NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15
Chapter 15
—–CROW—–
The Beetle Nest was largely populated by individuals with illegal statuses, but it wasn’t an area overflowing with overt criminals. There were people who couldn’t operate openly in the light of day: those involved in the entertainment industry, practitioners of Awakened-related procedures that couldn’t be disclosed to civilians, and, most notably, succubi and incubi.
Some incubi and succubi had transmigrated from other worlds to Earth, while others were once ordinary humans who had mutated into succubi. Regardless of their origin, they were required to officially register with the government. In return for regular monthly provisions of potions containing human “essence,” they had to report all their activities to the government, living a life under constant surveillance.
They were often employed as high-class escorts, sometimes utilizing their powers as Awakened and demonic beings. It was rumored that every high-ranking official and wealthy family had at least one favorite succubus or incubus, and some succubi lived comfortable lives alongside chaebols.
However, outside the top 1%, most succubi lived ordinary lives, meticulously reporting their every activity to the government and its agencies.
No one welcomed such a life. Even ordinary humans would find it suffocating, but for succubi, whose nature was free and uninhibited, it was a prison without bars, an invisible leash.
That’s why many of them voluntarily sought out lawless zones like the Beetle Nest, places outside the reach of the law. Most of them were capable of protecting themselves, and in these lawless zones, they could freely obtain human “essence” while earning money. For succubi and incubi, it was an appealing arrangement, fulfilling their desires while receiving a certain level of respect.
“…Sorry, I don’t think I can today…”
“Eh? Why?”
But today was different. Since becoming a succubus, she had never been sick, not even with a common cold. But today, for some reason, she felt chills and kept flinching involuntarily. It wasn’t just one succubus; all the succubi in the Nest were experiencing similar symptoms. It wasn’t a critical illness or disease, but they felt unwell, with a general malaise and nausea.
It was like being stripped naked and placed before a hungry predator, like a bear, shark, or tiger. Of course, a succubus could take down a bear with her bare hands, but the sensation she felt now evoked a strange sense of helplessness, reminding her of her ordinary human days.
‘Ugh, this is weird… Did a Saintess come down to the underground? No, even a Saintess wouldn’t cause this much discomfort…’
The last time she felt like this was when a Saintess, said to reside in the Vatican, visited Korea. Even then, she only felt slightly dizzy, like motion sickness, not this level of discomfort and chills.
“Is our Mi-yeon sick? You’re always the one clinging to us, asking for more.”
“…Sorry. Today I really have the chills and I’m not feeling well… I don’t think I can service you oppas and unnies to your satisfaction.”
“I see…”
The regular customers looked at the shivering succubus with disappointment, licking their lips.
“Can’t be helped. What can we do if Mi-yeon is sick?”
“Since we’re already here, take this. It’s a deep-fried mint chocolate soboro bread from Sungsimdang. I hope you like it.”
“Oh my, oh my… you shouldn’t have… Thank you, oppa~”
“My unnie said she wants to meet you sometime. Come visit when you’re feeling better.”
“Ah, Gray-unnie? Alright. I’ll come as soon as I’m better.”
Lawless zones weren’t solely populated by thugs and scumbags. In fact, such individuals were a minority. In the early days of the Rifts, many Awakened migrated to lawless zones due to the government’s oppressive policies. And, more importantly, although succubi were often referred to as prostitutes or sex workers, anyone who slept with a succubus once developed an immense fondness for her.
Someone causing trouble for a succubus? Everyone in the vicinity who had slept with her would emerge, asking, “Did you mess with our noona?” and try to kill the offender.
Simply put, a succubus who had spent a considerable amount of time in this place was like the head of a gang formed not through money or drugs, but through her own body.
After politely sending off her customers, Mi-yeon sighed and wrapped herself in clothes. She usually wore revealing outfits and actively sought out customers, but today, feeling unwell and out of sorts, she had no intention of going anywhere.
“Ugh, this feels awful. Just what is going on…?”
-Ding
“Hmm?”
Just then, a notification sound came not from Mi-yeon’s phone but from a different smart watch. A hologram, written in red letters visible only to her, appeared before her eyes. Mi-yeon immediately sensed something unusual had happened at her business and frowned.
“It’s me. What’s going on?”
[It’s… I apologize. There’s been an incident at the auction house, Boss.]
“An incident? Did the Hyenas attack? Didn’t I tell you to tear them apart without even reporting back if they showed up?”
[It’s not that….]
The affectionate Mi-yeon who had been so kind to her unnies and oppas vanished, replaced by a cold and ruthless beauty, resembling the boss of a mafia organization.
★
★
★
[Jae-hee-ssi.]
“…Yes, please speak.”
Ah, she’s angry.
She’s calling me Jae-hee-ssi, not Jae-hee-nim…
[Can I curse?]
“…….”
I broke out in a cold sweat. Outwardly, thanks to my succubus appearance, I didn’t show any signs of panic, but Officer Dan using such language meant she was truly angry.
I’m sorry, Officer Dan.
It’s only right that I handle such a big issue myself, not you…
“…Officer Dan. You don’t have to come. I’ll take care of it.”
[…Excuse me?]
“If necessary, I’ll even take care of it with my body.”
[E-excuse me? What!?!!?!?!]
I’m quite strong myself. I could hunt monsters and sell them, couldn’t I? If worst came to worst, I could do manual labor and eat gukbap. I had nothing to do and lazed around at home anyway, so I could take this opportunity to start a new, more productive life.
‘Yes, it’s right for me to handle this.’
It was nothing compared to what Officer Dan usually did for me.
“Don’t worry, Officer Dan. I can handle everything.”
[W-wait a minute! Wait a minute, Jae-hee-nim! Don’t hang up, please don’t hang up…!]
-Click
“Uh, so your representative isn’t coming?”
“Yes, that’s how it is.”
“…I-I see. Then this way…”
And so, guided by the auctioneer, I went deeper inside, to what they called the VIP room.
“This is quite troublesome. That violin being an Ego Weapon… no, an Ego Violin.”
What was an Ego Weapon?
Simply put, it was an obedient weapon. Not a talking weapon, but an obedient one.
When ordinary people heard the term “Ego Weapon,” they often imagined weapons that chose their wielders, not the other way around. Weapons bound by rules and contracts, never changing their chosen master, possessing a will of their own, assisting and aiding their owner – the typical Ego Weapons often depicted in fiction.
However, in this world, Ego Weapons didn’t necessarily gain sentience. It wasn’t impossible, but tools should remain true to their function as tools. Sentient weapons, though rare, weren’t particularly sought after. A Hunter’s battle was often decided in seconds, a matter of life and death. Having a weapon chattering away would naturally hinder their concentration.
However, imbuing a weapon with the owner’s “will” was possible. In such cases, the imbued will was treated as a sort of familiar, an extension of the user’s body, allowing them to summon the Ego Weapon at will. When not in use, it would be kept safely at the owner’s home, in a dust-free place.
Anyway, the conclusion was that David’s Violin, made from 187 children, had become something akin to my Ego Weapon. Ah, it wasn’t a weapon, so… Ego Violin? Ego Instrument?
Even now, it floated around me at my gesture, trying to snuggle against my hand and shoulder as if asking to be played again, like a puppy acting cute.
Though completely unintentional, this Ego Violin had become bound to me, rendering the auction meaningless. In other words, I now had to deal with the cost of this violin.
‘Hmm, this is a big problem.’
“Please wait here for a moment.”
The auction house staff, expressing their difficulty in handling the situation with me and the violin, guided me here while the auction continued.
It was a place seemingly reserved for the most valued customers of the auction house, with simple refreshments, coffee, and a table to receive guests.
“This is troublesome…”
What was troublesome?
Naturally, my succubus instincts were troublesome.
Just why did you cause such a scene?!
Do you even think before you act?!
If I could communicate with them, I would demand an explanation.
Then, my succubus instincts would reply,
-Just charm everyone, wouldn’t that solve everything?
Don’t be ridiculous.
One should pay the proper price for things.
-Then just kill everyone.
No, stop it.
Did I realize I had made a mistake?
Of course, I did.
Even if this was a cursed object, immense effort, someone’s sacrifice, and hard work must have gone into acquiring it. Stealing it without paying would be disregarding all of that.
That wasn’t beautiful.
It went against succubus aesthetics.
What were succubus aesthetics?
I didn’t know.
And what if this violin wasn’t obtained through any effort, but was stolen goods?
I would think about that later.
Anyway, I had made a grave mistake. It wasn’t like I had multiple personalities… but my succubus instincts, driven by immediate desires, had acted without any thought or plan for the consequences. So, wasn’t it ultimately my fault?
The cleanest solution was to pay. Of course, the price itself was up for debate…
“Greetings.”
Just then, someone approached me as I sat waiting in the VIP room. I hadn’t even heard the door open, so they must have some kind of teleportation or phasing ability.
“I’m Citra, the general manager of the auction house.”
A beautiful woman with vibrant pink hair and a cheerful face. However, her aura carried a hidden coldness and solemnity befitting the general manager of an underground auction house.
“I have some Sungsimdang mint chocolate deep-fried soboro bread from an acquaintance. Would you like some?”
“Oh my, thank you. But I’ll just accept your kind offer. I’m not in a position to be so bold right now.”
She seemed quite capable. Especially at controlling the atmosphere.
It was the stance of a negotiator, like a tiger hiding its claws, creating a friendly and approachable atmosphere while simultaneously ensuring the other party wouldn’t underestimate her.
She was definitely a formidable person.
Oh, but Citra, the general manager of the auction house…
Was a succubus?
‘Not just a succubus, but a Succubus Queen.’
That was unexpected.
The boss of the auction house being a Succubus Queen.
—–CROW—–