But Urahara wasn't playing around. His face turned deadly serious. "Yoruichi, if it's about the Hgyoku, you can't joke around."
Hearing that, Yoruichi dropped the teasing and nodded seriously. "Urahara, I'm not joking."
When she first learned about the Blessing System, she was just as shaken as he was now.
Honestly, the Blessing System might even be scarier than the Hgyoku itself.
After confirming Yoruichi's words, Urahara fell silent.
She hadn't spelled it out completely, but just from the bits she revealed, he could already piece together a lot.
At the very least
The "Hgyoku" Yoruichi was talking about must have come from Lynn.
Seriously?
Just because she sold herself, Lynn handed over something that important?
Was Yoruichi really that worth it?
Urahara looked up at her, suspicion written all over his face.
Yoruichi twitched. "I feel like you're thinking something really rude right now."
Urahara quickly straightened his face. "You're overthinking it."
Yoruichi rolled her eyes, then added, "I kinda figured out what you're thinking."
"But..."
"Unlike your Hgyoku, Lynn's Hgyoku is something he can just... casually make."
Urahara froze again.
Casually make them?
Wait a minute!
Urahara's voice was a little strained. "Don't tell me all his women"
Yoruichi nodded. "Yup. It's exactly what you're thinking."
Gulp
Urahara couldn't keep a straight face anymore.
Everyone got one?
Their own personal Hgyoku?!
The thing he and Aizen had spent so long chasing after.
This guy could mass-produce them like candy?!
Urahara spiraled into deep, existential doubt.
—
MeanwhileBack in the main world
Himeragi Yukina and Kitagawa Marin had just finished their first official initiation into Lynn's Familia.
.
.
.
Just a Vampire
Apocalypse World
Kitagawa Marin carefully blew the head off a zombie.
Only after the body dropped to the ground with a heavy thud did she pat her chest and let out a breath of relief.
Her heart was pounding like crazy.
Up until today, she'd just been a regular girl. This was her first time facing such bizarre, beyond-common-sense monsters, so it was only natural she felt a bit nervous.
Even though the zombies weren't exactly hard to deal with and Shiina Mahiru was there watching her back Marin still couldn't help but be on edge.
Compared to Marin, Himeragi Yukina was way calmer.
After testing her new abilities on a few zombies, she casually started sizing up the world around them.
Yep! No doubt about it.
This was another world.
Yukina could tell for sure there were no such things as zombies back in her original world.
Also the air here didn't seem to have any special energy or anything.
Aside from the zombies, this place felt just like a normal world.
Gripping her Snowdrift Wolf spear tightly, Yukina felt a rush of emotion.
A real, honest-to-god other world.
Seeing that the two of them were getting the hang of things, Shiina Mahiru finally spoke up: "Alright, that's enough for today."
Snapped out of their thoughts, Marin and Yukina both nodded.
It didn't take long before the three of them returned to the Familia base in the zombie world.
The sight that greeted them immediately caught Marin and Yukina's attention: many little girls with wings fluttering about here and there.
Marin couldn't help but ask curiously, "Are they... also members of the Familia?"
Mahiru smiled and nodded."Yep, they are."
Marin clicked her tongue in amazement.
There were so many of them.
She glanced down at her own very developed figure and started feeling a little uneasy.
Could it be... Lynn prefers lolis?
Before she could dwell on it too long The three of them passed through a Gate and returned to the Supernatural Research Club.
Yukina's mind was still a little foggy.
Just that short trip to another world had completely overturned everything she thought she knew.
And there were still three more worlds left to explore.
She glanced toward the other Gates, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
What are the other worlds like?
On the other side, Mahiru said casually: "Each Familia member has a place they can stay. If you two want, you can move in too."
As she spoke, she shared the location of Lynn's Manor with them.
Marin's curiosity got the better of her: "Do most of the Familia live at the manor?"
Mahiru's eye twitched slightly. If you counted the lolis, then "most" wasn't exactly the right word.
After thinking for a second, she just smiled and said: "Well... there's a pretty good number, yeah."
"Great! I'm in!"
Marin pumped her fist, eyes full of determination.
Got to be close to the source if you wanna make a move!
If she couldn't get close to Lord Lynn, how was she ever going to climb into his bed?
Uhh?
Was she being shameless thinking that?
Marin's cheeks turned a little pink.
But no matter what, she wasn't backing down!
She wanted to show Lord Lynn just how warm she could be!
Mahiru watched Marin with an amused smile.
Looks like this newbie has a clear goal in mind.
Maybe they'd be comrades-in-arms soon enough.
"I'll go too!" Yukina suddenly said.
"...?"
Mahiru blinked at her in surprise.
From what she'd observed, Yukina didn't seem like the type who'd willingly throw herself into Lynn's arms.
More like she was here because she had no choice? So this sudden eagerness caught Mahiru a little off guard.
But Yukina's calm expression hid her real thoughts.
She was thinking about Sayaka.
Even if she'd ended up joining the Familia herself, Yukina hadn't forgotten about her best friend.
Even if she couldn't rescue Sayaka, she at least needed to know how she was doing.
Wait. Couldn't she just ask about it directly?
Snapping back to herself, Yukina turned to Mahiru and asked:
"Mahiru-senpai, um... has there been a girl around here recently? She's really busty, but super scared of guys?"
Senpai?
Mahiru's heart skipped a beat.
First time one of the new recruits had called her that.
Mahiru's mood instantly improved.
"Let me think."
"Hmm..."
"You mean Kirasaka Sayaka, right?"
Yukina's eyes lit up. She nodded frantically.
Mahiru tilted her head, curious. "You're friends with her?"
A little embarrassed, Yukina nodded again and admitted honestly: "Actually, the whole reason I joined the Familia... was because of Sayaka."
After seeing Lynn's methods and the power behind the Familia, Yukina realized she couldn't afford to play games.
Might as well lay her cards on the table.
Mahiru nodded in understanding. "You wanted to save her?"
Yukina nodded.
Mahiru smiled wryly. "Yeah, that's probably not gonna happen..."
After all, Sayaka was a talented recruit. Now that she was in Lynn's hands, there was no way he'd let her go.
Yukina wasn't surprised to hear that.
Sayaka had snuck in here on a secret mission, after all. She was kind of in the wrong.
Still, Yukina couldn't help but worry: "Then... how is Sayaka doing now?"
Noticing the concern in Yukina's eyes, Mahiru reassured her: "Don't worry. She's not in any danger."
"And actually..." Mahiru's expression turned weird."Your friend is currently undergoing treatment for her androphobia (Fear of men)."
"...Huh?"
Yukina froze. "You can treat that?"
Mahiru gave an awkward chuckle. "Uh... maybe?"
At the very least, Sayaka had already gotten pretty used to Lynn's touch.
Yukina didn't know what to say.
This outcome was way different from what she expected!
Not only had Sayaka not been mistreated, she was actually being treated?
This Familia of "devils" was way more humane than she'd imagined!
From the moment she met Lynn, Yukina's preconceived ideas about devils had started to crumble.
And now, after hearing about Sayaka's situation, they were completely gone.
Besides she was technically a devil now too!
Hearing that Sayaka was okay made Yukina feel a whole lot lighter. Then she hesitated for a second before asking: "U-Um..."
Scratching her face awkwardly, she admitted: "I'm actually from the Lion King Organization... So what"
Mahiru immediately understood and gave her a reassuring smile: "Don't worry. If you still want to stay in the Lion King Organization, you can."
"Eh?"
Another surprise!
Yukina was starting to get seriously shocked.
Wasn't this devil Familia too good?
Mahiru just smiled mysteriously.
The Familia never forced anyone to cut ties with their original organizations.
Mahiru's words and attitude melted away all of Yukina's lingering worries.
Otherwise, with her still officially tied to the Lion King Organization and now carrying all these secrets about the Familia, she would've been a nervous wreck.
...
Yukina and Marin finally left the Supernatural Research Club.
They were heading back to pack up their things and move to Lynn's Manor.
Of course, Marin still needed to convince her family first.
Yukina's situation was way easier.
She was living alone in a rented apartment anyway.
Back home, Yukina quickly packed her things. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to call Endou.
"Moshi moshi~"
The call connected, and Endou's lazy voice came through.
HISSSSS~
Yukina frowned. "Master, what are you doing? It's so noisy over there."
—
At the Lion King Organization
Endou sighed, glancing toward the courtyard.
There, a man in a white suit with flowing blond hair stood tall.
Behind him, a giant green serpent loomed over the assembled agents.
'The Snake Charmer,' Dimitrie Vatler.
Endou could only sigh helplessly.
Seriously, of all people, the Frivolous Master of Serpents had to show up?
Living up to his nickname, this guy wasn't just obsessed with snakes he was also a battle maniac!
Fight first, talk later, huh?
So arrogant... it was basically a slap in the Lion King Organization's face!
"Master?"
Yukina's slightly anxious voice came through the phone again.
Endou snapped back and laughed it off: "It's nothing. Just got challenged by a vampire."
Yukina: "?"
You call that "nothing"?!
.
.
.
Dimitrie Vatler, the Snake Charmer
"Wait for me, I'm on my way, Master!"
Beep beep beep~
The moment Himeragi Yukina finished speaking, Endou's phone was already playing the busy tone.
Endou opened his mouth, but in the end, just shook his head and sighed helplessly. "Still as impatient as ever, Yukina."
Endou believed that even if Yukina rushed over, there wasn't much she could do right now anyway.
Not to mentionThe guy in front of them, the snake charmer, clearly wasn't planning to seriously pick a fight with the Lion King Organization.
Still, against a vampire who hasn't reached the level of a Primogenitor (True Ancestor) yet, they weren't helpless.
It's just Dimitrie Vatler wasn't exactly easy to deal with.
Word was, he'd swallowed two second-generation-class vampires. Who knew what level his strength had reached now?
Endou's expression turned serious as she locked eyes with Dimitrie Vatler, keeping a close watch on his every move.
Wait...
Hadn't she forgotten to ask Yukina about Lynn's situation?
Endou's mind drifted back to Yukina.
Compared to Dimitrie Vatler, she was way more concerned about how things were going with Lynn.
After all, when an even more terrifying being was looming over them, Dimitrie Vatler just didn't feel like much of a threat anymore.
Naturally, Dimitrie Vatler could also tell the Lion King Organization wasn't exactly taking him seriously.
He chuckled, a little amused. "Man, it's been a while since anyone treated me like I don't matter."
For some reason, that realization made him genuinely happy.
Yeah, this was how it should be! They ignore him...And then BATTLE!!
Only through fighting could he feel truly alive!
"Utpalaka!"
With a low call, the massive serpent behind Dimitrie Vatler launched itself into the air, diving straight toward the Lion King Organization's reception hall!
Wherever it passed, freezing air swept out, instantly frosting everything around it!
ROAR!
The giant snake opened its crimson maw and let out a chilling screech!
But Endou and the others just glanced at it casually, not even bothering to react.
The next second
A faint blue barrier quietly rose up in front of them.
BOOM!
Utpalaka smashed headfirst into the barrier!
Hisssss~~
The serpent screeched in pain, but no matter how hard it pushed, it couldn't advance even an inch.
Whoosh
It exhaled a freezing breath, instantly covering the barrier with a thick layer of frost.
Crack crack!
The sharp sound of freezing filled the air.
Endou calmly lifted a hand, and with a flick of her fingers, a talisman shot toward Utpalaka!
Mid-air, the talisman suddenly ignited in bright crimson flames! The next moment, it struck Utpalaka's enormous body.
Fwoosh!
The small flame erupted into a massive inferno, engulfing the giant snake completely!
ROAR!!
Utpalaka howled in agony, writhing violently, trying desperately to shake off the flames.
Endou just gave it a flat look before shifting her gaze toward Dimitrie Vatler, her voice cold:
"Hey, snake charmer. Is that how your Warlord boss taught you to say hello?"
Dimitrie Vatler, completely unconcerned about his familiar burning alive, simply smiled lightly and said:
"I'm just here to see if you're qualified to host the Blazing Banquet."
The Blazing Banquet?
Hearing those words, Endou's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that's what this was about.
No surprise there. If the vampires were getting involved, it had to be related to the 'Fourth Progenitor.'
What did catch her off guard was that the Warlord actually sent this battle-crazed lunatic.
Did he not realize what would happen? Or maybe...
Maybe this was exactly what he wanted.
Endou's eyes flickered thoughtfully, unable to guess what the Warlord was really thinking.
...
Meanwhile
Dimitrie Vatler calmly recalled Utpalaka back to its world.
Then, raising his hand, he called out: "Sagara, Upananda."
The moment his voice fell, two new serpents materialized behind himone, a dark blue giant snake as vast as the ocean; the other, a black serpent covered in countless razor-sharp scales along its back.
The second they appeared, the pressure in the room spiked dramatically!
