Shrine, back mountain.
Kagome looked around. "Where is it? Where's the hot spring?"
Kikyo smiled slightly and waved her hand.
A barrier appeared.
Buzz——
Blue light shimmered faintly. Kikyo stepped forward and, as if passing through a bubble, vanished from sight.
Kagome's eyes widened. "That's amazing!"
Midoriko floated nearby, holding her chin and nodding in admiration. "That's a clever barrier. I can't see through it at all~"
Hearing that, Kikyo reemerged from the barrier. "Ms. Midoriko, you flatter me."
The two immediately launched into a discussion on barrier techniques, while Higurashi Kagome started to feel sleepy just listening.
"Alright, you two can keep the discussion going later."
Lynn grabbed both Kikyo and Midoriko and pulled them into the barrier.
"Eh? Lynn, you're going in too?" Kagome blushed, feeling a little shy.
Lynn replied naturally, "Isn't the purification ceremony meant to welcome the coming of a god?"
"If I don't go in, what kind of welcome would that be?"
"Hm… I… I guess I can't argue with that…"
As they stepped through the barrier, Lynn's vision brightened.
Misty steam floated around a wide hot spring that came into view.
"Not bad."
Lynn nodded, a bit impressed.
Then he waved his hand. "Alright, begin the purification!"
A while later—
Lynn reclined in the hot spring, quietly observing their movements.
The three—Kikyo, Kagome, and Midoriko—froze.
"Isn't serving the gods your duty as shrine maidens?"
Kikyo bit her lip, hands trembling slightly as she removed her shrine maiden attire. Her face flushed red instantly.
Seeing the younger generation so decisive, Midoriko didn't want to be outdone.
The benefit of a soul body became apparent.
With a single thought, her clothes vanished.
She hugged herself tightly, then leapt into the hot spring and let out a long sigh.
However…
She looked a bit disappointed. "I don't feel anything…"
After all, she was just a soul…
Lynn thought for a moment and beckoned to her.
Seeing this, Midoriko's face turned crimson, as if it could bleed.
She assumed Lynn was about to do something to her.
But—
She took a few deep breaths.
The moment she chose to become Lynn's shrine maiden, she had already prepared herself!
This was her way of repaying the favor!
Midoriko's eyes were firm as she flew toward Lynn.
But…
She still couldn't bring herself to look at him directly…
Seeing her shy expression, Lynn thought to himself.
We should've brought Haruno. If she were here, she'd definitely help them unleash their nature.
Eventually, Midoriko approached Lynn.
She averted her gaze.
Lynn patted his thigh. "Turn around."
"Huh?"
"Your back…"
Midoriko's body trembled. She lowered her head and slowly turned around, even standing up slightly to make things easier for him.
But then.
As the Evil Piece pressed against her back, Midoriko's eyes widened in surprise.
W-What kind of ceremony is this?
Before she could react, a strange power surged through her body.
"Ah…"
Midoriko's eyes went wide.
She felt…
Her soul was gradually becoming tangible.
At the same time.
The system's voice echoed in Lynn's mind.
[Ding! You have gained Peerage member: Midoriko!]
[Ding! Your Peerage member Midoriko has been reincarnated as a Special-Class Devil…]
Midoriko
Rank: Ultimate-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Class: Bishop
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Durability: i0
Magic Power: i0
Class Skill:
Magic Resistance
Inherent Skills:
[Soul-Eating War Priestess] – Weapon Refinement (refines soul-based weapons)
[Four Souls Devil]
– Wild Soul (symbolizes courage, struggle, and strength)
– Harmony Soul (symbolizes affinity, harmony, and compassion)
– Strange Soul (symbolizes wisdom, rationality, and creativity)
– Lucky Soul (symbolizes happiness, love, and vitality)
– Greatly boosts all base stats
– Devil Transformation (Four Souls Mode)
…
Seeing the Blessing information appear on Midoriko's back, Lynn froze for a second.
Ultimate-Class Devil?
Her starting level was that high?
But thinking about it, it made sense. She had gone toe-to-toe with the collective monster consciousness sealed inside the Shikon Jewel.
Next was the class.
This seemed to be a new mechanic with the Evil Pieces.
Lynn stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Do ultimate-class devils receive a corresponding class designation through Evil Pieces?
And there was even a class skill attached—Magic Resistance.
It boosted defense against magic attacks—not bad at all.
Then there were the skills.
[Soul-Eating War Priestess] probably derived from her soul-based nature.
Weapon Refinement likely tied to the Shikon Jewel's origin.
As for [Four Souls Devil]…
When Lynn read the description, his heart skipped a beat.
"Four Souls Devil…"
He murmured.
An inexplicable excitement stirred in his chest.
The skill's description was vague and didn't specify its functions.
But—
That only meant greater hidden potential!
Lynn focused and activated the Wild Soul.
Boom—
Power surged through his body in an instant!
It felt like something exploded from deep within!
The overwhelming strength made him feel like he could destroy an entire continent with ease.
"Phew…"
Lynn exhaled and temporarily deactivated the Wild Soul.
Wild Soul increases power…
But it had to be more than just that…
The idea of "struggle" and "courage" might also enhance combat instincts.
Next, Harmony Soul.
Lynn closed his eyes and focused.
Affection… compassion… He didn't feel anything like that.
But—
Harmony…
He activated the light and dark attributes of his [Angel Devil] transformation.
Om—
Light and dark slowly fused together.
Though the process was sluggish…
Seeing that, Lynn paused.
Harmony Soul could actually harmonize conflicting powers.
That would definitely come in handy later.
Next, he activated Strange Soul.
The moment it was triggered, his mind cleared.
Wisdom flowed in!
In that instant, he felt like he knew exactly how to synergize otherwise useless skills.
After a short moment, Lynn exited the Strange Soul state.
The sharpness faded.
Lynn went silent for a bit.
Coming down from that all-knowing state… felt a bit depressing.
He felt like he'd suddenly become dumb…
Shaking his head, Lynn tried the final one—Lucky Soul.
Hmm…
Lynn felt something odd.
Aside from enhanced vitality, there weren't any obvious changes.
"Ah—!"
Kagome, who had been hesitating for a while, finally slipped into the water and tried to sneak into the hot spring while Lynn wasn't paying attention.
Unfortunately, she slipped and fell straight into Lynn's arms.
Lynn reflexively caught her.
Hmm…
He was holding happiness in his hands.
"H-Hngh…"
Kagome bit her lip, her body trembling. Her face burned.
Lynn glanced at the Lucky Soul's description again.
Lucky Soul – symbolizes happiness, love, and vitality.
So…
Was this happiness?
Lynn rubbed Kagome's soft skin. It must be the "luck" part.
After trying out every state of [Four Souls Devil], Lynn copied Midoriko's Blessing data.
Hmm…
Don't ask where the paper came from in a hot spring—it's magic.
He handed the Blessing info to Midoriko, who stared at it, dazed.
Lynn gave his usual explanation about the reincarnation ceremony and the Blessing system.
"So this is what it means to be summoned…"
Midoriko muttered as she looked over her Blessing, lost in thought.
Lynn left her be and turned to Kagome. "Alright, your turn."
"…Okay."
Kagome responded softly, her face bright red as she turned around.
Even through the water's refraction, her delicate figure was clearly visible.
Lynn condensed an Evil Piece and pressed it against her smooth back.
"Ah…"
Kagome gasped, experiencing the same sensation Midoriko had.
[Ding! You have gained Peerage member: Higurashi Kagome!]
[Ding! Your Peerage member Higurashi Kagome has been reincarnated as a Special-Class Devil…]
Higurashi Kagome
Rank: Low-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Durability: i0
Magic Power: i0
Innate Abilities:
[Demon-Breaking Power] – Spiritual energy that deals bonus damage to evil.
[Connecting Devil 1.0] – A key that opens a dimensional link (currently linked to 500 years in the past).
– Devil Transformation (Connection Gate Mode)
…
She's a key character!
Kagome's Blessing stats were ordinary.
But [Connecting Devil] was very useful.
At the very least, future time travel wouldn't require the Bone-Eater's Well.
And—
There were many areas in this world unreachable by Teleportation Magic.
Hell, for example…
If Lynn wanted to, he could have Kagome open a gate directly to hell.
"Not bad. Very useful."
Lynn patted her shoulder in encouragement.
Kagome accepted the Blessing sheet in silence, her face still warm.
But—
She really had become a devil…
She thought it was a joke at first.
And—
Yukino and the others must be the same, right…
Lynn's Peerage…
Now she finally understood why the Supernatural Investigation Club at Shuchiin was entirely female.
A full-on harem!
Still—
She'd probably be added to the club roster soon.
But…
Let them say whatever they want.
She—Higurashi Kagome.
Was from a different world, after all!
(To be continued.)
***
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