Mob Devil's Guide To Surviving DxD

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It's been almost a year since the birthday party of Sona.

The venue seemed to be in a state of panic after we had reported what happened to us.

I passed to sirzechs the surviving mob for interrogation. Judging from how he looked at them, I can guarantee that they're not going to get out of this alive.

I offered them a small prayer.

Sona's sister Serafall seemed to have grown a greater liking to me because I was protecting her sister. Even go in as far as to say "You can call me sister-in-law sera-chan~☆".

Of course, I refused.

Since then, I've been hanging out more and more with Sona, or more precisely, she's the one always coming to me.

Well that's fine, it makes it easier to build a better friendship.

But... What does surprised me the most is her uncannily strange stealth. I take great pride in my sensory abilities, but I can never seem to notice she's there until she's only a few meters away and if I take my attention off of her for a little while, she always seems to disappear.

She's like some kind of devil ninja.

Strange.

Was she always like this in the original?

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With regard to training, I'm I am still maintaining my daily routine. But I decided to slow down and I'm start focusing more on magic.

My current goal is to reach the level of Azi dahaka, The Transcendent dragon that mastered over a thousand magic.

In terms of combat ability, he was just under the Heavenly dragons.

That was my goal, and due to the existence of Tristram this was a much easier goal for me to try to achieve than simply trying to match the Heavenly dragons.

Even if my total magical power doesn't reach that level, the versatility of of things I could do would be god-like

Everything is going smoothly, and I'm in such great shape. nothing could possibly disturb this---

――― Is what I thought.

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――― A short time ago

"According to my calculations, it seems like it's possible to maintain the [Robe] for about 2 weeks nice. Let's see if we can get it 2 month "

I and Tiamat were discussing new techniques while training, for us, this was the most common thing.

[...I don't really like the design, can you modify it so it doesn't look like their balance breaker?]

"Oh sure"

Suddenly, an unknown old man appeared behind us.

[What---]

"---The hell?!?"

We were both in utter shock.

Until that exact moment of appearance, I couldn't detect even the most minuscule of signs and I couldn't feel any type of teleportation techniques used.

――Absolutely nothing, it was as if "something" materialized out of "nothing".

And and the old man who had quite literally "appeared" out of nowhere, spoke.

"-Tiamat, were you sealed by this devil??"

"What? Where the hell did this old man come from?"

[-!?  Stay back Linnaeus! This one is Ophis!  The infinite dragon! ]

----eh? this old coot is Ophis?

But.... But.... My Loli dragon...

Refusing to believe what I was seeing, I quickly searched through my memory archive. and in a nano-second the answer became apparent.

Ah, yes that's right. It was mentioned that before the original story had started, Ophis was in the form of an old man, not a loli.

So this is Ophis?

―――――This old man is Ophis! ! ? ?

"Tiamat, is that really Ophis? Are you absolutely sure?! You're not messing with me right?"

[I don't know of any other being with this type of presence! This is a new form but it's definitely that Ophis.]

Damn it. You had one job Rizevim.

"Tiamat, were you imprisoned by this devil?"

Ophis spoke directly to Tiamat in my left hand, without giving any thought to our confusion and without moving any facial muscles.

Hmmm, it seems I'm being completely ignored here.

[No. Unlike two idiots who were f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y shoved into sacred gears after being surrounded by angels and devils. I lost to this guy fair and square and entered by my own will.]

yes yes, what she said. It's very much so⤴⤴⤴⤴.

Nice save Tiamat, who knows what would have happened if this guy thought I had to imprisoned you.

"--Did Tiamat lose? ... you?"

The pair of hollow eyes without any hint emotional radiance turn toward me and a chill runs down my spine. And just like that I was staring into the eyes of the second most powerful being in this world.

This feeling, yes, it's absolutely the same. This immeasurable abyss. Similar yet different from Great red. While in the presence of great red, I felt an immeasurable presence that seemed to fill all of reality. like the sun in the sky, it was everywhere. But in the presence of Ophis, I only felt an immeasurable "void".

This is a different type of "anything" than what I have felt before. I guess this is why Tiamat is able to instantly recognize Ophis. This type of "void" like presence is absolutely unique, and lastly this other feeling... Is this Divinity?

To be honest, I'm scared. (・ ・;)

"What's your name ?"

――Hmm, my name?

"My name is Linnaeus Chandraneel, oh great infinite one"

[Why add the extra honorific?]

'Because I'm scared!! if this one ever feels disappointed, I might get deleted'

Also, What I'm most afraid of is what Ophis might do if it was revealed that I have close ties with the great red. They're enemies you know. One's got a bitchin new pad, one's a very salty homeless person.

And I happened to hang out with the one that kicked Ophis out of its home.

"... interesting, Linnaeus. Contract with me."

"Eh, No"

Nope.

"Regardless of how scared they are, who in their right mind would just contract with an old grandpa?"

Ignoring my better judgment, my mouth started moving on its own.

"At the very least for me to sign a contract with you I need a black-haired girl in a Gothic Lolita-style outfit and ----''

With great vigor, I proceed to describe in exact detail what the loli version looks like. like a pastor possessed by the Holy Ghost, I spoke the word of god.

[Where did the frightened kid go? How do suddenly just burst out your d.e.s.i.r.es like that?]

"····well then"

Eh?

I was brought back to reality.

[--- what's up with you? Today, you're mental fluctuations are a bit weird.]

I could hear the voice of someone worried about my mental state from my left hand, but I couldn't afford to react ... I was preoccupied with what was happening in front of me.

--Is..is that the original loli form?

"Is this OK?"

Ophis had transformed into what I wanted (?) not only had the form-change come up with the voice also changed to match the original that I remember.

Or rather, this is Ophis's female voice.

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Having completely deleted the previous form from my memory banks, I take the initiative and asking about the contents of the contract while also offering some sweets and snacks I just so happen to have saved up.

I already know what it is, but I have to ask anyway. Honestly this is an overwhelming feeling.

"... So, just to ask again, what's the contract?"

Ophis, who was now little girl, answered with surprising gusto, while sitting in front of me eating various chocolate candy .

"Together with me, lets go beat Baka Red"

"I can't decide right now!"

Impossible!! That's like trying to fight the sun.

"Rather, I don't think I can do anything against one that even the Infinite Dragon couldn't be.."

Honestly, through close study over several years, I still cannot imagine a way to take great red on properly from the front. It's the same with Ophis. If she had the power to do so, she wouldn't have suffered a huge loss and wouldn't be collecting a group in order to close the gap.

This shows that great red is at least one more level higher than Ophis.

After all, they might be the strongest in the world along with Trihexa, but no one ever said they were equals.

Even at that level there still a hierarchy, with great red being the undisputed Numero Uno. I just don't know who is number two between Ophis and Trihexa.

Also...

"Also.. I'm pretty sure you're capable of detecting great red mark upon me. You're not worried about that?"

With courage, I voice that one of my inner worries.

I've been around great red for so long, my soul practically smells of the color red. Even Tiamat noticed too. There's no way Ophis didn't notice.

"Mu ... I noticed. But it's not really a problem. rather, *munch munch* it makes me more interested in you"

"Interested?"

"Yeah. *munch*.... I wanted to know what was special about you to catch that idiots attention."

"I see"

well that certainly makes sense.

"Also---"

---Also?

"You.. have a unique aura, it feels.... nice around you"

---Really? First time I'm hearing about this.

"Well, thanks for the compliment, I guess? But anyway. As I am now, I won't be of much help to you anyway even if I joined you."

"Mu ... I see. " Now " isn't good-if so, then what about my serpents?"

Orpheus creates a swirling black mass, summoning a small black saying that tries to pass it to me.

"No, no."

I quickly turned her down.

"Why? You can become stronger if you take in my snake."

"Yes, that may be true, but after all, that's just something borrowed"

That thing is pretty much a death flag. Anyone who's not a main character eventually get screwed over if they have those things.

Who would calmly receive such an outright death flag without preparation?

"What is the difference between Tiamat's power and my snake?"

---It's all about the presence or absence of the death flag.

Also..

That statement just now seemed to have annoyed a certain Dragon King.

[There is a difference. A big difference]

I understood what she was trying to say, and soon Ophis quickly caught on.

Yes, the difference between the two situations is..

"... Tiamat fought against Linnaeus?"

The most important reason I rejected her offer. The difference was that I fought and won against Tiamat head on from the front. I wasn't just given her power, I earned it almost dying.

Simply accepting it spits on my years of training. It's not that I don't want a Dragon god's power added to my own. I actually really do. It's just a matter of pride and self-respect on my part.

At the very least, not until I'm at my limit and I can grow no further.

".... I see. Then--"

------Hmm?

"If you fight with me, will you sign the contract?"

No, I'll die before I contract.

"--------"

*Tremble*

Oh no, it's happening again.

A chill that runs through my body as if all cells were being activated one by one.

My body was trembling, but not in fear.

Contrary to my own thoughts of wanting to avoid battle. My body had already entered battle mode.

This has happened once before. It was when I faced Tiamat. My brain is telling me run, but my body does the exact opposite. it searches for battle despite the overwhelming odds in front of me. No, it seeks battle because of the overwhelming odds in front of me.

I don't like it, I don't like it at all. it's illogical. The odds of winning are non-existent, but I can't stop it.

The more I hold back, the stronger the urge to fight becomes.

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Dear mother, I don't think I can fight against our family trait.

This [Battle l.u.s.t] can't be controlled.

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[Wait wait, wait. Stop, stop. If you two fight, Linnaeus will definitely die.]

That somehow manage to stop Ophis, who had already entered an attacking position.

No, the one that message was really targeting was not her, but me. To stop me from rushing to my death.

Thank goodness.

I could only see myself being vaporized in an instant.

"Mm, then will you accept my snake?"

---An infinite loop? Well, this is God of infinite loops.

[Give up, Linnaeus. No matter what happens, a dragon who has a goal will rarely change their mind.]

I can see that, although there's no expression, that blank face definitely does not look like one that will accept no for an answer.

But something is strange...

"I mean ... Ophis, why are you so adamant about having me sign a contract with you or taking in your snakes?"

Why is she's so persistent? from what I recall, the original ophis never tried to force anyone to accept her power.

"-----?"

The person herself seems to understand the strangeness of her actions.

Why? Why not?  For what reason?

[No, it's your fault, Linnaeus]

It's my fault? I haven't done anything.

[Strictly speaking, it's your blood... it's like a high-powered magnet. Since before your body had even grown up, you pushed it through tremendous training. The immense load placed on your body stimulated your "vessel" as a devil and expanded it. Thereby increasing the absolute value of magic power that your body generates in the process of growth.]

---Okay, but what does that have to do with this?

I asked telepathically.

[Atavism? no, something that transcends the original? Not only is your total amount of demonic power greatly increased, but the nature of one of your demonic abilities has evolved. ――― aside from the Bune family's ability to transform into a "dragon", they also have the ability to attract dragons. it's like a passive energy field that is always on. But you, you're on another level entirely. what I feel from you is a type of Transcendental attraction that can't by explain. Not just that, I think that this attraction has branched out to other races too, it just affects dragons the most]

It's a strange feeling, learning new information about yourself after all this time. Well, it's not like I can't actually detect my own Dragon Tamer ability. it's a passive.

[Plus, as much as it embarrasses me to admit, this is likely the reason why I attacked you when we first met. under normal circ.u.mstances, I never would have thought to fight a 10 year old child.]

I see. In other words, I'm like a lamp and dragons are just moths to the flame?

Oh dear, that's not foreshadowing anything bad at all.

[There are no combat-like benefits, but on the contrary, you will also attract evil dragons.]

Yep!

looks like my life is destined to be filled which situations would I have no choice but to fight dragons.

At this rate, wouldn't it mean that Vail would want to fight me more than Issei?

"--- is the story over?"

what a hassle this has become.

"--Ophis, a suggestion, can you wait a little longer to sign a contract? I'm still a child and I'm not that strong."

"How much longer?"

Ophis approached me.

Oh, that's right, I'm a shota, so there isn't much of a height difference.

"Well, how about three to seven years?"

"--Okay, seven years later I'll come again."

sensing she was about to leave I added one more message.

"You can come by anytime you want though, if you want more snacks I'll always have some prepared. Of course, as a friend"

"Friends? Mu ... Okay. "

Then, Ophis simply vanished from space using her strange teleportation method....leaving behind only the snake she had initially summoned.

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Oh, I survived?

[-I think your life is going to become more Troublesome from now on. And I've got a front row seat]

Ignoring Tiamat's mockery, I picked up ophis snake and returned home.

While I don't feel the need to absorb it, I'm driven by the urge to analyze it.