Chapter [162]

Riser's Mansion in Kuoh - Training Room

Issei frowned, feeling the threat in Riser's words. "What did you do to my parents? Where are they?"

Riser raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise and confusion. "Your parents? What are you talking about, Issei? Why would I know where your parents are?"

Issei stepped forward, his eyes filled with desperation and anger. "Don't play dumb, Riser! You must know where they are! They were kidnapped, and now I'm here, in your mansion! You must be involved in this!"

Riser sighed, shaking his head slowly as if dealing with an irrational child. "Issei, honestly, I don't know what you're talking about. If your parents were kidnapped, I'm sorry, but that has nothing to do with me. Do you really think I would have the time to deal with something like this while being in Tokyo with my sister?"

Issei hesitated, his anger mixing with confusion. "You were in Tokyo?"

"Oh, now that you mention it..."

Riser pretended to remember something, placing his hand on his chin with a thoughtful expression. "Maybe I didn't do anything, but someone I know... yes, that makes sense."

Issei felt his anger boiling again. "Riser, stop messing with me! Just tell me what you know! Where are my parents?"

Riser looked at Issei with a provocative smile and then began rummaging through his suit pockets with an exaggerated gesture. He pulled his hands out of his pockets, showing them empty, and shrugged with an air of false innocence.

"Let's see..." Riser began, stepping forward and leaning slightly, as if about to share a secret. "They're not in my pockets, Issei."

Issei clenched his fists, trembling with frustration and anger. "Riser, stop with these games! I don't have time for your jokes! Where are my parents?"

Riser took a few steps around Issei, observing him with a piercing gaze as if studying each reaction. "You know, Issei, it's really intriguing to see you so desperate. It just proves that family bonds are very important to you."

Issei, breathing heavily, looked around the training room as if hoping to find some clue about his parents. The room was spacious and well-lit, with various training equipment scattered around. However, there were no signs that anyone else was there.

Riser stopped walking and turned to Issei, with a cold smile on his lips. "Maybe you should ask yourself, Issei, why someone would go through the trouble of kidnapping your parents. What could they want from you?"

"I don't care about the reason, Riser. I'm going to find them and bring them back safely, no matter what it costs."

Issei, consumed by rage, quickly advanced toward Riser, fists clenched and eyes blazing with fury. In a swift and precise movement, he threw a punch directly at Riser's face, putting all his strength into the blow.

Riser reacted with impressive speed, his hand moving quickly to intercept Issei's fist. He grabbed Issei's wrist firmly, holding it in the air. The impact was cushioned by Riser's strength, who maintained his cold smile.

"Do you really think you can hit me, Issei?" Riser said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Before Issei could respond, Riser swiftly turned, using the momentum to lift his leg and deliver a powerful kick to Issei's stomach. The impact was brutal, making Issei double over in pain.

**WHAM!**

Issei's body was thrown back with the force of the kick, flying through the air before crashing violently against the training room wall.

**CRASH!**

The wall shook with the impact, and Issei fell to the ground, groaning in pain. He tried to catch his breath, feeling the intense pain in his stomach and back. Riser, still standing, watched the scene with a satisfied look.

"You are pathetic, Issei," Riser said, walking slowly toward him. "You will never be strong enough to face me. Your parents... well, maybe you'll never see them again."

Issei struggled to stand, using the wall for support. His breathing was heavy, and the anger in his eyes burned stronger than ever. "This... isn't over, Riser. I will find my parents... and I will end you."

"You are welcome to try, Issei. But know that each attempt will only show how weak you really are."

Riser extended his hand and, with a casual motion, summoned the Ascalon from the system's inventory. The sacred sword appeared in his hand, gleaming with a bright and threatening light.

The blade shone intensely, reflecting the light of the training room, and emitted an overwhelming aura of power. Issei, upon seeing the sword, felt a chill down his spine.

Ddraig immediately recognized the weapon and sounded the alarm in Issei's mind. 'Issei, be careful! That is the Ascalon, the dragon-slaying sword. If he hits you with it, it could be fatal for you. You are now part dragon. Any strike from that sword could kill you!'

Issei felt panic rising within him at Ddraig's words. 'What? The Ascalon? How did he get that sword? I... I can't let him hit me with it!'

Riser smiled as he saw the fear in Issei's eyes. He took a few steps forward, spinning the Ascalon in his hand, appreciating the deadly shine of the blade. "Are you scared, Issei? You should be. This is the Ascalon, the dragon-slaying sword. And you... are part dragon now, if I remember correctly."

Issei tried to back away, but his back still ached from the impact against the wall. "Riser, you can't do this! Sirzechs will never let you get away if something happens to me!"

Riser laughed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Sirzechs? Do you really think he will show up here to save you? No one is going to save you today, Issei."

Before Issei could react, Riser advanced with surprising speed, wielding the Ascalon. He thrust the sword into Issei's shoulder, piercing the flesh and cutting through the bone.

"ARGHHH!"

Issei screamed in pain, his body trembling as he felt the blade penetrate his flesh. The pain was excruciating, radiating through his arm and torso. He could feel the energy of the Ascalon burning inside him, as if it were trying to destroy every cell in his body.

Riser watched the expression of agony on Issei's face with a satisfied smile. "See, Issei. See how weak you are. There is no one to save you. Not today."

The system, ever-present, announced in Riser's mind:

[+300 luck points for severely injuring the protagonist]

Riser looked at Issei, his smile widening further.

He pulled the Ascalon from Issei's shoulder, blood gushing from the wound. Issei fell to his knees, his hand instinctively pressing on the injury, trying to stop the bleeding. The pain was unbearable, his vision beginning to blur.

"You... can't do this..." Issei said, his voice weak and trembling.

Riser raised the sword again, ready to deliver the final blow. "Oh, but I can. And I will."

He prepared to strike the killing blow, the Ascalon gleaming with a deadly light as he aimed at Issei.

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