The strategy session lasted two hours. Yukari proved to be an excellent leader, methodically breaking down the Shadow Grotto's three levels and assigning roles based on each member's strengths. By the end, even the shy Mei seemed more confident about their chances.
"Remember," Yukari concluded, rolling up the map, "dungeon environments are unpredictable. Our plan is a framework, not a rigid script. Stay alert and communicate constantly."
"When should we do a practice run?" Hiro asked. "Some teams train together at the combat simulation facility."
"Tomorrow after school," Yukari decided. "We'll reserve a simulation room and run through basic formations. Zororo, can you make it?"
"I'll be there," Zororo confirmed, though he mentally noted he'd need to explain this to his sisters. They were already suspicious about his sudden relationship with Yukari.
As Mei and Hiro left together, chatting nervously about equipment preparations, Yukari lingered behind with Zororo.
"You handled that well," she observed. "Hiro was skeptical about you at first, but your strategic input won him over."
"He's competent. Just lacks confidence." Zororo gathered his things. "Mei's the wildcard. She's powerful but fragile mentally. If she panics in the dungeon"
"I know." Yukari's expression grew serious. "That's why I'm pairing her with Hiro. His shield abilities will keep her safe, which should help her stay calm. You and I will handle the aggressive encounters."
"You've thought this through."
"I always do." Yukari walked beside him as they left the library. The sun was setting, painting the hallways in orange light. "Zororo, I need to ask you something personal."
"Go ahead."
"Your shadow abilities are they really B-Rank?" Her ice-blue eyes studied him carefully. "When you stole that bracelet, the technique you used seemed more advanced than what a B-Rank system should allow."
Zororo's heart rate increased, but his expression remained calm. This was a test of their supposed honesty agreement.
"My system is... complicated," he said carefully. "The official evaluation said B-Rank, but I've been developing abilities that don't match standard classifications. I don't fully understand it myself."
It wasn't exactly a lie. His SSS-Rank Villain System truly was complicated and didn't match standard system classifications.
Yukari seemed to accept this answer. "Systems evolve with their users. Perhaps yours is adapting to your natural talents." She paused at the school entrance. "My driver is waiting. Do you need a ride home?"
"No thanks. I like the train."
"Suit yourself." Yukari hesitated, then spoke more softly. "Thank you for today. The lunch, the team meeting, everything. You're making this arrangement easier than I expected."
"We had a deal," Zororo replied. "I keep my promises."
Something flickered in Yukari's eyes respect, maybe even admiration. "I'm beginning to see that. Goodnight, Zororo."
"Goodnight."
As Yukari walked toward a sleek black car waiting at the curb, Zororo headed toward the train station. The evening air was cool, carrying the scents of street food vendors and blooming sakura trees.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[DAILY QUEST AVAILABLE]
[OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT THREE HOSTILE ENTITIES BEFORE MIDNIGHT]
[REWARD: 100 VP, +1 AGILITY]
[ACCEPT?]
Zororo stopped walking. A daily quest? This was new. His system was offering optional missions beyond the mandatory ones.
He mentally selected 'yes' and the quest activated. But where would he find hostile entities in a modern city? This wasn't a fantasy world with monsters roaming the streets.
Or was it?
According to the original Zororo's memories, dungeons occasionally spawned overflow monsters when they weren't cleared regularly. These creatures would emerge from dungeon rifts and wander into populated areas, requiring professional hunters or high-rank system users to eliminate them.
The city had a monster alert system that broadcast warnings through phones and public speakers. But there hadn't been any alerts today.
[SYSTEM HINT]
[HOSTILE ENTITIES INCLUDE: MONSTERS, HOSTILE SYSTEM USERS, DANGEROUS CRIMINALS]
[NEAREST HOSTILE ENTITY DETECTED: 800 METERS NORTHWEST]
[THREAT LEVEL: LOW]
Zororo changed direction, following the system's guidance. He left the main roads and entered a less populated district where older buildings cast long shadows. The area felt different darker, more oppressive.
After ten minutes of walking, Zororo found himself in an alley behind a closed shopping arcade. The system indicator pulsed urgently.
[HOSTILE ENTITY DETECTED: 20 METERS AHEAD]
[TYPE: STRAY DUNGEON MONSTER]
[SPECIES: SHADOW HOUND]
[LEVEL: 5]
[THREAT LEVEL: LOW]
Zororo activated his enhanced vision and spotted movement in the deepest shadows. A creature roughly the size of a large dog emerged, its body composed of writhing darkness. Red eyes glowed with malevolent hunger, and wisps of black smoke trailed from its form.
This was a Shadow Hound a common low-level dungeon monster that occasionally escaped into the city. Individually weak, but dangerous in packs.
The creature spotted Zororo and snarled, a sound like tearing fabric. It crouched, preparing to pounce.
Zororo didn't hesitate. He activated Shadow Step, teleporting behind the creature in a blur of darkness. Before the Shadow Hound could react, Zororo grabbed it by the neck his hand passing through shadow-like substance but finding solid mass beneath.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: VILLAIN'S GRIP]
[NEW ABILITY DISCOVERED]
[EFFECT: DRAIN LIFE FORCE FROM HOSTILE TARGETS]
Dark energy flowed from the Shadow Hound into Zororo's hand. The creature thrashed and howled, its body dissolving into wisps of smoke. Within seconds, it completely dissipated, leaving behind only a small black crystal.
[SHADOW HOUND DEFEATED]
[+50 EXP]
[ITEM ACQUIRED: SHADOW CORE (COMMON)]
[HOSTILE ENTITIES REMAINING: 2/3]
Zororo picked up the crystal. His system immediately identified it as crafting material worth about 5,000 yen. Not bad for thirty seconds of work.
A growl from his left warned him of the second Shadow Hound. Then another growl from his right the third one.
The creatures had been hunting in a pack after all.
Both hounds attacked simultaneously, lunging from opposite directions. Zororo dropped low, letting them sail over his head and crash into each other. While they recovered, he activated another skill.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: SHADOW BLADE]
[COST: 50 MP]
Darkness coalesced in Zororo's hand, forming a sword-like weapon made of solidified shadow. It felt weightless yet deadly sharp.
He slashed at the first hound, the shadow blade cutting through its body like smoke. The creature howled and dissolved. The second hound tried to flee, but Zororo teleported in front of it using Shadow Step and stabbed downward, piercing its core.
[COMBAT COMPLETE]
[SHADOW HOUNDS DEFEATED: 3/3]
[+150 EXP]
[ITEMS ACQUIRED: SHADOW CORE x3]
[DAILY QUEST COMPLETE]
[REWARDS: +100 VP, +1 AGILITY]
[TOTAL VP: 710]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: SHADOW SENSE]
Warmth flooded through Zororo's body as his agility increased. He felt lighter, faster, more responsive. The new skill information appeared in his vision.
[SHADOW SENSE - LEVEL 1]
[DESCRIPTION: DETECT LIVING BEINGS THROUGH SHADOWS WITHIN 50 METER RADIUS]
[PASSIVE ABILITY - ALWAYS ACTIVE]
Immediately, Zororo's perception expanded. He could sense the shadows cast by every object, every person in the surrounding area. Through those shadows, he detected life signatures people in nearby apartments, cats prowling rooftops, even insects crawling through darkness.
This was incredibly useful for both combat and stealth operations.
As Zororo stored the shadow cores in his Shadow Storage, he heard footsteps approaching rapidly. His new Shadow Sense detected someone running toward the alley someone powerful.
A figure landed in front of him with incredible force, cracking the pavement. Long purple hair, golden eyes crackling with electricity, modified school uniform.
Raikou Kaminari. The Thunder Goddess.
"Well, well," Raikou grinned, electricity dancing across her skin. "Someone's been doing unauthorized monster cleanup. That's technically illegal without a hunter's license, you know."
Zororo tensed, ready to flee or fight. "I was just defending myself."
"Relax, I'm not going to report you." Raikou's grin widened. "Actually, I'm impressed. Those were clean kills. Very efficient. And that shadow sword technique that's at least B-Rank level skill execution."
She stepped closer, her eyes studying him with predatory interest. "You lied at lunch yesterday, didn't you? You're not C-Rank at all."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
[HIGH-LEVEL OPPONENT DETECTED]
[RAIKOU KAMINARI ANALYZING YOUR ABILITIES]
[DETECTION RISK: 45%]
[RECOMMENDATION: RETREAT OR DEFLECT]
"I don't know what you mean," Zororo said carefully.
"Don't play dumb. I can sense power levels, and yours is way higher than you claimed." Raikou tilted her head. "Plus, you're dating Yukari Shirogane now. The Ice Princess doesn't associate with weaklings. So what's your real rank?"
Zororo weighed his options. Raikou was too strong to fight, too fast to escape from, and too perceptive to fool completely. His best bet was partial honesty.
"B-Rank," he said. "I downplayed it before because I don't like attention."
"B-Rank, huh?" Raikou looked skeptical but accepted the answer. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But I'm watching you now, Kurogami. You're more interesting than I thought."
She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and tell your girlfriend I'm still waiting for that rematch with her sister. Himeko can't avoid me forever."
With a burst of lightning, Raikou launched herself onto a nearby rooftop and disappeared into the night sky.
Zororo released a breath he'd been holding. That had been dangerously close to exposure. He needed to be more careful about using his abilities in public.
As he finally headed toward the train station, his phone buzzed with messages. Three from Akari asking where he was, two from Himeko demanding updates, and one from an unknown number.
He opened the unknown message and froze.
It was a photo of him fighting the Shadow Hounds, taken from a distance. Below it, a text message:
"Impressive skills for a C-Rank system user. Or should I say B-Rank? Or perhaps something else entirely? We need to talk about what you really are, Zororo Kurogami. Meet me at Café Moonlight tomorrow at 6 PM. Come alone. Bring your secrets. - K.S."
K.S. Kazuki Shirogane.
Yukari's fiancé had just made contact.
[END OF CHAPTER 8]