Cherreads

Chapter 118 - A Trip to the Underworld?

(A little info: The four mitama each represent a different aspect of the soul. 'Mitama' means 'soul' in Japanese, so each form's name reflects its nature—e.g., Nigi-mitama means 'gentle soul.')

(These four mitama appear in many anime, so I left them in Japanese. I only watch anime with subtitles, so this clarification is for those who may find the names unfamiliar. I'll also add the skill effects whenever a form is used, so you don't need to worry about that.)

That's it. Enjoy reading the story now.

...

— — — — — — — 

Finally, it was Kikyo's turn for the reincarnation ritual.

Lynn pressed the Devil's Piece into her.

With a hum, a soft glow spread across her bare back as her blessing took form.

---

[Kikyo]

→Rank: High-Class Devil

→Race: Devil

→Master: Lynn Valifer

→Stats:

 •Strength: I0

 •Agility: I0

 •Endurance: I0

 •Magic: I0

→Unique Skills: [Purification Power], [Combat Priestess], [Cleansing Sorrow] & [Purifying Devil]

—[Purification Power]—

•Spiritual Energy

•Special attack against evil beings

—[Combat Priestess]—

•Increased Agility Growth Rate

•Increased Magic Growth Rate

—[Cleansing Sorrow]—

•Purification Spiritual Energy

•Special Attack Against All Evil Beings

•Immunity to Curse-Type Negative Effects

—[Purifying Devil]—

•Untainted Soul

•Special Attack Against Dark Attributes

•Special Attack Against Corruption

•Devil Transformation 

---

Seeing Kikyo's skill set, Lynn was at a loss for words.

She was supposed to be a devil, yet nearly all her abilities were anti-devil?

A bunch of exorcist-style powers stacked on top of each other…

Oh, right. He was her master.

That made it fine. Right?

Lynn copied her blessing onto parchment and handed it to her.

Then, he fell into deep thought: "When I'll get kicked out of the devil race?"

Kikyo stared at her status, her eyes distant and unreadable.

Was this truly a divine blessing? A gift from the gods?

As everyone examined their newfound abilities, Lynn took the time to give a quick rundown of their Familia's current situation—things like otherworldly talents, different dimensions, and so on.

"Other worlds?!" Kagome gasped, her face full of disbelief.

Today had been a series of endless shocks.

First, she was attacked by demons. Then, she was saved by the supernatural research club. Then, she traveled through time with Lynn, only to somehow end up as his… harem member? And now, she was a devil?

Her brain was struggling to process all of it.

And now she was being told that they had access to another world where Familia members could level up?

"You mean we can actually go to another world and have adventures?" she asked.

"Of course," Lynn nodded.

The Familia's main purpose was to grow stronger and feed that strength back to him.

He turned his gaze to Kikyo and Midoriko.

The worlds currently available to his Familia had already lost their value for High-Class and Ultimate-Class Devils.

Lynn sighed. This was becoming a bit of a problem.

"Well, first things first…"

He looked at Kagome. "Are you ready for the descent of a god?"

Kagome stammered, "W-Wait, isn't it supposed to be a purification ritual?"

"Godly descent is part of the purification ritual."

"Ugh…"

Kikyo and Midoriko visibly tensed, their bodies stiffening in response.

Seeing their reactions, Lynn added, "Kagome's still inexperienced as a priestess. You two should take more responsibility."

— — —

The Next Morning.

Lynn exhaled in satisfaction.

After being served by the three priestesses, he felt incredibly refreshed, his mind clearer than ever.

Midoriko absentmindedly reached out with her delicate fingers and… absorbed Lynn's white sperm once more.

The next second, her exhausted body suddenly regained its vigor.

Feeling the miraculous effect, she murmured, "This… truly is the power of a god…"

Yep! Lynn used his [Milk Mode].

With a splash, Lynn rose from the hot spring.

Midoriko and Kikyo snapped out of their daze and hurried over.

"Lord Lynn, allow me to dress you."

Only Kagome remained asleep, snoring softly with a trail of drool at the corner of her lips.

Once he was dressed, Lynn patted Kikyo's shoulder.

"Take me on a tour of the village."

"Ok…"

— — —

Kaede's Village.

The sun was shining brightly.

In the rice fields, villagers worked hard, as if last night's demon attack had never happened.

"The people here are used to this sort of thing," Kikyo said, her voice tinged with melancholy.

Ever since she became the guardian of the Jewel, Kaede's Village had lost its peace.

But now…

She glanced at Lynn, a rare warmth flashing in her cold eyes.

Her god had answered her prayers.

"Lady Kikyo!"

As they walked through the village, the people greeted Kikyo with a mix of warmth and respect.

She responded with a composed nod, always maintaining a step behind Lynn, subtly marking his higher status.

The villagers noticed.

They cast curious and cautious glances at Lynn, then quickly looked away, bowing respectfully.

For Lady Kikyo to show such deference, this man must be someone truly important.

Not to mention…

The miracles he had performed the previous night were still fresh in their minds.

As they walked, Kikyo quietly filled Lynn in on this era's details.

Then—

A strange, high-pitched buzzing noise reached their ears.

Lynn and Kikyo turned toward the sound.

A massive insect, resembling a wasp but with blood-red compound eyes and powerful pincer-like mandibles, lurked within the foliage, watching them.

Upon realizing it had been spotted, the creature flapped its wings and attempted to flee.

Lynn narrowed his eyes, studying its appearance closely.

"Kikyo."

"Yes?"

"Do you… know of Naraku?"

"Or rather... Onigumo?"

Hearing this, Kikyo frowned, pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lord Lynn, but I've never heard of him."

Lynn paused.

So, this world had undergone quite a few changes. Even Kikyo hadn't encountered Onigumo, but...

It didn't matter.

Naraku still emerged in the end.

The mastermind behind yesterday's attack on Kaede's Village was likely that demon. He must have set his sights on the Shikon Jewel.

Lynn speculated, though he wasn't particularly concerned about Naraku.

At best, the guy was just an upgraded cockroach.

Lynn rubbed his chin.

Maybe?

Kagura and Kanna should make for excellent additions to the Familia as well.

He'd have to find an opportunity to bring them in.

That said, finding Naraku was going to be a hassle.

After explaining Naraku's situation to Kikyo, she nodded in understanding. "So that's how it is..."

"No wonder the demons yesterday acted as if they were following a plan. Someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes."

A cold glint flashed in Kikyo's dark eyes. 

The two continued chatting for a while.

Lynn began to think about how best to utilize this era.

Since he was already here, it would be a waste not to take advantage of it...

He should inform Saeko and the others first.

Feudal Japan was overflowing with powerful demons, including high-level and even great demons.

For someone like Saeko, who had reached a bottleneck in her progress, this was the perfect hunting ground!

---

Elsewhere.

In a damp, dark cave, Naraku sat shrouded in shadows, his expression shifting between anger and unease.

"The informant at Kaede's Village... was eliminated..."

Thinking back to the scene from the previous night, Naraku couldn't help but shudder.

That man...

With a single breath, he had engulfed the night sky in flames. In mere seconds, the demons had been reduced to ashes.

Since the day he was born, Naraku had never witnessed such a terrifying existence.

Absolutely not.

He must never provoke that man.

"I'll remain dormant for now..."

"Until that man leaves..."

Not far away, Kagura watched Naraku in silent shock.

Was he... trembling?

It was the first time she had ever seen Naraku look like this.

Was it because of that man?

An idea flickered in her mind.

She recalled the man who seemed almost godlike.

So even you have someone you fear, Naraku...

Kagura exhaled softly, a peculiar gleam in her ruby-red eyes.

Beside her, Kanna remained expressionless, merely glancing at her sister.

Was she planning to chase after her freedom?

---

A few days later

Lynn's Familia used Kagome's power to open a time rift and traveled five hundred years into the past for a group expedition.

"So, this is the world from five hundred years ago?"

As soon as Utaha received the news, she rushed over.

Leveling up was a non-stop grind for her.

And she had heard there was a nice hot spring here.

Just what she needed to chill.

Maybe even...do it again with Lynn...

Utaha's breathing grew a little heavier.

Clearly, she was envisioning something rather improper.

Meanwhile, Saeko glanced around. Not seeing any demons in sight, she looked a little disappointed. "Where are the demons? I really want to cut something down."

Utaha: "..."

This woman was getting more and more unhinged.

"Don't worry, you'll get your chance."

Lynn's voice reached her ears just in time.

"Master."

"Kikyo," Lynn turned to them. "Help the Familia members get accustomed to the environment. Then, find some great demons for Saeko to practice on."

The Gastrea creatures from the Black Bullet world were no longer of any use for a high-level Devil like Saeko.

But this chaotic era? Now, that was just perfect.

Great demons could be troublesome, but with the new natural demon slayers—on their side, there was nothing to worry about.

Utaha studied the three shrine maidens in traditional priestess dress, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Shrine maiden outfits had a certain... charm to them.

She made a mental note to buy a few for future use.

Yukino, standing nearby, had a complicated expression. "Kagome-san... So you ended up becoming one of the Familia members as well..."

"Ahaha..." Kagome scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Not only had she become a Familia member, but she had also been completely eaten that night.

Well...

Serving a god was part of a priestess's duty, right?

Kagome began convincing herself.

After ensuring everything was settled, Lynn rubbed his chin, considering his next move.

Maybe he should visit the Underworld of this era.

"But! How do I even get there?"

Lynn froze.

The Underworld in this period was in complete chaos, and all known passageways were sealed off.

Getting there wouldn't be easy.

At a time like this, he needed someone with all the right connections.

---

[Rias: "You want to go to the Underworld?"]

At Kuoh Academy's Occult Research Club.

"Lynn... Why does he need to go to the Underworld?"

Rias looked puzzled.

[Rias: "Sending you the coordinates."]

[Lynn: "I owe you one!"]

Rias pouted.

That damn Lynn. Always full of empty promises.

She had been looking forward to that date he promised her for ages...

But nothing.

Was he just saying it to brush her off?

Rias pouted.

— — —

Lynn received the coordinates Rias sent him.

He hesitated.

"These are from five hundred years in the future... Will they even work?"

He tested them.

"Nope. As expected."

[Lynn: "It didn't work! Got any other ideas?"]

[Rias: "....??!"]

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