--That's a dangerous game Serafall~

I calmly and feigned indifference to the Maou Leviathan who kept posing and twirling the dangerous magic wand... Damn that shit is scary, even though Serafall can freeze a city without her wand, with it she can freeze something like Texas, understand the scale what we are talking about that ridiculous magic wand is scary.

--You're not funny~ Jhoam-sensei~

“I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't randomly wave that weapon of mass destruction…that being said~ What do you need Serafall~?

I smiled and spoke without any kind of honorifics or obeisances, her name is Jhoam no Souji, so she doesn't want to talk to a student and a tower, she is looking for the outer being, the soldier, the monster that I carry inside.

"You don't need to be so defensive~ I know what we did is wrong and I apologize for that..."

--But~?

--But... So-tan asked me with puppy eyes and he can't do anything~ sorry~

Serafall apologized with lowering her head before bombarding me with puppy dog eyes from below, which made her look very much like her.

--Ah~ forget it, if you only came for that you can retire, I have to torture your dear sister's pawns in the morning and look for a supernatural underground fighting den in the afternoon.

--Do you fight?

--I must keep fit and I like money~

I readily admitted my situation to the older sister who is figuratively my mistress, my contract has several exploitable loopholes, and I can always rip the stupid chess piece off my chest.

--I know a place, it's not very pretty but it's managed by a reliable group...

--Underground and reliable fights? Two contrary words but that I love together~ Tell me where you are and how much will that information cost me?

Nothing is free in this life and in Serafall's eyes he could see her scheme, she wanted something and she might as well do it and then spit in his face.

--Have a date with me~ the day after tomorrow~ I'll take you to the arena tonight~

His request was something much simpler than I expected and pay in advance, get a source of income and vent for an appointment, it seems an acceptable price, it would be like killing two birds with one stone.

--I accept~

--Great~ We'll have a great day in Akiba~

And I instantly regretted my words... but what's the use of crying over spilled milk.

A blue magic circle shimmered at Serafall's feet transporting her out of my room leaving me alone with a slight headache.

--Okay~ fuck it, let's relax by torturing Saji...

With that thought I dove into the shadows and pulled a dazed Saji out of his sheets before transporting us again, this time to a small clearing in the mountains.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" It is Sunday?!

--Shut up and whip out~ Do you want to be a Bellmont or do you prefer to remain the pirate copy of Andromeda~ I can make you a pink armor and everything~

Urged by my proposal to dress him in a pink corset and heels Saji summoned his Sacred Gear in a blink and unleashed a strong lash in one motion.

*CLICK*

I dodged the whip with a simple sidestep and caught it with my bare hand.

--I told you to put your back to the movement not just arm~ Again~

--We're not all a tentacle monster!

--Stop complaining Saji~ soon you'll be a monster too~

How to tell him that his final form would be a snake of about thirty meters with purple-black tentacles. I chuckled to myself before pulling out my own shadow whip and getting into a little sparring with Saji.

--I will not become an OCTOPUS!

--Resign yourself~ the tentacle anglerfish always wins~

*Click*Click*Click*Click*

--GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

With one movement I lashed Saji's limbs four times in a row making him scream and writhe in pain.

--See, you have to move, you have to feel the whip as an extension of your body, stop thinking like a human, stop thinking like a demon, think like a beast, abandon your humanity and become one with your weapon.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

--Why do you sound so convincing with that of abandoning humanity, I know we are demons and that but our Humanity?

--Less words and more whipping~ but it's a good question~

*Click*Click*Click*

Three more blows erupted from Saji's back.

--GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~

--To answer you, I will tell you a story~ once upon a time there was a boy who lost everything and was forced to fight and the boy fought, the boy killed good and bad humans, many of them, to the point where he stopped caring, the boy He grew up and met a woman, fell in love, had a family but lost everything again because of those enemies who led him to fight...

--I don't understand where you want to go with that~ HA~

Saji swung his whip around before holding the line down, spinning the vector looking to attack from behind me, too bad I know that trick, I ducked and the line passed where my neck was.

--It's simple, humans are nothing more than a primate, don't see them as people, see them as animals, enemies are just cattle, your job is that of a butcher~ nothing more nothing less, give up your limitations and embrace that way, be a demon in body and mind, only then can you survive in the war.

--War?

--Life is a war Saji~ and we are only pieces on the board or perhaps you don't understand why they took Chess as a reference, we are small pieces, pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, they don't see us as living beings, we are tools , a means to an end, Hahahahahahaha~ now dance~

*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*Click*

I unleashed a barrage of sub-sonic punches at Saji who was struggling to dodge, defend himself or simply avoid having his eye gouged out by a whiplash.

--But Kaicho isn't like that, she sees us as partners!

--Naughty asshole~ we are tools~ she has a desire and she needs us for it, she needs prestige, power and recognition, for this she needs strength, overwhelming and shameless force~ If you get so drunk on that useless childish crush, get up and fight little one ~ *CRACK*BLAM*

I cut a tree in half with a downward swing of my whip, making Saji pale.

--See, with enough practice a whip can well serve as a sword and a very large one~

--Why are you telling me this?

--You're the only other man in the peerage and I like you...it's not enough~ now as punishment for being a fagot, 15~ minutes on the wall~ Wardos-kuns~ take him to the dark~

--NO! PIETY! I WILL BE GOOD!

--See you in 15~

A dozen tentacles came out of Saji's shadow dragging him into a world of endless tickling and darkness.

--You can go out now~ Gremory~

At my words, an exuberant redhead came out of the trees.

--Souji... I apologize for the trouble with the Phoenix... I know you've been a bit busy with them.

Rias gave a small curtsy, bouncing her ample cleavage.

--Nothing out of the ordinary, they wouldn't dare attack a Gremory but for me, a pseudo free agent affiliated with Sitri by name, it's a different story~

I chuckled as I pulled a bottle of wine out of my shadow along with a couple of glasses.

--A drink?

Rias nodded and I proceeded to pull out a couple of chairs, a table and fill the glasses.

--Here you go, a toast... to whatever~cheers~

--Cheers~

*Chin Chin*

We touched glasses before sipping on the fragrant red wine.

--You always have a good drink Souji-kun.

--A little hobby~ when you don't have to worry about sickness or death, you learn to enjoy all the vices~ whether you want to or not~ this is a Santa Lucia Burgundy from 1983 Italy, good vintage but bad weather there the slight aftertaste and color.

--You certainly know your business...

--Gremory...let's cut to the chase~ What do you need?

--Join my Hyoudou Souji.

Rias spoke with a serious face and a stoic look on her face, there was no play or seduction, it was a genuine and pure request, I could feel a slight trace of anxiety and desire in her emotions, but overall it was a request, a sincere request. by the redhead. I raised an eyebrow and gave a small mocking laugh making her blush a little.

--I didn't expect you to want to dig into the corners of your best friend and rival~ Rias Gremory~

"I didn't expect it either but...your performance is beyond my wildest dreams and I can't see how Sona keeps you tied to her."

--You're being greedy, Gremory~ The Sekiryuutei isn't enough for you, you also want the Power of the Abyss~ What's next for the Hakuryuukou? Hahahaha~

I laughed and took a drink from my glass.

--I know I'm being ungrateful to Sona but I would appreciate it if you would consider my offer. Sona isn't looking for a career in the Rating Game so your chances to fight will be few compared to me.

The redheaded beauty took a seductive sip of her drink provocatively licking her lips, too bad to me all her actions are less than attractive, girl you look, act and smell like a stripper, you're not classy, you're not beautiful, you're just a release of Cheap fan service for teens on hormones.

--Whether I can fight legally or not, that's my problem~ Gremory~ and some advice~ take out the transvestite vampire that you have locked in the closet and put him to train~ the world will not wait for the boy's balls to drop, overprotect him It will only hurt and weaken you.

Rias's eyes widened before she had a coughing fit as she nearly choked on the wine.

--*Cough*Cough*How do you know about Gasper?!

--Girl, I control the shadows~ and that child lives surrounded by them~ at some point I would find him during my walks~ but don't worry, I haven't come into contact with him and he doesn't know me~ I've only seen him from afar. He's a good boy, too good to be a vampire or demon, fate is a cruel thing~ but that's life~

I drained the rest of my cup and took the bottle to pour myself another drink, but Rias was quicker to take the bottle and poured herself.

"Tell me what you know... you sound too sure something happened."

--Insightful~ Gremory~ finally someone who listens~ it's simple the Crows are moving, the Youkai too, various religions are mobilizing~ and let's say a certain Crow Chief wants to throw a big party in your city~

I laughed and retrieved my cup from Rias Gremory's now trembling hands.

--How do you know this?

--I learn from what I kill~ he devoured their shadows, their souls, their experience, their knowledge, everything~

I smiled widely as I released my touki, the reddish-black aura, filled with bloodlust and malevolence, made the young demon princess pale.

--Gremory~ the dead tell no tales~ they only tell the truth~

I got up and walked to his side increasing the pressure of my touki.

--A big raven along with a good number of disposable pawns will be coming in a little while and let's just say it's going to be a good party~ prepare your peerage~ or more than one of your cute kids might die~

I caressed Rias' frozen, pale face, if that look of fear, confusion, and solemnity was more to my liking.

--Our talk is over Gremory~ I have to get back to my chores~ I still have to psychologically break Saji two more times before lunch~ You can keep the bottle, I think you'll need it~

*Click*

A group of tentacles took Rias with chair and all and transported her through the shadows to their base in Kuoh.

--Ha hahahaha~ Isn't it fun watching the world burn Saji?

--Are you sick!

A panting Saji lunged at me with a silly telegraphed fist which I dodged and proceeded to grab his outstretched arm and use it as leverage to throw him like a vulgar potato sack~ into a tree.

--I told you no cliché punches~ be more avant-garde~

--Fuck off!

--You're getting better~ but you're still going to wear a pink dress~ and a green wig~

I dodged the Sacred Gear's tongues and he stomped on Saji's face with a mad laugh.

--Are you sick! Damn Psycho!

--I'm a mental patient~ Old Man~ A Hot and Sexy mental patient~

I laughed a little more before continuing to train Saji in the old art of taking senseless beatings.