Real Combat Beckons and the Elf's Frozen Gaze
"Training's over already...? What do you mean?"
In response to Ares's question, Princess Daimia replied in a calm voice.
"It doesn't mean the training is truly finished. We're simply moving you to gain real combat experience a bit sooner."
At the word "real combat," Ares and the other heroes' faces darkened.
"So... the Demon King has truly been revived."
"...Yes. We don't have much time left."
"..."
The massive surge of mana detected at the Demon King's Castle, the berserk rampage of orc slaves, and the invasion by wandering orcs—all these signs proclaimed the Demon King's return.
Yet the heroes were still unprepared.
As if to bolster their spirits, Daimia continued, "There's no need to be so disheartened, everyone. As I mentioned before, the Demon King's earlier-than-expected revival likely means it's not at full strength either. To that end, the Imperial Army will buy as much time as possible until you heroes can fully mature."
The Empire had already dispatched troops to Roswell Village, overrun by the orc hordes. It was an elite force that seemed excessive for mere thousands of orcs, including a significant number of imperial knights. But considering the Demon King might be pulling the strings behind them, it still felt insufficient. That was how immense the weight of the Demon King's name truly was.
Daimia went on, "Nothing changes about what you all must do. The only difference is the training location."
"The location?"
"Yes. You'll be leaving this place separately from the dispatched Imperial Army. I've already informed Aisha of the details, so follow her lead."
With a solemn expression, Daimia declared, "From today, you will become Labyrinth explorers."
...
"Eh... whatever, not my problem."
The capital was plunged into chaos by riots from the orc slaves, but Kang Minwoo quickly tuned it out. With a delicious elf dish plated right in front of him on the table, who had time to glance elsewhere?
"Anyway, isn't there a quick way to wake someone collapsed from mana depletion? Just waiting around is getting boring."
Even after becoming an incubus—a demon—Minwoo was still utterly clueless about wielding mana.
"Maybe call Jerome or the succubi sisters and ask... Nah, that'd mean sleeping first, which is a hassle... Damn it..."
As Minwoo muttered to himself, a voice suddenly chimed in.
"You called for me, Minwoo-nim?"
"Whoa! You scared me!"
Riri, the eldest of the seven succubus sisters, had appeared at Minwoo's side, kneeling in greeting. She'd responded to his summons.
"Huh? You girls. Weren't you unable to come here because of some barrier or whatever?"
He vaguely recalled hearing that teleporting into the capital from outside was blocked by a barrier. So how had Riri made it?
To Minwoo's question, Riri replied with a puzzled look of her own. "Well... it was impossible before, but for some reason, the barrier had weakened, allowing me to answer your call. It seems something's happened with the humans, but if you give the order, I'll investigate the cause to the best of my ability..."
"Nah, forget it. Not interested... More importantly..."
The weakening of the capital's barrier was an emergency for the Empire, but it meant nothing to Minwoo.
"Any way to quickly recover someone in mana depletion?"
Minwoo cut straight to it, catching Riri off guard. She hesitated briefly before responding politely. "For you, Minwoo-nim, now awakened as a demon, it's trivial. Simply share a bit of your mana..."
"So how exactly do you share that mana?"
"Th-that's... well..."
Riri couldn't help but find the question absurd. Demons handled mana like limbs from birth, wielding it freely. Even acquired demons like incubi typically learned it instinctively. Minwoo's query was akin to asking, "How do you move your hands and feet?"
But having been born without innate mana, Minwoo still didn't know how to use it even as a demon. He stored vast amounts in his glow stick but relied on artifacts like the guardian ring for indirect access.
If Chloe were a succubus, feeding her his semen could convert it to mana—but she was just a plain elf, so that wouldn't work.
As Riri floundered awkwardly, Minwoo said bluntly, "You wake her up."
"Pardon?"
"You revive this girl. Just share some mana, right?"
"B-but..."
"What's the problem?"
Riri hesitated. Reviving the elf was possible, but it would drain her own mana. Fresh off having hers sucked dry by Minwoo, she dreaded depletion. Replenishing would require direct mana from him or taking essence from a male—and thanks to his "etiquette training," she now feared sex. She didn't want to risk losing mana lightly.
But angering Minwoo terrified her more. Swallowing tears, she relented. "...No issue, Minwoo-nim. I'll... do it."
"Nice. Go ahead."
"..."
Under Minwoo's watchful gaze, Riri gently pressed her lips to Chloe's.
...
"...Ooh, nice view."
"..."
Was it Minwoo's teasing jeer, or her first time with a woman? Uncharacteristically for a succubus, Riri blushed shyly.
Watching her, Minwoo smirked, thinking making the sisters do lesbian play as an appetizer isn't half bad sometimes.
The kiss between Riri and Chloe lasted quite a while. Chloe's mana vessel, befitting a skilled mage, was larger than expected, burdening Riri heavily.
Finally, Riri pulled back, a thread of saliva trailing from her lips. "D-done... She'll wake soon."
Exhausted from the excessive drain, her voice lacked its earlier vigor.
Seeing this, Minwoo beckoned with a hand. "Good girl. Time for your reward. Come here."
"Y-yes...?"
"What're you waiting for? Reward time. Hurry up."
"Ah...!"
Still wary of him, Riri hesitated to approach—but Minwoo grabbed her waist and yanked her close, kissing her deeply.
The flavor of those lips, fresh from Chloe's, was exquisite.
"Mmmph..."
Deliberately, Minwoo let his saliva flow into her mouth. As an incubus, it would convert straight to her mana.
"Ahh... Minwoo-nim...!"
Unlike the gentle kiss with the unconscious Chloe, this was feral and devouring—Riri's expression quickly glazed over in ecstasy.
She still feared him somewhat, but her succubus instincts craved his fluids desperately.
"Dunno when this elf will wake, but let's loosen up till then, huh?"
Minwoo said, lightly stroking her tail. A moan escaped her lips immediately.
...
"Ahhhn...! Minwoo-nim...! Hnngh...!"
"..."
When Chloe regained consciousness, the first thing she registered was a woman's coquettish moans.
Next came the creaking bed and rhythmic shaking.
She and the moaning woman seemed to share the bed.
Where am I...?
With blurry vision, Chloe scanned her surroundings. A familiar room—the inn she'd been staying in lately.
But something unfamiliar caught her eye: on the edge of her bed sat a man and woman, bodies intertwined.
What the hell...?
Her mind still foggy, Chloe reeled in confusion. She couldn't even recall the moments before blacking out.
"Hnnngh...! Minwoo-nim...! More kisses, please...! Hold me tighter...!"
The woman straddling the man's lap—nearly nude—clung to his neck, begging lewdly. Notably, her eyes were blindfolded with a cloth.
The man bucking his hips beneath her had a vaguely familiar face.
Memories trickled back to Chloe.
"Y-you're..."
"Oh? Awake already? Sorry, she's not quite ready yet. It'll be quick—hang tight."
"..?"
Before she could parse his words, Chloe's awareness snapped off again.
No—paused was more accurate.
Minwoo had flashed the glowing glow stick's light at her.
"M-Minwoo-nim... Are you alright?"
Blindfolded and perched on his thigh, Riri swished her tail as she spoke.
"Yeah, no issues. So, how's it now? Still scared of sex?"
Blushing shyly at his question, Riri shook her head. "No... Thanks to your kindness, Minwoo-nim... It feels too good..."
"Right? Next time, bring your sisters. Obey me, and I'll spoil you all as much as you want...! Hnng...!"
"Ahh...! Y-yes...! We succubus sisters... will pledge eternal loyalty to you, Minwoo-nim...! Hnnngh...!"
Her old hypnosis—climaxing with every thrust—lifted, replaced by a lighter one: deeper submission to Minwoo amplified her sensitivity. Each obedient word sent thrills through her, body twitching.
Her gaze on him brimmed with pink, lust-filled hearts.
Minwoo patted her ass, glancing sidelong at the frozen Chloe.
His eyes gleamed with anticipation for the dream race: the elf.