One-Punch DxD: NEO
Chapter 48: Evil of God (III)

Here's the next update! However, I believe I need to warn that there are some explicit contents here. Read at your own risk. ;)

"So, how are you feeling?"

Issei asked as he sat with Asia next to him, next to the bed where Vincenza was resting with her younger sister sitting across the couple.

"I feel… Fine." The dark-skinned girl smiled. "I… don't remember the last time I felt like this."

The two smiled as the girls looked away a little.

"Um… are we still…?" Vicenza asked, blushing a little.

"…I'm sorry." Issei bowed his head, along with Asia who dipped her head down. "I adopted you in the heat of the moment. I… was originally there to investigate the orphanage for evidence of corruption. I know it is careless and thoughtless of me, but we couldn't let everyone there suffer. So…"

"...I see." Vincenza simply looked down with a content smile. "I… still have questions. I don't know where to start. There are too many things I want to ask… maybe… what should we do now?"

"Well… you can stay here. The little black bastard that is probably peeking at us in the room owns this place - he's gonna look after you." Issei waved off. "Or…. Maybe you want to come to Japan with us? Starting anew."

The sisters blinked at the second option, "...Eh?"

"The adoption papers are still in place, so… You are legally our daughter now." Issei awkwardly finished, with Asia sporting a faint blush.

"I… I don't… We don't…" Vincenza was looking utterly lost for words, as she looked between her sister and her supposedly adoptive parents.

"Yeah… the age gap ain't that big between us. It'll be awkward but still, you have a choice. So? What will it be?"

Vicenza and Jolenne remained silent as they stared at their adoptive parents, conflicted.

"…We… I think I would like to stay here." Vicenza gave her answer.

Issei inwardly sighed with relief, "Not that I mind, but…. May I know why?"

"We still have friends here… Friends that we grew up with; and I think we will be okay. We're finally free… and we're in a five star hotel. The food here is very good." Vicenza replied with a sheepish smile.

Issei scoffed at her answer, and he admitted that the food was to die for. He should bring some with him to share with Tsubasa and the others… he should make plans to buy gifts.

After all, the Hyoudou family was finally loaded as hell.

Issei glanced at Asia, who was smiling in understanding, "...Take care of yourselves. Oh, if Black is being… Too much of himself, don't be afraid to call us. He has a way of being a bad influence, a fun kind though."

The girls giggled at his attempt at humor.

"Thank you." Vicenza and Jolenne nodded gratefully. "If… if it means anything, I think you two will be great parents."

This time, both Issei and Asia who yelped in embarrassment, blushed a storm; the two's eyes met for a second before they looked away.

"…Y-Yeah. Live healthy and eat well, you two." Issei and Asia stood up and bowed before the girls as they walked away.

"Bye, bye, big bro! Big sis!" Jolenne waved cherrily, prompting Issei and Asia to wave back at her, before they finally left the room.

Thanks to their talk with the orphaned girls, Issei and Asia were a bit left behind to pack their things, as it was the day they went back to Japan.

When they came out of the elevator towards the main lobby, however, they were greeted by the sight of Genos talking to his cellphone, with the others watching him.

"What's up, guys?" Issei greeted as he approached with Asia in tow, luggage in hand.

"…It seems that there is still trouble back at the Vatican." Genos said as he flipped his cellphone closed.

"What kind of trouble?" Issei asked.

"There was an incident. Several angels were massacred and Valper's brain-washing machines were destroyed before they could be transported to heaven."

"Just one problem after another…" Issei swore under his breath, "And? Any clues on who?"

"Still under investigation. The guards are currently looking over the security footage." Genos replied. "I'm requested for assistance in the matter. However, you kids are to return home by yourselves. Gold can escort you to his own privately owned plane."

"When are we leaving with you?" Issei asked.

"...I believe that I did not make myself clear. I meant to say that your involvement with the Vatican's problems ends here. I will now take over."

Issei stared at the cyborg in a stupor while the girls were confused.

"What do you mean you're… I'm still in this! We still have the villain to-"

"Your matter with Irina is settled. There's no reason for you to continue." Genos cut him off.

"What? What do you mean?! Of course we'll continue, why would-"

"This is a matter that only adults should handle." Touji prompted, standing besides Genos. "All of you have done and gone through enough trauma and hardships. It is time for us elders to handle this."

Issei could not believe the sudden shift of direction.

"I don't get it. Didn't we go through too much to just go home now? Why now?!" Issei asked.

Genos looked at Issei in his eyes.

"I am sorry if you believe I am downplaying your abilities, Issei. But I came with you so I can oversee your growth in a personal matter to help your lover heal and settle old grudges with the Vatican for good. However, I am also your uncle. I must oversee the safety of you and your friends. There are times when you must realize the responsibility of holding the lives of others in your hands, their futures. For example, Irina Shidou… she has brushed against death more than once away from your protection. And… this is a matter that should be resolved by your elders by right. Kids at your age should not be out here exposing a worldwide scandal at your peril."

Issei remained silent, while Asia was unable to say anything in something so serious.

"...But… I didn't fight on just so I can back off in the end…"

"...I understand your frustration. But, like your father once learned, all the evils in the world shouldn't be resolved by one will alone. Besides, you already have people waiting for you in the Underworld. We prepared a surprise for you there. Best you go there and see it yourself." Genos let out a small smile.

Issei looked contemplative for a few seconds. It was indeed extremely irritating to leave this unfinished, but he did understand Genos' logic. He looked at Asia, who was held hostage at one point due to his negligence.

It was only by chance that she was released before they could arrive…

"...Tsk." Issei clicked his tongue as he let out a long exhale. "...I'm gonna head out for some fresh air."

"Wait, Ise-!"

"Leave him be, Irina."

Genos stopped the girl from going after Issei, who was walking out of the door. "There is still time before your flight, let him collect himself. He'll come around soon enough."

Issei, however, still could not accept to end it all like this. The mastermind responsible for everything wrong with the Church was still out there, and him not ending it himself after what that person did to Irina through the snakes in the Church… Issei clenched his fists as he walked out.

After a while, he found a bench that looked at the canal river, sighing as he reclined against the backrest. He looked up at the sky, seeing the air of dusk already settling in…

His mind wandered to everything they went through to get this far, all of the messed up horror, the evil that shouldn't even exist, and the dangers they braved since getting here.

"...Damn it." Issei couldn't bring himself to go to the underworld with the quest unfinished. He needed to finish this, not only for himself, but for all of the victims that suffered.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Issei flinched at the voice. He looked left, seeing an old man in clean black business attire taking a seat next to Issei.

Issei stared at the old man, his eyes closed and his smile perpetual.

"Wonderful day, isn't it?" The old, old man turned to face Issei. Even through the face of a stranger he never met, Issei would always recognize the voice.

"...What the hell are you doing here?" Issei asked Binbougami.

"Why, I am offended that you think I am here without actual purpose, oh ho ho ho ho~" Binbougami chuckled as he tapped his cane onto the floor. "Did you not want to know the secrets of the curse you still hold in your pocket? The one that you seem to be ignoring a bit too well in the absence of your memory?"

Issei stared at the old god in human disguise for a moment.

"Are you serious? You… damn, man. You're late as hell, you know that right?" Issei pointed out as he sighed, relaxing his shoulders. He rummaged into his pocket and… Yeah, Issei grimaced as he pulled out the very thing that wanted to consume his very soul.

"Oh ho ho ho… You were too preoccupied in bringing down the serpents in the castle. But the one who crafted and nurtured them, well, is out of your reach." Binbougami smiled. "I admit that I have been watching. Everything that transpired, all of the dark secrets uncovered, hidden behind the veil of blinding light. You are teeming with frustration unbound, your heroic soul is beckoning you to action. It is your nature after all."

"Since when have you turned into a stalker?" Issei asked as he stared at the Monkey's Paw, his most unwanted companion since the Kokabiel Incident.

A small silence dawned between them. It was a bit unnerving, staring at the corpse's hand. He felt like it was looking at him back, appraising him.

"...To release yourself from the curse, all you need to do is feed it." Binbougami answered.

"...Feed it?" Issei asked.

"Feed it. It likes to eat souls. But it can only eat one per victim. Feeding it another would sate its appetite enough to let you go. You just need to carefully pick who you want to sacrifice."

Issei grimaced at the prospect of actually sacrificing another living being pagan style.

"...How do I even feed this thing?" Issei asked.

"Oh, don't be ignorant. Use your head."

The only trivia that came to his mind was that the hand would consume the soul of anyone who harms the damn thing…

"...I have to wish for it, don't I?" Issei guessed.

Binbougami slowly nodded.

"The very last finger, ideally. You will have to be close to another in order for the hand to take them. The proximity limit is not something you can overcome, unfortunately."

"Good to know…"

Silence dawned between them as God and man sat.

"...Why the hell did you even keep this thing? How often do you use it?"

"Almost every day."

Issei choked on his throat as he turned to the old God aghast.

"It's simple, really. The Monkey's Paw… is a very fickle thing. It likes to grant inconvenient, mostly lethal wishes, yet if you are clever enough, you will discover that it too is vulnerable to its own power. The monkey's paw you are using is refined after years of experimentation, layers and layers of safeguards I placed on the hand using its own power against it. That is the secret of how to wield and use the power of the cursed object, to master the mercurial hand of misfortune. You were lucky with your previous wish because of my prior efforts."

Issei then turned to watch the empty space before him with wide eyes - thoughts were swirling back to past moments where he used the Paw's powers. Particularly, when he released Irina from Valper's hold.

"It is a powerful object, you know? It helped free me from my position as the God of Poverty, the symbol of my resolve, and the rewards of careful cunning and effort. I even wished to meet the creator of the item out of curiosity." Binbougami added.

"Wait, wait." Issei broke out of his thoughts. "You… you actually met the guy who made this thing?"

Issei could not imagine the person that created what was probably the most OP cursed object in this world.

"Of course. We had a wonderful discussion, very amicable. The corpse's hand is his attempt to master the power of wishes himself using… others as his test subjects."

"The hell? Wish magic is a thing?" Issei asked, surprised by this trivia.

"Oh, it exists. Don't be fooled by the human interpretation of it. It is a primal, very old, and very dangerous path. It is from a time where the universe gave no regard to the desires of mortals and gods, a time where magic does not give a damn about your intent. It is a path where the slightest misstep can lead to ruin for yourself and those around you."

"...Y'know, this whole talk reminds me of Wish Upon." Issei remarked a few seconds after.

"Ah, that horror movie." The old god replied, rubbing his goatee. "Did you know that I may or may not have suggested some ideas for plot twists into the script-writer's head?"

"No way. Shut up. You?"

"I have been… as you say, keeping tabs on the previous users… and by that, I meant that I wished to know everything that happened to them in meticulous detail." Binbougami nodded. "...Are you still planning to continue your quest to slay the villain of this chapter?" the god asked, smiling as if he already knew the answer.

"...You know anything about this guy? Bernael?"

"None. I mostly keep to myself. But… if you wish to find him, well… the answer is in your hand. Do not rush for results. Be mindful of the journey if you wish to reach your destination as intended."

Issei hummed, staring at the cursed object.

"...You gonna pick it up when I use it up?" Issei asked.

"Oh, it'll return to me one way or another. After all… I am now its true master."

Issei turned to Binbougami. The god was no longer there… Honestly, that kind of movement or teleportation technique was the most overpowered of them all, no sign or warning of the user's disappearance.

Issei then heaved a sigh as he stared at the blue sky above.

"...Be mindful of the journey, huh?" Issei scoffed.

Since when was the god of misfortune a living dispenser of wisdom? Issei smiled a little as he pondered how he should reach the mysterious villain…

He looked back down on the monkey's paw as he imagined himself getting to the angel in the final confrontation. However, now that he was calm, he realized that the angel had a history of fleeing, escaping the eyes of others, a coward.

It was a creature that would not hesitate to do anything to ensure its own survival… Issei had an idea for his next wish.

"I wish that… A perfect compass that flawlessly points to Bernael's location at all times without him knowing in any way falls into my lap, without any incident or malicious repercussions."

Little did he know that a black imp was waddling away behind, smiling to itself.

"The True Children of God…" Issei blinked at the sign of the building that the compass, which was apparently made of bones, pointed to. Issei did not know why it was made from bones, but it was working at least.

He had never heard of this organization before. Issei pulled out his phone and looked it up on Google. There was some old news about the sect turning out to be a Satanic cult, and the reports about their activities caused Issei to cringe.

"Oh, shit…" Issei suddenly had second thoughts about entering the building. "Wow…"

Why was there a building like that here in the rural part of town?

Issei continued reading, seeing that the sect was being revived under a different name… the founder looked completely human. For some reason, Issei had a feeling that dirty money was also involved.

The building looked normal. Modern, not out of place, completely and utterly normal… which completely unnerved him.

Even so, regardless of the consequences, Issei marched into the front door and inhaled. There was a sign that said that it was closed. Issei did not care as he broke the doorknob and walked in.

If the wish functioned correctly without any backlash, Bernael would never know that he was coming here.

The interior was dark, perhaps because the light was not on; or to be precise, someone had not been paying the electricity bills. However, Issei saw several unlit candles across the room. Using a simple fire spell, Issei lit the candles one by one, until the entire room was decently-lit. His eyes narrowed once he took in the revealed details.

Sigils and intricate circles were drawn on many spots on the floor; there were also some drawn on the walls. Judging from the distance between each drawing, it was as if the room held some kind of event or ritual, where something took place on top of each circle.

Issei was not sure what these were for… but knowing the depravity he saw in the satanic sacrifice room, Issei exhaled as he continued exploring the room. He found the janitor's closet, the office upstairs, the… orientation room. Everything seemed normal on the first floor and above.

Now, Issei had to see if there was a basement, and he did not have to look hard as there was this one door being sealed with a magic barrier keeping it in place.

"...Huh."

Issei wondered if it was still the right call not bringing the others. However, thinking about the final days chasing the bastards on the Prydwen, Issei believed they were still unprepared as they were, saved by sheer luck and coincidence.

Honestly, Issei was also not sure that he could prepare them to take care of themselves just yet… He was still their guardian in a sense.

Issei took out the Urn of Wei Cheng. He almost completely forgot about it honestly since there were not that many opportunities for him to use the sacred relic. He pressed the button and opened the top of the wooden prism, a cone of blue shooting out and absorbing the magical barrier.

Issei turned the doorknob and headed downstairs. The aesthetic was starting to shift dramatically.

In place of plaster, Issei saw the rugged stone walls usually found in fantasy dungeons, torches and all as the atmosphere was growing more grim and… demonic by the minute. The air was even starting to be infected with the color of malicious red.

In the distance, Issei could hear sounds - noises. At the bottom of the stairs, Issei found a door at the end.

He inhaled deeply as he walked towards the door, the noise growing clearer and clearer…

The sounds were the moaning of humans. Issei grimaced as he stood before the door and took a peek through the crack…

"...Holy…!"

He had heard of these from Matsuda and Motohama, but… It was the first time that he stumbled upon a real-life orgy.

At least a dozen bodies - men, women, young and old caked in sweat and other fluids, were tangled with one another, wrestling while moaning and grunting in pleasure, permeating the entire room with a thick scent of sex.

It was the first time Google ever lied to him. He was too stunned to be aroused by this, a bit disgusted as well. In the center, there was one man that stood out above the rest.

[By the dragon god's name…]

Even Ddraig was stunned.

That man seemed to be caked in blood as he plowed a girl that looked a bit awfully young to be introduced into this adulterous world.

His hair was shining gold and his features reminded him of Yuuto's, but older. Issei was not sure but he swore he saw what looked like human skin. He could tell because he saw the skin of humans nailed to the walls like taxidermy.

There were even skin with angel wings joining the nailed walls.

[Partner, I am sure I have seen some gruesome moments in my long life, especially through my previous hosts, but… this is new even for me.]

"We gotta end this once and for all. He can't be allowed to roam free."

Issei walked into the room. The orgies continued regardless of Issei's entry - much to his chagrin, but the one in the center stopped fornicating with the girl on his schlong as he looked at him.

Issei and the man remained silent as they stared at each other. The man quickly threw the girl off him as six wings of light sprouted, the angel quickly flying towards the back, still naked with his man-thing dangling.

But before he could have gotten far, he crashed into something, an invisible wall.

"What?!" The angel shouted as he pressed his hands against the sudden barrier, then started banging on it.

"Bernael, I presume." Issei remarked as the orgies slowed down when the people around him registered his presence.

Bernael shot a glare, a mad gaze at Issei filled with rage.

"You know, while we have never met, I am sure that you knew that this was coming one way or another. Now, here is how we're going to do-"

Issei suddenly stepped back when a spike of black tar erupted from under him, nearly piercing him through the groin.

Then more black spikes erupted, piercing all of the men and women, all of the boys and girls around him.

"...Eh?" Issei watched as the people around him died instantly without resistance, wet corpses with lifeless expressions forever frozen in confusion falling down around him as blood started to pool on the floor.

Bernael immediately brought out a sword. However, before he could have even uttered a word, he suddenly found Issei was only inches away from him, his expression was bloody furious.

[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!]

Bernael's blade failed to move as the boy's fist landed its mark, caving in his ribs as the red armor donned Issei's form as he barraged the corrupted angel with rage.

Issei did not hold back, he struck with the intent to murder the living shit out of the bastard.

Not a word was said as Issei unleashed everything he could muster - Boost, Explosive Heart Release Fist, Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, even the Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist to the best of his abilities alongside his father's murderous punches.

He threw Bernael to the barrier he set up with the Monkey's Paw, one that would prevent Bernael from leaving no matter what until he dies with the Monkey's Paw, punching Bernael's face repeatedly, slowly caving his face with punch after punch.

However, Issei flinched as a magic circle appeared behind Bernael as the angel's aura suddenly spiked.

Issei flew back just in time to avoid the blade. His Scale Mail protected him from the direct impact of the blade, but the sheer strength behind the blow was still able to throw him back, allowing Bernael to drop to his knees, coughing blood as he glared back at Issei.

Issei glared back at him as he glanced at the blade.

It was a strange sword, a standard European sword with the hilt having the face of a white gentle maiden on the left half and the other a monstrous demon on the right, the handle being a twist of two contrasting colors formed into a two-dimensional spiral which formed the blade.

"...You're going to pay for this, human." Bernael growled.

"That's what I should say." Issei growled back.

Bernael's eyes darted around.

"Give it up. You are trapped here. Nothing you can do will break you out." Issei warned.

However, in return, Bernael simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if he was resigned to something. What Issei did not expect was the next line that came from his lips, followed by an explosive burst of power.

"Balance Breaker!"

Issei readied his stance as suddenly the sword in his hand shone.

"...Sword of Duality - Vile Treason."

The light was not gentle nor warm.

It was the first time that the holy power felt… unclean, dirty, defiled past the point of expiration.

The armor that donned the angel was made from the same eldritch tar-like ooze that murdered every one of his followers, uneven, no polish, a black color that seemed to drink in all light it received, with faces of dirty iron color worn all over it while tentacles waved around the armor, engraved shapes of ugly faces showing various emotions from rage, sorrow, to ecstasy.

The sword on his hand also seemed to merge together with the said limb. The handle connecting with his knuckle consisted of a meshed, throbbing flesh, as if they were alive.

"...How did you get a Sacred Gear?" Issei asked.

"It is so simple if you take the soul of a wielder for yourself."

Bernael ledged his fingers into the center of his armor and pulled it open.

Within the cavity, Issei watched with stunned horror as he saw the faces and wailing cries of… people within, countless people.

"You are the first human to witness the Vile Armor of Torment. Engrave this into your memory before you join the others." Bernael sneered as he closed the cavity.

Issei stared at the completely fallen angel, still overwhelmed by the sight.

"...What the fuck is wrong with you?" The will to shout at the angel in rage was stifled by the sheer shock.

The angel leered at Issei. Then his leer transitioned into a smile as he burst into a maniacal giggle, his head facing down with his hair covering his features.

"Hehehehehehehehehehe." Bernael looked up, flashing a grin, cheeks stretched so wide that simple joy could not reach.

"...What's so funny?" Issei asked. The angel was starting to unnerve him.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought of something fun. Like what will happen if I corrupt the Strongest Man after I send him your head, express delivery?

"No, it would be better if I send the rest of you along with the head. I will throw in a video of how I carve your body bit by bit, your screams heard through the speakers… ohohohoho…."

The angel shuddered as he looked up. He looked as if he was aroused which caused Issei to shudder.

Not at him dying in a horrible manner, not really. He shuddered at the thought of what his family would do if they were to learn the supposedly worst-case scenario.

"What the hell are you trying to accomplish?" Issei asked, still stunned by the eeriness of what was probably the creepiest and most vile angel he had ever met.

"Ohhh, I don't want much… I just want to become the Biblical Devil. What better way to do so than to end heaven and the others?"

"And…. Why would you want to be a devil?" Issei asked again.

"Not the pitiful children of Lucifer. The true Devil like in the Bible. The governing force of all Evil in the world, the face of true evil."

Issei clenched his fist.

"Okay, I'm kind of reiterating here. Why the hell do you want that?"

"Evil is beauty. Evil is… perfection. It… is true paradise from the hell that is Heaven." The angel shuddered in euphoria.

"...How the hell have you not fallen?" Issei asked the most important question.

Why was the angel's wings still white? Someone like this should be locked up deep within the bowels of real Hell for eternity.

"Oh, it's a miraculous discovery." While Bernael's face was still looking to the ceiling, he pointed a finger at his head. "Once upon a time, I received a brain injury from a cursed sword. Since then… Well, I discovered that by the time I decided to lie, my wound staked my wings in the light. Others did find out, but they decided to use me instead. I am the first angel that discovered the spell. It is originally meant to help keep an angel in heaven, but my followers repurposed it for their own devices… it doesn't matter. Their sins fuel my power. So what if they carve up some whores and use up some wenches? Say, isn't one of the wenches your lover?"

Issei narrowed his eyes when Irina was brought up.

"I am surprised that you're still keeping her. Do you perhaps have a fondness for discarded goods? I should perhaps sample the other girls in your harem myself after I've finished with you."

Something snapped.

There was mostly red when he blurred towards the mad angel, with his fist engulfed in flame, ready to end the menace in a single strike. Yet, while still looking at the ceiling, Bernael raised his palm as Issei's fist crashed against a magic circle. It was dirty, murky, dirty green. Worse, Issei was repelled to his shock.

"You should've killed me the moment you entered this building." Bernael's eyes rolled down at Issei. "I am not like those fools that lounge in heaven and earth. I've been building my strength for centuries. CENTURIES!"

Bernael cackled as he dashed into a mad, feral sprint.

Summoning Ascalon, Issei parried the mad angel's blade-arm, only to be sent flying back, the blade cleaving through his scale mail far easier than he liked.

[Boost!]

Repairing his Scale Mail, Issei banished Ascalon when Bernael was already onto him again.

Fluid-like fists clashed with Bernael's psychotic blade, but the angel was fast and his movements were unpredictable.

"?!"

Issei jumped up when a spike of black tar erupted, but tentacles shot out of Bernael's armor and wrapped around him and slammed him into the ground - Bernael twisted and spun, throwing Issei around before slamming him into the wall with the hanged skin of angels.

Bernael cackled as he flew to Issei, but then he crashed face first into the invisible wall keeping him there like a bug in the way of a moving car.

"What IS this?!" Bernael shouted with frustration.

[Explosion!]

From the fist, Bernael flew back at the other side of the seemingly unbreakable barrier, coughing blood before another fist pressed his face against the boundary - the room explosively rumbled from the collision as if a small earthquake washed over them.

However, black tentacles erupted from the vile armor and tore through Issei's armor before a chaotic fusillade of tarry whips lashed him into the defensive.

Bernael's face was heavily disfigured, further enhancing his mien of rage as he summoned dirty light spears, tainted in a pale unhealthy light, at Issei while the tentacles kept him pinned.

"Shit!" Issei already broke out the defensive style, but the pressure of his attacks was starting to overwhelm even him from all angles as the spears of light impaled Issei's sides and torso while contusions and bruises bled from his skin.

The angel was far stronger than he estimated. He might have bitten more than he chewed this time as the mad angel dashed towards him. Issei reformed his scale mail as he tried to riposte with a straight punch but the mad angel slipped under it and impaled Issei with his corrupted sword.

It was the second time Issei felt such impalement as the blade dug into his organs, blood already spilling from his lips.

"Hehehehehehe-UGH?!"

However, Issei returned the favor with a sword rammed into Bernael's gut.

Bernael widened his eyes as the sword was like a flame of burning pain, forcing him to look down at the sword.

"Meet Chrysaor, bitch." Issei smiled with his bloodied lips.

The sword was unique, a silver blade with golden grooves, the grooves forming the face of a maiden in prayer from the hilt to the tip while the hilt of the sword bore a golden flower pattern.

The angel snarled as his body felt like burning from inside-out. In retaliation, he twisted the blade that was pierced through Issei's own body, eliciting another grunt of pain from the dragon emperor.

The battle had become the battle of attrition, whether Issei or Bernael first succumbed to their wounds.

"Aagggh!" Bernael cried out in agony.

"Hurts… right?!" Issei dug the sword in deeper. "It's a good sword… sharp as hell, can penetrate, and best… Of all! It has an evil slaying element! It's probably as bad as a cursed sword, doesn't it!?"

Bernael let out a strangled cry of frustration. It was true, and worse, the sword was even burning up his power. If an angel could experience the agony Devils would from a legendary holy sword, this would be the closest as the sword smoked holy fire from inside the mad angel.

"Curse… you…..!" Bernael growled out as he tried to tear the sword through Issei's flesh.

Two pairs of eyes contested each other with rage, one brimming with righteous anger and the other malicious ire.

Eventually Bernael let out a seething scream before he pulled back, heaving as he coughed blood, puking his own life fluids on the floor while Issei stumbled back, grimacing as he felt unwell.

He looked at his wound, seeing that it was rotten gray, like infected meat.

"My sword…" Bernael rasped. "Infects and corrupts your flesh and mind… yet you aren't babbling with insanity! How are you still sane?!"

Issei grinned cockily at Bernael before he lurched forward, puking his blood out. Issei could feel his strength leaving him as he fell on his knees, his breath unstable and breaking.

"Maybe it's because he's already insane."

Bernael turned to the unfamiliar voice.

"Bernael… it's the first time we met face to face but it felt like I have known you for a long time." Irina Shidou introduced herself as she spread her crimson wings of light as Xenovia held Joyeuse in the vanguard.

"In the name of heaven and for all the innocent souls you claimed, we will bring you to justice." Griselda joined, holding an ornate shining bow.

It was like an angelic version of Houyi's bow, only it was more of composite bow made from shining silvery metal with runic engravings lined from one end to the quiver to the other, angelic feathers decorating the rims.

"What… how and…" Issei stared at them, his complexion sickly pale.

"Did you think we would let you go out and be selfish all by yourself?" Irina smirked. "Besides… it is time to place your trust in us. Also, Black saw you and told us."

Issei was not sure if he should laugh or not that Black tattled on him just like that.

"So your harem came to me. Good." Bernael flashed a grin as he threw his arm blade, the weapon elongating like a tentacle as it snaked around Issei and Irina, right towards Asia - who was right outside the room.

Then it clanged off the invisible barrier, earning another scowl.

"Heh." Issei scoffed with a snicker. It was funny how Bernael kept forgetting that there was a barrier around him, meant to keep only him inside. The face the mad angel makes every time was priceless.

Irina blinked at the development, Asia slightly stunned by the sudden tentacle blade.

"Think about it later! Just focus on taking this bastard down!" Issei yelled.

"Issei, go to Asia and recover!" Griselda said as she pulled the string, an arrow of light forming. "We'll apprehend this villain in your stead!"

Issei stared at them for a moment before he glanced back at the frustrated angel.

His wound stung his side, and the continued enervation prompted Issei to back away towards Asia while Bernael stood with increasing fury building behind his bloodshot eyes.

"You think your wenches can kill me?! I am Bernael! The man who shall become the Symbol of Evil!"

More tentacles bursted from Bernael's armor, the slimy tips sharp and thick as spears.

"Let me show you why I have survived for centuries."

A mass of eldritch limbs lashed at Irina, Xenovia and Griselda - who immediately formed a defensive formation; the former two took the vanguard, with the latter in the rear as support.

The tentacles were fast, blurring through their sight.

Irina and Xenovia hacked and slashed at the incoming tentacles, unable to do more than to protect themselves against a weakened Bernael.

Bernael grunted as the wound from Chrysaor stung, the burning smoke of holy fire still conflagrating inside his blood as his rhythm faltered. Griselda released the string and let the arrow of light loose.

Bernael swung at the arrow of light, but the arrow, to his surprise, swerved down and struck the same wound and ignited the holy flames even more.

"AGH!"

What Griselda wielded was the bow of Tristan, the holy bow that always struck its mark. That one hit was enough to drive Bernael's survival instinct to deal with Griselda first.

Invoking his accumulated power, the faces engraved on his armor suddenly unleashed a sorrowful wail, as phantom began to form above Bernael. The phantom resembled an emaciated human made out of smoke, its face was feral as it screamed and flew towards Griselda.

The woman immediately tucked the string and unleashed an arrow just when the phantom was only one meter away from her. However, Bernael did not finish as he sent more vengeful spirits towards her, a swarm of ghosts that formed a ceaseless tide.

Griselda clicked her tongue as she began to fire multiple arrows at once. However, her firing rate eventually could not keep up anymore, as one spirit managed to slip through her barrage of arrows and phased through her body.

That moment, Griselda suddenly fell to her knees and hyperventilated. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, her hand was clutching her chest in pain as she gasped. She was not sure what was happening to herself, but the closest description she could come up with was that she was experiencing the spirit's last moments during its life.

In her eyes, visions upon visions of gruesome murders and sacrificial deaths raced through her sight, carrying the emotions and pain of the owners of each.

Smiling viciously, Bernael knocked the two exorcists away with a mighty sweep of his tentacles before he raised his hands and all of his eldritch limbs up.

Irina and Xenovia crashed into the wall, coughing blood and with fractured bones as they caught sight of Bernael summoning a massive sphere of pale holy power.

"Die, you whore!" Bernael threw the sphere at the incapacitated Griselda.

The spirits left Griselda just long enough for her to see the sphere of holy energy about to incinerate her.

An explosion occurred, so radiant that everyone in the room covered their eyes from the brightness. Griselda could feel the draft of the force brushing through her hair as she stared at the lone back of the only other male in this forsaken room.

Issei stood before Griselda, his back facing her. Griselda remained dazed at the sudden turn of events until Issei fell to his knees.

He was singed, burn marks coloring his healthy skin as he lurched forward, coughing blood.

"M-Mr. Issei!" Griselda fell to her knees and took a look at his face. ,

Even though he was covered in blood, the boy's face was stalwart, focused, unfazed.

Griselda was stunned by his fortitude - the spirit might have left her, but she was still feeling the after-effects of the spirit's possession still left some phantom pain.

"Ahahahahahaha!" Bernael laughed as he turned to Xenovia and Irina, summoning many magic circles around him, all aimed at them. "You fool! This is what you deserve for following chivalry! Bleeding at death's door, helpless as you watch me butcher your women!"

"Oh, really?" Issei's cocky voice caught Bernael's attention.

Issei raised something in his hand. Bernael stared at the thing… it was a shriveled corpse hand, burned to the bone.

"You know… I just realized something. I felt stupid when it hit me…"

A sudden surge of malice made its presence known.

Everyone in the room flinched, the new evil that entered the room bore an aura so potent that it strung their fear like a violin.

"...I have a cursed item that is really hungry for some high-quality souls. Well… and guess what? You pissed it off to eat yours. Since it was technically your attack that did it in."

Bernael suddenly fell to a knee, something wet squishing through his chest, bursting through his vile armor. Everyone stared at the angel as a hand erupted from Bernael's chest, holding his heart.

His still beating angel heart…

Issei's smirk fell a little.

"...Whoa." That graphic transition, he did not expect.

Bernael slowly looked down as blood trickled from his lips, suddenly feeling cold. Crawling out of his chest was… a monkey. It was a shriveled head of a monkey, skin so leathery and pale, empty eye sockets peeking out from Bernael's chest wound.

"...What… have you done…" Bernael could only weakly utter as the monkey smiled at him, rotten teeth full of wriggling maggots, before it popped back into his body with his heart.

Everyone could hear the sounds of chewing within Bernael's body.

Then, from the wound in his chest, countless hands of eldritch darkness sprung forth like a horrifying geyser, grabbing Bernael's head, arms, legs.

As Bernael's screams echoed the room, the sound of fractured bones and the wet tearing of meat followed after the climax as the hands pulled literally everything that was Bernael into the wound like a black hole sucking in everything from the inside out.

Bloodstains, strips of angel flesh and organs, and an eyeball remained where Bernael stood, followed by the wet splat of a corpse hand, shriveled in black.

All eyes stared at the newly reborn Monkey's Paw with a newfound fear.

Then the eyes of all the females in the room turned to Issei who was just as stunned as them.

"...Ise?" Irina asked first, "What the hell was that?"

Issei stared at the corpse's hand, seeing all five fingers unsnapped. They had no idea what just happened, and frankly, they were all terrified to the bone.

"...I had a hunch…" Issei said, his eyes never leaving the corpse's hand. "When Binbougami told me more about the Monkey's Paw, I had an idea… he told me that I need to feed the hand a soul to free myself from the curse. Turns out… there's a soul right in front of me that I can feed it to… though I am not sure how to do it until I saw what he was about to do to Griselda." Issei hissed in pain as he coughed more blood, prompting Asia snap out of her stupor and run to him, using Twilight Healing and Asclepius on him as they glowed.

"...I acted on the spur of a moment. I gambled whether or not the instant death curse would target Bernael or me since, like the old god said, the hand is fickle… and since, in technicality, it was Bernael's attack that destroyed it so…"

Issei's head then was snapped to the side, his cheek was throbbing. He glanced and saw Irina was glaring at him with teary eyes, having slapped him in the process. Then, the reincarnated angel pulled Issei into a tight hug.

"U-um, Iri-"

"Shut. up." Irina growled as she tightened her hold on him, "I'm too scared, angry and relieved at you right now. So just let me have this."

"...Sorry." Issei smiled as his wounds faded. "...Still can't believe that the hand will do that to anyone that tries to destroy it…"

[You're telling me. Seeing it happen and then imagining myself in the angel's position is a scary thought.]

Issei simply shrugged inwardly at Ddraig's comment, allowing himself to relax in Irina's arms as the danger had passed.

"...What now?" Xenovia asked a few minutes later. "Rather, what are we gonna do with that?"

Everyone turned to the corpse's hand that was sitting next to the bloody pieces of Bernael's remains. It had no aura now, no different than a harmless object, which sets everyone on edge.

"...I kind of want to keep it after seeing it in action now."

In response, Irina pinched Issei's cheek with puffed cheeks.

"Alright alright, I'll give it back." Issei smiled as Irina continued pulling his face.

AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

A sudden Eldritch shriek erupted from nowhere, scaring the souls out of everyone.

Issei and the girls looked at the corpse hand to see the stationary object suddenly flail and flounder like a fish gasping for water.

The corpse hand fell on its back, spasming its fingers as suddenly many spectral spirits erupted from the shriveled palm like a geyser, disappearing into shimmering lights, countless ghastly wails crying out with… joy.

Though there was a voice of demand behind them.

[Take meeee!]

Issei was stunned when he saw the spectral form of Bernael claw out of the corpse's hand after the spirits.

[Take me with you, you useless wretches! Take-]

Countless dark hands wrapped around Bernael just when his eyes met with Issei's.

[You! Don't let it take me! I beg you! Save me!]

They watched as the monkey's paw dragged Bernael back into it, the soul pitifully crying out for salvation towards them, until it vanished - sinking inside the shriveled palm.

The room descended into an uncomfortable silence. They were now more on edge than ever, the most they were from a corpse's hand.

"...Okay, I'm definitely giving it back."

Issei no longer wished to keep the scary hand.

"Ummm…" Asia spoke up. "There's…"

She slowly pointed at the space above the corpse's hand.

Issei and the others looked up to see a shimmering wisp of ethereal light. The wisp then floated down before Issei.

It reformed into the image of a man bedecked in medieval armor. The man smiled as he bowed before Issei, then he disappeared in sparkling light.

It left Issei a present as the present clattered to the floor - the same sword that Bernael used against them.

"Ooookay…?" Issei carefully approached and reached out towards the sword.

Once Issei's left hand was wrapped around its hilt, the sword suddenly glowed, its aura flickering around Issei's arm, as his Boosted Gear manifested, responding to the sword. Issei also could swear that he heard a subtle hum coming from the blade.

[Huh, this is serendipitous.]

Ddraig suddenly spoke from the Gear's gem.

[Partner, I think you've been given an opportunity to wield another Sacred Gear.]

Issei blinked at the Boosted Gear, before he returned to the sword, "...For real?"

[I think this is the sacred gear Raphael mentioned. The one wielded by that one Paladin, and mutated under Bernael's madness; and yes, and you will be the first Red Dragon Emperor to wield another Sacred Gear besides Boosted Gear. It seemed that the original wielder deemed you worthy enough to pass it to you.]

"Woaahhhh…. It's just like in the stories of Arthurian legend." Asia's eyes sparkled as the girls approached him.

"Eh!? Don't you think having one Longinus is enough?" Irina asked, inspecting the strange spiral-like sword.

"...And that does not include Ascalon and Chrysaor." Issei commented to himself, "...But you know what? I'll be keeping this for now. Can't let Kiba be the only one with two sacred gears hehe."

Hey, Ddraig. Want to rub this into Albion and Vali when we get back? They're gonna be soooooo super jealous.

[Ahahahaha! For once, we have something we'd agree on!]

They could imagine their faces now. Issei smirked as he glanced at the monkey's paw, only to blink in confusion.

"…Guys?" Issei asked. "Where's the Monkey's Paw?"

The girls blinked as they looked at the bloody stain where the hand should be.

"Oh ho ho ho ho."

Meanwhile, beside the water canal of Italy, an old man chortled to himself as he washed the blood off of the shriveled cursed hand.

"Haven't had a feast like that before, did you? Now, now, I know you're sad that you couldn't eat the others stuck to your meal, but don't worry, more will come."

Binbougami smiled as he raised the Monkey's Paw, the hand looking healthier than ever. Then he looked up to the sky, his smile widening.

"...The tides of fortune are now in our favor."

Within the chamber of the Trihexa corpse, the postule throbbed and contorted.

"Um…" The witches stationed there as guards watched as the green tumor started to glow, now beating in a pulsing rhythm, like a cancerous heart given function.

The monsters and familiars that were bound to the robed female magicians were whimpering. The only time these things whimper were before the Eldritch faceless deity or the time when three alien machos overwhelmed them with their power.

A witch cast a spell right next to her ear.

"Lady Psykos? We need your presence in the corpse chamber."

Fluids started to spill from the tumor, lime yolk pooling the floor followed by an alien shriek that could not be compared to the voice any animal or fusion of them,

"The specimen is showing visible movements. As if it is going to burst….. Of course, m'lady." The witch then ended the transmission and addressed the others, "Alright, everyone - defensive perimeters! We need to be prepared to contain whatever this thing is doing until Lady Psykos arrives!"

They could see a shadow writhing within the tumor, serpentine and thrashing, moving as if biting through the flesh of the Great corpse, something that should not be possible as it burst out of the flesh sack as if emerged from an egg.

The creature was large, five times taller than a horse and many more times in terms of length, imbricated plates that shone and glistened like metal with the slimy lime fluids still coating its exterior.

Its face was… monstrous.

Horns extended behind, covered in fin-like membranes connecting each sharp keratin like a tent to a pole.

Many eyes on the left and right side, reptilian and in slits, it's upper jaw lined with many rows of metal-like fangs, while the lower jaw could split open as it lashed out its tongue.

Or they thought it was tongue.

The tongue looked more like a secondary worm of crimson with another set of fangs.

The…. Creature then screeched, forcing everyone in the vicinity to cover their ears, lest the sound might rupture their eardrums.

Its fang-tongue lashed out and grabbed one of the monsters, an armored gorilla-shaped creature before it pulled the victim into its maw, a sickening crunch of bone and armored flesh as blood trickled from its mouth.

"O-Orders, commander?!" One of the witches yelped before another tongue stole a winged creature with three heads and pulled it in like a fly to a frog, another sickening crunch followed.

"R-Ready your spells! Take that thing down! Transform if you have to!" The commanding witch ordered.

Several other mages then began to gather their power, ready to engage the creature.

However, every one of their upper bodies became red mist, mutilated gore standing on two legs as the creature hissed, its tail blade coated in flesh blood and meat.

The creature's tongue lashed out, taking the lower halves of its recent victims and gulped every last one of them.

It was still a newborn, and thus, it needed sustenance to sustain and fuel its growth. The other monsters and familiars, now without their masters, cried out pathetically as the creature, The Spawn of Trihexa, ravenously consumed each and every one of them.

Psykos managed to arrive with a cohort - Shaalba Beelzebub, just in time to witness the end result of its grand feast.

"What in the hell…?!" Shaalba had trouble taking in the sight of the giant wyrm.

Psykos, on the other hand, simply gazed at the newly born creature with confusion and fascination.

"My, my… What could this be?" Psykos was in awe as the creature stopped chewing and looked their way.

It hissed at them defensively as its many eyes squinted.

"You… How did this abomination infiltrate our base?! Aren't we secure?!" Shaalba demanded as he glared at her with accusation.

Psykos hummed as her eyes wandered, her gaze landing on the ruptured tumor that was still spilling its fluids. Further demonstrating the remarkable biology of the Trihexa corpse, the wound was already closing with remarkable speed.

"Incredible." Psykos already knew what happened. "The Blood of Christ triggered the corpse to spawn this creature. If Trihexa could reproduce, then this… is the Spawn. The Spawn of The Apocalyptic Beast."

"This thing is…!" Shaalba took a step back as the creature flicked its tongue at them like a snake, as if it was intimidating them.

"...What should we do with it?" Shaalba asked, knowing the legend of the Trihexa and the power it once wielded, having experienced the power extracted from the very corpse himself.

"Contain it." Psykos answered. "I want this creature sedated, caged, and disciplined. This changes everything. It is a golden egg that needs to be studied and used."

The creature no longer squinted at them. It screeched at them before it fired a beam of plasmic energy from its mouth, the light of destruction already filling their entire vision.

Psykos already took flight while Shaalba raised a defensive magic circle as it engulfed him.

The base floor and the walls melted as discharge arcs of energy lashed the vicinity with wild disregard, destroying much of the room as the creature closed its mouth.

Psykos marveled at the creature's power, so much despite being just born.

Shaalba, on the other hand, was in a pathetic state. Most of his hair was burned off, his right arm a charred skeleton, cauterized flesh replacing most of his meat as he glared at the creature with clenched teeth and newfound hate.

"Curse you…!" Shaalba growled in rage as he decided to tap into his newfound power.

His body started to bulge and convulse, as if something was writhing and slithering beneath his skin. A few seconds later, the skin around his back and shoulder blades pulsed and several appendages burst out, revealing razor-sharp looking insect wings.

His clothes were torn from his muscles growing and morphing into some sort of exoskeleton. His head was covered with some sort of faceplate with a fly's eyes on the forehead, complete with a pair of sharp antennas.

It was more as if a monstrous malicious fly was swallowing his head until above the brows instead of him wearing a helmet.

The wyrm released a guttural growl at the transformed Beelzebub.

Shaalba growled in return as his burned skin regenerated, strings of muscle already snaking around his skeletal arm while the ashes flaked off in place of healthy white calcium.

The creature flailed right and swung its bladed tail at the mutant Devil, but Shaalba took flight and flew.

The creature's many eyes trailed the unpredictable flight pattern, Shaalba moving just like a fly with no predictable trajectory, as it flicked its tongue in and out like a frog catching an actual fly, nearly catching Shaalba with each flick.

But the devil came in close and punched the creature's jaw, the air rippling as the large creature crashed into the Trihexa corpse and fell. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Mind the corpse!" Psykos shouted from above.

"Why aren't you aiding me, woman?!" Shaalba shouted back.

"Isn't this an ideal moment to truly test your new power, dear Shaalba?" Psykos asked back with palpable sophism.

Shaalba only growled, choosing to focus on his own predicament instead of the irritating woman. Seeing the wyrm regaining its bearings as the creature hissed at Shaalba, the devil summoned a plethora of magic circles.

Meanwhile, Psykos had procured a hand-camera and begun recording the event transpiring before her.

"Log number 666 - an auspicious number, considering what's happening, if I say so myself, but I digress. Subject has taken a fascinating turn and produced a spawn. Heteromorphic of unknown species, serpentine, at least twelve feet tall in height and width in diameter, unknown for body-tail length. I dub the creature the Spawn of Trihexa, as it engaged Shaalba Beelzebub in fierce combat. As for its level of intelligence, unknown… perhaps it sensed our malicious intentions and is acting accordingly. It appears to be appraising Shaalba, however, showing signs of great natal intelligence and an astounding level of judgment for a newborn..."

While Psykos was narrating her findings - The creature's many eyes focused into Shaalba as giant flies the size of men emerged.

A normal clansman of the Beelzebub could not create flies of that size no matter how powerful they may be, not a single record, but with the new power, new possibilities opened before the descendant of the dying bloodline.

Its eyes tracked the giant swarm, the thorax pulsating as something was building inside them. The creature moved just when the giant flies rapidly fired a barrage of acid bullets from their lower bodies, the creature slithering around through the rain of acid as it fired a breath of plasma back at the flies in its serpentine zigzag.

The flies flew before Shaalba and formed a massive magical barrier circle with his clan sigil. This time, the breath was repealed, albeit at the cost of his flies as all but one perished.

To Beelzebub's ire, the creature's tongue snapped at the last surviving fly and spun, its bladed tail sweeping around.

Beelzebub flew but not before the creature slammed the giant fly into him when he took flight. Beelzebub managed to smack his familiar away while maintaining his flight, but not before the mouth-tongue caught him and pulled him into the creature's maw at blinding speed.

Psykos watched Shaalba press his hands and feel against the upper jaw and split lower jaws, roaring with fury as the creature tried to eat him.

"...It seemed that not even a fallen descendant of a dying bloodline, empowered by the Trihexa cells, can defeat the Spawn. The Spawn has shown considerable tactical ingenuity, not eating the summoned familiar and deciding to use the creature as a weapon. Further results shall be determined once we capture and tame it for our purposes."

The Spawn's eyes looked up at Psykos, its eyes making contact with hers.

Psykos stared back.

Could it be…

The creature screeched and blasted Shaalba towards Psykos.

Psykos erected a barrier as the devil crashed into it. Psykos noted Shaalba's pitiful state as the creature spat him out with potent acid before the creature suddenly dove down.

"...I believe that the creature might be more intelligent than I realize. End of the log." Psykos added as she closed her recorder as she placed a hand on her communication device.

"All able personnel; There is a valuable but dangerous live-specimen loose in the base. Capture if possible, eliminate if necessary. I repeat - capture if possible, eliminate if necessary."

The creature burrowed and slithered through the base like a worm through the soil. Its maw was strong, able to tear through the flesh of a dead Trihexa, as it chewed through the metal. The inorganic material sifted through the creature, broken down in its stomach, as it tore through the ground and fell to another floor, surprising a group of rogue Devils of the Old Satan Faction as the creature screeched.

It continued burrowing further and further, ignoring the strange creatures on two legs and the tasty malformed creatures.

However, after breaking through the last floor, burrowing through the tough magic-infused metal…

There was no longer any ground or material for it to dig through.

All it could see was the beauty of a blue world with a glaring light peeking over the horizon, some mottle of green and brown and gray as it fell.

It roared as loud as it could as it fell from orbit, entering atmospheric entry, becoming a living spear-shaped meteor from beyond the heavens.

On the coast of a beach, Kiyome Abe noticed a streak in the sky by chance.

She ran towards it thinking it was a shooting star, one that was falling near her, meaning it might be something worth keeping.

However, the closer the celestial body reached the earth, the more she could distinguish the blurry shape… it was oddly long to be a celestial body.

By the time it landed, a tower of sand and water were thrown into the air, a large crater forming just when she arrived.

"Whoa…" Kiyome smiled as she peered into the crater when the dust settled. Her smile fell when she saw a giant monstrous wyrm-like creature shaking its head, flaking the carbon stuck to its exoskeleton hide as its many eyes landed on her.

To be Continued…..

Omake: The (Mis)Adventures of Hero For Fun

As the descendant of the grand wizard who made a deal with the devil Mephistopheles, Georg considered himself as a rational individual.

However, recent events had been defying all sorts of common sense he believed in.

The source was the one guy that stood out from the group like a sore thumb.

A sore, ridiculously shiny as hell thumb, one with a head so shiny that light was somehow stronger when refracted from it.

"…He's laying down next to a fomorian head."

George could not help but utter when he looked down from a cliff, seeing the lone shiny bald head laying down alongside a sea of red and gore.

"And he's making it look like a casual Monday." Heracles added at the sight of the baldy's dumb-looking face staring into space at the sky.

The group was on a quest to stop the revival of a certain evil god, battling against a rare cult group dedicated to reviving said god via sacrificial rituals. To compensate for the lack of numbers, the cult resorted to taboo methods like live human sacrifices, the very act itself a source of potent faith to make up for their lack of numbers to fuel the ritual to completion.

Cao Cao led his group to deal with the Cult of Evil Eye, who worships the Evil God Balor, and successfully disrupted the ritual and killed half of their members… while they let Saitama deal with the monster army alone as a distraction.

They did not expect the Baldy to massacre all of Balor's surviving creations, such as the Fomorians - one of whose severed heads was lying beside the Baldy.

"Yeesh… you owe me two leprechaun gold, Heracles." Jeanne held out her hand, waiting for Heracles to fork over the money on their bet.

Heracles simply clicked his tongue and looked away, but his hand still went inside his pocket and took out a couple of gold coins, before he slammed them on the woman's palm.

Cao Cao was the first to slide down the cliff and landed, heading to the baldy.

"You know, I did say to distract them if possible… not commit a full scale genocide."

Soon, the rest began to follow their leader. Georg, however, hung back until the others went ahead in favor of looking at the supposedly newest member - Saitama; or more technically speaking, still in probation period.

As far as he recalled, their group - Hero Faction or what everyone called, consisted of people who were: descendants of famous heroes or historical figures, Sacred Gear wielders, and those who had been chosen to wield legendary weapons….. Even the bottom-feeder of the group had at least a unique talent that could be potentially useful to the cause.

However, the man he was talking about at the moment, were neither of those. His background was obscured, he did not wield any Sacred Gear, or being chosen to wield any sort of artifacts worth of note.

The only thing worth-noting was that his son was in possession of a Sacred Gear, which was still undetermined at the moment….

And what was even more preposterous was him outperforming them in everything when it came to fighting 'evil'. His display of strength was not a feat of some arcane arts; Georg could not detect a speck of any magical power from him.

The man was even more effective despite his completely average appearance and demeanor in motivating the younger members, one of which, a girl with a random spear Sacred Gear, showed remarkable growth in her performance when she asked him for advice.

And Hercules always lost to the baldy at arm wrestling, despite him being the reincarnation of that Hercules. The guy continued challenging him every day because of that.

"...So?" Saitama shrugged, not caring that he most probably turned a species of evil creatures into a nearly extinct race.

"...You're something else, hahahha!" Cao Cao laughed. "Alright, good job though. Come on, we're going to leave. Can't just leave you here among the dead like this."

"Oh…" Saitama simply nodded as he stared blankly at the sky, when his eyes suddenly widened.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Whoa!"

Everyone flinched, stepping back at the sudden outburst. They watched Saitama scream to the heavens with a horror-stricken face.

Another aspect of the baldy they could not control… no one could read his perpetual poker face. Not even Cao Cao.

Saitama immediately jumped to his feet and dug his hand into his pocket.

They watched as he pulled out his cellphone, then it slipped from his fingers. They watched the bald man desperately trying to catch the falling phone as he nearly tripped, balancing on a single toe while his arms flailed with a funny angry face that made Jeanne's cheeks puff.

"Gak! Damn it!" Saitama cursed as he threw himself back into balance as he furiously stared at the phone screen. Then he shot a serious face at George's direction.

Georg flinched at the sudden transition from boredom to possible murderous intent.

"Georg."

Saitama walked fast, dust kicked up a trail behind him, and placed a hand on Georg's shoulder, making him flinch.

"Drop me to Japan." he demanded with a serious face.

"Um… May I ask why?" Georg asked with a nervous sweat-drop.

"Just do-... Oh." Saitama then found his phone was ringing. "Speaking of the devil…"

The heroes then watched Saitama cleared his throat, took a few deep breaths and schooled his features, before he clicked on the phone screen, having received a video-call.

"Hey, Haru. Honey. What's up?"

As Saitama turned to walk away from the group - the said group quietly sneaked around to see who the man was talking to.

[What's up, hm? You tell me.]

The heroes found that Saitama was talking to an attractive-looking woman with long brown hair tied in a ponytail.

Saitama looked around for a second before answering, "Um, Happy Anniversary?"

[Is that a question?]

"Happy Anniversary!" Saitama then replied with a firmer tone. "Look, I just finished my job. I'll be back very soon, okay? So sit tight and wait for me."

The heroes then watched as the woman's expression went softer, as Saitama's face also relieved.

[Be sure to bring something special, dear…. Because something special is also waiting for you.]

The heroes peered closer, and their eyes balked, just like Saitama when he stared at the phone-screen.

Haruka has moved from the dining table to the bedroom, showcasing a bed littered with flower petals, with candles surrounding the interior. At first, the screen only showed her face, then she peered her phone down, so the camera could reveal her lower-half.

The woman on the screen unzipped her skirt, letting the fabric fall down to her ankle, revealing a black negligee with garter-belts on her hips and thighs.

Saitama then finally noticed that everyone else was taking a peek, before he glared at them, "What the- Fuck off, you!"

The heroes immediately stepped back - Jeanne was blushing like mad, Siegfried, Georg and Cao Cao were looking awkward with a light blush on their cheeks, with Heracles sporting a somewhat disbelieving look on his face.

[Oh, my; are you not alone there?]

At least Haruka had the decency to look flustered as she could be seen trying to put her skirt back on with one hand.

"I… can we do this when I get home?" Saitama asked, grinding his teeth at the others.

[Most definitely. I'll be waiting for youuu~]

"Um, wait, wait." Saitama held up, "...What about Ise and others?"

[Ise's crashing at Tsubasa's at the moment, while Genos will take care of the rest. Don't worry, babe. We'll have all night for ourselves only - I want you to fuck me so hard until I can't walk properly for a week.]

Saitama swallowed a lump. He glanced back - noticing the other 'heroes' were looking awkwardly at him, with Georg glaring at him - silently saying, 'really, right now?'

Saitama shot a sheepish, apologetic smile and held up a finger, asking for a little more time. He then walked off a little further from the group, before he whispered to the phone, "...Can I do that while pulling your hair?"

Haruka bit her lower lip while looking hungrily at her husband.

[...As long as you ride me like a bucking bronco while I suck your thumb. Oh, and I want us to lick each other's sweat while we're at it.]

Saitama bit his lips and took a deep breath, nodding at his wife.

[Bye~!]

Saitama then flashed a smile as Haruka ended the phone call. Then his face suddenly turned scarily serious as he glared right into Georg's eyes.

"Georg. Can we eat them?"

The four words downgraded Georg's intelligence to the ground for a split second.

"Excuse me?"

"Can we eat the meat around us?"

Everyone stared at Saitama for his absurd question.

"…Are you really saying the words I am hearing right now?" Heracles asked.

"Can we?" Jeanne asked.

"Hey, don't tell me you're considering it." Siegfried retorted.

"What? It's a valid question." Jeanne asked.

The group remained silent as they contemplated the prospect of consuming monster flesh.

"…It would be a waste to let all of this rot…" Cao Cao muttered.

"Hey!" Georg shouted.

"Why not? We can give it a try at least. If we don't like it, we throw it away." Saitama persisted.

"Look, I'm not a chef myself, but eating these….. Meat is not as simple as chopping them up and roast it over some bonfire! We need time to cut it properly, and most importantly, detox it!" Georg explained with a twitch on his forehead, "Besides, Saitama's… wife is waiting for him back home, correct? Do you really want to waste any more time here?"

At the mention of the woman on the phone, Georg could not help but slightly blush again, as the memory of the woman flashing herself reappeared in his mind.

"I need to bring something special back to Haru. So… There's a lot of special meat here. Where I come from, sometimes I eat the things I kill if they look good enough."

"I don't know where you come from but that's ridiculous. And you call that 'look good enough'?" Heracles snarked at the graveyard of fresh, wet corpses. "...Also, how in the world a guy like you got a woman like her!?"

Heracles' question about Saitama's wife was ignored, as everyone was more engrossed in the carcass around them, much to the younger hero's chagrin.

"I heard Minotaurs are a delicacy to most races… Well, consider this a victory feast… and a chance to explore new territory. In a way, Saitama kind of deserves it. Let's find out if this is as good as it seems." Cao Cao felt good about this.

Then that feeling disappeared when they sampled the first fomorian and received a nasty stomach ache.

Bruh.

Fun fact: 'True Children of God' was derived from a real-life Satanic Cult with a similar, if not the same name; where the members would engage in sexual activities. Look it up if you are curious. XD

Sᴇarch the NʘvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.