When it was closing time for the shop and with a couple people willing to brave the portal doing so and not returning till the next day when I re-open the store. I came to a bit of a realization as I was petting Dogmeat's head after we finished eating.
"Ned Leeds is fucking insane... Going straight into Dark Souls for a big payment, so his waifu hunt obviously has no brakes." I muttered while Dogmeat grumbled as I scratched behind his ears.
That previous thought line led me to the next point. Where would the mad lad want to go to next? And would I even want to fuck about with that world with my only enhancement currently being a mild Perception upgrade from the Bobblehead I found in the Fallout Universe?
All those thoughts looped back to one thought. I just needed to be strong enough to deal with whatever bullshit Ned wanted to pull me into. As honestly... Stealing MCU Spiderman's best friend in another dude was totally a canon event waiting to happen anyway.
Being Spiderman was suffering plain and simple.
'Wait, I am in the Marvel Universe even if there is weird Kaiju and the supernatural world is making a mess of things. Maybe I should try to unfuck Spiderman's life?' I mused before shaking my head and getting my head in the game.
"Ok Jake, Ned is a lemming who is on the path to snag a waifu so I need to get strong and have a strong foundation itself for being much stronger." I muttered as I patted Dogmeats head and went down to the portal and investigated it's options.
Until finally my eyes naturally landed on the personal side for my DXD mission.
[Red Dragon of Domination- The user will be inserted into an alternate timeline where they are an orphan in the place of Issei Hyoudou. They will have to survive canon event's up and to the point of the Rating Game against Riser Phenex. The user MUST defeat Riser Phenex without resorting to holy items in the initial Rating Game and take the virginity or otherwise dominate another member of Rias Gremory's peerage or herself.]
[Rewards- The user will be inserted with the Boosted Gear, and should they succeed in all parameters of the mission they will leave with a Twice Critical and all of all gained strength and magical energy will be transferred to their body with the user being able to choose if they wish to remain a devil.]
Beyond the potent power boost, I could get in only doing the bare least in getting only the Twice Critical and coming back home. The strength gain I would get from being in DXD for a month and a half would be great to say the least to say nothing of how magic would open up to me if I became a Devil.
'Imagination Magic for the win!' I cheered at the thought but I still knew it would be more complicated than that. Either way, DXD except for dealing with the Fallen at the beginning was the perfect way for me to quickly and safely gain strength.
"Hmm... It doesn't even say I 'NEED' to become a Devil or join Rias's Peerage actually." I muttered as I read the mission over. I only needed to take part in the first Rating Game and beat the shit out of Riser and fuck one of the members of Rias's peerage or herself.
Though that would make my life a lot easier in DXD in becoming one. But I also didn't need to remain a devil should I come back to my earth, and likewise there was the slight issue of devils and demons here in the world of Marvel being trouble and hated to say the least by literally everyone.
My mind made up I nodded as I decided DXD was the best option with how much foreknowledge I had of the series unless I took one of the AU world changes to get more rewards of which there were many.
Like Rias having a twin that was completely evil, Kiba being a Gary Stu-Emiya clone, Azazel going around using his gender-bender ray that couldn't be reversed on a bunch of world leaders.
Alot of weird stuff most of the time with rewards that weren't really worth the changes to the world timeline I was wanted to keep as close as possible to have an advantage.
[God works in... God is dead] [ The Abrahamic God is dead and everyone in the supernatural world knows it. God, Lucifer, and many of the Fallen leadership died during the battle against Trihexa when they forced the fight in the Gap which brought the fight to Ophis and Great Red with the fight leading the Infinity, Dream, and Trihexa to kill God and the members of the Abrahamic leadership.]
[The Angel's are loosely held together by Gabriel the sole surviving Archangel.
The Church is far more active in recruitment and actions to push back the predations of other Pantheon's and evil beings upon humanity.
The Fallen are held together via Kokabiel and Azazel the sole surviving Cadre's with the Fallen taking their responsibilities as the Watchers much more seriously with the fallen reproducing their greatly reduced numbers with loyal exorcists producing many Half-Fallen]
[Devils weren't too involved with only the original satan's dying during the great battle or afterwards in dealing mutual kills to Death Gods that tried to invade Devil lands in the Underworld.]
Reading more of the notes on this massive AU change I saw that basically, the mortal world would be the same for the most part with Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri remaining in Kuoh without issue. However, there was a major note that the other Pantheons were far more willing to fuck with the Abrahamic Fath due to God being very notably dead.
This was the reason the other Pantheons didn't fuck with the Abrahamic faith in Canon, as they were scared shitless of capital G-God.
But the reason I was considering this option was simple, its reward was more than interesting enough frankly.
[Reward- Completion of 2 part mission will result in user gaining the last gift of God. The True Longinus being bound to their souls and God's will removed.] Which normally the situation would be that I would have to survive fighting Kokabiel, but with this AU changes that would almost certainly change in who would likely go after me or Rias and her peerage.
The True Longinus regardless of all the trouble that came with the universe changes was well worth it... Having the Boosted Gear as armor and strengthening my body with its dragon bullshit combined with the strengthening coming from the Longinus and its anti-evil/darkness attribute would be stupidly useful in future worlds.
As the Abrahamic God in DXD was very good at smiting devils and other evils. So with my mindset, I went straight to bed as I was still fucking mentally exhausted from the Fallout trip yesterday.
-
Waking up the next day I got up well before the shop was supposed to open and I got what I could ready for my trip to DXD. "I don't need to take too much, as my insertion as an orphan comes with a paid apartment and other stuff... Plus having a simple gun won't be that useful." I muttered as though the exorcists and 1-set Fallen Angels could die to them.
But I wasn't heading straight to DXD in fact as I did have some measures to take beforehand. First I spent a good few souls and some other bits of gold and silver jewelry I collected in Fallout to buy some permanent candy and treat boosts to make myself stronger.
Using the Iron Bones Jawbreaker, Laughy Taffy Muscles Booster, and a Blood Surge Drop, I would have my body in my bones, muscles, and life force itself generally strengthened a good bit. Meaning I would have a better head start with the Boosted Gear.
The goal wasn't to kill the Fallen in fact. I still had that mission that wanted me to bring one or more of them to heel. [Tame the Broken Birds- Take one or more of the early fallen angels in Kuoh in hand and make them swear loyalty to you.- Allow user access to Holy Light magic, any of the fallen who submit will allowed back to reality at 50% off.]
Picking the world Highschool DXD, and the missions and AU changed I was willing to take in [Red Dragon of Domination] [Tame the Broken Birds] And another mission and AU change that interested me out of the literally hundreds of different missions and changes that was available.
[The King of the Crossroads- Taking the path of becoming a Devil, you must sign and fulfill a hundred contracts in less than a month-] [Reward- Regardless of your race, you are able to make magically binding contracts and the fulfillment of said contract will reward the user with additional energy based on the amount of desire the contract holder has.]
Now at first glance, that may not look that powerful. But who can measure the amount of desire someone has for certain things? What if I found people wandering a desert without water? How much would they 'desire' all the water they could drink and carry on them?
In short, it was another path to power I could take regardless of whatever race I decided to be when I left DXD.
The only other AU change I took was when Vali was born a woman. As having a murder hobo after me merely for having the Boosted Gear would be a bit boring... Why not have a murder-hobo silver-haired waifu after me instead?
That would be far more interesting obviously!
"Time to go." I muttered taking a deep breath as I felt a good bit better after going to bed super early and sleeping all the PTSD and stress from my jaunt to Fallout 4. I then stepped into the portal with just one last thought in mind.
'I wonder if the Boosted Gear can integrate my Winterized Power Armor like it could integrate the holy sword Ascalon.' I wondered before I walked into the swirling portal.
-
Across the country, in California. Within a very heavily reinforced mansion that had surface-to-air missiles, rail guns, and artillery all pointed at the ocean the mansion was built in front of due to the habit of Kaiju's coming out of the ocean itself.
Tony Stark was investigating the G.E.C.K that a certain devilish redhead had brought to him. "Honestly for all that, it's clearly a heavily scaled-down model meant for a small settlement. Its fundamental technology is wonderful... Astonishing really." Tony said with amusement at the readings he was getting from the G.E.C.K
Natasha Romanov who had quite plainly told Tony of her status as a member of SHIELD, gave the super genius a dull look and said calmly. "Why are you so amused Stark? We already tested it, and it works as reported in dealing with Alpha, Beta, and can even slowly absorb Gamma radiation with its cold fusion reactor. What is so funny?"
Tony shrugged and he took a sip from his large glass of whiskey before he said calmly. "It's funny because I never considered going the cold fusion route because of how annoying it would be to get the radioactive materials into the reactor... However, using the cold fusion system to take the heavy metal/kaiju blood-contaminated river water is a good plan."
Tony gave Natasha a smirk before he said with amusement. "Good luck getting the EPA to greenlight putting anything with the word radioactive near dams, water collection area's, and not to mention getting the rest of the clowns to sign off it."
But then Tony shifted and gave Natasha a look before he folded his arms across his chest and said. "So, you went to a whole different universe huh? Not too different from the drones I managed to sneak into the portals the kaiju's come out of. But your's was an actual fictional universe at that."
Natasha raised an eyebrow waiting for the real question from the annoying genius Stark, who only raised an eyebrow in turn before asking bluntly. "So was Star Wars part of that list of universes you could go into?"
There was a pause as Natasha's lips twitched and without a moment of hesitation, she lied bluntly. "No, they had Warhammer 40k though."
And Tony scoffed and waved his hand at her. "Alright get out of my workshop you lying red-headed witch. I already paid some workers in New York to investigate his shop and found that Star Wars very much, is in the portal system, you guys just don't want me getting the plans for the Star Destroyer."
Natasha's face pinched at the thought of the eccentric billionaire getting a Star Wars super weapon in his hands. Worse, she knew down in her heart that Tony Stark most certainly had the mind to build something of that power and danger.
"Either way, you delivered the toy, and once I break it down and get its blueprints I will send said blueprints to the EPA to begin work across the country to cut down the contaminated water sources." Tony Stark said firmly in dismissal and Natasha turned on her heels and left the room.
Because she knew all too well that Tony Stark wasn't someone she could play her wiles upon when he already knew she belonged to the government. And he probably already considered her a dangerous agent with how she was the one trusted to bring the G.E.C.K to his small fortress.
-
The trip to the world of DXD was a bit more rough, to say the least. Seeing as I took the [Red Dragon of Domination] core mission that would guide much of my journey here I obviously had to have the Boosted Gear implanted into my soul as I was inserted into the universe.
And the mental download of my current situation in this world was even more in-depth compared to my trip to Fallout 4 which made sense as in Fallout 4. Nora was literally the only person who had their own memories adjusted to my arrival seeing as literally everyone else in the Vault was dead.
Here in the universe of DXD, I had paperwork added allowing me an older teenager to live alone right next to the school he was going to. With a small stipend from the government and another allowance/inheritance from 'my parents' who passed away in a mysterious train accident when they were at work abroad.
My neighbors had their memories adjusted to my arrival, Kuoh School's teachers had their memories touched upon to remember my past as a quiet student, and even as I took in my surrounding apartment I could see how the apartment was slightly decorated and well worn from an older teenager living alone in it.
My arrival here in this universe was well taken care of by the shop's systems which made a lot more sense in why the shop took a cut of the souls and other things we brought back as I was well aware that overwriting and doing so many universe level changes probably wasn't easy.
Especially when the shop's systems weren't just doing it for me alone but instead for a solid dozen others.
So... Now in my small one-bedroom apartment all alone, I stretched my body as I took in how the three candies I had taken especially in the taffy muscle enhancers made me feel a good bit more flexible and my body just more refined in general.
"Well... Going from a wrecked apocalypse world back to high school itself. Well, it's a good thing I was registered as a senior at least." I muttered as I took in my paperwork for my insertion.
But after that, I clenched my right fist as I took a deep breath. "Now... How do I awaken the Boosted Gear?" I pondered before I decided that the canon way was probably for the best honestly.
Calling upon all the memories of Drag-So Ball... God this universe was shit sometimes, I called upon the memories of the glorious Kamehameha, with my hands held at my side and as I did the weebiest cringe shit ever...
I threw my hands out with a heavy exhale as I tensed my body and I pulled with all my mental energy aimed at the thought of the Boosted Gear appearing on my hand.
A soft crackle of energy rang out and I watched in awe as bright green light bloomed to life as the large gauntlet that was the Boosted Gear appeared over my arm and apparently even over the clothes of my jacket.
'Wait... Is Ddraig gonna have any memories of my old life, in Marvel, Fallout, and even this life I got inserted into?' I thought with some worry as I was de-aged a bit along with most importantly having the Japanese language downloaded into my mind.
"Uhhh D'draig you there?" I asked awkwardly towards the Boosted Gear.
There was a long pause before I felt a heat in the draconic metallic gauntlet as the gem in the center of the Gauntlet lit up with a hum of power. Then D'draig's voice hit me.
And I felt fucking small as the Red Dragon of Domination's voice hit more than just my ears, it hit my very fucking soul. "Hmm... Most interesting, the system. That incomprehensible shop didn't bother to hide anything to me... Ah, I see it and your own goal."
There was a pause as I swallowed as a large crimson-slitted eye formed within the giant green gem built into the eye with D'draig looking directly at me. "Yes, you will do quite well as my host. My partner, and in time... Maybe even a friend, as you do not see me as merely a tool or weapon to be used for the rest of your existence do you?"
My lips twitched before I took a deep breath and said calmly. "No, I have sights and goals much higher on the power scale than what the people of this world regardless of their mythology have reached."
There was a long period of silence as D'draig seemingly contemplated my memories that the shop system either didn't care to protect. Or I was actually completely on my own in this foreign universe with no protection from such things.
But either way D'draig said with humor. "Going to different universes to gain power while hosting a small shop... It's an interesting concept young human. Though that itself may change if you go along with your plan to become a devil."
"Do you have a better idea to quickly gain the power to defeat Riser Phenex and then even someone at the same level as a Cadre in a couple of months?" I asked with a wry smile.
D'draig gave a grunt before he said bluntly. "Normally no, that would quite frankly be impossible as your memories have shown such instances as being summed up as luck in that host in Issei Hyoudou surviving, not to mention the fact you picked such an alternate timeline to enter for the chance to earn the True Longinus as your own personal weapon."
"But this isn't a normal situation Jake Bariss, regardless of the damage you take here in this universe. You will be healed of loss of limb, lifespan, damage to your cells and any other harm when you return... So there are somethings you could do, for power in all metrics to be gained."
I frowned before I blinked as I realized what he meant. "You mean dragonification. To sacrifice parts of my body to you to be replaced by draconic replacements."
D'draig was quiet for a moment before he grunted in approval and added. "Normally I test my partners to see what kind of mind set they have before I offer such a thing. But your trial in that previous world alreadly shows me you have the strength of will to control yourself with any changes made to yourself."
I slowly nodded as I was well aware that going through Fallout 4 had changed me. Hawkeye could tell instantly the moment he saw me, that I had gone through the shit and I literally killed at least three dozen people which had certainly changed me.
"And not to mention me turning your limbs and organs into draconic counterparts, I was also referring to some rituals that could hurt your lifespan. Would quickly give you a decent amount of strength." D'draig explained.
I considered it for a long moment before a thought struck me and I shook my head. "My shop seems to heal me of wounds and other things. But what if it healing me removes the effects of the ritual? No, I think I will need to try to experment with your powers in Boosting to alter my growth rate."
Because if D'draig could boost and multiplie more abstract things like it's speed and other people's powers besides just itself. Why coudn't I just boost the rate in which I grew in strength and magical power?
D'draig chuffed with the gem's light fading in power as he said calmly. "Many hosts have tried to do the same thing as you Jake Bariss, they had some success but not nearly what you desire."
I took a breath and shrugged as I muttered more to myself. "I have to try. But either way, how many internal organs can you replace within myself?"
D'draig's gem lit up with more power as the sealed dragon seemed more interested, and after a moment of thought he said bluntly. "With your enhanced body, I would say at best I could replace your heart, lungs, and finally your liver. Each human organ when transformed into a draconic counterpart would have it's own ways of making you stronger as well."
I nodded in understanding as I said. "The heart is a dragon core of energy, the lungs would allow me to breath fire... And the liver what, invigorates my blood with draconic blood?"
D'draig snorted and his voice was tinged with derision as he said flatly. "Jake, you are a human... You will never know what truly is a dragon until you truly are a dragon. Yes the heart will act as a true magical core but draconic but it will be far more primal than the magic you understand to be."
D'draig seemingly too a breath before continuing. "The lungs, not only would allow you to breath my brand of fire breath, but they will give you the breath of a dragon, your aura will change with your every breath saturating the area in your aura along with allowing you to regain your strength far faster than any other race."
"And finally the liver... Yes it would turn your blood draconic attributed, but more than that, it will allow you to gain strength by consuming your foes as their magical nutrients are stripped from what is digested. Finally it's extremely important because it will allow the rest of your body to accept the rest of the draconic changes done to yourself." D'draig explained with firm warning at the end.
However my face twitched at the thought of eating 'my foes' And yes I knew it was very much a draconic thing to do, to snap up a questing knight or whatever to eat them or hell some other kind of monster.
But I being a human woudn't be using that so much... Though having the draconic liver could be a decent reason to go to some special universes that have alot of monsters like Monster Hunter, Toriko and other places maybe.
"Alright D'draig. Go ahead and get to work then. I have the rest of this weekend to recover from whatever your operation does to me." I said knowing that my return to Kuoh was going to raise some eyebrows regardless due to me activating my Sacred Gear.
D'draig gave a grunt of agreement but he then added. "Good, and while you dream. I will speak to you about the changes in this world and things you should pay mind to with this alternate timeline... Well, what I know from the hosts I had that did engage with the supernatural world anyway."
I got settled down into my bed and took a deep breath as a heat filled my body until finally I felt something click inside of me and I knew D'draig was knocking me the fuck out so he could mess with me on the inside.
Soon enough however, I could feel my concioussness of a sort awakening as I awoke or came to conciousness within the dream surrounded by flames and as I took in my surroundings my lips twitched as I saw D'draig's massive draconic form was floating within the flames surrounding us.
"So what did you want to talk about in particular," I asked curiously as I took in my surroundings.
D'draig massive draconic face twisted in some unseen emotion before he spoke slowly. "Many things in this universe have changed with God's death being so apparent making the Abrahamic Pantheon weaker than the timeline you mostly know of."
"This is important because the other Pantheons are also very much hunting Sacred Gear wielders. As some of them rightfully want to have their slain and imprisoned divines returned to their pantheons not to mention the divine weapons we were often sealed within to act as the core of the Sacred Gear." D'draig gave me a long look and said with amusement.
"The Abrahamic God was many things... But he truly was the best god of Creation in all of this world's history. For every single Sacred Gear even the lowest of level ones are worthy of being a divine tool or symbol."
D'draig's draconic head looked at me with dark humor as he said calmly. "There is a very real danger of other Pantheon's attempting to honey pot and pull you into their sphere of influence... Though they cannot extract activated Longinus Sacred Gears, for a variety of reasons so take some relief in that."
I made a humming noise and then I asked. "What else? Do I still have to worry about Tiamat in this timeline or something? Hell, do you have any other enemies that will come for me?"
The Red Dragon of Domination snorted and said flatly. "All the enemies I had in life besides Albion died under my tooth and claws. And even Albion... We were more rivals even in death than enemies with how the world almost imploded after God dragged his entire pantheon into a fight with The End."
But D'draig's expression turned almost in amusement before he said casually. "As for Tiamat... Yes, I also did borrow treasures from her still in this timeline, so you will have to worry about her."
There was a long pause as I absorbed all that information and after a minute I asked curiously. "Why are you not freaking about the alternate timeline or anything? Are you that satisfied not having to be known as the Breast Emperor?"
I saw D'draig's massive draconic form shiver with disgust as his dull dead eye'd gaze landed on me. "That is part of it partner, but I also fought with some time gods back in my glory days... So having to use Penetrate to get back to my normal timeline and point in time to eat the little nuisance makes that horrible timeline you have in my memories not worth as much in my eyes."
"Not to mention the fact that Trihexia is very much dead, I was there alongside Albion already sealed in our Sacred Gears when it happened. We were both in paladins of different branchs of the church and our hosts participated and both died fighting together in their Juggernaut mode against Trihexia's monstrous form." D'draig spoke with his voice tinged with a depth of emotion at the memory.
"Either way. This timeline is very much different in its core past. Now, Jake. I will let go of your dreaming mind... As much of the pain has passed by and you can rest now and recover."
The damned dragon didn't even give me room to say anything else as the surrounding fire flared with power blinding me with the flames until the bright flames darkened and I returned to sleep.
-
When I came back to, it was like... The only way to describe it was like my body was a computer that had upgraded from an old as fuck disk hard drive to an ultra-fast SSD. That was probably a terrible way to describe it frankly.
But just leaning upwards to sit up as daylight poured in through the cracks of my window. I could feel the difference in how my body functioned. It was like my lungs were able to fully expand or something was one of the most obvious things for one.
"Well... It's just Sunday around noon. I got the rest of the day to get used to my powers." I muttered before I shrugged and pulled out the equilvalent of Google Map's and pulled up where the local industrial area was here in Kuoh.
I needed to find some abandoned warehouse or something to stress test my body. And most importantly figure out how to breathe fire of course.
With that I got ready and left my apartment after I put on my Kuoh uniform and headed towards the more industrial side of Kuoh town in good time.
'Hmm... This city still is running strong.' I mused as I saw how many of the industrial area's were well lit up and showing clear signs of workers inside of the factories and warehouses.
So I just kept going until I found the more low-end side of the area which was inevitable. "That will do I suppose," I said with a shrug as I found what looked like was once a factory that had been hollowed as they were trying to sell off the shell of the very old factory.
But hey a giant empty shell was perfect for me and I walked into the darkened factory and I had a thought strike me. 'Huh this would be the perfect place for the Stray Devil or some other monster.'
Summoning the Boosted Gear to my arm, I pushed what I thought was my life force towards D'draig to get his attention which made the large green gem light up. "D'draig, any advice on breathing fire and practicing the Boost ability?"
D'draig was quiet for a moment before he said flatly. "First of all, breathing flames in this factory that's got, who knows how much-dried oil and other things on the ground is a terrible idea. But you just push your life force and energy into your lungs as you breath in."
And D'draig wasn't done as he continued. "As for Boosting, just imagine your own strength doubling and the Sacred Gear will take care of it for you. It relies on your willpower and mental strength after all. Also, Jake before you do anything... Extreme. Be well aware that you could gain attention using my abilities."
That was a fair point frankly... D'draig's draconic aura was anything but subtle, but I didn't have anywhere I could actually practice my new abilities, and spending half my money on a taxi to take me outside of town and into the mountains would be a waste.
Taking a breath, I did what D'draig said and I could feel it. I could feel the draconic magic filling my body as hot flames filled my lungs and then with an exhale a large plume of flames breath out from my mouth and slammed into the end of the dark factory forty meters away with a loud crashing noise.
As the blinding red flames hit the end of the factory with a mighty crashing noise that wasn't just force but also pure heat as I saw through the flames with my augmented eyes and perception the metal fixtures and other points melting under D'draigs flames I summoned casually.
" Heh, foolish child, I warned you. My flames are the hottest of all the dragons that have lived." D'draig stated proudly and my lips twitched as that was something I really should be fucking been told!
But I sighed, not saying anything as I saw the concrete beneath where the flames were burning turning cherry red. "Should have told me that little tidbit," I said flatly.
And I could all but feel D'draig's shrug as he said casually. "I was waiting for you to ask what was special about my own breath attack that was able to cancel out Albion's terrible toxic breath."
I gave the Boosted Gear on my arm a dull look before shaking my head. "Whelp I know how to breath fire... Now lets get going before I get in trouble for burning down a foreclosed factory."
Thankfully it didn't actually look like it was going to burn down due to how empty the factory actually was. But either way knowing D'draig's warning about his draconic aura getting attention. I broke into a quick jog that transitioned into a run as I texted how my body reacted to supernatural movement as I exited out the side door.
[Boost!] The Boosted Gear announced and my speed doubled with my feet skidding across the concrete but I managed to keep upright as I staggered out my steps and then I jumped up like ten meters into the air onto the next building which was a short warehouse or something.
"Well... That was certainly something." I muttered as I kicked the gravel atop the warehouse and then I jumped lightly in place as I began putting my body through it's paces in a couple boxing punches as I actually had a bit of privacy here atop this warehouse...
Well unless there was an asshole or something looking out of one of the office buildings higher floors, a half dozen miles away with a telescope or something.
And so I kept going, doing little sprints across the roof to see how my body reacted to sharp turns and doing everything else I could that wasn't flying as I didn't have a method of flying as I was still human. "Well, that should be good enough." I muttered as I winded down.
I gave the Boosted Gear a look and I asked curiously. "How do I stack up to a two-winged fallen angel, D'draig?"
D'draig chuckled and said frankly. "With two boosts you will easily exceed the physical parameters of Raynare, and the rest of the two winged angels due to your prior enhancements to say nothing of the strength you gained with the draconic organs."
And so long as I was only running a single or two [Boosts] And I wasn't doing anything too crazy, I could keep the boost up for a good while anyway.
The bonus of having an enhanced 'perfect' human body according to my shop which healed me of any issues after coming out of Fallout. The key about the Boosted Gear is how it would multiple my base strength so the stronger I was at the start the swifter I would become stronger.
"However Jake, you need to be wary... As Fallen Angel's are cunning creatures, well when they aren't delving too deep into their sins anyway." D'draig wanted me which was decent advice.
So with the training session done with, I dismissed the Boosted Gear from my arm and popped my neck as I began making my way home.
But... It didn't take me long to realize that D'draig's warnings about his draconic aura weren't for naught.
As like three times in a row, I saw a small red bat flying well above me as I made my way home. 'Hmm, wasn't Rias's familiar a bat or something?'
But I didn't see it again after the third pass, and it did well over me. And with that I just made my way back to home and made myself a quick lunch and then dinner as I did some simple body exercises like push-ups and sit-ups with some improvised weights added.
Other than that, everything else was calm as I waited for the rest of the day to pass by. As I had school at Kuoh Academy the very next day. Hence why I didn't go out looking for trouble in looking to hunt down a Fallen or whatever.
-
Across the town of Kuoh, as the sun fully dipped below the horizon and the city entered its slower nightlife. Rias Gremory and her peerage were doing their daily meeting after school hours where any humans that had come to the school.
"Good work on your latest contract with that pet shop to keep their kittens happy Koneko. My parent's were rather excited to get a new kitten for Millicas!" Rias Gremory spoke happily as she patted the white-haired short girl on the head as she was snacking on a cookie.
"They quieted down easily while I was there." Koneko drawled out in her typical monotone voice.
The whole Gremory peerage was in the ORC building in the back of the Kuoh Academy campus, and within the meeting room. After Rias was done patting Koneko on the head, she went and comfortably sat on her large leather office chair behind her work desk.
Yuuto Kiba, the sole male member here in the room just chuckled and said with some teasing towards Koneko. "Are you sure it's not because they were scared of the much larger cat."
And Koneko's lips twitched at the thought but she just shrugged as she silently continued eating her snacks.
Akeno Himejima gave a small noise drawing the room's attention as she came from the side table with a large tray filled with a pot of tea, several cups and a couple more snacks.
"Well, this is a good and quiet city. Having simpler contracts is nice compared to how bigger cities have us dealing with things like Youkai and the things that are hostile to our contract holders... And just an overabundance of contracts really." Akeno finished with ta itter as Rias chuckled.
"As much as I would have loved to have had my territory in Akihabara, the population density is just too much to be freely spreading devil contracts for just our Peerage... Even with Sona and her peerage, it would be too much." Rias spoke with some wry amusement.
Koneko's monotone voice sniped in as well. "Plus you are terrified of having any fights in Akihabara that results in one of your favorite animation studios getting blown up."
Rias looked downright green at the thought of being the cause of japan's wonderful 'culture' being destroyed, but she just powered on with a somewhat tight voice. "Yes... Yes, that does play a part in that. Either way. So Akeno how have your own efforts been going?"
Akeno who had taken a seat next to Koneko gave a small chuckle as she elegantly laid a hand on her own cheek and said teasingly. "Oh, my own contracts? They have of course been dealt with most easily as you well know from my reviews."
And Rias just gave a headshake before she retorted. "I wanted your own opinion, but either way now let's move on. Next month we will be going down to the-"
But from the opened window came a large almost comically round and fat-bodied bat that quickly landed inside the room and with a flare of light the bat transformed into a humanoid form.
"Oh? What's going on?" Rias asked curiously towards her familiar and the familiar bowed before saying quietly.
"A young man, a senior of this school probably as he was wearing the same uniform as you all. Awoke his Sacred Gear... It's the Boosted Gear."
Rias's face twitched at the words spoken as she had to actually process all that information before she dragged a hand across her face before she spoke. "You said the Boosted Gear appeared inside my territory?"
Rias's familiar nodded and said firmly. "I know for a fact it was the Boosted Gear, as it reeked of draconic power, as I found him training with it in the industrial area where I was scouting for Stray Devils and evil Youkai as per usual."
"The gauntlet glowed and he used its Boosting ability more than once. Which means it is the Boosted Gear and not just a simple Twice Critical."
Rather than actually being ecstatic at the news Rias covered her face and groaned out. "Satans damn it! Now the Shinto are going to be up in arms at a Longinus popping up within their sphere of influence regardless of what happens with him."
Rias wasn't just given the territory of Kuoh from the Shinto Pantheon, Sirzech's Lucifer the leader of the race of Devils and of course Rias's older brother. Had to make a good deal of promises to allow his darling little sister to take the territory.
"And he just awoke it naturally? Not in a moment of extreme stress like a battle or something?" Rias asked for confirmation and the familiar shrugged.
"He didn't seem particularly stressed, there weren't any nearby signs of battle... Though his antics in training some kind of fire breath got the attention of some kind of youkai that was living in another abandoned factory down the street where he was training."
Akeno gave the familiar a measured look before asking. "So did you recognize the wielder of the Boosted Gear as someone you might have seen around the school? As should he be able to naturally awaken a Longinus out of sheer talent and will, he will probably be someone noticeable."
The familiar blinked and then a light filled her eyes and the rest of the people rolled their eyes knowing all too well that Rias's familiar was a bit... Dim, but to be fair her natural form was a bat monster of a sort. That only got enough magical power to transform due to the familiar contract she had with Rias.
"Ah yes! I do recognize him, I can't remember his name. But he is that American whose parents were military or something."
"Jake Bariss it was right? Huh, I am surprised you never sniffed such a sacred gear out Koneko." Akeno spoke with a bit of teasing aimed at Koneko.
Who gave the best answer as she was eating another cookie by simply flipping Akeno the bird while Rias blinked and had to process that information.
"Wow... The foreigner, an orphan who was left behind after his parents died in this foreign nation unlocks a cheat. It's almost cliche honestly." Rias muttered before looking at her familiar and saying.
"So where is he now?"
Rias's familiar paused before she said earnestly. "I have no idea! After I was sure that he had the Boosted Gear, I thought that I needed to come tell you as soon as possible!"
"Dumbass." Koneko deadpanned as Rias's face twitched.
"Well, it's alright Rias. We do have Jake's address in the schools system. So you can chance Sona getting curious as you get one of us to get into the school's filing system. Or... Or we just wait till tomorrow as he will almost certainly be here at school tomorrow."
For a moment, Rias considered putting things off. Just waiting till tomorrow to observe Jake and see if he had changed. Not that she had particularly watched him before as Jake had a bit of a cultivated reputation as a soft-spoken, private individual.
But then her current 'situation' in her unwanted fiancee rose up in her mind and she took a deep breath as she realized that she may not even be able to bring Jake into her peerage with how he had a Longinus.
"No... I guess- No I need to meet with him now. I need to find out how long he has known about the Supernatural world. And what he plans to do when the Shinto comes and smashes down his door."
-
I was just laying in bed trying to get to sleep in the unfamiliar bed as I was a bit tense at trying to get sleep in an unknown place to say the least.
But then at like literally midnight, a loud buzz rang out as someone rang my shitty apartment's ringer making my eyes snap open as my slightly PTSD-filled mind made me think I was back in Fallout and I summoned the Boosted Gear to my arm as I went to grab a gun at my side...
Which I didn't have, as I knew having a laser/plasma gun would be something I coudn't explain in any way here in this universe. To say nothing of how anti-gun Japan was.
After a couple of moments, as I stared down the entryway of my apartment, I jolted as another ringing ran through my damned apartment making me sigh as I looked at the window and after a moment of thought, I realized throwing myself out of it was actually a decent choice.
Besides you know... The fact of needing to replace the window.
However, my mind very clearly told me that if I got into a situation where I needed to jump through my own window. I likely wasn't going to be in a position where my apartment would be a safe place to be.
"Please just be the weirdest people trying to sell me a shady microwave or newspaper." I muttered as I came up to the door and silently looked through the peephole.
And I felt a part of me, crawl up and die as I saw Rias Gremory in all her big titty red hair glory standing next to Akeno Himejima who was also very recognizable due to her long dark purple hair.
Exhaling I took a deep breath to steady myself before I loudly unlocked the door and cracked it open to say. "It's literally midnight with school in like... Seven hours basically, why are you here?"
I saw through the crack of the door Rias's face pinch at the reminder of the time and she responded somewhat sheepishly. "I- I apologize for the late call upon your home Bariss, or would you like me to just call you Jake?"
I just stared at her dully making Rias squirm for a second before I blinked and said quietly. "My first name, please... Now what do you want Rias Gremory?"
Rias shared a look with Akeno who gave a more natural smile and said kindly. "Jake then, do you mind if we come in and talk for a few minutes? Your... Training got our attention earlier and we just wanted to touch base and make sure there wasn't any confusion between us."
I gave Rias and Akeno another dull look before I almost smirked inwardly as I stated flatly. "I know of the supernatural... But come on in then, I assume the rest of Rias's peerage is also around. But my apartment can't take your whole friend group."
With that I fully opened the door, knowing that avoiding Rias was going to be damn near impossible frankly. 'Dammit, would getting out into the forest and mountains even work either? I didn't expect for them to literally show up at my front door!' I thought with some annoyance.
But to be frank, I was even warned by D'draig that his aura wasn't something that could be so easily hidden when he was active fully and manifested.
I came back into my apartment and I just took my one seat next to my work table for homework and gestured at my bed for Akeno and Rias to sit down at. "Go ahead and sit down. I assume you want to make small talk before you make a pitch to me."
Akena and Rias elegantly took a seat on the edge of my bed with Akeno giggling and saying teasingly. "So a little small talk can go a long, large way... So Jake, is this the first time you have had girls in your apartment? And with two ladies like us huh?"
I gave a wry smile to that as Akeno certainly wasn't wrong about that. But I just gave a small shake of the head and said with amusement. "Yes, thank you both for stepping into my apartment and giving me this wonderful memory... Anyway so that bat that followed me around was one of your familiars."
Akeno tittered and said with disapproval. "Yes it was Rias's familiar, but come on Jake. Can't you be more approachable than this?"
I gave Akeno a dull look and said flatly. "My best social situation is when I have had a full night's sleep, and I don't have the little sister of Satan sitting on the edge of my bed."
Said little sister of Satan coughed at being pointed at in that way and she said pointedly. "So you know of me huh? Why haven't you declared yourself to me? As this is my territory?"
Once again it was my turn to give a dull look and I said with bemused spite. "You and Sona literally came to Kuoh not even three years ago... I been living here my entire life, why should I, a native to these lands report to you when the true rulers of these lands are just renting it to you?"
Akeno giggled with amusement as Rias's face painfully twisted at my sound logic with Akeno digging in at Rias as she said helpfully. "Oh, he has you there Rias." But Akeno's beautiful eyes turned to me and she raised an eyebrow and continued.
"So what? We should have reported to you then?" Akeno asked with a tilt of the head.
And I realized it quickly enough that she was testing me. To see if I was an arrogant asshole who would say. 'Yes, you most certainly should have! For I have the power of Greyskull!' Or something to that effect.
However, I just shook my head and said honestly. "Nope, I am more of a lazy dragon than a prideful one frankly."
"That's good! I rather we not have any friction between us Jake. So what about me do you actually know besides being... My brother's little sister I suppose?" Rias spoke happily as she clapped her hands together making her large bust bounce in the motion.
Akeno who saw my eyes naturally slide to devil's bouncing tits giggled and she teased. "Oh? I don't know, maybe you should add lusty to that lazy side as well."
And I gave Akeno a raised eyebrow before shaking my head as I considered pointing out her Sadomasochistic fetish. So I just moved on. "Alright alright, you are both very pretty. So let's get it out of the way now."
Taking a deep breath I said firmly but calmly. "Barring a most unfortunate death at the hands of a Shinto god or some other asshole. I have no intention of joining your peerage Rias Gremory. And if it helps, I have no intention, especially of joining Sona's peerage as well."
Rias's face lost it's joyful humor from the joking teasing session we previously had and with a contrite expression, she asked a bit weakly. "Any particular reason for your refusal? Beyond just the whole servant aspect anyway?"
Raising an eyebrow at the pointed fact of her mentioning the Evil Pieces enslavement system which to be frank... Being Rias Gremory's servant was anything but enslavement, having such an easy path to titties in Rias and her peerage was well worth any minor bit of culture stigma for a couple of years at most to get elevated to a High-Class Devil and above.
To say nothing of the enhanced lifespan.
But regardless, I wanted to walk my own path for now. I wasn't totally opposed to joining Rias's Peerage as there was a plethora of benefits, to be frank, but not for now at least.
"Yeah, it's honestly the whole forced servitude thing." I admitted frankly before shrugging. "Nothing against you in particular Rias, I just don't want to give up my freedom of movement and choice."
I saw Rias bite her lower lip as she muttered. "Giving up your freedom of choice huh? I know what that is like for sure."
And I knew she was muttering about Riser being her loss of freedom of choice.
But Rias just took a breath and she gave Akeno a look before she said. "Well, I respect your choice Jake. Even though I would obviously love to have a Longinus wielder in my peerage haha." She laughed a bit wryly.
She then looked at me with those soulful eyes and she said softly. "But nothing says, that even if you aren't in my peerage. That we cannot be friends right?"
For a moment I wondered if she was trying to manipulate me. Trying to get me to become her friend before springing the whole Riser situation on me. But this wasn't fanon Rias Gremory.
I could see with my own eyes that Rias was actually hoping I would say yes to a simple open friendship.
So I nodded and with a small smile I said. "Rias, I have no problem with being your friend."
I then looked to Akeno who raised an eyebrow and with my own teasing almost coddling tone I said to Akeno. "Ah don't be jealous Akeno I can be your friend as well haha."
With Akeno's lips twitching and I could see the sadism in her eyes as she let out a threatening. "Ara ara? You are playing with fire here Jake, I do bite my friends as well you know?"
And without missing a beat, Rias held her left breast and whispered. "She especially bites when you snuggle with her..."
I whirled on Akeno and spoke in mocking outrage. "You would bite the bossom that holds you in slumber?!"
Without a hint of shame, Akeno giggled and said with a grin. "Ohya? Do you also wish to nibble on the breasts of my King? Join her peerage and be a good boy, she loves to spoil her servants with hugs and affection haha!"
Rias just face-palmed and actually whined out in a high-pitched voice. "Akeno! Don't try to pimp me out to get a peerage member!"
"Not even for a Longinus? A Longinus who all but has fallen into your hands with how he is literally in your territory? Or maybe Sona will have Tsubaki be the honey pot?" Akeno teased mercilessly making Rias's mouth gape in horrified wonder at her Queen and partner's shameless words.
Even I paused at Akeno's words as she kinda had a point for an outsider's point of view. I did kinda just fall into Rias's lap... Alot like literally every other member of her peerage frankly.
But I just took a breath and said more firmly. "Alright Akeno, I see that if I joined Rias's peerage I would end up spanking you in not even a day. So before I take you over my knee, I need to cool down my head. And school is not even in a few hours so let's end this here." I said yawning a bit.
Akeno opened her mouth to probably say something like... 'Oh want us both to sleep over?' But Rias put a finger over her lips and said with some heat. "No Akeno, you teased enough for tonight so hush."
With Akeno getting flush and Rias squeaking out as Akeno nibbled on Rias's finger that was at her lips.
"Alright, you perverted Yamato Nadeshiko, begone! As you will be haunting my dreams already!" I said waving at Akeno who giggled evily but before she could escalate the horny Rias literally pulled her friend out of my tiny apartment.