High School DxD: The Man Who Surpasses God

[ARTHUR'S POV]

The cool night air brushed against my face as I stood on the balcony of our hotel room, staring at the dimly lit streets below.

Inside, Belladonna was already fast asleep, curled up under the blankets and snoring softly.

She was recovering from the fight, no doubt.

I was a bit jealous of how easily she could shut it all out and rest.

I leaned on the railings, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Why didn't my Observe work on that vampire?"

I thought, tapping my fingers against the armrest.

"Gaia, what the hell happened back there?" 

I called out in my mind.

Her voice echoed in my head, calm but contemplative.

(There are a few possibilities. One, the vampire was far too strong for you to Observe. Two, you're too weak to unlock the information. Or three, something, or someone, is actively blocking your ability.)

I frowned, mulling over her words.

(Remember, your Innovate Clear is a Subspecies Sacred Gear. Even I don't fully understand what it's capable of. There are still mysteries about it that have yet to be discovered.)

I exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling over me

"I guess I understand."

I muttered.

"I'll figure that out later. But that vampire... what he said. 'For Absalom.' What the hell does that mean? Who's Absalom?" 

(...)

Gaia went silent.

"Gaia?"

(...)

That pause alone was enough to make me concerned.

(Arthur...maybe it's best if you let this go. Leave those kidnapped humans to their fates.)

My eyes widened in shock, not expecting such a response from her.

"What? Leave them? Are you serious?" 

(Listen to me, Arthur.)

She said, her voice firm but tinged with unease.

(If what that vampire said is true, this situation has escalated beyond what you can handle. You can't fight this alone.)

I clenched my fists, pacing the small balcony.

"So what? We're just gonna let those leeches do whatever the hell they want and let them win?" 

(It's not about letting them win!)

Gaia snapped, startling me.

(It's about your survival. This isn't just another fight, Arthur. This is something that no human child should face.)

Her words struck me like a blow, but I couldn't back down.

"Then tell me what I'm up against. If you want me to back off, at least let me understand why." 

Gaia went quiet for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh.

(Fine, but be warned that what I know is mostly from rumors during my time. Back in the era when gods and demons roamed the earth, there was a powerful being known by the name of Absalom. He is regarded as the Patron God of Vampires, the Demon of Rage and War, and most infamously, the Blood God. It was when Ouranos and I ruled Ancient Greece that the name Absalom appeared. No one knows where he came from. Some believe he's an ancient Demon from Hell, others think he's an Evil God born from the rage and blood spilled in war. What matters is what he did in his prime.)

"Which is?"

I asked. 

(Absalom is a Super-Class God.)

She began, her voice grim.

(He's powerful enough to destroy an entire continent. His aura alone can turn civilizations into mindless vampiric slaves. And his biggest feat? He once invaded the Abrahamic Heaven on his own... and almost succeeded.) 

I froze.

"What?" 

I was surprised but Gaia continued.

(Absalom killed hundreds of Angels and nearly succeeded in conquering it. It took the combined strength of the original Seven Archangels to kill him finally. And now, it seems the vampires have figured out a way to bring him back to life.)

I swallowed hard, trying to process what I'd just heard.

A being like that wasn't just a threat, it was a walking calamity waiting to be resurrected. 

Gaia's voice softened.

(That's why I'm telling you to leave this to the Church. This isn't a fight you can win.)

I shook my head, determination flaring in my chest like I was a shonen protagonist.

"If Absalom is as dangerous as you say, then shouldn't we stop those vampires now before he can return? Waiting only gives them more time."

(You don't understand!)

Gaia shouted.

(Absalom is a being capable of wiping out civilizations as easily as breathing. You've been a Middle-Class human for barely half a year. How could you possibly stand against him?)

I looked at the city before me, grabbing the balcony railing tight.

"I told you before, didn't I? My goal is to become strong enough to be free. Free to do what I want, without anyone telling me otherwise. And I'm not gonna let some dead God stopping me. But I'm smart enough to know that my current strength is weak. To solve that, I'm gonna need your help to get stronger." 

I can tell that my words surprised her before speaking again.

(You're insane. You know that? You are talking about facing an entity that took the combined power of the original Archangels to stop him. If you fail, you'll die.)

"I won't die. After all, I have you."

I replied confidently, staring out at the city lights.

(...)

Gaia went silent for a moment before finally speaking, her voice softer this time.

(You are, by far, the most foolish human I've ever met. And I'm glad to have you as my partner.)

I felt a small smile tug at my lips.

"So, you'll help this Fool in his insane idea?" 

(Yes, I'll help you.)

She said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

(But don't make me regret it and die early, Arthur. You owe me, after all.)

[TWO DAYS LATER]

[AUTHOR'S POV]

Two days had passed in the real world, but inside the Inner World, nearly two years had gone by.

Gaia's expression was calm, but her eyes betrayed her pride as she watched Arthur adapt and thrive in one brutal simulation after another.

The Inner World's new time dilation, inspired by Dragon Ball's Hyperbolic Time Chamber, was Arthur's brainchild.

With time now moving at a rate of 1:365, one day outside translated to a full year inside.

Arthur didn't stop there, he'd modified the environment to challenge his overall limits.

The gravity was permanently set to ten times Earth's gravity, increasing slightly with each passing simulated month.

It was the most relentless moment in his life, but Arthur thrived under pressure.

[Simulation 132: Ragnars]

Gaia watched as Arthur stood in an alien wasteland, barehanded, surrounded by Ragnars, monstrous reptilian beasts from the Savage Planet of the Invincible Series.

Each Ragnar was as strong as a tank and just as durable as diamonds.

They roared in unison, charging toward him.

Arthur didn't falter.

He'd learned to calculate their movements and used the environment to his advantage.

He disarmed one of the Ragnars by ripping off its claws and turned it into an improvised weapon.

After weeks of battle, bruised and bleeding, Arthur finally emerged victorious.

[Simulation 25: A Quiet Place]

This simulation was a nightmare.

Arthur found himself in a pitch-black jungle with dozens of Death Angels, blind creatures with razor-sharp hearing, stalking his every move.

The simulation was simple, survive for a whole month without being killed.

Every step was calculated.

He memorized their hunting patterns and created decoys using stones and broken branches.

At one point, he spent six hours clinging to a tree while three Death Angels circled below.

He made it out alive, barely, and with newfound patience and precision.

[Simulation 34: Barren Planet Survival]

Arthur was dropped into a desolate, resource-scarce planet without magic or items.

He had to rely on his wits and physical endurance to survive for almost an entire year.

Water was sparse, food almost nonexistent, and the planet's harsh storms tested his resilience.

Using his knowledge of biology, Arthur learned to extract water from underground fungi and crafted tools from metallic debris.

By the end of the simulation, he had created a livable shelter, hunted mutated creatures for sustenance, and even built a rudimentary energy generator.

[Simulation 41: AI Death Battle]

Arthur faced a hyper-intelligent AI in a battle of wits.

The challenge?

Outsmart the AI in a death game of intelligence and strategy.

The AI threw puzzles, mind games, and tactical warfare simulations at him.

If Arthur fails, he will die.

Arthur leveraged creativity to counteract the AI's logic-based thinking.

When it anticipated a direct attack, he blindsided it with an unconventional feint.

After 12 grueling hours of mental warfare, Arthur finally achieved victory by exploiting a loophole in its programming.

[Simulation 69: The Vegan Crusade]

The most terrible simulation in Arthur's opinion.

Arthur was tasked with stopping a group of vegans from shutting down Burger King because it didn't serve "Vegan Water."

The catch?

Violence wasn't allowed.

It took six simulated months of negotiations, debates, public relations campaigns, and even a guerrilla advertising stunt.

Arthur's breakthrough came when he convinced the group that their demands were better served by collaboration rather than protest.

By the end of the simulation, Arthur wanted to lobotomize himself.

"I fought literal monsters, and this was by far the hardest thing I've ever faced."

Arthur muttered to Gaia afterward, earning a short laugh from her.

Through numerous simulations, Arthur's skills improved exponentially.

He had also developed new spells, crafted new weapons using his Innovate Clear, and created new summons.

By the end of the two years, Arthur's physical and magical capabilities had reached a level he never thought possible.

XxX

Level Up!

HUD Upgraded!

Name: Arthur

Titles: Reincarnator, The Man Who Impersonates God, Granny's Favorite, Golden Boy of Grey Haven, Youngest Master Chef, Unstoppable Force, Master Runner, Survivor Surpreme, Living Computer, Wannabe Uncle Iroh, Casanova, King of Gambling, Undead Slayer, Monster Hunter, Alien Terminator, The Buffest Kid Ever, 

Age: 5 

Race: Human 

Gender: Male 

Health: 750,000/750,000

Mana: 750,000/750,000

Level: 750 [34,690/750,000] [High-Class]

Stats:

- Strength: 75,457 [You can crush a mountain]

- Dexterity: 73,411 [You can outrun and catch a bullet train]

- Constitution: 74,023 [You can thrive in a barren wasteland]

- Intelligence: 72,913 [Your IQ surpasses Nikola Tesla]

- Wisdom: 70,909 [You... let's be honest, you'll never surpass Uncle Iroh]

- Charisma: 68,884 [You are the Sigma Male and the Gigachad's love child]

- Luck: 55,969 [You have a chance of getting a harem of MILFs]

Active Skills: ??? [Locked], Triple Impact, Second Wind, Observe, Telekinesis, Barrier, Berserk Mode, Flash Step, Intimidation, Bladed Weapon Creation, Summoned Creation, Meteor Strike, Quicksilver, One Minute Invincibility, Future Sight, Five Second Rule, Silence, ...

Passive Skills: Master Combatant, Master Technician, Master of Medicine, Agriculture Expert, Master Chef, Master Hunter, Weapon Master, Major Pain Resistance, Omnilingual, First Impression, Major Healing Factor, Photographic Memory, Beginner's Luck, Lucky Break, Chantless Magic, Itemless Magic, Mental Barrier, Auto-Dodge, ...

Magic Spells: Magic Circle, Fireball, Boulder, Thunderbolt, Whirlwind, Water Cannon, Freeze, Roots, Mana Bullet, Magic Missile, Mana Shield, Volcanic Eruption, Icicles, Tremor Sphere, Railgun, Wind Shuriken, Bamboo Spears, ...

Items: Innovate Clear, ??? [Locked], Ol' Reliable, Short Sword, Round Shield, Cross Bow, Broad Spears, Magic Staffs, Whips, Twin Daggers, Battle Axe, War Hammer, Long Sword, C4, Fallout Power Armor, Various Firearms, Revolving Cannon, Monster Gauntlets, ...

Summons: Gaster Blasters, Various Wild Animals, Various Elemental Spirits, Various Dragons, T-100 Terminators, Xenomorphs, Yautja, Ragnars, ...

Currency: 2,205 Euros

XxX

Currently, Arthur stood atop a mountain of shattered robotic corpses, his breathing heavy but steady.

The simulation had been grueling, but he emerged victorious yet again.

The metal frames of countless Terminators lay scattered around him, some still sparking from his relentless assault.

His body was battered and drenched in sweat, his muscles aching under the crushing weight of tenfold gravity, but his resolve was unshaken.

Dropping the minigun he'd used to decimate the last wave, he peeled off the cracked and bloodied body armor, tossing it aside.

His lips curved into a small, triumphant smile as he looked around and saw the result.

XxX

Level Up!

Level: 765 [0/765,000]

XxX

"Not bad."

He muttered, his voice raspy from hours of shouting commands and exertion.

He looked up the lear blue sky and arrives in the Inner World, but the world has immensely changed.

The serene oceans are replaced with a smooth metallic ground, sci-fi buidlings and vehicles, and all his summons roaming around the Land of Steel.

As he emerged on top of one of the buildings, Gaia's appears in front of him.

"You've done well, Arthur. You're stronger now than most humans could hope to achieve in their lifetime, and at a young age as well."

Arthur smirked, rolling his shoulders.

"Honestly, I still have a long way to go, but this is a good start."

Gaia chuckled.

"Then lets continue your training, partner."

In the real world, Belladonna walked through the hotel hallway, a bucket of fried chicken in one hand and a thoughtful expression on her face.

The day had been exhausting, though not for the same reasons as Arthur's.

Before Arthur left to train with Gaia, he filled her in on what he knew of this oncoming threat, Absalom.

Belladonna was shocked at the information, but was now even more determined to stop the vampires from succeeding.

She'd spent the past two days canvassing the city, talking to locals, scouring alleys, and chasing down leads.

While she'd gathered some information, reports of disappearances, and peculiar patterns in the attacks, none of it led to a solid lead on the vampires' whereabouts.

She sighed, her stomach growling as the scent of the chicken reached her nose. 'At least today wasn't a total loss.'

Just as she approached her room, a soft, feminine voice called out to her.

"Excuse me, dear."

Belladonna turned, her sharp instincts immediately on edge, though she kept her expression neutral.

Standing a few feet away was a woman in a pristine nun's habit, a golden cross glinting at her neck.

Her serene smile and calm demeanor gave off an air of warmth and kindness, but something about her presence felt...off.

"Do you have a moment to chat?"

The nun asked, clasping her hands in front of her.

Her voice was soft, almost melodic, but her piercing eyes seemed to see right through Belladonna.

Belladonna furrowed her brows.

She wasn't one to trust strangers easily, especially given the circumstances.

Still, she didn't sense immediate hostility from the woman.

"Depends."

Belladonna replied cautiously, holding her chicken closer.

"What do you want to talk about?"

The nun's smile widened slightly.

"Oh, nothing too serious. I've simply heard whispers about a young lady asking questions in the city, and I couldn't help but wonder, are you perhaps looking for something? Or someone?"

Belladonna's grip on the bucket tightened.

Her senses flared, and her instincts screamed that this wasn't just a chance encounter.

The nun's words were too precise, her interest too pointed.

"And who's asking?"

Belladonna shot back, her tone sharp.

The nun tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering.

"Merely a concerned servant of the Lord. But if you'd prefer, we can continue this conversation in private. Perhaps over a meal?"

She gestured toward the bucket of chicken with a gentle chuckle.

Belladonna took a small step back, her mind racing.

She didn't want to start a confrontation in the middle of the hallway, especially with Arthur out cold in their room.

But this woman, whoever she was, wasn't here by coincidence.

"Sorry, sister. I'm not in the mood for company. Maybe next time."

Belladonna said, keeping her voice steady. 

She turned to leave, but the nun's next words stopped her cold.

"It would be a shame. If your search led you into even greater danger than you're already in. Especially with the Blood God's return looming ever closer."

The woman said softly, her voice like velvet.

Belladonna froze, her eyes narrowing as she slowly turned back to face the nun.

"What did you just say?"

The nun's serene smile turned into something more enigmatic.

"Only that you should be careful, my dear. Some battles are not meant to be fought alone. If you ever wish for guidance...seek me out."

With that, she turned and began to walk away, her figure fading into the dimly lit hallway like a ghost.

Belladonna stood rooted to the spot, her heart pounding as she processed what had just happened.

She clutched the bucket of chicken tighter and muttered under her breath,

"Arthur, you'd better wake up soon."

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Hello readers!

The doctor says I needed Power Stones to cure my writer's block.

Also, I think I'm gonna rewrite my JJK fanfic again for the third time.

What do you guys think?

Thank you everyone and see you later!