The Limitless Curse (Rewrite taking over the original story)

Author's Note: Timeskip—The morning after the last chapter.

The sun rose over the Gremory estate, casting its golden light across the sprawling grounds. The air was calm, the estate quiet, save for the faint rustle of the morning breeze. Within the walls, however, an unusual tension was brewing.

"Where is he?" Rias asked, her frustration evident as she paced the estate's main hall.

The ORC was gathered for their morning briefing, but one member was conspicuously absent.

"I haven't seen him all morning," Kiba replied, his tone calm but curious.

"Neither have I," added Akeno, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Perhaps he's off causing trouble somewhere."

"Trouble?" Issei scoffed, crossing his arms. "More like he finally realized he doesn't belong here and left. Good riddance, if you ask me."

Rias shot Issei a sharp look, silencing him. "Enough, Issei. Y/N has been an invaluable ally so far. He wouldn't just leave without saying anything."

"It's not like he's tied to us," Koneko said quietly, her expression unreadable. "He doesn't owe us anything."

"That's true," Kiba admitted, "but it's still strange. He's not the type to disappear without a reason."

Grayfia entered the room, her usual composed demeanor firmly in place. "I have checked the estate grounds, Lady Rias. Y/N is not here. It appears he left early this morning."

Rias frowned, a mix of concern and irritation crossing her features. "Did he say where he was going?"

Grayfia shook her head. "No. He left no note, nor did he inform anyone of his departure."

"Typical," Issei muttered under his breath, earning a nudge from Asia.

Rias sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We'll continue with our training as planned. If he doesn't return by tonight, I'll have brother send out a search party."

Her words carried a note of finality, but the unease in her voice was unmistakable.

Y/N's Perspective

The underworld was vast and vibrant, its unique beauty a stark contrast to the human world. Towering obsidian mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks wreathed in mist. Rivers of molten lava snaked through the landscape, their fiery glow casting an otherworldly light. Cities of black stone and shimmering crystal dotted the horizon, each one a testament to the power and grandeur of devilkind.

Y/N walked along a dirt path, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. His crimson eyes scanned the scenery with a mix of curiosity and indifference. Despite the beauty of the underworld, he found himself more intrigued by its inhabitants than its landscapes.

His journey so far had been uneventful. He had left the Gremory estate before dawn, slipping away unnoticed. The reason for his departure was simple: he hated staying in one place for too long. The estate, with its luxurious halls and suffocating routines, was beginning to grate on his nerves.

He needed space. He needed freedom.

As Y/N continued down the path, he came across a small caravan parked by the roadside. A devil with slicked-back white hair and a sharp grin stood beside it, hawking wares to a group of passersby.

"Ah, a traveler!" the merchant called out as Y/N approached. "You've got the look of someone who knows the value of a good deal. Come, take a look at my wares!"

Y/N raised an eyebrow, glancing at the assortment of items on display—everything from enchanted trinkets to exotic weapons.

"I'm just passing through," he said, his tone casual.

"Passing through, eh?" The merchant's grin widened. "Well, even a wanderer needs supplies. Perhaps a new blade? Or maybe a charm to ward off bad luck?"

Y/N smirked faintly. "If I needed luck, I wouldn't be here."

The merchant chuckled. "Fair enough. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

With that, Y/N continued on his way, leaving the merchant behind.

Further down the road, Y/N encountered a group of low-class devils sparring in a small clearing. Their crude weapons and clumsy movements marked them as amateurs, but their determination was evident.

As he passed, one of them—a burly devil with horns and a battleaxe—noticed him. "Hey, you!" the devil called out, pointing his weapon at Y/N. "What are you doing here?"

"Walking," Y/N replied simply.

"You don't look like you belong around here," another devil sneered. "You lost, pretty boy?"

Y/N stopped, turning to face them. His crimson eyes glinted with amusement. "Pretty boy? That's a new one."

The burly devil growled, stepping forward. "You've got a smart mouth. Let's see if your skills match your attitude."

Y/N sighed, cracking his knuckles. "Fine. Let's make this quick."

What followed was less of a fight and more of a demonstration. Y/N moved with fluid grace, dodging their clumsy attacks with ease and disarming them one by one. When the last devil fell to the ground, groaning in pain, Y/N dusted off his hands and walked away without a word.

As the sun began to set, Y/N found himself in the outskirts of a bustling underworld city. The streets were crowded with devils of all shapes and sizes, their conversations creating a low hum of noise.

Among the crowd, a familiar figure caught his eye. It was Serafall Leviathan, her unmistakable energy drawing attention wherever she went.

"Y/N-kun!" she called out, waving enthusiastically.

Y/N sighed. "Great. Just what I needed."

Serafall bounded over to him, her usual cheerfulness in full force. "What are you doing all the way out here? Shouldn't you be at the Gremory estate?"

"Shouldn't you be ruling the underworld?" Y/N countered, his tone dry.

Serafall pouted. "That's not an answer!"

"I needed some fresh air," he said simply. "The estate was getting... crowded."

Serafall tilted her head, studying him. "You're such a mystery, Y/N-kun. Why won't you just tell us what you're really up to?"

Y/N smirked faintly. "Where's the fun in that?"

Before she could press further, Y/N slipped away into the crowd, leaving Serafall to watch him with a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

Back at the Gremory Estate

Rias stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the darkening sky. Her thoughts were consumed by Y/N's absence.

Why did he leave? Where did he go?

Despite his aloof demeanor, Y/N's presence had become an integral part of their group. His sharp insights, his unmatched skill, and even his sarcastic remarks had left a mark on all of them.

Who are you really, Y/N? she wondered, her heart heavy with unanswered questions.