Highschool DxD: Crawling x Chaos

~Yuta Yukimura~

"A student in Kuoh Academy was murdered." Rias said bluntly.

I raised my eyebrows, that was concerning, but at the same time, it wasn't exactly alarming. People died all the time. One of my friends back in middle school got chopped in half by a falling billboard right in front of me before, I was used to it.

"Okay...? Is there anything else? I know Kuoh has a really low crime rate but does someone biting it in the school constitute an emergency?" Rias nodded.

"Yes, while alarming this wouldn't be something worthy of an emergency, however, it was the circumstances in which they were murdered. Yesterday a barrier was erected in Kuoh, and when we came to the scene all we found was the corpse of a student, Issei Hyoudou and considering the piercing wound and burnt flesh it was mostly done by a fallen angel." My eyes widened.

Issei was dead? That was mildly upsetting. I may not cared for him but the dead being someone I knew by name instead of a random student felt more real and upsetting.

But... a fallen angel huh? 

While I was contemplating Rias continued.

"Not only that, we have found 2 other dead contractors and a potential client. Killed in a considerably more brutal fashion, with all of their corpses mutilated and crucified, someone or some people are hunting down our clients and potential clients, Issei Hyoudou was one of them." I raised my eyes and looked Rias in the eyes.

"Rias-san, I think I know something related to this matter." Rias tilted her head, motioning for me to go on.

"This weekend on Saturday I stumbled on a nun coming to this town, named Asia Argento, I am fairly sure she is not involved or knows about the killings but I think she is at least connected to them in some way considering the timeframe. She was excommunicated from the church for healing a devil and taken in by someone living in the Kuoh Church." Akeno covered her mouth in surprise.

"A sister healing a devil? How unusual, how did she heal them? Devils can't healed by the same method churches usually use, the only sacred gear I can think of being capable of that is Twilight Healing and that is particularly rare. Still, she must have been a very kind sister to go out of her way to heal a devil." Rias nodded in contemplation.

"Hmm, a human with Twilight Healing excommunicated from the church? The ones that took her in are definitely fallen angels. What do you think about this sister personally Yuta-kun?" Rias inquired.

I thought for a little bit.

"I think Asia is nice, a bit too nice and kind. She wouldn't be able to hurt a fly if she tried. I am still in contact with her, I was trying to find out more about who was housing her." Kiba smiled from the side.

"You must really like her Yuta-kun." I gave him a side-eye.

"Yeah? What about it? Is it a problem to be friends with someone from the church? She doesn't seem to have a prejudice against Devils either." Rias shook her head and smiled.

"No, it's fine, she is excommunicated anyway. But I want you to be vigilant Yuta-kun, the girl may be nice but the people she is involved with certainly aren't. But I'm glad you are making friends Yuta-kun." I raised an eyebrow, what was I? Her kid?

Rias clapped to gather everyone's attention.

"Alright, since we know there are fallen hunting contractors, we need to do a few things. I want to figure out what their real motives in this town are, we can't just barge into the Church without proper reason. Everyone, I want you to learn everything you can about the situation without putting yourself in danger, we don't know who the enemy is and what they want."

Huh... demons and angels... murder mystery in a town... highschool... am in some unsatanly mix of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei?

"Alright then, lastly, Koneko-chan, could you walk Yuta-kun home?" I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Why? Not that I am against it, but I can go home by myself." Koneko also sported a similarly confused expression as Rias explained herself.

"There are enemies out there we don't know the motivations of Yuta-kun, while not likely, they may decide to attack us directly, and since you are still a novice, it would be a good idea for Koneko to accompany you home at least, because if they know who we are then they know when we leave school." Hmm, I couldn't argue against that, I nodded and Rias clapped her hands.

"Alright then, Koneko-chan, do you mind?" Koneko shook her head and stood up, I still didn't know what to make of her. The little midget barely ever talked, she walked up to me, and looked at me with a blank expression.

"...Go?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"Sure, let's." I got up and said farewell to the others while Koneko followed behind me.

As we left the Occult Research Club my thoughts lingered.

Maybe I should buy a detective hat? Or glasses? Every persona protagonist needs their glasses. At least I think they do, I only played Persona 4 for like 6 hours.

We were walking back home in a stifled mood, Koneko was being quiet as always, it felt awkward, I felt like I should say something but at the same time didn't know what to talk about with Koneko. So my gaze wandered, and when I did, I noticed a notification suddenly covering my view, why did it take so long?

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Feat Achieved!

Issei Hyoudou has perished.

The strings of fate have been broken.

Good Luck, you will need it.

+1x Advantage Gold Random Gacha Ticket.

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That was... ominous. Why was Issei so important? Why did the gacha wish me luck now that he was dead? But I know for a fact whenever the gacha wishes me luck that it is an omen.

Last time it wished me luck I got hit by the truck.

I better roll that ticket now just in case.

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Rolling Advantage Gold Random Gacha Ticket...

[Trait - Esper]

|Rarity: Elite|

Specialization, You are a natural-born Esper, using abilities comes naturally to you, they are part of you. Mastering and improving your Abilities are easier. Ability cooldowns are halved.

or

[Trait - Counter Curse Mantra]

|Rarity: Rare|

Whatever negative status effect someone tries to inflict on you gets reflected onto them. Potency scales with Demonic Power.

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I picked Esper without hesitation, my abilities were my lifeline, while curses sounded scary there was a difference. Curses had to come from this world, and if they come from this world, someone from this world can resolve them. Chances are, if I'm cursed, my boss will shill the big bucks to treat me so I don't have to worry about that too much.

So I chose more potential for myself. And the moment I confirmed I felt something in me change. My abilities felt... more responsive? They felt way more natural to me, it felt like going from a prosthetic to a real arm.

I channelled Natural Weapons, I felt the difference, it couldn't be described in simple words. I felt connected to the ability. As if flexing a muscle I adjusted the length of the claws, my skin rippled as I focused on the ability.

So this is what talent felt like.

I could get used to this.

As I inspected my clawed hand, I failed to notice that Koneko had come much closer to me, now leaning over slightly and looking at my hands. I turned to face her, being snapped out of my trance.

"...Claws?" Koneko tilted her head questioningly, she looked oddly like a cat, reminding me of Bobby for some reason. I shifted my hands back to normal while dispelling Natural Claws, showing my hand for Koneko to inspect as she was curious.

"Yep, one of my abilities, it's the one I used to take down Viser with, I was trying out new things with it. Maybe make my claws longer so that I don't have to get as close." Since there was an opportunity to finally make conversation I took it, I shifted my hand back and forth between claws and normal as Koneko watched.

I expected her to comment on my ability but instead of what I expected Koneko got closer to me and... sniffed me. I stood still and she furrowed her brows and smelled me again. Feeling awkward I decided to interject.

"So... what's the verdict? Do I really stink that bad that you had to do a triple-take? That kinda hurts." I tried to joke as Koneko seemed to realize her, frankly, creepy action of just randomly sniffing me for a solid few seconds without saying anything as she suddenly jumped back with a red face, facing away from me.

"N-no, you don't stink. ...You actually smell good." She bowed her head, way too formally. "I apologize if I was being creepy." She lifted her head and I could still see the pink in her cheeks still burning her face as she faced away from me.

I just stared at her, seeing Koneko so emotional was definitely a novelty. She seemed to blush more as I just stared at her not saying at her, getting more fidgety.

Damn, she was absolutely adorable, I failed to see it before since she is as still a statue most of the time with a neutral expression but satandamn blushing Koneko was adorable.

"...What is it?" Koneko couldn't help but ask after a full ten seconds of me just staring at her, I couldn't suppress my grin.

"Nothing, I was just thinking how adorable you were like this, I never saw you flustered before, it's cute." Koneko frowned but her blush still remained lit, she flicked my arm, making me stumble and clench it, which felt like getting hit by a mace. Okay, maybe don't tease your very dangerous senior devil if you want to keep your arm.

"...Pervert." She pointed an accusing finger at me while her lips trembled from the humiliation, I stepped out of the finger-flicking range just in case and raised my arms placatingly.

"Alright, alright, sorry, I couldn't help it. How about I make it up over dinner? My treat." Koneko narrowed her eyes wearily at me, weighing her options.

"I'm sure Akeno-senpai told you about my cooking ability right? I have some salmon left over-" Koneko grabbed my wrist with intense eyes.

"Let's go. What are we waiting for?" I covered my mouth with my hand and struggled to choke down my snicker.

♢—•♧•—♤—•♡•—♤—•♧•—♢

"...Your house is unexpectedly clean." Koneko said, wandering around my living room while I was cutting up the salmon. I oiled up the pan and turned up the heat while answering.

"I'm not sure if I should be flattered by the compliment or be offended by the dig." I placed the salmon and the sound of the meat sizzling made Koneko perk up from the corner of my vision, she intently watched me cook the salmon steak from the couch. I was impressed with her patience for not asking how long it would be until I was done even once.

Once I was done cooking with Pearl Jam I plated the steak and rolled up my sleeves, I put down the plate in front of Koneko who had shining eyes and a little drool at the corner of her mouth.

"Alright, thank you for waiting. Dig in." Koneko took a bite out of the steak the moment the words left my mouth. I could see her blissful expression as she swallowed her bite and immediately sliced another portion with her knife and chowed down. She was treading an impressive line between manners and hungry devouring.

I could basically see her aura change as she enjoyed the steak, it was like she was in her little slice of paradise. Without thinking my hand moved to her head, the moment I put my hand on her head she froze up for a second, pausing her movements, red dyed her cheeks a little again as she moved her eyes from me down to the salmon and taking another bite, slowly.

...I am taking this as a sign that I am allowed to pat her head. Her hair was so soft and clean, it was almost like cat fur, she must take a lot of care in maintaining her hygiene.

"...You are a very kind person Yuta-san." Koneko mumbled quietly, I could barely make out the words but they made me smile a little. I noticed that Koneko ever so slightly leaned into my touch.

"Thank you Koneko-chan." While I was patting her head, I noticed that the plate had emptied, Koneko raised the empty plate toward me with adorable pleading eyes.

"...Seconds?" This girl was dangerous, she was weaponising her cuteness against me, I was fooled by her cute exterior and got caught off guard. Sighing a little I picked her plate up.

"Alright, alright, no need to squeeze my heart with that face." She tried to hide it but I saw how the corner of her lip quirked up with satisfaction. For a stoic girl, she sure was good at weaponising her cuteness.

I shrugged my shoulders and took out more salmon.

It's not like I disliked cooking for others. Besides, her expression as she eats is too cute.

♢—•♧•—♤—•♡•—♤—•♧•—♢

After Koneko had left after consuming 3 whole plates of salmon I was left alone at home, Bobby didn't visit today even though I cooked salmon but she'll probably be back again sooner or later. Or she got killed by a hawk, or got cut in half by a powerline.

Well, that remains to be seen. Hopefully she is alive, she may eat like Kirby but she already grew on me.

As I was preparing for my usual workout I felt a phantom tugging sensation, someone was summoning me. I quickly threw my clothes back on in excitement. It's been a while since I got a summon, with this whole murder mystery I better take as many contracts as I can so that I get strong enough to face whatever Persona plotline was happening.

Making sure I was decent I answered the summon. The Gremory summoning circle appeared beneath my feet and teleported me to where the summoning paper was.

There was just one problem however.

When I opened my eyes...

'Fuck.'

I now was inside a wreck of a room, blood was splattered everywhere and I could see a mutilated corpse on the floor. This obviously was not a normal summon.

A/N: Chains of fate have been broken, there is no knight in red shining armour to save the world anymore. The butterfly has flapped its wings and now Yuta has to deal with the storm. He will need plenty of luck to face the world in the original MC's stead.

Koneko finally makes her first debut, and unfortunately for the sassy, and stoic kitty, Yuta's build completely counters her, he has a 4x advantage against her, the girl was barely keeping her composure. What did you guys think about the peerage scene and Koneko in general? 

Oh and lastly, the alternate chapter title is "You came to the wrong house fool!" but it was too long to put in the title section

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