DxD: Building A Demon Clan From Scratch.

Chapter 64: New World? (BONUS)

The next day.

Early in the morning.

At the dining table, Utaha absentmindedly poked at the food in her bowl, looking a little down.

No appetite~

She shot a resentful glance at Saeko.

As if to say: Why didn't Lynn go to your room last night?

Saeko smiled calmly. "Nothing I can do about it. No one can predict where Master wants to go."

She recalled, "I remember one time, Master did not even come to this world at all."

Utaha paused for a moment, then remembered it.

And her mood sank even further.

That day, Lynn had spent the whole night playing video games with Koneko.

She hadn't realized Lynn and Koneko were that close!

Could it be…

The women in the Peerage could no longer satisfy Lynn?

Utaha's thoughts spiraled, eventually circling back to herself.

She couldn't keep going on like this.

She was willing to give, was there anything she couldn't give?

But the courage she'd finally built up…

---

Weekend.

Higurashi Shrine.

Yukino and Yui stood beneath the torii gate.

"Yukinon, will this really work?" Yui asked nervously, trying her best not to look around too much.

It had been a few days since the incident at the old school building.

After experiencing multiple encounters with cursed spirits, she'd gotten slightly better at dealing with them.

But…

It was still terrifying!

They lived in constant fear every day.

Physically and mentally exhausted, dark circles had formed under their eyes.

Their energy was completely drained.

There were even times when they felt like they might die from fright.

The cursed spirits were cunning, disguising themselves and using deception.

Several times, they thought they were going to be exposed.

Hmm…

If this continued, it wouldn't be any different from death.

Yukino also looked worn out, her lips pressed tight. "This is the last shrine nearby. If this doesn't work…"

We'll have no choice but to ask Lynn for help.

"Let's go."

Yukino took the lead, stepping up the stairs.

As they climbed toward the shrine, they kept scanning the area with their peripheral vision.

"Yukinon, I don't think there are any cursed spirits here," Yui whispered, a little excited.

Yukino's eyes also brightened slightly, hope rising in her chest.

Maybe this shrine really can protect us…

After a while.

The two of them finally reached the top.

They stood just outside the shrine.

"Welcome. Are you here to worship?" Kagome Higurashi, dressed in a shrine maiden outfit and holding a broom, looked at the two girls curiously.

Something about them…

Didn't seem quite right?

Yukino hesitated a moment, then replied, "Yes. We're here to worship."

Kagome smiled gently. "Alright, please follow me."

Yukino and Yui glanced at each other and walked in.

This shrine is so clean…

Maybe, just maybe!

Just as Kagome led them around a corner, passing by a small, somewhat hidden shrine.

"YAAAAAH!!"

A terrifying shriek rang out from beneath the shrine.

Yukino and Yui froze on the spot.

W-What was that!?

Why… why did it sound like something was screaming?

Yukino tried to look around discreetly, only relaxing slightly when she didn't see anything suspicious.

It's probably just an illusion…

Must be the stress lately playing tricks on me.

Just as she started to breathe easy.

Bang!

Bang bang!!

Yukino froze again.

"Ahahaha~" Kagome scratched her cheek awkwardly as she looked over at the sealed well.

Recently, strange noises had been coming from there, scaring off all the shrine's visitors.

Sigh…

If this continued, the shrine might really go bankrupt!

"Uh… It's fine, really! Nothing to worry about, just... just…"

Kagome stammered, clearly flustered.

She really wasn't lying.

Even though the well had been making strange noises, nothing unusual was found whenever they opened it to check.

And so far, nothing abnormal had occurred at the shrine itself.

But…

Visitors were still terrified.

Seeing Kagome's awkwardness, Yukino turned toward the direction the sound came from.

It didn't seem like it was a cursed spirit...

But it was definitely weird!

Let's just finish worshipping and leave quickly.

Hopefully this place works…

Some time later.

They each took a fragment of the Shikon Jewel and left Higurashi Shrine.

Then—

"…It didn't work?"

Yukino and Yui looked at each other in silence.

The reason there were no cursed spirits at that shrine…

Was probably because of the scary noises coming from it, right?

Higurashi Shrine.

Kagome grumbled, "Mom, if we don't fix this, the shrine's going under!"

"I don't know what to do either," her mom replied. "Why don't you think of something, Kagome?"

"Ahh…"

---

Monday.

Shuchiin Academy.

3 PM, Supernatural Investigation Club.

Yukino bowed deeply. "Please, President Lynn!"

Lynn showed no particular expression upon seeing Yukino again.

Judging from her condition, she must've had a rough few days.

"Exorcism services outside of school start at 5 million yen. Just prepare the money."

Lynn had finally reopened the exorcism business that had been shelved for some time.

Five… five million!?

Yukino's face went stiff.

5 million yen… Her sister and mother could afford that.

But just because they could afford it didn't mean she could.

Should I ask my sister…?

Yukino hesitated.

She didn't want to involve her family in supernatural matters because of her.

But...

There was no other way.

"…Wait a moment."

Yukino left the Supernatural Investigation Club, bit her lip, and called Yukinoshita Haruno.

"Well now, this is a surprise. Yukino actually called her big sister?" a playful voice answered the phone.

"…Sis."

On the other end, Haruno paused, set down what she was doing, and narrowed her eyes.

"Yukino's voice… something's not right."

"Did something happen?"

Yukino was silent for a moment, then said, "…It's nothing. Um… Can you transfer 5 million yen to me?"

Haruno went silent.

5 million yen wasn't much for her.

But she wanted to know what Yukino needed it for.

Something felt… off.

She took a deep breath, then teased in a joking tone, "What's Yukino going to do? Hire a boyfriend?"

"..."

The silence on the other end said enough. Haruno sighed. "Knew you wouldn't answer."

"I'll transfer the 5 million, but!" Haruno's voice sharpened. "I will find out what it's for."

The call ended with a sharp beep.

Yukino sighed softly.

"Knew it'd turn out like this…"

But—

This was the only option left.

At the very least, she couldn't let Yui continue to suffer.

The cursed spirits roaming the streets were beyond them.

At least their homes should be safe.

She put her phone away and walked back into the Supernatural Investigation Club.

"…The money is ready."

Lynn looked up and said, "Miko, go with her."

Five million yen wasn't even enough for him to splurge.

Especially for a simple exorcism.

Utaha and Miko would be enough to handle it.

He had more important matters to attend to.

The [Devil's Summoning]… had finally activated!

(To be continued.)

Want to read 50 chps ahead? Checkout my patreon: /Blownleaves.