Fantasy Library, Ch 81-85

Chapter 81: Note

Mostly notes from Author I just made a short version:

Many have asked why I keep writing about older anime instead of newer ones. The truth is, I no longer feel the same connection to new anime—I don’t imagine myself in their worlds like I used to. While they have great animation and action, they don’t inspire me to write.

That’s why my focus remains on worlds with strong weapon-based power systems, like:

The Asterisk War (Orga Lux)

Akame ga Kill! (Teigu)

High School DxD (Sacred Gears)

Bleach (Zanpakuto)

New anime rarely feature such well-defined systems, making them less appealing for my writing.

If things go well, I might explore side stories in unique settings like Senren＊Banka, The Dungeon of Black Company, and 9-nine-. A Classroom of the Elite side story is uncertain since I’m struggling to keep up with the original.Now that my family and health are stable, I hope to update consistently without delays.

Chapter 82: "Longinus"

—"Longinus."

This is an existence born in a world where gods, angels, devils, fallen angels, dragons, and various mythologies coexist.

In that world, the god known as the "God of the Bible" created what are called Sacred Gears.

They are extraordinary powers residing within specific humans—unique artifacts with special abilities that evolve and grow stronger by feeding on the will of their owners.

Many individuals who have left their mark on history or are prominent athletes often possess these abilities, though they themselves remain unaware. Only under certain conditions and with specific capabilities can these powers be fully manifested.

Most Sacred Gears have effects that, at most, influence human society. However, there exist a rare few that possess power capable of threatening devils and fallen angels.

Among them, an even rarer category of Sacred Gears exists—those with the power to threaten gods and even Maous.

These are the Longinus, the highest-tier Sacred Gears.

The True Longinus is one such Longinus.

It is the holy relic from myth, the very spear that pierced the Son of God and took His life.

This relic is the first Longinus, as well as the strongest.

There exists no Sacred Gear more powerful than this spear, nor anything holier.

Thus, it is a weapon capable of piercing gods and, at the same time, the most effective counter against devils. Whether against gods or Maous, it poses a genuine threat, making it one of the most coveted and feared Sacred Gears across all factions.

And now, this Sacred Gear had become Kaiser’s reward for completing his first Life Experience, falling into his hands.

"So… I've become the wielder of the strongest Longinus?"

Kaiser held the True Longinus, feeling somewhat dazed.

Yet, as he stood there in confusion, the will of the Fantasy Library once again descended.

【Librarian has completed their first Life Experience, meeting the conditions to acquire an Inherent Authority.】

【Commencing authority grant…】

Inside the Fantasy Library, the glowing books brightened further, forming a dazzling radiance that enveloped Kaiser.

"A new authority…?!"

Kaiser reacted immediately, his expression a mix of shock and delight.

But then, he noticed something unusual.

"What exactly is Inherent Authority?"

With this question in mind, Kaiser closed his eyes, bathing in the light, allowing it to infuse his body and form new power within him.

Before long, the radiance faded, and the newly granted Authority took shape.

Kaiser opened his eyes, a look of realization flashing through them.

"So that’s what it means…"

He now understood what Inherent Authority was.

As the name implies, it is a fixed Authority.

Unlike the previous Authority he had obtained, this Authority is something that all librarians who complete their first Life Experience receive.

When an librarian first enters the Fantasy Library, they are granted a Authority—one that is uniquely suited to them, formed based on their own conditions. It is one-of-a-kind, and no second person will ever obtain the same one.

However, the Inherent Authority is different—it is a standard authority granted to all librarians upon completing their first Life Experience, with a simple yet significant function: converting one's Power System.

Since every Fantasy World has different Power Systems, the Inherent Authority was created to prevent contradictions between these systems from affecting an librarian’s strength or Life Experience. It allows librarians to freely switch between different Power Systems when entering a Fantasy World.

The more Fantasy Worlds an librarian has experienced, the more Power Systems they can convert between. Furthermore, once converted, an librarian can revert back at any time without affecting their original strength.

Additionally, when switching Power Systems, both power level and proficiency remain exactly the same, ensuring that the librarian does not feel unfamiliar or unable to fully utilize their abilities.

The only aspect that does not change is physical strength.

Regardless of the Power System, an librarian’s physical strength remains unaffected and does not conflict with the world’s rules.

Thus, only the Power System undergoes conversion—the body itself remains unchanged.

"Now this is an interesting Authority."

Kaiser found it intriguing, though he also felt a bit disappointed.

While this Authority was certainly useful, its impact on his strength wasn’t as immediately significant as a Unique Authority.

"Fortunately, I still have this."

He turned his attention back to the True Longinus in his hands.

The Authority within him told him that this spear held immense power.

Power far beyond that of Ser-Veresta or Gravisheath.

A power capable of threatening both gods and Maous.

Compared to this, the so-called Orga Lux was simply insignificant.

In that world, weapons like Ser-Veresta and Gravisheath, despite being Orga Lux, were at best equivalent to ordinary Sacred Gears. While significantly stronger than those that merely affected human society, they were nowhere near the level of a Longinus.

However, the True Longinus was not just a Longinus—it was the strongest one, standing in a league of its own.

If he could fully master the power within this spear, his strength would undergo a complete transformation.

At the very least, wielding the True Longinus in the Asterisk War world would be absolute overkill. The so-called monsters of Jie Long Seventh Institute and Le Wolfe Black Institute would be nothing more than child's play.

Such power, in anyone else's hands, might require a long period of training and refinement to unleash its full potential.

But for Kaiser, who possessed Ultimate Authority Over Weapons, the moment he grasped the spear, he had already mastered its power!

And that power would only continue to grow!

"Zing!"

Golden engravings emerged on Kaiser’s hand as he gripped the True Longinus.

These golden patterns extended from his palm to the spear itself, spreading along the shaft and reaching the luminous spearhead, covering its entire surface.

Like Ser-Veresta and Gravisheath, the True Longinus had its own will.

However, when the golden patterns enveloped it, the True Longinus did not resist—its will did not even attempt to surface, directly acknowledging Kaiser as its master.

Thus, the first and strongest Longinus became Kaiser’s third Exclusive Weapon, merging completely with him.

Since Sacred Gears naturally integrate into their owners, and Kaiser’s Exclusive Weapons are entirely one with him, he could clearly sense the will of the True Longinus.

It was unlike the wills of Ser-Veresta or Gravisheath.

This will was grand and sacred, as though a true divine presence resided within.

It did not display submission, fear, or reverence toward Kaiser—instead, it was curious, observant, and approving.

Of course, regardless of its attitude, it did not affect Kaiser’s control over the spear.

He could wield the True Longinus with perfect mastery, its immense power entirely at his command.

"Looking forward to working with you."

Kaiser lifted the True Longinus and smiled.

A radiant glow flickered across the spear, as if in response.

Then—

"Whoosh!"

A book suddenly flew in front of Kaiser, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow.

"Hmm…?"

The True Longinus reacted to the book, trembling slightly as it emitted a matching light.

The Fantasy Library’s will descended once more.

【Opening this book will allow the librarian to enter the Fantasy World recorded within and undergo a randomized Life Experience.】

【Because the librarian possesses an important element of this Fantasy World, opening the book will narrow the selection to experiences closely related to that element.】

Kaiser took in the message, looking at the book in front of him with intrigue.

"Could it be…?"

As a certain thought crossed his mind, Kaiser hesitated for a moment before reaching out and flipping open the book.

The cover revealed itself, displaying its title—

"High School DxD."

"As expected, it's this world."

With a knowing smile, Kaiser stepped forward and touched the book—

Entering its world…

Chapter 83: A Dramatic Background

"———"

The sound of a bustling crowd echoed in the air, reaching the ears of Kaiser before he had even opened his eyes.

His mind stirred slightly as he slowly opened them, allowing his vision to adjust.

A lively scene of people coming and going immediately filled his sight, letting him take in his current surroundings.

He was standing on a pedestrian walkway. Around him, people moved back and forth, modern skyscrapers and buildings lined the streets, and in the distance, he could see the corner of a plaza, as well as a supermarket, shopping mall, and an arcade—forming the lively backdrop of a cityscape.

"This place is…?"

Kaiser glanced down at his appearance.

He was dressed in travel gear, a coat draped over his shoulders, and a travel bag slung over one shoulder, giving him the distinct look of a wandering traveler. His appearance drew a few curious glances from passersby.

The reflection in a nearby clothing store’s glass window showed a slightly older version of himself than the high school-aged form he had recently grown accustomed to.

This was a characteristic of Fantasy Library Librarians—whenever they entered a new Fantasy World, their physical form would adjust according to the background of their drawn Life Experience.

For example, in the Asterisk War world, Kaiser had been a first-year student at Seidoukan Academy, so his body had matched that of a high school first-year.

His body remained fundamentally his own, only his apparent age changed. If he ever drew a Life Experience where he was a child, a middle-aged man, or an old man, his form would shift accordingly.

As for his true age—it had long since frozen from the moment he first entered the Fantasy Library.

In a way, Kaiser had already gained a form of immortality. Unless he died within a Fantasy World, he would never grow old in the conventional sense.

"So, this time, I’m not a student anymore?"

Realizing this, Kaiser focused inward.

Immediately, he noticed new memories surfacing in his mind.

These were the memories of his life in this world.

In this world, it seemed he had been abandoned by his parents shortly after birth.

Because from the moment he was born, strange and inexplicable events had always occurred around him.

At times, eerie shadows would appear out of nowhere. At times, ferocious beasts of unknown origin would manifest. Occasionally, he would see things that should not be seen. And sometimes, he would encounter bizarre individuals—causing his family to experience constant, inexplicable dangers.

In the end, his parents abandoned him. His relatives and friends dared not take him in, and even the traffickers who picked him up from an alleyway corner mysteriously died before they could sell him—though they had at least managed to bring him to a foreign country.

Eventually, it was the Church that took him in and raised him.

They told the young Kaiser—

"You are blessed with divine power. This must be the Lord’s gift!"

"It is this power that draws evil things to you, yet it also protects you from them, allowing you to grow safely!"

"Do not reject this power. Be grateful to the Lord, for He must have an important mission for you!"

"Do not worry. We will accept you. We will not abandon you like the others did!"

That was what the people of the Church often told him.

However, as Kaiser grew older, he began to notice a change in the way they looked at him.

Their gazes slowly shifted—turning from kindness to something more unsettling.

They looked at him as if he were a sacred artifact.

A specimen.

Their expressions became increasingly fanatical—almost deranged.

Until one day, they took him to an underground facility.

"The divine power within you far exceeds our imagination! This must be something extraordinary!"

"A holy relic? Or perhaps a Sacred Gear of divine nature?"

"Innate sacred power! This must be the Lord’s blessing upon us!"

"Let us study it! We will help you awaken it…!"

Before he even realized it, the people in clerical robes had been replaced by men in white coats—holding various research instruments, approaching him with sickly smiles.

And then, that very day—

A remote church vanished.

It was destroyed.

Erased by an overwhelming force.

Of course, the white-robed researchers inside perished along with it.

No one knew exactly what had happened. The only rumor that spread was that a mysterious, uncontrollable power had been unleashed, obliterating everything.

Only Kaiser, who had escaped from there and continued wandering ever since, knew the truth.

On that day, as the white-robed researchers prepared to act—

The strongest Longinus that had been slumbering within him… awakened.

This was the background of his Life Experience in this world.

"Isn't… this a bit too dramatic?"

After reviewing these memories, Kaiser was speechless.

He really hadn't expected his drawn Life Experience to be this intense.

However—

"In a way, it makes sense that the wielder of the strongest Longinus would have such a tragic fate."

In the original High School DxD story, the wielder of the True Longinus had suffered a similarly miserable childhood.

No—rather, any human chosen by a powerful Sacred Gear often faced some degree of tragedy.

It was inevitable.

After all, those born with extraordinary power would always be feared and rejected by ordinary people as soon as their differences began to show.

Even those who lived normal and peaceful lives before their Sacred Gears awakened would eventually become targets if their abilities were deemed too strong or too dangerous.

"If I remember correctly, both Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils keep a strict watch on Sacred Gear users, monitoring their movements, right?"

If a dangerous Sacred Gear wielder emerged, any of the three factions might send people to eliminate them.

That was exactly what had happened to the original protagonist at the start of the story—targeted by the Fallen Angels, leading to his death and reincarnation as a Devil.

A completely unprovoked disaster.

For all he knew, even now, Angels, Fallen Angels, or Devils might already be watching him…

"…I should find a place to settle down first."

Scratching his head, Kaiser pushed aside his chaotic thoughts and truly played the role of a wandering traveler, walking forward.

He rummaged through his clothes and travel bag, pulling out some clothes, portable food, drinking water, a map, and a phone.

He also found some money—not a huge amount, but enough to cover his immediate expenses.

At least he wouldn’t have to sleep under a bridge or on a park bench tonight.

Kaiser decided to find a hotel, settle down first, and then figure out what to do next.

Interestingly, as he wandered through the streets, he could actually feel several gazes that were different from those of ordinary passersby.

He also sensed unusual fluctuations of power within the city.

Kaiser knew—his arrival had caught the attention of certain individuals.

The supernatural factions of this world each had their own territories.

Even though Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils primarily operated from their respective domains in Heaven and the Underworld, they all had footholds in the human world.

The Church was Heaven’s subsidiary organization—wherever there was a church, there would be Church personnel stationed.

Similarly, both Fallen Angels and Devils had their own territories in the human world.

This town was no exception.

The moment Kaiser set foot in this town—they had noticed him.

"Looks like my Life Experience in this world is going to be quite the spectacle."

Instead of fear, Kaiser’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Perfect.

He had been itching to properly test his strength.

With that thought in mind, he found a suitable hotel, checked in, and asked a question.

"Where exactly is this?"

The answer—

"This is Kuoh Town, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo."

It wasn’t anything particularly remarkable—at least, not on a map.

But Kaiser knew very well just how extraordinary this town truly was.

This was the primary setting for the early stages of the original storyline.

The main characters, along with all sorts of supernatural beings, would soon begin converging here, turning this place into a chaotic vortex.

…

"Huuh…"

Inside one of the rooms of a local inn, Kaiser—who had already checked in—tossed his travel bag into the corner, shrugged off his trench coat, and collapsed into a soft chair, letting himself relax.

"This will be my temporary base for now."

The conditions here weren’t exactly luxurious, but they weren’t bad either. It had everything necessary for daily living, making it more than sufficient for a place to stay.

The money Kaiser had on him would sustain him for a while. Factoring in the costs of food and daily expenses, he wasn’t worried—at least not in the short term.

Once he had adjusted to this new environment, he could figure out ways to make more money.

After all, he was someone significant now. Even when he was just an ordinary person, he had managed to live on his own. Now, with his current abilities, there were plenty of ways to deal with such trivial matters.

"First, let’s test out this world’s power system."

With that thought in mind, Kaiser stood up.

"Power Conversion!"

As soon as the thought took form in his mind, his newly acquired Inherent Authority activated.

Boom!

A dazzling burst of star-like fragments erupted around Kaiser, as an astonishing amount of Prana surged through his body.

The sheer scale of this Prana was enough to leave even someone like Ayato Amagiri—who was naturally gifted with immense amounts of Prana—utterly speechless.

Under the effects of his Inherent Authority, this Prana rapidly transformed, taking on the appearance of blazing flames.

Chapter 84: Aura and Touki

"This is Aura?"

Kaiser murmured to himself as he observed the faint energy burning quietly around his body.

Aura—a force originating from the life energy of a being.

The power system of this world was not a singular structure but rather a complex fusion of multiple systems.

Devils wield Demonic Power, a force that manipulates supernatural phenomena through manifested imagination. Angels and Fallen Angels utilize Light Power, which can be materialized into tangible energy. Then, there are magicians who invoke supernatural effects through spellcasting, and even Taoists who practice Senjutsu, making the range of abilities incredibly diverse.

Yet, regardless of the nature of these beings, they all possess a fundamental power derived from life itself.

That fundamental power is called Qi—or more precisely, Aura.

Unlike Demonic Power or Light Power, Aura possesses no direct destructive force. However, every living being inherently generates Aura.

By mastering this Aura, one can control the flow of life energy, unlocking superhuman potential.

Humans, too, possess Aura, and it is often used as fuel for Sacred Gears, allowing them to activate and manifest their abilities.

"However… my aura seems a little different."

Kaiser raised his hand and clenched it into a fist.

The next second, the Aura that had been burning subtly around him suddenly transformed into a torrent of blinding white light, surging outward like an explosive force.

Wrapped in this Aura, Kaiser could clearly feel his physical body strengthening—not just externally, but internally as well.

"This must be Touki."

Recalling the knowledge from the original story, Kaiser carefully analyzed his own power and finally identified it.

Touki—a specialized form of Aura.

Unlike ordinary Aura, Touki could only be awakened by those who had undergone harsh training and refined their martial prowess to its peak.

It allowed a person to project their boundless vitality and life force outward, transforming it into a visible energy layer.

This pure energy could reinforce both internal and external aspects of the body, enhancing one’s physical capabilities, increasing attack power, defense, and speed to superhuman levels.

"Though it's different from Prana, its function is quite similar."

The most common use of Prana was defensive reinforcement, and it was remarkably effective in that role.

Even in unarmed combat, Prana could be directly converted into attack power, a technique that the Jie Long Seventh Institute's martial artists excelled at.

Furthermore, with the right techniques, Prana could be modified to enhance various aspects of a fighter's abilities.

This property closely resembled Touki, which was why, when Kaiser activated his Inherent Authority to switch power systems, his Prana seamlessly converted into Touki, continuously pouring out of his body.

"The quantity has decreased significantly, though… but it makes sense. Prana doesn’t directly strengthen the body, whereas Touki excels in that regard."

Kaiser quietly assessed his current state, trying to familiarize himself with his new power.

Under the influence of Inherent Authority, his Prana had been entirely converted into Touki—but the overall amount had diminished significantly.

This was an inevitable result of the power conversion process.

Since Inherent Authority transformed powers of equivalent strength, and Touki had additional benefits compared to Prana—specifically enhancing the physical body—it naturally required more energy to sustain.

When a weaker power system was converted into a stronger one, some loss was unavoidable.

Thus, Kaiser wasn’t surprised. Instead, he focused on controlling the Touki flowing through his body.

He experimented with using Touki to strengthen his physical body, then tried enhancing individual attributes like attack, defense, or speed—all of which he could manipulate as easily as breathing.

Whatever level of control he had over Prana, he could now exert the same mastery over Touki.

"Good thing I never recklessly pursued brute force. Every time I absorbed Manadyte or Urm-Manadyte, I always took the time to properly adapt before letting my power exceed my control."

Kaiser felt a sense of relief.

Had he not trained in controlling his powers meticulously, he might have struggled to manage this overwhelming Touki.

Indeed—even though his Touki was now reduced in volume compared to his Prana, it was still vast and overwhelmingly powerful.

This was undeniable proof that, after absorbing so many Urm-Manadytes, his Prana had grown tremendously.

"Right now, even if I don’t use any weapons, I should be able to defeat Ayato Amagiri in hand-to-hand combat, right?"

Kaiser made a rough estimate of his strength.

"If I wield Ser-Veresta or Gravisheath, my power should increase several times over."

"And if I use the True Longinus…"

Kaiser hesitated.

The True Longinus was immensely powerful—almost absurdly so.

Just by holding it, he felt as if he could stand before gods without fear.

But ultimately, that was just a feeling. The real extent of its power could only be determined in actual battle.

"Hu…"

The blinding white Touki surrounding him gradually dissipated, drawn back into his body.

Then, Kaiser summoned his spear and firmly grasped it in his hand.

"True Longinus…"

As his fingers brushed against the spear's shaft, Kaiser’s mind drifted into deep contemplation.

This spear’s power was not merely overwhelming—it held limitless potential.

If he wanted to fully unlock those possibilities and convert them into tangible strength, he needed to carefully plan and strategize.

Closing his eyes, Kaiser synchronized his mind with the spear, as though trying to communicate with it.

A profound silence filled the room.

...

Over the Next Few Days

Kaiser gradually settled into Kuoh Town while exploring the city.

Kuoh Town was neither too big nor too small—it was impossible to explore every corner in just a few days, at least not without using supernatural abilities.

But Kaiser had no such intention.

Instead, he played the role of an ordinary tourist—wandering around, taking in the sights, even indulging in shopping for clothes and snacks.

His days passed in relative comfort.

During the day, he roamed the town, familiarizing himself with the streets and landmarks. At night, he returned to his hotel room, meditating with the True Longinus, delving deeper into its mysteries.

A few days later, Kaiser made a surprising discovery.

The watchful gazes that had been tailing him didn’t increase—instead, they had decreased.

It almost felt as if someone in the shadows was handling things for him, ensuring that he remained undisturbed.

"What's going on?"

Kaiser furrowed his brows in confusion.

As far as he knew, ever since he escaped from the Church, he had been wandering alone, never forming any connections.

Logically speaking, no one should be protecting him.

"Could it be the Church?"

Kaiser considered the possibility.

Judging by his Life Experience background, the Church he had been raised in was far from noble.

However, as someone familiar with the original story, Kaiser understood that—while the Church was not as righteous as the world believed, it was still a force of order.

The corruption within it stemmed from internal politics—not a fundamental evil.

Like any powerful organization, the Church had its share of corrupt figures—but that did not mean it was beyond redemption.

Perhaps a high-ranking Church official had taken an interest in him, uncovered the truth about his past, and decided to secretly protect him?

Or…

Could it be that Heaven itself had noticed his existence?

"Did they discover the True Longinus?"

Kaiser couldn't be certain.

Two Days Later

By now, he had fully familiarized himself with Kuoh Town.

And that night—

Kaiser left his hotel and stepped out onto the streets.

Kuoh Town’s residential areas were quiet at night—and the outskirts were even more desolate.

Kaiser made his way into a dark alley, heading towards the abandoned outskirts.

Soon, he arrived at an old, abandoned factory.

The lock on the entrance had been forcibly broken.

"This should be the place."

He narrowed his eyes.

Just then—

A chilling voice echoed from the shadows.

"Heh heh…"

"A human?"

"A young human?"

"You actually came to me willingly?"

"How fortunate."

From the darkness, a silhouette emerged.

At first glance, it appeared to be a beautiful woman—her figure voluptuous and alluring.

However—

Behind her, several long, furry spider legs extended from her body.

Kaiser immediately recognized what she was.

"…A Stray Devil?"

Chapter 85: The Limits of Humanity?

Stray Devils.

These were Devils with no faction, no affiliation, completely unclaimed and inherently dangerous.

When a Devil's servant betrayed their master—even going so far as to kill them—and fled their master's territory, they became Stray Devils, akin to wild beasts that had abandoned their pack, roaming unchecked. With no restraint, no oversight, they often committed forbidden acts and caused disasters.

They were pests, entities who betrayed their masters for personal desires. Thus, whenever a Stray Devil was discovered—whether by their original master or by other Devils—it was an obligation and a right to eliminate them.

Other factions also viewed Stray Devils as dangerous anomalies. Be it Angels or Fallen Angels, they would exterminate any Stray Devil they found.

And now—

Kaiser had encountered such an existence.

"Would you like to play some fun games with me, little brother~?"

The spider-woman Stray Devil smiled seductively at Kaiser, approaching him while licking her lips, her expression one of hunger, as if she had just spotted a delicious meal.

However—

Kaiser didn’t even spare her a glance.

The moment he recognized what she was, he turned around—intending to leave immediately.

"Heh heh, do you really think you can just walk away?"

The spider-woman wasn’t the least bit flustered. She simply watched him leave, leisurely taking a few steps forward.

"It’s been so long since I’ve found a handsome young man like you. I've already grown tired of feasting on those greasy old men—why don't I treat myself to something fresh for a change?"

The moment those words left her lips—

Kaiser abruptly stopped walking.

"Oh? Decided to stop running?"

The spider-woman sounded surprised, stopping in her tracks as well.

Kaiser did not turn around. Still facing away from her, he spoke coldly.

"…You've eaten humans?"

His voice was laced with undeniable chill.

The spider-woman didn’t seem to notice the shift in tone. Instead, she grinned mockingly and responded—

"Of course. Though I only eat the ones who can’t resist temptation—those filthy old men who follow me in secret, thinking they’re getting lucky. But I must say, human flesh is truly delicious. It's a shame I never realized that before."

Her words oozed cruelty. It was clear she was toying with Kaiser, deliberately provoking him, eagerly anticipating his expression of fear.

However—

Instead of fear, she saw him turn around—

And walk straight back toward her.

He came back?

This brat isn’t scared?

The spider-woman was momentarily stunned.

And then—

She heard his next words.

"I came here to see if I could learn anything about events that wouldn’t happen in human society. So at first, I had no interest in a mere Stray Devil like you."

Kaiser’s expression remained completely indifferent.

"But now—I've changed my mind."

His cold, piercing gaze locked onto the spider-woman, his face devoid of any emotion.

"A pest like you—it's better if you disappear right here."

For a brief moment—

The spider-woman was dumbfounded.

Then—

She suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter.

"Disappear? Me? Are you saying… you plan to kill me?"

As she laughed, her smile twisted into something monstrous.

That was no longer the face of a human—

It was the face of a beast.

"Who the hell do you think you are, you brat?!"

Her voice dropped into a snarl—and the next instant—

She lunged.

Her eight spider legs pushed off the ground with incredible force, propelling her forward like a spring-loaded projectile.

Her speed was blinding—as fast as a bullet, slicing through the air with an ear-piercing whoosh.

In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of Kaiser.

"Turn into a shish kebab!"

Her spider legs sliced through the air, aiming to impale Kaiser’s body.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!—

A series of metallic clashes echoed throughout the abandoned factory—

The spider legs struck Kaiser’s body—

But instead of piercing through, they rebounded violently, as if they had slammed into steel.

Sparks flew.

Looking closely—

Her attacks never actually touched Kaiser.

A radiant layer of flowing white light surrounded his body, forming an invisible barrier mere centimeters away from his skin.

"W-What…?!"

The spider-woman’s eyes widened in disbelief.

And that—

Was the last expression she would ever make.

BOOM—!

The very next instant—

A fist—wrapped in raging white light—exploded forward like a meteor—

Striking her squarely in the torso.

A thunderous impact shook the factory, sending out a shockwave that kicked up dust and debris—

And obliterated the spider-woman’s body, reducing her to chunks of flesh.

"Ugh… AHHHHHHHHH!"

The spider woman’s body exploded, leaving only her head relatively intact. It tumbled across the ground, rolling away while emitting a miserable shriek.

Before long, her presence faded entirely.

Kaiser stood motionless in place, his outstretched hand still engulfed in a brilliant white glow, frozen in the motion of his finishing strike.

It was only after a while that he finally retracted his fist.

Clap—Clap—Clap—

At that moment, the sound of applause echoed from a corner of the factory.

"………"

Kaiser remained silent. He wasn’t surprised by the applause.

Instead, he simply turned his gaze towards the source of the sound and saw a man emerging from the darkness.

"That was a beautiful strike—killing a devil barehanded in an instant. Even if it was just a low-class Stray Devil, your abilities are far stronger than what we had anticipated."

The man who stepped out of the shadows while clapping and offering praise was a white-haired individual clad in priest-like robes.

He didn’t appear to be much older than Kaiser—if there was a difference, it wasn’t by much. However, his entire presence exuded the aura of a battle-hardened warrior, someone who had fought on countless battlefields. Anyone with keen senses would immediately recognize how dangerous this man was.

"…Church personnel?"

Kaiser took one look at the man's white hair, then another at his priest-like attire, and calmly voiced his guess.

The man neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, he responded with a composed smile and spoke slowly.

"It seems you noticed me long ago. When exactly did you realize I was here?"

Rather than answering, he countered with a question of his own.

"When I was about to leave," Kaiser replied indifferently, making no attempt to withhold information. "At first, I thought there was only a single Stray Devil here. But then, I reconsidered—that didn’t seem likely."

"This place is too remote, far from the city. If there were only a single low-class Stray Devil hiding here, then even if I had been wandering around all day, I shouldn’t have been able to sense any power fluctuations from this place."

"I’m not some sensory-type specialist. For me to have noticed power fluctuations, there had to be something more here. A single low-class Stray Devil wouldn’t be enough to generate a disturbance I could detect all the way from the city."

Simply put, the Stray Devil had been too weak, and this was just an abandoned factory. There was no way it could have emitted enough power fluctuations for Kaiser to sense from such a distance.

That’s why he had realized something was off and deduced that something more was going on here.

"And now, it’s clear—this was a trap you deliberately set up to lure me in, wasn’t it?" Kaiser locked eyes with the white-haired man. "You intentionally spread out the power fluctuations, deliberately leaving that Stray Devil alive so you could observe how I would handle it?"

"Setting up such an elaborate scheme just to test me… what exactly is your goal?"

"Or… are you simply trying to use me as a tool to do your dirty work?"

Kaiser’s tone grew sharp.

Yet the white-haired man didn’t seem the least bit offended. If anything, he appeared even more impressed.

"Quick-witted. Even though this was just a casual setup on my part, the fact that you managed to piece it together so clearly is quite impressive." The man chuckled. "Good thing my companions aren’t here. They’d never let me hear the end of it."

"…So, you’re just openly admitting that you’re alone?" Kaiser narrowed his eyes. "Aren’t you worried I’ll attack you?"

Hearing that, the white-haired man shrugged and raised his hands in a casual gesture.

"Are you really the kind of person who strikes first and asks questions later? We don’t know that yet," he said. "Relax, I mean you no harm."

"Quite the opposite, actually—I’m here to invite you."

"Tell me, are you interested in joining us?"

Kaiser frowned. "Joining you? What do you mean?"

This guy was from the Church, wasn’t he?

Why didn’t he sound like one…?

"It’s exactly as it sounds. I’m simply extending an invitation for you to work with us—to create something great together," the white-haired man said with an unchanging smile. "There are many others like you and me by my side."

"We come from different backgrounds, but we are all true humans."

"We aren’t like the Angels, Fallen Angels, or Devils, born with overwhelming power. But each of us carries a unique ability within us."

"Sacred Gears. The only divine gift bestowed upon humanity."

As he spoke, the white-haired man continued to address Kaiser in a slow, deliberate tone.

"With such a gift, don’t you want to see how far this power can take you? Don’t you want to challenge those supernatural beings—perhaps even gods and devils—and see just how far we humans can push our limits?"

As those words reached Kaiser’s ears, it was as if a bolt of lightning struck through his mind, instantly making everything clear.

"You’re from the Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade?"

He spoke without hesitation.

"You’re Siegfried?"

The white-haired man—Siegfried—froze on the spot.

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: Okay tell me should I use Chaos Brigade or Khaos Brigade? And let me know if there's any other change you'd like.