While the others were still caught up in their discussion, Shuo idly flicked open his system interface. His eyes narrowed instantly—a Red Tier mission had appeared, no warning, just glaring at him in crimson.
And the target? Someone he actually recognized.
Ding! Mission issued: Protect Saji Genshirou's life and extract his Sacred Gear.
Saji Genshirou—Sona's underling, Student Council secretary, second-year like Issei, host to the Black Evil Dragon King, Vritra. The kid had the Black Dragon Pulse Sacred Gear, and in later volumes, Azazel would stack him with even more dragon relics: Black Flame of the Evil Dragon, Pitch Black Territory, Dragon Prison. With all four, Saji could morph into a monstrous, jet-black serpent, but that power always skirted the edge of madness—he needed Issei nearby just to keep himself together.
The mission was tempting, no doubt. The rewards were ridiculous—if he pulled this off, he'd score Vritra's soul and his first ever Red Tier loot.
Tonight, huh? Shuo's mind spun with possibilities, eyes narrowing as he weighed the risks.
After a moment's thought, he accepted. Red Tier missions didn't come around often, and with his current strength, even a Satan-class enemy wouldn't have it easy. No way he'd pass up this kind of gamble.
"Rias… something just came up. I need to take care of a few things. I'm heading out—let's call it for today."
"...Alright."
Rias exchanged a glance with Akeno, then nodded, resignation in her eyes.
As dusk settled, Shuo followed the map's guidance, arriving at the designated alley. It hugged the side of a busy shopping district—normally, this place would be swarming with people. Tonight, though, it was eerily empty.
A brown-haired high schooler stood frozen, eyes darting, panic etched across his face.
"There were tons of people here a minute ago. How did everyone just… vanish?" Saji's voice trembled, fear clawing at his throat.
Mist pooled thick around the alley, swallowing every shape and sound. Saji felt trapped, lost in a maze with no way out.
"Sorry, kid."
A heavy voice cut through the fog, making Saji whip around.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man in a bulky black coat and a bowler hat—his face pale, his eyes cold, utterly devoid of warmth.
"Your life ends here. You could've lived carefree, but you had to go and harbor something as dangerous as a Sacred Gear." The man's gaze was merciless, not a shred of empathy.
"So I'll just have to kill you."
As he spoke, a pair of black wings unfurled from his back.
A spear of holy energy materialized in his hand, crackling with lethal intent.
"Black wings… Fallen Angel? There's no way—this has to be a joke!" Saji's mind reeled, his world crumbling. Fallen Angels were supposed to be fantasy—anime, manga, not real life. And now one was here, trying to kill him over a Sacred Gear?
The spear shot toward him, a blur of light and death. Saji's face drained of color, his thoughts scattering.
But just as the spear was about to impale him, a slash of black magic ripped through the air, shattering the weapon to dust.
"A human?"
The Fallen Angel blinked, stunned by Shuo's sudden appearance—Zangetsu in hand, black energy swirling.
"Nangong-kun!"
Saji's confusion doubled. First a mythic Fallen Angel, now his classmate showing up like a character out of a supernatural drama? Was he dreaming?
"Who the hell are you? Another Sacred Gear user?" The Fallen Angel—Dohnaseek—glared, voice low and dangerous, eyes glinting with murderous intent.
"Are you really Nangong-kun…?" Saji's voice wavered, recognition and disbelief tangled in his gaze.
Of course Saji knew Shuo—he was a campus legend, the girls' "prince" alongside Kiba, every female student's dream guy. Saji had always envied him, but now it was clear Shuo wasn't just another pretty face. Whatever his secrets, Saji felt nothing but gratitude.
Shuo's arrival was the only reason he was still alive.
"Before you go digging into someone else's identity, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
Shuo flickered forward, appearing right in front of Dohnaseek. With a casual wave of his left hand, magic gathered—he lifted the Fallen Angel off the ground, eyes calm, voice icy.
"!!!"
Dohnaseek froze, terror flooding his face. One move, and he was utterly powerless—his life dangling in Shuo's grasp.
The difference in strength was absolute. There was no escape.
"Damn it!"
Dohnaseek tried to break free, pouring all his strength into the effort. But the magic held firm—no matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch.
"I'll ask the questions now. You just answer. Got it?"
Shuo tossed him to the ground like garbage, a cold smile twisting his lips.
"Y-yes… sir, what do you want to know?"
Dohnaseek trembled, nodding frantically. When death stared you in the face, pride meant nothing—survival was all that mattered.
"Where's your Fallen Angel base? How many of you are there?"
Shuo spun Zangetsu lazily in his hand.
"Our base is the abandoned church outside town. There are about a dozen Fallen Angels—the strongest is just a low-class peak."
Just as he remembered. Shuo made a mental note—he could wipe out their nest and claim the rewards.
"I've told you everything. So… can I go now?"
Dohnaseek's voice shook with hope.
"Hmm? Did I say you could leave?"
Shuo's tone was mocking.
A flash of steel in the darkness—a scream echoing through the alley. Dohnaseek's body split in two, collapsing in a heap. In his final moments, his eyes burned with bitter regret.
Shuo didn't spare him a second glance. With a snap of his fingers, lightning crackled, reducing the corpse to ash.
"Saji, how does it feel to brush up against death?"
Shuo turned, voice casual.
"Uh… Nangong-kun, thank you. Really, thank you for saving me…"
Saji bowed deeply, gratitude shining in his eyes.
Shuo waved him off. "Stand up, it's fine."
Saji straightened, looking at Shuo with awe and admiration—the guy had just saved his life in the coolest way imaginable.
"Just to be safe, let me explain why the Fallen Angel targeted you."
Shuo rubbed his brow, voice gentle. "And I'll give you some advice on how to handle it."
"Please—tell me everything."
Saji nodded, face serious, hanging on every word.
Shuo nodded back, then began to explain—in simple terms—the tangled relationship between humans, Sacred Gears, and Fallen Angels.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds