HS DXD Chapter 3 – Gaming Tutorial:
You know how when a new patch for a game arrives there are changes in not only the interface, but sometimes the overall game is changed? How when the World of Warcraft gets a new expansion the classes are reworked? How every new title of Dragon Age has different system?
The Gamer has this too, apparently. Only in my case, every change to the Game meant a change to my life on a huge scale.
It should be no surprise that when my new hot girlfriend – Kala – had to leave, I wasted no time and pulled up my status screen.
The Gamer V4.02
Status:
Name: Imai Karma
HP: 300 MP: 20
Level: 1
Age: 17
Race: Human
Str...23
Dex...31
Agi...28
Con...29
Mag…1
So… I'm a level one. Not that I didn't expect that, but it still stings a little. I was in fights! Lots of them! Why, pray tell am I level one? That shouldn't be even possible and you know it Game!
The Game function allows Exp gain only when the Game is active. It is impossible to gain Exp retroactively.
…
Alright… Let's say I'm okay with this. Which I am definitely not but hey why not. The game specifically mentioned an encounter with supernatural, whatever that is. I can sort of understand why the leveling feature appeared just now - a regular human would never surpass level ten, and only war veterans would get somewhere up to level fifteen or so.
It also said that humans have stats up to fifty at most with fifty being the borderline for the best of the best, such as pro bodybuilders, best gymnasts and top scientists. Young Arnold the Terminator comes to mind.
The Trait section is something I was pleasantly surprised to find, even if I don't understand how in the world I got the [Heightened Regeneration] Trait. I'm not complaining though, the Trait is OP as fuck.
Well, not at the moment but with a bit of grinding to rank it up… Yeah.
The best part is that there's more…
Superior Traits:
[Heightened Regeneration] - (D)
(An innate trait with basis in your genetics that allows to heal small cuts and bruises mid – combat in exchange for a small amount of mana. Can heal grave injuries in long term. The Trait can Rank Up.)
[Hot Blood] - (C)
(The user uses their emotion as fuel in a fight, gaining bonuses to strength, speed and endurance if they enjoy it. Must be a thrill junkie to receive this Trait. The Trait can Evolve.)
Gamer Traits:
Limit Breaker – (S)
(This is a trait all Gamers possess. It grants an exponential boost to basic Stat growth rate, basically tripling it. The bonus can be increased by investing Perk Points in this Trait.)
Observe – (A)
(An active ability allowing the Gamer to find out about objects, animals and people with nothing but a thought. Doesn't work if the target is too strong.)
I'm surprised by the lack of Gamer's mind and Gamer's body. Then again, those two are overpowered as fuck. I mean, imagine someone with the Gamer's mind in Narutoverse. They could completely ignore any mind alteration Jutsus, including Genjutsu. A Gamer like this would be like the world giving the finger to Itachi. Gamer's body, well… That is more of a combat stabilizer if not anything else. Still OP, but less since when you hit zero you would still die.
The Limit Breaker trait is similar in a way. It is basically the description of what each and every fictional Gamer gets – the ability of insane growth speed. It makes you at least talented in any area you choose. I don't have to say why it deserves the Rank it has.
As far as Gamer Traits go I'm more than satisfied. Then there is the Perk List, which is currently empty. Barring that I have only one more section to go through in the Status Section.
I call up the Skills page and immediately a new screen appears, this time with more items on it than the previous ones.
Skills:
[Flawless Transition] – (B)
(You can switch between styles quickly with ease, even as quickly as between two consecutive attacks.)
[Coiled Serpent Style] – lv 47/70
(This martial arts style relies on deflection and counterattacks using quick, explosive punches and an occasional knee, low kick or grapple and flowing from one attack to another without pause. The signs of Coiled Serpent style are a Balanced Stance, front arm stretched out with the dominant arm guarding the user's head.) - Unique
[Muay Thai – Muay Khao] – lv 26/50
(Muay Khao is a sub-species of Muay Thai. It relies heavily on knees and clinchwork. The user seeks every opportunity to clinch his target and uses heavy hooks and knees to further brutalize them.) -Rare
It was easy to see my combat oriented skills represented my actual fighting style precisely – I often do rely on my mobility to slip under a strike and take the opportunity to attack. As for the clinchwork, well… While I do use it I'm not primarily a grappler so I use it mainly to deal some heavy damage without tiring myself out needlessly.
Other skills included but weren't restricted to: [Evasion], which gave me a passive percentage bonus to evading attacks, [Intimidation] which is quite obvious, [Taunt] which is the same and [Flirting] at stellar level two… Yeah, sue me.
Back to rating the new Gamer patch. While I am level one which I by all rights shouldn't be, I'm fairly certain that all my skills and statistics didn't change in comparison to the rest of the world. In other words, the leveling feature was added as another means to speed up my growth. In even other words it means no nerf for me, yay!
Name: Imai Karma
HP: 300 MP: 20
Level: 1
Age: 17
Race: Human
Str...23
Dex...31
Agi...28
Con...29
Mag…1
Looking back on my Status I tried and calculated how my HP is handled. Every point in Constitution I have translates to 10 HP and each level gives me another 10 HP. The same could be said about my MP.
… Seriously? Magic stat of 1? There's no way I can cast any kind of spell with that. Add to it that I have absolutely no freaking idea on how to train my Magic stat…
Yeah, you get the picture I'm trying to convey here. That, together with my skills leaves me one easy path to follow in order to grow strong quickly. Yes, I need to take the mage route.
…
…HAH! AS IF! I'm in no way inclined to try and learn something as outlandish to me as magic no matter how glorious the concept is and that's with me ignoring my abysmal Mag stat. Long story short I get to keep doing what I love – fight using my fists.
'But Karma, wouldn't it be better to get a sword or a knife at least?'
Wait, hear me out common sense. I love the thrill of fighting. I love martial arts. My build does have all the early signs of a tank slash melee DPS in gaming terms. All my physical stats are nearly the same and I can grow very fast. Add to that my Superior Traits which basically scream TANK! and the fact that I already have two unarmed combat skills, one of them Unique. You see my point now, right?
And lastly, there is one more section. When I saw it I couldn't help but grin in anticipation…
The Arena
-Allows the Gamer to enter an arena against one or more opponents. This feature is meant both as a training method and as a way to gain new abilities – when the Gamer beats an adversary on or above their level they receive one random skill or item from the opponent's arsenal.
Str +1
This. This is fucking great! I've been training for, like, two hours and my strength rose by two points already! Two hours!
Now I know two points isn't that much, but it's still way more than I could normally gain! My strength is on 25 finally. If this keeps up I might be able to reach fifty within a week and get a Rank Up for my Strength stat and with it the Trait the Game said I'll get with a Rank Up.
There's just one little problem. I cannot keep up in terms of stamina. My body grows stronger, yes, but I still get tired. I can certainly feel my arms, legs, back and chest hurting from the intense workout session. It's impossible to gain without losing something as well…
As much as I'd like to complain I can't. I should hurry up and take a shower, I'm apparently going on a date. With that in mind I made the best time possible. I chose to wear something else than just my training outfit and considering the school year had yet to start I didn't have to bother with a uniform either. I put on black, slim pants and a white shirt that, by all accounts should be too big for me to wear, but wasn't thanks to my regular workouts.
I decided to grab some of my cash too as I didn't really feel like letting the girl pay for herself on our first date. I could easily be the last, I know but still it doesn't excuse me being an asshole. I announced my mom I was going outside and left.
We have agreed to meet up in front of a nearby cinema over the phone. I arrived first, which usually doesn't happen. It was close to the park I chose to exercise at so I had no trouble getting there. I sat down on a bench and relaxed. The sky was bright, sun shining…. What a beautiful day…
Now if only I don't fuck up the date and it would be perfect.
I don't know how long I waited, but the training had to drain me more than I thought because the next thing I knew, there were hands covering my eyes. "Guess who-?"
"…Issei?" I received a playful slap.
"Oh hell no! It's me, Kala! Or did you already forget me…" The bluette pouted, her golden eyes looking in mine. Kala sniffed.
"Oh come on, it was just a joke."
"I know" She suddenly giggled "I just love teasing you."
"Now before we go watch something, are you hungry?" I ask the girl.
"Yes! Feed me!" she says with a stoic expression. I try to keep a serious look myself, but soon both of us break under the pressure. We start walking in direction of a restaurant Kala suggested.
Aside from that we went to the shopping mall, saw a movie I can't even remember because of Kala – let me tell you the girl can kiss. Then we went for a walk to the park and ended our little date when she had to go. I offered her to walk her home, but she chose to call a cab instead. Oh well, I can find out where she lives another time.
To those who would say I'm wasting time interacting with people I say this: What is a point of a second chance if you spend it worried about losing it? I believe it's better to actually enjoy what we're given.
I had also discovered the Gamer is more accommodating to a Gamer's wishes, I smile mentally as I read another screen.
Quest Completed!
Quest: Spend Time With Your New Girlfriend
Objective: Enjoy your date with Kala (1/1)
Bonus objective: Compliment Kala (5/5)
Rewards:
A girlfriend.
It was late evening when I got back home. Mom was away at work as she'll be for the most time so I went to make dinner for myself. I grabbed some leftover rice from lunch, added meat and took it to my room. The school year would be starting soon… I should probably do something about it, like studying…
…
…
Nah, Imma wing it.
What I should do is finally contact one of the martial arts clubs in Kuoh.
Main Quest: Fight Club
-Nobody talks about fight club-
Objective: Join a Club
Secondary Objective: Beat the clubs'boss' protegé in a figh
Rewards:
1000 Exp
Membership of a club
Patronage of an elite fighter
A special technique
Y/N
I would've accepted it even if I had a choice… Then again it's free Exp. I accepted the quest and made a mental note to stop by Terra's place tomorrow.
Terra's place looked very different during the day. Firstly I didn't see any thugs around. The inside was arranged like most gyms. Lots of workout equipment lined up on the sides, an octagon cage in the middle, wide square covered with matts for takedown and grappling practice. And of course several heavy punching bags.
Not a minute after I came in a tall, brown haired guy separated from the counter and walked to me. He stood above six feet tall with wide, bulky build made out of muscle he screamed 'ROCK!' and 'DANGER!' even though he was smiling.
"Good morning, I assume you came to join our gym?" he said.
"Yeah, that'd be it. My name is Imai Karma and I'd like to join this gym." I flashed a smile before bowing as the Japanese do. The man laughed.
"Oh none of that! The name's Nathan Briggs, an American. The locals know me as Terra though." Terra? This guy is Terra? Observe.
Nathan Briggs lv?
One does not simply fuck with Terra
-Nathan Briggs is a lifelong martial artist in his late twenties. Starting in America without much success at the age of fourteen he entered the military. Much is unknown about his life, only that he surfaced in Japan four years ago and made a living in Kuoh as a martial arts coach. Briggs achieved many things, among them creating his personal combat style, Rock Fist, which he taught his protegé, a young man named Satou Josuke.
…
Aight, I'm scared now.
Honestly though, the guy is too strong for me to see his stats and his level. What was I thinking when I fought the thugs? More importantly, what were they thinking?! Did they have a deathwish?
Focus for fucks sake!
"Nice. So, how do I join? Are there some forms I need to fill in?"
"That's right. Come, I'll give'em to you right away." I followed the older fighter to the counter where he produced bunch of papers for me to sign. Once I got to the payment he stopped me. "I have an idea. I saw that small scuffle yesterday, and frankly I was impressed."
"Yeah? Well thank you, don't stop the praise." I grinned. I hope he doesn't realize just how scared I am right now.
"Hah! You'll fit right in. Back to the deal, if you manage a draw or better against Josuke over there I'll let you in on a year membership for free." I'm hooked. I'm so hooked and from how he looks at me he knows it as well.
"You know what? I'm in but first I want you to tell me something."
"Yeah?"
"Which one is Josuke again?" I smile awkwardly as Nathan gives me the look. Briggs gives me the most pitying smile I've received in years and points at a normal looking guy… for a fighter or a bodybuilder that is.
Josuke had was easily towering above everyone in his age group. He sported short black hair he had combed to one side
"Oh yah. Oooooh yeah." I deadpan at him. "Fuck."
Blasting Josuke with an Observe I found out Josuke had higher stats than be by 10 on average. I had one advantage over him. Well, that and my unique style, Coiled Serpent…
A normal martial arts style has fifty levels until mastery and cannot be trained up further unless evolved into another style. A perfect example would be my [Muay Thai – Muay Khao]. While it is still in the 'base form', I am already specializing it towards heavy usage of knees and body hooks, thus pushing it towards the more destructive Muay Khao style. When the [Muay Thai – Muay Khao] reaches level fifty it can be evolved through use of a Skill Point.
Another thing I forgot… Yeah, so a Skill Point is a fairly rare reward a Gamer can use to either gain 10 levels in a skill of choice or to evolve the skill itself. There is another way to evolve a skill, but honestly who wants to spend days upon days of training up the skill another fifty 'levels' (the skill doesn't improve, only the process of evolving the skill requires so much skill) just so you can get twenty levels to its cap.
Anyways, I did agree to the little bout against Josuke. Call me an idiot, curse my combat junkie tendencies all you want but I don't give a flying fuck. Not when I get to fight a guy trained by someone like Terra.
I changed in my training clothes minus the shirt and went inside the cage. Josuke was already there. He was stretching, hopping in place like a boxer in order to warm up some. As if he needs any flexibility. From what I could see from his posture he wasn't someone to rely on speed. I took him as an example and stretched my arms, legs and popped the kinks in my neck.
We already had an audience, basically the whole gym slowly surrounded the cage with certain Nathan Briggs in the lead.
"Win it Josuke!"
"You can do it!"
"Show him what the Rock Fist prodigy can do!"
Yeah, Josuke has a fancub. Figures. Huh, I wonder If he has fangirls at the school he visits. Wait, no, I shouldn't be pitying the guy I'll fight in a few seconds. Stupid Karma, stupid!
"Are you two ready? Josuke, Karma?" Nathan receives two nods.
We put the gloves on and assume stances. Josuke took a low, defensive stance with his hands up to cover his head and elbows his ribcage. Classic defensive boxer. I choose something vaguely resembling a neutral stance, my hands in front of my body with palms facing my opponent.
"GO!"
We close the distance, bump fists and start.
-o-
Josuke is the first to strike. He cocks his right arm back clearly telegraphing his attack. A prodding strike, not necessitating a reaction. I tilt my head left.
His punch passes inches from my face.
Josuke backs away. Once again he takes his defensive stance and keeps his distance.
I move forward and jab at his head twice. He blocks it and counters with a hook. I duck and the attack sails above my head harmlessly.
Josuke moves forward bringing his fist down on my head in a hammer-like motion. I dance away almost effortlessly. My opponent assumes his 'fortress' stance again.
You know, this waiting, prodding his defenses doesn't really make it a notable experience. Alright then, if you want to defend you will have to defend!
I dash at him. Josuke launches a powerful hook at me but I weave past it and slam my elbow into his ribs. "-ooof!"
Josuke bends over slightly and I capitalize with two hooks at his head and one at his torso. His defense holds and he recovers. Josuke pushes me in order to create distance between us but I bounce right back with a punch in his stomach.
I launch a barrage of vicious punches at my poor victim – who am I kidding I LOVEIT!
This is what I live for! The thrill of a fight! The feeling of actually being alive!
Josuke weathers it. Those of my strikes that get through his defense has the protégé feeling dull pain, but there is little of those.
I launch a hook at his face which he blocks and I follow with a direct in his stomach while moving backwards so his counter hook ends up useless. I land the hit, but Josuke doesn't move even though he should, I put all my weight into it and he didn't even block it. I leap at him, ducking at the last second to dodge another hook aiming at my head. I slip under the follow-up and deflect his next punch.
Thank you Joey-
-my hand grasps his wrists. Josuke's eyes widen as if in effort to say 'what?' as I pull him to me and launch my fist in his face. I don't let him up – that would be stupid. As my fist greets his face my other hand appears on his neck and keeps him in place for me to clinch him.
At this point I know Josuke is fucked. After all, I am superior in legwork. A wide, toothy grin. I knee the fighter in the stomach. He buckles under the hit but straightens up right away. His legs keep a stable stance to prevent a ground fight – if we went to the ground now he'd be dominated. He knows it too. Props to you Josuke-san.
Josuke brings his hands up and grasps my arms. He struggles to break the clinch, no, to switch our positions. Now I'm just insulted… All my hard work to pull you in a clinch and this is how you pay me back? You try to undo all my effort?
You used to pain Jojo? You a tough guy?!
I'm not even pissed. I'm not really impressed either. I'm excited. My left lets go of Josuke. I use my now free hand to barrage his ribs with punches. Josuke takes my punches like a champ, but he is starting to break under the strain. Just a little bit – heeee?
A hand stops my fist from hitting Josuke. My punch wasn't deflected or blocked. It was literally caught. I experience one thing that makes every fight what it is, pain. My arm twists in Josuke's hand leaving me open for an attack-
My head jerks back from the force of Josuke's punch. I sidestep-stumble skillfully enough to evade the followup, but Josuke rushes in, blocks a punch meant to keep him at distance and gets close enough to go ground'n'pound with me.
Josuke lifts me without breaking a sweat – more than he already did – and slams me in the ground, stealing my breath for a second. That's enough for him to hit me in my face again. Josuke does what any sensible fighter would and batters me with punches.
A bad move Jojo!
My fighting style revolves around flow, ruthless attacks and efficient counterattacks.
I weather the onslaught, not that I have a choice. I get the feeling that this isn't what a regular Martial Artist thinks of when they hear the words 'a match in the cage'. We passed the point long ago. A normal fighter has no right staying conscious through this slaughter of a fight. None of us is normal though.
Josuke Satou lv 28
He's more fabulous when taking a shit than you will ever be
-Josuke Satou is a teenage martial artist and a Rock Fist initiate. He has the looks, the skill, the reputation and the looks of a legend. He even has his own fanclub. He is dubbed 'the Wrestling Mountain' among the martial arts community.
Str…48
Dex...34
Agi…26
Con…64
I have no idea how he got it, but his constitution is the only thing keeping him in the game. That and his skill with the Rock Fist style. That is what his default stance and his brutal attacks were. I just know it's up there with my Coiled Serpent style...
However, my style is designed for fighting the aggressive types. And that's what Josuke is, no matter what the Rock Style prioritizes.
I slap Josuke's fist to the side and wrap my arm around it. Hello again!
Josuke gasps, no more beating me in the floor but now fighting for his breath. I expose my teeth in a feral grin, the impression underlined by my wide, excited eyes. I have never said just what kind of serpent was the style based off.
My arms found purchase around my opponent's windpipe and arm respectively, which rendered Josuke unable to properly hit me in any way and unable to breathe. Combined with my legs further immobilizing him…
"The winner is Imai Karma-san!"
oOo
"I can safely admit I didn't see that one coming." Nathan Briggs chuckled "You're a battle maniac Karma, anybody ever told you that?"
"Hey, some people paint, some sing and I fight. It's completely normal!" I retort with no venom in my voice.
"Josuke had only lost twice excluding his fights against me. Once against Adam Dudley, an American fighter that moved in some time ago, and once against Kouh Tournament's former champion Agito Kanoh."
"Well, it's three now." I point out "Speaking of, how many matches has he been in?"
"Eighteen official ones. If we include all one on one fights against actual fighters, we're speaking lower sixties." My opponent walks up to us while wiping his face with a white towel, leaving some red stains on it. "You hit hard." Josuke offered a compliment "I didn't recognize that style of yours though. What is it called?"
"The Coiled Serpent. Made it myself." And I'm damn proud of it. Josuke whistles. "No wonder boss wanted to get you to join us before the other clubs found out about you. Fighting you at the tournament would be a bitch."
"Same here. You should've been out like twice during that fight. Fucking Mountain, they were right calling you that."
We talked martial arts while Nathan took care of the paperwork, and thus I made new friends and joined a martial arts gym without paying for a thing. So far I was fairly pleased with the day.
oOo
"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? DID YOU GET IN A FIGHT AGAIN?"
…oh yeah. I'm not pleased with the day. Don't get me wrong, it's great and all but I somehow didn't realize that while any actual injuries would heal thanks to the Heightened Regeneration trait, which by the way Ranked Up to (C) and heals five percent of my total HP per second – broken much? – that I'd still have some blues. If she somehow missed that then there's also the blood on my training clothes.
What can I say, Josuke hits fucking hard. Speaking of, there's a surefire way to get out of this. The secret technique of all the authorities when it comes to the important stuff – Topic Change!
"…yeah, but there's also good news. I have joined a gym and I don't have to pay anything! Isn't that great?"
…
"…it is a martial arts gym, right?"
"Yeah?"
"And you fought someone to get them to pay for it, didn't you?"
"…"
"Karma Imai, what did I say about gambling and fighting for no reason?" the woman growled.
…
Plan B it is.
…
"NIGERUNDAYO!" I bolt out of there leaving my seething mother in the wake.
oOo
Mother thankfully managed to calm down before I returned home after spending the rest of the day at the gym and later with Kala. The dinner was a quiet affair. Other than that nothing much happened. Later it the evening I checked my progress in the Game. With a quick poke at the screen my status popped out.
Name: Imai Karma
HP: 340 MP: 30
Level: 2
Age: 17
Race: Human
Str...29
Dex...37
Agi...31
Con...32
Mag…1
Available points: 5
Skills:
[Flawless Transition] – (B)
(You can switch between styles quickly with ease, even as quickly as between two consecutive attacks.)
[Coiled Serpent Style] – lv 48/70
(This martial arts style relies on deflection and counterattacks using quick, explosive punches and an occasional knee, low kick or grapple and flowing from one attack to another without pause. The signs of Coiled Serpent style are a Balanced Stance, front arm stretched out with the dominant arm guarding the user's head.) - Unique
[Muay Thai – Muay Khao] – lv 28/50
(Muay Khao is a sub-species of Muay Thai. It relies heavily on knees and clinchwork. The user seeks every opportunity to clinch his target and uses heavy hooks and knees to further brutalize them.) -Rare
Superior Traits:
[Heightened Regeneration] - (C)
(An innate trait with basis in your genetics that allows to heal 5% of your total HP in exchange for a moderate amount of mana. Can heal grave injuries in long term. Passive: 20% Hp regen/minute. The Trait can Rank Up.)
[Hot Blood] - (C)
(The user uses their emotion as fuel in a fight, gaining bonuses to strength, speed and endurance if they enjoy it. Must be a thrill junkie to receive this Trait. The Trait can Evolve.)
Gamer Traits:
Limit Breaker – (S)
(This is a trait all Gamers possess. It grants an exponential boost to basic Stat growth rate, basically tripling it. The bonus can be increased by investing Perk Points in this Trait.)
Observe – (A)
(An active ability allowing the Gamer to find out about objects, animals and people with nothing but a thought. Doesn't work if the target is too strong.)
oOo oOo oOo oOo oOo oOo oOo
Hello again,
I'll be taking care of this part again due to Karma being a patronizing cunt as usual-
Karma: Hey! You want me to punch your face?
…aaaanyways, the next chapter jumps to the start of the school year with all the fun stuff. Karma enrolls in Kuoh Academy, gets to meet some of our favorite characters and of course meet the rest of the Perverted Trio. We already know how Karma is and all of us know Issei, his buddies and Rias and Company. The question isn't if they're gonna clash, but what about.
This is what I ask you my valuable victi – READERS, I MEANT READERS!
Ahem… What do you think? What is the most likely scenario concerning Karma, Issei, the Fallen and the Devils?
I'm honestly thinking of making it a competition, the best/funniest suggestion gets a cameo/scene! If you do make it I'll let you know and we can design the thing together.
Please review, I still get little feedback and it is a little concerning considering the amount of views (hundreds for each chapter), favs and follows (twenty and thirty-something respectively which is pretty good for a now three chapter story).
So review!
Until next time,
Khai