12 Chapter 12

When Yuu arrived in this world after using a dimensional portal that had drained almost all of his remaining energy after fighting that powerful enemy, he had appeared in an alley.

Without a home in this new world, he had searched and found a small, abandoned house. It wasn't the best, as it was dusty and very old.

Despite having experienced the luxury of living in a castle in the past and knowing the hardships of poverty, Yuu didn't place much importance on material appearances. A roof and four walls were sufficient for him.

Darkness hardly left the abandoned room, and only a few rays of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the dusty ceiling.

In that moment...

Without a complicated magic circle, without a chant, and without even a sound, a shadow suddenly materialized without warning.

It was Yuu, who threw his backpack onto the old sofa with a sigh. He had used his teleportation to escape from the Academy.

{Host... are you sure you have this ability? Your status screen shows all your abilities are locked} Siara's rather suspicious voice rang in his head.

The abilities that once belonged to Yuu were now locked away, along with his former strength. The Aeon who could once shake the cosmos with a single word was now a small caged ant.

But his lips twitched into a mocking smile. "Do you doubt me? I was the most powerful being. Do you think something as simple as teleportation could be forbidden to me? That would be a shame."

The system was still very suspicious and pointed. {Your current state... How is it possible to use sealed abilities?}

After thinking for a few seconds, Yuu replied. "Hm, it's not an ordinary ability, it's an inherent part of my being, just like the Infinity Serpent I planted in Issei's soul."

In fact, that was the reason why he had managed to escape from that world and find his way here. The only unfortunate thing was that he did not have as much energy left, and if he wanted to regain it, all he had to do was rest.

"I mean, your status screen is incapable of displaying my inherent abilities," he said with a grin.

This host of hers is quite presumptuous! Siara snorted and wanted to punch Yuu in the head: {Hmph, just wait until I upgrade. Then I'll know everything about you! I'll be the best system ever!}

Undeterred by his system's words, Yuu continued. "Despite what I said, I can only use teleportation at the moment. As for the Infinity Serpent... it's a resource that can only be used once its hunger is satisfied, after which it can return to me and be implanted into another being."

But Yuu was no longer so worried about his abilities being sealed. With the system now at his side, he could allow himself to relax his tense shoulders and let out a sigh.

Unfortunately, unlike others who reincarnated with systems and lineages, he was just as weak as any other human when he was reincarnated. He had to fend for himself in order to survive, fighting in countless scenarios and sacrificing himself for even the smallest bit of strength.

He didn't even have time to consider having a girlfriend, as enemies seemed to emerge everywhere, like cockroaches. For every one he managed to defeat, ten more would appear. They were as bothersome as pests.

Looking back, Yuu realized that he had never truly lived. Despite becoming the most powerful being in his world after millions of years, just as he thought he could finally find solace, another formidable enemy emerged and almost killed him.

However, in the present, within a more tranquil world, he believed that it wouldn't be too terrible to unwind and relax.

Siara, who had the ability to tap into her host's thoughts, appeared to radiate with excitement.

{Well thought out, host! I know you have plans to confront the Protagonists, but why not take some time to relax as well?}

{Instead of constant fighting, you could enjoy the pleasures of paradise with these beautiful Heroines. Imagine resting your head on soft boobs and lounging on warm thighs. That would truly be living like a king}

Yuu resisted the urge to roll his eyes. As appealing as rest sounded, he knew that his true enemy still loomed ahead. He released a sigh, as if letting go of all his stress. It was important to note that even though the scenario had changed, his destiny of facing the Will of Creation had only just begun.

In some ways, this Concept is even more annoying than its former enemies. However, he was able to fight against it because the Concept was also limited in certain things.

Therefore, he decided that he would enjoy his life while stealing and depleting every Fortune Value from those protagonists.

{That's right! Destroy that protagonist! That bastard is now just a pathetic Ntr-loving man. He's a heretic who deserves a fate worse than death}

As the system spat out truths, a sticker with a disgusted face appeared on the blue screen.

Yuu then mentally revisited Issei's words, raising an eyebrow as he inwardly scoffed: [Wanting to share your girl with another man, huh? How pathetic you've become, 'new and improved' Issei.]

[The original Issei wasn't much better either, if you really think about it. Stripping your own harem naked in front of thousands of men during a battle just to gain a slight power boost.]

[I suppose an exhibitionist like Rias Gremory wouldn't have any issue with that. Oh, right, it's probably best if I keep my distance from her. I wouldn't want her to fall in love with me or anything, since I definitely don't want a slut as my girlfriend.]

However, Yuu was an entity that had surpassed all notions of morality after existing for countless years. Nonetheless, there were certain principles he still clung to. And one of them was...

His nature. A nature characterized by extreme possessiveness. Therefore, it was unthinkable for him to give a loved one to another person, and he wouldn't even allow them to look at their nakedness. He definitely wouldn't accept it if his girlfriend displayed herself like Rias Gremory, who didn't mind showing her body to others without caring about herself.

This attitude went against his very being. His possessiveness could only be appeased if the one he loved stayed by his side, exclusively for him.

Catching Yuu's thoughts, his system interface appeared drenched in digital sweat: {Wow, relax, host! I mean, you don't even have a girlfriend yet, why are you fantasizing about it now}

Yuu's face darkened at the comment. The next thing he did was crawl into a corner, curl up into a fetal position, and draw imaginary circles on the floor with his finger.

His faithful system watched him, a drop of cringe running down her screen. {Don't be discouraged. Your story is just beginning. You'll see that soon there will be a girl willing to fall for your antagonist's charms. Cheer up!}

As if nothing had happened, Yuu sat back and looked off into the distance:

[The way things are going, the Rating Game is about to begin, and Rias will undoubtedly be desperate to find someone to help her break off her engagement to Riser. She should keep a close watch on Issei, as he gives off the aura of a lizardman.

However, now that the new Issei is aware of the whole situation, I'm certain he's devising a plan to meet Rias under the pretense of helping her and reveal his Sacred Gear prematurely in order to win her favor and expedite things. Knowing his lustful nature, he will likely attempt to manipulate and influence the girls into his bed]

{Host, would you consider aiding these unfortunate girls who are being stalked by an ugly predator?}

Mmm. Helping the girls? I wouldn't mind lending a hand, especially since the Will of Creation seems determined to ruin my existence. Although I want to change the plot's direction, I don't intend to directly involve myself with Rias Gremory. There are other ways I can manipulate the story without her."

"After all, the Gremory heiress is talented when she applies herself. If she hadn't been so arrogant and lazy in her training before, she wouldn't have needed a 'prince charming' to deal with Riser. She could single-handedly wipe the floor with that bird if she used her potential]

{You're cruel, but fair}

[Come to think of it, how the hell does Issei's power grow just by groping or sucking breasts? Hah~ How unfair. I had to sacrifice myself several times just to be a little stronger]

Yuu lamented in his heart. While he was suffering, protagonists like Issei could become stronger by doing something perverted like groping or sucking Rias Gremory's huge breasts.

Noticing her host's mood, Siara faked a cough and said in a sweet voice, {Don't worry, host. This world is based on a perverted anime. But the world you were thrown into turned out to be cruel}

Actually, the world Yuu was reincarnated into was also based on a fictional world. However, it was not a world of anime, light novels, manga, or movies, but rather the world of a video game.

This game was called Honkai: Star Rail. In his previous life, Yuu must have played this game, and he was grateful that after his death, he coincidentally received the name of the world he had chosen to reincarnate into in his mind.

Unfortunately for him, however, he was not reincarnated in the original timeline when the game began. Instead, he was reincarnated before the canon started, more than a million years earlier, in fact!

During that era, the game's landscape was vastly different from what it is now. It was a time of chaos, with endless wars raging between nations and planets. Entire civilizations crumbled under the weight of a conflict that pitted superpowers against each other in a constant battle for dominance.

Yuu, unfortunately, had to endure each of these painful experiences firsthand.

{Forget it, host. By the way, I have a pleasant surprise for you}

Yuu's mind stopped wandering into the past and focused on what his system was saying with an interested look. "What surprise do you have for me?"

{You've been rewarded for your recent intervention in the plot!} Siara's excited voice echoed in his head.

"Really? As I recall, my involvement so far has been minimal. It shouldn't have made much of a difference."

{That's right... your involvement so far is minimal, and you shouldn't have received any rewards.} The system herself looked puzzled at this point and put an imaginary hand to her chin. {Unless... maybe it's because Tsubaki, Sona and even Yui have fallen in love with you?}

Yuu shrugged. In his eyes, it was unlikely that those girls had feelings for him, but he still said, "Show me the rewards."

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