I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

"Ah—hmph!" Nero exclaimed, biting into her food.

The town was now blanketed in snow. Bitter, bone-chilling winds occasionally swept through, cutting through even the thickest clothing. As a result, the streets were nearly deserted.

In this world, the common sense of its residents dictated that winter was a time to stay indoors.

During this season, only ferocious monsters dared to roam outside, and those venturing out in armor for quests were almost exclusively isekai adventurers.

"Finding a store still open during this time is nearly impossible… Ah, delicious! Hm, hm! The crust on this is so crispy."

The food was a little too hot, but on such a freezing day, something warm was just what she needed.

If possible, Nero wished she could buy some instant milk tea, preferably the kind with chewy coconut jelly. A warm sip would be heavenly.

She hadn't expected anyone else to be out on the streets at this time of year.

But then, she spotted a few suspicious figures loitering in the distance.

Focusing her gaze… Oh, it's Kazuma. No wonder they looked so sneaky.

This time, however, Kazuma wasn't accompanied by Aqua or the others. Instead, he was with two men who seemed just as shady as he was.

Nero recognized the pair. Anyone who could get along with the "Sadist Kazuma" was bound to be infamous as well.

Keith and Dust—neighborhood troublemakers with only a slightly better reputation than Kazuma.

The three of them were huddled together, casting furtive glances at a shop tucked into a nearby alleyway.

Since the street was deserted, when the three glanced her way, Nero instinctively ducked behind cover.

Interesting… Nero thought, feeling a spark of curiosity.

What could possibly make those three act so cautiously?

She had a hunch this might lead to something fun.

It's definitely not one of those shops that turns boys into men, she reasoned. She knew these three were all bark and no bite when it came to such matters.

"Honestly, those smirks… Men really are pigs. Wait… did I just insult myself too?"

She almost forgot—she had been a man in her previous life.

"Hm? They went inside?"

Watching the three sneak into the shop like they were stepping into some forbidden 18+ zone, Nero pondered for a moment. She finished off her fried cutlet, pulled an apple from her bag, and casually tossed the empty paper bag aside before following them.

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This was a secret known only to Axel's male adventurers.

A mysterious shop hidden away in a secluded alley.

All those aware of its existence had tacitly agreed: under no circumstances were female adventurers to learn of it.

It was for the happiness of all men, for the peace and quiet of this little town.

It was… a shop secretly run by succubi that offered customers sweet dreams.

"We've established a mutually beneficial relationship with the town's male adventurers," explained the shopkeeper, a voluptuous and scantily clad succubus, to Kazuma and his companions, who were first-time visitors.

"Most of you live in the stables, where certain… needs… can't be addressed. Especially with so many people sleeping around you, it's not like you can… do anything, right? Meanwhile, we succubi need to sustain ourselves on men's life energy."

She spoke with a practiced, sultry tone, her alluring voice drawing the newcomers further into her explanation.

"We'll visit you in your dreams, creating exciting, tantalizing fantasies while you sleep. You wake up feeling refreshed, and we get the sustenance we need. Of course, we only take a small amount of life energy—just enough to survive. It won't affect your daily life. No one's ever been harmed by it. So, what do you think? It's a win-win for everyone, isn't it?"

Around Kazuma and his friends were several other male adventurers, seated at tables and filling out forms with the help of seductive succubi. The forms detailed their preferences for their ideal dream.

Succubi of all shapes and sizes wandered about the shop—tall and voluptuous, petite and delicate, fair-skinned and radiant, or tanned and exotic. Some exuded sultry charm, while others had an innocent allure.

There was someone to match any taste.

After all, it was just a dream. It allowed these men, too timid to act in reality, to indulge their imaginations freely.

Is it a crime to fantasize in my dreams?

Kazuma and his companions eagerly wrote down their dream preferences and handed their forms to the shopkeeper.

As they left, they couldn't help but comment on how affordable it was—a mere 5,000 Eris for three hours of blissful dreams.

Since the succubi already received life energy as payment, money was only a secondary consideration.

Watching them leave with a smile, the succubus shopkeeper reviewed their forms.

"Nothing too complicated… Perfect for the newbies to practice on," she mused.

With that, she headed deeper into the shop.

Reaching a room in the back, she knocked on the door and called out, "I'm coming in," before stepping inside.

The sudden entrance startled a young succubus with wine-red hair, who leapt up in shock.

"Wh-What are you doing, boss?! This is my room! You're supposed to knock and wait for my permission before coming in!"

"I did knock," the shopkeeper replied calmly. "Besides, this is my shop. You're only living here because I let you stay, Samiri."

"You knocked and barged in without even waiting a second! What's the point of knocking, then?! And how many times do I have to tell you—I'm not Samiri! My name is Balzac!"

The succubus known as Samiri crouched on all fours, raising her hips like an agitated kitten, baring her tiny fangs as if ready to pounce.

But the shopkeeper, unfazed by the display, found her tantrum rather cute.

"What's the difference? Samiri is such a cute name. Besides, everyone here uses an alias for work. It's easier that way. Why not stick with Samiri?"

"I do have an alias!"

"Balzac, right? That name isn't cute at all. When I first heard it, I thought you were some obscure novelist. Samiri's much better."

"Mind your own business!"

Samiri's face turned beet red, her crimson eyes glaring at the shopkeeper, though she dared not make a move.

On one hand, the shopkeeper had taken her in when she had nowhere else to go, and for that, she owed her gratitude.

On the other hand, even if she wanted to fight, she couldn't win.

"Damn it… If it weren't for that woman destroying the body I'd stored up power in for years… I wouldn't be in this pathetic state!"

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T/N: Are these OC's idkkkk i have to be honest im a normie...