P.O.V Morgan Key Blackwood
Sitting in the hotel room I decided to crash in before heading out for those giant crocodiles, I strip off my gear and change into something lighter to sleep. I lay back on the bed and pull up my Gacha interface.
I have 30 new pulls, and honestly, what I need more than anything are more characters to assimilate or summon in the future. I can't live forever as some bottom-tier mercenary. I have a System, and a curse that makes me "attractive"—or rather, appetizing—to anything related to the supernatural. It's only a matter of time before someone dangerous from a top-tier faction decides they want my ass and won't take "no" for an answer.
Looking at the two new options, I decide to try my luck with the Character Pull. I select the option for characters only, and after a series of bright lights flash across the screen, the cards begin to appear one by one.
(3/5 ⭐) Geralt of Rivia: A professional mutant with an immune system so altered he can drink poisons for breakfast. He's an expert at tracking things normal people prefer to ignore and getting paid for it. He possesses magical skills and knowledge that are nothing to sneeze at, along with an extraordinary fighting capacity against various types of creatures. Note: He comes with a foul mood and enviable hair, but be careful inviting him to play cards; he takes Gwent way too seriously.
Okay! This is promising. Geralt is one of the best characters from The Witcher; I already have my first candidate for assimilation. If I assimilate him, will my hair look better too? Eh, I didn't change color from assimilating Killua, I didn't turn into a midget like Edward, and my DNA didn't change with Miles, so I'm not really expecting anything.
(3/5 ⭐) Guts (Post-Eclipse): The epitome of the word "resilience." This man has survived demons, eclipses, and a destiny that hates his existence with a passion. He is someone who simply doesn't know when to quit when he has a goal. Warning: He loathes everything related to demons and is prepared to kill anything of that nature.
Okay... okay... okay... The System woke up based, apparently. Two for two, and none of them are bad at all. Honestly, everything is looking incredible so far.
(2/5 ⭐) Tanjiro Kamado (Post-Lower Moon): A boy with a sense of smell capable of detecting malice (and bad breath) from miles away. He uses breathing techniques to make his sword cut like the sun. He is so kind he'd probably apologize to an enemy before decapitating them. His forehead is, technically, a diamond-level impact weapon.
...
..
.
What the hell? Okay, let's recap... First, Geralt: a monster and specter hunter who works as a mercenary. Then Guts: an ex-mercenary who hunts demons out of a specific hatred for them. Finally, Tanjiro: a member of a "Demon Slayer" group who mastered a breathing technique to enhance his physical capabilities... There's a pattern here... System?
[The Gacha usually draws from your most recent experiences to find something you need. Depending on the situations and places you've been, things you've done, and people you've interacted with, the system will provide different types of rewards based on all of that.]
Wait, that means if one day I decide to go to space and do space stuff...
[Your rewards for the next Gacha will revolve around a space environment and related themes. Examples include: Star Wars, Mass Effect, Star Ocean, Star Trek, etc.]
Okay, I really didn't expect that at all. So... Monster hunters and mercenaries? Not bad; those things are always appreciated. Well, let's keep going; let's see what else this system can give me.
(2/5 ⭐) Kraven the Hunter: A Russian aristocrat with an unhealthy obsession with fur coats and difficult prey. His tracking skills and use of natural toxins are elite. He is proficient with all types of weaponry and has an uncanny ability to adapt to the prey he wishes to hunt. Note: He usually puts his hunts above all else; if he wants to catch or kill something, nothing in the multiverse will convince him otherwise.
Wow, not bad. His instincts and capabilities would serve me well. Better to assimilate those than to summon him, because if he sees me as prey, there's no way I'm convincing him otherwise.
(4/5 ⭐) Inuyasha: A dog-demon hybrid with anger issues and an inferiority complex the size of a temple. He possesses tremendous physical strength and heightened senses. He has great power, sharp claws and fangs, senses worthy of a dog-demon, and regeneration from his demonic side, but a weakness for tsundere schoolgirls.
The Gacha has been feeling very generous lately, and I don't know if I should be worried. After all, these are impressive characters. Even without his sword, Inuyasha is already quite strong, so he's another candidate for assimilation.
Background Card (x5)
Obedience Card +5 (x2)
(2/5 ⭐) The Boss: The mother of special forces and creator of CQC (Close Quarters Combat). Her tactical and leadership abilities are legendary. She knows the meaning of true sacrifice for a mission. Note: She isn't just a soldier; she is a walking combat philosophy.
I want to cry... she deserved a happy ending... and I guess she'll get a second chance here. Gacha, don't mess with my emotions too much.
(2/5 ⭐) Revy "Two Hands": A mercenary with a mouth filthier than the sewers of Roanapur and lethal aim with her twin Berettas. Her combat style is pure controlled chaos and nihilism. She's not great at teamwork, unless the "team" consists of "shooting anything that moves."
...I'm scared and turned on at the same time... Is that good or bad? I mean... Revy is a hell of a woman... but her personality is... "complicated" is too soft a word for it. As a mercenary, she's perfect, but as an ally... that's a pretty big problem, honestly.
(3/5 ⭐) Bullseye: An assassin who turns any everyday object (a paperclip, a tooth, a card) into a deadly projectile. His precision isn't magic; it's a psychotic obsession with the geometry of murder.
HOLY SHIT! This lunatic? He's dangerous, very dangerous. Literally, assimilating him would make me an expert marksman, better than anyone in the world. But I'm a bit afraid of how it might affect my psyche. Killua has already made me fairly indifferent to killing, and Sheldon—even if just a little—makes me feel annoyed by things I didn't care about before. Assimilating a deranged assassin/mercenary is a 50/50 shot of going very well or very wrong.
I look at my rewards and can't help the smile spreading across my face. I just pull the characters again since they've given me nothing but good stuff so far.
Affection Card +15 (x2)
(2/5 ⭐) Erron Black: A gunslinger who has survived centuries thanks to deals with dark magic and impeccable aim. He's the "cowboy" in a world of ninjas and gods. He uses dirty tricks, blinding sand, and bullets with names on them.
Okay, this one might be smoother to assimilate than Bullseye. He's the ultimate cowboy of Mortal Kombat, and his aim shouldn't be much different from the psychopath's, just with less "crazy." Let's keep Bullseye on the bench for now.
(2/5 ⭐) Spike Spiegel: A bounty hunter with a fluid fighting style based on Jeet Kune Do and luck that oscillates between miraculous and tragic. His motto is "Whatever happens, happens." Note: Excellent pilot, but a walking financial disaster.
Is it just me, or am I hearing trumpets and jazz in the background? Because holy mother of god! This guy is incredible—someone truly worth both assimilating and summoning.
Background Card (x3)
(2/5 ⭐) Black Widow: Natasha Romanoff. Expert in infiltration, manipulation, and acrobatic combat. She really knows how to do her job; she's also a certified Gamma-class monster whisperer. Note: Her trust is hard to earn, but once you have it, she would give her life for those she cares about.
Why are most of the people I can or want to summon sexy women? Is it my fault that all the male characters—except Spike, of course, he's a total boss—are tough guys, but so far all the women I want to summon are ridiculously sexy and look like they were pulled straight out of an average Webnovel user's sexual fantasy?
(2/5 ⭐) Artyom (Metro Exodus): The ultimate survivor of the Moscow tunnels. He doesn't talk much (or at all), but he can fix a pneumatic rifle with duct tape and hope. A person loyal to those he considers friends, someone who desires a better future for humanity after an eternal nuclear winter.
Okay, I'm not complaining anymore. I get it, I get it; you don't have to get mad at me, Gacha. And thanks for the character.
(3/5 ⭐) Winter Soldier: A super-soldider with a metal arm capable of crushing skulls and a memory fragmented by decades of brainwashing. He is the perfect killing tool: cold, efficient, and silent.
Damn, Bucky, buddy... I think I need a psychologist for you if I'm going to summon you at some point. Are there even psychologists in anime who can help him? Because right now, I can't think of any who could stop a severely traumatized super-soldier from giving them an "Iron Claw" if he gets upset.
(1/5 ⭐) Casca (Band of the Hawk): A natural military leader and expert in swordsmanship. During her time in the Band of the Hawk, she was the only one capable of maintaining order in the chaos of war. She is brave, technical, and fierce on the battlefield.
Well, she's the least idiotic of the group, and this is from before she was traumatized by her leader's betrayal. I could give her a better future than the one waiting for her in her original world.
Background Card (x3)
(4/5 ⭐) Nero (DMC4): A young man with a demonic arm (Devil Bringer) used for crushing enemies like they were plushies. A youth with some father issues and a need for validation. Self-proclaimed expert demon hunter. Note: He is loud, arrogant, and has issues with authority figures, but his sense of justice and honor are real.
Hey, another heavy hitter! It's not the strongest version from DMC5 where he unleashes his Devil Trigger, but still. What I don't know is what will happen to my right hand once I absorb his card. Will my hand turn into a demonic arm too? I guess I'll have to find something to hide it with until then.
...
..
.
Now for the final part: it's time for the items. The last ones weren't exactly the eighth wonder of the world—excluding my skateboard which has helped me a lot—but I hope to get something I can actually use instead of just letting it collect non-existent dust in my inventory.
(1/5 ⭐) Crowbar: The favorite tool of theoretical physicists and survivors of biological disasters. It has no magic, but its ability to open locked doors and alien skulls is universally recognized. Aside from its apparent indestructibility and inability to bend, it's just an iron crowbar.
...Okay, I'm not saying no to an apparently indestructible weapon. It's a video game icon; no complaints on my end.
(2/5 ⭐) Super Shotgun: A double-barreled shotgun that redefines the word "extermination." At close range, it's basically a delete button for biological problems. It has an extendable meat hook with a pulling force so strong it can drag you to a hooked enemy without a problem—if the hook piercing their chest didn't already do the job. Note: It makes a lot of noise, but seeing the results is strangely satisfying.
I have a very strong urge to listen to heavy metal right now while I recreate the Texas Chainsaw Massacre but with supernatural creatures.
(1/5 ⭐) Gas Mask with Carbon Filter: Essential for not dying of pulmonary edema in post-apocalyptic environments. Note: The filter has a limited duration; if you start smelling bitter almonds or sulfur, it's probably your last breath.
Well, I have a really strong immune system thanks to Killua, and with my new cards, that system will only get stronger, so I don't know how useful this will be at the end of the day.
(2/5 ⭐) Wolf Silver Sword: A blade forged specifically to harm silver-sensitive creatures. It is light, elegant, and has runic engravings that increase its effectiveness against the supernatural. "Silver for monsters."
They give me Geralt and now a silver sword; I think the system is trying to tell me something.
(1/5 ⭐) MRE Combat Ration (x3): Dehydrated food designed to last longer than civilization itself. Flavor: Indescribable. Effect: Keeps you alive, though you'll wish you were dead after three days of eating "Vaguely Identifiable Beef Stew."
I've eaten Jersey Devil for several weeks; this will taste a thousand times better than that. I suppose it's better to have emergency food that doesn't taste like soaked corrugated cardboard.
(2/5 ⭐) Saw Cleaver: A trick weapon from the hunters of Yharnam. It can be used as a jagged saw to tear beast flesh or extended for longer-range attacks. It comes pre-stained with blood for aesthetic (and practical) purposes.
Okay... thank you. I needed weapons and you're giving me decent stuff. I'll never complain about a Bloodborne weapon; those things are a marvel to look at and use.
(3/5 ⭐) Pip-Boy 3000: A wrist-mounted computer that monitors your health, inventory, and radiation levels. Special Function: V.A.T.S. allows you to analyze enemy weak points.
Okay, I just won an unnecessarily bulky wrist computer. I don't think I'll use it because of how clunky it is, but I could dismantle it and make something more convenient. Maybe a Dragon Ball Z style scouter?
(4/5 ⭐) Leviathan Axe: An axe imbued with the power of ice. It can be thrown and will return to your hand with a thought once you bond with it. It is heavy, powerful, and carries an echo of "paternal regret" in every strike.
YES, YES, YES, YES! All my fucking yes! A weapon from God of War! And it's the fucking Leviathan! God, I'm going to enjoy decapitating enemies with this axe. I don't know how strong it'll be at the end of the day, but if it's an axe that competed in strength with Thor's hammer, it should be strong enough to handle minor deity levels in this world at the very least.
(2/5 ⭐) Nichirin Blade (No Color): A sword forged with iron sand and scarlet ore that absorbs sunlight. It changes color according to its wielder's soul. It's the only sure way to kill regenerating demons... or to look like a stylish anime protagonist.
Okay, this sword could be very useful against enemies who hate sunlight. I don't know how durable it is if Tanjiro broke three of them on different occasions, but for now, along with the Saw Cleaver and the silver sword, they could be my main weapons as a mercenary.
(1/5 ⭐) Mole Rat Steak (x10): Meat from a mutant rodent cooked over fire. Tastes like dirt, radiation, and despair. Note: Don't ask what part of the rat it came from. Just eat and shut up; in the post-apocalypse, you can't be picky about what you eat.
Again, I don't think it's much worse than Jersey Devil, and I'm not in such a bad spot that I'm forced to eat it.
(4/5 ⭐) Vampire Killer: A sacred alchemical chain whip designed to purge the undead and vampire lords. Its reach is deceptive, and its holy burn is unbearable for any being of darkness.
Fucking hell yes! More holy weapons. I'm not a big fan of the Church or anything in particular, but they know how to make iconic weapons in the video game world. And this is one of them: a fucking chain whip with holy energy everywhere, ready to be used to shred all things impure or evil. That includes not just vampires, but Demons too.
The smile on my face keeps widening as I look through all the cards, but only after hearing my phone start to vibrate do I close my interface and pick it up. I look at the caller ID and raise an eyebrow before answering.
"Blackwood Funeral Home: We put you in deep."
"Ha ha, very funny. Did you eat a clown for breakfast or something to be in such a joking mood?" Silas's voice comes through the other end with his usual tired tone.
"Well, the necromancer is dead, and let's just say I hit the equivalent of the lottery," I say while reopening my interface to look at my rewards.
"Is that so? Then do you plan on paying Miles back for eating the restaurant supply we brought you earlier?"
"Shouldn't you pay him? He is your intern, after all."
"Forget it, we have more important things to discuss." I can't help but smile at my personal victory. "The Vatican is making some proposals for training. Let's just say their promising young little soldiers in pristine white robes need some real combat experience with things that aren't monsters or supernatural creatures. So they're asking for any mercenary qualified enough to go, kick a bunch of junior exorcists' asses, and earn some points with the Church if possible."
I start thinking about the pros and cons of going to Church territory. Technically, they're the ones who pay my salary, along with the Fallen, the Norse pantheon, and the Greek one. Besides, they aren't exactly my enemies or anything like that. So as long as I don't hit their brats too hard, I should be fine.
I look at the Inuyasha and Nero cards. I let out a sigh because I'll have to wait to absorb them. I don't know if doing so will flush my human nature down the drain and make the Church consider me some kind of sinner or something.
"How much are we talking about?"
"Depends on how many exorcist asses you can kick. As long as you can floor all their juniors or the vast majority, we're talking about 10 million or so."
Hearing that figure almost makes me jump off the bed with wide eyes. I've barely scraped together 2.5 million with all the jobs I've done so far—and there haven't been few. This would allow me to take a bit of a vacation. A vacation I could use to go to Japan and see for myself where I am in the canon. Maybe even make deals with the Yokai faction... it's not for any other reason... it's not like I want to see if Yasaka actually has the biggest tits in this world or anything like that.
"When is it? Do I have to sign something?" I ask with a bit too much enthusiasm, and judging by the snort from the other end, it's obvious.
"It's in 10 days. Miles is going to handle the registration so you can go. I'll send the address to your phone. Oh, one more thing... If you happen to be lucky enough to run into Lady Gabriel, can you get me a photo of her? After all, they say she's the most beautiful woman of all."
Now I'm the one who snorts, but honestly, I don't blame him. It's said that in all of DxD, she's the most beautiful in the beauty rankings. So much so that Leviathan herself gets mad and pouts, saying it's a lie out of pure jealousy. And if Leviathan—childish and all—is a total snack, what must Gabriel herself be like?
"No promises, and if I did get one, I might keep it for myself," I say before hanging up and lying back on the bed. "The Church... huh?" When I think of it, besides Gabriel and the angels, three characters come to mind: two exorcists and a little nun...
Did they say Italy? Then... her...? No, this world is more serious; I don't think... or... shit... now I can't get her out of my head... to hell with it... just sleep. Tomorrow you can think about that while you're killing and skinning crocodiles and gators.
[End of Chapter]