[Apoptosis Genome]
—Factor Collection (Acquired: Mole Factor, Hedgehog Factor…)
—Factor Fusion (Dual Factor Integration)
—Factor Assimilation (Can parasitize other lifeforms and implant the Apoptosis strain, turning them into puppets controlled by the host)
—Zodiac Pilgrimage (Scorpio, Cancer… Taurus missing, Virgo missing)
Lynn focused on the final ability listed under [Apoptosis Genome].
"Zodiac Pilgrimage…"
Looking at the effect, Lynn felt this ability could easily stand alone as its own skill.
Having it buried within [Apoptosis Genome] almost seemed like a waste.
This ability was divided into four stages:
Spring Pilgrimage, Summer Pilgrimage, Autumn Pilgrimage, and Winter Pilgrimage.
Currently, with his level of power, Lynn could only access the first stage—Spring Pilgrimage.
The Spring Pilgrimage came with three abilities:
[Aries Crown]
Summons Aries starlight to wrap the body, granting explosive speed and flame-based attacks.
[Taurus Giant Gate]
Summons a massive gate engraved with the Taurus totem, capable of enduring physical attacks and reflecting part of the damage as shockwaves.
[Gemini Mirror Image]
Summons a phantom clone that mirrors the user's movements and shares sensory input, though it has no offensive capabilities.
If destroyed or dispelled, the user can teleport to the clone's location for a surprise strike.
Seeing the effects of the Spring Pilgrimage, Lynn clicked his tongue in appreciation.
He found an open space to begin testing his new abilities.
"First… Aries Crown!"
Lynn activated the ability—and with a whoosh!
Flames imbued with starlight instantly wrapped around his body.
"Huff…"
Lynn exhaled lightly, examining the starlight coating his form.
No burning sensation.
Good. That meant it wouldn't damage him.
He rubbed the Aries starlight between his fingers, like stardust slipping through his hands.
There was an undeniable beauty to it.
Even just looking at it radiated a sense of mystery and power.
Now, time to test its speed enhancement.
With a thought.
Whoosh!!
The starlight flared.
He stepped forward.
Buzz—
In an instant, like cutting through space, Lynn vanished with a burst of starlight.
It was as though a streak of light had flashed across the sky!
One second later.
Dozens of kilometers from the Familia base, the starlight faded, and Lynn appeared, slightly out of breath.
With the Aries Crown, his speed was almost at the speed of light!
But…
With his current strength, it was only approaching that threshold.
And he hadn't gone all out.
Also…
"Maintaining this acceleration state doesn't last long…"
Lynn frowned slightly, but relaxed soon after.
Even if it couldn't be sustained for long, it was more than enough.
Aries Crown was strong!
And it wasn't just a speed boost.
"Starlight… is still flame-based, after all."
"I'll need to test its burning effects sometime soon."
Deactivating Aries Crown, Lynn moved on to the next test: Taurus Giant Gate.
From the description, it was clearly a defensive ability.
But…
A minute later, Lynn stared at the unresponsive Taurus Gate and felt a bit speechless.
"Forget it. Next."
"Gemini Mirror Image!"
Buzz—
A shimmering mirror appeared in front of him, and an exact duplicate stepped out.
Lynn carefully observed the clone.
"Looks identical enough."
He reached toward it, but his hand passed right through.
"As expected—just a phantom…"
And it seemed like it required direct consciousness to control.
"Compared to Aries Crown, it definitely feels weaker."
Lynn had the clone move roughly a kilometer away.
Then he canceled the phantom.
Buzz—
Suddenly, a strange feeling surfaced in his mind.
A clear spatial link between him and the clone remained, he could teleport there!
Without hesitation, Lynn activated it.
In a flash, he appeared at the location where the phantom had stood.
Rubbing his chin, he commented, "It's not particularly strong, but it's still useful."
Spring Pilgrimage…
There were still Summer, Autumn, and Winter Pilgrimages to unlock.
Though his current power wasn't enough, just reading the descriptions was enough to know.
Zodiac Pilgrimage was incredibly powerful.
And…
Lynn glanced at the Zodiac Cursed Children playing in the Evil Piece space.
Each one had her own palace in the constellations—uniquely designed, with its own traits.
Not only that.
Just like Lynn had obtained the Zodiac Pilgrimage, the Zodiac girls also had their own special powers.
For example, Aries controlled starlight; Scorpio mastered eclipse venom.
Even if Lynn couldn't use the other Pilgrimages yet, just summoning the Zodiac girls to fight was more than enough.
Come to think of it…
Didn't this setup resemble how vampires summon familiars?
...
Main World.
The moon hung high overhead.
Yukino, having just finished another experience grind session, dragged her tired body back home.
She had yet to experience mana replenishment from Lynn.
Well…
That was partly because she hadn't had the opportunity to be alone with him.
But…
If he really did replenish her mana…
Just imagining the scene made Yukino unsure of how to feel.
Her ears reddened just thinking about it.
For her, even mana replenishment was an extremely intimate act.
As for other recovery items.
Although the Familia had them, after learning what they were made of, Yukino had immediately refused.
The thought alone was just… too much.
She couldn't accept it.
Even the idea of tasting Lynn's mana was less overwhelming than using those items.
So…
It's fine to be tired, it's part of training!
But still…
Life had felt so fulfilling lately.
Yukino felt like she had found a new purpose.
At the apartment entrance.
Yukino spotted a familiar figure and paused.
At the same time, Haruno saw her sister.
Seeing how exhausted Yukino looked, Haruno frowned instinctively.
Coming back this late… again?
She was already suspicious.
After all, where could Yukino—who had no friends and was notoriously aloof—be going so late at night?
Even though she eventually came home…
Her condition.
No dirt, no mess on her clothes.
But still…
It was hard not to overthink.
Haruno bit her lip and clicked her tongue.
"What were you doing coming back this late?"
She frowned, irritated, and asked with a hint of scolding in her tone.
But Yukino didn't take the bait.
She replied calmly, "It's none of your business, sister."
She pulled out her key and opened the apartment door.
Haruno was stunned for a moment before realizing she had overstepped.
"Sorry, sorry~ Sister was just worried about you~"
She immediately shifted to her usual sweet tone.
Yukino sighed. "If you're not here for anything important, you can leave."
"Yukino, you're so cold. I waited so long for you to come home, and I don't even get a glass of water…"
Yukino looked at her sister's exaggerated expression and rubbed her temple. "Come in, then."
Haruno instantly dropped the act and smiled warmly.
Living room.
Haruno asked, "Yukino, I heard you joined the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
That info came from her secret informant: Shizuka Hiratsuka!
"Yes."
Yukino nodded.
"So, is this how you resolved the issue with your body?"
"Hmm…"
Yukino glanced around the room—clean, curse-free.
Satisfaction flickered in her eyes.
"Then… can you tell your dear sister how you solved it?"
Haruno was clearly curious.
From her perspective, Yukino had clearly recovered.
Even if she didn't know where Yukino had been going late at night…
Her condition had obviously improved.
No more gloom. No more oppressive aura.
It was great.
So…
After joining the Supernatural Investigation Club, how had she managed it?
Did this Club President Lynn use supernatural powers?
Haruno was dying to know.
But Yukino went silent.
She didn't know how to explain it.
And…
If she told her sister that she had completely given herself to a man in exchange for supernatural powers… it might trigger something bad.
Especially with their mother…
Yukino suddenly felt anxious.
So—
"Sorry. No comment."
Haruno: "…"
She gave Yukino an exasperated glare.
Then pouted dramatically.
But Yukino didn't budge.
"…"
"Fine!"
Haruno stood up. "Even if you won't tell me, I have my ways."
She left the apartment.
Downstairs, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Buy me a haunted property. Immediately."
"…Haunted?" The voice on the other end sounded surprised.
"That's right."
"And the more haunted, the better!"
Haruno had come up with a plan back in the apartment.
The Supernatural Investigation Club took on outside exorcism requests.
If Yukino wouldn't talk…
She'd force the club to reveal its secrets.
"Heh… who knows."
"Maybe I'll get to hire Yukino myself tomorrow?"
Haruno smiled.
Supernatural Investigation Club…
She, Haruno Yukinoshita.
Was going to peel back its mysterious veil!
(To be continued.)