The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.
Sorry for the delay. I was ill for a week with COVID and I was also busy with college.
Also, this chapter is shorter than usual, but I hope you can still enjoy it.
Last time, the Hulk ends up facing off against Sirzechs, Serafall and Tiamat. Issei and Murayama are caught in the middle of their fight. How are they going to get out?
Find out in…
Chapter 62 – Hulk vs Tiamat and Devils
14th of November, Saturday, 3:02 pm – park in Kuoh
"HULK SMASH!"
With a roar and a reared fist, the Hulk rushed at Sirzechs Lucifer's knight Souji Okita. Souji Okita sidestepped the punch and brought his sword down on the Hulk's arm. Unfortunately, he was unable to cut the Hulk's arm. With an angered look, the Hulk swung his arm sideways…
"OOF!"
…sending Okita flying backwards. However, the other members of Sirzechs' peerage along with Serafall's peerage were relentless in attacking the Hulk.
They cast spells, launched blasts, hit the Hulk with magical weapons and much more. However, they only cut and bruised the Hulk a bit. What the Devils were throwing was far from enough to take down the green humanoid muscle man.
As all the peerage members were doing their best to defeat the Hulk, there was one peerage member who stayed out. And that was Sirzech's bishop, MacGregor Mathers. He was a genius Devil with a high knowledge and ability in casting all sorts of spells – even forbidden ones. But right now, he was not attacking. The reason for that was because he was key to maintaining a magical barrier.
While MacGregor Mathers stood by to fulfill his orders made by Sirzechs Lucifer, he took the opportunity to speak to the latter as he was standing next to him.
"Sirzechs, are you sure that I am supposed to stand by and just maintain the barrier?" MacGregor Mathers asked Sirzechs.
"Absolutely," Sirzechs confirmed. "The Hulk is truly strong. I am afraid that with the way things are going, Serafall, Tiamat and I have to step in. Once we do, the impact of our battle will be far too devastating."
[CRACK!] [WHOOM!]
"UGH!" "GAKH!"
The sounds of Sirzech's pawns, Enku and Beowolf were heard crying out in pain as the Hulk simply flattened them with by shoving them into the ground. Sirzech's bishop could not help but flinch at the sight and sound of it all.
Sirzechs, on the other hand, clenched his fists tightly in anger. And although Serafall had a more neutral expression, she showed signs of tension at the sight of her peerage members lying mangled on the ground, moaning from pain all the while.
Tiamat alternated her attention to Issei, whom she could see running in the distance, and the Hulk, who was the reason she was in Kuoh. Tiamat would love to get her hands on Ddraig right here and now. However, taking out the Hulk was of a greater priority. Seeing the various members of Sirzechs' and Tiamat's peerage being practically massacred like this, despite being two of the Devil's strongest peerages…
For Sirzechs, Serafall and Tiamat there was no doubt… the Hulk was strong… and the only way they stood a chance of defeating the Hulk was by fighting together.
"MacGregor?" Sirzechs addressed his bishop.
"Yes, Sirzechs?" MacGregor responded.
"Whatever, you do, do not let the barrier fall," Sirzechs ordered him.
"Yes, you can count on me," MacGregor answered.
Hearing this, Sirzechs exchanged glances with Serafall and Tiamat.
Not too long ago, they agreed on what to do. Their plan was to test the Hulk's strength with their peerage members. If they could take him down, then good. But seeing that the Hulk was overwhelming the Devils, they decided to carry out their backup plan. But first… before they could do so, they needed to wait just a little bit longer…
"I won't let you run rampant any longer!" one of Serafall's rooks said and was trying to hold him down by grabbing his waist.
"Neither will we!" two of Serafall's pawns declared, as they did the same to his legs.
But the Hulk was not deterred. Within less than ten seconds, he lifted the rook up and…
[SLAM!] "GUAKH!"
…smashed her into the ground with the full weight and power of his body, almost knocking her out. But it was more than enough to make the rook let go of the Hulk.
Serfall's two pawns were easier to deal with. The Hulk grabbed by the scruff like two kittens, removed them from his legs and…
"AGH!" "GAH!"
…smashed their heads against each other, knocking them out.
Just as Hulk turned to face the next opponent, Sirzechs' voice suddenly was heard.
"Everyone, retreat!" Sirzechs ordered loudly.
All the Devils hearing the order jumped away from the Hulk and made their way to escape.
As the Hulk was chasing one of them, he stopped upon a huge surge of power from the sidelines.
"Hmmm…?" the Hulk grunted, as he looked to the side to see what that surge in power was.
The surge in power was caused by Sirzechs, Serafall and Tiamat charging their powers to unleash a combined attack with their strongest firepower. The surge in power was so immense that it looked like the sun had come and manifested themselves in those three beings.
The Hulk could not help but flinch and cover himself with an arm to protect his eyes from the brightness of their charge.
That second of hesitation was more than enough time for the two Devil Lords and the Dragon King.
"GO!" Sirzechs shouted and unleashed the power of destruction that he had accumulated.
Serafall unleashed her most powerful magical spell attack, while Tiamat unleashed her blue flames with devastating power.
(((((WHOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!)))))
The colors of red, yellow and blue rushed towards the Hulk as the sound of the blasts approached him like roaring waves.
"RRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" the Hulk screamed as he was engulfed by the blasts in bright shining light and an explosion.
[BOOOOOOOMMMMMM!]
Not only was the combined attack explosive and bright, but it also sent a huge shockwave in the surrounding area.
(((WHOOOSH!)))
The whole park was blasted away along with every single Devil peerage member either thrown aside or knocked to the ground.
MacGregor Mathers was the only one (aside from Sirzechs, Serafall and Tiamat) who managed to stand. But the shockwave did make him falter as tried to stand firm.
For a certain someone, this proved to be a blessing for the magical barrier keeping him inside fluctuated a bit.
14th of November, Saturday, 3:03 pm – with Issei not too far away, park in Kuoh
"WAAAAHHHH!" Issei cried out as he was sent flying with Murayama, the latter who was still unconscious.
Issei lost his grip on her, as they both tumbled and rolled a good distance further. Despite this, Murayama did not wake up. Issei groaned as he stood up, he looked back where the fighting took place.
"What an explosion! Is the Hulk… I mean Bruce going to be alright?" Issei asked himself.
But then Issei remembered the fights he and the Hulk had back in Tokyo and shook his head.
"Nah… I don't think I should worry too much about him. Something tells me that he'll be fine…" Issei reasoned to himself.
After saying this, he went to Murayama and resumed carrying her.
"Murayama, on the other hand, still needs my help. I've got to get going…" Issei said, as they both headed away from the epicenter of the fighting.
14th of November, Saturday, 3:03 pm – back in the combat zone, park in Kuoh
"Did we get him?" Sirzechs asked Serafall and Tiamat.
"I'm sure we did…" Serafall answered, as she looked into the dusty cloud where the Hulk should have been.
"Wait! I sense something! Stay on alert!" Tiamat warned the two Devil Lords.
As if on cue, a great barrage of debris and dust was flung out of the huge dust cloud. Sirzechs, Serafall and Tiamat shielded themselves with magic while jumping sideways. Nobody was hurt. However, hurting the three of them was not the purpose of the attack.
The three powerhouses were now separated from each other. And that was when the Hulk struck.
The Hulk rushed out of the dust cloud and headed towards Sirzechs with rage in his eyes.
"What!? UGH!" Sirzechs grunted, as the Hulk tackled him and rushed straight forward.
The first thing Sirzechs noticed that although the Hulk was clearly suffering burns to his skin, the Hulk himself remained fine overall. His injuries were even healing. Enhanced healing abilities, perhaps?
Sirzechs did not dwell on those thoughts for long. He focused on freeing himself from the Hulk's grip even as the Hulk pushed him backwards. But the Hulk was too strong for Sirzechs. Luckily, Sirzechs managed to plant his feet into the ground and stopped the Hulk's rush with a grind. Sirzechs activated his Power of Destruction, making his body glow red and hot. But the Hulk was not deterred by the destructive power of the current Lucifer. Instead, the Hulk remained determined to crush Sirzechs physically. This caused the two of them to end up in a sort of wrestling match with both equally matched.
This stalemate would not remain forever as Serafall used her ice magic to attack the Hulk from behind.
"GRAAAAHHH!" the Hulk cried out in pain. He looked behind him to see who his attacker was.
"Sirzechs! Now!" Serafall cried out to her friend and colleague.
Sirzechs took Serafall's advice and used his full ability of his Power of Destruction to overpower the Hulk. As such, this time it was the Hulk being pushed back. But the Hulk would not let himself be overpowered. The Hulk somehow found renewed strength within himself to push Sirzechs back.
But even then, the Hulk found himself overpowered – but not by Sirzechs. Sirzechs suddenly glanced sideways and then backed away suddenly. This confused the Hulk until he found himself tackled from the side.
"GAH!" the Hulk coughed as he found himself being grappled and dragged away by Tiamat's huge body.
"You're not getting away from me!" Tiamat declared, as she began to push the Hulk upwards into the sky.
Tiamat's intention was simple. Her plan involved dragging the Hulk into the sky and then rapidly smashing the Hulk unto the ground with a fiery flame blasting the Hulk with full power.
But the Hulk did not let Tiamat do this. For the Hulk suddenly grabbed the back of Tiamat's neck with both arms and then wrapped his legs around her throat.
"YOU… What…? GUKH!" Tiamat choked out, as she tried to free herself from the Hulk's grip.
Tiamat flew around erratically as she tried to shake the Hulk off. But the Hulk held onto her with a death grip, as he then swung up and found himself on top of Tiamat's neck. And that was when he raised his fist up and then smashed it with full force unto the back of her neck.
"KEUK!" Tiamat coughed out as she lost consciousness and plummeted with the Hulk to the ground.
(((BOOOOOOM!)))
Tiamat crashed unto the ground with a loud sound, sending a huge cloud of dust into the air.
"Tiamat!?" Sirzechs called out to her, as both he and Serafall ran to where she had landed.
The two of them stopped upon arriving at the scene.
"Tiamat-chan… No…" Serafall whispered in horror, as she was Tiamat lying there unconscious with a bruise on her neck.
Serafall and Sirzechs did not focus on her for long because the Hulk was still conscious.
"Grrrrr…" the Hulk growled, as he stood up. His gaze had now turned to both Serafall and Sirzechs with the intention of resuming his fight with them.
"You… hurt… Tiamat-chan…" Serafall said as she trembled in anger. "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"
With an uncharacteristically furious shout, she summoned the greatest of her spells to form a barrage of icicles.
"EAT THIS!" Serafall screamed, as the barrage of icicles flew towards the Hulk at a great speed.
The Hulk either blocked off the icicles with his arms or punched them with his fists. But he found out that he could not wars them all off for some of them pierced his body, leaving flesh wounds on his torso.
"I'LL MAKE SURE YOU SUFFER!" Serafall screamed in rage.
Sirzechs, on the other hand, stood by and watched Serafall continue her barrage of attacks. For one, he was stunned by her outburst and, two, he knew his Power of Destruction would counteract Serafall's icicles and melt them. Hence, it was wise for him to stand aside and let Serafall finish her attack.
The Hulk was clearly taking the brunt of the attack and getting more wounds, as new icicles pierced his body. However, the Hulk was never one to roll over and die. Instead, he moved his body so that the brunt of the attacks would only hit the left side of his body, while raising his left arm as a shield. With his right arm, he would break the stony ground and grab a piece of the stony floor with his hand.
This move was noticed by Sirzechs and it did not take him long to realize what the Hulk was trying to do.
"Be careful!" SIrzechs called out to Serafall as he pushed her out of the way, much to the latter's indignation.
That indignation would turn into shock when she saw…
[BAM!] "AUGH!"
…Sirzechs get hit in the head by a rock at high speed. The blow was so strong that it knocked Sirzechs out while giving him a bleeding wound on the side of face.
Serafall was stunned upon putting the pieces together. The rock was supposed to hit her. And had Sirzechs not pushed her out of the way, she would have been the one on the ground now.
A mere rock… and that was all his fault…
With a renewed rage, she turned to face the Hulk. The Hulk had just pulled out the last icicles from his arm and torso. His wounds were starting to heal, too.
"YOU MONSTER! YOU WILL PAY!" Serafall screamed, as she formed a new barrage of icicles.
The Hulk would not let Serafall attack this time. This time he rushed forward while she was still charging. The Hulk roared as he raised his fist to throw a punch.
"HULK SMASH!" the Hulk roared, as he neared Serafall.
14th of November, Saturday, 3:10 pm – with Issei Hyoudou, somewhere in Kuoh
Issei had stopped running as soon as he was sure that the coast was clear and that nobody was pursuing him.
"I think… we're safe…" Issei said in relief.
He let Murayama go and let her rest on a nearby bench. He had to admit that Murayama had a nice soft… body… Too bad he was focused on running away he did not have to feel her body. Though, now that she was lying there defenseless like that… why not?
Issei had a lecherous grin on his face and was about to touch her body when…
[Seriously, Partner? You want to rape her?] Ddraig's voice was heard saying.
"I… umm… no… ehehehe…" Issei said, as he decided to stop then and there.
He would find a second reason to stop once he realized where he was.
"Hey, wait a minute… this is…" Issei said to himself, as he looked at a certain sign nearby.
The sign said "Kuoh Graveyard". It was a place that Issei only had been for one reason.
And that one reason was why Issei forgot about Murayama and walked right in. He passed by the gate and walked past everything… trees, bushes, other graves…
It had been so long since Issei had visited last. Yet, Issei still remembered where they lay. Yes, how could he forget? And it was after he made a turn to the left that he found the row of graves where they lay.
And then Issei had arrived.
On the tombstones were the names of Goro and Saki Hyoudou – the names of Issei's parents.
Issei looked at the tombstones with a tender smile.
"Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. It has been so long," Issei began his speech. "A lot has happened since we last met. I've had quite the adventures out there."
Issei could not help but think fondly of the various times he faced the thrill and danger of them all.
"I've also met a lot of new friends. You should have met them. Sanma, Ryuga, Hiroshi and Daisuke… oh, and Shinyama. Shinyama was the weirdest of them all, but really helpful. Heck, we even live in an apartment owned by him in Nerima. Oh, yeah… by 'we' I meant Matsuda, Motohama and me. We remain in contact."
Issei chuckled at the memory of all the people he has met.
"Oh, yeah! I forgot to mention Kasumi. Did I mention that she and I are like really close? We're close enough to be a couple. If only you guys were alive right now. I'm sure you two would love to meet her," Issei felt a pang of sadness at the thought of his parents being dead. However, he shook that thought off. "She's the perfect woman… the ideal bride… you would definitely love her…"
Issei blushed happily at the thoughts of Kasumi and their time together.
"I'm sure you also would have enjoyed meeting Sayori… she was a girl I met before Kasumi… she was a lovely girl, too. Unfortunately, she could not stay with me due to personal reasons. She had to leave… but we parted on amicable terms…" Issei explained to his parents.
Issei sighed at the memory of his time with Sayori. His face was starting to darken when he began to remember the times where he did not do what was right.
"Mom, Dad… I have to confess something… It's about why I and the other two guys are living in Nerima. Truth is… we three did something to hurt others. They were talking trash about you two and… I lost it… and one of the girls ended up in a coma because of me," Issei confessed, as he looked down to the ground in shame.
"After that, all three of us ended up being thrown in jail. In fact, that was how I met Sayori. She was actually a prison warden. We also ended up meeting Yuri, Natsuki and Monika, three other wardens who were super nice to us – just like Sayori. The reason I'm here right now is because we three broke out of jail…" Issei admitted.
Issei sighed loudly and looked up from the ground and towards the graves of his parents.
"I… messed up… I did things I can never take back…" Issei stated as his voice quivered, as he remembered what he did.
Then Issei stood there in silence, as if expecting his parents to scold him for what he did. If only they did so, it would at least be worth it… just to hear their voices once more.
But they were dead. So that was impossible.
"Even so… I will not give up on my goal…" Issei stated to his parents with determination. "I will never give up on protecting those dear to me… or Kuoh… or even my new home Nerima! You can rest assured that I will fulfill my promises. So, please… watch over me…"
With tears in his eyes, Issei stood there in silence as if hoping to hear his parents say something… anything to him.
However, the dead cannot speak – and they never will. Issei knew this but he still hoped for a miracle to happen. But miracles do not just happen when one waits for them. Rather, one had to be busy in life and then be lucky enough to witness one. Perhaps, being busy in life is even a requirement for a miracle.
And so, Issei turned away from his parents' graves to head back to Nerima where he belonged.
[So, what now, Partner?] Ddraig asked Issei.
"We're heading back. They need us," Issei answered to Ddraig.
[What about the Hulk?] Ddraig asked Issei.
"It's too dangerous to go back to the Hulk. Those Devils back there were too strong for me. Plus, have you forgotten about Tiamat?" Issei reminded Ddraig.
[Brr… Let's get back to the others, then…] Ddraig shuddered, as he spoke.
With that said, Issei left the graveyard and passed by Murayama.
Issei stopped to look at Murayama and saw that she was still asleep on the bench. Issei smiled at her and then went on his way.
"If Fate allows it… we will meet again… Thanks for everything…" Issei said to Murayama one last time.
14th of November, Saturday, 3:40 pm – with Murayama, near Kuoh Graveyard
"Murayama! Wake up!" Murayama heard a girl's voice speak to her even as she was being shaken awake by the girl.
Murayama opened her eyes and saw her friend Katase rousing her up.
"Katase… what…?" Murayama said as she sat up.
"That's my question," Katase interrupted her. "Why are you out here sleeping on a bench – near a graveyard, too?"
"Huh?" Murayama wondered as she looked around her and saw that she was indeed near the graveyard, much to her surprise.
It was then that she had an idea why she was here.
"Hyoudou… he must have been visiting his parents…" Murayama guessed.
"Hyoudou!?" Katase exclaimed in surprise. "What are you talking about? Hyoudou is in juvie!"
Murayama shook her head.
"No, he was here just a moment earlier. He said he was out on a break of some kind," Murayama explained.
"Seriously!?" Katase voiced in disbelief. "You sure you did not dream up all of this?"
Murayama shook her head.
"No, Hyoudou was really here. I'm sure of it," Murayama insisted.
"Pft! Sure!" Katase scoffed, still not believing her.
It was then that Katase remembered something.
"Hey, Murayama. That reminds me. Remember that newspaper we came across about a month ago?" Katase asked Murayama.
"What newspaper?" Murayama asked her confused.
"The one that said that the Juvie facility, the one where Hyoudou and the other two pervs were imprisoned, ended up being destroyed or something. If what that newspaper said is true, then…" Katase said and then something in her mind clicked. "Oh, my goodness… So, you did not dream it up?"
"Of course not!" Murayama insisted. "But wait… that would mean Hyoudou… is an escapee?"
Both girls did not say anything for a while due to the shock of the realization.
"So, what should we do? Call the police?" Katase suggested.
"No, just forget it. I don't feel like adding more drama in my life. And I think I've had enough of it for today," Murayama answered.
"Okay, then… should we head to your place and hang out?" Katase asked.
"Sure…" Murayama replied.
And so, the Kendo duo departed.
However, Murayama kept her encounter with Issei Hyoudou in her thoughts. She wondered where Issei had gone to and what he was doing for a living this whole time. But for whatever reason, she was sure Hyoudou was going to be fine.
14th of November, Saturday, 4:05 pm – with Issei, on the way back to Nerima
Issei had just bought a ticket and was heading to Tokyo by train.
Issei was taking a nap for he needed some sleep. His day had been an exhausting one by every standard.
All he needed was a little bit of sleep and he would be in Tokyo in no time.
And so, Issei drifted off to sleep.
14th of November, Saturday, 4:55 pm – with the Amazons
The Amazons had just beaten back the Youkais in a skirmish. Since they needed to save their strength, they needed to avoid fighting when necessary. They did not do so before in previous fights with the Youkai due to their pride. But the Amazons realized that pride can be their downfall. To win, one sometimes has to set aside one's pride and think pragmatically. And it showed results. They did not lose as many warriors in this fight. On the other hand, the attacking Youkai lost more soldiers by comparison for the Amazons had prepared some detachment forces responsible for ambushes while their main army retreated.
And so, the Amazons won this round with few losses.
Still, the Amazons were exhausted and needed to rest.
"In a few hours we will reach the outskirts of Metropolitan Tokyo. We will rest there and set up camp. In the meantime, stay on guard!" Elder Colon announced.
"""Yes!""" all Amazons shouted in unison.
Cat Fu looked out into the distance where Nerima was. She may not have been willing to fight this war. But she remained determined to do so. It was for her tribe's honor.
"Airen…" Cat Fu whispered her nickname for Sanma, as she looked into the sky with melancholy.
14th of November, Saturday, 5:05 pm – with the Leaders of the various Supernatural Factions
"It seems like Lord Lucifer, Lady Serafall and Lady Tiamat cannot beat this Hulk. Shocking considering their overwhelming power," Nurarihyon stated solemnly.
"This is indeed troubling," Yasaka added. "It's only good fortune on our end that the Hulk did not end up killing anybody."
"Yes, Lord Lucifer and Tiamat were not badly hurt either. They are recovering as they speak," Falbium mentioned.
"Lady Leviathan had it the worst out of all of them," Ajuka stated with a sigh. "The Hulk fractured her arm and injured her hip. She will definitely recover, but that will take a while."
"And the Hulk? It ran off to who knows where," Azazel said as he threw his hands up. "And who knows who else it will hurt or terrorize."
"Everyone, we need more manpower," Michael said to everyone assembled.
"Easy for you to say. But who do you suggest we bring in?" Penemue asked Michael.
"I think the answer is obvious," Gabriel responded. "We need to bring our best fighters into this operation."
14th of November, Saturday, 5:45 pm – with Sanma in the mysterious white space
Sanma did not know how long it had been since he entered this mysterious place. But he had learned more techniques and skills, including ludicrous ones that made enemies hug themselves or made them die while feeling ecstatic.
He also took the time to wonder what he was to do once he decided to annul his engagement with Nakane. He knew once he did that, he would no longer be allowed to live in the Tengu dojo. Sanma had to live a very different life from before.
So, what kind of life did he want to live? Will it be one where he lived on the streets like how he and his father lived before they came to the Tengu dojo?
Better yet, Sanma wondered what his overall goal in life was. All he lived for was how to fulfill his martial artist's duty and honor according to how his parents taught him to. And without it, he did not have much of a purpose. So, what was he going to do?
Sanma was interrupted by his thoughts when Shinyama came in.
"So, what are ya gonna teach me next?" Sanma asked Shinyama.
"We'll get to that. But first, there are some things you need to know," Shinyama said to Sanma and handed over some letters to him.
"Letters?" Sanma questioned Shinyama.
"You will give them to the people to whom these letters are addressed to," Shinyama instructed Sanma.
"Why can't ya do it yourself?" Sanma asked Shinyama.
"Unfortunately, I cannot do so. I have an appointment I must attend to no matter what," Shinyama answered Sanma.
"What kinda appointment is that important?" Sanma questioned Shinyama skeptically.
"The very important kind… and it's not one where I have the option of saying no…" Shinyama answered cryptically.
14th of November, Saturday, 5:50 pm – with Issei, on the way back to Nerima
Issei was still asleep. Ddraig promised to wake him up once the train had arrived in Tokyo.
Ddraig could not help but think about what is going to happen in the near future.
[Something big is going to happen. I can just feel it] Ddraig said to himself.
And that was the Chapter 62 of The Lone Vigilante Issei.
There is not much to say about this chapter.
Well, the Hulk faced off and defeated Sirzechs, Tiamat and Serafall along with their peerages. The reason the Hulk could do that was because the Hulk could catch them by surprise with his attacks. Also, the three of them could not use their whole strength due to them being caught off guard by the Hulk, hence they ended up being knocked out by the Hulk. The fight is a bit underwhelming if I have to say so myself. But I do plan on saving the best fights for last.
Also, Issei visited his parents to have a heartfelt conversation with them. That turned out nice… and a bit touching, too.
The Kendo duo finding out about Issei escaping actually was somewhat fun to write because of how funny it was.
Other than that, there is not much to say other than me being quite uninspired for this story. Nevertheless, I still intend to finish this story, so do not worry about it ending abruptly.
In the meantime, what did you think of this chapter?
Did you like it?
Please read and review, I would like to hear from you.
And as always, I hope to see you around next time.
Until then.
Hide Shinyama