Capítulo 4: Chapter 03: Kuoh (Year One)
Kazuya and Issei were sitting in Issei's room along with Matsuda and Motohama, who were watching intently, though with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. The curtains were partially closed, allowing the soft light of the evening to gently illuminate the room. The conversation had turned more serious than usual, and the two newly initiated were struggling to absorb all the information.
Kazuya rubbed his temples, thinking about how to summarize everything they had experienced that day.
Not much time had even passed since he had spoken with Issei, and now he had to do it once again.
How incompetent were Sona and Rias that they ended up encountering Stray Devils near Kuoh Academy? In a way, they were lucky that the ones attacked were them and not someone else.
- Well, what we saw on the way weren't simple monsters, but demons, specifically Stray Devils - He continued as he saw them nod in understanding. - They're reincarnated demons - He said, and before they could start raising their hands, he added. - I'll explain what that means in a moment, just hold on. They're demons who, for one reason or another, ended up betraying their masters and freeing themselves from their control. Their horrible appearance could be, in a way, like… a side effect, perhaps? I'm not an expert on the subject, so I couldn't explain it much further -
Issei, who had been fiddling with his Sacred Gear before hiding it again, nodded energetically.
- Yeah, yeah, think of them as 'corrupted NPCs' who turned into enemies, or like enemies in a Hack and Slash game that are out of control, you know, like beasts with little rationality, things like that. Our situation could be pretty similar to that of players who have to fix the glitch in the code with a mod… or at least adapt to living with them -
Matsuda frowned as he ran a hand over his bald head, letting out a sigh.
- So, does this mean we can now summon 'creatures' as if they were part of our team in a game? Because all this sounds too crazy to be real -
Kazuya nodded slowly with a somewhat ironic smile. How many days had passed since he had arrived in this world? Honestly, all of this still felt pretty unreal to him. If it were his previous self, he was quite sure he would act the same way if he fell into a situation like this. Fortunately, he had had some time to adapt to his situation.
- In a way, yes. Issei and I have a type of 'summoning,' though it's much more complicated than simply calling them like pets. It requires a certain degree of control and a connection established through the COMP - He explained, pulling his COMP from his pocket, briefly showing it before putting it away again.
- COMP? - Motohama asked, pushing up his glasses.
Issei eagerly jumped in.
- It's like a next-generation gaming device, but instead of playing, it lets you interact with demons and use special abilities. Think of it as a controller that lets you access specific abilities and powers -
Kazuya clicked his tongue in slight annoyance, though Issei's explanations were accurate, they were taking away the epicness with which he was trying to explain everything.
Why bother trying to sound cool when the guy next to you was making sure to ruin it?
- Exactly, and within that COMP, there are abilities that we can unlock on our own, either by meeting requirements, completing missions, or stealing them from defeated enemies. They are divided into three main categories: active, passive, and automatic - He explained as he moved toward the refrigerator.
- Active abilities are like 'spells' or 'special attacks' that can be used in combat, but they require energy. Passive abilities are always active, like permanent stat boosts or special effects. And automatic abilities activate under certain conditions, like abilities that trigger at the start of combat or upon meeting certain requirements - Kazuya explained.
Matsuda and Motohama nodded slowly, beginning to understand, though there was still an air of disbelief around them.
The situation was too unreal to adjust to in just a few hours.
- Oh, and before you ask, the demons we summon are different from the native demons of our world. It's explained in the notes saved within my COMP -
Motohama raised his hand as if he were in class.
- But how did you get such an advanced device? I mean, is this something you bought on the black market or something? Or did you find it in some strange store that disappeared after you left? And what do you mean by native demons? -
Kazuya chuckled.
- No, nothing like that. The COMP, you could say I got it from… a 'contact,' the creator himself, to be exact. Why he gave it to me? I have no idea. Everything I know, I had to learn on the fly, so don't expect me to have all the answers. For now, the only thing I know and care about is that by using this, I can become strong enough to survive -
- So, you have a 'contact' who's possibly a 'genius at video games and magic,' crazy enough to create an inter-dimensional demon summoner machine that looks like a console. Wow, this is sounding more and more like a seasonal anime cliché. How big will your harem be, Mr. Protagonist? - Matsuda commented with a graceful laugh tinged with jealousy.
Issei laughed too, but then his expression turned serious.
- But guys, seriously, this isn't a game. We're dealing with things that can kill us. We need to be prepared if we want to protect ourselves. After all, who's to say we'll only encounter enemies we can handle? Next time, we might not be so lucky -
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone reflected on the gravity of the situation.
Finally, Kazuya broke the silence as he opened the mayonnaise to make his sandwich.
- What matters now is… I don't know how to erase your memories, and trying to learn it quickly just for you guys would be pretty troublesome - He commented, and the perverted trio couldn't help but shiver at the implications of memory erasure. - And letting you live with this knowledge without the ability to even defend yourselves doesn't sit well with me -
Matsuda and Motohama looked at him strangely. Why was he dragging out the conversation?
Issei barely held back the laughter threatening to escape from his mouth as he approached his friends.
- Kazuya's a bit of a… Tsundere -
- I am NOT! Okay?! - The blue-haired boy growled while giving them a furious look. - Can't I add some drama to my explanations?! You guys are the worst! - he yelled, throwing a COMP to each of them in frustration.
- Anyway, if I find out that any of you dared to abuse the power I'm giving you, I'll beat you so badly you'll be lucky to remain in a vegetative state. Got it? -
The two exchanged a look before nodding with determination.
- You can count on us - Motohama said, while Matsuda nodded. - If this is real, then we need to be prepared. We don't want to be mere spectators in this… 'game.' -
Kazuya nodded, satisfied with the response before letting out a laugh that could only be described as terrifying.
The perverted trio once again felt a chill run down their spines.
- Good. Then let's start training. There's a lot we need to cover before we're ready for whatever's coming -
And so, the night continued with Kazuya explaining the basics about demons and Sacred Gears, while Issei's friends tried their best to absorb the information.
In the end, the three came to one conclusion.
Why is the supernatural world so excessively complicated?
Most importantly, they understood that it would be best to stay away from the demons of their world because of their Evil Pieces.
Sure, saying they wanted to be dominated by a sexy demon lady in their fantasies was very different from being dominated by a real one.
And never, NEVER, under any circumstances, let the demons, angels, and other supernatural creatures native to their world get their hands on one of their COMPs.
The examples Kazuya had given about what could happen left them horrified.
.....
The afternoon sun softly illuminated an empty classroom at Kuoh Academy.
Kazuya, Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama were putting the finishing touches on the newly formed FAE (Forum of Adventures and Exploration).
They had even created their own website for it!
Though for others, the club would just be a place for fans of role-playing and adventure games, its real purpose was to serve as an information and logistics hub for their more "out of the ordinary" activities, without drawing too much attention or making them seem like a bunch of lunatics... well, at least not crazier than the average DnD player.
However, they lacked any advanced equipment or tools to support that side of the club; it was almost ridiculous that what they had barely passed as enough to maintain the facade of a group dedicated to tabletop games.
- So… what about our first session as a group? - Matsuda asked.
- I think we should face a group of goblins, what do you think? - Issei suggested, smiling as he settled into his chair. - They're a classic, and not too difficult for everyone to participate -
- Isn't it bad for you to attack your own species, Ise? -
- Shut up, you'd just be a ugly Gnome! -
Kazuya scratched his head, feeling a pang of nervousness at the thought that, in the future, he'd have to trust his back to these guys when facing demons and the like.
- Okay, guys - Kazuya interrupted their chat. - Remember, the goal of the club isn't just to play DnD. We have other things to do as well -
- Exactly! - Issei said, dropping the manual and pulling something out of his bag. For a moment, Kazuya even thought he heard the music that plays when Link gets a new item in Ocarina of Time as he watched the pervert lift an unpainted dragon miniature. - We can talk about all things supernatural as if it were part of the story. I mean, who's going to think we're discussing you-know-what when it looks like we're planning a campaign? -
Matsuda, who was painting a large-breasted elf warrior figure, nodded enthusiastically.
- And besides, it's a perfect excuse not to be taken as lunatics! - He said with a smile. - We'll just be 'that group of nerds who play role-playing games -
Kazuya sighed. He knew that this was a way to discuss important topics without drawing attention, but sometimes he wondered if the trio really understood the seriousness of the situation.
- By the way, I didn't have time to talk about this with you guys, but last night, a message was sent to the COMP, and new icons appeared on the... -
The classroom door was abruptly kicked open, cutting off the blue-haired boy, as Aika Kiryuu marched in imperiously, arms crossed, with a big smile on her face. She had been the last to join the club, invited by Issei and his friends the day before.
At first, she had hesitated to join. She could have just been a ghost member and left it at that; no one would have blamed her. But the idea of seeing what they had planned for the club's activities had finally piqued her curiosity.
- What are you perverts doing? - She asked in a mocking tone, arms crossed.
- Are you seriously making a role-playing game club at school? Aren't you afraid the bullies will start seeing you as a target? -
Kazuya, surprised by her sudden arrival, quickly tried to act natural. - Uh, yeah, sure. We're organizing some adventures and discussing strategies for… uh… a tabletop game -
- Tabletop game? - Aika raised an eyebrow, visibly skeptical. - You don't seem like the type who would play a tabletop game, Minegishi -
- Well, we all have our hidden sides, don't we? - Kazuya said, trying to smile, though he couldn't help but feel a bit cornered. Yeah, well, he'd never been especially good at acting or pretending.
Aika walked over to the table, looking at the map and the character sheets scattered about. - Can I join? Ever since you told me about it, I've been a bit curious to see how it's played - Her tone was light, but there was a curious gleam in her eyes.
Issei, who had been silent, lit up at the offer. - Of course! The more, the better. We still need a fifth member to complete the party! -
- 'Ise… you Idiot!' - Both boys screamed internally, forcing a smile on their darkened faces, as if they were ready to hit Issei.
Matsuda and Motohama exchanged nervous glances but eventually nodded.
- That'd be great. The more of us there are, the more fun the adventure will be - Motohama added with a trembling smile.
Aika sat down, her expression determined. - So, what's the first mission? You've got it ready, right? - She asked, getting a bit more interested in the game.
Kazuya turned to her, crossing his arms irritably.
- Yeah, more or less - He replied with a neutral tone, his eyebrows twitching as he felt aggrieved. - But remember, Kiryuu, this isn't just for playing. We also need to use this club to discuss more serious things -
Aika raised an eyebrow as she settled into a chair, clearly a bit confused.
- More serious? Like what? I thought we were just here to plan DnD campaigns and possibly figure out if the perverted trio has any talent for creating stories… and then steal them, turn them into novels, and sell them wholesale - She whispered with a slightly malicious smile.
Kazuya coughed and looked away, feeling slightly guilty as he remembered that he had somewhat planned the same thing.
Issei, noticing Kazuya's discomfort, quickly jumped in with a nervous smile. To hell with their personal issues—he was promised a session, and he was going to get it!
- Ah, well, that's the main thing, of course. But we also thought we could talk about strategies, you know, in case one day we have to… face something more real! -
Matsuda let out an exaggerated laugh.
Kazuya wanted to cry.
These guys are terrible at acting!
Even worse than him!
-Yeah, like when we planned how to defeat that black dragon in the last campaign. That was an epic battle! -
Aika watched them with a mix of amusement and skepticism.
- Are you serious? Do you really think we're going to face real things like it's a game? -
*Cough
Kazuya seized the opportunity to regain control of the situation and give a cooler introduction while trying to maintain a relaxed tone that he thought sounded good.
- Not exactly. What we mean is that the club is… much more! We need to be able to talk freely, and this is the best way to do it without drawing strange looks. While we play, we can exchange ideas and discuss… more important things -
Aika frowned, clearly still a bit confused.
- Important things? Like how many girls will hit your perverted trio the next time you try to spy on the athletics and kendo club locker rooms on the same day? - A teasing smile appeared on her face.
- Or should I say quartet? -
- I'm not a pervert! -
Issei, ignoring Kazuya's shouts, jumped back in to save the day.
- Like strategies for surviving dangerous situations! You know, things that could happen in real life… If we ever have to face something out of the ordinary, we'd be prepared! -
Matsuda and Motohama nodded enthusiastically.
Aika sighed, resigning herself to not fully understanding what they were hinting at but still decided to go along with it.
- Fine, I guess as long as we can play and hang out, I'm in. Besides, if you have 'useful' strategies, I won't complain, that could be interesting. I don't know how useful it'd be at school, but it sounds fun~ -
Kazuya felt as if somehow, she was looking at him with both smugness and disdain. He felt a burning desire to show her what he could do.
Though he soon calmed down as he remembered something.
They needed to make sure the club maintained its real purpose, but at the same time, they couldn't let Aika get suspicious.
On second thought, couldn't he take advantage of his position as Game Master and vent some of his frustrations on them?
...
Issei, excited, flipped through a DnD manual while Matsuda and Motohama discussed the possible classes they would use in their campaign.
- Perfect. So, let's start with the basics - He said as he sat down with them around the table. - First, we'll talk about the club's rules and how we're going to keep our 'campaign' as realistic as possible -
Kazuya sighed with mixed feelings. Having Aika with them might be a real nuisance if any topic came up that required him to explain something in a way that didn't fit well with DnD.
- All right, let's get started - He said, taking the DnD manual. - We'll play a short campaign first. I'd like to see how you handle it -
As they began organizing character sheets and discussing the game's rules, Aika watched everything with curiosity.
She had always had good instincts, and the uneasy glances from the new guy and the perverted trio, along with the feeling this place gave her...
- 'What could they be hiding?' - She thought for a moment before shaking her head with a small laugh, convincing herself it was just paranoia.
They were just the perverted trio and the new guy.
Pff, what interesting secret could they possibly hide?
...
The first session of FAE began without major complications, with Kazuya guiding everyone through the campaign.
Kazuya's idea was simple: a typical semi-medieval world, but with kids controlling demons and making them fight like in a turn-based RPG—basically an edgy version of Pokémon.
Also, most of them were big fans of DnD, which made the conversation and group synergy easier.
Kazuya acted as Dungeon Master, directing Issei, Matsuda, Motohama, and Aika on a mission inside a dungeon filled with traps and magical creatures. Everyone was immersed in their characters, trying to survive the adventure.
- Your group moves down the dark corridor of the dungeon - Kazuya narrated in a grave tone that didn't really suit him. -Suddenly, a dark shadow crosses the hallway in front of you. A whisper seems to come from all directions at once; it's similar to a growl, but at the same time, it sounds like it's coming from a human, more specifically, a woman. What do you do? -
Issei, playing a brave warrior, was the first to respond.
- I head toward the shadow! - He said enthusiastically. - I want to see what it is. Could it be a beautiful, big-breasted beast woman who, if I help, will reward me generously? - He added before rolling the dice.
Matsuda, who had taken on the role of a barbarian, stopped him.
- Wait, shouldn't we discuss a strategy before rushing in? It could be a trap, and... you remember what happened the last time you rushed to a beautiful woman in a campaign -
- Don't say it! - Issei shouted, covering his face.
- What happened? - Aika asked, curious.
- Don't you dare! -
- Pff, turns out she was a futanari elf - Motohama commented, trying to stifle his laughter.
Matsuda let out a loud laugh while Issei buried his face in his hands, not daring to look at anyone.
While the group was laughing, Kazuya took the opportunity to make a more serious comment.
- It was a trap, Issei. The Succubus demon has you, and she plans to drain your life force while torturing you for fun - Kazuya said.
- That's right, Issei. It's not always wise to rush headfirst into the unknown. Sometimes, it's better to observe and analyze the situation before acting - He said, looking at the others, his tone remaining slightly playful as he tried to prevent Aika from noticing the seriousness he was trying to convey to the perverted trio. - Especially when you don't know what you're up against -
Aika raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Kazuya's change in tone.
- Is this part of the game, or are you implying something more? -
Kazuya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
- Let's just say that sometimes, what we face in the game isn't so different from what we might encounter in real life. Imagine hearing a woman's painful moan in the night, and it piques your curiosity. What would you do? - He said, looking at her. - Would you get closer to check and see what's going on? That could be fine; I mean, she could have been the victim of a robbery or something... or it could be a woman being assaulted, or maybe it's a setup by a woman and her friends to lure someone in, only to harm them -
Aika looked at him for a second, clearly unsure whether he was serious or not. Finally, she decided to play along, even though she still didn't fully understand what Kazuya was trying to say.
In her mind, she had already classified him as a weird guy.
- All right, I get it. So, what do you suggest my character do in this situation? -
Kazuya smiled.
- You approach slowly, keeping your eyes open, and prepare a defensive action in case it's a trap -
As they continued with the campaign, the conversation occasionally took these subtle turns, where Kazuya tried to guide his companions toward the seriousness of their situation while trying not to alarm Aika, who still wasn't aware of the supernatural. But no matter how hard he tried to keep things light, he couldn't stop the real situation from seeping into his words.
The fact that he was terrible at being subtle didn't help reduce Aika's suspicions either.
The dungeon they were exploring in the game began to symbolically reflect the challenges they might end up facing in real life. The traps represented the dangers lurking in the supernatural world, while the monsters reflected the demons and creatures they would probably have to fight sooner or later.
...Of course, tossing in a few troll traps or monsters here and there was just to train their nerves.
Yep, just for that.
....
An hour later, the campaign had progressed considerably. They were about to face the final boss of the dungeon, a dragon Kazuya had designed to be more of a strategic challenge than a physical one. Issei was completely absorbed in his role, leading the charge, while Aika was trying not to lag behind, providing long-range support.
- The dragon descends from the sky, its shadow covering the entire battlefield - Kazuya said, putting all his effort into making the narration as epic as possible. - With a deafening roar, it opens its jaws and unleashes a wave of fire that engulfs everything in its path. What do you do? -
Aika, playing as a mage, raised her hand.
- I cast a barrier spell to protect everyone! -She exclaimed excitedly, now fully immersed in her role.
- Good move - Kazuya commented, nodding with a smile. - You manage to mitigate some of the damage, but the heat is still overwhelming. You'll need a better strategy if you want to defeat this enemy -
Issei, always the first to charge into battle, was already preparing his next move.
- I'm going to attack with my sword! - He said. - I want to cut off one of its wings so it can't fly -
But before he could roll the dice, Kazuya interrupted him with a subtle warning.
- Remember, Issei, not all enemies can be defeated with brute force. Sometimes, it's better to use your head -
Motohama, who was taking his role as strategist more seriously, nodded.
- We should find its weak spot. Dragons usually have incredible resistance, but there might be something we're missing -
Kazuya smiled. That was exactly the lesson he wanted everyone to understand, both in and out of the game: not everything could be solved with strength.
In this world, where demons, mages, and all kinds of supernatural beings lurked, intelligence and strategy would be their best weapons.
...As long as they didn't run into a stupid character who gained power through boobs or some other nonsense.
Finally, after several minutes of intense combat and planning, they managed to defeat the dragon. Everyone at the table celebrated their victory, even Aika, who had been somewhat reluctant at first, now felt like part of the group.
Kazuya watched silently, enjoying the session a little more than he had expected when he had first planned it.
""""""""""""""""
When the session ended, and they were packing up their things, Aika turned to Kazuya.
- I have to admit, this was more fun than I expected - she said with a smile. - But I still don't understand why you're putting so much emphasis on realism. What exactly are you trying to do? -
Kazuya simply laughed.
- All in good time, Aika. All in good time - He responded to the girl, who had started to pout.
Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama exchanged nervous glances, hoping Aika would never discover the club's true purpose. The embarrassment of being found out so soon after starting could completely ruin them.
Besides, what kind of demon would Aika end up summoning? The three of them could feel a chill run down their spines as they imagined her with a gigantic octopus with many tentacles ready to attack both girls and boys.
For now, at least, it seemed that everything was fine.
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere in the club room felt relaxed, almost as if they had set aside the tensions of the outside world. Issei got excited about the idea of creating unique characters for their adventure, discussing their features and abilities while Matsuda and Motohama supported him enthusiastically.
As the group left the classroom, Kazuya stayed behind for a moment, looking at the board and the miniatures they had used during the campaign.
A smile formed on his face.
- Companions, huh? - Kazuya murmured, with a faint smile on his lips as he reflected on the dynamic of his new group.
There was something comforting in the fact that, despite the strangeness of the situation, at least he wouldn't be alone in it.
He realized that, for the first time since he had arrived in this world, he felt somewhat at peace.
The idea of having a club and sharing adventures with these guys, even if they were a bit odd, was somewhat reassuring.
....
The following week at Kuoh Academy passed without major incidents. The group met several times in the club to play and plan, though Kazuya still felt that most of the conversations revolved too much around DnD campaigns instead of focusing on the more serious aspects. But he couldn't force everyone to change so quickly... besides, he wouldn't deny it—it was pretty fun.
....
One day after class, Kazuya was reviewing his COMP while Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama debated which campaign to start the following week.
He was looking into the new icons he had mentioned in the first meeting… yes, though it was embarrassing to admit, he had forgotten about them, and now he was trying to figure out their functions when a notification appeared on the screen indicating there were now two messages in the inbox.
[User Messages (0)]
[Administrator Messages (1)]
[System Messages (1)]
[Side Missions Available!]
Kazuya blinked in surprise. He didn't remember seeing that option before. Ignoring the new function for now, he proceeded to read the messages.
[Administrator Message]
[I wish this could have gone differently, but you're leveling up way too slowly!
At this rate, you'll end up dead in the first few arcs of DxD.]
Kazuya's eyebrows twitched with irritation as he continued reading the message. The worst part was that he couldn't deny it.
[So, the restriction that you had to stay solely in DxD until you complete the main mission will be lifted, but don't think you've been saved. With this new function unlocked, you'll travel to other worlds temporarily and on a timed basis.
Once the time is up, you'll return immediately to this world. Why were you given such an exception?
The answer is simple—your superiors, my other enforcers, are a bunch of idiots with brains the size of a flea who only know how to leave chaos and destruction in their wake. And I, along with my more reliable servants, am too lazy to fix things ourselves, so we had the brilliant idea of delegating the work to someone lower than us in the job hierarchy—amazing, right?
Congratulations, you're the chosen one!
Anyway, for now, you'll have to face beings called 'chaotic entities' and their minions. If you want an example of what kind of beings they are, imagine a Doom demon, but worse. Their mere presence within a world causes destruction, not to mention their actions.
Awesome, right?
P.S. I won't raise your salary for the extra work. :D
Sincerely, Hist, the best boss in the world.]
A sigh escaped his lips as he resisted the urge to throw his COMP on the ground and stomp on it.
He selected the new option, and to his surprise, several missions appeared, described somewhat vaguely.
One option was grayed out, labeled [Missions in the Current World], while the other option was [Missions in Other Worlds]. Below it, there was a large banner with the words:
[Explore an alternate world and find a way to improve your abilities.]
It was exactly what he had been looking for. With the events of Kuoh Academy slowly moving toward the main DxD plot, he needed time and a place where he could train and get stronger—not just for himself, but for his companions as well. These missions sounded like the perfect opportunity.
Also...
- 'Explore an alternate world, huh? That could be interesting' - Kazuya thought, smiling to himself.
He closed the COMP for now, knowing he'd have to share this with Issei and the others at the right time.
He needed to plan carefully and make sure everyone was ready.
According to the message, a mission could last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Just as he was thinking about how to bring up the topic, Aika stormed into the clubroom, making her signature entrance and catching the group's attention.
- Hey, perverts! Have you decided what our next campaign will be, or are you still wasting time? - She asked with a teasing smile, throwing her backpack onto the table.
Kazuya couldn't help but smile stiffly at Aika's energetic attitude. Although he no longer found her as annoying as before, the girl was still somewhat... "special"?
- Well, we were actually discussing what characters we should create for the next adventure - Issei responded, pointing to a sketch Matsuda had drawn on a piece of paper.
- Characters? - Aika leaned forward, showing interest. - That sounds interesting. What do you have planned? -
Kazuya quickly thought of a way to redirect the conversation. - We were talking about doing a campaign based on a goblin invasion before you came in. Something classic, but with a few twists. We're still defining some details—gotta make the right characters for it -
Aika frowned for a moment, but then smiled.
- I like it! I've always been a fan of stories where the heroes face hordes of monsters. I can be the strong and brave warrior! And you guys can be the damsels in distress, about to be violated! - She commented, looking at them with her signature perverted smile and her glasses gleaming maliciously.
The guys looked at her in surprise, and with some horror. Matsuda smiled awkwardly, trying to shake the scene Aika had just put in his head. - Of course, you'd be the one saving everyone! Just make sure you're not the one who needs rescuing, right? Ise and Motohama will depend on you. I'll just be the cool Ogre King waiting for my chance to stab them all in the back -
Kazuya felt a bit uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken, but he was already getting used to it.
.....
After class, at Issei's house.
The boys were discussing what to do when they continued the session from where they left off before heading home.
Motohama got serious and began taking notes.
- We should think about how to improve our tactics. As a last resort, we could sacrifice Ise and then run away -
Issei nodded energetically.
- Totally agree… huh? Don't talk about me like I'm disposable! If we can do a good job in the campaign, maybe we can apply those strategies in real life when we have to deal with real demons -
Kazuya closed his COMP, thinking about how to explain the topic in the best way possible. First, there was the issue of the chaotic entities, then the missions in other worlds, and finally, this "Hist" character, and how he had unknowingly dragged them into this by giving them the COMPs. He cleared his throat to get Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama's attention.
With a somewhat bitter expression, he decided to at least be honest about it—he owed them that. Rather than giving them a way to obtain some security and protection, what he had done was put them in even greater danger.
- Guys, there's something I need to tell you - Kazuya began in a serious tone. - Something has happened with the COMP - He said, and noticed how they were now looking at him with greater attention and seriousness.
- The name of the 'Administrator' and possible creator of the device has been revealed - He said as he saw everyone's eyes widen. - And it's worse than I thought. He also revealed his reason for giving it to me. Apparently, he wants me to form a team and become what he calls an 'Enforcer,' to exterminate chaotic entities that exist in various worlds. It seems that their influence is destabilizing those universes. While some of those entities have already been eliminated by those he calls my 'seniors,' their presence left a mess that we have to face. Some of the missions we have available involve restoring order in those worlds -
- Chaotic entities? Like demons but on a larger scale? - Issei raised an eyebrow, intrigued. - Also, wasn't the creator someone you knew? Who is this 'Hist'? -
- More or less, it's not entirely clear, and as for the other part, I'm not sure. The person I mentioned was my cousin, Naoya. I'm sure he worked on creating the COMP based on the notes I found in his room shortly before he disappeared. He probably did this work for that 'Hist' - Kazuya replied. He didn't feel good about lying to them, but he didn't want to explain that he was reincarnated... or maybe transmigrated was a better term? No, now wasn't the time to think about that. - As for the entities, they're not like the demons we've dealt with so far. They're much more powerful and harder to track. They've caused chaos in multiple worlds, and while they've been destroyed, their aftermath still affects those places. What we have to do is restore balance. That's what these missions imply. It's also mentioned that at some point, I might have to face them directly, but not anytime soon, since I'm not strong enough to take them on yet -
Motohama adjusted his glasses, clearly concerned.
- And how are we supposed to do that? We've barely fought a few Stray Devils. If these worlds are so damaged, what can we do? -
Kazuya nodded at Motohama's concern.
- It's true that we're not that strong yet, but these missions offer us an opportunity. We can gain experience by dealing with the remnants of those entities' influence. These worlds have problems that, with our power, we can help solve. It's a risk, but if we want to get stronger, it's necessary. Plus, not all the missions involve extermination and subjugation. Some are exploration and item collection missions. Those missions apparently reward us with Exp for both ourselves and our demons -
- And what missions do we have? - Issei asked, clearly excited about the idea of exploring other worlds. Judging by their smiles and bright eyes, Matsuda and Motohama felt the same.
- ...Aren't you guys angry that I dragged you into this? - Kazuya asked, confused.
- What are you talking about? You think we'd waste the opportunity to have real adventures and possibly hook up with girls in other worlds just because? - Matsuda said, clenching his fist with excitement. - Even better, if they get pregnant, I won't have to take responsibility since I can't stay in that world! -
- What a disappointment, Minegishi. I thought you understood our greatness by now - Were Motohama's words as he adjusted his gleaming glasses with a finger.
Kazuya stared at them blankly for a few seconds before sighing, with an expression that seemed to say, "Why do I even bother?" He activated the missions function and projected the list of available ones so the others could see them.
[Available Side Missions]
[Karakura Town (Bleach) – Defend the city from Hollows. The chaotic entity has already been eliminated, but its influence has caused more Hollows to appear than usual. Help defend the city or simply reduce the number of enemies to a manageable level for the protagonists.]
[Kanto Region (Pokémon) – A chaotic entity manipulated several Pokémon, turning them into evil monsters. Although it has been destroyed, its minions continue their work, corrupting Pokémon. Stop the minions before they manage to influence the Legendary Pokémon.]
[Apocalyptic Dimension – Face the nightmare invaders and help restore order to a devastated city.]
Matsuda, excited, was the first to react.
- The Karakura Town mission sounds amazing! Are we really going to fight Hollows? Are we actually going to fight alongside the Soul Reapers? -
Issei, for his part, nodded enthusiastically.
- Yeah, but did you hear about the chaotic entity's influence? If there are more Hollows than usual, it could be really dangerous. Plus, what makes you think we won't get crushed by their spiritual pressure? -
Kazuya nodded. He wouldn't deny it—he was a bit proud to see Issei becoming a little more thoughtful before doing something reckless.
- That's exactly what we need. In Karakura Town, according to the mission report, Oryuu's bait originally attracted several Hollows, but the chaotic entity's presence multiplied that number and strengthened some of them. Even though it's been destroyed, there are far more Hollows than expected, and we need to help the Soul Reapers defend the city. I don't know about you, but it sounds like a great event to earn Exp -
Motohama, after thinking quietly for a bit, decided to chime in.
- And what about the Pokémon mission? It seems like the chaotic entity caused problems there too. It seems like a much safer mission than Bleach's, but if we're going to face corrupted Pokémon... shouldn't we make sure we have a plan to deal with something like that? -
Kazuya leaned forward, evaluating the two options.
- The Pokémon mission also says that we need to have our own team. Personally, I agree with Motohama. The mission seems much safer compared to Bleach's, but seeing that mention of Legendary Pokémon makes me hesitate, so I think it wouldn't be bad to go to Bleach first. It's much more dangerous in the immediate sense, yes, but it doesn't say we have to eliminate all the Hollows, right? It just says we need to reduce them to a manageable level -
Issei laughed, excited about the prospect.
- So after Karakura, we'd go to Kanto to face evil Pokémon! This is like every gamer's dream come true—except for the evil Pokémon part, of course -
Kazuya smiled, knowing he had everyone's attention.
- Yeah, but before we get too excited, remember to prepare. We need to gather medicines, food, and useful items. The Bleach mission might be quick, but the Pokémon mission won't be. We also can't assume it'll be as simple as finding and defeating them—we don't know how strong they are, much less how good they are in strategic combat. The chaotic entity may be gone, but its minions and the remnants of its influence are still a threat. For now, Karakura will be our first stop, and after that, we'll prepare for the Pokémon mission -
The three nodded as they began writing down their strategies.
Matsuda and Motohama already had their own demons, but they weren't as skilled at fighting with them as Kazuya and Issei, so they would require significant support during the battle.
It was best to plan their moves now and make adjustments during the battle to avoid unforeseen accidents.
- All right then - Motohama said, finally smiling a bit. - Looks like we have a plan. Now the most important question—pizza, burgers, or Chinese food? -
...
They spent the rest of the afternoon adjusting their plans and debating which abilities would be most useful for the adventure/mission.
- All right, so the first thing is to make sure all our COMPs are properly configured - Kazuya said, reviewing his own device. - Remember what I mentioned about active, passive, and automatic abilities. If we're going to face so many Hollows, we need to prioritize abilities that let us hit fast and hard without running out of energy too quickly. There's also an item called [Red Wine] that restores MP, but I don't have many, so we'll need to use them only when absolutely necessary -
Issei, with his usual enthusiasm, was already going through his COMP.
- Got it. As for abilities, I've got my Kobold ready to fight, but I've also been thinking about training some support techniques to help during battle using my Sacred Gear - He commented, jotting something down in his notebook.
- Yeah, that could be useful. By the way, why do you have those dark circles under your eyes? - Kazuya asked, looking at Issei with curiosity.
- Last night, I suddenly appeared in front of this weird flaming lizard. It looked like a mix between a Charizard and a dragon drawn by a little kid. It was saying strange things about 'Domination' and other stuff. I yelled at it to shut up and come back when it was a beautiful dragon lady with huge boobs. It seemed a bit annoyed, so I kindly told it to go bother someone else. The dream lasted longer than I thought—it chased me all night through a burning wasteland. I don't get why I woke up so tired - Issei explained.
Kazuya had a somewhat dumbfounded expression on his face as he listened.
Matsuda and Motohama thought it was just another of Issei's idiotic fantasies, but Kazuya knew very well that it was probably Ddraig.
He stood up, ready to end the meeting for the day.
- All right, guys. We'll meet tomorrow to finalize the last details -
The three nodded seriously, and once again, Kazuya was left alone in the room while Issei walked his friends out.
- ...I hope everything goes well - He murmured as he checked how much Macca he had left for emergencies.
.....
The next day passed in a tense calm. Even those who usually avoided the perverted trio felt curious about their serious expressions, the complete lack of their usual perverted grins, and their conversations, which were clearly lewd harassment of the female students.
After classes, the group gathered again in the clubroom. This time, everyone was ready to start. Kazuya had finished configuring the COMPs and had reviewed all possible options to ensure they had the best abilities available. Some useful ones had been cracked from previous encounters with Stray Devils, but they weren't practical since they required specific stat prerequisites. However, depending on their effort during the mission, that could change.
- All right, everything's ready - Kazuya announced, placing a chicken sandwich in his backpack. - I'm going to activate the mission, and it'll transport us directly to Karakura. Once there, we need to stay alert. Remember, the Hollows we'll face will be more numerous and stronger than they should be -
- So, what's the plan? - Motohama asked, still adjusting his glasses.
- We stick together, cover each other's backs as best we can, and if we get separated, we stay in constant communication through our phones. If things get ugly, don't hesitate to regroup and retreat - Kazuya said firmly. - Getting Exp is important, but not more than our lives. If you see an enemy you can't handle, call for reinforcements, and if there's no one nearby, run as fast as you can to where the others are -
Issei nodded.
- Let's do this. I'm ready - He said, manifesting his Sacred Gear in his left hand, getting it ready to charge in case it was needed.
Kazuya activated the mission on his COMP, and a blue glow began to surround the group. In an instant, the classroom vanished, and with a flash, the image around them completely changed—they were now in Karakura Town, but something was different.
Karakura was under an ominous shadow, and the distant roars of Hollows already began to fill the air.
Frightened screams from spiritually aware people could be heard, while the others just looked around with confusion, almost as if they instinctively felt something was wrong but couldn't truly perceive it.
What had happened here?
.....
The group appeared in Karakura, ready to face the chaos the chaotic entity had left in its wake. The city was deserted, with shadows stretching as twilight covered the streets. The roars of the Hollows echoed in the distance, and Kazuya could feel the weight of tension in the air. There was no time to waste.
- Remember the plan. We stick together and take down the Hollows as soon as we see them. If Issei tries to pull any reckless stunt that might get him killed and take us down with him, knock him out or tie him up and carry him like a sack of potatoes. Everyone ready? - Kazuya asked, taking the lead with his COMP in hand.
- Got it... Wait a second! Why do you guys assume I'll do something reckless? - Issei protested, activating his Sacred Gear as his Kobold followed closely behind, ready to fight.
- You're Hyoudou Issei. Despite the fact that the girls from the kendo club give you monumental beatings, worthy of being classified as near homicide attempts, you still show up the next day to do it all over again -
Issei couldn't argue with that.
""""""""""""""""""""""
Matsuda and Motohama, although somewhat nervous, had their COMPs ready and their demons summoned. Ogre, a muscular and brutal-looking demon, stood by Matsuda's side, while Agathion, with its more peaceful appearance, floated next to Motohama.
It wasn't even a few minutes before the first Hollow appeared. It was a grotesque being, with a thin, elongated body, like a giant mantis with a white, skull-shaped mask. It had sharp, blade-like arms, and a torso covered in bones that made it even more intimidating.
Its HP was displayed on Kazuya's COMP: [HP: 60/60]. Strangely, it didn't have a level, but judging by the feeling it gave off, it was definitely stronger than the Stray Devils they had fought so far.
- It's weak to wind and electricity! - Shouted Motohama, as his glasses gleamed blue.
- Pixie, Zio! - Kazuya yelled, as the fairy launched an electric bolt toward the Hollow. The attack hit directly, causing 14 points of damage and reducing its HP to 46. The Hollow staggered back but charged at them again with a roar.
Its scythe-like arms were aimed directly at Issei.
- Kobold, attack! - Ordered Issei.
Kobold leapt at the Hollow, clawing and biting. The attack was effective, reducing 10 HP and leaving it with 36. However, the Hollow quickly retaliated, swinging its sharp limbs toward Kobold, dealing 8 points of damage. Kobold retreated, stumbling but still standing.
- Ogre, go! - Shouted Matsuda, nervous but excited at the same time.
The Ogre charged at the Hollow, with its massive size and bulging muscles, swinging its huge club and causing 10 points of damage. The Hollow was left with 26 HP but continued to resist.
- Agathion, Zan -Commanded Motohama.
A gust of wind shot toward the Hollow, hitting it precisely, landing a critical hit, and reducing its HP to 12. Kazuya knew they had it now.
- Pixie, finish it - Kazuya said.
Another Zio struck the Hollow, dealing 14 points of damage and eliminating it completely, its body disintegrating into particles.
[+60 Exp]
- That was easier than I expected... - Commented Issei, though still breathing a bit heavily. Kazuya quickly checked his COMP.
- Don't get overconfident. This is just the beginning - Warned Kazuya, noticing more Hollows beginning to appear in the distance.
Three new enemies appeared on his screen.
The first was a Hollow that resembled a giant wolf, its skeletal mask had grotesquely protruding fangs, and its body, though covered in black fur, had limbs that slithered on the ground like snakes.
[Hollow: HP 50/50]
The second Hollow was an amorphous abomination, with several limbs extending from a bulbous body. Overall, it resembled a jellyfish, and its limbs looked human but were strangely elongated and very thin. Its mask had three eyes, giving it an even more grotesque appearance.
[Hollow: HP 70/70]
The last Hollow had a more humanoid appearance, but its skin was completely black, and its cracked white mask gave it an eerie look.
[Hollow: HP 40/70]
- Get ready, there are more! - Kazuya shouted.
The battle began again, and this time the Hollows were faster and more aggressive. The first one, with 50 HP, charged directly at Matsuda and Ogre.
Ogre took the hit, losing 12 HP, leaving him with only 18. Matsuda, surprised, quickly gave orders.
- Ogre, counterattack! - He shouted, and his demon responded with another swing of its club, taking away 13 HP from the Hollow.
Meanwhile, the Hollow with 70 HP charged toward Kazuya.
Unfortunately for it, the blue-haired boy reacted faster than his teammate.
- Pixie, Zio! -
The lightning struck the larger Hollow, dealing 12 points of damage, but the monster barely felt it. With a roar, it attacked Kazuya, slashing through his defense and taking 10 HP. Kazuya staggered but managed to stay on his feet. A grimace crossed his face as he tried to endure the pain.
Issei, seeing the situation, decided to act.
- Kobold, attack the smaller Hollow! - He shouted.
Kobold obeyed and attacked the Hollow with 40 HP, dealing 10 damage and leaving it with 30. The Hollow retaliated, reducing Kobold's HP by 8.
- Pixie, another Zio on the big Hollow - Kazuya ordered.
The lightning struck the large Hollow again, taking 14 HP, leaving it with 44.
Meanwhile...
- Ogre, finish the first one - Matsuda commanded.
With a roar, Ogre smashed the wolf-like Hollow with its club, eliminating it completely.
[+50 Exp]
Meanwhile, Agathion used Zan to attack the smaller Hollow, dealing another 8 points of damage and leaving it with 22 HP.
The larger Hollow, furious, attacked Kazuya again, taking another 10 HP, leaving him with only 6.
- Damn it! - Kazuya growled. - Pixie, use Dia -
A wave of healing energy enveloped him, restoring 12 HP, bringing him up to 18. But he knew they had to finish off the Hollow quickly.
- We need to take this one down fast - Kazuya said.
Issei nodded.
- Got it. Kobold, final attack! Slash Fury! - He commanded.
Kobold unleashed its final attack, taking down the humanoid Hollow and winning the battle.
[+40 Exp]
Only the large Hollow remained, now with 44 HP. Kazuya activated the Crackqueo function on his COMP.
- I'm going to crack Zan. Pixie, get ready to hit it with Zio - Kazuya ordered, watching as the Hollow's ability became available to him.
Pixie fired another Zio, taking another 14 HP, reducing the Hollow to 30.
- Ogre, finish it off - Growled Matsuda.
The demon attacked with fury, dealing another 12 points of damage and leaving it with only 16 HP.
Pixie followed up with another Zio.
And finally, Agathion launched one last Zan, finishing off the final Hollow.
[+70 Exp]
With the Hollows defeated, the group could finally catch their breath, but they knew it wasn't over.
- Good work, guys. But we need to stay alert. There are still more Hollows out here - Said Kazuya, checking his COMP to see his newly acquired abilities.
[Kazuya has obtained Zan (Active Ability)]
[Matsuda has obtained Tarunda (Passive Ability)]
[Motohama has obtained Bufu (Active Ability)]
- We're on the right track. Let's keep moving; there's still a lot to do -
And so, the group advanced through Karakura, ready to face more Hollows and continue with their mission.
**********************************************************************************
It's been a while since I last wrote, hasn't it?
How have you all been during this time?
I've been… pretty screwed over. Damn studies suck the life out of you, and it almost seems like the professors feed on the misery of the students.
Anyway, there's not much left to finish this introduction arc and jump straight to where the prologue left off.
What do you think of the story so far?
And more importantly, what did you think of the long chapter? It's my first time trying one of this length, and I'm not really sure how it turned out.
— Novo capítulo em breve — Escreva uma avaliação
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