Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Ashen Paradise (1)
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However, setting that mindset aside, Seraphina wasn't the only thing grating on me right now.
"…I don't want to go home."
Red-light district—Paradise.
The place where the welcome party supposedly held in my honor was taking place, and the 'hometown' where this body, Kang Ihyeon, had spent its childhood.
And the gathering spot for the only surviving defective product I'd personally crafted... the 'sister-exclusive dildos'...
Either way, a torrent of uncomfortable feelings welled up inside me.
But at the same time, it was a place I absolutely had to face at least once. The past wouldn't just vanish if I ignored it.
Tiger's den.
Yeah, no better way to put it.
I returned to Nocturne Town after several weeks.
In the exact opposite direction from the alchemist's workshop.
As I crossed into the familiar yet alien district boundary, even the texture of the air changed.
Dull, heavy, a mix of sweet and nauseating scents intertwined.
'Hasn't changed much in years.'
Gaudy signs, streets bathed in red lights. Even at night, it blazed like midday under the harsh glow, the silhouette of this cheap artificial paradise flickering garishly.
Braving the acrid cheap cologne and nicotine-soaked cigarette smoke, I trudged straight toward the red-light district.
It had been ages since I'd seen this view.
This suffocatingly familiar place.
Unlike the flashy main street, this area exuded a more shadowy, enclosed vibe. At the alley entrance, as always, two burly men stood guard.
Familiar faces, same as back then.
One exhaled a long plume of cigarette smoke, squinting as he sized me up from head to toe.
"Hey, ain't that... Kang Ihyeon kid?"
The other guy, arms crossed, glared at me and snorted.
"Well, well, it is him? Long time no see, shorty. Figured you crawled into that academy or whatever, living it up. Didn't expect you'd show your mug again."
"Yeah, it's been a while, brothers."
"Good, good, you're still kicking. What's the business today?"
Their tones carried more wariness and faint mockery than any warmth. Fair enough—from their perspective, I was the prodigal son returning home.
"I've got business. Mind checking the reservation list? Under my name, Kang Ihyeon."
He stubbed out his cigarette, furrowing his brow at my words.
"Reservation? In your name? This ain't some back-alley thug den you used to crash in, punk."
"Or maybe under Seraphina. Please check."
"Tch."
Tsking, he fiddled with the battered terminal on the side table. After tapping the screen a few times, his eyes narrowed.
"...It's there. Kang Ihyeon. Seraphina special invite. Huh, go figure. Never thought you'd come back here as a guest."
"Little guy's made it big, eh?"
The man smirked and patted my shoulder—hardly a friendly gesture, but I kept my expression neutral.
"Can I head in?"
"Go on. You remember the way? Family's waiting."
I gave a curt nod and brushed past them, pushing open the tavern door. Inside or out, no real difference—stale cigarette smoke and cheap booze assaulted my nose. Tables were packed with flushed-faced drunken men and heavily made-up prostitutes chattering noisily.
'...Faces have changed again, except a few.'
Aside from Ace, turnover in this business was quick.
Amid the strangers, a few familiar prostitutes or old-timers caught my eye, but most were new blood since I'd left, or transients passing through.
A few spotted me and stared. A heavily made-up woman at the next table whistled coyly and called out.
"Oh? You look like a student—what brings you here? Hehe, wanna have some fun with big sis?"
I ignored their blatant stares and crude teasing, pushing toward the back. My steps didn't waver as I headed for the special area at the far end of the hall, off-limits to regular patrons.
'Family can wait till later.'
Crossing the hall, I gripped the doorknob to the innermost room.
Creeeak—
The door swung open, and a thick, decadent aroma wafted out.
Probably expensive perfume mixed with a faint feminine scent.
The blend created a sweet, lascivious pheromone haze that numbed my senses.
Under the dim red lighting, the room came into view.
Walls and floor finished in luxurious red velvet, a large round table in the center. And at the back, on the plushest-looking sofa.
There sat Instructor Seraphina, a pink-haired beauty, legs crossed, swirling her wine glass.
"Mm, you made it? My cute new disciple?"
"Yes. But..."
Around Seraphina sat four unfamiliar women in seductive poses, scattered or leaning in. They looked about my age, youthful faces, but their eyes and demeanor oozed sultry experience beyond their years.
Ample breasts, slim waists, curves straining against tight clothes—a stark contrast to their innocently cute faces.
Spotting me, their eyes sparkled as they greeted.
"Kyaa, I'm Lana! Oppa, you're so handsome!"
"Biang."
"I'm Taryn, oppa!"
"Ar... Nice to meet you."
Yeah, I'd figured she'd prepare some girls...
'But why's she over there?'
Corner of the opposite seat.
There sat Yunemok in his neat academy uniform, posture rigid, politely fending off the delicate hands of the two women who'd introduced themselves as Biang and Ar.
"Don't mind her. You're not the only one being celebrated today~"
Seraphina grinned slyly.
Looks like this guy got hooked by Seraphina the same way I did. So it wasn't just my welcome party after all.
As I took my seat, Lana and Taryn's hands reached out unabashedly.
Smooth—
Lana's silky fingers trailed softly up my forearm, while Taryn expertly groped my chest.
Another hand subtly brushed my thigh and near my groin.
I ignored the ticklish sensations and looked at Seraphina.
"Instructor—"
"No need to be so tense, you two. Feel free to enjoy yourselves? Actually, I'd prefer if you dove in enthusiastically."
Seraphina winked, nodding at Lana beside her. Lana leaned in seductively, perching lightly on my thigh. Enduring her subtle pressure, I cut straight to the chase.
"...Never mind that. Instructor, I have questions about Ashen."
My abrupt question made Seraphina's soft smile stiffen slightly. She swirled her wine with feigned displeasure.
"Oh my, listen to you? Cutting straight to business the moment you sit. You haven't even had a drink yet—such a buzzkill."
"......"
"Here, have some first. No rush, right? We can talk later."
Seraphina gestured to the woman beside her, who poured red liquid from a decanter into a glass and offered it to me. It wafted rich, sweet fruit aroma.
Poison or aphrodisiac? The worry flashed, but if she planned something sneaky, it'd have happened ages ago.
I reluctantly took the glass.
Slurp.
Intense grape flavor spread in my mouth, sweetness coating my tongue, followed by fiery heat sliding down my throat.
Warmth bloomed from my stomach, spreading to my lower belly, a heavy, insidious heat pooling between my legs.
'Not an aphrodisiac. Just a stamina booster.'
No ordinary booze. Infused with herbs to invigorate or stimulate virility.
Proof: my previously dormant lower half began stirring assertively.
Lana, perched coyly on my thigh, wouldn't miss that subtle shift. A sly glint crossed her eyes—like a predator spotting weakness—she ground her hips with a seductive smile.
"Hee~ Already this hard, oppa?"
The blunt, firm sensation pressed between her cheeks, her eyes gleaming more lustfully. With deft fingers, Lana unbuckled my belt and unzipped.
Zip—
She yanked down my underwear without hesitation, and my already erect, menacingly swollen member sprang free. Veins bulging on the thick shaft, flushed glans glistening under the light.
"Wow, pretty big? Total male scent... Hoo..."
Lana whispered excitedly, grasping it gingerly. The hot, pliant flesh throbbed heavily in her grip.
Meanwhile, Taryn buried her face in my neck, hot breath on my skin as she pressed closer.
'...Horny and annoying.'
I ignored the women's overt advances and glanced across.
Yunemok looked just as troubled. Sandwiched by Biang and Ar, his neat uniform shirt long unbuttoned, lipstick marks on his neck. Face beet-red, rigid under their persistent caresses—a textbook virgin.
Made even me frustrated watching.
Honestly, group orgies weren't my thing. Lana's teasing strokes only aroused me without release, building irritation.
"Hey."
"Yes, oppa?"
"Get down here and suck it properly."
"Eh? Uhk...! O-oppa?"
My cold, commanding tone startled not just Lana but the other three too. Lana blinked wide-eyed, hesitating on her knees.
"Huh...? Suck? R-right here...?"
"Open your mouth. And take it deep down your throat."
No more words needed. I roughly seized her jaw, pried it open, and thrust my cock deep into her mouth.
Gulp—!
The glans crushed her tongue, pushing past to her uvula.
Glurk— glurk— schlurp—
"Guhk...! Ack...! Hk, hngh!"
Tears welled in Lana's eyes, retching sounds escaping.
She tried pulling back, but I gripped her hair hard, shoving deeper. My length filled her gaping mouth. Saliva and tears streamed down her face.
Whew, finally.
Schlurp— slurp— glorp—
I held Lana's head firm as she gagged, throat clogged. Surprisingly, she adapted dramatically. Lowering her tongue base, she took my long shaft skillfully; tears gave way to a mix of arousal and humiliated thrill in her eyes.
Women in this line of work really are different...
Slurp— smuck— schlurp—
As if nothing happened, I turned to Seraphina.
"Instructor, can we get to the point now?"
"Heh, hehe... You've developed some nasty tastes in my absence~ Fine, fine. What does my disciple so desperately want to hear from his master?"
"Straight to it: I'm curious about Ashen's recruitment conditions."
Seraphina's smile faded slightly.
Unexpected direction, or maybe too soon.
"Recruitment conditions? Oh my, the cute doll I barely snatched from that Cheon Da-eun bitch is already prying into organization matters. Know your place, hm?"
"I think I qualify."
"You? A red-light district runt? Sure, you've heard scraps, but that's it, right?"
She probed with sly provocation, but I refused to play her game. She'd surely heard the basics from Jo Jae-hyuk and Kim Ga-young. Time to negotiate.
"My skill lets me create dolls mimicking C-grade or lower hunter abilities. Only one at a time now, but with growth, wouldn't it benefit you and Ashen greatly?"
"...Hmph, I heard roughly. Didn't expect such a weird skill."
Seraphina chuckled, rising.
"Fine, if you're that confident, no excuse for this master to reject outright."
"Then..."
"Hear me out. You know, from the moment I scouted you, you're marked as part of my Seraphina faction. Even without you pushing, you'd end up in my grasp eventually."
"......"
"Still... credit for coming on your own knees with that cheeky resolve? Normally I'd ignore your pathetic whims, but this merciful master can't refuse her cute—if arrogant—disciple anything?"
She smiled sweetly, approaching the table right before me.
Leaning in, she whispered in my ear. Hot breath and sweet scent enveloped me.
"What do you want? What does this worthless red-light rat hope to gain by crawling into Ashen's shadow?"
"...What I want is simple."
My answer held no hesitation.
"No interference in my activities from now on. At the academy or in the organization. Instead, promise full support to maximize my potential."
Seraphina blinked, momentarily stunned. Overt bewilderment crossed her stunning face.
"Hah?"
Suffocating silence. Only the wet slurps of the woman desperately sucking below and her muffled moans filled the room.
Plop— slurp— glug... ack...!
I pressed on before Seraphina could snap.
"As you know, I'm a Maker Hunter. Academy's dull, inefficient classes matter less than honing my skills and producing results. In short, give me full control over my time at the academy."
Seraphina stared intently. Bewilderment faded, replaced by her signature cunning, calculating smile.
"...Insolent brat. Got some guts."
She tsked softly, but intrigue outweighed rejection in her voice.
"Fair point—maximizing your ability demands efficiency."
Seraphina set down her wine slowly, eyes locked on mine. Her red lips curved faintly upward.
"Deal! Contract sealed!"
"Phew..."
"Hehe, love how straightforward—puts me in a good mood. Perfect timing. I've got a special gift prepared for my cute new disciple."
Gift? Seraphina winked, nodding across the room—to Yunemok, surrounded by Biang and Ar.
He was nearly naked now. Sweat-matted bangs clung to his forehead, face flushed crimson, panting raggedly. Neat shirt splayed open, pants gone, clad only in white panties. The women's hands roamed his bare skin, but he couldn't resist.
Seraphina crooked a finger at Ar.
"You there. Strip off that last piece too."
"Yes, Seraphina~"
Ar hooked her fingers into Yunemok's panty waistband with a nasal purr. His face paled in horror and shame.
"N-no...! W-wait...!"
He flailed desperately, but she yanked the final garment down.
Shlick—
But what emerged wasn't the expected male symbol.
In its place, a grotesque pattern glowed red on his lower abdomen.
Concentric circles, star symbols, tangled lines forming a sinister magic circle. Clearly a curse or seal mark.
"Hah... hah...! S-Seraphina...!"
Fully exposed, Yunemok collapsed into heaving sobs, pleading toward Seraphina. His voice brimmed with despair and terror.
"D-didn't I swear loyalty to Ashen...! I'll do anything you command...! Please... please lift this curse...! You have my name, my body—I've done exactly as you wished today too, why... hngh...!"
Sobs laced with cries echoed through the room.