Chapter 240: Eat My Dog Treats
You’re probably about to say something like, “Good thing I came along,” right?
Don’t flatter yourself. Even without your flashy “Pat the Dog’s Head with a Smile” skill, I could’ve handled those Tosa dogs with one hand tied behind my back. Still, Kouya wasn’t the type to argue over credit. Since she did help—just a bit—he merely grunted and kept silent.
A muffled thud broke the quiet night.
Kouya’s gaze shifted. Behind a neatly trimmed flowerbed, a man stood frozen, mouth slightly agape, staring directly at Raphiel—and, more precisely, at the two massive Tosa dogs now rolling at her feet, tails wagging like puppies meeting their favorite person.
His expression was an emotional disaster—shock, heartbreak, disbelief. It was the face of a man who’d just witnessed his long-time crush, that cold, untouchable goddess, laughing tenderly in someone else’s arms. Pure devastation.
Yeah, that had to be their handler.
Not that the dogs were betraying him; they were simply more perceptive than humans. Ordinary people might think Raphiel just looked kind. But these creatures could feel her divine radiance, the gentle warmth of an angel’s aura. To them, she wasn’t a stranger—she was a higher being. And in the presence of such light, violence was simply not an option.
...
Inside the surveillance room.
Hideaki Koike had already regained his composure. His smug, confident smirk returned as he adjusted his glasses with one finger. "Even if they took down units one and two, it doesn’t matter. They’ll never make it past the next level."
Alice pouted, her little cheeks puffing up. "You said that last time, ojisan."
"Ah, my foolish little Alice," Koike sighed dramatically. "Speaking out of turn again? That’s not what good girls do. And this next trial..."—his tone dropped, deep and ominous—"will be far more dangerous."
...
Outside the villa, under the dim golden light of the fountain plaza, water danced to the rhythm of the wind.
The sound of heavy boots echoed sharply across the marble tiles. A squad of bodyguards stormed into view, moving with trained precision. The leader—a towering man with a scar under his eye—radiated killing intent with every breath. He raised his weapon and barked:
"Hands on your heads! Down on the ground! Now!"
His voice was deep and laced with authority, the kind that could make a lesser person freeze.
The rest of the guards fanned out silently, their movements crisp, professional. The metallic clink of holstered batons and cocked pistols filled the air as they formed a tight semicircle.
Raphiel flinched slightly, instinctively pressing closer to Kouya, fingers curling into his sleeve. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, but she forced herself to stay calm.
Kouya stood motionless, his expression unbothered, eyes as cold as still water.
The lead guard’s frown deepened. That calm unnerved him. He’d seen the earlier footage. He knew these two weren’t ordinary—and that knowledge made him even more cautious.
"Last warning!" the man barked again. "Hands up, or I’ll—"
He never finished.
In a single motion, Kouya wrapped an arm around Raphiel’s waist, pulling her tight against him, and vaulted behind the fountain statue.
Bang! Bang!
Gunfire erupted, echoing through the garden. A flock of startled birds took off into the sky, scattering into the darkness.
...
Behind the sculpture.
Raphiel’s breath came fast, fogging slightly in the cold air. Her heart was beating so hard it almost hurt. Fear mixed with an intoxicating thrill—something she’d never quite felt before. The danger, the adrenaline—it was terrifying yet exhilarating.
Kouya crouched low, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "Give me that bag of bones."
"Eh? Bones?" Raphiel blinked in confusion, then realization dawned. She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out the bag of bone-shaped dog treats from earlier. Her voice trembled. "Kouya-kun, now isn’t the time to eat dog treats..."
He gave her a deadpan look. You think I’m Satania?
"Quiet," he ordered, snatching the bag. His tone was sharp enough to silence her instantly.
In the surveillance room, Alice’s knuckles were white. She leaned forward, eyes wide, unable to tear her gaze away from the monitor. Her stomach twisted with guilt. This was all her fault. Her friends were out there risking their lives—because of her.
Koike noticed her distress and chuckled softly, swirling his wine with smug ease. "Don’t worry. Those rounds are tranquilizers. Killing them would be… inconvenient. But as you can see, your friends have reached their limit."
He didn’t get the chance to gloat further.
Because the next moment, the impossible happened.
Kouya activated his skill—
Rage of Dog Treats!
Skill Description: Launches a barrage of enchanted canine projectiles. Deals massive blunt damage and applies a stun debuff to all hit targets.
Passive Effect: 100% accuracy. Dodging is futile.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The security feed flickered as a hailstorm of bone-shaped dog treats erupted from behind the fountain, spinning with incredible velocity.
The guards froze mid-aim, confused out of their minds. One of them muttered, "What the—dog treats?!"
But
The projectiles struck with pinpoint precision—each hitting right between the eyes. A ripple of stunned silence followed, and then, one after another—
ud! Thud! Thud!
They collapsed like puppets with cut strings, sprawled across the marble floor.
"That’s that," Kouya said, brushing his hands together casually as he emerged from cover.
His eyes flicked over the unconscious guards. Not one dead. He didn’t need to kill them. His seal might limit his true power, but creative improvisation worked just as well.
Raphiel’s voice rang bright with delight. "Kouya-kun, that was amazing!"
Before he could respond, she was already clinging to his arm again, pressing close, her silver hair brushing against his shoulder.
"Let go."
"Nooo~ she said, voice playful, eyes shimmering. "I’m still so scared~
Yeah, sure you are.
That rosy blush on your cheeks says otherwise.
...
Inside the surveillance room.
Alice’s mouth hung open. "Th-that was incredible..."
"Heh. Fascinating opponent," a new voice drawled lazily.
She turned toward the doorway. There stood a tall man, leaning against the frame with one shoulder, sipping from a bottle of yogurt like he owned the place. He wore a long black-and-red coat, his hair slightly disheveled, eyes sharp but bored.
Koike stiffened instantly. His confident facade cracked, fear flickering in his gaze.
Alice blinked, confused. "Who are you?"
Her uncle never tolerated disorder. Everyone in this mansion followed strict etiquette, and yet this man radiated defiance. The way her uncle looked at him—hesitant, cautious—sent a chill through her.
The man smirked faintly. "Since you’ve asked so sincerely... I’ll indulge you."
He tilted his head back, downed the last of the yogurt, then pressed one hand dramatically over his eye, striking an absurd pose.
His voice dropped low and intense.
"I am Suzuki Ninosuke... leader of the Four Heavenly Kings of Truth!"
"...What?" Alice blinked, utterly baffled.
Before she could even process the ridiculous title, her eyes widened again.
The man—this so-called 'leader'—was now licking the yogurt lid.
Right in front of everyone.
Koike looked like he wanted to disappear. Alice’s brain stalled.
"Oh come on!" she shouted. "You can’t just—lick that—in public!"
Ninosuke glanced at her blankly. "What? Licking the lid when drinking yogurt is common sense."
"Common sense?!" Alice exploded, stamping her foot. "If you like it that much, I’ll buy you an entire crate! Just—stop doing that here!"
She crossed her arms, cheeks burning red. Sure, maybe she also licked yogurt lids sometimes—but that was different! At least she had the decency to do it when no one was watching!
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