[Skill: Mental Control Immunity (Permanent passive. Immune to all mind control abilities.)] [Skill: Ultra Slash (Condenses energy into a circular saw blade to slice opponents.)] [Note: Watch closely; that's not how you use the Ultra Slash!]
Nice. Two rare skills in one go. Usually, missions of this difficulty only gave out supplies; getting a Gatling gun was considered a lucky break. Mental Control Immunity was the skill Rhode needed most right now, given how many people in this world had such abilities. The black magic Walburga used was a form of mind control. Even mooks in the original story had it, let alone people from the major factions.
As for the Ultra Slash, it was a great addition. It filled the gap in his arsenal for a "finishing move." It worked at range or up close—offense and defense in one. While he still had Impeccable, it was a god-tier ability he wanted to save for emergencies.
Back to reality. Jeanne stared at Rhode. She didn't believe for a second that the man who said those heroic things would just join another organization. She quickly rationalized that this was a deep-cover mission—Infernal Affairs style—to infiltrate the Old Satan Faction. His display of greed and lust was surely just a performance for Katerea.
Thinking this, Jeanne immediately played along. Her face shifted into an expression of heart-wrenching grief. "Rhode, I've truly misjudged you!"
In that moment, her face showed three parts lingering attachment, three parts anger, three parts shock, and one part sorrow—a perfect display of her supposed heartbreak. After speaking, she turned and left immediately, afraid Katerea would notice it was an act.
Rhode: "???"
Katerea just stroked her chin, a playful look on her face. "Your little girlfriend seems very disappointed in you. But if you show me your value, I'll 'care' for you properly in her place." As she spoke, she ran a finger lightly along Rhode's neck. Where her finger touched, there was a trace of watery coolness. When she pulled back, Rhode saw a few water marks left behind.
He remembered that unlike Serafall, who used ice, Katerea was a direct descendant of Leviathan. In the Bible, Leviathan was described as the overlord of the sea. Rhode wondered if Katerea's "water" was sea-flavored.
"Let's go," Katerea said. She had the "snakes" she came for; it was time to return to the Underworld.
"Wait, let me talk to Ophis first."
Under Katerea's curious gaze, Rhode walked up to Ophis, who was sitting as still as a statue, and reached out to pat her head.
"Hm?" Katerea's eyes nearly popped out. Doesn't this guy know that this little girl is the strongest Dragon in the world?! A single sneeze could wipe out a minor mythology. Even Gods gave her a wide berth. No one in the world didn't fear her power—even Katerea herself. Although she viewed Ophis as a tool, she still maintained a respectful attitude. Yet Rhode not only showed zero respect, he actually went up and gave her a head-pat. Does he actually have a death wish?!
To be honest, Rhode was a bit nervous too. But based on his knowledge of Ophis, she generally didn't attack people unprovoked. Even when Cao Cao stabbed her with the True Longinus in the original story, she didn't retaliate. A head-pat was far more polite than a spear, right? Besides, he still had Impeccable to block one hit. Even if the Transformer from the EXE universe that cut off Great Red's head showed up, he'd dare to troll it.
Ophis's hair was incredibly smooth and silky, with a slight warmth. She tilted her head slightly, looking up at Rhode with an appraising gaze. "What are you doing?"
"A head-pat. Where I'm from, that's how we greet a cute little girl like you." Rhode made up a random lie. Ophis didn't know any better anyway. If he could get on Ophis's good side in this world, the benefits would be endless.
"Oh." Ophis nodded slightly, showing no other reaction.
Rhode clicked his tongue mentally. Ophis's affection points aren't that easy to grind. No matter; affection points always go up over time. He thought for a moment, then pulled a mountain of snacks and various game consoles from his storage. He turned and shouted toward the door, "Someone, get in here!"
The two middle-class devils who had just woken up recognized him instantly as the guy who knocked them out. They glared at him fiercely.
"Yeah, you two. I want this place wired for electricity and these consoles set up within half a day."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean 'huh'? Move it or I'm docking your pay!" Rhode acted like a black-hearted capitalist.
"Do as he says," Katerea said. She didn't know what Rhode was up to, but his guts—daring to head-pat Ophis—made her like him even more. She needed people with guts by her side!
With their boss speaking, the two devils could only swallow their urge to punch Rhode and started thinking of a way to get power to the room.
"Eat these snacks first. Tell me when you're done. Once the power is on, I'll come back and play games with you." The teleportation anchor at the Khaos Brigade HQ was lit; Rhode could come back anytime.
"..." Ophis neither agreed nor refused.
"Time to leave," Katerea said again. This time Rhode didn't refuse and stood by her side. A dazzling magic circle lit up beneath them, and a flash of light swallowed them, making them vanish instantly. Ophis stared at the spot where Rhode had been, silent for a long time.
────────────────────────────────────────
Support me here: https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Spring Sale Special – 20% OFF!
High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (216 Chapters – Ongoing)
Join the journey and become part of the story!
────────────────────────────────────────