Chapter 5: The Crypts & the Twins (Part 2)

'Thinking'

"Talking"

(Ddraig)

[System]

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[Undead Lvl. - 10 <Skinned Hound>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 150XP from [Skinned Hound] -- *

After killing the last of current group of Undead. I check my remaining quests to see how far I've come since I entered.

*Current Quest*

[Explore the Dungeon!]

Objective: Clear the Tier 1 Undead Dungeon.

Rewards: [?], [?], +1 Ancient Chinese Sword.

Clear Timer: 18:45:22

Penalty: If not cleared in time, leveling will slow by half for a full week.

....

*Current Quest*

[Finish this fight!]

Objective: Clear out the Crypt and slay the Twins.

[Incomplete] Preserved Zombie ----------- [35/60]

[Incomplete] Skinned Hounds ---------- [8/20]

[Incomplete] Undead Knights ------------ [0/5]

[Incomplete] The Twins ----------- [0/2]

Reward: [?], [?]

....

'Status'

[Status:]

Name: Issei Hyoudou

Level: 14 (160/1400)

Race: Devil / Longinus Class Sacred Gear User <Currently Sealed>

Rank: None

Title: Red Dragon Emperor of Domination <Currently Sealed>

After checking my status, I turn down another pathway. Another group of 5 [Preserved Zombies] stand in the middle of a crossroads.

[Undead Lvl. - 5 <Preserved Zombie>]

[HP - 200]

[MP - 40]

[Undead Lvl. - 5 <Preserved Zombie>]

[HP - 200]

[MP - 40]

[Undead Lvl. - 5 <Preserved Zombie>]

[HP - 200]

[MP - 40]

[Undead Lvl. - 5 <Preserved Zombie>]

[HP - 200]

[MP - 40]

[Undead Lvl. - 5 <Preserved Zombie>]

[HP - 200]

[MP - 40]

I hunched down and started to crouch-run towards them. I was only a few feet away from my first target before it slowly craned its head in my direction.

* --> Bloodlust Detected 5 feet ahead <-- *

'So much for stealth'

I get up and rush the zombie, shoving the dagger upwards under its chin and through the back of its skull. I turn towards the 4 already sprinting zombies. I dodge two and get up close with the remaining two in front of me.

Both get dropped with their brains decorating the cobblestone floor. I turn back around and quickly dispatch the remaining two with quick stabs to their skulls.

*THUD*

*THUD*

* -- You have earned 50XP from [Preserved Zombie] -- *

* -- You have earned 50XP from [Preserved Zombie] -- *

* -- You have earned 50XP from [Preserved Zombie] -- *

* -- You have earned 50XP from [Preserved Zombie] -- *

* -- You have earned 50XP from [Preserved Zombie] -- *

After looking over my recent XP gain and if any of my skills leveled up. I wonder when I am going to encounter the Undead knights.

'They can't be that-'

* --> Bloodlust Detected 1 meter behind you! <-- *

'Oh Shit!'

At that thought I was forced to dodge a downwards slash from an incoming longsword. Due to my late reaction and my [Sense Bloodlust] not activating until they were right on top of me, they were able to draw blood from a minor cut that went diagonally across my right eye from top to bottom.

It wasn't deep, so I still could see, but it would scar.

* --> Bloodlust Detected 3 meters to the left <-- *

* --> Bloodlust Detected 4 meters to the right <-- *

'Shit! Im surrounded!'

I bring my dagger up in a reverse grip and use [Perverts Gaze] on the three Undead beings that have me surrounded.

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 700]

[MP - 180]

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 700]

[MP - 180]

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 700]

[MP - 180]

'Of course, when I wonder where they are, they show up. Cliché mother fuckers!'

Before I can continue my rant, I'm forced to sidestep another downwards slash. Ducking under a wide swing that came from behind me, I turn around and come nose to nose with two dull green eyes staring into my light brown. Before It can react fast enough I quick stab in between its eyes, causing the skull to explode from the impact.

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 400XP from [Undead Knight] -- *

Before I'm forced to dodge another slash or swing from behind me, I roll forward, grab the longsword that the [Undead Knight] dropped, spin around and parry another downwards slash from the right.

After noticing the [Undead Knight] on the left was slower than its fellow knight that I was fighting currently, I pressed the advantage I had gained from the parry. The Knight blocked two of my swings before I feinted right and cut him off at the waist when I had shifted left at the last second.

'Two down, one left!'

I hold the sword with both my hands and enter the *Long Stance* with my sword point aimed at the undead's armored chest.

The [Undead Knight] stands in a *High Stance* prepared for a diagonal downwards slash towards my torso.

I roll underneath the slash and enter his guard, quickly shifting into *Inside Stance* I thrust my longsword through his chest plate expecting for him to drop dead.

The [Undead Knight] shifts his head so that his green dull eyes stare where my sword is connected before once again shifting into a *High Stance*.

I grab the stuck longsword with both hands and pull. Not working. With my two-hands firmly secured on the longsword, I planted my right foot at the base of the blade and pushed. The blade comes out and I roll backwards barely missing the incoming slash.

This time I shift into a *Close Stance* and approach the [Undead Knight] before he's ready and capable of another *High Stance* slash. Seeing this the [Undead Knight] tries to change his stance in order to block, but it's too late, my longsword has already pierced his skull and killed him.

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 400XP from [Undead Knight] -- *

'All right, that should be all of them-'

"AHHHH!!!!" I scream after feeling an intense pain shoot up from my right calf, where a longsword is deeply embedded and sticking straight through it.

I drop onto my right knee and jerk my head right, only to see the previously cut in half and assumed dead knight dragging its upper torso with its armored skeletal arms, with one arm firmly grasping on to the grip of the longsword stuck in my calf!

I brought out my dagger that I had placed into my inventory when I went to pick up the longsword, bringing it down upon the [Undead Knight]'s skull. Shattering and killing it.

[Undead Lvl. - 15 <Undead Knight>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 400XP from [Undead Knight] -- *

* Level Up! *

'Thank God'

'Owwwwww!!! I forgot that I cannot say God! Owwwww!!!!'

Anyways, after leveling up my [HP] regens back to full and the wound in my calf stops bleeding and closes.

"HOWLLL!!!"

"HOWLLL!!!"

* --> Bloodlust Detected 25 meters straight ahead <-- *

* --> Bloodlust Detected 25 meters straight ahead <-- *

'They must have heard me scream!'

I started to fumble as I put my dagger back into my inventory and got back up on my feet.

* --> Bloodlust Detected 13 meters straight ahead <-- *

* --> Bloodlust Detected 15 meters straight ahead <-- *

Taking the *High Stance* form, I wait until the hounds are close enough for me to strike. With my [Creature of the Night] skill I am able to see that my two incoming adversaries are indeed a pair of [Skinned Hounds].

[Undead Lvl. - 10 <Skinned Hound>]

[HP - 350]

[MP - 90]

[Undead Lvl. - 10 <Skinned Hound>]

[HP - 350]

[MP - 90]

* --> Bloodlust Detected 7 meters straight ahead <-- *

* --> Bloodlust Detected 9 meters straight ahead <-- *

After taking a final glance at my [HP] and [MP], I get ready to put the plan I've set up plan into motion.

[HP - 1900/1900]

[MP - 1550/1550]

* --> Bloodlust Detected 3 meters straight ahead <-- *

* --> Bloodlust Detected 5 meters straight ahead <-- *

"BOOST!"

The closest [Skinned Hound] leaps towards me from a few feet away, aiming for my jugular. I backstep at the last possible second, bringing my sword down as I backstep, decapitating it.

[Undead Lvl. - 10 <Skinned Hound>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 150XP from [Skinned Hound] -- *

Shifting weight onto my firmly planted back left foot, I twirl and horizontally slash through the remaining [Skinned Hound], horizontally bisecting it.

[Undead Lvl. - 10 <Skinned Hound>]

[HP - 0]

[MP - 0]

* -- You have earned 150XP from [Skinned Hound] -- *

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After taking a short breather I open my inventory and open the 5 sparkling [Silver Chests] and open them.

* [x5 Silver Chests Opened] *

*Items Received: x2 250 [HP] potions, x4 K9 teeth, x1 Steel Warrior Pauldron*

After dismissing the notification, I immediately began searching for the [Steel Warrior Pauldron]. After finding it I click on it and press 'Inspect'.

[Steel Warrior Pauldron] <Gear> - Armor - {+ 80 Armor}

Info: Used by Knights and Lords of Medieval times this [Steel Warrior Pauldron] is crafted with 20-gauge thick steel and is sectioned into 6 parts. Each section is riveted to the next and has soft leather. The sections flex smoothly and naturally to allow full range of motion. Each section overlaps the last, so the entire armor pauldron protects 100% coverage. A special guard is featured at the top to protect the neck and head from the sides. Thick leather straps allow secure fitment.

'Sick! This will certainly help me considering I am still armor less Afterall.'

After examining the [Steel Warrior Pauldron] I decided to check my current skills and stats before I continue on.

'Skills'

[Skills:]

[Devil Wings] <Active> - Lvl. MAX

Info: Deploy a set of bat-like wings allowing you the ability of flight, which are capable of retracting into your back as if disappearing entirely.

[Pervert's Gaze] <Active> - Lvl. 39 (Advanced Beginner)

Info: Enables you to see information about a target. Due to Issei Hyoudou's perverted nature of spying on girls with his two best friends Matsuda and Motohama, a rare Mutation of the skill was created. Allowing you, if you wish, to see the bust size of any girl you are staring at.

[Rage of the Berserker!] <Active> - Lvl. 8 (Novice)

Info: Berserker allows for levels and stats to be doubled for a specific amount of time.

*Warning*

Using the berserker skill will result in a loss of common sense for the duration of the skill use.

Duration: 00:01:30

[Instant Dungeon] <Active> - lvl. MAX

Info: Allows you to access Instant Dungeons that are filled with monsters for you to kill, and items to be found.

....

[Passive Skills:]

[Gamers Mind] <Passive> - Lvl. MAX

Info: Protects your mind from being read or manipulated.

[Language] <Passive> - Lvl. MAX

Info: Due to being a Devil you are able to understand, speak, and write in all Languages.

[Creature of the Night] <Passive> - Lvl. MAX

Info: Due to being a Devil. A creature of the night. You are able to see clearly in the dark.

[Dagger Mastery] <Passive> - Lvl. 47 (Competent)

Info: Increases combat proficiency with every type of dagger-class weapon, allowing the user to have a faster reaction time, move faster and be more agile while wielding one, as well as gaining momentary insight into an opponent's weak point.

[Sense Bloodlust] <Passive> - Lvl. 32 (Advanced Beginner)

Info: Able to sense the Anger, Hate, and rage a target directs at you. Known commonly as killing intent. The Higher the level the farther the range.

Current Range: 35 meters (5 meters per 5 levels)

[Skills Gained!]

[Swordsmanship] <Passive> - Lvl. 11

Info: The ability to fight with a sword. Higher levels improve fighting capability.

[The Seven Sword Stances] <Passive> - Lvl. MAX

Info: The Seven common sword stances of DxD - Long Stance, High Stance, Back Stance, Inside Stance, Close Stance, Hanging Stance, and the Guarding Stance.

'Status'

[Status:]

Name: Issei Hyoudou

Level: 15 (510/1500)

Race: Devil / Longinus Class Sacred Gear User <Currently Sealed>

Rank: None

Title: Red Dragon Emperor of Domination <Currently Sealed>

[HP - 2000/2000]

[MP - 1650/1650]

[DEF - 85/85] (+5 is provided by his clothing)

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