''Koneko, found anything yet?'' I speak into the magic circle in my ear as if it were a microphone. These things are convenient, I should look into magic circles sometimes.
But, I have my plate pretty full with barriers, elemental magic, and practicing spearmanship… Maybe another day, then.
I'm still astonished by how the magic lessons have impacted my growth, it's been a few days since… that day with Akeno, but the results speak for themselves.
Stats:
STR: E
DEX: E
CON: E
MAG: E(+)
SPI: F- (Locked)
LCK: E-
Skills:
[Electrokinesis] Lv 34 (6%)
[Hydrokinesis] Lv 25 (15%)
[Reinforcement] Lv 12 (2%)
[Mana Control] Lv 19 (10%)
[Thought Acceleration] Lv 4 (5%)
[Investigate] Lv 7 (14%)
[Tracking] Lv 7 (14%)
Complex theory and practice helped MAG grow up quickly, and thanks to that, I could figure out a way to throw more powerful attacks with my water magic.
Can't do it with electricity yet. I wonder if it has to do with the volatile nature of electric magic or my Water Magic Affinity…
I also wonder if I can do the same for physical stats somehow. I don't want them lagging behind, you know?
Not that the Bonus Stats from Jinzui aren't helping out in that regard, but until kill off something really strong, I won't be getting those big gains. I should try that stronger undead dungeon…
Anyway.
Tonight it's a full moon, and the inactivity of the wolf-like Stray has been gnawing at my nerves. The devil is still a living, breathing being. It probably needs sleep, water, and most importantly; food. We know it has cannibalistic tendencies, and unless we are sorely mistaken, it hasn't been able to feed in a while.
That's why, tonight, we are patrolling inside the town.
Dilapidated houses greet me all around. I don't think I've even seen a street cat or any other animals. Are there people living here? Because it doesn't look that way.
Not only that, the only thing illuminating the empty streets is the moonlight coming from the round sphere in the dark sky, and even that keeps dwindling by the clouds that keep obscuring it from time to time.
''Negative, Senpai.'' Koneko's voice interrupts my thought process as I round a corner, getting myself into a dark alley. I wasn't worried about not seeing, my magic sense became good enough to even use it as a sort of radar. The range is not very far, but it will make do.
''Copied. Let's keep searching, then.'' I sent a question through my bond with Rei, who's also patrolling with us, but her answer is also negative. The Quest didn't lie about this Stray being a stealthy bastard.
This time I'm also acting as bait, but in a different way. I'm suppressing my magic instead of letting it out. In doing so, I appear to be a regular civilian on a night stroll. Perfect prey for a desperate Stray who has been eager for a meal for the past week.
The alley ends in a 'better' part of the prefecture, and I consider just turning back. That is until I hear a pained whimper coming from ahead. My eyes widen for a moment, and I instinctively rush forward.
Looking around, there's nothing amiss. Another whimper echoes, but it's difficult to discern if it's coming from somewhere in the street or one of these old houses.
My brow furrows in concentration as I activate my mental 'Combo Skill'. [Thought Acceleration], [Investigate], and [Tracking] work in tandem with my calling.
The flood of information rushes through my brain a moment later.
There are no tracks on the floor. No one has stepped into this street in a few hours. The one making that sound is close. There are strange marks in one old apartment. The pained whimpers seem to come from the apartment.
With a sigh, the Skills are cut off before a headache rampages through my head.
My hand goes to my ear, the magic circle activating in a single moment. ''Koneko, I think I may have found something. I'm five streets down from where we separated.''
The little hum I hear from her is confirmation enough. ''I'll go ahead and check it out, I'm recalling Rei.''
With that done, I walk to the apartment. ''I'm going to you straight away. Be careful, Zatren-Senpai.'' The genuine care in her voice makes me a little giddy inside, and a smile blossoms on my face.
The old door has seen much better days. No, screw that, I'm surprised this whole ass building is still standing. When was the last time a person inhabited this place?
The door opens easily with a little prodding, and when another pitiful sound is exclaimed, I can clearly tell it's from inside of this building.
I hope I'm wrong, but if this person is another victim of the damn Stray, I need to get to them right away.
The condition on the Bonus Quest is to fight the Devil with a single type of magic, it doesn't say anything about using other types when not in combat. I could actually use Jinzui for this fight, but I want to test myself here… And I don't want to explain things today, it's Friday for Michael's sake.
I'm getting off-topic. The point is, I can heal someone up as long as my fight with the Stray doesn't start right away.
The apartment is practically destroyed from the inside; no wonder the place was abandoned. Broken and rotten furniture is sprawled everywhere, and claw-like marks cover the walls and some tiles of the floor. The rest is difficult to discern with only the moonlight coming through the door.
I go deeper inside. There's clearly no one in the principal room, and a quick look tells me the bathroom is empty too. The only thing remaining unexplored is the only bedroom in this place.
Floating drops of water surround me as I activate [Hydrokinesis]. I can't make a barrier with it yet, but having some water at the ready will be useful if I have to chant quickly.
A shout of pain rings out from the inside. Shit! Hang in there!
Kicking the door open, I prepare to chant, but there's no enemy here.
Inside, the place is in a similar state to the living room, but there's one clear difference. That being, the old woman splayed In the bed. As an agonized groan escapes her mouth, I realize this is where the whimpering came from
I can't see her features clearly with little to no light, my only option is to get closer. Worry fills my being, and a bright orange light envelops my hand as I ready myself to use healing magic while I approach the clearly injured woman.
My eyes widen minutely as stiffness encompasses my form. Dawning realization fills me a moment later.
Why is this woman alive?
The Stray is supposed to be famished, why would he leave the old lady instead of eating her?
''Please… help.'' The woman cries in anguish, and I chastise myself for overthinking, I only have time to make a step forward before she speaks again. ''It hurts… so much…''
[Lie Detector] went off like a fire alarm.
[Mind Barrier] has leveled up.
What…?
Illusion Magic has been negated by [Mind Barrier]!
Suddenly, it feels like a fog has been lifted off my mind, but I cannot dwell much on it, since the glint of a razor-sharp claw is the only thing I can focus on.
I move my body to the side in a desperate attempt to dodge, and it works somewhat. The claw that was meant for my neck only grazed my shoulder, tearing into the clothing and opening a bleeding gash.
A curse escapes my mouth as water condenses around me, but my newly discovered enemy is concealed once again. My magic sense flares up, but I can't get a damn signature at all!
''Kekeke… Prey… Feed…'' Animalistic sounds are what I hear while looking around the room for any signs of the Stray Devil. I can't even pinpoint the location of the sound!
It's a good thing I have some extra time. I grit my teeth in pain as my mental Skills activate for the second time.
The devil is hiding with magic. The magic is not being used on me. There are claw marks all over the walls. One mark was just made. The devil's voice echoed in the room. The devil used the walls as a platform. The devil is above you.
I grunt in pain as the Skills deactivated, but it was more than enough.
''Condense. Flow. Outburst.'' My MP bar drains immensely, and then…
''Water Surge!''
-Koneko's POV. A few moments before-
The moment that Senpai said he was going to investigate, I started trailing his magical signature while making my way back.
I wasn't too worried, he did say Rei would be with him shortly, and I still have to keep looking around in case it's a false alarm.
When I felt Zatren-Senpai's magic spike, I started a full-blown sprinting in his direction.
You better be okay, Schizogami!
Alleyways blur in the darkness, as I pass them by. Houses and departments alike are ignored and rushed past as I rush toward that roasted-salmon-smelling bastard.
Finally, I reach where the magic feels the strongest, and my eyes widen in surprise as I arrive just in time for the roof of an old apartment to be blown into the air by a geyser-like attack.
I can feel my hair and clothes getting a bit wet as the water falls down in the form of rain. It seems Senpai has gotten stronger, huh?
Speaking of the devil (heh), the same mage that has been frustratingly in my mind recently runs through the broken-down entrance of the now roofless apartment. I can see the blood on his shoulder and hear the clearly ragged breaths coming from him.
''Zatren-Senpai, are you okay?'' Even as I speak, my gaze doesn't leave the building. Gloves find their way into my hands, getting ready for possible confrontation if Senpai's Ultimate-like attack didn't finish the encounter already.
My voice seems to bring awareness to the mage as his eyes widen and that little smile finds its way into his stupidly attractive face- Not the time!
Stupid Senpai, I'm sure this is somehow his fault.
''Koneko!'' The relief in his voice is palpable- and Satan damn it. Why does that make my stomach feel funny? I nod at him and that just makes him smile wider.
He goes to my side, standing slightly behind me while looking at the apartment. Is that thing not dead already? ''Good timing, I don't think that blast of water was enough to one-shot it.'' Bothersome…
Before I can answer a deep growl-like sound makes itself known. Do these fuckers get uglier every time? Make a competition out of this already.
A monstrous figure bursts from the apartment in a swift motion. What I see is a grotesque, lanky creature, its fur matted yet bristling. Its arms are thin and so long that they reach down to its knees, and are covered with jagged spikes of bone. Each grotesque appendage ends in thick claws stained crimson.
Its legs, unnervingly muscular compared to the rest of its distorted frame, seem unnaturally developed—probably a side effect of the Knight piece lodged within its body.
A stark white, skull-like mask shaped like a wolf's face covers its head. Behind the hollow eye sockets, a pair of glowing red eyes burn with fury.
Yup, that's one ugly dog. Who looked at this thing and decided not to put it down at birth?
''KeKEkk…'' The thing… laughs? Or grumbles. I don't know nor care. ''BasTardD… I will… EaTT YOuR FLESH!''
The beast readies itself and dashes. My eyes widen at the speed, but Kiba's faster. I intercept its charge with a punch and my fist… goes through?
Illusion magic!
The fake creature vanished and I can see the fucking furry reaching for... ''Senpai!'' The creature readies to strike Zatren, and even when I can see the water forming around him in a defensive manner, I know it won't be fast enough.
A blob of white material appears out of nowhere and strikes at the claw ready to tear into Senpai's flesh. Instead of a slash, the now-covered limb only strikes with blunt force.
The attack is still more than enough to kill a regular person, but the supposed mage tanks the hit in exchange for making a spear of water that launches itself at the monster.
The Stray is not idle and moves out of the way of the possible crippling attack, which makes it distracted.
More than enough time for me to swiftly dash and punt the damn mutt into another broken-down house. I hope there was no one there…
The form of Rei appears a moment later, beside her master while tapping her legs on the floor in a happy manner.
''Hell of an entrance, Rei!'' The happy tone from my dark-haired companion makes a little smile form on my face. Rei has earned some pats. 100%.
A pained howl from the still conscious Knight makes my eyes narrow. I crack my knuckles and get ready for a second clash. You won't get past me this time, dumbass.
''Senpai, how strong is the ugly mutt?'' I Remember the talk with Rias and Sona at Zatren's apartment, and said he could tell the strength of living beings, right?
''It's fragile and doesn't hit very hard, but it's definitely faster than both of us. Our best bet is to either damage the legs or immobilize it with Rei's help.'' He explains (did his eyes glow for a second?) and I nod along.
Standard Knight attributes and procedure, then.
''Can you try and get its attention, Koneko-San? I don't think this… thing can handle much taunting.'' The sudden smirk on his face makes one of my own appear. Short-temper, eh?
''Don't worry, I'll support you on the side.'' Damn, his smirk is contagious. ''Let's fuck him up! JJK Jumping style!''
I don't get that, probably an anime reference, but I do know one thing.
You're in a bad match-up, bozo.
-Third Person POV-
''Dog, know how to play dead?'' The deadpan voice of Koneko broke the silence as she stepped up in front of her ally once more, and her face scrunched up like smelling something rotten.
''You reek. Please die.'' If she noticed the choked snort from Zatren, she didn't show it.
Still, the insults got them the intended effect. As the deformed beast got up and tore apart the silk covering his captured claw, its body trembled in fury. ''FOoD, FEED. KiLL!''
Once released and ready, it made another illusion. This time, it was three fake copies of himself, two going for the white-haired girl and the last one going for the annoying mage.
Seeing the alertness on the white-haired girl's face. He pounced while casting another illusion to hide his presence, intending to end the life of the prey that dared to insult him. Powerful claws at the ready to cut open the Rook in front of him.
This time, the group of three wasn't easily fooled.
''Koneko! In front of you!'' The girl didn't hesitate at Zatren's call and ignored the copies of the werewolf-like being, deciding to punch the air directly in front of her instead.
CRACK.
And it seems to be the right choice. As the illusion dropped, the true Stray was revealed howling in pain, with the bone-like mask in its face cracked, and blood seeping out of a broken nose. The smugness on Koneko's face made itself known.
''Can't even make a good trick, dumb dog.'' This time, she was the one to dash at the fur-covered being, her aim was the legs. If they could damage a single leg, it would be as good as death itself for the Stray Knight piece.
Just as she dashed. The half-mermaid channeled his recovered magic once again. ''Condense. Spread. Detonation.'' Water bubbles formed around him, all of them basket-ball-sized. Instead of launching the projectiles, he made them cover the portion of the street they were in, some were low on the floor, others high in the air.
''Submerged Minefield.'' MP was consumed, and the trap was set. 'Let's see you run from this one, sucker!'
Surprisingly, instead of dodging its immediate opponent's attack, the Stray met Koneko with an attack of its own. A powerful furred leg met the might of the petite Rook's punch, and the both of them were locked in a stalemate.
''Bam.'' That is, until Koneko used her other hand to kidney-punch her opponent. The impact sent him directly into the path of one of the water spheres that now surrounded the battlefield.
''KEkkrreee!'' The unholy and pained scream tore through the monster's throat, as the ball made of water exploded on impact. The force behind the impact sent him rocketing towards an upper water mine.
The second explosion sent him smashing against the floor. Another crunch resounded from its upper body, a few broken ribs, probably.
It was at that moment, that desperation filled the monster at the damage suffered, beastly instincts warning it of the real possibility of dying in this fight.
Flee, it needed to flee! To escape this confrontation and recover! Live to see another day and come to slaughter these pests when their guard was low!
In its mad dash to survive, the disgusting mutt didn't notice the lower water sphere close to the ground. The impact caused another howl of pain and made the devil falter in its escape.
The distraction was more than enough for Rei to finally interfere.
The spider familiar dropped her own Stealth to show what she'd been preparing. A big glob of white web the size of her own body was revealed, and before the bootleg werewolf could avoid the attack, Koneko was on him again, one of her legs stretched high in the air as she axe-kicked the monster's shoulder.
With a crunch and a snap, it was quite obvious the shoulder and part of the arm were absolutely shattered.
The web material that Rei produced impacted against the Knight's legs. It was more than enough to actually immobilize the limbs to the floor. The beast didn't take its imminent death with compliance, however.
Tears formed on the desperate and injured beast's restraints as it struggled, but his fate was already sealed.
Koneko got out of the way the moment she felt Zatren's magic spike, more ocean-blue water coalesced around him, but this time it thinned.
The white-haired girl was now clear of the splash zone and at the mage's side. Her deadpan voice directed at her companion ''Fuck him up, Senpai.''
The mage's arm extended at the beast, a frown of concentration on his face as he channeled his remaining mana. Then, he started chanting. ''Thin and Cut. Overwhelm. Leviathan.''
''Lacerate.''
One moment, the water responded to its user's command and struck the Stray's chest.
In the next, the beast's torso burst open, as a diagonal slash tore apart flesh and muscle.
Its body fell to the floor, Dead.
-Zatren's POV-
Did I just cast a fucking knock-off Dismantle?
+4 Hero Skill points have been granted for killing Stray Werewolf Devil!
[Mana Control] has leveled up by 3!
[Hydrokinesis] has leveled up by 2!
Quest 'Demon Slayer' Completed!
All Objectives have been completed!
Rewards:
[¥50.000]. [4 Levels to Mana Control]. [Gacha Token]. [10 Levels to Hydrokinesis].
[Darkness Crystal].
A chesire grin split my face apart, and a deep breath of exhaustion escaped my lips.
Man, those chanted attacks consume so much MP, and that's with the Perks I have on water-related magic. I don't think I could pull this off nearly as clean with [Electrokinesis].
Rei happily taps her legs on the ground, and even Koneko has a little smile on her face.
The moment the latter approaches, she checks on my injured shoulder, before deciding it's good enough and actually gives me a hug.
''Good job, Senpai.'' I think her voice is slightly softer than usual. ''You showed the mutt who's boss.''
I return the affectionate gesture with a good-natured smile. ''I did, didn't I?'' Still, even at this moment, I take the opportunity to tease the tsundere cat-girl.
''Ah, don't I get a reward for a job well done?~'' I send her a little wink, and Koneko's face flushes red as she suddenly seems to realize the embrace we're sharing. She swiftly separates from me and frowns.
''Don't push your luck. Pervert-Senpai.'' Oi! Who are you calling a pervert? You're taking my words out of context!
My smile doesn't waver, and I think it's a good moment to shoot my shot. ''Hehe~, won't you at least let me take you out sometime?'' Her eyes widen minutely and if she keeps blushing she may turn into a whole tomato.
Did… Did that work?
There's silence for a few moments, before Koneko approaches once again, grabbing my hand this time, and looking me in the eyes. ''I… won't mind that.'' She finally answers with an embarrassed huff.
Score!
I squeeze her hand and my mood soars through the sky. ''It's a date then, Ko-ne-ko~''
I received another kick on the shins for that.
-Next Day. Student's Council Room-
''That's the end of my report, Sitri-Senpai.'' I finished telling Sona the events of last night, and since this was a task technically assigned to me, I was the one informing the Sitri Heiress instead of Koneko.
The moment I mentioned my use of water magic during the fight, her eyes took a glint I couldn't quite decipher. Is she interested in a fellow user of the same magic? Maybe.
She took more than a moment to process everything before speaking. ''Thanks for taking the time to make a formal report, Fumigami-San. It makes this arrangement a whole lot easier.''
I think it's the least I could do since the Quest generated by her request gave a nice power-up, but the little satisfied smile I can see on her face is a nice bonus~
''This strange situation with Strays has been a bit of a concern, but it has been slowly resolving itself.'' She explains with a sigh. Then, she raises an eyebrow in my direction. ''What happened to the devil's body? If you don't mind me asking. Did you dispose of it?''
I nod with a smile. ''Of course. No trace left of it.'' Thank you, Jinzui. Those MAG and DEX boosts are much appreciated~
I hope she's not mad anymore…
''Good, and with no… extra casualties. I can say that you've done a splendid job. Your assistance is much appreciated, Fumigami-San.'' I can see her shoulders relaxing somewhat at one less problem on her plate.
I can understand, it must have been hard to track this one Stray in particular. Actually, if it wasn't for my Skills I would've been another statistic on the page.
''Not a problem, my dear Senpai~'' I grin while giving her a wink. She clears her throat and doesn't meet my gaze for a second there. Is she still embarrassed about what I said last time? Adorable~
''Anyway, with that out of the way, there is another thing I wanted to ask you.'' Her tone goes a bit serious and my eyebrow rises in curiosity as I straighten up in my chair.
Is she going to…? ''Of course, ask away.'' I nod at her and she looks directly into my eyes.
''Would you be against becoming a devil in my peerage?'' There it is! Man, they took their sweet ass time about this, huh?
I'm not against the idea. Sure, I will eventually become strong on my own with the System, but why reject a quick power-up?
Is it a bit like slavery? Maybe it is. If this were any other devil, then I would reject the offer. I can't be sure about other high-class devils' personalities, and those that I do know are utter trash.
Sona and Rias are an exception, these two are siblings from two of the four Satan's. You know, the ones who made the Evil Pieces and Rating Games a thing in the first place. So, I very much doubt I'll be treated as a slave in this scenario.
Hmm… I'm worried that becoming Sona's servant will nullify my chances with her.
Oh, it seems I'm taking a bit too much to answer since I can see Sona's expression turning a bit worried. My~ it won't be that easy to piss me off, you know?
''I know what becoming a devil under a peerage will entail in terms of perks from the first explanation you gave me,'' I respond easily, then I play up a narrowed gaze. ''Giving away my freedom, though…''
I can see that lying Skill in the background leveling up, but what can I say, I love teasing.
My answer seems to make Sona falter a bit. ''I-I reassure you, that you won't be treated as less in any way! I know how some devils can be with their peerages, but-''
''Just teasing, Sen-pai~'' A chesire grin spreads on my face as I reveal that I was just messing with her. Her eyes widen, and then I can see one of them twitching. A huff escapes as she sits in her chair.
Huh, when did she get up?
Anyway. My [Lie Detector] didn't go off at all during all of this. That seems proof enough for me.
''I can't give you an answer now, but I'll consider it, 'kay?'' That's the answer I give her, and it seems to make her relax and nod at me.
''Of course. That's more than reasonable.'' Her little smile returns. I wonder if she notices herself doing that whenever she's pleased with a well-executed plan.
Anyway, playing hard to get sure is fun~
After my talk with Sona, I got a message from Rias (with legible writing this time) asking to meet up at the Occult Search Club. She told me it was about the 'task' that she was going to assign me.
Yes, it's in quotation marks.
''So, correct me if I'm wrong.'' Rias stares blankly at me as I start. ''The task I need to do for the magic lesson Akeno gave me… is watching Fate with you?''
I don't think that's the most responsible way to use a favor you gained like this.
Rias looks at me strangely while tilting her head to the side like a lost puppy- damn it that's adorable. Wait, not the point! Why do you look as if I said something stupid?!
''Yes, that's exactly it.'' At my confused expression, she only smiles while sitting on her bed, the TV in the room has the first episode of Fate/Zero paused at the start. ''I tried to rope in my peerage for it, but all of them had some business today…''
Her chirping expression breaks into a pout and I can't help but smile. Then, I plop myself next to her in bed, and her eyes widen in slight surprise at me, like I did something unexpected.
''What's that look for? Start it up already, did you bring snacks?'' The amusement in my voice is only surpassed by the crooked grin on my face. That seems enough to bring Rias out of her shock, and the big, happy smile spreading across her face is absolutely beautiful.
It's been a long time since I had an anime buddy~
Goddamit Artoria! What do you mean by 'honorable fight'? It's a death match between seven Servants!
By Rias' starry eyes, I can see that she doesn't think the same. Ah, I guess she's into that 'honor code' type of thing, hm?
A few more minutes into the episode, Rias decides to suddenly ask. ''Hey, Fumigami-Kun, would you like to join my peerage?'' The suddenness of the petition almost makes my neck creak with how fast my head turns to her.
That's a lot more forward than I expected. Then again, this is Rias we're talking about. The girl who didn't mind getting into bed with a total stranger while completely naked just to heal him up.
''What brought this on?'' My eyebrow rises in curiosity. I actually expected her to ask before Sona, but I guess we didn't have that many conversations.
''Well… I wanted to ask eventually, and this seemed like a good time.'' Her sheepish expression tells me that she just blurted it out. That's alright, it's not something you can just bring out during lunch or something.
''Hehe~ It seems I'm getting popular around here.'' My teasing tone makes her raise an eyebrow. Right, context. ''Sitri-Senpai asked me the same thing today, it was just after I completed my report on the Stray I hunted with Koneko-San last night.''
Her eyes widen in realization, and a big pout crosses her features while her arms cross. ''Damn it! She got ahead of me… Did you accept her proposal already?'' She seems a bit downcast about it.
Hmm…
''I told her the same I'll tell you. I'll think about it.'' That seemed to get her hopes up a bit, and I received a hug from the crimson-haired princess. ''I should have my answer by Monday, that good?''
She happily nods, and we keep watching Fate for the afternoon.
-Sunday Morning, Zatren's apartment-
A barrier is protection, but it can also be sealing or imprisonment.
Deep sighs escape my mouth as an ocean-blue barrier surrounds me and my bed in a dome-like form. I haven't actually consumed the Skill Book for Barrier Magic. Instead, I'm trying to learn theory by reading this intricate novel.
It's definitely giving some results, but as my concentration falters slightly, the whole thing crumbles into particles.
Damn, at least it lasted longer than last time.
By practicing and increasing your understanding, Barrier Magic has leveled up by 3!
And that's level 10 in total. Man, I'm beat.
Getting up, I walk towards the small fridge in the kitchenette, grabbing myself some snacks as I think about both Sona and Rias' proposals.
Joining either one will undoubtedly put me in the middle of everything going forward, not that I mind. It's the exact way to get much stronger in quick order.
The thing is, who should I join? It's not like I won't stay close to the other depending on the peerage I join. Actually, I'm going to go the romance route for both heiresses.
Huh, should I prepare myself for beating up Riser, then? He has fire magic going for him, which fucks me up pretty badly… I'll think about that later.
In the magic repertoire, I have Sona on one side who can help me with mastering my water-related magic, and on the other is Akeno who can certainly help with my Electrokinesis.
Rias has a lot of powerful members who can also help me train in different ways, but Sona has more members, from which I can learn better team tactics. Not to mention, Sona's own capability of leading and her potential as a tactician.
Man, thinking is way too hard. Let's just see how this unfolds tomorrow.
Changing topic, how far away am I from Canon anyway?
From the show, I could get it should start one or two months after class, but I can't trust that data since this looks like it has some canon divergences. There was no girl approaching Issei to ask for a date (trust me, both of his friends wouldn't ever shut up about it if it happened) and there was no sign of Asia out there.
I thought of getting close to the abandoned church before, but what if they felt me out? I can't know how competent these Fallen are. Not to mention, that crazy priest… Freed, was it?
Maybe don't need to actually go by myself? I can just inform Sona about it tomorrow, and all of us can turn the place upside down if needed.
I receive a notification of the current spear form in my hand being totally unlocked, and a crooked smile splits my face.
Finally…
Agreas Crystal Spear.
Equip Bonus: [Attack Up (Medium)]. [STR Up (Small)] [Meteor Spear]. [Mastered].
Equip Effect: [Dark Magic Up (Medium)].
This was the spear I unlocked when the gem swallowed up the Knight Piece inside that werewolf Stray. I have to say, the unlocks I got from using the beast's body were quite profitable.
I didn't know how the fuck to get this Skill specifically, but I don't have to worry about it anymore~
From my menu, I go all out on upgrading this Spear Form with the abundance of ores I have. The only other forms I have upgraded are Queen Slime's spear and the evolved Lava Slime Spear. They're only to 5, since I didn't want to use that many ores.
Do you wish to use up 30 Iron ores to upgrade Agreas Crystal Spear?
Yup. Hope this is enough for halfway, at least.
Smelting ore…
Smelting Succesful x3!
Smelting Failed…
Smelting Succesful x3!
Smelting Failed…
Agares Crystal Spear has been upgraded to 6!
Nice~
Such a shame to miss the 7 like that, but I can't complain. The stats on this beauty are really nice, after all.
There's… something else I think I should do.
With a furrowed brow, I take another book from my inventory…
Skill Book: [Devour].
Just feeling the damn cover makes me want to throw this thing away… But I can't.
Not only does my own min-maxing side tell me this is a highly valuable Skill, that could help my growth, but there's also that pesky curse whispering in my ear about not disposing of precious things I own.
Hopefully, I can just eat monsters for it…
The Skill [Devour] has been learned!
-Monday Morning, Kuoh Academy-
Monday arrived, and with it, my answer for the devil heiresses.
Which is not actually taking a decision and letting Rias and Sona come to an agreement between them.
Yeah, I couldn't choose one that suited me better, so I guessed that would be the best option to take.
I will tell them at lunch break, I already sent both of them a message to meet up in the Student's Council room.
Huh. Now that I think about it, I haven't even checked Rias or her peerage stats to see how they measure up, except for Koneko.
Even in the middle of class, I can hear some students whispering with their closely seated classmates. Does the teacher not care or is my hearing too good?
''Look, look! The perverted beast from the trio didn't come to school today.'' Huh?
''You're right! Thank god for that. I don't think the other two have the balls for it without Hyoudou for fear of catching another beating!'' When I turn to look at Issei's seat, I can tell that is true. Dude didn't show up to class.
Man, Sona is going to chew him up if he doesn't have a good reason. Unlucky~
''You're right. I think they're too afraid of the 'Delinquent Prince' for that…'' My gaze turns to the girl who said that as I raise an eyebrow. Who the hell is the Delinquent Prince?
''Did you look at the video? Fumigami-San knocked them flat…'' Did they take a video of that? When?
No, wait.
I'm the 'Delinquent Prince'?! Who the fuck even-
Mocking giggles reach my ears, and I slowly turn my head to look at one Aika Kiryuu, who is looking straight at me with a coy smirk on her face. She even waves at me before winking, and before I can confront her about it, the bell rings and almost all of the alumni get up at once, trying to exit the classroom, which makes me lose her in the little crowd.
Is this some weird way of flirting I don't know about?
…
I should just hurry up to the Council Room. I'll deal with that girl later.
Exiting the classroom, I start to make my way to the-
An Emergency Quest has been issued!
The Fall from Grace:
Unknowingly to you, the Fallen in Kuoh have been working in the shadows, searching and monitoring for Sacred Gear Users. Contrary to canon, their objective is to snatch up the powerful objects instead of just killing the users.
Objective:
Defeat or Kill the four Fallen Angels [0/4].
Save Asia Argento.
Save Issei Hyoudou.
Save Sachi Genshirou.
Bonus Objective I:
Defeat or Kill Freed Sellzen.
Bonus Objective II:
Defeat all of the enemies by yourself.
Rewards:
Undecided.
WARNING! Failure to accomplish this Quest may result in Death.
What?
-Bonus Scene-
Sacred Gear Extracting Machine: Prototype-03. Entry 0027. Year 2012.
I forgot I even had these old entries. This new one is just to finish up and answer my question from the first one I made last year.
The answer behind possibly extracting a SG with a conscious being inside without consent. Well, the answer is a theoretical 'yes'.
And I say theoretically because there's no willing participant to test it on, taking into account that the damn thing still rips out the soul instead of only the Gear connected to it.
Anyway. My response is that, yes, you should be able to extract the year with one single condition. The being inside must be dormant or sealed from the principal functions of the Sacred Gear.
I think this old project is getting discarded soon, with no real progress without ripping apart the very thing that makes people… well, people. I don't find the reward good enough for the risk and taboo committed.
Maybe they can be used as an execution method for the worst of criminals. Who knows.
Also, I remember there were at least 15 machines of these, but I could only count up to 13 last I checked. Did some malfunction and get discarded?
I'll have to ask Benemune later.
-Azazel.
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Author's Note:
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BurstEvolution9000: Hmmm... I think around a B in STR to do it (With Reinforcement on top), and a C+ or B- in CON to not fuck his arm up in the procces.
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Lamont: I mean, you probably figured what's going to happen by now. I'll give my opinion about it next chapter so no one has to read spoilers rn.
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professorpoopypants00: Oddly specific... I'll do my best!
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ThisIsNotRedsito: Ah yes, the not-primary color.
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Koncor the great: Thanks for sending the names. I'm going to be honest, the NTR ones Idk if I'll read. While the powers in them may be interesting. I'm not rlly comfortable with reading or watching NTR in general.
He's less of an Isekai, and more like a 'transmigrated'. What I mean is. The body he's in is a person that existed in the DxD world (By the System space and time alteration), and he's basically habiting it. Idk how to explain it better. (I think Kuroka will appear eventually either way, tho).
I mean, I'll make him give out things he gets from the Gacha (that he has no use for) eventually, but it's actually random, so idk If I can give that to Xenovia.
If you fed Incursio to the Spear, I think some kind of assimilation would happen, and you could get a cool armor from it. (Kind of like a Balance Breaker?)
I'm still undecided on the character gacha thing, really.
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What's that? CANON STARTED?! HOLY SHIT.
It only took 50k fucking words. Subarashi.
Maybe some will get confused about MC using all his Mental Skills but no Reinforcement and the like.
That is because I don't consider them a magic branch. Right now, MC has 2 branches. Support (Reinfocing himself and healing) and elemental (Electricity and water). So, I don't think the rest count for it.
Also, it is indeed, a knock-off Dismantle.
Next chapter we confront the Fallen angels. I think I hinted pretty good at what will happen next. If you don't get it yet. Wait til' next week!
Muehehe.
Edit: Huh... Idk if the chapter is bugged, but the views and revies aren't loading even when I get the notifications. If you see the chapter dissapear and re-appear is 'cause I deleted it to see if that fixes it.