The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD

Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.

Sorry for the delay, but I've been busy with quite a few things lately, like writing applications to companies. Reason being that my training as an office administration clerk is coming to an end.

But I'll still make sure to keep the waiting time under less than a month, so don't worry about irregular chapter updates.

Anyway, here we come to the "boss fight" of this arc.

On this corner, we have Issei Hyoudou: age 16 (I decided to change his age to fit canon consistencies, thanks Dslayer19!), brown hair, brown eyes, 53 kg, 173 cm and the wielder of the Boosted Gear and Monika's special glasses

On the other corner, we have the Golden Boar: origin is supernatural, name is unknown, golden fur, approximately 310 kg, 4,03 m long, super strong physically, ability to mobilize ordinary boars, other abilities unknown

Who will win?

Will it be our hero (or heroes, should Matsuda and Motohama step into the fight)?

Or will it be the Golden Boar?

Find out in…

Chapter 20 – Gullinbursti Arc, Part 4

15th September, Saturday, 5:48 pm – in a clearing in the forest

Issei and the golden boar were staring each other down. Issei was boosting his power, growing in strength. The golden boar on the other hand, remained standing where it was, its fur glistening in the evening autumn sun.

Both of them were so focused on the other that they ignored everything else around them, except each other.

Matsuda and Motohama were looking on anxiously, as Issei boosted his power.

[Boost!] The Boosted Gear went, doubling Issei's power once more.

As they waited, Motohama couldn't help but whisper to Matsuda.

"Dude, how come nobody is making a move?" Motohama asked quietly.

"I don't know," Matsuda whispered back. "I guess they're just waiting to see what the other one does… and then strike…," he guessed.

Motohama gulped. The situation was tense. Anything could happen in a fight like this.

Issei may the Boosted Gear and all, but the golden boar was a mystery factor. They didn't know much about it – where it came from or what its powers are. Come to think about it, they didn't even know why it was attacking them. Was it because they were intruders? Or perhaps…

Matsuda and Motohama both glanced each other and looked at the each other's boar furs, covered around their waist.

…Could that have been the reason?

[Boost!] The Boosted Gear rang again, breaking their lines of thought. It was then that Issei bent his knees slightly, as if taking a fighting stance.

The golden boar, seemingly recognizing Issei's actions, crouched as though it were also taking a fighting stance.

None of them uttered a sound until Issei gulped. He was truly nervous, but he wasn't allowed to show it. For Ddraig had taught him in one of their training sessions never to show fear in a fight. As a result, he gestured the boar to come with his hand.

"Ready when you are," Issei said to the golden boar, even though he wasn't sure whether it could understand human speech.

But the boar seemingly could… and thus rushed at Issei!

Issei braced himself. A full on ramming attack (tusks first!) – That is dangerous! However, just because it was humongous, didn't mean it was invincible.

Issei put forward his Boosted Gear arm and readied to catch the boar's tusks. The boar lowered its head, ready to strike Issei from below… and then…

[Boost!] Issei doubled his strength again.

Issei caught them! The tusks barely managed to pierce his stomach, as Issei gritted his teeth, while being pushed back with his feet dragging on the ground. Thankfully, for him the dragging became slower, as he got a better grip on the ground and the boar's tusks until both Issei and the golden boar came to a standstill.

"H-h-he…" Matsuda said, as he looked on with widened eyes.

"He stopped it! Issei stopped it!" Motohama said with a delighted face.

Indeed. Right now, the golden boar and Issei were struggling to gain dominance. Even though, the boar was bigger and stronger than Issei, it clearly had problems overwhelming Issei's strength.

Moreover, it's quite obvious to everyone (including the golden boar) that Issei could increase his power every ten seconds, it was clear that Issei would win. So, that means this match should be Issei's, right?

Unfortunately, for him, the boar had other weapons in its arsenal.

[Flash!] The boar's fur suddenly, flashed brightly illuminating the forest clearing.

"Kuh!" Issei closed his eyes, as the light overwhelmed his senses, giving his opponent an opening.

"BWWEEEE!" the boar grunted and moved its head upwards to run Issei through from below with its tusks.

"Hrrgh!" Issei came within an inch of being pierced, as he increased his grip on the horns for dear life. However, because the boar was trying to attack Issei from below, Issei got lifted up from below and tossed into the air.

Matsuda and Motohama recovered from the blinding flash to see Issei flying into the air.

""ISSEI!"" the two of them cried out in horror.

"Ugh!" Issei landed on the ground with a thud, moaning in pain, whilst trying to get up.

Matsuda and Motohama sighed in relief. Thank goodness! He was OK! However, a look at the golden boar, turned their relief back into horror again, for the boar was trying to rush at Issei once again.

""ISSEI, GET UP!"" the two of them cried out again. Motohama was getting ready to throw a black glue cube at the fiend and would have done so, had Issei not suddenly gotten up and jumped out of the way.

The boar missed by a few inches, as it whizzed past Issei, who was on his feet again.

"Man, that was close!" Issei said to himself in relief, as he knocked the dust of his pants.

[Yes, Partner. But the fight is not over yet] Ddraig warned him.

Issei turned to look at his opponent, which had stopped in its tracks and had just turned around to face Issei for its next attack.

The boar readied itself and went at Issei once again with its tusks. As with the last time, it tried to attack Issei by striking him from below.

[Partner! Watch out!] Ddraig called out.

Issei readied himself just like the first time and took the attack head-on, catching the boar's tusks once again. Issei grunted, as he was pushed back. But once again, he managed to stand his ground, as he slid to a halt.

Both the boar and Issei found themselves in the same struggle for dominance once more…

[Flash!] …with the same scenario as before happening again, too.

"Kuh! The light… WAAAH!?" Issei shouted, as the boar's flashing fur disrupted his concentration, causing the golden boar to toss him away…

"AGAIN!?" "ISSEI, NO!" Matsuda and Motohama shouted, as they saw their friend hit a tree trunk at the edge of the clearing. Issei groaned in pain again, suffering the blunt pain of being buffered repeatedly. Issei was actually getting tired… really tired…

[Reset!] The Boosted Gear's powers reset themselves to base level, too.

"BWWEEE!" the huge golden boar squealed.

At first, Matsuda and Motohama expected the boar to make a straight dash towards Issei. But to their surprise, the big boar kept its distance. It seemed to walk around him, as if an invisible circle kept it from entering the vicinity of their downed friend. They were unsure of what it was doing or why it was doing it, yet continued staring nonetheless.

That was when the huge golden boar stopped… and then it readied himself for a charge.

At that moment, Motohama realized something. As if on cue, he remembered the last time they encountered the boar. He remembered the time it tried to skewer Matsuda, only to end up missing and getting itself stuck in a tree trunk instead. Which meant… It was preparing to launch an attack from the side, so that it wouldn't get itself stuck in a tree trunk!

So, it learned from the last fight… clever… But right now… that didn't matter. What mattered was Issei, something that was clear to both him and Matsuda.

"Get up, Issei! You can't die yet!" Motohama called out.

"Issei, come one! Get up!" Matsuda joined in.

The boar, being unconcerned of the cries of the duo nearby, started running, tusks ready to strike Issei.

Matsuda and Motohama looked on in despair, but their moment of despair turned into hope, when Issei stirred and raised his body up. He did so, not only because of the shouting of his friends or the knowledge of impending danger, but also because of Ddraig's urging.

[It's getting ready to attack! Partner, get up!] Ddraig urged his host.

Issei looked up to see the boar get to him with a two seconds distance. He panicked and looked around for a solution. There was no way he could take it head on, considering his powers were back to normal. And he didn't have any other tools to fight it either, so something else needed to be done… Suddenly, he had an idea. He moved around the tree, he had landed against and… avoided the attack! The boar missed Issei once again, as it made sure not to hit another tree-trunk.

Issei smirked. He was right. It worked.

The boar halted and turned around furiously. The huge golden boar glared Issei with fury in its eyes and readied for another charge. It went for another attack, rushing directly at Issei… and missed again, courtesy of Issei moving around the tree again.

As the boar stopped, as it got into the clearing, Issei chuckled.

This was kind of fun. If he kept doing this, the boar might tire out and leave itself vulnerable.

[Partner, I would not recommend this strategy] Ddraig said, ever aware at what Issei was thinking.

"Why not?" Issei asked, looking at Ddraig in confusion. What was wrong with it? It was working wasn't it?

[Creatures like these are quite strong. Using a mere tree as a shield won't be of much use] Ddraig explained.

Issei looked at the Boosted Gear in shock, before turning to look at the golden boar, who was ready to charge at Issei once more. Issei looked with some concern, but still had his doubts.

"But that golden porker avoided the tree trunks just now. Oh! And it even got stuck in a tree trunk when Matsuda and Motohama were fighting it, so why would it be different this time?" Issei questioned Ddraig.

[Because the tree it got caught in earlier was way bigger and thicker than this tree right here. Meaning tha-] Ddraig explained, but a cry cut them off.

"BWWWWEEEEEE!" the boar cried out, as it rushed straight at Issei, who was still behind the tree. Whoa, by the speed it was running, it looks like it wants to…

[Get out of here! Move!] Ddraig told Issei. Issei ran away as far from the tree as possible, as if that was the threat trying to kill him and not the golden boar on the other side.

[BOOM!] With a loud sound the tree was starting to move… more like it was toppling and falling down on Issei!

"OH, CRA-!" Issei shouted, as he closed his eyes and shielded himself.

[BOOM!] The crown of the tree with all its boughs and autumn foliage landed on top of Issei.

Matsuda and Motohama had just gotten closer to where the scene of the carnage was taking place. Their eyes widened when they saw that one of the trees had just collapsed and fallen on their friend.

""ISSEI!"" the two of them yelled out once again.

As Matsuda and Motohama looked on uncertain whether he was alive or not, Issei (unbeknownst to them) crawled out of the mass of wood and foliage, rubbing and checking for sores on his body and brushing off the leaves and dirt.

"Oh, man… ouch… that was close…" Issei groaned, as he rubbed his back. "I really wish you could have told me this advice sooner…"

[Partner, it's commonsense for a creature this big and strong to be able to take down a tree] Ddraig chided him.

Issei took on a sour look. "Yeah, but anyway… how do we beat this thing? Every time I try to take down that gigantic boar, it flashed me and I get taken out. What am I supposed to do?"

[I'm not sure… Close your eyes and fight?] Ddraig tried to help.

Issei scoffed. "Who do you think I am? A martial artist that can fight while blind?" he remarked sarcastically, before focusing on the problem at hand.

"If only there was a way to fight this thing, while seeing and not getting blind at the same time… I mean, if I had sunglasses that might help, but I don't have any… All I have are…" Issei pondered, before he had an idea.

"All I have are… are…" Issei repeated, as his eyes then brightened.

[Partner?] Ddraig asked his host questioningly.

But Issei didn't answer him. Instead, he activated his special glasses.

Once, they manifested on the bridge of his nose, Issei immediately went through the settings.

He had seen some of the functions in passing, but he was certain there were a lot more that he hadn't discovered. And if he was correct, then…

"Bingo!" Issei exclaimed.

[What? What is it, Partner] Ddraig asked Issei, being taken aback by his reaction somewhat.

Issei smirked with a goofy grin. "Ddraig, I think I've got an idea," he said with glee. After saying this, the lenses of his glasses darkened.

Just then, the golden boar charged at Issei, thinking that it could finally finish Issei off.

[Boost!] The Boosted Gear sounded, starting Issei's power growth anew.

The boar comes closer… Issei holds his arms out, ready to catch it by the tusks… and… Issei seizes the boar by the tusks!

Unfortunately, Issei was being pushed back by his lack of power. The boar grunts, as it tries to run Issei through. Yet Issei grips the tusks tightly. That was when the boar made a turn and decided to run Issei against a tree.

Issei looks behind in fright. He hoped the next boost would come soon.

[Boost!] Thank goodness, his prayers were answered!

Issei's shoes were grinding against the ground, as the boar's pushing slowed down. They were still moving towards the tree, but it was becoming quite clear to the boar that Issei wasn't going to be run through. That's why the boar let its fur brighten up and blind Issei, as it has before.

As the light flashed, the boar was expecting Issei to let go or flinch and get himself killed, but to its surprise… Issei's grip remained.

"Heh, not this time," Issei smirked cockily, as the next [Boost!] sounded, causing Issei to grip the boar's tusks even stronger.

The golden boar widened its eyes in shock, as it found itself being lifted off the ground. The boar tried to struggle, shaking its body and legs as well as it could. It even tried to flash Issei multiple times, but to no avail.

Matsuda and Motohama couldn't help but be astonished, while shielding their eyes from the repeated flashes.

"Hey, how come Issei isn't affected by this anymore?" Matsuda asked.

"I think it may have something to do with those glasses of his. I saw him tampering around with them and smiling to himself. I think that Issei has managed to find a filter that manages to give him immunity or something," Motohama answered.

"What kind of filter do you think it might be?" Matsuda asked again.

"Beats me! All I know that the tide has turned. And that's all that matters," Motohama managed to grin ear to ear, despite the flashing lights.

Matsuda did the same, before trying to face the fight before him and shouting: "Go get him, Issei!"

[Boost!] Meanwhile, Issei's power doubled again.

Issei lifted up the boar above his head, as if performing in a circus act.

The boar struggled helplessly, as Issei… slammed the boar unto the ground!

As it lay writhing on its side, Issei fell upon it and started punching its head repeatedly.

The boar tried to get on its four feet, but Issei wrapped his left arm around its neck to prevent it from breaking free. With his other arm, Issei punches the boar in its face repeatedly. The huge beast flailed and thrashed, but couldn't shake Issei off. There were times, where Issei almost got thrown away, but he still managed to keep his grip.

To Issei, it felt like he was in a match between a rodeo and a wrestling competition of some sort – only this "match" was a fight to the death. Issei knew this and thus kept his head in the fight.

Slowly but surely, the boar was getting tired. No matter what it did, it couldn't get Issei off and the repeated punches to the face weren't helping to say the least. It was weakening, something Issei, Ddraig, Matsuda and Motohama noticed.

[Good, Partner. Keep it up! You've almost got it!] Ddraig spoke to Issei with enthusiasm, but upon seeing Issei's face, he could see something was wrong. He could see Issei was straining and doing his best to subdue the boar, but his face betrayed a bit of hesitation – a desire to stop, like he didn't want to kill the boar.

[Partner!] Ddraig spoke up to Issei. [Do not even think of going easy on that pig. Go all out! Do not show it any mercy!]

"B-but… Ddraig…" Issei grunted, as he argued. "If I go all out… hrgh… it's going to die…"

[Partner!] Ddraig said to Issei. [I though I told you. There is no shame of fighting and killing in self-defense or protecting your family and friends! It's either kill or be killed in the wild. So, keep your mind steady, before this pig takes advantage of you and finishes you.]

"But Ddraig…" Issei tried to argue, but Ddraig cut him off.

[No buts! This is how fights are going to be from now on. Besides, count on the fact that this porker hasn't even used all its powers yet] Ddraig answered back.

"What… do you mean?" Issei asked Ddraig.

Before Ddraig could answer him, the boar did something unexpected.

"BWWWWEEEEEEEEEE!" it squealed loudly.

Issei immediately grimaced in pain. The cry of the supernatural beast rang painfully in his ears. The same went for Matsuda and Motohama, who unlike Issei had managed to close their ears.

Before Issei could recover from the shock, the boar like before tossed Issei high into the air by suddenly standing on its hind legs.

"WHAAAA! OOF!" Issei yelled and grunted upon impacting on the grassy ground. It always hurt, no matter how often it happened to him.

"ISSEI!" Motohama yelled his friend's name once again.

"Motohama, I think we need to…" Matsuda was about to suggest that Motohama use his glue gloves to save Issei.

But then, came the sound of hooves and grunting, rushing to the clearing at running speed.

Issei, who was trying to get up, could also hear the sounds and also their cause – namely a horde of wild boars rushing towards his position. Before, Issei could do any more, the heavy steps of his huge opponent neared his prone body. Issei widened his eyes in shock, as he laid upon his golden opponent.

His shock turned to more pain, as it stepped upon him his stomach with its hooves. Issei cried out, as he felt the weight of the boar upon him. It was heavy. Very heavy. He was honestly surprised he had not been crushed to death, but reasoned that the extra strength given to him by the Boosted Gear might have saved him.

He did not have much time to think about it though, since the golden boar was about to ram Issei with its tusks – this time targeting his helpless opponent through his throat. Thankfully, Issei had his arms free and could prevent the golden boar from piercing his throat.

[Partner, fight it off! Boost your powers] Ddraig urged Issei.

"I'm trying… I'm trying…" Issei gritted his teeth in response.

As Issei and the golden boar struggled in another battle of strength and will, Issei couldn't help but look towards the newly arrived boars (or returning ones, Issei could not tell which one it was).

To his surprise the horde of boars didn't seem to be interested in him. Instead, they halted in a semi-circle formation right before the golden boar, as if awaiting orders.

The boar glanced sideways at his brethren and grunted and squealed.

"GRUNT! GRUNT! BWWEEEEEEE!" the huge boar said in a language only the boars could understand and then gestured with its head towards Matsuda and Motohama, who both looked fearful, yet uncertain at what was happening before them.

But then the boars squealed and grunted loudly, making Matsuda and Motohama very suspicious at what was being said.

"I have a bad feeling about this, man…" Matsuda said fearfully to Motohama.

"Me too…" Motohama replied, as both he and Matsuda slowly backed away… and then ran as fast as their legs could carry them.

"BWWWEEEEEE! BWWEEEE! BWWWWEEEEE! BWWWEEEEE! BWWEEEEEEEE!" the sounds of angry squeals sounded even louder, as the horde of boars rushed in pursuit.

"MATSUDA! MOTOHAMA!" Issei cried out, as he tried to help them, but couldn't because of the huge golden boar still bearing down on him. The boar didn't give up on trying to kill Issei, while Issei tried his best to get it off him.

Despite the dire situation he was in, he couldn't help but move his gaze at his fleeing friends and the pursuing horde. He could see Matsuda's and Motohama's desperate faces, as tried to keep ahead of their pursuers. He could also see them making a turn to the right, as more boars came from the forest to chase them.

Motohama had his gloves out by now and throwing everything he got at their pursuers. While it did manage to entrap a few of them and cause them to stumble, the sheer number of boars coming after them were far too many. What's even worse was that the boars were coming closer! It would only be about twenty seconds until Matsuda and Motohama were run over and mauled by the horde!

"Damn it!" Issei cursed, as he tried to increase his power.

[Boost!] The Boosted Gear sounded. Issei's strength doubled, but the boar did not waver. That was especially true, given that he wasn't exactly in a position to push it off him.

"DAMN IT!" Issei cursed even louder, as the boars were getting closer to skewering his friends.

[Partner!] Ddraig called out to Issei again.

"DAMN IT!" Issei shouted as loud as he could, as he tried everything to get the overbearing boar off him. But the huge boar was relentless in its attack and wouldn't let up in its attempts to run Issei through with its tusks.

It was then that everything turned into slow-motion for Issei. A second now felt like a minute and a minute now felt like an hour. Exactly what slow-motion was.

"Ddraig! What do I do?" Issei asked Ddraig, but Ddraig didn't answer him.

"Ddraig, I need you. Matsuda and Motohama are going to die! So, do something!" Issei implored for Ddraig to tell him what to do, just say something at least. However, Ddraig did not answer.

Issei looked at his friends at the distance, running for their lives. Right now, they were running in slow-motion, as were the boars right behind them. Issei could see that it would only be a matter of seconds until they caught up with them. Motohama was trying his best to keep them at bay with his glue gloves, even if it was obvious that they were going to die anyway.

As for the golden boar, it remained as it is, bearing down on Issei in its attempt to overpower him. Issei wasn't too worried about his own situation, yet also knew that he couldn't keep up with this forever.

Issei sighed despondently and was contemplating in silence.

"Is this the end?" Issei asked himself, as all hope seemed to die. "All our lives… everything we did… dreamed… fought for… was it all just for it to end here…?"

Issei chuckled.

"What a joke. After all that has happened, all this build-up, all the insinuations from Ddraig that I was to the Red Dragon Emperor… Some great Sekiryuutei, I am," Issei chuckled in self-mockery. "I mean, I can't even beat this piece of pork... though then again, that's only because I hesitated to kill this thing…"

Issei's chuckling stopped upon that thought.

"…But that means… that all of this is my fault… If I hadn't hesitated, I… We wouldn't be in this situation… But killing… even killing to protect… it's too hard… I just can't do it… I… wish the Boosted Gear never came to me… I'm just… a failure…" Issei said bitterly, his hope all but disappeared.

Issei looks up to the sky.

"It's over… whoever you are… or how many of you there are… God… angels… or whoever… It's over… Please… just end it… Take me to my parents…" Issei mumbled to himself.

Just as he was about to let go of the boar's tusks and let the boar end his life, he saw the birds up in the deep blue sky. It was then that Issei was reminded of Ddraig's words.

Flashback

[Well, flying doesn't come easy at first. You have to learn how to use your wings and lift up from the ground. You run, you jump, you fall, you hit the ground… nothing pleasant at first. Learning to lift off the ground takes a lot of practice, but after a while, you can succeed. After you learn how to lift off the ground, the challenge is not over yet. For then you learn how to stay up there for as long as possible. It might take you ten seconds, twenty, thirty, a minute or even ten minutes, but eventually you, too, can succeed. But after that, even after you have mastered the ability to stay above the ground for longer periods of time, you are still not done. You need to learn how to fight against wind and weather, obstacles like trees and rocks and other flying creatures like birds, insects and dragons. All these things will try to bring you to the ground, but you must never let them hinder you. Only, after overcoming all these challenges… only then… can you soar above the clouds, braving through the skies with no one to stop you. That… is when you truly are flying. That is when you truly can feel the delight and joy of flying that can never be put into words. I could try to describe it to you as well as I can, but even then, it would do the word 'flying' no justice. The only way, your question can be answered… is if you reach that stage on your own.]

Flashback end

"Lifting from the ground… running… jumping… falling… hitting the ground… staying above the ground… maneuvering… braving through the skies…" Issei mumbled Ddraig's words to himself. "And all of this is possible when one never gives up…"

Issei then looked at the Boosted Gear and chuckled once more – this time, his chuckles weren't self-mocking, but more positive, as if laughing at his own obliviousness.

"Of course. Why didn't I think of it this way? If I had been a failure. How did I manage to get this far? I… We all have faced through worse and we've come alive nonetheless. Even if we don't, at least I can go out trying…" Issei said with determination.

[Boost!] The Boosted Gear doubled power again.

"More! I can do more!" Issei said to the Boosted Gear, as he pushed it to its fullest potential.

[Boost!] Again, it doubled its power.

"Come on!" Issei said, his teeth gritted in agony, as he pushed back against the golden boar.

[Boost!] More power flowed inside Issei's human body.

"ARRGHH!" Issei screamed, as he gave it his all.

That was when a bright light shone and illuminated the Boosted Gear!

[Dragon Booster! Second Liberation!] The Boosted Gear announced, as the light faded away.

"Huh?" Issei gave out, as the Boosted Gear changed shape for some reason. The Boosted Gear seemed to grow bigger and its edges (especially its fingers) seemed to be sharper.

But before he could think further, the light shone brighter once again, as the Boosted Gear made another announcement.

[Explosion!]

Issei's slow-motion experience ended and with a push and a great flash of light, the golden boar was suddenly thrown off Issei's body and was thrown a good distance away.

Issei panted heavily, as he felt the weight literally lifted of his body. But before he could do anything more, information went through his head. Issei took it in. He couldn't quite comprehend the information he was taking in, but at the same time, he knew what needed to be done.

Issei struggled to get on his feet, before calling out.

"MOTOHAMA!" he called out.

The running Motohama and Matsuda turned to look at Issei, as the aggressive boars were about a few feet away from them.

"USE THE GLUE GLOVES! NOW!" Issei called out.

Motohama didn't quite understand why Issei said that, but decided that now was not the time to think and thus prepared two black glue cubes.

That was when Issei made his move.

"Boosted Gear! The second ability!" Issei shouted.

With the power Issei received through [Explosion!], he held out his arm towards Motohama's gloves and sent the power to him.

"Boosted Gear Gift!"

[Transfer!]

"WHOA!" "WHAT THE…!" Matsuda and Motohama exclaimed in shock.

The reason for that being because Motohama found himself holding not two smaller cubes in his gloved hands, but two humungous ones about as big as he was!

And because the cubes were so big, Motohama ended up losing his balance and fall down right as the boars would be touching their target. Matsuda also fell a split-second afterwards because he tripped over a stone.

[SPLURGE!] [SPLAT!] A great explosion of black gooey matter covered the two boys and the boars as well.

Issei instinctively closed his eyes upon being hit by the gigantic explosion, as his face got splatters of black gooey mass on him. When Issei opened his eyes, he saw to his surprise that the landscape before him and transformed from a nice grassy clearing to something of an oil accident. Moreover, all the pigs were stuck in this gluey splurge of mess and couldn't do anything really, except grunt struggle and squeal.

Issei looked hard. Where were Matsuda and Motohama?

"Man, that was close!" Issei heard a voice from among the grunting and squealing pigs.

"You got that right! But now what? And what did you just do?" Issei heard another voice speaking.

"I dunno! I heard Issei call out and then he did something with the Boosted Gear and the next second… big black human-sized cubes were in my hand and BOOM!" Issei could finally see a black gooey figure with a pair of hands making the gesture of an explosion. Right next to him was a similar figure just standing there.

"We should really ask Issei about this later," one of them said.

"Yeah, but first I need a bath because… yuck! This really sucks!" the other one said.

Issei sighed out in relief. Good… They were OK…

[Reset!] Issei's powers drained from him, as he collapsed exhausted on the ground.

Nobody could blame him, since he did give his all just now.

As Issei lay there, completely exhausted, he couldn't help but wonder what that was. He looked at the Boosted Gear and saw that it still maintained its new shape.

"Is this… an upgrade…?" Issei asked himself weakly.

[In a way, Partner. It is the second stage of the Boosted Gear, namely the Boosted Gear Gift] Ddraig answered.

"Ddraig! Where the heck were you? I've been calling you over and over again. Why didn't you talk to me?" Issei demanded.

[…Um… I'm not sure what you mean…] Ddraig answered confused (which doesn't happen often).

Issei groaned, as he started to explain. "Just a few seconds ago, I asked you what I should do to save Matsuda and Motohama. I was getting really desperate, too, and you didn't answer me. So, what were you doing?"

[Did you ever ask me that? I can't recall, for the last thing I remember before the Boosted Gear Gift was awakened was you shouting "Damn it!" over and over again. So, what do you mean?] Ddraig asked, still confused.

"Huh?" This time it was Issei's turn to be confused, as it became clear to him that Ddraig was obviously confused. "But… wait! It… The- I mean, the slow-motion mode…" Issei stammered.

[Slow-motion mode? Are you alright, Partner?] Ddraig asked concerned for the mental well-being of his host.

"I… uh… never mind!" Issei quickly replied, before addressing something that Ddraig said before. "You said something about the… uh… "second stage". What did you mean by that?"

[Oh, that! What I meant by that was that you have achieved the Boosted Gear Gift. It is, as I said before the second stage of your growth. This gear enables you not only signifies that your strength has grown considerably to the degree that you can do more [Boosts!] than before, but also the ability to transfer your power unto others – like you did just now] Ddraig explained.

"I did?" Issei asked confused, before turning his face at the black gooey mess before him. "I see… I really have grown have I?"

[Indeed, you have, Partner. Indeed, you ha-] Ddraig affirmed, before some angry grunts and stomps interrupted him.

It turns out to be none other than a worn-out, yet furious golden boar, covered in dirt and bruises from the beating and thrashing it had received from Issei not too long ago. Nevertheless, it still had enough strength to keep it going for a while.

"Oh, crud… This thing never gives up, does it?" Issei murmured, as he tried to get up. Unfortunately, he could not for he was enormously drained from fighting, running and using the Boosted Gear all day long.

[Partner, get up!] Ddraig called out to Issei.

"I wish… ugh… uhh…" Issei, as he tried in vain to lift himself up, but his arms and legs were like lead. They would not let him.

[Come on, Partner!] Ddraig beckoned him, as the furious boar came closer and stood over him.

It readied to ram Issei through with its tusks for what would be last time it would ever have to do with this opponent.

"ISSEI!" "NOOOO!" Matsuda and Motohama called out from the distance, as they tried to get out of the gooey mess, but couldn't because of its stickiness.

Just when everybody thought that this was the inevitable end for Issei…

"STOP!" a man's voice called out with authority.

Everybody stopped what they were doing and looked its source. To everybody's confusion, there stood a bearded man in Germanic warrior's attire, wearing armor, boots, a cape and a sword.

The only one who wasn't confused was the golden boar, which squealed loudly in shock.

"Tis' enough, Gullinbursti! You have caused more than enough trouble just by running away. Now you seek to skewer this boy? Return to your master's fold, now!"

"BWWWEEEEE! BWWWWWEEEEEEE!" the boar, now known as Gullinbursti tried to run for its life from this unknown man.

But the man was faster. With a dash and a sword drawn in his hand, he struck the boar's hind legs. Gullinbursti fell to the ground immediately with a thud.

"BWEE! BWWEEE! BWEEE!" the boar squealed in pain, as it writhed on the ground because of its bleeding legs.

The swordsman, on the other hand, wiped his sword against his cape, before putting it back.

"Do not worry. I'll tend to your injuries later, but for now endure the pain for your foolish behavior," the man said without even glancing back.

The three boys watched in shock at what had transpired. Did he just do all that? Who was this guy even?

[Partner, be careful] Ddraig warned Issei. [This is no ordinary human being. Judging by his appearance, he must be of Nordic origin – the kinds of Odin and Thor.]

Issei widened his eyes in shock. This man was… a god!? Issei turned to look at him. Is this is what gods look like? If he didn't know any better, he would say that this was a normal guy. Handsome and good-looking, but still human (if he didn't know any better that is). Come to think about it, the Nordic gods always did look like human beings, so… could it be? The legends about them were true all this time?

It was then that the man approached Issei and helped Issei up, much to Issei's shock.

"Forgive my familiar's behavior. I hope he hasn't caused too much trouble," the Nordic god said to Issei.

Issei didn't say anything. The shock of meeting a god was still fresh on his mind and thus he couldn't say a word.

It was then that the god saw the Boosted Gear on Issei's left arm.

"The Boosted Gear…" the man voiced out in surprise.

That was when Ddraig spoke up. [Indeed. I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor and one of the two Heavenly Dragons. This here is my host, Issei Hyoudou. We were minding our own business when your familiar attacked us and our friends over there at the mass of black glue.]

The man turned and saw Matsuda and Motohama standing there and waving nervously.

"I see… I am honored to meet your acquaintance, Sekiryuutei," the deity said to Ddraig respectfully.

Ddraig simply hummed, while Issei still stood there still rather shocked, yet a bit more responsive at the god before him. He followed the conversation before him, but was uncertain on what to say or do, which is why he let Ddraig do the talking.

"Once again, forgive my familiar's transgression. I should have kept a better eye on him, instead of neglecting him," the Nordic god bowed his head apologetically.

[Well, it's not like there hasn't been anything good coming out of it. I mean, thanks to the struggle my host put up, he has become stronger now] Ddraig revealed.

"Oh, that's nice to know…" the deity answered.

[Yes… Anyway, you haven't quite told us who you are or why you and your familiar are here] Ddraig told the manly god.

"Oh, yes. Forgive me, Sekiryuutei. And you, too, Master Hyoudou," the deity spoke politely, before clearing his throat. "Greetings. I am Freyr, son of Njörðr, god of virility, prosperity, sunshine and fair weather. I have come here all the way to rein in my foolish subject Gullinbursti. And my story as to how it started begins thus…"


And that was Chapter 20 of the Lone Vigilante Issei.

Now, a lot of you probably guessed that the name "Gullinbursti" refers to the golden boar in this arc.

Now, perhaps I should explain as to who Gullinbursti is.

Gullinbursti is a golden pig forged by Eitri, one of the sons of Ivaldi (dwarves) in a bet. He made Gullinbursti by throwing in a pig skin into the furnace until it created the shining golden pig, known as Gullinbursti.

Gullinbursti would go on to be Freyr's familiar, ready to be used as a means for transportation to pull his chariot. Other than Gullinbursti, Freyr also had the ship Skidbladnir at his side, ready to be used.

And speaking of Freyr, yes, he was the one who appeared in the student council room in one of the previous chapters. And he's also the guy who appears here in this chapter.

But what's his story? And why did Gullinbursti rebel against him?

Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Whew! As for my comments for this chapter, I'm sorry this chapter is… rather short, but all I wanted to put in was this fight scene and figuring out the mechanics for this fight wasn't easy.

But now that the fight is out of the way, please tell me about your thoughts of this chapter. I'd like to hear them.

And as always, I hope to see you next chapter.

Until then.

Hide Shinyama