Lynn looked down at the voluptuous beauty before him.
Takagi Yuriko lowered her head, allowing Lynn to examine her.
After hearing everything Saeko had told her along the way, she understood that the man in front of her was the absolute ruler of this place.
More importantly, she had learned that her daughter was alive and well here.
The overwhelming relief of knowing Saya was safe filled her heart with gratitude toward Lynn.
She was so thankful that she wouldn't complain, even if she had to endure something extreme from him.
At the same time, she couldn't forget the breathtaking display of power from Saeko when she rescued her.
The dense horde of zombies had been decapitated in an instant, collapsing like dominoes.
It was an unbelievable supernatural feat.
Seeing it firsthand, Yuriko fully accepted that this world contained powers beyond human comprehension.
Even someone as strong as Saeko acknowledged Lynn as her master, without the slightest resistance.
There had to be a reason for this.
She might not fully grasp it yet, but one thing was clear, Lynn stood at the pinnacle here.
So, her best option was simple—be obedient.
She even took the initiative to display her worth.
If she wanted to stay, she couldn't afford to be useless.
She didn't have any naïve expectations that Lynn would take her in just because she was Saya's mother.
Yet, after enduring so many days of exhaustion, running for her life, and desperately searching for her daughter, she was mentally and physically drained.
She could collapse at any moment.
Noticing her condition, Lynn didn't say much. He simply ordered, "Saya, take your mother to rest first."
"Thank you, Master!"
Saya looked at Lynn gratefully, her eyes slightly red, before helping her mother to a room.
Master.
Yuriko cast her daughter a strange look.
She couldn't tell how Saya had been living these days.
But…
She had changed.
Calling him "Master" so naturally…
It was an unexpected and bold way to address someone.
Yet, Yuriko could tell Saya was calling him that of her own free will.
Before she had a chance to speak with her daughter, exhaustion took over, and she collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
Living Room.
Rei, watching the touching reunion between Saya and her mother, felt her eyes sting with emotion.
Is my mother still alive?
---
Lynn's Bedroom.
Lynn updated Saeko's Blessings.
His brows furrowed. "There's barely any increase."
Saeko silently examined the status screen in her hands.
"It looks like zombies no longer provide me with any growth."
"It can't be helped…"
Saeko let out a sigh.
Cutting down zombies had become effortless, easier than slicing vegetables.
Naturally, they no longer provided any meaningful experience.
"Hmm…"
Lynn thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, when I get the chance, I'll take you to my world for training."
Even if the efficiency wasn't as high, at least she'd still gain some experience.
Saeko's eyes lit up with excitement. "Master's world? I'm looking forward to it."
She wanted to know more about him.
After that, Saeko gave Lynn a detailed report on her exploration progress.
Then, they moved on to something more enjoyable.
Utaha, hiding in the corner, secretly eavesdropped for a while.
Her face burned red.
She clenched her fists.
Tomorrow—absolutely!
Absolutely!
Absolutely must send herself to Lynn's bed!!!
---
Late at Night.
Takagi Yuriko was jolted awake by a high-pitched sound, stretched thin with tension.
She turned her head.
Her daughter's face came into view.
But it wasn't the peaceful sleeping face she expected.
Saya's cheeks were flushed, her breathing ragged, her eyes hazy with an intoxicating glow.
Yuriko's body stiffened, then instinctively glanced downward.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
As if sensing her mother's gaze, Saya turned her head.
Their eyes met.
Saya froze.
Then, her entire face went beet red.
She suddenly sprang upright, her hands flailing wildly, as if scrambling to find an explanation.
But words failed her.
It was impossible to explain this clearly!
Yuriko observed her daughter's frantic embarrassment.
Then, she merely smiled softly, stood up, and gently patted Saya's head.
With a voice full of nostalgia, she murmured, "Saya… you've grown up."
"Hngh…!"
Saya wished she could vanish on the spot.
Seeing her daughter's distress, Yuriko gracefully changed the subject.
"Saya, tell me about this place."
She had only just arrived.
Her priority had been finding her daughter, so she hadn't fully processed the nature of this world yet.
Saya, latching onto the lifeline of conversation, immediately began explaining everything she had experienced so far.
A while later. Yuriko finally understood everything.
The master of this place was actually a devil.
And every woman here was his follower.
Even her own daughter was no exception.
It wasn't difficult for her to accept.
She had already witnessed Saeko's supernatural power firsthand.
It was impossible to deny reality at this point.
For her daughter to belong to another person?
She felt no sadness or resentment about it.
In the apocalypse, survival was already a miracle.
Saya wasn't just surviving—she was thriving.
She had no worries about food or safety, and she had even gained supernatural abilities.
Why should Yuriko feel sad?
If anything, she should be grateful.
The only regret she had was.
Saya had taken so long to submit herself to Lynn.
Wouldn't this put her at a disadvantage compared to the others?
If it were her, she would've secured her position within a few days.
But…
Yuriko gently reached out, brushing Saya's hair.
Saya was still young.
She probably didn't even realize the benefits of being close to someone like Lynn.
She didn't understand just how lucky she was to have met him in the apocalypse.
After all, with Saya's stubborn personality, it was already surprising she had come this far.
Yuriko sighed again.
"Saya, you've grown up."
But…
That wasn't enough.
Compared to the others, Saya was falling behind.
Both in Lynn's favor and in everything else.
And besides—
What use could she offer in a place full of devils?
Yuriko's eyes hardened with resolve.
"Saya, I'll help you."
"Huh?"
Saya blinked, confused by her mother's sudden declaration.
Yuriko simply smiled mysteriously and said nothing.
Here, she had no practical skills to contribute.
The Next Morning.
Early dawn.
Utaha dragged Saeko into a secluded corner.
Her face was flushed with hesitation.
"Saeko, tonight… can I ask you…?"
(To be continued.)