Birds chirped, and a gentle breeze brushed my cheeks, soothing me. The rustling of leaves filled the air. Perfect spot for a nap.
…Wait.
"No way!" I bolted upright, shouting.
Where am I!? Why'm I lying in a forest!? Is this Asto Ade? If so, I don't recognize this place! Last time, I landed in Alice's castle, but this? Where the hell!?
Help!
I glanced around—everyone was here. At least we all made it. That's a relief.
Calm down. Deep breaths.
"Is this the other world you mentioned?" Azazel asked, scanning the forest.
"Uh, probably…?" I replied.
"Probably?" He gave me a look.
"I don't know every inch of this world! I know more places I haven't been," I said.
"Fair. I don't know every corner of our world either," he admitted.
"What now?" I asked.
"Wake the others," he said.
Starting like this? Not a great sign…
Maybe Miu knows where we are. I shook her gently. "Miu, wake up."
"…Five more minutes…" she mumbled, rolling over.
Like she's at home! Her "five minutes" could be an hour!
"You'll catch a cold sleeping here," I said.
"…Morning?" She rubbed her eyes, groggy.
"Morning," I replied.
Miu looked around, then her eyes widened. "We did it!?"
"Think so. I've never been here. Know where we are?"
"Yeah, this is—"
Screams cut her off. "Aaaaah!"
Asia, Irina, and Reyna's voices echoed through the forest.
What's happening!?
I ran toward the sound. There, crouched and naked, were Asia, Irina, Reyna, and Koneko!
Blood shot from my nose. What a sight to see right after arriving! Asia's chest had grown noticeably—amazing! Irina and Reyna's figures were stunning, their embarrassment adorable. Koneko's petite charm? Perfect!
Thank you! My eyes are blessed!
"…Pervert deserves death," Koneko said.
Thwack! Her sharp jab hit my face.
Ouch, Koneko! Your punches keep getting stronger—training's paying off! Her sharp tongue's universal. Comforting, somehow.
"Why just our clothes?" Koneko asked, eyeing Rias and the others, who were fully dressed. Rossweisse and Tiamat, who joined last-minute, were fine too.
If everyone was naked, it'd be even better, but why just them?
Wait—this feels familiar…
"Koneko, you handled Asia and the others' energy, right?" I asked.
"…Yes," she replied.
Oh no. "Did you… channel energy into their clothes?"
"…Huh?"
Yup, I was right. Samerosa
That explains it. Same as when I brought Miu here. Their clothes didn't make the trip.
"Um, probably because you didn't channel energy into their clothes… midway through, they vanished," I explained.
"…My fault?" Koneko wilted.
"No, no! Not your fault! I didn't explain properly. My bad!" I said, panicking.
"…If I'd watched you closer, this wouldn't have happened," she mumbled.
She's blaming herself! I grabbed her shoulders. "It's not you! I didn't stress it enough! My fault!"
No way Koneko's to blame. I'd rather cry than let her!
Akeno fixed the clothes issue with her magic, recreating their outfits. Crisis averted.
"Thanks, Akeno," I said.
"My pleasure," she replied with a smile.
Thank goodness for Akeno. Koneko bounced back too. All's well.
"What a start. I'm worried already," Azazel sighed.
Sorry, Sensei.
"We need to figure out where we are. Miu, any ideas?" he asked.
Miu nodded. "This is Galepein Forest."
"Galepein?"
"It's in the demon-ruled country of Galepein. I used to play here, so I'm sure," she said.
Makes sense I don't know it. I only passed through Galepein to fight Sirius, not this forest. It's peaceful, though.
"Alright, Miu, lead the way," Azazel said.
She's the best guide, and her status might help with any demon locals.
Koneko's ears twitched. "What's wrong, Koneko?" Rias asked.
"Blood… I smell blood," she said grimly.
"Blood!?" we exclaimed.
Someone's hurt!? I sharpened my senses, scanning the area. If Koneko's right, someone's nearby…
"Found them! This way!" I sprinted toward the energy signatures, the others following. Dozens of presences, fighting something…
We need to hurry. I sped up, staying alert. Koneko matched my pace, cat ears twitching.
"Issei-senpai, this is…" she started.
"Yeah, something bad's out there. Not human energy… multiple identical signatures."
That's not normal. What's going on?
Screams echoed ahead. We reached the scene.
GROOOOAR!
ROOOOAR!
"Damn it!" a soldier shouted.
"Medics, get the wounded to safety!" another ordered.
"We're done for!" a third cried.
A dozen white monsters battled a mix of human and demon soldiers, shielding each other while fleeing. Some were bloodied, carried by others.
We gotta help!
"No clue what's happening, but let's save them!" I yelled.
"Right!" they replied.
We burst from the bushes, charging the monsters. I slid between one and a soldier, blocking its massive arm. The soldier gaped, then recognized me. "Lord Issei!? Why are you here? Didn't you return to your world?"
"Long time no see, Captain! I'll explain later—fall back! Kiba!"
"On it!" Kiba darted in, whisking the captain to safety. The monster's focus shifted to him.
Koneko seized the moment, leaping forward. "There!"
BOOM! Her uppercut smashed the monster's jaw, the impact echoing. She pressed the attack, cycling energy to accelerate, unleashing a fierce combo. Her energy-laced punches and kicks tore into the beast—enough to scrap a mid-tier demon or heavily damage a high-tier one.
But—
GROOOOAR!
The monster counterattacked, spitting flames and swinging its tail and six arms at Koneko.
It's still fighting after that!?
This is too much for Rias's group to handle alone.
"Rias! Team up to fight! Asia, heal the wounded! Azazel, Tiamat, and I will take one each!" I shouted.
"Tch, fine, I'm in!" Azazel said.
"Didn't expect a fight this soon!" Tiamat added.
They each tackled a monster. I donned my armor and swung at mine. "Here we go!"
BoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoost!
Amplifying my power and cycling energy, I boosted my physical abilities. These things tanked Koneko's onslaught, so they're tougher than high-tier demons. Gotta match that strength.
The monster spat flames at me—scorching heat! Dodging's smart, but soldiers are still behind me. No choice!
I charged through, punching the flames apart, my fist piercing the monster's gut. Pulling back, I unleashed a storm of punches and kicks, shredding its body.
"Take this!"
BOOOOM! My full-force strike smashed its face into the ground, cratering the earth.
Landing, I flexed my arm. Fully healed—fighting's so much easier now.
Then—
GROOOOAR!
The monster fired flames at me. I dodged, shocked. It's still moving!? Its gut's torn, arms ripped off—how tough is this thing!?
Rias's team, Azazel, and Tiamat were cursing their monsters' resilience too. One kept attacking with half its head gone.
Gotta wipe them out completely.
"They might come at us with just heads left!" Ddraig warned.
No holding back, but going all-out could hit everyone. Azazel and Tiamat are holding back too, probably thinking the same. With wounded soldiers around, we can't risk it.
"Azazel, Tiamat! Set up a defensive barrier with the others! I'll handle these!" I called.
"Rias, bring them over here! Don't get caught!" Azazel shouted.
"Got it! Everyone, evacuate them!" Rias ordered.
They gathered, raising a strong barrier.
Perfect!
Let's do this, Ddraig!
"Might be overkill, but with wounded around, ending this quick is best. Don't wreck the forest," he said.
Got it!
I surged my energy, sparks crackling as my armor shifted. "Balance Breaker Second Tierappdata
"Dragon Full Blaster!" I roared.
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!
Six cannons fired red blasts, obliterating every monster into dust. With Ddraig's precision, I hit only the targets, minimizing forest damage.
I disengaged my armor and rejoined the group. "Asia, how're the wounded?"
"They're exhausted but healed. They're okay," she said.
"Thanks, Asia."
Good—all safe.
"Princess!"
"Lady Miu! You're unharmed!"
Demon soldiers surrounded Miu, cheering.
"I'm fine. You all okay?" Miu asked.
"Yes! Thanks to their healing, my wounds are gone!" a man said, showing her his recovered injury. Asia's work is top-notch!
A middle-aged man in armor approached—Captain Trim. "Lord Issei, you saved us."
"No big deal. You helped me back then. Oh, everyone, this is Trim Halberd, captain of the knight order in the country I stayed in."
"I'm Trim Halberd. Thank you all," he said, bowing to Rias and the others.
Turning to me, he asked, "Why are you here? Ianalytics
"It's a long story. Rest the soldiers first, okay?" I said.
Asia's healing didn't restore their stamina. They need rest.
Trim nodded at my suggestion. Miu raised her hand. "How about the nearby village? They can rest there."
"Close by?" I asked.
"Ten minutes' walk," she said.
"Perfect. Lead the way."
"To our Eternal Forest City, Forestnium—"
Issei and crew made it to the other world! I used some original names like Galepein and Forestnium from the source material—don't mind it (lol).
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