Chapter 27: Kuro Wants to Become Stronger

To her, orders were everything.

But now...

The look in Lord Lind's eyes was one she had never seen before.

This feeling was so strange.

As Kurome stood there at a loss, Lind said, "Actually, I'd prefer you to become my Familiar of your own free will."

"No, um..."

Kurome instinctively tried to explain, but Lind interrupted her.

"Actually, there are many benefits to becoming my Familiar."

Lind's gaze was deep as he met Kurome's beautiful black eyes.

"Immortality and eternal youth."

"You could even gain greater power and bring your sister back."

At those words, a spark returned to Kurome's vacant eyes.

That's right.

There's still that naive fool, Akame.

If I had the power, I could keep my sister by my side forever.

She took a deep breath and stared at Lind without blinking.

"I want to become stronger."

"I don't want to lose anything ever again. Even if it means becoming a Demon, I'll do it."

"Very good."

The corners of Lind's lips curled up. "Then take off your outer clothes."

"Huh?"

Kurome's eyes widened, and her ears turned bright red.

Was she already joining his harem and moving on to giving herself to him?

General Esdeath was still here.

Wasn't this a little too bold?

Despite those thoughts, Kurome carefully removed her outer clothes.

Her black underclothes set off her smooth, fair skin, making it gleam like jade.

At the sight, Lind extended a finger and let his blood drip down.

Hum!

Brilliant light flashed, and a heart-shaped pattern flickered across her skin before vanishing.

Countless mysterious characters appeared above the light.

Thump! Thump, thump!

Her heartbeat grew increasingly intense.

Kurome felt her body undergoing a drastic transformation.

Her flesh and bones, as well as all her internal organs, were changing.

Especially her back and tailbone.

"So... itchy..."

Kurome's eyes widened. "It feels like something's about to come out..."

As her words fell...

The skin on her back writhed.

Splurt!

A pair of long black wings burst out of her body.

A dainty, heart-shaped tail tip shot out as well, poking Lind in the chest.

Lind instinctively caught it in his hand and gently kneaded it.

"Ah..."

Kurome's legs went weak, and she dropped onto the floor, her thighs tightening slightly.

Her gaze gradually grew hazy.

"???"

A little surprised, Lind let go of her tail.

"Whew!"

Kurome hurriedly pulled her tail back, feeling as though the whole world were spinning.

"It seems your tail is rather special, Kurome."

Lind gave Kurome a long, searching look.

It wasn't as though he had never grabbed Esdeath's tail or those of the others.

But none of them had reacted this strongly.

"Interesting..."

Whatever had occurred to him, the corners of Lind's lips curled up before he finally turned his attention to Kurome's attributes.

[Kurome]

[Race: Demon]

[Master: Lind Lucifer]

[Level: L27]

[Skill: Corpse Manipulation]

[Corpse Manipulation: Can use one's own power to modify corpses and control them at will.]

As he examined Kurome's skill...

Lind's expression turned somewhat peculiar.

Well, well.

Out of all these familiars, one had finally gained a skill befitting a demon.

Then!

Lind thought of himself.

[Corpse Manipulation] and [Infinite Magic Power].

With those two skills combined...

As long as I had enough corpses, couldn't I become a one-man army?

"Lord Lind, what are you writing?"

Having recovered her senses, Kurome asked curiously.

"Your attributes."

After explaining, Lind handed her the data he had copied down.

Kurome instinctively took it and began reading.

"Corpse Manipulation..."

Kurome blinked as she looked at her skill.

It seemed to overlap with March of the Dead: Yatsufusa's ability.

But this skill was clearly stronger.

She glanced at the sword in her hand.

Sorry. From now on, you'll just have to be an ordinary weapon.

Then!

Kurome's gaze shifted upward to her Level.

L27.

She asked curiously, "Master, how can I raise my Level?"

"Normally, killing enemies gives you experience."

Lind smiled, an unreadable glint flashing through his eyes. "But there are other ways to level up quickly."

"What ways?"

Instead of answering, Lind demonstrated, placing the "secret to getting stronger" before Kurome.

"???"

Kurome blinked.

This was the secret?

Wasn't something wrong here?

Chapter 27: Kurome's Desire to Grow Stronger

Lind's gaze was deep, his voice gentle. "Kurome, take this step, and you'll be able to grow stronger very quickly."

"Esdeath can vouch for that."

At his words, Esdeath immediately nodded. "That's right. It works very well. Thanks to Master, I've become much stronger."

Although it was rather embarrassing to testify about something like this...

As her master's Familiar, she had a duty to expand his harem.

"Whew!"

Kurome took a deep breath, looking at Lind with a wavering gaze.

Her little heart pounded, and her breathing grew heavy.

"I have to become stronger and bring my sister back to my side."

Kurome silently encouraged herself.

I've already become a Demon.

How could I back down now?

Kurome extended her small, fair hand, slowly reaching forward.

Watching Kurome take the initiative in her pursuit of strength, Lind's lips curved into a smile.

"Very good. You've already grasped the secret to growing stronger. Now let me see your resolve."

Lind caught her demonic tail and gently twisted and kneaded it.

Watching her face contort in pain, Lind cautioned her, "Oh, and if you want to grow stronger, you can't waste any."

At Lind's words, Kurome instinctively nodded.

Gulp.

She swallowed, determination rising in her eyes.

Compared to the training I went through in the Assassination Squad...

To become stronger...

This little bit of pain was nothing at all.