Creation | Highschool DxD X Enforcer

1 Arrival

As the two stepped off the train at Kuoh Station, Xeney glanced at the slip of paper in his hand, rolling his eyes at the ridiculousness of the assignment. Sloth had given them an order to head to this particular version of Earth, and Xeney had little doubt it was Miss April's idea. He grumbled under his breath as he folded the paper and stuffed it into his coat pocket.

"Looks nice, at least," Marling said, inhaling deeply as if savoring the unfamiliar air. "And thank God Umbra isn't here."

Xeney nodded. "I just want to get this mission over with. Miss April and Sloth really have a knack for sending us to the worst places."

"You're not the only one they've dragged into their grand schemes," Marling said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "Being drafted into this mess wasn't exactly part of my life plan either."

"Let's just find the apartment and get this over with," Xeney muttered, clearly uninterested in conversation.

After an hour of wandering, the two finally arrived at a run-down apartment complex. The building stood in stark contrast to the pleasant surroundings of Kuoh, its façade crumbling with age and neglect. Marling gritted her teeth, glaring at the peeling paint and rusted railings.

"Starting to think you're right about Miss April," Marling said, her tone sharp with frustration.

"Better not say too much," Xeney warned, his voice low and serious. "You know she can hear everything we say, even from here."

Marling sighed, but bit her tongue. "Let's just settle in and get some rest before I snap," she said, marching forward with heavy steps.

The moment they stepped inside their cramped, dingy studio apartment, Marling's suspicions were confirmed. A note sat on the small table by the door, written in Miss April's familiar scrawl. The message made it abundantly clear that this situation was, once again, her twisted idea of humor.

Welcome to your humble new abode! Cozy, isn't it? Now behave yourselves-or else.

Marling's face turned red with rage, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened. "That woman is insufferable!" she growled, her voice shaking with barely contained fury.

Xeney had to step in quickly, grabbing her arm before she could kick the furniture or break anything. "Calm down," he said firmly, "Losing it won't help us. We've dealt with worse than this."

Marling let out a frustrated sigh, pacing back and forth before finally collapsing into one of the two small chairs. "I swear, if she pulls another one of these stunts, I'm done."

Xeney, still standing by the door, glanced around the grim apartment. "You'll have to get in line." He tossed his coat onto the nearest hook, already dreading whatever twisted task lay ahead of them.

"We're here now. Let's just get through it."

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Xeney and Marling settled into a cozy booth at a bustling diner, the scent of grilled steaks and fried potatoes wafting through the air. Both of them had been issued unlimited funds credit cards for the duration of their mission, making it possible for them to indulge in a hearty meal without a care in the world. As they dug into their juicy steaks, the atmosphere buzzed with laughter and chatter, a stark contrast to the tension they both felt about the mission ahead.

Mid-bite, Xeney's radar emitted a soft ping, drawing his attention. He subtly scanned the room, his enhanced senses picking up on something amiss. They were cyborgs, both equipped with abilities that allowed them to sense far beyond the average human's capabilities. A quick look at Marling confirmed she sensed it too; shadows of devils and fallen angels lurked nearby, weaving through the diner's patrons, their intentions unclear but undoubtedly sinister.