บท 18: Chapter 18. Satria's Quite Resolve
Satria Mansion
Kuoh, Japan
Satria was sitting in his room, scrolling through the Dimensional Chat Shop with a furrowed brow. He was on the hunt for an item or skill that could counter the Evil Pieces—a demonic chess system binding devils to their masters.
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[Crystal of Purification - 8000 Coins]
Description: A mysterious crystal capable of removing all negative influences from the user's body. Can only be obtained once in the Nerubian Maze.
[Heavenly Grace - 17000 Coins]
Description: Strong dispel magic that removes all negative statuses from a target while granting them All-Seeking One's divine blessing.
[Demonic Cleanse - 20000 Coins]
Description: Cleanses all enchantments, impurities, and curses from a target's body, healing them with the power of the Shadow Demon.
[Angel Breath - 6000 Coins]
Description: A one-time-use artifact that cures any wound or illness, restoring the target to perfect health.
[Rule Breaker - 12000 Coins]
Description: A dagger that nullifies all forms of magecraft, breaking enchantments and curses.
_______________
Satria stared at the options.
"These could work," he muttered, tapping his finger on the screen. But the prices...
Satria's eyes lingered on the familiar skill Demonic Cleanse, and a nostalgic smile tugged at his lips.
"This skill... it's from Shadow Demon, isn't it?" he muttered to himself, recalling the legendary support hero from Dota 2. Shadow Demon's abilities were all about disrupting enemies, purging harmful effects, and providing unique utility. Demonic Cleanse wasn't just a powerful tool; it was a literal game-changer when used correctly.
[Fatalis: Shadow Demon? Sounds ominous. What's that?]
"It's a hero from an old strategy game I used to play," Satria replied. "This skill was one of his signature moves—able to cleanse debuffs and heal targets. In the game, it's mostly used to counter enemy buffs or save allies. But here..." He paused, his gaze sharpening.
[Fatalis: Here, it can break through the Evil Pieces]
"Exactly. Shadow Demon was underrated, but if used by the right player, he could disrupt the entire battlefield. This skill... if I can master it, I could not only heal others but also neutralize any enchantments or curses tied to them."
[Fatalis: It's useful, But are you sure? Spending 20,000 coins on a single skill is no joke]
Satria sighed, conflicted. "I know. But it's more than just the cost. If I use this skill, I'm putting myself in the crosshairs of the devils. They'll see me as a threat to their entire system and I'm not ready... Yet to face them all."
[Fatalis: Always playing it safe, huh? Anything else catch your eye?]
Satria smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Of course. But let's be real—this is like the early game. You don't go around joking or flexing, saying 'ez' like some idiot, only to get wiped out later." He paused, a confident yet measured glint in his eyes. "Those are the kinds of players who end up feeding and ruining everything."
The Black Dragon laughed, her voice ringing like an amused melody.
[Fatalis: Spoken like a true tactician. But don't you think playing it too safe will make things... boring?]
"Boring or not, it's about survival," Satria countered, his voice firm but calm. "Rushing in without understanding the field just sets you up for disaster. You take time, build up resources, and when the enemy least expects it—bam—you strike with overwhelming force."
[Fatalis: And here I thought you'd just brute force your way to the top. Guess I underestimated your strategist side]
Satria chuckled, leaning back confidently. "I'm called a top 5 offlaner in the world for a reason."
[Fatalis: Oh? Big words, partner. Care to enlighten me? What makes this so-called offlaner rank so high?]
"It's all about holding the line and keeping the team afloat when everyone else is struggling," Satria explained, his tone brimming with pride. "An offlaner is the anchor—someone who holds their ground in the hardest lane, disrupts the enemy's strategy, and still comes out strong. It's not flashy, but it wins games."
[Fatalis: So, basically, you're the stubborn one who refuses to back down, even when things look grim?]
"Exactly," Satria said with a grin. "But it's more than that. You have to outthink your opponents, use every resource efficiently, and know when to engage and when to retreat. It's a mental game as much as it is a physical one."
Her laughter filled his mind.
[Fatalis: You make it sound so noble. I bet you just liked stomping your enemies into the dirt]
"Well," he admitted, smirking. "That part was fun too. But there's nothing like seeing the enemy's carry rage because you made their early game a nightmare."
The Black Dragon shook her head, clearly entertained.
[Fatalis: So, you're a mix of brains and brawn. I'll give you credit for that, partner. But let's see if your skills can keep up in this new world]
"They're not just skills—they're instincts," Satria said confidently. "And trust me, Fatalis, I don't plan on being just a top 5 offlaner in this world. I'm aiming for the number one spot."
Satria navigated to another section of the shop, searching for power-ups instead of items.
__________________
[Shadow Demon True Power - 65,000 Coins]
[Ultraman Cosmos Power - 85,000 Coins]
_________________
He smirked. "Not bad. If I get Ultraman Cosmos's power, I'll gain healing abilities and combat skills in one package. Plus, it's a prerequisite for legendary fusions."
He was still mulling over his options when a familiar warmth wrapped around him from behind.
"Danna-sama, you look troubled. What's on your mind?" Kiyohime's voice was gentle as she hugged him.
Satria leaned back into her embrace with a sigh. "Just trying to figure out how to counter the Evil Pieces."
"Hmm." She gently guided his head onto her lap, running her fingers through his hair. "Take your time. You'll figure it out."
He closed his eyes, enjoying her touch. Now I get why Kazuma loved Wiz's lap pillows so much. This is paradise.
•
Satria's morning was the same as usual: a quick workout, a refreshing shower, and breakfast prepared by Kiyohime.
"Did you pack everything for school?" she asked, handing him a neatly wrapped bento box. Her tone turned playful, but her smile was sharp. "And don't even think about looking at other girls behind my back."
Satria chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Yes, ma'am. You're like my wife—and my mom rolled into one."
"Ara~" she teased, but the warmth in her voice betrayed her affection.
With a wave, he left the mansion and headed to school.
•
Kuoh Academy
Class was as dull as ever. Satria stifled a yawn, barely resisting the urge to doze off. The clock ticked agonizingly slowly until, finally, the lunch bell rang.
As students dispersed, a small group of girls immediately swarmed him.
"Shin-kun, have lunch with me today!"
"No, eat with me!"
"I brought extra food to share!"
Annoyed by the persistent group of girls crowding him, Satria waved them off dismissively, his hand motion sharp and cool—eerily reminiscent of Jotaro Kujo from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
"Get out of my sight, woman!"
Instead of being insulted or offended, the girls swooned even harder, their eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Ah, Shin-kun is so mysterious and cool!"
"Such a bad-boy vibe!"
"He's even hotter when he's annoyed!"
"Punish this bad girl, Daddy!"
Satria froze mid-step, his brow twitching as he heard their whispers. What the hell is wrong with the women in this world? he thought, utterly baffled.
Instead of confronting the absurdity, he grabbed his bento and made a beeline for the rooftop. He needed peace, quiet, and most importantly, a break from whatever twisted logic governed this world's female population.
As he reached the rooftop, he exhaled deeply, the cool breeze brushing against his face. It was a small reprieve, away from the chaos of admirers who seemed to interpret every move he made as charming or cool.
"Finally, some solitude," Satria said, leaning against the railing and staring at the sky. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time he'd have to deal with such ridiculous situations. "Good Morning to Afternoon everyone! Haha, Enjoying the clear sky while accompanied by Kiyohime Bento and iced coffee, even if the stomach cries, the important thing is to be happy, which God's favor are you denying? Mantap... Eits! Don't forget to sebat first to be healthy and happy."
Lighting a cigarette, Satria leaned against the railing, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Two weeks in this world," he murmured. "Still feels surreal."
The door behind him creaked open, and he turned to see a petite, white-haired girl staring at him.
"You know smoking is against school rules," she said flatly.
Satria smirked. "Of all people, I didn't expect you to scold me. Where's Sona?"
"I'm not here to enforce rules," Koneko replied. "Just giving a warning."
He chuckled, extinguishing his cigarette and tossing it into the trash. "Fair enough. Name's Shin. You?"
"Koneko Toujou. First-year."
"What brings you here?"
"Class is too noisy," she replied simply.
"I know your feelings." He nodded, opening his bento. "Mind if I join you?"
Koneko shrugged, and he took a seat beside her.
Her eyes landed on his lunch. "Your bento... it's cute."
"Want to try?" he offered, holding up a piece of bunny-shaped rice.
She hesitated before taking a bite. Her stoic expression softened. "Delicious. Who made this?"
"Someone important," he said, smiling.
Without realizing it, he ended up feeding her the rest of his lunch.
"Thanks for the food, Senpai."
"Yeah, yeah." He scratched his head, glancing at the empty box. "Don't forget your dessert too." He gave her a chocolate bar, Koneko accepted it happily.
[Fatalis: Cheating already, partner? Planning to start a harem?]
"Shut up. She just reminded me of my cat."
Satria glanced at Koneko, her stoic face and small stature only amplifying her feline charm. Something about her reminded him of a stray kitten—cute, reserved, and in dire need of affection.
The thought popped into his head before he could stop it. She's so cute… I really want to pat her head. His fingers twitched involuntarily. And groom her like a pro... maybe scratch behind her ears while I'm at it...
He was already imagining the satisfaction of hearing her purr when—
"What the duck am I doing?" Satria's inner voice roared, snapping him out of his reverie. He physically recoiled, his hand pulling back as if it had been caught stealing.
He shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel the absurdity. I'm not some weirdo lolicon furry! Get it together, man!
But as his eyes drifted back to Koneko, who was quietly nibbling on her snack with an innocent, almost oblivious air, the urge returned, stronger than before.
No. Stop it. He clenched his fists, determined to resist. She's a person, not a kitten!
[Fatalist: "O, Owh! There's a suspicious person here officer, please do something]
"Shut it, Fatalis," Satria muttered under his breath, determined not to fall victim to his own instincts.
But as Koneko glanced up at him, her expression unreadable, he couldn't help but think: Just one head pat wouldn't hurt… right?
Satria couldn't resist any longer. With a mix of hesitation and determination, he gently reached out and placed his hand on Koneko's head, ruffling her soft white hair. At first, Koneko's eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening as if she'd been caught off guard.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Koneko felt an overwhelming warmth spread from his hand, a soothing sensation unlike anything she'd ever experienced. It wasn't just a pat—it was genuine affection. Not the empty, forced gestures she was used to, but something real and pure.
Her stoic expression faltered, and her cheeks flushed slightly as she let herself relax under his touch. This... this feels different, she thought, her usual walls of emotional detachment crumbling. It's like... he actually cares.
To her surprise, she couldn't resist leaning into his hand, her eyes half-closing as a soft, involuntary purring escaped her lips.
Satria froze for a moment, his brain short-circuiting. Did she just... purr?
Koneko, realizing what she'd just done, immediately tensed but couldn't pull away. What is this feeling? Why... why can't I stop? It was as if this simple act of kindness filled a void she hadn't even realized was there.
Satria, for his part, felt conflicted. On one hand, he was enjoying the moment—seeing her so relaxed and content stirred his inner cat lover. On the other hand, a part of him screamed: What the hell are you doing, man? She's not a literal cat!
[Fatalis: Well, well, partner. Looks like you've found her weakness. Congrats, you're officially her personal Masseur now]
"Shut it, Fatalis!" Satria snapped internally, though he couldn't stop his hand from gently continuing.
Koneko's voice broke the silence, soft and almost vulnerable. "This... this is nice..."
Satria blinked, caught off guard by her quiet admission.
"It's like... real affection," Koneko murmured, her voice trembling slightly. "Something I've... never felt before." Her words hung in the air, raw and unguarded, making Satria's heart clench.
For a moment, the rooftop was silent except for the breeze. Satria's hand paused, his usual cocky demeanor replaced with a rare sense of seriousness. "You deserve it," he said simply, his voice soft. "Everyone does."
Koneko glanced up at him, her golden eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and something else—a hint of trust she hadn't shown to anyone in a long time.
Koneko's lips curled into a small, blissful smile.
•
As they returned to class, Koneko glanced at him. "Meet me tomorrow, Senpai. I want more head pats."
Satria sighed, already dreading the teasing he'd get from Fatalis.
To be continued.
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Maou_4585 Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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