Koneko couldn't react at all to the gunshots — her hands were still glowing faintly from the magic circle she was desperately trying to activate to call Rias. By the time she noticed the bullets, they were already at point-blank range.
She froze in place, powerless to stop them.
But instead of the searing pain she expected, something warm and solid blocked her vision — the broad back of the senpai who had been dating Akeno-senpai.
Arthur took every bullet straight through his body the sickening sound of metal piercing flesh echoed loudly in the silent room. Blood splattered, but he didn't fall. He simply planted his feet and stood firm, as if protecting her was the most natural thing in the world.
Before she could even gasp, he spun and pulled her into his arms, pressing her tightly against his chest to shield her from the explosion that followed.
A suffocating darkness surged out of him like a living storm, wrapping around them just as a blinding white flash engulfed the entire room.
The shockwave thundered outward, shaking the walls violently — but Arthur didn't budge.
When the light faded and the dust settled, Koneko slowly opened her eyes. Her entire body trembled at the sight before her.
Arthur was still standing upright burned, bleeding, gasping for breath yet expressionless, as if pain were beneath him. His shirt was shredded, revealing charred skin and four bullet holes leaking dark crimson. And still, his presence radiated nothing but calm fury.
For the first time, Koneko felt a crushing weight pressing down on her chest guilt, anger at herself, and something terrifyingly close to admiration.
She lowered her head, shame trembling through her voice.
"Senpai, I..."
Before Koneko could continue, I patted her head.
"It's not your fault. My injuries aren't serious, and if anything, it's my fault for not being able to protect you both."
Fortunately, I know exactly where they're hiding because I spent system points to find Asia's location a moment ago.
Koneko was very relieved to know he didn't blame her for what happened, but she was still worried about her injuries. It also felt good to be patted by him.
A crimson magic circle tore open beside them, glowing violently. Kiba stepped out first, blade already drawn and eyes burning with focus.
Akeno followed, arcs of crackling lightning dancing wildly around her hand like a wrathful storm. Finally Rias emerged, face dark with fury, her crimson hair flowing like living flame.
Moments earlier, Rias and Akeno had been laughing over tea, enjoying a rare moment of peace, when Koneko's emergency message hit them like a hammer. Her voice had shaken, something that almost never happened. She warned them it was a trap and that Arthur was fighting a dangerous exorcist alone.
The moment the message ended, Akeno's expression transformed. Her gentle smile vanished, replaced by a frozen, merciless rage.
Rias had seen it only once before the day Akeno discussed her past. That expression alone told her something grave had happened between the two.
Without hesitation, they acted. Kiba stepped in, refusing to abandon Arthur regardless of risk, and together they plunged into the teleportation circle.
The moment they materialized, devastation greeted them - smoke hung thick in the air, the walls half-destroyed by an immense explosion. The odor of burning stone and blood choked the room. Pieces of shattered furniture and shattered concrete littered the ground like battlefield rubble.
Koneko stood unharmed, protected by some dark force… but Arthur—
Arthur's back and arms were scorched black, skin cracked and bleeding, four fresh bullet wounds leaking thick crimson down his abdomen. His breathing was uneven, but his presence radiated something oppressive and terrifying, as if fury itself took shape around him.
Akeno was the first to move. She sprinted to his side, falling to her knees, hands trembling as she reached for him.
"What happened here?"
Rias tried to keep her voice even, but it trembled around the edges.
Kiba's face hardened as he examined the scene. He had seen gruesome battles before, but the raw destruction here suggested a monster had passed through.
Arthur and Koneko recounted everything—the dismembered summoner, the exorcist who mocked them, the murderous intent aimed at Koneko, and the kidnapping of the girl from the church who had tried to protect Arthur.
Akeno opened her mouth to ask about that girl, but stopped when she saw the expression in Arthur's eyes. His gaze was cold, sharp, and filled with an almost feral killing intent. It wasn't anger—this was something deeper, something primal.
Akeno felt a pulse of something unfamiliar.
Jealousy?
Would he be this desperate if it were her instead of the church girl?
Rias stepped forward, trying to regain control.
"Arthur, you're seriously injured. It's too dangerous. You can't go alone. We'll go together."
Akeno immediately nodded, gripping his arm tightly.
"Please, let us help. I won't let anything happen to you again."
Even Kiba lowered his head respectfully.
"Arthur-san… let me fight beside you."
But Arthur shook his head.
"If Rias Gremory's peerage interferes, this turns into a faction conflict. Fallen angels won't hesitate to escalate if they think the Gremory family is attacking them. I'll go alone. If I fail, you can come later and clean up."
It took a long argument—Akeno almost shouting, Rias trembling with restraint—but Arthur's cold determination wore them down. In the end, Rias stepped back and closed her eyes.
"Fine. But if you don't return safely, I will tear down that church myself."
Kiba clenched his fist but said nothing.
Koneko lowered her head and whispered:
"Thank you for protecting me… Senpai… don't get hurt anymore."
Without another word, Arthur vanished—Shunpo cracking the air like thunder as he launched into the night sky.
Using [Ruler's Authority] to balance himself midair, he crossed the city within seconds, descending silently above the church roof. His aura surged, Antimagic spreading around him like a dark storm.
Before landing, he activated [Keen Insight] at full strength mana lines opening like burning blue circuit patterns beneath his skin, pulsing violently as shadow-dark Antimagic wrapped around him, devouring every trace of holy energy around.
The moment he stepped through a window, three spears of holy light shot toward him only to dissolve on contact with the pitch-black aura swirling around his body.
Three fallen angels stood waiting.
"Where did our attack go?"
The Gothic girl snapped, panic creeping into her voice.
"I don't know! Just keep firing!"
The blue-haired woman shrieked, charging another spell.
The muscular man raised his hand to summon another spear but Arthur didn't give him the chance.
A beam of black Antimagic exploded from Arthur's palm like a cannon blast, shredding through every barrier the man formed. The holy defenses shattered like glass, and a hole the size of a fist ripped through his chest. His body hit the floor with a hollow thud.
The blue-haired woman froze, paralyzed under [Keen Insight]. Her mind crumpled under the crushing pressure, fear locking her muscles stiff. Arthur didn't look away another beam tore through her heart, silencing her instantly.
The last survivor dropped to her knees, wings trembling violently as she cried:
"I was just following orders! I swear I never touched the girl! Please spare me! I'll disappear forever! Please!"
Her voice was raw terror.
Arthur hesitated not because of pity, but because he sensed no deception.
He pointed to the exit.
Without looking back, she flew away, disappearing into the night.
Arthur turned toward the stairwell leading downward.
His expression was ice cold.
My next target is the basement of this place.