Interlude (3): Reflections Over Grill and Succubus Welcome
Two days later. Alley behind exit 9 of Hongik University Station. A charcoal-grilled beef restaurant thick with the scent of sizzling meat.
“Welcome! How many in your party?”
“I have companions inside.”
Guided by the staff, he entered the inner room.
Slide.
The sliding door opened to reveal familiar faces.
“Oh! Suho, you’re here? Over here, over here!”
Baek Si-woo waved enthusiastically. Across from him sat Han Jun-hyun in a suit and Kang Chae-young in casual clothes. On the grill, sirloin sizzled away.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“No worries. We just got here too. Have a seat.”
At Han Jun-hyun’s invitation, he took the empty spot.
“How’ve you all been holding up?”
“Don’t ask. I can’t even close my eyes without those things popping up. Barely slept a wink.”
Baek Si-woo grimaced and downed a shot of soju.
“Alright, let’s eat first and talk. It’s on me, so dig in.”
“Thanks for the meal.”
He picked up a perfectly cooked piece, dipped it in salt. Juices burst in his mouth.
As the mood loosened, Baek Si-woo let out a deep sigh.
“Haa, talk about a mess.”
“Why? I heard the broadcast did great.”
“That’s the problem. It blew up too much. Got an official notice from the broadcasting committee—total chaos. The show’s been forcibly canceled.”
Baek Si-woo tapped the edge of the grill with his chopsticks.
“The government came down hard. My YouTube channel’s still up, but I got a warning. No haunted house streams for the foreseeable future.”
He smacked his lips regretfully, then tilted his head with a puzzled look.
“But isn’t it weird?”
“What is?”
“The ghost story. After we escaped, the management team went in and it was all gone, right?”
Han Jun-hyun nodded.
“Yes. By the time our team entered, the ghost story had vanished.”
“Usually, escaping doesn’t make a ghost story disappear, does it? The house doesn’t just vanish because people run away.”
He flipped the meat casually as he spoke.
“Maybe it got full and wandered off somewhere else?”
“Hmm, no way…”
While Baek Si-woo tilted his head, Kang Chae-young, munching on a wrap, chimed in abruptly.
“It probably did go somewhere else.”
“Somewhere else?”
“It’s a ghost story. There are cases of them moving. Right?”
Han Jun-hyun’s expression hardened at her words.
“A migrating ghost story… If that’s true, it’s bad news. Could mean more casualties.”
Kang Chae-young grinned.
“I was scared, sure, but I got a lot out of it. That department store was thick with yin energy. Thinking of taking my B-rank promotion exam now. About time.”
They toasted to her success, emptying their glasses. Of course, underage Kang Chae-young had cola.
That’s when Han Jun-hyun stared straight at him.
“Suho.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I’ve been dying to ask.”
Han Jun-hyun spoke in a serious tone.
“How did you figure it out so confidently?”
“Figure what out?”
“The rules.”
His gaze deepened.
“Normal people can’t even see what’s right in front of them. Hunters too. But you moved like you knew the answers.”
“……”
“Too sharp for just good eyesight. Do you see something others can’t?”
Baek Si-woo and Kang Chae-young’s eyes turned to him in unison.
Guess I need to explain a bit.
Hiding too much would just breed suspicion. He set down his chopsticks and spoke.
“Agent. What do you think the department store’s essence was?”
“Essence?”
Han Jun-hyun blinked in confusion.
He answered flatly.
“Consumption. A place where you pay money and take goods.”
“……”
“I’m F-rank, no fighting power. So to survive, I observed their behavior. They weren’t killing randomly—they were enforcing the department store’s ‘rules.’ Sure, there was some gambling on my part.”
“Rules…”
“Take the fifth-floor customer center. Complaints got you killed. Satisfaction got you out. On the sixth, they handed out free tickets.”
He toyed with his water glass as he continued.
“No such thing as free in this world. Giving tickets with no cost? Suspicious. So I realized: ‘Ah, trap. No legit payment, you’re a thief.’”
Han Jun-hyun’s expression shifted subtly.
“Consumption and payment… Yeah, that perspective works. I buy it.”
“Just got lucky.”
He made a bitter face.
“There were sacrifices. I just watched someone break the rules and pay without looking away.”
Then Kang Chae-young cut in.
“But you were the only one who cracked the rules that fast.”
She stared at him with a smile.
“Everyone else panicked and ran. You stayed cool. That’s skill.”
“She’s right. Without you, we’d be display merchandise.”
Baek Si-woo chimed in. Han Jun-hyun pondered, then pulled a business card from his pocket.
“Suho. Could you consult for the Anomaly Management Team?”
“Consult?”
“Not full agent. Just help with special ghost stories like this. Compensation won’t be stingy.”
He hesitated.
“Ideally, I’d scout you officially, but upper management…”
He trailed off. No need to hear the rest.
Because I’m F-rank.
No matter how brilliantly he decoded rules, the F-rank label stuck. To the Association, he was a duck-footed liability. Great at rules, but if combat hit? Dead weight.
“I get it. My rank’s low.”
“Ah, sorry. Not trying to belittle you.”
“I know. Consulting… I’ll think positively.”
“Thanks. I’ll wait for your call.”
They kept grilling more meat and chatting before finally standing.
“Had a great time. Get home safe!”
“See you next time.”
Baek Si-woo, Kang Chae-young, and Han Jun-hyun grabbed taxis and dispersed. He watched their retreating backs, then pulled out his smartphone.
2:30 p.m. Perfect time to visit.
He headed to a deserted spot. Confirmed alone, then drew his pass from his pocket and infused mana.
A magic circle bloomed underfoot. Gravity twisted through his body.
Pop.
Brief dizziness, then feet hit solid ground. He opened his eyes—not Montelli’s entrance.
A reception room filled with antique furniture.
Where’s this?
As he looked around, a suited goblin approached and bowed politely.
“Welcome, esteemed customer. Thank you for visiting Demon Realm Merchant Guild.”
“This isn’t the Montelli entrance.”
“This is our exclusive summoning chamber for VIP customers.”
The goblin employee replied courteously.
“The main entrance can be crowded. We couldn’t usher a valued guest there.”
The goblin eyed him cautiously.
“Any services desired? Rest area and refreshments are prepared.”
“No, thanks. Meeting someone.”
“Understood. Enjoy your time.”
Escorted by the goblin, he exited the building. Straight to Serria’s mansion hideout.
At the door, he pulled out his Ma-phone.
He pocketed the Ma-phone and waited at the door.
About 10 minutes later, the door opened. Serria appeared in a glamorous dress.
“You’re here, noble one?”
She beamed.
“Sorry to keep you waiting? Had to get ready.”
“No. Just arrived.”
“Come in. Too many eyes out here—let’s talk inside.”
Guided by Serria, he entered the mansion. She led him to the basement teleport circle.
“Now, to my dungeon.”
She winked.
“Hehe, get excited. Remodeled it. You’ll be shocked.”
Whoosh!
Light filled his vision. It faded, revealing sharp surroundings.
But something was off. No trace of the old succubus dungeon.
“……A hotel?”
Should be a grand palace. Instead, a sleek hotel that wouldn’t look out of place in a human city.
Serria tugged his arm lightly, leading him forward.
“Surprised? Hunters raiding gave me tons of points.”
She hummed cheerfully.
“Invested half boldly. Modeled after human buildings. What do you think? These lodgings are trendy, right?”
“Interior’s perfect. Where’d the rest go?”
“Hired family. Brought succubi from Demon Realm. Too big for one.”
“Pay points to summon Demon Realm beings to your dungeon?”
“Yes. Though… they’re all outcasts.”
“……”
“My duty to take in the homeless ones.”
Serria brightened, extending her hand. Space rippled at the hotel’s main entrance.
Plastic Surgeon
The entrance to the Plastic Surgeon ghost story.
“In we go.”
They stepped through the distortion. Disinfectant stung his nose.
The hospital looked transformed. Bright paintings on walls, potted plants and decor brightening the mood.
“The girls got creative. For welcoming guests—nice, right?”
“Hard to believe it’s a ghost story.”
From the opposite hall, nurse-outfitted heteromorphs approached.
“Teacher Han, you’re here.”
“It’s been a while.”
The nurses bowed politely.
…Still creepy.
He nodded lightly without showing it.
“Yes. Everyone doing well?”
“Of course. And you, Teacher?”
“All good. Carry on.”
Leaving their greetings, he entered the nurses’ station at the hall’s end.
A lone steel door stood oddly on the inner wall. Passage to the dungeon depths.
Creeeak.
The moment he opened it and stepped in—
Bang! Bang!
“Kyaa! Noble one’s here!”
“Welcome, noble one!”
Fireworks burst, confetti rained. Dozens of succubi filled the lobby.
Not just the originals—plenty of new faces.
Spotting him, they wagged tails, eyes sparkling.
“Missed you, noble one!”
“Waited all day!”
Familiar ones clung to his arms, coquettish.
New recruits stood out, whispering curiously from the back.
“That’s the noble one? Looks just human.”
“Maybe a demon?”
“Yeah… weird aura. Wonder how he tastes♥”
The newcomers licked lips with red tongues, murmuring slyly.