[Please, choose your desired style for the upcoming mission.]
"I see... So this is my Cursed Technique."
Born as a Gen-Z, he definitely knows the DMC Franchise. It was a hack-and-slash game with a large variety of content and a cool aspect on the road to becoming a Legendary Devil Hunter.
In the game, the main stars were Dante and Vergil, two of the iconic characters that carried the franchise even though Nero was the promising next generation of devil hunter.
Now, Dante has four styles that became representative of his easy-going character compared to his overly motivated brother.
Trickster, a style to be swift with unparalleled mobility.
Swordmaster, an aggressive style designed to hack and slash any opponents with a cool yet efficient manner, offering big damage for melee Devil Arms in his arsenal.
Gunslinger, a style that involves long-range Devil Arms like Ebony and Ivory, Kalina Ann, Artemis, and so much more.
Royalguard, basically a TITLE CARD style.
A "No-U" parrying style inspired by the blocking system of fighting games like Street Fighter or Tekken.
"That foolish god... He knows I hate being nerfed in a video game, and now it happened in reality itself!"
As a man with a second life, he definitely knew this trickery. Yoichi has to choose from the styles and then begin the mission that was displayed on the monitor.
This is indeed a DMC 3 mode, not the new form of DMC in which Dante could swap his styles in an instant.
"Guess it should be good. Beggars couldn't be choosy right now."
A hand cupped his chin while contemplation took over. Versatility was offered by every style, but a sudden thought sparked a different approach.
His fingers danced across the keyboard as the interface began explaining the nature of this dimension.
"I see."
Akashic Wonderspace. He nodded, understanding followed the discovery.
Within this realm, there's no time dilation nor other fancy things besides a sanctuary for the deceased ones with an altered day and night cycle.
If reality were blanketed in night, then it'd be sunny as hell in this mysterious dimension.
It felt almost too basic, a standard training room trope, yet the diagnostics offered a far more exhilarating revelation. Cursed Energy reserves were estimated, showing a level that rivaled the combined might of Yuta Okkotsu and Rika.
Another query regarding Demonic Energy, that raw and primordial force of Sparda's bloodline, was typed into the console.
Only to be met with a vague dismissal.
[Please explore the missions on your own.]
"Oh well, maybe I'll be able to unlock it later on... For now, let's pick Royalguard."
The decision was finalized without further ado. Safety was the priority for a body that was still essentially a child's.
This wasn't a scripted video game; it was a reality where monsters could change their patterns and strike without warning.
In the DMC franchise, Royal Guard stood as the ultimate "Fuck You" to city-level disasters, and in this world of Curses, it would be no different.
Another thing on his mind was timing.
While Royalguard possessed the potential to parry any destructive force, the art of the Perfect Guard required more than just nerdy theoretical knowledge; it demanded a level of muscle memory that had yet to be forged.
[Do you want to start your mission?]
"Oh hell nah! Practice first, get slaughtered later!"
A sharp refusal met the glowing prompt the moment the RCT Monitor flickered to life.
From the safe distance of a console, the demons of the DMC franchise never seemed truly terrifying because Dante was always the star.
Cool, stylish, and easy-going.
But him? Might as well put the fries in the bag rather than being a punching bag for these bogeys.
A wave of genuine happiness washed over his mind, fueled by the golden opportunity to finally achieve a legendary level of style.
A demonstration began without further ado, though the sight was bizarre. A young child swinging a massive broadsword with reckless abandon.
To any outside observer, the movements lacked grace, yet his internal feeling was entirely different.
Clumsy as the footwork appeared, yet the execution felt like a solid foundation.
"Hmmm... Good enough," a mutter escaped from his lips.
The focus shifted toward the dual handguns resting nearby. A sense of pure exhilaration took hold as Ebony and Ivory were gripped for the first time.
Each nozzle was pointed with deliberate, stylish poses, the weight of the guns feeling like a natural extension of the arms despite the small stature of the wielder.
"Oh crap! I forgot about them!"
A sudden realization sparked, causing the guns to be dropped carelessly onto the floor as an exit followed.
A deep frown was etched into the face of Toji, who stood waiting like a wall of sheer muscle. Beside him, a visible wave of worry radiated from Akio, whose eyes scanned for any signs of injury.
A heavy silence lingered between them, broken only by the sound of uneven breathing.
"It's okay now. Relax. Sensei..."
A calm reassurance was offered, though it seemed to land poorly. Toji blinked, a deep frown as the words registered in his ears.
"Huh? Sensei? Since when did I become a teacher, and since when did you become worth my time?"
An explanation wasn't bothered with.
Whether fate or some godly whim had funneled these legends into the dimension didn't matter; they were here to be used.
Yoichi's arms then wrapped firmly around Toji's leg in a desperate anchor.
"Sensei! Teach me!"
A mask of pure boredom greeted the plea. "Not a chance. I'm dead, I'm retired, and I hate kids. Let go before I peel you off like a scab."
"But I need your help! It goes like this..."
A justification explaining his mission and the Akashic Wonderspace followed. Also, an invitation was extended, drawing them into this studio.
While Akio watched with growing fascination, Toji remained a wall of apathy until the inevitable question surfaced.
"So... What does it do for me?"
A transaction was always at the heart of any mercenary's soul. In Toji's world, every connection was a give-and-take.
"But come on now! I really need your help!"
A massive hand reached down, fingers curling around the hilt of Rebellion. Toji's legendary strength was applied, muscles rippling beneath his shirt.
Yet the blade remained rooted like the sword in the stone. It didn't budge. Not an inch.
A similar result met his attempt to hoist the handguns; the weapons refused to acknowledge any master but their own.
This kid... Toji's thoughts darkened. These aren't Cursed Tools. Not even in the slightest degree... But if I can't even pick them up, how is this brat swinging them around like toys?
A smug grin played across Yoichi's lips as the confusion on Toji's face deepened.
"Quite a surprise, no? These are Devil Arms! And they're all mine!"
A skeptical grunt was the only response. Toji gestured toward the white room of the studio.
"Then go forth and challenge those 'demons' you keep whining about. If the tools are so great, prove it."
"But those things are on a different level! I swear! This is unlike anything you've ever seen!"
A sudden chill ran down Yoichi's spine, though no demon had actually manifested yet.
But the imagination proved to be a terrifying thing; memories of screen-shaking bosses from the game felt far more lethal when translated to a physical reality.
"Is it really that difficult, Yoichi-kun?" A soft question came from Akio, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"I totally mean it! These aren't just Cursed Spirits. We're talking about actual demons from mythology! D.E.M.O.N.S! Demons!"
"Heh, what if it's just another delusion of yours, brat?" A mocking smirk appeared on Toji's face.
"Go ahead then and try it! See it for yourself!" Yoichi felt exasperated, glaring at the Toji's arrogance.
However, a cold bucket of realization seemed to pour over Yoichi's brain as horror struck.
"Oh crap... I have school tomorrow!"
As if the Akashic Records heard the panicked calling, a massive door materialized out of thin air.
Nice assist, my lovely book!
A sudden impulse took hold as the exit appeared.
"Do you guys want to come with me?"
A hopeful light filled Akio's eyes instantly.
Toji didn't share the optimism. He knew reality lacked a "reset" button for the dead, but he didn't turn away. The world of the living meant nothing to him, yet staying with the brat was the only way to remain by Akio's side.
For the sake of his wife, Toji was willing to follow the child anywhere.
A hand grabbed Akio's, and a step was taken through the threshold, but the connection snapped the moment the boundary was crossed.
A blink later, the familiar scent of bedsheets and the silence of the night returned.
The room was empty.
No Akio, no Toji.
Multiple experimentation followed, moving back and forth through the portal to find the snag.
"We can't go any further," a sigh escaped from Akio's mouth as her fingers traced an unseen barrier. "It feels like a massive wall is standing right in front of the exit. It's immovable."
A slight annoyance flickered across Toji's face as he shook his head. "Don't bother anymore. No matter how hard I push, this wall won't let us through."
"Oh well... at least we tried, right?"
Yoichi retreated into the bedroom, revealing the clock ticking slowly.
2:30 AM... Oh wait, I have an idea.
The futon was dragged back into the entrance of the Wonderspace, drawing a slight nod of approval from Toji.
"Squeezing a sleep into this world. I like it."
A tired reply came as Yoichi slumped into the cushions. "Maximum efficiency, Sensei. I'm getting my eight hours here, which gives me enough time to get ready. Akio-san, keep an eye on him. If he starts touching that run-down computer, kick him."
"Rest well, Yoichi-kun. I'll make sure everything stays exactly where it is."
A soft giggle escaped Akio as she tucked the edge of the blanket in.
"This kid is truly something special," a rare note of genuine interest colored Toji's voice as he watched the brat's already sleeping figure.
"I've seen grown men with less drive than this brat."
Akio merely smiled, her gaze was gentle.
Confusion still lingered regarding their strange affairs, but the chance for a second life, even one confined to a pocket dimension, was a gift neither of them could refuse.
____________
So now, Yoichi will lose the time dilation and the vitality for the sake of Dante's Inherent Traits such as his mastery over combat and weaponry.
As for why Yoichi slept there, take it as my lazy ass couldn't be bothered to edit this scene.