Reaper in Silence
Ruko stood still. The battlefield roared around him—demons, screams, explosions of certain buildings—but none of it reached him clearly. His eyes were locked in the direction Luna and the man disappeared. "…Run." His voice was low. Cold. "Run as far as you want." A pause. "One day… when I see you again…" His fingers curled slowly into a fist. "I won't hesitate." No shouting. No madness. Just a quiet promise. "…Whether it's in front of everyone… or when you're alone." The air around him felt heavier. Then—He exhaled. "…Tch." His gaze shifted. Back to Axel. "…I'll deal with you later." Choice made. Ruko turned— —and walked straight into the battlefield. Two hands pull back his hair. [Serious State Activated] Demons spotted him immediately. "There's one—just a human!" "Take him!" "Weak prey—" Ruko stopped walking. Both hands rose slightly—He adjusted his posture. His shoulders loosened. His breathing stabilized. His eyes sharpened. "…Annoying." His voice dropped. Minimal. Cold. Focused. Serious Mode. Analysis Phase As demons rushed him, Ruko's mind processed everything instantly. "…Devil types… mixed units…"
His eyes scanned. "…Humanoid demons. Horns. Wings. Tails…" [Core Alloy change = basic sword] Slash. One fell before even reaching him. "…Undead. Skeletons. Zombies… frontline trash…" Step. Cut. "…Slimes. Chimeras… variable forms…" A second demon split clean in half. "…Weakness—only to holy affinity." His hand glowed faintly. "…Noted indeed." The demons hesitated. "…What is he talking about?" "…Just kill him!" Execution. They charged. Ruko moved. Fast. Too fast. A blade formed in his hand—[Core Alloy shifting to sword.] Slash—[Holy magic infused]. A demon screamed as its body burned from the inside. Another rushed him. [Second blade—Dual-wield]. Cross slash—Holy energy surged. Two more collapsed. "…Just shut up." His voice cut through them. "I'm not in the mood." He dashed forward. A bow formed. Arrow drawn—Elemental energy layered with holy magic—Release. Explosion.Three demons gone instantly. "…Impossible—!" "How is he using holy magic like that—?!" Ruko didn't stop. Didn't explain. Didn't care. Another shift—[Short blade]. Pierce. Then—[Long blade]. Decapitation. "…Simple." He finally spoke, calmly. "I just mix holy into my skills." A demon staggered back. "That's not something a human can—" Before it finished—It was gone. "…Don't care." Blood. Ash. Silence. Then more screaming.
5 Minutes Earlier – Adventurers Guild
Kazuma clenched his fist. "…We're going after Aqua." Then—BOOM. A distant explosion. Another. Then screams. "…What the hell is that—?" They rushed outside. And froze. Back to Present The battlefield looked different. Demons—Falling. Fast. Too fast. Bodies flying. Elements exploded. Holy energy flashing repeatedly. "…Is that—?" Megumin squinted. "…Ruko?" Another demon flew across the street—Landing right in front of them. Then—Ruko appeared. Instant. Kazuma blinked."…Ruko." Ruko looked at them—His expression returned to normal. Hair falling back down. "…Oh! Hey you guys." Kazuma stared. "…Why are you going crazy out here." Ruko shrugged lightly. "…Just cleaning up the trash." Then he looked directly at Kazuma. "…What's your plan?" Kazuma paused—Then answered seriously. "We're going after Aqua." "…Location?" "Probably Alcanretia first." Ruko nodded. "…Makes sense." "It'll take days," Kazuma added. "And we can't use teleport—Wiz might be busy." "…Understood." A pause.
Kazuma looked at him. "…You're not coming?" Ruko turned away. "…No." Kazuma tensed slightly—Expecting an argument. But— "…I'll stay." Ruko's voice was calm. "I'll wipe out everything here." That caught him off guard. "…Wait! You're not serious are you?" "Yeah." He glanced back. "…So go. And no asking." A small pause."…If she's not there?" Kazuma answered. "…Then the Demon King's castle." Ruko smirked slightly. "…Got it." "I'll meet you there… if I feel like it." Kazuma stared for a second— Then nodded. "…Let's go!" The group moved. Ruko stood still—Then exhaled. "…Alright." He pushed his hair back again. His expression vanished. [Serious Mode – Continued] He moved again. Faster. Sharper. Deadlier. Then—A scream. "…Help—!" Ruko's eyes snapped toward the sound. "…That voice—" He moved instantly. To the rescue.Using threads from his palm—He swung between buildings. Faster. Higher. Then—He saw them. Demons surrounding a cloaked girl. She tried to fight—Using Alchemy tools—But failed. "…Useless struggle." "Let's have some fun first—"
Ruko landed. Silently. Between them. "…Don't touch my woman." The demons blinked. "…Who—" They didn't finish. Because they were already—Dead. Clean cuts. Bodies turning to ash. Ruko turned. "…What are you doing here… Althea?" The cloak fell. "…Ruko…?" Althea blinked. "I was testing a new invisibility cloak but—" She paused. "…I forgot it was invisible." Ruko stared. "…Of course you did." He scratched his head. "…You love experiments that much?" She pointed at him. "You're one to talk! Since you said don't touch my woman!" Ruko blushed "…Fair." Then—She stopped. Her expression changed. "…Ruko…" She stepped closer. "…What happened to you?" Her hand touched his face. "…You look exhausted…" She scanned him. "…Bruises… tired eyes…" Ruko slapped her buttocks lightly. "…Snap out of it." She blinked. "…Ah—" Then grabbed his shirt. "…Tell me." "…No." "…Tell me." A pause. Ruko sighed. "…Fine." "…It's my girlfriend—" "I don't care," she cut in. "Get to the point." Ruko grabbed her cheek. "Oi—let me talk." She struggled. "Let go—!" "…Anyway." He explained. Short. Direct. Cold. "…We slept together."
Althea froze. Then— She slammed the ground. "WHY!! ...IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME—!" Ruko blinked. "…I think I broke her." Ignoring him, she groaned dramatically. "…Whyyy…" He crouched. "…Listen." Then told the rest. The betrayal. The words. Everything. When he finished—She was silent. Then—Her expression twisted. "…I'll kill them." "…Woah there... relax." "No. I'll experiment on them until—" Ruko grabbed her. "Snap out of it." She didn't. "What the bomboclat this yah. Well there's no turning back." So—He leaned in. And kissed her. She froze. Eyes wide. Mind blank. He pulled back. "…You good?" "…Y-yeah…" Her face turned red. "…I got carried away this time…" Ruko stood. "…Thought so." "…Hide." "I'll finish this the clean up." She nodded. Then suddenly—Hugged him from behind. "…If you see them again…" Her voice dropped. "…Kill them." Ruko didn't respond. She activated invisibility. Gone. Reaper Intent Unleashed. Silence. Then—Rage returned. Stronger. Deeper. Yew activated something—A song. Heavy. Emotional. Regret. Betrayal. [Song= Tom Odell– Another Love] Ruko didn't stop it.
"…Good... thanks."
Then—He moved. Faster than before. More violent. More precise. Demons fell—One after another. No pause. No mercy. "…Who is that—?!" "A reaper—!" "No—run—!" Too late. Five hours. Five straight hours. When it ended—Nothing remained. Not a single demon. Ruko stood alone. Breathing slowly. "…Next…" His eyes darkened. "…Serena." Royal Capital Prison Far away—A figure stepped out. Serena smiled. Behind her—Knights stood still. Eyes empty. Controlled. "…Ahh! Freedom." A shadow approached. A high-ranking demon. "…You're late," Serena said calmly. "I was in hell." "…I see." She smiled wider. "…Good timing." The demon knelt slightly. "…Since I'll be your guard for 1 week so in return... I want you to order a deal?" Serena turned. "…Ok but what is the deal." "…Thank you? I was looking for someone." Her eyes gleamed. "...Who?" "…Wolbach." "…I want your help to find her."