The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 4: Code: Prey Denied!

"Tch!" Rias just clicked her tongue in annoyance. "It didn't work. You are not a normal human. Aren't you? Or, are you human at all? In that case, we will need to use force to detain you."

"Ohhh! Now I am scared to my bones. Fufufufu!" the man mocked her again, earning a scowl.

"But before that. Let me ask you something, and please, be honest." the man leaned forward, still leaning against his cane, and now, Rias saw him from close. The strange mask covered his face was quite disturbing.

In some way, all around the devils felt a strange cold feeling descend on them. A peculiar darkness expanded around the area. Even the lamps dimmed, light suffocated, and went silent right away — stars growing fainter with each moment on the sky.

"Would you let the boy die? Not coming to his aid even when you saw the deadly blow reaching his abdomen?"

Rias remained silent for a long moment, measuring the man from tip to toe, considering her answer thoroughly.

"Of course not!" she shrugged defensively. "We just arrived not long ago, after you. And decided to keep things under observation! That's all!" she shuddered, something was very wrong with this person. Her instinct screamed to flee immediately!

"And what was the exact reason for your appearance? Hmm? In this exact place, at this time of night? Won't you say, you spied after him?"

Rias left the question unanswered, directly heading towards Issei, passing the man without looking at him.

"Curious..." and the Ripper looked after her.

"If you want some answer. Then it is quite obvious." she passed the Ripper, kneeling on the boy's side. "He called for me."

"Called for you?"

"Yes..."

"I didn't saw summoning circle..." replied the man, making the girl sneer angrily. This person really started to sound obnoxious, stating too many questions, answering a few.

"Here!" she showed up a leaflet, which the man inspected from far. It contained the symbol of house Gremory and the writing: "You only need to wish, and your dreams come true!"

"He called for me, I answered through the leaflet. He called me at the moment he lost his consciousness."

"Hmm, I see..." Kirisaki Jakku just hummed, tilting his head strange.

Rias continued examining the boy, and her eyes widened at the moment she inspected his abdomen. The gash present previous wholly disappeared. Not even a scar remained.

"What have you...?"

"Just a little present. For my tonight customer..." and "Jack" laughed ominously. "So, tell me then... what are you trying to do with that pawn?"

"I..."

'Fash!' A gust of wind hit the Gremory girl and her two pieces nearby, brushing their hair and clothes. "Interesting toy..."

"Wha-Wha... Where!?" the pawn from her hand disappeared, and when she set her gaze on the man once again, he held it, inspecting with great detail.

"A familiar energy matrix. Demonic in origin... possibly? Hmm... I wonder... a catalyst?"

"Gi-Give it back!" Rias uttered, still unable to comprehend how the man managed to get his hand on her evil piece. "Give me back my Evil Piece!"

Looking around, both Koneko and Akeno just stood frozen for long moments, unable to follow up on the fast movement of the man.