[Word: 1181]
...
It had all happened too quickly for Raynare even to process. She was lifted into the air by the unknown assailant, and the sharp claws of his gauntlet bit at her throat.
"A Longinus Sacred Gear stains your aura. Tell me who they are."
The other three Fallen Angels in the church hesitated. The Flame Reaver emitted an overwhelming aura of doom; just his mere presence made them feel as if they had a guillotine to their necks.
He had also clutched their leader by the neck, able to snap it on a whim. They could also easily hit Raynare, too, if they tried to attack him. If they didn't want Raynare to be impaled by their own Light Spears, they had to play into the whim of the black-cloaked figure before them.
Raynare struggled to speak but did her best to get out of her current predicament. She gritted her teeth and forced her body to comply with her thoughts. In a swift motion, her Light Spear managed to plunge into the Flame Reaver's side.
'Take that, bastard!'
While she was feeling cocky for landing a blow, her cockiness soon turned into immense fear, one that seeped deep into her bones and even her soul.
The Flame Reaver wasn't hurt, not even a single scratch on his cloak.
"I see. With such weak strength, you must have encountered a non-awakened user," The Flame Reaver turned to the other Fallen Angels, "Submit or die."
The Fallen Angels' bodies shook with fear, but their immense pride and arrogance kept them from openly surrendering. All four of them were people of sinful natures. They loved to be sadistic, taunt, and look down upon their enemies, but once an insurmountable mountain appeared before them, they buckled. Thus was the natural law of the universe.
"So be it."
"Wait…!" Raynare managed to choke out a word before the Flame Reaver executed them.
As if the earlier actions had been enough display for him, the Flame Reaver dropped Raynare to the ground. He knew well enough that even if their leader, Azazel, came, he could freely act.
"Speak, crow."
Raynare coughed and gasped for air before indignantly staring at the man who nearly strangled her to death. She silently eyed the other Fallen Angels, internally grumbling.
Why was it only she who was hurt in this altercation?!
"Lord…"
"You may address me as the Flame Reaver."
"Lord Flame Reaver, that Longinus Sacred Gear user…" Raynare didn't recall if she had encountered any Longinus Sacred Gears recently. At most, she could remember the Slash/Dog members, an elite group of Sacred Gear users in Grigori. But she had only encountered them once, and even then, that was a long time ago.
'It couldn't be..?!'
Was that disgusting boy, Issei Hyoudou, a possessor of a Longinus?! No, she had recalled the boy's Sacred Gear didn't seem strong, but that was just dependent on the aura it gave off.
However, Raynare decided to gamble on it. It didn't matter if she was right or wrong as long as she managed to get this bastard away from her.
"His name is Issei Hyoudou! I don't know what Longinus he'd awaken, but surely he's the person you're looking for."
The silence in the room was like a sharp knife. The Flame Reaver stood still, contemplating the information that Raynare had given him.
"Very well. I shall see if this boy is truly who I am looking for."
"Now, where can I find him?"
…
Yet another successful acting job done by me!~
Playing as the Flame Reaver was somewhat difficult than outright acting as Phainon. As I connect to Phainon, I receive feedback from his memories, allowing me to simulate his emotions and feelings.
Different from the actual Flame Reaver or Khaslana, my Avatar Phainon hadn't experienced the bitterness of millions of cycles. He was still the goody-two-shoes puppy boy who wanted to fulfil everyone's wishes and bring a dawn to the dark times.
The way that I acted as the Flame Reaver was to act like an edgy, emo kid. I'm sure most people have had an edgelord phase in their lives, or something cringey that they don't want to remember.
I wonder who'll be my next Avatar.
Now for my haul…
[Emotion Point Summary]:
Raynare: 500(x2) - Immense Fear, Grievance
Dohnaseek: 300 - Immense Fear
Kalawarner: 300 - Immense Fear
Mittelt: 300 - Immense Fear
Total: 1,900
Current Balance: 4,655 EP
Hm, the level of intensity does affect the amount of EP I get. Now, does their level of relevance to the plot or strength cap their EP gain? From what I remember, Michael gave me 999 for a simple (Shock!). Maybe the exclamation mark changed something.
Anyways, it was a bit sad that other than Raynare, the three Fallen Angels weren't important in the eyes of the system. They didn't give me double points like she did, but that was likely because she was the first main antagonist and a person who left long-lasting trauma on Issei.
The Fallen Angels were subjugated by me, now submissively following my orders. Though, I don't doubt they'll betray me when the time calls for it. I don't care if they notify Azazel of my existence because he's another source of harvestable Emotion Points for me.
I just need them not to tell the Devils of this town of my existence. My grand entrance has to be at the moment when they have the all-out church brawl.
The Flame Reaver was going to be the true villain of this story, one that I needed to build up from the ground to garner more points carefully. It didn't matter if he didn't have true allies as long as his goals were complete.
"Speaking of which, Freed and Asia weren't there, so I assume they'll be arriving soon."
From what I can recall of the plot, Issei and Asia had met soon after he turned into a Devil. He had pointed her to the abandoned church, which meant that she had freshly arrived after the whole Raynare date scuffle.
I wanted to draw out the situation a bit longer, milking Emotion Points from both the Fallen Angels and Devils.
Before then, I'll have to make a choice.
Do I let Asia die or save her?
She was a kind soul who was dealt a bad hand in life. She was tricked by that Devil, Dio Brando… Wait, that's the Jojo's villain. What was his name?
Oh, Diodora!
Asia was shunned by the church simply because her Sacred Gear could heal everyone, including Devils and Fallen Angels.
I felt the girl deserved to have a chance at happiness. After being reincarnated by Rias, she gained friends who loved and cared for her. But, I don't think she needs to experience the soul-tearing pain that comes with the Sacred Gear Extraction.
Since I don't have enough EP to embody Phainon's strength in my main body, I'm sorry, Asia. Perhaps it was cruel of me to have the strength to protect and ensure her safety, to let her die.
I could even feel waves of sorrow transmitted from Phainon.
But...
Your death will bring out great emotions from Issei.
...
Author's Note
Is it cruel of me to let Asia die because I know she can be revived via the Peerage system?