Seven Succubi and a Manners Lesson
"Here we are."
Following Jerome into the small room, Minwoo let out a small gasp at the sight inside. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the room consisted of three circles. The room itself was perfectly round, about the size of a tennis court. A circular bed sat in the center, easily twice the size of a king-size—lavish enough to make him think it'd be a real treat to fuck on something like that. And beneath the bed, on the stone floor, an even larger circular magic circle was engraved, its purpose unknown. Pink light leaked from the circle, illuminating the otherwise stark room in a garish glow.
I've never been to one, but this has to be what a love hotel feels like, Minwoo thought.
Jerome, standing beside him, spoke up. "Please lie down on the bed and relax. It would be best if you undressed. If you feel sleepy, go ahead and rest—succubi can visit you in your dreams anyway."
"Got it. But does summoning succubi really require all this flashy setup?"
Minwoo stripped down to his underwear and flopped onto the bed. Jerome continued his explanation.
"No, summoning succubi requires no preparation at all. I just call, and they come here on their own."
"Hmm? Then what's with all these magic circles?"
"They're for you, of course, Minwoo."
"...For me?"
"Preparation for the battle ahead, shall we say?"
Battle? Nah, I don't know the first thing about fighting.
Minwoo was about to say as much, but Jerome's next words revealed the true meaning behind "battle."
"A lone man's solitary struggle against the demons, that is."
Now I'm even more confused...
Jerome had said sleep didn't matter since succubi could enter dreams, but the magic circle's light was so bright and obnoxious that Minwoo doubted he'd be able to drift off anyway. Besides, he had another reason to stay awake.
"Can't use this in a dream, after all."
He muttered to himself, stroking the glow stick's button with his finger.
How much time passed? Suddenly, a deafening whirrr filled the air, making his ears ring. Black mist-like fog began swirling in the empty space above the room's center. A black hole? A rift in space? What the hell was he supposed to call it?
Before Minwoo could ponder further, a woman burst out of the black void. Correction: two women... no, three... four...
"..."
Minwoo stared in stunned silence. The rift spat out a total of seven women before finally sealing shut and vanishing.
The seven succubi chattered nonstop like fishwives at a market, completely ignoring Minwoo as if he weren't even there. But a closer look revealed their eyes darting toward him slyly every few seconds.
Minwoo's head started to throb.
I thought I was ordering à la carte, but they delivered the full course...
Now he understood Jerome's words, but it was far too late to back out.
..."Kyaha! What's this? He's pretty solid-looking!"
"Looks old. Face ain't cute either. Not my type."
"Momo, you're skin and bones yourself, and you're complaining about looks?"
"Um... can we put him to sleep first and get started...?"
"Shasha... you're not still a virgin, are you?"
"Whoa... breaking news... bet there's mold growing down there..."
"You're so mean..."
"Forget all that! I don't care as long as the dick works! Let's fuck him right now!"
"Yes! I'll take the back!"
"What're you on about."
"..."
It was pure chaos, like a marketplace brawl. So much so that Minwoo forgot about the glow stick entirely and just gawked at the seven succubi yapping away.
Then, the tallest, most mature-looking one raised her hand high.
"Okay, everyone, quiet down! Pay attention!"
Thankfully, the succubi fell silent at her command.
"Ahem... I know it's been a while and we're all excited to reunite, but we're here on a special order from the Demon King. Let's show some class."
"Yes!"
For a moment, despite their skimpy outfits, Minwoo pictured a kindergarten class on a field trip.
The tall succubus continued. "As Jerome told you, let me explain briefly once more. This gentleman here is none other than Anti-Hero Minwoo. We're gathered to awaken him as an incubus."
"Question!"
The noisiest one shot her hand up.
"Do we really need all of us to awaken one human guy? One should be enough..."
Good question. I agree completely.
Minwoo perked up his ears. Why had Jerome summoned all seven? Even he couldn't handle that many at once. Sure, if he were already an incubus, maybe—but his stamina had limits right now. Getting drained dry to death? No thanks.
The tall succubus answered. "Truth be told, I don't know the exact reason either. But Jerome specifically called all of us, which means we're all needed for the ritual. So let's set aside the questions and do our best."
That's not an answer at all.
But the succubi nodded as if satisfied.
"Then let's decide the order first. Rock-paper-scissors for fairness. Oh, and I'll go last, so you can exclude me."
Six succubi promptly formed a circle and started playing rock-paper-scissors—a ridiculous sight, easily the most absurd thing Minwoo had ever witnessed.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
The order was set.
"Eek... Shasha's first?"
"Boring."
"She's gonna put him to sleep anyway, right? Hurry up."
"Why not just pop her cherry today? Even baby sis Lulu lost hers a century ago."
"Ugh..."
Shasha—the one with bangs covering her eyes—shrank back under the teasing. She must be the virgin Jerome had mentioned. A virgin succubus? Hilarious, sure, but...
"Enough, enough! Stop bullying Shasha. She's just shy."
The tall succubus calmed the group and patted Shasha's shoulder.
"Shasha, do it your way. We've got plenty of others."
"...Okay, Riri sis."
Emboldened, Shasha stepped forward and stood before Minwoo. He wore a resigned expression, like he'd given up thinking altogether.
"Can't they all just pile on at once?"
"Hush, Bibi!"
Even the chattiest one, Bibi, shut up. Shasha took a deep breath and extended her hand toward Minwoo.
He watched silently.
"..."
"..."
Time dragged on.
"..."
"Huh...?"
"..."
"Um..."
"..."
"...Hiiing."
What the hell is she doing?
Minwoo stared pitifully at Shasha, who was making a pouty face like something wasn't working.
Sniffling, she said, "Um, excuse me..."
"..."
"Could you... maybe go to sleep...?"
"..."
"...Sob."
Minwoo's silence made her face crumple further.
"Ugh, this is frustrating! Can't you cast one Sleep spell properly? Are you even a succubus?"
Bibi, watching from the side, shoved Shasha aside impatiently and thrust her own hand out at Minwoo, mimicking her.
"Watch how big sis Bibi does it. Hnnng...!"
"..."
More time passed.
"Wh-what? Why isn't it working...?"
"..."
"Ughhh...!"
"..."
"Grrrh...!"
"You two."
"Eek!"
Bibi jumped back in surprise as Minwoo finally spoke. He tapped the glow stick against his palm like a parent wielding a switch.
"Just to confirm—are you trying to put me to sleep right now?"
"Y-yeah... so?"
For some reason, she felt intimidated by this human man and shrank back instinctively.
Minwoo pressed on. "Shouldn't you at least ask first?"
"Eh? I-is that a thing...? But we've never asked permission before..."
Yeah, no shit. A succubus announcing, "Hey, mind if I jump you?"? Unlikely.
But their excuses meant nothing to Minwoo. He smirked coldly.
"Looks like you girls could use some etiquette training."
The glow stick lit up.