380 I love you
As the meeting ended, Riser decided to check the rewards he gained from defeating many famous enemies. Nevertheless, he knew that everything was about to end soon. As long as he was able to defeat Issei, the creatures from another world, the parallel world, and also those who thought that they were on the right side, he knew that everything would be over.
Yet, he had to say that it was so hard.
Unlike the protagonist, who had the help of everyone, fighting with the power of comrades, Riser used the power of an individual, fighting by himself.
However, it didn't mean it was bad.
Riser felt that it was better this way as he didn't want to involve his problems with anyone, and the feeling of putting your life and future in someone else's hands definitely wasn't anything unpleasant.
Closing his eyes as he enjoyed the quietness of his yard, Riser thought that this was going to be the last.
Then, with that thought, he checked his rewards.
[Congratulations, you have received "Cthugha, Lord of Flame God."]
"...."
Riser had to say that even though he only got one skill, this skill was amazing, and it was probably his reward after defeating all the members of the Hero Faction. Still, this was an evolved version of the "Agni, Lord of Charity" skill he had previously.
If someone forgot, his "Agni" ability gave him the ability to amplify something near-infinitely. When used on a person, it can be used to either increase their strength to or past the limit of their bodies, resulting in living things being burned alive by their own body heat or otherwise falling apart. When used on an attack, the result is absolutely catastrophic, increasing its power to the absolute limit and creating the strongest offensive power.
It was powerful, right?
Yet the "Cthugha" skill was the enhanced version of that, which made it several times stronger.
Not only was the ability to amplify anything almost infinitely, but this ability also included Thought Acceleration, Scorch Excitation, Parallel Existence, and Space-Time Manipulation.
Dimensional Leap and Multi-Dimensional Barrier
Now, let him explain what those abilities were used for.
Thought Acceleration allows the user to greatly increase the speed of their thought process.
It was quite similar to the skill which he had before, but it was stronger, he thought.
Scorch Excitation.
It was the "Agni" ability, giving him the ability to amplify anything infinitely but with a different name.
Parallel Existence.
It allows the user to split their consciousness and give flesh to independent alter egos of themselves, referred to as "An Other Body."
"...."
Riser had to say that this skill gave him a surprise as it allowed him to create a copy of himself, which was a great skill for him, to save his life as it would give him two lives. While he had never thought of using this skill to do so, he was sure that someone might think of using this skill for something perverted, but he wouldn't do that.
Still, let's talk about the next skill.
Space-Time Manipulation.
It allows the user to manipulate and utilize the Elements of Space and Time, allowing them to perform Space-Time Connection or even Instant Motion, depending on their proficiency.
With this skill, even if his opponents moved to a different place or dimension or even stopped the time, they wouldn't be able to stop him.
Riser also tried to use this skill and tried to go to another world to end Issei and creatures from another world, but it seemed he needed to master these abilities more before he could do that. Still, this way, no one would be able to escape, and he also understood why those from the future or parallel worlds wished to kill him somehow. Yet, it didn't matter, as he was the one who would kill them first.
It was their fault for provoking him and wishing to kill him, after all, so don't blame him.
Then, what about the next skill?
Dimensional Leap.
It's a skill that allows the user to freely locate and travel to a location, even if it is in different dimensions or worlds, as long as there's a guide or connection to it.
'Oh-ho?'
Riser smiled and thought that it was the only time before he ended everything.
Then, the last skill.
Multi-Dimensional Barrier.
It is a barrier-type skill that achieves Absolute Defense through the utilization of an always active Multilayer Barrier with a variety of abilities. It boasts a foolproof defense against physical, elemental, and emission-type attacks. While there are attacks that could potentially break it, if the user is able to analyze the nature of the oncoming attack, they can adjust the barrier to block it.
Perfect, he thought.
With this skill, no one could run away from him anymore.
As he thought of that, someone gently massaged his temples. He opened his eyes and saw a beautiful crimson hair that was impossible to forget.
"Does it feel good?"
"A little harder."
"Like this?"
"Yeah, that's good."
Rias smiled and said, "If you need my help, just tell me."
"Comfort me tonight."
"I mean... if you want me to fight, I can do it too."
Riser fell in silence and looked at Rias.
Under his stare, Rias took a deep breath and said, "I could tell that Issei was hesitating when he saw me. If you used me, then your chance to win would increase." Even if Issei was controlled by creatures from another world, Issei was still the same pervert as ever. She could tell that as long as she asked him to do something, Issei would follow her words, and it would give Riser a chance to end him.
"No."
"Why?!"
Stretching his hand, Riser pulled Rias into his embrace and hugged her in his arms. "I don't want to use you for something like that."
Rias lay on his chest and said, "But... I want to help you. I don't want to become a vase."
"That feeling is enough. You are not strong enough. This Issei is different from the previous Issei."
"...can you defeat him?"
"I can kill him if he doesn't run to another world."
"Those hateful creatures from another world!" Rias gritted her teeth, then let out a helpless sigh as she put her hands on his chest. "You know..."
"Hmm?"
"I wish that... such a past never happened between us."
"But it had happened, after all, and if we didn't do so, our relationship wouldn't become like this."
"...maybe, you are right, but there is always another possibility, right? There is a parallel world, after all."
"What kind of possibility do you want?"
"I mean... when you are with me, our family is happy, Onii-sama is living, and many others. Though, I can imagine that you are still with many women even if you are with me." Rias wasn't confident about holding him alone, especially when she knew how strong he was, yet it didn't matter as she didn't mind him having a lot of lovers.
Still, Riser was silent and didn't say anything.
"Riser?"
"Hmm?"
Looking at his profile and gentle smile, Rias also understood that if many things didn't happen between them, it was impossible for them to be like this.
"I love you."
"..." Riser.
"What's with that expression?" Rias pouted since he didn't show much of a reaction.
"I didn't expect you to say that in this situation."
"So, what about you?"
"Aren't you clear?"
"I am not."
Watching Rias act like a baby, Riser only smiled and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Rias."
Rias felt like her heart had almost exploded, and she hugged him tightly as she really couldn't control her emotions. Whatever had happened in the past, she knew she loved him so much that he would give her everything, so she knew that in their next battle, they had to win.
