— — — — — — —
[Gastrea Genome Codex (Factor Genome)]
→Gene Archive (Recorded: Mole Factor, Hedgehog Factor,...)
→Gene Fusion (Dual-Factor Fusion Available)
→Factor Assimilation (Can parasitize other living beings and implant a 'Gastrea Seed,' turning them into puppets under the host's control)
→Zodiac Pilgrimage (Scorpio, Cancer... Taurus "Unavailable," Virgo "Unavailable")
---
Lynn's gaze landed on the final effect of the [Factor Genome].
"Zodiac Pilgrimage..."
Seeing this ability, Lynn felt it was strong enough to be a standalone skill. Being lumped into the [Factor Genome] almost felt like an injustice.
This ability was divided into four phases: Spring Pilgrimage, Summer Pilgrimage, Autumn Pilgrimage, and Winter Pilgrimage.
Currently, Lynn's power only allowed him to access the first stage—Spring Pilgrimage.
Spring Pilgrimage had three core abilities:
→[Aries Crown]
• Summons Aries Starfire to envelop the body, granting explosive speed and a burning attack.
→[Taurus Gate]
• Creates a massive gate engraved with Taurus symbols, capable of blocking physical attacks and reflecting a portion of the damage as a shockwave.
→[Gemini Mirage]
• Creates a phantom duplicate that mimics the user's movements and shares senses but has no physical attack power. Useful for deception. If the mirage is destroyed or dismissed, the user can instantly teleport to its location for a surprise attack.
---
After reviewing the effects of Spring Pilgrimage, Lynn smirked.
"Let's test it out."
Finding an open space, Lynn activated [Aries Crown] first.
Fwoosh!
Stardust-like flames instantly wrapped around his body.
Lynn exhaled and touched the starfire coating his skin.
No burns. Good. That meant it wouldn't harm him.
He rubbed his fingers through the flames, watching as tiny flecks of starry light scattered like cosmic dust.
There was something mesmerizing about it—a mix of mystery and power.
Then, it was time to test the speed boost.
With a thought—
BOOM!
The starfire flared violently as Lynn stepped forward.
Whoosh—!
Like breaking through space itself, his speed exploded. In an instant, he streaked across the air, leaving a trail of starlight behind him.
One second later—
The starfire dissipated, and Lynn came to a halt, breathing steadily.
He was still at the Familia base.
It looked like he hadn't moved, but in reality—
He had just circled the entire planet in that single second.
Almost at the speed of light.
Of course, that wasn't even him going all out.
"Maintaining this state for long is going to be tough..."
Lynn frowned slightly before relaxing.
Even if he couldn't sustain it for long, it was more than enough in battle.
[Aries Crown]—a terrifyingly strong ability.
And it wasn't just about speed.
"Fire is still fire... I should test its burn damage next."
After canceling [Aries Crown], Lynn prepared to try [Taurus Gate].
Given its description, it seemed to be a defensive ability.
A minute passed, and Lynn stood there with a blank expression.
Nothing happened.
"Oh... right. Taurus isn't restored yet. It's shown as 'Unavailable'"
Annoyed, he sighed. "Fine. Next one."
[Gemini Mirage]!
Shing—!
A faint shimmer appeared before him, like light reflecting off a mirror.
Then, a perfect copy of himself stepped out of the distortion.
Lynn scrutinized the clone closely.
"It really looks just like me."
Reaching out, he tried to touch it, but his hand passed right through.
"Just an illusion, huh..."
Not only that, but it seemed the clone required direct mental control from him.
"Compared to [Aries Crown], this one feels kinda weak."
He tested the range by moving a thousand meters away and then dispelled the clone.
Suddenly—
A realization struck him.
With just a thought, he felt the lingering connection between himself and the clone—
Instantly, his body flickered.
Whoosh!
Lynn reappeared exactly where the clone had been standing a moment ago.
He rubbed his chin. "Alright, it's not crazy powerful, but at least it's useful."
Spring Pilgrimage alone already gave him some interesting abilities.
And there were still three more stages—Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Though he couldn't use them yet, the descriptions alone made it clear— Zodiac Pilgrimage was insanely powerful.
Lynn glanced over at the [Devil's Piece] space, where the Zodiac girls were playing happily among the constellations.
Each of them now had their own personal palace within their respective star signs, and every palace had its own unique characteristics.
But that wasn't all.
Just as Lynn had gained the Zodiac Pilgrimage ability—
The Zodiac girls had also obtained their own enhancements.
Aside from summoning Gastrea shadows, they each had unique powers:
Aries had mastery over Starfire.
Scorpio controlled the deadly Stellar Venom.
Even though Lynn couldn't yet use the higher-tier Pilgrimage skills himself, summoning the Zodiac girls to fight in his place would be just as effective.
"This setup… why does it feel so much like a vampire's Blood Servants?"
— — —
Main World.
The moon hung high in the sky.
After grinding for experience, Yukinoshita Yukino dragged her exhausted body back home. She had yet to experience Lynn's magic replenishment firsthand.
Not because she didn't need it, but because she simply hadn't had the opportunity to spend time alone with him.
If she ever did get replenished by him...
Just imagining the scene made Yukino's ears heat up.
For her, something like that was already pushing the limits of what she could handle.
Besides, the Familia had recovery potions available. But once she found out how Shizuka made these potions, she decisively refused to use them.
The thought alone was just too weird. She couldn't handle it.
She could probably accept Lynn's magic replenishment easier than using those milk potions.
So… Being tired was fine. It was just another form of training.
That being said… Lately, her life had felt so fulfilling.
It was as if Yukino had found a new purpose.
At the same time, Yukinoshita Haruno also noticed her younger sister.
Seeing Yukino's utterly drained appearance, Haruno instinctively furrowed her brows.
Coming home this late was already concerning and suspicious.
After all, Yukino wasn't the type to go out with friends, and she prided herself on her independence.
So where had she been this whole time?
Sure, she was back now. And her clothes weren't disheveled or dirty.
But still… It was hard not to overthink things.
Haruno bit her lip in frustration and let out a small huff.
"You're home awfully late. Where exactly were you?"
Her brows knitted in displeasure, and her tone carried an accusatory edge.
But of course, Yukino wasn't the type to be rattled by such things.
Expression calm, she replied, "That's none of your concern."
Leaving those words behind, she pulled out her keys and opened the door.
Haruno was momentarily stunned, only then realizing she might've overstepped.
"Ah—wait! I was just worried about you!"
She immediately switched tactics, slipping into her usual playful, coaxing tone.
Yukino sighed, exasperated. "If you don't have any other business, you should go home."
"Whaaat? So heartless, Yukino~ I waited so long for you to come back, and you won't even offer me a cup of tea?"
Haruno pouted dramatically, her expression exaggerated.
Yukino rubbed her temples, already feeling a headache forming. "Fine. Come in."
Haruno's face instantly brightened with a radiant smile.
---
In the Living Room.
Haruno casually leaned back on the couch. "So, Yukino, I heard you joined the Supernatural Research Club?"
The info had come straight from her inside source—Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"…That's right."
Yukino nodded.
"So that's how you're dealing with your little 'problem'?"
Haruno glanced around the spotless, curse-free apartment and noted the newfound ease in Yukino's demeanor.
"That's right," Yukino confirmed.
"Then," Haruno's eyes gleamed with curiosity, "mind telling me how you solved it?"
She was genuinely interested.
After all, she could tell just by looking at her sister that Yukino's 'problem' had been resolved.
Even though Yukino came home late looking completely worn out, her overall state was far better than before. The gloomy air that once clung to her had vanished entirely.
It was clear something had changed.
But how?
Did that mysterious club president, Lynn, use supernatural means?
Haruno was dying to know.
However, Yukino fell silent at the question.
Mostly because… she had no idea how to explain it.
If she told Haruno that she had completely offered herself to a man in exchange for supernatural power…
That would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Not to mention what would happen if their mother found out…
The thought alone made her nervous.
"…Sorry. That's classified information."
Haruno: "…"
She shot Yukino an annoyed glare.
But Yukino remained unfazed.
"Fine."
Haruno suddenly stood up, brushing off her skirt.
"If you won't tell me…" she said with a mischievous smirk, "I'll just find out myself."
With that ominous declaration, she turned and left the apartment.
---
Downstairs.
Haruno pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Buy me a haunted house. Immediately."
"…Huh?"
The voice on the other end was clearly bewildered.
"I said, get me the most haunted place you can find."
She was determined.
Supernatural Research Club, huh?
Yukino wouldn't tell her what was going on?
Then she'd just make them come to her!
If they took on supernatural extermination requests, she'd simply create a reason for them to investigate.
"Fufufu~"
Haruno chuckled to herself, already imagining the possibilities.
Who knows?
Maybe tomorrow, she'd get the chance to hire Yukino herself.
Her lips curled into a playful smirk.
"Alright then, Supernatural Research Club."
"Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
.
.
.