Chapter 13
Translator: IPO
Chapter 13
The chaos of the auction house reached its extreme exactly as the Succubus Empress desired.
Those who were captivated by the desire and aimless enchantment personally observed by the Empress burst into anger toward one another, and the air of the auction house filled with brutal tension until it reached a state beyond control.
Within that chaos, Jaehee walked forward calmly and elegantly like the quiet eye of a storm.
Her fingertips moved clearly like an arrow toward their destination, heading toward the Violin where the curses and grudges of 187 children echoed even amidst the confusion.
The moment she grasped the Violin in her hand, the space was enveloped in a strange and peculiar silence.
For a moment as if time itself had stopped, the chaos froze. Jaehee broke the silence and placed the Violin upon her shoulder.
From empty air, the bow belonging to the Violin appeared as if from nowhere. Soon her slender hand moved toward the strings, and the first note spread through the air.
It was not a simple melody.
A sound as if those forgotten within deep darkness were awakening one by one and telling their stories.
A Requiem for the pain and screams of nameless children, pitiful children kidnapped by evil men and used as materials for the Violin.
At that sound, the gazes of those who had been shouting loudly with boiling desire only moments earlier began turning one by one toward the center of the stage.
At first they were drawn to the sound without realizing it.
As the melody continued, people began to realize that what they were facing was not merely a performance or music.
It was a Requiem.
Some shed tears for grief that was not their own. Those without children felt the sorrow of losing a child.
It felt as if an indescribably enormous and dangerous presence was drawing them in.
The melody of the Violin first carried sorrow.
Yet at the same time it comforted the souls of 187 spirits, and it was also a sacred ritual meant to soothe the resentful ghosts who cursed in bitterness and misery.
It was also a key that offered even a small comfort to the pain and sorrow of those who had shattered before they could bloom or properly smile.
The melody tore through the air and echoed throughout the entire auction house, forcibly melting the hearts of all humans present.
However, some began to feel extreme vigilance and tension rather than emotion.
‘Who is that woman…?’
‘She is not… human. Is she someone who underwent heterogenous awakening?’
‘That is not ordinary magic power. Who exactly is she? A villain or a terrorist?’
‘Su-Succubus… it is similar to a Succubus’s charm, but the level is different?’
Some tilted their heads trying to understand what was happening, while others grew tense and wary of the woman because of the strange harmony.
The melody that began seeping into people’s hearts was calm and quiet, yet extremely forceful.
Listen there.
Sit quietly and listen.
Stand in awe of the Requiem I present.
Now the expressions on people’s faces began to mix not only confusion but reverence and curiosity.
The sight of her playing the Violin overwhelmed humans with a beauty unimaginable, like a painting.
People were absorbed in the melody, yet chills ran down their spines at the chaos created by the Succubus.
—In an auction filled with High-Rank Hunters, she enchanted everyone in a single moment?
—If she is a Succubus, how powerful is her mental erosion ability?
—No, can that even be called a Succubus?
Humans were immersed in the melody yet felt that they could not completely escape the chaos she created.
What was certain was that the Requiem Jaehee performed for the first time was more than enough to capture the attention of everyone present.
—Oooo, who is she? What is that beauty?
—Beautiful. Among all human individuals I have seen in my life, the most beautiful.
—She transcends race and emotion. Who in the world is she?
—Wow, what is that face….
So many people.
Those who had gathered in this underground world with desire began burning their hearts even more with lust, passion, desire, and fervor after seeing the face of the Succubus Empress.
Who in the world is she?
That delicate and jade-like appearance.
A fragile body like a swan.
Yet look at that elegant and noble posture that reveals nothing.
How could anyone not desire her?
“…A-Auctioneer. Perhaps you have no intention of auctioning that woman…?”
“…She is not an auction item.”
In the voice of an executive from the Hoyeon Guild, the largest and greatest guild in the country, an uncontrollable lust and possessiveness could be felt.
If she had been an auction item, he would have mobilized everything he could use… no, every connection he had built and all his assets just to bid for that woman.
Yet even the High-Rank Hunters who had initially been wary, and the executives of giant guilds, were slowly becoming enchanted by the melody of the Violin.
They did not know who she was.
She was suspicious.
But why did that matter?
It did not matter. Right now they only wanted to entrust themselves to that sound.
My head is melting.
It feels like it is melting.
And so when Jaehee cut off the final melody, the people in the auction house stared at her in deep silence.
Their eyes held both confusion and reverence. It felt as though they had become part not of a performance but of some sacred and magnificent ritual.
And within those countless reverent gazes, Jaehee thought.
‘…So what do I do now?’
The instinct of a Succubus… is impulsive and extremely fleeting.
What does that mean?
It suddenly bursts out, and once the instinct satisfies itself however it pleases, it disappears in an instant.
What remains afterward is Reason.
Only the Reason of the human Lee Jaehee remains.
And the human Lee Jaehee now felt an extremely powerful and overwhelming awkwardness.
Why did I?
Why on earth?
How did this even happen…?
No, the Violin was pretty. And the children’s resentful spirits were pitiful. But still, what exactly am I doing right now…?
She had acted impulsively, guided by the instincts and unconscious impulses of a Succubus. The human reason that awakened afterward had to endure shame, embarrassment, and every emotion that could express humiliation.
‘…Why did I do that?’
The Violin was still in her hand.
Outwardly, Jaehee still appeared elegant and enchanting, like the incarnation of lust that easily ignites human desire.
But inside it was different.
Embarrassment.
And overwhelming shame close to a post-clarity moment made Jaehee want to find a hole to crawl into.
‘Why did I do that…? A hole, a hole… is there no hole anywhere?’
No, what even is this Violin?
Of course, it was true that Jaehee felt pity and sympathy for the children’s resentful spirits and screams.
But just to play that one Violin, she had turned the auction house into this kind of chaos?
Me?
What kind of nuisance is this?
Even though Jaehee was a Succubus Empress who lived while admiring her own beauty, she was not shameless enough to steal a perfectly good item, snatch an auction item without paying, or charm others like a child and say ‘Buy that for me!’
It was not as if she had no money.
Of course, her conscience was somewhat lacking, but she had no intention of acting truly petty and childish.
“…Excuse me.”
“…?”
“Hik!?”
On the quiet stage, the auctioneer finally managed to speak after breaking through the barrier of Jaehee’s beauty and elegance.
But it was not easy.
Could you please put down that Violin?
That is an auction item.
You should not touch it carelessly.
The situation is chaotic, but for now it is still our property.
Those words came to mind, but the moment his eyes met Jaehee’s, his heart thumped violently and he could not speak properly.
“Yes. I will put it down. My apologies.”
“Ah….”
Fortunately for the auctioneer, Jaehee obediently released the Violin.
Things could have become troublesome, so it was truly fortunate.
But just as Jaehee carefully handed the Violin to the auctioneer and stepped down from the stage—
“Well then, we will resume the auction—”
—Swoosh!
At that exact moment, the Violin in the auctioneer’s hand disappeared.
The vanished Violin was now in Jaehee’s hand below the stage.
“Uh?”
“What was that?”
The auctioneer, the people, the spectators, and even Jaehee herself began to panic.
What is this?
I did not do that.
Ah, what is this?
Of course, outwardly she still looked noble and elegant.
Only outwardly.
“…Was that an Ego Weapon?”
“Even if it is not truly an Ego Weapon, it bound itself to her.”
“Huh. A Violin choosing its owner?”
“This is the first time I have seen something like this.”
“The owner has been decided before the auction even ended.”
“……”
Uh… um.
Wait.
Huh.
What should I do?
Outwardly Jaehee remained elegant, but inside she began sweating coldly.
…Someone bid 100 million dollars for this at the end, right…?
Her mind instantly became dizzy and complicated, so Jaehee closed her eyes.
Thomas Edison once said, ‘I have not failed. I have just found ten thousand wrong ways.’
Oscar Wilde also said, ‘Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.’
So Jaehee thought.
‘I am pretty! So it is fine!’
Ignoring the shame, embarrassment, confusion, bewilderment, and post-clarity feelings in her heart.
★
★
★
Good morning.
No, evening.
Dan Ayeon, a Junior Officer, felt her mood automatically improve because she had enjoyed an incredible deep sleep after a long time.
‘…Jaehee-nim really. She may seem mischievous sometimes, but she is kind.’
Perhaps the slightly forced charm she used had been meant for her, who had not slept properly for several days.
‘…Did she go out?’
When she woke up, she felt strangely disappointed that Jaehee was not beside her.
If she had been there, it would have looked like a painting.
Jaehee lying beside her in bed.
Opening her eyes and saying, ‘Oh my, you are awake?’ with a fox-like smile.
She might have been enchanted again.
Or maybe wearing an apron and preparing a simple snack… no, expecting that from someone with terrible life skills would be impossible.
Honestly, she was not even sure if Jaehee could cook ramen properly.
‘She really is someone who makes your heart ache if you live together.’
Still, it was true her fatigue had disappeared, so Dan Ayeon felt good.
—Ring!
“…Yes, yes. Junior Officer Dan Ayeon speaking….”
When the phone rang, Dan Ayeon frowned and grabbed the jacket hanging beside the bed.
Sigh, are the agencies or higher-ups calling to cause trouble again…?
[“Ah, are you the spokesperson and lawyer?”]
“…Excuse me?”
Spokesperson?
Me?
For a moment Dan Ayeon wondered if this was some nonsense spam.
But unexpectedly, there was a role where she could fit as spokesperson or lawyer.
‘Is it related to Jaehee-nim?’
Namely Lee Jaehee, the Specially Managed Returnee.
In reality, regarding the social and administrative aspects of Lee Jaehee, it would not be an exaggeration to call Dan Ayeon her spokesperson and lawyer.
She managed Jaehee’s pension, insurance, identification, Hunter certification, and taxes.
[“To summarize briefly… Lee Jaehee has greatly disrupted our business.”]
“Business? Ha, and who are you?”
Inside, Dan Ayeon sighed.
Again. Jaehee must have gone out secretly while she was sleeping.
Of course she understood the desire to go out.
The government and powerful figures insisted on monitoring Jaehee’s every movement, but Dan Ayeon understood how unpleasant such surveillance must feel and often overlooked it.
‘She probably encountered some rude troublemaker again. Jaehee-nim’s face is too beautiful, so trouble tends to find her.’
Fortunately, if Jaehee had truly been angry and dealt with someone physically or as a Succubus, the situation would not have ended easily.
Dan Ayeon began calculating a reasonable compensation amount in her head.
If it was within expectations, she would simply pay and tell them to leave.
If they demanded too much, she would respond as a government official.
If necessary, she could personally step in.
After all, Dan Ayeon was a High-Rank Awakened government officer whom even giant guilds could not ignore.
[“To summarize further… this is the Mapo District Nest.”]
“Ah, yes. Mapo District Nest… Wait?”
Mapo District Nest.
Dan Ayeon knew exactly what that meant.
A massive underground city where outlaws, criminal Awakened, and countless underworld forces gathered.
A force that enjoyed immense wealth thanks to Beetle Eggs, which could replace magic stones.
And Dan Ayeon knew the background of its creation well.
Because she had once been recruited by them, and at the time the underground world was being formed she had been working as a low-rank government Hunter.
But…
‘Why is Jaehee-nim there…?’
[“And Lee Jaehee caused a major disturbance at our auction house.”]
“?”
[“The auction item that reached a bid of 100 million dollars now belongs to Lee Jaehee.”]
“…?”
[“Like an Ego Weapon, the item has bound itself to her and cannot be separated.”]
What?
Am I still dreaming?
What is this supposed to mean?
Mapo District Nest, underground city, auction house, Ego Weapon, binding, 100 million dollars…
[“And Lee Jaehee designated you as her lawyer and representative…”]
“Could you please put Jaehee-nim on the phone?”
[“Ah, yes.”]
The phone was passed along.
And Lee Jaehee answered.
[“……”]
Normally when Jaehee answered the phone she would greet her cheerfully.
But now.
The human Lee Jaehee kept her mouth shut.
“Miss Jaehee.”
“…Yes. Please speak.”
Not Jaehee-nim, but Miss Jaehee.
And Dan Ayeon knew the subtle difference in that voice.
That was the voice of someone who knew they had done something wrong.
“Excuse me, but may I say one thing?”
“Yes, if it is your words, Junior Officer.”
“Can I curse?”
“……”
Jaehee could not answer.
Because she could practically hear the massive string of curses hidden behind Junior Officer Dan’s unfinished sentence.