Chapter 15
Translator: IPO
Chapter 15
The succubus named Sitra was dressed like the boss of a mafia organization, wearing sunglasses, a fedora, and a trench coat.
The problem was that that was literally all she was wearing.
Beneath the trench coat, she wore nothing, and her bare skin peeked out here and there.
The subtly exposed flesh, her armpits, shoulders, and collarbone lines were perfectly suited to stimulate human desire and lust.
Or perhaps she wore only the lewd, body-hugging lingerie typical of a succubus, but this was just how succubi naturally dressed, and I was the one imagining it.
Even with clothes, the subtle allure and lasciviousness could not be hidden.
And this wasn’t even an ordinary succubus, but the Queen, so naturally.
Even a human, driven by instinct and unconsciousness, would end up like this.
“Is…is that the Queen?”
“Oh my, how did you know? Though I tried to hide it just now.”
“Your clothes.”
“Ah, I wore them… well, it can’t be helped.”
She bowed to me like a gentleman.
“I am Succubus Queen Sitra, the current owner of the Caklashtun Auction House.”
“I am Lee Jaehee. I apologize for causing an unfortunate incident this time.”
“I understand it was unintentional, so it’s fine. Compared to terrorists or hyenas, this is minor.”
Sitra shrugged as she walked in, greeting me with a warm smile.
Considering the auction house alone is a considerable power within the Caklashtun Al-jip, this woman must hold significant influence underground.
Perhaps she is closer to a ruler or the head of the hierarchy.
Wait, she doesn’t recognize me?
Well, at this moment, the human Lee Jaehee is in place, not the Succubus Empress.
Besides, this veil isn’t just for show.
For ordinary humans, the veil leaks some allure, but for awakened beings or non-human species above a certain level, it serves as a filter.
“…Hmm, though, my body keeps shivering. Are you okay, Jaehee?”
It seems it doesn’t completely block it.
In fact, I felt a little… impulse.
Queen?
I am an Empress?
I should… obey my words?
Ah, no.
Resist.
I am human.
Still human.
I’ve already caused trouble at the auction, angered Dan Ayeon, I must not create another incident.
Resist.
Resist.
Resisting me. Beauty. Perfectly. Perfectly.
On the other hand, Sitra was somewhat puzzled at Jaehee’s calm and indifferent reaction upon seeing her.
What’s this, why is she so nonchalant even after seeing me?
Succubus Queens usually get someone to surrender completely just with a sly smile.
Is that veil some artifact defending against mental intrusion?
‘No, I don’t feel that power…’
Looks like my condition isn’t great today.
“Let’s get back to the matter. The highest bid for the violin is $101,800,000. Excluding the Romatard Almonds two years ago, it’s a new record.”
“I see.”
I answered plainly, though internally calculating what $101.8 million is in Korean Won.
Well, roughly over 100 billion won…?
Considering current exchange rates, maybe even more…
‘…Damn. This is serious.’
They won’t actually ask me to pay 100 billion won… right?
This won’t do.
I need to handle this before Dan Ayeon arrives.
“It may sound like an excuse, but this wasn’t intentional. I didn’t know the violin could choose its owner like an Ego Sword.”
“We didn’t know either. It’s actually the first time an auction item without a set owner decided its own.”
“I see.”
“Honestly, this price seems inflated beyond expectation. $100 million… even Romatard Almonds, which could create artificial sky islands from a single seed, weren’t this extreme.”
I immediately sipped the coffee in front of me.
Good.
From her tone, they weren’t telling me to just cough up the money.
Plus, it’s Arabica beans.
Smells good.
“Looking at the auction participants… the Hoyeon Guild, other massive guilds, even former presidents and legislators with significant influence are here. Association officials too. Oh my, a hero party as well?”
“I see.”
“Well, given such heavyweights gathered, it’s natural the auction atmosphere is overheated.”
The situation wasn’t too bad.
Sitra shrugged while reading the documents before her.
“If it’s a cursed artifact… then it would’ve been hard to get a fair price anyway.”
“You’re right. The big names counterbalance each other, creating misunderstandings that pushed the price up. So we won’t hold you accountable for the auction price.”
“Surprising. I honestly thought they’d demand $100 million immediately and scold me.”
“This violin isn’t worth that much.”
Objectively, it’s a cursed artifact containing countless restless spirits.
Awakened or hunters can’t really use it. At best, necromancers or black mages could channel spirits through it.
“Moreover, David’s violin, a cursed artifact containing restless spirits, chose you as its owner, so no need to stir trouble. And you didn’t intend this anyway, right?”
“….”
I sipped coffee instead of responding.
I did act, though unintentionally.
And to release a cursed artifact’s ownership requires killing the possessor or using all sorts of rituals. Sitra judged the violin not worth such effort.
“Ultimately, this violin is hard to handle, cursed, can’t be given to anyone, and can’t stay here long-term, so it’s not bad that you’re set as the owner… from Sitra’s perspective.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Sitra accepted my words willingly.
Good.
I see the solution.
“Honestly, I’m curious how the violin recognized you as its owner… but I guess you can’t explain it to me?”
“….”
I sipped coffee again.
Apologies.
My instinct.
The Succubus Empress instinct wanted this, wanted me to take it.
But I can’t honestly tell her that.
“…Is there anything I can do? Regardless of the violin’s value, the auction exceeded $100 million, so I can’t just take it for free.”
“You’ll pay $100 million?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of money. But if you want something else, I can provide it instead of payment.”
“Oh, like exchanging a valuable favor instead of money?”
Sitra chuckled at that.
“In movies and novels, the most valuable things are relationships and favors… not gold. But I trust only what’s on paper. This isn’t about generosity; it’s strictly factual.”
“Then should we draft a contract?”
“That works. Voluntarily increasing staff is good.”
“Ah, I live above ground, so I can’t stay here long-term as a guard.”
“I understand. We’ll request something reasonable, so don’t worry.”
Seeing her, I thought: she must be an awakened being. Useful wherever she goes.
‘Veil on, suit fully covered, yet quite decent… no, her appearance is good enough. Later, I could even receive her as my client.’
Succubus Queens’ lust and favor don’t discriminate by gender.
They blindly focus on the ones they are ‘into’.
Money? Sitra has plenty from running the Caklashtun Auction House, so she is drawn to something beyond money.
Thus, Sitra drafted a simple contract.
It wasn’t a dramatic life-or-death magical pact.
Just a basic contract outlining obligations.
Of course, some minor ritual clauses were included.
The overheated auction price is void.
Instead, ownership of the cursed violin is handed over, and I fulfill Sitra’s requests within reasonable limits.
‘…My taste, huh.’
Sitra genuinely liked me.
Not just appearance, but personal preference.
One violin can build a good connection.
‘Gradually shorten the distance with favor and obligation. Eventually make her depend on me, then peel away that veil like tearing wrapping paper…’
Then Sitra noticed the name on the contract.
Huh?
It’s not Lee Jaehee?
There’s another real name…
[Agnes Emporia]
The moment she saw it, Sitra’s mind went cold.
That name.
Where have I… seen it?
No, I haven’t seen it before.
But the Succubus Queen’s soul…
Her instinct and unconsciousness are warning now.
Run immediately.
Tear up the contract. Nullify it.
Give the violin, or just pay and hand it over.
No, it’s not just a warning.
‘Is this a scream…? A shriek…?’
A strange and chilling déjà vu.
The earlier chills and nausea intensified.
More nauseating than facing a saint.
Yet human Mi-yeon only felt puzzled and bewildered.
“Sitra, is it ready now?”
“…Ah, ah yes. Y-yes…”
Sitra awkwardly nodded at my words.
‘Why do I feel this way?’
She couldn’t understand the strange, chaotic feeling.
“Hehe, thank you.”
She was content with Jaehee’s smile shining beyond the veil.
The veil on, yet the face matches my taste.
‘I don’t care. Succubi just follow instinct and desire.’
★
★
★
“Ta-da, all done~”
“Haah, haah, haah, haah, haah…”
Thus, Lee Jaehee proudly held the violin in one hand, stepping into the surface world.
“Haah, haah… alright…?”
Dan Ayeon ran up, out of breath and worried, even eyes glistening, concerned if anything terrifying or serious had happened to Jaehee.
She must have been really worried.
Eyes even teary.
“Are… you okay? It’s alright, right? You didn’t do anything dangerous!?”
Dangerous… for a succubus?
Yet Dan Ayeon imagined Jaehee’s body might have been compromised in some way.
That’s why this high-level awakened being dashed in, panting.
“Of course. This isn’t a big deal at all.”
“Jaehee, please. Never do this again. If anything happens, call me. I apologize for earlier anger, I was wrong, so rely on me if something arises. Luckily, this time it ended well…”
“Hehe, it’s fine, officer.”
Behind Jaehee, it was as if the letters ‘Ahem!’ floated, radiating confidence.
“Above all…”
“Above all?”
“I’m pretty, right?”
“….”
“So this kind of thing doesn’t even count as a big fuss~”
Seeing confident Jaehee, Dan Ayeon felt relieved, but internally, her frustration flared.
Just having a big chest makes it okay?
Pretty face makes it okay?
Model-level body makes it okay?!
All beautiful and a lovely voice too, and that’s okay?!
All correct… yes, yes, yes….
All correct, damn it.