Andrew had learned to move carefully through the supernatural underworld.
He avoided confrontations he couldn't win. Gathered information before acting. Trained relentlessly in abandoned warehouses and forest clearings where no one would see him.
His power was growing slowly, but surely. His ki control had improved. His body was adapting to the constant strain of training and fighting.
But he was still nowhere near strong enough.
In my past life, I watched these stories unfold. Dragon Ball. High School DxD. I know what's possible. What I could become.
He sat on a rooftop overlooking Kyoto, the ancient city spread out below him like a painting.
But knowledge and ability are two different things. Just because I know Super Saiyan exists doesn't mean I can achieve it. Just because I know this world has devils, fallen angels, and gods doesn't mean I can survive encountering them.
His stomach growled. He'd been rationing his money carefully, but it was running low.
Need to find work. Or…
His eyes drifted toward the darker districts of the city, where supernatural activity was reportedly high.
Or I find someone who needs help and take whatever payment they can offer.
It wasn't noble, but it was practical.
He stood, stretched, and prepared to descend
A scream.
Andrew's head snapped toward the sound. A woman's voice, panicked, coming from the alley below.
Here we go again.
He dropped from the rooftop, landing in a crouch, and ran toward the sound.
[Dark Alley - Kyoto]
Three men cornered a young woman against a wall. They weren't human Andrew could sense the demonic energy radiating from them. Low-class devils, probably strays.
Stray Devil 1: "Come on, sweetheart. Just a little bite. We promise it won't hurt… much."
Woman: (terrified) "Stay away from me!"
Andrew: "She said no."
All three turned toward him. A kid, eleven years old, standing at the alley entrance with his fists clenched.
Stray Devil 2: (laughing) "What's this? A lost child?"
Stray Devil 3: "Get lost, kid. Unless you want to be dessert."
Andrew didn't respond. He dropped into his fighting stance
self-taught, refined through dozens of smaller encounters over the past month.
Three of them. All stronger than the one I fought in Osaka. But…
His eyes tracked their movements, reading their body language.
They're cocky. Undisciplined. They think I'm helpless.
Andrew: "Last chance. Leave now, and I won't hurt you."
Stray Devil 1: "You won't hurt US? Kid, you're hilarious!"
They lunged.
Andrew moved.
[The Fight]
The first devil reached him, claws extended. Andrew sidestepped, grabbed the devil's wrist, and used his momentum to throw him into the second devil. They collided in a tangle of limbs.
The third devil came from above, diving with outstretched talons.
Andrew jumped backward, gathered ki into his fist still crude, still unrefined and punched upward as the devil descended.
The impact sent shockwaves through the alley. The devil crashed into the ground, groaning.
One down. Two to go.
The remaining two devils separated, circling him.
Stray Devil 1: "Okay, kid. You've got some skill. But you're still outmatched!"
They attacked simultaneously from opposite sides.
Andrew couldn't dodge both. So he didn't try.
He dropped low, letting one devil's claws pass overhead, and drove an uppercut into the other's jaw. The impact sent teeth flying.
The first devil recovered and slashed across Andrew's back.
Pain exploded. Blood seeped through his shirt.
Can't let that slow me down.
Andrew spun, driving his elbow into the devil's temple. The devil stumbled, dazed.
Andrew finished him with a ki-enhanced punch to the stomach. The devil crumpled.
The last devil
the one Andrew had knocked down initially
was crawling away, terrified.
Stray Devil 3: "M-monster! What are you?!"
Andrew walked toward him, breathing hard, blood dripping from his back.
Andrew: "Someone you shouldn't have messed with."
Before he could do anything else, a flash of light materialized between them.
A magic circle. Crimson red.
From it stepped a figure a young woman with long black hair, cat like yellow eyes, and an aura of dangerous grace.
She wore traditional Japanese clothing, but her presence screamed supernatural.
???: "Well, well. A child taking on three Strays by himself. Impressive." Her eyes studied Andrew with interest. "And you're not human. I can tell."
Andrew tensed, ready to fight or flee.
???: "Relax, kid. I'm not here to hurt you. I was tracking these Strays for my own reasons." She glanced at the fallen devils. "But it looks like you handled them just fine."
Andrew: "Who are you?"
???: "Call me Kuroka." She smiled playful but with an edge of danger. "And you are?"
Andrew: "…Andrew."
Kuroka: "Well, Andrew. You're bleeding pretty badly. Want some help with that?"
Andrew hesitated. Every instinct told him to run. But he was injured, low on energy, and this woman Kuroka didn't seem hostile.
And if she wanted me dead, I'd already be dead.
Andrew: "…Fine."
Kuroka's smile widened. "Smart kid."