Midnight in Kuoh Town's western district felt unnaturally still.
Far from the lively commercial streets, this area lay deserted. Flickering streetlights cast dim halos, stretching buildings into warped shadows.
The air itself seemed oppressive.
As if even the wind avoided this place.
Five figures moved like ghosts through the darkness.
Under the effects of the Light Body Talismans and Silence Talismans, their footsteps made no sound.
Their speed far exceeded that of ordinary humans, yet the breeze they created was barely noticeable.
Rias led at the front, her crimson ponytail like a streak of dark flame. Her senses were fully extended, alert for traps.
Kiba followed closely, hand resting lightly on his sword hilt, gaze sharp.
Akeno and Koneko flanked them.
Akeno's magical perception stretched forward like invisible tendrils.
Koneko relied on the instinct of a Nekomata, attuned to the faintest disturbance.
Shin moved in the middle-rear.
He maintained his Breath Concealment Technique to the limit, suppressing his presence while adjusting to the squad's swift tempo.
Without the Light Body Talisman, he wouldn't have been able to keep up.
The closer they drew to the abandoned church, the heavier the air became.
A cold, foul Fallen Angel aura lingered.
It pressed subtly against the mind, like unseen fingers brushing the soul.
The church came into view.
A crumbling iron fence.
Overgrown weeds.
Shattered stained glass like hollow eye sockets beneath the moonlight.
A dark purple barrier enveloped the entire structure—imperceptible to normal sight but glaringly obvious to those with sensory ability.
Energy flowed across its surface like viscous sludge.
Rias raised her hand.
The team halted within the shadow of an alley.
"The barrier is strong. A direct breach will alert them," she said quietly.
"Akeno. The weak point?"
Akeno closed her eyes briefly.
"Side-rear corner. Near the old graveyard."
"There's a periodic fluctuation—about half a second long. Likely where the barrier connects to a ley line."
"Good."
"Yuto. Koneko. Watch for sentries."
They melted into shadow instantly.
Rias turned to Shin.
"Advisor Shin."
"It's your turn."
"We need confirmation the route is clear."
"Can you do it?"
Shin nodded.
"I'll try."
He stepped forward and closed his eyes.
Hands formed a subtle inner seal.
He focused his mind inward.
True Qi flowed.
This was not an aggressive magical scan.
It was listening.
His spiritual sense expanded gently, like ripples across water.
Energy traces.
Residual magic.
Life aura.
Slowly, a three-dimensional map formed within his awareness.
The church core pulsed with dense Fallen Angel energy.
The barrier flickered rhythmically at the weak point—seven-second cycles, half-second openings.
But—
His heart tightened.
They weren't alone outside the barrier.
Three suppressed energy signatures lurked within the courtyard shadows.
Two positioned directly along the most obvious approach paths.
Connected to the barrier.
Likely alarm-linked sentries.
Additionally—
Three concealed trap nodes buried in the ground, arranged in a triangular formation.
If triggered, they would alert the entire compound.
Sweat formed on Shin's brow.
The spiritual load was heavy.
But he spoke quickly and clearly.
"Weak point confirmed. Seven-second interval. Half-second opening."
"Two guards. Two o'clock—beneath the old tree."
"Nine o'clock—behind the broken statue."
"Barrier-linked. Likely alarms."
"Three ground traps. Triangular layout. We must detour."
Silence.
Then—
Relief flickered across Rias's face.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Yuto. Koneko."
"Simultaneous elimination. No sound."
"Akeno. Neutralize traps."
"Yes."
The three moved like phantoms.
Shin maintained detection, tracking their movements.
Kiba glided toward the old tree.
Koneko vanished behind broken masonry.
Two faint flashes.
Kiba's blade pierced the first guard's throat. Sword Qi erased all life in an instant.
Koneko struck with terrifying speed, severing the second guard's neck before he could react. Her other hand muffled any possible sound.
Both bodies were dragged into deeper shadow.
Clean.
Silent.
At the same time, Akeno extended her fingers.
Fine threads of Lightning slid into the ground.
Rather than dismantling the traps, she temporarily disrupted their trigger flow.
Dormant.
"Sentries eliminated."
"Traps neutralized."
Rias's eyes gleamed.
"Now."
She dashed toward the weak point.
Seven seconds.
The barrier flickered—
"Move."
Rias slipped through first.
Like passing through water.
Kiba.
Akeno.
Koneko.
Shin followed last.
For half a second, they crossed the threshold.
No ripple.
No alarm.
Infiltration successful.
Inside, the air was worse.
Dust.
Mildew.
Blood.
And the oppressive stench of Fallen Angel light.
Broken pews lay scattered.
Walls were cracked and stained.
But beneath the decay—
A faint, trembling glow.
Pure.
Pain-filled.
Asia Argento's Light.
Like a candle struggling against wind.
Rias glanced at Shin.
"Well done, Advisor Shin."
"Your technique made this possible."
Shin steadied his breathing.
"I only fulfilled my role."
His spirit felt drained.
But the true danger had only begun.
Raynare was inside.
The rescue operation had entered its most critical stage.
...
Author's Update 18+ 📢
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It is now available on Patreon for all tiers, including the lowest Tier 1.
The complete Part 1 has been uploaded on Patreon.
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