[???]
With a dense darkness surrounding me on all sides, I raised my hand and rested it against my cheek.
So this is death, isn't it?
Honestly, I was expecting something a little different.
What was I expecting? Well... something that wasn't simply a space filled with absolute darkness. It was too generic, even disappointing, for something as significant as death. If only I were surrounded by angels with voluptuous bodies, I probably wouldn't complain.
But…
This place was so monotonous, so empty and devoid of any distinguishing feature, that it probably had to be hell.
Though an infinite sea of darkness didn't match any religion I was aware of… maybe it's limbo? Nah! I don't think so.
Either way, even if, in these first few minutes, this darkness made for an extraordinary sight in its oppressive simplicity, I definitely had no desire to spend eternity wandering through it.
But then, how exactly had I died to end up in this place? What sequence of events had led me to this probable formless limbo?
The answer to that question is resounding and eloquent: "I have absolutely no idea, buddy."
For some reason, my memories from life were thoroughly fragmented. The memories of my death were completely erased, and even my own name was nothing but an inaccessible haze.
As that thought crossed my mind, a holographic message suddenly materialized out of nowhere, flickering like a static-filled image riddled with interference and taking shape before my eyes.
[Initiating selection process…]
[Calibrating existential parameters…]
[Adjusting all dimensional possibilities…]
What? What in the world is this?
Faced with the unexpected holographic message, that was the only possible reaction.
[Process Complete!!!]
[Congratulations! You have been granted a new chance to live! Thanks to an incomprehensible existence, you will be able to return to life in another world, in another dimension, with new possibilities.]
Massaging my temple, all I could think was that this answered even fewer questions than I'd originally had and created a few dozen new ones.
What do you mean… new life… another world… incomprehensible existence…
Please, holographic message, could you be a little more comprehensible?
[As a welcome gift, you have received three Summonses in the reincarnation system.]
"..."
Seriously? You're just ignoring me, aren't you?
Fine. Whatever! Generic reincarnation system, let's get on with it.
I had nothing left to lose, after all.
With that resigned thought, my eyes fell upon the holographic screen floating before me, where a glowing [PUSH] button pulsed softly at its center.
With nothing else to do in that empty, hopeless place, I moved my finger and pressed [PUSH] with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
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Congratulations! You have received the ability: Ice Devil Slayer Magic.
Ice Devil Slayer Magic: The bearer can create, shape, and manipulate demonic ice. Unlike ordinary ice, this variety carries exorcist properties, dealing amplified damage to demonic entities and corrupted beings. The user can absorb external ice to restore their magical energy; they cannot consume their own created ice. Their resistance to extreme temperatures increases drastically, granting partial or total immunity to attacks of the same element.
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It was a rather welcome ability, powerful and versatile, even if the demonic part caught my attention in a way I preferred not to examine right now.
Satisfied with that first acquisition, I moved my finger and pressed [PUSH] again.
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Congratulations! You have received the ability: Endless Codex.
Endless Codex: A tome that allows the user to summon familiars. Upon invoking an existence for the first time, a contract will be established between the user and the entity, whose terms and conditions vary according to each existence's individual personality, temperament, and preferences. Once the contract is sealed, the user gains the ability to summon that existence whenever they desire, limited only by their energy reserves. The greater the number of familiars registered within the tome's infinite pages, the greater the energy required to establish a contract with the next existence.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, it was the most valuable ability so far. Having an army of familiars at my disposal would be enormously useful in whatever world I ended up in: combat, exploration, and even everyday tasks. Everything could be made easier. For what it was worth, I could only offer sincere gratitude.
With a smile growing on my lips, I moved on to the third and final [PUSH].
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Congratulations! You have received the ability: Adonic Beauty.
Adonic Beauty: The bearer will manifest a predestined growth toward an existence endowed with beauty that transcends natural limits, so profound it borders on the supernatural. The bearer's social interactions receive a natural and significant boost to persuasion, charisma, and social influence, and those enchanted by this ability will have their thoughts and attitudes subtly swayed in their favor. However, the more intense the admiration awakened, the greater the devastating jealousy, unhealthy obsession, or desire for absolute possession that targets may develop toward the bearer.
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As ironic as it was, this looked more like a curse disguised as a gift.
But I won't complain.
After all, who doesn't enjoy being more attractive?
Now what? What happens next?
I tilted my head to the side, noticing with growing confusion that my body was still completely surrounded by darkness.
But the next moment, as if in response to my thoughts, a new holographic message took shape before my eyes.
[Before the reincarnation process is initiated…]
[You may accept seven irreversible curses.]
[Each curse will impose a permanent limitation upon your existence.]
[However, every limitation will bring with it a beneficial effect.]
[There will be no annulment after acceptance…]
[There will be no regret permitted…]
[There will be no going back…]
[In exchange for this sacrifice, two additional summons will be granted.]
[Do you wish to accept the 7 curses?]
I blinked repeatedly at the intimidating message, which displayed a large [YES] and a [NO] just below it.
Curses...
That seemed quite problematic, didn't it?
I raised my hand, scratching my head as I deliberated. Even if I didn't like to admit it, I was definitely the kind of person who appreciated taking risks when the potential rewards were equally high.
Where there is risk, there is also potential glory.
Fine. If there was ever a perfect moment to bet everything, it was now, when I literally had nothing to lose.
Let's do this…
Without hesitating a moment longer, I took a metaphorical deep breath and moved my hand, accepting the curses in exchange for two more precious [PUSH]es.
The screen shone intensely for a moment, nearly blinding me, before displaying the seven curses in rapid succession:
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Sadistic Constitution: The longer the bearer remains in battle, the more their cruel and abusive disposition grows exponentially toward the target. The pleasure of dominating, of inflicting pain and breaking the adversary's will, becomes almost intoxicating. In advanced stages, the bearer begins deliberately prolonging combat, avoiding decisive strikes in order to extend the target's suffering.
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Envy Constitution: The bearer will develop an obsessive and possessive love for something or someone they fix upon as their own. This affection is not gentle, not healthy, not negotiable. It is a cosmic hunger to be loved in return with equal exclusivity. Any attention, affection, or loyalty that the object of their obsession directs toward another being will be interpreted as capital betrayal, generating a cold, irrational rage capable of consuming everything in its path. The greater the love felt by the bearer, the greater and more destructive the jealousy that accompanies it, both feelings growing together like inseparable faces of the same corroded coin. In an extreme state of envy, the bearer may suffer a personality collapse, from which emerges a more primitive version of themselves, more ravenous and completely devoid of empathy, that knows no limits as long as there remains something it believes has been taken from it.
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Greedy Constitution: The bearer will never be truly satisfied with what they possess, regardless of the quantity, and will compulsively seek always more: absolute power, unimaginable wealth, people, or anything that awakens their interest. In the bearer's eyes, the entire world is composed exclusively of things they do not yet have.
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Pleasurable Constitution: Regardless of what kind of being they may be, those who develop a desire for the bearer will inevitably fall into progressive depravity. Their body, their skin, their saliva, their fluids, every touch and every word will become an inescapable chemical addiction for anyone who desires them. The greater the exposure, the deeper the dependency. The targets' dependency will deepen in direct proportion to exposure, and in advanced stages, will become irreversible.
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Pugna Constitution: The bearer will love battle with every fiber of their existence. Arenas where blood flows in crimson rivers, the chaotic heat of a brutal melee where limbs are lost, and victory is claimed amid the thunderclap of combat, all of it will be infinitely more pleasurable than food, sex, or any other worldly pleasure. The adrenaline of combat becomes the only drug that truly matters.
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Euphony Constitution: The bearer powerfully attracts all supernatural entities. They will draw near with growing intensity, according to their own individual preferences, whether these be good or terribly bad.
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Indolent Constitution: The bearer will suffer from a profound lack of intrinsic motivation, and their body will naturally operate at very low capacity in the absence of stimuli. Any of the other constitutions can temporarily break this lethargic state when activated. Indolence will also gradually erode the bearer's morality due to constant mental sluggishness, making questionable decisions progressively easier to make.
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"..."
Watching the cascade of troublesome curses materialize before me, I blinked repeatedly, as though I couldn't believe what I was reading.
Why did every single constitution make me seem like a massive pervert? A complete degenerate?
The "least terrible one," if I could even call it that, was perhaps the ⟨Pleasurable Constitution⟩, and even that one literally turned my body into some kind of biological addictive drug.
Honestly, I couldn't say which of the disturbing constitutions was objectively the worst. Each one had its own special brand of horror.
⟨Sadistic Constitution⟩ and ⟨Envy Constitution⟩... who exactly do you think I am? At least the ⟨Envy Constitution⟩ didn't make me seem like a pervert, only like a possessive and obsessive lunatic.
…What a wonderful relief.
If I had to pick one that was relatively tolerable, it would be the ⟨Greedy Constitution⟩. Being greedy and ambitious wasn't exactly uncommon. I think I could live with that, as long as it didn't reach pathological extremes.
Now, the ⟨Pugna Constitution⟩ filled me with genuine dread. I definitely don't want to be the type of person who grins madly while their arms are hacked off or their body is slowly mutilated by a blade. Disturbing on levels I could barely process.
A dejected sigh escaped my lips as I lingered on the ⟨Euphony Constitution⟩. Attracting the attention of supernatural entities, especially those with "bad intentions," was something extremely worrying.
As for the ⟨Indolent Constitution⟩, in most situations, I could probably manage without any major crises, even if the part about eroding my morality wasn't exactly desirable.
Letting out an even longer sigh laden with resignation, I turned my eyes back to the holographic screen which, as promised, had unlocked two more tempting [PUSH]es.
Let's see if all this future headache is actually going to be worth it. And if it isn't, I'll complain personally at the reincarnation department when I die again.
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Congratulations! You have received the ability: Abyssal Bonds
Abyssal Bonds: Grants the bearer the ability to manifest multiple powerful tentacles as perfect extensions of their own will. They can be used for combat, capture, object manipulation, or locomotion. The number, size, and strength of the tentacles grow proportionally to the user's power.
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As visually disturbing as the mental image evoked by tentacles was, at least it was an offensive and versatile ability. Considering I only had one direct combat ability up to that point, it was enormously welcome.
With my mood visibly improved, I eagerly moved as fast as I could to the next and final [PUSH].
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Congratulations! You have received the ability: Alchemy
Alchemy: The art of understanding and mastering the matter and essence of things, allowing the user to transmute, purify, and reconfigure material reality through science, symbol, and magic. This ability combines knowledge of nature, the cosmos, and the principles that govern matter, whether to refine metals, heal deep wounds, or create extraordinary artifacts.
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That one I hadn't expected.
So now I would walk the path of an alchemist? Well, being the potion nerd didn't seem exactly bad.
A smile came to my lips as I regarded that ability. Even if in exchange for this additional power I now carried seven rather problematic and potentially dangerous constitutions that could certainly alter my personality, overall this had probably been worth it.
At least that's what I sincerely hoped.
Before I could sink any deeper into that thought, a new message took shape before my eyes.
[Ability distribution completed successfully…]
[All constitutions have been permanently integrated into your existence…]
[Initiating dimensional reincarnation process…]
[Preparing soul transfer…]
[Good luck in your new world!!!]
[May your journey be memorable…]
Alongside the farewell message, my consciousness began to gradually fade, sinking once again into a deep sea of absolute darkness, which was quite ironic considering where I was already floating.
The last conscious thought to cross my dissolving mind was simply: Ladies and gentlemen, here we go... into the absolute unknown.
And then, my consciousness disappeared into a sea of darkness.
✧°✦°✧===✧°✦°✧===✧°✦°✧
[Romani Oyama]
Sweat trickled down my face as the golden morning light filtered through the curtains, flooding the room and bathing me in its unwanted warmth.
Who on earth set this alarm for this hour?
Furrowing my brow, frustrated with the sun rudely attempting to interrupt my sleep, I felt something incredibly soft and deliciously fragrant pressed against my face.
Unable to resist the sensation, I instinctively rubbed my face against that soft, milky texture like a satisfied cat nuzzling into its owner's lap.
"Mnh~!"
That wasn't a moan, right? It had to be my imagination.
Through the haze of sleep, I couldn't help noticing there was a small, rounded bump in that inviting mass, and that my lips were grazing against something soft.
Still half-asleep, on pure autopilot, my mouth naturally found the small bump. The texture was surprisingly soft and at the same time strangely firm, like a delicate fruit at almost the perfect point of ripeness.
The small bump hardened slightly against my lips. Without thinking, I slowly closed my teeth, nibbling it gently while my tongue traced around it with curiosity, leaving a moist trail of saliva.
I kept playing unhurriedly, my eyes still heavy, my mind drifting between dream and reality. My tongue pressed slowly, circling the small bud in lazy motions, as though exploring a piece of candy melting in my mouth. The little bud hardened a little further under my teasing, against the tip of my tongue. I nibbled again, very lightly, just with my lips and front teeth, drawing it delicately into my mouth and releasing, repeating the gesture in a drowsy rhythm.
That soft bud carrying a faint milky taste fit perfectly between my lips, in a way I had no desire to let go of. My hand rose slowly, lazily holding the soft mass and squeezing it lightly, while my mouth continued its innocent, drowsy game, licking, sucking, and nibbling with no rush to truly wake up—
"Mnh~!"
That was, without a doubt, a feminine moan.
Hearing that melody, I opened my eyes fully, still somewhat unfocused, to find directly before me a pair of full, well-shaped breasts, with beautiful delicately erect pink nipples pointing at me.
My eyes drifted slowly downward. I had the pink nipple of a completely unknown and breathtaking woman entirely inside my mouth, while holding her breasts in my hand.
What the hell…
I automatically pulled back with a start, letting slip a small shining trail of saliva connecting my lips to the dampened nipple.
What on earth is going on?!
Heart pounding, I got a better look at the woman mysteriously lying in my bed.
She had vibrant, voluminous red hair that cascaded in silky waves over her delicate shoulders, every fire-red strand sliding gracefully over alabaster skin, creating a stunning contrast with the immaculate white of freshly fallen snow. Her body was sculpturally more beautiful than any I had ever laid eyes upon in my entire existence, every curve soft and perfectly proportioned as though shaped by a divine artist.
Though, being completely honest, that wasn't the most relevant criterion at the moment. There were far more urgent matters demanding my attention, however difficult it was to tear my gaze from her voluptuous silhouette and her generous breasts, nearly the size of my entire head.
One of those matters was: why on earth was there a completely naked woman in my room? Actually, come to think of it, this wasn't even my room.
I raised my hand and placed it on my throbbing head, suddenly remembering that I had been reincarnated into an entirely different world, only to wake up with a woman wearing absolutely nothing in my bed. Considering she could easily be mistaken for an angel on account of her beauty, this place must be paradise.
With that thought, I turned my gaze back to her, consciously trying, and miserably failing, not to stare at her quite so shamelessly.
Who on earth are you? Why are you in my bed? Why are you naked? Why am I only in my underwear? The questions piled up rapidly in my rattled head, but every coherent thought was brutally cut short by a sharp, piercing pain exploding inside my skull.
Without giving me a single second to understand what was happening, my body fell heavily back onto the bed as a chaotic tide of fragmented memories took root inside my mind.
This mental torture lasted only a few seconds in reality, but felt as though it had stretched on for agonizing hours.
With beads of sweat trickling down my temple, I pulled myself upright again with effort, now holding a few fragmented memories that had not originally been mine.
Romani Oyama.
That was the full name of the body I now inhabited.
By all appearances, I had been reincarnated into the young body of a solitary orphan who possessed nothing special about his mediocre life, except for a genuine and top-tier culinary skill, nearly professional in caliber. A talent wasted under humble circumstances.
I raised my heavy hand and massaged my throbbing temple, resisting the growing and almost irresistible urge to let out a completely hysterical laugh in the face of the situation's absurdity.
But before I could delve further into my new fragmented memories, the girl without a single piece of clothing on her perfect body stirred gracefully, finally waking from sleep.
My eyes turned toward her automatically, and I watched her release a light yawn between her rosy lips. She lazily stretched her delicate arm above her head, languidly arching herself and revealing without any trace of modesty the graceful curve of her immaculate underarm, while her generous breasts swayed with the motion in a manner that defied gravity in an almost impossible way.
Honestly, I think they didn't particularly respect the basic laws of Newtonian physics. They really shouldn't have swayed in that perfectly elastic fashion.
But my lower half, clearly wide awake, told my rational brain to shut up immediately and simply enjoy the complimentary show.
Looking directly at me with her beautiful eyes, blue and expressive as the ocean at dusk, she parted her rosy lips delicately and offered a faint mysterious and genuinely warm smile.
"Good morning."
Her voice was soft, melodious, and laden with a disconcerting intimacy.
Author's Note: There are more DxD fanfics out there than stars in the sky, so I decided to contribute one of my own. Our dear Romani had quite a peculiar start, waking up to find a beautiful redhead with generous assets in his bed. Some people are simply born with ridiculously good luck.