Author's Note:
If you're starting Chapter 1… welcome.
This is my first story, and I'd really like to hear your thoughts. Did you enjoy it? Or is there anything I can improve?.
If you think it has potential, don't forget to support it Every comment and reaction really helps the story grow.
Let's see how far this journey goes.
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**(1)**
"Holy crap... so this is what dying feels like."
The thought cut through Kaito Kurosawa's fading consciousness like a cold blade. Numbness crept from his fingertips toward his heart. Seconds ago, he'd been standing on the station platform, phone in hand, grumbling about Issei Hyoudou's ridiculous luck in the latest DxD manga chapter. Then came the screech of tires. The screams. Then... nothing.
Now, he floated in a pitch-black void. No up. No down. Just an eerie, silent emptiness.
[Analyzing Location... Error.]
[Identifying Soul Signature... Complete.]
[Soul Name: Kaito Kurosawa.]
[Status: Recently Deceased. Cause: Fatal Traffic Accident.]
Glowing blue text, crisp and sharp like a premium game HUD, materialized before his perception. Kaito—an otaku who had sunk thousands of hours into RPGs—recognized this instantly. System Windows.
"Wait... am I in an Isekai plot?!" he thought loudly, a shiver of pure nerd excitement running through his disembodied soul.
[Establishing Connection to "Harem King System"...]
[Connection Successful.]
[Welcome, User. Your soul has been selected as a candidate for the title of "Supreme Harem King." System Objective: Achieve cosmic harmony through the most powerful force in existence... the power of love (and lust).]
A winking heart emoji popped up. Kaito would have laughed if he had lungs. "A Harem System? This is so stupidly ridiculous... and so awesome!"
[Warning: Spacetime Interference Detected.]
[Soul Incompatible with Any Available Native Body in Target World.]
[Activating Emergency Protocol: "Species Cloning."]
[Generating Optimal Physical Vessel Based on User's Soul Data...]
A violent pulling sensation tore through him. Molecules disassembled and reassembled. It felt like being stretched across dimensions and snapped back together. When the sensation stopped, solid ground met his feet. A cool breeze brushed his cheek. The air smelled of sulfur, damp earth, and night-blooming flowers.
He opened his eyes. A blood-red moon hung in the sky. He stood in a vast garden with silver-leafed trees swaying gently. This was the Underworld.
[Congratulations! New Body Successfully Cloned.]
[Physical Strength +50%. Agility +80%. Mana Capacity +200%.]
[Unique Skill Acquired: "Harem Enhancement (Level 1)".]
Effect: The stronger the loyalty and admiration a powerful female feels toward the User, the greater the synergistic boost to both their powers.
Kaito flexed his fingers. They felt different—stronger, more responsive. He touched his own arm and felt lean, dense muscle beneath his shirt. I've been upgraded.
[Unique Trait Unlocked: "Protagonist's Gaze" (Passive).]
Effect: When the User makes direct eye contact with a female target for 3 seconds, he can perceive a single, hidden "desire" or "weakness" they possess.
Before he could process this new ability, a guttural growl rumbled from the shadows of the silver trees. The sound was low, predatory, and definitely not friendly.
**(2)**
From the darkness emerged a creature straight out of a nightmare. It was the size of a large wolf, but its body was hairless, covered in dark, cracked hide that oozed a faint, acrid smoke. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its maw dripped with saliva that sizzled upon hitting the grass. A Stray Devil—a rogue, mindless beast born from a devil who had abandoned their master.
[Alert: Hostile Entity Detected.]
[Designation: Lesser Stray Devil (Feral). Threat Level: Low.]
[Recommendation: Eliminate target to acclimate to new body and gain bonus XP.]
Kaito's heart hammered. Fear and adrenaline flooded his veins. But underneath the panic, a strange sense of excitement bubbled up. My first fight... in another world.
The Stray Devil lunged. Time seemed to slow. Kaito's enhanced agility kicked in. He threw himself sideways, rolling on the grass as the creature's claws raked the spot where he'd stood, tearing deep gouges in the earth. Fast! I'm actually fast!
He scrambled to his feet. The beast spun, snarling. Its yellow eyes locked onto his. Kaito stared back, instinctively. Three seconds passed.
[Protagonist's Gaze Activated.]
[Target: Lesser Stray Devil (Feral).]
[Hidden Weakness Detected: "Cracked Core." The magical core in its chest is unstable. A single, concentrated strike to the sternum will shatter it and cause instant dispersal.]
A translucent, red diamond-shaped marker appeared in Kaito's vision, hovering right over the creature's chest. A weak point! Just like a video game!
The beast charged again. This time, Kaito didn't dodge. He planted his feet, pulled his right fist back, and focused every ounce of his newfound strength. The System highlighted a trajectory line. He didn't think. He just reacted.
He stepped into the charge, twisting his hips and driving his fist forward in a straight, powerful punch. His knuckles connected with the exact spot marked by the red diamond.
CRACK.
The sound was like shattering glass. The Stray Devil froze mid-lunge, its yellow eyes wide with shock. A spiderweb of light spread from the impact point across its chest. Then, with a final, pitiful whimper, its body dissolved into a cloud of shimmering black ash that scattered on the wind.
Kaito stood there, breathing hard, his fist still extended. He stared at his own hand. I did it. I actually defeated a monster.
[Combat Complete. XP Gained: 150.]
[Level Up! User is now Level 2.]
[Bonus Reward for First Kill: "Lesser Mana Potion" x1 added to Inventory.]
A triumphant grin spread across his face. "Okay. This is definitely not a dream."
"Impressive."
The single word, spoken with a velvety smoothness that held an edge of command, made Kaito's blood run cold. He spun around.
She emerged from the tree line as if stepping out of a painting. Long, crimson hair cascaded down her back. Blue-green eyes gleamed with intelligence and intrigue. Her figure was perfectly sculpted beneath a short, black silk negligee. And behind her, unfurling with a soft rustle, were a pair of jet-black bat wings.
Rias Gremory. The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess.
[Alert: High-Value Target Detected.]
[Name: Rias Gremory. Race: High-Class Devil. Affection Level: 0 (Neutral/Curious).]
"Not many humans can dispatch a Stray Devil with a single, bare-handed blow," Rias said, taking a graceful step forward. Her bare feet made no sound on the grass. "Especially not one who smells of the human world and appeared inside my family's estate without tripping a single ward." She raised a delicate hand. A crimson magic circle, intricate and glowing, spun to life on her palm.
[Warning: High-Class Devil Magical Scan Detected. Attempting to analyze User's origin and abilities.]
Kaito's heart leaped into his throat. She's scanning me! If she discovers the System...
[System Protocol Activated: Concealing Presence...]
[Success. All anomalous data classified as "Unidentified Sacred Gear - Dormant Type". Rias Gremory will perceive User as a human with a latent, untapped power.]
The magic circle on Rias's palm flickered, then faded. Her brow furrowed for a fraction of a second—a crack in her perfect composure. She looked genuinely puzzled. "How strange. You possess the aura of a Sacred Gear user, yet... it feels like nothing I've ever encountered. It's almost as if your power is actively hiding from me."
She stepped closer, her scent—expensive perfume and something uniquely her—enveloping Kaito. Her blue-green eyes searched his face. "Who are you, lost human? And how did you come to be in my garden, fighting my strays?"
Kaito swallowed hard. The System had bought him time, but now he had to play his part. Be cool. Be interesting. Don't be a creep.
He flashed a confident grin. "Name's Kaito Kurosawa. As for how I got here... I was in Shibuya one second, then poof. Here I am. With a killer headache and apparently a new talent for pest control." He gestured at the lingering ash of the Stray Devil.
Rias's lips curled into an amused smile. "Shibuya. The human world. A teleportation accident, perhaps? Or something more... deliberate?" She extinguished her magic circle completely and tilted her head. "You are an enigma, Kaito Kurosawa. And I find enigmas... fascinating."
She extended her hand. Her nails were perfectly manicured, painted a deep crimson. "I am Rias Gremory, heiress to the House of Gremory. It would be unbecoming of me to leave a mysterious, handsome stranger to wander my estate alone. You will come with me. I have many questions."
[Quest Received: "A Devil's Hospitality."]
Objective: Accompany Rias Gremory. Answer her questions without revealing the "Harem King System."
Reward: 500 XP, Increased Affection with Rias Gremory, ??? Mystery Item.
Failure: Suspicion, Potential Imprisonment.
Kaito took her hand. Her skin was warm, soft, and sent a pleasant jolt up his arm. Rias's eyes widened ever so slightly. She felt it too—a faint, inexplicable resonance.
[Affection Update: Rias Gremory +10. (Current: 10/100 - Intrigued).]
**(3)**
As Rias led him through the moonlit garden, Kaito's mind raced. She almost found me out. The System protected me, but that was too close. I need to be careful. This world is real, and the devils are sharp.
They approached a massive, opulent mansion that blended European palace grandeur with gothic spires. The grand double doors swung open silently, and two figures stepped out.
The first was a tall, handsome young man with short silver hair and sharp eyes behind spectacles. He wore a butler's uniform but carried himself like a knight. Kiba Yuuto. Beside him stood a petite girl with short white hair and emotionless golden eyes. She was chewing on a piece of candy. Koneko Toujou.
"President," Kiba said, his voice calm. "We sensed the intruder and the Stray Devil's energy signature." His gaze shifted to Kaito, cool and assessing. "Is this the individual?"
"Yes, Yuuto. This is Kaito Kurosawa. He dispatched the Stray Devil before I could intervene." Rias released Kaito's hand. "He is a... guest. Please prepare a room for him in the east wing."
Kiba's eyes narrowed slightly. "President, are you certain? His magical signature is irregular. He could be a spy from the House of Phenex, or worse." His polite smile didn't reach his eyes.
Koneko sniffed the air once, staring at Kaito with an unblinking gaze. "...Smells weird. Like human, but not. And like Stray Devil dust." She popped another candy into her mouth. "Strong."
[Alert: New Targets Detected.]
[Kiba Yuuto - Affection Level: 0 (Cautious/Protective).]
[Koneko Toujou - Affection Level: 0 (Suspicious/Hungry).]
"Thanks... I think?" Kaito offered an awkward wave. Koneko just stared.
"I am aware of the risks, Yuuto," Rias said, her voice firm. "That is precisely why he is interesting. And why he will remain under my direct watch." She turned back to Kaito, her playful smile returning. "Now, shall we? You must be famished. Dying, being teleported, and killing a monster must work up quite an appetite."
As if on cue, Kaito's stomach let out a loud, traitorous growl. Koneko's eyes flickered to his stomach. "...Loud. Like a monster."
A bead of sweat rolled down Kaito's temple. He followed Rias inside the mansion, the heavy doors closing behind him with a definitive thud. The interior was breathtaking—chandeliers, velvet drapes, and a grand staircase that swept upward into shadow.
He was inside the den of devils. The Harem King System's text glowed softly in the corner of his vision, a constant companion.
[Current Objective: Survive Dinner. Impress Rias. Don't get skewered by Kiba's passive-aggressive smiles.]
Kaito grinned to himself. He had faced death, gotten a cheat system, killed a monster, and had his very existence nearly exposed by a devil princess—all in the span of fifteen minutes. This was going to be one hell of a second life.
And he was going to own every second of it.
End of Chapter 1.