**Chapter 9**
**Issei PoV**
After five minutes, I finally saw some movement. Four men dressed in the same cloak as me walked out of the thicket and looked around.
They saw the site of the explosion and came near it, cautiously.
"Look around, it may be one of those filthy scums!"
The one who seemed like the leader said that.
Three of the men walked near the small crater and began to check what caused the explosion.
One of the men finally found the revolver. And called the others.
"Mitchell, we found a revolver!"
"What a revolver? That doesn't cause an explosion!"
Well, it doesn't but this will.
[BOOST!]
[Dragon Shot!]
The red-colored orb of carnage landed in the center where the four Priests were standing.
"Whaaaaa–!?"
That was the only thing the man managed to utter as his death descended on him.
*Booooom!*
The small crater instantly became a big crater. And the dust cloud was raised quite high.
I jumped down from the tree and looked at the dead men, all four were made into multiple pieces.
I ignored the shredded bodies and rushed near the dirt path.
I quickly dug up a small hole and put the sword in it.
Ddraig, once more.
(Just wait for some time.)
The upcoming ten seconds were the most long ten seconds of my life. Ddraig had only used two Boosts worth of energy for the Dragon shot.
So with one more Boost, I would be good to go.
[BOOST!]
[Transfer!]
Once again the jewel glowed and I felt myself drained. Not gonna lie, it feels kinda pleasant.
(Focus!)
Yes!
Once again like an agile monkey, I leaped up a medium-sized tree and camouflaged myself using the leaves.
(Your cloak is white. You are not camouflaged.)
Shhh! Nobody needs to know that. And the next time is when I need to fight for real so let's stack up some Boosts.
[BOOST!]
And faster than last time, four men again came running. Too bad I am prepared for this.
As the first man stepped on the dirt path, like a landmine the overloaded sword blew up. I had kept a hand on my ears to not go deaf.
The stones and pebbles on the ground became pellets of a shotgun and tunneled into the flesh of the men below me.
Screams tore through the air.
"Aaaargh!!"
"What is this!?"
But those two were the only ones alive, the two men foremost had died without a scream.
Am I becoming too sadistic? Well, that is something I need to contemplate later.
From my pockets, I took out two more swords. Freed had some extra, so I will be putting them to good use.
I jumped down from my hiding spot. And from a small lesson from Ddraig, I knew these swords didn't require any holy energy to activate.
They were made from the light of angels and fallen angels, so all I needed to do was flip a button on the pommel and bang, I have a lightsaber of my own.
Coincidentally, my hiding spot was just above the priest who was screaming in pain.
As such he was quite unfortunate, as the glowing sword of light penetrated his skull from above.
Not wanting to look at the horror I had just enacted on the guy, I turned around and threw the second sword at the last priest.
His eyes were wide from seeing me descend like that, and an aesthetic sword pierced through his chest, stabbing his heart and killing him instantly.
"Well, that was something."
[BOOST!]
I didn't have the chance to catch my breath as I began running towards the church.
But I didn't forget to get two light swords, they will come in handy later, that I am certain of.
Freed's cloak was already drenched in blood, so it looked like I was a survivor of the blast.
I pulled up the hood to partially hide my face and with panic ran into the church.
Just as I crossed the gates, I felt a terrible chill, all the hairs on my body stood up.
I felt a sense of impending doom, like I was about to die just the next moment.
(Calm down, Partner. Remember your mission!)
But I shook such thoughts away from my mind, thanks to Ddraig.
Yes, it was all thanks to my mission, Boobs!
The other three looked at me weirdly.
"Roma, what happened? Where are the others? And what was the cause of the explosions?"
The strong looking man asked. He looked like the kind of guy to give a student extra homework, because they were late.
"Bosses! There are too many! We have been betrayed! Mitchell and the others are from the other factions!"
"What? Mitchell was not from Valper's side?"
"How could this be!"
The two began to argue this was my chance. But alas my plan was seen through.
"Wait, what did you call me?"
The third one said, clutching his sword.
"Well, shit!"
I said as I threw the two swords at the other two.
The third one jumped back, while one had his hand cut off.
And the last one was dead, my aim struck true, slashing his neck, making his fate to suffocate in his own blood till death.
Issei ignored the main leader and jumped near the man clutching his cut-off arm.
[BOOST!]
I just connected with the sternum of the priest. And his chest caved in, and he stopped breathing.
Most probably pieces of his own ribs stabbed into his lungs and heart, puncturing them and killing him.
Although this is a horrible thing I am tempted to say this.
Nice!
My eyes landed on the last priest, who was standing still, in a kendo-like pose, ready to strike.
"To think all of those incompetent bastards lost to someone, not even careful to carry out a simple plan. Maybe I underestimated their lack of brains."
I had enough, my hand reached for the cloak, and like a true gangster, I took it off in a single motion.
"Well old man, shall we do this now?"
He seemed in shock, but as he saw my gauntlet, he became serious.
"So you are the Red Dragon Emperor? Well, a child is not what you expect when you hear the title of Sekiryuutei."
"Can we be done with the pleasantries already?"
"Indeed, I shall end you with my strongest attack! Have regret in your Hell, kid! Light Grand Cross!"
He took out a pill and smashed it on the ground, a flash of light blinded me.
Ddraig, you didn't tell me about this!
(It's my first time hearing about an attack like this! Be careful, he must be prepared!)
The light vanished and there was no one here.
Ddraig, did that guy just bluff and run away?
(As embarrassing as that may sound, yes he did.)
That damned priest. In my frustration, I lost my seriousness for a while.
(Partner, watch out. Behind you!)
But I reacted late. A blade of light pierced into my abdomen, and searing pain shot up my spine.
"Damn!"
But I knew I couldn't back up, I held my ground and punched at the face of the sneaky priest hiding behind me.
[BOOST!]
His face contorted, in pain and his body shot like a bullet. And crashed into the large wooden cross, breaking the pedestal.
*Crack!*
And his luck was bad as the wooden cross fell on top of him, crushing him brutally, and making a mess everywhere.
I really need to watch Saw, to build up my resistance, or one day this gory shit will make me faint.
(I think ancient Roman torture methods would be good for building resistance as well.)
Ddraig, are you sane?
I didn't hear a response, maybe I should apologize after I get back home.
Now should I walk in the obvious lair of the Fallen or do I wait? The pedestal had a secret base below it, accessible through the black stairs.
Before I could make a decision, footsteps echoed from inside the hidden route.
*Clack*Clack*
[BOOST!]
I ignored the pain in my abdomen and locked my eyes on the entrance, and a very familiar blue hair appeared in my vision.
"Oh, it's the blue one!"
I said deliberately to check her reaction, what was her name again? Kalawarner right, Ddraig?
(Indeed.)
"Mittlet, be careful, he is this generation's Red Dragon Emperor."
The alluring voice of Kalawarner echoed as her eyes gazed at my gauntlet-covered arm.
"Forgot the beating already?"
"Hmph! That was merely a fluke, only possible due to my arrogance, today you shall die at my hands."
"Well we will see about that, and what about our latest member? Any introduction?"
I said looking at the petite, goth loli. She was blonde as well, and does she watch Hello Kitty as well?
Talk about stereotypes.
[BOOST!]
(What is Hello Kitty?)
I will tell you about that later.
"My name is Mittlet~ The Fallen Angel!"
She did a little twirl and did a perfunctory bow and raised the hem of her frilly skirt.
Now that she did that, I got a good look at her dress.
She wore a Gothic Lolita attire, which consisted of a black dress with white frills, a large black bow on the front, and a green jewel embedded in the collar, white thigh-high socks with suspender garters, a black set of frilly panties, and black shoes.
She also wore a large black bow on top of her hair.
Also on this matter, I need to stop detailing women who want to kill me every time, wonder why I begin to do that?
(Your inner horny is too strong.)
I ignored the red dragon in my hand.
"So any chance I could get to Asia without fighting?"
"I am afraid we will have to stop you right here. She is important to our plans."
"The hard way it is."
[BOOST!]
This is already the seventh Boost, Ddraig? Any power-ups? I am waiting?
(Here you go, Partner!)
[Dragon Booster! Second Liberation!]
The already huge gauntlet grew even more and covered my arm above the elbow.
Ten more golden spikes formed and a second green jewel was added on top of my elbow.
This is sick! What does it do?
(Makes transfer easier, and is more durable. Also, it unlocks Gift!)
Before I could ask Ddraig what Gift does, Kalawarner had already thrown the spear of light at me.
The spear stabbed into the ground and exploded, raising dust. The visibility dropped in the church.
This is my chance! If I could just get one of them down at this moment, my chances would go up massively.
Ddraig, what does gift do?
(Well it is just Transfer, you had it already, this is just a glorified version.)
Are you kidding me?
(Well, it does give you better stats than normal, and just has a way of dealing with one of the fallens instantly!)
Okay, what is it?
I said as I hid behind one of the benches, the other two hadn't taken their wings out so this was beneficial for me.
(You can use Explosion! It releases all the stored powers from all the Boosts in one go.)
And then I would be weak again? And let me guess, I would need to wait for some time before I can Boost again?
(Yes. But if you use it at the right moment, you can take them both out.)
Yes, how many Boosts can I do?
(Ten, that is your limit.)
And I already have seven.
[BOOST!]
Well, twenty seconds to go.
I jumped over the bench I was hiding and rushed near Kalawarner. I was hoping that some fear would be there since our last fight and it would benefit me here.
My speed was horrifying, but I was still in control. But if I had to guess, I was only around four to five times faster.
Ddraig did say that more Boost doesn't mean an all around increase. After a certain limit, it will differentiate.
Like some may boost my reflexes, some may boost my speed, or some may boost my strength. Only the initial few give me an overall Boost.
In less than a second I had reached near Kalawarner, her eyes widened as my figure became clearer in her vision.
Unlike me who has a Boost so my eyesight is unhindered here, they don't have the same benefit.
And I doubt their instincts and senses are good enough to single me out here.
My draconic arm reached out for her throat for the double trauma attack but she managed to move aside.
But my claws slashed her neck, making blood gush out.
She put up a hand on her neck and her other hand brought up a light spear, but by now I was used to it.
With my sacred gear, I backhanded the spear and it broke.
"What?!"
Yeah, I think all that combat made my devil physiology settle in quite fast.
I am going to destroy these girls.
But the voice revealed our location to the second fallen, a pink-colored spear raced towards me.
(Partner you need to save the fallen too!)
I could dodge this easily, but it would most probably skewer Kalawarner or lethally injure her.
Can't let her die, it may start a war and hence I threw her down and jumped aside.
I saw her be confused by what I did, but I didn't have time for that. In a few seconds, the ninth Boost will happen, I have to make every second count.
Like a beast, I darted near the blonde one using all my four limbs.
She wasn't prepared for my speed and neither was I. Instead of my punch my knee made contact with her face.
*Crack!*
Her nose was obliterated.
[BOOST!]
"Mittlet, come here, we can't fight him one on one!"
Well good, gathering together makes it easier for me. Sometimes I wonder if my luck is suspiciously good.
Mittlet brought out her wings and flew near Kalawarner, by now the dust had settled down and we all could see each other.
Kalawarner was stopping her bleeding while Mittlet was trying to do the same. Well time to annoy them.
"What is this? All that talk for getting packed up so fast?"
Kalawarner didn't say anything, but I was not expecting to hear such words from a fallen who introduced her like a well-behaved idol.
"You—you fucking filthy Bat!!! Son of a bitch! I'll kill you, rip your balls off, and feed them to dogs, how dare you hurt me!!!"
Alright before she showed me what a sailor's mouth really meant, I readied myself.
[BOOST!]
Ddraig, change of plans, transfer all my power to them, all at once!
(What?!)
Well, Explosion might kill them, with ten Boosts, but the transfer will do internal damage and make them unable to continue fighting.
Also, some energy is lost, so they won't get killed.
(Fine, but get in contact with them, fast!)
Aye, Aye, Partner!
My legs coiled like springs and launched me at the two, and my arms touched them, too fast for their comprehension.
The distance between was negligible to me who had ten Boosts.
After all, the last Boost has increased my speed.
[Transfer!]
The two jewels glowed and the glow spread to the two of them.
Now I was taking a huge gamble here. According to Ddraig, anything above seven Boosts for me is damaging, and ten will kill me if I don't release the energy.
I just hope that even with the energy loss, it's enough to disable them for a while.
If it doesn't, well it was a short life as a devil.
I turned my head around and saw two bodies at my shoes.
"Aaahhn~!"
"What is this feeling, so goooood~"
What?
(Why do you think succubus are so scary? The sudden increase or decrease in power can be euphoric. Most can't resist it. Even if you are not careful you would be spiraling down this path.)
Well, that is scary. Both of them are bleeding from their mouths, nose, ears, and even eyes.
Yet they have blissful expressions on their faces.
And did I mention that their clothes have also burst?
Because of that the view is magnificent, even though I had already seen the busty Kalawarner, the petite Mittlet is surprisingly enticing as well.
But still, let's tie them up first and then go deal with my ex and Raynare.
Wait, could they be the same?
(The possibility is high, if not then you would be in grave danger. You are not in the condition to fight two more fallen. As you don't have stacked-up Boosts.)
Yeah, and I am also slightly weak from the holy water, plus the wound from the sword isn't closed yet.
I took out the rope I had taken from my home and I had also transferred some energy to make it strong beforehand.
I made the two fallen sit back to back and tied them tightly, just enough so they didn't get hurt.
And they seem to have come back to their senses, as the groaning sounds came out of their mouths.
"Argh! Everything hurts, what did you do?"
Kalawarner asked, the way her 'orbs' jiggled made me rethink my decision, but I had a plan in motion already so I couldn't back down now.
"Just stay calm, don't do anything. I am going to deal with the remaining one."
"Raynare is stronger than us!!"
Mittlet said, sticking out her tongue. Her face was disfigured and her voice was rougher than before.
"Is that so? Then pray I lose. Also, can you make up your clothes?"
"We have enough power for that. But don't worry, kill us, we don't mind dying naked."
Kalawarner said.
"Who said anything about killing you? Just stay put for now. Enjoy the show as well."
I said and pushed them into the stairway, making them tumble down to the Hidden chamber.
Alright, Asia, I am coming.
"Ouch!" Two voices came from below the stairs.
On thinking about it I shouldn't have pushed them like that.
(Let's hope your plan works. It's a new way of thinking even for someone as old as me.)
Thanks for the motivation, Ddraig.
..
AN:- Next chapter is the last of the first arc!!