One-Punch DxD: NEO

Another update, folks! Just to let y'know, the finale of Phoenix arc has entered the end of the match vs Riser Phenex, with i4md347h and I were writing the epilogue (sort of), before moving on to Excalibur arc... Perhaps with some breather before that. Without further ado, enjoy!

In front of Kuoh Academy in the early morning, Rias Gremory and the others - her peerage, Saji, and Tsubasa, were staring quizzically at Issei and his entourage - particularly at the small black humanoid creature that was standing next to the puppy-sized Rover.

"Morning, guys. Ready for the trip?" Issei greeted and noticed everyone's odd gaze focused on his new companion. "...What is it?"

"Um, nothing. But… who, or what is… that?" Rias asked while pointing at the new face.

The said new face only raised his eyebrows at the group in front of him.

"So this is the bunch you told me about?"

"Yeah, they are." Issei replied briefly before turning back to Rias. "As for him, Rias... Say hi to Black. I asked him to help, and he said yes, so yeah. We only have less than two weeks until the endgame, so I hope we all can get along," Issei tersely finished.

"'Sup, lads?" The creature introduced themselves. "Lassies. Gotta say, Devil teenagers… didn't expect you to make friends from Hell if you know what I'm saying, hehe."

Everyone was rather skeptical to see the creature. This one was a whole another can of worms in a different league. Rover was… unique, but this one screamed abnormal at its peak.

"What do you think it is?" Akeno whispered to Rias, pointing at the short black creature - even shorter than Koneko, with a white face on it.

"I-I don't know, I mean, it does not feel Demonic, and I don't think this creature came up in any of Grayfia's lectures." Rias shook her head, unable to label Black as a chimera.

"Koneko, what do you sense? Is it human, or former human?" Yūto whispered to the Rook.

"I-I don't…" Koneko narrowed her eyes. "I can't tell. I-It's… completely alien," she whispered back with apprehension in her tone, which was rare even for her.

Black, however, caught the murmurs. "Hey, you girls. And guy." Black Sperm called out to Rias and the rest. "Yeah, you don't think I can't hear you? I got ears." He pointed at the side of his head, where no ears could be seen ironically.

Rias and the rest wordlessly stammered as they turned their heads away to avoid eye contact in embarrassment.

"I… um, Ise. I will ask this once… What is he?" Rias asked, pointing at Black Sperm.

Issei blinked at the question before he shifted awkwardly in reply, "Oh, uh, funny story. Actually, he came with Rover… uh, Dad said he once called himself a dog during 'troublesome times.'" He quoted with his fingers at the last part.

"Yeah, let's not jump into that backstory, kid," Black called out, his expression hinting a bad memory at least.

"Alright, alright. Well, Black did say that he was once human, but that's all I know. What he is, let's just say he is a single-person species kind of guy that no label can correctly define."

"Damn straight." Black crossed his arms and nodded in agreement.

"Err…" Rias darted her eyes between the short, stubby one and the boy with a lot of weird friends from mysterious places.

"Yeah, don't ask. Just… wait 'til this is all over." Issei waved her off. "I know you have a lot of questions, but a fair warning. Don't look down on Black. Ever. He will kick your ass."

That warning triggered Rias' peerage's flashback to their encounter with Rover.

"...Okay." Rias agreed without protest. She and the others did not want to test the waters of Issei's warning after Rover.

"Yeah. The kid told me much about your time with Rover. Seriously, who in their right mind would attack someone's pet-dog these days?" Black Sperm scoffed at Rias as he patted the sitting Rover beside him.

"I know, right?" Issei agreed.

"How is that a pet-dog?!" Rias retorted frantically with a finger pointing at Rover.

Issei only shrugged in return. "He lives in the house with us, trained, cared and played with… Isn't that what pets do? Oh, and don't forget that it's cute."

The last remark coming out from Issei caused everyone else - including Black, to look at him like he had grown three heads.

"...Yep, I think he imprinted on you too much," Black commented. "Growing up with a monster dog all your life does that to you."

"Especially when that dog can turn big and kill bad guys with atomic barks, but I'm taking Rias' side." Tsubasa joined Rias' side, while her eyes scanned on the Black Sperm again before her mind clicked on something. "Wait a second… Ise, is this guy the one you once told me about?" Tsubasa, on the other hand, pointed at Black with scrutinizing eyes.

"Yep, the one and the same." Issei nodded.

"Hoh, so the kid told you about me?" Black asked as his eyes darted between Issei and Tsubasa.

"Yeah, he told me about this big brother/babysitter who would spar with him every now and then, and your appearance matches his very vague descriptions."

"How vague?"

"Very," Tsubasa replied. "...But seriously, what are you?"

"Good question, but you're beating a dead horse at this point," Black Sperm replied with a slightly annoyed tone. "Wait, the blue hair…. Oh! Hey, lass, you the kid's girlfriend?"

Both Issei and Tsubasa blinked at the 'g' word before the former awkwardly blushed while the latter descended into a stuttering mess.

"G-g-g-g-girlfriend?! W-w-what are you talking about!?" Tsubasa almost shrieked from her tone. Her over-reaction did not leave everyone's notice.

"Well, the woman in the house kept bragging about this one gal that's been hanging with the kid," Black grinned and elbowed Issei's leg knowingly. "Well, you look fine for a tomboy, though I've seen many hotter ones back at Grigori if I'm being honest."

Both Issei and Tsubasa then received looks from everyone else, mostly in amusement. However, Black noticed Asia's pouting.

"Anyway!" Issei clapped his hands to gain everyone's attention back. "We're burning daylight here. Rias, can you show us the place?"

Issei hummed as he and everyone arrived at the base of the hilly mountains outside of town. Rias teleported them all to the training venue, the magic modified to allow non-peerage members to follow Rias and co.

"This isn't half bad," Issei noted before turning to Rias. "Wide open space, fresh air, natural environment, no distractions... And you're saying the cottage is all the way up there?"

Issei pointed at the top of the mountain. The paved beige path, sandwiched between two lines of unpolished rocks, led to the said hill was not too steep, but still required certain fitness to trek. Natural forests surrounded the paved road uphill, lush dense green trees flourishing the landscape.

"Yes. It's one of my many vacation mansions that my family owns in the human world." Rias nodded.

"Wait, 'mansions'? In plural?" Issei asked.

"Yes." Rias nodded. "Up the path lies an estate where I bring my peerage to during the summer. It is… mostly our little slice of heaven away from school."

"Seriously? You rich like Azazel?" Black Sperm asked with an impressed face.

Rias turned to the black creature the moment it mentioned the leader of the Grigori.

"I… don't know how to compare the wealth of my family with that of the Grigori's," Rias admitted.

"Well, the big crow man has many fancy gadgets. Owned like one eighth of the world in terms of real estate and don't get me started on where he gets his money from. Even managed to fix and upgrade this kid's 'godfather' like hell with your magic doohickies." Black Sperm informed with the finger quotes.

Everyone sans Issei blinked at what Black said - Fix? Upgrade? Godfather?

"Back to the subject, I think I could use the area around the villa for exercises. We can use the landscape for intensive combat sparring… where we can go all out," Issei muttered analytically as he scanned around the environment, from the trees to the slanted hill of beige leading to the sanctuary at the end.

"Mr. Ise…?" Asia called out at Issei who was still looking around.

"Right." Issei clapped his hand to gain everyone's attention. "Alright, many of you might not like this, but since we're strapped for time…" He then turned to his dog.

Issei then bit his finger and thumb and whistled high pitched.

On cue, without hesitation, Rover barked dutifully and immediately ran behind, far away into the distance. Everyone watched Rover stop once he was barely seen… and instantly grow in size in the distance.

Tsubasa, Rias, and her peerage felt their colors leaving their faces, assuming the monster dog's at its biggest.

What really caused the devils to widen their eyes in alarm was the fact that Rover was growling, with its maws glowing and brimming with power.

"...Et tu, Ise?" Unable to tear her eyes away, Tsubasa uttered at the dog owner.

"Welcome to hell camp initiation." Issei said as he tightened the straps on his sizable bag-pack. "The job is simple. Get to the villa before Rover gets you."

Saji dropped his jaws agape as he looked at the monster dog, pale with horror.

"Wha- Ise, are you serious about this?!" Rias shouted as the voice of reason.

"Dead serious." Issei finished strapping his belongings on his person. "Rias, we only have ten days to train to fight someone leagues above you. We don't have any luxury to 'take it easy' so we're going spartan, kind of like my childhood days."

Rias couldn't believe the words coming out his mouth, the others sharing her fear and dumbfoundment.

"Alright, listen up." Black called out, walking to Issei and turned around to face the others. "The kid filled me in on the plan so I'm gonna say this once. You either run with the luggage or hand it over to me to carry up since there are some of you that definitely can't outrun Rover with those on your backs." Black pointed out, his eyes particularly honed on Koneko's car-sized bag. Following Black Sperm's line of sight, everyone glanced at Koneko and her luggage first, pinning her in their gazes.

"...Lose my stuff and you're toast." Koneko mildly glared at the short black creature while dropping her bag to the ground.

"Heh. Cute," Black replied with a chuckle.

Soon Rias, Akeno, Catherine and Amanda also discarded their bags.

In response, Black managed to… split. No, he was multiplying as another Black grew out of Black like a fruit followed by another one until there were five Blacks total.

"...Eh?" Rias and the others who were not living at Hyōdō's place uttered at the sight.

"Yeah, Black can multiply… ish. Don't ask; his power is annoyingly weird like that." Isse summarized before they can ask.

"If you really wanna know, I have over a million 'me's inside me. If you wanna kill me, you might have to try it a million times, hehehe..." Black chuckled at the devils' bewildered looks.

"Think you can kill all of 'me' before I do you first?"

One Black spoke as another Black asked.

"...Assuming you can even kill one of 'me', that is."

Another one of the creatures taunted as it split into four more Blacks, each picking one of the bags up, while some others worked together to lift-up Koneko's extra-large bag.

Saji was unsure whether to leave his bag behind as well or not, but he saw Tsubasa keeping her bags strapped on her back.

"Um, Tsubasa? What are you doing?"

"Doing this the hard way." Tsubasa replied as she readjusted her bag. "I can drop it, but that would make it another 'easy way out'. I'm here to better myself, Saji. If you want this first taste of hell to be easy, it's on you."

"Ah…" Saji didn't realize the trap. He turned to Issei, wondering if he had planned this.

"...Alright, I get it." Saji tightened the straps of his bag around his waist, gritting with newfound determination. "If I'm eaten, tell President Sona I love her."

"Naw, don't be overdramatic. You'll probably get spat out as vomit instead." Tsubasa grinned.

"Thanks, that's very comforting." Saji snarked back. "Let's just do our best to make it out alive, yeah?"

"Assuming Issei won't let us die and just torture us for the hell of it." Tsubasa quipped back with a smile as she began to see Saji in a new light.

Meanwhile, Issei approached Yūto. He looked at the knight withholding his belongings on his person. "Yo, Kiba. You sure you want to keep that on you?" Issei gestured to the baggage.

The Knight smiled briefly. "I appreciate your concern, but I don't plan to 'take the easy way out.' I… want to help my King, Ise-kun. I am willing to subject myself to all the hell you can throw at me if that will give me strength."

Issei eyed Yūto's expression for a couple of seconds. The soft-spoken pretty boy managed to turn out braver than Issei expected as he nodded and patted the Knight's shoulders. "In that case, good luck. You will need it here."

Yūto chuckled nervously as Issei turned to Catherine and Amanda.

"You two ready?"

"We are." Catherine replied with Amanda nodding.

"You sure? Because I basically dragged you two into… this." Issei shrugged with a hint of guilt in his tone.

Catherine and Amanda only smiled in understanding. "We appreciate your concern, sir… But believe us, we had been subjected to worse scenarios compared to this."

Issei could not deny that. "...Alright, good luck." Issei nodded at the two girls before he left to address the rest.

When he went to Rias and Koneko, he saw that they were openly pouting at him. Akeno, on the other hand, still kept her sultry smile.

"...Alright, say it." Issei gestured to them.

"My, my, Ise-kun. I never pegged you to have it in you. I think we can get along in future." The Queen giggled.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are a monster?" Koneko snarked.

"You are evil. Pure evil." Rias pouted at the dog owner.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You don't like this and I'm a Sith Lord version of Akuma, yada yada yada." Issei rolled his eyes at their comical discontent.

"Is this nightmare even necessary? Are you really expecting us to survive this unscathed?" Rias asked with small desperation in her tone.

"Well, the main idea is to have Rover chase you all down like rabbits, so… I guess I can turn off the atomic barks if you want." Issei replied before he turned to address the dog who was waiting eagerly in the distance.

"Yes, please. No atomic barks." Rias frantically nodded. Koneko also nodded, fearful of explosive death. Yūto joined the nodding, followed by the other participants.

"Yeah, I don't want to see Rover setting forest fires. Ahem, Rover!" Issei shouted. "No atomic barks this time!"

The giant dog obeyed as it closed its glowing maws for a second and released steam in exhale, the radiant maw dimming, although it did not become less intimidating with its size and appearance.

"Alright, done. You girls happy?" Issei said to Rias who only scoffed in return.

"Hmm, you are still wicked."

"No."

"You're still a monster."

Akeno, Rias, and Koneko responded.

"Yeah, good luck with that." Issei walked away, ignoring Rias' and Koneko's pouting at him.

Walking ahead, Issei stood in front of everyone, facing them with a deep breath.

"Alright, people! I get it you don't like where this is going with Rover, but I'll say it just in case. For the initiation, you have to outrun Rover and get to the villa before he catches you. For many of you, actually, all of you, I get that you don't want to face Rover, but I need him to see how well any of you can do in a warzone. Frankly, while I know you all, I don't know how you guys fight and stuff, so... Yeah."

His honest proclamation caused everyone to murmur among themselves.

"Any questions?" Issei asked.

One hand raised up from the group.

"Please tell me Rover won't chow down on us?" Saji opted to ask the most important question.

"Uh... Yeah. Definitely. He won't eat you, I made sure of it." Issei assured, though the manner he replied was not really reassuring to everyone else.

"How are we supposed to escape… that? Are we allowed to use… lethal force?" Rias raised her hand next.

"Oh, of course. Use everything you have, Rover can take 'em." Issei gestured to Rias. "I've seen him taken many punishments, and to be honest? I can't recall the last time Rover got remotely hurt."

Rias slightly paled when he mentioned the dog's virtual invulnerability of all things, meaning that the dog cannot be stopped no matter what they do.

"Are there any more questions?"

"What if we get hurt? Like have a broken arm or something?" Tsubasa asked.

"Oh, that's why Asia is here with us." Issei nodded at the girl in question. "Black can split himself and search for you guys to check up on you all just in case. I mean, he has more than a million lives." He ended with a chuckle.

"...Eh?" Asia blinked.

"Yeah, I don't want Asia to get hurt in this. Besides, this training is more focused for you guys, not her." Issei said. "Are we done?"

Each of the participants looked at each other for a moment, then not a single question arose from their lips, earning a nod from Issei.

"Good. Black, you got their bags?"

"Yep. Gotta say, I wished I brought some popcorn or something. This is gonna be biblical." Black waved with an impish smile, rubbing his hands while standing atop of Koneko's pack.

"Yeah, I know." Issei nodded before he made his way towards Asia.

When Issei approached her, Asia yelped in surprise as Issei suddenly swept her off her feet and carried her in princess/bridal-style, causing her face to blush a storm in his arms.

"M-m-m-Mr. Ise!?" Asia squeaked.

"Sorry, but close your mouth. It'll stop you from biting your tongue on the way up. As for you guys… prepare to run when I give the signal."

"...What signal?" Tsubasa asked.

Issei gave them a small smile as, without a word, he quickly started running up the hill in a sprint. He nearly crossed over half the distance up the steep road in the several seconds he started. The Blacks started running after Issei, following him with everyone's luggages in their hands. When they were nearly at the top of the path, before they moved out of the Devils' sight, Issei placed his index finger and thumb in his mouth and whistled, the high-pitched sound zipping across the distance.

The others heard the dog behind them whining before it started to howl a monstrous roar, head lifted to face the sky as it bellowed to the heavens.

"...Oh." Saji uttered.

Without hesitation, each and every single one of them dashed in a mad sprint towards the path just when the giant dog started moving, exploding towards the Devils.

However, before each of them took their third step, they stopped when they saw a black mass overshadowing them, landing in front of them with a rumble. Kicking rocks and sand off the beige path, the dog growled at the Devils, looking down on them as they stood still from fright and horror.

The rest knew that Rover was fast, but its current speed was just ridiculous. How did a creature that big ran past all of them in mere seconds?!

"Split up! We'll meet up at the house!"

Despite the dog so close cutting off their shortest path up to sanctuary, Rias shouted her orders with enough composure.

The black dog watched its eight targets scatter, leaping off the paved road and into the forested surroundings. Its extraordinary senses immediately discerned each target and its instinct already dictating its priority targets.

The dog was nipping on their heels.

Yūto could hear the heavy footfalls closing the distance with terrifying speed as he made his way up the slope with desperate strides. His backpack was slowing him, but at his current speed, he could reach the safe zone if he returned to the path, the quickest route to the mansion villa. He only hoped that everyone else would make it…

He hoped wrong.

Perhaps he should have hoped that the beast would not go after him first.

The Knight barely had a second to register the massive black frame obscuring his vision, before he suddenly found himself yanked from the ground by his bag and thrown far away towards the forest below.

"Aahhhhhhhhhh!" His screams faded in his ungraceful tumble down the slope.

"Yūto-senpai!" Koneko was already alarmed when she saw Yūto's flight, and it was not even five seconds after everyone scattered. The beast then ran after the next, trampling the trees with speed unbefitting its size in its fervor.

At this rate, no one would reach the top if this continues.

"Keep running, Amanda!" Catherine shouted as she ran ahead, pulling her friend by the arm up in her stumbling with heavy breaths. She could have run faster, but that would mean leaving her comrade behind - a notion that she could not accept.

However, before Amanda could reply, the girls heard the trees crunching down around them, followed by a subtle rumbling from the ground.

At another side of the hill, not far from everyone else, Tsubasa and Saji saw two more victims flying away screaming.

"Oh, shit!" Saji cursed - how many went out, already?!

"Damn, the dog's not holding back right now." Tsubasa remarked with a wary tone. "Come on, Saji! If we play this right, we can reach the safe zone! We're not far!"

As devils, they possessed stronger and faster physique than normal humans, especially at night. However, their powers were slightly limited in day time. Still, the house felt far away as they returned running up the path with knowledge of a monster hunting them down.

On the other side of the trees, Rias and Akeno were running through the cover of trees beside the road to avoid Rover's sight, the former was running slower behind the latter. Sweat and dirt caked their skin, smudging their clothes with grime, their hair disheveled and messy with leaves and twigs stuck in the follicles.

"Come on, Rias! We can do this!" Akeno shouted.

"Just focus up ahead!" Rias rebuked.

The two flinched when they heard the sound of rustling bushes nearby. They stopped as they turned to the source, expecting the damn dog. But when they saw Koneko emerging from the foliage, they relaxed as their Rook joined them.

"Koneko!" Rias exclaimed. "You actually scared us there for a second."

"...Sorry," Koneko apologized shortly, out of breath, as she ran next to them. "What should we do? Is there something we can do about that dog and pass this stupid trial?"

"I don't know. But at this rate, I don't think anyone can reach the villa by the end of this." Rias replied grimmly.

The dog was fast, strong, and nigh impervious to everything they have. It was a very unfair situation usually reserved for horror movies.

The King furiously reviewed the situation, and after taking the dog's speed into account, she grimaced when she realized that it would end with the dog catching them. None of the devils could reach the villa at their pace whether she liked it or not, and a desperate climb to the top was something only a third-rate strategist would use.

There was only one straight path towards the mansion and the road was protruding high above the trees, overseeing the land and without cover.

"Akeno," Rias closed her eyes and exhaled a deep breath, "...as much as I hate saying this, but we must retreat."

"Rias…?" Akeno furrowed her eyebrows.

"I know. It is moving away from the villa. However, the dog will prioritize those closest to it, leaving those left behind alone. There are other ways to get to the villa under the dog's nose, so we must go back and form a proper plan of action. Do you have any objection against my decision?"

Akeno and Koneko looked at Rias without a word to retort. They knew that Rias' words held weight… and they could not picture themselves outrunning the giant, annoying dog.

"Thank you. Now let us move before the dog catches our scent," Rias ordered.

Meanwhile…

"Fuuuuuuuuck!"

Saji cursed as he and Tsubasa ran like hell away from the giant beast. The black beast barreled through boles and leaves as it huffed, six crimson eyes honed on the two Sitri members, panting hot visible breaths as it chased after the bluenette and borrowed pawn.

"This way!" Tsubasa grabbed Saji's arm and pulled him into a sharp turn to the right as Rover skid to a halt in its making a sharp turn after them.

"We are getting further away, Tsubasa!" Saji remarked as he kept running.

"I know, but it'll give us breathing room at least!" Tsubasa swiftly retorted as she looked around to see any viable path to take.

She then saw an old steep path leading up, the steps jagged with rocks and the surface unpaved, not only dangerous to tread but also a shortcut to the haven atop.

We can make it!

However, her moment of hope became her downfall.

In a lapse of hope, Tsubasa had failed to notice Rover had already, tenaciously, caught up to them; it was already too late for Saji to warn Tsubasa as Rover swung its head to smack the two devils away, knocking them away until they tumble like its other victims.

Saji and Tsubasa groaned on the floor, picking themselves up from the dirt. They froze when they saw Rover chasing after them.

"Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!" Tsubasa shouted as she and Saji swiftly ran, the latter tripping a little as Rover chased them through the forest, breaking down the trees in its massive stride.

However, once the two Sitri Devils ran far enough, Rover skidded to a stop, kicking up grass and dirt as it watched the two run away deeper into the cover of trees.

"...Damn mutt." Panting from their marathon, Tsubasa grumbled, doubling over with her hands on her knees with heavy breaths and sweat dripping off her forehead.

"I… hate… that dog." Saji agreed before he dropped on his backpack, panting on the ground supine as he stared at the blue sky.

The giant dog refused to let even a single one of them close. They heard the sound of rocks falling, causing the two to look up the elevated path to see Rover climbing until he perched on the high road, sitting on its rear as it sniffed the air until it landed its six eyes on the prone Saji and wheezing Tsubasa.

"...I'm gonna give him an earful once this is over." Tsubasa grimaced as she straightened her back while Saji slowly pulled himself up, sitting on the ground with a frown.

"Yeah. I never agreed to train on nightmare difficulty." Saji nodded.

"You are not the only one." Rias spoke.

Tsubasa and Saji looked behind them, seeing Rias and the rest of the devils. They were either standing on their feet or sitting on their butts. Their faces were a mix of fatigue and desperation for any straw of hope they could grab.

"...So no one made it," Tsubasa spoke the obvious when she saw every devil here. She looked back at the dog. Did the mutt actually gather them all in this spot so he could keep an eye on them?

"Any of you got a plan to deal with that mutt?" She asked, pointing a thumb at the sitting giant watchdog staring at them.

"We are currently discussing that. Want to join in?" Koneko asked.

oXo

"Now then…" Rias closed her eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling all the stress she accumulated since the start of this hell Issei called training. "Before we begin, out of everyone here, who has come to hate… this training, that dog, or just Ise in general?"

Nearly all hands raised up to the air, including Catherine and Amanda. Tsubasa and Saji were scowling a little as they turned to glance at the sitting monster dog.

"I understand that we do not need to vocalize our disdain. We will discuss how to get our revenge on Issei later, but for now, the matter with the dog. Tsubasa, we all understand that you know Ise longer than any of us, especially his pet. Do you have anything you'd like to input?"

All eyes turned to the one Devil with a meaningful history with the dog owner. The devil in question simply hummed with a thoughtful expression as everyone else watched her with expectation.

"Well… it's not easy to say. I once picked a fight with Rover. I mean, I thought he was an evil spirit…"

Rias and her Peerage grimly knew the feeling as Tsubasa scratched her head sheepishly.

"What I do know, though. Rover is smarter than your average dog, can understand Japanese very good, too. As for its habits, it only knows how to fight like a simple beast back then. I can handle a puppy-sized Rover, even his mini atomic barks when I was human. But..."

"But...?" Saji quirked a brow.

"I don't know how strong Rover is exactly at full size… Plus the dog seems a bit smarter than before." Tsubasa glowered a little. Rover did well in gathering them in one spot to watch over them, eyeing their congregation even now.

"...And nothing can hurt it?" Rias asked.

"Nothing I know of. I sparred with Rover a few nights ago, and no matter how hard I hit, the damn thing doesn't seem to care. You probably have a better experience throwing everything you have at it than I do." Tsubasa told Rias. "But if you want to outsmart him, well…"

"Yes…?" Saji asked with a hopeful tone. Everyone else leaned forward a little giving Tsubasa their hopeful gazes.

"Do any of you have dog treats?" Tsubasa asked.

The Devils looked at each other, Saji patting his pockets for something while Rias shook her head. Akeno tapped her chin a little before also shaking her head, knowing that she did not have snacks in her pocket. Catherine and Amanda looked down as they hung their heads in shame.

"...Black has my bag," Koneko pouted.

"Mine and Rias' as well," Akeno added.

"I did not bring snacks, only water and supplies…" Yuuto shamefully admitted.

"Ahh…" Tsubasa sweat-dropped a little. None of them were prepared for the monster Rover after all.

"I'm not giving it back, you know?"

The Devils turned to the bushes, seeing a black tentacle appendage poking out the foliage and a white face looking out the shrubbery.

"No take backs, girls," Black informed with a smug grin.

The sight of his smugness for some reason irked the Devils a little inside.

"...Since when were you there?" Rias asked.

"What, like I'm gonna miss the show. By the way, you Devils suck more than the kid guessed. I mean, I heard the stories of your overlords and your kind, but wow, you guys are taking a beating from a fucking dog."

The girls and two boys felt the verbal knife cutting their self-esteem. They openly frowned at the alien creature who only widened his smirk at their glaring responses.

"…But watching you all being hopeless like this feels just too sad, really. So, just for kicks, I'll give you guys a hint," Black Sperm playfully informed.

The girls and two boys perked at the word 'hint.'

"...And that hint is?" Tsubasa asked.

"Well, since Rover's early days, he is a strong, atomic-barking guard dog that would annihilate his enemies. I mean, he was before the kid's dad adopted him, and he still is, but the point is, on good days… the dog found out it liked to play with the kid. Do any of you get where I'm going with this?"

The group imagined Rover playing with any of them, and the image did not sit well.

"...Are you serious?" Saji asked with a scowl on his face.

"I heard the dog likes you, whiney." Black gave Saji a very smug, impish grin that made Saji want to punch it. "So? Which one of you wanna be the sacrifice?"

The word 'sacrifice' hit each of the Devils hard, Rias in particular. None of them wished to risk their health, or life, distracting the dog for the others. For Rias, her peerage was like her own family, something she had been taught since young. To sacrifice her own servants was… heretical, a blasphemy of its own right.

"What? Dog got your tongue?" Black smirked at them as if relishing their dilemma. "Any poor sap is fine if he knows how to handle Rover."

They were starting to grow tired of Black Sperm's snake-like voice.

"If you're here just to annoy us, then I have to ask you to leave." Rias gritted out. "We humbly thank you for your helpful input, but we will manage from here."

"If you want my take, throw that guy at the dog for kicks. It'll be a hoot to make my day, hehehehehehe..." Black pointed at Saji before he sank back in the foliage, snickering as the leaves rustled until he disappeared.

Everyone stared at the spot where Black just vanished before they switched their attention to Saji with somewhat owlish gazes. The borrowed pawn did not miss their suspicious gazes.

"...Please tell me you guys are not taking that thing's words seriously." Saji pleaded with exasperated eyes.

"No, no, of course not."

"Yeah, worst case scenario, we'll do that as a last resort, okay? Worst case scenario."

"We fellow reincarnated devils should stick together all the way, yeah?"

Despite everyone's encouraging words, Saji could not help but feel that they replied a little too quickly to his liking. Scratch that - deep down he knew that everyone was contemplating on the prospect of sacrificing him to the dog.

"Still, on the off chance that we need a volunteer…" Tsubasa asked Saji, "Would you…?"

Saji knew where she was going with this.

"No. No no no, fuck no. I will NOT risk my life for you guys." Saji shook his head vehemently.

"Hah… even with a little back-up?" Sighing, Tsubasa asked with relenting.

"...What kind of back-up?"

"Well…." Tsubasa rolled her eyes as she regarded everyone else - silently asked anyone of them to volunteer as well.

In return, anyone simply returned her gaze in kind, even Koneko was openly pouting at her. Tsubasa then sighed in resignation.

"Fine. I'll come with you." Tsubasa sighed. "Better?"

Saji's bitter frown lessened, though the bitterness remained.

"...I still can't believe you guys would consider that thing's words." Saji sighed as he relented. "So, what's the plan?"

There was not much they could do. Their primary trump card, treats, was in Koneko's bag.

"Got any snacks packed in that bag of yours?" Tsubasa asked.

"Uhh… just some chips, packed bread… yeah, I don't think Rover will like those, right?"

"As a matter fact, maybe...?" Tsubasa replied with uncertainty. "I mean, won't it safe to assume that monster can eat anything? It even nearly ate Koneko."

Everyone from Rias' peerage, especially Koneko, grimaced at the memory. Nevertheless, Tsubasa raised a good point that might help them.

Thus, they have to rely on their secondary trump card, Saji.

"Alright, how about this? Saji and I will go and draw Rover away a little while the rest of you sneak away to the villa? But since neither of us wants to end up as Rover's chew toy, I kind of want someone to draw the heat away if the going gets tough…" Tsubasa gave an awkward smile to Rias and the rest.

"I shall be of assistance." Yuuto volunteered. "Once I got my luggage off in the safe zone, my maximum speed should help me maintain my distracting Rover for some time when I get his attention."

"I shall support you, then." Catherine spoke up as well. "You will need someone to aid you should the beast get close."

"I can provide long-ranged support along the way." Rias interjected. "Akeno could help me slow down the beast with ice-spells if possible. Nothing else will hurt it as Ms. Tsubasa noted."

Rias watched as everyone slowly came to an agreement. If they put their minds together, they could accomplish anything.

"Let us confirm the plan one more time."

Issei, Asia, and Black stared at the estate - the vacation house owned by the Gremory clan.

Suffice to say, it was massive; the estate itself did not only consist of the house alone with marble roads in front of the house and a garden of colorful flowers decorating the lawn. There was even a crystal-clear lake with a very small building adjacent, well Issei did not have a word for something like that. It was kinda roman-ish in architect, a circular arcade of columns on a three-step dais holding up a dome.

Overall, the entire place was much bigger and fancier than Issei's new house.

"...Wow. Just... wow." One of the Blacks uttered.

"This is the definition of embellishment." Another Black followed.

"Seriously, how're they hacking money like this?" The Black near Issei scratched the back of his head, completely overwhelmed by the luxurious grandeur of the estate.

"I have no idea, but seriously… Wow." Issei joined the Blacks in their utter amazement. "Why are the Supernatural ones so damn wealthy…"

Issei did not know if it was because of their immortal lifespan or magic… probably both. The sheer display of wealth did make Issei feel envious a little.

"Where should we put their things?" Black Sperm asked.

"Not sure if we should dump their things out of the house." Another Black Sperm spoke his mind.

"I think it is best that we take them inside." Issei suggested safeguarding their belongings.

"Alright. Let's go then."

They headed towards the mansion to drop their things. The girl nodded as she walked towards the luxurious double-doors. The inside of the place was just as luxurious as its outside, a curved staircase leading to the second floor, sunlight beaming from the windows and lighting the interior with seemingly holy light, and more.

"...It's gonna take a while getting used to this." Issei commented as they started to explore the lavish interior.

"No kidding. Saw some fancy buildings from Azazel's side but this is new for me." One Black Sperm agreed as the Black Sperms carrying the luggages placed them on the side of the walls.

"By the way, I saw your friends in action in the forest," another Black said.

"How are they doing?" Issei asked.

"To be honest, they sucked balls," a Black closest to Issei retorted as the rest of the duplicates spread out, each exploring the mansion with curious eyes of awe.

"Hey." Issei frowned a little at the harsh remark. "How are they doing anyways?"

Black always has a sort of a hivemind with his duplicates and clones. Basically, they can mass-coordinate themselves with precision and clarity so that they reach a point where Black can be anyone and everyone at once. They can also talk amongst themselves as if they were different people as well, something Issei didn't get how it worked to this day.

"I'm watching them right now from a tree and they're strategizing on how to sneak past Rover – fucking Rover; and that is from a species with wings."

Issei got Black Sperm's point of emphasis.

"Can't they just… fly, then?"

"Yeah, I don't think they're bright under pressure." Black snickered as he walked to Issei and pulled out a bag of marshmallows from Issei's backpack.

"Hey." Issei frowned a little as Black took out a white piece to eat.

"What? I'm hungry." Black shrugged as he chewed the sweet white stuff.

"Um…"

Before Issei could retort, Asia spoke up, her face filled with worry and her hands clasped in semi-prayer.

"Hey Asia." Issei turned to her. "Got something on your mind?"

"Y-Yes." Asia nodded. "Um, i-is it okay to leave them behind? I mean… am I not supposed to be with them?"

"Well…" Issei could get where she was going with this. "It's not as simple as you think. I mean, I do know you want to better yourself. Don't get me wrong, that's good." He then caressed Asia's head gently. "...But everyone has a different pace. Having you to survive Rover like that is like…"

"Any monster to a baldy?" Black remarked before throwing another marshmallow in his mouth.

Issei deadpanned at the last example.

"Alright, Asia, the point is, your chance will come to you very soon. It's just that we have to find a way to help you without breaking you apart, and the kind of training the others are going through isn't meant for someone with your… delicate character."

"I… understand." Asia was still filled with uncertainty, her eyes filled with concern, but she nodded, placing her trust in her friend, her savior… and… she blushed.

"Besides, Rover would rather cuddle you than hurt you," Issei joked.

His humor made Asia giggle. He could see Rover smothering her with affection rather than hurting her.

"Actually, I think you can start on something. Let's see…" Issei unstrapped his bag from his waist, dropping it to the floor, before he turned around and rummaged inside until he pulled out a worn-looking notebook.

"Mr. Ise, that is…?" Asia tilted her head as Issei flipped through the pages.

"Some old notes when I first trained with Boosted Gear." Issei replied while nodding. "As far as I know, you're at your best as a Healer of the group. I know you want to be strong, but I don't think you're suited for anything violent."

Issei continued flipping through the pages until he landed on one section.

"Okay, uh, first, take a seat." Issei instructed as he took a seat in lotus position on the marbled floor.

Asia followed his actions and mimicked his position.

"Now, close your eyes."

Asia closed her eyes as instructed.

Issei kept reading the instructions written on the notebook at a sedated pace, reviewing the steps he took before in his youth.

"Take a deep breath and relax… Keep your legs crossed as it will help clear your mind from outside and inside distractions. Place your right hand on your left, palms up and thumbs gently touching. Keep them a little bit below your naval, as this will help you develop good focus. One hand symbolizes for wisdom, the other for method; the two together is the union between wisdom and method. Your thumbs are to be on the level with your naval, as this symbolizes your inner fire, the energy source for your magic and Sacred Gear…. Are you with me so far?" He glanced up from his book.

"...Yes, it's… a little strange, but I think I can do this." Asia replied while maintaining her posture.

The logic was mostly from Genos… and from the internet which Issei later discovered. This was practically the instructions on yoga meditation.

"You're doing good so far. Okay, before we continue, I will let you know that this meditation is… some kind of warm up exercise for you before you heal everyone once they arrive. Trust me, they will need some good patch-up. Are you still with me?"

Asia's expression contorted into a small frown - possibly concerned for the others. But she soon recomposed herself a second later and nodded.

"Right. Now, keep your back straight but don't tense up. You need to develop a clear mind so the energy inside you can flow nice and easy. Your lips and teeth are to be held as usual, but keep your tongue tucked against the back of your upper teeth, so your mouth will remain moist but not overly so, nor will it dry to distract you. Keep your head tipped forward a bit with your chin slightly tucked inward…. Oh, and sorry, when I told you to close your eyes earlier, I didn't mean you to close them completely; more like keeping your eyes relaxed while cast downwards, to keep your mentality stable."

Asia wanted to comment on how detailed the instructions for a simple meditation were, but she kept silent in favour of trusting the man before her.

"...Then keep your shoulders level with the ground and your elbows held slightly away from your body so the wind can circulate around you."

"I… I understand." Asia muttered, following the instruction to the letter.

Closing the book, Issei walked to Asia and inspected her posture. Finding some points off, he made minor adjustments on Asia's form before nodding in approval.

"You're actually a natural with this, and this exercise will get even easier with a routine. Now, here's the most important part - your breathing." Issei continued before walking back to his seat.

Asia perked up slightly, but she remained in her posture.

"Start off as you do normally, gently focusing on the natural push and pull from each breath. Imagine that you are breathing out all distractions and thoughts in a form of black smoke that vanishes in the wind. As you breathe in, imagine that you are taking in all the blessings and good things of the world in a form of divine light basking in you. Let the good things fill in your body and soul."

Asia did as instructed, and a minute later, Issei asked, "...How are you feeling now?"

"I… I think I can feel it - the power. It's… so gentle, warm, comforting…" Asia muttered as she maintained her meditation.

"Awesome. Now keep it up until everyone arrives, and your first real training will start there." Issei nodded with a smile.

It was also time to check up on the others to see if everyone else were okay. Issei gestured to Black Sperm as he gave him a thumbs up. Black Sperm took a binocular from Issei's bag before they headed out, walking out the door and passing through the courtyard down the slanted slope.

They continued walking down the mountain path until they arrived at a good vantage point to oversee the lay of the land.

"How are they doing?" Issei asked as Black Sperm handed Issei the binoculars.

"Funny thing, they're actually gonna try throwing that one lad to Rover." Black snickered. "Oh, they're over there." Black pointed at the left.

"Hoh." Issei scoffed as he looked through the binoculars. "Which lad are we talking about here?"

"The less pretty one, the one that looks rough around the edges."

In the distance, Issei saw Saji valiantly holding onto Rover's head as he tried to shake him off with Tsubasa holding his foreleg down as Akeno and Rias fired every spell they could throw at him. Saji even hogtied his Absorption Line around Rover's neck like a makeshift harness, trying to drain Rover's energy.

Too bad none of their attacks did much to Rover as he rolled over, squishing Saji under his weight while throwing Tsubasa away.

"Ohhhhh, poor bastard."

Saji would definitely feel that one in the morning. The guy was planted in the dirt like a pancake hammered in the soil.

"Oh yeah. Ohhh, that poor cutie." Black mentioned, as Issei saw Rover chasing after the fleeing Koneko after smacking Rias and the others away.

This time Rover was not eating her, but playfully smothering her with his giant snout nuzzling her body, much to Koneko's mortification. After playful capture, she appeared as stiff as a statue, her eyes empty and dead and stoically in fear.

"Yeesh, your infernal pals need more work than I thought." Black commented before throwing another marshmallow in his mouth.

"Yeaahhh…"

And probably have more than an earful to throw at him.

They had like thirty more or so minutes before he had to bring them all in for the actual training. Issei probably should head back and make them sandwiches to placate them a little once they return.

oXo

The Devils returned covered in sweat, leaves, dirt, grass, etc., with dog fur lingering on Koneko's clothes.

Their faces spoke much of their experience, Saji, Tsubasa, and everyone else glaring at Issei with stink eyes while Koneko's eyes were dead, mortified from post-dog-trauma.

They all sat at the kitchen table with plates of assorted sandwiches lying in front of them, prepared by Issei and the Black Sperms. Asia looked a tad winded after tending their wounds, though she now anxiously glanced around due to the awkward atmosphere.

On the side, Rover, at puppy-size, was eating a nice, juicy steak with a bowl of doggy treats prepared in the corner.

All of Black's duplicates returned to a singular mass as he watched the scene unfold with a devious smirk of expectation, still eating from the bag of marshmallows he stole.

On a related note, Akeno was smiling, but Issei could not help but feel the pure malice beneath her plastic smile.

"Err…. How should I put this?" Issei muttered, his voice was still audible enough for everyone to hear. "As for your performances… umm…"

"Hahahaha! You guys suck! It's a fucking miracle you guys survived Rover! Hahahahahahaha!" Black Sperm laughed, pointing a finger at the Devils with mocking jeers.

Asia could not help but flinch, while Issei closed his eyes and breathed in resignation at Black's blunt criticism.

"...Putting Black's opinions aside." Issei finally began. "...I have nothing else to say. Hell, I honestly didn't expect that only Saji made it to the finish line… Surprisingly speaking."

The guy had to use Absorption Line to climb up the mountain with Rover nipping at his heel. Tsubasa was hanging onto Saji and they were close enough for Issei to look down on them without binoculars, although their luck ran sour when Rover caught Tsubasa's leg and tried to pull them down. There were frantic tears and begging for Issei to pull them up, though Issei preferred not to since this was training, even though Saji and Tsubasa were throwing death glares at him.

It ended with Saji kicking Tsubasa off him and sacrificing her to the dog.

"Good job, Saji." Issei tried to elevate the mood with a compliment to the Sitri Pawn. Said Pawn flipped a bird at Issei with the largest frown he could make.

Yeah, Issei should make things up to them after the end of this.

"Alright, I don't need you all to tell me how angry you all are. I understand your frustrations on the level of difficulty I set for this training, but again, this is all for your own good. So before we move on… well, you can vent your frustrations and questions now."

"What the hell made you think Rover is a good idea?" Tsubasa leered at Issei. "This isn't training. It's torture!"

Every participant nodded at Tsubasa's remark.

"...Well, I don't blame you. As for where I got my idea, it's from my training days back then. I thought using my past experience with training could help you guys level up just as fast." Issei shrugged.

His answer garnered questioning expressions and confusion from the Devils.

"Excuse me, but… to summarize your context, you once endured such harsh training in the past?" Catherine asked with slight skepticism, a feeling shared by the rest.

"Oh yeah, like you wouldn't believe. I trained like hell since I was little, so hard that there were moments I thought I was gonna die, but it gets fun after a while when you get used to it." Issei chuckled with a hint of nostalgia.

Rias, Akeno, and the rest were questioning his parents' upbringing methods. They found his answer more believable when they considered Issei's current level of strength which was high even for a human.

"I see… and were they the ones who trained you?" Yuuto asked, gesturing to Black and Rover.

"Hm? Rover and Black? Well, not really. My uncle handled my training most of the time. Rover and Black were more like my sparring partners. There's also this kid I met back in Grigori, though he is a bit of a battle-junkie asshole. He's around my age, though we have to part ways since moving back to Kuoh." Issei reminisced fondly of those times.

That guy really was really into the destiny schtick between the two heavenly dragons, though.

"You have an interesting past… the more I'm hearing about your past, the more curious I am of your family and past acquaintances." Akeno remarked. "I assume that they are quite the company?"

"Oh, yeah, they are. Uncle Genos might be scary at first, but he's actually a very cool guy once you know him better." Issei nodded.

"Debatable!" Black remarked from the side, which went ignored.

"Anyways, any other questions?"

"...What the hell is next for us?" Saji raised his hand as Tsubasa reached out for her sandwich, taking a bite. "It better not involves Rover again or I swear to Sona I will beat you up or die trying."

"...Well…" Issei rolled his eyes away, avoiding Saji's lasing gaze.

The next step would not be so perilous…. Probably.

"We're going to spar."

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