Chapter 51: Mommy?
"Eh? Is someone cosplaying in that classroom?"
At Shuchiin Academy.
A blonde girl, exuding a striking presence, curiously observed the scene before her.
"Ah… it's gone."
Inside the Supernatural Investigation Club.
Lynn retracted his wings back into his body.
Impersonating a Fallen Angel Governor…
It was somewhat amusing, but not particularly thrilling.
Right now, his Peerage's growth was the top priority.
At the current rate, the zombies in the base within the Zombie World were almost wiped out.
If this continued, their training efficiency would only decline.
Should I consider relocating the base?
No rush. I'll wait for Saeko's report first.
After she was promoted to a Mid-Class Devil, he had assigned her to explore further regions alone.
Hopefully, she would discover something useful, perhaps even a suitable new base.
Additionally, now that Saeko had reached Mid-Class, he wasn't sure if fighting zombies still provided her with meaningful experience.
Lynn opened his system panel.
The Devil's Summoning skill remained unchanged.
He still didn't know when he would gain access to a second different world.
Nowadays, his Peerage had no shortage of talent, and they already controlled one world, making common resources readily available.
Typically, Lynn arranged for his members to gather rare materials and sell them in the main world.
This ensured that even after graduation, none of them had to worry about finding a job.
Lynn even felt that the house he had purchased earlier was becoming a little cramped.
Fortunately, Sona had gifted him a house before, which wasn't bad at all.
Speaking of Sona, his mind naturally drifted to Rias.
"Now that I think about it, Rias really gave me a generous gift this time."
The Blazing Spear was a perfect match for Mahiru.
The basic magic knowledge from before might not have been a big deal.
But the super-tier magic she gave him, Lightning Strike was clearly a gesture of goodwill, offered just because she was curious about Utaha's abilities.
And this time?
A mere compliment, and she gifted him such a valuable weapon?
Rias truly saw him as a friend.
After considering it, Lynn decided it was worth maintaining his connection with such a generous benefactor.
He pulled out his phone and found Rias's contact on LINE.
Lynn: Rias, the gift was perfect. Thanks for this, I'll treat you to a meal sometime!
After sending the message, he stroked his chin.
This… should be fine, right?
Just then, his phone rang.
Lynn assumed it was Rias, but instead, it was a notification from the Chat Group.
Busujima Saeko: Master, during my exploration, I found a woman claiming to be Takagi Saya's mother.
Busujima Saeko: [Image].jpg
Clicking on the picture, a woman with long, purple hair and a mature allure came into view.
She looked utterly exhausted.
Drill Twin Ponytail Girl: !!
Drill Twin Ponytail Girl: That's Mom!!
Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Seriously…?"
He recalled that Takagi Yuriko should have had a temporary safe house, right?
After pondering for a moment, he responded in the group.
Sigma Man: What's her condition?
Busujima Saeko: When I found her, she was completely drained and about to be surrounded by zombies. I rescued her just in time.
—Inside the Zombie World—
Takagi Saya stared at the group messages, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Sigma Man: In that case, bring her back.
"Ugh!"
Saya covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.
Mom… She's safe!
—Meanwhile, at Kuoh Academy—
Inside the Occult Research Club.
Sona silently stared at Rias.
Rias, gripping her phone, awkwardly twirled her hair with her fingers.
Earlier, when she had left her phone on the table, Sona had accidentally caught a glimpse of the message from Lynn.
And now, things had become like this.
Sona's voice was calm but sharp. "When did your relationship become so close?"
Dinner?
No—this was a date invitation!
And what's with the gift?
Did Rias secretly give Lynn a present behind her back?!
"Ahaha, it's just a trivial item," Rias replied with a forced laugh.
Well… Blazing Spear was hardly "trivial" anymore.
Rias remained composed. "I've been helping Lynn out quite a bit lately. Isn't it natural for him to treat me to a meal in return?"
She carefully observed Sona's reaction and felt relieved when she didn't seem too upset.
Then, with a firm nod, she solemnly declared, "Don't worry, Sona. He's your fiancé. How could I possibly do anything to your fiancé?"
Hearing this, Sona let out a subtle sigh of relief.
She wasn't sure why, but she felt reassured.
However…
There was something she had overlooked.
Due to how things had played out when she first met Lynn, she had been hesitant to meet him directly.
Even when she wanted to give him something, she had done so through Rias.
As a result, Rias and Lynn's relationship had naturally deepened.
And yet, she was supposed to be his fiancée.
This couldn't continue!
Regardless.
Watching Rias and Lynn grow closer made her uncomfortable.
Sona had to take action!
—Meanwhile, back in the Zombie World—
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lynn. Thank you for taking care of my daughter all this time."
Lynn looked at her with an odd expression.
This mother and daughter pair… really knew how to act humble.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 52: I'm Ready
Lynn looked down at the voluptuous beauty before him.
Takagi Yuriko lowered her head, allowing Lynn to examine her.
After hearing everything Saeko had told her along the way, she understood that the man in front of her was the absolute ruler of this place.
More importantly, she had learned that her daughter was alive and well here.
The overwhelming relief of knowing Saya was safe filled her heart with gratitude toward Lynn.
She was so thankful that she wouldn't complain, even if she had to endure something extreme from him.
At the same time, she couldn't forget the breathtaking display of power from Saeko when she rescued her.
The dense horde of zombies had been decapitated in an instant, collapsing like dominoes.
It was an unbelievable supernatural feat.
Seeing it firsthand, Yuriko fully accepted that this world contained powers beyond human comprehension.
Even someone as strong as Saeko acknowledged Lynn as her master, without the slightest resistance.
There had to be a reason for this.
She might not fully grasp it yet, but one thing was clear, Lynn stood at the pinnacle here.
So, her best option was simple—be obedient.
She even took the initiative to display her worth.
If she wanted to stay, she couldn't afford to be useless.
She didn't have any naïve expectations that Lynn would take her in just because she was Saya's mother.
Yet, after enduring so many days of exhaustion, running for her life, and desperately searching for her daughter, she was mentally and physically drained.
She could collapse at any moment.
Noticing her condition, Lynn didn't say much. He simply ordered, "Saya, take your mother to rest first."
"Thank you, Master!"
Saya looked at Lynn gratefully, her eyes slightly red, before helping her mother to a room.
Master.
Yuriko cast her daughter a strange look.
She couldn't tell how Saya had been living these days.
But…
She had changed.
Calling him "Master" so naturally…
It was an unexpected and bold way to address someone.
Yet, Yuriko could tell Saya was calling him that of her own free will.
Before she had a chance to speak with her daughter, exhaustion took over, and she collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
Living Room.
Rei, watching the touching reunion between Saya and her mother, felt her eyes sting with emotion.
Is my mother still alive?
---
Lynn's Bedroom.
Lynn updated Saeko's Blessings.
His brows furrowed. "There's barely any increase."
Saeko silently examined the status screen in her hands.
"It looks like zombies no longer provide me with any growth."
"It can't be helped…"
Saeko let out a sigh.
Cutting down zombies had become effortless, easier than slicing vegetables.
Naturally, they no longer provided any meaningful experience.
"Hmm…"
Lynn thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, when I get the chance, I'll take you to my world for training."
Even if the efficiency wasn't as high, at least she'd still gain some experience.
Saeko's eyes lit up with excitement. "Master's world? I'm looking forward to it."
She wanted to know more about him.
After that, Saeko gave Lynn a detailed report on her exploration progress.
Then, they moved on to something more enjoyable.
Utaha, hiding in the corner, secretly eavesdropped for a while.
Her face burned red.
She clenched her fists.
Tomorrow—absolutely!
Absolutely!
Absolutely must send herself to Lynn's bed!!!
---
Late at Night.
Takagi Yuriko was jolted awake by a high-pitched sound, stretched thin with tension.
She turned her head.
Her daughter's face came into view.
But it wasn't the peaceful sleeping face she expected.
Saya's cheeks were flushed, her breathing ragged, her eyes hazy with an intoxicating glow.
Yuriko's body stiffened, then instinctively glanced downward.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
As if sensing her mother's gaze, Saya turned her head.
Their eyes met.
Saya froze.
Then, her entire face went beet red.
She suddenly sprang upright, her hands flailing wildly, as if scrambling to find an explanation.
But words failed her.
It was impossible to explain this clearly!
Yuriko observed her daughter's frantic embarrassment.
Then, she merely smiled softly, stood up, and gently patted Saya's head.
With a voice full of nostalgia, she murmured, "Saya… you've grown up."
"Hngh…!"
Saya wished she could vanish on the spot.
Seeing her daughter's distress, Yuriko gracefully changed the subject.
"Saya, tell me about this place."
She had only just arrived.
Her priority had been finding her daughter, so she hadn't fully processed the nature of this world yet.
Saya, latching onto the lifeline of conversation, immediately began explaining everything she had experienced so far.
A while later. Yuriko finally understood everything.
The master of this place was actually a devil.
And every woman here was his follower.
Even her own daughter was no exception.
It wasn't difficult for her to accept.
She had already witnessed Saeko's supernatural power firsthand.
It was impossible to deny reality at this point.
For her daughter to belong to another person?
She felt no sadness or resentment about it.
In the apocalypse, survival was already a miracle.
Saya wasn't just surviving—she was thriving.
She had no worries about food or safety, and she had even gained supernatural abilities.
Why should Yuriko feel sad?
If anything, she should be grateful.
The only regret she had was.
Saya had taken so long to submit herself to Lynn.
Wouldn't this put her at a disadvantage compared to the others?
If it were her, she would've secured her position within a few days.
But…
Yuriko gently reached out, brushing Saya's hair.
Saya was still young.
She probably didn't even realize the benefits of being close to someone like Lynn.
She didn't understand just how lucky she was to have met him in the apocalypse.
After all, with Saya's stubborn personality, it was already surprising she had come this far.
Yuriko sighed again.
"Saya, you've grown up."
But…
That wasn't enough.
Compared to the others, Saya was falling behind.
Both in Lynn's favor and in everything else.
And besides—
What use could she offer in a place full of devils?
Yuriko's eyes hardened with resolve.
"Saya, I'll help you."
"Huh?"
Saya blinked, confused by her mother's sudden declaration.
Yuriko simply smiled mysteriously and said nothing.
Here, she had no practical skills to contribute.
The Next Morning.
Early dawn.
Utaha dragged Saeko into a secluded corner.
Her face was flushed with hesitation.
"Saeko, tonight… can I ask you…?"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 53: Put Her In Place
Saeko's eyes lit up, and she smiled in relief. "Utaha, are you finally taking this step?"
As the most traditional woman of the Busujima family, she was always happy to help her master expand his harem.
Utaha crossed her arms, her tone carrying a hint of shyness. "Tsk, it's because you're hogging Lynn too much."
Uh…
Was that true?
Saeko paused, reflecting on the accusation.
It… actually did seem true.
Feeling slightly guilty, she offered an awkward smile.
There was no helping it, it was just too tempting.
But still, she spoke with a solemn nod. "Sorry, I won't do it again!"
It was only fair not to monopolize their master.
Utaha opened her mouth, momentarily stunned.
As expected.
This woman was the type all men adored.
Her expression turned complicated.
She had lost… completely.
But tonight—
She would win it all back!
Clenching her fists, her eyes burned with determination.
"Saeko, I'll leave it to you tonight!"
"No problem!"
Saeko readily agreed to Utaha's request.
It was just a matter of switching rooms—no big deal.
Still, she was curious about what Utaha was planning.
3 PM.
Inside the Supernatural Investigation Club.
Utaha first returned to the home she shared with Lynn, carefully packing a certain combat outfit into her bag.
Then, with a highly suspicious aura, she snuck into the Supernatural Investigation Club, her face flushed.
Lynn noticed her odd behavior, raising a brow.
"Utaha, are you evolving or something?"
His teasing remark made Utaha react like a startled cat.
She shuddered before blurting out nonsense, "E-Evolve? Ahaha, yeah… something like that?"
…Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Lynn eyed her suspiciously.
Utaha, in turn, clutched her bag tightly, her eyes darting everywhere, sweat forming on her forehead.
Just then—
Knock, knock!
A sudden knock at the clubroom door.
Lynn was surprised.
Even Miko and Mahiru were momentarily stunned.
"People actually visit the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
Miko and Mahiru exchanged puzzled glances, sensing the peculiarity of the situation.
Only Utaha looked relieved, as if she had been saved by the interruption.
"Come in."
Though surprised, Lynn saw no reason to turn away visitors.
Swish—
The door swung open.
A girl with long black hair and a cold, refined aura stepped inside.
Her sharp eyes scanned the supernatural-themed room with curiosity.
Behind her, a girl with bun-like twin tails timidly peeked in.
Noticing the gazes of Lynn and the others, the second girl smiled awkwardly before greeting them hesitantly.
"Uh, h-hello?"
The Supernatural Investigation Club gave off an ominous vibe…
Could there really be ghosts or something?
She kept nervously glancing around, trying to spot anything unusual, while at the same time, hiding behind the black-haired beauty.
It was Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui.
Lynn instantly recognized them.
But he had no idea why they were here.
"Is this the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
Yukino's cold, crisp voice carried through the room.
Her sharp eyes took in the people inside.
One guy, surrounded by three incredibly beautiful girls.
Her brows furrowed ever so slightly.
"It is," Lynn replied, pointing at the club nameplate on the table.
Yukino, still expressionless, tilted her head slightly.
"Sorry. For a second, I thought I walked into a Harem Club by mistake."
…
Miko and Mahiru blinked, visibly surprised.
Then, their expressions became subtle.
Because, well.
She wasn't exactly wrong.
"Hoh~?"
Utaha gave Yukino an amused look.
Sharp girl.
Her observations were on point.
Yet—
No one refuted her statement.
Yukino's frown deepened.
What kind of club was this?
She turned her scrutinizing gaze toward the only male in the room.
"You're the president of the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
Lynn simply stared at her, his red eyes calm and unreadable.
He didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
And yet, just his gaze alone…
Yukino's breath hitched.
Even though he was merely looking at her, she felt an indescribable pressure weighing down on her chest.
It was suffocating.
Her lips parted slightly as she bit down lightly, her pride refusing to let her falter.
But deep down, fear crept in.
This man…
Her heart raced, sweat forming on her forehead as her body subtly trembled.
Why?
Why was she reacting like this?
Her breathing grew erratic.
"Yukino?"
Yui, noticing her distress, gently tugged on her sleeve.
And just like that.
The pressure vanished.
Plop!
Yukino's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the cold floor.
"Eh?! Yukino!"
Yui gasped, immediately squatting down to check on her.
"Haa… haa…"
Yukino panted heavily, her eyes dazed.
"Yukino, are you okay?!"
Yui, worried, started sweating herself.
It took a moment, but Yukino slowly regained her senses.
With a weak wave of her hand, she muttered, "I'm fine."
Bracing herself, she pushed off the ground and stood up again.
Lynn, meanwhile, rested his chin on his hands, his red eyes deep and unreadable.
"Now…"
"Can we have a proper conversation?"
Yukino hesitated.
Then, for the first time.
She lowered her head.
"…I apologize."
…
Ah.
She got put in her place.
Miko and Mahiru thought the same thing at that moment.
Utaha fought back a smirk.
No way, this was too funny.
To be honest—
She deserved to be humbled.
Strutting in with that judgmental attitude, who was going to give her face?
"So, what's your business here?"
Yukino exhaled before responding honestly.
"It was Minamiya-sensei who recommended me to come here."
…
Lynn felt a headache coming on.
That woman.
She was always dragging him into things.
He pulled out his phone and immediately sent a message.
Lynn: Natsuki, what the hell are you doing?
Natsuki Minamiya: Isn't your club supposed to deal with supernatural events?
Natsuki Minamiya: [Screenshot]
Lynn narrowed his eyes at the proof she sent.
It was a form from when the club was established, stating that the Supernatural Investigation Club would handle supernatural cases.
In other words.
They were technically accepting commissions for supernatural incidents.
…
Okay.
Fine.
There was such a rule.
"Alright," Lynn sighed. "Tell me about your request."
Yukino, still slightly shaken, let out a relieved breath before beginning her explanation.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 54: Miko The Traitor (BONUS)
"Wait… our club actually accepts commissions?"
As they walked toward the old school building, Utaha couldn't help but voice her confusion.
Back at the Supernatural Investigation Club, Yukinoshita Yukino had already explained the situation.
The school was planning to renovate the old school building, and as part of the process, the student council had started surveying the area.
However, strange supernatural occurrences kept happening inside.
Some students claimed to have seen shadows.
Others said that tables and chairs moved on their own.
And some even swore they had seen Hanako-san in the bathroom.
With rumors spiraling out of control, Fujiwara Chika, the student council secretary, had initially sought help from the Service Club.
Yukino, who had scoffed at the idea of ghost stories terrifying students, had taken on the request without hesitation.
And then…
They had fled in embarrassment.
Because the chairs really did move.
This was also why Yuigahama Yui had been so hesitant when stepping into the Supernatural Investigation Club earlier.
The experience had left a mark on her.
Unwilling to accept defeat, Yukino had turned to the Supernatural Investigation Club, on Natsuki Minamiya's recommendation.
And so, everything that had just happened unfolded.
That said…
Now that she thought about it, if there was already a Supernatural Investigation Club, why had Fujiwara Chika not approached them first?
Yukino couldn't help but mentally complain.
But as she followed behind the group, she felt her eyelids twitch when she heard Utaha's remark.
Were these people… reliable?
Then, remembering the pressure she had felt inside the club earlier, she subconsciously glanced toward Lynn.
Just who was he?
"Yukino, are you sure about this?"
Yui's face filled with concern.
Wasn't Yukino still a little shaken?
Was this really a good idea?
The shadow of the old school building incident still loomed over them.
So why—
Why go back?!
Meanwhile, at a distance…
A short-haired girl with an energetic vibe blinked in surprise.
"Is that… Miko?"
When Yurikawa Hana spotted Miko, her eyes lit up.
But then—
She suddenly remembered how things had been lately, and her expression darkened.
"Traitor Miko!"
"Ever since you joined that club, you completely abandoned me!"
A month ago, they were always going home together, but out of nowhere, Miko had started avoiding her.
Wasn't she lonely every night without her?
Hmph!
She had tried asking what club Miko had joined, but the girl had refused to answer directly.
Well then…
Now she had caught her red-handed!
Yurikawa Hana narrowed her eyes and quietly followed behind, making sure not to alert Miko.
She was determined to uncover the mystery of this so-called Supernatural Investigation Club!
---
Old School Building.
Miko looked up at the decrepit structure and immediately felt uneasy.
"Could this place be the lair of a cursed spirit?"
Her Spirit-Seer Devil eyes saw everything clearly.
Aside from the first floor, the entire old school building was shrouded in resentment.
A thick fog of black and purple malice coiled around the structure, suffocating its surroundings.
Only the first floor was spared.
Considering how deeply the curse had seeped in, it was a miracle that the student council members and Yukino had managed to escape unharmed.
Miko silently glanced at Yukino and Yui, her expression subtle.
"What's wrong?"
Yukino frowned at Miko's staring.
"She's just glad you made it out alive," Utaha smirked from behind her, blowing softly on her neck.
"Eh—?!"
Yukino shuddered violently, glaring at her.
What was with this life-or-death nonsense?!
Sure, she had been startled by the floating chairs earlier, but in the end, she had walked away fine, hadn't she?
And the student council members were just frightened, nothing else.
This woman was exaggerating!
Honestly, the only person in this club who seemed somewhat capable was the president.
"Are we really going in?"
Mahiru hesitated.
Even though she didn't have Miko's Spirit-Seer Devil abilities, as a devil, she could still sense supernatural forces.
And what she saw was the same as Miko.
Yes…
This place was Hell.
Lynn, however, remained expressionless.
He casually sensed the energy inside.
It was just a Grade 1 cursed spirit.
Nothing worth mentioning.
But for Miko and the others, this was serious business.
Still, this could be a valuable experience for them.
Even if they were just spectators, they could gain plenty of insight.
That said…
Lynn frowned.
Lynn: A cursed spirit covering an entire school building, and no one's dealing with it?
Natsuki Minamiya: Haha, you'd have to ask the idiots on the school board about that.
Lynn: "…"
Of course.
No matter where you went, bureaucracy was always the same.
But…
They expected him to work for free?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Lynn: A Grade 1 cursed item as payment isn't too much to ask, right?
Natsuki Minamiya: I'll apply for it.
It wasn't her money, after all.
Inside the faculty office, Natsuki Minamiya casually approved the request.
She had no issue selling someone else's assets.
Back at the Old School Building. Lynn nodded in satisfaction.
Lynn: Natsuki-chan's guarantees are reliable.
Natsuki Minamiya: DON'T ADD HONORIFICS TO MY NAME!!!
Lynn put away his phone and gazed toward the third floor of the old school building.
His eyes pierced through the layers of purple mist, seeing the truth hidden within.
His lips curled into a grin.
"A mere Grade 1 cursed spirit making such a scene? Tsk."
Seeing his expression, Utaha and the others instantly understood.
That cursed spirit was doomed.
"Let's go," Lynn said, shaking his phone. "Someone's already offered a good price."
"Cursed item?"
Utaha and the others blinked in confusion.
"It's a special weapon," Lynn explained, before turning to Miko.
"You'll be the main attacker this time."
Miko's eyes widened.
"Huh?! Me?!"
Fighting a Grade 1 cursed spirit?!
"Don't worry," Lynn reassured her. "I'll back you up. Once you've gained enough experience, I'll finish it off."
Lynn glanced at his followers, sighing.
Not one of them was ready to take the lead.
Sigh…
When will I ever get to live a carefree life?
"..."
"So… can someone explain all this to us?"
Yukino raised her hand.
From the start, these people had been throwing around strange terms.
Cursed spirit?
Cursed items?
What the hell was all this?
And wasn't this supposed to be a commission from the Service Club?
What was this talk of payment?
Who had even offered a reward?!
She had no idea that the Service Club had just been Natsuki Minamiya's middleman.
From the start, this was always her commission to Lynn.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 55: Same Fate
"To put it simply, there's a cursed spirit lurking in the old school building. That's all you need to know."
Lynn had no interest in explaining further.
Besides, it wasn't exactly beneficial for ordinary people to know too much.
Yukino opened her mouth, about to argue.
As the client, shouldn't they have the right to know?
But the moment her eyes met Lynn's, she instinctively shrank back.
That engrained fear, it was something she had never experienced before.
It was etched into her very being, rendering her unable to speak.
She could only bite her lip and sulk in silence.
This was the first time in her life she had encountered such an unreasonable man.
The first who completely disregarded the unspoken rules of human society.
Even her sister couldn't do that.
And yet…
For some reason, an unexplainable emotion stirred within her.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself.
Then, she cast Lynn a complicated look.
At this moment.
This man was the rule.
And somehow, she didn't even have the courage to refute him.
…She was losing terribly.
But—
At least this wasn't a complete loss.
Lynn's words had given her some information.
Cursed spirit.
That must be the technical term for ghosts and evil spirits, right?
So…
Ghosts really exist.
She pursed her lips.
The floating chair back then.
It wasn't an illusion at all.
—
"Y-Yukino…"
Yui looked pale, her expression torn between fear and helplessness.
Ghosts are scary!!!
"We've taken over the incident in the old school building," Lynn said plainly.
"If you're scared, you're free to leave."
Honestly, their presence didn't matter to him.
That being said.
Yukino and Yui were definitely talented individuals.
The moment they stepped into the club, his Evil Pieces skill on the system panel had started flashing.
But—
They needed some training first.
"Go back?"
Yui's eyes lit up.
Did that mean…
She didn't have to face ghosts?!
Great!
She turned quickly, pleading with her eyes at Yukino.
But—
Yukino hesitated.
She clenched her fists.
She was…
A little unwilling to back down.
Huff~
She exhaled, her eyes firming with resolve.
"I want to go."
After all—
It was just a floating chair, right?
Sure, it was scary.
But—
She wanted to see the truth of the world.
"Yuigahama-san, you can head back first. I'll complete the Service Club's request alone."
Yukino wanted to see this through.
But there was no need to drag Yui along.
After all, they wouldn't necessarily have to face the ghost directly.
This was just her own selfish decision.
Yui was stunned for a moment.
Then, without hesitation.
"No! If Yukino is going, I'm going too!"
Even if she was scared, she could grit her teeth and push through.
To be honest.
She had zero confidence in herself.
But if Yukino was alone, she'd be scared too.
As her friend, she couldn't leave her behind!
Yukino was momentarily speechless.
"No, you really don't have to—"
"I'm part of the Service Club too, right?"
Yui interrupted, flashing a bright, reassuring smile.
"And besides—"
"We're friends! There's no way I'd let Yukino face this alone!"
Friends.
Yukino's eyes wavered slightly.
Her body trembled slightly with nerves.
But…
It didn't feel bad.
For just a moment.
A barely noticeable smile flickered across her lips.
"Alright," she said softly. "Let's go together."
Seeing their decision, Lynn nodded.
"Good. Then let's get ready to move."
"But first—"
"Let's deal with the little spy following us."
Lynn turned his head, his crimson eyes locking onto a certain spot.
There, peeking out from behind a wall, was a short-haired girl with an energetic look.
Her curious gaze was glued to them, watching their every move.
But the second their eyes met.
She froze.
"Ah… I've been caught."
Miko followed Lynn's gaze and immediately recognized the girl.
"H..Hana?"
"Hehehe!"
Now that she had been discovered, Yurikawa Hana walked out with a big grin.
Then, she trotted up to Miko, grabbing her arm.
That… exaggerated size.
Every time Hana hugged her, Miko couldn't help but lament her own figure.
"Hana, what are you doing here?"
Miko asked, confused.
"It's all because of you, Miko!"
Hana huffed angrily.
"I kept asking about your club, but you wouldn't tell me anything!"
"So, I followed you to find out myself!"
"Ahaha…"
Miko smiled awkwardly.
Well, after all.
The Supernatural Investigation Club was a devil's base.
Hana was just an ordinary girl.
She couldn't even see cursed spirits.
Bringing her into this world…
Wouldn't that be dangerous?
"And also—"
Hana's voice turned slightly resentful.
"You haven't gone shopping with me in forever…"
"Ah, uh…"
Miko started sweating.
It was true.
Recently, she had been neglecting Hana.
She spent every day going to the Zombie World to train.
She barely had time for anything else.
"Sorry, sorry!"
Miko quickly apologized.
"Alright, I forgive you!"
Hana patted her chest with a smug grin.
That easy?
Miko was stunned.
She didn't even have to bribe her with sweets?!
"Hehe."
Hana's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"But—"
"I want in on today's club activity!"
Miko's smile stiffened.
"Huh?"
"I heard everything!"
Hana's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"The old school building exploration sounds so fun!"
She clenched her fists, determined.
"This club is awesome! I want to join!"
"That way, I can spend more time with Miko!"
"And I can do fun activities too!"
"Perfect!"
Miko was speechless.
"Wait!"
She was about to refuse, but—
"Hana-chan~"
Hana suddenly pouted, her eyes welling up with fake tears.
Miko's resolve shattered instantly.
…This felt bad.
Something about this felt really bad.
Why did she have a feeling that Hana might also end up becoming one of Lynn's followers?
Good sisters…
Sharing the same fate?
(To be continued.)
Chapter 56: Yuuko Kanoe (BONUS)
"Is this really okay?"
"Letting an ordinary person…?"
Yukino sighed, glancing at Hana, who was chatting and laughing with Miko.
She actually followed along.
She didn't realize the seriousness of the situation at all.
It was as if they were just on an elementary school outing.
"Ordinary person?"
Lynn reminded her, "Aren't you the same?"
Uh…
Yukino blinked.
Indeed… that was true.
Lynn mercilessly added, "The only difference is whether it's one burden or two."
Hmm…
She couldn't refute that…
On the other side, Utaha suddenly spoke up. "By the way, it turns out you guys took the name 'Service Club' ahead of time?"
Yukino: "?"
"Could it be…?"
"That's right." Utaha crossed her arms and continued, "We originally wanted to use that name for this club, but you got it first."
Heh…
So there really was someone else who wanted to use that name.
Yukino silently complained in her heart.
But…
She glanced at the three beautiful girls of the Supernatural Investigation Club, each with their own unique charm, then at Lynn, and said in a subtle tone:
"It certainly would have lived up to the name, Service Club."
Compared to them, her club seemed more like a glorified title.
"Heh, the fact that you thought of that name means your mind isn't pure at all."
As the group stepped into the old school building, a sudden chill swept over them.
Yukino and Yui shivered, rubbing their hands together.
"It feels even colder than when we came here last time."
She couldn't help but glance at Lynn and the others.
Ah…
They seemed completely unaffected.
Not even Hana?
"Eh? What's wrong with you guys?"
Hana walked over, curiosity in her eyes.
"You… don't feel the cold?" Yukino asked hesitantly.
"Hmm…"
Hana thought for a moment, then smiled brightly and said, "Not at all."
"Heh, it seems you're the only ordinary ones here."
Utaha taunted.
Yukino secretly gritted her teeth.
This woman was really venomous.
Lynn ignored the exchange between Utaha and Yukino.
His gaze shifted slightly to the right and landed on Yurikawa Hana.
Utaha and the others might not be able to see it.
But he could.
That life energy was practically overflowing.
Another talent.
Once this matter was settled, he'd have to find a way to bring her into the fold.
Then, he looked back at the school building.
The moment they stepped onto the first floor of the old building, a woman's voice echoed.
She seemed to be complaining about something.
"Why are more and more people coming to the old school building lately?"
"Ah…"
A helpless sigh came from deep inside.
Then, Lynn saw a worn-out chair float up, swaying as it flew toward them.
"It's here!"
Yui exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth, afraid of disturbing whatever it was.
But her body trembled uncontrollably.
A ghost!
It's a ghost!
Yukino stopped arguing with Utaha.
Seeing the same eerie sight as before, her pupils shrank.
Hana, on the other hand, widened her eyes in amazement.
"Wow! That's so cool!"
The terrifying scene left Yukino and Yui speechless.
Only Hana seemed excited, completely unaware of the danger.
But while they found it horrifying, Lynn and the others saw something entirely different.
"Hey!"
A tall, voluptuous beauty with long black hair, fair skin, and narrow eyes floated in the air, struggling to hold up a tattered chair.
She muttered in an exaggerated tone:
"Look, look~! It's a floating chair~! Run away quickly, or the big ghost will eat you~!"
Lynn and the others: "…"
The ghost girl floated there for a while.
Seeing that none of them reacted, she finally sighed and set the chair down, panting.
"Damn, are students these days really this fearless?"
In the blink of an eye, she appeared right in front of them.
"Hey! Why aren't you running?"
She floated in front of Yukino and shouted at her, only to see Yukino staring blankly at the chair she had just put down.
"Strange… why did the chair suddenly stop moving?"
Yuuko Kanoe: "…"
Of course, it's because I got tired!
She sighed. As expected, no one could see her.
But she had to find a way to make them leave.
The big ghost upstairs was too terrifying!
If they barged in, things would turn disastrous.
She subconsciously passed by Hana and stopped in front of Lynn.
Hmm…
That girl's life energy was strong and burning hot.
"Oh? A boy surrounded by girls?"
Yuuko Kanoe teased, then waved a hand in front of his face.
"Can you see me? Can you?"
Nothing.
No reaction.
Alright, he probably couldn't see her either.
Even so, she had to try something.
She had scared off plenty of students lately with supernatural events.
This time, it had to work!
Just as she was about to leave.
Snap.
A broad, warm hand grabbed her wrist.
"Eh?"
Yuuko Kanoe, who had been floating in the air, suddenly froze.
She leaned back slightly, eyes widening in shock.
"This… Miss Ghost?"
Lynn smiled. "Mind telling me what's going on here?"
"You—you—you can see me?!"
Yuuko Kanoe's red eyes widened, filled with surprise and joy.
"Of course."
Lynn nodded and gestured toward Yukino, Yui, and Hana.
"Aside from those three, everyone else here can see you."
The rest were all devils, so naturally, they could perceive her.
Hearing this, Yuuko's pale face lit up with uncontrollable excitement.
Then, she lunged at Lynn, pressing up against him.
She tilted her head up, her eyes sparkling. "Really? Really? Really?"
Lynn looked down slightly.
Her lips were close, almost as if he could feel her breath.
Well, if ghosts even needed to breathe.
"This ghost lady, we can all see you," Utaha stepped forward with a fake smile and casually pulled Yuuko off Lynn.
"Ah~"
Yuuko let out a contented sigh.
Decades.
She had floated here alone for decades.
No one could see her.
And today—
So many people could!
She was overjoyed!
For a moment, she basked in her happiness.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, her face stiffened.
"Wait! If you could see me this whole time…"
"Then you saw me pretending to be a ghost just now?"
Miko and the others nodded.
"Ugh…"
Yuuko suddenly let out a miserable groan.
"Why didn't anyone stop me?!"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 57: This Is The Real World (BONUS)
If no one saw her, it would be considered a bizarre supernatural event.
But they had seen her.
And that made it feel… a bit ridiculous.
Yuuko awkwardly tapped her foot in the air.
Miko was surprised. "Eh? Ghosts can get embarrassed?"
Yuuko retorted loudly, "Ghosts were humans too, you know!"
"Uh, sorry, sorry!"
Miko scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"You… are you really communicating with a ghost?"
Yukino's voice trembled slightly, while Yui shrank behind her, too scared to even peek out.
"Eh? Where? Where's Miss Ghost?"
Hana looked around, shaking her head back and forth as if trying to spot something.
Miko: "…"
You really are something, Hana.
But this ghost was different from the ones she had encountered before.
Not only could she communicate, but she also seemed to be creating incidents to scare students away.
A kind ghost.
Meanwhile, Lynn looked at the glowing [Evil Piece] on his panel, then at the ghost floating in front of him. His expression turned strange.
Can ghosts be turned into peerage members?
Is this… diversity in the Devil race?
Adhering to his usual approach of studying the [Evil Piece], Lynn felt it was worth trying.
Once this commission was over, he'd find an excuse to recruit her.
For now, he put the thought aside and listened to her story.
The ghost's name was Yuuko Kanoe.
An old ghost.
A groundbound spirit.
Because she was stuck here and had nothing to do, she spent most of her time sleeping.
Then, one day, when she woke up, the atmosphere of the old school building had completely changed.
It was now crawling with cursed spirits.
Of course, they were just low-grade cursed spirits and didn't pose a direct threat to her.
But they were invading her territory.
Mainly, they were just disgusting.
Then, at some point, a barrier had appeared in the old school building, preventing the cursed spirits from escaping.
So, Yuuko drove them all to the second floor and moved the barrier to the stairs to keep them trapped.
As a result, the cursed spirits began to devour each other, eventually forming a composite monster.
Even Yuuko was a bit frightened.
She hadn't expected that driving them to the second floor would actually accelerate the creation of a terrifying cursed spirit.
If not for the barrier, she might have already been eliminated.
But now, the barrier was full of cracks, and she had no idea how much longer it would last.
Still, Yuuko was surprisingly calm.
She had been a ghost for decades, with nothing much to do every day.
Dying completely didn't seem like a big deal.
After listening to her story, Lynn quickly grasped the situation.
Someone was deliberately cultivating cursed spirits.
By trapping them in a closed environment and allowing them to cannibalize each other, they were producing stronger cursed spirits.
Yuuko's decision to confine them upstairs had only sped up the process.
No wonder Natsuki said the people on the board of directors were idiots.
Cursed spirits were easy to breed but hard to control.
If one of them went rogue, it would spell disaster.
Lynn had Miko explain the situation to the three who couldn't see the supernatural.
Yukino was surprised. "So the floating chair was just Yuuko's way of keeping students away?"
Unexpectedly, she was a kind ghost.
But…
Yukino glanced up.
As expected, she still couldn't see anything.
She frowned before sighing. "Even if you tell me there's something terrifying up there, it won't feel real if I can't see it."
She couldn't help but glance at Lynn and the others.
Aside from Lynn, could they all see?
Was it something innate, or was there a method?
After a brief hesitation, she asked, "Is there a way for us to see it too?"
Lynn glanced at her. "Of course there is."
"But… are you sure you want to?"
"Once you see the real world, there's no going back."
His tone was calm, but something about it made Yukino and Yui's skin crawl.
After a brief pause, Yukino gritted her teeth. "I'd rather understand everything than remain ignorant!"
"Utaha, give her a buff."
Following Lynn's instructions, Utaha summoned the Devil Tome.
Devils had plenty of spells to grant humans temporary spirit vision.
As the floating tome opened in Utaha's hands, Yukino's pupils shrank.
Does this woman actually have supernatural abilities?!
Utaha activated a ghost-seeing spell through the Devil Tome.
A golden beam shot into Yukino's eyes.
She instinctively closed them.
A strange sensation washed over her vision.
When she opened her eyes again.
A black-haired woman floated in the air before her.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Is this… Miss Ghost?"
She really was floating.
Taking a deep breath, she looked up toward the second floor.
And then—
"Hngh…!"
Her pupils shrank, and a chilling sensation rushed down her spine.
Cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
A thick, eerie purple mist filled the old school building like a dark storm cloud, covering everything in a hellish shroud.
"This is the real world…"
Yukino trembled slightly.
For years, she had believed in a certain reality.
And now, that reality had shattered completely.
The world she thought she knew had been nothing but an illusion.
"What? What?"
Hana's curiosity was piqued.
"I want to see it too! I want to see it too!"
Seeing her excitement, Utaha cast the same ritual on her.
Then, she turned to Yui.
Do you want it too?
Her gaze silently conveyed the question.
Yui hesitated, then looked at Yukino who seemed utterly shaken and took a deep breath.
She nodded firmly.
Another golden beam was cast into her eyes.
"AHHH! So scary!"
Even Hana, who was usually carefree, let out a startled yelp.
"Ah, but Miss Ghost is cute."
Miko: "…"
Hana is still completely off track.
Yuuko blinked, then chuckled.
"Thanks~ You're cute too."
"Hehehe~!"
On the other side, Yui felt like crying.
She wanted to act natural like Hana.
But…
I can't do it!
She just couldn't!
Is this even the same world I knew?!
While the three of them were struggling to process their new reality, Lynn casually walked toward the second floor.
Yukino instinctively reached out.
Are we really… going to fight something capable of causing this?!
Shouldn't the school handle this kind of thing?!
"Uh…"
Even Yuuko wanted to stop him.
But Lynn was already at the staircase.
He raised his hand and lightly tapped the cracked barrier.
Crack.
Crack-crack.
BOOM!
The weakened barrier shattered into dust.
"YAAAAAAA!!"
As if it had sensed its release, a deafening roar erupted from deep within the building!
Lynn turned around and smiled at them.
"Now… let's begin the real commission."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 58: A Bit Ridiculous (BONUS)
"Ah…"
Yuuko was stunned.
Did this guy not understand what she just said?
The big cursed spirit upstairs was terrifying!
"Don't worry, Miss Yuuko, Master is very strong," Mahiru said with a gentle smile, trying to reassure her.
Mahiru always had a way of calming people's nerves.
That said, they had never really seen the full extent of Lynn's power.
It always felt like he was omnipotent, able to handle any situation effortlessly.
Whether it was Utaha, Miko, Mahiru, or even everyone in his peerage, they all had an unwavering confidence in him.
"Well, it's already come to this anyway," Yuuko sighed.
They really weren't nervous at all.
But fine. If they weren't going to be scared, neither would she.
Her eyes burned with determination. "I've had enough of this! Every time I'm sleeping, my head keeps getting knocked against the walls!"
"It's ruined my sleep quality! I even have dark circles under my eyes!"
"Today, I'll risk my life to settle all my old and new grudges!"
"Uh… Miss Yuuko, aren't you already dead?"
Miko couldn't help but point out.
Yuuko shot her a speechless look.
Why did this kid always have to ruin the moment?
"A ghost's life is still a life!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The roar from upstairs was followed by heavy footsteps.
Each step felt like it was stomping directly on Yukino's heart.
Her face turned pale, and a deep sense of powerlessness crept over her.
She had no idea what was going to happen next.
BOOM!
Behind Lynn, a grotesque mass of flesh tumbled down the stairs!
The sheer impact instantly smashed a gaping hole into the wall.
The old wooden steps shattered under its weight, sending shards flying everywhere.
The moment Yukino saw it, her heart nearly stopped.
So scary!
So scary! So scary! So scary!
No matter how composed she usually appeared, she was still just a girl.
How could she not be terrified of such a monstrous creature?
As for Yui, she was already frozen in fear.
"Eh~ So disgusting!"
Hana wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Her appetite for tonight was completely ruined.
Damn it!
It actually made her lose her appetite?
Unforgivable!
This was the greatest offense anyone had ever committed against her.
Even Utaha and the others, seeing a first-grade cursed spirit for the first time, were visibly disgusted by its grotesque appearance.
Miko even felt a twinge of PTSD.
For just a moment, she recalled certain… unpleasant memories.
"YAAAAAAA!!"
The tumor-like monster let out another deafening roar!
A powerful gust of wind blasted outward, sending their clothes fluttering.
"So noisy…"
Lynn frowned and casually waved his hand.
A black magic circle appeared in front of the cursed spirit's mouth, sealing it shut.
"AAAA—"
The roar was cut off abruptly, and the entire building fell silent.
The cursed spirit opened its mouth, but no sound came out.
It thrashed around in frustration.
It felt humiliated.
Enraged, it lunged at Lynn from behind!
"Watch out!"
Yukino instinctively cried out.
Lynn didn't even turn around.
BANG!
A loud impact echoed through the building.
But then, something bizarre happened.
The cursed spirit suddenly froze in mid-air, its massive body colliding with an invisible force.
The impact caused its grotesque flesh to contort and warp.
And the next second.
BOOM!
The repelling force sent it hurtling backward at an even greater speed!
It slammed into the wall, creating a massive crater of debris and dust.
The cursed spirit stopped moving.
The entire room fell silent.
Yuuko, Yukino, Yui and Hana were all stunned.
This… this cursed spirit wasn't as strong as they thought?
No, no!
Yukino quickly shook her head.
It wasn't that the cursed spirit was weak, Lynn was just too strong!
The President of the Supernatural Investigation Club…
No wonder.
No wonder he had been so confident.
No wonder Minamiya-Sensei had told her to seek their help.
Because this man was absurdly powerful!
A cursed spirit that could smash through walls, dent floors, and shroud an entire building in malevolent energy.
To Lynn, it was nothing more than a toy.
It hadn't even been able to touch him before it was crushed.
And then… Yukino remembered her attitude toward him back at the club.
Her body stiffened.
Lynn… surely he's not the type to hold grudges, right.... right?
Yuuko understood even more than she did.
After all, she had lived with that cursed spirit in this building.
She knew how terrifying it was.
And yet, to Lynn, it was just a trivial nuisance.
"He's so reliable…"
Hana was much simpler in her admiration.
"Miko! Your club president is so cool!"
Lynn, meanwhile, had no interest in the cursed spirit.
With his current strength as an Ultimate-Class- devil, a first-grade cursed spirit wasn't even worth his time.
Let alone one that was just a stitched-together mass of lower-ranked spirits.
But…
It was perfect for giving Utaha and the others some combat experience.
"Utaha, Miko, Mahiru—your turn."
"Yes!" x3
They stepped forward, their expressions serious.
For Lynn, this thing was a joke.
But for them, it was a real opponent.
"Don't let it recover!"
Utaha took the lead.
The pages of her Devil Tome flipped rapidly before settling on a high-tier lightning spell.
"Lightning!"
A magic circle formed within the book.
BOOM!
A crackling blue bolt of lightning struck the cursed spirit, sending green smoke rising from its charred flesh.
A faint burnt smell filled the air.
Mahiru followed up immediately.
She pulled out the Blazing Spear she had received from Rias and fired a beam imbued with holy energy straight into the cursed spirit's body!
Holy energy was particularly effective against evil creatures like this.
Miko didn't have many offensive techniques, nor were there other cursed spirits here for her to control.
But—
Her abilities under allowed her to attack spirit-based creatures directly.
She had learned a few basic magic techniques, and even with just that, the damage she inflicted was greater than Utaha and Mahiru's combined.
Yukino watched in silence.
She stared at Utaha and the others, seamlessly using their supernatural abilities and coordinating in battle.
Her feelings were… complicated.
Is everyone in the Supernatural Investigation Club a supernatural being?
They were all students at Shuchiin Academy.
And yet, she couldn't help but feel like they lived in entirely different worlds.
While she was busy talking about changing society by addressing people's weaknesses.
They were in some dark corner of the world, fighting monsters like this.
Compared to them…
She felt ridiculous.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 59: Soft Right? (BONUS)
Shuchiin Academy, Old School Building.
Yukino fell into silence.
She was somewhat shaken.
For the first time, she began to doubt herself.
In a world like this, where the supernatural was real, what could someone like her without any abilities possibly do?
"Keep it up, Miko!!"
Hana cheered without hesitation, showing no sign of fear.
She didn't even stop to question how Miko suddenly gained supernatural powers.
Hana's voice snapped Yukino out of her thoughts.
She exhaled lightly.
Now wasn't the time to be lost in contemplation.
Her attention returned to the battle.
Utaha was breathing heavily.
From the start, she had been using her full strength to deal with this cursed spirit that was beyond their current level.
Her magic was running low...
She turned to look at Lynn.
"Master, replenish my magic~"
She said it naturally, without the slightest hesitation.
Wait!
Yukino was shocked.
What did she just hear?!
Master??
Did she just call Lynn "Master"?
Her eyes widened as she shifted her gaze back and forth between Utaha and Lynn, trying to decipher their relationship.
Boyfriend and girlfriend?
Or is 'Master' just some kind of roleplay?
And what was this "magic replenishment"?
In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Lynn's peerage members usually referred to him as "President" while in school.
But caught up in the moment, Utaha had carelessly used the term "Master."
Lynn, however, didn't bother explaining.
After all, what was there to explain?
As a devil, it was only natural for him to supply magic to his peerage members when needed.
Without hesitation, he held Utaha's face and kissed her.
Yukino was stunned again.
Her pupils trembled.
It's confirmed!
They're definitely in that kind of relationship!
But...
Shouldn't there be a time and place for this?!
The atmosphere shifted in an instant, from an intense battle to a completely different kind of scene.
After their lips parted, Utaha felt a surge of energy filling her body.
"Ah~ So you two are in that kind of relationship?"
Yuuko floated over, draping herself over Lynn, eyes filled with curiosity and intrigue.
Utaha narrowed her eyes at her.
"You ghost, do you not understand personal boundaries?"
From the very beginning, this ghost had been trying to get close to Lynn.
"Haven't seen a man in 800 years or something?"
Yuuko remained unfazed by the verbal jab. Instead, she pressed her chest against Lynn, looking up at him with mischievous eyes.
"So? Soft, right?"
She asked, clearly expecting an answer.
"Hmm... not wearing anything?"
"Hmm~"
"As a ghost, does that even matter?"
This damn ghost!
Utaha clenched her teeth.
Pah!
Before she could react, Lynn smacked her on the backside.
"Quit slacking and get back to the fight."
"I know, I know!"
Blushing, Utaha hurried back to assist Miko and Mahiru.
Yuuko blinked in surprise.
She actually obeyed so quickly?
She had planned to tease her a little more.
"Master....."
Miko panted heavily, feeling her stamina and magic running out.
Lynn didn't waste time with words and directly replenished her magic.
Yuuko: "Ah?"
Yukino: "!"
What—what's going on?!
These three...?!
Hana gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
"Miko! So bold!"
Wait—didn't Lynn just kiss Utaha?
So who exactly is his girlfriend?!
For a moment, she was completely lost.
"Mahiru, do you need it?"
Letting go of Miko, Lynn turned to Mahiru.
Her face was flushed. She was both exhausted and embarrassed.
No choice. I didn't bring Shizuka-san's supplies, so it looks like I'll have to rely on Lynn's magic.
After all, this was an opportunity to gain experience.
Haaa~
She exhaled softly, then spoke in a shy voice.
"Then... I'll leave it to you, Master."
Shiina Mahiru, first-time magic replenishment.
"Hmm~"
Her dazed eyes reflected Lynn's presence.
"Ah... all three of them!"
Even the usually carefree Hana had her pupils shaking.
Yuuko fell silent.
In her sixty years as a ghost, she had never seen a scene like this.
"...Ah, it really is a harem, after all..."
Yukino's expression was blank.
She felt like her entire worldview was crumbling.
No wonder no one objected when she called the Supernatural Investigation Club the "Harem Department."
There was no need to refute it.
"Y-yukino... Did the cursed spirit hit me with an illusion attack?"
"Why... why did I just see them all kissing the same man?"
"No, you weren't under an illusion. That was real."
"EHHHHHHH?!"
---
After a while.
Utaha, Miko, and Mahiru were exhausted once again.
Lynn saw that the fight had dragged on long enough. Raising his hand, he unleashed a bolt of black lightning.
The already-weakened first-grade cursed spirit was instantly obliterated, disintegrating into raw curse energy.
Spirit Devouring activated.
A condensed first-grade curse spirit experience pill appeared in Lynn's hand.
"Alright, mission complete."
Lynn took out his phone, snapped a picture, and sent it to Natsuki Minamiya.
Natsuki Minamiya: ? I told you to exorcise the spirit, not demolish the place!
Lynn glanced around.
Hmm… well, aside from the structural damage, the inside looked like it had been on fire.
Lynn: That's between you and the school. Just don't forget my mission reward.
Natsuki Minamiya: ...
---
Is it... over?
Yukino stared blankly.
They had been struggling against the cursed spirit this whole time, yet Lynn had ended it with a single attack.
What a terrifying man!
Her gaze toward Lynn changed.
She must never provoke him.
At the same time, countless questions flooded her mind.
The harem dynamics in the Supernatural Investigation Club?
And this magic replenishment…
From what she observed, each time Utaha, Miko, or Mahiru kissed Lynn, they recovered their stamina and magic.
So… does kissing actually serve as some kind of combat endurance boost?!
She had far too many questions about Lynn and his group.
But…
After this mission, she probably wouldn't have any further interactions with them, right?
After all, she and Lynn belonged to completely different worlds.
Yukino was just an ordinary person.
---
"Ahhh, so exhausted!"
Utaha groaned as she stretched her aching shoulders.
"I feel more drained than if I'd just been beaten to death."
The three of them had fought non-stop but failed to defeat the cursed spirit.
"Well, it was a first-grade cursed spirit. It's still a bit beyond your current level."
Lynn continued, "But after this, I imagine your abilities will improve quite a bit."
Abilities!
Utaha, Miko, and Mahiru's eyes lit up.
After battling a first-grade cursed spirit for so long, they were eager to see their growth.
"Hey, you're leaving?"
Yuuko floated over, her expression a bit lonely.
Soon, she would be alone again.
Alone in this old school building.
Lynn noticed this.
He extended a hand to her.
"Would you consider joining my peerage?"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 60: Why Don't I Just Join You? (BONUS)
Peerage?
Yukino felt uneasy, a nagging sense that something wasn't quite right.
She quickly spoke up:
"Well, since the commission is over, Yuigahama and I will be leaving first."
Lowering her head slightly, she avoided making eye contact with Lynn.
Then, grabbing the still-confused Yui, she hurried out of the old school building.
She had a strong feeling that if she stayed any longer, she'd get caught up in something she shouldn't.
What happened today was already too much.
Her entire worldview had been shattered.
She even began to question her own beliefs.
She needed time to process everything.
---
Old School Building.
"Ah… they left."
Utaha blinked in mild surprise.
"Master, are they unqualified?"
But they're clearly beautiful girls?
Yes.
This was the rule Utaha had come to understand.
Generally speaking, if someone was a beautiful girl, they were automatically qualified to become part of Lynn's family.
And both Yukino and Yui were definitely beautiful girls.
Lynn shrugged.
"Obviously, they're qualified."
As expected.
Utaha's eyes flashed with understanding, but then she frowned in confusion.
"Then why?"
"Why let them go?"
Lynn suddenly chuckled.
"Utaha, you're looking at it the wrong way."
"It's not about whether I need them… it's about whether they need me."
Utaha was momentarily stunned.
Then, she smiled.
"That's true."
They don't realize what an opportunity they've just passed up.
Lynn didn't dwell on Yukino and the others leaving.
Instead, he turned his attention to Yuuko.
A ghost who had the potential to reincarnate as a devil…
He was very interested.
"How about it?"
"Want to come with me?"
Yuuko's eyes lit up for a moment.
But soon, the light faded.
It was rare for her to meet someone who could actually see her.
Of course, she wanted to follow Lynn and leave this old school building.
But…
"I can't."
Her voice was filled with gloom.
"I'm an earthbound spirit. I physically can't leave this place."
Lynn smiled.
"That's simple. Just become part of my peerage."
"Peerage?"
Yuuko blinked in confusion.
Lynn had mentioned this before.
But she had been interrupted before she could ask about it.
Now, curiosity flickered in her eyes.
Lynn's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Yes—reincarnate as a devil and become mine."
As he spoke, Lynn spread his devil wings.
Yuuko's eyes widened.
"Devils… you're serious?"
Lynn shrugged.
"Of course."
Yuuko turned to look at Utaha and the others.
"And them?"
"They're all my peerage members."
"In other words…"
"They're devils, too."
Utaha and the others exchanged glances.
Then, they each unfolded their devil wings.
"Wow! Miko, you look so cool!"
Hana's eyes sparkled with excitement.
She reached out, wanting to touch the wings.
Miko's eye twitched.
This girl… sometimes I really admire how shameless she can be.
Meanwhile, Yuuko's brain nearly short-circuited.
As an old ghost, today had completely shattered her common sense.
"Devils are real…?"
Her expression was complicated.
Despite being a spirit for decades, she had little actual experience.
She had spent most of her existence trapped in the old school building.
She knew nothing about the world outside.
Lynn chuckled.
"If ghosts can exist, why can't devils?"
"Uh…"
"When you put it that way… it does make sense."
Yuuko nodded to herself.
After all, when she was alive, she never imagined she'd turn into a ghost.
And yet, here she was, having lived as one for fifty or sixty years.
"Becoming a devil… sounds kind of interesting…"
An intrigued look crossed Yuuko's face.
But then.
Her expression darkened.
"Is it really possible?"
Could she really leave this place?
For decades, she had tried countless times, but always failed.
"Why not try and find out?"
Lynn's tone was relaxed.
A mere earthbound spirit wouldn't be able to resist the power of his [Evil Piece].
"You're right!"
Yuuko was momentarily dazed, then her eyes filled with determination.
She decided.
She would become a devil.
Maybe then, she could finally leave.
And even if she still couldn't…
Well, having a different kind of existence wouldn't be so bad either.
A sly smile appeared in Yuuko's narrow eyes.
"If I still can't leave the old school building after becoming your peerage member…"
She suddenly looked at Lynn with a pitiful expression.
"Promise me you'll visit often, okay? You wouldn't leave your peerage member all alone, right?"
"Don't worry. I won't leave you here alone."
Yuuko blinked.
For a moment, she was touched.
"Then… I'll entrust my everything to you…"
She smiled playfully.
"Mr. Devil."
Lynn smirked.
"You won't regret it."
But then.
Yuuko suddenly froze.
"Wait… is this even possible?"
"I mean, I'm already dead, aren't I?"
Lynn glanced at the glowing [Evil Piece] on his system panel.
Then, he replied without hesitation:
"If I say yes, then it's fine."
After all, If the [Evil Piece] says it's possible, then it's possible.
"Alright! Let's do this!"
Yuuko pumped her fist in excitement.
"Um… what do I do?"
Lynn condensed an Evil Piece in his palm.
But then, he paused, his gaze shifting toward Hana.
There was an outsider present.
Although he had considered bringing her into his peerage as well…
For now, she was still an outsider.
Normally, people could witness a devil reincarnation ceremony.
But his reincarnation process was special.
At the end, he had to engrave a Blessing.
And that wasn't something outsiders could be allowed to see.
Soon, Utaha and Miko also realized the issue.
Their gazes turned serious.
Miko sighed.
"Hana, step aside for a bit."
"Huh?"
Hana blinked, looking confused.
Then, she suddenly pouted.
"Miko, are you abandoning me again?"
Miko: "…?"
Why did that sound like I'm some kind of scumbag?!
Seeing that Hana wasn't getting the hint, Miko's expression turned serious.
"Hana, this is a peerage matter. You—"
"Then why don't I just join you?"
Miko: "…???"
(To be continued.)