Jason sat on the edge of the bed in his modest apartment, staring at his hands. The morning sun streamed through the curtains, but he made no move to get ready for school. He couldn't. Not yet.
The flood of memories was overwhelming, like trying to drink from a fire hose. Two lifetimes worth of experiences crashed together in his skull, and he needed time to sort through the mess before he could even think about facing other people.
*Okay, let's break this down,* he thought, running those unfamiliar hands through blonde hair. *I'm Yuuto Kiba. Knight piece in Rias Gremory's peerage. Traumatic past involving the Holy Sword Project. Dead friends. Hatred for holy weapons.*
But underneath all of that was still Jason Mitchell—the guy who'd died in a Detroit alley, who'd spent seventeen years being aggressively mediocre, who had opinions about things and wasn't afraid to voice them.
The contrast was jarring. Yuuto was polite, refined, diplomatic. Jason was blunt, sarcastic, and had zero patience for bullshit. Somehow, he was going to have to blend these two personalities into something functional.
*Speaking of bullshit,* Jason's thoughts turned to what he knew was coming. *Issei Hyoudou.*
Even thinking the name made his brow twitch. He had memories of the perverted idiot, knew that in the original timeline, the little shit would join their peerage soon after getting himself killed by Raynare. The "protagonist" would then proceed to stumble his way into power while building a harem and acting like a complete degenerate.
*Not happening,* Jason decided firmly. *I don't give a fuck if he's supposed to be the main character. I'm not standing by and watching some horny teenager collect girls like Pokemon cards while I play the supportive pretty boy role.*
It was a dangerous thought. Messing with the established timeline could have consequences he couldn't predict. But Jason had never been one to passively accept things that pissed him off, and apparently death hadn't changed that.
*Besides,* he reasoned, *this is my life now. If I'm stuck here, I'm going to make it count for something. No more being background character. Time to actually take charge.*
The CCA System pulsed in the back of his mind, responding to his determination. He'd been vaguely aware of it since waking up, but now seemed like the perfect time to figure out what it actually did.
*Alright* he thought. *Let's see what you've got.*
The response was immediate. A translucent blue screen materialized in his vision, sleek and modern, like something out of a high-budget sci-fi movie.
**[Character Card Assimilation System - Online]**
**[Welcome, User: Yuuto Kiba]**
**[Status: 1 Character Card Available]**
Jason's eyebrows shot up. *Well, that was fast.*
More text scrolled across the interface:
**[Tutorial: The CCA System allows you to assimilate fictional characters, gaining access to their skills, abilities and knowledge. Cards are earned through completing quests. WARNING: Assimilation is permanent and will alter your base parameters.]**
**[Current Available Card: Muichiro Tokito - Demon Slayer]**
**[Rarity: A-Rank]**
**[Would you like to view card details? Y/N]**
His eyes widened. Muichiro Tokito—the Mist Hashira from Demon Slayer. One of the youngest and most talented swordsmen in that entire universe, a prodigy who'd mastered breathing techniques that could slice through demons.
*Holy shit,* he thought, his heart racing. *This is actually real. I can get the abilities of fictional characters.*
Without hesitation, he selected 'Y'.
**[Muichiro Tokito - The Mist Hashira]**
**[Age: 14]**
**[Abilities: Mist Breathing (Complete Mastery), Supernatural Reflexes, Enhanced Physical Capabilities, Swordsmanship (Grandmaster Level)]**
**[Personality Traits: Analytical, Direct, Prodigious Talent, Tactical Genius]**
**[Knowledge: Advanced Demon Slaying Techniques, Combat Theory, Weapon Maintenance]**
**[Assimilate? Y/N]**
Jason stared at the screen for a long moment. This was it—his second step into becoming something more than he'd ever been in either life. The power to stand on equal footing with the supernatural freaks that populated this world.
*Fuck it,* he decided. *I didn't get a second chance at life just to play it safe.*
He selected 'Y'.
The world exploded into sensation.
Pain lanced through every nerve in his body as if he'd been struck by lightning. His muscles spasmed and contracted, rewriting themselves at the cellular level. His bones ached as they became denser, stronger. His vision sharpened to the point where he could see dust motes dancing in the morning sunlight with crystal clarity.
But it wasn't just physical changes. Memories that weren't his own flooded his consciousness. The familiarity a katana in his hands, the rhythm of breathing techniques that could enhance human capabilities beyond their normal limits, the cold precision of a mind trained for combat from childhood.
He remembered fighting demons in the dead of night, the satisfying slice of a blade through supernatural flesh. He remembered the loss of his brother, the burning need for vengeance that had driven him to master his craft. He remembered the weight of responsibility that came with being a Hashira, the protector of people who couldn't protect themselves.
*Endure it* came a thought that was distinctly not his own.
The pain began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of completeness. His eyes slowly opened seeing the world with new clarity. He could see the individual threads in his curtains, smell the faintest trace of cleaning supplies from the apartment next door, hear the subtle variations in the sounds of traffic outside.
*Interesting,* he thought, as he let the new changes seep into his psyche *This is going to take some getting used to.*
He walked to the mirror and examined his reflection. Externally, he still looked like Yuuto Kiba, but there was something different in his eyes—a sharpness, a calculating intelligence that hadn't been there before.
*So,* he mused, *I'm now a devil knight with the abilities of a Hashira. That's definitely going to elevate my combat versatility by margins.*
A new screen appeared in his vision:
**[Assimilation Complete]**
**[New Abilities Acquired: Mist Breathing, Enhanced Physical Parameters, Extrasensory Perception, Master-Level Swordsmanship]**
Jason looked at his hands again. They were steady, controlled, the hands of someone who'd spent years perfecting the art of the blade. The knowledge was there—how to grip a sword for maximum efficiency, how to read an opponent's stance, how to channel breathing techniques that could enhance his physical capabilities beyond human limits.
*Mist Breathing,* he thought, and suddenly he understood. Seven forms, each one designed for different combat scenarios. First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze—a thrusting technique that could pierce through the strongest defenses. Second Form: Eight-Layered Mist—multiple slashing attacks that created a defensive barrier. And so on, each technique burned into his muscle memory as if he'd been practicing them for years.
He could feel his demonic energy responding to these new pathways, the power flowing differently through his body. Where before Yuuto's sword creation had been limited to demonic blades, now Jason could sense the potential for something far more sophisticated.
*This is fucking incredible,* he thought, flexing his fingers and watching how they moved with perfect coordination. *I went from being a dead nobody to a devil knight to having the skills of one of the most talented swordsmen in anime history.*
But even as he marveled at his new abilities, the analytical part of his mind—enhanced by Muichiro's tactical genius—was already working through the implications. He was stronger now, faster, more capable. But he was also in a world where strength meant everything, where the supernatural entities operated on a complex web of politics and power plays.
*First things first,* he decided, standing and stretching muscles that felt fundamentally different than they had an hour ago. *I need to figure out exactly where I am in the timeline.*
His newly acquired memories told him everything he needed to know—it was still early in the school year, which meant Issei hadn't died yet. The perverted idiot was probably still going to school, completely oblivious to the supernatural world around him.
*Good,* Jason thought with grim satisfaction. *That gives me time to prepare.*
He closed the planner and walked to the window, looking out at Kuoh Town in the morning light. Somewhere out there, fallen angels were plotting, other devil families were scheming, and all sorts of supernatural bullshit was brewing beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful town.
*The question is, what's my move here?*
The system chimed again, drawing his attention back to the screen:
**[Quest: Don't Let Issei Hyoudou Join the Peerage]
**[Rewards: 1 Character Card]**
**[Time Limit: None]**
**[Accept? Y/N]**
Jason considered the quest. It was vague enough to give him options, but specific enough to have clear goals.
*Accept,* he decided.
**[Quest Accepted]**
**[Tip: Demonstrating combat prowess or strategic thinking will advance quest progress]**
Jason glanced at the clock and realized hours had passed since he'd first accessed the system. He'd need to get moving soon if he wanted to maintain his normal routine, but first he wanted to test his newly acquired abilities.
He moved to the center of his apartment and took a deep breath, focusing on the knowledge that had been burned into his mind. *First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze.*
Even without a sword, he could feel the technique's essence—the way his body should move, the precise angle of attack, the breathing pattern that would enhance his speed and power. His muscles remembered movements he'd never made, his mind understood strategies he'd never studied.
*This is insane* he realized as he became aware of just how much sensory input he was processing at once*All this enhanced awareness... I need to learn how to filter it or I'll end up hurting my own allies*
But even as he struggled with the overwhelming flood of information, part of him was exhilarated. For the first time in either of his lives, he felt truly powerful. Not just physically, but mentally sharp in a way that went beyond normal intelligence.
He needed to test this properly, but that would have to wait. Right now, he had a role to play and a plot to mess with.
*Time to see the crimson ruined princess in person* he thought as he got dressed in Kuoh uniform *Let's hope I don't blow my cover in just a few minutes*