Chapter Summaries

After Lacus Clyne joined Luo Shu’s Familia, the group celebrated their new alliance by planning a shared meal, while Luo Shu thanked Tokisaki Kurumi for helping prevent a crisis. The chapter left the group preparing to shop as black mist silently enveloped Higurashi Shrine in Ito City.

• Tachibana Kirika regretted recruiting Luo Shu after learning he was a deity who had taken over SDS’s nest, while Him explained why he kept his identity and worries secret.
• Lacus Clyne suggested a party, and Luo Shu chose sukiyaki with extra beef, vegetables, and soft drinks.
• Kisara organized the shopping, Yukinoshita Yukino, Eriri, and Utaha Kasumigaoka volunteered to help, and Luo Shu proposed charging the groceries to the department account.
• Him joked that the women were Luo Shu’s “other women,” prompting him to send the shoppers out and tell Him not to involve everyone in the teasing.
• Luo Shu thanked Tokisaki Kurumi for guiding him and Lacus Clyne to the Familia contract before the Kusanagi Sword could flee with Lacus’s soul.
• Black mist spread around the Sacred Tree at Higurashi Shrine in Ito City, gradually surrounding the shrine unnoticed.

Hoshikagi Shirayuki investigated the prolonged Abyss Descent at Higurashi Shrine, where the Sacred Tree was suspected of being an Abyss Node, and disappeared after leading a second exploration. In Tokyo, Luo Shu and his companions debated how to strengthen SDS, ending with attention turning to Lacus Clyne and the ritual needed for Luo Shu to advance to Hero tier.

• A staff member briefed Hoshikagi Shirayuki that shrine clergy and three Onmyoji had disappeared during an unusually prolonged Abyss Descent at Higurashi Shrine.
• The staff member explained that divination suggested an Abyss Node was inside the shrine, and the Onmyoryo director had collapsed after repeating the words “Sacred Tree.”
• Hoshikagi Shirayuki saw blue fire and black currents around the Sacred Tree, then ordered Onmyoji to join her in exploring the Abyss and rescuing the missing team.
• Three hours later, intelligence agencies in Tokyo began receiving reports that Divine General Vermilion Bird had disappeared.
• Luo Shu, Him, Lacus Clyne, and Tachibana Kirika discussed whether SDS should develop its rank and file or invest in cultivating another Demigod.
• Tachibana Kirika proposed completing the ritual for Luo Shu to advance to Hero tier, and Luo Shu and Him looked to Lacus Clyne.

Luo Shu discussed the requirements for his Calamity Priest ascension with Lacus Clyne and Tachibana Kirika, who supported the plan despite its potential disaster. Lacus proposed using the monster faction in Kyoto as the ritual’s target and offered to arrange a meeting with Iwanaga Kotoko, then asked Luo Shu to change the Familia points split to favor its members.

• Luo Shu and Tachibana Kirika worried that Lacus Clyne would oppose an ascension ritual that required a disaster affecting at least five hundred thousand people.
• Lacus Clyne said Luo Shu’s advancement would strengthen SDS’s ability to preserve peace and suggested targeting serious criminals or intervening in a secret organization’s planned disaster.
• Luo Shu identified Astronomy of Truth as a possible target, but Tachibana Kirika warned that Golden Dawn and Twin-Wings Edelweiss were watching the group.
• Lacus Clyne asked Him about the monster faction planning to revive Nue in Kyoto, then told Tachibana Kirika to invite Iwanaga Kotoko to afternoon tea.
• Lacus Clyne proposed Kyoto as the ritual site and said Miss Sharon or Tokisaki might need to help; Luo Shu left the arrangements to her.
• Lacus Clyne asked Luo Shu to change the points split from fifty-fifty to seventy percent for him and thirty percent for the Familia, telling him to blame the suggestion on her.

Lacus Clyne advised Luo Shu to prioritize growing the Divine Group System rather than distributing points generously to Familia members. She proposed reshaping the reward system and revealed SDS’s alternative methods for strengthening its members, including the Tactical Demon God project.

• Lacus Clyne urged Luo Shu to focus on accumulating power and unlocking the Divine Group System’s functions, while Him and Tachibana Kirika recognized her old, ruthless startup mindset.
• Lacus Clyne recommended reducing the general point distribution and keeping mission rewards mainly for recruiting newcomers, without forcing quotas on Familia members.
• Luo Shu raised concerns about recruiting members without regard for quality, and Lacus Clyne pointed out that Gene Potions and other methods could strengthen Familia members without relying on points.
• Him mentioned Dying Will Flames and the Demon God Project as additional approaches, and Tachibana Kirika explained that Dr. Anya and Dr. Verde were developing mystical, miniaturized Gundams called Tactical Demon Gods.
• Tachibana Kirika described the completed Jade Demon God and White Jade Demon God prototypes and the stalled plans for Silver and Black Iron models, leaving Luo Shu baffled by SDS’s technological and mystical projects.

Luo Shu learned about SDS’s Space City Copernicus and its Demon God Project, including the use of Dying Will Flames to secure human control of the machines. Lacus Clyne proposed selling Demon Gods to Familia members on installment plans, leaving Luo Shu wary of her sales pitch.

• Him explained that SDS built the mobile Space City Copernicus with the Star Gate and Verde’s Stealth Armor technology, and that it housed Dr. Anya’s laboratory and a fleet of experimental ships.
• Lacus Clyne and Tachibana Kirika explained that SDS developed Demon Gods as individual combat units because Gundams were costly and impractical against Abyss Life and Sorcerers.
• Tachibana Kirika described the Demon God Project’s control problem, and Luo Shu recognized that Verde’s Dying Will Flames control device could bind each machine to its operator.
• Lacus Clyne credited Luo Shu’s help in awakening Chisato Nishishigi and Takina Inoue with advancing the project, while Him suggested trading Demon Gods to Familia members for points.
• Luo Shu questioned whether Familia members could afford a Hero Rank Demon God, and Lacus Clyne proposed promotional discounts and interest-free installment payments.

Luo Shu and Lacus Clyne agreed to use Abyssal Artifacts as a source of Points while directing the resulting income to SDS and its research efforts. The chapter ended with them resolving to strengthen both Luo Shu and SDS in tandem.

• Luo Shu agreed that installment payments could be considered but should not be mandatory, and he recognized that acquiring powerful Abyssal Artifacts could increase his influence and earn Points.
• Lacus Clyne ordered Him to transfer Abyssal Artifacts to the Secret Management Department and announce a new sealing method developed by Verde.
• Him proposed extending the Secret Management Zone to SDS branches so the department could manage their Abyssal Artifacts and generate Points.
• Luo Shu said he would give Lacus Clyne the Points income from SDS's existing and future Abyssal Artifacts for her to allocate.
• Luo Shu and Lacus Clyne agreed that they should advance both Luo Shu's growth and SDS's development.

Luo Shu finalized plans to move SDS’s Abyssal Artifacts into regional Secret Management Zones before the monthly dividend deadline and arranged training resources for the Familia members who needed to grow stronger. The chapter ended when he received a call reporting an Abyss Descent.

• Luo Shu planned for Lacus, Tachibana Kirika, and Him to establish Secret Management Zones across their assigned regions before March 30.
• Luo Shu realized that the other department-head-level executives would soon leave Japan, leaving him as the only one of that rank there.
• Tokisaki Kurumi revealed she had been secretly observing SDS and warned that Utaha Kasumigaoka might despair over the gap between Familia members’ abilities and influence.
• Luo Shu set aside points so the Familia members could learn to use the dream simulation room to develop suitable classes.
• Tokisaki Kurumi went to share the news with the others and teased Luo Shu about leaving his door open that night.
• Luo Shu received a call at his office reporting an Abyss Descent.

Luo Shu agreed to join the Metropolitan Police Department’s intervention in an anomalous abyss descent in Ito City, intending to assess the Demon Gods brought by Chisato and Takina. As SDS arrived at the heliport, Biao Wenqi revealed that Shin Natsume’s sister Maya might be hidden in their vehicle’s trunk.

• Mizuki Nakahara told Luo Shu that a Divine General had gone missing during an anomalously long abyss descent in Ito City and that SDS would join the Metropolitan Police Department’s intervention.
• Luo Shu learned that Chisato and Takina had received silver cases from the Research Department and agreed to attend the operation with Kurumi’s clones.
• Luo Shu informed the Divine Group that he would miss dinner, while Kisara, Utaha Kasumigaoka, and Yukinoshita Yukino continued playing Old Maid with Eriri.
• At the Metropolitan Police Department heliport, Biao Wenqi teased Shin Natsume about his sister Maya and suggested she was curled up in their vehicle’s trunk.
• Biao Wenqi and Shin Natsume saw Luo Shu’s vehicle arrive before Shin could check the trunk.

Shin Natsume and Biao Wenqi arrived at the airfield for a reconnaissance mission in Ito City, where Shin reluctantly allowed his sister Maya to join them. When they met the SDS delegation, they recognized its leader, Luo Shu, as a man whose recorded actions were all genocides.

• Maya Natsume revealed herself hiding in the trunk, and Shin ordered her out.
• Shin overruled Biao Wenqi and agreed to let Maya join the mission after using Dragon Eye.
• Shin warned Maya to stay alert around the SDS team, and Biao Wenqi described Takina Inoue and Chisato Nishikigi.
• Takina Inoue and Chisato Nishikigi arrived with Luo Shu, head of SDS's Secret Management Department.
• Shin told Maya that Luo Shu's only recorded actions were genocides, and she hid behind him as Luo noticed them.

Luo Shu met the Warriors Corps delegation and learned that Maya Natsume had joined the mission unofficially. He agreed to add her to SDS as permanent personnel, then led the group toward Ito City by helicopter.

• Luo Shu instructed Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue to protect the silver cases, then identified Shin Natsume, Maya Natsume, and Biao Wenqi as the Warriors Corps delegation.
• Biao Wenqi told Luo Shu privately that the Warriors Corps had officially sent only two people, and that Maya Natsume had joined because Shin Natsume allowed it.
• Luo Shu offered to add Maya Natsume to SDS, and Biao Wenqi agreed on her behalf if the higher-ups approved.
• Luo Shu ordered everyone to board and reach Ito City within fifty minutes, while Biao Wenqi reassured Shin Natsume and Maya Natsume that the matter was settled.
• The helicopter took off and headed toward Ito City.

Luo Shu and his team arrived at Higurashi Shrine, where he recognized the Sacred Tree and Bone-Eater's Well from Inuyasha and wondered where Kagome Higurashi's family had gone. As he examined the shrine, Ogiwara Senkichi learned that people from the Ministry of the Environment were also coming to the site.

• Ogiwara Senkichi greeted Luo Shu and led the group from the landing site toward Higurashi Shrine, while Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue complained about riding in the minibus with Biao Wenqi.
• Maya Natsume teased Biao Wenqi about his body odor, and he rode on the minibus roof while the others traveled inside.
• Luo Shu arrived at Higurashi Shrine and asked Ogiwara Senkichi whether the shrine was managed by the Higurashi family.
• Luo Shu used Spirit Vision and Calamity's perspective to see black energy around the Sacred Tree and a pale Bone-Eater's Well, then wondered whether Kagome Higurashi's family was in the Abyss.
• Ogiwara Senkichi answered a call and learned that people from the Ministry of the Environment also needed to be welcomed at the shrine.

At Higurashi Shrine, Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue talked with Maya Natsume, who tried to trade her family's medicinal bath recipe for information about Luo Shu. Luo Shu learned that the Onmyoryo had invited multiple supernatural factions to the search, and a bus carrying more arrivals appeared.

• Takina Inoue told Chisato Nishikigi and Maya Natsume that the Onmyoryo had invited the Ministry of the Environment to join the search.
• Maya Natsume asked about Luo Shu, and Chisato Nishikigi explained his role as head of the Secret Management Department and revealed that he was eight years old.
• Maya Natsume offered to trade the Natsume family's medicinal bath recipe for information about Luo Shu, and Takina Inoue told Chisato Nishikigi the deal was acceptable if it involved no core secrets.
• Luo Shu read Takina Inoue's message about the medicinal bath recipe, then asked Bunshichi Tawara which groups the Onmyoryo had invited.
• Bunshichi Tawara named several supernatural factions and Onmyoji families, and a bus arrived as he said the guests would soon be there.

A bus carrying representatives from numerous factions headed to investigate the anomalous Abyss in Ito City, where the Onmyoryo had invited them amid tensions with the Warriors Corps and SDS. The passengers spotted Luo Shu waiting at the shrine, and the Ministry of the Environment operatives feared the mission had grown even more dangerous.

• The Onmyoryo invited factions from across Japan to investigate the Abyss after the Warriors Corps brought in American support, prompting factions including the Nura Clan, the Seto Group, and the Ministry of the Environment to send representatives.
• Yuki Onikawa and Aotabo rode with San Seto, Masa, Yomi Isayama, Noriyuki Iijima, and Kuesu Jinguuji as the group traveled toward the shrine.
• Yomi Isayama and Noriyuki Iijima worried that their Ministry of the Environment team was outmatched and had little chance of gaining anything from the mission.
• Noriyuki Iijima spotted Luo Shu standing by the shrine steps and wondered why SDS had sent him instead of keeping him in his Club President role.

Luo Shu and the arriving factions prepared to enter the Abyss at Higurashi Shrine, while he assessed the unusual gathering and its members. The Abyss descended as the group finished receiving their briefing, and they stood ready to enter.

• Shin Natsume told Luo Shu that the Nura Clan, Seto Group, Vampire Council of Elders, Ministry of the Environment, and Onmyoryo reinforcements had arrived, including Kuesu Jinguuji.
• Luo Shu learned that the next Abyss descent would begin in six minutes and instructed the factions to prepare to enter together.
• Yuki Onikawa and Aotabo greeted Luo Shu on behalf of Nura Rikuo, and Luo Shu warned them that nobody had returned from the Abyss so far.
• Luo Shu noticed Kuesu Jinguuji watching him warily and observed that Yomi Isayama's aura of calamity had diminished.
• The Abyss descended, spreading black mist over the Sacred Tree as the gathered group watched.

Luo Shu entered a vast, Heian-era Abyss where villagers and monsters lived, then encountered a wolf demon and a shrine maiden who looked like Kikyo. He was left facing her after she killed the wolf with an arrow.

• Luo Shu gave Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue transmitter bracelets and sent them into the Abyss with emergency escape devices.
• Luo Shu entered through the Sacred Tree and arrived on a hillside overlooking a village of emaciated people in an alternate-space Abyss.
• Luo Shu used the bracelets to locate Chisato and Takina, then spotted a shrine gate in the nearby forest.
• A giant gray wolf attacked Luo Shu, but his Calamity Bestowal made it collapse from a foul stench.
• A shrine maiden shot the wolf, leaving only its pelt, and Luo Shu recognized her as Kikyo.

Chisato Nishikigi was stranded in the wilderness, where she fought a Snake Demon and used Luo Shu’s Bracelet to locate her companions. Luo Shu met Kikyo near Kaede’s Village, judged that he was in Japan’s Warring States period, and headed for her shrine to wait for Chisato and Takina Inoue.

• Chisato Nishikigi found herself alone beside a stream, checked her supplies, and discovered that her Signal Device had no signal.
• A Snake Demon attacked Chisato Nishikigi, who shot it twice and prepared to question it.
• Luo Shu’s Bracelet gave Chisato Nishikigi a map showing three named golden dots and nearby settlements.
• Kikyo met Luo Shu in the forest, warned him away from the village, and told him he could stay at Kikyo Shrine.
• Luo Shu concluded that he was in the Warring States period and went to Kikyo Shrine to wait for Chisato and Takina Inoue.
• Kikyo noticed that Luo Shu had not followed her into the village and wondered at his strange behavior.

Kikyo worried over the growing monster attacks and a summons from Musashi Province’s lord, then sensed danger at her shrine. There, Luo Shu subdued and interrogated a giant wolf before Kikyo arrived to find it sobbing on the ground.

• Kikyo returned home, praised Kaede for learning to brew wound medicine, and warned her to stay inside because monsters had been appearing frequently.
• Kaede told Kikyo that the lord of Musashi Province had sent another letter asking her to guard his residence, but Kikyo hesitated to leave the village.
• Kikyo sensed a monster at the shrine and rushed there, while a giant gray wolf blocked Luo Shu at the torii and sought the Shikon Jewel.
• Luo Shu struck the wolf with lightning, restored it, then repeatedly froze and revived it until it stopped resisting and answered his questions.
• Kikyo arrived at the shrine and found the giant wolf wailing and begging Luo Shu to kill him.

Luo Shu interrogated Gray Wolf about monsters gaining power by consuming human souls, then Kikyo killed the fleeing monster and confronted Luo Shu at the shrine. She allowed him to stay near Kaede's Village under certain conditions and told him to come up in an hour, leaving Luo Shu wondering whether she had invited him to join her bath.

• Luo Shu questioned Gray Wolf about when monsters began losing power and how eating humans strengthened them.
• Luo Shu concluded that monsters gained soul power by consuming people and used it to strengthen their bodies, then let Gray Wolf go.
• Kikyo shot Gray Wolf with a purifying arrow, killing him and leaving behind his pelt.
• Kikyo aimed her bow at Luo Shu and asked whether he was human or a monster, then told him not to harm the village or let more monsters escape.
• Kikyo said Luo Shu could live there and mentioned that the daimyo of Musashi Province was recruiting monster slayers.
• Kikyo went to bathe and change her shoes, telling Luo Shu to come up in an hour; he wondered if she had invited him to bathe with her.

Kikyo performed a purification ritual and discussed the Shikon Jewel and her duty to protect Kaede's Village with Luo Shu. After Kikyo refused to let him handle the jewel, Luo Shu asked to discuss having his companion stay at the shrine.

• Kikyo purified herself with cold spring water and salt, then changed into a clean miko outfit.
• Luo Shu asked whether the shrine worshipped Inari, and Kikyo said she did not know and argued that medicinal herbs helped villagers more than deities did.
• Kikyo shot down a monstrous bird with a spiritual arrow and explained that she had placed a Barrier around the shrine.
• Luo Shu identified the Shikon Jewel and asked why Kikyo accepted the burden of guarding it, and Kikyo explained that the daimyo had exempted her village from taxes and conscription.
• Luo Shu asked to handle the Shikon Jewel, but Kikyo refused, so he asked to discuss letting his companion stay at the shrine.

Chisato Nishikigi reached Luo Shu at a shrine in the Sengoku World and compared her findings about its monsters with his. They recognized the shrine as a connection point, met the miko Kikyo, and Luo Shu became suspicious when Tachibana Kirika said Ito had only just reported his arrival in the Abyss.

• Chisato Nishikigi reached Luo Shu after fighting so many monsters that she had used all her ammunition.
• Luo Shu and Chisato exchanged notes and learned that hungry monsters attacked humans, devoured one another, and could mutate into stronger monsters.
• Chisato recognized the shrine and Sacred Tree as Higurashi Shrine, a likely connection point between the Abyss and reality.
• Kikyo mistook Chisato's school uniform for demonic possession and splashed her with spiritually infused spring water, which had no effect.
• Luo Shu sent Tachibana Kirika their findings, then grew suspicious when she said Ito had only just reported his entry into the Abyss.