Kokabiel, rather Arthur—whoever the hell he was supposed to be now, was feeling lost.
The memory of his death was still fresh in his mind. The car. The impact. The rod through his chest. Dawn's terrified face.
How was his family doing? What must be going through their minds right now?
Were they at the hospital? Had they already taken his body away? Was Dawn having nightmares? Was Mom blaming herself? Was Dad trying to hold it together for everyone else while breaking down inside?
He sighed and stared at the white wings at his back. He had five pairs of beautiful white wings that moved slightly with his thoughts. They felt natural, like they'd always been there, but also completely alien.
Ten wings. That was apparently a big deal.
The other angels—his... brothers and sisters, they kept calling themselves—had explained he was an Archangel. But he didn't feel as powerful as the other angel, Michael. That guy radiated power like a sun. Standing next to him felt like standing next to a nuclear reactor.
Michael had been patient when explaining things. "You were just born, Kokabiel. Your powers are still adjusting to your vessel. Once they stabilize, you will gain another pair of wings, officially promoting you to the next rank."
"What rank am I now?" Arthur had asked.
"Ultimate class. Quite impressive for a newborn angel."
Ultimate class. The words meant nothing to him, but the other angels had looked impressed.
But what was this? He died and became an angel? And the highest ranked one at that, apparently. What was he even supposed to do from here on out? Sing sermons? Smite demons? Float around on clouds playing a harp?
He sighed and fell down on the bed that had been given to him. The room was nice—all white marble and gold trim, with a window that looked out over... well, Heaven, he guessed. Clouds and light and more angels flying around.
But one thing was confusing. Why did the female angels look... well, rather lewd?
It was supposed to be Heaven, right? All prim and proper and holy? Yet the female angels wore outfits that showed way too much skin. Their figures were... distracting. Very distracting.
It felt like he was in an entirely different world.
And when the divine knowledge kicked in—this weird information that just appeared in his head when he needed it—he realized it was indeed some world unknown to him.
Humans were still in the Bronze Age, maybe early Iron Age. They were just figuring out metal tools and agriculture. No internet. No cars. No pizza delivery.
There were also other factions. Devils were apparently their enemies, though the knowledge didn't explain why. Just that they were. Yokais were neutral, basically. Then there were different religious pantheons—Greek, Norse, Hindu, Slavic, Chinese—all existing at the same time and apparently all real.
That alone was mind-blowing. Multiple gods? Multiple heavens? How did that even work?
But what really got his attention were the dragons.
Two dragons in particular.
Red Dragon Emperor—Ddraig, and White Dragon Emperor—Albion. Apparently they were constantly fighting each other and had destroyed entire civilizations as collateral damage.
Then there were two more heavy hitters, and apparently the strongest beings in this world.
Dream Dragon—Great Red, and Infinity Dragon—Ophis.
Great Red was described as "the apocalypse" and "the true red dragon god emperor." Ophis was "the infinite dragon god" and apparently just wanted to sleep but kept getting bothered.
Only then did his gears start to turn.
Dragons. Devils. Angels. A perverted world where female angels dressed like that.
It reminded him of an old anime his friend had made him watch back in high school. Jake had been obsessed with it. What was it called? High School DxD?
He'd hated it.
It was just... wrong! What kind of protagonist powers up with the power of boobs? The main character—Issei, that was his name—would literally yell "Oppai!" while grinning like a creep, and that somehow made him stronger.
Issei was the worst protagonist Arthur had ever seen in anime. No depth, no character development, just perversion and power-ups.
Yet girls kept throwing themselves at him. Beautiful, powerful women just falling over themselves for this perverted idiot. What a load of crap!
And the fights! The villains would just stand there while Issei groped his harem members to power up. They'd watch while he touched breasts and sucked nipples, and then act surprised when he got stronger. Who wrote this garbage?
Arthur almost wanted to laugh, momentarily forgetting the sadness of his untimely demise, over the absurdity of probably being in that perverted anime world.
"Of all the places, I ended up in a perverted anime world where boobs reigned supreme. What a joke."
Was this isekai? Why him? He didn't want this.
He would have rather stayed back and lived a regular, happy life with his family. Maybe finding someone who would understand him and support him, rather than forcing their will upon him like Katie had.
Arthur wanted to shout. To curse. To demand answers from whatever cosmic being had done this to him.
But his new body was dampening his emotions. It was like trying to feel through a thick blanket. The anger was there, but muted. The sadness was there, but distant. As if his emotions weren't strong enough to show through this angelic vessel.
He sighed and muttered, "Why am I even here?"
Suddenly, there was a bright blue flash in his head that made him wince.
[Ding! Welcome Host, to the Dimensional Chat Group. Here, You can talk and interact with people from other worlds, make friends, even travel to their worlds! It can also show host's strength and data panel.]
[Host will be added to a random chat group!]
Arthur sat up straight. "What the—"
[The request has been sent, it cannot be changed. Host advised to check the group store and wallet for item purchase. Store credit can be earned by completing task or streaming. It is also advisable to talk as much as possible to other members and form connections. ]
"I refuse!" Arthur almost shouted.
But the blue screen just floated there in his vision, unbothered by his protest.
"Are you serious right now? First I die, then I get isekai'd into a perverted anime, and now I get a chat group system? What's next, a harem falls into my lap?"
[Host advised to maintain calm. The Dimensional Chat Group is a valuable resource for—]
"Yeah... nah. I barely talked to less than 100 people in my entire life. I'm not chatting up random strangers from other dimensions." Arthur shook his head.
This was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
He sighed again. First dying, now this? It felt like someone was messing with him. Like some cosmic entity thought his suffering was entertainment.
[Chat group has been found. Host will be added as a participant. Welcome to a new beginning!]
Arthur stared at the notification. "What's the point of asking if I don't have a choice? Whatever. I'll just check it later. Or never. Probably never."
He dismissed the blue screen with a thought and fell back down on the soft bed, staring at the ceiling. The marble was so white it almost hurt to look at.
He muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mom. Dad. Dawn. I hope you guys don't feel too sad, and move on. You've given me more than I deserved. I hope... you're happy, even without me."
His chest hurt. Not physically—this angelic body didn't seem to feel physical pain—but emotionally. A deep, hollow ache where his heart should be.
How much time had passed for them? Time was weird here. The divine knowledge suggested that time flowed differently between dimensions. Had it been hours? Days? Years?
Were they even still alive? Human life was so short and fragile compared to what he was now. He could live for thousands of years as an angel. Tens of thousands, maybe. Immortal, basically.
But they would live and die in the blink of an eye.
He could only pray that they moved on and found happiness again. That Dawn grew up strong and found someone who would protect her the way he couldn't. That Mom and Dad supported each other through the grief and didn't let it destroy their marriage like he'd seen happen to other families who'd lost children.
He was brought out of his musings by a gentle knock on his door.
"Hello Brother. It's me, Gabriel. Are you alright? I sense an immense sadness within you."
Arthur sighed and got up from the bed. "Come in."
The door opened, and he was immediately mesmerized by the beautiful being that entered.
He almost felt a nosebleed coming on.
Gabriel was... there were no words. She was like radiant light given form, filled with joy and gentle kindness that made you want to bask in her presence. Her smile could probably cure depression.
But she was also incredibly beautiful in a very physical way. Her voluptuous body added a mature charm that completely contradicted the innocent, pure vibe she gave off.
Of course. It was DxD.
Arthur vaguely remembered how his degenerate friend Jake would go on and on about Gabriel. "Perfect waifu material," he'd called her. "Beautiful, kind, powerful, and stacked. What more could you want?"
Was she even in the anime? Arthur wasn't sure. He'd only watched a few episodes before giving up in disgust. His memory of the show was already slowly fading away.
Wait. Fading away?
That thought captured his attention with sudden panic. Would he just forget them? His family, his life, everything he'd experienced? Would his memories disappear until all that was left was Kokabiel the angel?
The thought filled his mind with desperation. No. No, he couldn't forget them. He wouldn't forget them.
Suddenly he felt soft arms wrap around him. His head was being placed between two soft mounds of flesh which he was in absolutely no mood to appreciate.
Gabriel's gentle voice came to his ear, soothing and warm. "There, there. Don't be sad, Brother. I don't know what caused you such grief, but don't worry. Everything will be alright. Me and our siblings will help you ease your pains. If you ever feel sad, talk to me." She smiled beautifully, though he couldn't see it with his face pressed against her chest.
Arthur closed his eyes and let the voice soothe his soul. He was at a loss. Confused. Grieving. Angry.
But he could sense the genuine love and sincerity from her. It wasn't pity. It wasn't obligation. She actually cared about him, this brother she'd just met.
He mumbled softly, his voice muffled. "Thank you, Gabriel, for your kindness."
Gabriel smiled happily while holding him. "Of course, Brother. I am happy to help you."
She felt a strong attachment to her new brother. When she'd first sensed his presence, she'd felt drawn to him. He was unlike any of her siblings. He felt more...free?
He looked so serene and peaceful on the outside, like still water. Yet he held such immense sadness inside, like an ocean of grief hidden beneath the surface. The contrast between his appearance and thoughts provoked a desire to comfort him.
She'd felt it instinctively—this overwhelming desire to care for him. To help him forget any pain he had. To see him smile.
She pulled back slightly to look at his face. "Are you feeling better now, brother?"
Arthur nodded slowly. "Yeah. A little."
"Good." Her smile brightened even more. "I came to inform that Father has summoned you to tell you your duties. He awaits your presence."
Arthur stiffened immediately.
Was he about to meet the DxD god? Yahweh himself? The Biblical God who created the angels and the Sacred Gear system and basically held Heaven together through sheer divine power?
Would he see through Arthur? Would he know that the soul inside Kokabiel's body wasn't supposed to be here? Would he be erased on the spot for being an impostor?
But there was no point in thinking about it.
He'd have to meet God eventually. Running wasn't an option. Not in Heaven, where God probably saw everything.
So he took a deep breath, unnecessary for an angel, but the habit remained—and stood up slowly. "Alright, Gabriel. Let's go meet him."
Gabriel felt a little confused. She didn't sense the usual reverence that she and her siblings showed when mentioning their Father.
There was respect, yes, but also... wariness? Fear?
But she didn't dwell on it. She took his hand gently. "Follow me, Brother."
Arthur flinched slightly at the way she called him brother. It reminded him of Dawn. That innocent smile. That unconditional trust.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. No. He couldn't think about that now.
He had a meeting with the Big G after all.
And if God decided he didn't belong here?
Well, at least he'd gotten to hug Gabriel first.
Small victories.