Waking up with a beautiful woman in your arms was a blessing few truly appreciated until it became part of their daily life. It was a warmth, a comfort, and a profound sense of peace that transcended anything else.
Kenji lay in bed, eyes half-lidded, feeling the gentle weight and warmth of the woman he loved, Anastasia, curled into his side. Her soft breaths rhythmically brushed against his chest, a calming rhythm, and her silky black hair spread like ink across the pillow, framing her face.
Her peaceful sleeping face, devoid of the stresses that often creased her brow, was illuminated by the early morning sunlight sneaking through the window, painting her in hues of gold. Kenji took a moment to simply watch her, absorbing the tranquility of the scene, feeling a quiet reverence for this precious moment.
She looked so peaceful, so utterly serene, that it made his heart clench slightly in awe and profound gratitude. This woman had been through so much, because of the previous him, because of the cruel twists of life and fate that had tested her to her limits, and yet here she was, sleeping beside him again, choosing to rebuild and offering him a second chance.
A soft, tender smile crept to his lips as he closed his eyes, thinking that this might be the closest to true, unadulterated happiness he'd ever been allowed to experience, a culmination of all his efforts and struggles since transmigration. It was a feeling so rich, so deeply fulfilling, that he would recommend this unique bliss to all his fellow men or women, regardless of preference; he wouldn't judge, for such moments were truly divine experiences.
Then, a familiar chime echoed sharply and clearly in his mind, pulling him gently from his reverie. Blinking awake, he turned toward the glowing interface of his system, the holographic screen appearing before him, almost forgetting his surroundings for a moment as the mundane faded away. The soft hum of notifications greeted him, a cascade of triumphs from the date night's uninvited, bloody interruption.
[Quest Complete: Elimination – Flesh Rippers Strike Force] Total EXP Gained: 150,000 Level Up! (x2) New Level: 60 Rewards: Skill Ticket, Random Item Box, Equipment Box
He blinked. "Oh, right," he muttered, a light chuckle escaping him, a mix of amusement and slight incredulity.
"Almost forgot about that charming gang of man eating yokai. Guess that wasn't just a date interruption, after all, Seems they were worth the time after all." The sheer scale of the EXP gain was startling, a testament to the danger he had faced, confirming the High-Mid Class threat of Omiji and the combined power of his subordinates. It was a significant boost.
Careful not to stir Anastasia, whose peaceful slumber he cherished above all else, he gently slipped out of bed, moving with the enhanced stealth his agility and training provided. He made his way to the bathroom to wash up, the cool water splashing on his face helping to fully awaken him, washing away the last vestiges of sleep and battle.
As he brushed his teeth, he mentally opened the rewards tab, a broad grin spreading across his face as the tantalizing possibilities unfolded. By the time he walked into the kitchen, the enticing aroma of potential loot made his fingers itch to try them all out, but priorities came first, his family needed breakfast, a warm, comforting start to their day, a symbol of the stable home he was building.
As he prepped the ingredients for breakfast, fluffy scrambled eggs, golden pancakes, and crispy toast with some fresh fruit on the side, he continued reviewing his rewards, accessing the holographic displays with subtle mental commands, cycling through the options.
First was the experience, a massive Total EXP Gained: 150,000, which allowed him to Level Up 2 times, pushing him to Level 60, and bringing him tantalizingly close to another level up, just shy of a third. The alley battle had truly been fruitful, confirming the accelerated growth that came from facing real-world threats.
Then came the Skill Ticket, a rare and exciting reward that promised a completely new ability. He used it immediately, curious to see what new power the system would bestow upon him.
[Skill Ticket Used:] [New Skill Unlocked – "Spirit Slash"] Effect: A sword technique imbued with purified spiritual energy. Highly effective against beings of dark, cursed, or ethereal alignment. Inflicts spiritual damage bypassing physical defenses. Can sever spiritual connections and disrupt energy forms.
"Ooh," Kenji murmured, flipping a pancake with a flourish, a genuine sense of delight bubbling within him. "That's going to be very handy. Spiritual damage is a rare and potent attack type, especially against the creatures of this world, which are often spiritual or demonic in nature."
He immediately thought of stray devils, fallen angels, and various yokai he might encounter. This skill would allow him to bypass their physical durability and strike directly at their essence, an invaluable advantage. It was a perfect counter to many supernatural entities he might face in the DxD world and beyond.
Then came the Random Item Box, He opened it, a feeling of anticipation mixed with amusement.
[Item Acquired – Excalibur (Cursed Version: Soul Eater)] Description: A legendary sword of immense power, said to be a blade of kings… that never shuts up. Literally. Possesses a sentient, incredibly talkative spirit, capable of recalling millennia of battles and anecdotes in excruciating detail. Warning: May cause extreme irritation, existential dread, and an overwhelming urge to throw the sword into a black hole in the wielder.
Excalibur from Soul Eater, wasn't that Arthur's sword from Fire Force. The one that was said to be so annoying that most people just abandon it. But how bad can it really be.
He summoned it briefly into his hand. The blade itself looked undeniably impressive, elegant, silver-edged, and crackling with a faint, visible shimmer of cursed energy, clearly radiating raw power. Its weight was perfectly balanced, its craftsmanship exquisite. But then, it opened its mouth, and all sense of awe evaporated.
[Excalibur]: "Ah, finally! A wielder worthy of my greatness! One who appreciates true legend! Did I ever tell you about the time I was used to cut through the wings of a particularly pompous Demon Lord during a solar eclipse? It was a Tuesday, I believe, or perhaps a Wednesday, one really loses track of the days when you're a legendary blade, and the screams were just sublime! Oh, the sheer audacity of that Demon Lord, thinking he could stand against my majesty! And then there was that time I helped King Arthur himself—a bit dense, that one, bless his heart, always misplacing his crown, but a good chap with a proper grip, unlike some I've met, who thought I was a mere butter knife—"
Kenji immediately dismissed it, thrusting it back into his inventory with a furious mental command, the clattering sound muted.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a throbbing headache already forming at the sheer, unyielding volume of its self-aggrandizing monologue.
"This sword," he muttered, his voice strained and laced with genuine pain, "is going in the deepest part of my inventory. Forever. Or until I find a way to gag it, perhaps a magical muzzle, or a sound-dampening enchantment. It's worse than I thought. Much, much worse. A truly cursed item indeed." The power was tempting, but the price of constant auditory assault was almost unbearable.
Next came the Equipment Box Rewards, which he hoped would be less… vocal. His prayers were answered.
Haori of the Phantom – Grant's partial intangibility for dodging attacks. Enables limited phasing through non-magical obstacles. Provides minor stealth enhancement. A lightweight, dark fabric that seems to ripple like a shadow.
This was going to be an absolute game-changer, allowing him to evade attacks and even traverse certain environments with unparalleled ease. It would save him countless injuries and provide critical escape options.
Shimenawa Bracelet – Accessory. Reduces curse effects by 20%. Provides minor spiritual cleansing and resistance to spiritual corruption. Useful given the prevalence of curses and spiritual attacks from yokai, devils, and other supernatural entities in this world. It offered a crucial layer of passive defense against insidious magical ailments.
Onmyō Charm – Accessory. Nullifies minor to mid-grade curses on the wearer. Consumes charm upon nullification. A delicate paper talisman radiating faint spiritual energy.
"These," he muttered appreciatively, a genuine smile returning to his face, a stark contrast to his earlier exasperation, "are definitely staying. Practical, silent, and incredibly useful for actual survival. A much better haul than a talking sword."
He had just finished plating the last golden pancake, arranging the fruit artfully into a small, edible sun when the kitchen door creaked open softly. Anastasia stood there, bathed in the gentle morning light filtering in from the window, still wearing the long, flowing silk gown she had changed into when they went to sleep, her comfortable nightwear draping elegantly around her. Her tousled hair framed her face in such a way that Kenji momentarily forgot how to breathe, his gaze captivated by her serene beauty.
His heart stuttered in his chest, a soft flutter that brought a genuine blush to his cheeks. He felt like a giddy teenager again.
She stepped further into the light, her sleepy eyes catching his gaze and softening even further, a small, intimate smile gracing her lips, and he could barely take it, the sheer beauty of her in this simple, domestic moment. 'This' he thought, 'this was true happiness'.
Another chime rang a soft, ethereal sound that pulled his attention. It wasn't a warning, but a confirmation.
[System Alert!] Quest Complete: Mending a Broken Family
Ren: 100%
Aoi: 100%Ayaka: 100%
Anastasia: 100%
[Reward Gained: Perk – "Family Pillar"] Effect: You are the undeniable center of your family. All skills receive a 10% bonus when protecting or supporting family members. Your presence provides minor passive healing and stress reduction to family members within a 10-meter radius. This perk signifies a complete re-establishment of trust and love, making your family a source of strength and stability.
Kenji felt his chest tighten, overflowing with oy and a deep sense of peace. He had mended what had broken, slowly, painstakingly, brick by brick, moment by moment.
The system's recognition of "Family Pillar" wasn't just a buff, it was validation of the immense emotional, sincere commitment he had poured into rebuilding his family. The passive healing and stress reduction effect was a tangible representation of the emotional support he now provided, a quiet balm for their souls.
He walked over, a broad, tender smile on his face, and gently handed her a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee, just how she liked it, a small gesture of devotion. "Morning" he whispered, his voice thick with affection and warmth.
Anastasia took it with a pleased sigh, inhaling the rich aroma of the coffee. He slipped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her gently against him, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder. She leaned into him naturally, her warmth a perfect fit against his body, a silent affirmation of their renewed connection.
Thou they hadn't gone all the way yesterday they did get handsy with themself the night before.
He hummed a little tune, then leaned in, giving her a tender kiss on her neck, another on her cheek. As she turned around, her sleepy, loving eyes meeting his, both softened with reciprocal affection, they slowly leaned into each other, ready to share a sweet, intimate morning kiss, a quiet moment of perfect bliss.
Cough.
They froze, startled, breaking apart instantly, their faces flushing beet red. The moment was shattered.
Ayaka and Aoi stood in the doorway, faces beet red as tomatoes, their eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment, shock, and barely suppressed amusement. Ayaka, ever the dramatic one, looked particularly mortified, trying to cover her eyes but peeking through her fingers.
"Uh…" Kenji said, hands still awkwardly around Anastasia's waist, feeling the heat creep up his neck, wishing for an Instant Dungeon to vanish into.
Then Ren walked in, rubbing his eyes, still half asleep, completely oblivious to the scene he'd just stumbled upon. His only concern was breakfast.
"…Morning," he mumbled, yawning widely.
Everyone paused. The awkward silence stretched for a moment, thick with unspoken embarrassment, the scent of pancakes suddenly seeming less appealing. Then Aoi, regaining her composure first, quickly shuffled to the table, eyes fixed straight ahead, pretending to have seen nothing, meticulously avoiding eye contact. Ayaka, still red-faced, followed suit, slumping into her chair with a dramatic huff.
They all pretended nothing had happened and ate breakfast as normal, a bizarre tableau of familial awkwardness, lingering blushes, and unspoken affection. The conversation was stilted for a few minutes, punctuated by nervous coughs and averted gazes, before the comfortable routine slowly reasserted itself, easing the tension.
After the family dispersed, the kids to school, Anastasia to work, Kenji finally had the house to himself. He decided to go into the Vampire Instant Dungeon. He needed to test out Spirit Slash, which promised great things against dark beings, and the new defensive gear he'd acquired. It was also an excellent excuse to escape the lingering embarrassment of the morning.
It worked wonders. Spirit Slash tore through the ethereal vampires with terrifying efficiency, bypassing their normal resistances and dissolving them into dust with blinding speed, a silver light purifying them. The partial intangibility granted by the Haori of the Phantom saved him from two near-decapitations, allowing him to phase through attacks that would have been fatal, making him a ghostly blur. And the curse-nullifying Onmyō Charm coupled with the Shimenawa Bracelet kept him from turning into a blood-addled husk more than once, nullifying debilitating blood curses that would have crippled him or turned him into a thrall. He was thriving, feeling more powerful, more adaptable, and more secure than ever before.
He was in the middle of a particularly intense grind, pushing deeper into the dungeon's decaying ruins, when he had the bright idea of testing Excalibur.
A Big Mistake.
In the middle of a vampire ruin, Kenji stood glaring at the crumbling ground, his eye twitching uncontrollably, a vein throbbing in his temple.
"…Shut. UP. For the love of all that is holy, just be quiet!" he roared, his voice echoing in the desolate space.
[Excalibur]: "—and then the princess fell in love with me, but of course, I was forged for greater things than mere mortal adoration, unlike that lesser blade, Caliburn, which was always so jealous of my magnificent sheen, and my tales of valor, and the time I convinced a dragon to give up smoking, a truly hilarious anecdote if you have a moment, master, I assure you, it involves a gnome with a particularly squeaky voice and a very large carrot, and the dragon's name was Sparkle-Snout, oh, the indignity for a dragon, he roared and roared but I simply reasoned with him about the benefits of lung health and the aesthetics of non-scorched villages, it was a truly eloquent debate, if I do say so myself, which I do, constantly, as is my right as the greatest sword ever forged, unlike that boring Durendal or that crude Gram—"
Kenji hurled it back into his inventory with a furious mental command, the clattering sound muted but the voice still lingered faintly in the back of his mind. He muttered threats under his breath, wondering if there was a way to truly mute sentient artifacts, perhaps a magical dampener or a sound-proof seal around it specifically for the obnoxious sword.
"Why did I even think I could handle that thing? I knew it was cursed to be insufferable, but this? This is a special kind of torment, a mental siege." The sheer incessant chattering, the constant stream of self-congratulatory anecdotes and tangential historical accounts, was worse than any physical wound, worse than any curse.
The sword was powerful he had tested that on the vampire and he had no doubt it was greater than any of the Excaliburs in Dxd but by God, it was too annoying to use.
Eventually, after several more hours of grinding, he exited the ID. The lingering hum of battle faded, replaced by the familiar quiet of his room, a welcome silence. He activated the Multiversal Chat System, eager for some non-sword conversation, and some normal interaction.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: Yo, everyone alive? Just checking in. Long time no chat.
They normally talked but everyone still had things to do so it wasn't every second and like now that it seemed everyone was busy and the last conversation was a full 34 hours ago.
[Eternal Virgin]: Alive and slightly bored.
[Self-Proclaimed Human]: I'm enjoying the adventure school and My experiments with soul are progressing well. Progress is… satisfactory, if a bit messy.
There was no response from Red Cake Boss.
Kenji frowned. She'd been unusually quiet these past few days, not responding to previous messages, her usual swift replies absent. They'd figured she was just on a long, arduous guild job, perhaps stuck in a particularly difficult S-Class mission or dealing with some major guild crisis in Fairy Tail.
She had a tendency to throw herself completely into her work, often going silent for days. They had all assumed she would get in touch when she was done with whatever she was doing, and that there was nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. But the nagging feeling persisted.
Then the system gave a sharp, alarming chime, distinct from the usual notifications. It was a System Alert, signifying something critical.
Suddenly her name on the chat list, previously a vibrant red, suddenly grayed out.
The chat went deathly still.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: What the hell?!
Something was very, very wrong.
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