Return the World To Zero (Bonus)

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Shuchiin Academy — old school building — The Supernatural Research Club.

Himeragi Yukina stiffly turned her head toward the spear in Lynn's hand—Snowdrift Wolf.

Wait…Wasn't she supposed to be the one who gained ownership of this Demon-Purging Assault Spear?

Why the hell did it just zip off into someone else's hand like that?

Lynn weighed the Snowdrift Wolf in his hand, a spark of curiosity lighting up in his eyes.

This spear definitely isn't as simple as it looks.

And what's more…

He hadn't done anything—yet the Snowdrift Wolf flew straight into his hand on its own.

Does it have a will of its own?

Narrowing his eyes, Lynn poured some of his magic into the weapon.

Bzzzt—!

In an instant, the [Divine Core Vibration] engraved on the spear activated!

Wisps of white mist spiraled around it, and the spear trembled uncontrollably with a soft, excited hum—like it was cheering!

Yukina's eyes widened.

Snowdrift Wolf was being used—by someone else!

And it actually looked happier than when she was wielding it!?

The spear had never reacted like this when she used it!

Yukina puffed up her cheeks a little, clearly feeling a bit sour about it.

...

Lynn, still squinting, watched the humming Snowdrift Wolf and murmured, "Not enough yet…"

There was more—a lot more—hidden deep within this weapon.

With a thought, he pushed even more magic into it.

Next second—BZZZT—!!

The trembling stopped, and suddenly, radiant streams of seven-colored light exploded from the weapon's body.

Lynn's eyes flashed as a wave of information surged into his mind.

"Return the world to zero…"

He muttered the phrase under his breath, eyes gleaming.

So this…This is the true ability of the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark 7?

That line—"Return the world to zero"—basically meant erasing everything born from magic.

In other words, a fantasy version of Imagine Breaker from Strike the Blood?

Lynn clicked his tongue.

The Lion King Organization managed to research something this ridiculous? No way.

If they were really capable of making stuff like this, humanity would've been ruling the supernatural world by now!

Judging from the information passed to him through the Snowdrift Wolf, Lynn realized the spear's real origin wasn't something the Lion King Organization cooked up.

It was actually a relic from an ancient race—One of the three great Holy Spears—the Anti-Magic Holy Spear.

That's where the "Return the world to zero" power actually came from.

Lynn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "In this world where so many universes had been mashed together, it's normal for the story to change I guess?"

He then glanced at his personal system panel. The [Devil's Contract] showed that the "Invasion Progress of the Main World" had gone up again.

Especially right after he made Himeragi Yukina his follower.

Was it because she's tied to the Strike the Blood universe?

He had a rough idea forming.

To complete the invasion of the Main World, maybe he'd need to fully clear out every connected world.

But for now he wasn't in a rush to invade the main one just yet.

Lynn turned his focus back to Snowdrift Wolf. He was itching to try out that "Return the world to zero" ability.

"Mahiru, shoot at me."

"Eh?"

Shiina Mahiru blinked, confused, but didn't hesitate. She whipped out her Flame Gun and infused it with light-element magic.

Bang!

A bright shot of light magic flew toward Lynn.

Raising his hand, Lynn didn't use any of his own powers—just tapped the bullet with the tip of the Snowdrift Wolf.

BZZT—

The spear flashed, and the bullet vanished like it had been erased from existence.

"???"

Himeragi Yukina stared in confusion.

What the heck just happened?

Mahiru paused mid-movement, her gaze curiously fixed on the spear.

"…The magic I just released—it's like it disappeared into thin air."

Like someone had taken an eraser to a canvas and wiped it off the picture.

Seeing this, Lynn put the Snowdrift Wolf away and briefly explained its true power.

"Return the world to zero?"

Mahiru's eyes widened a bit, surprised that the spear had such a powerful ability hidden inside.

Mew mew meow???

Yukina stood there, absolutely dumbfounded.

Return the world to zero?

She'd been carrying that spear around for so long, and never knew it could do that?

While she was still dazed, Lynn casually tossed the Snowdrift Wolf back to her.

Caught off guard, Himeragi Yukina fumbled to catch it.

The moment her fingers touched the spear, the glowing rainbow light faded away—and it went completely quiet again.

"…"

Yukina stood silently.

She couldn't help but feel it... Did the spear just… reject her?

Pushing that thought aside for now, she looked at Lynn, puzzled.

What was that about?

From what she'd just seen, the Snowdrift Wolf clearly preferred Lynn over her. So why give it back?

But Lynn didn't bother explaining.

Sure, the spear suited him well right now.

But he wasn't about to snatch weapons from his own followers.

Besides even if it wasn't in his hands, the connection between him and the Snowdrift Wolf meant he could summon it across space anytime he wanted.

Compared to Yukina, his control over it was on a whole different level.

He leaned down, lifted Himeragi Yukina's chin with a smirk, and said playfully, "Now then… time to talk business."

Feeling the warmth of his hand, Yukina's cheeks flushed pink, eyes still filled with uncertainty.

Business?

Just as she was trying to figure out what he meant, Lynn said softly, "You were sent here by the Lion King Organization, weren't you?"

". . ."

"—!!"

She flinched like she'd been electrocuted. Her whole body went stiff.

He… he knew!? Since when?!

"Since the very beginning~" Lynn grinned.

"!!!"

Shock flickered in Yukina's eyes.

So he knew from the start, and still made her his follower?

Seeing the questions in her eyes, Lynn just smirked and said, "When someone offers themselves, why would I say no?"

"…"

Himeragi Yukina bit her lip, her gaze dimming.

It's over.

First Sayaka, now she was getting dragged in too.

She fell into silence, feeling like her whole world had turned pitch black.

Was she going to get tortured now?

Will it be whips or chains?

Lynn, noticing her state, chuckled softly and patted her head.

She flinched but didn't dare move a muscle.

A few seconds passed.

Then Lynn said calmly, "I don't care who you worked for before."

"Now that you're one of mine—your life belongs to me."

With that, he didn't say anything else. Instead, he turned to Mahiru.

"Mahiru, help them get used to the familia."

"Yes, Lord Lynn."

"Huh?" Yukina blinked.

That's… it?

No interrogation? No handcuffs? No dark cell? No creepy tools or anything?

None of that!?

She was genuinely dazed.

This wasn't how she pictured things going at all.

Mahiru crouched next to her with a gentle smile. "Come on, newbies. Time for your first thrilling adventure in another world~"

It was kind of a tradition.

New members would start off by grinding some monsters, getting a feel for combat, and testing their newly gained powers.

Then Yukina and Marin stepped through the interdimensional gate and left the Supernatural Research Club.

...

Lynn watched her disappearing figure, eyes narrowing.

Lion King organization.

He rubbed his chin again, lost in thought.

He didn't know what their goal was yet, but Man, they've been very generous.

Two top-tier recruits in such a short time.

Besides the freshly inducted Himeragi Yukina, there was still that Kirasaka Sayaka tied up back at the manor.

Wonder if the Lion King Organization's planning to send anyone else over?

Wouldn't mind a few more, honestly.

---

"Achoo!"

Over at the Lion King Organization, Yukari Endou sneezed and muttered under her breath, "Who's thinking about me?"

Her expression turned complicated as she leaned on her elbow and whispered, "I wonder if Yukina's doing okay…"

Suddenly—A voice echoed in her ear.

"The Warlord's Empire has sent someone. Meeting, now!"

"…"

Endou sighed.

The Warlord's Empire?

Her gaze turned a bit dark.

Could it be…because of that thing?

(A/N: Damn it woman, tell me about the thing.)

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