[Current Location: Kyoto, Abandoned Shrine - Training Ground]
[Current SP: 280 | Level: 3 | HP: 150/150]
[Days Until Rating Game: 9]
[Status: About to be electrocuted by a sadist.]
Kyoto was gorgeous. Temples, cherry blossoms, yokai hiding in plain sight, and one very angry Koneko because I "accidentally" used Trickster's Hand to steal her daifuku again.
"Kazuki," Rias said, standing in the middle of the shrine courtyard. "Your job as a Pawn is to become a Queen when needed. But first, you need to survive magic."
Akeno stepped forward in a shrine maiden outfit. "Which means lightning resistance training~ Ufufu~"
[Ding! Sub-Quest Active: "Survive Akeno's Lightning 'Training'"]
[Description: Take 10 hits of Akeno's lightning without fainting.]
[Reward: 80 SP, Skill: "Lightning Resistance Lv.1"]
[Failure: You become charcoal. Asia will be sad.]
"Wait, can we talk about this—"
ZAP!
[HP: 150 → 122]
"One," Akeno counted cheerfully. "That was 5% power. We have 9 more to go~"
Issei, who was watching from the sidelines, gave me a salute. "Godspeed, Bro."
[Issei Hyoudou: Bro Points +1. He respects your sacrifice.]
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
[HP: 122 → 95 → 68 → 41]
[Iron Body Lv.1 + Peeping Protection Lv.1 = Pain reduced by 15%. You're welcome.]
By hit seven I was twitching on the ground. By hit nine I was questioning my life choices.
"Last one, Kazuki-kun~" Akeno raised her hand, and the sky actually darkened. "This is 20% power. For good luck~"
"Danger Sense is screaming!" I yelled.
KRA-KOOM!
[HP: 14 → 1]
I was a smoking crater. But I was alive.
[Ding! Sub-Quest Complete: "Survive Akeno's Lightning 'Training'"]
[Rewards: +80 SP, Skill Unlocked: "Lightning Resistance Lv.1" - Take 20% less lightning damage]
[Akeno Himejima: Affection +5. Status: Amused, Slightly Impressed]
[Total SP: 360][Harem]
Asia ran over and slammed a full heal on me. "K-Kazuki-san! You're not charcoal!"
[HP: 1 → 150]
[Asia Argento: Affection +5. Current: 15]
As I stood up, wobbling, my Danger Sense Lv.1 pinged. Not from Akeno. From the forest.
"Rias," I said, suddenly serious. "We've got company."
The trees rustled. Three figures dropped into the courtyard. Cat ears, tails, kimonos, and claws. Nekomata. Yokai.
The lead one, a tall woman with black of hair, smiled with fangs. "Rias Gremory. The shrine leaders sent us to give you a 'Kyoto Welcome'. Leave the territory."
[Ding! Emergency Quest: "Kyoto Welcome Party"]
[Description: Defeat or drive off the yokai without starting an international incident.]
[Reward: 120 SP, Rias Affection +5, Unlock "Negotiation" skill]
[Bonus: Don't let Issei die. He's too dumb to live.]
Riser's game was in 9 days. We couldn't waste energy. But we also couldn't look weak.
Rias stepped forward. "This shrine was lent to us by the Kyoto faction. We leave when we're done."
The lead nekomata's claws extended. "Then we'll make you leave."
Koneko stepped up, her eyes glowing gold. "...Sisters."
Oh. Right. Koneko is a nekomata too. This is awkward.
[Ding! New Side Quest: "Don't Let Koneko Fight Her Sisters"]
[Description: Koneko fighting now = emotional damage + political mess. Distract the enemies.]
[Reward: 100 SP, Koneko Affection +10]
Time for the Perverted King to earn his title.
"Hey!" I yelled, stepping between them. "Before we fight, can we talk? Maybe over tea? Or... a mixed bath? I hear Kyoto's famous for them!"
Everyone froze. Issei whispered "You madman." Rias facepalmed. Akeno looked delighted.
[Peeping Protection Lv.1 Activated: 50% chance they think you're joking instead of executing you.]
The lead nekomata blinked, then burst out laughing. "A mixed bath? You want to bathe with us, boy?"
"I-I mean for diplomacy!" I backpedaled. "Cultural exchange! Very respectful!"
[System: You rolled a Nat 20 on Bullshit. They're intrigued.]
She licked her lips. "Fine. We'll give you 3 days. If you can beat me in a contest of skill by then, we'll leave you alone. If not, you all leave Kyoto."
"What kind of contest?" Rias asked, wary.
"Tag," the nekomata purred. "Through the city. At night. If we catch you, you lose. If you tag our leader, you win."
[Ding! Quest Accepted: "Kyoto Tag - Yokai Edition"]
[Reward: 200 SP, "Flash Step Lv.1", Koneko Affection +10]
[Note: This is basically a night chase through Kyoto with magical catgirls. Ecchi chances: 99%]
The yokai vanished into the trees.
Silence. Then Koneko punched my arm. Not hard. Progress.
"Idiot," she muttered. "...But thanks."
[Koneko Toujou: Affection +10. Current: 8. Bribe Quest "Buy Strawberry Daifuku" auto-completed from your Inventory.]
[Side Quest "Don't Let Koneko Fight" Complete! +100 SP. Total SP: 460][Harem][Romance]
Rias sighed. "We have 9 days until Riser, and now 3 days until a yokai game of tag. Kazuki, I'm promoting you to 'Headache' class."
"Pawns can promote to Queen, right?" I grinned. "So Headache to King?"
Akeno put a hand on my shoulder. "Ufufu~ To celebrate you surviving, let's go to the inn. They have private open-air baths~"
[Ding! System Alert: Mixed Bath Flag Raised. Peeping Protection recommended. Danger Sense screaming.]
[Ding! New Quest: "Survive the Mixed Bath"]
[Description: Do NOT get caught peeping. Do NOT die of nosebleeds. Do NOT make Rias use you as a coaster.]
[Reward: 150 SP, "Poker Face Lv.1"]
[R-18 Warning: Fade to black will be enforced. Webnovel TOS compliance active.]
Issei was already crying tears of joy. "This is the best training trip ever!"
Nine days until Riser. Three days until yokai tag. Tonight: probable death by bath.
[End of Chapter 7]