In the suffocating darkness where no light could reach, I heard them—the fragmented screams of children. To anyone who heard those sounds, it must have felt like a cold lump was wedged in their throat. An indescribable agony. And yes... that included me as well.
"Begin Synthesis X. Do not let him lose consciousness; the pain will ensure a more complete cellular fusion."
"Professor, I am starting the injection of Exothermic Libido-Cell as the catalyst."
The moment the first needle pierced my body, my hands and feet went numb. One of my eyes burned so intensely it felt as if it were melting right out of my socket.
"Ngh...! Ugh..!"
...
..
.
"Heat levels stable... next, prepare to inject Prime Mutagen-Alpha to reinforce the pressure." The Professor commanded in a flat, clinical voice. "We shall see if this child's body can shoulder the burden of both a Dragon and a Devil simultaneously."
As he injected the substance into my spinal column, the impact was more violent than anything I had ever endured.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!—"
——
"Gasp!!" Hikigaya jolted awake instantly.
"Ha!... ha... hah!" He panted heavily, his body drenched in a cold sweat.
The first sensation upon waking was that his back was no longer pressed against a cold, hard steel table. Instead, he was on a soft bed he knew well—though it was currently uncomfortable due to his sweat.
The ceiling wasn't a stark, clinical white either. It was a brownish-golden hue, adorned with unique, intricate patterns.
"..Ha!.. Umm.. where is this... now?" He muttered in a raspy voice. This place clearly wasn't that hellhole; moreover, a relaxing, pleasant scent lingered in the air.
"Are you awake?"
"..!.." He whipped his head toward the calm voice immediately.
Standing before him was a beautiful woman with long silver hair, braided into two strands in the front and back. Her eyes were a pure silver—just looking into them felt like being pulled into a vacuum. She wore a blue maid outfit contrasted with a white apron. Her face was calm and cold, yet not hollow. Despite her attire, she exuded the aura of a queen. He had to admit, he had never met anyone this beautiful in his life... and the most prominent feature was... gulp... they were huge—
Wait! After snapping out of his daze, he tried to push himself up in a panic.
"....Ugh!…" But his body refused to cooperate.
"It would be best if you didn't move yet. Your body hasn't fully recovered," she said in a tranquil tone.
"...Yeah." It seemed his body was truly unstable. The aftereffects of those substances were still present; the slightest movement sent waves of pain through his torso. He could do nothing but lie there, feeling stifled.
"...."
The woman remained silent, which made him feel awkward. It seemed she was waiting for him to ask the questions.
"Ha.. ha.. ha.."
After five minutes, his breathing finally regulated. He decided to address her.
"Uh... excuse me, who are you? Where is this? And why am I here? I remember being in a place surrounded by nothing but white." It was the standard set of questions for a situation like this.
"My name is Grayfia Lucifuge. I am the one in charge of this household's affairs, and I have been ordered to look after you... Lord.. er.."
"Hikigaya... Hikigaya hachiman."
"I understand. Hikigaya-sam—"
"Just Hikigaya is fine."
"As you wish."
In his past world, he would have felt awkward being called "sama," but since he had grown accustomed to being called "Wakasama," it didn't feel much different. Still, being called that by a mature woman was a bit...
"As for why you are here, it is because I found you just as you were losing consciousness in the laboratory."
"Is that so.." He calmed down for a moment before a thought struck him—
"Wait... what about the others! What happened to them? If I remember correctly, there were survivors like me. Even if they looked... different... they're still alive, right!?" He asked frantically, desperate to ease the rising anxiety in his chest.
"...." She didn't answer.
"Grayfia-san! Please!" He tried to shout, pleading for a response.
"You have my condolences. Though they were alive initially, it was no different from being dead while breathing," she replied calmly, yet a hint of guilt lingered in her voice.
"Initially? Don't tell me—" Before he could finish his sentence.
"Yes. It is as you think."
"..W...Why? Couldn't they be saved? Aren't you involved with magic?.."
"....." She remained silent.
Of course, Hikigaya knew. If they could have been saved, she would have done it long ago. But he couldn't be blamed for his outburst; he was currently an emotional wreck.
"Then what about me.. Ugh!... I remember my arm wasn't normal either! How was I cured?" He tried to sit up again, and this time he succeeded—likely fueled by the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"Your symptoms were not as severe as theirs. And it appears the substances injected are successfully fusing with your body," she answered as if reciting a prepared script.
"Heh... I guess I should be happy, right?" he said with a self-deprecating smirk.
"Mr. Hikigaya, were you very close to them?" she asked out of curiosity.
"Close? Not at all. I never even spoke a word to them. All I could do back then was listen to their screams," he replied, feeling a sense of self-loathing.
"Then why—"
"Is it strange? To worry about them even if we were strangers? More than that, they were just kids."
"Aren't you a child yourself?" she countered, sounding confused by the way he spoke as if he weren't one.
"...Uh..." Oh right. He had completely forgotten that his current body was that of an 11-year-old.
"..Ahem.. anyway, it is what it is," he cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment.
"But you aren't wrong to wonder... no, perhaps I'm the weird one. What right do I have to worry about them now?" he said mockingly.
"No, it isn't strange, Hikigaya-kun. You are a much kinder person than you think." A small smile played on her lips—the first one since they started talking.
"...." Hikigaya stood dazed. How long had it been since he'd seen a sincere smile in this new world? It wasn't a wide grin, but it was genuine. Whether it was the light or something else, her face was bright enough for him to see her features clearly. She was stunning... and in that moment, something erupted.
Thump... thump... thump... badump... badump. His calm heart began to race.
"hikigaya-kun, is something the matter?" She stepped closer, asking with concern since he was staring blankly.
"Eh?.. Oh!.. It's nothing. Just thinking about a few things." He turned his face away, hiding his flushing cheeks.
What is this! This weird feeling! No way! It can't be... right? I don't have a thing for older women like Hiratsuka-sensei—oops, sorry Sensei... Okay, calm down, Hachiman. Don't let these weird feelings blind you. A veteran of a hundred battles like me is the strongest. Besides, she looks married, and I'm just a kid—no, no, what am I thinking! It must be that cell extract making me like this... He muttered internally, grasping for any excuse, though his racing heart didn't seem to be lying.
"Uh....Grayfia-san, don't you have other work to do? Or you could go rest." Even as he spoke, he kept his face turned away.
"Hmm? Do you dislike me being here?"
"No, no! It's not like that!" He quickly turned back to her, waving his hands frantically. "It's just... uh... oh, right! I heard you've been watching over me this whole time. You should at least get some rest so you'll have energy for your next duties!"
"Besides, I'm awake now! I'm actually feeling quite energized!"
"Umm..." She pondered for a moment. "Very well. If anything happens, please press the red button there." She walked toward the door, but before she opened it—
"Oh... and, sorry for raising my voice earlier." He bowed his head slightly in apology.
"It is quite alright. I understand," she turned halfway back and offered a small smile.
"And thank you... for saving my life," he said with genuine gratitude.
She nodded, opened the door, and stepped out.
Click... (Door closes)
Once Grayfia was gone.
"...Sigh..."
{Break}
-Hachiman's POV-
The first morning after being rescued... The faint sunlight filtering through the high-quality curtains didn't do much to calm my heart. I slowly pushed myself into a sitting position. The sharp pain that used to race through my bones had subsided, but a sensation of "heaviness" remained. It wasn't the weight of muscle, but rather something dense and foreign circulating in my bloodstream.
I stared at my palms. My skin, which had been pale from malnutrition in that hellish lab, now had faint veins that flickered with a dim glow for a split second before vanishing.
"If I remember correctly, five things were injected into me," I muttered to myself with a pitiful smile.
In my previous life, I was just a loser with dead-fish eyes trying to live a solitary life in high school. But in this world, I've become a 'test subject' stuffed with powers that would make a normal person shiver just imagining them. A fusion of different races in the body of an 11-year-old... sounds like a cheap fantasy plot I used to read. But this reality is a pain in the ass.
I tried to step off the bed. The moment my feet touched the polished wooden floor, a chill shot up to my brain, triggering a certain instinct. I walked over to the large mirror in the corner of the room. The reflection staring back was still me.
The face of 'Hachiman Hikigaya' remained. Those signature dead-fish eyes were still there. But hidden beneath the fragile appearance of a young boy were faint scars along the spine—reminders of the experiments—and some strands of my front hair had turned white.
Most prominent was my left eye. Originally black, it had turned a golden-brass color, and it often felt hot and itchy.
"Sigh... I guess the slow life I dreamed of is over."
Knock Knock Knock
Three steady, rhythmic knocks. The tempo was so calm I knew exactly who it was.
"Come in," I said, quickly grabbing a robe to cover the sweat still clinging to my skin.
The door opened to reveal Grayfia Lucifuge. In her hands was a tray with the aroma of soup and freshly baked bread. The scent made my shriveled stomach protest embarrassingly.
She looked at me standing in the middle of the room, her elegant eyebrows arching slightly.
"You are already up and walking?" she asked, surprised. Yesterday, he could barely move.
"Uh... yeah... a little."
She walked over and placed the tray on the bedside table. Her graceful movements made the spacious room feel suddenly small.
"Well... I didn't want to lie in bed like a vegetable forever. It feels like waiting for the day I get sent back to the meat grinder," I replied, avoiding eye contact with her 'most prominent features' which were much clearer at this distance.
Grayfia went silent for a moment, looking at me with an unreadable gaze.
"You are safe here, Hikigaya-kun. No one in this place would dare interfere with this domain, especially while under my care," she replied with a firm, heavy tone.
Hearing her speak, I could feel the weight of credibility in her voice. There was one more thing I wanted to ask since yesterday. If it weren't for my heart acting up, I would have asked sooner. It seemed my left eye could see strange flows of energy surrounding Grayfia. It felt like mana, but much more concentrated and pure.
"Um... Grayfia-san, I have something to ask. You're a Devil, aren't you?"
"Hmm?" She was slightly surprised, as she hadn't revealed anything that served as evidence of her being a Devil.
"Yes, that is correct. I am a Devil. But how did you know, considering I haven't done anything to indicate that?"
The moment she said that, I narrowed my left eye and saw the calm energy surrounding her begin to fluctuate.
Seeing him narrow that specifically golden left eye—which was unnatural compared to the other—Grayfia could guess why he knew.
"Perhaps it is that left eye of yours."
"Eh? How'd you know!?"
"I merely guessed. Your reaction was a bit too obvious," she replied with a hint of amusement at his innocent reaction.
"Ah... I see." I turned away in embarrassment. Dammit, was it that obvious? Looks like my skills have dulled, or she's just incredibly observant.
"Well then, here is your breakfast."
"Yeah... thanks for the trouble." I bowed my head slightly to thank her.
"It is quite alright. This is merely my duty... Furthermore, after you have finished your meal, there is an important matter I must discuss with you."
"Sure, no problem." I turned toward the window and added, "You probably want to talk about my life choices from here on out, right?"
"..!.." Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. More importantly, he was only 11. It was unbelievable that someone his age could predict what she was about to say.
Seeing her stunned for a second. "Hmm? Surprised?" Is it really that weird that I could guess?
"Yes. I did not expect someone of your age to be able to predict such things."
"...Ah.." Crap! Forgot I'm in a kid's body again.
"Well... you know! There are some kids who are a bit special, right!?"
"I see..." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously before they softened. "Perhaps it is as you say."
"Right! It must be that! Exactly!" I insisted immediately to quell her suspicion.
"Understood. Then, please excuse me." After she spoke, she left the room.
Click... (Door closes)
"Phew..." Looks like I'll have to watch my behavior and words from now on. By the way, how is a kid this age supposed to act anyway?... Sigh... whatever, better eat.
I walked over to the table. Before me sat warm soup, still steaming, and freshly baked bread. Oh, how long has it been since I've put something in my stomach? I started by taking a sip of the soup. As the warmth slid down my throat, tears began to stream down my cheeks. ...Delicious... so delicious. The taste reminded me of my home in the previous world. I hurriedly tore into the bread and soup.
In my focus on the meal, I didn't notice a pair of silver eyes watching me through the narrow crack of the door.
...
(After finishing the meal)
"Then, allow me to introduce myself once more. I am Grayfia Lucifuge, a Devil and the Head Maid of the Gremory Household."
Hmm? Gremory? Wait, that name sounds familiar... like I've heard it somewhere... hmm...
"Hmm? Is something the matter?" she asked, seeing his contemplative expression.
"No, no! It's nothing, please continue!"
She nodded and went on. "I have received orders from the Maou (Devil King) to present you with an offer. The world you once knew has crumbled. You can choose to live on as a 'normal person' with the risk of being easily hunted in the future... or you can accept a new identity in the underworld, a world full of danger but also the 'freedom' to live without such worries."
I fell silent for a moment, looking at my trembling hands. Then, I answered with a weary tone.
" Grayfia-san, honestly, you don't need to present any offers." He turned to the mirror, looking at his reflection for a moment before turning back to her. "From the moment you saved me, I didn't have many choices to begin with. Even if I chose to be normal, one day I might lose control of this unknown power inside me. Instead of living like that, I'd rather 'request' that you teach me. And besides, I want to repay the favor for saving me. I might look like this, but I hate being in someone's debt." He smiled.
"...." For some reason, she felt like she wasn't talking to a child. He was far too rational for his age. Perhaps he truly was a "special child" as he claimed.
"I understand. In that case, I will take you to meet the Lord Maou tomorrow. Until then, please rest as you please." Before she could turn her back, he called out.
"Wait! Uh... I forgot to ask. Where is this? Are we still on Earth?"
"No. This is the Underworld, a different dimension."
"Ah... got it." Though a bit confused, he could picture it. It was like a parallel dimension.
"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave." She nodded once more and left.
(Break)
In a massive hallway.
Thud... thud... thud...
The overall architecture resembled a lavish medieval European castle. The soaring ceilings and arched designs gave off an aura of grandeur and pressure at the same time.
Thud... thud... thud...
The floor was covered in a deep crimson carpet—the signature hair color of this family. The walls were made of marble, decorated with gold molding and sconces made of precious metals.
Thud... thud... thud...
Along the hall stood carved stone statues of ancestors and large oil paintings of family members. Ancient suits of armor were displayed at intervals.
...Thud.. At the end of the hall was a room with doors larger than the rest. It was a double door carved with thorny vines and devil wings that seemed to embrace the entrance. The most striking feature was the crest on the door, indicating the status of the room's owner.
Knock Knock Knock
"Come in."
Click... Creak... (Door opens)
As the massive double doors slowly opened, an aura of dense, composed magical power hit her face, revealing a vast and unimaginably luxurious office. Sunlight from the tall windows behind the desk illuminated the back of a man sitting in the chair. That was the Maou.
He had long, crimson hair like blood, neatly styled but flowing like a smoldering flame. His sharp blue-green eyes were warm yet carried an immense weight of pressure... until—
"Oh! Grayfia, how is it? Did he accept the offer?" he asked enthusiastically.
Sometimes, she felt a headache coming on from his behavior, which lacked the dignity of a person in power.
"Yes. He said there was no need for an offer, as he didn't have many choices to begin with," she answered truthfully.
"Ho~ A wise choice. Sounds like an interesting kid." After speaking, he noticed she was staring off into space.
"Is something wrong? Grayfia, it's rare for you to daze off like that."
She snapped back to her senses. "No... it's just, I felt a bit strange talking to that boy."
"Hmm? Strange?"
"Yes. Sometimes, when talking to him, I feel like I am talking to someone aged 18 or 19... or perhaps even older."
"Hmm~ Interesting. Well, I'll look forward to tomorrow then."