RSE CH 29 (Patreon)

Devils skilled in War Games could obtain both riches and status. Since no matter how fiercely they fought in a game’s special ring, they wouldn’t die.A reincarnated low-class devil could even become a high-class devil, if they performed spectacularly in War Games. Rayne continued to explain that Masque Games, on the other hand, were games in name only. 

They were basically a tradition, a rule, and a law. Such games were used to resolve disputes between nobles—with blood vendettas being decided with the pain limiter maxed and in the most extreme cases, the death limiter turned off.

“I’m not a mature Devil yet, so I can’t participate in an official tournament. Even if I could, there are still certain things that I must do, or else I can’t play. In short, my servants won’t be participating in a Masque Game for a while.”

“So does that mean that Kline and the others have yet to play in a single game?”

“Indeed. That’s why I—”

“I smell something disgusting, but also something delicious.” A low voice came from the darkest shadows, interrupting Rayne’ description. “Is it sweet, or is it sour?”

‘That energy… This is indeed a lower devil.’

Leo released a sigh of relief. He’d been worried that they would end up running into the peak level stray. Fortunately, it seemed his fears were unfounded.

“Stray Devil Viser! We are here to eliminate you,” Rayne announced.

She stepped forward proudly while the others prepared themselves for combat.

A cackle of manic laughter echoed around them as a topless woman appeared from the shadows. Weirdly enough, her upper body seemed to float in the air. It didn’t take long for them to understand what was happening.

What followed was the body of a gigantic beast.

‘Damn that thing is ugly!’

The stray was a grotesque being with an unnatural form. It had a woman’s upper body the lower body of a scorpion like monster. It also held something that looked like a spear in its hands.

The lower body of the monster had six articulated legs that ended in razor sharp points, with five segments of a chiton-covered tail that ended in a vicious looking stinger. All in all, it was a humongous monster that was more than twelve feet tall… even taller, if it reared up on it two hindmost pairs of legs.

“Leaving your master’s side and rampaging as you please has earned you a death sentence. In the name of Duke Mephisto, I will gladly eliminate you!”

“You’re pretty bold for a little girrrrrrl! I’ll rip your body apart, and dye the street red—just like your haaaaaaair!!”

The monster barked and released its demonic energy, but Rayne just laughed at it.

“Pathetic. A grunt like you certainly speaks in a stylish manner. Kline!”

“Yes!”

Swoosh!

Kline, who had been not far from Leo, sprinted ahead as soon as Rayne gave him an order. 

‘A Speed-type?’

Leo was immediately interested. After all, he was a speed-type fighter, himself—though Kline was slower than him. The speed he’d already demonstrated in keeping up with Rayne’s Circle was enough to make most Olmpic sprinters proud… and he’d not tapped into his Power at all.

“I’ll continue the lecture from before,” Rayne continued. 

She said this with a relaxed expression as she observed Kline rushing towards the stray.

“James Kline’s position is that of my Knight, and a Knight’s trait is speed. Those who become Knights typically have speed builds and rely upon their agility, speed, and guile.”

Circling the monster, Kline moved so fast while circling the stray that afterimages trailed him. The monster frantically attacked him with its spear, but no matter what it did, its attacks were much too slow.

“But James’s ultimate weapon is his sword.”

Kline stopped in his tracks in the stray’s blind spot holding what could most accurately be descrived as a European arming sword—a double bladed long sword. He’d drawn it from the scabbard that had materialized on his belt. The blade reflected the faintest glimmer moonlight, gaining a slight, silver glow.

Swish!

Not stopping even for an instant, Kline disappeared again. The next moment, the monster’s scream echoed from the nearby buildings.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Its arms fell to the ground, instantly severed from its upper torso. The constant scent of human blood was replaced by that of monster blood. The acrid tang of iron in the air clawed at the back of Leo’s throat as fountains of blood gushed from its wounds.

None of those present acted squeamish at the sight of so much blood. 

Rayne continued to explain, “Speed is James’s Power—speed that you can’t follow with your eyes. Matched with the sword skills of a Master, he is an extremely competent Knight.”

To himself Leo noted, ‘I am pretty sure I am far faster than him… but he is pretty fast, and good with that sword.’

While the monster was disoriented, a small figure appeared in front of it.

‘Kira?’

“Next is Kira. She’s my Rook. Rooks are typically defense oriented—they are the shield that protects the King and their Queen. The trait of a Rook is its—”

“Tiny pest! Dieee!”

Blinded by pain and rage, the enormous monster tried to pierce Kira with its chitin-spear legs. Leo wondered if he should intervene, but what he saw next astonished him.

The sharply pointed extremity failed to pierce Kira. She had stopped it in mid-air.

‘Holy…’

The girl with a tiny body lifted the monster’s foot from where it pushed against her chest with ease.

“The trait of a Rook is simple. Rooks are powerful defenders, with absolute strength, and incredible durability. It’s impossible for a lower or even median Devil to pierce Kira’s. It can’t even scratch her.”

LIFT!

Kira spun around, jerkihng the monster off its feet by the leg in her hands and throwing it into the air.

“Can scorpion’s fly?” the petite woman taunted her foe.

Then, while it was defenseless in the air, she jumped up high, punching the monster’s stomach when it started to fall to the ground.

BANG!

Leo cringed at the gun-like explosion as the monster’s enormous body folded in two over Kira’s tiny fist before being thrown into the side of the warehouse.

CRASH!

‘Damn… that’s actually kind of… scary.’

Leo had seen many things, but seeing the tiny girl overwhelm the large monster was surreal. He was again reminded that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

“Lastly… Shuri.”

“Yes, Mistress?”

“Show our new friend what you can do.”

“Oh my…” She gave Leo a wink. “What should I do?”

Shuri giggled as she walked up to the monster that lay gasping and bleeding against the side of the warehouse.

“Shuri is my Queen, and the strongest in the Circle after me. She is my unbeatable right hand and has all the traits of a Knight, Rook, Bishop, and Pawn —meaning she is fast, strong, can cast powerful spells, as well as provide a targeted blessing providing a small boost to the rest of the Circle.”

“Guuuuuu…?”

The monster blinked at Shuri with bloodshot eyes then growled, though it sounded more like a whimper. 

Shuri cracked her knuckles and snorted. “Ara~ ara~ It seems you still have some energy left in you. Then how about this?”

Shuri raised her hands towards the sky.

FLASH! BANG!

The sky sparked, and a lightning bolt streaked from the heavens to crash down on top of the pitiful monster.

“Gaaah!!!”

The monster screamed and twitched violently while it smoke rose from the joints of its carapace. In an instant, the scent of charred flesh filling the air. 

Despite this, it seemed Shuri wasn’t done.

“Still alive?” The grin on the Japanese girl’s face stretched from ear to ear. “I have to say, I’m msot impressed by your durability. I assume you can take more punishment?”

FLASH! BANG!

Another lightning bolt crashed into the monster.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The monster was again electrocuted, releasing a mournful wail. 

Though already at death’s door, Shuri struck it with a third lightning bolt. Her face, as she called forth her magic, was haughty and cold—though he saw she was smiling.

‘Uwaah… She’s really enjoying this… laughing as well.’

Leo was gobsmacked by the eerie behavior. This version of Shuri clashed with the demure girl he’d gotten to know. They seemed like two completely different people.

“Shuri excels at attacks using demonic magic,” Rayne explained. “She can use natural elements like lightning, ice, and fire. And as you can see, she’s a bit of a sadist.”

Rayne stated this as if it was nothing special, leaving Leo quite lost.

“Usually, my Shuri is the kindest soul. But once the battle lust grabs her, she won’t stop until she’s inflicted as much pain and terror on her foe as she can.”

“Ha…ha ha… ha….” Leo laughed awkwardly. 

“You don’t have to be afraid of her. Shuri is kind to her comrades and allies, so it won’t be a problem. She even told me that she thinks you are cute.” Rayne giggled at the uncomfortable look on Leo’s face. “Just let her spoil you. If you give her any encouragement at all, she’ll be all over you. Our Shuri is a hugger.”

“Ufufufufu~! How much of my lightning can you take? Please don’t die on me… you can’t die just yet, okay? The one who will finish you off is my mistress. Hahaha!”

‘And here I thought Shuri was the one with common sense.’

For the next few minutes, Shuri’s lightning attacks rained down from the sky. Leo, who had calmed down, appreciated the skill she was demonstrating.

‘Personality quirks aside, she is the real deal.’

Even he would have a hard time avoiding her attacks—though he was sure he could tank a few of them if he had to. The hard part would be fighting through his muscles locking up and the numbness that would surely follow, either of which would leave him vulnerable to further attacks.

After Shuri calmed down, the monster was barely breathing. It was clear Shuri could have ended things quickly, but she had gauged the strength of her lightning carefully to ensure she wouldn’t kill it while inflicting the maximum amount of pain.

Rayne approached the stray devil, which had clearly lost its will to fight. Stretching out her hand toward it, she asked, “Any last words?”

Her tone was calm, cold, and professional.

“J-just… K-kill… me…”

That was the only thing the monster said. 

“Then be gone.”

It was a cruel reply, spoken without the slightest amoung of pity.

WOOOOO!

The wind stirred small bits of paper and trash in the nearby alleys as a gigantic black mass of demonic power shot out from Rayne’s palm. The mass was so large that it covered the monster’s entire body in an instant.

This mass of demonic power must have devoured its body, because when the darkness receded, absolutely nothing was left. Not even dust.

‘So this is the famed the power of Destruction.’

Leo’s left eye twitched. If someone like Rayne could harness such a power. Leo couldn’t imagine what it must look like when Salvatore Mephisto—the mighty War, himself—exercised his power of Destruction.

Confirming the stray devil was no more, Rayne let out a happy sigh. “It’s over, good work everyone.”

Leo blinked at the happy smiles the others returned their mistress. The way they looked, it was difficult to imagine they had exacted justice—albeit Devil’s justice—and taken a being’s life like it was nothing.  

Such was the nature of devils.