The night air was crisp as I stood atop a building in Kuoh, my eyes scanning the darkened streets below. The city was quiet, but I knew better than to be fooled by its peaceful exterior. Somewhere out there, rogue exorcists were hiding—wielders of stolen Excalibur fragments.
And tonight, we were going to find them.
"Yuuto."
Rias's voice brought me back to reality. I turned to see her standing beside me, her crimson hair flowing in the night breeze. Behind her, the rest of our group had gathered—Issei, Koneko, Akeno, and Kiba… no, not Kiba. Me.
I still wasn't used to thinking of myself as him.
"The reports from Sona's patrols indicate unusual activity near the old district," Rias continued. "We'll split into two teams. Akeno and I will patrol the eastern side, while you, Issei, and Koneko will take the western sector."
I nodded. "Understood."
Akeno gave a playful smile. "Try not to get yourself killed, Issei-kun."
Issei shivered. "That's not funny, Akeno-san!"
Koneko, as usual, remained silent, but her eyes gleamed with quiet determination.
I tightened my grip around the hilts of my swords, Life-Weaver and Limit-Breaker, feeling their energy coursing through me. If the exorcists were truly in possession of Excalibur fragments, then this battle would be the perfect test for my mutated abilities.
And an opportunity to evolve even further.
We moved swiftly through the streets, avoiding human eyes as we approached the western district. Kuoh's old district was mostly abandoned—dark alleyways, crumbling buildings, and a lingering unease in the air. It was the perfect hiding place for rogue exorcists.
Issei grumbled under his breath. "Man, why do I have to be stuck with sword boy?"
"Because Buchou said so," Koneko deadpanned.
I smirked. "Don't worry, Issei. If things get too dangerous, just stay behind me."
"Hah?! I'll have you know I—"
A sudden pulse of holy energy cut him off.
We all froze.
The air shimmered with power, and from the alleyway ahead, three figures stepped into view.
Rogue exorcists.
The man in the center was tall and clad in a black priest's robe, his smirk filled with malice. But it was the blade in his hand that caught my attention. A long, silver sword gleamed under the moonlight, pulsing with holy power.
An Excalibur fragment.
"Well, well," the man sneered. "Looks like we have some devils sniffing around where they don't belong."
Issei gulped. "T-That sword… it's Excalibur, isn't it?"
I didn't answer. My focus was on the weapon in the man's grasp. Excalibur Mimic—a blade that could reshape itself into different forms.
This was it. My opportunity.
The exorcist didn't waste time. With a flick of his wrist, Excalibur Mimic shifted, morphing into a long whip of holy energy that lashed toward us.
I moved instantly.
Phantom Stride.
The world blurred, and in the next moment, I reappeared behind him. My swords struck in a flash, the force of my attack sending him skidding backward.
"Gah—!" He hissed, barely managing to raise his blade in defense.
His two companions rushed forward, wielding standard holy swords. Koneko intercepted one with a brutal punch to the gut, sending the exorcist flying into a nearby wall.
Issei, meanwhile, was struggling. His punches barely grazed his opponent, who countered with quick, precise slashes.
"Damn it—Boosted Gear, do something!" Issei yelled, his gauntlet pulsing weakly.
[Boost!]
The power surge gave him a bit more force, allowing him to parry the next attack, but he was still at a disadvantage.
I didn't have time to help him. My opponent had recovered, and Excalibur Mimic lashed out again, shifting into a massive greatsword aimed straight at me.
I reacted instantly, crossing Life-Weaver and Limit-Breaker in defense. The moment our blades clashed—
A shockwave of energy exploded outward.
My system pinged.
[Abyssal Armory: Mutation Detected]
• Holy Sword Contact Achieved. Mutation Rate Increased.
• New Effect Developing…
A grin spread across my face.
This was exactly what I wanted.
I pushed back against the exorcist, my swords glowing as they absorbed the residual energy from Excalibur Mimic. Even though it wasn't a demonic weapon, my Abyssal Armory was adapting—evolving as it absorbed the unique holy properties of the legendary blade.
The exorcist's eyes widened. "What the hell?!"
His grip faltered for a brief second. That was all I needed.
Phantom Stride.
I vanished from sight, reappearing above him. My blades descended in a flash of silver and crimson, cutting through the air with terrifying precision.
Excalibur Mimic shattered under my strike.
The exorcist staggered back, staring at the broken fragments in horror. "I-Impossible…!"
His body trembled, and then, without warning, he turned to flee.
I wasn't about to let him.
I raised Limit-Breaker, energy surging through its blade. The pressure surrounding me intensified, my blood boiling from the force of the weapon's effect.
I could feel it—another evolution was about to trigger.
And I needed one final push.
I lunged forward and—
SLASH!
The exorcist collapsed, unconscious. His remaining companion, seeing their leader fall, immediately dropped his weapon and ran.
"D-Devil freaks!" he screamed, disappearing into the night.
The battle was over.
I exhaled slowly, my heartbeat steady despite the battle's intensity. Then, my system pinged again.
[Abyssal Armory Mutation Complete.]
• New Sub-Ability: Blade Absorption.
• Effect: Can temporarily absorb the properties of defeated weapons, integrating their abilities into newly forged swords.
I stared at my swords, feeling their energy shift once more. The remnants of Excalibur Mimic's power were still lingering within them, reshaping them into something greater.
A blade that could absorb other weapons?
That meant—
I could take the abilities of any sword I defeated.
I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening around my hilts.
I was no longer just an evolving fighter.
I was becoming a sword-forging anomaly—a warrior who could continuously reshape his arsenal, no matter the opponent.
The very thought sent a thrill down my spine.
But before I could test my new power further, Rias's voice came through the communication sigil.
"Yuuto, Issei, Koneko—report."
I activated the sigil. "The enemy has been defeated. One exorcist escaped, but their leader is down. We recovered an Excalibur fragment."
A pause. Then Rias spoke again, her tone serious.
"Good work. Return immediately. We have a bigger problem."
I frowned. "What happened?"
Rias's voice was grim.
"The Church's forces just arrived in Kuoh."
I exchanged glances with Issei and Koneko.
Clearly this isn't good at all and Rias didn't seem happy.