DxD: Chapter 59/61

Chapter 59: Soft Right?

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?

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.)

Chapter 61: Ghost Devil

"Then why don't I just join you?"

Inside the old school building, Hana's voice rang loud and clear.

Miko blinked.

Wait… was she serious?

But…

She wasn't sure if Hana was qualified to become part of Lynn's peerage.

Miko turned to look at Lynn.

Lynn met her gaze and smiled.

"Then join Yuuko," he said casually.

"Reincarnate as a devil together and become part of my peerage."

Miko sighed in relief.

So, Hana is also qualified.

"Yay!"

Hana hugged Miko excitedly.

Miko smiled helplessly, but she was genuinely happy for her.

Becoming part of Lynn's peerage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people like them.

Besides…

Knowing the truth of the world but lacking the power to protect oneself…

That's a nightmare.

She had experienced it herself.

Now, Hana had a chance to escape that fate.


---

Outside the Old School Building.

After putting some distance between themselves and the building, Yukino finally let out a breath of relief.

But two words kept echoing in her mind.

Peerage.

She hadn't stayed long enough to hear the full explanation…

But with her intelligence, she could already guess.

Maybe…

Those girls in the Supernatural Investigation Club are all part of Lynn's peerage?

Maybe they gained supernatural abilities because they became his peerage members?

Fuu~

She exhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind.

When she faced that cursed spirit in the old school building…

She had realized something very clearly.

She.

Yukinoshita Yukino.

Was just an ordinary person.

Against monsters like that, she could do absolutely nothing.

She didn't want to be involved in supernatural affairs anymore.

"Y-Yukino…"

Suddenly, Yui tugged at Yukino's sleeve, her voice shaking.

"L-Look ahead…"

Yukinoshita Yukino looked up in confusion.

And then—

Her pupils shrank!

"Can you see me? Can you see me?"

Yukino's face turned stiff.

On the streets of Shuchiin…

Evil spirits were everywhere.

No!

Not just Shuchiin!

She looked into the distance.

The streets outside the school…

Were also filled with evil spirits!!

"Y-Yukino…"

Yui forced a smile, one that looked worse than crying.

"T-Those are—"

"Don't say it!"

Yukino's voice dropped to a whisper.

Yui immediately fell silent.

"Just… pretend we don't see them…"

Yukino murmured softly.

On the surface, she looked calm.

But if someone listened carefully…

They would hear the slight tremor in her voice.

"Can you see me?"

She remembered the cursed spirit's words.

If they realized she could see them…

Something terrible would happen.

Her lips turned pale.

Why…

Why has the world become like this?

Is this the real truth of the world?

Suddenly, she remembered what Lynn had said in the old school building.

"Once you see the real world, there's no turning back."

So this was what he meant?

She clenched her fists, her heart pounding.

What should she do?

What should she do?!

Just then—

A cursed spirit approached them.

Its hooded face was twisted and grotesque, and a foul stench came from its mouth.

"Can you see me? Can you see me?"

So close!

So terrifying!

Should she go back?

Should she return to the old school building and seek Lynn's help?

But…

She had already walked away without hesitation.

Wouldn't running back now be utterly shameful?

"CAN YOU SEE ME?!!"

Suddenly!

The cursed spirit lunged closer!

Yukino trembled.

It felt like…

She had let something slip…


---

Inside the Old School Building.

Since Lynn was about to perform a reincarnation ceremony, he needed a clean space.

So—

The group moved to Yuuko's room.

"Great! Everything's still intact!"

Yuuko floated in midair, spreading her arms as if welcoming them.

"Welcome to Yuuko's private chamber!"

Lynn looked around.

Hmm… definitely has a girly touch.

Utaha let out a sigh.

"I didn't expect her to act like a queen but have such a cutesy room."

Then she muttered under her breath,

"She's clearly an old virgin in her fifties or sixties."

Lynn ignored her and pulled out an Evil Piece.

"Alright, who's going first?"

Hana eagerly raised her hand.

But before she could step forward.

Yuuko pounced on Lynn.

Rubbing against him, she declared,

"I'll go first! I'll go first!"

"Alright then."

Lynn nodded.

"Take off your clothes."

"…Huh?"

Yuuko froze.

Then her eyes lit up with amusement.

"The reincarnation ceremony has such an interesting rule?"

She grinned and teasingly pulled at her collar, revealing a deep ravine.

"Like this~?"

Lynn remained unfazed.

After admiring the view for a moment, he said,

"No, you have to take everything off."

Yuuko pretended to look troubled.

"Really, what a greedy man."

She wasn't wearing anything underneath.

But…

Since he said so.

Yuuko slowly undressed, exposing her flawless figure before Lynn.

"Eh heh heh?!"

Hana covered her eyes but peeked through her fingers.

She actually stripped?!

So shameless!!

Utaha's eyelid twitched.

"You damn ghost! You really don't wear anything!"

"Hmph!"

Yuuko straightened her back with pride, her breasts swaying.

"It's uncomfortable for ghosts, okay?"

Lynn picked up the Evil Piece.

"Front or back?"

After briefly explaining the Blessing inscription, Yuuko suddenly understood.

"Ohhh~ So that's why I have to take off my clothes."

Her eyes gleamed as she feigned embarrassment.

"Whatever you like, Lynn~ I'll leave it up to you."

Since she said that, Lynn didn't hesitate.

He placed the Evil Piece on the front.

"Hmmnn~

It feels like something… went inside!"

Yuuko moaned softly, her face flushed.

Utaha clenched her teeth.

"She's definitely doing this on purpose!"

Buzz——

The reincarnation ceremony was complete.

A status window appeared.


---

Yuuko

Race: Devil (Ghost Devil)

Peerage: Lynn Valefor

Rank: Low-Class Devil

Strength: I0

Agility: I0

Endurance: I0

Magic Power: I0


Inherent Skills:

[Ghost Devil]

[Will-o'-the-Wisp]

[Earthbound Spirit] (Deploys an inherent barrier: Dusk Maiden's Domain)

[Devil Transformation] (Extreme Ghost Mode)



---

[Ding! Yuuko has been reincarnated into your peerage!]

[Ding! Your peerage member has become a special Ghost Devil!]

[Ding! You have acquired the skill: Ghost Devil!]

[Ding! Your strength has slightly increased!]

(To be continued.)