"Yuuji? Where are we?"
"You're here too?" Yuuji said, surprised to see Lala there.
He had guessed that it was his ability that decided to send him there randomly.
As for the reason, Yuuji, who already had experience with the way his system behaved, always bringing chaos while somehow still following the rules, guessed that even though the ability says that every one month he will be sent to the other dimension, the countdown probably did not start from the month like any normal countdown that begins from the highest number, but instead began with the transfer itself.
That was exactly why he was surprised to see Lala there.
'System, what is she doing here?'
[She was in contact with you, so she came along as well.]
'When she made conta…?'
He was about to complain when he remembered the moment Lala handed him the USB and he took it.
As for the ability activating at that exact instant, it was so ridiculous that Yuuji did not even feel like complaining about being manipulated.
'Can't I just kill myself?'
In fact, ever since he read that if he died he would be teleported to the other dimension in an emergency and would not be able to use the ability for a month, he had considered that method.
[You can. However, if you die, your body will not be teleported but reconstructed in the other dimension, which means…]
'That Lala will stay here, yeah, what a coincidence' Yuuji guessed.
"Miss Lala, I cannot locate the coordinates of anything previously recorded, we are out of range" Peke said, frightened.
"Out of range? But the range is the entire galaxy" Lala asked, confused.
"Exactly! This cannot be… who knows what dangers this unexplored place in the universe holds," Peke said, panicking.
"Calm down, Peke," Yuuji interrupted. "Lala, about this… it is actually my fault."
"Your fault?" Lala tilted her head.
"Yes. I have an ability that activates on its own and takes me to another dimension. If we want to go back, I have to complete a mission," Yuuji explained guiltily.
If the problems caused by his system already annoyed him, dragging an innocent person along made him feel even worse.
But Lala did not react with guilt or anger. Instead, she was extremely excited.
"Another dimension? I assume you do not mean a dimension in the traditional sense, but the concept of parallel universes" she said while taking her D-Dial out of her pocket. She extended an antenna with a blinking green light at least a meter long and added, even more excited:
"It's true! Not only are we in a different place, but most of the coordinates match, yet somehow what should be there is not there. This is incredible! We are in the same place as before and in a different one at the same time, how crazy!"
"Lala, I need you to calm down" Yuuji said, holding her by the shoulders. Although he normally did not mind her personality and found her very fun, that was in a relatively safe world. In this unknown world he had to act with extreme caution.
And caution included preventing Lala from doing something reckless that could end much worse than in a comedy universe like To Love Ru.
"Sorry, I will behave," Lala said, embarrassed, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. "So, what is the mission?"
'What is the mission?' Yuuji repeated to his system.
[You have just entered a major event: The Great War.
Due to the global context, the Main Mission - Power Route has been automatically activated.]
[Main Mission - Power Route (1):
Prove that you are not on anyone's side in this war and that you are your own faction by killing one member of each main faction:
Demons 0/1
Angels 0/1
Fallen Angels 0/1
Dragons 0/1]
Yuuji read the mission and frowned at the last part.
'These factions… am I in DXD?'
[Yes.]
'I see…' Yuuji sighed. As expected, the system had sent him to a dimension where, if you do not become strong, you die.
"Yuuji?"
"Lala, listen carefully…"
Yuuji explained not only the mission they had, but also the general context of the war, Ddraig and Albion fighting each other and affecting everyone, the three biblical factions, the original Maou, and basically everything he knew, so she would know how to act depending on the enemy or in case something happened.
After Yuuji finished, Lala's eyes widened in surprise and even seemed to shine with excitement. She opened her mouth, but immediately closed it and pretended to look serious.
"What is it?" Yuuji asked.
"Does God exist in this universe?"
"Yes, but not exactly like in the Bible. He is basically an extremely powerful being, the leader of the angel faction.
Of course, he can erase you with a gesture, but it is because of his strength, not because he created the universe and controls everything."
"Eeeh? Then he is no different from a powerful alien… how boring," Lala said, disappointed.
"Please do not say that God is disappointing, you would offend many people. We should go complete the mission" Yuuji said, nervous.
"Yes, boss!" Lala nodded.
'Boss?' Yuuji thought in confusion. Attributing it to her personality, he let it pass and began moving toward where he had heard the explosion earlier in search of nearby life.
Seeing Lala follow him happily, he could not help but joke.
"You have incredible adaptability, you know? Most people would be terrified of being taken out of nowhere to another dimension where a war between gods and demons is happening."
"Well, I have been to many planets where many things have happened," Lala replied as if she had expected the question. "Besides… are you not the same, Yuuji?"
"Me?" Yuuji said, confused.
"Yes. It is the first time your ability has done this and yet you are calm.
Not only that, even before, with me, you were not surprised by any of my inventions and you even got involved to protect me."
"…That is true, I suppose I am quite adaptable," he realized suddenly. "Although maybe it is just because it is fun."
"Fun?"
"Yes," Yuuji said. "I have always been very curious, you know? Since I was a child I wanted to do everything, but at fifteen, when my parents suddenly became one of the richest couples on Earth, I had the chance to do everything I wanted… and in a single year I did it all.
Compared to that, everything started to feel boring, making me increasingly lazy and changing my personality. That is why I am actually very grateful to you. You are the most interesting and fun person I have ever met. It is very fun to be your friend."
'Although the fact that it is fun without any risk helps a lot,' he added in his mind.
"…I see."
"Yes, so…" Yuuji suddenly stopped when he saw tears sliding down Lala's cheeks.
'System, what is wrong with her?' he asked in panic.
'Were we not having a normal conversation a second ago? Why is she crying?'
[And why are you asking me, host? Hurry and comfort her.]
'Is it because of what I said? Does it have to do with her personality?' he tried to organize his thoughts, but could not find a clear answer.
[Host, did you not watch the original anime? How is it that you do not know what is happening to her?]
Yuuji clicked his tongue, annoyed.
'And do you not remember what I said? I liked the original anime, the one many criticize because the protagonist is incapable of understanding girls, because he cannot read what they feel or think.
Do you know what that means? That I cannot do it either. If I cannot even understand what they feel when animators show it to me directly, how am I supposed to realize it now?'
Finally, without knowing the reason, Yuuji chose the safe route and apologized.
"Sorry."
"???"
"Why are you apologizing?" Lala asked, confused.
"Well, you are crying, it must be because of me, right?"
"I am crying?" Lala startled and touched her cheeks. "I… I did not notice," she murmured.
"So… um…"
Lala looked at Yuuji's face, a mix of concern and guilt, and let out a small laugh.
"Pfft, why are you making that face?" she teased. "Do not worry, it has nothing to do with you."
"Are you sure? But…"
"Do not worry, we have arrived," Lala said, reminding Yuuji that they had kept walking while talking.
Looking ahead, Yuuji realized they were on something like a mountain, however, the multiple attacks and the destruction of the terrain made it look more like an irregular plateau.
Below it, right in front of them, there was a village. Not very large, perhaps a few hundred houses grouped together.
However, the state of those houses was not good. Most, if not all, were on fire.
Large craters were scattered throughout the area, clear traces of battle or simple side effects of clashes between powerful beings.
The truth was that none of the houses were habitable. They were destroyed, in ruins, wiped off the map, or burning.
Seeing that, Yuuji, who had no experience with things like killing, frowned in disgust.
Fortunately, the Master Management ability made him think more rationally and prevented him from being carried away by his emotions, so he did not vomit or react excessively, but he still felt an overwhelming urge to get away from that place.