"Tch… looks like it didn't hurt much, huh, Hyoudou?"
Landing before them were two Pawns—Saji Genshirou, a second-year, and a first-year girl, Nimura Ruruko. From the glint of his [Absorption Line], now manifesting as multiple writhing black serpents instead of just one, it was clear Saji had grown stronger.
One serpent was already wrapped around Issei's [Boosted Gear], tethering their arms like fighters chained together in some brutal underground match.
"I've been training too," Saji said with a smirk. "No way I'm falling behind you."
"Bullshit! Do you have any idea what it's like to get chased all summer by a giant damn dragon?!"
"…The hell?" Saji blinked, the tension wobbling for a moment as the mental image hit. Shirone suspected Issei's trauma from Tannin's training still ran deep.
But there was no more time for banter. The match clock was ticking.
"Let's go," Shirone murmured, her voice dropping into a predator's cadence.
She left Saji to Issei, her sights locking on Nimura.
"Whoa—so fast?!" Nimura barely avoided the first strike, skidding across the polished mall tiles.
The exchange repeated—Shirone's blows came precise and relentless, Nimura always just slipping away. Yet something felt wrong. The girl wasn't counterattacking—not even when Koneko deliberately left gaps. That confirmed it.
'She's just stalling me.'
White aura burst from Shirone's body, her battle KI surging like heat waves off her skin.
"What—?!" Nimura's eyes widened as Shirone blurred forward, the speed leap shocking her.
In a flash, Shirone slipped past her guard, her enhanced fist slamming into Nimura's body with an audible thump. The aura-infused strike didn't just hit flesh—it disrupted the flow inside, severing her inner pathways.
"My fists are wrapped in KI. You won't be moving anymore," Shirone said flatly, standing over her.
Nimura gasped once before her form dissolved into light—knocked out of the match.
[Pawn of Sona Sitri, retired,] Grayfia's calm voice announced across the battlefield.
Shirone's ears perked toward Issei. "Senpai!"
He was locked with Saji, their arms bound by the living black lines. They traded blows like fighters in a brutal cage fight, neither willing to yield an inch. Shirone noticed he wasn't using [Boost] to amp his power. Why?
"I'll back you up, Senpai," Shirone said sharply, stepping forward.
"…Wait, Koneko-chan. Let me handle Saji one-on-one."
His request made her ears twitch in irritation. They'd already been stalled far too long. The most efficient choice was obvious—finish Saji together and move on.
"Please," Issei pressed, eyes never leaving his opponent.
"If he'd wanted, he could've linked a line to you, too, and interfered all he wanted. But he didn't. Why do you think that is?"
Shirone stayed silent, tail swaying in thought.
"…Sorry, Toujou Koneko. I want to beat Hyoudou—the Red Dragon Emperor—in a straight fight. I'm just a single Pawn. But if I'm the one who brings down the famous Red Dragon Emperor, it'll give real credibility to the President's dream of founding our school. This match is being broadcast across the entire Underworld—this is my chance! For my dream, I'll defeat Hyoudou, I'll defeat the Red Dragon Emperor!!"
"That's what this is about," Issei said with a half-smile. "If I ran from a friend who's betting his life on this, I couldn't face Buchou… or even Kazuki-senpai. So I'm asking you—please."
There was no stopping him now. Shirone knew that if she interfered here, he might resent her for the rest of his life. She lowered her fists and stepped back.
"…Thanks. Let's go, Saji!!"
"Oh yeah! Bring it, Hyoudou!!"
Once more, the two clashed in raw, punishing close quarters. Heavy blows thudded into flesh and armor, each strike ringing with force, their grins sharp despite the pain.
Somewhere in Shirone's mind, a thought slipped in: 'Men really are idiots…'
Both of them were already in terrible shape. No matter who won, neither would be able to continue in the game after this.
The end was close.
"You and Fuwa-senpai are both incredible... "Guyver" "Red Dragon Emperor" - you've made a name for yourself with your achievements... Senpai is already a High-Ranking Devil. The dream the three of us talked about before the party came true in an instant. It's truly incredible... but I have nothing. We all became devils at the same time, yet I'm the only one with nothing... All I have is a dream. So, for the sake of that dream, I will defeat you here! If I can do that, I will be confident that I have the power to make my dreams come true! So, Hyoudou, I am going to defeat you now!!"
Saji's voice was like blood being wrung from his throat, every word a vow carved into his own soul.
"OOOOOOHHHHHH!!"
Magic swelled at Saji's hands, condensing into a massive sphere of destructive power. Shirone's sharp eyes widened—if that hit as it was, it could obliterate the entire floor.
But instead, Saji compressed it, crushing it down until it was no larger than a softball.
"…This way, I can destroy only you without affecting the surroundings. This is the end, Issei Hyoudou!!"
Saji's ultimate strike tore forward. Issei didn't even try to dodge. Only then did Shirone notice—one of the black lines was anchored to his foot.
He couldn't move!
"Issei-senpai!!"
Her cry came too late.
BOOOOOOOM!!
The blast hit square on, the shockwave shrouding the scene in thick black smoke. Shirone's ears strained—'Is he alright?'
And then, through the swirling haze, Issei emerged.
"SAJIIIIIII!!!"
"Ghhhaaa!! …Hyoudou, that form…?"
His left arm, part of his right arm, and his torso were now covered in crimson dragon armor. The clawed right fist—now fully armored—pierced Saji's body.
"…Sorry, Saji. You're right—I didn't reach 'Cardinal Crimson Queen' in my training this time. But I did manage to pull this off—partial armor for a short period, thanks to that same training."
"So that's it… tch…"
Light began to envelop Saji's body as his form started to fade from the field.
[One Pawn of Sona Sitri has been retired.] Grayfia's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Saji… when we've both gotten stronger, we'll do this again…"
Issei's quiet words lingered in the emptying air.
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