[Ding! Your trade request has been approved!]
[Trade Conditions]: "Cursed Gear: Shikama Dōji," "Right to Use Body Once"
[Ding! Confirm the trade?]
"… …"
Neither of those trade conditions surprised Shinoa. But the reality of putting her own body's "usage rights" on the line made her hesitate for a mont.
Yet with Crowley's footsteps closing in on her, she had no choice but to decide. Biting her lip, she agreed.
[Ding! Trade has begun!]
[Trade Partner]: Shinoa
[Trade Content]: Eliminate the vampires invading the school
[Trade Conditions]: "Cursed Gear: Shikama Dōji," "Right to Use Body Once"
[Duration]: 24 hours
Rei Ao sighed. "Mai, looks like you'll have to head back on your own."
Mai curled her lip. She reached out and gave a forceful squeeze to his most critical area, then snarled, "Seems you're really raring to go," and turned to leave. She left Rei Ao with a wry smile, and that move—while it didn't hurt him—certainly carried potent "insult value."
Ever since Mai discovered the business about Ai, her mood had been foul. She simply couldn't wrap her mind around sharing the sa future with that person. Such a picture was unthinkable. Rei Ao understood; he'd let her sulk for now. Later, he would have to "comfort" Mai properly.
Before going to Shinoa's world, he sent a brief ssage into the group chat of Aka's world:
Rei Ao: "@everyone with so free ti in the Night Raid group, co with ."
Aka: "Sure."
Kuro: "Mm."
Leone: "Oh-ho, a chance to take the field?"
Mine: "Why are all of you so eager?"
Sheele: "Mine, you've already geared up…"
Chelsea: "Anyone not free? Probably just Esdeath and Najenda…"
Najenda: "Things are stable right now—I can spare so ti."
Esdeath: "Ah, leaving the army alone for a bit won't cause any chaos."
Esdeath was as confident as ever.
Rei Ao: "All right, everyone can co."
After sending the cross-world summons, he arrived first in Shinoa's world.
…
Crowley stood before Shinoa.
"Eek!!!"
Shinoa's attempt to swing her scythe was halted by Crowley's single hand. Exhausted as she was, she posed no real threat. Crowley's eyes glinted red.
"Before I turn you into a vampire to beco my servant, do you have any final words?"
"… …"
Shinoa lowered her gaze, silent.
"Tch, how troubleso humans can be," Crowley muttered. He didn't like seeing stubborn defiance. He bared his fangs and leaned toward the helpless Shinoa.
At that mont, Shinoa lifted her head, looking not at Crowley but behind him. She curved her bloodstained lips into a faint smirk.
"Did you know…?"
"Huh?"
The abrupt question made Crowley pause. What was Shinoa planning, cornered like this?
"You're about to die."
Her voice was low.
"!!!"
Crowley's vampire pupils constricted sharply.
Although vampires rarely felt extres of heat or cold, he was drenched in cold sweat. Because a hand, silent and terrifying, had been laid on his shoulder. Without turning around, every cell in Crowley's body trembled.
Behind him stood…soone unspeakably dangerous.
"'About to die'—that's an apt description," said a voice. "So then, Mr. Vampire Seventh Progenitor, how exactly will you et your end?"
"!!!"
Crowley's mind reeled. This stranger even knew his true rank?! The "Thirteenth Progenitor" was just a na he used outwardly, but behind the scenes, his power rivaled a "Seventh Progenitor."
"Damn it!"
Ensnared by terror, Crowley forced himself to break free ntally. He didn't know who this unbelievably fearso figure behind him was, but his imdiate goal was clear: escape.
He locked eyes on Shinoa. A hostage! If he could seize her, maybe he'd have a chance of survival.
Grasping at that final straw, Crowley stretched his pale hand toward Shinoa, hoping to snatch her. But from behind him, Rei Ao gave a cool laugh.
Just before Crowley's hand could reach Shinoa—
Fwoosh!
A tiny fla appeared at his fingertips.
"?"
Bewildered, Crowley stared at that small, dazzling spark. To his horror, it began consuming him, starting from his fingertips and racing onward under his wide-eyed gaze.
"Why…"
He didn't even finish the word before his whole body was engulfed. A brilliant blaze flared, brighter than a sunset, although it lasted only a mont. When the flas died away, nothing remained.
"Passing on in such a radiant way is almost too good for you," Rei Ao remarked on Crowley's fate. Then he extended a hand toward Shinoa, who'd collapsed to her knees.
"Get up."
Shinoa calmly took his hand and stood. She looked a ss of blood and wounds. Rei Ao said, "You got yourself pretty banged up. If you'd fully mastered Shikama Dōji's power, you wouldn't be in this state."
"… …"
Shinoa knew that, too, but with her current strength, fully controlling Shikama Dōji was easier said than done—that power from the First Progenitor was imnse.
"Cough, cough…"
She hacked up blood painfully, clearly suffering severe injuries inside and out.
"You want to heal you?" Rei Ao asked.
"No need… It's not so—"
She hadn't finished refusing when a golden light bathed her body. Instantly, the pain vanished. She felt lighter, her bleeding wounds visibly closing up. Surprised, she turned to Rei Ao, who simply shrugged:
"Don't forget, after this, I'll be collecting my paynt. You don't expect to 'conquer' a body that's all torn up, do you? I'm not into that whole 'bathing in blood' kink."
"… …"
His logic was oddly specific, but she couldn't really disagree.
Just then, a figure appeared: Aka, Kuro, Esdeath, and the others. Rei Ao glanced at them, sounding satisfied:
"Looks like you haven't been slacking. I'm pleased."
Besides Aka, Najenda, and Esdeath—who were exceptionally strong—the others had reached around Level 10. Though that might not sound high, combined with their Teigus, they could wield far greater combat strength.
~~~
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