I stood perfectly still, my hand hovering an inch away from the deadbolt, my eyes locked on the girl sitting on the bench across the street.
The realization hit me like a physical blow to the chest, knocking the breath straight out of my lungs.
Of course. Of course it was a crossover world.I should have expected meeting someone like her at some point, but not this soon ! I wasn't strong enough yet, I couldn't protect myself yet!
I kept staring. She was so incredibly, radiantly beautiful that it defied logic. Her long, straight silver hair was plastered against her impossibly pale skin by the freezing rain. The heavy steel plate armor covering her shoulders, gauntlets, and boots gleamed under the flickering light of the streetlamp, a stark contrast to the delicate purple fabric of her gothic dress.
Slowly, as if sensing my gaze through the downpour, she lifted her head.
Her eyes met mine through the rain-streaked glass.
They were blue. Not just blue, but a deep, mesmerizing, crystalline azure that seemed to glow in the darkness. They were so profound, so intensely beautiful, that my brain completely short-circuited. I literally forgot how to breathe. For five seconds, the entire world narrowed down to just those eyes.
And then, my deeply ingrained, pathetic otaku survival instincts kicked in.
FWOOSH.
I dropped like a stone, diving behind the cafe counter and pressing my back against the wooden cabinets, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," I hyperventilated, gripping my hair. "She saw me staring. She definitely saw me staring like a total creep."
I tried to calm down, taking deep breaths of the lingering demi-glace aroma in the kitchen. I needed to think. In the original timeline of her anime, she lived with Ayumu. Aikawa Ayumu.
A pang of genuine fondness hit me. Before I went to the sub-dimension, before I got this insanely shredded body, I was a fat, miserable, bullied loser at Kuoh Academy. But Ayumu? Ayumu never cared. He was one of the only guys who actually treated me like a human being. He was a good friend, an undeniably solid bro who didn't care what I looked like.
But if she was sitting out here in the freezing rain, completely alone... that meant one of two things. Either she had gone out for a stroll and somehow miraculously forgot her way back to Ayumu's house, which made zero sense, or... she hadn't met him yet.
The anime hadn't started. She was alone.
"I can't just leave her out there," I muttered to myself, my Endurance stat doing absolutely nothing to still my terrible social anxiety. "Armor or not, she's going to catch a cold. Or pneumonia. Or attract some weirdo. I have to do something."
I closed my eyes and pulled up the system interface. I navigated to the Online Grocery, completely avoiding the food, and went straight to the utility section.
[Purchase: Black Umbrella - 1,200 Yen]
A sleek, wide-black umbrella materialized in my hand. I gripped the handle tightly 'okay you can do this', took a deep breath, and stood up from behind the counter.
"You are Ard Voldigoad," I whispered, psyching myself up. "You killed a mutant wolf. You have an eight-pack. You are gorgeous ! You can talk to a girl. Let's go."
I unlocked the front door and pushed it open. The roar of the rain was deafening. I popped the umbrella open and stepped out into the storm, my boots splashing through the puddles as I crossed the empty street.
She had gone back to staring at the ground, the rain relentlessly battering her silver hair and armored shoulders.
I stepped up to the bench and extended my arm, completely covering her with the wide black canopy of the umbrella.
The moment the freezing rain stopped hitting her, she flinched slightly.
"H-Hello," I stammered, my voice cracking slightly despite my newly deepened tone.
She slowly turned her head and looked up at me. She stared for a solid three seconds, her expression completely blank, utterly unreadable.
And then, she turned her head away, looking back at the puddle on the ground.
CRITICAL HIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Horror gripped my soul with icy, merciless claws.
HOW UNCOOL!!! I internally screamed, my face burning with an intensity that could probably evaporate the rain around me. What absolute idiot just walks up and says 'hello' to a girl in the rain like a poorly programmed NPC?! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! She probably thinks I'm a super creepy loser! My body might be shredded now, but my rizz is still deep in the negatives! She hates me. She wants me to go away. I should just leave the umbrella and walk backwards into traffic—
My downward spiral of absolute panic was suddenly interrupted by a very faint, gentle tug on my sleeve.
I blinked, looking down.
She was looking up at me again, one armored gauntlet lightly pinching the fabric of my black t-shirt. With her other hand, she smoothly produced a small, slightly damp notepad and a pen from somewhere within her dress.
She clicked the pen, scribbled something quickly, and held the notepad up for me to see.
Who are you?
"Oh!" I gasped, immensely relieved that she hadn't called the police. "I'm Ard. Ard Voldigoad. I, uh, I own the cafe right across the street." I gestured awkwardly with my free hand. "What are you doing out here in the rain? It's freezing."
She lowered the pad, scribbled again, and held it up.
I smelled something nice. I got hungry. But I do not have any money to pay.
My heart melted instantly. She was literally starving in the rain.
"You don't need to pay," I said quickly, offering my warmest, most reassuring smile. "I own the place. Come inside. I'll cook you whatever you want. Please, you're soaking wet."
She looked at the warm, inviting glow of the cafe windows. Then she looked back at me. Slowly, deliberately, she turned her head away again, staring back at the puddle.
I stood there, the umbrella held out, completely dumbfounded. It was so incredibly, absurdly comedic that I almost laughed. She was hungry, I offered free food, and she just denied me with a silent head turn.
"Look," I sighed, my shoulders dropping as I gave up trying to be the cool protagonist. "I promise I'm not a creep. I just made a huge batch of demi-glace sauce today. It's really good. Like, and i'm sure you'll enjoy it. And it's warm inside. If you hate the food, you can leave. Deal?"
Her shoulders shifted. She turned back, looking at me with those piercing blue eyes. Finally, she gave a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.
"Awesome," I grinned. "Right this way."
I escorted her across the street, making sure the umbrella completely covered her, while my own left shoulder got absolutely drenched. I unlocked the cafe door and held it open. She stepped inside, the heavy steel of her boots clanking softly against the pristine linoleum.
"Take any seat you like," I said, shaking off the umbrella and leaving it by the door. "I'll be right back."
She chose a table near the center, sitting down rigidly, her armor clinking softly.
I hurried into the kitchen, entirely out of her line of sight, and immediately opened the system interface. I wasn't about to serve her leftover scraps.
[Purchase: Premium Wagyu Beef Cut (500g) - 4,000 Yen]
[Purchase: Organic Sub-Dimensional Vegetables - 1,500 Yen]
I grabbed my knife. The moment my fingers wrapped around the handle, my skills flared to life.
I channeled every single ounce of my speed and stamina into the culinary arts, moving with a hyper-focused intensity that would have made the chefs at Totsuki Academy sweat.
I started off by dicing the onions and carrots into microscopic, perfectly uniform cubes in a silvery blur of motion. I threw them into a searing hot pan, the oil hissing violently. I tossed the pan, sending the vegetables flying into the air in a perfect arc, catching the flames from the burner to perfectly caramelize their sugars.
Next, the Wagyu. I placed the thick, beautifully marbled cut of otherworldly beef onto the cutting board. I didn't grind it though, instead I minced it by hand, the blade moving so fast it sounded like a machine gun, preserving the cellular structure of the fat so it would melt perfectly upon cooking.
I formed the patty, seasoned it with quality-grade spices, and dropped it onto the grill.
SSSSSSSS!
The reaction when meat touched oil was instantaneous and explosive. A thick, intoxicating cloud of savory steam erupted from the grill. The smell was aggressively delicious—a profound, deep aroma of roasting meat, toasted spices, and rich fat that bypassed the nose and went straight to the soul.
I glanced through the kitchen pass. She was sitting at her table, completely frozen. Her blue eyes were wide, locked onto the kitchen, and I could practically see her nose twitching. She looked absolutely mesmerized.
I poured a generous ladle of my leftover demi-glace over the sizzling meat, letting it reduce and thicken into a glossy, dark mahogany lacquer. I plated it beside a steaming mound of fluffy white rice and garnished it with fresh parsley.
I walked out of the kitchen, carrying the plate with a fluid grace, and set it gently in front of her. I placed a polished silver fork and knife on a napkin beside it.
"Hamburger Steak with demi-glace," I said softly. "Enjoy."
She didn't write anything. She didn't hesitate. She picked up the fork and knife and cut into the meat.
The patty literally burst, a torrent of clear, rich meat juices flooding the plate and mixing with the dark sauce. She lifted a piece to her mouth and took a bite.
To her, time seemed to stop. Her eyes widened to an impossible degree. A faint, rosy flush instantly blossomed across her pale cheeks. She let out a tiny, nearly silent gasp, her shoulders dropping completely as the sheer, overwhelming flavor of otherworldly Wagyu beef hit her tastebuds. She looked like she had just achieved absolute nirvana.
She began to eat. Not aggressively, but with a determined, mechanical speed that proved exactly how hungry she was. In less than three minutes, the entire plate was completely, flawlessly spotless. She even used the last bit of rice to soak up the remaining demi-glace.
She set the silverware down, pulled out her notepad, and wrote with rapid, heavy strokes.
That was the most delicious thing I have ever eaten.
"I'm really glad," I smiled, leaning against the adjacent table. "You looked like you needed it. " I looked outside, the barely visible street hidden under torrents of rain sent a cold shiver down my spine. I couldn't just let her head out alone could I ? "So... where do you stay? The rain isn't letting up anytime soon. I can lend you an umbrella, or maybe walk you home?"
She looked down at her lap. Slowly, she shook her head. She picked up her pen.
I do not have a place to stay.
I blinked, genuinely shocked. I knew she was a necromancer from the underworld in the anime, but seeing her actually homeless in the middle of a storm was heartbreaking.
Before I could say anything, she flipped the page on her notepad, scribbled a quick word, and held it up.
Thank you.
She stood up, the chair scraping against the floor, and turned toward the front door, preparing to walk right back out into the freezing rain.
"Wait!" I blurted out, stepping in front of her. "Hold on. You can't just go back out there."
She tilted her head, giving me a questioning look.
"Why dont you stay with me," I offered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I live right upstairs. It's just a small apartment, but it's warm, it's dry, and I have a couch."
She stared at me, her blue eyes filled with absolute, profound confusion. She pulled out her notepad.
I will be fine. I am not human. The cold does not bother me.
"I don't care if you're an alien from Mars," I said stubbornly, crossing my arms. My chest puffed out slightly. "It wouldn't feel right. I can't just let a girl sleep on a park bench soaked in the rain while I have a warm room upstairs. I wouldn't be able to sleep."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, observing me as if trying to decipher a complex puzzle.
"Look," I continued, deciding to pull out the heavy artillery. "I have a shower with hot water. And... if you stay, I'll make you an otherworldly breakfast tomorrow morning. Fluffy pancakes with maple syrup. Extra butter."
Her eyes widened just a fraction of an inch at the mention of food. I had her. Women—especially anime heroines—could never resist the dual threat of a hot shower and elite-tier cooking. Don't believe me ? Prove me wrong.
She hesitated for a long moment, the silent tensity stretching between us. Finally, she nodded slowly, pulling out her notepad one last time to make sure we were on the same page.
Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?
"Wholeheartedly," I smiled, gesturing toward the back door of the cafe that led to the upstairs apartments. "After you."
My apartment was exactly as I had left it: pristine, warm, and smelling faintly of lemon cleaner. I flicked on the lights and locked the door behind us.
"Make yourself at home," I said, pointing down the short hallway. "The shower is right there. Towels are in the cabinet under the sink."
She gave a small nod and walked toward the bathroom.
"Hey, wait," I called out. "Do you need pajamas? I don't have much, but I can probably find a clean t-shirt and some sweatpants that you can tie the waist on."
She paused, turning back to me. She shook her head firmly, pointing down at the heavy steel plate armor covering her shoulders and arms. She mimed an 'X' with her arms.
Right, I remembered. Her armor suppresses her magical power. She literally can't take it off without causing a catastrophe.
"Ah, got it. No pajamas. The shower is all yours."
Ten minutes later, she emerged. Her silver hair was damp but clean, and her pale skin had a faint, healthy pink hue from the hot water. She still wore the dress and the armor, but she looked infinitely more comfortable.
"Alright," I said, grabbing a spare blanket from the closet. "You take the bed. I'll take the couch."
She immediately frowned, violently shaking her head. She pulled out her notepad.
No. It is your home. I am intruding. I will take the couch
"Not a chance," I countered, throwing the blanket onto the small, slightly lumpy sofa. "My mom, before she... well, a long time ago, she raised me with some very strict principles. Number one: you never, ever let a guest sleep on the couch if you have a bed. Number two: you definitely don't let a girl sleep on the couch. I'd be struck by lightning."
She glared at me, a highly adorable, silent pout forming on her lips. She gestured emphatically at the bed, then at me.
"Don't worry i'm way tougher than I look," I grinned, tapping my chest. "I could sleep on a pile of rocks and wake up refreshed. The bed is yours. End of discussion."
She stared at me for a long time, the pout slowly fading. She finally relented, giving a small, defeated sigh, and walked over to the bed. She sat on the edge, looking down at her hands, before pulling out her notepad and holding it up so I could see it from the couch.
You are very strange, Ard Voldigoad
"I get that a lot," I chuckled, turning off the main light switch. "Goodnight."
Goodnight
I lay down on the couch. It was short, and my newly broadened shoulders hung off the edge slightly, but I didn't care. I felt incredibly fulfilled. I had saved a life, cooked an amazing meal, and made a friend.
But my day wasn't over. As the sound of her soft, rhythmic breathing filled the quiet apartment, my mind shifted back to my primary objective: survival and growth.Especially now, with Eucliwood Hellscythe now appearing, I couldn't help but think whatever enemies may be out there. Speaking of, since I took Ayumus roll in Eucliwoods life, he may really die if he finds that serial killer magical girl, i'll need to make sure that doesn't happen.
'System,' I thought, closing my eyes.
The blue interface hummed to life in the darkness behind my eyelids.
[Common Skill Creation: 2/2 Charges Available]
[Common Item Creation: 2/2 Charges Available]
My heart leaped. Because I had spent the entire day cooking, cleaning, and stressing over the real world, I hadn't used my daily creation charges. And because the system had officially synchronized at midnight last night, yesterday's charges had rolled over! I had double the resources.
I needed to prepare for when the Sub-Dimensional Gate opened in nine days. And when I needed to defend myself in this world. My Speed was a 6, and my Strength was an 8. That was great for Earth and normal people, but against a monster in the Forest of Death, devils, fallen angels, and other supernatural beings... it was barely passable. I needed buffs.
"System," I whispered mentally. "I want to create a Skill: [Full Body Physical Enhancement]. A buff that temporarily multiplies all physical stats."
The system hummed. A red warning text flashed across my vision.
[Request Denied. 'Full Body Physical Enhancement' is classified as a Level 2/Extra Tier Skill. Host lacks sufficient level and MP capacity for creation.]
"Damn it," I mentally cursed. Of course, it couldn't be that easy. A blanket buff was too overpowered for a Common Skill slot.
But my Innovation stat was sitting at a massive 70%. My brain was working over time, I needed something, anything to level the playing field. If I couldn't create a blanket buff, I just needed to break it down into pieces. I didn't need to buff my entire body; I just needed to hit the specific muscle groups required for combat.
"Okay, System. Let's try this. I request the Skill: [Enhanced Arm Strength]. A localized buff that doubles my physical lifting and striking strength in my arms for ten minutes. And I request a second Skill: [Enhanced Leg Strength]. A localized buff that doubles my running speed and kicking power for ten minutes."
The system paused. The loading circle spun for what felt like an eternity.
[Processing Request... Localized enhancements fall within Common Tier parameters. Skills Synthesized.]
[New Skill Acquired: Enhanced Arm Strength (Lv.1) - Cost: 2 MP]
[New Skill Acquired: Enhanced Leg Strength (Lv.1) - Cost: 2 MP]
"Jackpot," I grinned in the dark.
It was a perfect loophole. I couldn't cast a full-body buff, so I just created two half-body buffs and stacked them. Together, they cost 4 MP to activate. With my current max pool of 6 MP, I could activate both simultaneously and still have 2 MP left over for Healing Magic or a Critical Hit in an emergency. It was the perfect combat rotation.
"Now for the items," I thought, feeling practically giddy.
I had 2 Common Item charges. The APFT was my ultimate weapon and tool, so I didn't need gear. I needed utility. I needed the kind of annoying, everyday magic items that made fantasy life bearable.
"System. I request one Common Tier [Endless Matchbook]. A small booklet of matches that never runs out and can ignite even when wet. This will save me a hole lot, especially when camping out. And I request one Common Tier [Purification Canteen]. A metal water flask that automatically filters, purifies, and cools any liquid placed inside it."
[Processing Request... Items Synthesized.]
Two faint flashes of light illuminated my pocket. I reached in and felt the rough cardboard of the matchbook and the smooth, cool metal of the canteen.
I had fire, and I had clean water. My survival baseline in the Forest of Death had just skyrocketed.
I opened my eyes, looking across the dark room. Eucliwood was fast asleep, her breathing deep and even.
I smiled, pulling the thin blanket up to my chin. My life was complicated. I was balancing a failing restaurant, a magical forest, and now a silent, armored girl from another universe.
Well...It can't get any worse than this...Right ?
Hi everyone, if you're enjoying this story so far and hope to read more faster, then for every 10 power stones I recieve I will post 2 chapters in a single day. So every 10 power stones is a day where i'll post twice ! Thanks for your support !!!