Tribulations of the God-Harem King [Highschool DxD/Exalted] (CLOSED)

[Alexander]

[X] Explain that you're already on thin-ice for being caught fighting by the student president, who is pretty strict and probably would take a dim view of anyone besides faculty or attending students on campus without permission. Suggest they write her first, and if she authorizes it we would be willing to show them around.
-[X] First time you get the chance, give Sona or Rias a call and explain the situation to them, including the bit about the photo they missed...maybe ask for advice?
----

"I would love to." In a sense. "Buuut, I'm already on thin-ice for being caught fighting by the student president, who is pretty strict. She will probably take a dim view of anyone besides faculty or attending students on campus without permission."

You quickly suggest a solution. "However you should write her first and ask for permission, to show you follow the rules. If she authorizes it I will surely show you around."

"True, true." Kiyotsugu nods sagely. "We can't just show up out of nowhere. Plus I need to rent a house in the vicinity." He takes out a iPhone and starts typing.

'Uff. Crisis averted.'

"Master!" Eiko steps inside the room holding a tray full of steaming cups. "Eiko prepared green tea. Would Master like some?"

'...God hates me.'

[He has a hate-boner for serpents and dragons, yes.]

----

Luckily the others mistook Eiko for one of those working for Rikuo, and you ordered her telepathically to play along.

Even if Keikain Yura kept switching from staring at you to her and viceversa, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing but didn't know what to do either.

When they finally leave you and Rikuo breath out a sigh in relief. "That was close."

"Too much for my tastes." Rikuo silently cries. "This is only the second time, but I'm already hating it."

"Was what the Onmyoji girl said true?" Tsurara suddenly ask.

""Eh?"" The both of you turn to her at the same time.

She blushes slightly. "About dragons." She fidgets. "Alright I'm curious! So what?!"

Eiko covers her mouth with a fan.

"Nothing, nothing." You reassure her. "It wasn't...totally wrong."

You begin explaining, Ddraig occasionally telling you info you weren't aware of. "There are dragons, and then there are Dragons. With the capital 'D'. The first are things that look what you expect dragons to however they don't have the raw power of the ones you hear about in myth and legend. They are the first [stage] of dragons."

You make air quotes at the [stage] word.

"Dragons are not beings who acquired power. They are power. They began as massive masses of energy that somehow gained intelligence. They however had no purpose so they just raged around like wild animals. Most of the dragons that exist today are like that. A Dragon instead has gained a purpose for their power. With a specific goal comes greater focus and more intelligence, and that's how those who appear in legends and myths appeared."

"Oooh." Both children have stars in their eyes. "Does this make you a dragon with a purpose Hyodo-san?"

"Almost." You wave your hand. "I'm still young, but I cheat by having an elder dragon tutoring me and sharing part of his energy with me. We're teacher and student so to say."

[Never thought I would take a student. Then again nowadays few people take dragons seriously. What's with all of us dragons of legend either sealed or missing. Maybe new blood is what it takes.]

"Young Master!" Kurotabou literally jumps inside. "I finally found you!"

----

Once things calmed down you and Kurotabou explained your findings.

"Are you sure Kuro?" Rikuo asks with a worried expression.

"I double checked when I came back. No member of the Nura Clan was ever assigned to that place."

"Uhm..." He starts pondering with an intense expression. After a few minutes he speaks again. "Soon there will be a new gathering of the Heads."

"I am aware." Kuro answers. You didn't, but it isn't important.

"With their mistrust in my leadership's abilities and grandfather's absence, we will not be able to present an united front unless I show them some result to convince them. I already assigned a mission to Gyuuki, but..."

He seems to reach a conclusion. "Kuro. Hyodo-sempai. Can I ask you to investigate and stop this youkai? Not only because you were the one to find it, but in your case sempai I want the others to trust you. But without concrete proofs..."

You raise a hand to stop him. "Say no more. I said I will help, and nothing will stop me from respecting my promise. You can count of me."

"And on me Young Master." Kuro straightens his posture.

He smiles. "Thanks guys! Oh, but the gathering will be held in three days so you need to finish it before that."

A time limit. A new problem, but it will give you new experience for similar opportunities in the future.

[] Submit a strategy to handle the mission (write-in)

[] Optional. Do you what to do something before the mission?
-[] Yes. What? (write-in)
-[] No
----

 

[Alexander]

[X] Lon
----

After the meeting with Rikuo you and Kurotabou debate about the best way to perform the mission.

"We know him, or they, have made the Toshusai Sharaku Museum into a base." Kuro begins. "But while it is the place where they spread the legend, we cannot be sure it's also the place where they reside. The culprit may not be always there, meaning-"

"Meaning there is the risk of missing him, thus potentially risking scaring him away and missing our chance to catch him before the meeting." You finish for him. This is trickier than you thought.

[Ohi Issei-kun.] Of your sempai, a female one this time, calls out to you. [What day is today?]

'Wednesday. Why?'

[Then I have a suggestion.] She then very carefully explains her plan. And what a plan it is.

"What about we spring their own trap?" At Kuro's questioning look you continue. "Those housewives said those who disappear always reappear on Tuesday. Today is Wednesday, so the last spirited away reappeared yesterday. I can try walking around the Museum and hope the youkai will choose me as his next victim.

"A daring plan, but it also carries a lot of risks."

"I won't be alone. You can stay on watch in a way that you will not be noticed by others. Also, I have a way to deal with potential mental attacks so I am protected on both fronts."

"Uhm..." He reflects for a long time. "I can't come up with a better alternative. Considering we are also on limited time: no risk, no gain as they say." He shrugs. "Let's do this."

----

Later, after the sun goes down the horizon, dressed in thick clothes you walk together with Kuro to the Third District before going on separate ways: him on the rooftops, while you on the streets below. Just in case you are wearing Boosted Gear in stealth mode, the bracelets fully changed with motes.

Offensive Overdrive: 90m
Defensive Overdrive: 90m

Click to shrink...

Lacking any clue about how it should be done properly you just opt to walk around without a clear destination, trying to cover as much area as possible.

The streets, you find out, are empty even though it's not even past midnight. Good, this will raise the probabilities of the youkai targeting you.

It's when you enter a rather tight alleyway that it happens. As if materializing from inside the darkness a figure steps in front of the exit. You look behind and, yes, another one is blocking the entrance.

"Well well, what do we have here?" The one in front of you begins to slowly walk towards you.

'This is it!' You prepare to activate your martial Charms.

He takes out something, a ray of light from the moon illuminating a metal surface. "Fancy gear you have there. Fancy to make a...donation to a poor brother?"

"Oh." You deflate in disappointment. "It's just a robbery."

[] Make yourself scarce
[] Beat those two, and then make yourself scarce
[] Convince them to re-evaluate their life's choices
[] Write-in.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Convince them to re-evaluate their life's choices
-[X]Use an in-depth cost analysis on their choices and cite how much they could make over the 5-7 years they will otherwise spend in jail if they wish to press on.
--[X]Beat em like a cheap drum if they don't get the hint.
----

"Donation? A donation?" You shake your head in sadness. "My dear brothers, as fellow humans beings that live under the same sky, if you really are poor it is not my charity that you need!"

Maybe it's the weird choice of words, or maybe your tone, but the two muggers stop their advance. "...Just out of curiosity. Before we, you know, beat the living shit of you and take your stuff, pray tell: what, is it that we need?"

One-die Stunt: +2m
First Presence Excellency: -4m
Irresistible Salesman Spirit: -3m

Click to shrink...

Personal Essence: 15/20
Peripheral Essence: 42/49

Click to shrink...

"Very well!" You make exaggerate gestures with your hands. "Tell me! Are you legal adults, sane of mind and body?"

"Unless Daiki picked up something from the prostitute of yesterday, I would say yes."

"What the hell brother!!"

"Then a life of robbery is far from the optimal choice available to you." You continue. "For example, do you know that among the jobs that currently make the top-five of [Japan's most demanded professions, the working hours/competence/pay rate is such that..."

For over a hour you continue on, carefully using an in-depth cost analysis on their life's choices and how they can be improved, citing how much they could make over the 5-7 years they will otherwise spend in jail if they wish to press on with their current course of action.

At the end the two brothers, Daiki and Nobuichi you learn, are shaking your hands while bawling their eyes out.

"What the hell I did all my life!?" Daiki cries. "I saw the light!"

"Thank you mysterious handsome stranger!" Nobuichi sniffs. "I promise that when I gain my first million I will commission a statue in your honor."

Both pass an arm over each other's shoulders. "Ready Daiki?"

"More than ready brother!"

"LET'S GO WORKING FOR THE NINTENDO!!!"

And with that they're off in the night.

You hold out your chest with pride. "I did a good deed today. Tonight. Whatever."

[...Remind me again why we all thought being able to become infinitely strong was a good set of superpowers?]

[I don't think there was, at least in my case, much thought about it. More a surge of adrenaline.]

[Can we use it to get free stuff?]

"What are you talking about?" You ask your sempai.

[NOTHING!!!]

"...Okay?" For some reason you don't feel like questioning further. Shrugging you continue your stroll, the interruption having taken care for.

However, you have time to make at least a dozen of steps before a most peculiar sight forces you to stop.

It's...well, it's a person, except you can see through him and instead of legs he has a tail made of white smoke, or maybe fog. Something along those lines. A young man in his twenties, with unkempt long black hair and glasses.

Who is currently bawling his eyes out in despair under the light of a street-lamp.

[That, partner, is a Ghost. A real one this time.]

Peculiar.

[] Talk to him and ask what's wrong
[] Ignore him and continue your stroll
[] Maybe you should send him to the Afterlife...but you don't know how
[] Write-in.
----

The other choices included a drunkard, a female drunkard who don't understand personal space, a youkai that wanted to scare you, a youkai that wanted to eat your liver and a serial killer.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Talk to him and ask what's wrong.
----

While you aren't sure how to behave with a ghost, you can't just leave someone in distress like that.

"Excuse me." You walk closer. "Why are you crying like that?"

"Booh...Booh...Because-!" He whips his head around to stare at you with wide eyes. "Wait! You can see me?"

"Seem like it." You rub your head in embarrassment. "It's my first time seeing a ghost though. But I can't just leave you like that."

"Oh Heaven yes!" He shoots at and hugs you. What is surprising is that his limbs don't pass through you. "I can finally talk with someone! All the others just ignored me, no matter what I did!"

"Ghosts are supposed to be invisible." You pat your back to reassure him. "My name is Hyodo Issei. What's yours?"

"Sniff...I'm Sawabari Shoushouke. I know my name is long, so just call me Shou."

You nod. "Alright Shou-san. In return you can call me Issei. If I may, why are you here crying? You should have passed on already? Do you have a lingering regret?"

"Lingering regret?" He step-floats back, eyes alit with some indescribable emotion. "Lingering regret is too weak of a word! I shouldn't have die! No, there is no way that me dying was anything but an error in the world!"

This manner of speech. It reminds you of someone. Who?

"I recall it as if it was yesterday." He looks off into the distance, his eyes stopping seeing the present. "I was born in an average, normal family. My father worked hard to sustain both me and mother, so he was rarely home. At the same time many guys I never saw before started coming to pick up mother when she got out. Later I realized she was cheating on father with a new guy every week."

'Oh. Wow. Okay, what...fuck, what can I say to that?'

"As a child I was scrawny. My grades were good, but because of my weak looks I got bullied. During the second year of high school I couldn't endure it anymore and I ran away. I left behind everything. For two months I was a hobo, until I arrived at a charity society that let me live there in exchange for minor jobs."

You stay silent, not wanting to make him clam up.

"Then, when I was seventeen, a friend introduced me to the world of online videogames." His glasses light up. "World of Magicraft, Lord of the Staffs Online...It was awesome: there it doesn't matter who you are or how you look, there is just your character and the determination behind it. That time, I felt in love."

Y...eah. Personally, you prefer meeting people face to face and physical contact.

"And the best part? There are people paying to enjoy better perks of those games, and so there are also people willing to provide those services. I became a recluse, spending all my time playing on those games questing and collecting rare items for those people, and they paid me for that! At the cost of zero social life I managed to acquire a stable source of income that let me buy an house for myself and even a car directly from Germany!"

He begins crying again. "And then I had an incident the first time I ride on it! Who knew driving is so difficult without a license?!"

That should be obvious!! Still, a life like that is bound to produce a lot of regrets. "I understand. So, what is preventing you from passing on is-"

His face lights up in anger. "TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF LIFE! AND I DIDN'T GET LAID EVEN ONCE!"

"I see you didn't-" At that point your brain stop working. "...What?"

He grabs the street lamp and begins banging his head on it. Without success, as his head passes through it like it was a mirage. "Sixteen Gigabytes of downloaded porno! An entire collection of 'Kiss Me Baby' with every possible fetish from boobs to leather! My master plan of making chicks fall for me with my new car! My first time was supposed to be an orgy with four supermodels!!!"

"...What?"

"But nooooo!" By this point Shou-san looks like a raving loon. "That *censure**censure**censure* cat had to traverse the street right that moment! And I like a *censure* idiot steered to avoid it, only to make a full frontal with a camion! I should have just run over that *censure**censure* son of a *censure* cat!"

But.

This.

What the hell is this....?

[] Write-in.

 

[Alexander]

This...is a cry for help! You can't let this poor soul wallow in misery and regret, for it is the duty of all oppai lovers in the world to support each other! You managed it, so why shouldn't he?

...Admittedly physical death is not a small obstacle to overcome, but how fortunate you have friends from the highest spheres!

"Shou-san!" You grab the ghost by the shoulders and force him to stare at you. "I will be honest. I can not say for certain where your karma falls on the scale of Salvation, or Damnation."

Mostly because you don't know what faith he is.

"What I can tell you,-" You continue with a perverted grin. "is that most Devils are hot as shit, and if the Fallen Angels are anything to go by, the Angels of Heaven will be much the same."

His eyelids quickly move up and down in surprise. "So otherworldly beings are also real? Ghosts are one thing, but..."

"It's true!" You nod energetically. "They also wear REALLY tight clothing. So you're sorta missing it out by sitting here lamenting about how the cards fell."

He raises an eyebrow.

"No, like seriously, REALLY TIGHT and your missing out on all of it."

"...And how do you know this?"

"Simple." You put one fist over your heart with pride. "One of my girlfriends is a Fallen and I do contract work for a Devil family. I guess I should reintroduce myself. Hello, My name is Issei Hyodo, and I am-"

[You DO remember that this is an undercover operation, right?]

'...Thanks Belzard-sempai.' "...A guy who dabble in the occult."

"...GirlfriendS?"

"More than one." You say with pride, completely missing the menacing aura that Shou-san started to emit and the way his hair now cover his eyes. You take out your cellphone and show him the photos of your friends and lovers. "That's because I am building a true Harem! See? This is Mittelt, Fallen Angel. Rias, a Devil. My friends from the same school club, also Devils. This is Akeno-san, this is Koneko-chan..."

----

BOOOM!!

"DIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!"

"Please calm down Sawabari-san!"

BOOOM!!

What is going on? How did you go from showing photos to Shou-san to him chasing you around with two enormous scissors in place of his arms while surrounded in a dark aura of malice and hatred?

"YOU DAMN HANDSOME! IT'S BECAUSE OF GUYS LIKE YOU THAT AVERAGE GUYS LIKE ME CAN'T FIND A GIRLFRIEND!!"

...Those words are horribly familiar. Didn't you, Motohama and Matsuda use to say the same to Kiba every time you saw him being stormed by girls?

...When you go back you're going to give Kiba a heartfelt apology and offer to repay him someway.

"Hyodo-san." Kurotabou appears running next to you, an expression of complete bewilderment on his face. "How, exactly, did you manage to make a recently deceased ghost collect so much malice that he instantly jumped half-way to being a Vengeful Spirit?"

"AAAHHH! ANOTHER PRETTY BOY! DIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEEEEEE!!!"

Below the waist Shou-san's body becomes the lower half of a giant crab.

"...He has issues?" You offer lamely.

"Oh dear." Kurotabou signs the sigh of the damned.

BOOOM!!!

[] Write-in.
----

I have so much fun writing this ( > )

 

[Alexander]

You have to make Shou-san see reason. Fighting each other is meaningless!

You turn to your fellow pervert. "Shou-san! Know that I, as a fellow-"

WWWWUUUHHH!!

And double your running speed once he starts shooting freaking laser beams! "What we can do now?!" You ask Kurotabou.

With a sight the youkai turns around, runs to Shou-san-

And slams an enormous hammer the size of a car on the ghost's head.

That works.

----

Later a crew of small youkai shows up to tie Shou-san, pick him up and drag him somewhere.

"There is a medium that help ghosts passing on to the afterlife." Kurotabou explains. "She will be able to deal even with this case."

"That's good, but..." Relief for Shou-san leaves place for guilt. "I screwed up."

"Completely." Kurotabou's words are like knifes to the heart. "Then again, I doubt anyone would have been able to predict that."

"Still, it's my fault." You look down. "I was a...a..."

"Idiot?"

"Yeah. It's as you say Kurotabou-san: I was an idiot."

"Uh, I didn't say anything." The black clad monk seems confused.

You look up. "Eh?"

"An amazing couple of idiots if I say so myself. Honestly, believing that such a poorly made charade was enough to fool me even for a second."

"!" At the unknown voice you and Kurotabou get back to back, Boosted Gear unfolding and swords appearing in the youkai's hands.

"If you want to meet with me, you just have to ask."

Out of nowhere appear hovering balls of blue flames, forming a line heading in a precise direction.

The Museum's direction.

"...Shall we?"

"It would be impolite to turn down such an offer." You remark.

"Pointless too." Kurotabou scoffs.

----

As predicted following the flames' balls lead you to the Museum, where you find the main doors open.

The monk enters first, weapons ready. You follow behind.

The moment you're fully inside the doors slam shut, while more flames' balls appear around you to form a circle.

You two, and someone else.

"Greetings."

A chicken youkai? No: his appearance may suggest so, but his abilities suggest something more.

"I am Youkai Inuhōō, one of the Shikoku Hachijūhakki Yakō's executives. Thanks for accepting my invitation." His tone is polite, but here it only sounds mocking.

You raise an eyebrow. "You mean, thanks for giving me the home advantage?"

He half-grins in amusement. "You knew, and still came? Such arrogance, or maybe you're just hopelessly foolish?"

"Why don't you come here and check for yourself?" You raise menacingly your claws.

His grin grows largem but he doesn't move. Beside you Kurotabou is silent, ready to spring into action.

What do you do?
[] Attack first.
[] Wait and let either Kurotabou or the enemy do the first move.
[] Speak with the enemy:
-[] About what? (write-in)
[] Check your surroundings
[] Write-in.

 

[Alexander]

"Still, there is something I don't understand." Taking care to always keep the enemy your field of vision you look left and right as if giving a cursory glance, but in reality you thoroughly check your surroundings. "Why here? What make this place special, apart from being old, musky and smelly?"

There are eighteen sphere of fires you can see, and probably other five or six behind you, making a total of two dozens. They are forming a perfect circle. The blue color doesn't say anything to you.

"Mhpf. It is precisely why this old museum makes for an excellent place to harvest Osore. The component of mystery is essential." He scoffs looking to the side, before his eyes move back on you. "Not that I expect a dragon to understand."

And that's two times. "Is my aura so easy to read?" You whisper to Kurotabou.

"More like extremely distinctive." He whispers back.

"Still, how surprising." Inuhōō's head moves back to the original position. "To think Nurarihyon's contacts go as far as to include Ryusenkyo..."

"Ryu...senkyo? What's that?" The new word rolls strangely well on your tongue, as if you're recalling an old memory.

The enemy youkai raises an eyebrow in honest surprise. "You're a dragon, and yet you don't know the name of your birthplace? Ah, I see: you're a fledgling, raised by a wandering parent. Uh uh uh, how amusing!"

You need to ask Ddraig later.

And outside the ring...it's pitch black. Even with the light provided you can't see two feet beyond.

...Wait. Isn't that strange?

Against your will your eyes lower. Below the spheres of flames the ground is illuminated by a stronger circle of light, as it's normal.

Inside the ring, that's it. Because the darkness also forms a perfect circle around the ring, even where it should be illuminated, causing the spheres of flames to project only a half-circle.

Offensive Overdrive: 88m
Defensive Overdrive: 90m

Click to shrink...

Your head snap back up to discover Inuhōō donning an evil smirk on his beak. Snarling you fire a quick Dragon Shot at him, only to have the beam pass through him as if he's a mirage.

No...he IS a mirage!

"What the-?!" Kurotabou also shoots many weapons but obtains the same results.

"Took you awhile to realize it."

The false Inuhōō disappears in blue fire. At the same time the fire from the spheres expands and covers your surroundings as if burning the scenography of a theater. What they leave behind-

Is something that shouldn't exist.

"Shit!" You curse. "He's an illusionist!"

"And a pretty good one at that." Kurotabou frowns. He tries to touch the wall with a sword, but before the tip can touch it the corridor blurs and now you're facing the wall instead of having it on your left, as if the structure rotated by 90°. "But he can't replicate touch."

"Or maybe he can, and he's just waiting for the right time when using it will do the most damage." You grimly says.

At least this explain the mystery of the "endless maze".

'Sensei. Do I have a charms against illusions?'

[You have Integrity-Protecting Prana.] Bright tells you. [It protects you from any powers who directly alter your mind or body. But, if the only thing affected is your surrounding...]

'Then it doesn't work.' You finish for her.

So on one hand you're safe if he decides to mess with your head. On the other hand however touch is probably the only sense with certainty.

Lovely.

[] Ask Kuro for advice
[] Just walk forward until you hit a wall
[] Level the place with heavy firepower
[] Write-in
----

Yeah, this. Let's get this done so we can get to the Excalibur Arc.

The completely non canon because of butterflies Excalibur Arc O

 

[Alexander]

Damn. If only you had a skill to see through illusions. Sadly the world isn't convenient.

'....Illusions?'

Then one memory from Bright-sensei hits you like a ton of bricks and you want to kick yourself.

Because sometimes the world is really just that convenient.

[So you realize. I was going to prepare another special 'lesson' if you dared forget the most basic keystone that define a Twilight.]

You shudder at the imagines your imagination provide you with. That was a close escape.

[Now show that pathetic animal who its master is.]

The encouragement brings a smile to your lips. This is going to be fun.

"Oh you poor dumb bastard." You say out loud. "This is really not a fight you should have picked."

"And why is that?"

Personal: 20/20
Peripheral: 37/49

Click to shrink...

Your Anima flares around you, the Caste Mark of the Twilight glowing proudly on your forehead.

"Because this! Anima powers activate! Form of: I can see through illusions you idiot!"

Your eyes become twin suns piercing through the darkness, the final bastion of defense against those who dare stand against the Rightful Ruler.

Idly you wonder when you became so hammy.

The light corridor loses consistency, surfaces becoming transparent allowing you to see through them the large hall where once a time visitors brought tickets to visit the museum.

You also see a set of stairs, on top of which is the youkai Inuhōō. "There!" You tell Kurotabou before running towards the stairs. He hesitates for a moment before following after you.

"Oh my. Whatever I should do?"

You dash up the staircase.

"Oh, right. Burn."

Only to jump to the side and hold yourself outside by the balustrade to dodge the wave of fire coming down. When it subsides you see Kurotabou wasn't able to dodge, but protected himself with a large shield. However, the distraction allowed the enemy to get away. Together you reach the second floor.

And find yourselves into the middle of a dense forest.

Personal: 20/20
Peripheral: 32/49

Click to shrink...

You activate your Anima again, revealing a large columned area that was probably used to display large pieces. And also a groups of floating snakes with human head homing on your position from all directions.

Wait, what?!

"Kurotabou-san! There're enemies all around us!" You shout to your partner while you smash your knee into one of the youkai.

Without wasting a second the monk begins firing weapons in all directions.

While you-
[] Punch the shit out of them.
[] Go Dragoon on their asses.
[] Use ranged attacks.
[] Write-in.
----

Here. As usual including a Stunt make your actions more effective.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Punch the shit out of them.
--[X] Keep an eye out for the KFC reject.
---[X] If seen try and get close enough to Activate Gauntlets of Distant Touch Mode and choke him out.
----

Iron Kettle Body: -6m
Fists of Iron Technique: -3m
Fist of the Daystar Form: -4m

Click to shrink...

Offensive Overdrive: 79m
Defensive Overdrive: 84m

Click to shrink...

"OOOH!" The light from your Anima doubles in intensity, blinding the creatures of darkness around you.

Without wasting time you shot into their midst and let loose a barrage of kicks and punches, sending each serpent flying away. To your pleasant surprise they seem afraid of coming near your Anima, making your job much easier.

FWOOOSH!

Of course Inuhōō isn't going to stand idly. Flying above you he lets loose another wave of fire before retreating.

"My other name is Basan: mine to command is not only the ghost fire that ensnare feeble minds, but also the malicious flames that incinerate those who dare stand in my way!"

The serpent youkai don't burn. Instead they seem to absorb the flames, their energy increasing as a result.

Crunch!

Your fist makes their eyes bulge out all the same.

After the third time you have to dodge fire from above you have enough. "You think flying give you an advantage? Well you're right!"

Dragon Body Hybrid: -1m

Personal: 19/20
Peripheral: 32/49

Click to shrink...

Wings emerge from your back. "So I will do the same!" Pulling them down you shoot in the sky hot on Inuhōō, or Basan, heels. For the first time you see his mask of confidence actually crack.

[] Close combat
[] Ranged combat
[] A mix of the above

 

[Alexander]

[X] A mix of both.
----

Inuhōō snarls. "Even against a Dragon...I'M NOT GOING TO LOSE! FOR TAMAZUKI-SAMA!" Drawing a deep breath his chest inflate like a toad before spewing out a, compared to the previous one, massive stream of flames.

Adamant Skin Technique: -8m

Offensive Overdrive: 79m
Defensive Overdrive: 76m

Click to shrink...

You dive through it like a torpedo in the water, fire and heat splashing harmlessly against a technique created to defend against beings that were Worlds Unto Themselves.

Before the effect end you sharply turn upward, enduring the strain on your wings. They may look cool, and they are, but compared to a bird who has optimized size, body structure and weight there are limits to the maneuvers you can pull. However, this much you're capable of! Once outside and above the attack.

Now, for the next and final part of your plan. It's a little know fact that, while primarily a hentai, you were an all purpose otaku as well, so you do this with great relish as you ascend into range and grabs the youkai by the shoulders.

Dragon Coil Technique: -3m
Offensive Overdrive: 76m
Defensive Overdrive: 76m

Click to shrink...

"GET OVER HERE!" You scream pulling him towards you as you spin. When you catch him you squeeze and refuse to stop your descend. "This is it, Omote Renge!"

"AAAAHH!!" Basan can only scream wide eyed as both dive below doing a passable impression of a tornado. In a maelstrom of wind and golden light you slam into the pavement.

BOOOOM!!!

And through it. After a moment you slam against the cold, hard ground again, this time blowing up a crater. Once the momentum goes down you release your grip and let yourself fall on the ground supine.

[You know, I like those Solar powers. No fancy magic lightshows or complicate tricks, just pure and honest brawl turned up to eleven.] Ddraig says.

{Me and my peers DID bring a Golden Age to all of Creations} Bright boasts. {There is nothing a Solar can't achieve with enough time, and he only needs his talents to do it.}

[Ne ne, Ise-kun] Elsha-sempai asks you. [After dealing with those guys for so long, how come you haven't an ego the size of the moon?]

You think about it for a few seconds. 'Because I have seen enough manga and anime where overconfidence is the fall of many a villain. And...well, I'm just grateful until now I managed to resist the temptation.'

Kurotabou's face appears in your field of vision. "You were right. You can't do subtle things, but you excel in everything else. I suggest finding a comrade that excel in the first."

"I'm considering it." If what Eiko said and ninja exists then they would be a perfect choice. Unless they're like Mirai. "Is he alive?"

Inuhōō abruptly stands up, swaying dangerously with one eye looking in one direction and the other in another. "I'm Inuhōō! I'm a Head of Tamazuki's sama's Hachijūhakki Yakō! I will not lose so easily!"

Kurotabou's sasumata drives his head back into the gravel.

"He is."

----

You and Kurotabou stride into the Nura household, enter the meeting hall and lay down in front of a surprised Rikou, and a bunch of guys you haven't see before, a tied up and gagged Inuhōō. "This is Inuhōō. Head of the Hachijūhakki Yakō. I'm going to change clothes and take a bath now. Later."

Note to self: everyday clothes have minimal durability in battle. Having said your piece you leave the hall.

"Does Master want to have his back washed?"

"No Eiko."

----

When the morning comes you're once again training in your kata, a few hours of sleep more than sufficient to restore you to peak condition.

"Interesting style. It doesn't bear resemblance to anything I have ever seen."

You don't show surprise at the voice, for you already knew its owner was getting close through the foliage. "Is that so?" Ending with one fluid motion you straighten up and turn to face the new arrival.

The first thing you notice is that, despite the menacing appearance, his aura is calm and soothing. You compare him to a mountain: old, sturdy and wise beyond his years.

"Greetings Hyodo-dono." His bow is quick but deep. "I'm Gyuki, chairman of the Gyuki Clan and board members of the Nura Clan."

You return the bow. "A pleasure to meet you Gyuki-san. Why did you come to see me?"

"To thank you." He states bluntly. "Though I can't share the details, the information we got from the youkai you and Kurotabou captured were vital to implement one of the Young Master's plans."

"I accept your gratitude Gyuki-san, though the fact I was useful is all the reward I need." Then a random thought. "Say, do you happen to know something about a place called Ryusenkyo?"

You asked Ddraig last night, but he only heard a few times about it being the sacred land in Japan were Dragons live and reproduce and nothing more. There are many of such places around the world, so he never gave much attention to this one. Your sempai couldn't add anything else.

"Ryusenkyo..." Gyuki's hand runs up and down his chin. "It's been a while since I last hear that name. It's a mystical, sacred land: cut off from the outside world, it's the birthplace of Dragons. There is a legend that the Hero Koga Saburo was born there."

[Koga Saburo? How nostalgic.]

'Someone you know?'

[He was a human who became a humanoid dragon. A cool fellow with a strong sense of justice: he politely welcomed me in his land but also politely told me he was going to fight me, no matter how unmatched, if I started spreading chaos. I liked his guts, so I was on my best behavior. Though I left two days later because I heard Albion was sighted near Kyoto.]

"Why do you ask? Shouldn't be common knowledge for your race?"

"I was never there, but my teacher told me to find it." Which is the truth: Ddraig told you to find it since the possibilities of finding someone capable of teaching you Eastern Dragon's techniques.

"I see." He again strokes his chin. "While never having a direct interest in it I live on the borders of the Nura Clan's territory, so naturally I come across all sort of rumors. However..." His eyes, previously close, open and bore into yours. "This isn't information that should be treated lightly...or freely given away."

'Is he...asking me something in exchange for telling me what he knows?'

[Yes.]

{Yes.}

[[[Yes.]]]

Your answer is:
[] Stay silent and wait for him to continue
[] Offer something you think it's worth the answer
[] Ask what he consider adequate payment
[] Write-in

 

[Alexander]

[X] Stay silent and wait for him to continue
----

There isn't much you can do. A seasoned entrepreneur could probably predict with adequate accuracy the kind of price the other expect and use that knowledge to set the negotiation on his own terms.

Sadly you aren't one. Gyuki-san is also a youkai, meaning he thinks in a different manner than a human. That you're also an Exalt and a Dragon probably only widen the gap. So you decide to stay silent: the only outward signs you show are a raising of eyebrow and a 'go on' gesture.

Gyuki-san keeps staring at you for seconds, that soon become a full minute. Finally he relaxes and lets his arms drop. "My loyalty lies with the Nura Clan and only with the Nura Clan. To fulfill the best interests of the Clan I am ready to sacrifice everything, from my honor to my life."

Welp, talk about dedication.

"A favor, in exchange for information about Ryusenkyo." He crosses his arms. "A single one, to request at any given time in the future."

You blink in surprise. "That's it? Okay then."

Ddraig facepalms. Bright couldn't care less.

"As ex-wait what?!" And Gyuki-san almost tripped without moving. "You accepted it so easily?"

"Why shouldn't I?" You reason. "I think it's a fair exchange, a favor for a favor. But-" You raise a finger. "I will not do something that goes against my morals. This is not-negotiable."

Gyuki-san stares at you in disbelief before his expression turns into one of mild amusement. "Who would have thought...You're far too trusting Hyodo-dono."

"I'm young: I have the right to be reckless." You counter back. "Plus I have the feeling you're a good person Gyuki-san. And I trust my instincts."

He chuckles. "The new generation is really something else." He turns back and begins to walk away. "Follow me."

He leads you to a room of the complex that looks like an archive. There he rummages through various shelves before taking out a rolled-up scroll. He spreads it over a table, revealing a map.

"Saikaido." He points to what today is Kyushu, the third largest island of Japan. "This is where, according to youkai who migrate through Japan and stop at Mt. Nejireme, it's possible to see great dragons swimming in the sky and sea during particularly violent storms. This is where Ryusenkyo is rumored to be located, a place that only those deemed worthy can enter."

"What happened to those deemed unworthy?"

"No idea." Your eyes widen. "I never meet someone who dared searching for it and asking access. So I don't know the exact position, but the sightings where all around the same place: Mount Aso."

Uhm, if you remember right it's situated right in the middle of a national park: Aso Kujū.

Sidequest: Find Ryusenkyo Unlocked!
Conditions for victory:
-Find Ryusenkyo
-Don't get killed

Click to shrink...

[] What are your plans for the two days, until the meeting of the Nura Clan?
----

You can choose to do as many things as you want, beside leaving the city of course. But, the more things you choose the less time you have to dedicate to each. Beside that, go wild.

 

[Alexander]

Hello, I just found out about this quest (and site for that matter) not too long ago through this quest's tvtropes page. This was worth getting no sleep last night to read.

Click to shrink...

Welcome, welcome! It's been a while since we had a new arrival. This is highly auspicious!

[X] Get to know the Nura Clan
[X] Wait just a second!? Didn't Kurotabou mentioned catgirls? I have to know more.
[X] Check up on your friends.
----

"And..done!" With a bright smile Tsurara puts the finishing touch on the tea with snacks she prepared. However, as it happens every time she cooks the food is, because of her ice aura, chilled: the tea is cold and the sweets have a sheen of ice over them.

Sadly she is incapable of realizing it.

"I wonder if Rikuo-sama will praise me?" Humming happily she reaches the door to the room where Rikuo is and opens it. "Rikuo-sama! Would you like some snacks?"

"Ah. Sorry Tsurara." Rikuo apologizes while sipping from a steaming cup of tea. "Eiko-san just offered us the same."

Eyes wide in shock the Yuki-onna stares at the perfectly made tea and lavish arrangement of snacks accompanying it before moving to the black haired female that, on the other side of the table, is trying to feeding a reluctant Hyodo Issei.

Their eyes meet, and Eiko smiles demurely.

For Tsurara it's an insult at her very dignity as a woman. Gritting her teeth in a forced smile she moves her thumb from one side of her neck to the other. 'It's war!'

Eiko's eyes shines with amusement.

----

"Can I ask you a question Aotobou-san?"

"Oh? Sure." The blue clad monk nods. "About what?"

"The Supreme Commander, and Rikuo-kun's grandfather, is Nurarihyon?" You make a gesture as if asking for confirmation. "As, the Nurarihyon? The First? He who was considered on par with Japan's Three Greatest Youkai?"

"The only and one." Grinning he raises his thumb up.

"Wow. But, where is he?"

He shrugs. "No idea."

"What."

"He comes and goes as he pleases, and none can catch him. That's Nurarihyon. He's probably doing something like a 'eat and run' tour of restaurants."

Okay. Wow.

Is this something to take pride of as a youkai?

----

Deep in Shikoku Nurarihyon sneezes.

----

"Oy, Kubinashi-sa-"

"Yes. Kejoro has a boyfriend." He says rather forcefully. "They're happily in love. He's also the jealous sort: I hear he half beat to death any one who ever so much tries to flirt with Kejoro."

"..." You shift your feet awkwardly. "...I just wanted to know where I can find a library."

He blinks owlishly. "Oh. Leave the manor: left, right, right and straight for two hundred meters. They're specialized in the Meiji Era."

"Thanks." You walk past a corner, and then lean backward so that only your head is visible. "Just say that she is taken was enough."

"-! I do no-"

"Confessed already?"

That shut him up. Shaking your head in bemusement you walk away, thinking about what kind of book you can bring home as a gift.

----

"So it's true that Kappa likes cucumbers above all else?"

"Yup." Kappa tosses a cucumber in the air and catch the tip with his mouth. Which for some reason you can't see, but it must be there because how else is he supposed to eat?! "We also like music. I'm a fan of the Aerosmith."

"Japanese music?"

"Not my genre. Oh, but I have a cousin who is aiming to become a rapper. Wonder how he's doing...?"

A rapping Kappa?!

----

Said Kappa and Koneko sneeze.

----

"Kurotabou-san!" You slam your hands on the table and lean forward, staring straight into the youkai's eyes. "You said the Bakeneko Clan manages part of the First District."

He leans back as his knees allow him. "Yes?"

"Bakeneko. As, Cat Youkai?"

"That's correct."

Your eyes shine. "And they have...female members?"

Kurotabou starts sweating bullets. "...Yes?"

Your eyes become like headlights in the night. "Please bring me there!"

Kurotabou finds it difficult to refuse.

----

Spoiler

"Wow!" You gape in amazement at the sight. "This is like a completely different world."

"Welcome to the Japanese-style youkai eatery, Bakenekoya!" A cat-eared young man in a kimono greets you. And beside him... a cat-eared young girl! Cute to boot!

'This is a dream coming true!'

"Oh, if it isn't Kurotabou-sama!" The host recognizes your guide. "Aotabou-sama isn't with you today?"

"No." He tips his hat up and gestures to you. "Today I am accompanying an esteemed guest of the Nura Clan. Please treat him."

"But of course!" The cat youkai shows a charming smile. "Welcome to Bakenekoya sir! Is there something in particular you want to try?"

"Everything!" You show a thumb-up. "I want to try everything you have! I want to enjoy this night to the fullest and never forget about it!"

"With pleasure sir. Please follow me."

----

The next morning we find a heavily disheveled Kurotabou sitting in front of Bakenekoya, dealing with the effect of a serious hangover. "Uurgh... Damn, what do they put into their catnip cocktail?"

"Something very, very strong if you ask me." Coming out from a nearby is Issei, who is just as disheveled as Kurotabou. He sits next to him, lips parting into a Cheshire Cat's grin. "So, I saw you leaving with a lady last night."

Forgetting the pain Kuro assumes a cool pose. "Uhm, indeed. After all, few can resist my charm. And how did you-"

""Yaaaa, Ise-chin!"" A pair of girls waves from one of the window of the house Issei left.

Spoiler

"Don't forget to call Kii again!"

"Don't forget to do the same with Mii!"

"Sure thing Kii-chan, Mii-chan!" Issei waves back. He turns back to Kuro. "You were saying?"

"...Nothing." For the sake of his pride as a man Kurotabou entered [extreme denial mode].

Gained: Contacts of Kii and Mii, Bakeneko Youkai Twins

Click here for NSFW's contents

Click to shrink...

----

You decide to see how things are going home. "Moshi moshi? It's me, Ise."

"Ise-sama!" It's Mittelt who answer you. "I missed you!"

You chuckle. "I missed you too. I like it here, it's full of good people. How are you doing there. Did something important happen?"

"Something, something." You can almost picture her rolling her eyes. "Rias-san transferred into our house. Don't worry, I re-organized the schedule."

Shedule? Ooh, that schedule! You suppress a perverted giggle.

"But, the nerves! She insisted the house was too small and hired a company to expand it." Wait, what? "But Grandmother Suika keeps destroying stuff, so the best they can do now is making sure the house doesn't crumble."

You wince. "Is it always this bad?"

"Nope, only when she's very happy. And I haven't see her so happy in a while."

You shouldn't be so sad, yet why are you so sad?

"Also, somehow more youkai started appearing into town. Koneko-chan said they must be reacting to Tomofuri-sama's newfound power. So me and Shougo-san beat the most unruly ones into submission. Now there is no one who don't know your name."

This is good. Right?

"What's left...Kiyome Abe renews the offer to join the Tennis Club and asks if you can bring her the autograph of Youkai Nurarihyon, but a cute youkai would also do. Aika made a new batch of cosplay costumes. Your idiotic friends keep cursing your name and getting beaten over their perverted antics. Kiba-san wants your help because a certain 'Mil-tan' keeps summoing him to watch anime. Yang wants to spend a weekend with you. Ruby wonders when we fight the next organization of evildoers. Azazel-sama wants you to test his new Robo-Maid. Asia's Japanese is developing nicely. Oh, you also received a letter from the Phenex's Patriarch."

"Phenex-Raiser's father?"

"Yup. He wishes for you to meet him in his house in the Underworld. He doesn't say why, but he swears it's only to talk."

Yeah. That doesn't sound suspicious at all.

Sidequest: Lord Phenex's Request Unlocked!
Conditions for victory:
-Meet with Lord Phenex
-Do so before time limit: [UNKNOWN]

Click to shrink...

----

Finally, the day of the meeting arrives. The moment the sun goes down many youkai on all kinds of transportations begin arriving at the Nura Mansion and are escorted into the main meeting hall.

And you are not invited. Well of course you aren't: one must be part of the Nura Clan for that, you're just a guest. However, you are still curious about what they are going to discuss.

[] Ask Rikuo if you can participate
[] Use a dragon's hearing to eardrop
[] Just wait patiently for them to finish
[] Write-in
----

Did I forget something? Sorry my connection is faulty today, and I didn't sleep well.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Just wait patiently for them to finish
-[X] Chat with Eiko
----

If they wanted you to participate they would have asked you to join. That's all there is to it. For them it's a question of honor, while you're only a guest. While you aren't someone who let rules stop him from doing what is right, the situation isn't so dire to warrant such a course of action. Acting rashly will only cause problems for Rikuo-kun.

"Ah~! Ah~! Eiko saw so many youkai tonight." Your Yatagarasu sits down on the porch beside him, back in her purple kimono. "It's a true Hyakki Yagyō! Though, the sense of unity isn't strong: maybe it isn't true at all?"

You sigh. "Don't say that. Rikuo-kun will-is responsible for guiding the Nura Clan. We must have faith in him."

She snaps open her fan. "The young Nurarihyon possesses a special disposition, but it pales in confront to Master. Especially if he keeps suppressing his youkai's heritage."

You blink on confusion. "What do you mean?"

"This is something that Eiko was able to put together in the last days. The Young Head is three quarters human and one quarter youkai." Seriously? Does that mean...aah, that's it: Rikuo's father was also a Hanyou. "As such he prefers living as a human than as a youkai. But to guide youkai one must be a youkai too."

That...that explain a lot: just like you need to be a Dragon to get respect, Rikuo needs to be a Youkai. But for some reason he prefers being human.

You ruffle your hair. "That's so damn complicated. No wait, even if I understand what could I do? The best would be offering encouragements."

Eiko pats your back. "Don't worry Master! When Master's turn will come Master will have Eiko to aid Master!"

"Thanks Eiko...wait, what do you mean about my-"

"This reminds Eiko." She takes out a scroll and unfold it. "Eiko's esteemed brothers and sisters from the tribe finally sent the result of the research about the Hachijūhakki Yakō of Shikou. Does Master wish to hear what was uncovered?"

Your eyes light up. "Yes, yes of course. Please tell me."

"Aehm." Eiko clears her throat and begins reading with great seriousness. "Shikoku was once the treasure of the youkai. To the Tanuki Youkai, especially, it was a paradise, for they far outnumbered the human population. About 300 years ago, the might of the Tanuki continued to grow...and before long, they have formed a group beneath the banner of [Osore] ([Fear]). They attempted to capture a castle of the humans. Lying in wait for them at Matsuyama Castle were ten thousand humans; facing them, the youkai army spearheaded by the Inugami Gyōbu, wielding divine powers beyond human understanding."

Inugami Gyōbu. The same name Rikuo said. The same person? Or maybe a descendant?

"The outcome was perfectly obvious. However, the tanuki youkai were utterly annihilated by a single sword held by the humans." Must have been one hell of a sword. "It's name, the [Maou's Hammer]. A sword with the power to destroy youkai." Wait what?

"[Maou's Hammer]?" You repeat in bewilderment. "Does it has something to do with the Maou of the Devils?"

"No Master." Eiko shakes her head. "The original term used by the Devils is [Demon King], which translated to Japanese is [Maou]. However, the most ancient use of [Maou] in Japan refers to an ideal rank as the leader of all youkai. However, there has never been someone who was capable of uniting all living youkai under only one banner."

"I see. So why it was called [Maou's Hammer]."

"The origin of the sword and its name are unknown. The Battle of Matsuyama Castle was the first recorded instance of its appearance and use. However, it is known what it does." She continues reading. "The sword has the power to absorb the lifeforce and feeling of those killed by it and turns it into power for the wielder to use. However, it is still a cursed weapon: it collect mainly hatred and resentment, poisoning the user's spirit and body with bloodlust and malice. Thus, the remaining soldiers were forced to kill the wielder because after the battle he turned on them."

What a nasty thing.

{But interesting.} Bright comments. {It sounds like something Ligier would have created.}

'Ligier?'

{Fetich Soul of the Demon City, the greatest Crafter among Demons. Even among the Twilight only a few-myself included of course-had equal or superior skills.}

Even more terms you don't know.

"Realizing its danger the soldiers gave the [Maou's Hammer] to monks who build a temple and sealed the sword inside. Honoring it as a sacred treasure, they hoped to weaken it curse." She looks up. "That's all!"

"Okay." Your finger begin tapping on your chin, while your gaze is draw by the cherry blossom in the garden that always looks like it's weeping. "It doesn't told us much, beside clearing how the Tanuki where defeated."

"Eiko asks for forgiveness." She bow her head. "This is what was written in the clan's archives. More recent news require different channels."

Just then Rikuo's voice cut through the chill air of the night. "We need to be prepared for war at all times, just like I told you!!" Coming out of the room he begins giving orders left and right to the nearby youkai. "Oi! You too Aotabou, Kurotabou! Get on with it. And you Tsurara!"

You watch the scene with a bit of bemusement until no one but you, Eiko and Rikuo is left. "Preparing for the final battle?"

He blinks in surprise when he realizes your presence. "Ah, Issei-sempai, Eiko-san. No, just making sure we aren't caught unprepared." He sits down next to you. "We talked and talked, but in the end we concluded nothing. Currently the Nura Clan has not the necessary internal unity to present an united front."

Your eyes narrow. "Why? I mean." You switch to a soothing tone. "Aren't they enraged at the attack, worried for their lives and the like?"

"They are." He sighs wistfully. "But they expect me to take responsibility and, dare I say, resolve the issue while they stay safe." He lowers his head. "It's my fault: if only I was a better commander like Grandfather..."

No.

No that's just wrong.

What do you say to Rikuo?
[] Write-in.
----

Basically, I expect you to come up with an inspiring speech. Kamina much?

 

[Alexander]

Interlude​

"First, let me say that I am very proud of you girls. The speed of your Sacred Gears' mastery is astounding."

Deep inside the Grigori's secret base situated in the city where Kuoh Academy stand Azazel, Governor General of the Fallen Angel, is walking down a long spotless corridor, the two sisters Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long behind him.

"For real? You mean it?" Ruby, asks, eyes sparkling at the praise.

Azazel nods. "Absolutely. Of course every Sacred Gear is different, but as one who studied them for a long time I can say with absolute certainty the compatibility between you and your Gears is extremely high. Tell me, what do you know of the Magnus as a whole?"

"What Ise told us." Yang replies. "That they were created during the last war between the Three Factions and gifted to four half angel guys. And that there are sixteen of them."

"Correct: four for each Horseman. Each Gear possessed by them form a set, and they share the same typology." He holds up four fingers. "Each Horseman had a Weapon, a Wide Area Attack, a Passive Effect and, finally, a Ride."

"Ride?"

"In the Book of Revelation it is recorded each Horseman ride a horse of different color. Those were their Ride-Type Magnus. Now, there is a little piece of information about the Magnus only a few people, me included, are aware of."

They reach a large door. Azazel inputs a code into a keyboard and the door open, letting them continue.

"The original wielders weren't born with them, they were given them when they were already adults. As every single Sacred Gear before could only be granted to a person at his birth, God build the Magnus with a special code that allow them to bond with a suitable wielder and even leaving without killing him."

"So..." Ruby puts a finger on her lips. "Does this mean it's possible for someone to collect all the Gears?"

"Only four of a kind because each set is mutually exclusive to each other, but yes." Azazel smiles with approval. "Of course nobody has ever reunited all Magnus since the Great War. Even us Grigori only own three of them. And, oh look, two of them are Gear of War and Death."

"You mean, like ours..!"

"Exact." The Fallen Angel's smile turns into a smirk. They reach another door, where subordinates of Azazel are working on handheld computers. "And since you showed such a high compatibility, I thought you should have a chance to...let's say 'tame' them. Is everything alright?"

"Yes Azazel-sama." One of the subordinates replies. "The bindings are secure. But please hurry: I detect rising levels of excitement, if it continues the bindings will break."

"Oh oh. Perfect. They can feel them too. Open the door!" He commands.

The door opens with a 'HISS', a slight white mist rolling out from inside. Azazel stands aside and gestures for the sisters to walk inside. "Don't worry, there is no danger."

At first the sisters hesitate. But then they feel their Sacred Gears react, as if something was calling for them. Nodding to reinforce each other's determination they walk inside. And gasp at what they find.

There, secured to the ground with chains made of energy on their legs, are suits of armor for horses. Only, they are moving as if they are alive, azure fire burning inside the openings and the eye sockets. One is red like spilled blood, while the other is a pale grey, like the skin of a cadaver. The armored horses seem to notice the sisters' entrance, as they turn to them and begin let out mechanical-like neighs.

At the same time Crescent Rose and Ember Celica's reactions get stronger and stronger.

"Red Horse and Pale Horse." Azazel says without stepping inside. "You are resonating with them, right? Don't worry, try to touch them: they will not hurt you."

"You sure, Goate-Ojisan?"

As Azazel cringes at Yang's nickname for him Ruby, as if in a daze, steps closer to the Pale Horse. It, on the same token, neighs again and stretch its neck forward, legs futilely tugging at the chains. "You...wants to become mine?" She asks.

The is confirmation in the horse's next neigh. Clenching her fists to reaffirm her resolution Ruby holds out a hand and, as if in slow motion, rests in on the Pale Horse's muzzle.

A blinding flash of light.

"Oh? So they can change form depending on the user? How interesting."

 

[Alexander]

Interlude 2​

One day after Issei met the Nura Clan

"Is this the place?" Shougo Kitsukawa comments aloud with a bored tone while looking left and right. The day before leaving Issei gave him a piece of paper with a date and the instructions to reach the place he is now, telling him he arranged a meeting with someone who can help him.

"Kitsukawa Shougo-kun I presume?" A voice suddenly says behind him.

Reacting with surprising speed the blonde boy spins around and lashes out with a punch, but the figure that managed to sneak up on him blocks it. Without even caring to take on more details Shougo begins a furious and chaotic storms of blows, each block widening the grin on his lips by a fraction. Suddenly he tries with an uppercut, his fist glowing with a golden light.

FWOOSH

The figure, for the first time since the beginning of the clash, evades and moves outside Shougo's range.

"Ohohoh! That last one was dangerous." Now that Shougo can see better the mysterious figure reveals itself to be an old man higher than him, with a fairly large muscular body, blond hair and a beard wearing a simple kimono.

"You're good." Despite the growing excitement Shougo refrains from attacking further, his instincts telling him that hearing what the old man has to say would be beneficial.

"Ohoh! And you've a large well of untapped potential." The stranger raises a bushy eyebrow. "Hyodo-kun's judgment was accurate."

"Are you the guy Issei said can help me?"

"Indeed. Hyodo-kun did us a great favour, so I decided to repay him. That's when he told me about you." He crosses his arms over his chest, his expression turning serious. "Tell me Kitsukawa Shougo-kun: why do you follow the Path of Martial Arts? And why did you decided to fight the monsters that lurk in the darkness outside humanity?"

"It makes me feel alive." He replies simply and truthfully. "The normal world is dull and boring. The world Issei showed me instead is exciting, it feels more real."

The old man appears surprised before starting to mumble to himself. "...a mirror, minus fifty years..." He straightens up. "Not a very wise decision, but I understand perfectly your point of view." He begins to walk around Shougo. "I suppose it was good luck, that I found you before you fell down a bad road."

He stops and clears his throat "Oh, but where are my manners? My name Furinji Hayato. I'm just an old man who knows a bit about martial arts."

He raises a hand, palm facing the sky and azure energy covering it.

"Tell me Shougo-kun: do you know what [Touki] is?"

 

[Alexander]

[X] Inspirational Speech

You place your hands on Rikuo's shoulders and force him to look you in the eyes. Your gaze is resolute but full of understanding. "If only you were better? It's not a question of ability: your grandfather has centuries of experience you don't have. Complaining about that is like a hawk crying that he can't fly as high as the sun. Work hard, do your best, listen to the advice of those you trust and experience will come on it's own time."

"I-I know!" He looks away, biting his lower lip. His eyes drift to the cherry blossom. "You know Hyodo-sempai, for a long time I didn't even want this position."

You stay silent, letting him continue.

"My father was half-human, and I'm just one quarter youkai. Even though I grew up around them, I never really though of myself as being one of them, you know? Despite that, when I was a kid I thought youkai were cool. I wanted nothing more than be just like grandfather, a great leader of youkai." A bitter smile ghosts across his face. "I didn't know that youkai can also be very scary: a certain incident taught me that. After it I decided to live my live as a human, pretending I wasn't a youkai."

You suspect there is more to the story, but the gist of it is clear.

Rikuo sighs. "It was only recently that Gyuuki taught me a precious lesson, reminding me of my responsibilities. When grandfather disappeared to who knows where I decided I would do my best to lead the Hyakki Yakō in his place." He huddles down, draws his legs against his chest and hugs them. "But no matter what I do, I can't get the others' respects. What should I do?"

{This is your chance!}

"Before that, consider this question: how can one lead others if he is at war with himself?" At your words he whips his head to stare at you, eyes wide at the sheer conviction radiating from your being. "They don't follow because they can see that you are at war with your own nature, living as if your human side and your youkai side are foes. I can see it: you reject and fear a part of yourself and can't accept that you are both Human and Youkai." You let go of him and stand up, closed fist raised above your heart. "Only when you have resolved this conflict will you be able to live up to your grandfather and your father's legacies, and become the true Third Commander."

"I'm Human and Youkai...?" He whispers in shock.

"Correct,-" You reply with a grinning flourish. "Just like I am both Dragon and Human."

"Eh? Sempai you..."

"I am someone born as a human, but with the dormant power of a dragon inside me. I'm sure we are not the only ones." You look up at the moon. "Humans, Youkais, Dragons. In the end, aren't we all just searching to protect what makes us smile? When who you are and what you've decided you have to do coincide: that's when you know that you've accepted yourself."

"Who I am, and what I want to do..." Rikuo stands up and stares at the moon too, eyes narrowing in determination. "I-"

"What!"

"But what on earth happened to them?"

A sudden commotion. Looking ahead you see people tending to two injured guys. At sight Rikuo's eyes widen in alarm.

"Gozumaru! Mezumaru!"

----

It turns out that the injured pair were sent by Rikuo and Gyuuki to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters- probably thanks to the information received from the youkai you captured- but were discovered and forced to flee.

As expected the news is followed by mass confusion, but before Rikuo could put a stop to it he fainted. It was so sudden he almost collapsed to the ground, were you not fast enough to catch him. Bright said he showed sign of sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation? When was the last time you suffered from it? Rikuo must have been pushing himself extra-hard those last days. You left him to the care of what passes for the local medic, a guy with dirty green hair called Zen, and stood outside the room where he put Rikuo until Aotabou and the others arrive, at which point you left the duty to them.

Right now you're back where you were discussing things with Rikuo. You said what you have to say, now it was the turn of those closer to Rikuo and he himself. Eiko is sitting seiza behind you, for once no smile on her lips.

Your contemplations are interrupted when Gyuuki approaches you. "Hyodo-dono." He greets you.

"Gyuuki-san." You greet back. "Those two were your subordinates, right? How are they doing?"

"Luckily we get to them on time. Their injuries are severe, but they will heal."

"That's good to hear. I have a friend who can heal any injury quickly, but she-"

"Is human?" At your surprised expression he continues. "I spoke with Karasutengu. Don't worry, we can arrange something when this crisis is over. And..." He turns to the house, a slight smile on his lips. "I have the feeling the end is near."

"Enemy raid! The enemy's attacking!" A watcher youkai cries. "The Shikoku forces and a huge numbers of troops are heading this way down the old highway!"

It is sufficient that statement to send the various youkai into a panic.

SBAM

And then everything stops when he appears.

"Stop cowering! Out opponent...is just a little bake-tanuki."

A massive, breathtaking aura and a feeling of raw charisma that spill out in waves. For a moment you wonder who exactly this high-class devil youkai-equivalent is.

Then he looks at you and flashes a confident grin. "As you can see, I decided to follow your words, sempai."

No. Freaking. Way. "Rikuo-kun?!"

"My Youkai, or Night form." He explains. By Ignis Divine, this is really what you call a Master of all Spirits! Are all one quarter youkai like this? "The Shikoku threat ends today. Sorry, but this is something that us Nura youkai must do ourselves."

"That's alright." You don't think he even needs your help now. "Is there something else I can do?"

His grin widens. "As a matter of fact, there is."

You are ready for anything.

----

"Please, you must go back! There was an incident, right now the Douraku Highway is closed!"

Or maybe not. Since the two Hyakki are expected to clash right in the middle of a street that it's frequented even by night, Rikuo asked you to make sure normal people, who can't see youkai, don't end into the line of fire.

So here you, wearing a police uniform a Nura youkai weaved in the blink of an eye, doing your best impression of a policeman as you run around making sure no human gets into the battlefield.

'That Rikuo. It's not only his appearance that changed. He got cockier too.'

"I repeat, Douraku Highway is closed! Please turn around and-"

"Hyodo-san?" You freeze. Slowly, very slowly you turn around to stare at the shocked expression of one Keikain Yura. "What are you doing here? What's that getup? What is happening here?"

To none of those questions you can answer with the truth.

[] Write-in

 

[Alexander]

[X] Bobs Beard
----

"Keikain-san... that's a few questions."

She just looks at you suspiciously. You take a moment to look around and appraise crowd and surroundings: while you did a good job so far, you can still see many people with curious looks and cellphones out. Even if youkai don't appear on photo it is better to limit the number of witnesses as much as possible.

You smile kindly at your kohai "...Tell you what: help me make a makeshift barrier to keep people out of danger and I'll-"

"Ahhh! I can't see anything!"

"Noo! What's going on?!"

Your prepared speech dies on your lips at the cries of distress. Whipping your head you see black feathers falling from the sky like snow in winter: when they touch someone that person covers their eyes and begins screaming.

One such feathers comes near you, the tip brushing against your cheek. For an instant your vision turns pitch black-

Integrity-Protecting Prana

Click to shrink...

Only for your Essence to violently react and reject something, your vision returning to normal.

"This is bad! Don't touch those feathers!" Yura warns the other people, having understood the danger they pose.

"Kekekeke!!"

"Meat! Humans! Meat! Humans!"

'What now!?' You mentally scream. From the direction of the battle a group of youkai is coming this way, every last one of them sporting eyes shining a bloody scarlet.

[Uh oh.] One of your sempai says with worry.

'Uh oh?'

[I saw that state once. They're drunk. Not on alcohol, but on Fear. When so many youkai fight in the same place, the clashing flows of Fear produce currents of energy that can drive weak-willed youkai mad. It's similar to what happen when someone use Senjutsu past their limits. They're not really 'home' right now.]

"Damn!" You shout as you run to the youkai, lunging at the nearby people with hungry maws. Yura is saying something, but you don't care about that now. "Hey ugly! Why don't you pick a fight with someone your own size! Come on, I'll take y-"

That's as far as you get before one of the flying youkai sharply turns midair and rams into you.

Iron Kettle Body

Soak:
Bashing: 17
Lethal: 15
Aggravated: 0

Click to shrink...

The youkai crashes through a wall- you first -then another and yet another one until it ends in an empty warehouse, the destroyed concrete raising a cloud of gritty, obscuring dust around the both of you.

"Kekeke!" It laughs, more youkai pouring through the opening it made. "You smell delicious! While those hot-blooded idiots fight and die for Tamazuki-sama I'll eat you, feast on your meat and guzzle your Fear! I'll grow powerful - more powerful than even... Ke-GAh!"

A huge, red-scaled arm covered in crimson steel emerges from the clouds and chokes him. "You know, I shouldn't hate you for this because you're not in a right state of mind."

A silhouette steps out from the cloud, and you're sure it has the Fear-crazed Youkai's full attention..

First are the wings, draconian behemoths with a wingspan of twelve yards.

Second are the legs, tree-thick limbs ending with thick claws instead of feet.

Third is the tail, enough muscle for a dozen pythons coiled into a one and half meter length.

Fourth is the broad chest, formidable as a fortress and covered with shinning red scales.

Fifth, and last, is the face: displaying a fearsome saurian visage of fangs and fire instead of any human traits.

"But this doesn't mean I am not going to beat your sorry ass for being a filthy coward!"

The rampaging youkai cry out in surprise as you give them a taste of a far less palatable kind of Fear.

You open your maw and roar, an inferno thundering within your outcry!

[BOOST!] {BOOST!}

[] Smash their faces
[] Smash their faces
[] Smash their faces
[] Write-in

Health:
-0 [X]
-1 [X] [ ]
-2 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
-4 [ ]
Incapacitated [ ]
Dying [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Personal Essence: 3/20
Peripheral Essence: 42/49

Willpower: 6/8

Click to shrink...

----
The next update will be split into two parts, and that two parter will be the official end to the Youkai Arc. This one at least.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Bobs Beard is Best Beard!
-[X] 3-die Stunt Achieved! +1 Xp Special Reward!
----

You smash the youkai's face into the ground with sledgehammer force as you flare your wings. With a mighty flap that makes the air shake barrel forward like a freight train at full throttle. Stunned by the sudden reversal in position your enemies are too slow to react. As you hurtle past you snag a pair of unlucky Youkai by their necks and roar, outrage echoing on the empty warehouse, imposing Fear unfeastable upon creatures unused to such sensations.

No matter who they are, they hesitate when they see their allies rushing face first towards them - and that's all it takes to spell their doom. Skull meets skull with the kind of harsh impact that could shatter stone, and you make sure all get a taste. In a maelstrom of fang and claw, tail and wing you spin like a dervish, dust and more whirl-winding around your frenetic motion. Most of the Youkai still encircling you are blasted back like mere ragdolls, blood and more trailing from their broken faces. A final, astoundingly blind creature dares jump and try to ride you like a beast but your head swipes back with a crunch, the blunt side of your horns smashing bone and pulping flesh, throwing the figure aside like detritus.

Seeing the tumbled Youkai so close to each other in a haphazard pile, you decide to finish this madness-born fight in a single move. You move on instinct, blood and pressure and more building above your heart, flooding your throat. Volcanic fire, heavy and liquid coils within your glowing, gaping maw before with a roar you sweep the whole lot of stunned monsters with boiling flame and searing destruction. Your incendiary outburst is extreme enough that a loading crane crashes down in a half-molten pile, spilling swiftly burning merchandise that no one will ever buy over the equally inflamed Youkai. As those that feast on Fear scream and mewl in both pain and fear, you feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that the human onlookers nearby remain safe, regardless of the Youkai's intent.

Wait a second... 'Did I just...breath fire?'

[You did! You did!] Ddraig cheers. [I was thinking you were going to need more training, but you unlocked it on your own. Bravo partner, bravo!]

[[[Congrats Issei-kohai!]]]

{Ugh, it's like watching an Eclipse wasting his time!}

Spoiler

An inspired creation of a 3-die Stunt created acquisition of a Dragon Knack!

Dragon's Breath
Cost: 5m
Duration: (Stamina) ticks
Prerequisites: Essence 1

The user draws a deep breath - deeper than seems possible - before breathing a vast stream of fire elemental essence. He can maintain this exhalation, and its effects, for a number of ticks equal to his Stamina rating, and during this time can redirect the breath as he like, covering an area
roughly his Essence in yards across on each tick. The bolt is targeted with (Dexterity + Athletics) or (Dexterity + Archery), whichever is preferred, with a range of (Essence x 10) yards. It inflicts damage on any target across a circular area with a radius equal to the user's permanent Essence in yards, dealing (Essence+Stamina) dice of Lethal damage every tick.

"FUCK YEAH!" You roar to the heavens.

BOOOM!

A wall comes down and the earth trembles at the thudding movement of something massive.

"I SmElL SoMeThInG DeLiCiOuS!" A giant boar twice your height with a mane of fire bellows, it's billow-like breathing so intense it's snuffing out the fire you just set.

"Oh, what the fu-"

----

"Do you see it now, Rikuo?" Takazuki spits out in manic ferver, his youkai form shimmering as he yet again repels the blows of the young Nura Head. In his hands the [Maou's Hammer] that absorbed the lifeforce of many of his own underlings empowering him to extreme levels. "Superb, it is not? My...Hyakki Yakou!"

His own sword locked with Tamazuki's weapon, Rikuo grits his teeth and pushes back. "Being the Master of all Spirits...Doesn't mean piling up your clan's corpses to make yourself bigger!"

BOOOM!

From inside a building comes out a giant boar youkai launched at full speed despite the numerous claw marks on its hide, pushing forward a smaller red dragon who has his left arm pierced by one of the great tusks.

"UaAaArRrGgHhH!! ChOkYuKaI SmAsH!!"

"Smash this, you oversized piece of bacon!" Driving his feet into the ground to act as a fulcrum, the dragon uses his strength to alter the boar's trajectory, making the latter smash side first into yet another building.

"A Dragon?!" Even Tamazuki looks shocked. "So it's true...The Nura Clan has even one of those prideful beasts under its command!"

"You're wrong..." Rikuo smirks, feeling both exasperation and elation as he recognizes who the new arrival is. "That...is a friend!"

The renewed mad dash of the boar forces Rikuo and Tamazuki to separate. The Tanuki jumps on the head of his subordinate, while Rikuo squat on the dragon's shoulder. "That's a nice appearance you have here, sempai." He chuckles. "But didn't I ask you to keep humans away?"

"I was doing that!" Issei snarls. "But then a pack of out of control shikoku youkai attacked me and them! Oh, but I transformed only when out of sight!"

"Really, those country hicks..." Rikuo sighs, then look at the sky. "And dawn is close too. I need to finish this quickly, but as long as Tamazuki has [that]..."

"By that, you mean that super-ultra-mega-hyper gross thing in his hands?"

"Yes, it's a sword with the power to absorb the strength of those killed by it. Tamazuki killed his own subordinates with it."

"...It's name, is perhaps [Maou's Hammer]?"

"Uh? Yeah, he called it that. How do you know?"

"God damn it!" Issei clenches his fists. "What is it doing here? Explanations later, now separate that thing from him or we're all fucked."

Issei raises a hand and taps with the tip of a claw Rikuo's sword.

[TRANSFER!]

Power flows from Boosted Gear into the sword, making it glow with a golden light.

Spoiler

Artifact Charm "Boosted Gear Apotheosis"

Those who are Exalted transcend all limits. And in the hands of such heroes even common items answer the call to glory.

-By attuning the motes from the Overdrive Pool to a weapon, armor or other object the Solar can apply to it the effects of "Welsh Boost Overdrive: Explosion". This last until the fifth DV refresh of the one using the item, after which the item returns to its normal state.
-Weapons have their base damage doubled.
-Armors have their Soak and Hardness doubled.
-Other items have [UNKNOWN].

(OOC: this is only a temporary description to make you understand what I am doing. If someone feels like it he/she is welcome to write a better one)

"I just jammed a whole bunch of dragon goodness in your sword. Quick, before your sword's new extra awesome super-mode fades, go kick that tanuki's ass! I got the boar!"

"Cool." The light from the sword makes Rikuo's grin seems larger. "Just what I needed. One word of advice: Keikain-san is nearby, so don't transform back where she can see."

"Duly noted."

Rikuo jumps back to resume his fight with Tamazuki, while Issei starts running on all four towards the Youkai Boar Chokyukai. The great beast lets out an angry bellow and charges at Issei.

Just moments before they collide Issei jumps up, twisting his body upside down. The instant he is directly above the boar he breaths a stream of golden flames. "Solar Judgment!"

"UUIIIIIIHHHHHHH!!!"

The youkai screams in pain as the blessed attack burns both his flesh and his very spirit, his body bereft of any natural defenses against an attack that impose rules alien to the world on its victims.

"Mada mada!" Issei roars. A corona of golden light erupts around his body, the jewels on Boosted Gear displaying the roman number [IV].

[EXPLOSION!]

Now with sixteen times his original strength Issei grabs the boar and, in an impossible display, throw it up in the air like it was a baseball ball. He jumps after it.

The moment they both reach their apex Issei cocks back a fist.

"EAT A FACEFUL OF DRAGON CLAW!"

He swings his arm.

The concussive force of the impact sense a dust tsunami racing through the cityscape below, and skylights shatter as windows rattle before the mighty impact's presence.

On the ground below Rikuo, using the powered-up sword Nenekirimaru and the secret technique Kyouka Suitgetsu, manages to cut off the arm of Tamazuki holding the Maou's Hammer.

Slowly but inexorably the Sun illuminate the sky and the earth with his warm glow, as if preannouncing a new day and a new hope.

[] End of the First Part
----

Are you pleased with what you got?

 

[Alexander]

You returned to the streets below just in time to see the finale. That Tamazuki guy got his butt kicked, but had his life spared by the arrival of the original Nurarihyon (Who turned out to be a crazy short old man with a gourd-like banana of a head. For real?) and Tamazuki's father (Who was a giant racoon, somehow? You don't really get youkai genetics.), who begged Rikuo to spare his son's life.

Rikuo accepted. Probably because he was just a very nice guy, but you think he also knows how important and precious the father-son bond is.

While everyone was busy winding down from the big fight and getting used to this new state of not tearing into one another, you tried to retrieve the Maou's Hammer. 'Tried' being the operative word: apparently a youkai named Yosuzume who was working for Tamazuki took it after his defeat and flew away almost as soon as her master's defeat. Either she wanted to cut her loose ends while getting compensation, or she never worked for Tamazuki in the first place. You told Rikuo what you know about the sword's details, and you both agreed it was for the best to find the wretched thing and either destroy or seal it again.

After the big battle a lot of people (you and Rikuo included) needed medical attention, so in the aftermath you took a few days off to rest up. As both an Exalt and a Dragon you heal way faster than normal after all: Bright mentioned that the mix of physiologies is producing interesting results. It's never a good thing when Bright is interested in something... but you suppose the fact that you only needed the one day's recovery is pretty nice. You're definitely not telling Bright that, though.

When the others finally caught up with your recovery and were well enough, the time came for the big event: a party to celebrate the victory. Turns out it's an out and out official tradition for the Nurarihyon family, and watching them pull out all the stops in the name of clan pride was crazy.You were finally introduced to the other Clan Heads, and while there are some that still look at you with suspicion in their gaze (most of all an old guy with only one eye), those who were present at the battle and saw you fight spread tales of your exploits. Coupled with the fact that Nurarihyon-dono himself is okay with the whole deal keeps even the grumpy cyclops from doing anything: apparently he wants to support Rikuo's decisions, no matter what they are.

Those less concerned with leading this or that clan aren't nearly so stiff. From watching Kurotabou and Aotabou getting smashed on sakè, to Kejoro-san dancing, to Kubinashi-san being hit on by both young and old women to even Tsurara-san creating weird ice statues in a drunkem stupor.

Of course, the proverbial wrench in the gears came from where you least expected it, on the tail end of a thoroughly enjoyable party winding down in the wee hours.

"May I have your attention, please?" At Karasutengu's words all those at the party stop what they're doing and turn to the minute youkai. "As you all know we finally put an end to the recent threat of an invasion from Shikoku. While the Nura Clan suffered, it came out stronger as a result of it."

A tiny, beakclad face dips, and words a touch more somber echo forth.

"Many of our comrades gave their life for the cause, and it is out sworn duty to make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain. It is our solemn duty to ensure that that which they bought with their lives is put to the best possible use - that this return to the old days of prominence , that it does not fade."

The youkai murmur in agreement. For your part you simply bow in respect.

Then Karasutengu does something strange: he looks at the Commander, who gives him a thumbs-up, and then to Eiko, who now is holding a bottle of sake and two cups… and doing that really impish grin that she always done when she's pulling off one of her crazy-

Suddenly you have an ominous feeling.

"But we were not alone in this endeavor. We held off the official announcement because of the gravity of the situation, but no more!"

Eiko appears between you and Rikuo. She puts down the cups in front of the two of you and pours sake in them, filling them both with equal amounts. You hear distant murmurs of "A 50-50 Sakazuki?" but before you can ask an equally confused Rikuo what is going on Karasutengu beat you to it.

"I have the privilege to present the Nura Clan's new ally neighbor: the Hyodo Clan's leader and our own leader's sworn brother, Sun Dragon Hyodo Issei!"

It's only thanks to Ddraig laughing so hard at your expense that you briefly forget how to move that you avoid screaming out "WHAT THE HELL?!?!".

Damn it Eiko.

----


"I'm back." Letting out a sigh of exhaustion you take off your shoes and walk inside your house.

"Ise-sama!" Mittelt jumps and tackle-hugs you, slender legs tight around your waist as she utterly fails to so much as make you rock back.

"Ise-san/Ise!" Behind them are Asia and Rias, who pout at Mittelt before deciding to take your hands in theirs.

"Hello Mittelt, Asia, Rias. I hope everything is okay."

When your face starts twisting up to match the state of your thoughts and you release another sigh Rias' brows draw together in concern. "Ise, is everything alright?"

You look warily first at a completely not sheepish Eiko and then at Buchou's expectant features. "You may want to have tea on hand before I tell you."

"Oh dear."

----

"Suika-san?"

"Snoring soundly."

"Good."

After Asia and Eiko prepared tea and you are all seated you begin with a brief resume of what happened during your stay at the Nura compound, from the investigation to find youkai Inuhōō to the final battle.

"So everything turned alright?" Mittelt asks.

"Yes." You answer.

"So what is the problem?"

You pinch the bridge of your nose. "There isn't a mild way of putting it, so I'll be blunt: stuff happened and now I'm the head of a clan recognized in Youkai Yakuza political circles, so I guess I'm sort of a Magical Gangster now, and sworn brother with the leader of the Nurahiyon clan, who's a pretty cool guy."

The girls blink in confusion. Rias is the only one who seems to have an idea of the implications, so even as her left eye starts twitching she urges you to continue.

"It was necessary to retroactively justify me helping them: if the Nurarihyon Family received help from an unrelated outsider it would reflect poorly on them, but if a sworn brother of their clan's head brings their own clan to their aid that's another story… or so I'm told. In my identity as a Dragon I am not part of the Nura's Hyakki Yakō, but I am their neighbor with a friendly relationship. They even gave me this city and its surroundings as a territory to administer."

"Eh? But-"

You raise an hand to stop Rias. "I know. This is yours and Sona Sitri's territory. Problem is, youkai who live in Japan and not the Underworld have few if any previous points of contact with Devils, so they are pretty much wholly ignorant of how you operate, and even how Devils think. They said this city was once under the control of one of the Nura's sub-Clans, at least until the latest Head lost his life in an incident to, I quote, a [Super Yuki-Onna]."

"A Super...Yuki-Onna?"

"Apparently when Devils arrived here the Head received a representative at his home. The next day they found his mansion completely encased in ice."

Rias seems to think for a minute, and then suddenly blanch. "Oh. Oh dear. Oh for the Original Four Maou."

"Do you know something?"

"No, but I can guess." She puts her face in her hands. "So THAT's why when I came here the first time there weren't any supernatural creatures nearby. And I was so looking forward to meeting real youkai...Trust me Ise, it's better we forgot about the problem's responsible. But I can assure you something like that is never going to happen again. I will make sure of it."

"Al..right." You are curious of course, but if Rias say so she must have a reason. "Anyway, my only real duties are limited to leading my Clan, making sure the youkai living here follow whatever rules I find necessary and help the Nura Clan when they are in danger."

"Leading your Clan? Who is your Clan?" Asia asks.

"All those who follow me." You elaborate further. "Apparently Dragons have a special privilege: any individual, regardless of species, who is part of a Dragon's House is considered a member of the Clan."

Those stares - no, not the dreaded joint jiiiii, you can't take it!

"Don't look at me like that! There are stereotypes about Dragons, alright? Youkai have a long-standing tradition of dealing with Dragons, so they expect certain behaviors! I didn't even want this position." You glare at the culprit Eiko together with Karasutengu, who just hides her mouth behind a fan.

"It sounds interesting." Against all expectations Mittelt grins. "Now we have our very own organization!"

"What's a Yakuza?" Asia innocently asks.

"A Clan..." Rias muses, a triumphant smile on her lips. "Yes! This way even Otou-sama will be forced to agree!"

...Well damn. Does this mean that you really have to go with it?

----

"Sayanomiya-san? Why are you drin-"

"Not now Touma-kun. Not. Now."

----

"Shougo here."

"Mh...Mh..Yes."

"...I'm a what now?"

----

"If we want to be part of it? Of course we want that! Right Ruby?"

"Duh!"

----

Youkai Yakuza Arc: Completed

+4 Xp For completing the HCC request
+3 Xp For defeating Youkai Inuhōō
+2 Xp For completing every Otaku's dream (sex with Twin Catgirls at the same time)
+3 Xp For defeating Youkai Boar Chokyukai
+1 Xp For creating your own Clan!
+5 Xp For completing the quest

----

[] Congratulations! Hyodo Issei has resolved all the issues that requested his immediate attention. But now that he has free time he realized that there are still many other issues that need his attention, just not as urgent as the previous one. Take a look at the index and past posts and write down a list, listing what issue you want to address, how, and in what order. Be sure to find out all of them, for the author is not going to be merciful this time ^^. Also, be prepared for the consequences if you neglect/forget one for too much time!

----

There are more gains, but for now I post so you can brainstorm.

 

[Alexander]

The next morning you wake up feeling refreshed, the perplexing doubts of yesterday like an already fading dream.

True, the fact that you're now the leader of a Yakuza-style supernatural society doesn't change or go away or anything, but at least now you can look at it with optimism. Why, if you look at it just right you can even pretend it didn't happen for a little while, and-

[Don't worry Issei-kohai.] One of your sempai says. [I happen to be a businessman myself. I can give you tips on how to manage your clan.]

...

'...Much appreciated sempai.' And you really do appreciate it, even if you got nope'd right on out of your little bit of morning quiet- not like that was going to be productive anyway. Truly, you wonder where you would be without your sempai?

{In your place as the rightful God and Emperor of this world. You just have to listen to me instead of wasting time with those maggots.}

'So,' You roll on as if Bright hadn't said anything, 'What kind of business did you have?'

[Construction. I blew up buildings with some Boosted mayhem, then I came back later and offered my services. Worked like a charm for a full decade.]

'I should probably ask-' You reflect with an emotionless look while you hear your sempai being beat up by the others. 'A more respectable person. Yeah... let's do that, sometime.'

Not like you're going to find one of those in your head, after all.

After breakfast you see Mittelt, Asia and Rias off and bid them goodbye. You're suspended, but they still have to go to school. This actually works in your favor: with your parents away taking care of the house now falls on yours truly.

"Eiko: could you wash the dishes while I do some vacuuming."

"Yes Master!"

Normally you don't really like asking people to do stuff in your house, but your familiar obviously doesn't count, not after what she pulled in the last few days.

It's while you are musing on where to start vacuuming- the ground floor's dirtier but the first floor's where you spend most of your time in the house -that you hear the doorbell ringing.

"A visitor at this hour?" You wonder aloud while going to open the door. "Maybe it's Sayanomiya-san? Crap, I hope me being a Youkai Yakuza Boss isn't a problem to the Committee!"

As it turned out your worries were unneeded.

"Yo," She half-heartedly offers with a twitch of her hand in an aborted wave.

The little girl with long black hair and an eye-patch on herleft eye gives you such a minimalistic greeting.

"Mirai-san? I honestly didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Indeed, the one standing in front of your house is none other than the loli ninja that you assisted in a fight against a Stray Devil and his monstrous minions. Instead of a gothic Lolita outfit she is now wearing a pink sleeveless shirt with a low cut, a yellow star with blue letters saying [Star Guest] around it on the chest, a blue skirt, white stockings and sneakers. The only part that remained unchanged is the eye-patch with three red tomoes.

"Yeah: stuff happened, and then...Listen: that explanation you gave me? I need another, way more extensive one."

"Sure." You remember how confused you were after meeting Yuuma and Kiba for the first time. You stand aside. "Please, enter."

"...Do you have space for more people?" She asks suddenly.

"I do. Are friends of yours coming too?"

"Actually-"

"Ara ara." A sultry voice suddenly says. "Mirai-chan, you said he was good-looking but that's an understatement if I ever saw one. Don't you agree Hikage-san?"

"Don't know, don't care." An emotionless voice answers back.

You eye the new arrivals and, you are sure that if you still were your old self you would have rocked backwards from the recoil of a massive nosebleed and convinced yourself you were dead and already in the [Paradise of Oppai].

[Damn.] A female sempai exclaims. [What do they feed young girls those days? They're massive!]

Indeed, the ones standing before you and Mirai are all girls around your age with Amazonian proportioned bodies, and like Rias and Akeno-sempai greatly gifted in the 'chest area'. If they are Mirai's friends, now you understand where her short fuse on certain matters come from.

The one who first spoke is a voluptuous girl whose breasts rival Akeno's, with brown hair that curls at the ends with a large pink bow on top and green eyes. ...Woah, another drill-hair type- and it's different from Abe-san's? Lucky! She's wearing a yellow sweater and a pink skirt, stockings and heels. The look she is giving you remind both of Akeno in her teasing moments and, strangely, of a tiger sizing up a succulent piece of meat.

The one who answered with an emotionless voice has green hair and amber eyes. Her outfit consists in a long-sleeved red sweater, jean shorts, black stockings and red boots. Despite the lack of emotions on her face she is looking around as if interested in the surroundings.

Smiling friendly at you is an elegant girl with long blonde hair with a small clip in it and green eyes. Her outfit is a sailor uniform which is obviously too small for her size that consists of: a black and white blouse with a blue bow on the chest, white skirt, stripped white and azure stockings and leather shoes.

The final girl has long dark brown hair tied in a ponytail, blue-gray eyes and tanned skin. She wears a short black dress with a small brown jacket over it, high socks that stop below her knees and leather shoes. The look she is giving you...reminds you of Shougo when excited.

What a lovely bunch.

----

"Would you like something to drink? Eiko can prepare tea if you want?" Eiko politely asks.

"Ara. Tea would be appreciated."

"...Milk."

"You wouldn't happen to have bean sprouts, would you?"

"Tea is good."

"Idem for me."

"Hai! Please wait patiently." Having received the requests Eiko graciously walk into the kitchen, leaving you alone in the living room with the five girls. You're seated on a couch, while the girls are seated on the opposite one.

You raise a hand in greeting. "You may know it already, but I am Hyodo Issei. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Haruka. Nice to meet you Hyodo-san~" The brunette winks.

"Hikage." The green haired girl says.

"I'm Yomi. Thanks for having us." The blonde replies.

"I'm Mirai, but you know that already."

"Homura." The ponytailed girl answers. "It may not look like it, but we're all Shinobi."

You kind of guessed that already.

"Speaking of not looking like it." Homura leans forward, blue eyes staring into brown ones. "You hardly look like someone that others would call with a title as grandiose as [Sekiryuutei] ([Red Dragon Emperor])."

Mirai seems a little embarrassed, but you don't mind. "I guess it's true: I'm still new to all of this. But that I hold the title of Sekiryuutei, which is passed down from my predecessors, is indisputable."

"Why?"

"Because of this." You raise your left hand. With a twirl of metal and golden energy the bracelet split apart and form the gauntlet. "This is the form that take the power I was born with, an unique one that exist in only one person for generation. I'm the one who inherited the will and soul of the Emperor of all Dragons."

"Big words." Homura replies dismissively, yet she's looking at Boosted Gear with child-like curiosity. The others, minus Mirai and Hikage, are doing the same. "Especially from...what are you anyway? Magician? Bullshit manga martial artist?"

"Exalt." You simply reply.

The girls, again minus Hikage, blink in confusion.

You shrug. "Basically, an Exalt is someone who is so awesome reality kind of lets them do what they want."

"Oh?" A strange glint enters Homura's eyes. "That's a big boast. Care to back it up in a real fight?"

"Against you?"

"Yep."

"The we better change location." You stand up.

"No need." Homura gets on her feet and raises an hand.

Yomi and Haruka's eyes widen. "Wait Homura, that is-"

"Shinobi Kekkai!"

FWOOOSH!

Crazed lights and wierd shifty stuff- cool, this is just like one of your animes! You are getting Unlimited Blade Works - The Movie vibes from this, definitely! Light fills your field of vision, and when it disappears instead of your house you're now standing in the middle of what look like an ancient Sengoku era battlefield complete with banners, a distant sunset coloring the sky red.

"Nice place." You say with a lopsided smile.

"Ah! That's the first time someone said that." Homura, the only other person in this world beside you, replies with a smirk. Her hand reaches behind her back, where a sheathed katana materializes.

"After all!" With a fluid motion she draws the blade and charges at you. "This is the last thing my opponents see before they DIE!"

Clank!

You grab and stop the sword with your right hand, now equally clad in a crimson gauntlet. "Homura-san. You're hot-blooded, aren't you?"

"Only when it comes to fighting!" She shouts as her smirk widens.

"What a coincidence."

You pull the katana sideway and make a sweep with your leg to knock her off, but Homura jumps up and throws a kick at your head. Your grab her foot with your other hand and throw her away, but she skillfully lands on both foots.

"So I am!"

[BOOST!] {BOOST!}

[] Write-in.

Offensive Overdrive: 12m
Defensive Overdrive: 12m

Click to shrink...

----

For those worrying: no, I haven't forget the last vote. I just decided to integrate them with what I have already in mind. Rest assured Issei will deal with the contents of your vote immediately, without further delay, after a few hours in-game.

 

[Alexander]

You take a deep breath, drawing from the pool of energy inside your spiritual core and suffusing your body with the coalesced power of Solar Essence. You shift seamlessly into the basic form of Solar Hero Style, while your skin becomes harder than tempered steel.

Then Homura is upon you again, and the game can begin in earnest. You counter the girl's offense with an equally aggressive defense, matching her strikes with parries and counters, the last one backed with enough force to fling her away from you. Just as she shifts her weight forward to close the distance you beat her to the punch, blitzing through the tall grass by pumping Dragon Energy into your legs. You spread your arms, ready to wrap her up in a bear hug while she's not focused on defense.

Homura, however, isn't someone who arrived where she is by letting surprise attacks get the better of her. Before you are near enough to execute the clinch she twists her body, stabbing her sword into the ground and then, with phenomenal arm-strength and flexibility uses it as a pivot point and flips her body away from harm. Undaunted by her escape you jump after her with supreme grace, delivering a straight hook with enough strength to break stone.

CLANK!

Homura manages to parry the blow with her sword, one hand wrapped about the hilt and another braced against the flat of the blade. She's blown away by the force of impact, skidding on the ground in a maddened, ten meter tumble.

"Shit." Despite her trembling hands Homura is smiling. "You hit hard, you bastard!"

"Now, maybe." You slowly walk towards her. "When I started I was just an average guy, so to compensate I pushed myself through hell. I lost count of the times I thought I was gonna die!"

"Oh? ...Heh heh, and here I thought the crazy weight you've got seemed familiar!. Another nut reaching for the stars then, how funny!." She closes her left hand, save for the index and middle finger, and brings it to the center of her chest.

"Shinobi Tenshin!"

[I was right! It IS a magical girl transformation!!] Ddraig cries, and you're not sure if it's in disbelief or glee.

Anime cliché or not, before your eyes a serpent of fire starts appearing from Homura's feet and coils around her. Just as quickly as it came it disappeared, revealing the girl's new appearance: she is wearing the same clothes of before, with the addition of samurai leg armor on each side, wrist guards and a long black cape with white trim around her neck. On her back are now six sheathed katanas, five identical to the one she's holding and a long nodachi.

Your eyes light up with a golden glow, and you know. "Interesting. You formed an armor made of ambient energy around your body, and it takes the physical form of clothes. As long as it is up it will absorb all blows while also increasing your strength and speed exponentially. Eiko's information on Shinobi was right."

"The kimono girl, right?" Homura's hands slowly come closer to her back. "Mirai said she flew on black wings and used fires. What is she?"

"My familiar, a Yatagarasu."

She manages to stumble while staying still. When she recovers Homura looks at you like you're a crazy loon. "What?"

"The Sun Raven. The [Three-Legged Crow]. The symbol of our national football team." You supply helpfully. "She looks like a human now but her real form is a large crow. A familiar on the other hand is a being that work as an assistant to the contractor. Basically she's my secretary."

"..."

"..."

"...I'll explain in full after we wrap this up, if you want."

"Yeah." Homura slaps her cheeks to regain concentration. Her battle-lust grin returns full force as she grabs the remaining katanas, sans the longer one, and pulls them out. She now holds three of them in each hand at the same time, each hilt being kept between two fingers.

[That's-!] Ddraig is left speechless.

Your eyebrows join the hairline. "Are you, perhaps, a fan of a certain motor-horse riding One-Eyed Dragon from Oushuu, Y O U S E E ?" You say 'you see?' in English.

She laughs. "I S E E you have good taste in anime. But did you know that the real Date Masamune also used six katanas at the same time to fight? The official chronicles may have neglected to report it, but it was instead documented in the memoires of the great evil ninja Kotaro Fuma!"

Your mind comes to a temporary crash. "...You aren't joking. So what, are the producers of Sengoku Basara ninja too?!"

"It could be." She shrugs. "Or maybe they know one. Honestly, I don't care." She swings her arms to the side, digging trenches in the ground by air pressure alone, and jumps in the air. "Here I come!"

'...Bright-sensei?'

{What?}

'Is it too much to ask for Boosted Gear to become two spears?'

{Yes. You wouldn't be able to wield them properly anyway. Now stop fantasizing about pointless things and show the girl who her Master is!}

But. But, your otaku dreams! They're the most precious thing in your possession after breasts!

Silently weeping at the missed opportunity you meet Homura's charge head-on.

----

Space is distorted, ripples of light forming in the air. From within that warped snarl springs forth Haruka together with Eiko, Hikage, Yomi and Mirai.

"Here we are." The busty brunette sighs. "Even for me, entering the Shinobi Kekkai of another is no small feat."

"Eiko has to ask." The Yatagarasu says while looking around. "Is your leader always so…impetuous?"

"Not really. Usually she is very professional." Yomi tells her. "But I noticed she was feeling restless those last days, ever since Mirai's report."

"For the record, it's not my fault." The black haired girl in question states in a deadpan.

"I heard Homura mumbling 'I wanna fight a dragon'', or something."

They all turn to Hikage, who just shrugs while slowly shaking her head.

"Here!" Eiko points her fan. Following the direction the other find the sight of Homura and Issei fighting, jumping around and clashing repeatedly. Gauntlets meet katanas in a continuous shower of sparks. Energy trails off from them as they move: fire for Homura and golden light for Issei.

"Ara. Hyodo-san is matching a serious Homura-chan? That's not a sight you see often. Your employer is more skilled than I thought Eiko-chan."

"Eiko is one hundred and seventeen years old. So please use 'san'." Eiko covers her mouth, to hide a mischievous smirk at the sight of the girls' faces at the last reveal. Even Hikage is looking at her while blinking slowly, and for those that know her it's truly a massive reaction. She turns back to the fight. "Either way, you and Eiko arrived just in time to see the end."

"Please." Mirai scoffs. "They just started. Homura-sempai is not so weak."

"True. That daughter of Japan has a commendable fiery spirit. But-" Eiko takes out a cellphone and turns the display to the group of shinobi, showing a timer. "-Do you know? Dragging on the fight is the last thing one should do when battling Master."

01:40

"Because, time is all Master needs."

----

Anima banner burning brighter than ever you block another claw-swipe before lashing out with a combo of kicks. Both you and Homura didn't come out unscathed, but where you are bloody your opponent has only her ruined clothes as sign of damage. You're reminded of a Barrier Jacket from Nanoha. 'Note to self: if possible learn it because this is very useful stuff.' That you now can see more of Homura's truly amazing body is just a bonus.

"Say. Not that I am not enjoying the fight, but since I have a lot of things to do today what do you think we wrap this up with my victory?"

"Ah! You think I'll go down so easily?"

"What, no. But that's why-"

You bring up an arm to stop a blow, and in doing so reveal that the roman numeral [IX] appeared on the green jewel.

[EXPLOSION!]

The [IX] goes down to [V].

Your Anima expands like a burning supernova, the dragon emerging like a foreboding leviathan from the abyss. With sixteen times the speed you previously possessed you slip inside Homura's guard and with a well calculated blow send her into the air, destroying almost all of her clothes in the process. You jump after her.

At the apex for a moment your eyes meet, her full of shock and amazement.

"This and so much more, is what dwells in the moonlit world."

Her gleeful smile is like that of a kid who woke up at Christmas to find a mountain of gifts under the tree.

And then the sky shatters.

"HHHOOOOOYYYYYY-HIC! I SMELL A BRAWL!!"

...Right, Suika.

How could you have forgot?

----

Later you and the girls are back in your meeting hall battered and bruised, courtesy of a certain drunken oni.

"..And that's why Ibuki-san, please, refrain from destroying more of my house." You finish the scolding reasonable explanation you gave Ibuki-san as to why she shouldn't be so destructive.

"Okay." She nods absentmindedly.

That was fast!

"What's with that expression?" Indeed, even the girls are looking at her funny. "I will have you know I am a reasonable person."

"..." General silence.

"Bah!" She throws up her hands. "You're just like Reimu." With that she storms off.

Suppressing a sigh you sit down on the couch. Seeing quite a lot of interrogative stares you wave your hand. "In order: she's a family via a friend; she's an Oni; there are some supernatural creatures that appear mostly human; yes, before she was just fooling around; yes, she is that strong."

"This is a madhouse." Mirai says quite bluntly.

You offer a lopsided smile. "And you haven't see anything yet."

You put your hands on your lap, cross your legs and adopt a 'serious business' expression. "Now, let's begin. The various mythologies from all around the world? All the stories, all the legends? They're, one way or another, mostly true. In the case of the Christian Factions…"

----

In the following hours you give the Crimson Squad (as the girls called their group: Ddraig approved) an accurate report of the Three Christian Factions, as they were their first contact to non-human beings, followed by Japanese threats as youkai. By how they are taking notes with focused attention you feel like a professor teaching a class... and also you're kind of surprised by their diligence about it. At the end you ask why they're here instead of bugging their superiors, since they too must belong to a supernatural side or something.


Turns out they don't have superiors to report to anymore. They explain to you how today's shinobi are divided into [Good Ninja], who work for the government and must come from a family with a certified record of being [Good Ninja], and [Evil Ninja] that instead work for private corporations and accept whoever is willing in their ranks. You can't say that the moral implications of 'private contracting = evil and government work = good' makes much sense to you since you're pretty sure governments can be corrupt too… though obviously you don't just say that. Anyway the girls were all students of an [Evil Ninja] school until they were used in a conspiracy by one of the school's directors. They defeated the director - who they call an it in their story rather than a he or a she - in the end, but because of their defiance they were forced to become rogue.

Politics - they keep sucking when you hear about them - and doesn't that tie really well back to the whole 'How is government work innately [Good]' thing?

Personal musings on the functionality of shinobi ideology aside, they're far from done with their tale. Until recently they took missions as independent contractors and managed to make ends meet, but then a seemly easy assassination job that would have only required Mirai turned the way it did - and what few contracts they had dried up pretty much the moment they took it. With the sender having disappeared and future financial prospects looking pretty dire, their only choice was to find and come to you.

{Politics.} Bright sounds thoroughly amused. {Somehow I missed the days of the Deliberative: full of boring squabbles and fools like that impertinent Salina as it was, Solars of all ranks gathered there to decide the future of Creation. Those were days of just rules and valiant righteousness, not these petty, obviously flawed attempts made by misguided mortals.}

[They were probably all corrupt to the core.] A senpai says before the screams of pain make you turn your attention elsewhere. About what you just heard...okay sure, you find the use of terms like [Good] and [Evil] a bit silly, but you aren't going to say that out loud. Homura, Hikage, Yomi, Mirai and Haruka aren't bad people, you're sure of it. Alright, so they're mercenaries whose job sometimes involve killing people, but ninja are supposed to be like that. Even Naruto made that point and it was like, the least ninja ninja comic. You may not like it, but ranting would get you nowhere. Actions are needed, actions that produce results. And before that, you need to isolate the root of the problem.

Which you can't do now because of many more urgent problems. Although...uhm, didn't you once considering hiring ninja?

"This may come out of the blue." You begin slowly, one hand on your chin as if considering something very carefully. "But would you like to work for me?"

"Eh?" Mirai looks skeptical. "What do you need ninja for? Are you secretly the heir to a big financial empire?" Oddly enough Yomi perks up at that, eyes fixating on yours.

"Nope: middle class since the times of my great-great-grandfather." You shrug. "But because of a series of strange coincidences I recently became the head of a… um… well, Youkai-type, Yakuza-style kind of… society."

Those stares! Noooooo, not the dreaded joint jiii again! Groaning you proceed to tell them how in the Moonlit World you too are an independent force that take jobs from different parties. Not just for money, you explain: because of your power as Sekiryuutei you are coveted by many but refuse to tie yourself to a single side permanently, so you have to juggle various favors. For now you kept your head down, but the recent events greatly increased your popularity. Coupled with the fact that there are people that rely on you, and they should be able to see how you are in serious need of more allies. It doesn't hurt that a ninja's stealth covers one of your lacking areas.

"...And that's the gist of it." You end with a shrug. "What do you think?"

"...One moment." Homura says before her and the others huddle in a corner of the room to deliberate.

You manage to catch more than a few whispered words:

"-job's a job?"

"It sounds suspicious to-"

"-ah, because the last one was just as normal as it sounded hu-"

"And we didn't get paid. Oh, we are also out of money."

"Why didn't you say it earlier? Wait, is that why recently we only ate Yomi's bean sprouts?"

"Do you have something against bean sprouts?!"

Okay, so towards the end they were more like barely suppressed shouts.

"Sorry for the wait." In that moment Eiko enters, carrying a tray in each hand: in one there are three cups of tea and one of milk, while in the other...is a Moyashi Salad?

Yomi practically jumps up to catch the bowl with the salad, while the others get their orders in a more relaxed manner. 'She must really like bean sprouts,' you think with mild amusement as the blonde takes each bite almost religiously, her face a mask of pure happiness.

Then she catches your gaze, ponders about something for a few seconds and slightly leans the bowl towards you. "Do you want some?"

For some strange reason the other ninja stops and stares at the scene with...shock? Either way, it would be impolite to refuse. "Sure." You grab another pair of chopsticks and take a bite, pleasantly surprise at the divine taste.

"Do you like bean sprouts?"

"Yes. They're delicious." Who knew Eiko can cook so well? Maybe you should have her give lessons to Asia.

The others, minus Hikage, start groaning. Yomi's eyes light up like a Christmas' tree. "Hyodo-san! Without doubt, you are truly a good person!" She shouts quite loudly.

Uh. What just happened?

After the quick break and all the participants have calmed down, Homura assumes the role of spokesperson. "We may be...interested in your offer. Not that we are desperate-"

"We are." Hikage says with indifference.

Homura continues as if she didn't hear her. "However, our services don't come cheap."

"Reasonable." You nod. "Luckily I happen to have cash saved up from a previous job."

"Let me reiterate: this is not something that normal people can afford."

"Yeah yeah, I got it: so would fifty million yen cover it?"

"But, as an exceptional offer I am willing to offer you a dis-" She stops in mid sentence, as if someone hit the 'stop' button of reality.

"50 MILLION YEN?!?" Mirai shows that, despite her small frame, she has an impressive set of lungs. "How the fuck did you earn that much?"

"...Basically a really cra... really eccentric Fallen Angel is suuuuper interested in the kinds of power my dragon-ness gets classified under. And since naturally dragons are awesome and rare and stuff, he was way interested in what he could figure out about me... so he offered to pay me to do some, uh, 'tests'." You roll your eyes. "I even thought he wasn't serious about the payment. Honestly, folks with too much time and money..." You can't help but shrug and sigh at the absurdity of it all, and your sigh ends up being one that Yomi mirrors wholeheartedly.

"Ara ara! It covers the bill quite splendidly, and for a long time." Haruka claps her hands. "I'm sure this contract will be a pleasure, Hyodo-san."

"I don't believe you." Homura, having recovered, says flatly. "What kind of testing would entail paying the subject such a large amount?"

Your eyes lose focus. Wordlessly you stand up, walk outside the room and return a few minutes later with a large pile of DVDs, which you put on the table. "He sent those to me after the end. It's a complete record of my personal hell. Interested?"

----

"And now, for the next part of the test!"

"AGAIN TIGERS? NOT JUST THAT, BUT ARMORED, LASER-MOUNTED TIGERS?! WHAT IS WITH YOU AND TIGERS??!"

"Stop being so speciest, tigers are perfectly acceptable examples of the feline fami-."

"THAT'S NOT THE POOOOOOIIIIIINNNNT!!!"

*BOOM* *BOOM* *CRASH*

Homura and the rest of the Crimson Squad stare at the screen with rapt fascination and horrified awe, as scenes of pure carnage and torture continue unabated. Even Hikage.

Slowly, very slowly Mirai's head turns around to stare at you. "How are you still alive?"

"A friend of mine has a healing power." You offer her a dry smile. "Prreeeetty sure I would be dead otherwise though, yeah. ...Or maybe it wasn't that bad and I'm sort of imagining it: I wasn't thinking straight most of the time thanks to the repeated head trauma. Who knows?"

Suddenly Homura stands up and bows to you with a totally awesome jiggle. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

You wave her concerns off. "Hey, it's okay. I'm the first to admit it's pretty unbelievable without proof."

"Also!" When she looks up you can see fire in her eyes. "I want to do the same training! Please introduce me to the same sensei!"

'That's an absolutely bad idea, I love it!'

[Ten on one she will run away crying the second day!]

'You lot aren't helping either!'

"I...will see what I can do." Let's hope Azazel is far, far away at the moment. Having said that you turn to Eiko. "I just remembered: the money, I gave it to you to administer."

"Ai. Eiko invested in Yamato's current financial market. Profits are expected in a month."

"That's good."

"Also, Eiko used a considerable part of the remaining to finance the construction of Master's new residence."

"...My what?"

----

You stare at the building site in shock. "There was a park here."

"Indeed." Eiko's smile doesn't contain a ounce of shame. "Following Bright-sensei's project, Eiko made sure that a new residence appropriate to your new elevated status as First Head would be built."

'I thought it was just a statue or a small temple!? Bright!

[She went inside her laboratory.]

'BRIGHTTTTTTT!!!'

"Oh, it's Hyodo-dono! What a pleasure to have you visit." An one-eyed, four armed youkai in worker's clothes greets you after entering. "And Eiko-dono too. The work is coming up nicely, but of course we just started."

Around the entire premise are many youkai of all sizes and forms, working tirelessly like normal human labourers. The girls are watching them with open fascination, although Mirai bristles when a giant mouth with many arms passes near her carrying a log.

The youkai begins to point in turn at various part of the construction. "The end result will be a magnificent compound, similar to the Nura House, capable of housing many people."

That's too much!

"There we will put the training room complete with all necessary items."

That's too much!

"There the completely automated kitchen."

That's...still too much!

"There the onsen."

That's-Did he said an onsen?!

"The workshop."

...You always wanted your own workshop.

"And finally the Wyld Revocation Room: I have no idea how it works, but it's suppose to make time go faster inside it."

You get your own hyperbaric time chamber oh my god!

"SOLD!!!"

----

When Rias comes home, and finds you greeting her with a cup of tea in hand, she facepalms. "Ise, you came back yesterday."

Asia pats her back in encouragement. Mittelt just keeps walking inside without a care.

----

"And where are they now?" Rias asks after calming down and hearing the recap of what happened in her absence.

"Since there aren't any more free rooms I gave them advance money to pay the hotel where they're currently staying. When the new house is ready they'll transfer there - plenty of room, and all. I was thinking to introduce them properly to everyone this evening."

Strangely Rias looks relieved at the news. She adopts a thinking pose and begins counting off her fingers. "A Fallen Angel, which doesn't look fallen anymore; an ex-nun with a Sacred Gear that can heal anyone; the users of two of the Magnus, who are a legend just one step below the Longinus; a Yatagarasu; an extremely talented human who would make an excellent Rook or Knight; and now genuine ninja. And oh yes, you have connections to Devils, Fallen Angels, the Shinto Pantheon and the local Youkai community." You expected a reprimand, but instead the crimson-haired beauty gifts you with an amused smile. "Why Ise, one would almost think you're building your own Faction."

...Huh, when she puts it like that - but still!

"Please. I just keep running into people with problems that feel like sticking around when I help them - weird, but you know, whatever: they can do their own thing.. Although…" You put a hand on your chin. "Hyodo Faction has a nice ring to it."

"Who do you think you are, Kamijou Touma?"

At that you both share a good laugh. "Changing topic-" Rias continues. "What do you intend to do with Lord Phenex's invitation?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure." Your eyebrows furrow. "Apart from that, ah... meeting with Raiser I don't really know anything about them. What do you think I should do?"

"I think you should accept. Lord Phenex is an old friend of my father, so I met him at some parties: contrary to Raiser his father and older brothers are pleasant people. I think I wouldn't have minded much if it was one of the former." She sighs with a somewhat embarrassed smile. "So I don't think they have any unsavory intention. Plus, lacking a reason to distrust them it would be rude to refuse their invitation. If you want I can set a transportation magic-circle for the Underworld even tomorrow."

You think about it for a while, but it's not exactly hard to reach a decision. "Let's do it then. In a situation like this procrastination would do me no good."

"I read the missive, and it says you can bring as many guests as you want. So I suggest you bring your own people. I will bring my peerage along."

So a show of force? By how she said that, it's something expected.

"U-Uhm…" Asia's head peeks from the entrance. "Ise-san, Rias-sempai? We have a guest-"

Sona storms into the room past Asia, eyes behind the glasses alight with some strange emotion that is dangerously close to killing instinct. "Tell me why I'm hearing about your name in criminal circles Hyodo, TELL ME NOW."

----

With Rias calming her friend down - for a frigid given value of 'calm' - you fess up on all the admittedly outlandish stuff you've been getting up to to the one with the power to make your school life hell on earth.

There were a couple of spittakes and heated glares - okay more than a few - but she paled and seemed to deflate when Rias whispered something in her ear after you told her how the previous youkai lord of the area met his demise.

At the end she reminded you that Kuoh Academy is before anything a school, and thus during lesson times only students and teachers are allowed there. Basically a subtle reminder that during the day it's her rules that count, and she wants all supernatural related matters out so that people can have a proper school life. That seems pretty fair to you - and even useful if you think about it. Lets school stay a certain kind of… uncomplicated? It's not really the right term but it's close enough.

You also told her of Rikuo's friends, and how they want to come on a trip to investigate the urban legend of the [Golden Dragon]. Turns out she had already heard the name before - and if you're reading between her words right, the fact that there even ARE rumors about that are part and parcel of why she's miffed with you. As if she wasn't already mad, she looked even more peeved at the mentioned request, but she conceded on one condition: that you do something for her.

Which seems fair, right? Right.

"There have been rumors about a foreign girl going around harassing some of the shops and cafes in the area, as well as just generally being violent. I don't know why but most of the students talking about the rumors assume she's from Kuoh, even if she's not wearing the uniform. It's not doing the school's reputation any favors, having people assume the local gossip on violent activity is our own student's doing. Find her and make her stop, and I will allow this…[Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad] to come and visit Kuoh."

"I will do it." You reply, accepting her conditions.

"See that you do." She stands up and walks away. "Goodbye Rias. I hope I will not need to get here again."

Rias looks like she wants to say something, but instead just replies: "Goodbye Sona."

"That's all I think." You clap your hands after she left. "Now all that's left is preparing for the others' arrival and asking who want to-"

That's when the sound of metal clashing again metal starts coming from the ground floor. "Shit! We're under attack?" You and Rias hurry below.

Only to stop and stare,both of your jaws hitting the floor.

"...Hello." Kosaka Shigure greets in her usual monotone and one of the laziest waves you've ever seen.

Your dining hall is a mess, walls pockmarked with heavy slashes, bullet holes and burns that look suspiciously like chemical acid. Shigure-san's signature sword is interlocked between Homura's six katanas, the latter trying with no avail to move them. In her other hand she hefts an iron fan that blurs through the air as she defends from both Yomi's greatsword and Hikage's knife attacks at the same time, each movement diverting the path of one weapon against the other. She is standing on only one leg, the other holding Mirai in a chokehold. A shibari-style tied Haruka is hung upside down from the ceiling by a chain.

Oh, and all of them have their clothes in various state of disrepair, showing a copious amount of supple flesh and delicious underwear - it's great!

Mittelt is on the ground, laughing her ass off. Asia is shaking her, telling her to help stop the fight.

Eiko is nowhere to be seen.

As if on cue Shougo steps into view. He takes notice of the scene. "...Nope." Without another word or any further reaction he turns away and walks into another room - he never looks back.

Ruby and Yang breeze through the door right after him - and goggle at the madness. "Cool! Can we join?" The blonde asks with eagerness, her sister's eyes sparkling at the sight of the weapons on display.

"I freaking love this place!" The smile on Homura's face is all kinds of disturbing.

[BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!] Ddraig's howling laughters are drowning out all other sounds from your mindscape.

That's when you finally snap.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!!"

----

"So, let's see if I got this right." You begin with an even tone. It takes every ounce of willpower to stop you from shaking in irritation. "You, Kosaka-san, came to see me. When you arrived you did what you always do when returning to the dojo, which involves not using the front door but instead sneaking through my house so you could, if possible, surprise me by literally dropping in?"

Shigure nods. You are totally sure she missed the sarcasm in your words. Does she even know what it is?

"While you-" You turn to the shinobi, seated next to Shigure on the couch. "Arrived there at the same time, assumed Kosaka-san was an enemy ninja infiltrating the place and attacked her?"

They nod without saying a sword. It seems like they are still shaken by how easily Shigure was able to match all of them at the same time.

"Alright. This...This was just a misunderstanding. Thank God nobody got hurt. Apart from my dining hall." You are pleased at the sight of them wincing.

Dismissing the others, you relax and sit down on the free couch. "Putting all that aside, to what do I own the pleasure of your visit Kosaka-san? Is something wrong with Honoka-chan?"

She shakes her head, eyes still doing a perfect dead-fish impression. Seriously, does she do expressions?. "I...need your help."

"For what?"

"I...collect weapons." She begins slowly. "Weapons made by…" You see a flicker of emotion in her eyes, but it's too brief to identify. "A certain swordsmith. Take them from people using them...for killing." Ah, that made sense. "But they aren't...the only ones. There is this...sword. A magical… relic. I know it's… near, but not where. Owners… Moonlit. Magic… you can sense it, right? Help… locate?"

Uhm, that wasn't what you were expecting, but it isn't unwelcome. "I would love to, but I'm already way busy with bunches of crazy stuff. Is this urgent?"

Again she shakes her head. "Mission… old. Keep trying, but….. Sometimes feel like it's close… then not. Feels close now… and far. That's why...difficult. Slip away again… don't want that."

It's not pressing, but… also not not pressing, kind of. If you're hearing her right, it's like chasing a butterfly that keeps darting away - she feels close now… but she's felt close before and it's never worked out. Definitely seems like the right kind of time to ask for help, but… is now the time to give that help? You'd ask for clarity, but you think that might be the most you've heard Shigure say… ever, actually. You don't think you'll push it - you've got a bit too much respect for her absurd arsenal to want to go down that route..

Still...

'What to do, what to do...' You like the members of Ryouzanpaku a lot, so refusing them a favour would leave a bad taste in your mouth. Except there is also the Phenex matter. ...Well, that's something that you can't do right right now, Rias said the teleport sigil would take a bit to set up… but would it really be that easy to help Shigure? You think it would be, you CAN sense stuff she flat out can't… but she's also one of the Ryozanpaku masters, and thinking you can just waltz in and solve something she's been floundering with… that's pretty outrageously bold. On the other hand you ARE an Exalt so...

Hm… it'd probably be rude if you take forever to show up after Rias gets the portal connected, so getting bogged down with this job would be bad - but it could be done pretty fast. A gamble, basically.

You picture a hard-boiled American Detective in your mind, and you hear an iconic click as a .44 Magnum cocks. Do you feel lucky, punk?

...Just like that the idea of going on the job got SO MUCH COOLER.

[] Wait for teleport/turn down job for now
[] Go with Shigure and see if the job can be done quick

----

This was a MASSIVE update to write.

 

[Alexander]

First post in a new forum: sweet
----

The answer is obviously yes: 'Yes, I feel lucky! I was anything but unlucky in the past one month and half.'

['Yeah, keep burning up all the untapped luck you've built up - surely it'll never run out!']

'Shut up, Ddraig. Go jinx someone else.

[Can't while I'm stuck there. Unless you can install a TV? Now that I think about it that isn't a bad idea. Do it.]

You instantly tune out the dragon's voice once it becomes clear he isn't going to be of any help.

"One moment." You raise a hand to ask for a break while the other takes out your cellphone. Quickly you dial a familiar number. "Rias? It's me. So exactly when will the teleportation circle be ready? ...Tomorrow midday? Awesome. ...Oh, just a favour to a friend, I'll contact you later. Bye."

You close the call and smile at Shigure-san. "Like I said I have stuff to do and I need to leave for that. But, until then I am free. What do you say we go out, find your sword and recover it before dawn? Between you and me, I bet we can do it right?"

Shigure-san's response is as strange as unexpected: her facial expression doesn't change, but the dullness in her eyes is replaced by a gleeful sort of childish excitement- are those sparkles? - as she nods furiously, one hand showing a thumb-up.

Its...more than cute. It's honestly adorable.

Maybe that's why when she suddenly grabs your wrist you, despite past examples to the contrary completely fail to react. You're equally helpless when she opens the window and jumps outside while dragging you with her.

"Kosaka-san! We seriously need to talk about this bad habit of yoooouuuurs!!"

----

When it comes to the subject of 'sensing magic/ki/whatever term for mystical energy it's used', when asked most people (those that deign to answer at least) would instantly think of Dragonball's method, of perceiving reality with their mind as completely empty save for distant burning points of light that represent a person's lifeforce.

That is pure and simple bullshit. You can sense a certain presence and even recognize it if it's strong and near enough, but pinpointing its exact location even from a not-so-great distance is pretty much impossible for you. You're pretty sure it'd be flat out off the table in any situation, unless you'd been born with a specific power like a sensory Sacred Gear or had undergone a stupidly complex ritual. In a sense magic, demonic power and any other mystical energy behave like scent: you perceive traces left in the air, but tracking down the source takes more than a bit of work. It's funny, but Emiya Shirou's method is actually quite close to how most magicians perceive magic: Akeno-san perceives it as different sensations on her skin, while you get a mix of smell and sensation that gives an absurdly general direction depending on the energy's nature. It's only marginally better than having no idea at all, really.

What does this all mean? It means that if you were to search around the city for something magical with only the meager range of your senses it would take days, even weeks.

Luckily you don't need to.

With a piece of chalk you trace a circle on the earth and inscribe inside the equation needed for the task, a simple spell even a novice can do. Once done you put both palms on it and channel a minuscule portion of your Essence. In response the magic circle lits up, the magic taking effect.

Right now you are above one of the many points of the city where the leylines - basically the veins of life energy imbuing the land with power - intersect all over the place in the rough form of a complex web. Heavy alterations to the land cause disruptions in this web's natural equilibrium, and so do foreign sources of magical energy. Taking advantage of this fact is the basic of this spell: by sending a pulse through the leylines you get a sonar-like feedback, and if there are interfering disruptions they'll show up.

With each use you can cover a range of two-three kilometers, so it won't take long to sift through a city this size.

"Nothing here." After you receive the result you mentally put a cross over a part of the city map. Memorizing it was time well spent. "Let's move to the next."

Shigure-san nods and together you leave the private garden you just intruded unto. Hopefully nobody woke up from your activities.

Roof hopping with a Ryozanpaku Master is...an interesting experience. You had a brief experience with Sasaki-san and Akisame-san, but at the time you were too angry to care about anything else but breaking Loki's nose. Now however that you mind is clear you can see that Shigure-san's movement are fluid: not just thanks to excellent body control, they radiate a sense of casualness that can come only from something repeated many, many times until it becomes natural.

You wonder what it says, that she can jump from roof to roof as easily as she walks on a street.

Of course, this is not all you pick up with your casual observation (you hope it's casual!).

'Oh man I can see a nipple!' Since Shigure-san wears nothing under the chainmail, when she leaps the strain pushes her breasts upward and a very pink, very appetizing part of those prodigiously impressive hills peeks out from one of the bigger gashes on her kimono, practically straining to be seen. Stretching the legs when jumping causes the gaps in the stockings to widen, tearing at them little by little.

That's right: Shigure never changed out of the clothes that were ruined in the battle with Homura and the others- you think she noticed, but she just doesn't care - so for the last two hours she's been unwittingly giving a peep show. ...Or maybe not so unwittingly, a certain part of your mind pitches in before you squish it on down.

You saw what she did when someone goes Kensei on her.

You're glad nobody was able to see the two of you for more than a second. Apart from having such a glorious show all for yourself, you don't need to deal with cops howling about laws against public indecency.

'Okay me, try to concentrate on something that is not Kosaka-san's sexy body.'

Like her firm thighs, practically naked thanks to the ruined tatters that are her stockings, straining over the-

'Let's try again!'

Like the amazing way her clothes now seem a size or two too small, and in their beleaguered state are practically flaking off her even as they barely contain the explicitly outlined nubile form of-

"One moment." You signal Shigure-san to stop. You jump down on street level, go around a corner into the nearest alley you can find...

And then bash your forehead against the wall as hard as you can, buring your dome in a few inches of concrete with a gritty CRACK.

'IT'S NOT WORKIIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!'

 

[Alexander]

What the hell is this limit of 10000 characters?!?!?
----

God Damn It! Why is she so sexy? She's not even trying! It's not fair!

More importantly, why are you so bothered by it? You aren't a virgin anymore.

...It couldn't be! Your true fetish...are you weak to the older onee-san and ara-ara cake types?!

"Mama, why is that oni-chan making such a funny face?" The obligatorily present feckless child being lead by their mother's asks aloud with a point your way and an open sound of wonder.

"Don't look!" Said mother pushes her child away with all due haste, not even bothering to look down the alleyway.

It takes another few seconds for you to realize that the street is still crowded and you're making a fool of yourself. You return where Shigure-san is still waiting for you, cheeks red from embarrassment. "Sorry, false alarm."

Her only reaction is a quiet hum. As you resume the search, in an attempt to distance your minds from impure thoughts you try to chat a little. "So, how are things back at Ryozanpaku? How's Honoka-chan?"

"As...usual." She replies after a few seconds. "She's... well. Growing...plants. Extra fruit… tasty."

So she's training in the use of her Gear. Good, good: with that type of Gear imagination is essential, as a child Honoka has an advantage in that regard. "And Kenichi?"

She stops, forcing you to do the same. She looks around before leaning forward, whispering in a conspiratorial tone even as her eyes remain as listlessly lidded as before. "Frequent...bad company."

Kenichi? THAT Kenichi? "What kind of 'company'?"

She puts her hands behind the ears, making the index finger poking out. "Alien."

Ooh. "That guy? I met him: I'm fairly sure he's harmless... even if very greedy." But surely he isn't that bad? "About friends, you and the others made any new ones?"

"Smile." At your confused expression she continues. "Strange guy from... the Committee. Protect Honoka. Bought... house next door. Always smiling." She pushes up the corners of her lips, the look utterly ruined by how her non-expression droops against the tug. "That's why... 'smile'. Touchimaru... always steal his snacks."

A nickname then. Well, it's also good to hear the Committee is doing its job. But- "Right, Touchimaru! I was wondering why I haven't to seen him - where is he?"

"Home." She snorts, face still expressionless. "Found...cute mice. Busy skirt...chasing."

Atta boy-err, mouse! You're about to ask her about the sword you're searching for - more information never hurt - when you realize the next leyline node is right in front of you. Without further delay you repeat the spell…

And receive a positive result! "Kosaka-san! I found something!" There's a big cluster of magical energy not far away from where you are now, and it's not natural at all.

Stars - or are they shuriken - seem to dance to life in the Ryozanpaku master's widening eyes as she shoots you an absurdly vigorous thumbs-up.

----

"-rry, call the poli-"

It's just by chance that you hear them.

"-ugs? At that old shop? Are yo-"

Then again, some of them are shouting so you can't help but eavesdropping.

"-aw it with my eyes! Some crazy rumble going on inside the sho-"

The closer you get to the origin of the magical disturbance, the more you can hear people on the street below talking about a big fight going on inside some shop. There's a crowd gathered about, but they hardly look like okay sorts. Pompadours, hair dye, stenciled coats and the ability to swagger even when standing still - they're thugs and other sorts! It makes sense to see them here - the cruddy buildings and grimy streets really feel appropriate for gang stuff - but no one's interested in starting a ruckus right now.

The reason?

That would probably be the literal mound of people that look like they received an ass-kicking from Jackie Chan himself piled up in front of one of the buildings.

"I get the feeling trouble found our target for us." You say aloud, Shigure-san nodding in agreement with a little huff of restless energy.

Following both the defeated that dot the ground past the pile you spotted and the magic trace that's now so blatant you can perceive it without the spell, you arrive in front of an old and small antiquity shop with another clump of stacked-up fighters sporting ridiculously swollen bruises, situated however in a large building that seems abandoned otherwise. On the sign there are korean hanja, below a japanese translation: 'Golden Garden'. The front windows are broken, the sounds of a scuffle coming from inside. And in front of it-

"Hold on." You point your finger to the short figure with a moustache, wearing green chinese clothes and a hat that's visibly muttering to themselves as they peer into the shop. "Isn't that Kensei-san?"

"Yes. Left...the other day. Said...visit to a friend."

What a coincidence...if this is even a coincidence in the first place. "Kensei-san?"

The old man tenses at your words, but it looks more forced than real - just like the wide smile he offers as he turns around.

"Oh? If it isn't Issei-kun and Shigu-"

The instant the old chinese master, head still shaking in exasperation at the sudden meeting, turns around two things happen.

First: twin jets of blood shoot out of his nostrils.

Second: he takes out a camera from his sleeves and starts snapping photos of Shigure-san.

SLASH!

Following those events the beautiful swordswoman takes out a katana and starts trying to slice into ribbons either the camera or Kensei-san. Probably both. Simultaneously the aged master bobs around evading the lethal slashes, without stopping taking photo for even a second.

It says something about your life that you take all of this in stride.

"I didn't expect to meet you here, but now that I think about it you live nearby right Issei-kun?" You have to hand it over to him, Kensei-san is the kind of awesome pervert your past self would have wished to become with how easily he's keeping up the conversation while someone's going for his throat. "What brings you here?"

"Kosaka-san came to me with a request and I decided to help." Shigure-san nods before tossing kunai at Kensei in a furious flurry. "We're searching for a magic sword and the traces brought us here. What about you? Are you related to that?" You point first to the shop and then to the defeated opponents.

"In a certain sense." He sighs, putting one hand on his hat as he ducks to avoid a swipe. "I was visiting an old friend in Chinatown when...why, of all people in the world, I happened to find my daughter!"

Your thoughts come to a halt as you picture a female version of the creepy old martial artist. "...Your daughter?"

"What's with that face? I'm old enough to have a family: a wife and two younger sons to be precise." His chuckle turns into a gasp as Shigure-san almost manages to stab his family jewels.

On a whim you step forward and peek inside the shop.

Spoiler

http://www.mangahere.co/manga/historys_strongest_disciple_kenichi/v11/c094/2.html

"Wow." It's all you can say at the sight of a super-sexy chinese girl (not that you've ever seen one outside of porn - and a real one at that!) in very short, very tight clothes fighting ten guys, all of them older and better built and winning with little effort. "Her mother…?"

"The most beautiful woman of Southern China." Appearing beside you, Kensei says with pride.

"YOU LITTLE WHO-AAAAARRGH!!"

"Wash your mouth, you cretinous troglodyte!"

Then he grimaces. "Also the fiercest. Sadly my daughter, Ma Renka, inherited both traits."

Why 'sadly'?

Crushing the camera with her bare hands Shigure-san stands beside you. "Sword?"

"It's definitely inside." You confirm at the veritable magical stench roiling out of the building, massaging your chin. "Kensei-san, how did the fight start?"

"Ah, well." He lowers the hem of his hat to cover his eyes. "Let's say...due to circumstances, I don't wish to have my family know I am staying at Ryozanpaku. So when I saw Renka I ran away."

Must be dire circumstances indeed, if he's forced to keep his own family at a distance. 'Don't tell me-! There is someone who wishes Kensei-san harm and wouldn't hesitate to strike at his family?!' Your fists clench in silent fury. 'I will beat the crap out of him myself, even if I have to risk my own life!'

He doesn't show it, but Kensei Ma suddenly feels great embarrassment and shame. Dismissing it in the manner he's accustomed to, he continues. "She chased me all the way here, at which point those guys with a korean accent appeared and started rudely asking questions...well, I am sure you can imagine the rest."

A body soars above your heads and lands with a painful yelp after breaking the second to last window in a tinkling crash

Oh yes, yes you can.

What do you do?
[] Wait for the fight to end.
[] Join the fight and swiftly bring an end to it.
[] Search for the sword using the fight as a distraction.
[] Write-in?
----

Sorry for the double post: apparently now there is a limit of characters for post.

 

[Alexander]

'What to do, what to do...' At this point you can either wait until the fight is over, or join and bring it to a swift end. Except you can't quite afford to waste time, and since she has it under control butting into the girl's fight would be an insult to her. Never mind the fact you don't want to end at the receiving end of her kicks.

In the end you decide to keep searching for the sword, since it's the real reason for your presence here. And lucky: there's a luscious distraction already there!

But before you can act on your decision another body flies out of the broken window, this time in direct collision route with you and with Renka-san drilling one foot into the unfortunate fop's stomach. It's child's play to snatch him by the jacket's neck and redirect him away, just a second after the chinese girl jumps off.

Renka-san lands with the grace of a cat. Damn, so close the sight of her bare legs is even more mouth-watering. Wait, is it okay to have perverted thoughts towards the daughter of a person you super respect and who has the enough skills to bend you like a pretzel without breaking even a single bone? Such a strong moral dilemma!

[He isn't serious, is he?]

[Girls' matters are serious business for Issei-kun~!]

When she looks up Renka-san's eyes widen in recognition and she points a finger at Kensei, who freeze. "I finally caught up with you Papa!" Her eyebrows narrow in disapproval when her gaze shift to Shigure. "Stop wasting time and come back with me to-" Then her eyes move to the right until they fall on you. "China…"

That's when something strange happens. Not unusual, since you saw it happening before, but you are still confused since it has no reason to happen.

Why should Renka-san stop in mid-sentence, looking for all the world as if someone stopped time?

Pink starts to spread on her skin from the base of the neck to the face and the ears, growing in intensity until she resembles a statue whose face someone painted red… though you're pretty sure statues don't go all huffy and panting like she is.

[Is this kid serious?]

You turn to Kensei, already well used to ignoring your less than helpful senpai. "Okay, I got nothing. Do you know what's happening?"

The aged master shakes his head. "Usually at this point Renka either try to hit or tie me up. A pressure point technique with delayed effect maybe?"

By now you swear you can see steam coming out of Renka-san's ears - and her lips are twitching in a sorta smiley way! The last of those things isn't so strange, but the first one's the kind of thing that only happens in anime! The weirdest part is you could swear you know the look she's sporting but you can't think of anything that'd cause it. Well, whatever it is you'd bet Kensei's encountered it before right? He has that sort of 'I kind of recognize this I think' look on his face just like you! ...Well, that or that's just how his face looks, but whatever!

"You're an expert on pressure points, shouldn't you check on her?"

"And risk this being a trap to goad me into getting close? Do you think I didn't teach my daughter how to be pragmatic?"

"Come on, are you telling me you couldn't escape when and how you want even if-"

That's when Shigure pokes the chinese girl's cheek.

"-!-?-!" Renka-san screams something in chinese, gesticulating and shaking her head wildly.

"...On second thought, maybe you should do something." Now Kensei looks really worried.

Renka-san stops, still red-faced however, and points both at you and Shigure while staring straight at you. "YOU! WHO ARE YOU?!"

"Indeed." A new voice interjects, the probable owner coming out from the front door. "Who the hell are you people?"

He spots a shaved head, leaving less than a centimeter of his red hair. Stands at six feet and two inches tall with a lean but solid frame, he is wearing a black biker suit with green highlights. His eyes are fierce, staring at you and the others with controlled disdain. At his back and sides are two other guys similar in appearance to him, as if they tried to become his carbon copy.

Those guys...were not part of the group that Renka-san was fighting.

Showing good discipline Renka-san snaps out of whatever funk she was under with nothing more than a scrub to her nose and follows with a lunging pre-emptive strike, fluidly hitting the new arrival in the stomach with both fists surging forward at the same time.

CLANK!

'The sound of metal being hit? Does he have armor under his clothes?'

"Tsk." Like a snake his hand lashes out and grabs Renka-san's right ankle, hoisting her in the air upside-down. Undaunted the girl sends a whiplash strike at his head with her free leg.

CLANK!

Only for the same sound of before to resonate again. But you aren't very sure, busy as you are trying to not stare at Renka-san's now exposed plump ass and white panties.

"Worthless maggots." Starting from his cheek the biker's skin turns darker, acquiring an almost metallic sheen. The same thing happens to the other two. "Pathetic attacks like this cannot bypass my Iron Spirit technique. This is the ultimate defensive technique that makes skin harder than steel: You cannot beat me!"

That's when you and the Masters move.

Shigure's sword hits the right goon multiple times in less than a second, his clothes down to the underwear shredding and the metallic sheen falling off his skin into clan cut fragments without spilling even a single drop of blood. A final, swift strike to the flat of the blade puts him out of commission.

Kensei Ma smites the left goon's lower stomach with what could never be considered a gentle palm strike. Ripples spread on the body's surface from the point of impact, the iron color peeling back like paint under the spreading force. The guy's eyes roll into their sockets, foam spews out of his mouth, and then he topples backward to the ground, knocked out.

Stomping on the ground in front of the biker you unleash a elbow strike, a subtle use of Essence delivering enough damage that your opponent double over in pain in spite of the armor technique. You're used to destroy the armored robot of Azazel, the hardness of normal steel is nothing before you. The guy's eyes bulge out of his sockets, spit coming out of his mouth that you dodge by tilting your head.

Sledgehammer Fist Punch

Click to shrink...

"Don't get-" Kensei begins.

"-Ahead-" Shigure continues.

"-Of yourself." You finish.

The moment the biker staggers and his hands go slack Renka-san bends up behind the guy to put him in a headlock, heaves backwards and throws both of them into the ground, his-face-first. She bounces back, spinning to adjust her footing, but before that you catch the chinese girl in your arms bridal style. Not that you could have avoided it, you were pretty much in the way of her landing. "Are you okay?" You ask in genuine worry.

Her response is a smile fit for the cat that got the canary, her strands of hair wagging like tails-Wait, what?

Before you can ponder on the last part her face switch to embarrassed and then furious. The next instant she's trying to hit you with a barrage of fists, forcing you to twist in truly awkward ways to avoid them without making her fall.

Seriously, what is going on?

----

'Masters! Three of them! We're done for!' Are the thoughts of the old shop's employee that was watching the fight from behind the counter. When he saw the three strongest members of their group fall so easily despair overcame him and he ran to the further side of the warehouse.

Gritting his teeth to stop the trembling of his hands he takes out a ring of keys and opens a door closed with multiple locks. He runs inside, ignoring the various merchandise that would earn a lot of money if sold on the black market.

"We're done! Done! Done! Done...Unless!" He instead approaches a section closed off by white ropes similar to those found in shinto shrines, their surfaces littered with paper charms. Brushing aside and breaking them without regards he steps in front of the only thing kept behind them, an altar connected with many chains all tied around a single elongated object kept at the top. The chains have many mystical symbols engraved on them, glowing with an eerie purple light.

"Unless I use this!"

Ignoring the many warnings his boss gave him in the past the man grabs the object and begins removing the chains.

----

"Why, exactly, are you trying to hit me? I saved you!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

By this point Renka-san's assault became so fierce that you need every bit of concentration to dodge and parry her attacks. Particularly given they're still being thrown from between your arms. You'd think she'd have leapt away, pushed off or something so she could attack you properly and stuff, but you guess whatever's wrong with her makes that a bad call. Kensei and Shigure are watching from the sidelines, having stated something on the lines of 'Masters don't interfere in Disciples' fights'. You're also 100% sure Kensei's giggling at your expense over there!

Lazy bastards.

That's when a truly massive wave of magical energy hits you with the strength of a out of control truck. Your head whips towards the old shop, followed by Shigure's and Kensei's. Even Renka stops and turns wide-eyes in the same direction.

BOOM!

A section of the building explodes outwards.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

The same thing repeats itself three times, each one coming closer to the entrance and the magic becoming stronger. Just before it reaches the front a powerful imagine appears in your mind:

[] Tiger
[] Hellfire
[] Eldritch
----

Write-ins are not allowed, apart from the reaction to one of the choices of course.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Tiger
----

Tiger. A concept you're acquainted with very well thanks to a certain crazy fallen angel that, somehow, own several packs of the noble feline, international regulations be damned.

You think you hate tigers.

Without turning away, you ask, "That's the sword, isn't it?" Because of course it is, your luck demands nothing less.

As if answering your query something strikes the front of the shop from inside with immense force, causing it to shatter outwards and spewing forth a deep curtain of dust. The onlooking crowd that yet remains backs even further up, and looks well intent to flee.

BOOM

BOOM

Your first perception of the 'sword' comes in the form of a loud, rhythmically booming sound that you recognize as the steps of something massive moving forward. Next is the sight of an enormous silhouette, easily eight meters tall, forming past the dust.

"..That's one hell of a sword." Kensei replies with a collected, yet tinged with disbelief tone. Shigure is just looking up, mouth forming a small 'O' of surprise despite her persistently apathetic gaze.

"Waaaaa-?!" Renka-sen's answer is cruder but way more to the point.

From the direction of the presence a strong gale of wind blows away the dust, letting you see the being behind clearly for the first time. With an humanoid form, it's a giant even bigger than you thought, standing at ten meters of height. The body is covered by a scale armor the color of bronze with black iron pauldrons and greaves. The style feels vaguely Chinese, but it may also be Korean or Vietnamese. In its right hand it holds a massive straight sword with many symbols and ideograms carved on the blade.

And where the head or a helmet should be located, there is instead a close-mouthed tiger's head made of black metal with yellow stripes, the eyes a pair of holes burning with red-orange fire that surge and bulge like no fire should.

"천국은 성령을 호출하고, 지구는 영혼을하는 데 도움이됩니다!"

The bellow doesn't come from its jaws, that remains sealed shut, but from within its chest cavity. It lowers its gaze and notices your little group.

"챔피언스! 당신의 기질을 증명!"

With that it raises its sword and, with a speed that it shouldn't possess, brings it down on you.

BOOM!

Before it connects you do the sensible thing and run the fuck away, Renka still in your arms.

"Wait! What is that? Why it's attacking us? Why are you running?!"

"Not now!"

Turning behind a corner you wait until the wall hid your frame before switching direction, entering an alleyway on the other side of the street.

Once you're sure the colossus isn't moving in your direction you put Renka down, cover your head with your hands and squat on the ground. 'Ddraig?'

[Yes?]

'Your previous comment about my luck....I think you were right.'

[And what else?] He asks with a tone that hints at a smug smile on his lips.

'...That I need to listen to those older and more experienced than me?'

[Damn straight.]

"What the hell was that?!" Renka demands. She seems to holding herself pretty well, yet the slightly larger than normal pupils tell you she's experiencing notable panic and shock. "Did you Japanese got so crazy with your obsession with giant robots that you build a real Gundam?"

"First I need to ask: where, exactly, does that look like a Gundam?" At most it can pass for the GaiGar form of GaoGaiGar. You scratch your head. "And for what...well…"

"That, Issei-kun." Kensei jumps in front of you two, his large sleeves joined together to conceal the hands. "Is part of a talk that I will have with my daughter later."

"Papa!" The girl stomps to the old master, relief evident in her voice. However it quickly turns to annoyance as she grabs the front of his shirt. "Are you keeping something from me?"

He frowns before signing with a resigning tone. "For good reasons, but it's a moot point now. Please wait for a little while Renka."

"How's the situation?" You ask Kensei, steering the conversation away from what you recognize as a delicate matter.

"Dire." He separates his sleeves and shows his hands. Renka gasp at the bruises on it. "Its entire surface is incredibly hard, and it doesn't have any Tenketsu I can manipulate."

That's when Shigure join you, jumping down from the rooftop. She is looking at her sword with a slight betrayed look. "Can't...cut. Look iron...but stronger."

"Yeah, magic tends to push any most any material way past its limit." You run your fingers through your hair. "We need to know more. Kosaka-san, what is the name of the sword you were searching for?" Something magical that can transform like that is bound to be famous...or infamous.

The sound of more stuff being demolished in the distance reminds you that you have not much time left.

She puts a finger over her lips, eyebrows furrowing in concentration. "Sai...Sao...no, Saingeom."

You don't recognize the name, but judging from his reaction Kensei does. The old Kenpo master facepalms, eyebrows twitching and lips twisting in a grimace. "A Saingeom? And a very ancient one?" He mumbles some words in Chinese, from the tone they sound like curses.

"Kensei-san? What's a Saingeom?" You ask.

"The Saingeom (Four Tigers Sword), also known as Sainchamsageom (Four Tigers Evil-Cutting sword), is a special type of Korean sword." He begins. "Since it can only be forged during the Tiger hour of a Tiger's day in a Tiger's month, a metalsmith can make only one in his entire life. It's supposed to possess powerful Yang force that can destroy corrupted monsters and evil spirits."

He gestures in the direction of another boom- a closer one you notice. "Of course, those made during the Joseon Dynasty and before are way different from the ones made today. Forged with the aid of magic, blessed materials and complex rituals, they have many special abilities."

"Including becoming a giant metal warrior?"

"Including becoming a giant metal warrior."

"What are you talking about? Magic?" Renka pouts and crosses her arms. "Believing in magic is foolish."

[Naiiiiive!]

'Now it's not the time, oh sempai of mine.'

"Why...rampaging…?" Shigure asks.

"Uhm…" Kensei puts a fist under his chin. "My Korean is rusted, but at the beginning he said something like 'Prove your mettle'."

"...So it wants a fight?"

"Seems like it."

That something you expected from a dragon, not a tiger.

[In Chinese mythology tigers and dragons are seen as archrivals.] Belzard helpfully explains. [They saw the two species as being very similar in character, and so incompatibles. Equals repel, or something like that.]

[That is pure bullshit!] Ddraig protests. [I never argued with a tiger in my life.]

Meaningless chatter aside…

What to do?
[] Plan?
-[] Stunt?
----

This part is fairly simple: write a plan to deal with the current problem, and if you want add a stunt. The whole sword business will end in the post anyway, and then we will proceed to the Phenex meeting. Again in the same post.

 

[Sol Mark-1]

Here is my first try for an Omake for this quest.

Group of Snippets.

What some people where thinking of Issei.
--
In a certain forum on the internet.

Thread Title: A Certain Mysterious Bishonen in Kuoh Academy.

Milesintheshoes: Sorry for the orthography error in the title, well time to begin to talk about the new bishonen that leave most of the other bishonen in the dust in hotness level if you do not believe me here is the evidence.

Updates:

He has gotten involved in multiple fights with delinquents all by himself.
He has been seen with several different beautiful women (one of them dresses like a nun).
He defeated a delinquent gang with help of several people, and defeated the leader in a one on one duel.
He got suspended from Kuoh Academy after he got in a fight.
There has been rumours that he was entering to a dojo named Ryouzanpaku in a different city, anyone knows what martial art that dojo practice?
There is another rumour that he was seen in Ukiyoe Town.

(The thread almost immediately became a flame war, and it only got worse when the updates were announced, mostly of the people that hated Issei where machist that hated Issei because he was beautiful and he was popular with the ladies, Otaku that hated Issei because he was a chick magnet and making the women not pure).
--
Kuoh Academy manga research club.

Members of the club were deciding what title would their new doujinshi for their latest pairing - Issei x Yuuto.

"Okay now that everyone is here and know what we are doing, now we must decide the title for our doujinshi, also we must keep the secret that we are making it from the school, I don't think the student council will like that some members of the manga research club are writing and drawing something like this", said the leader of this faction of the manga research club.

"I vote Prince X Beast!" exclaimed one member of the club.

"Issei-kun is no longer a beast, what about The Prince X Gallant Rogue as a title?" another member of the club interjected with sparkles in her eyes.

The whole faction of the club began to argue the name, and how would the story would go.
--
Kiriyuu Residence.

Mr. and Ms. Kiryuu were not having a good day, since their daughter returned earlier from her walk she has not gotten out of her room, they got worried because she was not coming out of her room and it was almost time for her to go to Kuoh Academy, when they were leaving Mr Kiryuu got near to her daughter room he began to hear some noises from the room, when he got near the door he finally understood what where those noises and with a little red shade on his face he returned where his wife was in the house.

"Minato what is wrong with Aika, and why do you have that colour in your face?" asked Mrs. Kiriyuu with a worrying tone.

"Matsu, I think our daughter could not control her youthful spirit, and seems that she is going to last in that mood for a while."

"W-W-What!?", after she recovered her composure she said this "I hope this is only a phase, I know she is a healthy girl but she should not last that long, I worry for her education Minato."

"I know, we shall talk with her later."

Meanwhile Aika was still dreaming of Issei, and having a date with Rosie palms.

-Several hours later.
Aika was leaving her room, to take a bath she saw her parent talking with each other and when they saw her they told her that she should take a bath, and after she finished bathing and she dressed up they would like to have a talk with her, Aika knew she was in trouble for not going to school.

When she was dressed up she went to the living room where her parents, and waited until her parents began to ask her why she did not go to school, there was no need to hide the truth it was probably better than worrying her parents and she told the truth

"I met one of my classmates in my morning exercise yesterday, and believe me when I say he was lame, but when I saw him that day he was an extremely hot stud, when I saw him I thought I was dreaming and I kissed him, he could have taken advantage of me, but instead he asked me if I was alright when I finally regained my composure I remember being red faced and leaving as fast as I could, and the rest is story" Aika ended the story with a smile.

But when she ended the story to her parents the only thing she heard was the wind, and her parents were speechless.

When they recovered they asked who was that boy.

"Hyoudou Issei," answered Aika with a happy smile on her face.

-Several days later.
Matsu and Minato were having a good day their daughter was smiling more than usual,they suspected that it had something to do with Hyoudou Issei, the boy who their daughter spoke sometimes when they where eating together.

They were curious on why their daughter was happier than usual, though.

"Why're you so happy, Aika-chan?" Matsu asked her daughter.

Aika just smiled.

"Does it have something to do with the boy you talk sometimes Aika-san?" asked her father.

"Yes Okaa-san, Otou-san." Aika answered with a happy smile.

In that moment both of them felt extremely happy for their daughter.
----
Shinpaku Alliance Headquarters.

Haruo Niijima was having a bad time, he was trying to find information about Hyoudou Issei, but he could not find any information besides the normal information he could get if one looked around the internet, he tried to find information about the owners of Kuoh Academy he only found very few information about the Gremory family - it was really suspicious, right now Niijima was seeing information about Issei in Ukiyoe Town where there were rumours that there was a small Yakuza family around there and there were rumours that Issei had made connections with that particular Yakuza family.

He hated it when people couldn't be manipulated or be predicted.

He began to make his plans on how to recruit Issei to the Shinpaku Alliance, Niijima knew that Issei had great potential, and if he managed to recruit Hyoudou then the Shinpaku Alliance would became stronger, and his plan for world domination will be easier to do.

He knew that this would be one of the most difficult recruitment, he knew he needed to use all his tricks, and really improvise to succeed in the recruitment of powerful members.
-----
Ryouzanpaku Dojo.

Shougo Kitsukawa was hanging by a tree in a shibari pose, and he was still processing the information on how he was defeated in that way, and he remembered he was sparring with Shigure-san, and he decided went with all he got, he did not remember how the fight went and began to think what would have happened if somebody told him a lot of the things that happened to him during his training, the most probably thing he would do was to give that person a deadly glare...he would have a talk with Issei as soon as he could free himself.

Meanwhile he was thinking he heard a voice that was directed to him.

"Oh here you are Shougo-san, we were looking for you, because Kensei-san decided to make a new machine and Kenichi was not around here, we decided to use you as a guinea pig.

"..."
---
Here is the new version of my Omake.

Kinglugia was the one who did the Beta for the Omake, thank you Kinglugia.

Update:
Seems my computer changed the format, I managed to change it.

 

[Alexander]

[X] Tell the others to clear the area and keep bystanders away from the scene, then step into view of the creature and call out a challenge while adopting Fist of the Daystar Form and drawing out Boosted Gear into its gauntlet form.
-[X] Stunt Smuthunter
-----

There is only one thing to do. "I'm giving it a shot." You stand up, fingering your armlets. "Can you clear the area of bystanders?"

"Are you crazy?" Renka scoffs in a tone that sounds condescending. Her right foot tilts left and right and she looks away. "...If Papa couldn't do a thing, what make you thi-"

"Alright." Kensei replies without hesitation, softly tugging his mustache with one hand while the other is behind his back.

"Papa?!" Renka turns around to stare at her father in confusion, before switching to look you. You get the feeling she's observing you way more seriously than before.

"...Besting a Saingeom in a state like this is less a question of technique or application of skill, but of absolute power - and Issei-kun has that in spades." He eyes the red armlets around your wrists. "Are you going to boost?"

"If necessary. Don't forget that I'm kind of made to face big guys like that one." You smile with confidence.

Renka groans, muttering something on the lines of [idiot], but stops in when Kensei takes her hand and drags her away: at first she seems surprised and then giddy, before switching to a resolute look. By the way her arm's muscles are tensing she is not going to let go of her father's hand so easily. Shigure flashes a thumb-up with her usual stoic face and departs too, running on the wall to reach the rooftop.

You step out of the alley and face your opponent as the others depart in the opposite directions, your stance loosening into the natural form of a peerless gladiator. Boosted Gear in gauntlet form appears around your hands, the red metal becoming gold as your Essence pervade them and your entire body.

Fist of the Daystar Form
Fists of Iron Technique
Iron Kettle Body

Click to shrink...

Your opponent pauses in its rampage and turns to regard you, judging your worth.

"당신은 천국의 메신저의 힘에 직면 누구인가?"

"Sorry big guy, I can't understand you." You reply, tempted to use your pinkie to clean your ear in a show of confidence, but refrain from doing so once you remember your fingers are currently encased in sharp metal claws.

"This one shall use thine people's pitiful language then." You are surprised at the quick switch to archaic Japanese. "Art thou a warrior that decided to answer this one's glorious challenge?"

"Oh no, not at all." You raise your left fist and clench it. "I'm just gonna put you down before you cause too much more damage - you see?"

"Arrogance! Or it is confidence? All shall be made clear in arms' contest! What is thine name warrior?"

"My family name is Hyodo, and my given name is Issei." Uh, why did you say it like that? Could it be your inner ham swelling? Do you need to hire the great Norio to voice-over your life? "If I can ask before we begin, why are you searching for an opponent?"

"This one's title as bestowed by the creator is Jan-Inhan Chujeog!" It bellows with evident pride. "For many years this one was laid to rest in its latest master's tomb to protect his reliquary, until one day the sigil was broken and this one retrieved. But those searching this one's power were wicked men consumed by greed and pride, rabble unworthy of this one's power! This one rejected them, and as reward was locked under a strong seal, stronger than this one's ability to break. But now the seal is broken, and this one can finally search for a new and worthy master to serve! Move North Heaven to destroy evil in the land, make for righteousness in the natural order! This is what this one's existence is for!"

"I see. I understand now." You narrow your eyes. "Even then, your actions are causing troubles for the residents. As the defender of this city I can't allow it! Prepare yourself Jan-Inhan Chujeog!" Your Anima Banner blazes. "I'm Hyodo Issei! Sekiryuutei! Prince of the Earth! Chosen of Ignis Divine, God of the Sun, Perfection and Victory! Your rampage will cease, by my hands!"

"Ahahahahaha!!! This one senses great power! Are thine titles only boasts? This one will find out!!"

A gentle breeze blows through the wrecked street as you face each other. The battle begins with a flick of your wrist and a 'come get some' gesture. Your opponent roars and charges at you, and the fight is on.

The giant blade smites a path from on high, descending with the swiftness of an eagle and the might of a tiger, but this time you're ready: mere moments before the impact you jump to the side and wall-jump off any of the convenient nearby building, soaring in the air in a crescent arc that brings above the blade and near the giant's chest.

Monkey Leap Technique

Click to shrink...

Jan-Inhan's other palm comes to meet you in a well-done intercepting counter meant to swatter you away like a fly. Instead of panicking you twist and meet the larger-than-you palm with your own punch. It's like punching one of those great bell you can find in shinto shrine, only louder.

Sledgehammer Fist Punch

Click to shrink...

What gives first is the metal surface of the giant's palm, the strike opening a hole through it, letting you confirm that the interior is hollow, and stopping the limb's motion. Taking advantage of Jan-Inhan's surprise (you assume so at least) you grab the fingers and throw yourself past them towards its chest. Using the armor's scales as tiles you climb up to its head.

"To imitate a monkey, t'his hardly dignified!" The sword's flat side comes down on you. Having a metal body, the giant probably concluded the damage is acceptable if it doesn't try to cut.

"I just wanted to reach...this exact position!" With a sudden burst of speed you reach its neck, both arms leaning forward-

And push down, hard, slamming it on the ground. Normally the difference in weight would make it impossible, but Celestial Martial Arts are awesome like that.

Dragon Coil Technique

Click to shrink...

"What?!"

"My predecessors wrestled with beings that dwarfed mountains in size! And won!" You shout, your arms around its neck stopping him from moving. "Newbie or no you're still an ant compared to them! AAAAAHHH!!!"

In a physics-defying feat you hurl Jan-Inhan's enormous body away, taking care to avoid aiming at any of the near buildings. It soars in the air until it lands with a deafening [BOOM!].

Almost immediately a concentrated wave of air from the landing point hits you, slamming your body against a car. It hits a door, blow right through it and out the other side before.

Jan-Inhan steps forward, its armor dented in many places. "T'was many centuries since this one was forced down! Hyodo Issei, art thou a warrior of old reincarnated into a new life?"

"...No." You stand up, thumb wiping the blood from your lips. "But I have one such warrior as a mentor!"

{Minus the 'reincarnated' part, you mean. But only for now.}

Despite being in the middle of a serious fight hearing the Elder Solar's voice makes you stop. 'Bright-sensei? It's been a while since you made your presence known.'

{Your recent troubles were unworthy of my advices.} She replies in a de-facto tone. {However, I have one now. Be grateful.}

'...And what would it be?'

{Dodge.}

SLASH!SLASH!SLASH!SLASH!

Jan-Inhan's flurry of blows ravages the area where you were. Recovering from the hastily made roll you jump to your feet and dash towards the giant. 'This lowly one is greatly grateful! For real!'

----

Bright leans back on the throne with a smug grin. Ddraig and the past possessors roll their eyes.

----

In the ends the only advantages the living sword Jan-Inhan Chujeog had were its size, unusual speed and the ability to generate blades of wind… so really it had bunches of advantages. Too bad they didn't help it all that much:The first is what worked in your favour, allowing you to nimbly dodge and strike with unmatched ferocity.

The giant sword spins in the air before lodging itself in the ground. Around it are the broken remains of the giant tiger-headed armor. You are panting deeply with your hands on your knees, using the last motes of your Essence to heal the wounds on your body.

"Magnificent young warrior!" From the sword Jan-Inhan's voice rumbles with mirth. "Thou proveth thyself worthy beyond doubt! At least, after all this time, this one can be used again..."

The giant sword shrinks to a normal size of around one meter in length. It glows orange, a scabbard appearing around it. "Thy is the victor, to thy goes the spoils. Use this one as thy wish."

[Spoils of war! Spoils of war! Get it! Get it!]

"Calm down will ya?" You chuckle are reach to the sword, picking it out of the asphalt. You limp towards the others for a few more steps before the last of your cued healing kicks in and you straighten up with a sigh of relief. You observe their reactions: Shigure is clapping with sparkles in her eyes and face still expressionless, Kensei is grinning and nodding while twirling one mustache, and Renka…'Wow, I didn't know eyes can widen so much! And were they always cattish like that?'

[Plus the dead fish expression...Yeah, I don't think it's normal. Bright, you're a medic: is the girl alright?]

{She is, she is.}

"Not bad Issei-kun!" Kensei pats your back. "Tell me what your style is called again?"

"Fist of the Daystar, or also Solar Hero Style. But I haven't mastered it yet." You rub the back of your head, the praise from a person you respect feeling good. Renka blinks and mumbles to herself. You catch the phrase: 'Rrrright, of course: it's just an exotic martial art... made to fight giants, or something. Okay. Fine!'

"I noticed: you waste your movements and made predictable patters." Ouch! "Come to the dojo when you have time: I can think of a few Kenpo techniques that would help shave away the chaff."

"Seriously? I surely will!" Lessons from Ma-sensei himself? Sweet!

You turn to Shigure and bow to apologize, holding up the Saingeom. "The sword is here, but...well, it chose me as its master. Sorry."

"Don't... be." She waves her hand, the tips of her lips curving upward in a rare display of simple smile. "Wanted...to keep safe. You...good master. Will use...well."

That's a pleasant surprise. Wait, does this mean…'Is this my first true reward for a side-quest done well?! My first legendary weapon!'

[Ooh.] Elsha cooes sweetly. [Boys and their fixation big, hard, long things meant to be stabbed in deep~]

...That was disturbing on so many levels.

"This was a night to remember." Kensei stretches his arms and grimaces. "And I still need to have a conversation with my daughter about how… beyond convention some martial styles and practitioners can be." Said daughter was still silent, eyes fixated on you. The shocked look is now replaced by a contemplative one. "What about you?"

"I...go back to Dojo. See you...there. Bye." With that said Shigure leaves though roof-jumping.

You and Kensei wave at her before the old master takes her daughter's hand and drags her away. "Come Renka. Hakubi-kun is still open, we shall talk in front of a hot tea."

"...One moment." Surprising her father Renka lets go of the hand and turns to you, arms crossed under her generous chest and a serious expression on her face. "You. What's your name?"

Didn't she hear it at the battle's beginning? "Hyodo Issei." You reply with a polite and resolute tone, the sword resting on your shoulder.

"Ma Renka." She points at you. "We're not done yet, Hyodo Issei."

Then she turns around, grabs Kensei and walks away dragging him with her. You and the master exchanges confused glances, you wordlessly sharing your confusion and Kensei answering with a father's 'well, what can you do' indulgent face.

----

"Ise! Where are you been?" Rias demands when you came back. Sitting in your living room like they own the place are the Occult Research Club, complete with the Fallen Angels Trio that you haven't see in a while, Asia, Mittelt, Eiko, Ruby, Yang, Shougo and the Shinobi. "You said you would call! And what's that sword?"

"Sorry, sorry. Things got hectic quickly." You bow in apology. "But the reward was quite generous!" You raise the sword. "Look at this, an ancient Korean evil-spirit-slaying blade!"

The ghostly outline of a tiger's head appears in front of the pommel. "This one is named Jan-Inhan Chujeog. Greetings."

"...Did that sword just talked?"

"I did not miss things like this."

"It can transform too!….Wait. Jan, can you change shape too?"

"Certainly. What shape thou want this one to assume?"

You know exactly what you want. "Basically how you are now, but bigger!our-no, five feet long, six inches wide and like, half an inch thick!"

The saingeom glows orange. On cue you take it out of its scabbard and raise it in the air, watching as the blade expands and elongates until it takes the rough proportions of Bright's Cruel Wisdom.

"Boo-yeah!" You swing the enormous but very light sword, performing kata taught to you by Bright, Kiba and Shigure. "Finally...My very own Daiklave!"

Obtained:

Saingeom "Jan-Inhan Chujeog" ("Relentless Chase"), Korean evil spirits-slaying blade. Current form: Daiklave.

Click to shrink...

"Yuuto-kun? Why...are you eating Dohna's hat with ket-"

"Not a word *munch* Not. A. Word."

You have a shit-eating grin righ now.

[..I remember now. They did bet on something like that.] Ddraig muses.

Obtained: +2 Xp

Click to shrink...

----

The next morning you and the others use the magic circle to go to the Netherworld. Everyone that was in your living room yesterday agreed to come, either out of duty or for fun.

When you arrive the first thing you notice is not how the sky is a rich purple or how the ambient magic is way stronger, but how incredibly huge what you assume the Phenex's castle is! You saw European castles in documentaries, but this one looks like it could contain five of them with plenty of room to spare!

[Devils are filthy rich. Or better, they place great importance on material wealth. But I assume your Heaven is way more impressive, if only because they had millennia to build it.]

'You visited Heaven sempai?'

[No, I was chased through it.]

"Welcome to the House of Phenex. Issei Hyodo-dono, Rias Gremory-sama and the other guests. I am Yubelluna, Raiser Phenex-sama's Queen." A woman with long, wavy purple hair and wearing robes greets you in front of the castle's gates. Beside her is a young girl with long blonde hair and dark blue eyes, who instead stay silent.

You and Rias both return the greeting. Behind you hear the others do the same in various degrees. "Thanks for having us." You turn to the blonde girl, who refuses to look you in the eyes. Somehow her face feels familiar. "Forgive me for asking, but have we meet before?"

Her eyes shoot up to meet yours. "Y-You even have the gall to for-Urgh!" Realizing the breach of protocol she coughs to clear her throat and addresses you properly, albeit with a pink hue on her cheeks. "My name is Ravel Phenex. Raiser is my older brother. We met the day of the duel!"

''Now I remember!' You bow, hand over heart all knight-like. "Forgive me for not introducing myself at the time. It's an honor to meet you Lady Ravel."

The pink spread and deepens. "I-I-It's fine! I said it's fine! Stop bowing already!"

For some reason you hear snickers and groans from behind. Yubelluna interrupts by slightly raising her voice. "Lord Phenex wishes to meet Hyodo-dono in private. I will bring him to the meeting place. In the meantime Ravel-sama will give the other guests a tour of the castle. Is this acceptable?"

You and Rias only need to look in each other's eyes to reach a decision. "Of course. Lead the way."

----

The walk takes more than fifteen minutes. You went past the garden of the castle and entered the castle proper throught a gorgeous looking door with a fire bird engraved on it. Inside the ceiling is so high up you could do an aerial battle. All the chandeliers are made of gold and there are expensive looking statues and paintings everywhere. You don't think something like this exists on Earth.

{Smaller than I would like, and the gold must be replaced with Orichalcum, but it will do. When we conquer this sub-dimension this will become the royal palace.}

Please don't say something so scary Bright-sensei.

Finally Yubelluna stops in front of a door and opens it. Inside it's a cozy study with couches and low tables. Standing at attention are various servants, arrayed around a single seated person.

"Oh, the famous Sekiryuutei! What an honor to finally meet you! Come, come, make yourself at home."

The one thing that Raiser inherited without a doubt from the man in front of you are the eyes. In contrast his blonde hair are a shade lighter. His white suit is extremely chic, and he holds himself not with arrogance but supreme confidence. He doesn't look much older than Raiser, but Devils age way slower than humans.

"Lord Phenex I presume." You bow in respect. "I am Issei Hyodo. Thanks for the invite: it's a honor to meet you."

"No no, like I said the honor is mine." He makes a dismissive gesture. "I am Revache Phenex, current Head of the Phenex Clan of Pure-blood Devils. Would you like tea?"

"With pleasure."

You are instructed to seat in front of Lord Phenex. The servants quickly prepare the tea and serve it to you. You and Phenex take some time to enjoy the heavenly- pun not intended -taste before he snaps his fingers and the servants leave the room, leaving the two of you alone.

Here we go.

"What I found especially interesting is the speech you gave my son." Phenex begins casually, his face and tone betraying nothing. "Your comparison of the current Devil society with the 18th Century's Europe was very interesting. And spot on." He chuckles. "I should know: I was there watching it."

He raises a spoon in the air and inclines it, watching with attention the drops of tea falling down. "It's true that Devil society is changing. It's also true that there are people like me that like to cling to old glories."

He puts down the spoon into the cup and looks up into your eyes, one eyebrow slightly raised. "Is it wrong?"

You say nothing. Phenex takes your silence as permission to continue. He spread his arms. "This place. It was me who changed what was once a modest castle into what it is today. Working tirelessly every day since the end of the Great War, where I saw my parents and uncles lose their lives to hold on positions that we were forced to give up anyway." His tone turns somber. "Is it wrong then, that I wish to preserve this hard-earned fortune intact? Is it wrong then, that I want to secure the future of my Clan and my sons, even if it means playing matchmaker to strengthen important ties to another Pure-blood Clan? Ties that are essential to face any change that may result disadvantageous?"

He folds his fingers together and rest his hands on his lap. He leans back on his chair, eyes boring into yours. "What is your opinion, Issei Hyodo?"

[] Write-in.
-----

Special edition for the last day of the Year ^^

You don't need me telling you how much you can't risk to screw this up, right? Think carefully.

 

[the DragonBard]

Rough Character Sheet for Shigure

Name: Shigure Kosaka
Nickname: Mistress of All Weapons
Motivation: Track down and recover all her father's weapons.

Attributes
Physical - Primary
Strength: OOO
Dexterity: OOOOO
Stamina: OOOO

Social - Tertiary
Charisma: OOO
Appearance OOOOO
Manipulation: O

Mental - Secondary
Intelligence: OOO
Wits: OOOO
Perception OOOOO

Abilities
Dawn Caste
Archery: OOOOO
Martial Arts: OOOOO (Specialty: Armed OOO)
Melee: OOOOO (Specialty: Asian Weapons OOO)
Thrown: OOOOO (Specialty: Asian Weapons OOO)
War:

Zenith Caste
Integrity: O
Performance:
-Presence: O (Specialty: Fearsome Aura OOO)
-Resistance: OOOO
Survival: OOOO

Twilight Caste
Craft: OOOOO (Fire Wood) (Specialty: Arms and Armor OOO)
-Investigation:
-Lore: OO (Specialty: Arms and Armor OOO)
-Medicine:
-Occult: OO

Night Caste
-Athletics: OOOOO (Specialty: Feats of Dexterity OOO)
-Awareness: OOOOO
-Dodge: OOOOO
Larceny:
Stealth: OOOOO

Eclipse Caste
Bureaucracy:
Linguistics: O
Ride:
Sail:
Socialize:

Intimacies:
Ryozanpaku (Family)
Kenichi Shirahama (Little Brother)
Issei Hyoudou (Curious interest)

Virtues
Compassion: OOOOO
Valor: OOO
Conviction: OOO
Temperance: OO

Willpower: 9/9

What do you think?

 

[the DragonBard]

Wanted to make this longer, but spacing out on anything to add.

Omake

"What are you brooding about?"

Bright turned in the throne-like chair she'd been brooding in for the past few days to look at the giant red dragon with whom she shared soul space, glaring at the powerful beast.

"I do 'not' brood." Bright enunciated, her eyes narrowing to slits. "I was merely... contemplating some things."

Ddraig sighed, smoke rising from his nostrils.

"Alright then, what were you contemplating?" He asked his irritating roommate (there was really no other term for it, as neither had really heard of such a situation happening before.)

Bright grimaced. "I was thinking of the masters of Ryozanpaku, as well as the supernatural martial artists and magicians we have heard of."

"What about them?" Ddraig asked curiously.

"The Masters have skills that would have been respectable for a Terrestrial Exalted, and physical abilities that would require use of a charm for most of them to replicate. Especially the Elder." Bright smirked. "That is one that, had we met back home, I would have found him worthy of taking to my bed, and possibly fathering a child. His granddaughter shows he has good blood." Bright shook off the thought. "Anyway, I could have easily seen him as a young Celestial Exalted, or perhaps a godblood, though he is obviously not the first, and shows none of the common signs of a divine parent, nor does his granddaughter" Bright mused. "Also, from what we have been told, these magicians have skills that appear to rival Emerald Sphere Sorcery, but with no mention of the stations that one must go through, making them seem more like thautemargy than sorcery. At least in nature if not in what it can do."

"So?"

"I am merely trying to contemplate how mortals could have achieved such," Bright explained with a roll of her eyes. "Even with the aide of the various demons and gods, and your Sacred Gears."

Ddraig shrugged, which was a pretty neat trick for a dragon. "What does it matter? They've done it, so why bother trying to figure it out?"

Bright leaped out of her chair in a sneer.

"'Why bother?'" She growled. "If I could understand how these mortals have done such, I could have an army of mortals whose power rivals that of the Terrestrial Exalted under my command when we return to Creation. If I knew how, I could craft Charms that could take advantage of these secrets and grant us even greater power!" Bright settled back into her throne. "Imagine, armies of mortals of such power, dwarfing the Terrestrials in numbers. When we have more time, we should acquire as much information on the magics of this world as we can from the Devil and the Fallen Angels, it will do until he has passed the Stations, and become a sorcerer. The secret of how they perform teleportation magics so easily alone would be worth the effort. Also, he should see about training under the sifu at Ryozanpaku, and see if we can divine the secret of how the Elder became so powerful while a mortal."

Ddraig rolled his eyes. "Not sure how it was back in your world, but there've been some pretty powerful mortals in the past. Some of my former hosts among them."

Bright just waved his comment away.

"True, but they were wielders of a Sacred Gear." Bright said dismissively. "Without it, they would have been no stronger than any other mortal. What that man wields is power that any mortal might be able to wield, gained from nothing but training. That reminds me, when I have the time, I should design my own version of the Sacred Gear System. Being able to grant powerful artifacts to my soldiers that can never be stolen, and that return on the wielder's death, would be useful when we return to Creation." Bright muttered. "I could even track down some behemoths and seal them within to grant them power."

Ddraig rolled his eyes as Bright began to mutter to herself about her plans for a new Sacred Gear system, and decided now would be a good time to go take a nap.


Hard to get Bright just right. Hopefully I got close enough.

 

[Alexander]

[X] stunt silversun 2 - activate [First Presence Excellency] and other relevant charms
----

This is...an interesting question indeed. What Revache said...it's not wrong. You can't find any fault in his desires, in his shoes you would do the same yourself. If so then, where and why did things go wrong?

Outside you make a show of thinking deeply, eyebrows furrowed in concentration and eyes closed, while in truth you have a quick discussion with Ddraig, Bright and your sempai. Together you make up an answer that will be truthful and phrased with enough tact to avoid offending the very powerful and influential lord in front of you.

"It isn't wrong that you have power, and it isn't wrong that you want to preserve that power, especially for the sake of your family. Your desire to leave a legacy for your children is admirable, after all what parent wouldn't want to give their progeny the best chance at success they can?" You pause for a second. "The issue in the end is what I have said previously: too many members of the pureblooded nobility have become complacent and many of them do not respond well when that complacency is challenged."

You set the cup of tea down on the saucer, a soft clink echoing across the room.

"Sadly Raiser, your son, is an example; he developed a sense of entitlement, a sense that the world owed him his power, his position and even Rias's hand in marriage. When this sense of entitlement was challenged by Rias's success he took it as a threat and immediately moved to force the marriage in a manner that could have spelled disaster for your family. Ignoring her father's reaction the Maous might have been forced to take action and…make an example of Riser to clearly show that killing the peerage of another devil is not acceptable. That is, if he was really willing to do what he promised." You hastily add at the end as Revache's eyes narrow at your words, the teaspoon's metal deforming slightly under the pressure of the devil's fingertips.

"Lord Phenex, as you have stated you worked to be where you are now. You earned your wealth and prestige." A bit of ego stroking doesn't hurt. "But Raiser has, probably, come to the conclusion that he doesn't have to do anything to reach your level of success, that simply by circumstance of his birth power and prestige was, pardon the phrase, his god-given right and not something that he has to earn."

You take the tea cup back into your and sipped from it before sighing, spreading the steam rising from the tea out over the table.

"I was unaware of the engagement until Riser told me just before we fought and his words made it instantly clear why the prestige I helped Rias acquire was vital to her. Although I can conclude with a fair degree of certainty that it was not what you and Lord Gremory intended-" Another short pause. Now it's the bomb. Either he accepts the crude truth, or you better get ready to run the fuck away. "The two of you created a situation where Rias rightly feared that her own ambitions, her plans and even her future were threatened for the sake of your son's. Because of this any marriage between the two would have been a loveless fraud of a marriage that Rias would forever resent and resist." The devil's jaw tightened at the statement and he set his own tea cup down; his fingerprints visible in the spoon's handle.

"There is nothing wrong with taking steps to ensure that the remainder of the Pillars endure but doing so in a manner that is assured to cause more harm than good is where the line has to be drawn." Your eyes shifted to that of a dragon's for half a heart beat and the Lord of the Phenex clan's posture changed as your words sunk in.

He chuckles. "Yeah. My son is a douchebag."

You finding yourself blinking. That...was not what you expected.

Revache's right eyebrow rises, tension leaving his posture as he...you don't know how to describe it, but it's like his noble bearing changed to a more youthful feeling. The smile that now frames his lips looks more at home on a mischievous uncle that caught the niece stealing freshly baked cookies than a noble of old. "What, did you come here expecting a trap of some kind, with me angry because you spit on all the traditions I hold dear and challenged my decision?"

"...That, and beating the living daylights out of your son?" Faced with such bluntness, you can't help but utter the truth.

"Ahahahaha!" The Phenex laughs heartly, palms slapping on his knees. "I like your honesty kid! I confess there are some among my friends that would like nothing more than to strap your limbless body on a table and feed you your own intestines-"

'Fuck.'

"-But personally, I want to thank you." He finishes with an easy-going smile.

[Honestly, this guy confuse the fuck out of me.]

'You took the words out of my mouth Ddraig.'

[Ise-kun, Ise-kun.] Elsha-sempai urges you. [Try asking for an explanation.]

Why not? "I assume there is a reason behind you being thankful instead of angry?" He nods. "Then, could you explain it to me, please?"

"Aaah, it's very simple when you get down to it." Leaning back on his couch Revache's right hand begins to lazily spin his cup on the table. "It was a good engagement for pure Devils, but it looks like me and Eadwig had too much greed."

That name, isn't it…"Lord Gremory?"

"Him." He smirks. "We're best buddies, partners in crime and a lot of other things it's for the best our lovely wifes never heard about. Where I was? Oh yeah: it was a good engagement, but not a necessary one. You see, both of us already have pure Devil grandchildren who display tremendous potential. Yet, we were not satisfied." He sighs. "Maybe it's the greed as Devils that made us crave for it. Or is it because we saw, pardon the pun, hell in the last war. Someone as young as you can't understand, but in war usually you can see when continuing just isn't worth it." And then his eyes...despite looking towards you, aren't looking at you. "We pushed past that point and keep going until we realized that what was slowing our movements was not mud but the blood from the bodies littering the ground mixed with earth."

Silence. You have nothing to say, not you know what can you say.

What can one say to this?

He sighs again, and his eyes regain their focus. "Whatever the case, in the end the reality is that we pushed our problems onto our children and it came to bite us in the ass. Though, I suppose the biggest part of the fault lie with me, and how I raised Raiser." He rests his chin on his left clenched hand, the elbow resting on the left leg. "I have four children, way more than any other pureblood Devil. The eldest, Ruval, is within the top 10 ranking champions of Rating Games and is going to be promoted to Ultimate Class soon. The second one, Ridar, is another accomplished champion and is currently traveling the world to strengthen Devils' relations with other species as one of our best diplomats. With such astounding successful sons...I got so busy with securing their own future that I neglected Raiser and Ravel."

Lord Phenex seems to age twenty years at that confession.

"I was aware that Raiser's ego was growing bigger than appropriate, but I told myself that it wasn't serious, that life was going to teach him a hard lesson before it was too late...Something that, in a way, happened." He smiles at you, her expression relaxing. "That's why I want to thank you. What my son lacked was defeat. He overestimated the ability of our clan, and believed to possess a strength he never really had. It was a good lesson: Phoenix is not absolute, and neither is Phenex. Just learning that was enough."

'This...Wow, did I just miss a very big bullet here?' "So...no hard feelings?"

"Absolutely." He crosses his legs, a mysterious glint entering his eyes. "Even more, I can't really fault you: I, too, used to do some very crazy stunts to impress a girl."

Your features turn neutral. "I didn't do what I did to impress a girl."

"Multiple girls? I did that too."

Your right eyebrow twitches. "Like?"

It's when, in response to your query, Lord Phenex's smile turns into a devilishly smirk that you realize something.

Gravitas is not a thing. Never was and never will be.

----

Ravel Phenex is my name. Youngest daughter of the noble and proud Phenex Clan of Devils. And now, if I am to be honest with myself, I am feeling a little apprehensive about the visit my Father received.

But just a little, measly, tiny, tiiiiny bit. So tiny you can barely see it. I mean, it's not as if I am w-worried about Issei Hyodo discussing with Father in private! W-Why should I worry about that uncivilized oaf that attacked Big Brother Raiser and f-f-flash...dared to appear naked in front of me?!

...Those taut muscles, handsome visage, six-pack ribs and his-!!!

Nooooo!! Bad thoughts, bad thoughts! I am not fit to be a bride anymore!

"Ravel?"

"TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!" I suddenly shout, unable to control myself, only to regret it when Rias Gremory gives me a weird look.

"...For what?" She asks, and while I think she's showing genuine concern she is the last person I want to speak a-about-Ugh! So embarrassing.

"N-Nothing!" I wave my hands left and right. "I was just lost in thought. Forget I say anything!"

She looks unsure but eventually concedes and we resume our walk. During the tour to show the other guests Phenex Castle me and her got separated from the rest of the group, and now we are direct to a section of the castle where, I think, the others may be.

"-And then I said: 'Don't worry ladies, my rod is long enough for both of you'!"

"Ahahaha! Seriously?!"

Me and Rias both stop and blink when, after stepping into a corridor, we hear a pair of voices speak loud enough to be heard even through the thick walls.

"Was that...Father?" No doubts about it. But what was that thing about a 'rod'?

"And the other...Ise?" Rias wonders aloud. Ise? As...Issei? Wait, did we just arrive where they are having their meeting? That's strange, this isn't where Father usually meet visitors…why is that?

While I was pondering Rias pinpointed the room they are in and accosts her ear to the door. I am about to tell her eavesdropping is bad, when she smiles at me.

"Aren't you curious too? About what they are talking about?"

Of course I am! But eavesdropping is still bad...though, maybe, just a little wouldn't hurt? Quick enough that no one will know about it.

And if nobody know about it, it's like I never did it. Right?

Reluctance stops me, but curiosity pushes me even harder and I find myself joining Rias with my ear to the door.

Now, what exactly are Father and Hyodo Issei talking abou-

"You gonna believe me kid! The best, finest breasts in the world."

What.

"Aaah, yes: that's right. My lovely wife's breasts are the best!"

WHAT!!!

----

"Aaah, yes: that's right. My lovely wife's breasts are the best!" Revache makes groping motions with his hands to empathize his statement.

[...I am the only one disturbed by the fact that this likely millennia old Devil head of a noble house is speaking so freely about his wife's breasts with someone he just met for the first time not even a hour ago?]

Ddraig's question holds merit. Especially when you consider that the last forty minutes where filled with tales of his exploits with the fairest sex.

[Kohai? This, is how you were before your Exaltation.]

Well, damn. No wonder you were at the bottom of the social ladder.

That's when the door slams open, the culprit a red-faced Ravel with a lesser but still red-faced Rias behind her. "Father! What are you saying?!"

"Ravel! Just in time!" Revache greets his daughter as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "I was just telling our guest how the first thing that attracted me to your mother were her big breasts."

For a moment it's like time froze, Ravel staring like a fish out of water from the shock. Then her face changes from red to deadly white and then crimson. "FATHER?!"

The Phenex patriarch winks at me. "And she was a late bloomer. So, if Ravel dear is anything like her, just a couple of years and-"

The rest of the improper speech is interrupted when a massive fireball hit him dead-on, incinerating his body and most of the furniture.

"STUPID PAPA! I HATE YOU!" Ravel yells as she runs away crying.

The look Rias gives you is eloquent enough: "What just happened?"

Just like yours: "Hell if I know."

"Uh, it's been a while since she last called me 'papa'." Revache muses with a nostalgic tone as he re-forms from the flames. "What happened to the sweet kid that used to say: 'when I grow up I'm going to marry papa!'?"

'She realized how much of a creep you are.'

[[[Agreed.]]]

"...So...I can leave if I am a bother..." More than asking Rias is pleading. It's uncomfortable for you, for her it must be unbearable.

"Ah no no. Stay, stay." The blond man waves her closer. "In fact this is perfect. We can get to the second reason I called you there today."

A second reason?

"Please fix my son, Raiser's attitude."

----

"Could you please explain what you meant before?" You ask Revache as you and Rias follow him to another wing of the castle.

"There is nothing to explain." He scoffs. "That pathetic son of mine still hasn't recovered from his defeat. Normally I would say 'fine, he's just depressed. Let him brood a little, he'll be back on his feet eventually'. But then they talked about him in a gossip magazine, and the things they wrote...well, suffice to say I decided that letting him come out of his funk on his own is deletery not just for him, but for the Phenex family as a whole."

You and Rias exchange looks. "How...bad are we talking about?"

"You will see."

Eventually we stop in front of a door. Revache knocks on it.

No response. Revache knocks again. "I know you're awake. Get up!"

Then, the barely audible voice of Raiser comes from inside the door. You almost don't recognize it, so devoid of the usual pride. "Dad? I don't want to meet anyone today. I had a bad dream...... I'm not in the mood to meet anyone."

Revache rolls his eyes. "Not even Lady Rias? She's here to meet you."

You hear the sound of something being dropped on the floor. "--! ……..Ri…..Rias……you say……?"

By his voice he's really panicking. She must have been an unexpected guest for him. Rias stands in front of the door and speaks to him. "Raiser. It's me."

"…..What do you want with me now, Rias? Did you come to laugh at me? I am that funny to you?"

The tone of his voice is low. Rather, it sounds like he holds a grudge.

"Neither." Rias states firmly. She is clearly offended that someone would judge her so callous. "Let's talk for a bit. Let me see your face."

After she says that you hear rough footsteps approaching this way and the door is opened violently. The one who appears at the doorstep is Raiser, who had messy hair and untidy clothes.

"What do you want to talk about, with the guy who you rejected……..?" He has glassy eyes and there is anger within his speech; but his expression changes when he sees me. "Se, Se, Se, Sekiryuuteeeei!" He points at me, face pale like a corpse.

"Hey, Raiser. Your house is amazing." I smile and greet him warmly, hoping to put him at ease. Granted, I still haven't forgiven him for what he said...but there is no satisfaction picking on a depressed opponent.

"…….Hi."

'Hi?'

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Raiser lets loose a decidedly girlishly shriek and slams the door shut.

"Nooooo!! A dragon! A dragon came to eat me! Send him away! Moooommmmyyyyy!!"

[...Okay, that was pathetic. Even for a fried chicken.]

{This time, I have to agree.}

You and Rias are both shocked at Raiser's 180° turn in attitude, while Revache shakes his head in disapproval.

"See what I mean? He hasn't come out of his room since his defeat, he cancelled all appointments and stopped talking about Dragons, or better he reacts like that when someone bring them up. He spends his days either playing video-games or playing chess with the servants."

So he's a hikikomori. Indeed, they are a huge problem in Japan. But for that show off, good-looking guy to become a hikikomori...who would have thought?

"That's why I ask you, Hyodo Issei: please fix Raiser's defeatist attitude." Revache claps his hands together and grimace. "Just like you fixed his arrogant attitude. Do it, and the Phenex Clan will be in your debt."

There's no mistaking the sincerity in his voice. What's really strange is that he would ask you of all people, but in a certain sense it's your fault he's like that, so…

[Do it partner.] Ddraig grunts. [I don't care about the fried chicken's reputation, but having such a pathetic defeated foe will hurt our reputation.]

'And what do you suggest I do?' Because, honestly, you have no idea.

[He's afraid of Dragons, yes? Since ancient times the best way to deal with one's own fears is facing them head on. Let's find a place full of dragons and have him train there. Ryusenkyo is the place to go in Japan if you want dragons: you can also train there. This way, we hit two birds with one stone.]

[Ddraig, you're forgetting we must find the land first.] Belzard interjects. [Not that I am saying we can't find it reasonably fast, but we don't know for certain. Also, there are less complicated methods. I think the real issue here is not young Raiser's fear of dragons, but the shock of having experience something outside of his until now privileged lifestyle. Yes, I'm saying he's spoiled. I suggest we bring him with us to the human world and have him live like a normal person, without his powers and influence.]

Uhm, they're both interesting suggestions with their own benefits. You can either choose one of them...or maybe think of a third option?

[] Ddraig's proposal
[] Belzard's proposal
[] Write-in.
----

My beta has yet to reply. Since I don't want you guys to wait too long I posted the non-refined version. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.