The first thing that hit me wasn't the unfamiliar scent of cherry blossoms drifting through an open window, or the way sunlight streamed across polished wooden floors in geometric patterns I'd never seen before. No, it was the complete and utter wrongness of everything.
I blinked, my vision swimming as consciousness crawled back into my skull like a reluctant cat. Where the hell was I? This definitely wasn't my dorm room with its perpetual stench of instant ramen and unwashed laundry. The walls were too clean, too bright, and there were actual windows here-multiple ones-letting in what appeared to be natural light. When was the last time I'd seen natural light that wasn't filtered through grimy glass and cigarette smoke from the apartment next door?
My body felt strange as I pushed myself upright, like I was wearing clothes that didn't quite fit. I was sitting at a desk-a real wooden desk, not the folding table I'd been using as a computer station for the past three years. Around me, rows of similar desks filled what was unmistakably a classroom. A Japanese classroom, if the characters scrawled across the blackboard were any indication.
"What the actual-" I started, then stopped. My voice sounded different. Higher. Younger.
The memories hit me like a freight train loaded with energy drinks and regret.
I remembered the marathon. Seventy-two hours straight of High School DxD, fueled by nothing but caffeine pills, energy drinks, and the kind of determination that only comes from having absolutely nothing else to do with your life. I'd been in the middle of season four, Issei was doing his usual perverted protagonist thing, and I'd been reaching for my eighth Red Bull of the day when my heart had decided it had finally had enough of my lifestyle choices.
The chest pain had been sudden and brutal. I'd barely had time to think "well, this is embarrassing" before everything went black.
And now I was... here. Wherever here was.
I looked down at my hands-smaller, paler, definitely not the hands of a twenty-two-year-old college dropout who'd spent the last four years perfecting the art of social isolation. These were the hands of someone younger, cleaner, someone who probably didn't survive on a diet of convenience store food and crushing existential dread.
"Okay," I muttered to myself "either I'm having the most vivid near-death experience in human history, or-"
A soft chime echoed in my ears, and suddenly there was a glowing blue screen hovering in front of my face. Translucent, ethereal, and displaying text in a font that looked suspiciously like something from a video game interface.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZATION COMPLETE]
[WELCOME TO THE HIGH SCHOOL DXD UNIVERSE]
[PREVIOUS LIFE TERMINATION CAUSE: CAFFEINE OVERDOSE]
[REINCARNATION PROCESS: SUCCESSFUL]
I stared at the screen. Then I stared some more. Then I did what any rational person would do when confronted with floating text that confirmed their death and subsequent reincarnation into an anime world.
Not the good kind of laughing, either. This was the kind of hysterical, borderline manic laughter that probably would have gotten me committed if anyone else had been around to hear it. The kind that said "my brain has officially given up trying to process reality."
"Of course" I wheezed between giggles "of course this is how it happens. I die watching anime about devils and boobs, and I get reincarnated into the world of devils and boobs. The universe has a sense of humor after all"
The screen flickered, and new text appeared:
[BOUND TO USER: AKIRA YAMAMOTO]
[SYSTEM FUNCTION: COMPLETE ASSIGNED TASKS TO EARN GACHA TICKETS]
I wiped tears from my eyes-when had I started crying? The laughter was subsiding, replaced by that peculiar numbness that comes after your brain finally accepts that reality has taken a hard left turn into the impossible.
"A gacha system" I said aloud, my voice echoing in the empty classroom. "Because apparently dying from caffeine poisoning wasn't pathetic enough. Now I get to be pathetic with a gambling addiction mechanic"
The screen pulsed gently, as if responding to my commentary, but no new text appeared. I reached out tentatively, half-expecting my hand to pass through the projection, but my fingers met nothing but air. Of course. It was probably visible only to me, which meant I was either having a psychotic break or I'd actually been reincarnated into a world where floating game interfaces were apparently a thing.
Given my track record with rational decision-making, I was leaning toward the latter.
I stood up slowly, testing my new body's balance. Everything felt lighter, more responsive. Like I'd been given a factory reset and someone had bothered to install the premium package this time. The chronic back pain from years of terrible posture was gone. The perpetual headache from too much screen time and too little sleep had vanished. Even my vision seemed clearer, though that might have been because I was no longer staring at a monitor from six inches away for eighteen hours a day.
Through the window, I could see a courtyard with students in uniforms walking around, chatting, being normal. Being alive in ways I'd forgotten were possible.
High School DxD. I was actually in High School DxD.
Which meant somewhere in this building, there was a perverted protagonist who was going to accidentally grope his way into a harem of supernatural beings. There were devils who looked like models, fallen angels with serious attitude problems, and enough magical politics to make Game of Thrones look like a children's book.
And apparently, I was going to be part of it.
I looked at the screen, then at the classroom around me, then back at the screen. In my previous life, I'd been the kind of person who ordered pizza online to avoid talking to another human being. I'd dropped out of college because the thought of actually attending classes gave me panic attacks. I'd spent more time with fictional characters than real people because fictional characters couldn't judge me for my life choices.
And now I was being offered a chance to actually do something. To be something.
"Well" I said to the empty room, "I'm already dead. How much worse can it get?"
I reached toward the screen, toward whatever insane adventure awaited me in this world of devils and angels and teenage hormones.
"Let's see what fresh hell I've gotten myself into"
Chapter 2: Ch 2 : Gacha System
The blue screen hung there like a digital sword of Damocles, waiting for my response. I stared at it, my brain still trying to process the fundamental impossibility of my situation. Dead. Reincarnated. Anime world. Gacha system. It was like someone had taken every wish-fulfillment fantasy I'd ever had and crammed them into a blender with my anxiety disorders.
I reached out and poked the screen again, just to be sure. My finger passed through the translucent surface, but somehow I could still feel a faint tingling sensation where it made contact. Real. This was actually real.
"No way..." I muttered, and then louder, "No way this is actually happening!"
A grin spread across my face-not the careful, practiced smile I'd perfected for avoiding social interaction, but something genuine and slightly unhinged. The kind of expression that probably would have gotten me some concerned looks if anyone had been around to see it.
"I died from caffeine? And got reincarnated into DxD? This is like, the ultimate Isekai clich", but it's real!" I was talking to myself now, but I didn't care. For the first time in years, I felt... alive. Ironically.
I caught my reflection in the classroom window and did a double-take. The face staring back at me wasn't quite the same one I'd seen in mirrors for the past twenty-two years. Still recognizably me, but... cleaner. Younger. The perpetual dark circles under my eyes were gone, replaced by clear skin that looked like it had never seen the inside of a convenience store at 3 AM. My hair was black instead of the mousy brown I'd inherited from my mother, and I was definitely taller. Not by much, but enough to notice.
"Akira," I said aloud, testing the name that had popped into my head like a file being downloaded. It felt right, like a jacket that had been tailored specifically for me. Along with the name came a strange, fuzzy collection of memories-a new family, a new school, a new life that felt both foreign and familiar. Like remembering a dream you'd had weeks ago.
My mind was already racing, cataloging everything I knew about High School DxD. Timeline, characters, major events. If I was here, then somewhere in this building was Issei Hyoudou, probably already harboring his Sacred Gear without knowing it. Rias Gremory would be running her devil household, Asia Argento would be... well, depending on when exactly I'd landed in the timeline, she might not even be in Japan yet.
"This is it!" I whispered, my excitement building. "My chance to actually be in an anime! Forget those boring lectures, forget my dead-end job prospects, I'm literally living the dream!"
But then my old pragmatism kicked in, tempering the excitement with a healthy dose of reality. "Okay, but a Gacha System? And DxD is dangerous. I need to get strong, and fast. Don't want to end up as stray devil fodder."
That sobered me up quickly. High School DxD might look like a harem comedy from the outside, but it was filled with beings who could level city blocks without breaking a sweat. Fallen angels, devils, angels, dragons-all of them operating on a power scale that made my previous life's problems look like a stubbed toe.
Before I could spiral too deep into strategic planning, the screen flickered, and a new notification appeared in bold, pulsing text:
[CONGRATULATIONS! AS A FIRST-TIME USER, YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED 1x FREE GACHA TICKET! USE NOW? Y/N]
My eyes practically popped out of their sockets. A free pull? In any gacha game worth its salt, the first pull was usually garbage-a tutorial character or some low-tier equipment to get you hooked. But still, free was free.
"A free pull?! Hell yeah, use it!" I blurted out, probably louder than I should have. A student walking past the classroom window gave me a confused look, but I was too excited to care.
The screen exploded into light.
I'm not talking about a gentle glow or a subtle brightening. This was a full-on sensory assault of swirling colors and patterns that would have made a kaleidoscope jealous. The air around me seemed to hum with energy, and I could swear I heard the sound of a choir-not just any choir, but the kind of triumphant, angelic chorus that played during the most epic moments in anime. It was completely over the top, straight out of a high-tier gacha game's most premium animation.
The vortex of colors slowly coalesced, forming a shape that made my heart skip a beat. It was a fruit-not just any fruit, but one with a distinctive swirled pattern that I recognized immediately from countless episodes and manga chapters.
[ITEM: NEKO NEKO NO MI, MODEL: LEOPARD (ZOAN DEVIL FRUIT - ONE PIECE)]
[DESCRIPTION: GRANTS THE USER THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM INTO A FULL LEOPARD OR A HUMAN-LEOPARD HYBRID AT WILL. PROVIDES IMMENSE PHYSICAL STRENGTH, SPEED, AGILITY, AND HEIGHTENED SENSES. WARNING: USER LOSES THE ABILITY TO SWIM.]
I stared at the screen, my mouth hanging open like a broken door. My brain, overflowing with anime knowledge, immediately processed what I was seeing. Devil Fruit. Zoan type. Leopard model. This wasn't just good-this was insane.
The implications hit me like a freight train. Physical enhancement, transformation abilities, heightened senses-this was exactly the kind of power boost I'd need to survive in a world full of supernatural beings. Sure, there was the whole "can't swim" thing, but when was the last time I'd been near a body of water larger than a bathtub anyway?
"Wait, lose the ability to swim? Oh, right. The downside. Still, totally worth it!"
The fruit materialized in my hands, solid and real and surprisingly heavy. It looked exactly like it had in the anime-purple with spiral patterns that seemed to shift and move when I wasn't looking directly at them. The surface felt slightly warm to the touch, like it was alive.
I didn't hesitate. I'd seen enough anime to know that overthinking the magical power-up was a rookie mistake. I bit into the fruit.
The taste was... indescribable. Not good, not bad, just wrong in a way that made my entire nervous system revolt. It was like biting into concentrated essence of "this should not exist." I forced myself to swallow, then immediately regretted every life choice that had led me to this moment.
But then the power hit me.
It started as a warmth in my chest, spreading outward like liquid fire through my veins. My senses sharpened dramatically-I could suddenly hear conversations from three classrooms away, smell the distinct scent of different people passing by in the hallway, see individual dust motes floating in the afternoon sunlight. My muscles felt different, coiled and ready, like springs waiting to be released.
I flexed my fingers experimentally and watched as they briefly shifted, becoming more claw-like before returning to normal. The transformation was instinctive, natural, like flexing a muscle I'd always had but never used.
"Holy shit," I breathed, then immediately looked around to make sure no one had heard me. "This is real. This is actually real."
I made my way out of the classroom on unsteady legs, still processing the sensory overload. The school corridors were bustling with students heading home for the day, and I found myself automatically cataloging details I never would have noticed before. The way that girl's breathing pattern suggested she was nervous about something. The faint scent of different perfumes and deodorants creating a complex olfactory map of the hallway. The subtle body language cues that painted a picture of social hierarchies and relationships.
As I rounded a corner, my enhanced senses prickled, and my eyes caught a flash of crimson hair disappearing through the gate that led to what had to be Kuoh Academy's old school building. I knew that shade of red. I'd seen it in countless episodes, manga panels, and fan art.
"Rias Gremory," I whispered, feeling a thrill run through me that had nothing to do with my newfound powers. "Okay, so this is definitely not a dream."
The sight of her-even just a glimpse-confirmed what I'd already suspected. This was real. I was really here, in the world of High School DxD, with actual supernatural beings living their lives just a few hundred meters away. The old school building where the Occult Research Club met, where devils conducted their business, where the main plot of the series would unfold.
I was tempted to follow, to try to catch another glimpse or maybe even introduce myself, but my practical side reasserted itself. I had no idea what the timeline was, what had or hadn't happened yet, and barging into devil territory as a complete unknown was probably not the best first impression. Better to observe and learn before making any major moves.
Instead, I found myself walking toward what my new memories told me was home. The route came naturally, like muscle memory, leading me through residential streets lined with modest houses and the occasional convenience store. Everything looked exactly like it should in a slice-of-life anime-clean, peaceful, almost aggressively normal.
The house I stopped in front of was unremarkable in every way. Two stories, traditional Japanese architecture, a small garden that someone clearly cared about. Looking at it triggered a warm feeling in my chest that had nothing to do with the Devil Fruit. This was home. Not the cramped dorm room I'd died in, but an actual home where people cared about me.
I opened the front door and called out, "I'm home," in Japanese that flowed naturally despite being a language I'd only half-remembered from anime subtitles.
"Welcome back, Akira!" came a warm voice from the kitchen. A woman appeared-mid-forties, kind eyes, wearing an apron that suggested she'd been cooking. My new mother. The recognition was instant and complete, like remembering someone you'd known all your life.
"How was school today?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"It was... fine," I managed, my antisocial nature clashing with this wholesome domestic scene. The old me would have mumbled something noncommittal and disappeared into his room. But this woman deserved better than that. She was genuinely concerned about my wellbeing, probably the first person to be in years.
"Just fine? You seem different today. More... energetic?"
If only she knew. I forced a smile that probably looked as awkward as it felt. "Yeah, just... had a good day, I guess."
She beamed at me like I'd just announced I'd won the lottery. "I'm so glad! Dinner will be ready in about an hour. Why don't you go rest up?"
I nodded and headed upstairs, my mind already racing with plans. I had a whole new life to figure out, a supernatural world to navigate, and a devil fruit power to master. But first, I needed privacy. I needed to experiment with my new abilities, to understand exactly what I was capable of.
My room was exactly what I'd expected-neat, organized, with just enough personality to feel lived-in without being cluttered. Anime posters on the walls, a bookshelf filled with manga, a desk with homework I apparently needed to worry about. It was like someone had taken my previous life and given it a complete makeover.
I locked the door behind me and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Same face, same body, but everything felt different. More alive. More capable. More... possible.
"Okay, Akira," I said to my reflection, "let's see what you can do."
I closed my eyes and focused on the warmth in my chest, on the coiled power waiting to be released. The transformation came easier than I'd expected-not painful, just... different. Like putting on a costume that fit perfectly.
When I opened my eyes, I was looking at a human-leopard hybrid. My proportions were the same, but everything had been enhanced. Stronger, faster, more agile. Golden eyes stared back at me from a face that was still recognizably mine but definitely not human.
I grinned, revealing fangs that could probably tear through steel.
"This is going to be fun."
Chapter 3: Ch 3 : I'd Adapt
The forest on the outskirts of Kuoh was exactly what I needed-dense enough to hide in, remote enough that no one would stumble across me accidentally, and far enough from civilization that I could test my new abilities without worrying about property damage or awkward questions.
I'd made my excuses to my new mother about going for a walk to clear my head, which wasn't entirely a lie. I definitely needed to clear my head, just not in the way she probably imagined. The devil fruit power was still settling in my system, and I needed to understand exactly what I was capable of before I did something stupid.
Finding a small clearing surrounded by thick trees, I stretched experimentally, feeling the coiled power waiting beneath my skin. The transformation I'd experienced back in my room had been brief and controlled. Now I needed to really push the limits and see what this body could do.
I closed my eyes and focused on that feeling, on the warm, coiled power that now resided in my chest. The transformation came naturally, like flexing a muscle I'd always had but never used.
When I opened my eyes, the world had changed.
Everything was sharper, more vivid. I could smell the distinct scent of different trees, the loamy richness of decomposing leaves, the faint musk of small animals that had passed through the area recently. My hearing had expanded dramatically-I could detect the heartbeat of a bird in a tree thirty meters away, the rustle of insects in the underbrush, the distant sound of traffic from the main road.
But it was the physical changes that really got my attention.
My hands had transformed into something between human and feline. My fingers were longer, more dexterous, and ending in curved claws that looked like they could slice through steel. My muscles felt denser, more powerful, coiled springs ready to unleash devastating force. A tail had emerged from the base of my spine, thick and muscular, moving with a life of its own as it helped me balance. When I caught my reflection in a nearby stream, I could see that my eyes had changed too-still recognizably mine, but with an inner glow that spoke of predatory intelligence.
Faint leopard spots had appeared along my arms and what I could see of my torso, a pattern that seemed to shift slightly depending on how the light hit it. My canine teeth had elongated into proper fangs, and I could feel that my entire skeletal structure had subtly changed to accommodate enhanced strength and agility.
"Holy shit," I breathed, then immediately tested my new voice. It was deeper, carrying an undertone that seemed to resonate in my chest. "This is incredible."
I walked over to the nearest tree, a sturdy oak that would have taken me significant effort to damage in my previous life. I placed my palm against the bark and pushed, gently at first, then with increasing force. The tree groaned, its trunk actually bending under the pressure before I backed off, not wanting to topple it entirely.
Next, I tested my claws. I raked them across the bark, and they cut through it like butter, leaving deep grooves in the wood. The sharpness was incredible-these weren't just for show. They were weapons, tools, extensions of my will that could tear through most materials without effort.
But it was when I tested my mobility that I truly understood what I'd gained.
I took off running, and immediately had to adjust my expectations of what "running" meant. I wasn't just moving faster-I was moving differently. My enhanced musculature and altered skeletal structure allowed me to leap over obstacles that would have stopped me cold before, to change direction mid-stride without losing momentum, to navigate the forest floor with a grace that felt almost supernatural.
I bounded from tree to tree, using my claws to find purchase on bark and branches, my tail providing perfect balance as I moved through the canopy like I'd been born to it. The sensation was intoxicating-pure freedom distilled into physical form.
I dropped back to the forest floor and focused again, pushing the transformation further. If the hybrid form was impressive, I needed to see what the full leopard form could do.
The change was more dramatic this time. My human consciousness remained intact, but it was overlaid with something primal and instinctual. My body reshaped itself completely, muscles redistributing, bones lengthening and shortening, until I was standing on four legs instead of two.
I was a leopard. Not just any leopard, but a perfect example of the species-sleek, powerful, built for speed and stealth. My coat was a rich golden color with distinctive black rosettes, and I could feel the raw power coiled in every muscle fiber.
The forest became a blur as I moved through it, my paws finding perfect purchase on every surface. I leaped over fallen logs, darted between trees, navigated the undergrowth with an ease that defied human understanding. My predatory instincts were fully engaged, cataloging every scent, every sound, every movement in my environment. I felt completely connected to my surroundings, part of the ecosystem rather than separate from it.
The sheer exhilaration of the experience was overwhelming. This wasn't just enhanced physical ability-this was a complete transformation of how I existed in the world. I was faster, stronger, more agile than I'd ever imagined possible. Every movement felt effortless, every leap perfectly calculated by instincts I'd never possessed before.
Eventually, I found myself by a small river, the sound of running water drawing me to its banks. I shifted back to human form, breathing hard but feeling more alive than I had in years. My reflection in the water showed a young man with wild hair and bright eyes, someone who looked like he'd discovered the secret to happiness.
But as the immediate euphoria of the transformation faded, reality began to set in.
I wasn't just Akira anymore. I wasn't just an antisocial college student who'd died from caffeine overdose. I was something else now-a powerful being in a world where power was the only currency that mattered. The system had reincarnated me into High School DxD, a universe where devils, angels, and fallen angels played games with mortal lives as stakes.
The excitement I'd felt was real, but so was the danger. I thought about Issei Hyoudou, the protagonist of the series, and how his story had begun. Killed by Raynare, a fallen angel who'd been using him as a pawn. If it could happen to someone with a Sacred Gear, someone who was supposed to be important to the plot, what did that say about my own chances of survival?
I had power now, yes, but I was still fundamentally alone in a world where the supernatural community had been operating for millennia. I had no allies, no knowledge of current events, no idea what threats might be lurking just out of sight. The Gacha System could make me stronger, but only if I lived long enough to use it.
A chill ran down my spine as I considered the implications. I couldn't afford to be helpless fodder. I couldn't rely on protagonist armor or plot convenience to keep me safe. If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to thrive in this new world, I needed to get stronger. Fast.
The system had mentioned tasks that would earn me gacha tickets. I remembered the rankings-1 to 10, with higher numbers meaning better rewards. I'd gotten lucky with my free pull, but I couldn't count on that kind of fortune again. I needed to be proactive, to seek out opportunities to grow stronger.
Stray devils. The thought came to me unbidden, but it made sense. They were common enough in the DxD universe, dangerous enough that killing them would probably qualify as a significant task, and more importantly, they were enemies I could fight without getting tangled up in the larger political machinations of the supernatural world.
My first real goal crystallized in my mind: hunt a stray devil, earn my first genuine gacha ticket, and begin the process of becoming someone who couldn't be casually murdered by passing fallen angels.
I stood up from the riverbank, my resolve hardening. The old me would have found a dozen reasons to avoid confrontation, to hide away until someone else solved the problem. But I wasn't the old me anymore. I was Akira, and I had claws.
The walk back to civilization gave me time to think, to plan. I needed information about stray devils in the area, which meant I needed to do some research. Fortunately, this world had something my old one had lacked-a manga shop that might have information about local supernatural activity, or at least provide a cover story for why I was asking questions.
The shop was exactly where my inherited memories said it would be, a small storefront tucked between a convenience store and a ramen restaurant. The familiar smell of paper and ink hit me as I entered, triggering a wave of nostalgia for my previous life's obsessions.
I browsed the shelves, looking for anything that might give me insight into the supernatural elements of this world. The manga selection was impressive, with everything from mainstream shonen to obscure horror titles. I was examining a volume that looked like it might have actual supernatural content when a soft, feminine voice spoke beside me.
"Are you interested in a specific genre?"
I turned, expecting to see a shop employee or maybe another customer looking for recommendations. Instead, I found myself looking at someone I recognized immediately.
Crimson hair that caught the light perfectly. Blue-green eyes that held an intelligence that most people missed. Beautiful in that effortless way that spoke of good genetics and supernatural heritage.
Rias Gremory was standing less than a meter away from me, holding a manga volume in her hands, looking at me with polite curiosity.
Interesting. I'd been wondering when I'd run into the main players of this world.
"Supernatural stories, mostly," I said, keeping my voice casual. "There's something appealing about worlds where power actually matters."
She tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Are you alright? You seem... focused."
"Just thinking," I replied smoothly. "It's rare to find someone else who appreciates manga in a place like this."
"Oh, I love manga," she said, her smile becoming more genuine. "There's something about the storytelling that appeals to me. The way they can blend the mundane with the fantastic, make you believe in impossible things."
An interesting perspective from someone who lived in that fantastic world daily.
"Yeah," I agreed, meeting her gaze steadily. "I'm especially interested in supernatural stories. You know, devils and angels and that sort of thing. I find the power dynamics fascinating."
Her expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something that might have been interest or recognition. "Those can be quite entertaining," she said, her tone more measured now. "Though I sometimes wonder how accurate they are to the real thing."
Definitely a test. I kept my expression neutral, curious rather than knowing.
"Hard to say, isn't it? Unless you've met them"
Chapter 4: Ch 4 : Rias Gremory
The conversation with Rias had definitely taken an unexpected turn. What started as a simple question about manga preferences had quickly evolved into something far more animated and genuine than I'd anticipated.
"Oh, you've read Overlord?" Rias's eyes lit up as she leaned forward slightly, her usual composed demeanor cracking to reveal genuine enthusiasm. "The world-building is incredible, isn't it? Though I have to say, some of the guild dynamics remind me of... well, certain political situations I'm familiar with."
I couldn't help but grin. "The way Ainz has to constantly manage his subordinates while maintaining his reputation as an all-knowing overlord? Yeah, I can see how that might hit close to home for someone in a leadership position."
She laughed, a sound that was both melodious and surprisingly unguarded. "Exactly! And don't get me started on how accurate the portrayal of maintaining facades can be. Sometimes I wonder if the author has personal experience with... similar situations."
This was surreal. Here was Rias Gremory, the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess, one of the most powerful young devils in the supernatural world, getting genuinely excited about anime tropes and character development. It was like discovering that a famous celebrity was secretly into the same obscure hobby as you.
"What about Code Geass?" I asked, testing the waters. "The chess metaphors, the strategic manipulation..."
"Oh, Lelouch is brilliant," she said immediately, then paused with a slight smirk. "Though I have to say, some of his strategies wouldn't work as well in real political situations. Too much reliance on dramatic timing."
I raised an eyebrow. "Speaking from experience?"
"Let's just say I've seen enough political maneuvering to know that reality is often messier than fiction," she replied with a knowing smile.
We continued like that for another twenty minutes, discussing everything from the philosophical implications of Ghost in the Shell to the surprisingly complex character development in Overlord. Rias had opinions on everything, and not the surface-level observations of a casual fan. She understood narrative structure, character motivations, and thematic elements in ways that suggested she'd put serious thought into these stories.
"I have to admit," she said as our conversation began to wind down, "it's refreshing to meet someone who actually understands the deeper elements of these stories. Most people just see the surface level."
"Same here," I replied, and meant it. This wasn't the stern, elegant devil I'd expected from the anime. This was someone who genuinely loved the same things I did, someone who could discuss the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence in cyberpunk settings and the political subtleties of fantasy world-building with equal enthusiasm.
"I should probably introduce myself properly," she said, straightening slightly and regaining some of her composure. "Rias Gremory, third-year student at Kuoh Academy and president of the Occult Research Club."
"Akira Yamamoto," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "Second-year, also at Kuoh, though I'm not in any clubs yet."
"The Occult Research Club is always looking for new members," she said with a smile that might have been entirely innocent or might have been an invitation to something much more significant. "We meet in the old school building after classes. You might find our... discussions... interesting."
Before I could respond, she glanced at her watch and sighed. "Speaking of which, I should probably get going. Club duties and all that."
"Of course," I said, stepping back to give her room to leave. "This was... unexpectedly enjoyable."
"Likewise," she replied, then paused at the door. "I hope we'll have the chance to continue this conversation sometime, Akira. It's rare to find someone who appreciates good storytelling."
And then she was gone, leaving me standing in the manga shop with a clearer picture of who Rias Gremory really was beneath the supernatural politics and devil nobility. She was a fellow fan, someone who understood the appeal of well-crafted narratives and complex characters. It was humanizing in a way I hadn't expected.
I turned back to the shelves, trying to find something worth buying after that conversation, but everything seemed disappointing by comparison. Generic isekai stories with overpowered protagonists and no real character development. Romance series that followed the same tired formulas. Even the supposedly "original" works felt like pale copies of stories I'd read in my previous world.
I sighed, running my fingers along the spines of various volumes. Nothing here was worth the paper it was printed on. The standards in this world were apparently lower than what I was used to, or maybe I was just being overly critical after discussing actually good storytelling with someone who understood it.
As I headed toward the exit, empty-handed and slightly disappointed, I caught fragments of a conversation from two girls near the front of the store. They were speaking in hushed, worried tones, but my enhanced hearing picked up every word.
"...hasn't come home since yesterday," the first girl was saying, her voice tight with anxiety. "Her parents are worried sick."
"Did you check that place she likes to go when she's upset?" the second girl asked. "You know, behind the mall?"
"The abandoned building? That's exactly where I'm worried she might be. She always goes there when she wants to be alone, but it's been a whole day..."
"We should probably tell someone. That place gives me the creeps, especially at night."
"I know, but you know how she is. She won't come out if she thinks we're making a big deal about it. Maybe we should just check ourselves first?"
My instincts, finely tuned by years of anime consumption and now enhanced by supernatural senses, immediately started screaming warnings. Abandoned building. Missing person. DxD world. The equation was so obvious it might as well have been written in neon lights.
This was exactly the opportunity I'd been looking for. A chance to test my new powers, earn my first real gacha ticket, and potentially save someone in the process. The fact that it was conveniently located behind the mall, easily accessible and away from major population centers, made it perfect for what I had in mind.
I discreetly followed the two girls as they left the shop, staying far enough back that they wouldn't notice but close enough to hear their continued conversation. They were genuinely worried about their friend, discussing whether they should involve adults or try to handle it themselves first.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the streets and giving everything a golden, almost ominous glow. Perfect timing for supernatural activities. Most stray devils were more active during evening hours, and the approaching darkness would provide natural cover for whatever I might need to do.
I watched as the girls headed toward the mall, their pace quickening as their anxiety grew. They were walking straight into what was almost certainly a dangerous situation, driven by loyalty to their friend and ignorance of what they were actually facing.
I could warn them, try to convince them to stay away and call for help. But that would raise questions I wasn't prepared to answer, and it would also eliminate my chance to gain experience and power. The pragmatic part of my mind, enhanced by my new predatory instincts, was already calculating the most efficient approach.
The missing girl was probably already dead or transformed into something worse. The two girls heading toward the abandoned building were walking into a trap. And I was the only one in position to do anything about it.
I flexed my fingers experimentally, feeling the familiar tingle that preceded my transformation. My claws were sharp enough to cut through steel, my reflexes were enhanced beyond human limits, and my senses could track prey through complete darkness. I was as ready as I'd ever be.
The abandoned building behind the mall was about to become a hunting ground.
And I was going to be the hunter.
Chapter 5: Ch 5 : First Blood
I kept my distance as I followed the two girls toward the abandoned building behind the mall, my footsteps silent on the cracked pavement. The structure loomed ahead like a monument to decay, its broken windows staring down at us like hollow eyes. As the girls disappeared through what used to be the main entrance, I paused at the building's edge, every instinct suddenly screaming at me to be careful.
That's when I felt it-or rather, smelled it. My enhanced senses, courtesy of the Leopard Devil Fruit, picked up something that made my skin crawl. The scent was wrong, corrupted, like rotting fruit mixed with sulfur. It was an aura so thick with malevolence that it seemed to press against my very soul.
"Fucking hell," I muttered under my breath, a grin spreading across my face despite the danger. "A stray devil. My first real hunt." The anticipation was almost overwhelming. This was it-my chance to prove that I belonged in this world.
I circled the building until I found a back entrance-a door hanging off its hinges, probably kicked in by vandals years ago. The girls would be busy searching the upper floors, giving me time to deal with whatever was lurking in the shadows below.
"Perfect," I whispered to myself, testing the door's stability. "Time to see what this fruit can really do."
The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. The air felt heavy, oppressive, like walking through invisible cobwebs. My enhanced hearing picked up every creak of the building, every whisper of wind through broken glass. But underneath it all was something else-a wet, breathing sound that definitely wasn't human.
"Come on then," I said quietly, flexing my fingers as I prepared for the transformation. "Let's dance."
I let the transformation take hold, feeling my muscles expand and my senses sharpen even further as I shifted into my human-leopard hybrid form. My fingers elongated into deadly claws, and my entire body became a weapon designed for stealth and speed. The hunt was on.
Moving through the shadows felt natural now, almost instinctive. Part of me-the leopard part-was practically purring with anticipation. This was what I was made for: stalking, hunting, killing. But my human mind stayed in control, analyzing every sound, every scent, every potential advantage. I wasn't just a predator; I was a strategist with predator instincts.
I found it on the second floor, in what used to be an office space. The stray devil was hunched over something-or someone-in the corner. It looked like a grotesque parody of a human, with elongated limbs that ended in razor-sharp claws, skin that seemed to shift between gray and black, and eyes that glowed with a sickly yellow light. Its mouth was too wide, filled with too many teeth, and it was making that wet breathing sound I'd heard earlier.
The missing girl was there, unconscious but breathing, her face pale with terror even in sleep. The creature was feeding off her despair, growing stronger with every moment of her fear.
"You disgusting piece of shit," I snarled, my voice already changing as my transformation began. "Feeding off an innocent girl's fear? You're about to learn what real terror feels like."
I launched myself from the shadows with a snarl, my claws aimed at the thing's throat. The stray devil spun around just in time to catch my attack with its own claws, the impact sending both of us skidding across the debris-strewn floor. It let out a shriek that probably would have shattered normal human eardrums, but I barely flinched.
"What... what are you?" it hissed, its voice like grinding glass.
"Your worst fucking nightmare," I growled back, my voice distorted by my hybrid form. "I'm the thing that hunts monsters like you."
I didn't give it time to respond. I was too busy adapting to my new body, learning how to use these incredible reflexes and this overwhelming strength. My first few swipes were clumsy, more enthusiastic than precise, but each exchange taught me something new about my capabilities.
"Too slow!" I taunted as I twisted away from its strike, my enhanced agility making me feel like I was dancing rather than fighting. "Come on, is that all you've got?"
The stray devil was fast, but I was faster. It was strong, but I was stronger. When it lunged at me with those wicked claws, I twisted away with fluid grace, my enhanced agility making me feel like I was dancing rather than fighting. When it tried to overwhelm me with rapid strikes, I met them with my own claws, the sound of our collision echoing through the empty building like gunshots.
I could feel myself getting better with each passing second, my movements becoming more fluid, more controlled. The leopard instincts were teaching me how to fight, while my human intelligence was learning to direct that power with deadly precision.
The stray devil made its fatal mistake when it tried to use the girl as a hostage, grabbing her unconscious form and pressing a claw to her throat. "Stay back, or the human dies!"
I stopped mid-stride, my eyes narrowing dangerously. "You really shouldn't have done that."
"I mean it! One more step and-"
"You know what your problem is?" I interrupted, my voice deadly calm. "You think I'm like you. You think I'll hesitate, that I'll let fear control me." I started walking forward again, slow and deliberate. "But I'm not afraid of you. I'm the thing you should be afraid of."
The creature's eyes widened in confusion and growing terror. "You're insane! She'll die!"
"Wrong move," I said simply, then moved faster than I ever had before, crossing the distance between us in a heartbeat. My claws found their mark, sliding between the creature's ribs with a wet sound that would haunt my dreams for days. The stray devil's eyes widened in shock as I lifted it off the ground, its grip on the girl loosening.
"You... you're not human," it gurgled, black blood frothing from its mouth.
"Neither are you," I replied coldly. "And that's why you're going to die."
The stray devil crumbled to dust, leaving only the metallic scent of its blood and the echo of its final scream. I stood there for a moment, breathing hard, my hybrid form still crackling with unused energy. The rush of adrenaline was incredible-better than any high I'd ever experienced. This was what I was meant to do.
[STRAY DEVIL DEFEATED! REWARD: 1x Rank 2 Gacha Ticket]
The notification flashed in my vision, and I couldn't help but grin. A Rank 2 ticket already! This was exactly the validation I needed. I was on the right path, and the system was rewarding me for taking decisive action.
I quickly shifted back to human form, checking on the girl. She was unconscious but unharmed, just exhausted from whatever the stray devil had been doing to her. I positioned her where her friends would easily find her, then did a quick sweep of the area to make sure there was no obvious evidence of supernatural activity. The building was already so damaged that a little extra destruction wouldn't raise any eyebrows.
As I made my way back to the broken door, my mind was already racing ahead to the possibilities. A Rank 2 Gacha Ticket could contain anything-new abilities, powerful items, maybe even something that would help me track down more stray devils. The potential was intoxicating.
"This is just the beginning," I muttered to myself, stepping out into the cool night air. "If one stray devil got me this much, imagine what a whole nest of them could do for my power level."
I stepped out into the cool night air, feeling more alive than I had in years. This wasn't just some fantasy anymore. I wasn't just dreaming about being an anime protagonist-I was one. And I was going to embrace every dangerous, thrilling moment of it.
But as I walked away from the abandoned building, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I paused at the edge of the parking lot, letting my enhanced senses sweep the area.
"I know you're out there," I called out softly, not bothering to look up. "Whoever you are, you might as well come out. I can smell you."
But only silence answered me. After a few more seconds, I shrugged and continued walking.
"Your loss," I said to the empty air. "Could have been interesting."
Meanwhile, on a nearby rooftop...
Two figures observed the abandoned building from the shadows. The first was a slender young man with blonde hair and an intense gaze that seemed to pierce through the darkness-Kiba Yuuto. Beside him, a petite girl with white hair and a stoic expression calmly munched on a chocolate bar, her golden eyes never leaving the building below.
Koneko Toujou spoke in her usual monotone voice "He's strong."
Kiba nodded slowly, his hand unconsciously moving to rest on the hilt of his sword. "Too strong for a normal human or..." He frowned. "It's not devil, not angel, not fallen angel. Something else entirely."
"Should we report this to Buchou?" Koneko asked, taking another bite of her chocolate.
"Yes" Kiba replied, his eyes following the figure disappearing into the night. "We definitely should."
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Chapter 6: Ch 6 : Little World
I wasn't there to witness it, but I learned later that while I was heading home after my successful hunt, a very different conversation was taking place in the Student Council room at Kuoh Academy.
The soft click of chess pieces moving across the board was the only sound in the otherwise quiet Student Council room. Sona Sitri sat across from Rias Gremory, her violet eyes focused intently on the game before them. Both devils wore their school uniforms despite the late hour, their respective Queens-Tsubaki Shinra and Akeno Himejima-present in the room attending to various tasks.
Sona moved her bishop, capturing one of Rias's knights with practiced precision. "You seem unusually energetic today, Rias," she observed, her voice carrying that characteristic note of analytical curiosity. "There's something different about your demeanor. You're practically glowing."
Rias's emerald eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement as she contemplated her next move. "You're quite observant as always, Sona." She moved her rook, a small smile playing at her lips. "I suppose I am in better spirits than usual."
"Oh?" Akeno looked up from the paperwork she'd been reviewing, her violet eyes gleaming with interest. "What's brought about this change in our dear Buchou?"
Rias's smile widened, and she leaned back in her chair with a satisfied expression. "I met someone today. A boy at the manga shop downtown. The interaction was... quite interesting and refreshing."
"Interesting how?" Sona pressed, moving another piece while keeping her attention on Rias's expression.
"He actually matched my energy when it came to discussing manga and anime," Rias explained, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "Do you know how rare it is to find someone who not only shares those interests but can actually keep up with my passion for them? Most people either pretend to be interested or get overwhelmed by my enthusiasm."
Akeno's lips curved into a knowing smile. "My, my, Buchou. It sounds like you've found yourself a kindred spirit. Perhaps even a soulmate who shares your rather... niche interests?"
Rias shot her Queen a playful glare. "Don't tease me, Akeno. It's just refreshing to meet someone who understands what I'm talking about when I mention obscure manga references or get excited about a new anime season."
"Which school does he attend?" Sona asked, genuinely curious now. It wasn't often that Rias showed this level of enthusiasm about meeting someone new.
Rias's smile grew even brighter. "That's the best part-he's a student here at Kuoh Academy. I only wish I'd met him sooner so we could have shared our discussions about all the series we've been following."
Before anyone could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the room. Sona looked up from the chessboard, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise at the interruption.
The door opened to reveal Kiba Yuuto and Koneko Toujou, both looking unusually serious. Their expressions were enough to immediately shift the atmosphere in the room from casual to professional.
"You're back remarkably early from your patrol," Rias observed, her earlier joy tempered by concern as she studied their faces. "What happened? Did you encounter something?"
Kiba exchanged a quick glance with Koneko before stepping forward. "We detected a strong stray devil aura at the abandoned building behind the mall," he reported, his voice carrying an edge of tension. "But by the time we arrived to investigate, both the stray devil and its aura had vanished completely."