Four black gift boxes. Aside from the one he'd already opened from Nagisa's quest, the rest still waited in Shuo's system inventory.
"System, open the rewards."
Ding!
"Congratulations, Host! You have received: [Heaven-Rending Claws], [Max Charisma], and [Stella]."
Shuo scanned the details, one brow arched in anticipation.
[Heaven-Rending Claws]: When activated, transforms one hand into a crimson dragon's claw. A full-force strike can shred the very sky, tear through even a dragon's hide, and carries an aura potent enough to slay gods.
[Max Charisma]: With this ability, your charm and presence reach supernatural levels. Wherever you go, all eyes are irresistibly drawn to you.
[Stella]: The Noble Phantasm of Arash, the legendary Persian hero from the Fate series.
He couldn't help but grin. Damn, these are almost too flashy.
Max Charisma—was the system trying to turn him into a total heartbreaker? Not that he was complaining.
Heaven-Rending Claws sounded as over-the-top as it looked. Enough power to obliterate Demon King–class foes, with a bonus godslayer effect? That'd come in handy against any divine pests.
And Stella…
The ultimate arrow, the legendary all-or-nothing shot of Arash. A single strike that could end any battle, split the earth itself, and reach across impossible distances.
With it, Arash had shattered the Lion King's Holy Judgment—an artifact with a magical rating of three million. As Fujimaru once remarked: "Plenty can shoot down stars; only one can shatter them."
Of course, the original version was a one-way ticket—Arash died every time he fired it.
But Shuo? His power let him use it as many times as he wanted. No tragic hero's ending for him.
Somewhere, Arash was probably cursing him out: "Seriously? You get infinite uses? I have some words for your system…"
He'd barely stepped through the door when a weary voice called out.
"Shuo-kun, where have you been all day? I asked everyone—no one saw you!"
He looked up to find Rias and the rest of the girls gathered in the living room, Rias herself shooting him a look equal parts worry and accusation.
Shuo decided honesty was the best policy. He laid everything out—other worlds, new companions, the whole story. Sooner or later, they'd all meet anyway. Better to come clean now.
"Another world?!"
"You went to a parallel world, Shuo-kun?"
"Nangong-senpai, what's it like over there?"
The girls stared at him, eyes wide, jaws slack. They'd heard him mention other worlds before, but didn't expect he'd already hopped dimensions. Curiosity and disbelief swirled in the air.
Shuo described the basics of his journey, then mentioned Asagi and the others he'd met.
Silence.
The amazement wore off, replaced by a familiar, complicated exasperation.
On the one hand—Shuo's harem had just expanded again. On the other—he genuinely cared for every girl. Call him a playboy and he'd spoil you rotten; call him devoted and he'd still end up with new "sisters" every week.
It was enough to give anyone a headache.
Sensing the mood turning dangerous, Shuo deftly changed the subject.
"Anyway, Rias, you said you were looking for me earlier? What's up?"
Rias, successfully distracted, managed a smile. "Well, summer vacation's almost here, and there's something important I wanted to discuss."
She took a breath, her tone turning formal.
"My brother contacted me recently—there's going to be a major banquet in the Underworld during the break. He asked me to invite you as a guest."
"Also, my coming-of-age ceremony will be held, along with a new Underworld Rating Game tournament."
She looked at him, hope and nerves mingling in her eyes.
"Shuo-kun, will you come to my ceremony? I'd really like you to be there."
Shuo caught the significance immediately. The Underworld banquet—so the DxD plot had reached this stage.
He grinned, thumping his chest. "Of course I'll go! In fact, let's all go together!"
With those words, Rias lit up, her earlier worries swept away. The rest of the girls, too, buzzed with excitement at the prospect of visiting the Underworld.
A scene change: Shuo, Rias, Sona, and their group were already aboard the Dimensional Train—a magical locomotive that ran between the human world and the Underworld.
Seeing it up close, Shuo couldn't help but marvel. He could have just teleported everyone directly, but since he, Xenovia, Asia, Aika, and a few others had never been to the Underworld, they needed to register first for legal entry and exit.
During the journey, Shuo noticed the train jumping through the air via spatial magic, each transfer a short-range hop. It'd be a while before they arrived.
He was amused to find vending machines and other human-world conveniences on board. Apparently, even the Underworld knew how to steal the best ideas.
In one car, Akeno and Tsubaki were explaining Underworld customs to Xenovia, Aika, and the others. The rest of the girls chatted excitedly, soaking in the adventure.
Suddenly, a thought struck Shuo. He moved closer to Rias.
"Hey, Rias—I heard all four of the Underworld's new-generation Kings are competing in this Rating Game. That true?"
Rias and Sona exchanged a proud glance.
"Of course!" Rias beamed. "This tournament is a huge deal. Even VIPs from other factions will be watching."
"And," Sona added, "both Rias and I are among the Underworld's four new-generation Kings."
The two girls straightened, pride shining in their eyes.
Shuo's mind drifted to Sairaorg Bael—the so-called strongest of the new generation.
And… that damn turkey, too.
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