I dragged my feet along the sidewalk, the school bag slung over one shoulder feeling heavier than usual.
Classes were finally over, and the afternoon sun was already dipping low. My mind kept replaying everything that happened today with Reynare.
The way she looked at me, that fake smile hiding something nasty. By the time I reached the middle of the quiet street near my house, my legs just gave out. I dropped to my knees right there on the pavement.
"I'm fucked," I muttered out loud, staring at the cracked road. The words came out shaky. "Completely fucked."
I forced myself back up, brushing the dirt off my pants. My heart was still pounding as I walked the last block home.
When I pushed open the front door, Mom's voice called from the kitchen right away.
"Mike? Dinner's almost ready. Come eat with us."
I didn't even stop walking toward the stairs. "I already ate outside," I lied, keeping my voice as normal as I could. "Not hungry."
Dad said something too, but I just mumbled "later" and kept going up. I shut my bedroom door behind me and leaned against it, breathing hard.
"I'm so fucked," I whispered again, this time to the empty room.
"Reynare's got her eyes on me now. She's gonna kill me… and probably my whole family like we're nothing. Just ants to her."
I paced back and forth a couple times, running a hand through my hair. Going to Rias right now? No way.
That would be screaming that I broke my promise to her, and she'd probably finish me off herself. I had to figure this out alone.
I dropped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow's date with Reynare… she's probably planning to kill me during it.
Drag it out, make me suffer first. What the hell am I supposed to do?
Then I remembered the quest rewards from the system. I sat up quick and opened the inventory in my head.
There it was, the Captain America shield and the super soldier serum.
I pulled the shield out first. It felt solid and heavier than I expected, cool metal under my fingers.
I turned it over, inspecting every edge. "Can this thing actually tank a light spear?"
I muttered. "Guess we'll find out." I set it down carefully next to the bed where I could grab it fast.
Next, the serum. The small syringe looked way too ordinary for what it was supposed to do.
I held it up, staring at the liquid inside. "You're my last chance," I said under my breath. "Don't let me down."
I rolled up my sleeve, took a deep breath, and jammed the needle into my shoulder.
The second I pushed the plunger, fire exploded through my whole body.
"FUCK!" I screamed, falling back onto the bed. It felt like every muscle was tearing apart and knitting back together at the same time.
My bones stretched and cracked, lengthening with sharp pain.
The fat on my stomach and sides burned away. I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they'd break.
After what felt like forever, the pain finally faded, and a thin trail of smoke rose off my skin like I was cooling down after a fire.
I pushed myself up on shaky legs and stumbled over to the mirror on my closet door. When I saw my reflection, my mouth fell open.
Holy shit. My face… it was different. Sharper jawline, clearer skin, actually handsome in a way I'd never been before.
I pulled up my shirt and stared. Lean, defined abs and arms, the kind of muscle you see on Hollywood actors, not bulky, but strong and cut. I flexed once, watching the muscles move under the skin.
I swallowed hard. "System… how strong am I now?"
The system took a few seconds before answering in that flat voice inside my head.
[Current host power level: Mid-low ranked devil.]
I cursed loudly. "That's nowhere near enough for tomorrow!" I dropped back onto the bed.
"Why does a stupid hentai anime world have such a ridiculous power scale? This is insane."
Then the system dinged again.
[New Quest: Survive tomorrow's date with Reynare.]
[Rewards: Wolverine Regeneration Factor + (Warning: weakened version. Will not restore lost limbs. Only speeds up minor to medium wounds.) +10 LP]
My heart hammered in my chest. "I knew it," I whispered. "She really does plan to kill me tomorrow."
I still had 5 LP left from the last quest. I opened the system shop and started scrolling through the skills, my eyes moving fast. Most of them looked useless right now, but then I saw one that made me stop.
[Skill: Light Resistance (Passive)
Host body gains 30% more resistance toward light-based attacks.
Price: 4 LP]
That could be the difference between living and dying. I didn't hesitate. I bought it right away. The LP deducted, and I felt a small warm buzz settle in my chest.
Then I collapsed back onto the pillow, exhausted. Sleep came fast, even with all the fear still sitting in my gut.
The next morning I woke up early. I put on my Kuoh Academy uniform like usual, but before I left the room I grabbed the shield.
It was awkward, but I managed to strap it flat against my back under the clothes so it wasn't too obvious. I took a deep breath and headed out the door.
Classes dragged on like any other day. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting to the gate after school.
When the final bell rang, I packed my stuff slowly and walked out with the crowd. My stomach twisted when I spotted her.
Reynare was waiting right at the academy gate, leaning against the wall with that same sadistic little smile on her face.
She looked excited, like she couldn't wait to start playing with her food.
My heart started hammering again. She wants to torture me slowly before she kills me. I forced my legs to keep moving until I reached her.
"Sorry, did I take too long?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
She shook her head. "No, not at all." Then her eyes moved over my face and she tilted her head. "Your face looks more handsome today. Did something happen?"
I ignored the comment completely. "I thought of a place we could go. Want to check it out?"
She nodded, still smiling. "Lead the way."
I took her through the streets until we reached a quiet fountain in a small park.
We both stopped and stared at the water for a moment. Then she dropped the sweet act completely.
"So," she said, her voice turning cold, "any last wishes?" A glowing light spear started forming in her hand.
I didn't think. I yanked the shield out from under my shirt and swung it hard, smashing it straight into her face. "Fuck you!"
She stumbled back, eyes wide with surprise. "How… how can a human, even with a Sacred Gear, be this strong?"
I didn't wait around for more talk. I knew I was still weak compared to her.
I turned and ran as fast as I could toward the narrow alley I'd scouted earlier. My mind was racing. Please work, please work.
I glanced back. She was chasing me, another light spear already in her hand. She threw it.
I twisted at the last second, but it still grazed my shoulder. Sharp pain flared up. "Shit!"
I reached the alley and spotted the rope I'd tied earlier. Reynare was right behind me, closing fast.
"Good… a little more…" I whispered.
The second she was right in the middle of the alley, I shouted, "Now!" and yanked the rope hard.
A heavy chunk of metal scaffolding I'd loosened earlier came crashing down on top of her with a loud metallic crash.
I let out a huge sigh of relief and ran back toward her. She was still moving, glaring up at me with pure hatred.
I raised the shield and started hitting her again and again until she finally stopped moving.
I stood there breathing hard, blood trickling from my mouth. My legs gave out and I dropped to the ground beside her.
At the same time, the system dinged.
[Quest Completed!
Rewards: Wolverine Regeneration Factor +
+10 LP]
I wiped my mouth. I should probably bury the body somewhere her friends won't find it… but right now I was too tired.
I pushed myself up slowly and started walking back home, every step hurting.
When I finally got inside the house, I went straight to my room without talking to anyone. I closed the door, dropped onto my bed, and just lay there, staring at the ceiling.