Reborn of The Mercenary: [Toji Fushiguro x Highschool DxD]

Chapter 3: Shadows and Light

Kuoh Academy, Lunchtime

Issei sat at a table in the cafeteria, his tray of food untouched. The events of the previous night replayed in his mind, an endless loop of fear, shock, and relief. His friends, Matsuda and Motohama, chatted animatedly beside him, oblivious to his turmoil.

"Issei, you seriously need to get more sleep," Matsuda said, nudging him. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Issei forced a weak laugh. "Yeah, something like that."

Before he could elaborate, a shadow fell over their table. Issei looked up to see Toji Fushiguro standing there, holding a tray of food.

"Mind if I join you?" Toji asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

"Uh, sure," Issei stammered, shifting to make room. Matsuda and Motohama exchanged curious glances but didn't protest.

Toji sat down, his presence commanding attention. The cafeteria seemed to buzz with whispers and stolen glances as students noticed the new, enigmatic addition to their school.

"So, Toji, where'd you transfer from?" Motohama asked, trying to break the ice.

"Here and there," Toji replied vaguely, taking a bite of his food. "I've moved around a lot."

Issei couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and unease around Toji. The man had saved his life, but his intentions and background remained a mystery. As the lunch period dragged on, Issei's mind raced with questions he couldn't voice.

After School, Kuoh Academy

Classes ended, and students began to file out of the school. Issei headed towards the gate, his thoughts still occupied by the previous night's events and Toji's sudden appearance. As he walked, he noticed Toji standing near the gate, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Hey, Issei," Toji called out as Issei approached. "Walk with me for a bit?"

Issei nodded, falling into step beside Toji. They walked in silence for a while, the quiet of the afternoon settling around them.

"You probably have a lot of questions," Toji said finally, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, you could say that," Issei admitted. "Like, why did you save me? And how did you know about Raynare?"

Toji's expression remained unreadable. "Let's just say I've dealt with beings like her before. As for why I saved you... consider it a coincidence. I happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Issei frowned, not entirely convinced. "And the suitcase of money? What was that about?"

Toji's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "That's part of my business. You don't need to worry about it."

They continued walking until they reached a small park, where they sat on a bench. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, the world painted in hues of orange and gold.

"Listen, Issei," Toji said, his tone more serious. "You're involved in something much bigger than you realize. This town is a hotspot for supernatural activity, and you're right in the middle of it."

Issei's mind whirled with the implications. "So, what do I do?"

"For now, stay alert and keep your head down," Toji advised. "And if you ever find yourself in trouble, you can count on me." He didn't knew why he was so nice to this jackass but he felt weird sensation from him.

Issei nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. He didn't fully understand the world he had been thrust into, but he knew he had an ally in Toji Fushiguro.

That Evening, Toji's Apartment

Toji sat at his small desk, examining the coordinates on the note that had accompanied the suitcase. The location pointed to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. He checked his watch; it was nearly time to go.

He grabbed his gear—his handgun, a few knives, and a small first-aid kit—stuffing them into a backpack. He donned a dark jacket and slipped out of his apartment, blending into the evening shadows.

Abandoned Warehouse, Outskirts of Kuoh Town

The warehouse loomed ahead, a decaying structure shrouded in darkness. Toji approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. He slipped inside through a broken window, moving silently through the dilapidated building.

Inside, the warehouse was a maze of rusted machinery and forgotten debris. Toji navigated through the shadows, following the coordinates until he reached a small office at the back. The door was slightly ajar, light spilling out into the hallway.

He pushed the door open, revealing a plain room with a desk and a single chair. On the desk sat another suitcase and a small device displaying a blinking red dot—the GPS coordinates from the note. Toji stepped forward, opening the suitcase to find another bundle of cash and a brief note.

"Part of the reward for a job well done. Stay sharp. More work will come."

Toji pocketed the cash, his mind racing with questions. Who was behind this? And what was their endgame?

As he turned to leave, his instincts screamed a warning. He ducked just in time as a blade sliced through the air where his head had been. Toji rolled to the side, drawing his handgun and aiming at the attacker.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, a smirk playing on their lips. It was a young man with wild, white hair and a crazed look in his eyes. He wielded a katana imbued with a strange, faintly glowing energy.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the man sneered. "Another devil servant, perhaps?"

Toji's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled, twirling his katana skillfully. "Name's Freed Sellzen. Exorcist by trade. And you, my friend, are in way over your head."

Toji's grip on his gun tightened. He didn't recognize this man, but his presence and the energy emanating from his weapon were undeniably dangerous.

"Stay out of my way, Freed," Toji warned, his voice low and steady. "I'm not interested in fighting you."

Freed's smirk widened. "Oh, but you have something I need. And I intend to take it."

With that, Freed lunged forward, his katana slashing through the air with precision. Toji dodged and countered, their weapons clashing in a flurry of movement. The warehouse echoed with the sound of their battle, each strike and parry pushing them to their limits.

As they fought, Toji couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu. His past life as a sorcerer had prepared him for battles like this, but now, in this new world, the stakes felt higher. Freed was relentless, his attacks fueled by a fervent belief in his mission.

But Toji was no stranger to adversity. With each exchange, he adapted and strategized, his movements becoming more fluid and calculated. He found openings in Freed's defenses, landing precise strikes that tested the exorcist's resilience.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of intense combat, Toji saw an opening. With a swift motion, he disarmed Freed, sending the katana clattering to the ground. He pressed his gun to Freed's temple, eyes cold and unyielding.

"Who sent you?" Toji demanded, his voice cutting through the tension.

Freed's expression was defiant, but there was a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Sent me? I go where the devils are. And you, you're reeking of demonic energy."

Toji's expression hardened. "We'll see about that."

With a swift motion, he knocked Freed out and tied him up. He needed answers, and he was determined to get them.

As he stood there, the shadows closing in around him, Toji realized that his new life in Kuoh Town was more complicated than he had ever anticipated. But one thing was clear: he wouldn't back down. Not now, not ever.