Chapter 2: Digital Partnership
Marcus found a more secluded spot in the park—behind a cluster of trees that offered some privacy from the main walking paths. The last thing he needed was to explain to random Japanese citizens why he was holding a glowing egg that had materialized from thin air.
He pulled the Digitama from his inventory with a thought, and it appeared in his hands, warm and pulsing with an inner light. It was about the size of a football, with a smooth white surface marked by colorful geometric patterns that shifted and changed as he watched.
**\[DIGITAMA DETECTED. WOULD YOU LIKE TO INITIATE HATCHING SEQUENCE?]**
"Yeah, let's do this." Marcus's heart hammered in his chest. This was it. His first real step into this new reality.
The egg began to glow brighter, the patterns swirling faster. Cracks appeared along its surface, spreading like lightning across porcelain. Marcus held his breath as light poured from the fractures, and then—
*Pop!*
The egg burst into pixels that dissolved into the air, and something small bounced into Marcus's hands. He looked down at a tiny creature that could only be described as adorable—a small, round, purple blob with stubby limbs and large, expressive eyes.
"Puru puru!" it chirped, looking up at Marcus with what could only be described as pure joy.
**\[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE HATCHED: KOROMON (BABY LEVEL)]**
**\[DIGIMON PARTNER REGISTERED]**
**NAME:** Koromon
**LEVEL:** Baby
**TYPE:** Lesser Dragon
**PERSONALITY:** Brave, Loyal, Energetic
"Hey there, little guy," Marcus said, unable to keep the grin off his face. The Koromon was warm in his hands, and he could feel something—a connection, like a thread linking them together. "I'm Marcus. Guess we're partners now, huh?"
"Marcus! Marcus!" Koromon repeated, his voice high-pitched and enthusiastic. "Koromon hungry! Feed Koromon?"
Marcus blinked. "You can talk? I mean, of course you can talk. Why wouldn't you be able to talk?" He was still getting used to this whole situation.
**\[QUEST UPDATE: FIRST STEPS]**
**OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: Hatch your first Digimon partner (1/1)**
**NEW OBJECTIVE: Feed your partner (0/1)**
**NEW OBJECTIVE: Find suitable lodging (0/1)**
"Alright, food first," Marcus muttered, looking around. "But I don't exactly have any yen on me, and I'm pretty sure my dollars aren't gonna work here."
**\[STARTER PACKAGE UNLOCKED]**
**REWARDS RECEIVED:**
**- 50,000 YEN**
**- BASIC APARTMENT (KUOH TOWN - 2 BEDROOM)**
**- SMARTPHONE (SYSTEM-INTEGRATED)**
**- BASIC WARDROBE**
**- STUDENT TRANSFER DOCUMENTS (KUOH ACADEMY)**
Marcus felt his pocket suddenly have weight. He reached in and pulled out a wallet stuffed with yen, along with a sleek black smartphone. Another screen appeared, showing him a map with a glowing marker.
"Okay, system's got my back," he said, relieved. "Let's get you some food, buddy."
"Food! Food!" Koromon bounced in his arms excitedly.
---
Twenty minutes later, Marcus sat on a bench near a convenience store, watching Koromon devour his third rice ball with alarming speed. The little Digimon had attracted some curious glances from passersby, but Marcus had quickly learned that a simple "It's a toy" in broken Japanese was enough to satisfy most people's curiosity. Apparently, weird mascot characters were common enough in Japan that a talking purple blob didn't raise too many red flags.
"You got a bottomless stomach or something?" Marcus asked, amused.
"Koromon growing!" the Digimon announced proudly, finishing the rice ball. "Need energy to digivolve!"
As if on cue, Koromon began to glow. Marcus nearly dropped him in surprise as the light intensified, and the small creature's form began to shift and expand.
**\[DIGIVOLUTION IN PROGRESS]**
"Koromon digivolve to... Agumon!"
The light faded, and Marcus found himself holding a much larger creature—about three feet tall, bipedal, with orange skin, small wings, and sharp claws. The dinosaur-like Digimon grinned up at him, showing rows of small teeth.
"Whoa," Marcus breathed. "That was fast."
"Agumon stronger now!" his partner declared, flexing his small arms. "Can protect Marcus better!"
**\[DIGIVOLUTION COMPLETE]**
**NAME:** Agumon
**LEVEL:** Rookie (Level 5)
**TYPE:** Reptile/Dragon
**ABILITIES UNLOCKED:**
**- Pepper Breath (Fire Attack)**
**- Claw Attack (Physical Attack)**
**- Partner Bond (Passive - Increases stats when fighting alongside Marcus)**
Marcus felt the bond between them strengthen, like a warm current flowing through his chest. He could sense Agumon's emotions—excitement, loyalty, and a fierce protective instinct.
"Alright, partner," Marcus said, standing up. "Let's go check out this apartment the system gave us. Then we need to figure out our next move."
"Agumon ready!" The Digimon struck a determined pose that was equal parts adorable and earnest.
---
The apartment was modest but comfortable—a two-bedroom unit on the third floor of a relatively new building. The system had apparently handled all the paperwork, because the landlord had simply handed Marcus the keys with a smile and a brief explanation of the building rules.
Marcus dropped onto the couch, Agumon hopping up beside him. The place came furnished with the basics: a couch, a TV, a small kitchen table, and beds in both rooms. One room was clearly meant for him, while the other...
"Guess that's for future Digimon partners?" Marcus mused aloud.
**\[CORRECT. AS YOU PROGRESS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH MULTIPLE DIGIMON. THE SYSTEM RECOMMENDS A BALANCED TEAM OF 6-8 PARTNERS FOR OPTIMAL COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS.]**
"Like a Pokémon team, but with giant monsters that can talk back and have opinions," Marcus said. "Cool. Cool. This is fine. Everything's fine."
"Marcus worried?" Agumon tilted his head, his large eyes showing concern.
"Nah, just... processing." Marcus ran a hand over his face. "This morning I was worried about a history test. Now I'm in an anime world with a fire-breathing dinosaur as my partner, and apparently I'm supposed to build a harem while fighting devils and fallen angels."
"Agumon help!" the Digimon declared firmly. "We strong together!"
Marcus couldn't help but smile. "Yeah. Yeah, we are." He pulled up his status screen again, noting that his stats had increased slightly just from bonding with Agumon.
**\[QUEST UPDATE: FIRST STEPS]**
**OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: Feed your partner (1/1)**
**OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: Find suitable lodging (1/1)**
**NEW OBJECTIVE: Explore Kuoh Town and locate Kuoh Academy (0/1)**
**NEW OBJECTIVE: Encounter your first supernatural being (0/1)**
"Looks like we're going exploring," Marcus said, standing up. "You good to walk around town? Or should I try to keep you hidden?"
"Agumon can hide!" The Digimon suddenly shimmered and vanished.
Marcus jumped. "What the—"
**\[PARTNER ABILITY UNLOCKED: DIGITAL CONCEALMENT]**
**YOUR DIGIMON PARTNERS CAN HIDE THEMSELVES FROM NORMAL HUMAN PERCEPTION. SUPERNATURAL BEINGS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO SENSE THEM.**
"That's convenient," Marcus muttered. He could still feel Agumon's presence, like a warm spot just behind his left shoulder. "Can you come back?"
Agumon reappeared, grinning. "Agumon sneaky!"
"Alright, sneaky dinosaur. Let's go find this academy."
---
Kuoh Academy was impossible to miss. The prestigious school sat on a hill overlooking the town, its impressive buildings and manicured grounds screaming "elite private institution." Marcus stood at the gates, taking it all in.
This was where it all happened. Where Issei Hyoudou would eventually become a devil, where the Gremory and Sitri peerages operated, where the supernatural world intersected with the mundane.
"Big school," Agumon observed, visible only to Marcus.
"Yeah. And somewhere in there are devils, angels, and probably a few fallen angels keeping tabs on things." Marcus checked his phone—the system had helpfully loaded it with a map and information about the school. According to his transfer documents, he'd be starting classes on Monday. Today was Saturday, which gave him a day to prepare.
"Marcus."
Agumon's voice had gone serious. Marcus tensed. "What is it?"
"Something watching us."
Marcus's heart rate kicked up. He tried to look casual, glancing around without making it obvious. The street was mostly empty—a few students in uniform walking in the distance, some shops open along the main road.
Then he felt it. A pressure in the air, like static electricity before a storm. His system interface flickered.
**\[WARNING: SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE DETECTED]**
**ENTITY TYPE: FALLEN ANGEL**
**THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE**
"Shit," Marcus whispered. "Already?"
A woman stepped out from behind a nearby tree. She was beautiful in a dangerous way—long black hair, a mature figure barely contained in a trench coat, and violet eyes that gleamed with predatory interest. Marcus recognized her immediately from the anime.
Raynare. One of the fallen angels who would eventually target Issei.
"My, my," she purred, walking toward him with deliberate steps. "What do we have here? A new face in Kuoh Town, and one with such an... interesting aura."
Marcus forced himself to stay calm. "Just a transfer student. Starting at the academy Monday."
"Is that so?" Raynare circled him slowly, and Marcus fought the urge to back away. "You don't feel like a normal human, boy. There's something different about you. Something... digital."
She could sense the system. Of course she could.
"Agumon ready to fight," his partner whispered, invisible but tense.
"Not yet," Marcus murmured back. To Raynare, he said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a regular guy."
"Liar." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "But you're not a devil, and you're not one of those church dogs either. How curious." She leaned in close, and Marcus could smell her perfume—something dark and sweet. "I'll be watching you, transfer student. If you interfere with my plans, well... let's just say Kuoh Town can be very dangerous for those who don't know their place."
**\[QUEST TRIGGERED: FIRST CONTACT]**
**OBJECTIVE: Survive your first encounter with a supernatural being without revealing your full capabilities**
**REWARD: +500 EXP, SKILL UNLOCK, REPUTATION WITH FALLEN ANGELS**
"I'll keep that in mind," Marcus said evenly, meeting her gaze. "Thanks for the warning."
Raynare studied him for a long moment, then laughed—a sound like breaking glass. "You've got spine, at least. I like that." She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and a word of advice? Stay away from the Occult Research Club. The devils there don't take kindly to unknowns in their territory."
Then she was gone, vanishing in a blur of black feathers.
Marcus let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Well. That happened."
"Marcus okay?" Agumon reappeared, looking worried.
"Yeah, I'm good." Marcus's hands were shaking slightly, but he felt a grin spreading across his face. "That was terrifying and awesome at the same time."
**\[QUEST COMPLETE: FIRST CONTACT]**
**REWARDS RECEIVED:**
**- 500 EXP**
**- SKILL UNLOCKED: SUPERNATURAL AWARENESS (PASSIVE)**
**- REPUTATION WITH FALLEN ANGELS: CURIOUS**
**\[LEVEL UP!]**
**MARCUS WEBB: LEVEL 1 → LEVEL 2**
**STAT POINTS AVAILABLE: 5**
Marcus pulled up his status screen, noting the changes. His encounter with Raynare had apparently been enough to push him to the next level. He quickly distributed his points—two into Charisma, two into Agility, and one into Luck. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to be fast, likable, and lucky.
"Come on, partner," he said to Agumon. "Let's head back. I need to figure out our game plan."
As they walked back toward the apartment, Marcus's mind raced. He was really here. In the High School DxD world. With a Digimon partner and a system that seemed designed to help him not just survive, but thrive.
Raynare knew about him now, which meant the fallen angels would be watching. And if they were watching, it was only a matter of time before the devils noticed too. Rias Gremory, Sona Sitri—they kept close tabs on their territory.
"This is gonna get complicated fast," Marcus muttered.
"Agumon protect Marcus!" his partner declared loyally.
"I know you will, buddy." Marcus smiled down at the Digimon. "We're in this together."
His phone buzzed—a new message from the system.
**\[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: THE DEVIL'S ATTENTION]**
**OBJECTIVE: Attend your first day at Kuoh Academy and draw the interest of at least one devil**
**REWARD: ???**
**TIME LIMIT: 2 DAYS**
Marcus looked up at the sky, where the sun was beginning to set over Kuoh Town. Somewhere out there, Issei Hyoudou was probably living his normal life, completely unaware that in a few weeks, everything would change for him.
But Marcus was here now. A new variable in the equation. And he had no idea how his presence would change the story.
"Monday's gonna be interesting," he said.
Agumon nodded seriously. "Agumon ready for anything!"
As they disappeared into the evening crowd, neither of them noticed the crimson-haired girl watching from a nearby rooftop, her blue-green eyes thoughtful as she observed the strange boy and his even stranger companion.
Rias Gremory smiled slightly. "Well now. This should be entertaining."
The game was changing, and all the players were starting to take notice.