183 Hanging Around.
Soft footsteps echoed through the long hallway. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains, making them flutter in the morning sunlight that streamed through the windows.
As the shadows trailed behind the light, a hand gently touched the glass, revealing a view of a large campus. The landscape was adorned with different buildings, adding grandeur to the luxurious school grounds.
Students marched down the street, heading towards the school. Some walked alone, while others chatted with their friends. As they neared the entrance, a quiet hush fell upon them, muffling their voices as silence took over.
"I don't remember this place to be all… sparkling."
Cracks spread like spiderwebs from the hand against the window, warping the view. The hallway twisted and squirmed as if it had a life of its own. Silence reigned as the cracks multiplied, enveloping the outside world in a chaotic mix of colors and shapes. The hand that touched the glass became trapped in the distortion, sinking into it like quicksand.
Leo watched as his arm got caught in the swirling mass. Summoning his strength, he pulled it back forcefully. As he did, the space around him recoiled, tossing his body around like a discarded toy and causing the area to shake violently.
Leo managed to regain his balance and stood upright, witnessing the bizarre, logic-defying scene gradually returning to its original clarity. His hand trembled as slight cracks sprouted, but nothing else happened.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): My powers are working, but instead of the usual effect, reality is going nuts. Well, on another note, I have seen the same person with slight variation enter this school gate for the fourth time. What do you think? A clash between two world views or incomplete information spreading across the fabric of time and space?]
[NEET Princess: I think you are just saying random things because you are locked inside and can't get out.]
"..."
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Kaguya, you know me. I would never…]
[NEET Princess: You couldn't blow it up too. *Pensive.jpg*]
[Bri-Bri: Yeah, he won't bother to explain otherwise.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Imagine not being able to blow it up. You are a disappointment.]
"Haven't you seen your parents laughing on your deathbed?!" Leo's face darkened and clenched his fist, which caused the space to ripple.
[Big Sister Lion: By the way, we barely see or hear anything from this stream. The screen is filled with random colors and shapes stacked randomly.]
Leone savored some snacks while observing the Chat's roast and indulging in laughter at Leo's misery. Joining wasn't impossible, but she wasn't foolish or capable enough to disregard the impending revenge of the useless angel. However, it would have been even better if she could have witnessed the live reaction.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): A mismatch of colors and shapes? Is this any different? *Picture of school view.jpg*.]
[Big Sister Lion: No?]
Glancing at the already recovered window, Leo adjusted his glasses as he saw two blond young men surrounded by girls. He could be crazy, but those two guys' facial features are strangely more detailed than everyone around them.
[The Strongest Man In The World: If what you're experiencing appears ordinary from your perspective, then there must be a certain difference between our situations and the state you find yourself in within the infected replica.
The Chat room usually is supposed to take care of this 'difference', however, is it possible for something to have an impact on someone like you without even being aware of it?]
Edward rubbed his chin as he looked at the discussion. The Chat Room has already proven its capabilities several times, so this likely means that the problem is on the other side.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Did something change in me by coming here? Well, it is possible, but don't give me too much credit. I am not that strong. The disparity lies in the foreign nature of my principles and reasoning, which diverge significantly from yours.
As unfamiliar limitations imposed themselves, my own would undoubtedly crumble, just as they have within this realm. Of course, unlike me, you just have skill issues.]
Leo deftly twirled his finger, invoking a subtle swirl of inky black mist that materialized momentarily, only to dissipate with astonishing swiftness. Perplexed, his eyebrow arched in response before he walked randomly in the hallway.
With no particular reason, boredom took hold of him as he found himself confined in this place for an entire hour. The material here seems to be indestructible, neither did the space budge for a quick teleportation.
[The Strongest Man In The World: Ugh, again with this dizzying talk. You are strong, then you are strong. Can't you also write a simple resume of what you understand about this situation.]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Bro… Don't take my riddles time, not cool.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: So, it was really a bunch of nonsense!!]
[NEET Princess: A problem within the Chat Room or not, we can't say for sure, but if you can't blow it up… no, I don't believe that you can't somehow combust into a fiery flame. So, that means one thing… ]
[NEET Princess: You are skipping work!!]
With a dramatic pause, a message quickly slammed into the chat as the conversation suddenly came to a halt. The profound wisdom and logic contained within left them speechless.
[Big Sister Lion: Why that sounds so relatab— I mean, logical.]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Kaguya… you truly know me. Come here and let's have a talk.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Totally not ominous.]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): I won't bite.]
[Bri-Bri: o_O]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Dude… Up your standards a bit. How about I introduce you to a very 'promising' goddess of water? Just trust me bro.]
[NEET Princess: …]
Suddenly, Leo raised his head and closed the chat. Students were talking amongst each other, preparing for class, and walking through the hallways and up the stairs.
Everything changed without notice as Leo found himself at the end of the corridor watching this lively scene, but as he wanted to take a step forward, a feeling of emptiness surged from beneath.
"..."
What lay beyond was the same scene behind, with students filling the hallway. However, as they reached a certain point, they faded like a mirage, with smiles on their faces. Some were even seen casually talking to half-faded figures.
Leo's eyes, however, were fixed on a young man walking away. Looking down, he recognized that the young man's right leg belonged to him. But soon, the young man vanished from existence, leaving Leo staring in silence.
So, he slowly closed the door again without changing his demeanor and summoned the Chat Room.
[NEET Princess: Oh my, oh my! Leo, you are so bad~~(shy) Inviting a lady in such an open way. But forgive me (sorry~!), the side-mission joining button is gray. So, you~are~all~alone~~♥. Isn't that right, Kazuma-san?]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Truly gorgeous. Magnificent! Your reasoning eclipsed my mind. Leo, my friend, my buddy, my comrade, you are truly blessed by receiving the attention of such a noble young lady.]
[Bri-Bri: *Sigh*]
[Big Sister Lion: Blink twice if you are held at gunpoint.]
Ignoring the message that seems asking for a beating, Leo opened a new tab and started typing. It didn't take long before the rest of the Chat Room members got a notification that a new announcement had been created.
[Leo's side-mission CBT(cognitive-behavioral therapy) notes:
Note 1:
Dear notes, nice to meet you *slightly-smiling-emoji*.
Once again, I have been kidnapped by a World's Will to do its bidding *frown-emoji*.
Not only that, but 'she' actually threw me into a dystopian glitchy reality with a retarded MC (main character) who took the place of Boobs-Ki (Issei). I only wanted to cause a magical nuclear winter *sad-emoji*.
Everything feels surreal and dreamlike, but it's not my dream... My dreams aren't bright. Don't be silly. *crying-and-laughing-emoji*
My powers are still present, but all I get is reality twisting and breaking as if it can't translate whatever I am about to do. Silly reality, living for today *laughing-emoji*.
Space is discontinuous, and time isn't linear, much like my education career. However, the regular phenomena between the nonlinear time still applies to some degree. For example, feeling a bit more thirsty or tired from standing, which makes me wonder what would happen if I stabbed someone and left them bleeding *innocent-emoji*.
I have a theory that the scene shifts are caused by the following MC's perspective, but I'm not quite sure because he clearly isn't aware of the shifts themselves. No one actually is, except... for me. I am special and alone here *smile-emoji*.
My dear friends in the Chat Room sadly can't join me to verify this. I am still alone. *wide-smile-emoji*.
I can't even get close to that guy and am blocked by an invisible barrier. Maybe it's because of the perspective of the scene? Should he be alone now or not meet anyone like me? Sadly, I can't break his neck. *crying-and-laughing-emoji*.
Note to self: Try to mimic his (possibly alive?) parents next time.
Also, my leg has been stolen and lost in the void at the door due to the shift, and my priest outfit has changed into a school uniform *scared-emoji*.
Note to self: Try to keep as much space around you as possible at all times and throw something fast at anyone wearing your leg.
Best Regards, a loving angel *kissing-heart-emoji*]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: …]
[Bri-Bri: …]
[NEET Princess: …]
[The Strongest Man In The World: …]
[A Hero For Fun: …]
[Big Sister Lion: …]
[Gudako(Chaldea's Admin): …]
As the message caused a collective silence across seven worlds, a strange but a magical feeling grew inside all the chat members. It surely has been awhile since they have seen Leo… and they surely didn't miss him!
[Gudako( Chaldea's Admin): Um, did I come at the wrong time?]
[Big Sister Lion: Can someone explain what CBT is? Sorry, I am illiterate.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Cock and Balls Torture.]
[Gudako(Chaldea's Admin): I came at the wrong time!]
[Big Sister Lion: That's it? Some old nobles were into this kind of simulation. You people are also into that? Hisss…]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Oi, what do you mean by 'you people'?]
[NEET Princess: This is cancer. You are littering the Chat Room!! How to delete this!? Think about the children!]
[A Hero For Fun: What children? The discharge girl?]
[The Strongest Man In The World: That little girl should be the only one if you don't count the others.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Changing that to 'Others expect Kazuma' would be much appreciated.]
[Bri-Bri: … *Sigh*. I am calm. How do you do, Leo? You are joking about your leg, right?]
A message like all the others, but for some reason, Leo felt a bit of wavering in it.
"..."
Staring at that message for a while, Leo leaned on the door and stared at the ceiling in silence before shaking his head slowly.
[Bri-Bri: Hey, answer me!]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Mikoto.]
[Bri-Bri: Yes?]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): I won't bully you again for a week.]
[Bri-Bri: HAAAAA?! What do you mean?! No, what is this feeling of pity? You… Fight me, you coward!!! I will show you who will be bullied!]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Sure, but not now. I will go and grind this map.]
Squatting down, Leo wrapped his hands around his dismembered leg as faint wisps of dark haze gathered slowly. After a few struggles, the wisps coiled together until they formed a hollow structure resembling a leg.
[NEET Princess: What? Who are you!?]
Kaguya stared intently at the screen, wondering what had gone wrong. The slacker himself had actually decided to do something useful, which sent shivers down her spine.
{He couldn't have possibly found a way to drag us into the mission with him… right?} Kaguya's face grew paler with each second.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): I am me… maybe, I am not quite sure. Forget it, this place is nuts. However, doing work is impossible, even if I am drowning in debt that my poor soul is scared to ask about its amount, I will use all my powers to avoid work. I will just mess around here and there. Make new notes. Be sure to check them later. *Smiling-Emoji*]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Man, just go and do your mission. *Popcorn.jpg*]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): What mission, Kazuma? All I got was getting kidnapped to beta test this broken map. This is angel-trafficking! By the way, all of you are free to join and finish this mission.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: You have a valid point and nice game terminology, but does angel-trafficking include summoning angels by magic?]
[Gudako (Chaldea's admin): I would like to join and help you, but I don't think it's possible.]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin):.... Whispers(Dead weight)]
[Gudako (Chaldea's admin): …]
[Gudako (Chaldea's admin): You know I can read that, right?]
[A Hero For Fun: He is offline]
[Gudako (Chaldea's admin): …]
[Bri-Bri: He ran away again!]
Closing the chat room that started to get out of control, Leo stood up and tapped the ground with his newly acquired prosthetic leg. Despite its delicate appearance, it seemed sturdy enough to endure for the time being.
The students carried on with their activities, seemingly oblivious to his presence. This made Leo pause for a moment, deep in thought, before his hand instinctively reached for the necklace hanging on his chest, causing his expression to grow more peculiar.
As he channeled Ddraig's power into his arm, there was no immediate response as the energy vanished as soon as it surfaced. Nothing happened, and Ddraig remained unresponsive.
Undeterred, Leo pushed himself to reach further. Surprisingly, his hand passed through his chest and pulled out a card. The effort left his legs trembling, almost giving out from under him.
"I'll use the Guilty Crown OST next time..." Leo said, leaning on something for support. He glanced at the Fool Tarot card before placing it back inside, and as he did, everything returned to normal.
Leo quickened his pace as he walked down the corridor, his hand quickly tapping something on the chat screen. The students, as per usual, had indistinct facial features, and all attempts at communication went unanswered.
He even tried kicking a few of them, only for his leg to pass through them as if he were a ghost. This made him wonder if he was one, but he couldn't pass through walls like some students who entered classes through closed doors.
But as he continued to descend through the floors, the student grew more 'lively' and recognizable. The change in tone was very startling and jarring as if some robots have learned to mimic people, but still mess it up, for example, who normally have a conversation with only "Ah, I see" "That's interesting" "Oh…"
These voices had been playing on repeat, sounding like a buzzing noise akin to hundreds of bees bombarding Leo's ears. Amidst the various possibilities, something told Leo that the two glittering, high-resolution young men were the cause.
"Now, how should I approach them?" Leo asked a female student passing by, but he sadly got ignored like air.
The female student proceeded to turn into a male as he(?) passed by Leo's side as if the covering of the two blond young men's sight was actually a transition of some sort.
"..." Blinking his eyes, Leo looked left and right in confusion before shrugging.
It's not like Leo didn't try to get close to beat the shit of that blond guy(mc?), but he couldn't approach him. An invisible boundary like the previous closed corridor stood in his way.
Employing a rudimentary deduction, the reason behind this could be that Leo is simply unwelcome, which is quite reasonable, or he is not attuned to the appropriate 'protocol' adhered to in this world. After all, that young boy should expect to see his parents in the morning, not a disconcertingly grinning individual attempting to break his neck.
{Of course, considering this world, a naked girl isn't a farfetched possibility.}
However, the question arises: is the 'protocol' derived from the logic of the boy or from the world itself? A malevolent undertone appears to be deeply ingrained in this reality, yet it remains completely indifferent like when Leo observed Ddraig's traces vanish as soon as they materialize.
Leo's mind races at an accelerated pace as he calculates the optimal approach to confront this situation without encountering the same outcome as before.
Firstly, the limitations of the presumed 'protocol' should be diminished or weakened, considering that they are all students dressed in the same uniform.
Secondly, since students are abundant in this setting, relying solely on that factor should not make much of a difference, particularly because Leo himself appears ghostly at present.
Lastly, anime.
Having established these key factors, Leo deduces a template and a course of action as he watches the two young men pass by him, oblivious to his presence.
Would it even work? Leo didn't know, but there was nothing wrong in trying.
*Obnoxious side-character protocol initiated*
"Kiba-kun~, it has been awhile. I didn't see you at the club room yesterday, don't tell me you had forgotten about it?"
As Yuuto and his friend made their way to the classroom, a figure slid through with exaggerated movements and warped his hand around Yuuto's shoulder, which made them both stupefied.
Yuuto felt arm hugging his shoulders as his body subconsciously reacted and wanted to push it away.
"Did you get occupied with your part-time job again? Really, can't you call and inform me? I had to stay in the drama club room for an extra hour. By the way, who is this new face?"
Starting through the eyes that reflected puzzlement and confusion, Leo continued talking with a smile and didn't give Yuuto a chance to react as he shifted the topic to the confused blond guy.
Only at that moment, Leo saw the confusion in Yuuto's eyes vanish. The resistance and puzzle has been replaced by a helpless and apologetic look.
"I am terribly sorry, but my club president had a very important thing to announce yesterday…"
"Don't worry about it, it doesn't matter a lot. I was simply worried about you."
Yuuto didn't feel dissatisfied by being interrupted; instead, he shook his head with a helpless smile, as if he had encountered this situation countless times before.
"Of course, you should also take care of yourself. Don't sleep in the club room again" Yuuto smiled warmly and patted Leo on the shoulder. The action couldn't have been more familiar as Leo's eyebrow rose.
"Kiba, this is?"
"Right, let me introduce you…"
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
Being interrupted again made Yuuto sigh helplessly and the young man was startled. He rubbed his neck awkwardly before reacting and saying "I guess that was rude of me, my name is John Kimura. I transferred to this school today. Nice to meet you."
"Leo Arisaltek, it's a pleasure to meet you as well" Leo shook hands with John as a smile bloomed on his face.
{That name… is one more reason to break your neck.}
"You should be in the same class as Kiba, right? That means we are classmates now, let's get along."
Leo said smoothly as if it was common sense, but before John nodded, Yuuto shook his head and said "Okay, stop playing tricks. Arisaltek-san is a 2nd year student and president of the drama club. Although he looks difficult to follow, he is a reliable guy and you can ask him if you need help…"
"Oh, that's mean, I am your senior." John nodded with a smile while being pleased by the title 'senior'.
{Harlot, do I even know you?}
Despite his attempt to integrate into the same class failed, Leo still kept the same expression and said slowly "I am also rich"
"..."
"..."
"Very. Well, I will not bother you anymore. See ya later"
Looking at Leo leaving with brisk footsteps, John pointed with his finger and looked blankly at the speechless Yuuto.
"All I can say is that he is a very particular person…" Yuuto laughed and shrugged it off, but John had a weird expression and said "But why do I get a bad feeling from him."
"Hm? I can assure you he is a great person… when you get to know him" Yuuto blinked his eyes before shaking head and headed to the class with John.
Looking at both of them leaving, Leo rubbed the necklace on his chest lost in thoughts as some students passing by greeted him and some even invited him to go to class together.
Tapping the necklace a few times, he opened the chat room and started typing again.
[Bri-Bri: Say, what do you think he is doing? This side mission isn't right at all.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: No worries, he is probably making the world more miserable.]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): You goddamn right]
[A new announcement has been uploaded by Annihilation Maker(Admin)]
[Leo's side-mission CBT(cognitive-behavioral therapy) notes:
Note 2:
Dear notes, we meet again. *Slightly-smiling-emoji.*
Once again, I am still wandering in this broken reality. *Sad-Emoji*
I have found that my Longinus (Annihilation Maker part) is kind of working. It's like the only original part that works, but the other part (Boosted Gear) is basically rejected. Well, don't worry about it so much. *Grin-Emoji*
However, I have a tiny idea. What I am seeing working is the original ability of Longinus that completely belongs to the DXD world, which can work with vitality. Sadly, I can't try to use energy and magic because my own power is too mixed, or else this place won't remain intact. *Sad-Emoji*
By using the power of third-rate acting, I have managed to twist reality somehow. Apparently, I am now the president of the drama club *Shy-Emoji*.
The world that ignored me is actually interactive now. I don't know how long this will last, but apparently, I have some sort of identity now. Don't ask me how this works. *Frown-Emoji*
Best Regards, a loving angel. *kissing-heart-emoji*]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: I knew it.]
[NEET Princess: I am still looking for the delete button.]
[Big Sister Lion: Useless, there is no escape.]
Leo closed the chat room and continued on his stroll. He should test the extent of his identity and see…
However, before he could take the initial step, the surroundings transformed abruptly, and he found himself seated at a desk in a classroom. His gaze fixated on the faceless teacher, who danced with an uncanny grace on the podium, resembling a silent mime.
Despite Leo's attempt to rise from his seat, he was met with nothing but the sound of a creak, unable to budge even an inch.
{I can't get up…}
"Arisaltek-san, you can go to the bathroom after I finish my class…"
As if a nerve had snapped, cracks spread and space distorted as Leo's expression grew darker with each passing second. His head lowered slowly, and a dark haze swirled around him.
However, nothing changed, and the faceless student laughed. Leo's eyebrow twitched as something malicious brewed in silence.
…
The resounding school bell pierced through the air, signaling the end of the school day and prompting students to pour out of their classrooms, either heading to their respective clubs or making their way home.
Silently seated on the bench, Leo observed the departing students with a vacant expression etched upon his face. His eyes appeared devoid of any flicker of emotion, as if his soul had been drained of all feeling.
His prosthetic leg morphed and shifted, catching his attention briefly, but he remained lost in a trance-like state. The only solace he found was in the fact that he had managed to avoid getting entangled in the drama club room. Had his fabricated identity crumbled away? Well, such details don't matter to him now.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Guys, I don't think I have it in me anymore. I am too weak…]
[NEET Princess: There, there, Leo. Don't be so down. It's all alright right now. Look at the bright side, the teachers got a new pet]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Go back to warring states where you belong.]
[NEET Princess: Go back to being stuck in a chair!]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Fuck you!]
[NEET Princess: No, fuck you!]
[Big Sister Lion: Go fuck each other later. What are you going to do now?]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): There isn't much to do. I will mess here and there until the impending doom lands on my head.]
[Degree of Corruption: 90%]
The degree of corruption didn't faze Leo more than the time he spent locked inside the classrooms. In fact, he was actually wondering if something new would happen as it rose, but everything seemed to be the same.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): Maybe the raise in the degree of corruption is what caused my identity to vanish. Well, it doesn't matter. I would have been more motivated to explore if 'some people' shared with me some stories...]
[NEET Princess: Hold on. Why should we tell you that? This information was something we risked our lives for, and nothing is free here. However, I can offer you a discount if you admit that I'm a better admin and did a 'small' favor for me…]
[Bri-Bri: Are you really trying to market that?]
[NEET Princess: Don't judge me.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Our previous mission wasn't actually that weird. That guy had standard bullshit plot armor. For example, our attacks clearly weakened, and the people in the world were more inclined to attack us instead of her, etc… Nothing as serious as your situation, but it's reasonable considering our starting corruption degree was 23%]
[NEET Princess: Kazuma, you traitor! Whose side are you on?! Don't forget who your boss is!]
As he read Kaguya's blatant accusations, Kazuma sneered and elegantly brushed back his hair. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his legs in a suave manner, exuding an air of cool confidence.
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Leo, your world should be developed in the area of 'entertainment', right?]
A normal question that couldn't be more normal, but it gave the chat members a very weird feeling.
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): A 5 star hotel room is ready for you in Tokyo.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: *Ma Man.jpg*]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): *Ma Man.jpg*]
No more words were needed. The agreement was reached almost instantly, leaving the other chat members feeling dazzled, as if they had just witnessed the two parties involved shaking hands. What kind of shady transaction had occurred before their eyes?
[NEET Princess: My efforts and struggles are being sold before my eyes. Weren't we supposed to be a team? It's about team effort, you know! You should have done the work and left me the money!]
[Bri-Bri: You have a severe misunderstanding about teamwork.]
[A Hero For Fun: When will I get paid?]
[Big Sister Lion: Yeah, where is my share?]
[Gudako(Chaldea's Admin): I need to buy more wisdom flames.]
[The Strongest Man In The World: My training has reached the limits lately…]
[NEET Princess: Back off, you poor people! *Slapped with a stack of cash.gif*]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Well, I'll leave you to your revolution and go and hang around. The 'John' guy is probably lurking around the occult club or something, so I can't venture there. It would have been much more enjoyable if you all had joined in. We could have counted the faceless people together. What a shame.]
[NEET Princess: Silly Leo. How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, fool angel? Let me give you a demonstration.]
[NEET Princess: *An image of Kaguya, her smile radiant as her left eye playfully blinked. With her right hand, she formed a victorious V sign, poised to click on the gray 'Join the side mission' button.jpeg*]
[NEET Princess has entered infected reality #32 of DXD World's sphere.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: …]
[Bri-Bri: …]
[The Strongest Man In The World: …]
[A Hero For Fun: …]
[Big Sister Lion: …]
[Gudako(Chaldea's Admin): …]
[Annihilation Maker(Admin): …]
[NEET Princess: …]
The members of the Chat watched in silence as the announcement notification faded away, unsure of how to react. Some shook their heads in disbelief, others nodded helplessly, and a one laughed hysterically before being promptly kicked out of the bar.
Meanwhile, Leo closed the chat and lowered his gaze. Seated beside him on the ground was Kaguya, a petite girl with long black hair.
Instead of her usual traditional attire, she wore the Kuoh Academy female school uniform. A faint smile still adorned her face, but her brown eyes widened as she stared at the ground in silence.
She remained frozen in that position for a while, unmoving, until a hand came into her view. Slowly lifting her head, accompanied by the crackling of her neck akin to rusted gears, Kaguya gazed upward to find Leo's bright smile, with the sun casting a radiant glow behind him.
"Your uniform have a +10 debuff to durability"
"..."
The angel whispered words of advice and wisdom, but the helpless poor remained silent as the world around them started to contort and fracture like a shattered mirror.
Kaguya drew in a deep breath and grasped Leo's hand as he assisted her in standing up. Sporting a determined expression, she brushed off her skirt and began muttering to herself, "Why is this skirt so short? This accursed, slutty world... Can't they see that some old man designed it for perverts?"
"Can't you at least comfort me!?" Kaguya suddenly snapped and said to Leo, who proceeded to look left and right in puzzlement before saying "It looks good on you?"
"That doesn't work…"
"Of course, it doesn't. The first place to break would be the right chest cloth followed by the left of the skirt…"
"..."
Letting out a helpless sigh, Kaguya reluctantly accepted her fate as the cracks and distortions that had marred the sky began to recede. Leo observed the process with calm composure before resuming his seat on the bench and Kaguya joined him.
As they both watched the faceless students leaving without uttering a word, an atmosphere of decaying spread from them as they didn't as they didn't want to move.
"By the way, is that person you were following inside the occult club?" After a few minutes, Kaguya turned to face Leo and asked in a lazy tone.
"Probably."
"You can't enter?"
"Yeah."
"Oh."
"..."
"..."
In silence, the two continued their task of counting the number of students departing. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred, except for a sudden jump in time to the evening, resulting in a sharp decrease in the number of students leaving.
"Hey, is your esper ability also rendered useless here?" Kaguya glanced at Leo's prosthetic leg before raising her hand, causing a small distortion to manifest.
"It doesn't work" Leo replied casually like it doesn't matter much to him if his power was gone or not.
"In that case, how can you be certain that only powers originating from DXD would have any effect in this place?"
"I'm not sure, but hey, immortality and regeneration exist in DXD. You can give it a try and see if it works for you."
Leo nonchalantly shrugged and offered a rather "wholesome" suggestion. As a chimera embodying the combined power systems of four worlds, he knew that only his Longinus had the capability to undergo testing here, albeit with varying degrees of errors.
"Hmmmm..." Kaguya let out a soft hum before wearily resting her head against the back of the bench. However, to her surprise, her head abruptly collided with a rigid and dusty surface, causing her eyes to widen in astonishment.
The once-familiar school grounds vanished completely, leaving no trace behind, only to be replaced by a dim and desolate alleyway, shrouded in the darkness of the night. The feeble glow of a flickering street lamp barely reached this place, casting an uncertain light on Kaguya's perplexed face. Just moments ago, she was seated comfortably, but now, without any warning, she found herself standing in this unfamiliar location, clutching a plastic bag in her hands.
"Damn, someone got stabbed here…"
Upon hearing the voice, Kaguya noticed Leo's gaze fixed on some dark stains on the ground, all while holding a plastic bag that bore some resemblance. He skillfully extracted a can of coffee from the bag and took a sip.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Kaguya cautiously opened the plastic bag and discovered an assortment of snacks and juices with unfamiliar brands. However, what astonished her even more was that every single item was a flavor she genuinely enjoyed and would normally eat.
So, she picked up one snack and began munching on it before remarking, "Hm, it tastes alright, but this place is truly bizarre. Why did we end up in a dark alleyway?"
"At least we aren't locked somewhere…"
"I thought you enjoyed spending time with the teachers. You stayed inside for quite a while..."
"..."
Leo watched as Kaguya swiftly devoured the snacks while rating each one as she went along. However, his attention was soon drawn to something at the far end of the alleyway.
At the exit, a convenience shop illuminated the road with various signs. The bell sounded in the empty street as the sliding door opened, and a blond young man walked out with a plastic bag before heading towards his bicycle.
"Is this the guy you have been stalking? He should be doing the devil's job at this hour, right?"
As John skillfully unlocked his bike's lock, Kaguya hung onto Leo's back, wrapping her hands gently around his neck to improve her view. She observed John closely, but nothing particularly stood out about him, except for the fact that he possessed fully formed facial features, unlike the other students she had encountered.
"Probably and get off me"
"No, the ground is very dirty. Carry me."
"..."
Just as Leo was about to toss her away, Kaguya swiftly slipped off his back and gracefully made her way into the convenience store with nimble steps. The sound echoed loudly through the deserted street, yet John remained engrossed in tinkering with his bike, seemingly oblivious to Kaguya's presence.
Leo observed the scene before deciding to follow Kaguya. However, a peculiar thought occupied his mind: neither he, Kaguya, nor even John himself were reflected in the store's glass windows.
This anomaly stood in stark contrast to the faint reflections visible in the windows of the adjacent store across the street, though Leo dismissed it as a passing curiosity.
Approaching John, the convenience store door swung open with a familiar bell sound, yet Kaguya remained motionless, silently stationed in the doorway.
Before her eyes, the once visible interior of the store transformed into a pitch-black darkness, obscuring everything within. Suddenly, a rope was tossed at her feet, landing softly on the illuminated wooden floor beneath a faint ceiling light.
The rope guided her gaze as it meandered through scattered paper money, leading to a square green table adorned with an assortment of colorful trinkets and playful cards.
Kaguya stood there, eyes fixed, caught between confusion and surprise. However, a sudden wave of nausea swept over her, filling her head with discomfort. Her limbs grew cold, and a tingling sensation crept through her body. Just as the sensations overwhelmed her, a hand grasped her collar, gently pulling her back as the store door closed.
Feeling dizzy and unable to regain her focus, Kaguya leaned on Leo, shaking her head as the latter gazed silently at the closed store before turning left.
"Hello, do you need any help?"
John, nervously scratching his neck, dragged his bike and asked with genuine concern, all the while trying his best to maintain a kind smile.
But Leo couldn't help but smile as the streetlight flickered. The illuminating light that graced the dark street was rather dim in that particular moment.
