Chapter 5: The Knight's Shadow
[Daily Reset Complete]
New Quests Available
Current Objectives Updated
Special Event Detected!
Rias looked up from her desk in the Occult Research Club room, her new base of operations in the human world. The system's warning intrigued her.
[Special Event Detected]
Location: Kuoh Town
Event Type: Potential Peerage Member + Hostile Presence
Recommended Action: Immediate Investigation
Time Window: 6 hours
"Akeno," she called to her Queen, who was preparing tea nearby. "We have something interesting."
[Party Status]
Rias Gremory (King)
Level: 18
HP: 1,800/1,800
MP: 3,600/3,600
Status: Ready for Combat
Akeno Himejima (Queen)
Level: 16
HP: 1,600/1,600
MP: 3,200/3,200
Status: Perfect Sync Available
[Perfect Sync Mode Available]
Combine powers for maximum efficiency
Duration: 10 minutes
Cooldown: 24 hours
Accept? [Yes/No]
"Not yet," Rias murmured. "We might need that later."
Using her enhanced Observe skill, she scanned the area:
[Area Scan Results]
Multiple Energy Signatures Detected:
Stray Devil (Level 25) - Hostile Unknown Human (Level 8) - In Danger Sacred Gear Potential: 85%
Location: Industrial District
Time Until Conflict: 15 minutes
"Ara ara, this could be interesting," Akeno said, her battle-hungry side emerging.
[Quest Alert!]
Title: Knight in the Shadows
Description: Save the potential sacred gear user from the stray devil
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Rewards:
Possible Knight piece candidate, 5,000 EXP, Increased territory control
Failure: Loss of potential peerage member, decreased territory security
Accept? [Yes/No]
"Yes," Rias confirmed, already creating a transportation circle. "Let's move."
They materialised in the industrial district, rain falling softly around them. Rias immediately activated her analysis skills:
[Combat Analysis]
Stray Devil: Former Knight
Threat Level: High
Special Abilities:
Enhanced Speed, Blood Magic, Berserker State
[Potential Recruit Analysis]
Name: Yuuto Kiba
Age: 13
Potential: Exceptional
Sacred Gear: Holy Eraser (Dormant)
Knight Piece Compatibility: 97%
Current Status: Running for his life
Through the rain, they could hear the sounds of pursuit. The stray devil was toying with its prey, enjoying the hunt.
[Strategic Options]
Direct Confrontation, Stealth Approach, Divide and Conquer, Perfect Sync Ambush
"Akeno, Pattern Three," Rias commanded, their weeks of training allowing instant understanding.
[Tactical Formation]
Queen Position: High altitude, lightning support
King Position: Ground level, containment
Formation Bonus: +20% to coordinated attacks
They split up just as two figures burst into view. A young blonde boy, terror evident on his face, was running with impressive speed despite his exhaustion. Behind him, a twisted figure moved with unnatural grace, claws extended for the kill.
[Combat Initiated!]
Objective: Protect Yuuto Kiba
Secondary Objective: Eliminate Stray Devil
Perfect Sync: Available if needed
"Observe," Rias whispered, analysing the stray's movement patterns.
[Weakness Detected!]
The stray's enhanced speed comes at the cost of reduced manoeuvrability
Recommended Strategy: Area denial + pinpoint strikes
Lightning crashed from above as Akeno made her presence known, forcing the stray to break off its pursuit.
[Combination Opportunity!]
Thunder-Destruction Blast available
Current success rate: 85%
Critical hit chance: 30%
But before Rias could act, something unexpected happened.
[Alert!]
Sacred Gear Activation Detected!
User: Yuuto Kiba
Trigger: Survival Instinct
Type: Sword Birth (Evolution of Holy Eraser)
A black sword materialised in Kiba's hands, his terror giving way to desperate determination.
[Special Event!]
Sacred Gear Awakening witnessed
Bonus Objective: Guide the awakening
Reward: Enhanced Knight Piece compatibility
"Now, Akeno!" Rias commanded, gathering her Power of Destruction.
[Perfect Timing Window]
Combining:
Power of DestructionHoly LightningSacred Gear Resonance
The stray devil realized too late it was trapped. Crimson destruction circled from below, purple lightning struck from above, and in the middle, a blade of darkness sought its heart.
[Triple Critical Hit!]
Damage Dealt: 25,000
Bonus Effect: Perfect Coordination
Experience Gained: 10,000
As the stray devil disintegrated, Rias turned her attention to the exhausted boy who had collapsed to his knees, the black sword dissolving into particles of light.
[Recruitment Window]
Candidate: Yuuto Kiba
Piece Required: Knight
Compatibility: 99% (Increased due to combat synergy)
Special Traits:
Natural Sword TalentSacred Gear PotentialHigh Growth Rate
Recruit? [Yes/No]
Rias approached him slowly, her Charisma and Leadership skills automatically activating to present the most trustworthy appearance.
"You fought well," she said softly. "But you don't have to fight alone anymore."
[Speech Check Success!]
Trust gained: +20
Fear reduced: -50%
Kiba looked up at her with eyes that had seen too much darkness. "Who... what are you?"
"Someone offering you a chance to become stronger," Rias said, holding out her Knight piece. "Strong enough to ensure you never have to run again."
[Relationship System Activated]
Initial Bond Forming
Potential: Exceptional
Loyalty Base: Strong (due to rescue)
As rain continued to fall around them, Rias saw multiple futures branching out through her enhanced perception:
[Future Sight Skill Activated]
Potential Scenarios:
Knight of the Gremory House (98% positive outcome)Lost Sacred Gear user (45% survival rate)Independent devil (62% success rate)
"Will you join my family, Yuuto Kiba? Will you become my Knight?"
[Critical Decision Point]
Success Chance: 95%
Factors in favor:
Recent rescueDemonstrated powerOffered protectionNatural charisma effect
Kiba looked at the offered piece, then at Rias's extended hand. Slowly, he reached out.
[New Peerage Member Acquired!]
Knight: Yuuto Kiba
Special Bonuses Unlocked:
Sword Birth Evolution PathEnhanced Speed DevelopmentKnight-King Resonance
Multiple notifications flooded Rias's vision:
[Quest Complete!]
"Knight in the Shadows" successfully concluded
Rewards claimed:
New Knight piece member5,000 EXPIncreased territory control
[Breaking Fate's Chains - Progress Update]
25% Complete
Note: Second peerage member acquired, combat capability significantly increased
As Akeno helped Kiba to his feet, Rias smiled. Her peerage was growing stronger, each piece carefully chosen and each bond naturally formed.
[System Message]
Special Evolution Path Unlocked: Sword of Destruction
New Training Regimes Available
Continue gathering your pieces...