Harem Daily Life in High School DxD

"It's bigger than I imagined..."

Looking at the bustling crowd that had formed a circle around them, Kuroba couldn't help but sigh.

“That’s natural. My brother wanted the Underworld to invite a large number of guests to witness this tripartite cooperation, including many important figures recorded in the Bible. The scale is also unprecedented. Every move we make is equivalent to representing the Underworld to show everyone.”

Rias looked very serious; clearly, although she was well-prepared, she couldn't help feeling nervous.

"In that case, let's win a glorious victory!"

Kuroba noticed everyone's tension, so he simply laughed heartily to encourage them.

"Yes, we must win this game!"

Rias made a declaration.

When the time came, the huge magic circle lit up with a blinding white light, and Kuroba and the others were enveloped in the white light and then teleported into the barrier used for the competition.

The restaurant came into view, and Kuroba looked around and felt that it looked somewhat familiar.

He immediately walked outside.

Looking at the expansive view outside the restaurant and the dazzling array of goods, Kuroba couldn't help but sigh.

"Isn't this the shopping mall next to the school? It's so realistic! The recreation is so amazing, it's like watching a demon's work every time I see it!"

That's right, the venue for this competition was a one-to-one replica of the Komao Shopping Mall building near the school. At least from the outside, there was no difference at all.

Then immediately, the broadcast started, and it was still Grefia's voice on the radio, with almost the same content, except that her master had become Black Feather.

"Both sides have moved to their main camps. Lady Rias's main camp is located on the second floor, east side, while Lady Sona's main camp is located on the first floor, west side. When soldiers need to be promoted, please go to the other side's main camp."

Up to now, these are some of the basic rules of ranking games.

"This match has special rules. Relevant information has been sent to both teams; please confirm. The Phoenix Tear, a recovery item, will be given to each team once. Additionally, you will have thirty minutes to strategize your battle plan. During this time, contact with your opponent is prohibited. The game is scheduled to begin in thirty minutes. Now, let the battle commence."

As she finished speaking, Rias found a piece of paper with printed text in her hand.

Rias frowned slightly as she held the paper with the competition rules that had been sent to her.

"This competition also involved some new rule changes..."

"How to say?"

Hearing this, Kuroba and the others also gathered around.

"This battle is limited to the Komao Shopping Mall. Once you leave the mall, you will be automatically disqualified."

Rias showed the floor plan in her hand.

"Indoor warfare? Are there really battlefields like that?"

Kuroba had always thought that ranked games involved setting up bases in a vast area, where it would take some time for the two sides to even make contact.

After all, Kuroba only has one game experience in the rankings, so it's normal that he doesn't know.

"Indoor warfare is a minor matter..."

Rias sighed, as if she had a headache.

"One of the rules here is that large-scale destruction of shopping malls, which are battlefields, is prohibited... which means that our large-scale attacks are quite restricted."

Kuroba was also taken aback upon hearing this.

Rias's fire, Akeno's lightning, and even Xenovia's Durandal—these are all wide-range attack techniques. Doesn't this cut off half of their escape route?

This rule is very unfriendly.

"Alara, this is troublesome... I want to use my magic, is the only place left the rooftop?"

Zhu Nai also seemed very distressed.

"Indeed, even if Gaspar could provide very little help with time stop, right? After all, this is a shopping mall, and there are just too many things to hide behind and too many items to use. It's really unlucky. We are good at fighting with all our might, and this rule is like a heavy shackle on me."

Yuuki was also dumbfounded and exclaimed.

For her, it's not so bad; her destructive power isn't particularly astonishing. She focuses more on delivering a fatal blow to the human body itself, so the constraints of the rules are practically negligible for her. But it's different for the others; after all, they are a whole.

"Do not..."

Rias denied Yuuki's words.

"Gasper's time-stopping ability is not allowed to be used... because her ability is not yet mature. The higher-ups may be afraid that she will ruin the match if she uses her ability. The sealing glasses developed by Azazel have been installed here... In this match, Gasper can only use her vampire ability."

This is just adding insult to injury...

However, Rias did not give up. She took a deep breath and a unique smile appeared on her face.

"But it's okay! That's the charm of ranking games. Victory isn't solely determined by strength. Even the weak can win if they have extraordinary command and skills. After all, it's a derivative of chess, where pawns can capture the king. That's a fundamental rule of chess. We just need to overcome the challenges we're not good at."

Zhu Nai laughed and agreed.

"That's right. When we encounter real battlefields in the future, we may also have indoor battles like this, which are constrained by various conditions. We can take advantage of this time to adapt in advance and lay the foundation for the future."

As the president and vice president finished speaking, the seriousness on everyone's faces dissipated considerably.

As expected of the two most reliable older sisters, they quickly restored morale with just a few words.

Kuroba waited quietly until everyone finished speaking before he spoke.

"In that case, I won't remove the seal on Azazel within me for now. Although the seal was already loosened during my last battle with Black Song, it should be able to hold out for this match."

"Well, in this situation, the seal might make it easier for you to perform. This time, it might be difficult for you, since among us, your destructive power is the most astonishing. This condition will be the biggest constraint for you."

Kuroba waved his hand dismissively and laughed.

"Don't underestimate me. No matter the circumstances, I will always be the strongest! I am Rias's strongest soldier! Your strongest shield!"

Kuroba's words brought a knowing smile to everyone's faces.

"Really? Kuroba is really reliable. Thank you for your hard work..."

Rias hugged Kuroba. She knew that Kuroba was forcing himself and doing his best to cheer everyone on.

Chapter 151 Waiting for me to drain you dry!

Because she was given thirty minutes to prepare, Rias completed the corresponding setup in about ten minutes.

Is it fair to say that Rias has become much more capable after undergoing special training?

Compared to her first ranking game, Rias's unique style has matured considerably.

"There's still some time to spare, so please spend it in the most relaxing way possible."

With Rias's words, everyone dispersed.

Kuroba watched one of the figures and silently followed.

After following her for a few minutes, Kuroba realized that she was just wandering around aimlessly and called out to her.

"Yuma."

Upon hearing Kuroba's call, Yuuma's figure paused slightly before she turned around and looked at Kuroba with a forced smile.

"Kuroba... what's wrong?"

"It's you who should be complaining. You seem to have been acting strangely ever since you came to the Underworld."

Kuroba approached Yuuma and stared into her eyes as he asked.

Looking at Kuroba staring at her and hearing the deep concern in his voice, Yuuma could only manage a wry smile.

"It's nothing... I just feel... like I'm really useless."

Looking at Kuroba so close to her, Yuuma could no longer bear it and nestled into his arms, feeling the warmth of his embrace. Yuuma sighed.

"I didn't realize this before, but after coming to the Underworld, I realized the gap between myself and them, whether it's potential or strength. During this holiday, I truly experienced the huge gap."

It turns out that at the beginning, Yuuma and the others were not much different in terms of strength.

But now that Azazel has appeared, she is very good at tapping into everyone's potential abilities, and within just one month, everyone's strength has improved by leaps and bounds.

Only Yuma.

They possess neither powerful artifacts nor any special physical constitution or race.

She, who simply rose from human to angel and then fell, became the most mediocre one.

The thought that he was a complete waste lingered in her mind.

Only then did she realize how hurtful and pathetic her humiliation of Kuroba had been.

Kuroba immediately understood why Yuuma was so down.

He didn't say much, but simply hugged Xima in his arms even tighter.

He lifted Yuma's chin and kissed her amidst her astonished gaze.

After a long time, the lips parted.

Seeing the shyness in Xima's eyes, he smiled and said.

"I understand how you feel very well. After all, I was just an ordinary person who turned into a demon. The reason I became a demon was because of you."

Upon hearing this, Yuuma's face showed embarrassment.

"Of course, I don't hold any grudge against you at all. On the contrary, I should thank you."

"Thank me? Are you alright... I was the one who executed you with my own hands back then..."

Kuroba chuckled and gently scratched Yuuma's nose.

"I'm not a masochist. I'm thanking you for giving me everything I have now. These people I cherish are not easy to come by. Although everything happened by chance, I don't regret it at all."

Kuroba put his arm around Yuuma's waist.

"Including you, no matter what kind of person you think you are or what kind of strength you have, in my heart you are Amano Yuuma, the first girl who was willing to date me. You gave me tremendous courage."

Kuroba gently stroked Yuuma's long, smooth black hair as he reminisced.

“Yuuma is Yuuma, no one can replace her. In my heart, Yuuma is very strong. I still remember the first time I saw you spread your wings, you looked so beautiful…”

"But I feel like I'll be useless and just hold you back..."

Despite Kuroba's comforting words, this previously confident girl is now trapped in a strange cycle.

A vicious cycle of feeling inferior to others.