Olivia -1-
The second named succubus.
She didn't even have time to utter her name before the matchup issue led to a rather anticlimactic end.
Leaving the succubus's corpse behind with its shocked expression frozen in place, Rohan and Ichinose slipped out of the mansion where pleasure dolls lay scattered.
The poorly maintained path through the forest still forced them into a one-way trip.
With no other choice, Rohan and Ichinose followed the trimmed trail, crossing the boundary once more.
A new landscape unfolded before them.
"Could that be... a village?"
"It sure looks like one, shape-wise."
"..."
Rohan had half-expected it, so he just shrugged it off, but Ichinose fell silent, at a loss for words.
The two didn't plunge into the village neatly built within the forest. Instead, they circled its outskirts warily, observing closely.
"It might be a village where succubi live. If so, just passing through could be dangerous for you, Rohan."
"Yeah, you're right."
Rohan couldn't swear it matched the dungeon he remembered perfectly.
Carelessness meant death, so Ichinose's caution was spot on.
"If it's that kind of village, we quietly scout for the Monolith. Sound good?"
"Perfect. Let's move as stealthily as possible."
"Got it."
Rohan drew Light's Grace and Stigma, taking point.
The dungeon's only human party pushed forward through the heavy fog.
They began taking in the lifeless village in detail.
"..."
"..."
Cobblestone streets, black roses crammed into flowerbeds, fountains with purple water flowing backward.
What Rohan and Ichinose faced was a village straight out of some medieval fantasy game.
The buildings followed that style, but everything else felt profoundly alien.
Under a gloomy sky ruled by the moon. A village made of pleasure dolls.
The dolls stood in assigned positions, repeating the same motions as if fulfilling specific roles.
With lifeless eyes, they carried out their master's commands.
One clutched withered grass, endlessly mimicking a merchant hawking wares.
Dozens more patrolled fixed routes, pretending to be lively passersby.
Every pleasure doll faithfully played its part.
Ichinose felt an eerie chill from the incomprehensible scene and edged closer to Rohan.
"This place is creepy. Gives me goosebumps. No succubi in sight, at least... right?"
"None that I can see."
Rohan knew this place.
A vast human collection gathered by the succubus ruling the Nest of Dream Demons.
A mock human society crafted from those pleasure dolls. A model garden steeped in jealousy and envy toward humanity.
The only thing Rohan didn't know was how long it had taken to build this sprawling replica.
"Shall we head inside?"
"We have to... Are you planning to clean up the pleasure dolls as we go?"
"First, let's slip in quietly. With this many, there must be a succubus somewhere who can communicate. From experience, killing her should free them all."
"Understood."
Ichinose nodded in agreement, and they finished skirting the village.
Weaving between the diligently role-playing dolls without collision, they delved deeper.
Parting the fog and poking into spots here and there—after some time, a mansion came into view, detached from the village.
A grand, antique mansion incomparable to the doll-infested buildings.
Its form felt especially familiar to Rohan and Ichinose.
Standing aloof, as if utterly apart, it screamed succubus mansion.
Their steps naturally turned toward it.
"Conveniently placed."
"No one would ever imagine humans walking here on their own, so no need to hide it. Judging by the succubi we've met so far."
"Or it's just overconfidence."
As they neared, a gate presumed to be the courtyard entrance appeared.
Two pleasure dolls stood there, motionless with vacant stares.
But they wore armor like guards and held spears.
"Might get annoying later, so let's take out the armed ones."
"Yes."
The guard dolls lost their heads to Rohan's blade without resistance—mere decorations to set the mansion's mood, perhaps.
Entering the courtyard quietly, Rohan checked with Ichinose following behind.
The target was definitely in this mansion.
"Baby Yui. You got the potion, right?"
"Of course."
Ichinose pulled the potion from her bosom to show him.
"Don't hold back. Timing's everything."
"Don't worry."
Ichinose's lips curved up at Rohan's concern, pleased.
Unconsciously, the girl sensed this mansion was the endpoint.
"Going in."
Confirming Ichinose's nod, Rohan passed the courtyard and pushed open the door to the mansion's interior.
Creeeak! The hinges squealed for oil as they revealed the inside.
'I remember this clearly.'
In Rohan's memory, this was the mansion with the Monolith.
The thick stench of incense matched other succubus lairs, but the walls papered entirely in mirrors made it unforgettable.
A narcissistic succubus's custom design, letting her admire her face and body from anywhere.
It also served her attacks effectively.
In Rohan's recollection, the named succubus here was named Olivia.
Click!
Rohan instantly aimed his pistol at a mirror.
Infusing it with mana, he pulled the trigger.
With the dungeon memory resurfacing, silence be damned—this was step one.
Bang!
The bullet pierced the mirror clean through.
Just a hole. No major cracks.
'Not enough power.'
Even mana-charged, it hadn't shattered the mirror properly.
Even teaming up, smashing all these would take serious effort.
"Not ordinary mirrors. Be careful."
"Better not get close."
Rohan smiled at Ichinose's acknowledgment.
She trusted there was reason for the gunshot's noise.
Clunk!
One mirror on the mansion wall swung open like a door, and a figure emerged.
A middle-aged man with a sturdy gaze, vitality drained—definitely a pleasure doll.
But qualitatively different from the ones they'd faced before.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Balanced steps. An aura of real threat.
His rugged face and jet-black beard complemented his martial robes.
─...
The sword at his waist radiated sharp menace.
Any second, a slash could fly.
Rohan braced for combat against this unfamiliar foe from his memories.
Ichinose, gripping her sword, spoke up.
"That man...?"
"Someone you know, Baby Yui?"
Ichinose's eyes widened in disbelief, then she explained with regret.
"A martial artist from Samhwa Nation, recently caught in a Monolith and gone missing."
"Skill level?"
"He's more renowned for raising disciples than personal prowess..."
"So, potential?"
"...No telling how being a pleasure doll affects it."
Losing his mind to obey the succubus meant his experience couldn't fully compensate for any gaps.
Ichinose believed that.
"Healthy humans strolling in on their own two feet? Things just got interesting today."
From the open mirror door, a succubus emerged with clicking heels.
Her hips and tail swayed seductively as she stood beside the doll.
A coiled whip—her weapon—in hand.
"Wha...?"
The succubus gaped at Rohan in surprise.
The tiresome pattern again. Rohan fired without hesitation.
Pew!
The pleasure doll blocked the incoming bullet with its sword.
The succubus, ignoring the attack, wrapped her slender tail around her thigh and fixed on Rohan.
Her voice thrilled.
"How's a man like this even here? A gift from Bianca? Jupi? Those jealous bitches wouldn't offer up someone like you."
"What're you babbling about, you slut?"
Rohan snapped back boredly.
The succubus, liking the defiance, flashed a sultry smile.
"You touched my entrance dolls, so you deserve death—but hey, I forgive you! Lady Olivia's got a big heart."
Her eyes burned with raw desire for Rohan.
Rohan and Ichinose were utterly fed up.
Ichinose's disgust boiled into anger.
'Every last one...'
As if Rohan's essence was a get-out-of-jail-free card.
All of them claimed to forgive his deeds.
Experience said a contract offer was next.
"Make a contract with me and... huh?"
As predicted, but Olivia's gaze shifted from Rohan to Ichinose.
A succubus eyeing a woman? Unprecedented so far.
"Not essence? But that thick scent...?"
The succubus sniffed, staring at Ichinose's mouth.
Ichinose's brilliant mind instantly grasped the implication.
'N-No way...!?'
The secret-keeper's heart pounded.
Before the succubus could speak, Ichinose cut in.
"...Rohan. I'll handle the succubus."
"You sure?"
"Free that man. Please."
Ichinose wore a grim resolve unlike any before.
Rohan nodded.
"Watch the whip. With all these mirrors, she'll use them."
"Got it."
"I'll wrap up quick and join you. No reckless moves."
"Don't worry."
Ichinose stepped forward.
Click!
Gripping Yoru's hilt, she lowered her stance.
Ready to kick off the ground anytime.
And then.
With eyes closed, the girl resolved on a method only viable against a non-human monster.
She had to erase it before it spilled her secret.