wtf danzy, another one? disliked, unsubscribed, and most certainly, reported.

But this one's pretty fun i swear man give it a shot :C

This story is hugely inspired by my boredom, my inability to stick to a commitment, and my awful time management skills

enjoy

edit: now properly betaed by the Shitpost Brigade

The Headhunter

[Prologue]

"Uh… right. Hello, I'm Hyoudou Issei. I like reading and long walks on the beach. Nice to meet you and please don't bully me."

A simple introduction that earned a few snickers and some forced awkward laughs. Issei inwardly fistpumped himself for nailing his 'average dude' role, patting himself on the back for a job well done. No girls squeed before his presence or deemed him the 'Second Prince', nor did the boys crack into thunderous applause or deliver unified death glare because of his angelic appearance - since he wasn't angelic at all, and because he was Hyoudou Issei, not Gary Stu.

As the day proceeded, Issei had come to the conclusion that school was in fact boring. Maybe not all schools were boring, but this one certainly was. All he did was sit down and listen and try to remember some things said by the teacher or written on the whiteboard. He wanted to use his fake sickly person privilege to excuse himself to meet the hot school nurse, but he persevered. This, too, was training. As pointless as it was.

The bell tolled, and the first break was upon the students. Hundreds cheered for their momentary relapse. A moment of respite, a chance to steel oneself against upcoming horrors which were forced education and maths with letters. As his new classmates got up and went wherever they went during lunch, Issei found himself in the company of two.

One was a bald dude whose head looked like a baseball that had seen better days, and the other was a guy with glasses that looked so generic, Issei thought he was staring at a cardboard cutout of an extra character, until he actually spoke.

"Yo, New Guy," the bespectacled person standing by his desk said to him, and Issei gave him a nod. Some friends to kill time wouldn't hurt. He also made an inside joke about him being a 'New Guy'; yet another identity and a role he had to play. "you got lunch with you?"

Wait. Was he being mugged? "Oh. Am I being bullied right now? Because I left my wallet at home." It wasn't a lie. He really did forget his wallet. Just because he was a trained assassin didn't mean he couldn't be a bit careless sometimes. Especially when he could just snatch one or two. "Uh. Sorry?"

"Can it you moron." The bald one smacked the accused bully at the back of his head. "The hell's wrong with you? 'Got lunch with you'- you're smart but sometimes you can be extra dumb." He then turned towards Issei, looking a little bit apologetic if not a little bit awkward. "Sorry 'bout that. We're not trying to rob you or anything, I swear. He's Motohama and I'm Matsuda. We just wanna take you to lunch, y'know. To the canteen and stuff. Every new guy needs some friends, amirite?"

"You don't want to associate with those idiots." Someone said from somewhere. The three turned their heads around to find a girl with glasses about to head outside the classroom with some other girls; one of them being a Devil. As Issei had never seen her before, she must be the nun Sirzechs mentioned. Her blonde hair made her stood out from the rest of the girls. "Trust me, New Guy, unless you want to catch stupid."

"Hey I'm already pretty stupid myself." Issei said nonchalantly. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"You're a lost cause then. Don't say I didn't warn you." The girl giggled, and went on with her friends.

Unbeknownst to him, the notorious M&M had a wicked smile upon their face.

.

.

.

Issei could've sworn he was touring the school some minutes ago. Cracking jokes with his new friends that were actually pretty funny. They took him on a quick tour around the school, mostly around the first floor as that was where most of the notable facilities were; including the infirmary. He didn't meet Roygun at that moment since he didn't find it necessary, but he would likely pay her a visit later on.

He learned they were very resentful towards 'bishounen', and that there was a 'prince' he should steer away from. That, and that there were two extremely beautiful seniors who were practically the school's divas; Rias and Akeno. How very unexpected of a Satan's little sister. They also mentioned those two possessed the biggest of bazongas and he would know who they were instantly. He apparently enrolled in the middle of the first semester, and that meant it wouldn't be long before summer vacation.

Sticking with these two boobies-craving idiots made the trials of 'school' somewhat bearable. However, Issei might have made up his mind a bit too quickly just as school was over.

Now, he was in the presence of a tiny hole located behind the wooden building used often by the kendo club. Said hole led directly into their changing room, or as the M&M would describe it; the Gateway to the Promised Lands - whatever that meant. Sure Issei liked tits, hips and thighs just as much as the next guy, but he couldn't see the point of peeping. Wouldn't staring at them at closer distance be more preferable?

"Hey fuck off. It's my turn now." Motohama grumbled as he tried to outmuscle Matsuda who was occupying the aforementioned hole. The meek nerd did little progress in it.

"Just a bit more… just a bit more. It's just getting to the good part now— oh damn, Murayama is actually pretty stacked. I never noticed that."

"Now git!" Motohama whisper-shouted, growing more and more peeved. "I gotta take some pictures! Do you wanna get the dough or not?!"

Idly standing behind the two would be none other than Issei, the assassin who was now wondering if this activity was considered normal for highschool students. If it was normal, then why were they the only guys here? Or perhaps this was some sort of a passage rite all new male students must go through in this female dominated school to be considered as one of their own? Whatever it was, this was without a shred of a doubt; wasting his time. Why was he keeping watch for these perverts when he could have infiltrated the changing room without breaking a sweat.

Wait no.

He should be gathering intelligence of whatever predicament Rias was in and plan his next move from there, not playing the guard dog.

And thus, he did a move that most would consider as genius.

Issei sneezed.

Very loudly.

It was an ugly sneeze.

"WAH-CHOO." He sniffled. "My bad."

"WHO'S THERE?!" came a horrific demand from inside the changing room.

The M&M didn't think twice or say a word to him as they immediately got up and bolted out of their spot, dashing into the safety of the forest that was for some reason, left there. Maybe some environmentalist went against the idea of turning the forest into a sports ground or something or whatever. None of his business.

With that dealt with, Issei was about to leave the premise, but he then discovered how quick a mob of rage-induced kendo girls were. It was almost comical how quickly these events transpired.

"Oh." He said quietly, noticing several familiar faces among the angry wooden-sword-wielding mob. "Good afternoon. It appears I have blown my cover. Please don't beat me too hard because I'm anemic."

"Y-you're the New Guy!" Murayama stepped forward. Her disheveled dark blue kendo uniform implied that she put it on as quickly as she could. She looked rather agitated, but mostly surprised. "Your first day and you pulled this kind of stunt? I thought you weren't the kind to— wait. Did Motohama and Matsuda drag you into this?"

"An apt observation." Issei commended. "I was on guard duty." He paused, blinking once. "I don't think I've been very good at it."

Perhaps out of pity, some of the girls loosened their anger.

"You know that's wrong, Hyoudou." Another girl said. She had short pink hair this time like some anime character. Issei recalled her name was Katase; the softest speaking girl in his class. She still looked pretty mad. "Don't think we can let you off on this one even if you didn't… d-d-didn't peek on us." She covered her chest by raising her sword-holding hand. Which was both of her hands. "You're still guilty."

Issei froze for a few seconds, and then cast his eyes to the ground, drooped his head to one side, appearing guilty without resistance. He looked more like a kid who just caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar instead of a perverted deviant. He didn't look cute with puppy-eyed bullshittery or handsome or charming enough that could persuade the girls; he just looked very guilty.

"...Sorry. They were my first friends here."

It instantly made the girls lose heart due to how amenable he looked, that they felt they were somehow in the wrong instead.

"Uh… Hey maybe we can cut him some slack." A girl in the mob said. "He's pretty beaten up about it… I'd feel bad hitting him."

"Same. Didn't you say he's a new guy? I mean if he promises to not do it again then…"

"And it's not like he peeped or anything… Hey, did you?"

"No. I didn't get my turn." Issei answered truthfully.

That raised the tension somewhat, although the girls did acknowledge his blunt truth.

"S-so you're saying you would've peeked at us if you get the chance?" Katase asked cautiously.

Then Issei slumped again.

"W-wait, what's wrong this time?"

"Well… If I said 'no', you might get the wrong idea that I don't want to peek at you. If I said 'yes', then I'll probably wake up in the infirmary. It just seems like there's no right answer here."

"Say… Isn't this conversation pretty strange?" Whispered one of the girls in the back.

"Yeah. Normally we're already beating them up by now. I didn't expect him to get this far." Replied another in a whisper, keeping track of the time.

"...W-well… as long as you understand and won't repeat it again… A-and get better friends! Sh-sheesh… There's plenty of other guys better than them."

Issei tilted his head. "Oh, you mean like the guys who are paying them to take pictures?"

"Wh-WHAT?! THEY'RE BEING PAID!" Murayama suddenly gripped her sword tighter. "Those bastards— is that why they keep coming back here even after we beat them to death more than once?!"

"I dunno, I just got here." Issei shrugged. "You should check their pulse to make sure they're properly dead."

He said that statement without the intent to joke, but some of the girls giggled quietly. Then he realized he was in a place where "I'll kill you" was more of an expression rather than a promise.

"They went in the forest that way," Issei said, pointing a finger. "I can try to find them if you want."

"And let you alert them?! Yeah right."

"...Yeah, you're right." Issei slumped his shoulders again.

"D-don't just admit it!"

"They're my friends; I can't snitch them."

"You just did!" Murayama yelled.

"...Oh…" Issei looked dejected at the grass again. "Sorry."

"...U-uh no… S-sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. Wait why am I the one apologizing—"

Then from the woods, a shout.

"ISSSSEEEEEE!"

It was Motohama and Matsuda, yelling his name at the top of their lungs as they came out of the woods like wildmen. The girls were visibly confused as they stood in front of Issei.

"We came back for you man. We won't let you go through this alone." Matsuda said bravely. "God I'm so cool."

Motohama nodded in agreement. "We can't let you take the fall dude. Bros before hoes."

"Wow, thanks." Issei muttered. "You shouldn't have come here though."

"...Are you guys stupid or something?" Murayama muttered as the calm before the storm was about to end. "Anyway… since you've been so kind and came back.."

"You're gonna let us go out of courtesy of our virtue, amirite?" Matsuda said hopefully.

"You wish. SIC 'EM GIRLS!"

What ensued next was repeated beating and the sound of wooden sticks hitting shins and head and chest, followed with the hopeless bellowing of the M&M being lynched by the angry mob. All the while Issei was standing by the sideline, running a scenario in his head where he was in their place, dodging the flurry of blows. It would make a decent exercise to increase his dexterity and agility.

"Ow- OW MY NOSE! What about him?! Why aren't you beating him as well?!"

"We can't beat an anemic person you idiot!"

"OUCH— AGH! W-WAIT I'M ANEMIC TOO!"

"AS IF!"

And thus continued; the beating of their life. In the middle of the ensuing chaos, Issei slinked away after politely excusing himself, and moved on with his current task.

Break

Who are you?

No One.

Yes. That is what you are. You are without identity. You are nothing. Your name matters not in this profession. Anything related to an individual matters not. There is no relationship, only business associates. No allies or enemies are permanent. There is no evil or good, only where you stand, and which side gives you the most benefit.

You are a "kid" in the eyes of many. Use it well as long as you have it. And when it changes, then so must you.

Imprint this in your mind, and you will be the greatest assassin to ever step in Hell.

Those were the words said to him 10 years ago, where he thought it was the coolest thing anyone had said and not some sort of silly 'I am very serious' speech nonsense to brainwash him. A decade before the Unknown severed the head belonging to the "last" potential political annoyance of Sirzechs Lucifer, further cementing his position as Satan of Hell, and securing the peace for several more years before another would begin to sow the seed of rebellion.

But that would be a problem for tomorrow.

He faced another entirely different problem at the moment.

"So... what now?" Asked the man without a clear designated name - not that he didn't have any. He had plenty, in fact. The Shadow that Lurks, The Black Death, The Uninvited, The Unknown, or one that had really stuck to the public lips; Satan's Ghost.

Despite the rather specific moniker, no one was able to pinpoint Sirzechs' connection to this assassin. Both were an expert in hiding their tracks, deleting any evidence that might lead to their involvement in anything. Even if there was a potential leak, they were quick to react to ensure the leak wouldn't lead to anything that may require a more indiscreet solution.

That being said... The two were so accustomed to being busy. Collecting information, spying on others, preparing an intricate plan to away an opposition or to permanently take care of them. In times of assured peace, those activities weren't really needing a constant focus.

"What do you want to do? Any idea in mind?"

"I don't know." The Assassin said bluntly. "Thanks to you; I've been doing this shit my whole life and I'm addicted to it. You give me a name, I do the stabby-stab. You didn't train me to look for a job - unless you're willing to let me chain-start one."

"What about settling down?"

Also, this person was the only assassin he knew who wasn't expressionless. The look of disgust he gave was far from a blank, stone-cold, unflinching face a trained headhunter would normally possess.

"You kidding me? I'm only 19. I'm not even legal in some countries."

"I don't see why that should hold you back. Candidates you can find plenty of. I can even look for them if you want to."

"Yeah... sure... because there's nothing in this world I want more than having you as my matchmaker."

Where had his professionalism gone, Sirzechs wondered. Long ago he was such a quiet boy, speaking a word at most. And oftentimes it wasn't audible. Now not only this person liked to ramble whatever he had in mind, he seemed to have developed a wry, sarcastic approach to anything possible. Where did he pick that up, he wondered. Granted, he rarely had the opportunity to express himself verbally.

This Satan's throne room was one of the few places where they were able to speak openly, as no one dared to enter unannounced for good reasons.

"Why not give it a shot? You seem to be the only person able to get close to Grayfia."

"Correction; I'm the only person she tolerates." The assassin said. "Oh I know, why don't you hand over Rias?"

Sirzechs rested his eyes solemnly.

"I see it is death you seek."

"Feh. Goddamn siscon."

"She's busy managing her territory and her school." Sirzechs reasoned, unable to admit he was just overprotective. "She won't have time for meddling distraction."

"'Meddling distraction', eh? Is that my new identity now? I can be an expert at that."

"No. By Lilith, no." This man of his wasn't particularly evil by nature, but his pranks certainly were. Who in their right mind would move his whole bedroom furniture one inch to the right resulting in him constantly stubbing his toe without knowing the reason why?

"...Well actually... You did give me an idea..."

"Alright. Who do I stab?"

"No one." The Crimson Satan said in a somewhat unsettled manner, questioning what he had created. "I'm aware you're just saying it as a joke, but you're addicted to this aren't you?"

"Guilty as charged." He shrugged. "It's the thrill of the hunt, the promise of payment; glittering gold, trinkets and baubles paid for in blood that doesn't matter."

He must have read that from somewhere. No way he came up with that line on his own.

"What about Azazel? No requests from him?"

"If there were then I wouldn't be here would I." The assassin responded sarcastically. "He ran out — believe it or not. Besides… It's not like Sacred Gears are everywhere. Otherwise, what makes it so special if everyone and their mother has it?"

Sirzechs ignored him, thinking.

"Fine. You want a job? Here's one I can think of. Rias is still green to her new administration. She may have a year of experience and have Sona around, and for the most part, they manage it fine. However, there have been several times I had to... 'allocate' an extra pair of hands. Stray Devils and Demon Incursion have been on the rise lately; as expected as it's nearing the Day of the First Sin."

"You have to admit that's a pretty cool name for a holiday." The assassin commented. "But that aside, in short; you want me to babysit your little sister."

"That's part of it, but don't hold her hands; literally and figuratively. I also need you to find out the reason why there are Fallen Angels snooping around in her territory."

"Why not just ask Azazel?"

"It's outside his jurisdiction. It's Kokabiel's, and their relationship has been shaky at best as of late. He believes Kokabiel intends to trigger a civil war so he can proceed with whatever plan he has in mind, or start a war with us by provoking us into action. Normally I'd have someone else to deal with this, but I want it done quickly before anything unnecessary happens."

"Yes, yes. I get my job done because I am so damn good at it, thank you, thank you." Said the assassin, always the most humble in the room. "Should I deal with them afterwards?"

"Not if it'll harm the Devil's reputation with Grigori."

The assassin made a face. "Ah right. How's it going with Asszazel?"

"We're working on it."

"You said that last year."

"It's not as easy as you'd imagine, simpleton."

"Oooohh... a Satan has resorted to name-calling... How very in character. Of course, milord. What am I, a mere lowly peasant, to you, o'mighty red man in big fancy armor."

"Occasionally a thorn to my side." Sirzechs huffed as he leaned back to his fancy throne. The assassin was right next to him, lazily laying on top of a solidified cloud of black mass; Demonic Magic he had developed on his own.

"Well. What else then?" The assassin hopped off his cloud, signifying he was about to go ahead with his next assignment. "A cold bottle of beer while I'm at it? Or is it too plebeian for a royal."

"That's all. For now. Prioritize the Fallen Angels. I can't have them ruin the treaty we've been working on for years."

"Fair enough." The assassin replied pointedly. As he had admitted before, he enjoyed keeping his hands busy. "Get me in the school, just not her year. Definitely not as a teacher. A janitor is fine."

And this was where Sirzechs let the assassin have his creative freedom. As long as it got the job done; his methods mattered little.

"You look passable for a second year. A bit tall, but someone's always a bit taller than most."

"That works. Are there any of her Devils in that year?"

"Hmm... no. Koneko's a junior. Her, Akeno and Kiba are all seniors. Wait actually, there's one new girl joining her peers only last week. Asia Argento. Have you heard of her? She's a second year."

"Can't say I do, no. What about her."

"She's a Sacred Gear user. Twilight Healing. A nun exiled for complicated reasons you won't care." Sirzechs continued as he cupped his clean-shaven chin. "As for Sona, she has several in the second year, I believe. Some of them are Sacred Gear users although I can't remember specifically."

"That's alright. I'll sniff 'em out."

"Sure you will. And note that Rias has been actively looking for new members. Don't get scouted by her, and don't let her find out you are my employee."

"I know. That's why I'm staying off her. As long as it's possible anyway..." Blending in was as natural as breathing for him. Sirzechs knew that much, he just wanted to make sure as this time it was related to his precious little sister. "I'll also need an excuse whenever I have to snoop off."

"You're a student given a scholarship from our outreach program, suffering from mild anemia and would need to take a rest from time to time. Your parents are overseas and busy with work. You were offered to join them but you didn't want to. Yada, yada, make your own bullshit story as you normally would. Roygun Belphegor works there as a nurse, she'll cover your absence. You remember her."

The assassin smirked at the name. "Ahh.. the naughty girl who thought using steroids in the Game was a smart idea. Remind me why you spared her again?"

"She's well meaning and is trying to atone for what she's done. She's repentant, and sometimes, that's good enough. If I keep making you lob the head off my people, soon enough I won't have anyone to rule. Though that said, don't bother her too much."

"I'll be on my best behavior. I'm fine with that, but don't tell her I'm coming."

"An odd request but sure."

"I'm gonna need a semi-permanent home. A normal student apartment is enough. Gonna need a new identity too; ID cards, some money for clothes. All the usual stuff."

"You'll have all of them before noon, and by tomorrow you will be a student of Kuoh Academy. Grayfia will take care of your new place. Contact her if you need anything. Only contact me if it's something urgent or news about the Fallens or Rias... Especially Rias."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"...And you do realize I'm sending Grayfia along, do you?"

That stopped him dead in his tracks. "...Hell do you mean. I can't do my thing if there's someone breathing down my neck."

"She won't interfere. I just need her to... lay low, for the time being."

"Ah." The assassin immediately took the hint. Indeed. Since "Lucifer's Ghost" was thus far only speculation, no one had a clue as to who this person truly was. However, it didn't stop the public and the jumpy paranoid noble to make speculation. One of such was pointing accusatory fingers at the person who was near Sirzechs at all times; his Queen Grayfia Lucifuge.

"Why not let her stay with Rias then? Or on her own? Why me, is what I want to say."

"Because Rias will start fuming nonstop about it and accuse me that I am babying her. That, and because Grayfia will most certainly come back here as she doesn't know how to cool off. Lastly, because you're the only person who can talk to her without feeling threatened or intimidated, and able to get more than a few words out of her."

"Well she can be icy at times."

"The understatement of the year." Sirzechs scoffed. "Just need her to lay down for a while. Until the heat dies down. In the meantime, she'll look after you. Your apartment, your needs, your food, and such and such."

"What about my unquenchable sexual needs?"

Sirzechs simply laughed. "Color me impressed if you manage."

"I won't actively try but you'll never know." The assassin shrugged. "Fine then. That all?"

"That's all."

"M'kay. Ciao, nerd."

And the assassin vanished, leaving no trail. One of the perks of learning the Magic developed by Humans was that it required little preparation, unlike the Devils who sometimes need to conjure a magic circle or a pentagram.

Regardless of that, being called a nerd stung his pride a little.

Break

The Assassin had no name, but he had adopted many. Borrowed and replaced some too, though never permanent. He had been a butler in the Gremory household, cleaning specks of dust by day and spies by night. He was a disabled man lost in the slums of Basilead, Bael's capital as well as his seat of power, where he had to gather intelligence regarding Lord Bael's possible meddling with Rizevim Lucifer. He was once a gullible trainee of the Grigori Research Institute. A street cop. A janitor. You get the idea.

And today, he adopted another. Integrating 'New day, new me' in an almost literal sense.

"...Issei Hyoudou... Hyoudou Issei..." 'Issei' muttered blithely as he scrutinized his ordinary student ID with an ordinary name with a passable face. Brown hair, average look, normal straight yet shaggy-ish haircut. "I know Zechs isn't the greatest with names... but seriously? It's like the dude went to an online random Japanese generator and couldn't bother to press 'generate' more than once."

"A simple name fit for a simpleton. I fail to see why it won't suit you." Was Grayfia's nonchalant response, admittedly still peeved that she had to be stuck with him. She was presently without her stuffy maid outfit and in a slim fit set of clothes; sleeveless shirt and jeans. This is where an author would pour every adjective to depict a very sexy woman without advancing the story, and so would this author; Grayfia looked very sexy in slim-fitting sleeveless shirt and jeans that highlighted her curves, and Issei very much appreciated the near presence of serious badonk-kadonks.

"True. I am a simple man of simple needs. Money, work, and women. In no particular order, though lately one of them is rarely present." Issei corrected as he finished off his breakfast of eggs and toast, courtesy of the Silver Queen of Annihilation Who Makes Surprisingly Good Omelettes and Toasts.

"A proper lady would need to think twice to consider laying a hand on a man like you."

"Good thing my taste is diverse and my expectations are severely low. That's why you're here anyway-"

"I am here not by my own volition." Grayfia coldly warned. Her words pierced like knives as per usual and without filter when she didn't have to. "Nonetheless I will maintain your needs, for the sake of your tasks' success."

"Now, now, don't put it that way. You're making it sound like I'm forcing myself on you. I'm not that desperate."

"A delightful assurance."

The assassin smirked. Credit where credit's due. Grayfia's dry comment was a droplet of water in this desert of ignorance.

"I'm never gonna get used to seeing you as a brunette. It's refreshing seeing you without the braids though."

"Your opinions matter little, but nonetheless appreciated."

"Yeah, yeah. Talk to you later, big sis. Or should I say, Onee-chama?"

The assassin etched a score for him as he saw Grayfia visibly shuddering as he exited the house. The first step outside his two-floored house, was the moment the plan was put into place. He had forged the general set of guidelines to not raise much suspicion if any. First of all; he should not arrive early, nor should he be late. Secondly, he had to be below average in most subjects, and be slightly better than average in ONE subject. The obvious choice would be Health and Physical Education as he had studied and practiced enough to tell where he should stick a pin or needle to kill a person. Or a pencil.

Thirdly, figure how the fuck he could avoid Rias and her lackeys. Bluntly ignoring her would never end well considering her status and her pride. Ignoring her might instead invite suspicion from her, because who would ignore her? One idea he had was to make her his enemy by doing things to make her hate him, but he realized that was stupid and would draw further attention and without a doubt, sheer hostility from her ever growing rabid fanbase.

So in the Avoid Rias department, he was in a bit of a pickle. Just now he realized his jobs required him to stay close with his 'client', not avoid them. But there was a first for everything, and he was always thrilled to learn and practice something new. It was like experiencing a drink he never tasted before; it could be putrid and the vilest thing he ever had to taste, or it could be unforgettable and addictive.

To sum it up, Issei decided to simply adapt with whatever scenarios may lay itself before him and the Gremory heiress.

As for his other job which was to sniff out the Fallen Angels and what the hell they were planning… it might not be that much difficult as Grayfia had found their hideout. A craggy old church in the outskirts of the Town of Kuoh, just outside the reach of Rias' jurisdiction. Getting in there wouldn't be too difficult, and if need be, he could always roleplay as an adventurous fool who do stupid spooky stuff such as venturing to whatever abandoned dwellings they could find and record it for clout.

But that wasn't until the evening or perhaps tomorrow. A more important task was at hand, and that was to infiltrate Kuoh Academy, and make up bullshit as necessary.

The way to his school was uneventful. Some girl with toast on her mouth bumped into another guy when she was turning a corner, but aside from that freak cliched accident, it was pretty much it. Kuoh was a moderately peaceful town with an admirably low crime rate, after all. At least if you put aside the spoopy supernatural happenings in there that occurred when everyone was dead asleep.

Stray Demons, Stray Devils, Stray Exorcists, Rogue Heroes, you name it. On paper, Kuoh Town belonged to Japan, but in the supernatural world, its ownership was split unevenly among the Devils, the Fallen Angels, and the Angels. Given its relatively small size, neither Heaven, Hell, or the Grigori were willing to expend too much manpower when they were already running thin on them, resulting in them tiptoeing around this region because they couldn't make up their mind on what to do with it, but weren't willing to completely give it up to the other two factions.

A small town containing much supernatural turmoil - in conclusion; a goldmine for someone of his occupation. Someone whose alignment skewed towards who could pay him most or had the most alluring offering depending on the circumstances and his needs. A wild card who belonged to neither of the three major factions and had no qualms in severing and creating ties when he saw fit. Someone who was unable to be fully tracked down given his non-supernatural background, and more slippery than a weasel that a Satan had to send one of Hell's most powerful magicians to ensure he remained on track, especially since he couldn't be bound to any contract other than some meaningless verbal agreement.

And that person was about to jump straight into the brewing chaos, because for some; chaos shouldn't be feared. Yet it might be a gaping pit that swallowed everything and turned everything to ruin, but with the right approach, chaos could be a ladder.

To be continued...

This was something that has been in my mind for a while; an Issei that isn't lazy but not tryhard, not an edgy one-liner gimp that tries too hard to be cool, but he's also not entirely lame. More about skills and equipment rather than being powered with bullshit OP powers, and has no clear alignment to the three major factions. As a person, he's rather detached and sort of a dork in normal conversation, but he's not a complete psycho or some whiny sucker who just breaks down whenever his sobby past got mentioned or goes into epic blind rage when his favorite waifu got decked in the face

he also doesn't believe in the power of friendship, though that doesn't mean he won't mind having one

He's basically a faceless assassin that defies most assassin-ish character tropes (cold, unemotional, short of words, say cool badass one-liners that people would steal into their fics, etc. etc.)

No Ddraig again this time since I can't find a way to nerf the Boosted Gear without making it entirely useless, so this obviously means "Issei" won't be anywhere near as powerful as his canon counterpart - hence my emphasis on skills. This also means the Boosted Gear will be transferred to someone else

I don't think this has been done before, and since in my recent stories the 'Issei' has been either completely harmless or unambitious, this Issei will be mostly harmful and somewhat ambitious. His goal isn't to be the very best or kill the strongest dude, but to enjoy his life to the fullest - in his case as I've mentioned; the thrill of the hunt

expect plenty of Darkest Dungeon quoting from him when it's appropriate

rated M because next chapter is about to get graphic