Chapter 21: Perfect World
Fujimi Academy.
Busujima Saeko gripped her newly acquired katana and sliced cleanly through the head of a zombie.
"What has this world become?"
She flicked the blood off the katana and held it horizontally in front of her, the cold steel reflecting both her deep blue pupils and the approaching zombies surrounding her.
"Sensei, squat down."
"Eh?"
The blonde beauty with an explosive figure looked momentarily confused. But before her mind could catch up, her body reacted instinctively to Saeko's words.
Whoosh—
Saeko moved decisively, her katana tracing a deadly arc through the air.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three zombies collapsed instantly, unable to react.
"Wow! Saeko-san is amazing!"
Marikawa Shizuka, still crouched on the ground, clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Saeko sighed helplessly and pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.
Shizuka immediately covered her mouth with both hands, her large eyes blinking as she gazed up at Saeko.
"You can stand now, Sensei."
"Ah! Right!"
Shizuka nodded rapidly, picking up the medical kit she had taken from the school infirmary before following closely behind Saeko.
Saeko continued clearing the corridor of zombies, her thoughts running in the background.
These things weren't hard to deal with, but...
There were just too many of them.
She glanced through the window, her expression grim.
The dead swarmed toward the school in droves.
Judging by the sheer numbers, the first floor had likely already been overrun.
Saeko gripped her katana hilt tighter, her fingers turning white.
Even with her exceptional sword skills, she was still human.
She could get tired. She could get injured.
But the zombies?
They never stopped.
"This school isn't a place we can stay for long."
But…
"How do we escape?"
As she stared at the seemingly endless sea of zombies, for the first time, a deep sense of despair threatened to creep into her heart.
But—
Waiting for death wasn't the way of the Busujima family.
"Sensei, are you willing to move forward with the resolve to die?"
Saeko turned to Shizuka, seeking her opinion.
"Hmm..."
Shizuka placed a finger on her lower lip, deep in thought. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes brightened, and she reached into her skirt.
"Ah! Found it!"
She pulled out a piece of black parchment that radiated an ominous aura.
"Why don't we ask the Devil for help?"
Shizuka offered the parchment to Saeko like a child showing off a treasured find, her eyes full of expectation.
Saeko: "…"
For a brief moment, she regretted expecting anything serious from this airheaded nurse.
Yet, seeing the anticipation in Shizuka's gaze, she sighed and took the parchment.
[Devil Summoning Contract Document]
It certainly looked legitimate.
"Hehe."
"Saeko-san, don't underestimate this thing."
Shizuka lowered her voice conspiratorially. "This parchment appeared in the infirmary out of nowhere. No matter how many times I threw it away, it always returned to the same spot."
"Even fire couldn't burn it!"
"It's definitely a devil's prank!"
She nodded to herself as if fully convinced.
"Isn't it more likely to be some student's prank?"
Saeko wanted to say that, but before she could, a pen was already being shoved into her hand.
She silently glanced at Shizuka's bouncing figure and muttered under her breath, "Is that a dimensional storage pocket?"
Forget it.
She'd just humor her for now.
With that thought, Saeko took the pen and signed her name at the bottom of the parchment.
"Alright, let's play along—"
Before she could finish, the empty corridor was suddenly engulfed in dazzling light.
Buzz!
A pitch-black magic circle appeared beneath Saeko's feet.
Her pupils shrank, and she instinctively tightened her grip on her katana.
Step.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"Are you my contractor?"
Saeko looked up, her expression blank.
A man with black hair, red eyes, and a noble bearing stood before her.
"...A real devil?"
She could hardly believe it.
But the magic circle beneath her feet was undeniable proof.
Tear—
Black wings tore through the fabric of the uniform he was wearing, unfurling majestically.
"The real deal."
Saeko's eyes widened in shock.
She opened her mouth but found herself momentarily speechless.
Smack!
Lynn's wing casually swatted away a sneaky hand reaching toward him.
"Owww! That hurt!"
Shizuka, who had been trying to touch his wings, crouched behind him, blowing on her hand to ease the sting.
Saeko's eyelid twitched. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Sensei… what are you doing?"
"Hehehe."
Shizuka laughed sheepishly. "I just wanted to see if they were real."
Saeko: "…"
"Can't you show at least a little respect toward a devil?!"
"Be careful, he might just turn this world into a living hell!"
...
Wait.
The world was already a living hell.
As Saeko and Shizuka exchanged words, Lynn was deep in thought.
The moment he saw Saeko Busujima, he instantly recognized where he was.
One of the classic low-level worlds.
A well-worn setting.
But for him—and his Peerage—this world was perfect.
An ideal training ground.
Especially with how weak his Peerage members currently were.
Lately, Lynn had been thinking about how to help Utaha and Miko level up efficiently.
Modern society was too restrictive.
Cursed spirits were common, but they gathered in places with lots of people.
If he didn't want to draw attention, he could only hunt them at night.
But that was way too inefficient.
This summoning contract, however?
A perfect solution.
A world overrun by the undead was essentially a natural low-level grinding dungeon.
From now on, this would be his Peerage's training ground.
Besides…
This world also had potential Peerage members.
Lynn glanced at the ability displayed on his system panel—[Evil Pieces].
For some reason, he had a feeling it would be much easier to recruit new members here than in his own world.
With that in mind, Lynn turned to Saeko, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"So…"
He stared at her intently.
"Contractor, what's your request?"
Saeko took a deep breath.
She never expected that parchment to actually summon a devil.
Her entire worldview felt like it had been turned upside down.
After all, who would have thought devils really existed?
But…
Considering how the world had suddenly fallen into chaos, maybe the appearance of a devil wasn't that strange after all.
Either way—
He was already here.
She might as well ask.
Saeko's eyes flickered as she carefully chose her words.
"Then… devil."
"Can I ask you to…"
She exhaled slowly.
"...Save the world?"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 22: I Am Yours
"Save the world?"
"Sure."
Lynn accepted Saeko's commission without hesitation.
No matter what the request was, the best approach was always to agree first.
How and when to fulfill it was entirely up to him.
A warm smile appeared on his face as he spoke considerately:
"I have two plans—one is more radical, the other more conservative. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Could he really do it?
Save the world?
Saeko was stunned.
She had only asked to see how this so-called devil would react.
But now.
She hadn't expected two plans.
It was as if the apocalyptic crisis that threatened all of humanity was nothing more than a trivial issue for the demon before her.
Lynn's power… was likely far more terrifying than she had imagined.
And he was also much more agreeable than she had expected.
Not at all like the hideous monsters described in myths.
Setting aside her scattered thoughts, Saeko pondered for a moment before responding:
"Let's hear the radical plan first."
"The crisis in your world right now stems from these zombies, right?"
Lynn walked over to the window, looking down at the horde of swaying zombies below.
"That's right."
Saeko nodded, her voice lowering. "This afternoon, the outbreak happened suddenly."
She turned to Lynn, her gaze serious.
"I don't know the full situation beyond the school, but with how contagious this virus is, the spread won't be slow."
"In the worst-case scenario… it could affect the entire world."
As someone who had seen zombie movies, she understood the horror of such an outbreak.
But she had never imagined that something once confined to fiction would actually happen.
The thought of a world overrun by the undead made her fall silent.
"Moreover," she continued, "even after all this time, the military hasn't responded."
She had already prepared herself for the worst.
"It's fine."
Lynn's voice was relaxed. "Even if the whole world becomes like this, I can just clean the surface, can't I?"
…Clean the surface?
Saeko's eye twitched slightly.
She silently stared at Lynn.
He didn't sound like he was joking.
Even humanity's ultimate weapons wouldn't be capable of cleansing the entire world, right?
But…
Could a devil really accomplish such a thing?
However—
"If you do that," Saeko said flatly, "the surviving humans would die too, wouldn't they?"
Along with the zombies.
Lynn shrugged. "Then that's none of my concern."
That was a very demonic answer.
Despite looking completely human—even wearing a school uniform.
Saeko's gaze shifted to the name tag on Lynn's clothing.
[Shuchiin Private Academy]
Devils go to school too?
She set that question aside for now and decisively dismissed the radical plan.
"Tell me about the conservative plan."
As expected.
Lynn's smile grew warmer.
"This one is even simpler."
He turned to face Saeko, amusement in his eyes.
"I'll grant you the power to grow strong enough to save the world. Then, when the time comes, you can decide for yourself how to do it."
Lynn only had two objectives in this world.
First, to use it as a regular training ground for his Peerage.
Second, to recruit new members.
And Saeko was undoubtedly a talent he wanted.
Hearing the second plan, Saeko froze.
To be honest, she had never actually wanted to save the world.
At least, not yet.
Her priority right now was survival.
And for that, she needed power.
The power to survive.
The power to protect others.
Saeko's gaze shifted to Marikawa Shizuka, their group's mascot.
Shizuka: Huh?
She still looked completely clueless.
Saeko was discussing with a devil… how to save the world?
A devil.
Saving the world.
Putting those two ideas together.
Was this a joke?
Yet, Mr. Devil had actually given a serious response!
…Mr. Devil was a good person!
Shizuka suddenly realized this.
Saeko: "…"
If she hadn't been taking care of Shizuka, the airheaded nurse wouldn't have lasted long.
If not eaten by zombies, she'd have been killed by other desperate survivors.
And honestly, that might have been a far worse fate.
The collapse of human civilization…
Saeko let out a quiet sigh, then made her decision.
"Then I choose the second plan."
If she grew strong enough to save the world, that also meant they would be strong enough to survive.
"So soon?"
Lynn tilted his head slightly. "Aren't you going to ask about the price?"
Saeko's gaze remained steady, unfazed by the mention of a price.
There was no such thing as a free meal.
She had understood this since she was five years old.
Much less when making a deal with a demon.
Shizuka, on the other hand, was stunned. "Eh? There's a price?"
Saeko: "…"
Yeah, some people never learned.
Ignoring Shizuka entirely, Saeko met Lynn's gaze and spoke firmly:
"If you wish, you may take everything from me."
"My body, my soul, my emotions, my memories—"
"If that is the price, so be it."
She needed power.
She needed to survive with her friends.
And if she truly did become strong enough to save the world.
Then perhaps she would.
Lynn remained silent for a moment. Then, he chuckled.
"You have quite the resolve."
"But don't worry, all I need—"
"—is you."
Saeko blinked in surprise before a small smile formed on her lips.
"Thank you for your favor."
"From this moment on—"
"I am yours."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 23: Reincarnation
Saeko gave herself up without hesitation.
After all, he was a devil.
A devil who casually spoke about wiping the surface clean as if it were nothing.
If he truly wanted something, she wouldn't be able to resist anyway.
So why not take the initiative? Perhaps it would even leave a good impression.
Honestly, she was more surprised that a devil would seriously discuss the commission with her.
Even for something as absurd as saving the world, he had actually given her a plan.
It completely overturned her previous notions about devils.
She had no reservations about entrusting everything to the one in front of her.
Besides, she would gain power.
For someone who had nothing, this was already a great deal.
"I'll gladly accept everything you have."
Lynn didn't hold back at all.
Recruiting Saeko into his Peerage had been one of his goals from the start.
Since she was so willing, there was no reason to refuse.
He raised his hand, and a black chess piece materialized.
Saeko blinked in confusion. "What is this?"
"An evil piece. Once it's placed inside you, you'll become part of my Peerage and be reincarnated as a devil."
"I see."
She immediately understood.
So—
Reincarnation as a devil = gaining power?
Peerage = servant?
Saeko quickly grasped the general concept.
She nodded. "Understood. What do I do next?"
She stared at the piece in Lynn's hand with a slightly strange expression.
Was placing it inside her meant literally?
"No rush."
Lynn smiled and withdrew the evil piece, replacing it with a flickering black lightning bolt at his fingertips.
"It's a bit noisy here. Let me clean up first."
Saeko's eyes widened as she stared at the black lightning.
Even as an ordinary human, she could feel the immense power radiating from it.
Lynn casually pointed toward the end of the corridor, where countless zombies were climbing the stairs.
Several had already started shuffling toward them.
Lynn chuckled. "Go."
With a flick of his finger, the lightning shot forward like a wild beast unleashed.
Saeko's gaze instinctively followed it.
But before she could even turn her head, a deafening roar filled her ears.
BOOM—!
The entire school building trembled violently.
Shizuka staggered, then crouched against the wall in a panic. "W-What was that?! An earthquake?!"
Saeko ignored her.
When she finally turned to look, her pupils contracted sharply.
The corridor was now littered with charred zombie corpses.
The staircase at the end had completely vanished, leaving behind a massive skylight.
The surrounding area was still burning, the residual heat warping the air.
Saeko's breath caught in her throat.
That lightning hadn't even targeted the zombies.
And yet, it had incinerated everything in its path.
What terrifying power!
Saeko's heart pounded, and when she looked at Lynn again, a flicker of fanaticism shone in her eyes.
Lynn lowered his hand, satisfied.
Lightning magic, definitely a super-tier spell.
A casual strike had been enough to cause this much devastation.
If he unleashed his full power, he could probably turn the entire school into scorched earth in an instant.
"Alright, now it's quiet."
Lynn expanded his magic perception.
They were on the third floor.
No zombies.
No humans either.
And the corridor had been physically separated by him.
If any zombies wanted to get up, they'd need to stack their way up.
Saeko's eyelid twitched at his words.
The third floor was definitely quieter.
But…
She glanced outside.
The explosion had likely attracted every zombie in the vicinity.
Still, as long as Mr. Devil was satisfied, it was fine.
Lynn took out the evil piece again.
"Now, let's begin the reincarnation ceremony."
"Yes!"
Saeko's eyes turned serious.
She wasn't sure what this ceremony entailed.
How exactly was he going to bury that chess piece inside her?
"First step."
Saeko listened carefully.
"Take off your shirt."
She blinked.
...Take off her clothes?
She replayed his words in her mind to make sure she hadn't misheard.
A brief silence.
Then, without hesitation, she moved.
After a few seconds, she gripped the hem of her shirt and asked, "Take it off completely?"
Lynn shook his head. "Just unbutton the back and turn around."
That was all.
Saeko let out a small breath of relief.
It was still embarrassing, but at least she could cover some parts.
But if I turn my back, what exactly is he going to do…?
The thought briefly crossed her mind as she turned around.
And then—
She saw Shizuka.
Still squatting in the corner, curled up.
Saeko: "..."
"Shizuka-sensei, the shaking is over."
"Huh?"
Shizuka finally looked up.
And immediately saw Saeko in nothing but her black lingerie.
She blinked.
"Saeko-chan, are you hot?"
…When will this clueless teacher realize the situation?!
Saeko sighed, then reached back to unfasten her bra.
Her two ample curves bounced forward slightly as they lost support.
Lynn wasted no time.
He pressed the evil piece against her smooth back.
"Mmm…"
Saeko trembled slightly, warmth creeping up her cheeks.
No matter what, she was still a woman…
They had just met, and she was already half-naked like this.
Would he think she was shameless?
Should she have been more reserved?
Maybe she shouldn't have been so straightforward…
Before she could dwell on it further.
The piece sank into her body.
A clear notification rang in Lynn's mind.
[Ding! You have obtained the Peerage member 'Saeko Busujima'!]
[Ding! Your Peerage member 'Saeko Busujima' has been reincarnated as a special devil—'Blade Devil'!]
(To be continued.)
Chapter 24: Tail Stroking Is Mandatory
Boom! Boom!
Saeko had no time for distractions.
The moment the Evil Piece entered her body, everything changed.
Her heartbeat quickened, her blood boiled, and her muscles and bones underwent drastic transformations.
But what stood out the most.
Was the strange, tingling sensation spreading across her back, waist, and tailbone.
"Mmm~"
Saeko let out a soft gasp. "It feels like something is coming out…"
She didn't resist the sensation, instead allowing the transformation to take its course.
Ahhnn~!
Her pale, flawless skin writhed unnaturally.
And the next second.
A pair of black wings burst from her back!
At the same time, a tail with a heart-shaped tip slipped out from beneath her skirt, swaying in the air before.
Poke.
It brushed against Lynn's face.
Lynn instinctively grabbed it and absentmindedly rubbed it.
"Ahhhgnnn~"
Saeko's legs nearly gave out, and she braced herself against the wall.
Her underwear shifted slightly, exposing a hint of pink.
Her breath was ragged, her gaze hazy.
Noticing this, Lynn released her tail.
Freed from his grip, Saeko's tail quickly and shyly retracted back under her skirt.
"Haaa~"
Saeko let out a long breath, trying to steady herself.
Lynn nodded in approval. "Not bad."
This was the first time he had seen a reincarnated devil fully manifest their wings and tail right away.
When Utaha and Miko had undergone reincarnation, they had instinctively suppressed the transformation.
Saeko, on the other hand, embraced it.
She shot him a sultry glance before retracting her wings and tail back into her body.
Lynn shifted his attention to her status screen.
Although, in the back of his mind, he briefly considered adding a new rule for his Peerage.
"Letting him stroke their tail should be mandatory."
[Saeko Busujima]
[Low-Class Devil]
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Durability: i0
Magic Power: i0
Inherent Abilities:
[Yearning for Killing]
The stronger the desire to kill, the faster ability values grow.
Limits can be surpassed.
[Blade Devil]
Slash
Innate Swordsman (Able to grasp any sword-related skill at a glance.)
Enhanced Strength Growth Rate
Enhanced Agility Growth Rate
Devil Transformation (Body Weaponization)
---
Third Peerage Member Acquired!
And—another special devil.
Lynn began to wonder if the probability of obtaining special devils with the Evil Pieces was even real.
Three recruits so far, and all had been special cases.
Or perhaps, the transformation depended on the individual's innate potential rather than randomness?
Setting the thought aside, he refocused on Saeko's skills.
"Yearning for Killing…"
It was eerily similar to One-Track Mind, a skill from another world.
Lynn wasn't too surprised.
Given Saeko's hidden nature, this was practically made for her.
Then there was Blade Devil.
An innate swordsman talent.
Anything related to swordsmanship could be mastered at a single glance.
A true monster in close combat.
As for her first ability.
[Slash].
No further explanation.
Just a single word.
And in most cases.
The shorter the description, the stronger the ability.
Lynn had a gut feeling, this skill was far from ordinary.
After taking a copy of her status, he handed it to Saeko.
"Here."
Saeko took the paper, her expression puzzled. "What's this?"
Lynn gave his usual explanation of the Blessing System.
A realization dawned on her.
They were all young people.
And nothing was easier to understand than "killing monsters to level up."
"No wonder this power could eventually save the world…"
Muttering to herself, Saeko glanced at the paper.
Her gaze lingered on a particular section.
Master: Lynn Valefor.
…So this was his full name.
She silently repeated it in her mind several times, engraving it deep into her memory.
Then she moved on.
All ability values were at i0.
She scanned her skills.
And when she reached [Yearning for Killing], her grip on the paper tightened.
Her gaze flickered to Lynn.
He met her eyes and simply smiled.
"Don't worry, Saeko. We're devils."
Saeko froze.
Then—
She smiled.
Yes, she was already a devil.
Human morals no longer applied to her.
What was so wrong about a devil who craved battle?
As long as.
As long as her master didn't hate her for it.
Would he?
…No.
The thought unsettled her, but she pushed it aside.
Her skills suited her perfectly.
Poke!
Something prodded her waist.
Saeko turned, confused.
"Shizuka, what is it?"
Shizuka had finally snapped out of her daze.
She was staring at Saeko's waist.
The exact spot where her wings had emerged.
Then, she whispered, "Saeko, you're not human anymore, are you?"
Saeko gave her a flat look. "Didn't you just see it for yourself?"
Shizuka hesitated for a moment before puffing out her chest proudly.
"Then I'm not human either!"
Saeko: "…?"
Shizuka put her hands on her hips and declared:
"I want to become a devil too!"
Saeko: "…!"
"Shizuka, do you even understand what it means to become a devil?"
Saeko's expression turned serious.
To be honest.
If Shizuka became a devil, she would be much safer in this world.
Saeko had only just undergone reincarnation, but even she could already feel the incredible difference.
Her body was stronger.
Her reflexes were faster.
And—
Magic now flowed through her veins.
With just these changes alone, zombies had no chance against her.
Not to mention.
The Blessing System.
And her powerful, awakened abilities.
If Shizuka became a devil, she wouldn't have to worry about her survival anymore.
She could fight freely, train freely.
And most importantly.
She wouldn't have to babysit her anymore.
Saeko's breath grew heavier at the thought.
Besides—
Her master didn't seem opposed to recruiting more Peerage members.
Or rather—
It might be exactly what he wanted.
Still—
As a friend, Saeko needed to make sure Shizuka truly understood.
"Shizuka, do you understand what it really means to be a devil?"
Saeko asked again, her tone more solemn.
"Of course! I'm smart!"
Shizuka grinned.
Then—
She suddenly dashed over and latched onto Lynn's arm.
Lynn instantly felt himself sink into an overwhelming softness.
Shizuka stood on her toes, leaned in close, and whispered confidently.
"Becoming Mr. Devil's pet."
"That's what it means, right?"
Saeko: "…?"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 25: Recovery Devil
In a way, Shizuka wasn't wrong.
"Alright, as long as you understand."
Since she was aware of the consequences, Saeko had no reason to stop her.
But…
While the master seemed willing to accept new Peerage members, he couldn't possibly take everyone in, right?
Would he even consider someone like Shizuka?
"Master, what do you think?"
She had already started addressing him as "Master" naturally.
Lynn looked at her with satisfaction.
Shizuka also knew who had the final say in this matter.
She hugged Lynn's arm and shook it eagerly. "Please, please take me in as a pet, Mr. Devil!"
It was the first time Lynn had ever heard such a request.
And naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
His system panel lit up, the Evil Piece flashing.
This meant that Shizuka qualified to become a member of his Peerage.
"No problem."
Lynn agreed without hesitation.
"Yay!"
Shizuka cheered, practically bouncing in excitement.
Saeko let out a small sigh of relief before smiling. She was genuinely happy for her.
Lynn materialized another Evil Piece.
But before he could even explain, Shizuka had already let go of his arm and started unbuttoning her shirt.
Her expert movements made Saeko's eyelid twitch.
She couldn't help but comment, "Why are you so skilled at this…?"
"Huh?"
Shizuka tilted her head, then blinked.
"But didn't Saeko-chan do the same?"
She turned to Lynn, as if asking for confirmation.
"That's right. Keep going."
Lynn nodded approvingly.
Encouraged, Shizuka neatly removed her white blouse, leaving only her pink lingerie.
"Okay, turn around."
Shizuka hesitated. "Does it have to be placed on the back?"
"You can choose, but the back is the most reasonable position."
"Hmm…"
Shizuka pondered for a moment, then patted her smooth, flat stomach.
"Then put it here!"
Lynn: "…"
Now it was his turn to be speechless.
…Was she doing this on purpose?
He gave her a deadpan look.
"Huh?"
Shizuka looked genuinely confused.
Saeko, on the other hand, facepalmed.
She sighed and explained, "Shizuka-sensei, after joining the Peerage, the location of the Evil Piece will display your Blessing information. You shouldn't place it somewhere inconvenient."
"And…"
Saeko's voice dropped slightly. "If you put it that low, are you planning to… take off your underwear every time you need to update your status?"
Was this woman really a natural airhead?
Saeko was starting to doubt it.
Placing it so low—
Was she already thinking about how to please the master before even joining?
Had she known she could choose, she might've picked a different spot too…
A faint blush appeared on Saeko's face as she muttered to herself.
"No way!"
Shizuka quickly refuted, then hesitated before awkwardly asking, "Can it be a little higher?"
"I think so."
Lynn wasn't entirely sure.
If her skill information was too long, it might still cause issues.
But—
It was her decision.
If there was a problem later… well, Lynn wouldn't mind helping her fix it.
"Alright, let's do it."
Shizuka straightened up.
Lynn pressed the Evil Piece against her upper abdomen.
"So cold~"
Shizuka shivered, her body trembling slightly.
Lynn briefly felt dizzy.
The Evil Piece sank into her body.
And just like Saeko, Shizuka immediately felt the changes.
Her breathing grew heavier, her warm breath carrying a faint orchid scent.
Her body burned with heat.
"Mmm…"
Like Saeko before her, Shizuka did not suppress the transformation.
From her lower back.
Two black wings unfolded.
A heart-tipped tail swayed into view.
Curious, Shizuka grabbed her own tail.
And gave it an experimental touch.
"Hnnph~!"
Her body trembled, her face flushed red, and her thighs pressed together.
But instead of letting go.
She started playing with it faster.
As someone who had experienced this before, even Lynn felt a slight headache.
Meanwhile, Saeko's eye twitched violently.
This clueless woman really didn't know when to stop!
"A reminder, Shizuka-sensei."
"There are two people watching you right now."
Shizuka's entire body froze.
She quickly released her tail.
Then—
She turned to Saeko with an innocent expression.
"What? What's wrong, Saeko-chan~?"
As she spoke, she subtly retracted her wings and tail.
With the "evidence" now gone, Saeko curled her lips in annoyance.
"…Forget it."
"Haa~"
Shizuka let out a relieved breath.
Lynn, on the other hand, ignored their antics.
He was too busy analyzing her stats—
And had fallen into deep thought.
---
Marikawa Shizuka
[Low-Class Devil]
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Durability: i0
Magic Power: i0
Inherent Abilities:
[Recovery Devil]
Bodily Fluid Recovery (Blood and other body fluids can restore health, stamina, etc.)
Status Recovery (Can remove negative conditions.)
Enhanced Stamina Growth Rate
Devil Transformation (Juicing Mode)
---
Lynn: "…?"
Good news—
There was plenty of space on her status panel.
Bad news—
The upper part was blocked. He couldn't see her name or level properly.
But even more concerning—
Was this new skill: [Recovery Devil].
At first glance, it looked like a healer-type ability.
Perfectly suited for Shizuka.
But that last part—
Devil Transformation (Juicing Mode).
Lynn: "…?"
[Ding! You have acquired the skill [Recovery Devil]!]
Lynn: "…?!"
He didn't want this skill!!
It was fine for Shizuka…
But him?!
Hiss—!
Lynn forcibly looked away.
He decided then and there.
This skill would be buried deep in his system.
He would never touch it.
Ever.
After regaining his composure, he moved on.
He needed to print a copy of Shizuka's Blessing data.
But before that.
He stopped.
Then, in a deadpan voice, he said—
"Lift your chest. It's blocking the name and level."
"Huh?"
It took Shizuka a moment to process his words.
Then, she simply lifted herself with an "Oh~!"
Finally, Lynn finished the copy and handed it to her.
Shizuka studied it carefully.
"Ohhh… So Mr. Devil's name is Lynn!"
Then she saw her title.
[Recovery Devil]
Her eyes lit up.
"This suits me perfectly! I love healing people!"
But—
Her gaze drifted to the last part.
"…But what's 'Juicing Mode'?"
She looked at Lynn in confusion.
Lynn hesitated.
"…You'll find out later."
He wasn't sure if she really didn't get it.
Or if she was just pretending.
After all…
This so-called "innocent" teacher had a habit of pulling off outrageous things under the guise of being an airhead.
"Saeko, do you know?"
Shizuka turned to her.
Saeko responded instantly.
"No. I don't know."
"Oh, okay."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 26: Pink and white
After recruiting two new Peerage members, Lynn could feel his strength rising again.
The sensation of an impending breakthrough was growing stronger.
[Devil's Summoning] was truly a fantastic ability.
A single trip to another world.
And he had already gained two followers, along with a perfect grinding zone.
A huge profit!
After Shizuka finished adjusting her clothes, Lynn gave both of them a brief rundown on the situation regarding the Peerage.
After a moment of thought, Saeko nodded.
"So that's how it is… The Peerage headquarters is actually in another world?"
She glanced at Lynn, admiration flickering in her eyes.
Master can even travel between worlds.
As expected of Master.
"Eh? Another world?"
Shizuka's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"So cool!"
Lynn chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll take you there when the time comes."
"Yay!"
Satisfied with that answer, Shizuka nodded like an excited puppy.
Her eyes were filled with anticipation.
"But before that, we need to finish things here first."
Saeko straightened her posture. "Master, please give your orders!"
"Don't be so serious, Saeko."
Lynn waved his hand dismissively, his tone relaxed.
"I plan to turn this world into a fixed training ground for the Peerage. What do you think?"
Saeko was momentarily surprised but quickly gave it serious thought.
"Our world… does seem very suitable."
The zombies weren't strong, but there were a lot of them.
Perfect for low-level Peerage members to farm experience.
"Then it's decided!"
Lynn clapped his hands, finalizing the plan.
"First, we need to establish a safe settlement for the Peerage."
"It will serve as both a residence for you and Shizuka, and a base for Peerage members coming here to train."
"Since there aren't many of us yet, it doesn't need to be large, just enough rooms, full facilities, and a comfortable environment."
Saeko nodded, carefully memorizing Lynn's requirements.
As for the other Peerage members, she had already heard about them.
Two more girls.
That put her mind at ease.
After all, if they were going to live together, she preferred it to be all girls.
For men…
One was enough.
"Ah! I have an idea!"
Shizuka suddenly raised her hand.
"Rika's house, it's perfect for what Master described!"
Saeko blinked. "Rika's house?"
"Yeah!"
Shizuka nodded.
"My friend is a police officer, and she's really strong!"
Lynn made his decision instantly.
"Alright, let's head there first. Shizuka, you'll lead the way."
"Got it!"
Lynn vaguely remembered that place.
The house was nice, and if he recalled correctly, there were guns hidden inside.
Though, realistically…
He doubted he'd have much use for them.
A devil's weapons should be demonic.
With their destination set, the three immediately prepared to leave Fujimi Academy and head there.
On the way, Saeko intended to cut down as many zombies as possible.
To test her current strength and skills.
And, more importantly.
To satisfy her desires.
"Rika's house is a bit far… Should we drive there?"
Shizuka suggested.
Then suddenly pulled a car key from her mouth.
"...Didn't you take off all your clothes earlier? How do you still have things stored?!"
Saeko couldn't help but complain.
"Hehe~!"
Shizuka just giggled mischievously.
Saeko sighed, about to say something.
But then.
A voice echoed from the end of the corridor.
"Why… why did the stairs disappear?!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, Takagi-san! Do you want to attract all the zombies?!"
"Mmph…"
A girl's voice.
Saeko thought the voice sounded familiar.
"Master…"
Lynn understood immediately.
"It's fine. Let's check it out. We need to leave anyway."
The stairs Lynn had destroyed earlier.
There were people up there.
When Saeko looked up.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Miyamoto-san?"
"Busujima-senpai?"
The two girls froze, momentarily stunned.
Neither had expected to run into someone they knew in this situation.
Lynn also looked up.
Sure enough.
They were characters from the original protagonist group.
But…
Something was off.
Two people were missing.
If he remembered correctly.
Shouldn't there be a male protagonist and a chubby guy with them?
Had the timeline changed?
Lynn thought about it for a moment.
And then realized.
…Ah.
He knew what happened.
Looking at the destruction around them.
It wasn't hard to guess.
A single lightning strike.
Had he accidentally fried the protagonist and a supporting character?
A precise strike?
Not necessarily.
More likely.
The explosion had attracted way more zombies than in the original timeline, causing the group to be separated.
If those two were still alive.
They were probably struggling to survive against the horde.
…Not that it mattered to him.
Lynn wasn't interested in men.
Hmm…
Pink and white.
From where he was standing.
Lynn had a perfect view of Miyamoto Rei's and Takagi Saya's skirts.
"Hnn—!"
The two girls clearly noticed too.
Realizing that a guy was looking up at them, they both hurriedly pulled their skirts down.
Miyamoto Rei coughed awkwardly.
"Um… Busujima-senpai, what exactly is going on?"
She looked around, confused.
The ruins, the missing stairs.
Her expression turned dazed.
The stairs were gone.
How were they supposed to get down?
(To be continued.)
Chapter 27: It's Coming Out
"Hey!"
Rei suddenly jumped down from above.
She landed right in Lynn's arms, like a homing pigeon returning to its nest.
"Thank you!"
Rei quickly stepped out of his embrace and bowed deeply. As she straightened up, she couldn't help but steal a glance at his arm, her ears burning slightly.
Such strong arms...
He caught her so effortlessly.
Next was Saya.
Unlike Rei, she was a bit more hesitant. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly before jumping down, afraid to look.
Only when her feet touched the ground did she finally exhale in relief.
"I made it..."
After a brief discussion, they had agreed that jumping down was the best option.
They had expected at least some minor injuries, but surprisingly, it turned out to be much easier than they thought.
Almost... unreal.
After thanking Lynn, the group quickly gathered together.
But just as they cleared one hurdle, another one awaited them.
Rei looked down.
Dead bodies.
All dead bodies.
The collapsed stairs had caused the zombies to pile up, creating an eerie, grotesque mound.
If they didn't leave soon, those things would eventually climb up.
"What should we do?"
Without thinking, Rei instinctively turned her gaze toward the only man in the group.
Lynn, however, didn't even bother sparing the dead a glance.
"Saeko, I'll leave it to you."
Huh?
Rei and Saya blinked in surprise.
Saeko-senpai?
What was he asking her to do?
"Yes, Master!"
Master?!
Rei and Saya's eyes widened in shock.
Wait, wait, wait!
Did she just call him Master?
Could this be some kind of... kinky roleplay?!
They exchanged glances, their imaginations running wild.
What exactly was the relationship between these two?
On the other side, Saeko licked her lips, excitement flashing in her eyes.
She had been suppressing her urge ever since she saw the pile of zombies.
But since Lynn hadn't said anything, she endured it.
Now, however, she finally had permission.
Perfect.
Time to test the power her Master had given her.
Clang—
The blade left its sheath.
The setting sun glinted off the polished steel, painting it in a dazzling golden hue.
The moment she gripped it, something within her clicked.
Pure instinct.
She swung downward!
Tear—!
The sharp sound of air being sliced rang in their ears!
A white streak of light shot toward the zombies!
Puff!
In an instant, the piled-up bodies were cleanly severed!
Blood erupted from the fresh wounds.
If one looked closely, they would see the cuts were impossibly smooth.
"Huu—"
Seeing the blood spurting out, Saeko's breathing grew heavier.
However, Lynn frowned slightly.
Saeko, who had been paying close attention to him, immediately restrained herself and looked at him cautiously.
"Next time, aim for the head. Otherwise, it's inefficient."
That was the problem with zombies.
Unless you destroyed the head, they wouldn't stay down.
The strike just now was visually impressive, but because the heads were still intact, the corpses remained active.
"Understood, Master!"
Saeko breathed a sigh of relief.
Good. He didn't hate it.
That brief moment of slaughter had thrilled her, nearly exposing more of her true nature.
Lynn's frown had scared her, she thought she had displeased him.
She took a deep breath and steadied herself.
This time, she aimed precisely for the heads, ensuring each strike was a proper execution.
Meanwhile, Rei and Saya watched in stunned silence.
Sword beam...?!
Saeko-senpai just unleashed a sword beam?!
Was this still Japan?!
The two girls exchanged another glance, both seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes.
Could it be... that amidst this crisis, humans were evolving?!
"Wow! Saeko-chan, you're amazing!!"
Shizuka's voice broke the silence.
Rei and Saya snapped their heads toward her.
Was she seriously not shocked at all?!
That was a sword beam!
A supernatural ability!
Completely beyond human limits!
Rei and Saya were screaming internally, overflowing with questions.
They wanted to ask Saeko about it.
But when they saw her growing smile take on an unsettling edge...
They swallowed their words.
...Scary!!
---
Ten minutes later.
Saeko, slightly out of breath, sheathed her sword.
The area below now resembled a meat grinder.
"How does it feel?"
Lynn asked.
"Splendid!"
Saeko's voice held an unmistakable excitement.
Lynn observed her state.
Ten minutes of non-stop slashing, yet she was only slightly winded.
This confirmed one thing—her energy consumption was low.
However, Saeko had yet to realize that she didn't need the sword at all to execute those slashes.
Whether with a flick of her hand or a simple kick.
As long as she willed it, she could unleash sword energy from any part of her body.
After all, she was the Blade Devil.
Lynn didn't tell her just yet. Instead, he simply encouraged her.
"Well done."
Saeko instantly froze.
And then—
She clamped her thighs together.
It's coming out!
Hmmmn~
"Since the bodies are dealt with, let's move."
Lynn turned away, ignoring the pile of corpses and blood-soaked floor below.
Honestly, the only reason he had them fight was for Saeko to gain experience.
Otherwise, they could have just jumped out the window from the start.
Crash—
With a casual tap from his finger, the third-floor window shattered.
Lynn glanced at Rei and Saya, who were still trembling from Saeko's previous display.
Ignoring their hesitation, he grabbed each of them by the waist like they were nothing more than sacks of potatoes.
"Wait—!"
Before they could protest—
Lynn jumped.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 28: Slash
Fujimi Academy.
Lynn and his group walked leisurely toward the parking lot.
Whenever zombies appeared along the way, Saeko swiftly beheaded them before they could get within three meters of Lynn.
Rei and Saya followed behind like frightened quails, their necks shrunk as they cast wary glances at Saeko, then at Shizuka, before finally settling on Lynn.
It was obvious now, both Saeko and Shizuka were no longer ordinary humans.
Especially Saeko, who was terrifyingly strong.
And yet… both of them willingly followed that man's lead.
Just what was he?
No one would tell them.
Even now, they didn't even know his name.
And they didn't dare to ask.
Parking Lot.
"Ah! Found it!"
Shizuka waved at Lynn, standing next to a yellow-green school bus.
"Let's go."
The group boarded the bus.
The area was eerily quiet, as Saeko had already cleared out the zombies nearby.
"Uh…"
Shizuka sat in the driver's seat, fidgeting with the keys, momentarily confused.
Just then—
Footsteps sounded from outside.
"Quick! There's a bus here!"
The vehicle suddenly rocked as several people climbed aboard.
The first to step in was a man in a purple suit.
It was him.
Rei's expression darkened with disgust.
Then, she spotted Komuro Takashi behind him—and her eyes widened.
How could Takashi be with this scumbag?
So, he wasn't a good person either.
She recalled how Takashi had pestered her years ago, and thankfully, she had ignored him.
Her gaze turned cold as she shut her eyes in irritation.
She despised Shido Koichi.
But this school bus already had an owner.
Because of her connection with Saeko, she and Saya had been allowed to board this safe, reliable vehicle.
She wasn't about to jeopardize that by causing unnecessary trouble.
However, she did wonder…
Had Shido somehow evolved as well?
Shido glanced around and found only a handful of students on the bus.
The only authority figure was a female teacher.
Instantly, he felt emboldened.
"Ahem!"
Clearing his throat, he prepared to deliver one of his usual manipulative speeches to seize control of the bus.
But before he could.
"Saeko."
"Yes, Master!"
In an instant, Saeko vanished from her seat and reappeared in front of Shido.
His pupils shrank in shock.
Before he could react, a sharp pain struck his abdomen.
And he was sent flying off the bus.
Rei's eyes lit up with joy, and a weight lifted from her chest.
Good. Shido was still just an ordinary human.
Lynn remained indifferent.
He had already sensed Shido's group approaching.
Thanks to his earlier lightning strike, the butterfly effect had taken hold.
Far more zombies than in the original timeline had swarmed Fujimi Academy, yet this cockroach had still managed to survive.
As expected, scum like him always clung to life.
But then.
Lynn's gaze shifted to Komuro Takashi.
…Ah.
So that's how he made it.
He was leeching off the protagonist's luck.
"Hiss—"
Shido clutched his stomach, taking a sharp breath as he looked up at Saeko in disbelief.
Then, he straightened himself up and scowled.
"I am a teacher at Fujimi Academy! You dare attack a teacher?! This is outright defiance of authority!"
Takashi's expression hardened.
"Senpai, please apologize to Shido-sensei!"
He was furious.
Shido had gathered so many people under his leadership during this apocalypse, Takashi respected him for that.
As long as they followed Shido, he believed they would make it through this crisis!
If the people on this bus had simply handed over control, they too could have joined the group and survived together.
Instead, they had attacked Sensei Shido for no reason!
Takashi clenched his fists.
And to make things worse.
His first love, Rei, was sitting right there on this bus.
If this incident caused him to lose the chance to be with her, then…!
He wouldn't accept it!
But before he could act.
Saeko shot him a cold glance.
Then, she ignored him and turned back to Shido.
Standing over him, she unsheathed her blade.
Clang—
Shido froze.
A single bead of cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
"I didn't kill you on the bus because I didn't want your filthy blood staining it."
"Wait—"
His eyes widened in terror.
The next second.
A crimson line formed across his neck.
Bang!
His head hit the pavement, his lifeless eyes staring blankly ahead.
Silence.
The students who had followed Shido moments ago now stood in stunned confusion.
Takashi was frozen.
"Shido…Sensei…?"
Dead?
"You…!"
Overcome with rage, he lunged forward, reaching for Saeko's collar.
But before he could even touch her.
Slash.
His arm was severed.
It hit the ground with a wet slap.
"AHHHHH!!"
Blood sprayed everywhere as Takashi screamed.
Saeko's expression remained unchanged.
Saeko raised her blade once more.
Slash.
Takashi, dead.
Lynn tapped his chin in thought.
It seemed… something about the relationship between Rei and Takashi was different in this world.
Meanwhile, Saeko calmly wiped the blood from her sword before scanning the others.
"Anyone else want to step forward?"
No one answered.
Saeko sheathed her blade.
With that, she closed the bus door and took her seat.
The school bus started, leaving the academy behind.
No one dared to cause trouble again.
The lesson had been effective.
Saeko felt nothing about killing two humans.
No matter what someone's identity was, they needed to know their place.
That was one of her principles.
Now that she was her Master's sword, it was only natural to eliminate annoying pests for him.
Those people had bad intentions.
Saeko had merely shown mercy by only killing two.
On the Bus.
Rei stole a glance at Lynn.
Shido's death had completely relieved the weight in her chest.
She felt grateful to Saeko.
But she also understood…
Everything Saeko did was because of this man.
Her gaze lingered on Lynn's handsome face.
Her heart pounded faster.
A man worth relying on…
Saya sat beside her, barely daring to breathe.
All her past arrogance and pride were gone.
Meanwhile, Saeko patted her thighs and smiled sweetly at Lynn.
"Master, do you need a knee pillow?"
Her tone was gentle, completely different from before.
Lynn didn't hesitate—he lay down immediately.
His head sank into softness.
Saeko's eyes softened as she gently massaged his head.
Lynn, enjoying her service, pulled out his phone.
There was no signal between worlds, but thanks to [Demonic Summoning], he could still connect.
A cross-world chat system.
Unfortunately, he hadn't brought extra phones.
Next time, he'd prepare in advance so Saeko and the others could join the family group.
For now, he @mentioned Utaha.
Sigma Man: @Kasumigaoka Utaha, I won't be back tonight.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: ?
(To be continued.)
Chapter 29: Lap Pillow Battle
Lynn's Peerage Harem Group Chat.
Sigma Man: [Picture] [Picture] [Picture]
Lynn casually snapped a few photos of the scenery outside the school bus window and sent them to the group.
Desolate streets, overturned vehicles, bloodstains everywhere, and the grotesque figures of zombies rushing toward the school bus, drawn by the noise.
Main World.
Utaha clicked on the pictures, thinking they looked like stills from a zombie movie.
A new zombie flick?
Was Lynn inviting her to go to the movies?
She entertained the thought for a moment but quickly dismissed it.
Sigma Man: Currently in another world. Just recruited two new peerage members.
Sigma Man: Knee pillow, massage.jpg
Kasumigaoka Utaha: !
Utaha ignored the first message entirely and clicked on the last image instead.
A formidable rival!
This woman was a serious threat!
Gripping her phone tightly, Utaha glared at the picture of Lynn resting on a pair of soft, plump thighs.
He'd only been gone for an afternoon, and now he had two new followers?
And one of them was already letting him use her thighs as a pillow?!
Kasumigaoka Utaha: So this is why you're not coming back tonight?
She bit her lip lightly.
If he wasn't coming back… was he planning to spend the night with her?
The thought made her chest tighten.
Of course, she'd known from the very beginning.
From the moment she became part of his peerage, she had understood.
Lynn had never concealed his intentions.
He was destined to be a man with a harem.
Even the group chat name was blatantly clear about that.
And honestly… wasn't that what made him so attractive?
She had no illusions about it.
A man like Lynn was meant to be admired and pursued by women.
Hadn't she done the same?
It had only been a few days since she joined, and already, she wanted to be closer to him.
Closer.
Had she ever been like this before?
But still…
She came first!
At the very least, the first time should have been hers!
Determined, Utaha took a picture of her own legs, clad in sleek black stockings, and sent it to the group.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: Black stockings.jpg
Kasumigaoka Utaha: Does it look good?
Sigma Man: Thumbs up!
Kasumigaoka Utaha: Come back tonight, and you can use them however you like~
A knee pillow?
She could do that too!
---
Yotsuya Household.
Miko, who had been quietly lurking in the chat, peeked at her screen.
"Utaha-senpai… how bold!"
Ding-dong!
Another message notification.
She glanced over hurriedly.
Sigma Man: That's a shame. I need to establish a temporary peerage base in this world tonight. Once it's set up, you'll be able to come here to level up.
Miko gasped softly.
"Master Lynn is incredible!"
He could resist such temptation?!
---
Meanwhile…
Utaha stared at her phone in shock.
…Rejected?
He rejected her?!
For a brief moment, she felt a little defeated.
Had she lost her charm?
But then.
She straightened up, her expression resolute.
"Lynn is doing this for the peerage's development. That's right!"
Yes, yes—he was their Master, yet he personally traveled across worlds just to secure a leveling area for them.
"It must be exhausting crossing worlds like that… right?"
Realization struck her.
That's why he needed to rest on that woman's lap.
…As for the other details about this "other world"?
She had completely forgotten them by now.
---
High School of The Dead World.
Lynn put down his phone, content to enjoy Saeko's soothing massage.
His chat in the group had two purposes:
First, to confirm that his connection with Utaha and the others in the main world remained stable.
Second, to inform Utaha that he wouldn't be returning tonight—so she wouldn't worry.
As for her black stockings?
Well, she belonged to him anyway.
He could play with her legs whenever he wanted.
---
Suddenly—
The school bus jerked to a stop.
The abrupt braking caused everyone inside to lurch forward.
Lynn, still resting on Saeko's lap, was treated to a shaking visual feast.
"What, what happened?!"
Saya's voice wavered in panic.
Shizuka, looking troubled, replied, "The road ahead is blocked."
Everyone turned their eyes forward.
The road was clogged with abandoned vehicles.
It seemed that when the zombie outbreak first occurred, this place had suffered a massive traffic jam.
With no clear route forward, the bus was now stuck.
Saeko sighed. "Looks like we'll have to walk the rest of the way."
Her sword could easily cut down obstacles, but a pileup of cars was a different story.
Even with their current strength as Low-Class Devils, they could probably move the vehicles.
But it would take too long.
No one objected to the idea of walking, but then.
Lynn spoke.
"It's fine. Just drive through it."
"Huh?"
Rei and Saya, who had just unbuckled their seatbelts, froze.
Drive through?
They turned to him in bewilderment.
Did he not see how many cars were piled up ahead?!
But Saeko had no hesitation.
If her Master said to rush through, then they would rush through.
"Yaho~!"
Shizuka, unexpectedly, was excited.
"Bumper cars, engage!"
The school bus engine roared.
"Wait—!"
Rei tried to protest, but.
The bus took off like a rocket!
Crazy. This is insane!
Rei and Saya clutched their seats, eyes squeezed shut as they instinctively shielded their faces.
Snap.
Lynn snapped his fingers.
A black magic circle formed, completely enveloping the school bus.
A semicircular black barrier appeared, covering the vehicle entirely.
BOOM!
The school bus smashed into the first car, making a deafening crash.
But—
Under the protection of the barrier, the bus remained completely unharmed.
Inside, there wasn't even the slightest shake from the impact.
After a while, Rei hesitantly opened her eyes.
And her jaw dropped.
The school bus was plowing through the traffic jam like a tank, sending vehicles flying left and right.
"This…"
She was stunned speechless.
A moment later, she sighed in admiration.
"Supernatural power is so unfair."
---
After this little detour, the school bus continued onward.
By the time night had fully set in, they finally arrived at Minami Rika's house.
Lynn took a quick glance around.
A fairly spacious house, decent structure.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. This should be enough for the peerage to use for now."
After confirming with his magic that the house was zombie-free, he turned to Shizuka.
"Take them inside and start cleaning up. Saeko and I will handle the zombies outside."
"Yes, Master!" x2
(To be continued.)
Chapter 30: Let Me Bathe You Master
Bang!
Under the moonlit street—
Saeko exhaled heavily as she decapitated the last zombie in the area.
Her breathing gradually steadied as she rubbed her thighs, her face flushed.
"My body feels sticky…" she muttered vaguely.
Lynn leaned against a nearby wall, quietly watching Saeko's solo performance of carnage.
"What a beautiful feast of slaughter," he remarked, clapping his hands in approval.
Saeko lowered her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of self-reproach.
"I'm sorry… Master had to witness such an unsightly side of me."
"It's fine," Lynn replied casually. "I like the way you looked just now."
She was born for battle.
A perfect warrior, destined to hunt down monsters and grow stronger.
And with the skill [Yearning for Slaughter], Saeko's level would only rise faster.
Not only that, her potential far exceeded most of his peerage.
A rare talent.
Hearing Lynn's words, Saeko's eyes grew misty.
The lingering weight in her heart… vanished completely.
Her Master liked her true self.
The sheer excitement caused her body to tense involuntarily, nearly letting out an uncontrolled sound.
"Let's go," Lynn said. "It's time to update your status."
He was quite curious to see how much she had improved in a single night.
"Yes~"
Saeko's voice trembled slightly as she forced her body to follow him.
---
Minami Rika's House.
Lynn and Saeko stepped into the living room.
In the kitchen, Rei and Saya were busy counting ingredients and preparing dinner.
They understood their roles well.
When it came to combat, they couldn't compare to Lynn and the other two, who had supernatural abilities.
So they focused on logistics.
At the very least, they needed to contribute to the group.
If they simply freeloaded, taking protection for granted, they would be abandoned sooner or later.
And right now—
Lynn's group was the safest place in the world.
They couldn't afford to lose it.
Saeko took a glance at them and gave a satisfied nod.
Even though she had become a devil, she wasn't devoid of emotions.
She still cared about Rei, her former classmate.
At least now, Rei was proving herself useful.
That was good.
If Lynn ever decided to recruit them, perhaps they could become like her, devils with extraordinary power.
If not…
At the very least, they could keep Master company.
Yes, that would work too.
Saeko had already made plans for Rei and Saya's future in her mind.
---
Second Floor.
Finding a clean room, Saeko skillfully removed her uniform, leaving only her inner garments.
"Sorry, Master," she murmured. "I sweated a lot earlier… It might smell a little off."
…Though sweat might not be the only scent lingering on her body.
"It's fine. This won't take long."
Saeko let out a quiet breath of relief.
As long as Master didn't mind.
Lying down on the bed, she unfastened the back of her top, exposing her smooth, bare back.
Lynn conjured a small drop of his magic-infused blood and let it fall onto her skin.
A ripple spread out, her status appeared.
Saeko Busujima
Rank: Low-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0 → E435
Agility: i0 → G289
Endurance: i0 → F306
Magic: i0 → E411
Innate Skills:
[Yearning for Killing] (Omitted)
[Blade Devil] (Omitted)
Her growth rate was insane.
In just half a day, she had completely surpassed Utaha, who had joined the peerage first.
At this rate, Saeko could break past S-rank and reach SS, or even SSS, within a month.
"Saeko, I think you'll be the first in the peerage to evolve," Lynn noted as he recorded her status.
"Really?"
Saeko's eyes widened in surprise.
She hurriedly grabbed her updated status sheet, completely forgetting to fix her clothes.
"The highest stat already reached E…"
Even her body could feel the improvement.
"This is just from today's gains," Lynn explained. "You've already surpassed most people."
Since she had no reference point, he gave her a comparison.
"Utaha's first update only increased her stats by a little over 100 points."
Understanding finally dawned on Saeko.
Her progress was terrifying.
A quick calculation told her that her total stat gain was around 1,500 points.
That was ten times more than Utaha's.
Saeko's eyes flickered as she stared at her skill, [Yearning for Killing].
So this was the reason.
She had always tried to suppress her true nature.
But now, after becoming part of Master's peerage, it had become her greatest strength.
She could finally let herself go.
All of this… was because of Master.
Her gaze filled with determination.
She grasped Lynn's hand firmly, looking straight into his eyes.
"Master, I will become the sharpest blade in your hand!"
She guided his palm, leading it across her bare shoulders and down to her chest.
"Do you feel my resolve?"
Lynn… definitely felt it.
"Hmm~"
Saeko's breath hitched, her face flushed as she met his gaze.
"I think I need to feel it more deeply," Lynn said, his expression serious.
Saeko's heartbeat quickened.
She didn't resist in the slightest.
From the moment she became part of his peerage.
She belonged to him.
"Saeko is all sweaty," she whispered, her voice sultry. "Please allow me to bathe you first, Master."
(To be continued.)