Highschool DxD : Actually Satan

Chapter 3: Choices



Note

Things in [1] type indicator next to them will be explained for everyone at the end of chapter.

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As Leo immersed himself in the countless titles and intricate paths displayed on the Story Tree, his excitement was quickly dampened by a glaring realization—all of them were greyed out.

"What gives?" he muttered in frustration, narrowing his eyes at the inaccessible choices.

[ The titled paths will unlock after you have chosen your basic affiliation. Once your affiliation is selected, new titled paths may emerge based on how closely you adhere to the system's directives. However, nothing is set in stone—a projected path can shift into another based on deviations from system guidelines. The only constant is the chosen affiliation. ]

Leo let out a long sigh, leaning back in his chair..So, I'm stuck until I pick my 'alignment,'?

The screen shifted, and a new menu appeared.

Seven choices floated in front of him, each accompanied by a basic description and the rewards they offered.

Three of them immediately caught his eye: the far-left, the far-right, and the exact central option.

Underneath each of these, a bold warning was written: NOT ADVISABLE.

Curiosity piqued, he examined the first extreme option on the far-left:

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Enemy of All Existence

(Guaranteed destruction of the universe at your hands upon 100% completion. Unlocks world-line travel without system guidance in the end.)

Reward: One-Star Annihilation Power (What kind of universe destroyer starts at the bottom? You are the end of all. Planetary destruction is child's play.)

Trait: You are meant to end it all, so in a twisted way, everything belongs to you.

Meta Power Absorption (You can absorb and weaponize powers, traits, and abilities of others.)

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Leo's eyebrows shot up. Wowza, this is literally 'villain supreme.' Guaranteed destruction? Talk about overkill. And what's with that 'Seed of Executioner'? Sounds ominous as hell.

He moved on, intrigued by the next eye-catching option in the center.

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The Absolute Neutral

(Your life has no effect on the end of the universe. You exist as an observer, detached from the flow of events.)

Reward: Type 1 to 6 Immortality (Neutrality is hard to maintain when your life is at stake.)[1]

Trait: You are not a resident of this world, and you've chosen not to have a say in its fate. Your alien perspective allows you to perceive all obstructions as they truly are.

Meta Comprehension (Your insight into reality lets you decode even the most incomprehensible phenomena.)

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Leo tilted his head. So... basically, I'd be the ultimate outsider? No allies, no enemies, just a spectator? Sounds lonely, but that immortality perk is tempting...

Finally, he turned his attention to the far-right option.

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Saviour of All Existence

(Guaranteed transformation of the universe into the ultimate utopia without grief or pain upon 100% completion. Unlocks universe creation.)

Reward: One-Star Creation Power (What kind of universal savior starts as a street magician? You are the Saviour of all. Planetary miracles are a child's play.)

Trait: You are destined to be the ultimate hero, but without allies, your intentions may be mistaken as megalomania. You must rise as the better man in every situation.

Meta Protagonist (Circumstances bend in your favor, aligning events to highlight your heroism and victories.)

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Leo whistled low. Okay, this is the polar opposite of the first one. Universe creation powers? That's nuts. But the pressure of being that perfect... yeah, no thanks.

He glanced at the remaining four affiliations, which seemed less extreme in comparison. As he weighed his options, the system chimed in.

[ Reminder: The Host's choice will define their fundamental alignment, shaping their progression in the Story Tree. Be mindful that this decision is irreversible. ]

Yeah, yeah, I got it he muttered, scratching his head. So no pressure at all, right?

He took a deep breath, staring at the screen, knowing that this choice was the first true step in shaping his destiny. Well, no guts, no glory...

As Leo stared at the overwhelming options before him, the system chimed in :

[ There is no need for the Host to feel such intense pressure. The system understands that humans are rarely as polarizing or absolute as these choices suggest. All choices do not have to be selected at 100%. In fact, the system advises against choosing any path fully. ]

Leo blinked, taken aback by the statement. Wait, what? So, I can blend them?

[ Correct. Each choice is presented with a greyed-out percentage bar. The Host may allocate their preference across multiple options, creating a balance that aligns with your individuality. Overlapping choices often yield better results and are more sustainable. ]

Leo tilted his head, mulling over the new information. So, I don't have to go full 'villain supreme' or 'savior of all existence'? That's... a relief.

The screen shifted, showing the same choices as before, but now with adjustable percentage sliders beneath each affiliation.

The polarizing paths—Enemy of All Existence, The Absolute Neutral, and Saviour of All Existence—had updated warnings beside their sliders:

[NOT ADVISABLE: Highly dangerous due to opposition from world administrators.]

The system continued:

[ Polarizing choices are dangerous because most world administrators may not allow such extreme paths, even if the Multiversal Charter technically permits the distribution of seed of Administrator, Executioner, and Arbitrator and these roles exist within the charter's framework, they are not accepted by all world standards. The charter system is a basic understanding among dimensional entities, not an enforceable law. ]

Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. So if I pick something too extreme, I could piss off some incomprehensible entity, huh? Got it.

[ Precisely. A balanced allocation allows the Host to progress effectively without drawing undue attention. It also ensures that your chosen path aligns with your core nature, maximizing compatibility and minimizing potential backlash. ]

The sliders shimmered invitingly, each set to zero by default. Below them, a new message appeared:

[Advisable Allocation: Distribute your percentages wisely to reflect a cohesive and unique identity. The sum of all choices must equal 100%. Unused percentages will not be assigned automatically.]

Leo exhaled deeply. "Okay, system. Let's do this."

He looked at the sliders, realizing that his decision here would not just shape his destiny but also define how others—whether allies or enemies—perceived him in the multiverse.

In the end, Leo decided on a balanced approach. He needed offensive power, but also defensive capabilities. After careful consideration, he began adjusting the sliders:

Enemy of All Existence (Extreme Evil): 5%

The Absolute Neutral: 30% (for high defensive traits)

Savior of All Existence (Creation Spectrum): 5%

Other Evil Spectrum Options: 20% + 20%

Remaining Creation Spectrum Options: 15%+15%

The percentages felt right, offering a blend of offense, defense, and versatility with more focus on the offense.

"Alright," he said to himself, nodding at the configuration. "A bit of destruction, a bit of creation, and a whole lot of defense. Let's see how this plays out."

The system responded immediately:

[ Loading... Generating story tree... Calculating possibilities... ]

The screen lit up with equations, possibilities, and symbols that seemed far beyond Leo's comprehension, flashing rapidly in a dizzying display.

Numbers and diagrams intertwined, flowing like a waterfall of logic and chaos.

Leo squinted. What even are those equations? Do I need a degree in interdimensional physics for this?

The system ignored his question, continuing to process.

After what felt like an eternity, the screen flickered and let out a soft boop.

[ Generating Newbie Pack... ]

A message popped up:

[ Congratulations, Host! You have chosen a unique combination of alignments. While this configuration grants more power and versatility than the Seal of Exterminator (Pure Evil Choice), it is not the most efficient path. The hybrid nature of this alignment creates a much longer journey and less talent, mastery may require additional effort to balance conflicting traits. ]

Leo blinked, his grin faltering slightly. "Wait, are you saying I've made things harder for myself?"

[ Correct. However, this path offers increased adaptability and long-term potential, making the Host capable of handling a wider variety of challenges within the Multiversal Charter. While the road may be longer, it ensures a more well-rounded progression. ]

Leo sighed. Great, so I'm taking the scenic route to becoming a badass.

The system elaborated further:

[ The chosen path combines offensive potential from destructive alignments with enhanced survivability from the neutral alignment, complemented by support capabilities from the creation spectrum. This hybrid structure ensures adaptability in varied scenarios, albeit with slower progression compared to a singular alignment choice. ]

[ Initializing Newbie Path... Rewards incoming. Stand by. ]

As the screen began to load once again, Leo couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.

The screen finalized Leo's chosen path, the system began detailing the rewards, each appearing with a glowing effect on the screen:

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[ Rewards Granted:

1. Type 4 Immortality (Resilient Regeneration):

[ The host can regenerate from nearly any physical damage, ensuring survival even in the most hostile environments. ]

2. Type 6 Immortality (Existence Preservation Parasitic ):

[ The host's informational essence is preserved. Even if the physical body is destroyed, the host cannot be erased easily from reality. This grants defense against conceptual and metaphysical attacks. ]

3. Skill: Informational Parasite

[ A unique ability that allows the host to attack and consume the informational essence of objects, beings, or even concepts. This skill can destabilize or outright destroy enemies, rendering their abilities ineffective. However, misuse could damage unintended targets, making precise control essential. ]

4. Skill: Informational Creation

[ The perfect counterbalance to Informational Parasite. This ability lets the host create or rewrite information, modifying reality itself. It can enhance objects, repair damage, or create new concepts altogether. This skill is powerful but requires caution, as altering too much can destabilize the world. ]

5. Super Attack Skill (Unnamed):

[ A heavy AP skill capable of directly targeting and obliterating the informational core of enemies. This attack bypasses traditional defenses and delivers devastating damage. However, it is resource-intensive and should be reserved for critical situations. ]]

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Trait Granted:

Humanity's Evil (The Worst Humanity Can Produce):

[ The host embodies the darkest potential of humanity given the alignment. This trait enhances adaptability in chaotic environments and unlocks unparalleled cunning and ruthlessness in survival scenarios. Enemies will perceive the host as an overwhelming, malevolent force. ]

Seed Obtained:

[ A unique essence tied to destruction, rebellion, and absolute power. This seed will grow as the host progresses, unlocking deeper layers of its potential. ]

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Leo leaned back, a mix of excitement and apprehension settling in. Well, that's... intense. Type 6 Immortality, two insanely broken skills, and... whatever Humanity's Evil is. I'm either a god in the making or a walking disaster."

The system responded promptly:

[ The rewards granted reflect the host's chosen alignment configuration. The inclusion of Humanity's Evil and Seed of Satan aligns with the host's calculated trajectory leaning towards a particular alignment. However, this is not an efficient path. While the rewards are immense, the time and effort required to unlock their full potential will be significantly longer than other paths. ]

Leo frowned. "So, I'm playing on hard mode, huh?"

[ Correct. The path chosen provides greater long-term power but requires the host to navigate through more complex challenges. Additionally, misuse of Informational Parasite or Informational Creation could lead to self-harm or destabilization of the host's environment. Mastery is essential. ]

Figures. Nothing worth having comes easy, right?

[ Precisely. The system advises caution and thorough training to ensure the host's survival and success. A tutorial mission within the Story tree is available to help the host understand their abilities. Begin now? ]

He smirked, determination flashing in his eyes. "Yeah. Let's do this. Hard mode or not, I'm ready to take it on."

The system's screen shimmered, and the tutorial menu appeared.

Leo's journey in the Multiversal Charter had officially begun.

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Stones and Reviews Please

[1] Type 1-6 immortalities

1: Eternal Life: Characters gifted with this type of immortality cannot die from natural causes, such as old age or conventional illness, but can be killed by unnatural causes. To clarify, this type of immortality can include both those who do not age at all, and those who still grow old, but will never die of old age. However, in the case of the latter, it should be made clear that this is not just Longevity, as characters with that ability will eventually die of old age, as opposed to Eternal Life, for which dying of old age is not possible.

Examples: Bel (Dungeons and Dragons), Alucard (Hellsing), Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club!)

2: Resilient Immortality: Characters with this degree of immortality can indefinitely survive injuries that would otherwise be lethal to a normal person, without needing to heal. This type of immortality can have different levels of effectiveness and can be bypassed, for example, by causing extremely severe wounds or the complete destruction of the body or specific parts of it, such as the head, etc.

Examples: Rikuo Nura (Nurarihyon no Mago), Lavos (Chrono), Thor (Marvel Comics)

3: Immortality via regeneration: Characters with this type of immortality can simply regenerate from wounds that would normally be lethal, though its effectiveness depends on the degree of the regeneration.

Examples: The Beast (InFamous), Ji Ning (Desolate Era), Dr. Gii (Sekien no Inganock)

4: Immortality via reincarnation or resurrection: Characters that are immortal because, whenever they die, they will simply reincarnate within another body or resurrect themselves at a later point in time.

Examples: Knives Millions (Trigun), Darkseid (DC Comics), Tuska the Daemon-Killa (Warhammer 40,000)

5: Deathless Immortality: Characters who exist unbound by conventional life or death, or do not exist at all, and thus cannot be traditionally killed. Typically, abilities such as Existence Erasure are needed to destroy them.

Examples: Kuromuina (I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace), Cath Palug (Nanatsu no

Taizai), Dementor (Wizarding World)

6: Parasitic: The character is able to attain a sort of immortality by abandoning bodies whenever necessary to transfer their consciousness to another body, whether they are possessing someone else or switching to a backup body.

Examples: Molecule Man (Marvel Comics), Kurumi Tokisaki (Date A Live), Wang Lin (Renegade Immortal)

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