Is It Strange For A Succubus To Be Wearing Clothes?

Chapter 3

—–CROW—– 

“Night Sea Observation, 20 minutes prior!”

“Countdown commencing in 10 minutes.”

“All honored guests, please be seated!”

The VIP section buzzed with activity. Unlike the usual observations attended solely by public service Hunters, today’s event catered to the so-called “higher-ups,” who graced the site with their presence.  The public service Hunters scurried around, attending to their every whim.

These weren’t ordinary civil servants. They were National Hunters, Awakened individuals assigned to national duties—valuable personnel unaccustomed to being overlooked.  Despite the prestige and decent salaries that came with their public service titles, today, anxiety and worry etched their faces.

Today was a Night Sea phenomenon day.

The higher-ups, insistent on witnessing the event despite the inherent dangers, were present in unusually large numbers, amplifying the Hunters’ concerns.

“Protective inscription check confirmed!”

“Physical, mental, and erosion protection confirmed. All systems nominal!”

“Triple-check everything! The VIP section is priority!”

Section Chief Park’s barked orders echoed across the observation site, directed at the lower-ranking officials and Awakened.

The Night Sea phenomenon was a rending of the sky, spilling forth entities from another world.  Simply put, the sky would tear open, and star-like objects would descend randomly upon Earth.

Each phenomenon was unique, the nature of the falling objects unpredictable.  The Night Sea invariably brought with it a host of dangers, including new dungeons, Gates, and monster hordes.

Even after the Great Rift of 2030, the Night Sea remained a primary source of global unrest.

However, this was primarily a concern for powerless civilians.

The Night Sea phenomenon wasn’t just a source of new monsters; it also delivered unknown natural resources, mysterious artifacts from otherworldly civilizations, and even vast, unclaimed territories.

While fraught with peril, it also presented the opportunity of a treasure-laden, unexplored new world.

For large corporations and Hunters, it was a chance for new revenue and uncharted territory.  The Night Sea phenomenon had even driven economic recovery, bolstering unrelated government approval ratings and securing re-election for some politicians.  For nations, the Night Sea was an unavoidable, major event.

Of course, the inherent randomness of the Night Sea meant it could yield nothing or unleash insurmountable dangers. But the higher-ups, typically complacent and overconfident, remained so.

‘Eh, it’ll be fine.’

‘The odds of dangerous monsters are low, right?’

‘Even if something nasty comes out, it’ll be handled.’

‘The Guilds and Mega Corps have it covered.’

Had the Hunters in the field heard these pronouncements, they would have furiously explained the unpredictable and dangerous nature of high-risk monsters. But the higher-ups wouldn’t listen.

The past was littered with the bodies of Hunters and civilians who had perished under “normal” risk conditions.

Improved evacuations, warning systems, and the increased capabilities of Hunters and Awakened had mitigated the severity of past disasters.  Nevertheless, the dangers posed by the Night Sea remained substantial.

“Ha, ruling party, opposition, even the Minister himself.  What a crowd.”

“Seriously. When they show up, it’s us who pay the price.”

“Last time, the alert was ‘high,’ and they all stayed away…”

The public servants tasked with catering to the VIPs and implementing new security protocols were, understandably, disgusted.

Civilian observation of the Night Sea was strictly prohibited.  Only experienced Hunters and Awakened were authorized to prepare for and confront the event, treating it as a defensive operation.

While the spectacle of the opening sky and descending lights was awe-inspiring, no one knew whether these lights heralded disaster, new frontiers, or valuable resources.

If they turned out to be ultra-high-risk monsters or distorted dungeons, alarms would blare, and Hunters would deploy pre-positioned defenses to contain the threats.

But when the higher-ups decided to attend…

“Ah, Section Chief Park. Good to see you. Everything going smoothly?”

“Yes, Assemblyman Kim! The VIP section’s protective inscriptions are fully operational!  We’ll keep the press contained, sir.”

“Good, good. Relax.”

“Refreshments are at each seat. No need to worry about photos or eavesdropping.”

“Excellent work.”

“My, my, very thorough, aren’t we?”

“Hahaha! He’s one of my best. He handled the Jeokseong Plateau observation, too.”

“Oh, I was there. Quite the experience.”

“Right, shall we proceed, gentlemen?”

This was the inevitable charade.

Section Chief Park, usually so domineering, bowed obsequiously to the suited politicians, their assembly badges gleaming.  The field agents watching exchanged grim glances.

“Haaa…”

Among those caught in this “observation ceremony” was Dan Ah-yeon, a Level 6 civil servant and Awakened. She was stuck between the higher-ups and her fellow Hunters, bearing the brunt of the burden.

Her task was simple: follow Section Chief Park’s orders, double-check the protective inscriptions with the National Hunters, and monitor for potential threats.

Ideally, given the Night Sea’s unpredictable nature, civilians should be excluded.  The operation should be handled solely by Hunters. However…

‘Why do they insist on attending, even breaking protocol…?’

Dan Ah-yeon couldn’t fathom their behavior.  What if a real catastrophe occurred?

Sighing, she gazed at the fissure in the night sky.

‘What will it bring this time?  Hopefully something peaceful, like a sky island, and nothing more.’

“Officer Dan, checks complete.”

A fellow Awakened official’s report met Dan Ah-yeon’s weary gaze.  Both were exhausted, but the official seemed to regard her with a mixture of pity and respect.

“Good work.  Everyone, stand by at your designated positions.”

“The Assemblymen…”

“…I’ll handle them. Don’t worry.”

Dan Ah-yeon was a high-ranking Awakened, easily A-rank or higher. But she was a civil servant, bound by the government’s ridiculous post-Rift law prohibiting Awakened officials from resigning.

‘Resign and face penalties and social ruin.’

While some had emigrated, Dan Ah-yeon had family and needed a stable income.  She had no choice but to remain a National Awakened civil servant.

Her salary had improved, but compared to the fortunes an A-rank Hunter could command, she felt undervalued.

It was already a difficult situation, and her colleagues clearly sympathized with her predicament, caught between the higher-ups and her duties.

“Yes, ma’am… Take care, Officer Dan.”

“You too.  There’s ice cream in the base freezer. Help yourselves.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

But what good was complaining? Reality wouldn’t change…

As the highest-ranking Awakened official present, Dan Ah-yeon was responsible for the Assemblymen’s safety.

She doodled idly in the sand.  Glancing at her reflection in a hand mirror, she sighed and resumed her position, guarding the VIP section—a glorified mobile dining hall plastered with protective inscriptions.

‘Hopefully, this Night Sea brings something good for the country… and for me.’

‘Lovely view, isn’t it?’

‘I hear the Night Sea is even more spectacular than the aurora.’

‘Have you seen the aurora?’

‘Yes, while golfing on an overseas trip.’

‘Perhaps I could join you next time?’

‘Well, we’re from different parties…’

‘What does that matter? We’re all members of the National Assembly.’

‘Haha!  Very kind of you.’

‘Now then, less chatter, more drinks.’

‘Indeed! Allow me.’

Dan Ah-yeon’s enhanced hearing picked up every word from the VIP section’s impromptu drinking party.

Damn them.

‘I’ll order chicken when I get home… Yangnyeom… or maybe buldak… or that new mint choco chicken…’

Despite her irritation, Dan Ah-yeon allowed herself to daydream about the simple pleasure of enjoying a meal and watching funny videos after work.

The Night Sea phenomenon was brief. If all went well, she could be home within the hour.

Cleanup was left to the lower ranks, and the investigation to the Guilds and contracted Hunters.  Unless a high-risk entity appeared immediately, things should be fine.

‘What are the chances of an S-rank monster appearing right away?’

As long as no S-rank monsters appeared, everything would be fine. She had sacrificed two nights of sleep preparing the VIP section’s defenses.

S-rank monsters were powerful, but there were other Guilds on standby…  Whatever.

“The Night Sea is commencing!”

“The Night Sea approaches!”

“All Hunters, to your positions!”

“All honored guests, remain seated!”

As long as…

As long as nothing went wrong…

As long as everything went according to plan…

With that thought, the night sky tore open.

Like the parting of the Red Sea, the heavens split, revealing a cascade of stars and light.

The spectacle was breathtaking, inspiring awe and wonder.  But the light seemed to whisper…

…Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.

—S-rank alert! S-rank alert!

—All Hunters, combat ready!

—Spatial contamination detected! Spatial contamination detected!

“…Ha.”

Dan Ah-yeon sighed.

Shit.

How could this happen?

They were prepared. She had drilled the National Hunters, establishing a robust defense and containment system.

But of course, an S-rank high-risk entity had to appear.

“Combat ready!”

At Dan Ah-yeon’s command, the National Hunters activated their inscriptions and assumed combat positions.  Section Chief Park had vanished.  So the rumors were true.

But it was quiet.  Surprisingly quiet.

The alarm blared, but nothing descended.  The Night Sea continued its celestial display, the inscriptions silent despite the S-rank alert.

“Why is it so quiet?”

“Maybe it appeared elsewhere?”

“No. It would be drawn here, to the inscriptions. We have guiding inscriptions, too.”

Silencing the murmurs, Dan Ah-yeon focused her mana-enhanced vision on the sky.

Then…

—Blink.

“…!”

Eyes.

So many eyes.

Huge, unblinking eyes.

The instant she sensed them, Dan Ah-yeon shouted, “Close your eyes!”

Her order was obeyed instantly.  The Hunters closed their eyes, bodies tense.

“…Old Ram.”

Entity designation: Old Ram.

First discovered in the Swiss Alps, this grotesque, four-meter-tall quadruped bore no resemblance to its namesake.  Skinless and translucent, its most distinctive features were its regenerative abilities and the countless eyes covering its body.

Despite possessing so many eyes, it was effectively blind.  Its usual behavior was to drift aimlessly through the sky, occasionally colliding with mountains before resuming its aerial drift.

It might seem harmless, but its S-rank designation stemmed from a specific characteristic.  If its eyes met another living being’s within a certain range, it would enter a frenzied state, generating countless flesh pieces that differentiated into various dangerous entities.

Tiny, infant-preying Lambs.

Floating, spiked flesh masses.

And Young Rams, the Old Ram’s subordinate entities, active hunters of humans.  All these entities possessed incredible regenerative abilities, making them nearly impossible to kill without complete incineration or freezing.

A single Old Ram had reportedly obliterated an entire Mediterranean city.

The countermeasure, however, was simple.

“Old Ram! No eye contact!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Avoid eye contact.

Dan Ah-yeon swiftly ordered the VIP section’s windows covered.

Why a nearly blind creature was so sensitive to gazes was a mystery.  Perhaps it was envy.  But as long as no one looked at it, it remained passive.

The Old Ram would simply drift past. Once it reached a safe zone, they could call in a magical bombardment.

‘Thank goodness the guiding inscriptions are far from the city…’

If the observation had been held closer to civilization, and a single civilian had made eye contact… it would have been a disaster.

A tense silence descended.

The Old Ram blinked its myriad eyes, drifting aimlessly.  It seemed about to depart.

Just a little longer…

“Excuse me.  What’s happening?”

An Assemblyman, overcome by curiosity, poked his head out of the VIP section.

No!

“Don’t!!”

Before Dan Ah-yeon could react, before she could even try to stop him, the Assemblyman’s eyes met the Old Ram’s.

The eyes in the sky.

The countless, staring eyes.

That was all it took.

[—BAAAAAAAAAAAAA!]

The grotesque creature, bearing no resemblance to a ram, emitted a deafening, ram-like cry.

The ram was jealous.

The Old Ram.

The blind, envious Old Ram.

“Son of a…”

“Who looked?!”

“We’re screwed!”

“Combat positions!”

As flesh pieces began raining down from the sky, Dan Ah-yeon stared in disbelief at the Assemblyman, who emerged from the VIP section, oblivious to the chaos he had unleashed.

“Excuse me, what’s going on?  Is it safe?  Someone answer me!”

“….”

Dan Ah-yeon wanted to cry.

—–CROW—–