~Hachiman's POV~
In the lightless, pitch-black darkness, I heard it. The various screams of children. Anyone who heard those voiced cries would probably feel as if something was stuck in their throat. A torment beyond description. Yes... I mean myself as well…
"Begin the Synthesis X process. Do not let him lose consciousness. The pain will help make the cell fusion complete."
"Professor, I am going to start injecting Exothermic Libido-Cell as the precursor."
After the first needle was injected into my body, I felt my hands and feet go numb. One of my eyes felt so hot, as if it was going to melt.
"...Ngh!...Ugh!.."
...
….
..
.
"Heat levels are stable... Next, prepare to inject Prime Mutagen-Alpha to reinforce the pressure."
The professor ordered in a flat tone. "We will see whether this child's body can bear the burden of both a dragon and a devil simultaneously."
After he injected it into my spinal cord, the impact was more violent than anything before.
"Aaaargghh!!—
——
"Heugh!!."
I jolted awake immediately.
"ha!..ha..hah!"
My body was drenched, completely covered in sweat.
The first feeling upon waking up—my back was no longer on a cold, hard iron bed, but a soft bed that I was very familiar with, even though it wasn't very comfortable due to the sweat.
And the ceiling wasn't stark white either, but a brownish-golden yellow with a unique pattern.
"..ha!..umm..where is this..again?"
I murmured in a hoarse voice. It seemed this room wasn't that hellish place, and there was even a relaxing fragrance in the air.
"Are you awake?"
"..!.."
I immediately turned my face toward that calm, quiet voice.
What appeared before me was a beautiful silver-haired woman with long hair tied into twin braids extending both to the front and back.
Her eyes were of a pure silver color. Just looking into her eyes made me feel as if I was about to be sucked in. A blue maid outfit contrasted with a white apron. Her face was calm and cold, but not empty.
Even though her external attire made her look like an ordinary maid, the aura she released was just like that of a queen. I must say, since being born, I had never met anyone this beautiful before... and the thing that stood out the most was... gulp... huge—
! After snapping out of the image in front of me, I tried to lift myself up in a panic.
"....Ugh!…"
But it seemed my body wouldn't cooperate.
"It is better not to move your body just yet. Your body has not yet recovered."
She spoke in a calm voice.
"...Umm"
It seemed my body really wasn't stable yet; the aftermath of that substance was still taking effect. Just moving a little bit made me feel pain throughout my entire body. I could do nothing but remain in a lying position, even though it felt frustrating.
"...."
That woman didn't say anything at all, which made me feel awkward. It seemed she was waiting for me to ask her.
"ha..ha..ha" (breathing)
When five minutes passed, my breathing felt better. So I decided to ask her.
"Er.. excuse me, miss, who are you... where is this, and why am I here... I remember being in a place surrounded entirely by white."
It was a typical question for a situation like this.
"My name is Grayfia Lucifuge. I am the supervisor of this house's order, and the person who received orders to take care of you... You are, er.."
"Hikigaya... Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Understood, hikigaya-sam—"
"Just Hikigaya is fine."
"Very well."
If it were my past world, I would have felt awkward with the word 'sama'. But since I had grown used to the word 'Young Master', it didn't feel much different. Even so, being called 'sama' by an older woman like that was a bit...
"As for the matter of why you are here, it is because I found you just as you were about to lose consciousness in the laboratory."
"Is that so.."
I calmed my mind for a moment, and then I remembered—
"..Then... what about the others! What happened to them! If I remember correctly, there were still survivors left like me. Even if their appearances were altered, they are still alive, right!"
I asked her hurriedly to relieve the anxiety that was building up right now.
"...."
She didn't answer.
"Grayfia-san! Please!"
I tried to shout, begging her to answer.
"Please accept my condolences. Even though they were alive at first, that was no different from being dead alive."
She answered in a calm voice, but it was still laced with a sense of guilt.
"At first? Don't tell me that—"
And before I could even finish speaking.
"Yes, it is as you think."
"..W...Why.. can't they be cured? Aren't you involved with magic too?.."
"....."
She didn't answer.
Of course, I knew it well. If they could be cured, she would have done it a long time ago. But I couldn't blame her either, because right now I was in an emotionally volatile state.
"Then what about me.. Ugh!... I remember that my arm shouldn't be normal either, right! Why could I be cured?"
I tried to lift myself up from the lying position again, and it seemed this time it worked, perhaps due to the adrenaline currently rushing through me.
"Your symptoms were not as severe as theirs. And it seems the substance injected is fusing with your body."
She answered as if it were a prepared script.
"Heh.. I should be happy about this, right?"
I spoke in self-mockery.
"Hikigaya-san, you were very close to them, weren't you?"
She asked out of curiosity.
"Close? Not at all. I never spoke a single word to them. All I could do at that time was listen to their screams."
I answered with a feeling of self-pity.
"Then why—"
"Is it strange? To worry about them even though we are strangers. Moreover, they were just children."
"You yourself are a child, are you not?"
She interjected confusingly, surprised that I spoke as if I weren't a child myself.
"...Er…"
Oh, right. I completely forgot that my body right now is that of an 11-year-old child.
"..Ahem.. anyway, it's just like that."
I coughed lightly to cover up my embarrassment.
"But for you to wonder like that isn't wrong..... No, actually, maybe I am the one who's strange. What right do I have to worry about them now?"
I spoke in a mocking tone.
"No, it is not strange, Hikigaya-san… You are a better person than I thought."
The corners of her lips curled up, smiling for the first time since we started talking.
"...."
Hikigaya was stunned, dazing out at the sight before him. How long had it been since I last saw a sincere smile since being reborn in this world? Even though it wasn't wide, it was sincere. And whether it was due to the reflection of light or what, her face was bright enough to see her features clearly. It was beautiful… At that moment, something erupted.
Thump.. Thump… Thump.. Thump-thump.. Thump-thump
My quiet heart began to beat violently.
"Hikigaya-san, is something the matter?"
She stepped in slightly and asked curiously, seeing that I was dazing out and not responding.
"Eh?.. Er!.. It's nothing. Just had a few things on my mind."
I turned my face away to avoid her while my face was completely red.
'What is this! This strange feeling, what is it! No! It shouldn't be.. right? I don't have a preference for older women like Hiratsuka-sensei—Oops! Sorry, Sensei!!
..Alright, calm down, Hachiman. Don't let a strange feeling blind you. A person who has passed a hundred battles like me is the strongest. It looks like she's already married too, and I'm just a kid—no, no, no, what am I thinking! It must be because of that cell extract substance for sure that's making me like this…'
I murmured in my mind, trying to find various excuses, but it seemed my violently beating heart wasn't lying.
"Er… um.. Grayfia-san, don't you have any other work to do? Or you can go rest or something."
Right now, even while speaking, I was still turning my face the other way.
"Hmm? Do you not like me being here?"
"No, no! It's not like that!"
I hurriedly turned my face back to her and waved my hands flusteredly.
".It's just that.. er.. oh right! I saw that you've been watching over me this whole time, so at least you should get some rest so you'll have strength for your next duties!"
"Besides, I'm awake now! And I'm even feeling energized already!"
"Umm…"
She thought for a moment.
"Very well. If anything happens, please press that red button over there."
After that, she walked straight to the door, but before she opened it—
"Oh.. and also, I'm sorry for raising my voice earlier."
I tried to bow my head in apology.
"It is fine. I understand."
She turned half her face toward me and raised the corners of her lips slightly.
"And thank you for saving my life," I thanked her in a sincere voice.
She nodded, opened the door, and walked out.
"..Click... Close" (Sound of the door closing)
After Grayfia left.
"…sigh.."
{Break}
A new morning after I was saved and brought here... The faint sunlight filtering through the fine curtains into the room didn't calm my mind in the slightest.
I slowly pushed myself up to a sitting position. The sharp pain that used to shoot through my bones seemed to have subsided a bit, but the feeling of "heaviness" in my body remained. It wasn't the heaviness of muscle, but it felt as if something dense and foreign was circulating in my bloodstream.
I stared at the palm of my own hand. My skin, which used to look pale from the lack of nutrients in that hellish lab, now had faint veins that glowed faintly for a split second before vanishing.
"If I remember correctly, there were 5 things injected into me, right?"
I muttered to myself with a self-deprecating smile.
In my past world, I was just a loser with dead-fish eyes trying to live a lonely life in high school. But in this world, I turned into a 'test subject' stuffed with powers that normal people would find horrifying just to imagine.
The fusion of various races inside the body of an 11-year-old child... sounds like a plot from a cheap fantasy light novel I used to read, but this is a damn painful reality.
I tried to step down from the bed. The moment the soles of my feet touched the polished wooden floor, a piercing coldness shot up to my brain, triggering a certain instinct within me to awaken. I walked to a large mirror standing in the corner of the room, and what reflected back showed that I was still the same.
The face of 'Hikigaya Hachiman' was still there. Those signature dead-fish eyes were also there. But hidden beneath the appearance of a fragile boy were faint scars along the spine that reminded me of the experiments. And some parts of my front hair had white mixed in.
The most prominent feature was probably my left eye. Originally black, it had turned into a brassy gold, and sometimes it would feel hot and itchy.
"Haah... The slow life I dreamed of is probably over, huh."
Knock, Knock
A steady knock echoed three times, a rhythm so calm that I knew instantly who it was.
"Come in."
I hurriedly grabbed a robe to wear over to cover the sweat still seeping across my body.
The door opened along with the appearance of a maid—Grayfia Lucifuge herself. In her hands, she held a food tray carrying the aroma of warm soup and freshly baked bread. Its smell made my withered stomach protest embarrassingly.
She looked at me standing in the middle of the room, her slender eyebrows raising slightly.
"You are already up and walking?"
She asked in surprise. Yesterday, he still looked so clumsy and awkward.
"Er.. um.. a little bit."
From there, she walked in to place the food tray on the bedside table. Her elegant demeanor made the already spacious room look small all of a sudden.
"Well... I didn't want to lie in bed like a vegetable for too long. It feels like waiting for the day to be sent back into a meat grinder or something."
I answered while avoiding my gaze from her 'most prominent part' which was clearly visible within close proximity.
Grayfia went silent for a moment. She looked at me with an unreadable gaze.
"It is safe here, Hikigaya-san. No one in this place would dare extend their hand to interfere in this territory, especially when under my care."
She answered with a firm voice.
Hearing her speak, I could perceive the level of reliability in her tone. And there was another matter I had wanted to ask her since yesterday.
If it weren't for the sudden racing heart that forced me to skip that part—it seemed my left eye could see strange energy currents surrounding Grayfia. It felt like miasma, but much denser and purer.
"Ano… Grayfia-san, I have something I want to ask. You're a devil, aren't you?"
"Hmm?"
She was slightly surprised since she hadn't revealed anything that served as evidence of her being a devil yet.
"Yes, that is correct. I am a devil. But how did you know, considering I have not yet done anything to indicate that I am a devil?"
The moment I heard her say that, I narrowed my left eye and saw that the calm energy current surrounding Grayfia just a moment ago was now trembling.
After seeing me trying to narrow my left eye, which specifically had a golden eyeball—unnatural compared to the other side—Grayfia could probably guess why I knew.
"Perhaps it is because of that left eye of yours."
"Eh? How did you know!"
"I merely guessed, because your demeanor was far too obvious."
She answered in a slightly amused tone at my innocent reaction.
"Ah… is that so."
I turned my face away in embarrassment.
Good grief, was it really that obvious? It seems my skills have dropped, or maybe she's just incredibly observant.
"In that case, here is your breakfast."
"Umm, thanks for the trouble." I bowed my head slightly to thank her.
"It is fine. This is considered my dutiful obligation to begin with... Furthermore, after you finish your meal, I have an important matter that we need to discuss."
"Sure, no problem."
I turned my face toward the window and added, "You probably want to talk about my life choices after this, right?"
"..!.."
Her eyes widened slightly, surprised by what I said. More importantly, I was only 11 years old; it was unbelievable for someone of this age to anticipate what she was going to say next.
Seeing that she was stunned for a moment.
"Hmm? Surprised?"
Is it really that strange for me to guess that?
"Yes, I did not think someone of your age would be able to deduce such a matter."
"...Ah.."
'Shit! Forgot again that I'm in a kid's body.'
"Well.. you know! Sometimes there might be children who are a little bit special, right!"
"Umm…"
She narrowed her eyes slightly in suspicion, then relaxed.
"Perhaps it is as you say."
"Yes! It definitely has to be like that!"
I quickly added to clear her doubts.
"I see. In that case, I will be in your care afterwards."
After she finished speaking, she walked out of the room.
"..Click... Close" (Sound of the door closing)
"sigh…"
'Looks like from now on, I have to be careful with my behavior and speech. Come to think of it, how is a kid this age supposed to act anyway? ...Ugh... sigh.. whatever, better eat quickly.'
I walked to the table where the food was. In front of me was warm soup with steam still rising, and freshly baked bread.
'Oh, how long has it been since I put anything into my stomach.'
From there, I started it off by sipping the soup first. The moment the warm soup flowed down my throat, tears streamed down my cheeks one after another.
'..Delicious.. so delicious.'
The taste reminded me of home in my past world. After that, I grabbed the bread and ate it along with the soup in a hurry.
While I was focused on eating, I didn't notice at all that a pair of silver eyes was watching me through a narrow crack in the door.
...…
(After finishing the meal)
"In that case, first of all, allow me to introduce myself once again. I am Grayfia Lucifuge, a devil and the head maid of the Gremory Clan."
Hmm? Gremory? Wait a minute, that name sounds familiar. Like I've heard it somewhere before.. hmmm…
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"
She asked me, seeing my contemplative expression.
"No, no! It's nothing, please continue!"
She nodded and continued.
"I received orders from the Maou to present an offer to you: 'In a world where the one you knew has already collapsed, will you choose to continue living as an ordinary human along with the risk of being easily hunted down in the future? Or will you accept a new identity in the underworld that is full of dangers but possesses the 'freedom' where you might live without worries?'"
I went silent for a moment, looking at my own trembling hands, then answered her with weariness.
"Grayfia-san, actually, you don't need to present an offer or anything at all."
I turned my face toward the mirror reflecting my image for a moment, then turned back to her again and continued, "Originally, after you saved my life from that place, I didn't have many choices to begin with. Even if I chose to be an ordinary human, one day there would be a risk of going wild from the power of unknown origin inside me. Instead of living like that, I would rather 'beg' you to teach me instead.."
"...And another thing, I want to repay the favor for saving me too. I might look like this, but I hate being indebted to others the most."
And I smiled.
"...."
For some reason, she felt that the person she was talking to wasn't a child. He was far too rational for someone of this age. Perhaps he truly was a special child as he had mentioned.
"Understood. In that case, tomorrow I will take you to meet the Maou. Until then, please rest at your leisure."
Before she turned her back, I called out to her.
"Wait a moment! Er.. I forgot to ask, where is this place? Is it still on Earth?"
"No, it is not. This is the Underworld, which is another dimension."
"Ah.. I see."
Even though I was a bit confused, I could picture it. It's just like a parallel dimension, then.
"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
She nodded once more before leaving.
(Break)
On the massive hallway corridor.
Thud… Thud…. Thud..
Its overall appearance resembled a luxurious and magnificent medieval European castle. The corridor ceiling towered high and was designed in an arched shape, giving a sense of grandeur and oppression at the same time.
Thud…. Thud…
The hallway was lined with a deep crimson carpet, which was the signature hair color of the people in this clan. The side walls were made of marble, decorated with golden crown moldings and wall lamps made of precious metals.
Thud….. Thud
All along the hallway corridor stood carved stone statues of ancestors or large oil paintings of clan members. Ancient knight armor suits were displayed at intervals.
Thud..
At the end of the hallway was a room with a double door that was larger than usual. It was carved with patterns of thorny vines and devil wings spreading out to embrace the door panels. The most prominent feature was the crest on the door that indicated the status of the room's owner.
"Knock Knock Knock"
"Come in."
Click… Creak… (Sound of the door opening)
As the massive double doors slowly opened, a dense and composed aura of magical power rushed against the face, revealing the landscape inside a vast and indescribably luxurious office. The light from the tall window behind cast upon the back of a man sitting on a chair. That was the Maou.
He had long, flowing, blood-red hair reaching his shoulders, neatly styled but fluttering like a burning flame.
Sharp blue-green eyes that looked warm but concealed an immense pressure… until—
"Oh! Grayfia, how did it go? Did he accept the offer?"
He asked enthusiastically.
Sometimes she felt a headache from his behavior, which seemed to lack the dignity of someone in power.
"Yes. He said we did not need to present any offer, because he himself did not have many choices to begin with."
She answered truthfully.
"Hou~ That's a smart choice. It seems he's quite an interesting kid."
After finishing speaking, he noticed that she was dazing out.
"Is something the matter? Grayfia, it's rare for you to daze out like this."
And she snapped back to reality.
"No, it is nothing. I just felt a bit strange when talking to that child."
"Hmm? Strange?"
"Yes. Sometimes when talking to that child, I feel as though I am speaking with someone who is 18-19 years old, or perhaps even older."
"Hmm~ Interesting. Well, I shall look forward to tomorrow then."