DxD: Chapter 168/171

Chapter 168: Hitagi

Shuchiin Academy.

Corridor.

The moment her eyes met Lynn's, Kaguya's breath caught in her throat. Her entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.

What kind of eyes were those?

Deep and cold.

It felt like she was falling into the abyss—into hell itself—through that gaze.

Everything around her faded. All that remained was a suffocating fear that wrapped tightly around her.

Fortunately, Lynn only gave her a light glance before raising his foot and walking past at a leisurely pace.

Even so, it felt like an eternity before the pressure finally eased and warmth slowly returned to Kaguya's limbs.

But...

Kaguya bit her lip, her thighs tightening on instinct. A strange and indescribable sensation swelled inside her.

Who was that man?

He had appeared out of nowhere like a ghost and then casually tossed her aside.

Even just a glance had almost...

"Kaguya, are you okay?"

Chika squatted beside her with concern in her wide, clear eyes.

"Hya!"

Kaguya suddenly let out a strange yelp.

Chika's voice had startled her, causing her heart to pound and her thighs to clamp together again.

"Kaguya?"

Chika tilted her head in confusion.

"No, it's nothing."

So it was just Chika...

Kaguya exhaled and composed herself, forcing her legs to stop trembling. She gripped the wall and slowly stood up, doing her best to maintain her usual icy expression.

"I have something to take care of. I'll excuse myself."

Leaving those words behind, she walked off stiffly with an odd gait.

Chika tilted her head, clearly worried, and instinctively tried to follow.

Smack!

A hand suddenly caught her arm.

"Huh?"

Chika turned and saw Yuki gripping her wrist with a strange expression.

"Suou?"

Yuki narrowed her eyes, glanced at a few droplets on the corridor floor, clicked her tongue, and said, "Chika, it's better not to follow right now~"

"...?"

Chika didn't understand, but Yuki didn't explain either, simply dragging her back into the student council room.

—

Meanwhile, in the third-floor restroom.

Kaguya sat trembling on the toilet, her hands unsteady as she dialed Hayasaka's number.

"Miss?"

Hayasaka's voice came through as the call connected.

But after a long pause...

Kaguya bit her lip and whispered, "Hayasaka..."

"Help."

A beat passed, then she forced the words out through gritted teeth, face red with shame.

"Buy me a new pair of panties. Bring them here."

She ended the call before Hayasaka could respond, burying her face in her arms.

As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, she had never been this humiliated in her life!

But...

Lynn's eyes resurfaced in her mind.

"Ugh..."

Her body trembled again. Soft dripping sounds echoed off the tiled walls.

—

Elsewhere.

As they walked toward Class 3, Year 2, Asuna apologized.

"Sorry. Kaguya went too far earlier."

Lynn's expression remained calm. "It has nothing to do with you."

Shinomiya...

Lynn's eyes narrowed.

He'd heard that name before—from Haruno, mostly. The Shinomiya family had rapidly expanded their influence in the modern era.

And because of that, they were being watched by all sorts of people.

Among them...

Was the Shinomiya family.

Meeting Kaguya today reminded him of that matter.

In that case...

He'd start with them.

Time to let people know that interfering with the devil's business... comes at a price.

—

Class 3, Year 2.

"This is it."

Asuna stopped at the door. "I hope she's still here."

She pushed open the door with a loud crash.

The classroom was clean and orderly.

A breeze fluttered through the open windows, lifting the white curtains gently.

Golden sunlight spilled in, casting soft light across desks and the floor. The whole room felt warm and peaceful.

Looking to the back—

A girl with long purple hair rested her chin in her hand, staring vacantly out the window.

She wore Shuchiin's standard uniform, thigh-high black socks accentuating her legs. A strange, magnetic aura clung to her.

Even though the sudden noise had broken the silence, she didn't react.

She just kept gazing out the window, lost in her world.

Until—

"Ah, perfect!"

Asuna spotted her and smiled brightly.

"Senjougahara-san is still here~"

At the name, Hitagi frowned slightly. She turned her head with an indifferent expression and locked eyes with Asuna.

She clicked her tongue.

She recognized Asuna immediately. The same girl who had seen her secret before.

Just my luck...

Hitagi muttered internally, and her guard went up again.

Asuna walked toward her quickly.

"Senjougahara-san, you must have encountered a supernatural incident!"

She spoke firmly. "I brought the president of the Supernatural Investigation Club with me. Maybe he can help~"

Supernatural Investigation Club?

Hitagi blinked, confused. After a short pause, she said coldly:

"No need."

She had heard of the club.

But—

Harem Club?

You expect that kind of place to solve her problem?

"Don't worry."

Asuna placed a hand on her shoulder. "President Lynn is very capable!"

Asuna had full confidence in him after what she saw earlier.

Lynn definitely possessed supernatural powers!

Hitagi suddenly stood, pushing Asuna's hand away.

"Mind your own business."

Then—

She stepped on a chair, climbed onto the window sill, and leaned back.

Falling.

"Huh?!"

Asuna cried out and rushed to the window.

Then she saw it—

Hitagi was drifting gently like a feather.

"…"

"Phew…"

Asuna let out a breath of relief.

"I almost forgot that's her 'setting'."

"But still…"

She frowned.

"At this rate, how do we help her?"

As a student council president, Asuna felt responsible for the well-being of all students.

Just then, Lynn's eyes locked on the floating Hitagi with interest. His lips moved slightly.

"Wind."

Whoosh—

The breeze seemed to respond to his voice.

Air currents quickly gathered beneath Hitagi's body, gently lifting her and carrying her back into the classroom.

"…?"

Hitagi blinked, completely stunned.

In that moment of confusion, she drifted down...

And landed right in Lynn's arms.

Asuna: "...?"

What just happened?

Lynn held her princess-style and gave her a little bounce.

"So light."

Hearing Lynn's voice, Hitagi snapped back to herself and instinctively reached under her skirt.

But—

Lynn grinned.

He grabbed her soft waist with both hands and gave her a light shake.

"Mm…"

Hitagi felt dizzy, and then.

Clatter!

Pens, erasers, rulers, scissors, box cutters, staplers—an arsenal of items fell from under her skirt.

Asuna's eyelid twitched violently.

"Senjougahara-san…"

"How... did you even fit all that under your skirt?"

Was that a supernatural ability too?

Finally.

Once everything had fallen out, Lynn set her down.

Hitagi pursed her lips and stared at the pile of tools at her feet, expression unreadable.

Then...

She took a deep breath and looked up at Lynn.

"What did you just do?"

Lynn waved a hand.

Fwoosh.

A gust of wind blew through the classroom.

"Ah!"

Asuna quickly held down her skirt.

But Hitagi, who stood directly in front of Lynn, was a step too late.

Her skirt fluttered upward, fully exposing her undergarments to Lynn.

Stylish...

Lynn gave a silent evaluation, then smiled.

"You mean this?"

"…"

Hitagi twitched.

How is he so calm?!

But now.

She finally understood what Asuna meant when she said he was "very powerful."

Had he met others like her?

Still…

Hitagi's gaze turned serious.

"Sounds like you're here to help me?"

"Uh-huh!"

Asuna nodded.

But—

"Sorry."

Hitagi crossed her arms and spoke coldly.

"I don't trust humans."

"So... please leave."

"…?"

Asuna froze.

Don't trust humans?

"Oh?"

Lynn chuckled, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

"What a coincidence."

Hitagi blinked in confusion.

Then Lynn leaned casually on the desk, eyes narrowed.

"Just so happens..."

"I'm not human."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 169: Heavy Stone Crab

"It just so happens that I'm not human…"

As the words fell—

Whoosh!

Black, bat-like wings unfurled from behind Lynn.

"!"

Hitagi's eyes widened slightly, filled with disbelief.

Lynn leaned casually on the desk, his devil wings lightly flapping as he curled his lips into a smirk. "Want to make a deal with a devil?"

Such a surreal sight made Hitagi's heart pound.

She pursed her lips, stared intently at Lynn's wings, and fell silent.

Asuna clutched her head, dazed. "What… is going on?"

President Lynn…

Grew wings?!

And…

A devil?

Somehow, this seemed familiar…

Suddenly, a memory flashed through Asuna's mind.

Then a spark of realization lit up her eyes.

The Supernatural Investigation Club!

That off-campus commission list!

It listed prices for commissions involving Low-Class Devils, Mid-Class Devils, and even Satan-level ones!

Asuna's heart raced, her eyes filled with shock.

Could it be…

That wasn't just chuunibyou nonsense?!

Devils… really exist?!

Asuna's expression turned complicated. "President Lynn, are you… seriously not joking?"

"Of course."

Lynn's tone was resolute. "Didn't I already tell you back in the Supernatural Investigation Club?"

"Huh?"

Asuna was stunned. "When?"

"That price list…"

The corner of Asuna's eye twitched. "Who would believe something like that?!"

The existence of supernatural powers had already shaken her worldview.

Now, on top of that.

A literal devil appears?

Is this still the same world she knew?

Hiss—

Asuna suddenly felt a chill.

Could it be…

She was actually inside some kind of virtual reality game?

And revealing the truth was the only way to return to the real world?!

Off to the side.

Hitagi's gaze was conflicted.

She already thought she was strange enough.

Yet today, she'd seen something even stranger.

"A devil…"

Hitagi murmured, then looked up at Lynn's crimson eyes and spoke quietly.

"Compared to humans, perhaps devils are more trustworthy."

Because of her own past, Hitagi easily accepted Lynn's identity as a devil.

"?"

Asuna looked at her in disbelief. "Hitagi-san, are you… broken?"

She didn't say the word brain, but the implication was clear.

Devils more trustworthy than humans?

That's not something a mentally stable person would say!

Devils—

In myths, legends, and records alike—are absolutely untrustworthy!

"If you'd experienced what I have, you'd understand why I said that."

Hitagi's tone remained calm.

But that one sentence spoke volumes.

Asuna opened her mouth but said nothing.

Had Hitagi been hurt by humans before?

If so…

Maybe she really wasn't in a position to question her trust in devils.

Still…

Devils are evil in every possible sense, aren't they?

Then again…

Lynn doesn't seem that bad, right?

Though they hadn't known each other long, Lynn left a surprisingly good impression.

Nearby.

Hitagi gazed at Lynn with thoughtful eyes.

"I didn't expect the famous president of the Supernatural Investigation Club to be a devil~"

She let out a small sigh, pulled out a chair, and sat across from Lynn, instinctively closing her legs tightly.

After taking proper precautions against unexpected exposure, Hitagi said:

"If it's you, Mr. Devil, maybe you really can solve my problem."

"?"

Asuna's expression turned complicated. "You're agreeing this easily?"

She was just acting like she didn't want to get involved.

And now, just because Lynn revealed he's a devil, she changed her attitude so quickly?

Hitagi said flatly, "Didn't you say you'd help solve my problem?"

Asuna paused, then said helplessly, "Yeah… I did say that."

As the student council president of Shuchiin, she couldn't ignore Hitagi's condition.

But she never imagined Lynn was actually a devil!

That was what unsettled her the most.

"Besides…"

Hitagi continued, "With a devil in front of me, it's not like I could leave even if I wanted to, right?"

That burst of wind earlier was completely beyond her control.

After all.

She was just an ordinary girl who had lost all her weight.

And…

Her blue eyes flickered slightly. "I noticed it earlier."

"Mr. Devil, you're interested in me, right?"

Lynn smiled. "You're very perceptive."

"Perceptive?"

Hitagi replied calmly, "More like you weren't hiding it."

"Because of my condition?"

She continued to analyze. "Or is it because of my looks?"

She couldn't help but think of the so-called "Harem Club."

She felt like…

She'd stumbled onto a deeper truth.

A devil obsessed with forming a harem?

Lynn didn't deny it at all. He answered openly, "Both."

"But…"

His gaze deepened. "The most important reason is that you have the qualifications to stand at my side."

Hitagi was stunned.

The qualifications… to stand beside a devil?

Why?

She couldn't make sense of it.

Aside from the curse of the Heavy Stone Crab, she didn't see anything special about herself.

She thought for a moment.

But…

If she couldn't figure it out, there was no point dwelling on it.

Hitagi quickly stopped thinking and looked at Lynn with shining eyes.

This was her chance!

Because she feared others discovering her physical abnormality, she'd trapped herself for two years.

Her life had changed beyond recognition.

She had no friends, didn't dare attend events, and lived like a shut-in noble daughter.

She'd turned herself into a hedgehog, covered in thorns.

Before she realized it…

This was the person she'd become.

For two years, she'd searched for the Heavy Stone Crab.

Trying to get her weight back.

But without exception, she failed.

She hadn't seen the Heavy Stone Crab even once since then.

She thought she'd have to live like this forever.

But then…

She met someone even more unusual than herself.

A devil.

And now—

"The price of the deal should be me, right?"

Hitagi asked, her tone calm.

After all, during their earlier conversation, Lynn hadn't been hinting. He'd been very direct.

Lynn looked at her and smiled. "That's right."

"I'll solve your problem, and you'll join my peerage."

"Peerage?"

Hitagi repeated the word, then shifted the meaning slightly.

"Harem?"

Lynn shrugged. "You can interpret it that way."

"Huh?"

Asuna froze, then stammered, "H-Harem?!"

She suddenly realized.

So that rumor about the Harem Club… wasn't just a rumor?!

Hitagi stared at Lynn and whispered, "You're very honest."

She closed her eyes, clearly conflicted.

On one hand, she'd lived a lonely and painful life for years, cursed by the Heavy Crab and stripped of a normal life.

On the other…

She thought of the girls in the Supernatural Investigation Club.

To become one of them?

If she couldn't break free of the Heavy Stone Crab'e curse, she'd probably be alone forever.

And…

Compared to unreliable humans…

Hitagi weighed the options and finally looked straight at Lynn.

She suddenly smiled.

"Lynn…"

"No wonder you're the envy of every boy at Shuchiin."

"You're not just popular with girls. That comic-book face of yours is definitely part of the reason…"

As she said that, she had already made up her mind.

At the very least…

Lynn looked exactly how she imagined her ideal partner.

And besides.

Heavy Stone Crab or devil?

She had no third option.

With her decision made, Hitagi felt much calmer. She asked seriously, "Mr. Devil, can you tell what the source of the anomaly in me is?"

Lynn glanced at her. "The curse of the Heavy Stone Crab, of course."

That sealed it.

Hitagi confirmed it in her heart.

He saw the issue immediately and—

He didn't even seem to treat the curse as anything serious?

Thinking that, Hitagi stood and bowed deeply to Lynn.

"Please, help me recover the weight that belongs to me!"

Lynn leaned on the desk and didn't move. He simply said, "Getting your weight back is easy."

He could purify the curse with just a touch.

"But…"

"You lost more than just weight, didn't you?"

Lynn continued. "Are you ready to carry that burden again?"

Hitagi froze, her mood turning heavy.

Right…

She didn't just lose her weight.

She'd lost her emotions, too—hope and grief alike.

Hitagi fell into a long silence.

Was she ready?

The classroom seemed to freeze, the silence suffocating.

Outside the window, the wind rustled the leaves as if nature itself was waiting for her answer.

Finally—

Hitagi raised her head, eyes full of seriousness and resolve. "I'm ready."

She decided to face it, not run from it.

She didn't want to keep living like this.

"Alright."

Lynn stood, the corners of his lips lifting. "I accept your commission."

Asuna opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

She had clearly heard every word of that deal.

Hitagi had agreed to give herself to Lynn in exchange for his help!

Asuna clenched her fists.

Such a transaction would normally be strictly prohibited at Shuchiin.

Especially…

When it was happening right under her nose, as the student council president!

Logically, she should step in and stop it.

But…

Lynn didn't force anything. Hitagi agreed of her own will.

And more importantly…

As a human, could she even stop a devil?

Asuna felt helpless.

On the other side.

Lynn placed a hand on Hitagi's shoulder, and a blinding light burst out!

Buzz—

Hitagi's eyes widened, and her long purple hair whipped around.

It felt like something was leaving her body.

And…

Her body grew heavy.

Roar—!

Suddenly—

A roar erupted from within Hitagi!

The next moment—

A giant crab's shadow slowly appeared.

Its massive form seemed to fill the classroom, and each swing of its claws stirred powerful gusts of wind.

Asuna covered her mouth, eyes wide with fear. "Is that… the Heavy Stone Crab?!"

Hitagi narrowed her eyes. "Yeah. That's it."

Even though she'd only seen it once, she would never forget the thing that changed her life.

Roar—!

The crab roared again, its eyes fixed angrily on Lynn.

Lynn chuckled. "Looks like this crab's pretty fond of you."

"?"

Hitagi was stunned.

Fond?

Before she could dwell on it, the crab suddenly raised its claws and attacked Lynn.

"Watch out!"

Asuna shouted in panic.

But Lynn only raised a hand.

Bang!

The crab's pincers slammed into Lynn's palm with a heavy thud.

A moment later.

Crackling echoed.

The shell of the crab phantom cracked apart!

Boom!

The crab's shadow burst into glowing particles and vanished from the room!

Hitagi and Asuna stood there, stunned and speechless.

"…Is it over?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 170: Dad?

"No, it's just the beginning."

Lynn's calm voice echoed.

"Huh?"

Asuna was stunned, not understanding what Lynn meant.

Hearing that, Hitagi narrowed her eyes and explained, "What appeared just now was only the shadow of the Heavy Stone Crab."

Asuna suddenly understood. "So, that means the Heavy Stone Crab might come back and cause trouble?"

Thinking about it, a chill ran down Asuna's spine.

Just the shadow alone had made her feel how small and powerless a human truly was.

If the real body appeared…

She shivered.

"Cause trouble?"

Hitagi glanced at Lynn and muttered, "Why do I get the feeling it's not the crab causing trouble?"

Lynn grinned. "Didn't expect you to understand me so well after such a short time."

"No," Hitagi shook her head, "Like I said, you don't bother hiding your thoughts at all…"

"So, you want to go?"

Lynn chuckled. "Of course."

The Heavy Stone Crab had glared at him with so much resentment…

Naturally, there was no way Lynn would just let it go.

Suddenly.

Master, Master~

A voice echoed in Lynn's mind.

He raised his brow. "Stella?"

Yup!

Stella's sweet voice answered, followed by another voice.

Master.

Luna's voice joined in.

That Heavy Stone Crab… seems to be of some use to me.

Lynn looked surprised.

Luna continued, The moment it appeared, my star map reacted.

Lynn stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes. "I see."

That made it even more worth hunting the crab down.

—

Meanwhile, under Lynn's purification, Hitagi felt her body growing heavier and heavier.

Her weight had finally returned.

Two years…

It had been two whole years since she last felt the physical sense of being alive.

Her emotions surged, and a smile unconsciously formed on her lips.

But with that weight came unbearable pain and memories.

And…

Her mother.

"Ugh…"

Hitagi groaned, her brows furrowing as the smile faded, replaced by pain.

She pressed her temples, clenching her teeth. Cold sweat ran down her face, but she could only grit through it.

She had mentally prepared herself to reclaim her weight.

However…

The sheer tide of negative emotions still nearly overwhelmed her.

Her body swayed, her steps became unsteady.

Then suddenly.

A large, warm hand rested gently on her head.

"And your soul too."

Lynn's voice rang out softly.

A gentle, calming power flowed from his hand into Hitagi's body, soothing the turmoil in her heart.

Hitagi blinked in surprise, then looked up at Lynn, her eyes dazed.

Subconsciously, she leaned into his chest, buried her face, and mumbled.

"…Dad."

Asuna: "?"

Lynn: "?"

The corners of Lynn's mouth twitched, his eyes showing brief surprise.

He had met many people, recruited many girls into his peerage… but this was a first.

He and Asuna exchanged glances, both reading the same complicated thoughts in the other's eyes.

But Hitagi was completely unaware, clinging tighter to Lynn, still muttering the word, "Dad…"

After a while.

The storm of painful memories settled down.

Hitagi slowly regained clarity.

Then she froze.

She…

What had she just done?

Clung to Lynn's chest and even called him… Dad?

Ugh…

Stay calm! Just stay calm!!

But…

She couldn't calm down at all!!

And…

Lynn smelled really nice. Like a father.

Hitagi's eyes looked dazed.

Also…

That feeling…

Was really comforting.

Even the painful memories seemed a little lighter.

Hmm…

So that's it…

As she leaned against Lynn, a new understanding seemed to dawn on her.

Hitagi slowly lifted her head, the corners of her lips curving upward. "Dad."

Lynn: "?"

He replied in a complicated tone, "Shouldn't you be awake by now?"

Hitagi stepped back from his embrace, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her eyes carried a playful glint. "Don't you like it?"

Lynn narrowed his eyes. "Can't say I dislike it."

He was used to being addressed that way, but this was a unique experience.

Hearing that, Hitagi's smile deepened. She clasped her hands behind her back, took a few steps back, then turned around with a blush on her cheeks.

She hadn't expected herself to act so boldly.

But…

That moment really did feel good.

The weight in her heart had lifted again.

She gently touched her chest.

Her heart was racing.

Was it…

Because she had found hope?

Also…

Now that the curse of the Heavy Stone Crab was gone, her entire body felt much lighter.

To the side, Asuna's eyelid twitched.

She really shouldn't be here right now.

—

On the other end, Lynn narrowed his eyes.

Earlier, through the breath of the phantom, he had locked onto the real location of the Heavy Crab.

So—

Buzz—

A black magic circle rose beneath his feet.

The sudden flare snapped Asuna and Hitagi out of their thoughts.

Hitagi steadied herself and asked, "What's this?"

"Teleportation magic."

Both Hitagi and Asuna's eyes widened slightly.

"Magic? Teleportation?"

Even Hitagi, who had witnessed many strange things, was surprised to see magic with her own eyes.

"So, we're going to find that Heavy Crab now?"

Realization flashed in Hitagi's eyes, then she asked, "Can I come too?"

She was curious.

About the Heavy Stone Crab that had stolen her weight.

Lynn nodded. "Sure."

Hearing that, Hitagi walked to his side and naturally took his arm.

Asuna's eyelids twitched.

"Isn't that identity shift a little too fast?"

Hitagi blinked. "I can't help it. I'm already a devil, and…"

"You're an accomplice~"

Accomplice?!

Asuna's expression froze.

Hitagi continued, "If you hadn't brought the devil here, I might still be all alone."

"So…"

She smiled warmly. "Thank you."

Asuna opened her mouth, then sighed helplessly. "That's not the kind of thanks I want…"

As Shuchiin's student council president, not only did she witness Lynn recruiting someone into his peerage…

She also became one of the accomplices.

Her conscience was in pain.

"Well then, see you next time…"

Hitagi waved toward Asuna.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Asuna stepped forward and grabbed Lynn's other arm.

Hitagi: "?"

Asuna smiled. "Mind taking me with you?"

Lynn shrugged.

One's fine, two's no problem.

The next moment.

The black magic circle glowed brightly!

In an instant, Lynn and the two girls vanished.

—

Somewhere far from Shuchiin.

In a damp, pitch-black cave.

A black magic circle lit up.

Moments later, Lynn, Hitagi, and Asuna appeared.

Both girls looked slightly dazed.

"Is this… another location?"

They looked around in amazement.

Just one step and they'd been transported to a whole new place.

This was real teleportation magic!

They were visibly excited.

Roar—

Suddenly.

A deep roar echoed from the depths of the cave!

The sound reverberated, and the cave walls began to tremble. Stones and debris crumbled from the ceiling.

"What was that?!"

Asuna cried out.

Hitagi quickly calmed down. "The Heavy Stone Crab might've noticed us."

"This is its lair, after all."

As she spoke—

A heavy thudding sound echoed from deep inside.

It sounded like something massive was crawling.

Soon.

Two massive, bulb-like orbs appeared from the shadows, gently swaying in the air.

Gulp!

Asuna swallowed hard. "A-Are those its eyes?"

Lynn calmly answered, "You'll see."

With a snap of his fingers, radiant light burst outward like a tidal wave, instantly illuminating the entire cavern like it was daytime.

The moss-covered stone walls glowed with faint green light.

And—

"So big…"

Asuna's eyes widened.

The scale of the underground cave was astounding.

But what truly captured their attention…

Was the monstrous crab nearly filling the entire space.

Its shell shimmered with a dull glow, rough and ancient like eroded rock.

The edges of its carapace were jagged like saw teeth, each gleaming under the light like a dagger.

Its legs were like stone pillars, covered in hardened shell and jagged with spikes thicker than a human arm.

Hiss—

Just the sight of it made both Asuna and Hitagi tremble.

"This is… the real Heavy Stone Crab?"

Asuna's breath hitched. Her mouth went dry, her heart pounding wildly.

Roar!

Suddenly.

The Heavy Stone Crab let out a thunderous roar and charged at them on its eight massive legs!

The ground shook violently with each step!

Seeing this, Lynn stepped forward calmly. "Stay put."

"Huh?!"

Asuna panicked. "Wait! Are we really going to fight that monster?!"

"Yes. Or…"

She hesitated, voice trembling.

Should they just teleport back instead?

There's no way they could fight something like that, right?

But before she could say more.

Lynn's aura flared, and he vanished.

In the blink of an eye!

Lynn appeared above the Heavy Stone Crab.

"!"

Even the beast's eyes showed human-like shock.

The next second.

Buzz—

An overwhelming gravitational force surged toward Lynn!

He grinned. "How kind. You even gave me a buff?"

As his words fell—

Whoosh—

A flicker of flame wrapped around Lynn's foot.

And then—

He slammed down hard onto the top of the Heavy Stone Crab's head!

BOOM!!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 171: Concept Of Weight

Boom!

The Heavy Stone Crab shell instantly fractured, dense cracks spreading like a spiderweb. The soft crab meat beneath could be faintly seen through the gaps.

The sheer impact didn't stop there. The force pierced clean through the massive body of the Heavy Stone Crab and slammed directly into the bedrock beneath.

In the blink of an eye.

A deep crater was blasted into the ground, debris scattering across the edges.

Yaaaa—!

The Heavy Stone Crab raised its head and let out a long, shrill cry. The sound was piercing, like a blade scraping across eardrums.

Asuna and Hitagi winced in pain. The pitch was so sharp it felt like their ears would burst.

Then—

The sparks on Lynn's feet spread like venom, wrapping around every inch of the Heavy Crab's body.

Roar—!

The creature thrashed in agony, its body writhing.

The entire underground cave trembled violently, as if it might collapse at any moment.

Seeing this, Lynn simply increased the output.

Fwoosh!!

Flames erupted with a rising whoosh!

A pillar of fire, glowing with starlight, shot toward the sky!

The stalactites overhead couldn't withstand the intense heat and melted instantly!

A skylight opened above.

Dim sunlight poured through the opening.

A few seconds later.

The Heavy Stone Crab's roar faded, and its body stopped struggling.

Seeing this, Lynn spoke. "Luna."

"On it!"

At his call, a small shadow appeared on his shoulder—long, light-blue hair drifting like jellyfish tendrils.

Luna hovered above the Heavy Crab, palms raised.

Buzz—

Like a melody played by the cosmos, a radiant star map unfolded in her hands.

The stars shimmered with mystery and power.

Then—

At the center of the star map, space distorted as if torn open. A black hole slowly formed, radiating immense gravitational pull as it drew the Heavy Stone Crab in.

"Nn…"

As it was fully devoured, Luna let out a soft moan.

She could feel it. Something deep within her had subtly and fundamentally changed.

At the same time.

The system prompt sounded in Lynn's ears.

[Ding! Subtle changes have occurred in your Zodiac Pilgrimage!]

Lynn's brow lifted slightly.

The skill [Zodiac Pilgrimage] activated.

He checked the status, then focused on Cancer.

[Pivot of Cancer]

Forms a cocoon of star sand to heal internal wounds.

Heavy Stone Crab Power: Gain the Concept of Weight.

Lynn narrowed his eyes.

So after Cancer absorbed the Heavy Stone Crab, it inherited its power?

"Could it be…"

"The Zodiac Pilgrimage can evolve by devouring corresponding mythological beings?"

The thought intrigued him.

Then—

Lynn's consciousness sank into the space of the [Evil Piece].

He felt a strange shift.

"…The Evil Piece space now has weight?"

It was subtle, but unmistakable.

"Is this the effect of gaining a conceptual ability?"

He looked up at the faint red haze before the starry sky.

"It feels… similar to the Sun's conceptual weight. But not heavy enough."

Lynn contemplated.

Weight as a cosmic concept?

Would he eventually have to collect all four fundamental forces of the universe?

Hiss—

That thought made him shudder.

What are you trying to become, [Evil Piece]?!

Ever since this power awakened, Lynn had sensed something off about it.

Being a pawn or using Evil Pieces was still within reason.

But now it involved constellations, celestial bodies, and metaphysical concepts?

It was getting absurd.

While Lynn pondered, Luna reappeared beside him in the space.

"Master."

Lynn snapped back and looked at her. "How do you feel?"

Luna smiled sweetly and raised her arms. "Better than ever!"

"I also feel like I gained a gravity-controlling ability!"

She waved toward the Star Palace.

But…

Nothing happened.

Luna: "…"

She pouted. "I guess it's useless for now…"

Lynn chuckled and rubbed her head. "Maybe it's because this space is unique."

He spent a bit more time in the space, then withdrew his consciousness.

Returning to reality, the desolate underground cave came back into view.

"Is it dead…?"

Asuna stared at Lynn in a daze. Her mind struggled to process everything.

It had all happened so fast, it almost felt unreal.

But…

That monstrous crab—so massive, so terrifying it could shake the earth just by stepping—was real.

Just standing near it made her feel powerless and weak.

And yet—

Lynn had crushed it with a single strike.

Gulp.

Asuna swallowed, her eyes full of awe as she looked at Lynn.

Like a god.

That was the only way to describe him.

And thinking back to when she suggested escaping via teleportation… she wanted to bury herself in shame.

"So this is… a devil…"

Hitagi murmured.

Lynn's overwhelming power left a deep impression on her.

It also shattered her assumptions about devils entirely.

Compared to Asuna, Hitagi had more knowledge of the Heavy Stone Crab.

She had been researching it for two years.

She'd read myths, legends, and rituals.

In some stories, the Heavy Stone Crab was revered as a god.

Even if it was just fear turned into myth…

Lynn had just killed a "god."

How exhilarating…

Even as a bystander, Hitagi's hands trembled in excitement.

The Supernatural Investigation Club.

No—Lynn's group.

Hitagi took a deep breath, her eyes brimming with excitement.

She would soon be part of that harem.

Soon…

She'd get to experience what it felt like to strike down a godlike being with her own hands.

I wonder…

What would that feel like?

She could hardly wait.

Her life, once stagnant, had found a new path.

—

Elsewhere in the cave.

Lynn's figure blurred and appeared in the deeper chamber.

He touched his chin, staring at the outlines carved into the stone wall.

"This was probably its nesting ground."

He looked around.

Nothing unusual, except—

"Eggs?"

He walked toward a dark corner where transparent, bubble-like spheres were stacked.

Then—

Luna reappeared beside him.

"Master, those are Memory Eggs."

She stared at the pile, her eyes glowing.

Lynn asked, "Are they useful to you?"

"Yup!"

Luna nodded excitedly. "If I absorb them, I can enhance my Concept of Weight!"

Having gained the Heavy Stone Crab's power, she now understood how to use it.

"I see…"

Lynn touched his chin. "Then I'll leave them to you."

"Yay! Master's the best!!"

Luna giggled, kissed Lynn's cheek, then dashed toward the Memory Eggs with gleeful energy.

Suuuck!

Slurp!

Luna squinted with joy as she devoured them.

Lynn left her be and wandered off to explore the rest of the cave.

But…

Nothing else.

Aside from the Memory Eggs, the cave was completely barren.

Lynn clicked his tongue. "That's it?"

Once Luna finished absorbing them, Lynn reappeared beside Asuna and Hitagi.

"!"

His sudden return startled Asuna, but seeing it was him, she sighed in relief.

"Let's go."

A black magic circle formed beneath his feet.

"Huh?"

Asuna blinked. "It's already over?"

Lynn glanced at her. "You're welcome to keep exploring if you want."

Asuna stiffened. She quickly smiled and shook her head. "No thanks…"

The circle flashed.

—

Shuchiin Academy.

Third-year, Class 2.

Lynn and the girls reappeared.

Asuna finally relaxed after returning to familiar surroundings.

But still—

That was thrilling!

Her heart beat faster just recalling it.

If it happened again…

She probably wouldn't have the courage.

But—

If it was with Lynn…

That would be different.

On the other side.

Hitagi held Lynn's arm, tilting her head up with her blue eyes fixed on him. "So, what now? Am I officially part of your harem?"

Lynn raised a brow, chuckling. "Eager, aren't you?"

"I made peace with it when I accepted your deal~"

Hitagi's tone was playful. She even winked.

Now that the curse was lifted, she was clearly more lively.

Asuna, too, seemed changed by her presence.

But maybe…

A little too lively?

Asuna's eye twitched slightly.

Moments later.

The three left the classroom together.

—

Elsewhere.

Third floor. Girls' restroom.

The atmosphere was… strange.

Hayasaka stood holding a pair of damp panties, her expression unreadable.

Kaguya stepped out of the stall, having just finished tidying her clothes. Her face turned red the moment she saw the scene.

"Morning… Hayasaka… what are you doing?!"

Hayasaka stayed silent for a moment, then spoke seriously.

"Miss, do you want to keep it?"

She said calmly, "When you grow up, this kind of thing rarely happens outside the bedroom. I think it has… sentimental value."

Collect?!

Kaguya's eye twitched.

Then—

She snatched the panties back.

These panties must never be allowed to exist in this world again!

Cremation!

Complete annihilation! Not even dust shall remain!

(To be continued.)