The Voucher That Turned to Ash
In the corner of the dimly lit table at the item reception area of the trading hall, all Serria held in her hand was a single tattered sheet of paper. The product she'd bought for a whopping 1,000 gold. To her, this was her last hope.
'Please. Troops, traps, anything!'
Clutching the paper like a drowning woman grasping at straws, Serria prayed. The auctioneer had said it might grant her wish. Trembling, she poured her mana into it, hoping against hope it wasn't a lie.
But.
Crackle.
"......Huh?"
The paper crumbled into black ash, scattering harmlessly into the air. No light, no summon, no miracle. Just worthless cinders slipping through her slender fingers.
"Ah......"
Serria collapsed onto the cold floor with a thud.
'It was a scam.'
She'd been had. The mighty Demon Realm Merchant Guild, preying on her desperation.
'This is the end.'
When the hunters came, her dungeon wouldn't last a day. Dragged off as a slave or hunted down pathetically— she could almost hear her fate flushing down the drain like a hallucination.
"Oh dear, oh dear. What a sorry sight, Your Highness."
A sticky voice dripped from above. Looking up, she saw Jeon smirking down at her with a predatory grin. In his hand dangled the "Gargoyle Guardian Stone" she'd craved so badly, toyed with like a plaything.
"Should've listened to me sooner. Throwing away 1,000 gold into the wind? If your head's no good, at least put that body to work, right?"
"......Get lost."
"Whoa, easy now. I'm here to give you one last chance."
Jeon leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear.
"It's not too late, Serria. Just drop the pride. Come to my bedroom and serve me for one night. I'll even give you this guardian stone."
"......"
"What do you say? Pretty sweet deal, huh? You're a succubus anyway. Sucking men's essence is in your blood— drop the coy act and......"
Slap!
Jeon's head snapped to the side.
"You filthy bastard."
Serria glared at him, biting her lip. Tears didn't well in her eyes— only venom.
"Don't get it twisted. I'd rather have a hunter's blade sever my neck than spread my legs for trash like you."
Jeon slowly turned his head back. A red handprint bloomed on his cheek. But instead of rage, he flashed an even more chilling smile.
"Ha, fine. Still haven't learned your place, I see."
Straightening his clothes, he stepped back.
"Go on, cling to that lofty pride. When your dungeon's burning and you're dragged off like a dog by slave traders... come crawling back then. You'll be begging for it for free."
Jeon laughed as he brushed past her. Once he was gone, the lurking monsters began to whisper.
"Tsk tsk, just close your eyes and take it."
"Yeah, right? Acting all pure when she's a succubus."
"Pride's gonna starve her to death. What an idiot."
Their words stabbed like daggers into her ears. Because she's a succubus, a lewd dream demon, selling her body is natural?
'Don't make me laugh.'
Serria bit her lip until it bled, the metallic tang of blood filling her mouth.
'No matter what anyone says, I'm the queen's daughter. Blood of the proud dream demons. Not like you beasts.'
Exiled or not, she couldn't sell her soul. That would be defeat worse than death.
Forcing her shaking knees to straighten, she stood. She brushed the black ash from her palms.
'Let's go.'
No time for tears. Back to the dungeon to dig traps. Hurl rocks if she had to.
'It'll be the final stand.'
Probably her last battle in life. Better to die gloriously than live groveling.
As Serria staggered toward the exit, resolved—
"Wait!"
Someone called from behind, stopping her. She turned stiffly.
A neatly dressed young man stood there. Black hair, black eyes. No horns, no wings— utterly ordinary human form.
'A human?'
Serria's brow furrowed. Impossible. This was Montelli, the demon realm's largest commercial city. No human could walk here on their own two feet.
'A demon in disguise, then.'
Keeping her guard up, she asked coldly, "Who are you?"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Han Suho."
The young man bowed politely.
"I'm the seller of the item you just won at auction."
"......!"
Serria's eyes flashed with fury.
"You are that seller?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Ha, unbelievable. You scam me and instead of running, you show your face? Ballsy."
Serria clenched her fists. She wanted to summon her mana and blast that smug face away right then.
But the young man shrugged off her killing intent, smiling leisurely.
"Scam? That's hurtful. I'm here for a legitimate transaction."
"Legitimate? You toss me a scrap of paper and pocket 1,000 gold, and call that legitimate?"
"It's a 'voucher.' The paper's like a contract. Now that the deal's sealed, it's time for service."
"Service?"
"You bought a Ghost Story Voucher, so I install a 'Ghost Story' in your dungeon. That's the contract."
"......Install?"
Confusion clouded Serria's face. Not sending troops or items, but installing a ghost story? Utter nonsense.
"What does that even mean? Installing a ghost story— is that even possible?"
"Seeing is believing, as they say. Easier to show than tell, but......"
Han Suho glanced around. The auction over, people were flooding out, leaving chaos. Not ideal for a private talk.
"Too much to discuss standing here. I'd like to explain the exact process and effects."
He nodded toward the exit casually.
"Care for a drink?"
"......"
Serria stared him down. Suspicious from head to toe. And this unheard-of "ghost story installation" pitch. Normally, she'd shut it down flat.
But.
'If this is my only lifeline......'
She wasn't in a position to be picky. Scammer or lunatic, better than kneeling to Jeon.
Serria let out a short sigh and nodded.
"......Fine. Let's hear your bullshit."
* * *
Click-clack, click-clack. Serria's heels echoed sharply ahead. I followed, swallowing dryly.
'Whew. Heart's racing.'
I'd pitched confidently as a business partner, but now that it was real, nerves hit hard.
Right in front of me walked one of the demon realm's top beauties— the succubus princess. Raven hair cascading to her waist, black dress swaying seductively with each step, and that hypnotic fragrance wafting behind. At my age, prime and full of vigor, my heart not pounding would be weirder.
Just desperately faking composure to stay alive.
Then, a mocking voice scraped in my ear.
Hmph, you're reeking of never having dated.
'......'
Heart rate spiking just from a woman's back view? Pathetic.
I scowled inwardly.
'No time for dating. Spent my life scrambling just to eat.'
Next month's rent, food, bills— reality left no room for romance.
Planning to seduce the succubus princess, then?
'No way. My lifespan's on a knife's edge— no time for that.'
I gazed at Serria's back. Beautiful, but thorny like a rose.
'Plus... someone that pretty feels intimidating.'
What romance with a princess for a guy like me? Just smooth business with a client. That was my sole goal.
"......Follow me."
Serria's voice snapped me out of it. She'd stopped at a dingy alley corner.
"Here."
"Pardon? This place......"
I checked the sign and blinked dumbly.
Taste of Earth
A Korean sign in the demon realm's back alleys. I couldn't help a ridiculous chuckle.
"......Very human name for a shop."
"Owner's from Earth."
"What?"
My eyes widened.
"An Earthling in the demon realm?"
"What's so surprising? Aren't you from Earth too?"
Serria shot back matter-of-factly. I flinched, averting my gaze.
"......Yeah. Earth-born."
"Let's go in."
Serria descended the stairs to the basement without a care. 'Demon in disguise, huh.'
Everyone in Montelli mistook me for one since I arrived. Demons didn't seem hostile, so I passed as one of them. But what exactly was a demon?
'How's it different from humans? Mana-using human? Half-breed?'
Mouth itching to ask, I held back. Probing might expose me as a real human.
'Frustrating. Can't even google it.'
Suppressing curiosity, I went down. An old wooden door appeared.
Ding-a-ling. It swung open with a clear bell.
"Welcome!"
Cozy and warm inside, brighter than expected. Under soft lighting, a massive man greeted us. Bursting muscles, rugged face— but the apron suited him oddly well.
"Oh? Princess! Long time no see."
"Hey, Shin-woo. Been a while."
Shin-woo. Korean name. He wiped his hands on a rag, eyeing me.
"Who's the guy? Another demon?"
I nodded naturally.
"Yes, a demon."
"Nice to meet ya! I'm the owner, Kim Shin-woo."
He grinned, offering a handshake. His hand was pot-lid sized.
"Hang on, you look East Asian. Japanese? Chinese? Or... Korean?"
"Korean."
His eyes bulged.
"Whoa! A fellow Korean! First compatriot in ages!"
Thwack! He slapped my back hard. I nearly yelped but held it in.
"Great to meet you— seriously! Never thought I'd see a Korean demon here! Name?"
"Han Suho."
"Han Suho! Solid name. Sit, sit! I'll hook you up good today!"
Kim Shin-woo hummed cheerfully, vanishing behind the counter. Joy from meeting a countryman poured off him.
Dazed, I sat across from Serria.
"He's got great people skills."
"That's why I come here often."
Serria ordered without glancing at the menu, like a regular.
"Two of the usual."
"Got it!"
Soon, he returned with two 500cc glass mugs in each hand. Golden liquid topped with frothy white foam— straight-up Earth draft beer.
"Here ya go!"
"This is......"
"Heh, don't freak. Looks like Earth beer, but tastes different. Made with demon realm ingredients to mimic it."
I sipped cautiously.
"......!"
Sharp carbonation and bitter bite filled my mouth. Definitely different— heavier throat feel, stronger kick. But that lingering sweet aftertaste? Addictive.
"Good?"
"Delicious. Richer than Earth's, and that sweet finish......"
"Right? Added mandragora root for the sweetness. Kekeke."
Mandragora? The screaming plant? I flinched; he caught on quick and backed off.
"You two chat. Snacks coming slow."
Winking, he ducked into the kitchen. Silence fell awkwardly.
Say something. "Um, Princess."
"You."
Serria downed a gulp of beer and cut in. Her red eyes pierced me.
"What are you, really?"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Guts to put that junk paper in a special auction. What're you after? Jeon's spy mocking me? Wrong address if so."
"Misunderstanding. Like I said, it's a voucher."
I set my mug down, explaining calmly.
"Simple terms: Say you buy furniture. Too big and heavy to carry. What then?"
"......Order delivery."
"Exactly. That's my job. You bought a furniture voucher; I'm the delivery guy who installs it in your dungeon. On-site assembly required."
Serria's face twisted subtly.
"Install? Assembly? Sounds fancy, but......"
She tapped the table, suspicion lingering.
"Does it actually defend the dungeon? Or just decor?"
"Guaranteed effective. Spectacularly so."
I shook my head firmly.
"Ghost Story. Literally a bizarre tale. Rumors and fears that hit critical mass manifest. I'm the merchant who deals in those entities."
"Stories... manifesting?"
Serria looked baffled. No wonder— in a world of magic and physics, "power of stories" was alien.
"Demon realm terms: I sell Heteromorphs."
"......!"
Her eyes shook.
"Heteromorph?!"
"Heard of them?"
"Of course! Monsters beyond demon realm logic."
She swallowed dryly.
"Never seen one, but rumors abound. One appeared on the frontier; a monster squad sent to subdue it got wiped out. No bodies left......"
Her voice dripped wariness. Not just strong— an incomprehensible unknown.
I nodded inwardly. 'As expected.'
They knew Heteromorphs were dangerous but not what or how they spawned.
'Higher-ups suppressing info.'
Otherwise, rumors wouldn't be so vague. Revealing ghost story truths would chaos the realm; they hushed it.
"So."
Serria crossed her arms, glaring.
"Release a Heteromorph in my dungeon, and it stops hunters?"
"Blocks them cold. Shows 'em hell."
Confident answer. No bluff. Hunters relied on data and raids; logic-defying ghost stories were their natural predator.
Serria bit her lip thoughtfully, then nodded decisively.
"Fine. No choice— I'll bite."
"Excellent choice, customer."
I smiled, standing.
"Shall we go? Need site survey for install. How to your dungeon?"
"Summon circle at Montelli safehouse."
"Safehouse?"
"You don't know safehouses?"
Serria eyed me oddly. I scratched my head sheepishly.
"First time in Montelli."
"......Pardon?"
Her face went blank, then slack-jawed in disbelief.
"First time? As in, now?"
"Yes."
"Rookie merchant? No experience?"
"Well... if you insist."
"Ha! Insane!"
Serria clutched her head.
"I gave 1,000 gold to a total newbie? Unproven junk?"
Regret poured out; scam conviction hit 99%.
'......Prime customer.'
Buys from a rookie no questions asked. Where else such angels?
Not a sucker?
'Don't call customers that, boss.'
She chuckled bitterly for a while, then sighed in resignation.
"Sigh... Spilled milk. Listen up."
She tapped the table.
"Montelli has 'safehouses' for dungeon masters. Safe havens with fixed summon circles linked to your dungeon. Instant travel. Wealthy demons all have one."
"Oh, customer must be loaded."
Her face darkened instantly. Eyes down, curt reply.
"......Bought it back in the day."
Cold tone screamed drop it. I winced inwardly. Probably from her glory days. Touched a sore spot; I pivoted quick.
"After the job, way back to Montelli from your dungeon?"
"Why?"
"Gotta return to my base dungeon. Got another customer there."
"Tough."
Serria shook her head.
"Can send you from my dungeon to Montelli, but not to another. Circles are 'coordinate-locked.' One-way to that dungeon only."
"Ah......"
Montelli detour or not, after her dungeon, I'd have to get home solo.
'Door-to-door sales ain't easy.'
No instant portal magic.
"Then... mind sharing dungeon coordinates?"
Serria drained her beer, slamming the empty mug.
"Jeju Island."
"......Pardon?"
I doubted my ears.
"Jeju Island? Korea's Jeju Island?"
"Yes."
I gaped blankly. Off to Jeju for a business trip.