CHAPTER 1: New God in Town
This chapter has been rewritten.
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or Highschool DxD.
"Will you go out with me?"
When Issei Hyoudou heard those words uttered to him for the very first time (from the mouth of a very cute girl, no less), he felt his life never would be same.
At that time, he hadn't realized just how accurate his statement was in an entirely different context.
Up until then, he was a very simple guy. In fact, three words were enough to describe the 16-year old boy's life and everything related to it-breasts, girls, harem - in precisely that order.
See, so simple.
Simplicity and normalcy were two of his greatest virtues, along with honesty. He was unlike those hypocrites who only let out their true selves in the confines of their rooms while donning a false mask in public- he always showed his true self. He couldn't possibly hide his passion and devotion for the divine gift to all men that was the female form (he really couldn't, even if he tried).
Unfortunately, the society didn't like truth and honesty, preferring lies and facades. It tried to dissuade him, to turn him into a hypocrite like the rest of them-but he didn't lose. He remained true to his convictions even when he was rejected by the society and given labels like 'pervert' and 'abnormal'.
(Nothing and no one was ever going to convince him that anything related to the sacred objects that were breasts could be wrong)
Still, he did feel a little sad when his parents had burst into tears when he had answered their worries of his future proudly with "I'm going to be a harem king, of course".
But they were back to normal the very next day acting as if nothing was different. As expected of his, Issei Hyoudou's, parents-their ability to accept truth was much higher!
(Or maybe they were in denial, but all was well in the Hyoudou household and that's what really mattered)
Another side-effect of his choice of future occupation was that he could no longer relate with those his age. When they played with toys, he was surfing through the Holy Grail on the net-Porn sites. While they talked about their collections of superhero merchandise, he formulated his list of girl-types (and breast-types) he would have in his harem. They were fans of Spiderman and him, of the latest model who appeared nude on Playboy's cover page.
As anyone can tell, they had nothing in common-so Issei grew distanced from his peers. Sure this meant he had no friends but if that was a necessary sacrifice for the sake of his dream's fulfillment, then so be it.
(He wished his childhood friend, Shidou, was around though. He could share his enlightment about the sacred art that kept their species going then. It wasn't fair that his buddy was being left out, after all.)
Anyway, he managed to solve his 'no-friend' problem when he managed to enter his heaven- Kuoh Academy. Filled with female goddesses, its sacred halls had started accepting male priests…students just a year prior. Issei had been one of the first to apply but there was very fierce competition. He was sure it was only the breast god's blessing which had helped him get the chance (because his keen intellect sure couldn't have, even he could admit to that).
Finally, he entered the high-school as a first year and everything was going well in his life. He was surrounded by fairies and angels…and kendo demons (even they were lovely without their wooden sticks). He had found like-minded people who shared his passions with similar lofty-goals. Together they made an efficient trio-one bringing the latest porn mags, the other knowing all the best spots for peeking and the last taking the majority of the beating when they were inevitably caught (just for knowledge, Issei had the last duty).
His life could be considered perfect if only three things were different. Firstly, he would have liked if wooden swords weren't hard-they hurt like hell. Secondly, the school could do without the pretty boys. Seriously, everyone needed to realize that no guy could be that perfect without hiding something. In fact, Issei had long suspected pretty boys to be espionage agents sent by the enemy nation to turn their women against the men and hollow out the country from inside (a well thought out strategy which was frighteningly enough, working).
And lastly, but most importantly, he desperately needed to have a real girl apply for his harem. His plans for it were long since perfected and his lists for the types of girls he would have in it-which include all of them (since he didn't discriminate)-was also finished. What he needed to do now was find girls willing to be a part of it. He was sure they would come running to him once they realized the pure awesomeness that was Issei Hyoudou.
(He just didn't know how to make them realize that.)
Which was why it came as a great surprise-and joy- to him when a pretty (very pretty!) girl suddenly stopped him on the way back home and asked:
"Will you go out with me?"
The cute girl- Amano Yuma as he had later found out- looked so shy and yet determined, and his own head was so filled with happiness that he forgot all the caution that a normal person would have displayed at such an abrupt proposal by a total stranger, and directly replied:
"Of course!"
They exchanged numbers and arranged the weekend for their date.
Issei walked away with a goofy smile on his face and a photo of his new girlfriend in his phone.
"My new girlfriend, the very first one," he finally spoke aloud when he was sure he was out of her hearing range. His voice rose suddenly as he shouted his joy to the heavens:
"MY SPRING OF YOUTH HAS FINALLY COME!"
"Will you die for me?"
'That's the second time she asked a life-changing question to me this week'. A part of him noted numbly. All the other parts were in different stages of freaking out.
"Y-Yuma-chan, what are you saying?"
He expected her to smile and say 'That was a joke' or something like that. If it was, it would be in poor taste but he would take it over his sweet girl-friend suddenly turning into a homicidal maniac.
But if it was not then, it was just his bad luck that his first girlfriend turned out to be a serial killer or something.
Then, the situation turned even more bizarre.
Yuma-chan broke into laughter. Not the 'Oh my god, look at your expression' or 'I had you totally fooled!' laugh, but the cliché laugh reserved for villains of Saturday morning cartoons.
Issei was suddenly sure that no matter how strange the situation was, it wasn't one of his dreams. There was no way a cute girl could let out such a creepy laugh otherwise.
"Y-Yuma-chan?"
Issei reached out to her hesitatingly, worried for her mental health.
The girl avoided him and launched herself in the sky. Her back bent and her clothes exploded. Her body went through a total makeover-breast enhancement, butt enhancement, hourglass figure and seductive face-all wrapped in the most erotic leather outfit ever. There was even a pair of wings emerging from her back.
In normal circumstances, Issei would be drooling at her figure but he didn't feel like doing so. It wasn't because of the wings really; they gave her a sort of exotic look and not an unattractive one. It wasn't the creepy laugh either (she stopped doing that).
Only the expression she had finally settled on was one full of cruel sadism. Especially her eyes seemed like they were looking at an insect she would enjoy crushing.
"I would love to take my time to slowly play around with you…but the job comes first. At least, you get to die peacefully."
"Yuma-chan, why are you doing this? I don't understand!"
"Hm…you are not speechless with shock or trying to deny reality, that's commendable," the winged girl smiled. "I guess telling you something is ok? I can treat it as your last wish."
For a moment, she looked almost gentle to Issei just like Yuma-chan had been, then she went back to her cruel visage.
"Listen carefully, the one you should blame for your situation is God…who put that sacred gear in you. If humans were never gifted with something like that then you could continue leading your ignorant lives. In the end, it has become your curse."
She spoke a series of uncomprehending words.
God!? Sacred Gear!?- Issei couldn't make head or tail of her words.
"You understand it now, right? The reason you have to die…"
No, I really don't! - Issei wanted to voice his frustrations. When he moved to do so- he was suddenly struck silent by shock.
An intense light, one even more radiant than the sun's setting rays, was released by her hands. It took the shape of a long spear made of solid gold light.
She pointed it at him. Even a fool could realize what she was planning to do. Issei's heart started beating rapidly and adrenaline flooded his veins.
I will jump to the side when she throws it- he even made such a plan. But reality was brutal. The moment the weapon left her hands, he realized how laughable his thoughts were.
It was too fast! In fact, he didn't see anything other than a flash of light. Then there was pain. A burning feeling transmitted from his chest as if his organ were being burnt. Somehow, he managed to bend his head to inspect his chest despite the weakness he was suddenly feeling. The moment his eyes saw the large hole where his chest used to be-his legs gave out.
Collapsing on his back with an –oof! – He felt death for the first time. He brought a trembling hand in front of his eyes and inspected the crimson liquid covering it.
"Oh, you haven't died yet? How surprising! You're just like a cockroach, aren't you? Let me correct it."
Yuma spoke in a dangerous tone.
He was surprised that he was not panicking yet, maybe it was because he didn't have any energy. Instead there was a strange feeling as he realized that he was going to die.
He didn't want to die.
He was just sixteen-and a virgin to boot! There was no greater regret for him than not completing his harem plan, but he would have been satisfied if he could lose his V-card.
I don't want to die!
As expected, dying like this was unacceptable. He was completely unwilling to die without fondling real boobs. There was a lot for him to do yet. That's why-
"I WANT TO LIVE!"
"There is no need to shout. I heard you the first time."
A smooth voice (a guy's) and a kick to his side answered his shout. The kick really hurt, almost as much as one of kendo club member's hits. Issei reflexively tucked and rolled to shield his side.
"Ugh…"
His actions were futile-another kick struck him. He groaned in pain.
'Wait, wasn't I dying? Does that mean I am already dead? What kind of reception is this!?'
Issei opened his eyes wide and saw the grey skies of the dusk. It seemed sun had set quite some time ago even though just moments ago at his point of death sun was just starting to set.
He groaned pushing himself up on his arms and looking around. He recognized the familiar scenery.
"I am still at the park. Does that mean I didn't die?"
Issei muttered in confusion to himself. This was his first time dying so for all he knew afterlife appeared as the place of your death.
Then again, it could be a dream. The hole in his chest was closed and even his clothes were undamaged. The grass was unstained by his blood and he didn't feel weakness or pain. But he still didn't want to believe he had a weird dream like that. It felt pretty real (and painful).
"Oh, you're finally awake. I thought you were going to sleep till the morning."
A voice cut through the silent park and caused Issei to cease his debate on whether this was afterlife or not. It was the voice he had heard on waking up and before getting kicked. Issei looked towards the fountain and found him sitting on its edge.
'How the heck did I not notice him before?'
The first thing Issei did after waking up was confirming his surroundings. He had paid special attention to make sure Yuma or anyone else wasn't around. Yet, he missed this guy who was just sitting a dozen steps away from him.
It was strange, especially because the guy was very noticeable. He was what girls would call 'super-hot'. A foreigner with black hair and a handsome face who would turn heads wherever he goes-in other words, Issei's Hyoudou's sworn enemy. To think he would miss a pretty boy sitting this close to him was unnatural. His recent experience with unnatural made him reflexively put some distance between them.
"So you actually have survival instinct, that's good." The boy noticed Issei's reaction and smirked.
"Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you with Yuma-chan!?"
Issei was still dragging his body backwards on the grass as he fired a string of questions. 'That guy' raised an eyebrow at his retreating form and disappeared from his sitting position. The next moment Issei's frantic backward motion stopped as he hit something solid. Craning his head back, he came face-to-face with the black haired dude looking down on him.
"What! How did you come here?"
Issei gaped in disbelief. From start to finish, his eyes were locked on this suspicious guy. Yet he failed to notice him moving behind his back.
'Was that teleportation?'-He wondered.
"I moved at extreme speed that your eyes couldn't follow. You could say it was something like [Flash Step]." The boy answered with a shrug. "And you should stop running now, as you saw just now I'm much faster than you."
"Flash step! Isn't that the kind of super move that every harem protagonist must have? Can you teach me?" Issei was on his feet just as he finished his sentence, his eyes sparkling and all his caution was thrown to the wind, and he moved closer causing the black haired boy to step back.
"You are seriously not right in the head, are you?" Percy looked at him with a wry smile.
A buzzing sound was heard and the boy brought out his phone. Checking its screen, he frowned and stuffed it back in his pockets.
"Okay, I don't have any more time to play around with you. If I delay anymore that witch will definitely scold me a lot. So, see ya?"
Saying so, he turned around and started walking towards the park exit.
"W-wait, at least tell me something. I am totally confused." Issei asked him in panic.
The boy stopped and turned to him.
"I will make this brief. This world is a fantasy novel. Magicians, devils, gods, dragons-they are all real and part of this world. I'm a part of that world, whoever killed you is the same and now you are a part of it too."
"Huh? Me?" Issei pointed at himself dumbly.
"Yep," the black haired boy nodded. "According to Anna, you have some strong weapon inside you. This Yuma or whatever was probably afraid you will awaken it and become super-strong."
"So Yuma-chan was some demon? And I have some cheat weapon inside me? Sweet," Issei grinned, adapting to the situation easily. This whole thing was like the plot of some light novel and he was familiar with those. Given the situation, he was starting to believe that he was the protagonist too. That meant he was already on the harem king path!
"Dude, you're starting to drool." 'The black haired boy' said with a disgusted face.
"Ah, you didn't tell me who you were." Issei said suddenly, wiping away the drool. It was getting hard to refer to the guy as 'the black haired boy' every time.
"My name is Percy Jackson. I am a God." His phone buzzed again in alarm. "And that's my cue to cut this meeting short. I already told you all you needed to know. The rest is up to you. Goodbye."
"No, wait! What the hell do you mean you are God!?"
Issei moved to stop him but he disappeared before his eyes just like before. He turned around expecting Percy to appear behind him just like before. He wasn't there. Making a full 360 degree turn, Issei confirmed the self-proclaimed God Percy was no longer in the park.
He grabbed his head in frustration.
"Damn it, you didn't tell me how to activate my power!"
Percy moved in Godspeed, the world turning into streaks of multicolored light around him. He moved vertically upwards along the walls of a tall building and stopped at its roof. From here, he could see the entire town with his enhanced eyes.
"That guy was weird." A voice came from his pocket.
He pulled out his phone-the source of the voice. Looking at it once, he tossed it through the air. Mid-air it changed its form. A girl appeared in its place floating in air. She looked in her late teens and was dressed like a diva. A red dress that bared her shoulders and showed off her beautiful legs hugged her curvaceous form. Her face was a piece of art and was framed by blond bangs. The rest of her hair was pulled back in a pony tail. All-in-all, she was a very beautiful and charming girl.
May be it was because of her being in a contract with Percy or maybe it was due to the phone's original owner-but she looked like Percy's dead friend Annabeth with some noticeable differences.
"It has been so long since I last took human form. My body feels awkward."
Her legs touched the roof and she stretched her body. Percy averted his gaze from the tempting sight.
"Hello, Anna," Percy greeted his contracted spirit. "And it has been only a day."
"It has been more than a day! I last turned to human form 30 hours ago. Do you know how hard it is to survive with the sweat and smell in your pocket? It is suffocating!" Anna put both her hands on her waist and lectured him in an annoyed voice.
"I don't sweat," Percy deadpanned. "And I have been told by many beautiful women that my scent is quite manly. A lot of women have wanted to be where you usually are-in my pants."
"You…how dare you compare me with those floozies!?" Anna looked to be on the edge of violence. She had never liked those women he slept with, especially since they were the type to sleep around. But he has the feeling that if he decided to pursue a woman romantically, she would be the first to protest.
As a spirit created by spiritual power of internet users with the concept 'Internet', Anna was a unique spirit who had no physical body originally. Then, she met Percy by coincidence when he clicked on an unknown link on the map. After talking to her for some time, Percy decided to help her get a real body. With some help from Hephaestus and Athena, she signed a contract with Percy and merged with Annabeth's old phone converting it into a Divine Artifact of the highest order.
She has been unusually attached to Percy, who was not only her master but also her savior, since then. With her special mentality influenced by the garbage on net she has no problem with sharing him or his affections but his superficial relations with the so called 'floozies' grated on her nerves. (She also hated those who stole a march on her)
Regrettably for her, Percy had no intentions to get involved in something like romance or true love. He didn't have good record with it.
Of the relationships of that type he had, all of them ended in trouble or heartbreak.
There was Annabeth-his oldest friend after Grover. Everyone who knew the both of them believed they would end up together. They danced over the topic for 5 whole years and sometimes he really felt that there was something real between them. Only for her to say she loved Luke on his deathbed before dying herself. Because he was unsatisfied, he even struck an expensive deal with Hades to get her back only for her to reject it. Something about the dead should remain dead or whatnot. It still broke his heart and he had to keep his end of the bargain to boot.
Rachel became an eternal virgin.
As for Calypso, she got caught up in an experiment of Athena's related to his powers and was bound to him by a life bond. It made him always wonder if her feelings for him were real or created by the circumstances forced upon her by the bond. He was trying to get over it.
In conclusion, his relationship history was really bad. One could say he was cursed by the Goddess of love (which was an actual possibility considering he once rejected her advances).
Anyway, he wasn't going to enter in a romantic relationship with Anna. And he didn't want to be beaten around with her either. So he decided to distract her-
"We are getting late, right? Tell me where I'm supposed to go before that witch (Athena) calls."
"Don't remind me. We are late because you decided to resurrect some random dead guy out of the blue." Anna retorted, before asking curiously. "So why did you do it?"
"It was a whim," he admitted nonchalantly.
"A whim? I actually expected it to be some heroic reason," she muttered in disappointment. "Did you really not sense the Longinus in him before you saved him?"
"What's a Longinus?" Percy asked with a clueless expression. Anna face-palmed at her own forgetfulness-to think she expected anything else from her master.
Percy shrugged and continued. "As for heroic, people die all the time. If I try to bring everyone to life, I wouldn't have time for myself. Besides, Uncle H (Hades) wouldn't allow something like that anyway. I probably did it because his way to pray for his life was amusing."
"It was perverted and disgusting," Anna corrected. She didn't have anything against perverseness but people like Issei Hyoudou with nothing but that on his mind should stop wasting earth's resources and just go die. That was the logical conclusion.
His one good point was the power sleeping inside him.
"You should recruit him," she suggested to her master.
"Why?"
"You are actually asking that question? Never mind, we will talk about that later. Right now, you should get moving. Your meeting starts in ten minutes. As for the destination, it is that building."
She pointed to a tall building some distance away. Percy looked at it and nodded.
"Okay, let's go."
He grabbed hold of Anna's waist and pulled. She turned completely red at the sudden action. The world turned into a blur of color around them and an instant later they were at the foot of the building, just a step away from its doors.
Percy removed his hand from her waist but she didn't move away until he coughed and whispered: "We're here."
Anna seemed to suddenly awaken and hastily moved backwards while saying in a flustered tone: "You perv, why did you suddenly hug me!?"
'She entered Tsun-mode'. Looking at her reaction, Percy realized. He really shouldn't have let her read Japanese light novels. It was having strange effect on her personality.
"You didn't seem to mind, going by the way you were clinging to me." Percy quipped and entered the building before she could retort.
"Who was clinging to you?" She screamed after him and followed.
They were greeted by a strange scene inside.
A large number of the staff was present in the lobby. All of them were beautiful and powerful female supernatural creatures in their human forms. Moreover, all of them were dressed in maid outfits.
"WELCOME MASTER."
They greeted in unison as Percy and Anna entered. Both of them looked dumbfounded at the situation.
Women of all variety were present-blond, brunette, redheaded, stacked, flat-chest, mature, loli, Asian, Russian, American. It was like a large harem for the most lustful and strongest guy in the world.
"This was supposed to be a hotel, right?" Percy asked.
"It is a 5-star hotel that was bought by Lady Athena on your name. It was renamed 'Olympia' after renovation. You own it and everything inside." Anna answered. 'Everyone inside too' was left unsaid.
In normal situation, Percy would have been in disbelief that would gift with so many beautiful women. He was confident in his ability of seducing them. But here it was definitely meant to be a prank.
Athena knew full well that Percy didn't sleep with women he had to be in contact with for long periods. He wasn't confident in his ability to keep his relations platonic otherwise. That meant he wouldn't touch them. These girls probably didn't know that little tidbit. Many of them were looking at him with interest. They were probably encouraged by Athena to entice him, too. With his godly hormones, his stay here would be pure torture. Moreover, his reputation will suffer too.
"That witch," he once again cursed the Goddess with gritted teeth. He should have organized the trip himself.
"Your meeting begins in 5 minutes."
Anna reminded from behind.
"That's right." Percy snapped his fingers. Two of the maids came forward without prompting and bowed simultaneously.
"We will guide you to the conference hall, master."
"Don't call me master." Percy commanded them. "And why are you all in maid outfits."
"We can't do that, master. You are our lord after all. We all have decided to devote our lives to the God of Heroes- Lord Perseus-you." One of the maids, the black haired one, said as she led him through a set of double doors into a corridor. She seemed like the strict type who won't be easily dissuaded once she set her mind on something.
"As for the outfit, it was a suggestion from Lady Athena. According to this country's custom wearing this is the best way to show our submission and devotion to you." The blond one continued.
Percy groaned internally. 'What else could that witch have told them?' He wondered. These girls seemed gullible types so he was worried.
They stopped in front of one of the doors, finally. The two maids stepped back. They weren't allowed inside.
Percy turned to Anna and ordered: "Turn back to your original form."
He felt slightly apologetic forcing her but he didn't want her to be public knowledge yet. Anna stuck out her tongue at him but consented.
Percy stuffed her phone form in his pocket and entered the room.
There was only a single person present in the room sitting around the oblong meeting table.
Percy took a seat beside her.
"Am I late?" He asked.
"Not really. You're just on time." Calypso answered with a sunny smile.
She reached to him and started correcting his clothes and hair. "You must make good impression," she said. Percy started feeling awkward with her closeness. Her intoxicating smell was entering his nose and making him react. Much to his relief, she retreated before he lost his cool.
Three holographic screens appeared hovering over mid-table. One each connected to the leaders of the three factions.
'So that's how the meeting is going to be held.' Percy realized, not having been told beforehand that it was going to be a video conference.
'Of course, the Three Factions are technically still at war. Their leaders can't meet secretly.' Anna informed him telepathically.
She went on to introduce him to the figures being shown in the screens.
The left most one contained two golden haired beings-one man, one woman- Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
The middle one showed a guy with black hair with golden streaks- Azazel, Governor General of the Fallen Angel Organization, Grigori.
The last one showed a red haired man and a black haired girl- Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan.
Putting his game face on, Percy began the meeting.
One hour later, the meeting was over.
It was an overall success. All the goals set by Athena were fulfilled.
Firstly, God of the Bible was dead and all parties knew it, this was acknowledgement.
Percy, then, confirmed that the other pantheons may decide to attack the Christian faction to erase it and expand their religion. Since, the Greek Gods no longer used faith to strengthen themselves; they were willing to aid the Christian factions so that their enemies didn't become stronger.
The condition being- the Three Factions must cease their cold war and unite. Otherwise they were too weak for Olympus to even consider an alliance.
As conclusion, it was decided that the Three Factions will hold a peace conference within 2 months. The venue will be Olympia- the hotel belonging to Percy and he will be the moderator too.
Until then, all actions will send their representatives to this city, Kuoh, to keep in contact with him if need be.
With this, Percy's first mission as an emissary begins. That meant he was no longer a Novice God under training. It also meant that he no longer needed to listen to Athena, his mentor.
"No more of that witch-Just the thought is enough to make me die from happiness."
Percy let a content smile grow on his face.
Chapter 1 is done.
I rewrote the story from chapter 1. Actually, I just deleted the prologues and changed the way of presenting the story a bit. The only major change is Annabeth is no longer a part of the story.
I couldn't reason a harem happening if the books are followed and Percy gets Annabeth. And half the storyline is about romance.
The story is same; plot is same, only presentation is different.
Hope you guys continue to like it.