Koneko's voice faded as she finished her story, her head bowed and her small frame trembling in Shuo's arms.
Sensing her fear, Shuo gently pulled her closer, his voice warm and steady.
"Koneko, what happened back then isn't what you remember. Your sister, Kuroka—she didn't kill those people because she lost control of her Nekomata power. She did it to protect you."
Koneko shook her head, tears trembling in her eyes. "That can't be right. My sister, she—"
Shuo's tone softened, but there was conviction behind every word.
"Your master was experimenting on you both, using cruel methods to force awakenings in his peerage. He was about to do the same to you, Koneko. Kuroka stepped in to save you from the same fate as your parents. She killed them and ran—not because she wanted to, but because she had to. She fought off every pursuit and ended up branded SS-level dangerous. After she escaped, the Naberius family's secret experiments were covered up by the higher-ups. Kuroka leaving you behind wasn't betrayal, Koneko. She was protecting you. You were just too young to understand, and if you'd been branded a Stray Devil, you might not have survived."
"Kuroka… nee…" Koneko's voice broke, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
She looked up at Shuo, confusion and wonder in her eyes. "But… how do you know all this about me and my sister?"
Shuo smiled, a touch of mischief in his eyes. "Let's just say I know everything, Koneko-chan. So now that you know the truth, you don't have to fear your own Nekomata power anymore."
Koneko wiped her tears, a small, genuine smile breaking through. "Thank you, Nangong-senpai."
But as she nestled into his embrace, she began to squirm, her cheeks turning pink.
"Nangong-senpai, your…" Her voice trailed off, mortified by the evidence of his reaction pressing against her.
Shuo just laughed. "That's a normal response, you know. Can you blame me? You're just too cute."
Koneko hesitated, then whispered, "Actually, I could—"
"Stop right there." Shuo cut her off, his tone gentle but firm. "I know what you're going to say, but you're still too young, Koneko. I won't let that happen."
He knew all too well: if Koneko got pregnant at her age, it could be fatal for both her and the baby. He'd never risk it.
Koneko pouted, disappointment flickering in her eyes, but she nodded. "Okay. I understand."
The two sat together in quiet comfort, the room filled with the soft hush of nightfall.
After a long moment, Koneko looked up. "Nangong-senpai, it's getting late. I should head back."
Shuo leaned in and kissed her softly, then let her go.
"Koneko, from now on, you're mine. Completely."
Her face flushed with a shy, happy blush. "I know."
Sorry, Rias-buchou! Guess I snuck one past you tonight.
After Koneko slipped out, the familiar chime of the system echoed in Shuo's mind.
Ding! Mission complete. Red-tier reward package received!
Counting Xenovia and Irina's rewards, that made three unopened packages.
"Alright, system, open them all!"
Ding! Congratulations, Host—
[Misaka Mikoto Pin-Up Collection]
[Gate of Babylon]
[Forbidden Technique: Reaper Death Seal]
"Misaka's pin-up book? Seriously? What kind of degenerate do you think I am? I read the classics, thank you very much!"
Shuo spat in mock outrage. As if he'd stoop to ogling such scandalous material! He had pride, he had dignity!
…Or so he told himself. In reality, his hands and eyes were already flipping through the book, his brain quickly succumbing to temptation. Before he knew it, he was lost in a sea of glossy photos, only snapping out of it much later, a satisfied grin on his face as he tucked it away.
Time to check the second reward.
"Whoa, the Gate of Babylon? Gilgamesh's actual Noble Phantasm?"
He could hardly believe it. The legendary treasury of the King of Heroes—a spatial vault filled with countless treasures, every weapon and artifact imaginable, all at his fingertips. In battle, Gilgamesh could unleash a rain of legendary prototypes as projectiles, each one returning to the vault after use for infinite ammo. The more treasures you owned, the stronger the Gate became.
He'd already "borrowed" from Gilgamesh once before, but this… this was the real deal. If he ever ended up in the Type-Moon universe, he couldn't help but wonder what Gilgamesh's face would look like when he saw someone else wielding his signature treasure.
The thought alone made Shuo snicker with anticipation.
Then he glanced at the third reward, and his mood soured instantly.
The Reaper Death Seal—Naruto world's infamous forbidden jutsu.
One use, and you sold your soul to the Shinigami. Both your soul and your enemy's would be trapped forever, locked in endless struggle in the belly of Death, never to reincarnate.
"Yeah, no thanks. What a garbage reward."
Shuo shoved that one to the back of his mind and turned his attention back to the Gate of Babylon, ideas already swirling.
The next morning, just after breakfast, Shuo was ambushed by Sona and the Student Council girls. They dragged him outside to a wide-open training ground.
Apparently, Rias and Akeno's recent power-ups had lit a fire under them.
"So, Shuo-kun, you're going to train us the same way you trained Rias's group, right?" Sona asked, her tone a mix of hope and competitive edge.
Shuo explained the details of his previous training methods, watching as Sona's eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed in frustration.
"Such a miraculous Sacred Gear existed… and now it's gone? What are we supposed to do?"
He grinned. "Don't worry, I've got another way."
Under their puzzled gazes, Shuo calmly sliced his finger and let his blood drip into a prepared glass vial.
Sona, Tsubaki, and the others exchanged bewildered looks.
"Shuo-kun, what are you doing?"
He flashed a sly smile. "I've got pure dragon blood running through my veins now. My blood can do wonders for you."
He held up the vial, the crimson liquid catching the morning light.
"Drink this, and you'll gain dragon attributes. Your strength and magical power will all get a serious boost."
"What?!" Sona and her peerage stared at him, stunned.
Only now did they realize why he'd been collecting his own blood. But when had he become part dragon?
"Want to give it a try? It might sting a little at first, but once it takes effect, you'll see real gains. Not just power—your potential will rise too."
Sona's gaze flickered to the bottle, then to Shuo, then back again. She thought of Rias's current strength, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
"I'll go first."
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