Named Succubus
Ichinose knew about the capable ability users stationed in Academy City and the competence of the Security Bureau.
The ominous mana left by the Monolith had surely already been contained.
So on one hand, her mind was a tangled mess.
If the missing person had been identified, had her parents back in the Samhwa Nation heard the news by now? The instructors too—and if Noah knew about the incident, she was probably worried sick.
Her father, busy every day with company management and training, wouldn't have his routine thrown into chaos because of her, would he?
Ichinose's head was filled with all sorts of worries.
Every time she walked through the quiet forest after battles with succubi or husks, those stray thoughts refused to leave her mind.
She knew they weren't the kind of worries a human dropped into a dungeon should have.
It was definitely a bad habit that doubled her mental fatigue.
And yet, Ichinose was the type.
She had no choice but to voice her worries aloud—that was the best she could do, the girl who never knew what else to try.
But now that she'd found the pillow she'd been desperately searching for, she finally felt at ease.
For a moment, she drifted away from her thoughts, feeling free.
This...! Yes, this texture...
This pillow was a perfect 100 points.
Flawless. Her consciousness floated lightly.
Using Rohan's thigh as a pillow.
Something the usual Ichinose would never do. And yet, for some reason, she'd just gone ahead and done it.
Separate from the embarrassment, she felt an odd satisfaction at how Rohan had gone completely rigid.
"... ."
Rohan stayed silent. His breathing was pleasant to listen to.
Just lying there loosened her tension, melting away the fatigue accumulated in her mind.
Some... amazing smell...
Right now, Rohan carried a heavier scent than he had on the uninhabited island.
This was the smell of a male.
Even though she'd never smelled it before or learned about it, her innate female instincts assured her.
She felt a hot warmth against the back of her head.
Blood surging, something heavy twitching just shy of brushing her nape.
Rohan seemed to be doing his utmost to hold it back.
C-could it be... aftereffects of the charm lingering?
Or maybe seeing the succubus's body had stirred some sexual impulse in him.
"... ."
It was probably an irresistible male instinct.
Still, something about it... something unsatisfactory. That feeling overpowered even her embarrassment.
Men really do prefer voluptuous figures like a succubus, huh.
Did she wish she were that small herself? Ichinose's lips pouted like a duck's.
And amid it all, one glimmer of hope surfaced.
B-but... considering how he sticks with that woman Clara...?
One of the two he doted on and fussed over especially.
The image of the doll-like twin-tailed girl made Ichinose's heart waver.
"Baby Yui. Can't sleep? Uncomfortable?"
"...I'm comfortable."
"Good then."
His breathing was steady, and his face was out of view.
How had Rohan known she wasn't asleep?
He was still such a mysterious guy. So different from other men.
"Rohan. It's uncomfortable for you, right?"
"Not at all."
"Really not? You can be honest."
"It's fine. Want me to sing you a lullaby?"
"No thanks..."
Maybe it was because her mind was on edge.
Today of all days, the nickname Baby Yui and Rohan's behavior led her into some deep rumination.
Baby Yui—did she not even register as a woman to him?
"Rohan."
"Yeah."
"Do I... seem that childish to you...?"
Rohan didn't miss the disappointment threading through Ichinose's voice.
It was one of those spots that could spread like wildfire if he teased her.
Couldn't ignore even the tiniest spark. If he didn't stamp it out quick, it might balloon into an uncontrollable blaze.
"No way I'd mean it like that."
"...Then what did you mean?"
"How could I see someone as pretty as you and think 'kid'? I was trying to compliment you—sorry if it came off wrong."
A few seconds after Rohan's words landed.
Ichinose, still lying down, flopped upright like a fish out of water. She propped up her torso and stared at him with wide eyes.
"P-pretty...? Me...?"
"Why so shocked? You've heard 'pretty' so often your ears must be numb."
As Rohan said, she'd heard it enough times to make her ears callused.
But the echo felt different this time. Her heart thumped wildly.
Ichinose flopped back onto Rohan's thigh and buried her face in a hurry.
"Should I drop the nickname?"
"...No bad intentions, so... I'll allow it when it's just us."
"Baby Yui's got a big heart, as expected."
Now she showed signs of drifting off.
Rohan rested a hand on her shoulder and tapped a slow, gentle rhythm.
Relief washed over Ichinose like a thorn pulled free, and she slipped into dreamland.
Maybe an hour later.
After a solid nap, Ichinose thanked Rohan.
Then she stretched to shake off her dulled senses.
"For meals, we've got combat rations, bread, jelly. Snacks, chicken, pizza—probably skip those... Anything sound good? Rice might be safe."
Ichinose pondered Rohan's question for a moment, then shyly picked one, glancing at him.
"R-ramen... how about?"
"Ramen?"
Rohan shot her a surprised look, and Ichinose blushed, giving a tiny nod.
Recently, Ichinose had faced many challenges—and an equal number of failures.
No matter how she tried making ramen, it never tasted like Rohan's from the island.
That day's ramen still haunted the girl's thoughts.
"Can't make ramen with my skill... Combat rations okay for now? I'll treat you when we get out."
"Sorry for being picky. Combat rations are plenty thankful, of course."
Ichinose wasn't in any position to be choosy. As the one receiving, she'd gladly kowtow.
And on top of that, a 'ramen' reward waiting back home? Perfect motivation.
Rohan pulled a large combat ration pack from thin air.
And got to work fast.
"Hang on a sec. It'll be ready quick."
A dungeon where succubi who fed on essence lived.
If a normal person got dragged in by the Monolith, food and water would be a real ordeal.
In the midst of that, Rohan's skill shone bright.
Ichinose felt anew how lucky she was to be paired with him. The sense of security was immense.
"This... it's the combat rations from the island."
Ichinose, watching Rohan's deft hands, voiced what she'd noticed.
"Ah, you caught that? Keep it secret from the instructor, yeah?"
"It's your skill—no issue."
"Baby Yui's right, she wouldn't complain... but still."
As they chatted idly, Ichinose recalled memories from the practical exam.
Rohan back then... definitely...
She remembered. Rohan hadn't used his skills recklessly on the island.
When Noah had followed the ramen smell, collapsed from hunger and groaning, he'd pulled out supplies, claiming he'd "found" them.
His first skill use—for someone else, not himself.
"Rohan's so kind."
A soft smile bloomed on Ichinose's lips.
With their energy replenished from a hearty meal, Rohan and Ichinose headed toward the building they'd glimpsed through the thick fog.
The closer they got, the sharper Rohan's memories became.
That was a mansion owned by a succubus. One of the named succubi resided there.
Not the Monolith's location.
But a place they had to pass through.
They needed to thin the numbers to prevent any unity, and they needed real combat experience against a proper succubus.
Can't recall the name... what was it?
He gave up on the elusive info. They approached as quietly as possible.
No need to go inside—the exterior was wide open. No walls or fences.
Skirting the nearby bushes, just circling the outside brought plenty into view.
Right, this layout.
The mansion's owner enjoyed bathing outdoors. A massive tub sat in the yard.
Black roses floated atop the steaming bathwater laced with salts.
Butler-like men stood in a line around the tub.
All young men, skinny builds.
Whether they'd wasted away here or started that way—who knew.
From memory, the named succubus living here had a taste for that kind of attire.
Hmm.
He observed the men closely.
Pale complexions and lifeless eyes like husks—but their face skin wasn't shriveled and twisted.
"Those are pleasure dolls."
"Way different shade from husks."
"They probably have some combat ability too."
They whispered back and forth.
Ichinose's hand was already on her sword hilt from the tension.
Pleasure dolls, in short: a succubus's human collection.
Some turned into dolls for their appealing looks, others kept nearby for palatable essence.
Some even served as guards for their abilities—reasons varied wildly.
Either way, humans who'd caught the succubus's fancy somehow.
Shring!
Rohan drew his sword from its sheath. His left hand gripped the pistol holstered at his side.
"Baby Yui. Ready?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
Time to liberate those poor souls and grant them peace.
And.
Time to meet the named succubus who could actually hold a conversation.