Starting from Zero to Build a Demon Family
Chapter 23 - "Demon of the Sword—Saeko Busujima Arrives!"

Chapter 23: “Demon of the Sword—Saeko Busujima Arrives!”

Saeko Busujima offered herself without the slightest hesitation. There wasn’t a trace of doubt in her demeanor. After all, she was dealing with a demon—the kind of demon who casually talked about cleansing the entire surface of the earth.

If he truly wanted to do something to her, she wouldn’t be able to resist anyway. Taking the initiative might even leave a favorable impression.

Honestly, the fact that Mr. Demon had earnestly discussed the terms of the request with her was already surprising enough.

Even something as absurd as “saving the world” had been met with a serious proposal. That alone had shattered her preconceived notions about demons.

She didn’t feel the slightest resistance to entrusting everything to him. Besides, she’d gain power in return. For someone who had already lost everything, it was a more than fair trade.

“I’ll gladly accept everything you offer.”

Lynn didn’t hold back. Making Saeko Busujima his follower had been one of his objectives from the beginning. Since she was being so cooperative, how could he possibly refuse?

He raised his hand, and a black chess piece materialized in his palm.

Saeko frowned slightly. “What is that?”

“A demon pawn. Once it’s embedded in your body, you’ll become my follower—and be reborn as a demon.”

“I see.” Understanding dawned in her eyes. So… reborn as a demon equaled gaining power? And a follower meant being a servant? She had the general idea. Nodding, she asked, “I understand. So what do I need to do next?”

Her gaze lingered on the chess piece, a faint crease forming between her brows. She couldn’t help but wonder—was “embed” a verb here? Or something else?

“No rush,” Lynn said with a light smile as he tucked the pawn away. In its place, a fine strand of black lightning danced across his fingertips. “It’s a bit noisy around here. Let me tidy things up first.”

Saeko’s eyes widened. She couldn’t look away from the lightning arcing around his finger, and a chill crept through her body. Even as an ordinary human, she could sense how terrifying the power was.

With a flick of his hand, Lynn pointed to the far end of the corridor. From the stairwell, a horde of undead was scrambling upward, clawing their way toward them. A few were already shambling in their direction.

“Go,” Lynn murmured.

The moment the word left his lips, he flicked his finger, and the black lightning bolt shot down the hallway like a wild stallion set loose. Saeko instinctively followed it with her eyes. But before she could fully turn her head, a deafening boom assaulted her ears.

BOOM—

The entire school building shook. Shizuka Marikawa stumbled, almost falling over before crouching by the wall, hands over her head.

“W-What just happened? Was that an earthquake?”

Saeko ignored her. As she turned back toward the hallway, her pupils constricted sharply. Scattered throughout the corridor were charred corpses, still smoldering.

The stairwell at the far end had vanished, replaced by a gaping skylight. The edges of the hole were blackened and still sizzling, like something was trying to burn it wider.

She stared, stunned, at the devastation. It looked as if a bolt of lightning had torn through the entire floor. Just one strike… and this was the result?

Her gaze dropped to the remains of the undead. The black lightning hadn’t even targeted them directly, yet it had annihilated them effortlessly in passing.

What kind of power was this?

Her heart pounded. When she looked back at Lynn, there was a gleam in her eyes—something fierce and reverent.

Lynn lowered his finger, clearly satisfied. Lightning Strike truly lived up to its status as a high-tier spell. That had been just a casual shot, yet it caused this much destruction. If he went all out, he was confident he could reduce the entire academy to ashes in seconds.

“All right. That’s better.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, using mana to scan their surroundings. They were on the third floor. No undead remained. No humans either. The hallway had been physically severed. If the undead wanted to reach them now, they’d have to stack themselves like a human pyramid.

Saeko’s eyelid twitched. Sure, the third floor was cleared, but…

Her gaze drifted out the window. That massive boom probably drew every nearby undead in their direction. Still, as long as Mr. Demon was pleased, she had no complaints.

Lynn pulled out the demon pawn again. “Now, let’s begin the rebirth ceremony.”

“Yes,” Saeko answered, her expression sharpening.

She didn’t know what this “rebirth ceremony” entailed. How exactly was that chess piece going to be “embedded” in her body?

“Step one.”

She stood still, ready to listen.

“Take off your top.”

Saeko blinked. A trace of confusion flickered across her eyes. Did he just tell her to undress?

She ran through his words again in her mind. She hadn’t misheard.

After a moment of silence, she began moving. A few seconds later, holding her top in one hand, she looked over and asked, “Should I take off the inner one too?”

Lynn nodded. “Just unfasten the clasp in the back and turn around so I’m facing your back.”

Ah, so it was just that.

Saeko let out a breath of relief. It was still embarrassing, but at least it left the important parts covered. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what he’d do while she had her back turned.

As she turned around, her gaze caught sight of Shizuka, who was still curled up on the floor, trembling like a frightened rabbit.

Saeko muttered under her breath. “Ms. Shizuka. The shaking’s over, you know.”

“Huh?” Shizuka lifted her head, dazed. Then her eyes landed on Saeko’s mostly bare back and black undergarments. “Saeko, are you feeling hot or something?”

This clueless teacher… When will she ever figure out what’s going on?

Saeko sighed and reached back to unclasp her bra. As the fabric loosened, her soft curves shifted, bouncing slightly.

Lynn didn’t hesitate. He pressed the demon pawn directly against her smooth back.

“Ah—” A shiver ran through her. Her cheeks flushed pink.

No matter how calm she acted, she was still a woman… and now, practically naked in front of someone she’d just met.

Hopefully, Mr. Demon wouldn’t mistake her for some kind of shameless woman.

I should have been more reserved. It would have been better if I hadn’t been so direct.

As the demon chess piece vanished into Saeko Busujima’s body, a clear, melodic tone echoed in Lynn’s ear.

[Ding! You have acquired a vassal: Saeko Busujima!].

[Ding! Your vassal, Saeko Busujima, has been reborn as a special demon: the Demon of the Blade!].