Asia's heart was a storm of emotions—panic, fear, worry, and a deep, aching warmth.
Ryuichi had already been badly injured before this. And now, even in such a state, he was taking those attacks head-on just to protect her.
Her eyes filled with tears. Asia immediately invoked her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing—the gentle radiance of the Maiden's Smile enveloped Ryuichi as she poured all her strength into healing him.
The relief that washed through Ryuichi's body was momentary, but he could feel his pain easing slightly. Still, he knew all too well—the true danger hadn't even begun.
Snatching Asia back under the cover of Rias and the others' combined assault had only been the first step. The real challenge would come after. Once that storm of magic faded… how the hell was he supposed to get both of them out alive from right in the middle of enemy territory?
Because that's exactly where they were now—deep in the Fallen Angels' line of fire.
Across the battlefield, Rias and Akeno's eyes were locked on him, their faces tense with worry.
They both understood Ryuichi's plan now. They'd seen him raise the Divine Cry Shield to protect both himself and Asia from their attack—and they couldn't help but feel their hearts tighten.
Hold on, Ryuichi… please come back safe.
Rias gathered her demonic power once more, quietly preparing for a follow-up strike. She already knew what would happen next: once their own attack dispersed, the three Fallen Angels would instantly regroup and launch a counter-assault on Ryuichi and Asia.
When that happened, she'd have to move in immediately. Any hesitation at all, and those two were finished.
Beside her, Akeno Himejima's expression had turned uncharacteristically serious.
The question now was—how long could Ryuichi hold out on his own?
No matter how fast she and Rias could move, they couldn't possibly be faster than the Fallen Angels standing right in front of him.
If Ryuichi couldn't withstand that first assault… it would be over.
And with the condition he was already in, could he really block the combined attack of three Fallen Angels? Especially when two of them were High-Class—their strength rivaling Rias herself!
The fiery blaze and thundering lightning were about to die down. Ryuichi could feel it too—the most dangerous moment was seconds away.
He took a deep breath, looked down at the girl in his arms, and said quietly,
"Asia… heal me with everything you've got."
As his voice faded, Ryuichi reached out with his will—toward his Sacred Gear.
The King's Sword and Shield responded instantly. A tremor ran through his body—
—Splash... splash…
For a moment, everyone could hear it clearly: the sound of crashing waves.
Even Rias and Akeno froze. That wasn't ordinary magic—it was the sound of power raging through his veins like a storm-tossed ocean.
"That sound…" Akeno raised a hand to her lips, her violet eyes widening. "He's… resonating with his Sacred Gear!"
Sacred Gear Resonance.
He was invoking the most dangerous form of synchronization—forcing his spirit and Sacred Gear into perfect harmony to unleash power far beyond his limit.
Every living being could walk this path of evolution: communion with heaven and earth through sheer will. But the risk was enormous. One misstep, and your body could shatter, your soul could burn out.
And yet—Ryuichi had no other choice.
He had already reached his limit as a Low-Class Devil, standing at the threshold of the next stage. He had planned to attempt a breakthrough back at the club, under controlled conditions. But then Asia had been taken.
So now, there was no more waiting. He'd gamble it all here.
If he could just break through to the level of a Mid-Class Devil, then maybe—just maybe—he could block their next attack.
He didn't need to win. He only needed to hold them off for one strike.
After that, Rias and Akeno would handle the rest.
Ryuichi's body trembled violently as his magic surged, roaring through his circuits and resonating with the heavens themselves.
Pain like molten steel tore through him.
His blood boiled, his veins screamed, his eyes burned red as the agony crashed over him in waves.
Rias's voice echoed faintly in his memory—words she'd once told him during training.
"A Sacred Gear is connected to the user's soul. Its true power depends entirely on the strength of your will. If your resolve wavers, it weakens. But if your spirit burns bright enough, its power knows no bounds. Just remember—the body must be strong enough to endure it."
So that meant—
As long as his will held out…
As long as his body didn't collapse…
He could surpass his limits through the Sacred Gear.
His body was being healed by Asia—so he didn't need to worry about that.
All that remained… was willpower.
Then right here, right now—
He'd shatter his limits as a Low-Class Devil.
He'd ascend to the next rank.
Ryuichi's consciousness sank deep into his inner world—a boundless black void, illuminated by the twin glow of the King's Sword and Shield.
Before him loomed a colossal obsidian fortress, ancient and awe-inspiring. His gaze rose to the massive brass bell hanging atop its ramparts.
No hesitation. No fear.
He clenched his fists—and hurled his will straight at it.
DOOOONG!
The bell resounded through his mind—its deep, solemn tone rippling outward.
But the echo didn't stay inside. It broke through the boundary of his soul, reverberating into the real world.
"What the hell—!?"
Even the three Fallen Angels froze, their wings trembling as the booming toll reached their ears.
They were still bracing against Rias's flame and lightning barrage—but their eyes were drawn, almost against their will, to Ryuichi.
Within that sound, they felt it—an overwhelming force, vast enough to crush them utterly.
As the toll faded, the King's Sword and Shield burst with radiant light.
Ryuichi's magic went berserk—flaring even more violently than before!
Splatter!
Fresh wounds tore open across his skin, spraying blood into the air. In an instant, his entire body was drenched in crimson.
"Ryuichi!"
Asia's voice quivered as she poured every drop of healing power she had into him, her tears falling freely.
In his inner world, Ryuichi growled low in his throat. "One more time!"
DOOONG!
The second toll shook his consciousness, deep and resonant, echoing like a chant from the dawn of time.
He felt the barrier begin to loosen—the bottleneck starting to give way.
The agony was unbearable. It was as if his very soul were being torn apart.
Even during normal cultivation, it never hurt like this. But then again, this wasn't a normal breakthrough.
He had chosen the most extreme, most dangerous path—and the cost was agony multiplied tenfold.
Ryuichi's jaw clenched. He refused to scream.
He had to break through.
If he failed, he'd die here.
And if he died… Asia might die too. Rias would be forced to marry someone she didn't love. And Sakurajima Mai…
No. He couldn't allow that future.
In his mind, Ryuichi lifted his head. His eyes, calm and burning all at once, fixed on the brass bell above the fortress.
His spiritual body solidified, taking shape. He drew his fists tight—then struck with all his will.
DOONG!
DOONG!
DOONG!
Three strikes. Three deafening tolls that shook the heavens.
Blood burst from his body like red mist—his skin splitting, his muscles screaming. In seconds, he was a man painted in blood.
But in his spirit realm, the black fortress roared to life. From beneath his feet, golden lines flared out in all directions, weaving across the ancient walls like veins of light.
It was as though some ancient titan had awakened from slumber.
In the real world, Rias and Akeno's combined assault finally faded—leaving Ryuichi exposed.
The three Fallen Angels instantly launched their counterattack.
"Die, you fool!"
But before their spells could land, Ryuichi's power exploded outward.
His magic surged—ten times stronger than before!
His eyes snapped open. Within his irises shimmered the reflection of that same black fortress, golden runes blazing along its ramparts.
The light spread, flooding his pupils until his gaze gleamed like molten gold.
And in those golden eyes—the faint silhouette of the great black citadel still shimmered, vast and eternal…
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