Chapter 189

(Actually, I would have posted it on Sunday. But I'm celebrating Eid Mubarak. Sorry for the wait.)

"Alright, guys. Today I had gathered everyone for an important announcement." A cat spoke before a microphone on top of the podium on the stage while a large crowd had gathered in the auditorium, whispering to each other with hushed tone.

The cat looked at each of the people in the crowd with a sweeping glance before he coughed and said, "The Genshin Arc is cancelled."

A sudden hush fell over the gathered crowd which was in shock before a certain future drunkard bard shot up from his seat and erupted in outrage.

"Huh!? What do you mean it's cancelled!?" Venti cried, throwing his arms up in protest.

"Exactly what I said," the black cat replied, rolling his eyes as he stood behind a podium, addressing the assembled cast.

"Since the original author abandoned the story halfway, I took over. After discussing with the readers, the majority voted to scrap the Genshin Arc and roll the story back to before the Hunter's involvement." The cat sighed, his tail flicking in mild frustration. "In short, we're returning to the DxD world."

The room instantly buzzed with hushed yet heated discussions as characters from both worlds reacted to the announcement.

Among them, one figure raised her hand hesitantly and looked a little fearful before standing once the cat gave her a nod.

Rias Gremory, with her iconic crimson hair and notable assets, rose to her feet. A few of the other female characters instinctively glanced down at themselves, feeling an inexplicable pang of inferiority.

"How far back will the story be reset?" Rias asked, sparing a hopeful glance at her older brother, Sirzechs, who attended the meeting in spirit form rather than in the flesh.

In the previous arc, Sirzechs had fought Ray, been defeated, and ultimately had his soul devoured. Rias could only hope that this reset meant her brother would be revived.

"He should be fine," Ray answered casually before pausing in thought. After a moment, he added, "We'll rewind to the chapter where my fake mother made her visit."

Hearing that, Rias' eyes welled up with tears of joy as she immediately sat down, pulling Sirzechs into a tight embrace. However, while she was overjoyed, Sirzechs' gaze wandered elsewhere—to the left row of seats occupied by Ray's group. His eyes lingered on Grayfia, who refused to acknowledge him.

As the first question was answered, more soon followed.

The next to speak was Raiden Ei, rising from her seat with urgency.

"What about Makoto?" she asked, gripping her sister's hand tightly. "Without your presence in Teyvat, she'll meet her original fate and die in Khaenri'ah."

Makoto sighed softly, gently squeezing Ei's hand in return. She had already seen, through Ray's help, what Inazuma would become without her—and the thought filled her with deep regret.

Before Ray could respond, another voice interrupted.

"Yeah! You can't just abandon Teyvat!" Venti exclaimed, practically leaping from his seat. "I haven't even gotten to taste your Heavenly Wine yet! That's unfair!"

A wave of silence followed as multiple eyes turned toward the bard, their expressions varying from curiosity to outright disapproval. Those familiar with the effects of the Heavenly Dragon Phallus Wine felt a mix of amusement and secondhand embarrassment. Even Jean, seated beside Venti, buried her face in her hands before forcibly yanking him back down into his seat—though her efforts did little to silence him.

Ray looked momentarily speechless at Venti before shifting his attention back to Ei. With a small sigh, he finally responded.

"Well, it's not like I won't return to Teyvat. I will—just in the future." Ray said and giving Ei a nod.

Hearing that, the Electro Archon let out a breath of relief, nodding before settling back into her seat.

Seated nearby among the Archons, Zhongli also felt a sense of reassurance as he glanced toward Guizhong beside him with a faint smile . She looked very happy and filled with anticipation.

Then, his gaze shifted to Venti.

The bard, however, was far from satisfied. Arms crossed and cheeks puffed in a pout, he looked more like an angry hamster than an indignant god. Ray eyed him up and down before clearing his throat.

"Since you're that eager to contribute… fine. I'll arrange an 18+ chapter for you."

At first, Venti lit up, thrilled at the prospect of finally tasting the Heavenly Wine. But the moment the words 18+ chapter registered in his mind, his excitement faded into confusion.

"...Wait. What does that mean?"

He felt an ominous shiver run down his spine. Something felt very wrong about this. But Jean sitting beside him didn't give him the opportunity to ask for clarification, she had already yanked him back into his seat.

Ray, meanwhile, glanced at the script visible only to him. Everything had been informed, and it seemed the meeting was just about wrapped up.

"Alright, that's all from me," he announced. "Anyone else have anything to add?"

The moment Ray finished his question, a slender arm lifted up at lightning speed from the seats allocated to his own group of family and companions. However, before the question is even asked. Ray already anticipated the words that will be spoken and acted decisively as he replied.

"No." He said and in response, a portal opened behind Sirin with a plaque stating 'Horny Jail' and tentacles shot from the portal to drag her way.

After that little interruption, he turned back to the crowd and asked, "Anyone else?"

Here's your improved version with better readability and flow:

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Most of the Hunters remained silent, glancing at one another with subtle shrugs and hesitant shakes of their heads. But at the very back of the crowd, a group clad in striking Gothic Victorian attire sat with an air of quiet confidence, their odd weapon contraptions resting within reach.

One of them, a female Hunter who had previously masqueraded as Ray's nonexistent mother, casually raised a gloved hand.

"I have one," she said, her tone light yet firm.

She leaned forward, her gaze steady. "What about our commission? Our livelihood depended on that mission, and high-paying bounties from the Hunter's Association don't come often."

The other Hunters in her group nodded in agreement, exchanging glances while subtly eyeing Ray. Their intent was as clear as an open book.

They wanted compensation.

Ray lay lazily on the podium, one paw idly scratching his belly while the other propped up his head. A smirk tugged at his lips. These fools had the audacity to demand payment after ruining his peaceful life? Even if this timeline would soon cease to exist, their sheer nerve was almost commendable. Almost.

Still, he decided to humor them.

"How much?"

The female Hunter perked up slightly, sensing an opportunity. "Not much, just… a hun— ten! Just ten Great One's Coldblood." She initially aimed higher but immediately slashed her demand in half the moment a swirling portal flickered into existence behind her, the threat of being thrown out empty-handed sinking in.

Ray chuckled. "Ten? How modest. I was almost hoping you'd try for a hundred, just to see how quickly you'd backpedal."

An older Hunter shifted uncomfortably, his expression souring. "It's not greed. You should know that Blood Echoes aren't just money to us."

Ray tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Oh? Then enlighten me, esteemed Hunters."

The female Hunter straightened, taking the bait. "Blood Echoes are our strength. Without them, we stagnate. Our reflexes dull. Our will weakens. And in the Hunt, stagnation means death."

Ray nodded slowly. "Ah, yes. The eternal struggle. Kill to grow stronger, lest the hunter becomes the hunted." He gestured vaguely. "And if you run dry?"

The older Hunter grimaced. "Then the corruption sets in. The blessing we rely on to fight… turns against us. If a Hunter stops reinforcing their will with Echoes, the Beast within starts scratching at the surface. First the mind goes, then the body follows."

Ray hummed in mock contemplation. "So, without a constant supply of Echoes, you'll eventually lose yourselves?"

The female Hunter's eyes darkened. "Yes. And outside Yharnam, in unfamiliar worlds like this one, where the laws of blood and magic aren't the same, we need Echoes even more. Without them, we can't function properly—let alone fight."

Ray chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, a miserable fate. Forever hunting, forever consuming, just to keep your own nature from consuming you instead."

The female Hunter grimaced but spoke with conviction. "It's the only life we know."

Ray raised his paw, and in an instant, a large pile of Great One's Coldblood materialized before them. The air thickened with its intoxicating presence, the sheer potency of it making the Hunters tense unconsciously, their bodies instinctively drawn to the raw power before them.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, it disintegrated into nothing.

The Hunters visibly flinched.

Ray smirked. "Tell me, why should I give it to you?"

The female Hunter swallowed hard. "Because… we didn't know—"

Ray's expression didn't change, but his tone turned icy. "Didn't know I was this powerful? So if I had died, it would've been my fault for being weak? A flawless logic, befitting the mindless butchers you Hunters are."

Yawning, he stretched lazily. "Consider this a lesson. The next time you stumble upon something beyond your comprehension, be grateful if all you lose is a chance at compensation."

A portal appeared behind the group, and an invisible force shoved them through—except for the female Hunter. She remained, her body stiff with realization. Turning to Ray, she swallowed audibly.

As the last of her comrades vanished, Ray flicked his tail, sealing the portal shut. Then, he opened another. Meeting her gaze, he smiled—a slow, ominous grin.

"As for you… I happen to collect trophies." His voice dripped with amusement. "And wouldn't you know it? I don't have a Hunter yet."

The female Hunter exhaled shakily, lowering her head. She understood. There was no escape. Ever since Ray had taken back control of the story, reinstating his plot armor, their fate had been sealed. Even when the author had temporarily stripped him of it, the Hunters had barely managed to hold their own. But now? Now, he was at the peak of his power, and she was utterly alone.

Resigned, she stepped toward the portal, her posture heavy with grim acceptance. It was the walk of the condemned—the slow, inevitable march to the gallows.

After dealing with the Hunters, Ray shifted his gaze back to the crowd and asked one last time.

"Anyone else?"

The Hunters should be the last one. There shouldn't be another one which made Ray decide it's time to end this announcement as the chapter is about to reach its word limit anyway.

But, contrary to his expectations. Another hand was raised. Judging from the seat of this person… It's his family's group. When he identified the owner of the hand… his mind already knew the question she would ask.

With a loud gulp, Ray immediately ceases his lazy posture and sits upright after seeing Kuroka's super pissed look. And her face seems to convey the words, "We gonna have a long and deep talk when we get home, Ray."

In fact, he actually read her thoughts and seeing how she even dismissed her usual playful and intimate demeanor suggests that walking out alive is the least of his worries.

With an awkward cough, Ray quickly dismissed the meeting before sending everyone back home before he decided to confront Kuroka.

—————

(Ray's Corner:

Yo! It's me, Ray.

So, Kuroka is super pissed about the removal of her memories and baby. Who wouldn't, right? She's probably gonna skin me alive too.

Fuck! Is it too late to run? Should I just apologize instead? What should I do? What should I do?😱)

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