88 DXD 6

After selecting all of our desired classes, we shifted our focus toward our races and we were finally able to equip our new, Kyuubi no Kitsune, race in private. This granted us four new and interesting skills to play with.

[Kyuubi no Kitsune] [DxD]

+2 STR, +2 DEX, +3 AGI, +4 VIT, +3 CHAR per Global Level

- Gain the skill [Shapeshift], allowing you to shapeshift your true appearance into a human form.

- Gain the skill [Fox Fire], granting you the ability to create and manipulate an extremely hot flame able to affect even souls.

- Gain the skill [Dreamwalking], granting you the ability to enter the dreams of others.

- Gain the skill [Nature's Connection], allowing you to form a strong connection with the natural world, including the ability to sense and manipulate the energies of ley lines.

One of these skills was [Shapeshift], which was a straightforward ability with no leveling capabilities. It simply allowed us to transform our appearance into a human form. The new skill would allow us to equip multiple races while keeping our appearance unchanged.

[Shapeshift LVL: N/A]

- Allows you to shapeshift your true appearance into a human form.

Like [Shapeshift], the skill [Nature's Connection] was also unable to level up, but its ability was incredibly potent. Leylines were the natural channels through which vast amounts of mana and other types of energies flowed throughout the world, and the skill granted us the ability to form a permanent bond with it. Unfortunately, the permanent aspect of this skill was not as appealing.

[Nature's Connection LVL: N/A]

- Grants the user the ability to form a permanent bond with leylines, allowing the user to sense and manipulate the natural energies within them.

- Provides the user with enhanced sensitivity to changes in the natural environment and allows them to detect sources of energy or magic within their range of perception.

Meanwhile, the [Dreamwalking] skill was somewhat underwhelming, however, the [Fox Fire] skill with its ability to affect souls seemed to be overpowered.

[Dreamwalking LVL:1/100]

- Allows the user to enter the dreams of others within their perception range, providing a unique perspective on the thoughts, emotions, and memories of the dreamer.

- Enables the user to interact with and manipulate the dream world, potentially influencing the subconscious of the dreamer or gaining valuable insights into their psyche.

[Fox Fire LVL:1/100]

- Grants the user the ability to conjure and manipulate flames that are extremely hot and capable of damaging even the souls of targets.

After going through all of that, we finally selected our races. I chose High Elf, Vulcan, and Renard as my primary races, then activated [Shapeshift] and willed it to keep my form unchanged, which worked seamlessly. Similarly, Olivia selected Dark Elf, Cat Person, and Kyuubi no Kitsune as her primary races, and also activated [Shapeshift] to maintain her original appearance, rather than becoming a frightening amalgamation of races. The combined stats we gained from the three races were quite significant, and it could be clearly seen on our status screen.

Status

[Global L: 93 XP: 6,473,170]

[Classes: [Artificer: 0/100] [Programmer: 0/50] [Thief: 0/25]]

[Titles: [Blessed by Death] [Arcane Sage] [Rune Master: DanMachi]]

[Race: [High Elf] [Vulcan] [Renard] | Tier: 3]

[WP: 1,830] [UC: 200,000.00] [HS: Healthy]

Stamina: 1,233,425 (2,786/s)

Mana: 4,225,273 (437,423/s)

STR: 829 > 839

VIT: 835 > 1,124

DEX: 1,008 > 1,103

AGI: 854 > 949

PER: 234 > 514

INT: 722 > 1,266

WIS: 574 > 1,211

CHAR: 66 > 338

LUCK: 5 > 98

P. Res: 0 > 8 (25.33%)

M. Res: 0 > 103 (26.28%)

Olivia Lane

[Global L: 83 XP: 2,540,798]

[Classes: [Slayer: 0/100] [Tank: 0/50] [Scout: 0/25]]

[Titles: [Sword Saint] [Dungeon Conqueror] [Training Addict]]

[Race: [Dark Elf] [Cat Person] [Kyuubi no Kitsune] | Tier: 3]

[WP: 1,830] [UC: 200,000.00] [HS: Healthy]

Stamina: 2,377,280 (5,293/s)

Mana: 69,592 (900/s)

STR: 903 > 1,309

VIT: 960 > 1,615

DEX: 1,057 > 1,472

AGI: 1,083 > 1,821

PER: 158 > 490

INT: 184 > 197

WIS: 232 > 245

CHAR: 10 > 342

LUCK: 157

P. Res: 25 > 265 (2.65%)

M. Res: 0 > 240 (32.40%)

As I stared at my status screen, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of skills I had acquired over the course of my journey. I scrolled through the list, seeing skill after skill, some of which I hadn't even used in ages.

I knew that if I wanted to truly optimize my abilities, I needed to streamline my skillset, and merging them would be the smartest option. And with Skill Management System's add-on that allowed for the guidance of skill evolutions and the ability to evolve already merged skills, I could merge skills without any large consequences. However, the upgrade was pricey, standing at a whopping 75,000 WP, but the benefits it provided were worth it.

With that upgrade, I could focus on developing my most essential skills, and merge them to create even more powerful abilities, without losing the ability to evolve them further down the line. The thought of having a smaller, yet more potent set of skills was exciting so I made a mental note to purchase the upgrade as soon as we completed our time in this world.

With that thought I combined all of my rarely used skills, starting with the fire-based ones such as [Conjure Flame], [Fire Coat], [Blue Flame], [Dragon Breath], [Fox Fire], [Flame Travel], and [Eternal Flame]. The fusion of these skills resulted in the creation of [Inferno Mastery], an incredibly fascinating skill.

[Inferno Mastery 7x LVL: 1/100]

- Grants the user direct connection to the elemental plane of fire, allowing him the power to summon, banish and manipulate its flames, these flames can burn on any surface and damage even the souls of targets.

- The user gains the ability to ignore, absorb, and nullify fire-based attacks and environmental heat levels, up to a tier higher than their own, allowing them to convert the thermal energies into fuel for their abilities or even augment their regeneration.

- The user can increase their body temperature to an extreme level, enabling them to project intense heat waves from their body.

Unfortunately, the combination of these skills caused me to lose some of the lifesaving abilities from [Eternal Flame], as well as the ability to travel through the flame realm provided by [Flame Travel]. However, these abilities transformed into something even better. [Flame Travel]'s connection to the flame realm became a link to the elemental plane of fire, and [Eternal Flame]'s vitality-boosting ability was transformed into a regeneration skill, which became part of the heat absorption ability of the newly formed skill. Overall, despite the minor decrease in versatility, the resulting skill was incredibly potent and formidable.

The next skills on my merger list were skills I once again, never use. So after remembering the fact that healers used poison as a medicine for centuries, I merged [Basilisk Venom], [Poison Secretion], [Spore Release], and [Decay], with [Healing Powder] and [Phoenix Tears], which created a skill called [Healing Toxicity].

[Healing Toxicity 6x LVL: 1/100]

- Enables the production, control, and dispersal of potent toxins with various effects, ranging from soul corrosion to healing and antidote properties, including the creation of airborne toxins that can be dispersed over a wide area.

- The efficiency and potency of toxins, healing, antidote, and damaging properties increase significantly with skill level, able to restore or decay limbs, cure curses, or even erode or heal damaged souls.

The amalgamation of those six skills turned me into a walking biological weapon - or, depending on how I wielded it, a potential savior of humanity. The integration of [Spore Release] seamlessly blended with the newly-formed skill, allowing all poisons to be dispersed into the air, while [Healing Powder] and [Phoenix Tears] endowed the skill with the ability to heal using poisons as well.

The new skill was undoubtedly intimidating, but I had learned a valuable lesson from my previous experience with [Basilisk Venom]: unless specifically stated, I was not immune to the effects of my own skills. Although [Unwavering Resilience] did offer a substantial level of resistance against poisons and toxins, and also made me develop a tolerance towards them over time, I for a fact knew it wouldn't save me from this skill. Therefore, as soon as I had the opportunity, I planned to experiment and level both skills and strive to achieve complete immunity to my own poisons.

I still possessed a collection of seven similar skills that all accomplished the same goal in different ways. Through the assistance of [Intuitive Aptitude] and even [Archive], and having learned from my past experiences with merging skills, I was certain that the combination would succeed and result in something more formidable than individual skills. So after taking a deep breath I took a calculated risk, and merged [Mind Arts], [Mind Control], [Allure 5x], [Mind Meld], [Vulcan Telepathy], [Intimidation], and [Phoenix Song] to forge a truly monstrous mental manipulation skill.

[Mental Domain 11x LVL: 1/100]

- Enables the user to establish a mental connection with individuals within a radius equal to his Intelligence in meters, and an ability to maintain an ongoing complete control over their senses, emotions, desires, actions, and memories even after they leave the radius, provided their Wisdom stat is lower than that of the user.

- Allows the user to view, modify, remove, and syphon memories, knowledge, and practice from targeted individuals, while also allowing him to implant suggestions, share thoughts, senses, emotions, and memories with them.

- Provides an impenetrable defense against mental attacks from those of the same tier or lower and a moderate defense against those one tier higher.

(A/N: Not a divine domain.)

The amalgamation of those skills severed all ties to the Charisma stat, but in exchange, granted me complete dominion over the senses, emotions, desires, actions, and even memories of any individual currently within an 800-meter radius. I could manipulate anyone to fall in love, fear, or even loathe me to their core. Additionally, I could traverse any location while connecting to the minds of random individuals and later extract knowledge from their minds from anywhere in the world. This skill had the potential to cause immense damage, and I was confident that I would utilize it to its maximum potential.

As the days passed by, I couldn't help but notice the eerie peace that had taken over the magical part of Kyoto. I couldn't determine if it was due to the efforts of Yasaka or if it was a common occurrence in the area. Regardless, life in this part of town was tranquil and free of any disruptions. The locals seemed content with their daily routines and showed no signs of hostility toward us. Even Olivia, who had an uncanny ability to make friends, had formed close bonds with some of our neighbors.

Despite the peaceful surroundings, the thought of the upcoming attack by the Chaos Brigade on Kyoto weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. However, I also couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement at the prospect of the group of 'Heroes' who were scheduled to arrive soon, as their arrival would provide us with most of the items we needed to complete a quest.

The other event that should happen, if my calculation were right, today was the appearance of Riser Phenex in the Kuoh Academy. As for Rias Gremory, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadistic curiosity about the outcome of her impending predicament. If things play out as they did in the series, she would find herself in an interesting situation soon.

It was clear to me that Rias, without the aid of her pawn who was once the wielder of the Boosted Gear, stood no chance against her future husband, Riser. However, the devious side of me couldn't help but think of exploiting the situation further. Perhaps I could offer her a way out of her predicament, in exchange for gaining access to the underworld and the knowledge of her parents, in addition to getting a glimpse of her Power of Destruction.

The thought of intervening in the situation also presented an opportunity for me to complete a quest while obtaining the Immortality ability of the Phenex clan. However, I knew that such actions would not be without consequences, and probably pull attention to us. Did I fear the devils? Not in the slightest, if the Youkai could classify Olivia as an Ultimate Class, just from her [Blink] spell, I wasn't sure what they would classify me as, especially if I went all out.

[Skill List Image]

(A/N: is it better if I post their status like this, I could even color it or add something. Or should I continue with the text versions, although, it will be around 300-600 words whenever I do :/ ?)

I gave my skill list a quick glance and after saying goodbye to Olivia, I decided to warp space around me and instantly transport myself to Kuoh. Before my arrival, I had wrapped an illusion around me to avoid causing any disturbance by my sudden appearance, although I quickly dropped it after finding a secluded spot.

As I emerged on the other side, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of the town. Kuoh was a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blended traditional Japanese architecture with modern high-rise buildings. Everywhere I looked, people of all ages were going about their daily lives, dressed in a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.

The streets were meticulously clean and adorned with lush greenery that added a touch of nature to the urban landscape. As I strolled through the town square, I was met with a lively scene of vendors selling a variety of goods and street performers entertaining passersby. The atmosphere was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel invigorated by the buzz of activity around me.

But my excitement reached a new level as the iconic Kuoh Academy, the headquarters of the Occult Research Club, came into view. The academy was known for its mysterious and supernatural occurrences, and I was eager to explore this fascinating facet of the town's culture. With a sense of anticipation coursing through me, I made my way toward the academy, eager to meet with the devils leading this town.

As I stepped onto the grounds of the Kuoh Academy, I felt a distinct pulse of energy ripple through the air. It was almost as if the very ground beneath me was alive and pulsating with supernatural power. I knew then that I had triggered some kind of alarm or alert system, which had notified the 'guardians' of the academy of my arrival.

What struck me as particularly intriguing was the fact that I had felt no mana or wards surrounding the academy grounds. It was as though they had devised a new, subtler way of warding the area, which had gone unnoticed by my senses. This alone piqued my interest, and I found myself eager to uncover the secrets of the town's guardians and their unique approach to protecting their homes.

Filled with excitement and anticipation, I ventured further into the academy grounds. It didn't take long for me to encounter the student council president, who also happened to be the heiress of the Sitri Clan.

As I stood there, Sona Sitri approached me with confidence, exuding an air of sophistication that was heightened by her short black hair and stylish round glasses. She was a petite devil, but her presence was commanding nonetheless.

Her school uniform was equally impressive, featuring a long-sleeved white blouse with a high collar and a black ribbon tie. The blouse was tucked into a frilly, knee-length navy blue skirt that flared out slightly with every step, hinting at the fullness of her thighs.

Completing the ensemble was a navy blue blazer with gold trim on the cuffs and collar, adorned with the emblem of the academy on the breast pocket. Sona also wore knee-high black stockings and shiny black shoes with a low heels, adding to her professional and put-together appearance.

Despite her poised exterior, there was a hint of cuteness to Sona's expression, as she frowned slightly while addressing me.

"Leave, you're not allowed on the school grounds." She said her tone commanding while pointing towards the gate. Expecting me to be a human, her eyes flared up with magic power as she commanded, in an attempt to cast a mind manipulation spell.

A chuckle escaped my lips as the amateurish attempt at mind control by Sona barely made an impact on my mind shields. Causing a surprised 'Huh?' to escape her lips, before her eyes widened in surprise.

"Let me show you how it's done," I declared with a wicked smile. With the activation of [Mental Domain], I gained complete and unhindered access to her mind in an instant. It was quite amusing to watch the worried expression on her face as her mind was thrown into disarray from fear while I delved deeper into her psyche.

For some twisted reason, I decided to keep her mind fully conscious while controlling her every action. It was entertaining to see her inwardly scream as she tried to move in ways I wouldn't allow her to.

"Now, little missy," I said with a light slap on her behind, urging her forward. "Lead me to the Occult Research Club." Her eyes mirrored utter rage, but that only made me want to play with her more. She involuntarily nodded and guided me through the school corridors and up a staircase, stopping before a door with a golden plate that read "Occult Research Club" in bold black letters. Without knocking, I pushed the door open, walked in, and commanded. "Ignore me."