After the system awakened, it also assigned tasks to Shinki.
Since this was the world of High School DxD, the tasks naturally involved some of the protagonists and supporting characters.
Fortunately, the system hadn’t issued some ridiculous mission like protecting the protagonist Hyoudou Issei.
Instead, it simply instructed him to resolve the Himejima Clan’s internal conflict.
There were no rewards and no penalties, but the system did state that once the main storyline mission was completed, all of his previous actions and experiences would be evaluated, and additional rewards would be distributed based on that evaluation.
Therefore, resolving the Himejima Clan’s conflict could be considered a side quest.
Based on Shinki’s years of gaming experience, the higher the completion rate of side quests, the higher the final evaluation would be.
So, for the sake of better rewards, he had no choice but to help Himejima Akeno’s family.
Of course, he could also choose to stay out of it entirely.
But if he wanted the best possible rewards, then every side quest had to be completed perfectly.
After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
As he walked down the road toward the shrine, Shinki bought a popsicle and leisurely ate it.
Through inner observation, he could see that golden egg fused with his soul, continuously channeling power into his body and elevating his very life essence.
He could clearly feel his vitality increasing, along with the gradual awakening of the power sleeping within him.
Once the eggshell cracked and the creature inside hatched, the first stage of fusion would be complete.
By then, even at the very least, his strength would be comparable to that of a High-Class Devil.
And at that point, hiding his power would become nearly impossible.
The Five Great Noble Houses of the High School DxD world were much like a group of stubborn old conservatives.
Despite sharing the same bloodline, they had relentlessly tried to kill Akeno because her mother had fallen in love with a Fallen Angel.
If his own secret were exposed, there was a high chance he would be treated as a research specimen.
Or worse, become a weapon controlled by the Five Great Noble Houses.
Rather than remain trapped in such a place, becoming a free man sounded far more appealing.
In any case, the priority was surviving the current crisis.
Before long, Shinki arrived at the shrine’s torii gate.
Passing through the somewhat weathered red entrance would lead directly into the shrine grounds.
The weather was scorching, so halfway there he had taken off his shirt and draped it over his shoulder.
Though his physical abilities were still within the range of a normal human, years of training had left his body lean and well-defined.
“Ah!
Pervert!
Why aren’t you wearing a shirt?!” Suddenly, a girl emerged from the shrine.
The moment she saw him, her eyes widened.
She immediately turned away, her face turning red as she cried out.
Seeing the girl, Shinki smiled.
A young girl dressed in a traditional red-and-white shrine maiden outfit entered his view.
The upper garment was made of white cotton, while the lower half consisted of a flowing red skirt.
Perhaps because of the hot weather, the feet inside her wooden sandals weren’t wearing the usual white socks.
Shinki shrugged, carrying his shirt over one shoulder while holding his popsicle.
“It’s only my upper body.
Why are you making such a big deal out of it?” “Hmph!
This shrine is a sacred place dedicated to the gods!
And besides…
Mother told me to call you big brother, but you never consider how your little sister feels!” Himejima Akeno stomped her foot in embarrassment.
“But you’ve never actually called me big brother even once.” Shinki clicked his tongue helplessly and put his shirt back on.
Wasn’t Himejima Akeno supposed to be a mature beauty with endless charm and an irresistibly seductive aura?
Oh right.
She was still a child.
Never mind.
When he first met this shy little girl, he had found it hard to believe she was the same Himejima Akeno.
The girl who blushed at the sight of his bare torso was completely different from the alluring devilish beauty he remembered.
Then again, no matter how seductive Akeno eventually became, it was impossible for her to be like that at this age.
Thinking about it that way, it made perfect sense.
“Hmph!
I refuse to call someone who always teases me ‘big brother’!” Akeno turned her head away with a tsundere huff.
Shinki was left speechless.
You might not be a mature beauty yet, but did you really have to be this tsundere?
Your entire character setting is falling apart.
“When have I ever teased you?” Shinki asked.
“Just now!” Akeno immediately shot back.
“Well, if you think I took advantage of you, then just take off a piece of clothing and even the score.” Shinki rubbed her head and casually flicked the single strand of hair sticking up from the top.
Mm.
The texture was as satisfying as ever.
“You’re bullying me!
I’m telling Mom!” Akeno’s face turned even redder.
The adorable pout on her lips made her look incredibly cute.
Who could have imagined that this proud and adorable girl would transform into a stunning mature beauty just a few years later?
And honestly, any man who claimed he wouldn’t be attracted to a girl like this would be lying.
The timing simply wasn’t right yet.
Neither emotionally nor in terms of the current situation.
“My, my.
Shinki-kun came to visit again today?” At that moment, a voice that practically radiated mature elegance drifted over.
From the shrine’s main hall, a beautiful woman who resembled Akeno somewhat—but was far more mature—approached with graceful steps, the hem of her shrine maiden robes swaying gently as she walked.