Succumania

"Here are the keys for a whole day."

"Thank you…♪" Alma Elma accepted the keys graciously, the soft metallic click resting in her hand. "I made sure to give her a night to remember. Not that you needed to bribe me for that."

"I know but…" the young man sighed while scratching his head. "I was kind of weirded out for asking you to meet her. I didn't realize it would go this far…"

Alma Elma chuckled, tilting her head as she watched him squirm. "Oh? Feeling guilty? Or jealous perhaps?"

He shook his head, exhaling. "Not guilty and not jealous, just… surprised. She seemed so different this morning. Almost like she was glowing."

"That's the Alma Elma touch." She winked, slipping the keys around her fingers. "But if it bothers you, maybe next time you should be more specific with your requests…♪"

The young man crossed his arms, sighing again. "You do you. You're both adults."

"So what now?" Alma Elma stretched her arms lazily. "I got the whole house for a day?"

"Yeah, just my room is off-limit," he added firmly, his tone carrying an unmistakable warning."Or if you do, I don't want to hear about it and you better clean it completely before I come back."

Alma Elma smirked, clearly entertained by his seriousness. "Don't worry, I'm used to dealing with this. But don't blame me if I'm snooping around your room."

Luka rolled his eyes. "Not like you'll find anything there."

"Oh? Luka has nothing to hide, I see…" 

He met her gaze with an unamused expression. "Nothing worth your time, at least."

"Now what," she teased, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "makes me even more curious."

The young man chuckled before waving her off. "If you had come here a few years ago, you might have found something interesting. See ya."

Alma Elma's ears perked up at that. "Oh? Now you're just teasing me on purpose."

Luka smirked over his shoulder. "Maybe." And with that, he walked off, leaving Alma Elma standing there with a thoughtful look on her face.

She twirled the keys around her fingers before slipping them into her pocket. "He has a little mischievous side to him, hmm…."

She sighed, stretching her arms behind her head before plopping down onto the couch. The house was unusually quiet—no distractions, no interruptions, just her. A whole day to herself. Morrigan was gone to search for her sisters, in case they happened to be here, and Eva was also touring the restaurants with some money she gained helping around the house.

"What to do, what to do…?" she mused aloud, kicking her feet up onto the armrest.

Her eyes wandered back toward the hallway leading to Luka's bedroom. He wouldn't be back until tomorrow, since he would be training at the park for the whole day. 

A slow, knowing smile crept across her lips.

"Maybe I'll go take a look…♪" 

With a playful hum, she made her way toward his room, already wondering what kind of secrets he used to have.

Far away, in a different country…

The city streets pulsed with life, a steady flow of people weaving through the sidewalks as the morning sun reflected off towering glass buildings. The hum of traffic blended with the chatter of pedestrians, the occasional honk of a car punctuating the urban symphony.

A young woman strolled leisurely through the lively streets, a shopping bag swinging at her side. Dressed in a flowing white skirt that contrasted with the sleek, modern surroundings, she moved with a happy strut. The crisp morning breeze played with her short brown hair, tousling it as she absentmindedly tucked a stray strand behind her ear. Her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity as they flitted across the storefronts, scanning neon signs and elegant window displays.

The aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods drifted from a nearby café, mingling with the faint scent of asphalt warmed by the sun. She took a deep breath, smiling to herself.

"Perhaps I could go with some coffee…" she mused while stopping next to a shop. 

Of course, unbeknownst to everyone, she was a succubus on vacations, or rather, on a quest. Her goal? To find someone, or something, capable of curing her beloved acolyte and friend, the detective Luka. 

She had already crossed many continents, and now she found herself on the small island of Japan, where she sensed the arrival of some succubi from another world. Though it wasn't her job to monitor them, since the Holy Knights were already on their trace, she thought that maybe, some of them could help her.

With a determined glint in her eyes, she pushed open the café door, the soft chime of a bell announcing her arrival.

For now, though, she was just shopping. Even a succubus needed a break sometimes, didn't she?

With a soft chime of the café door, she stepped inside and made her way to the counter, ordering a coffee before settling into a cozy spot near the window.

She sighed contentedly as she stirred her drink, watching the city move outside. The flow of people, the flashing signs, the modern world spinning on as if there weren't ancient beings like her walking among them.

For a moment, she allowed herself to simply enjoy it.

She had learned to enjoy humans and their companionship, setting her apart from her kin. They weren't just prey but friends. They weren't just a different species but creatures who allowed her to exist.

Succubi are nothing but the result of human dreams and legends, at least in this world. If not for them, she wouldn't even be thinking, breathing, or existing at all.

Her eyes darted to the TV in the corner of the shop. The local news flashed.

Multiple disappearances near Shinjuku, presumed dead. No bodies had been found, but authorities suspected foul play. Reports indicated that all the victims had vanished without a trace, leaving behind no clues except for their last known locations—dark alleys, train stations late at night, quiet corners of the city where prying eyes wouldn't reach.

She frowned slightly, tapping her fingers against the ceramic of her cup. It would have been a good case for her friend, and while she was used to solving some of them with him, she couldn't help but think how he would proceed.

Her lips curled into a small smile before fading just as quickly. Luka wasn't here. And, more importantly, she wasn't here to take on cases like this. However, something piqued her attention.

She glanced back at the news broadcast, her emerald eyes narrowing. There was one common factor between each disappearance. Each one of them was female. 

A serial killer? Possibly. The victims were young, likely abducted before being subjected to unspeakable horrors. The circumstances seemed familiar—mundane, even. There was nothing supernatural about it. Nothing that would suggest a succubus, or any other mythical being, was involved. Just a human committing gruesome crimes against his peers.

She sighed softly, swirling her coffee absentmindedly before taking a sip, the bitterness of the brew doing little to lift her mood.

It was a human tragedy, and yet, the sensation nagging at the back of her mind refused to subside. There was something about this that didn't sit right, but for now, she pushed it aside. She wasn't here to unravel such mysteries. Not today, at least.

After finishing her coffee, she decided to keep shopping for the rest of the afternoon. Time seemed to fly by as the sun began to set, the crows dispersing further with the arrival of the evening.

As it settled, she found herself standing outside a small, hidden bookstore tucked between two larger buildings. The flickering lights from within created a warm, inviting glow, contrasting with the soulless and cold neons of the other shops. The door jingled as she pushed it open, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her.

The scent of old books and paper enveloped her as she entered. She'd always loved bookstores like this. Perhaps this was her old self—the lord of the dreamers, sovereign of the Dreamworld that was speaking. She wandered between the shelves, running her fingers over the spines of novels and ancient tomes. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the comfort of it, shutting out the worries of the day.

And yet, as she turned a corner, something caught her eye. An old book with no title on the spine, the cover a deep shade of red that seemed almost... alive. Intrigued, she pulled it from the shelf. 

The moment her fingers touched the cover, she felt a strange tingling sensation race up her arm, making her drop it in a hurry, a bead of sweat running through her cheek.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," a voice with a rough Japanese accent came from behind her. "Though if you're able to see it, it must mean…"

She turned, startled but intrigued. A man stood there, leaning against a nearby shelf. His presence was striking in a way that immediately set him apart from the other patrons. He appeared out of place in the bustling city of Japan—an older dark-skinned man, likely in his late forties, dressed in the black robes of a Christian priest. His face was weathered, etched with time and experience, and his eyes gleamed sharp, as if he could see straight through her. There was a quiet intensity about him, the kind that comes from years of carrying secrets, perhaps from a life spent dealing with things most humans never needed to know.

For a fleeting moment, her gaze flickered with recognition. "Holy Knight…" she murmured under her breath, her guard instinctively rising. But instead of responding with hostility, the man simply stepped forward, reaching down to pick up the fallen book with a quiet reverence.

"Indeed," he replied with a knowing smile, as though he had been expecting her. "And you are… a succubus, correct?"

Her heart skipped, and she studied him carefully. "How did you know?" she asked.

The priest tilted his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "This bookstore is covered by a barrier that tricks the mind. It repels people by making them not interested in this store."

She glanced around, noting the crumbling condition of the store, its old and dusty shelves barely holding together. "Seeing how it's practically falling apart, I doubt any young person would enter this place."

The priest chuckled. "You're not wrong there."

His smile faded, and his gaze shifted back to the red book she had dropped earlier, his expression growing serious. "That book... it's better to leave it alone. Understood?"

"I don't understand, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for a succubus, just like you."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively straightened, her posture suddenly defensive. "Not you," the man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a touch of humor. "Another one. She's been... feeding a bit too much, you see."

"Another succubus?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Is this about the disappearances?"

"No, unfortunately," he replied, his tone now tinged with regret. "I'm afraid it has nothing to do with those disappearances."

Her brow furrowed. "Then what are you talking about?"

He studied her for a moment before speaking, as if weighing his words carefully. "There's a succubus causing quite a bit of trouble. She's been siphoning energy from the living in ways that are… unnatural. To be precise, she's not just taking their life—she's erasing their very existence. Anyone who encounters her is wiped from the world's memory, as if they never existed at all."

She felt a pang of unease. "And you think she's here, in this bookstore?"

The priest nodded gravely. "I have a reason to believe she is. Or at least, she was. This store is filled with many artifacts and objects that could be subjected to quarantine."

"What do we do?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The priest's eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. "I'm shocked. You wish to help me?"

She hesitated, then shrugged. "I mean… You don't look like you're going to hurt me, so…"

He studied her closely, clearly weighing her response. "Then, perhaps you can help me understand something. Why do you think there has been such a sudden outbreak of succubi recently? Have you any idea?"

"I don't know for sure," she admitted, "but it's possible someone is pulling the strings. Succubi are summoned everywhere, not just in Japan."

The priest nodded thoughtfully, absorbing her words. "That aligns with some of the things I've been noticing. My colleagues have already handled several incidents, but no matter how many we deal with, it seems there's always more cropping up."

"What about the one you're looking for?"

"She's not like the others," the priest replied, walking slowly around the store, his hands clasped behind his back. "This is why I've been chosen to track her. She possesses abilities that go far beyond what most succubi can do."

Saki frowned, her curiosity piqued. "Even I've never heard of a succubus erasing people from everyone's memories..."

The priest paused, a subtle shift in his expression as if he hadn't considered that angle. "Hm, really now? Perhaps you're onto something. I hadn't thought of it quite that way."

He turned back to face her, his expression more focused now, as if a piece of the puzzle had just clicked into place. "There's something deeply unnatural about this one. First, she hides in plain sight using magic and this store. Then she goes around killing people, all men, from all around Japan."

"It looks like she does whatever she wants…"

"Indeed," the man nodded. "But something doesn't add up. Would she go to the trouble of erasing the people's existence if she were to just do as she pleased?"

"By the way," Saki was done waiting to ask this question, "how do you know those people existed in the first place?"

The priest stopped in his tracks, clearly taken aback by the question. "Ah, that's simple," he said, resuming his slow walk. "One of our knights possesses an ability to witness close parallel worlds. While he cannot directly interfere with them, he has a unique talent for sensing the subtle differences between the world we occupy and the others."

"Ah, I see… Those people still exist in those different but very close possibilities."

"In fact," the priest added. "The very act of erasing their existence creates parallel branches to our world. This is why he was capable of noticing it."

They stopped at the counter, where no one was sitting. It was covered with trinkets that emanated magical energy. 

"Now that I think about it…" Saki said as her eyes locked onto each object filling the room. "It looks more like a collection than a store. There are no prices anywhere."

The priest smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing slightly in a knowing look. "You're correct. This place is not a typical store. It's more of a sanctuary, a place where lost, forgotten, or forbidden things are kept. The objects here aren't for sale; they are preserved."

Saki's curiosity deepened. "But why would someone like her would be collecting these relics?" 

"Good question…" the priest mused as he picked up a small layered terrestrial globe that represented different planes on top of the usual continents. 

When suddenly, the doorbell rang once, making the both of them startled.

"Hey, old hag! I got another thing from a random guy!" A loud, brash voice echoed through the library, and both Saki and the priest held their breath.

The sound of footsteps grew louder as the voice continued, its owner drawing closer.

"I swear you could put away your things. It's not fun to stay in such a dusty place…" the voice said before meeting nose to nose the two intruders.

"This one knows something," the priest chuckled upon seeing the schoolgirl entering his field of view.

The schoolgirl stood before them, her gaze casual, almost amused, as she studied the two of them.

"Wait…" Saki narrowed her eyes. "I think I know her…"

The girl's smile shifted into something more unsettling, her eyes flicking to the priest with a predatory gleam. "Oh... He looks delicious."

Saki joined her hands together in recognition. "Ah! Myusca!"

The succubus who went by the name of Myusca tilted her head in confusion upon hearing her name. "Have we met?" she asked, her eyes resting on Saki for a few seconds before turning back to the main event. 

The priest greeted her with a warm smile, unbothered by the girl's enigmatic presence. "Good evening, young succubus," he said smoothly. "May I ask you a few questions?"

"Ahaha," Myusca laughed at the man. "You could~"

The priest remained steady, his smile unwavering. "Good," he replied, taking a step toward her. "My name is Ntwali. It's a pleasure to meet you, Myusca." He extended his hand in a gesture of greeting.

Myusca's lips curled into a more predatory smile. "The pleasure's mine... Ntwali," she purred, drawing out the name as if savoring it.

She reached out, gripping his hand lightly at first—before suddenly clenching down with all her strength. Most men would have buckled instantly, or at least flinched, but Ntwali remained unmoved. His fingers flexed subtly, applying equal pressure in return.

A faint gasp escaped Myusca's lips before she quickly masked it with an amused chuckle.

"Are you the one running this store?" Ntwali asked with a smile.

Myusca tilted her head again, feigning deep thought. "I think I have a better question in mind," she mused, licking her lips. Then, without missing a beat, she turned to Saki with a knowing glance. "No stealing, okay?"

Saki barely had time to react before Myusca's eyes flashed with a soft, eerie glow. A subtle shift in the air followed, like invisible strings snapping into place—she had cast a binding spell.

"Now, how about you sit still, hm?" Myusca teased, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.

But Ntwali remained perfectly at ease, his bright, unshaken smile making Myusca's amusement falter.

"Sit still? For what, tea?" he asked pleasantly.

"Huh?" Myusca blinked twice, expecting to see him frozen in place. Instead, he took a step closer, completely unfazed. Her smirk faded slightly. "Wait… Aren't you supposed to be—?"

"Not moving?" Ntwali interrupted, tilting his head slightly. His voice was calm, but there was a sharpness beneath it. "It looks like you expected something."

Myusca's playful demeanor flickered, replaced by genuine confusion. "Wait…"

She didn't get the chance to finish.

"Perhaps the hand of God might make you more cooperative," Ntwali mused, his voice still carrying that easygoing warmth—right before he drove his fist forward.

The impact was instantaneous.

A deafening crash echoed through the shop as his punch connected squarely with Myusca's face. The force sent her hurtling backward, shattering through rows of bookshelves like a ragdoll. Wood splintered, tomes tumbled, and a thick cloud of dust exploded into the air as she crashed through yet another wall, finally slamming against the far end of the room.

Saki stood frozen, eyes wide. "Wha—" She barely processed what had happened before her survival instincts kicked in, snapping her head toward Ntwali.

The priest was still standing where he had thrown the punch, rolling his shoulder as if he had merely swatted a fly. He turned his gaze toward the heap of debris, his smile still in place, though there was now a certain edge to it.

From the wreckage, a shaky chuckle emerged.

"Owowow… Now that really hurt."

The pile of broken wood and scattered books stirred, and with a sharp gust of energy, Myusca emerged, dusting off her ruined uniform. Her lip was split, a thin trail of blood dripping down her chin. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, crimson eyes now glowing with irritation.

"You hit really hard for a priest," she muttered, rolling her jaw before transforming into her succubus form, leaving little to the imagination. "Guess it's time to get serious. I won't underestimate you like that last human with the black cap."

Deep red, bat-like wings unfurled behind her, sending stray pages fluttering through the air. Her horns were sleek and curved, the thick aura of magic oozing from her, and her hair now turned to a supernatural pink color.

Saki instinctively took a step back, gripping the edge of a nearby table, suddenly very aware of the power difference between them. The priest's punch had barely hurt her.

At that, Ntwali's smile faded just slightly.

"Oh?" he mused, tilting his head. "That's an interesting thing to say. I thought you would understand that cooperation was the wisest choice."

"Nah," she licked her lips with hunger. "I prefer to hear you scream while I eat you, mister priest."

Ntwali let out a small chuckle, unshaken. Then, without looking, he turned his head slightly toward Saki and smiled.

"If you would be so kind as to step aside," he said pleasantly, rolling up his sleeves. "I need some space."

Saki swallowed hard, hesitating only for a moment before quickly stepping out of the way.

Ntwali took a single step forward—

BOOM!

A deep, resonant thrum filled the air, like the first beat of a massive war drum. The sound reverberated through the wooden floor, shaking the broken shelves and scattering loose pages into the air.

Myusca's grin faltered for just a fraction of a second.

BOOM.

Another step. Another pulse of sound, deeper this time, but none the less musical.

BOOM

A third step. The very room trembled. The rhythm wasn't just sound—it was power accumulating slowly with each movement. The dust in the air began to swirl unnaturally, caught in the unseen force radiating from the priest. 

Saki's breath hitched. Her heart pounded in sync with the slow, methodical beat of his steps.

Until he didn't even step and—

Boom, boom, boom…

A rhythmic song of drums that stirred deep within the heart echoed within everyone. 

Saki clutched her chest, her heartbeat syncing to the relentless pounding. Even Myusca hesitated for a moment, her wings twitching, her body responding to the rhythm before she could even process what was happening.

With a snap of his fingers, the priest smirked. "Time to dance, succubus," he intoned, his voice effortlessly weaving into the music surrounding them. "To the drums dedicated to my lord."

"Tch." Myusca clicked her tongue before pulling out her bow, shooting several arrows in successive motion.

However, the man simply danced around the arrows, to the sound of the beat of the drums. As if guiding him through his enemy's attacks, he simply followed the music, his eyes closed.

"Hey! This is cheating!" Myusca's face twisted in annoyance as all her arrows missed their mark. She quickly tried to get away, but the man suddenly closed the gap, slamming her down with a shoulder bash. 

The impact sent her flying, her body twisting as she smashed through another row of bookshelves, wood splintering and debris scattering in every direction. 

Saki flinched as the entire shop trembled from the force of the collision.

Ntwali didn't stop as he already approached where she landed. He followed with a punch, and a kick, sending her to the floor above before she could even react.

Saki gasped, watching the debris rain down around her.

Ntwali exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Without missing a beat, he leaped after her, the rhythm of the drums growing louder—more intense.

His adversary, the succubus, held her nose as it was bleeding profusely, her brain barely registering what was going on. 

Not after that guy in the jacket! I can't accept it! She gritted her teeth while standing up, her body already bruised from the few blows she received.

"I refuse to lose to a damn priest!" she snarled, her wings snapping open with a gust of energy.

Before she could launch a counterattack—

BOOM!

The rhythm intensified, shaking the very foundation beneath her feet.

And then, Ntwali was there.

Faster than she could react, he struck—his fist colliding with her gut, knocking the air from her lungs.

Her eyes widened.

Another blow.

Then another.

Each strike landed perfectly in sync with the pounding war drums, an unrelenting assault that kept her locked in place, unable to counter, unable to escape.

If it wasn't for her durable body, she would have already been dead as each blow hit like the force of a freight train.

She gritted her teeth, her vision blurring, but the relentless assault never stopped. With each strike, her body felt like it was breaking down more, caught in an unyielding dance she couldn't control.

Ntwali's smile never wavered. The war drums pulsed louder, faster, pushing him forward as he continued his calculated assault.

And with each beat of the drum, Myusca's resolve started to fray.

In a flash of inspiration, her eyes flashed once more, this time with a stronger binding spell. It momentarily worked as the priest stopped suddenly mid-punch, his body freezing.

"Ah! Gotcha!" Myusca laughed as she stood up with a manic grin.

"My faith…" the priest muttered lowly.

"Time to eat now!" Myusca lunged toward him, her body reaching him.

"My faith shall not be broken," Ntwali repeated, his voice resolute, the rhythm of the drums returning.

In the blink of an eye, the air around him vibrated. Myusca's binding spell, though powerful, was no match for the force that emanated from him. With a sudden jolt, his body broke free from the spell's grip as if it had never been there.

Myusca's eyes widened in disbelief as her grip on him faltered. Before she could react, Ntwali's hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat with terrifying precision. His fingers tightened around her windpipe, lifting her off the ground effortlessly.

"Time to stop playing, succubus," Ntwali's voice was calm, almost too calm, as he held her suspended in the air. The war drums beat louder in her ears, the rhythm intensifying, making it feel as though her very heart was going to explode.

Her crimson eyes locked onto Ntwali's, filled with defiance, even as her vision began to blur. "You... you think you've won?" she gasped, her voice strained.

As the words came out, violent sparks of electricity struck the priest, stopping the rhythmic sound of the drums. 

"Ara, Myusca, are you alright?" the voice of another succubus came through. Her voluptuous body did not go unnoticed when she saw her. Saki immediately recognized the breasts she kind of wanted.

"Nemea!" Myusca rasped, her voice thick with frustration and relief. "You took your time."

Nemea's lips curled into a knowing smile. "I don't like to rush in unless it's absolutely necessary," she replied smoothly, her voice dripping with mock sweetness as her gaze flicked to Ntwali, who now stood at the center of the room. "The owner won't be happy about the mess you've made…"

Magic began to swirl around her as she took a step forward.

"Come on~" Myusca chuckled. "She won't be mad if we kill the one responsible for this."

Both succubi's eyes turned to Ntwali, who still struggled with the aftermath of the electric shock, the sizzling remnants of his priestly robes now charred, his skin bearing the marks of the energy that had assaulted him.

"This is unfortunate…" Ntwali winced, his voice strained but still dignified as he turned his gaze to Nemea. "I didn't expect a third one…"

"Fufu…" Nemea chuckled with eyes full of fake sympathy. "Sorry to ruin your little moment there. Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

"Another day!" Saki's voice rang out from above, startling both succubi as she appeared right in the center of the room, emerging through the hole in the floor. With surprising agility, she wrapped her arms tightly around Ntwali's waist.

"I'm taking him, bye!" Saki shouted, her voice full of defiance and determination as she pulled the priest close, using her momentum to propel them both away from the succubi.

Nemea's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a snarl, while Myusca let out an irritated growl. They had been so close to finishing their task, but now the priest had been taken from their grasp.

"That's unfortunate…" Nemea sighed.

"Why didn't you zap her like the guy?!" Myusca cried in protest.

Nemea's expression hardened slightly. "I wasn't prepared. I had to use most of my power to hurt him… and even then, he's more resilient than I thought."

"He is pretty durable for a human…" Myusca muttered, crossing her arms and scowling. The priest had survived far more than any of them had anticipated.

Nemea's lips quirked into a sly smile. "He's not just any human, is he? But that won't matter for long…"

She took a step forward, the magic around her shifting, her eyes growing ever darker. "We'll catch them. It's only a matter of time."

"I hope, he looked delicious."

"Ara… But he is for me now."

"Aww…" Myusca pouted.

Meanwhile, Saki's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as she landed softly on the ground. She quickly moved to a shadowed corner of a hidden alley, carefully setting the priest down against a crumbling stone wall. His body was battered, the marks of the lightning still fresh on his skin. He was clutching his side, where the bolt had struck, his face twisted in pain.

Saki knelt beside him, her hands gentle as she assessed the damage. "Hang in there," she murmured, her voice soft but filled with concern. Her eyes scanned his wounds, the electric burn already beginning to turn a painful shade of red.

"You don't look too good," she added with a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the mood despite the situation.

The priest winced, his breath shallow as he looked up at her, his brow furrowed. "I'm surprised you saved me…"

"You're an alright guy and these two are trouble," she simply said as she slowly removed the pieces of cloth stuck to his skin. 

The priest managed a weak smile, though it quickly faded into a grimace as the pain from his side flared up. "They were not the one I was looking for…"

"Yeah, I figured," Saki nodded, her concern deepening. "You should rest. You're in no condition to keep going." She glanced over her shoulder, as if expecting the succubi to appear at any moment.

The priest hesitated for a moment, his breath ragged. "I can't stop now. There's still work to be done."

"You'll do it later," Saki replied firmly, her voice brokering no argument. "You need time to heal. If you push yourself now, you'll just end up dead. And I already had my share of stubborn guys, I don't want you to bother me."

The priest looked at her, silent for a long moment. "Give me the true reason why you saved me."

Saki smirked. "I'm just on the side of humanity, that's all. I don't care about these idiots who think of humans as just prey."

The priest raised an eyebrow, still unsure of her full intentions. "So you're just... helping because you don't like how they treat humans?"

"Something like that," she replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I have a soft spot for humans, that's it."

"You might be the strangest succubus I've met," the priest chuckled weakly, his breath shallow from the pain.

Saki's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Is that so? I bet there are some like me somewhere. Besides… I hate nightmares."

As she said that, a step echoed in the alleyway. Saki quickly turned her head, only to see a person in a motorcycle suit with a badge emblazoned on her chest. At first, Saki thought she might be another faceless agent—until she noticed the dark sunglasses covering her eyes. There was something unsettling about the way she stood, as if she could see everything, even through those lenses, especially in this very dark alley.

Purple pupils, clearly either lentils or a succubus.

"Saki," the priest whispered under his breath, suddenly alert, sensing the tension in the air.

The woman in front of them didn't move, but her eyes locked onto Saki, a barely perceptible glint of recognition passing between them. A succubus? But why was she here?

Without a word, the woman rummaged through the pocket inside her jacket, pulling out a small wallet. She unfolded it with a swift, practiced motion, revealing a small card. Saki squinted her eyes in disbelief.

"Succupolice? What the heck? That's a real thing?" 

Then, by staying silent, she pulled out a paper and quickly scribbled on it. 

"Don't tell me… You can't talk?"

The succubus gave a curt nod, then showed the paper to Saki.

On it was written:

"I am investigating a certain succubus who has been sighted around here. She is capable of erasing people's memories on a large scale and might be responsible for a few other problems."

"DAMN, YOU WRITE FAST!" Saki exclaimed, still processing the message.

The succubus's lips twitched, her expression impassive behind her dark glasses. Her gloved hand started scribbling again, the pen moving across the paper with practiced efficiency.

"Would you be willing to cooperate?" she wrote, then paused before adding, "I can offer protection. You and your mate."

Saki's mind raced. A succubus from the Succupolice? Things were getting weirder. 

"Also, he isn't my mate. We just met."

The police girl tilted her head in confusion, as if not understanding what she meant. 

Saki sighed, clearly not wanting to waste any more time explaining things that should have been simple. "Alright, alright, I'm following you. But no weird movements, okay?" She gave the succubus a pointed look, hoping the message would be clear.

The succubus gave a subtle nod, as if understanding her boundaries. She scribbled once more, then showed the new message: "We need to move quickly. I saw a burger restaurant close by. I want to try it."

Saki blinked, staring at the paper for a moment before an incredulous laugh escaped her. "Wait, what?" She was expecting something more urgent—an escape route, an interrogation, some plan to handle the target. And instead, this succubus was thinking about food?

"Alright, fine," Saki sighed, clearly too tired to argue. "A burger break it is. But we move fast, okay? And we get back to business after."

The succubus gave a small nod and quickly started to turn, clearly eager to get her hands on the food. Saki gave one last look at the priest, still leaning against the wall, trying to regain his breath. Then, with a reluctant shake of her head, she grabbed him and followed the odd succubus down the alley, hoping that whatever was coming next could help her in the end.

"At least I'm stuffed!" Myusca stretched her arms over her head, letting out a satisfied sigh as she lounged in a plush chair at the far end of the room. "Could go for another bite, though…"

"Don't be so irresponsible…" Nemea sighed as she cleaned the floor from the mess they made. After the short but intense battle, a lot of books needed to be replaced to their original spot, and shelves needed to be rebuilt. "We still don't know who created this place."

"That's right," Myusca agreed, though her voice lacked her usual playfulness. She tapped her fingers on the armrest, looking around uneasily. "There are a lot of Grandma's books here too… and I don't like it. This place gives me the creeps."

Nemea's fingers momentarily froze over a particularly worn tome. "Grandma's books, huh?" she murmured. Her crimson eyes gleamed with something unreadable as she traced the aged leather binding with a delicate touch.

Myusca shifted in her seat. "Yeah. And I don't know how they got here. It's like someone took them straight from her collection and dropped them into this weird, abandoned library."

Nemea let out a slow, deliberate chuckle, low and sultry. "I don't like people playing with me," she mused, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'm the one who should be playing with people… Ufufu…"