[Ding! Task pleted. gratutions to the host for obtaining the Flying Thunder God Teique!]

  [Ding! Task issued: Defeat Kiba Yuuto.]

  Just as I was still p over the implications, the familiar, emotionless meical voice sounded, instantly making my eyes light up.

  The Flying Thunder God Teique? The powerful space-time ninjutsu? Oarget is marked, it's like pg a perma curse on them.

  The user teleport to the marked target at any time, making it perfect for surprise attacks.

  In this world, aside from those with extremely high power levels who might be able to remove the mark, I'd have a huge advantage in any fight. And if things got tough, I could just teleport away!

  After receiving the system's reward, I g the new, brightly glowing green task: Defeat Kiba Yuuto. Hmm… it shouldn't be too difficult, for now.

  "Hibari-san? Hibari-san, are you alright?"

  Seeing that I had seemingly spaced out after Kiba greeted me, Tomoe called out to me.

  "Ah, sorry, I just remembered something."

  "Ah, o be so formal. After all, I did interrupt your versation. I apologize."

  "Huh? Kiba? Why are you here?" Koneko suddenly asked, fused. Usually, he'd be at the Occult Research Club by now.

  I, however, already khe answer.

  Kiba smiled slightly and expined, "Rias asked me to e over. She was worried because you hadn't shown up yet. I didn't expect you to have defeated Tomoe-san, Hibari-san. Even I had to gh a lot of trouble to barely win against her in the past."

  "..."

  I inwardly rolled my eyes at him. Kiba was always so humble. Tomoe was likely around the level of a Peak Low-css, maybe just entering Mid-Css.

  But Kiba was a solid Mid-Css Devil, at his Peak! They were practically a whole realm apart! And he said he barely won?

  This former Holy Sword user didate, now a Mid-Css Devil at his peak, was being way too modest!

  "Kiba-san, I heard from Tomoe-san that your swordsmanship is superb. So, I was hoping to have a match with you!"

  ...

  My eyes burned with fighting spirit as I looked at Kiba.

  I craved battle. Soon, all sorts of supernatural beings would appear, and I was still too weak. To get stronger, I o fight stantly and plete Tasks!

  Most of the rewards I had gotten so far were White Grade. This was a rare opportunity to get a Green Grade reward. I couldn't let it slip away.

  "Of course, I'd be happy to have a match with you, Hibari-san. How about we head over to the Occult Research Club to start?" Kiba suggested.

  "Sounds good."

  I quickly realized that a match between Kiba and me wasn't suitable for a public pce with so many Kendo Club members around. Our powers could cause signifit damage to the surroundings and potentially injure bystanders.

  "In that case, let's go!"

  "Okay."

  <><><><><>

  After agreeing, Kiba, Koneko, and I headed towards the exit.

  "Wait a moment!"

  Just then, Tomoe called out to us. We stopped and turned around, looking at her questioningly.

  "Tomoe-san, is there something else?"

  "It might be a bit presumptuous of me, but… I'm very ied in seeing your match... May I watch...?"

  Tomoe's face was flushed as she spoke, knowing that it was inappropriate for an outsider to observe such a match, which would likely reveal some of their trump cards.

  But she was just too curious. Both of them were clearly skilled swordsmen, surpassing her own abilities.

  She'd regret it forever if she missed this ce.

  Kiba and I exged a gnd smiled.

  "Sure, e along. But it's probably best if you e alone. Rias might get upset if too many people show up."

  "Alright! Thank you so much!"

  <><><><><>

  So, the four of us headed back to the Occult Research Club.

  When we arrived, Rias and Akeno saw me looking a bit worn out, with Tomoe beside me, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked at me.

  Rias immediately asked Koneko, the only other perso, for an expnation.

  "Koneko, what's going on? Why does Kyoya-kun look like that? And why is Tomoe-san here?"

  "Here's what happened. Hibari-senpai defeated all the members of the Kendo Club and then challeomoe-senpai to a duel, which he won. Then, when Kiba-san arrived, Hibari-senpai challenged him to a match. Tomoe-senpai heard about it and asked to e and watch." Koneko expined calmly.

  Kiba smiled at Rias and the others, firming Koneko's at.

  "I 't believe this happeo think he could defeat Tomoe-san with just his swordsmanship... It seems my judgment was correct. I didn't misjudge you, Kyoya-kun!"

  Hearing that I had defeated Tomoe, Rias's eyes lit up with surprise. After all, she khat Tomoe was one of Sona's most prized peerage members! The fact that I could defeat her so easily was beyond Rias's expectations.

  Meanwhile, Akeno wore a teasing smile.

  "Ara ara~ Kyoya-kun, you're such a bad boy! You could have told us if you were going to do something like this. As your 'potential' girlfriends, Rias and I would have definitely e to cheer you on!"

  "!!!"

  "Akeno!!"

  "Alright, alright, I'll stop!"

  Rias's eyebrows twitched, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She didn't dare to look at me. Akeno, seeing Rias's rea, decided to stop teasing her best friend for now. It was fine when they were alone, but Sona's peerage member was also here.

  Akeno g me, looking slightly exhausted, and asked Koneko with a hint of fusion.

  "So, what's the deal with Kyoya-kun looking like this?"

  "About that..."

  "I expin that!"

  Just as Koneko was about to expin, Tomoe interrupted her.

  Then, she expihat she now greatly admired me and insisted that I wasn't a shut-in like the rumors suggested, but that I must have been undergoing rigorous training.

  She went on and on about how solid my Basis were, and so forth...

  Hearing Tomoe's exaggerated praise, I just wao crawl into a hole and disappear.

  This gossip-loving Tomoe was a bit too much to handle!