Gaming Badly in DxD

-Zatren Fumigami-

‘’The results are clear. Eight Points total is the value allowed on each side this round.’’ Ayuka announced through the magical speakers. ‘’Now, as the Gremory King held the highest roll, she has to choose her combatant first.’’

As Rias turned back with a spring to her step, her blue eyes reached each and every one of us before she crossed her arms and asked. ‘’So, how do you guys want to do this?’’

‘’I say we sick Koneko at them.’’ I proposed.

‘’Ready to kill.’’ The Nekoshou nodded, gloved fists raising into a boxing guard.

‘’Wait, that’s no fair, I want to fight too!’’ Sachi cut off with a frown. Her eagerness was palpable, as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

‘’My, but shouldn’t the senior members get the privilege of going first?’’ Akeno said, holding a hand to her cheek.

Rias rolled her eyes in amusement. ‘’I anticipated something like this would happen, so… here!’’

With a click of her fingers, a small envelope with sticks poking out of it appeared in her hand. When shot a confused stare, Rias’ chest puffed up in pride. ‘’You will draw lots. Whoever gets the longer stick gets to fight this round. Fair, isn’t it?’’

Those who were able to participate looked at each other and nodded.

‘’Alright, one at a time, then,’’ Rias said.

After a few seconds, Sachi was left on the ground, shaking her fist in impotent frustration at having drawn the shortest stick. Kiba merely sighed, slightly disappointed, as he followed right after.

Asia drew circles in Sachi’s back while holding the second largest stick, while Gasper stared at hers, not too big nor too small, with an intense and surprisingly unsatisfied gaze.

Lastly, Koneko smiled smugly, expertly fidgeting her stick around, being the largest of the bunch.

‘’Told you I’d sick 'em.’’ The catgirl smiled, as if the results were a foregone conclusion.

And it kind of was. Because during choosing time, Koneko was about to grab the stick that now belonged to Asia, but just before, I felt energy being pulled off me and into her hand, whose fingers accidentally grasped the one right beside it.

‘’The game was rigged from the start.’’ I nodded in acknowledgment. ‘It was me. I rigged it.’

To be honest, I wasn’t the most comfortable sending Koneko against Diodora’s following of nuns, but considering the ring I gave her and the extra protection around her belly, I was less so worried and a bit… relieved?

I knew Koneko had been feeling a bit like a burden. Even during the raid against Kokabiel, she had not been able to do much of anything. And even when she recovered from her spiritual insufficiency, our friends unconsciously took extra care with her, even during training.

And Koneko wanted none of that bullshit. The kitty wanted all of the smoke and had the paws to prove it.

‘’It is decided then!’’ Rias clapped her hands together, turning to the arena with a confident smile. ‘’I choose Koneko Toujou, my Rook, as this round’s combatant!’’

Suddenly, up in the coliseum’s bleachers, a giant magic circle appeared, and from it, a screen with Koneko’s picture, along with her piece and value, appeared.

‘’Rias Gremory chooses a single Rook for this round,’’ Ayuka said. ‘’Astaroth King, choose your combatant.’’

The man did not take long to think at all. In fact, the words left his lips right after Ayuka’s words.

‘’I choose my Eight Pawns to fight against Gremory’s Rook!’’ He announced with a flimsy smile.

Right beside Koneko’s picture, eight different girls appeared. All of them were dressed in different versions of nuns’ outfits, and all of them had that dead fish expression on their faces that sent an uncomfortable shiver down my spine.

‘’Diodora Astaroth chooses his Eight Pawns for this round,’’ Ayuka said. ‘’Let the match… begin!’’

-X-x-X-

-Koneko Toujou-

My knuckles cracked as I stepped forward. The roaring cheers of the false audience made my ears twitch uncomfortably, mostly because thanks to Senjutsu, I could feel just how lifeless they were.

And, as the opposing King’s Pawns stepped out, caution in their bored gazes and postures, I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘’…You have a soul, yet somehow, it feels more dead than the constructs.’’ I pointed out, causing my opponents to freeze. ‘The feedback I’m getting… I don’t like it.’

But there was no time to worry about that.

‘’’’Promotion: Queen!’’’’

As every single Pawn immediately promoted themselves to the highest-possible piece. I didn’t know if I should call it smart or dumb to try to win by numbers alone.

So I didn’t call anything and just started the violence.

The two bravest of the group closed the distance with a sprint. Their bodies were reinforced with a sudden burst of Demonic Power granted by the promotion. Yet, I easily weaved out of a fist’s way, right palm opening to catch another’s hook.

‘’Let… go!’’ The brown-haired devil dressed as a nun struggled to pull her fist back even as I put the barest hint of pressure on it.

‘’Fine,’’ I conceded with a shrug, eyes furrowing as the first nun tried her luck again. ‘’Ei!’’

Only to suddenly freeze as she was forced to catch her ally. The force of the throw was enough to knock the air out of the two’s lungs as they were pushed back enough to draw a small cloud of dust.

‘Mhn…’ My ears twitched, the two tails behind me puffing up as my head snapped to the side. ‘’Group Casting…?’’

Four Pawns around the same age as Rias had their hands extended as one massive magic circle slowly formed in the air. The sheer Demonic Power being inside of it would have been enough to actually pierce through my defenses.

…If they weren’t so unbelievably slow.

‘Is this what Zatren feels when training with us?’ I wondered with a tilt of my head. An idle look around made me notice the two pawns, who weren’t trying to regain their bearings, had stepped back. Present, but not willing to get in the crossfire.

‘‘…Quick it is.’’

The air cracked with the roar of thunder as lightning soared through the air. The spell hitting the ground caused the entire arena to shake. Yet, as the dust settled, only a massive, smoldering scar on the earth remained where I had just been standing.

And now, I was standing behind the mages.

‘’Did you get her?’’ I asked one the nuns.

‘’N-no… she’s just too fast—!’’ The girl turned my way with wide, surprised eyes, and I’d have to admit, messing with people was somewhat fun. ‘’SHE’S BACK HERE!’’

‘’Bam.’’ That’s the last thing the mage was able to say as my fist buried itself in her sternum. An uncomfortable crack and a gasp for air were the last participation of that Pawn. ‘’…Too much.’’

‘’One of Astaroth’s Pawns has been retired.’’ The announcer said.

Retaliation from her companions came in the form of several magic circles opening all around me in quick succession, forming a barrier.

However, before I could get out of the way, I had to block one of the older nuns shooting back into the fray. Her eyes squinted as she struggled to push past my loose guard, and her following roundhouse kick was fast enough to breach past if I lost focus.

Unlike before, the blow was able to move me an inch through my raised guard. Not only that, but the limb was glowing a sickly green light.

‘A Sacred Gear?’ I wondered, making sure to pay attention to the circles around us as I punched the woman where I knew her kidneys were with a meaty smack.

Her body flew back, but I saw that green light coating her whole torso this time. A small, confident smile appeared on the nun’s face.

My ears twitched again, and a simple barrier made with demonic power appeared as I turned around. A blonde, younger nun with fists coated in a purple, swirling energy pushed through a gap in the circles, delivering a right hook to my shield, but to no effect save for a bit of shaking.

But then she kept going. One, two, three, a dozen consecutive punches, and each time, I noticed the barrier I made trembled just a bit further, until it shattered at the twentieth blow, forcing me to actually dodge out of the way as fist number twenty-one slammed against the ground, causing it to part into a crater that was at least ten meters wide.

‘Guard down.’ I noted, pushing forward with enhanced speed. The blonde’s blue eyes widened in shock as, in a second, I was going to deliver her retirement.

But just before I could, the older nun from before got in the way. Her green, solidified body took the blow without fanfare. And, unlike the ones I delivered before, this time the woman didn’t move.

And I felt my fist throb.

‘Sacred Gear makes her sturdier the harder she gets hit.’ I noted, jumping backwards to avoid the nun’s retaliation in the form of a bear hug. And then, I turned my focus to the blonde who just got her bearings back. ‘Sacred Gear that makes her blows progressively stronger?’

It wasn’t just that. The coordination between them was stupidly effective. Not a single gesture, word, or signal was exchanged between them.

Like they were… connected.

I’m stupid.

Senjutsu flared out as the shape of the nun’s souls came into plain view. Now, the reason explained itself.

‘’Are you okay, Maria?’’ The older nun ‘said.’

‘’I’m fine. I’ll catch her next time.’’ The blond reassured. ‘’How many blows can you take?’’

‘’I’ll keep taking them as long as she provides them!’’ Her ally replied.

They weren’t speaking through words or gestures. Their very hearts were connected with each other, and as such, their souls were too.

I just needed to strike the woman with blows infused with spiritual energy to break past her Sacred Gear. After that, it would be easy pickings.

‘…Hit ‘em till they give in.’ A little smile appeared on my face.

I let every bit of strength flood my body. The previous pressure could not compare to what I exerted now. As my foot pressed down on the arena’s floor, it cracked.

In less than a blink, I was back in front of the older nun.

The woman’s face contorted into shock as she guarded. My next strike managed to push her back and also make the air part with an awfully loud whistle, as if a train had just hit her raised guard instead of a fist.

Then, I just kept going.

Just like her companion had done with my barrier, I landed blow after blow. The blonde could not go anywhere that wasn’t behind her ally, as the air pressure would send her flying and crashing into the barrier, and other than tanking the hits, the older nun could not do anything.

Her body glowed with intense power, yes, but the cracks were starting to show.

A dozen blows became two dozen, and in less than ten seconds, ninety-nine strikes were dished out.

And the glow of the Pawn’s Sacred Gear finally dimmed out.

‘’You thought shit was sweet.’’ I frowned at the woman’s beaten and battered body. ‘’I’m sweeter.’’

SMACK! Crr-CRACK!

One last blow, and the woman was sent flying along with her companion. The blow packed enough of a punch to not only knock them unconscious, but push them through the barrier, shattering it on their way until they crashed against the coliseum’s walls, leaving a nun-shaped dent in their wake as their bodies disappeared in motes of light.

‘’Two of Astaroth’s Pawns have been retired.’’

‘Five left.’ My fists clenched repeatedly, feeling the stiffness provoked by punching the equivalent of magically reinforced steel a hundred times slowly fade away.

Seeing their better combat options falling to do anything other than being a distraction, the five remaining Pawns stayed close together. The magic circles around their hands glowed brighter as the barrier around me slowly repaired itself.

And then started to shrink.

I blinked, slowly. A huff of annoyance escaped past my lips.

With an echoing boom, the light show started.

-X-x-X-

-Zatren Fumigami-

The entire arena was covered by a thick layer of smoke. The circles that were used to cage Koneko also had more than a few fire and electricity spells etched into the mix.

‘So serious…’ I chuckled internally, noticing Sachi and Asia tense up.

‘’Koneko…?’’ Gasper whispered at my side, a hint of worry in her tone. With a huff, I placed my hand on top of her head, messing her platinum-blonde locks a bit. ‘’E-eh? S-senpai… It’s not the time for that…! Koneko is in trouble!’’

I couldn’t help but snort. ‘’She’ll kick your ass if she catches you thinking so little of her, you know?’’

‘’What?’’ Gasper frowned, dumbfounded. ‘’But that amount of magic power… F-from five Queens, too.’’

‘’Gasper.’’ I interrupted before the Dhampir could get overwhelmed in her own thoughts. Then, my finger pointed at Rias, causing Gasper to turn in the direction of our smiling King. ‘’Did you hear the fucking bell?’’

In a moment, the smoke screen seemed to still.

FWOOOOOSH!

And then a raging inferno took its place.

Blue flames packed to the brim with spiritual energy enveloped two-thirds of the arena, causing Diodora’s Pawns to scream as they were pushed to the borders by the intensity of the blaze.

An error they paid for with defeat, because being separated instead of close to each other was their undoing.

A white blur moved across the battlefield. In less than a blink, a brunette nun had her head slammed against the wall.

‘’One of Astaroth’s—’’

And before Ayuka could finish, a girlish scream cut her off, followed by soul-damaging flames enveloping another woman. Of course, a direct hit from that would have been enough to kill her, so it was no surprise that her body disappeared into motes of light as she was retired.

‘’Two of Astaroth’s Pawns have been retired.’’ Ayuka corrected herself, a hint of amusement in her otherwise plain tone.

‘’Yo, Yuuto,’’ I called out to the blonde, causing him to tilt his head in my direction. ‘’Think you can top my wife’s speed over there?’’

The blonde blinked, his grey eyes rolling as an amused smile took over his gentle expression. ‘’Sure. Just buff me up beforehand.’’

Holding back a chuckle, I nodded. ‘’Touche.’’

At least my jest, along with the showing of prowess, was more than enough to put out the worries that remained.

My eyes shifted back to the fight, where Diodora’s Pawns were trying, in a last-ditch effort, to create a barrier to protect themselves from the Nekoshou’s demonic speed. Sadly, for them, that shit wasn’t going to fly.

Because Koneko took no time to attach herself to the top of the dome-like magic barrier like a mosquito. Finally stopping her sprint, it was easy to tell that the magic attack the three Pawns—previously five—had used had damaged her a bit.

If her school uniform being charred and slightly torn around her left shoulder could be considered ‘damage’.

‘’I win.’’ The white-haired girl stated plainly in the otherwise deafening silence as her palms pressed against the dome, much to the Pawn’s wide-eyed surprise. ‘’Burn.’’

A second later, the barrier’s exterior was consumed by a blue inferno. Spiritual fire easily burned through the magic, and also the Nekoshou’s victims.

‘’Three of Astaroth’s Pawns have been retired,’’ Ayuka announced. The two images at the top of the coliseum blinked, with Koneko’s being colored a fervent, victorious blue, and the eight Pawns a faded shade of red. ‘’First Round goes to Rias Gremory.’’

Cheering of different intensities happened between our group, and the bleachers filled with magic constructs roared as if they were real Romans having witnessed a bloodbath.

Meanwhile, I directed a smile at the almost-fresh petite girl who walked right to us. With barely contained laughter, I greeted Koneko as she got closer. ‘’Had fun?’’

‘’Wiped them.’’ The girl nodded, raising a gloved palm in the air. ‘’Left no crumbs.’’

‘’Type shit.’’

I met the raised hand with a low one of my own. The only thing louder than the following dap was Ayuka announcing for the Kings to make their way to the center of the arena to roll the dice once more.

-X-x-X-

-Diodora Astaroth-

As I gazed at the last of my Pawns being retired, my teeth ground together. A deep sense of anger mixed with the power inside my stomach, slowly coming to an insufferable boil.

‘’Lord Diodora…’’ A pair of arms draped over my left. My Queen. Her pale-yellow eyes looked upon me with genuine worry.

My little puppet. Of all my ‘toys’, she was the only one who didn’t need to be broken, didn’t need convincing. The moment I used the carrot instead of the stick, she clung to my every word like an idiotic rat eating poisoned bread.

‘Touching me like you’re anything but…’ Forcing a tight, calm smile into my face, I patted the woman’s arms, feeling them slowly retract. ‘’Don’t worry, dear. A single battle does not define a war, now does it?’’

Some meager hope returned to her gaze with the honeyed lie. Of course, she didn’t know that.

‘To get a sample from that… thing.’ If I could spit and curse his name, I would, but maintaining composure was crucial as Ayuka Beelzebub beckoned the Gremory Heiress and me forward.

‘To even have the opportunity to draw blood, I need the result to be a ten or above.’ My digits clenched and unclenched impatiently with every step. ‘If I fail to get that number, and Gremory doesn’t send him forward… it would be the same as putting my neck under the guillotine.’

Meeting in the middle, hand pressed against my chest, I gave a nod of acknowledgement.

‘’Quite the servant you have there, Gremory. To match and beat eight Queens in such quick succession and come out without scratches. I see you have not slouched in her training. Truly impressive.’’ I praised.

Of course, the words were true in a sense, and every Noble Heir enjoyed having their ego stroked, but they were insincere in their own way.

The Nekoshou may have been able to quickly dispatch broken rubbish, but that just made her garbage disposal. Nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Yet, instead of replying with thanks or fake modesty, Gremory merely grinned, making a sudden pressure settle in my spine. ‘’…You are ugly when you lie, Diodora Astaroth.’’

I froze. Fists tightening at the audacity. Yet, my mind reeled at the possibility that she saw through the charade.

‘’I am not lying, I assure you.’’ I chuckled, sheepishness in my tone.

‘’Then why are you ugly?’’

I heard something crack. It was too late to notice, however, that it was the sound of my knuckles popping under the pressure of my own grip. The strength I gained from the snakes of the Infinite Dragon swirling beneath my palm.

‘How dare this idiotic tramp insult me—!’

Before the snakes could lash out, along with my righteous fury, a pair of dice fell from the sky. One for each. The red one fell into mine, while the blue one fell into Gremory’s hand.

Even as Lady Beelzebub went on about how it was my turn to roll the dice, the only thing I could focus on was the enraging smug smile on the redhead’s face.

Without a bit more force than necessary, I threw the die.

A single glance at the stopped cube revealed the result. Four dots aimed at the sky.

Immediately, the rage inside me was replaced by worry. Rias Gremory needed to obtain a six for Lord Rizevim’s plan to go smoothly, and with it, my chance of seeing another day.

My stomach dropped as the blue dice fell from her hand.

It rolled once, twice… until it settled on the third bump.

Six dots greeted the skies.

‘’The points being able to be played this round are ten.’’ Lady Beelzebub said.

I had to contain a wide, satisfied grin from appearing on my face, lest I tip the redhead on. However, that wasn’t the only convincing I needed to do.

‘’Gremory, if I may be so brash, could I request something from you?’’ I asked abruptly as the woman started to turn around.

Curiosity brimmed in those azure eyes, accompanied by a sense of disdain. As if the mere notion of looking at me put her in a bad mood. She should rest assured, for the feeling was mutual.

Her arms crossed as she raised an eyebrow. ‘’Yes, Diodora?’’

‘To not even address me like a proper Heir…’ I forcefully calmed myself down, offering a disarming smile instead. ‘’Could I request your Rook, Zatren Fumigami, to be sent in this match? You see, I had quite a revelation after our last altercation. Arduous weeks of training after such a humblingexperience.’’

The words felt like poison in my mouth, and I wanted nothing more than to wash them away with soap, but I couldn’t let my face show. Not yet.

‘’You can send another piece as well, no doubt about it. But I would be in your eternal gratitude for a chance of… redemption.’’

Thankfully, I maintained a straight face and polite tone through that forsaken speech. Even if Rias’ eyes narrowed in suspicion, her form faltered, if only just a tad.

‘’…I shall think about it.’’ She stated, turning around to go back to her peerage.

But even a single crack was enough.

‘’King Astaroth, as the loser of the previous round, you are to choose your combatants.’’ Beelzebub’s voice announced through the speakers.

But I already have my answer.

‘’I choose myself, Diodora Astaroth, and King of this peerage,’’ I exclaimed with a small wave, where I knew the circles were monitoring the Rating Game.

It was not an unexpected move. After all, with the battle being to the best of three, and with one loss under my belt, the next logical move was to send the strongest piece you could to reach the third round.

‘A drop of blood.’ I reminded myself with a smile as I felt Zatren Fumigami’s gaze even from across the arena. ‘A single drop of blood, and a showing for the Infinite Dragon, and my life is back in my hands once more.’

But who was I kidding?

I would not be satisfied with anything less than utterly humiliating that man! Until I felt his warm blood staining my hands!

Rating Game rules be dammed.

-X-x-X-

-Zatren Fumigami-

‘This fucker’s planning something.’ I hummed while stepping into the arena. Gasper walked side by side with me, fidgeting nervously. ‘It doesn’t help that his stats are all messed up…’

Diodora Astaroth.

Title: [Heir of Astaroth]. [Faith Breaker]. [Scum]. [Puppet].

Status: [Unhealthy]. [?]. [Magic Overcharge]. [Magic Sickness].

STR: [C- (B)].

DEX: [C- (B)].

CON: [D+ (B-)].

MAG: [C (A-)].

SPI: [F-].

LCK: [D].

Overall Combat Capability: [B+].

It was the same thing with Katarea. With this alone, it was safe to say that the heir of Astaroth was in cahoots with the Old Satans and whatever they had going for them. To be honest, I wasn’t even much in the know about their goals myself. That was more of an Ayuka and Sirzechs thing to do.

I just needed to make the bastard so mad he spilled the beans. Ragebaiting 101.

‘’We see each other again, Zatren Fumigami.’’ The man started, his face set in a polite smile, while the images of our faces appeared above the skies. ‘’I’ll say, Gremory sending you with some support was a most wise choice, though I wished our confrontation to be of the one-on-one variety.’’

Gasper at my side frowned. The otherwise shy dhampir stared dead ahead at the man.

‘’Didn’t know you were that eager to get your face smashed publicly for a second time.’’ I snorted, seeing the man’s smile tighten. ‘’But I’m sad to say, I’ll have to disappoint you.’’

‘’Oh? And why’s that?’’ The smugness dripped off his tongue as Demonic Power, dense and potent, almost like sludge, radiated from him in waves.

I merely chuckled… and took a few steps back.

Gasper turned to face me with wide eyes. Yet I only nodded, giving her the go-ahead while my closed fists settled into position.

And the Dhampir, in preparation for the clash, took a deep breath and took something out of the pockets of Kuoh’s school uniform.

A single vial of golden blood. My blood, specifically.

‘’You will be disappointed, Diodora Asta-thot—‘’ I relished in the way the devil’s eyes widened, barely concealed fury on his face while his fists clenched. ‘’—Because you’re not getting your shit kicked in by me, but by my smoking-hot girlfriend over here.’’

In the little time I took to address Diodora, Gasper already threw the vial to the side. Her uniform became fuller, as her body grew. The previously flat chest now strained against the white undershirt, and the uniform’s skirt became almost short enough for the Dhampir to be flashing anyone in her vicinity with every move.

She didn’t really need my blood to transform anymore, but with a look at her stats, it was clear as day that it gave a nice temporary buff.

‘’With this Treasure…’’ With the basic words laid to the winds, the Tyrant’s Wheel in all of its red, emerald, and cracked glory manifested over my head. ‘’Transfer!’’

And in a flash of light, it disappeared, only to reappear on top of Gasper’s head.

Gasper turned to me, her blood-red eyes staring pointedly at my very soul and narrowing in mild annoyance.

‘’I shall take this as your own way to participate, and not the fact that you’ll think I would lose without it, Zatren.’’ Gone were the warm, shy words, replaced by cold confidence adorned with unparalleled smugness.

‘’Kick his ass, babe.’’ I, being the mature adult I am, shot the dhampir two with finger-guns.

Gasper merely huffed in amusement, arms uncrossing as she stepped forward. ‘’If my Consort desires so…’’

‘Hate to see her go, but love to watch her leave.’ I tried to not pay attention to the intentional sway of Gasper’s hips.

This little show of ours was more than enough, I noticed, as the next time my eyes landed on Diodora, he looked one second short of frothing at the mouth. His golden eyes stared at me with unfiltered anger, like he was staring at actual garbage when it was clearly the other way around.

‘’You… you dare not even face me properly and instead send this—‘’ His gaze turned to Gasper. The arena started to shake as the demonic power inside his body pushed out in waves. ‘’—filth in your place?! And you think a few drops of blood and a Sacred Gear would be enough?’’

‘’I think you’re going deaf, because she literally said the blood was enough like, ten seconds ago.’’ I huffed, shaking my head as a cocky grin bloomed on my face. ‘’But since you want to act all pissy about it, hmm… Say, Diodora, if you manage to knock her to the ground once, I’ll join the fray.’’

Diodora growled. Honest to Gabriel and her cute, pinchable cheeks. He didn’t scream. He didn’t curse my name or anything of the like. His pompous words were forgotten and replaced with attitudes befitting a beast.

And that’s when I noticed the snake-like shape crawling through his body, settling nicely into his chest, near the heart.

Unbothered by theatrics, Gasper literally disappeared, her form not even blurring, like she had used my own Shadow Step to appear right next to Diodora and land a devastating right hook in the man’s face. The sheer strength alone was enough for the entire arena to rumble. Air moved with a painfully high whistle as Diodora’s face snapped back with a crack.

A hit like that would have put him out of commission a month ago. On death’s grasp, even.

This time, only a smidge of blood dripped down his nose as his face was squished by Gasper’s fists. The Dhampir frowned, almost offended that the trash she was facing did not turn to motes of light in a single blow.

The blood dripped down to Diodora’s mouth, forcing him to taste copper. His unfocused eyes were still glaring past the blonde and directly at me, but when they snapped back at the fist that buried itself in his face…

He roared.

In a swipe of demonic power, the nearby stands turned to rubble. The constructs acting as the audience dissipated under the magic exerted by Diodora as he screeched like a banshee.

A magic circle appeared on top of his closed, shaky fist, being delivered right into Gasper’s gut, who didn’t even flinch back as the strike was guarded with a magic circle of her own. The blonde, with a frown etched on her beautiful face, took hold of him and threw him into the air.

The arena’s ground cracked as Gasper jumped, a blur of motion rising high like a star to deliver a devastating left hook into the man’s raised guard.

CRACK!

Diodora manifested a magic circle at the last second, and as it pulsed with magic power, Gasper was forced to take a step back as the arena was consumed by an explosion of power that caused the ruined arena to shake once more.

Meanwhile, I whistled, turning to where I felt one of the monitoring magic circles.

‘’Yo, Teacher. Is this thing reinforced enough? Because it feels like they are going to tear the place apart.’’

‘’Precautions have already been accounted for.’’ Ayuka’s voice could barely be heard over the explosions.

‘’Neat-o.’’

-X-x-X-

-Gasper Vladi-

The ground cracked as I pushed the devil to the ground. Both arms clasped his shoulders as he was buried in a crater with a thunderous explosion.

‘’Damn… filth.’’ His bloody face locked into a rageful scowl as his hands clamped tightly around my arms. ‘’Get your hands off me!’’

‘’I was going to say the same thing.’’ I spat.

Magic surged with an echoing blast. I turned my head away at the last second to see a beam of pure, concentrated demonic power cutting through the air. The feeling of intense heat, along with the dripping of something warm on the side of my face, caused me to scowl.

The injury was gone in a second, but the metallic whir of the wheel on top of my head had already started.

Clutching Diodora by the shirt, I threw him into one of the walls. Unexpectedly, it wasn’t his back meeting rock and stone, but his feet skidding across coarse ground to stop the momentum.

His hateful glare met mine, and another magic circle surrounded by a snake-like drawing appeared on his hands.

The next blast of demonic power, I dodged by changing form. Just as the ray of destruction blasted from the ground up, trying to slice me in half, my body disassembled into a poof of smoke, dozens of rabid bats taking its place as they swarmed the man.

As claws and teeth made a beeline for his flesh, Diodora’s gaze swept across the arena with all the desperation of a cornered animal. A magic barrier appeared around him to stop the creatures of the night.

Even through the barrier, I could see his body falling apart. His face had gone paler than his already fair complexion. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck, all for firing two powerful attacks that his meager body held no right to even possess.

The more damming evidence of all was a black, vein-like pattern rising from his collar and to his face.

Assembling myself once more, I struck the barrier with a magically reinforced fist. The barrier trembled, and there were cracks at the seams already.

‘’Your body can’t hold the power you seized. No… Not seized. It was forced upon you.’’ My eyes narrowed in suspicion. ‘’How pitiful.’’

‘’Pitiful…?’’ He repeated with a trembling whisper. His right eye, the one where the vein-like pattern kept growing, turned slitted, like that of a lizard. ‘’You… pitying me? ME?! Don’t you dare make me laugh!’’

Hands pressed together, gathering an absurd amount of demonic power. Diodora didn’t even care about taking down his own barrier.

CRACK!

Instead, the death ray cut right through it with flashing colors. I easily stepped aside, letting it burn a scar through the earth and then shot high into the air due to recoil.

The magic found the arena’s edge, and it shook with the terrifying power. Yet, once the beam’s fuel had run out, there was not a single scratch on the sky. As expected of barriers created by one of the leaders of devilkind.

‘’I’ll kill you...’’ Diodora spat, tone strained with ragged breaths as he got up on shaky limbs. ‘’And then I’ll do the same to that cocky brat you abhorrent people call a ‘God’!’’

‘’Thank you for using the capital G. You didn’t even get me mixed up with the big man,’’ Zatren commented from the side, lazily leaning against one of the arena’s walls. ‘’Now, if only you could be so considerate on other aspects of life…‘’

‘’Shut. Up.’’ Diodora spat, recovering his bearings as the foreign energy inside him pulsed and throbbed, actively changing his body and deteriorating with every second he didn’t settle down. ‘’You should have just been able to recognize your betters. I had no use for you, yet you still impeded my goal.’’

The pause in the battle, along with Diodora’s angry tone, caused Zatren to frown. His hazel eyes seemed to pierce the arena in ways that would have made my body tense if I didn’t know my consort was not glaring at me, but at the devil who shamelessly claimed to be powerful, yet couldn’t even use borrowed power properly.

‘’Oh yeah?’’ Zatren asked, not moving a single inch. Yet, the slight tapping of his fingertips against his sleeves spoke of eagerness. ‘’And what was it?’’

Diodora grinned, his golden gaze suddenly filled with manic exhilaration. ‘’Why… that young ex-nun you so hastily came to the rescue of. Quite the prince charming, aren’t you?’’

I froze.

My fists clenched together as a deep pool of anger settled inside my stomach. That lascivious look, the way he spoke of Asia, and considering his peerage consisted of reincarnated devils dressed as nuns…

Ca-chk!

Energy filled my body as the adaptation from Diodora’s first and only strike came to a full circle. Already, I noticed the dense power around me would protect me better from magic, while my muscles tensed and became denser so as not to be affected by piercing attacks.

‘’I thought you pitiable.’’ I spat with so much vitriol that my voice became raspy and deep. Diodora glanced back at me with annoyance, while Zatren’s face contorted into a knowing grin. ‘’But to think you’re worse than filth… The only pitiable thing is that you consume the same air as someone as respectable and caring as our Golden Healer.’’

‘’Cute nickname,’’ Zatren murmured to himself. ‘’Also, damn. That’s bars—Oh, Gasper, dear? Would you be able to get me one of the snakes wiggling inside him?’’

With a small frown of confusion, thinking about whether I should push my hand into the devil's entrails for such a thing, I failed to notice Diodora getting ready to strike once more.

His form blurred forward, but not faster than I could raise my guard. His fists, covered in magic circles, delivered blow after blow that would have made the bones in my arms creak if it wasn’t for the extra density added by the Tyrant’s Wheel.

‘I didn’t need it.’ I repeated myself, offhandedly stopping Diodora’s attack by catching his hands and clutching them with enough strength to disintegrate steel. ‘’A criminal should answer for their crimes. If you keep using that power, your body will be nothing but ash.’’

The man, body torn and disfigured by the snakes inside him, merely laughed. His grin spread to an uncomfortable degree as the magic inside his body rose once more.

‘’I would be dead either way, so… what difference does it make?’’ He asked, amused.

A statement that would have made my stomach churn coming from another person failed to let me shed a single bit of sympathy for the devil. Not after what his twisted mind planned to do to a friend of mine.

Still, his body won’t give, and that power inside him kept growing.

My gaze, for but a moment, went to the women standing on Diodora’s side of the arena, watching from the sideline with different expressions. Most looked with broken indifference, but there was a pair who could not have felt more relieved.

Merely one, a platinum blonde with pale-yellow eyes, looked at him with worry.

Definitely not the stares of people who were scared of their King breathing his last. In my mind, it only spoke of his crimes further.

‘’Enough is enough, then. Underserving as you are to see it, I will finish this now… then wash myself once for each blow we traded.’’ I spat as our struggle started settling in Diodora’s favor.

Realization filled his eyes, but it was much too late to pull back, as the dark power settled inside my very eyes and extended into a field around me.

‘’Balor’s View: Za Warudo!’’

The reality around us was distorted by the sound of static. The world’s colors dimmed into nothing as the frozen expression of Diodora Astaroth greeted me.

‘’A second has passed…’’ I stated, releasing his limbs. His body, frozen in time, was completely unable to even blink. ‘’Two seconds have passed... Now that I have a proper look, you are already at death’s door, Diodora.’’

His skin had gone from pale to a sickly yellow. His body had already been taken over by the snakes. Their very use shortened his life immensely, if I had to guess.

Yet, their removal would also leave behind a broken husk of himself. Sure, Phenex Tears may be able to heal him, but the sheer strain put on his body would come with consequences.

Could he still boast and lay his hands on another if he were a bedridden heir? Could his strength without the snakes be recovered, or would he remain a cripple?

‘’Three seconds have passed.’’

The possibilities were quite endless, yet not a single one could make me shed a tear for him.

‘’Four seconds have passed.’’ With one quick, decisive strike, I felt my entire arm pierce through Diodora’s frozen stomach. Something wiggled inside, even in stopped time: a snake. ‘’Five…’’

With a hole in his stomach and part of his power forcefully removed, I walked off to where Zatren was observing with an analytical eye. Of course, my Consort’s body was unaffected by my ability to stop one of the Universe’s very laws.

As he should. Only a man of this caliber could dare to put his hands around me.

‘’All out with the references, huh?’’ He said, and did just as I mentioned. One of his arms went around my waist as he was forced to look up and into my eyes.

‘’Just because it’s a battle, it does not mean I shall not indulge in my preferences,’’ I stated firmly, allowing his touch to linger as I placed the writhing snake on the other. ‘’Your petition, my consort.’’

The man’s eyes looked at the black, red-eyed snake for a second. Then, in a show of might, his divine power filled the living creature. Frowning, he sighed before letting the now calm reptile slither up his arm.

And then he had the audacity to smile and place a chaste kiss on my lips. ‘’Thank you, Gasper~’’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘’How demure. Cute.’’

My palm grabbed his chin as I placed a proper, passion-filled smooch on his lips, forcing the smug expression to be replaced by surprise. ‘’If you’re going to lay your hands on me, do it properly, or don’t bother at all.’’

‘’Uh… yes, ma’am.’’ He nodded slowly, dumbfounded, before turning his gaze to the frozen Diodora. ‘’Also, I think you’ve gone way past the five-second mark.’’

‘’Mere theatrics. My control over time does not hold such a pitiful thing as a ‘time limit.’’’ I released him with a huff, turning back to the scum in devil skin, a grin filled with sadistic anticipation on my face. ‘’Time shall resume once again.’’

‘’…?’’ Diodora’s body, now with its mobility regained, took a single step forward. ‘’G…guh?’’

Splat!

And then his body fell to the ground. The hole in his stomach left a splatter of blood behind his kneeling form. His head turned in our direction, blood dripping down his mouth. His teeth were clearly stained with the liquid.

Gasps of shock coming from his ‘servants’ made themselves known. Yet not a single one of them stepped to their King’s aid. Even the Queen, who had stared with genuine worry moments before, merely gazed with wide-eyed shock as Diodora choked on his own blood.

‘’You… You…!’’ His pathetic gurgles were incomprehensible as he clutched his broken body, as if that would stop the bleeding in any way. ‘’I’ll… kill… you… I grasped… the Infinite…!’’

The Rules of the Rating Game, being set for a reason, came into play as Diodora’s body started glowing, ready to be retired and declare the Rating Game won in Rias’ favor.

‘’You’re a waste.’’

Yet, faster than the announcement, and faster than the rules could save Diodora’s life, something, or rather, someone, appeared.

Diodora’s body burst into flames. The man’s clogged throat could only release muffled screams as his body was turned to ash from the inside out. The two snakes that remained within him made their way out, completely unscathed as they slithered… to the figure that ripped a hole into reality and now stood in the middle of the arena.

‘This is…’ Pressure like I had never felt before settled on my spine as two dark eyes gazed upon me for a mere moment. ‘A dragon?!’

A petite girl, shorter than even Koneko, with long jet-black hair going all the way to her knees. She wore black, laced boots. Her dark vest was wide open, revealing a flat chest covered by black pasties in a cross pattern.

Her expressionless face didn’t move an inch as the snakes slithered up her legs and fused back into her body.

Yet, as un-intimidating as she looked, it felt like I was standing right in front of something so immeasurable that it went far beyond anything from this world.

She was no mere dragon, and as shameful as it was, my shoulders relaxed with hidden relief as her gaze finally went past me… and directly to the man at my side.

‘’You.’’ The girl stated with a frown frowning. ‘’I want to talk to you.’’

-X-x-X-

.

.

.

Author's Note:

The world has been rid of one evil!

Now Zatren better pass all the persuasion, charisma, and skill checks or we are FUCKED

I also publish on other sites, if you wish to check them out:

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/15809388/HamsterX42

QQ: https://forum.questionablequesting.com/search/35199387/?c[users]=HamsterX42&o=date

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/HamsterX42

Discord Link: .gg/92Yt5wxeWN