Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: #2 Investigation...? (Gyeol Ryeong - Hypnosis Memory Manipulation)
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Yesterday had been a major breakthrough.
We'd pinpointed a shop suspected of holding kidnapped exorcists, and we'd even gathered some leads on our target yokai.
They were just initial clues, nothing more than first steps, but compared to wandering into this district blind, it felt like a giant leap forward. If things kept progressing like this, we could wrap everything up smoothly.
'Roughly a week... two at the most.'
It was taking longer than my initial estimate, but this was still within acceptable margins. As long as it didn't stretch into a full month or two, there were no issues.
To save as much time as possible, I'd planned to head to the bustling district first thing this morning.
By tracing the leylines like threads, I'd scour the area meticulously to locate our target yokai.
I didn't love this brute-force method of pounding the pavement on foot, but with my detection abilities severely hampered inside that inexplicable fog, I had no choice...
During the day, I'd focus on hunting yokai. Around sunset, I'd switch to searching for Association exorcists.
I was delaying the search on purpose because all the candidate shops were night-only operations.
According to Dom, they'd be completely empty during the day, so visiting then would be pointless.
Anyway, things were hectic.
Given the size of that bustling district, the yokai hunt could drag on for days. And I doubted the exorcist search could be finished in a single night.
I'd be leaving for the district at dawn and staggering back late at night—or after pulling an all-nighter—for the foreseeable future.
"Miss? Customer miss? You okay?"
"...Huh?"
And just like that, I snapped back to reality.
I was standing alone in the inn's front hallway, and right in front of me was the owner.
...Huh? What just happened?
"You just got back, right? You look exhausted."
"Huh? ...No, not tired... not really."
It was true. As an exorcist, I wasn't fatigued. I felt a little drowsy maybe, but that was the kind of thing I could shake off with some breathing exercises and meditation.
More importantly...
I glanced out the window.
It was pitch black outside. A peek at the clock showed it was nearly midnight.
???
The whole day was gone?
"You sure you're okay, miss? You've seemed off since you got back."
"Oh, um... did I just get back now, by any chance?"
"? What are you talking about? That's why you're standing there—you just walked in."
My face burned as I realized I'd asked the most ridiculous question.
What the hell was I even saying?
"You're that amazing exorcist lady, right? And you went out to investigate some scary yokai or monster or whatever. Then you just got back now, yeah? Even exorcists are ladies—best not wander around too late."
The owner spoke with genuine concern.
Listening to him jogged my memory.
Right. I'd gone to the bustling district for the investigation today. That sounded familiar.
I'd carried out the search diligently and even checked the shop where the exorcist was supposedly held cap...tive? Something like that.
'And I hadn't made any progress yet... right?'
Yeah, that tracked.
I'd barely gotten anywhere with the investigation, so I'd have to keep at it not just tomorrow, but for days to come... That felt right.
"Miss, you really okay?"
"Y-yeah... Just a bit tired, I guess. Right, yeah. I went into the city. Oh, did I mention I was an exorcist?"
"You did, yeah? How else would I know? Man, I didn't even know exorcists were real~."
The old man marveled and showered me with praise.
But half of it came off like that sleazy middle-aged guy flattery, so it felt more uncomfortable than flattering, honestly.
Sheesh. Why had I even told him I was an exorcist? That's not something you just blurt out...
Anyway, I'd gotten through today's schedule productively. I'd come back a little early, probably to catch the last bus.
Even exorcists didn't need much sleep, but it wasn't pointless. With no telling how long the investigation would drag on, getting some solid rest tonight for condition management made sense.
"Well, I'll head in then. And the clothes..."
"No need to hand over clothes today. Go wash up and hit the sack. ...Not that there's much left to take off anyway, heh heh."
For some reason, the owner grinned lecherously.
I couldn't quite grasp what his laugh meant, but he was right—I was stark naked at that moment.
Standing nude in the entryway, having supposedly just returned from outside without a stitch on... None of it struck me as odd.
Without a second thought, I waved goodbye to the old man and shuffled toward the communal showers.
But for some reason...
As I walked down the hall, it felt like his gaze lingered on my back for ages. A sleazy, lingering stare... Probably just my imagination.
Something felt off, sticky... Maybe from wandering all day? I smelled kind of rank...
A familiar scent... Couldn't place it...
The innkeeper locked the front door and retreated to his cramped room.
He crossed the messy space, grabbed some booze and snacks from the kitchen fridge, then plopped down on the rickety bed that doubled as his living room and bedroom.
He set the drinks and munchies on the table in front, within arm's reach, and flicked on the little TV.
Moments later, the screen lit up with footage from the connected camcorder.
[Ah... Mister... Th-that... feels so goo... Ahh...♡]
What poured out was a woman's sweet moans and cries.
Shot up close, the screen filled with the soft, writhing flesh of a female body.
The cheap camcorder and outdated TV gave it a grainy, dusty quality, but even through that, her lewd scent and pheromones seemed to waft right out—vivid as could be.
The low-res grit even added a raw realism, making it feel like he'd shot it himself...
"Ha, hahaha...!!"
Replaying Gyeol Ryeong's antics on screen, the innkeeper savored last night's little party. He raised a toast.
He'd finally fucked that bitch he'd craved so badly—the one he'd been willing to risk his life for. Today, he'd ravished her to his heart's content.
He'd blocked her from recalling the day's events and implanted false memories, but this footage proved it hadn't all been a dream.
"Ahh, fucking amazing... I'm so goddamn happy I could die..."
Chugging from his beer can, he clutched the gemstone in his other hand.
The "Grace" that had once been nearly depleted now brimmed fuller than ever, radiating a soft glow nonstop.
He'd never amassed this much "Grace" before. No clue how many offerings it took to build up this quantity.
Thanks to it, he'd indulged without a care today—more than repaying last night's restraint.
Fucking that exorcist bitch all day, and he hadn't gotten bored once.
Hell, he could probably go more right now. Even after dozens of loads today...
"She said she'd recharge it later... Guess I didn't need to hold back."
He considered calling her to his room but decided against it. He wanted to celebrate solo for now, and something told him this was the way to do it.
No rush. He'd had more than enough today. Tomorrow, he'd make up for any shortfall.
That bitch couldn't escape or run. She didn't even know what was happening to her!
The man guffawed, downing booze without touching the snacks.
Buzzing pleasantly, he pondered tomorrow's ways to fuck her.
[Nnghaaah♡♡ Cock, cock is greaaat♡♡ Oogh♡♡]
[Cumming, cummiiing... Something huge is commiiing♡♡ Inside, cum inside pleeease♡]
[Hooohhh♡♡ Nng♡ Uuuungh♡♡ Iit's commming♡♡ Caaaammming~~~♡♡]
On the TV, the exorcist bitch—drenched in yokai aphrodisiac semen—continued her shameful display.
'Hee hee, looks like he's having fun☆'
Succubus Dom watched the scene through the O-shaped hole formed by her fingers.
She was the one who'd topped up the innkeeper's "Grace."
The night before last, while out alone, she'd prowled the city for "Grace" holders, seducing them and secretly draining their reserves.
The "Manpower Agency" that Gyeol Ryeong had nearly wiped out shortly before was one such victim.
Of course, they had no idea it'd been stolen—they just thought they'd burned through it all while entranced by her.
She'd analyzed the spells within the massive haul of pilfered "Grace," refined it slightly, and handed a chunk to the man.
About thirty people's worth. One bore a hefty load, so the bottom was still nowhere in sight.
Bonus: She'd made him forget she was the source.
He'd keep using that anonymous power however he pleased.
"Kuhuhu, I'm happy, he's happy, and our Ryeong's happy too. Perfect happy world for everyone☆"
Of course, she wasn't stopping here. Her schemes were ongoing.
Half from succubus instinct, pure fun.
Half to reshape her truly beloved Gyeol Ryeong into something more fitting—and ultimately, win her love.
She dismissed the screen in her hand and peeked from the covers.
Gyeol Ryeong lay fast asleep in the next bed. Even in slumber, her cheeks flushed and breaths came uneven—dreaming something steamy.
Probably like a horny pubescent boy right now.
'After basking in "Grace" packed with my essence all day. Sorry about that☆'
Dom giggled in delight. Gyeol Ryeong slumbered on with that lewd expression, tossing and turning beneath the sheets.