Absolute
This is my first attempt at writing a gamer system story. Thanks for the That horned guy for giving me some tips on it. Having said that, his system and mine, as our stories in a whole, are vastly different. This first chapter is a basic introduction while some changes. The fic is an AU, though the biggest changes I would say is on Issei's backgrounds. Either way, hope you enjoy.
The trains that run across Japan are ridiculously convenient things used every day by all sorts of people, and as such, they can attract some weird characters from time to time. Such as a young man reading a porn magazine in the open, without any shame or restrictions.
The young man was wearing a pair of shows, some jeans, and a red shirt and seemed to have no other possession with him, besides his magazine.
Workers tried to ignore him, some other young men of his age range seemed impressed with his courage while the woman berated him, especially the ones with kids. And all kids had either their eyes or their ears covered.
That was none other than Hyoudou Issei, a previous first-year student at Kuoh Academy, and a future second-year student. And he was unfazed by the looks and comments made towards him as he happily read through his magazine.
"Damn! Hatano-chan's last photo session was amazing!"
He said out loud, unconcerned about the reactions of those around him. In Kuoh Town he was known as The Pervert King, an absolute mad idiot that had no shame talking about the female body, porn, and sex, no matter the time, place, or circumstances. He was open about his pervertedness like no one else.
"An absolute threat to society!" According to some female students of Kuoh Academy. But just like as he is on the train right now, none of that ever seemed to bother Issei.
Though currently, he wasn't in Kuoh, actually he was a bit far from it.
"Yo!"
Suddenly, another young man approached Issei. Even during vacations, this newcomer was using his school uniform, even if it was ragged. He also had a jacket on his body and some piercings on his face. His expression seemed to scream trouble.
"Yo, how can I help you?"
Issei promptly closed his magazine and with a friendly smile looked at the person that called for him. Instead of a man, he saw a fist coming in his direction.
Everyone on the train was tense, praying for that to end fast as they did not want to get involved. However, the scene that they expected of the perverted being knocked out cold after receiving that punch, did not happen.
Instead, Issei was holding the fist with two fingers only. Widened eyes and shocked expressions were common across the passengers, while Issei looked slightly annoyed.
"Could you not? You are bothering everyone else."
Issei said as he pushed the fist back, almost making the delinquent fall. His words, unfortunately, were ignored.
"So you are the Hyoudou Issei."
The delinquent said, snapping his fingers and with a shitty grin.
"The one and only!" Issei said with a smug smile. "So, guess you wanna be beaten as well. Can you wait until we get to a better place?"
Issei asked nonchalantly as he just went back to reading his magazine.
"You won't be so full of yourself soon either way, so I am fine if waiting."
Issei happily read his magazine, ignoring the weird and curious gazes sent to him. The delinquent sat down in his opposite direction, annoyed that the chestnut paid no attention to him. The tension on the train could be cut with a knife, and all the passengers thanked the heavens when they arrived at their station.
As they got out, Issei went after the guy that challenged him. He already knew how these things went, so he just let him lead the way.
If the delinquent paid attention he would have noticed that, as they went out of their wagon the chestnut magazine had suddenly disappeared, however, he wasn't paying attention.
Their stop was only a five-minute walk from the station, and it had taken been a bit longer as Issei stopped to buy a lollipop, much to his "challenger" annoyance.
When they finally arrived, for the chestnut lack of surprise, waiting for him was a whole group of probably ten to fifteen men.
"YOU ARE DONE NOW HYOUDOU!"
As soon as he appeared, one of them screamed, bringing down on him a baseball bat.
"And you are the fifty-ninth to say that."
Issei said casually. His only action was raising his right arm. And as a result, once the bat hit his arm it simply broke in half. The group locked gobsmacked, and the first to attack failed to react when Issei, in return punched him in the face. The guy simply fell on the ground unconscious after one punch.
"G-GET HIM!"
It wasn't clear who screamed, but after that, they all jumped at Issei. What followed was simple, at least for Issei. Barely having to dodge, and only doing so to avoid making his clothes get messier, and then punching or kicking someone, making them go down. It wasn't a fight, as it was too brief and unilateral to be called such.
When it was all said and done, there was a bunch of unconscious delinquents on the ground as Issei finished his lollipop, with not even a break of sweat.
He walked to the nearest trash bin and threw the stick of the lollipop there, before moving forward.
'What should I do first? Probably book a place for the night.'
He thought to himself, walking away, not paying attention to the groans of the pain of the ones he put down. After all, for the well know strongest delinquent of Kuoh, this was just another usual day.
'Any preference Ddraig?'
He asked the Red Dragon living on his soul.
[I would prefer if you stopped to train before instead, those fools barely counted as a warm-up after all.]
'True. I heard there are some nice bathhouses around here as well, so going there after training would be nice. Anything you want to eat?'
[Maybe later.]
Ddraig said, and there was a hint of happiness in her voice. The dragon could not deny that it was quite enjoyable to have a host that treated her as a friend.
[…]
"I see, Hyoudou Issei, the current Red Dragon Emperor, as usual, but also… he is still somewhat of a divergent… Yup, he will do."
On the skies of the city, there was a figure with a huge cape covering his body. He looked down at Issei, murmuring to himself with a satisfied expression. His cape moved and the figure was no longer there, as if it never even were, to begin with.
[…]
The sun was now setting, the whole afternoon had passed when Issei finally finished his training session.
"That was fun, but I need a bath."
He commented to himself. Currently, he was only wearing his shoes and jeans but put on a jacket since he was done training.
In front of him was a destroyed landscape, something that normal humans would think could only be caused by either weapons or natural disasters.
[Do not forget to call your parents later.]
Ddraig reminded him, knowing her user can be a bit absent-minded sometimes.
"Noted. Buuut that can wait."
The chestnut said as he took sweat out of his face. He was craving a bath now.
"Time to try one of those bathhouses!"
The sekiryuutei said as he was happily whistling a song, going back in the town's direction. He was having quite the vacation.
As a child, his perversion always got him in a bit of trouble but also attracted all sorts of guys that wanted to beat him to look better. However, Issei was always naturally stronger than those of his age, and even above, so when he realized, he had already beaten down a lot of people.
It was in this way he got his fame as a delinquent. And that fame attracted more people to beat down until the Delinquent King of Kuoh became something akin to an urban legend.
While Issei would be lying if he said that the feeling of liking a fight did not grow on him, he would be the first to say how annoying it is to be pulled in on when he is trying to enjoy some porn.
And so, now having finished his first year of high school, his fame was quite high across delinquents in Japan. Usually, during this time of the year, that's when people, or as the sekiryuutei would describe them "a bunch of useless guys with nothing better to do", would go to Kuoh to challenge him.
Not feeling like fulfilling the tradition this year, he managed to convince his parents to let him go on a trip around the country.
He had to pay a huge price for it though. Study and be at the top of his class. It was hard, a lot of times he felt like he couldn't do it. Ddraig complaining about how pathetic it was to not be able to read some books did help as motivation, and finally, he was here.
[Partner. Something's wrong.]
Ddraig suddenly warned.
The chestnut looked around startled but failed to see or sense anything out of place.
'Are you su-'
Before he could finish, lightning stroke him down.
[PARTNER!]
Ddraig screamed, her mental connection with Issei showing that the boy went unconscious for a brief moment before waking up. It had barely passed seconds.
"Fuck… I was using my favorite jacket…"
He complained, getting back on his feet.
[As unexpected as it was, it is only obvious a bit of lightning shouldn't take you down.]
Ddraig said, now calm again.
"Thanks for the support." He replied with clear irony.
His clothing was a bit scorched and he had light burns on his face and around some parts of his body, but he was mostly fine. Only his hair was not burned but it was a mess.
"There is not even a single cloud in the sky! How did-"
His words got stuck in his throat once he saw what was in front of him.
A floating window, like a video game screen. It was blue, floating in front of his face. Instinctively, Issei tried to touch it, but his hands passed right through it.
[What is this damn thing?]
Even Ddraig, with her millions of years of experience, was unprepared for what she was witnessing.
Absolute System
Downloading 93%...
Player detected: Hyoudou Issei
Species: Human (kitsune descendance)
Calculating the current level of experience, skills, and power…
Download completed.
Welcome, player, to the Absolute System
Both the dragon and her wielder were looking at the window prompts, which showed up one after the other. They both had blank expressions, still absorbing what they were seeing.
And then it sinks in.
[Oh, for Great Red's sake.]
There was one thing about being with her host, independently of whoever it was. The dragon would have access to most of the wielder's thoughts and memories unless Ddraig herself blocked it. And, even if he had the fame of being a delinquent, Issei was still Issei, and as such, he was quite fond of what Ddraig described as "pointless fictional stories made to waste your time and achieve nothing", while Issei claimed them as "pieces of art, the result of hardworking authors."
Some of these stories belonged to a specific genre and niche.
"I GOT A SYSTEM?"
Issei screamed at the top of his lungs.
[Are you hallucinating? Those are fictional things!]
Ddraig tried to reason, even if she herself was confused and unsure about this whole thing.
Issei looked at the floating window that hadn't gone away and noticed that the prompts had changed.
Firstly, Y Ddraig Goch, the system is very real.
"Told you. And is even conscious? Classic move."
Issei said smugly, to which Ddraig, in his mind space, simply rolled her eyes. Since she was more reassured that neither she nor her partner was hallucinating, after all, she would probably sense already if they were, she had no reason to not give this whole thing a chance.
Secondly, player, please click the button to select your first second Main Skill. The skill will be acquired by looking through the multiversal catalog.
"Universal catalog? Like, powers from other worlds?" Issei wondered with raised eyebrows.
The words disappeared and a gray button appeared in the middle of the blue screen. Issei looked at it curiously for a few seconds before clicking it.
The button was gone in the next instant and in its place was a roulette, of which neither of the two could take a look at what was written before it started spinning at a speed that even Ddraig failed to follow.
What they could not know is that, after the name written in the countless spots of the roulette passed through the arrow on the top of the circle, it disappeared from the roulette, not to show up again.
[When is this damn thing going to stop?]
Five minutes passed as Ddraig asked, already tired of looking to the unstoppable circle.
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Issei replied shrugging, having sat down on the ground, with the roulette also coming down to follow the level of his eyes.
Finally, the roulette started slowing down, and Issei and Ddraig manage to see various words that resembled titles or powers in the different spots of it.
Heretic God
Lunar Scourge
Copy System
Eyes of the Lord
Heir of the Nine Stars
It eventually stopped in the last front, Heir of the Nine Stars. At that moment information started flowing into Issei's head, things he never heard of or had no way of even knowing how to do suddenly became common knowledge that felt like he had through all his life. It was extremely bizarre, he now knew and understood things he never even heard of before.
First main skill selected: Heir of the Nine Stars
Adjusting and adapting to the player's new status.
Calculating and attributing new skills.
Finishing adjustments and changes.
"Do you know what an Heir of the Nine Stars is?"
Issei asked with furrowed eyebrows. The new knowledge made his head hurt a bit, but he was slowly adjusting to it.
His knowledge of the supernatural was limited to youkai, kitsunes, dragons, and whatever Ddraig told him about, but it felt weird that he couldn't recognize any of those titles, as they all seemed like big deals. Plus, the things that were now on his mind, to which Ddraig also had access.
[I do not know. I've never even heard of any Heretic God. It truly seems to be otherworldly powers.]
Hearing the Red Dragon's words a huge smile formed on Issei's face, and in reality, Ddraig followed him.
"THIS IS AMAZING!"
[HAHAHAHAHAHA! WATCH OUT ALBION!]
For different, but relatively similar reasons, the two were very happy with this random but welcomed outcome.
Calculations, adjustments, and updates completed.
Would the player like to view his stats?
[Y/N]
Without a shadow of a doubt, Issei clicked Yes and the screen once more changed.
Titles: Red Dragon Emperor, Perverted Dragon Emperor, Lost Fox, Delinquent Pervert, The Strongest Pervert, The Pervert/Delinquent King, Heir of the Nine Stars, Heir of the True Lord of the Nine Stars, Hated by the World
He was nodding and grinning at all statuses, until the last two, which made the sekiryuutei very confused.
"Heir of the True Lord? And Hated by the World? Is my fame as a pervert so bad?"
He asked with crossed arms and a confused expression.
[I do not think is so simple. We will probably learn about this more as things go, let's keep looking.]
Ddraig also felt this was very weird, but as they lacked information, she advised Issei to just keep looking.
Main Skill(s):
Nine Star Hegemon Body Art:
The Warriors of the Nine Stars are the manifestation of daring and determination in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Recognized as the bravest and most fearsome warriors, they are not afraid of death and never give up before their adversary. Armed with their wills unyielding, they defy the heavens.
Despite their fall, their will is eternal. As long as the stars exist, they will continue to fight for eternity!
However, the war is long gone, and know, you are the Heir of the Nine Stars that came after the Chosen One, the Lord of the Nine Stars, making you the Heir of the True Lord.
Your Nine Star Hegemon Body Art is modified to follow the Chosen One, the Lord.
"So that's why is Heir of the True Lord! I feel like some big shot now."
Issei said, faking a prideful pose, making Ddraig roll her eyes at her wielder's antics.
[Still, this is all very impressive. I very much like the sound of these Heirs of the Nine Stars, they sound like amazing and true warriors!]
Satisfied with what they saw until now, they kept looking.
Boosted Gear (Red Dragon Emperor):
The one that rampaged through the War of the Three Factions is now sealed in your soul and you must carry on through his eternal battle against his, and now your, rival, Albion, the White Dragon Emperor.
Even if you were not born as one, this Gear gives you the traits and characteristics of a Dragon, making you practically one by everything but the body.
By the powers of the Dragon of Domination, you can boost yourself, increasing your powers twice per boost.
"So that's why the system crossed the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art as my first main skill."
Issei said in realization.
[As it should! Heir of the Nine Stars or not you are firstly the Red Dragon Emperor.]
Issei smiled and nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing with Ddraig's words.
Status:
Species: Human (Kitsune descendance | The Red Dragon Emperor)
Level: 16(2.100/51.181)
Talent Rank: B++
HP: 1500/1500
STA: 2000/2000
DRA: 1500/1500
YK: 1000/1000
STR: 215
DEX: 199
RES: 207
AGI: 199
INT: 67(77)
WIS: 50
CHR: 68
LCK: -30
Status Points: 176(SP cannot be distributed to LCK)
"WHY THE FUCK IS MY LUCK SO LOW?"
The chestnut scream could be heard throughout the whole forest. Even Ddraig lacked words, not believing how unlucky her partner was. It didn't make sense, Ddraig already had some unlucky users before, but even then, she doubt that, if put in numbers, their luck would be as bad as a negative value.
An explanation of the issue did not take long to show up.
As Heirs of the Nine Stars fight against the limits imposed by the World, they are hated by its laws. Bad luck is a common trait among them, even the Chosen One suffered greatly with it.
The kitsune descendant and the dragon simply looked at the words, blinking a few times.
"There is no free meal in this world, huh?"
Issei said, his previous excitement was a bit gone.
[Indeed, but on the bright side, you just acquired a power great enough to make the laws of a whole world wary of you.]
Ddraig pointed out, already getting past the surprise of the negative luck.
"As if that was a good thing! I am not a troublemaker like you!"
There was a long moment of silence, as even Issei failed to believe his words.
Coughing embarrassed, he went back to look at his status, now scared of what surprise might come up.
Skills:
Gamer Body (MAX): Allow the user body to be like that of a game, with limitless potential.
Gamer Mind (MAX): Immune to mental disorder, calms the user and allows him to stay in a peaceful (the user's definition of peaceful) state of mind.
Boost (MAX): It doubles all your status per boost. Each boost is done automatically after 10 seconds, and each boost takes 50 points of your stamina.
Does not apply to INT, WIS, CHR, and LCK.
Dragon Shot(lv:4): Concentration of draconic energy in the user's fingertips that can be shoot. The use of DRA varies per shoot, ranging from 10 to 100 (not the limit, it can still go further.)
Explosion (MAX): It stops the boosts at their current value, reducing stamina by 30 every half a minute the user keeps it on.
Transfer (MAX): The user can transfer boosts to different targets, boosting them instead. Can apply to objects, attacks, or live beings. No cost, but the transfer has a chance to not pass 100% of the boost.
Disguise(lv 18): The user hides their energy from other beings, allowing them to pass by as a normal mortal.
Fire Fox (lv:6): Through atavism the user has in himself the genes of a Kitsune, enhancing him in various ways, and giving himself control over fire fox, a blue fire that burns much more strongly than usual forms of fire. The use of youki to make use of this ability varies according to the amount of fire used.
High Fire Resistance (lv 1): As a dragon and a kitsune descendant, it takes a superior type of fire to hurt you.
Strong punch (lv 15): A punch of concentrated strength. The strength of the punch is your current STR multiplied by 2. Can give the target an effect of dizziness sometimes.
Strong kick (lv 13): A kick of concentrated strength. The strength of the punch is your current STR multiplied by 2. Can give the target an effect of dizziness sometimes.
Headbutt (lv 14): Throwing your forehead in your enemy's direction for an extra "punch". The power is the sum of the user RES and STR.
Dash (lv 13): A fast movement towards the front of the user. It can cause damage if the user hits someone, and the power is based on the user's AGI and RES.
Intimidation (lv 7): With your presence and strength you can exert pressure under your enemy's will.
Fire punch (lv 7): By using your fire fox control, you surround your hands with flames and punch. Increases damage and has a 90% chance of giving the burn status. 10 youki peruse.
Fire kick (lv 6): By using your fire fox control, you surround your feet with flames and punch. Increases damage and has a 90% chance of giving the burn status. 10 youki peruse.
Fireball (lv 5): Use your fire fox to form a sphere and shoot it. Takes a minimum of 10 youki to do it, but the value might increase according to the fireball size.
Fire tornado (lv 3): Using your fire fox to form and control a tornado. Takes 100 youki peruse.
Fire slash (lv 5): A slash of fire cast by slashing with the hand. Takes 15 youki to peruse.
Projection (lv 8): By projecting fire fox in both hands the user can float and move at high speeds in a limited manner.
Projected Dash (lv 2): A combination of the Dahs and Projection skills. Power depends on AGI, STR, and RES.
Destructive disc (lv 3): A concentration of draconic aura in disk format with sharp edges and high cutting capabilities. Takes 50 DRA peruse.
Special Dragon-Fox canon (lv 3): A powerful beam made of draconic aura and fire fox that is charged through the fingers. Takes 50 DRA and youki peruse.
Dragon-Fox devastation wave (lv 1): A combination of Draconic Aura and Fire Fox, is a concentrated attack of energy that mixes the two in a blast of destructive force. Takes 100 youki and draconic aura per second of use.
Resist (lv 14): The user defends his head with his arms and tenses the muscles of his body as he is beaten down. Multiplies his RES by 2.
Grab (lv 12): The user grabs someone or something, carrying it around as a weapon or throwing it at others. The power of this skill can do is calculated by the user STR/2 and DEX/2. The one being thrown has a chance of acquiring the dizziness effect.
Basic Martial Arts (lv 8): After years of fighting in the streets with many experienced fighters, the user acquired some basic understanding of martial arts and how to carry himself in a fight. It makes his stamina consumption during a fight more efficient and increases his exp gain per martial move used skill.
Alchemy (lv 1): As the Heir of the Lord, following the path of Alchemy is a must. Alchemy knowledge about the pills necessary to advance through the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art, and alchemy knowledge, in general, is in your brain and soul. Adds +10 to INT status.
After seeing all of that Issei could not help but whistle impressed. He obviously knew all of those skills, except for alchemy, as he had developed them, but seeing it in a list as if it was game skills was amazing.
[You have quite the arsenal, partner. Even I will admit this system thing looks impressive.]
Even Ddraig had to praise the system after witnessing all that. The fact that the system would give them a chance to beat down the Hakuryuukou in what Ddraig hoped could be an absolute manner played a great part in the Red Dragon's good impressions.
"The skills I made as a kid are very underused, I will have to work on that. And how do I even get the ingredients for the first pill?"
[Heh, you were living a carefree life, but now it seems things will be very busy.]
Both were very excited by the perspective this new and strange power could bring to them.
At that moment a new window popped up.
FIRST QUEST ARRIVED!
As you can see, Issei already has started way before the system. Is nothing much, but he having Ddraig will be explained in either next or some of the following chapters. Any thoughts on his kitsune descendance?
I will warn, he is quite strong already, but give a few chapters, and he will be absoluted busted. The overpowered Hyoudou Issei tag is there for a reason. Wait and see.
That's mostly what I have for this chapter.
Reviews are appreciated.
