The Greedy Frog
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DxD: DO System Chapter 28
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 15:10:18 +0000 UTCChapter 28: Training with a God (2/2)
The morning air was crisp, fog clinging to the mountain peaks as silence hung in the cool atmosphere. But Issei? He was drenched in sweat.
“Looking good, Issei,” Hachiman said with a nod of approval. “Your stamina’s definitely improved.”
The god had been watching Issei run through his boosts, pushing himself hard even at four in the morning. The boy had long since discarded his shirt, now running bare-chested, sweat dripping down to highlight the muscle and strength he’d built up over the past few weeks.
“Alright, that’s enough warm-up,” Ddraig grumbled. “Let him use his dragon powers more, old man. Fight him.”
Hachiman smiled, unfazed. “I suppose his body’s ready for something more challenging.”
He stepped forward, planting himself firmly on the flat ground. “And I’m ready to test his full abilities.”
Neither of them could see Ddraig, but they both knew the dragon was grinning somewhere off in the ether.
Issei slowed his pace, walking toward the god. He exhaled, his breath visible in the chilly air.
“Should I just use my dragon powers, Grandpa?” Issei asked, his voice curious, wondering if Hachiman was ready to see his magical abilities in action.
“No,” the god shook his head. “I want you to use everything you’ve got—every skill, every magic, every martial art you’ve learned.”
Issei’s eyes widened, and Ddraig laughed.
“That’s more like it!” the dragon said. “A real fight!”
Even Ddraig knew this was going to be a one-sided match, but the dragon understood—sometimes, you needed a tough lesson. Broken bones taught better than words.
“As for me,” Hachiman said, extending his arm casually, “I’ll be using my non-dominant hand.”
Issei’s pride took a hit. ‘Is that really okay?’
‘With the power gap between you two?’ Ddraig scoffed. ‘He could kill you with one hand. But hey, make him fight back at least. Don’t let him treat you like a joke.’
Issei nodded. He knew this was going to be a tough test. But he wasn’t backing down.
The dragon wasn’t having any of it either. “Old man,” Ddraig called out, “how about a little bet?”
Hachiman raised an eyebrow. “A bet? What’s the wager?”
“If the boy can push you back from your spot,” Ddraig said with a grin, “you’ll attack him once, using your power, not jokes like last time. He deserves to see what even a playful strike from a god feels like.”
The god thought it over for a moment before grinning himself. “Alright, if he can push me back, I’ll attack him.”
Issei felt his nerves tighten but didn’t hesitate. Hachiman gestured for him to come at him.
Issei was already boosted to his max. He couldn’t go any higher, so he took to the skies, using his Flight ability to lift himself up and above.
“The dragon wings suit you better than the devil ones,” Hachiman commented, his tone casual. “But I hope you’re not just showing off?”
Issei didn’t respond. He focused on gathering energy in the palm of his gauntlet, compressing green draconic energy into a tight orb.
<<Dragon Shot>>
The orb shot toward the god with far more force than any of the ones he’d used against the Fallens. With Hachiman, he felt he could let loose—no need for restraint.
The god flicked his wrist, swatting the orb aside effortlessly. But Issei was already anticipating the move. As Hachiman dealt with the first orb, Issei launched two more in quick succession. They weren’t aimed directly at the god, but instead, at the ground near him.
Hachiman swatted one of the orbs away, but the other two flew past him, hitting the ground with a crash. Dust and debris kicked up, creating a haze that made it difficult for the god to see the next move coming.
The stage was set.
Issei quickly realized he wasn’t dealing with some low-level Fallen. He was facing a god.
As soon as he got close to Hachiman, the god’s pearly white grin flashed, and his hand was an inch away from his face. Without wasting a second, Issei flapped his wings and shot backward, creating some distance.
The dust cleared, and Hachiman’s eyes tracked him. That was enough to tell Issei it was time to switch things up. He didn’t know any devil magic, so he’d have to rely on his dragon abilities.
<<Dragon Shot>>
Issei fired a compressed blast of draconic energy and immediately pulled back.
‘Use something to distract or confuse him,’ Ddraig suggested.
It made sense, but it wasn’t easy. However, one skill could do the trick.
<<Hokuto Gōsho Ha>>
Issei unleashed a shockwave, remembering that aiming for Hachiman’s internal organs would be pointless. The shockwave split, hitting the ground and throwing rubble in all directions.
Before the rubble could settle, Issei activated another Hokuto Shinken move.
<Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken>
With rapid-fire punches aimed at pressure points, Issei redirected the rubble toward Hachiman. It wasn’t enough to hurt the god, but it might annoy him.
“What's the goal here, Issei?” Hachiman asked, blocking the pebbles with ease.
<<Hokuto Gōsho Ha>>
Another shockwave erupted, cracking the ground around Hachiman.
<<Dragon Shot>>
The god flicked his wrist again, dismissing the shots like they were nothing. “This isn’t enough, but still… good.”
Issei gritted his teeth. It annoyed him how easily the god destroyed his attacks. Even knowing he was outclassed, he still wanted to see Hachiman at least react.
But he wasn’t done yet.
Issei shot forward, his body speeding toward the god.
<<Dragon Shot>>
He tried the same tactic again, sending a barrage of energy to create more dust and cloud Hachiman’s vision. It didn’t work the way he hoped, but this time, he didn’t retreat.
The reason he backed off earlier was inexperience—he hadn’t kept his defenses up. This time, he was ready.
<<Dragon Scales>>
Red scales formed around his arms and face, giving him a layer of defense.
Issei wasn’t dumb enough to charge in unprotected.
<<Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken>>
He aimed a flurry of rapid strikes at Hachiman’s vital pressure points. But the god countered every move, blocking them effortlessly.
“I gave you that skill, Issei,” Hachiman laughed. “You should know better than to use it against me.”
That wasn’t his goal, though. Issei was waiting for the god to relax, to let his guard down just a little so he could get closer.
And that’s when it clicked.
<<Dragon Breath>>
A blast of red and green flames shot from his mouth, spiraling toward Hachiman’s face like a flamethrower.
The god’s eyes widened in surprise, forcing him to jump back and dodge the flames. No matter how powerful a god was, dragon fire was never fun to take head-on.
“That…” Hachiman grinned, “is what I get for underestimating you.”
He flicked his wrist a few times, clearly amused. “You were smart to save that skill for later. But you need to work on your timing. Right now, you’re slow, and you take too long between attacks. With time, though, you’ll improve.”
Issei nodded, completely agreeing with what the god said.
“But since I promised our dragon friend, I’ll keep it.” Hachiman grinned. “Get ready, I’m coming for you.”
‘Brace yourself. Defense up, stay grounded,’ Ddraig warned.
Issei immediately landed, activating his defenses.
<<Dragon Scales>>
Scales covered his body, and he braced himself for impact.
But his heart was pounding in his chest.
‘Will I be okay?’ he wondered.
‘If your grandpa doesn’t get carried away, you’ll be fine.’
Taking a deep breath, Issei held it, waiting for the hit.
Hachiman extended his right hand, and the air around it shimmered. “Let me teach you something about divine power, Issei. Not the kind angels use, but the power of gods in general.”
A translucent, pale golden energy gathered around his palm, swirling ominously.
‘Boy, do not die,’ Ddraig warned.
Issei’s stomach dropped. ‘How…’
“Becoming a devil made you stronger, gave you power over many species. Your demonic energy directly counters spirits and soul-based beings,” Hachiman continued, the golden light intensifying. “But it also made you weak to holy power. Gods can channel divine power infused with holy essence.”
‘This guy’s insane…’ Ddraig’s voice was full of dread as Issei paled.
“Like this,” Hachiman said, and the golden light shot out, moving faster than anything Issei had ever seen.
‘Shit, we’re screwed!’ Ddraig yelled, ‘I’m activating Juggernaut Drive!’
But it was too late.
The golden ray was already on him, burning the air around him.
‘No way I’m surviving this,’ Issei thought, bracing for impact. His skin would melt off before he could blink.
But then, to his shock, the ray split before it hit him. It divided into two halves and blasted into the ground around him, causing the earth to tremble.
Hachiman had done the same thing Issei had earlier, except on a whole different level.
Issei winced, feeling the burn as the magic diverged. His arms stung from the aftershock, but he was alive. Luckily.
If that attack had connected, he would’ve been vaporized in seconds.
Hachiman smiled, looking pleased. “So, Issei. What do you think of it? The attack?”
Issei didn’t think about the attack at all.
All he could think about was the madman standing in front of him.
‘Madman,’ Ddraig thought, sharing the sentiment.
Because that’s what Hachiman was.
A terrifyingly powerful madman.
