The Counterstrike
The gunshot rang out with a sharp tang!. A bullet whistled right past my ear, leaving a stinging heat in its wake. That was way too close.
[......Didn't this exact same thing happen last time?]
'Feels like we're recycling the same damn scene.'
Hye-ji blew on the barrel of her pistol with a soft hoo and glared at me.
"Didn't you just say my chest is completely nonexistent?"
"...Hye-ji, I'm a patient, you know."
"I'm a patient too. My heart hurts, you fucking bastard."
My heart hurts? I couldn't believe it. After all—
"Oh, so you do have a heart. Too bad there's no chest to go with it."
"Die."
"Shit."
[This one is entirely your fault, dear.]
This time Hye-ji summoned something genuinely dangerous. A goddamn chainsaw. The moment she revved it up, the motor roared to life with a deep vroooom, and the blade began spinning at terrifying speed.
"Hye-ji? If that thing hits me, I'm pretty sure I'll die."
"There are way too many perverts eyeing what's mine. Time to customize your limbs a little."
"Sister Hye-ji! I'll help too!"
"You fucking bitches."
For some reason, both Hye-ji's and Elsia's eyes looked endlessly dark today. And so began the great chase between me, Hye-ji, and Elsia. With two chainsaw-wielding murderesses from the Academy hot on my heels, my survival instinct completely overrode the pain in my body and forced me to run.
The short pursuit ended in a dramatic compromise: we'd heal my entire body with potions first.
"I'll heal you up and then start cutting."
"I'm all for it!"
"Fuck."
I practically showered myself with the potions the succubi handed over. As my wounds closed, my whole body started burning with heat.
'A burning aftermath, huh.'
[Fuck... how the hell is this guy the protagonist...]
That was when I spotted Lilith. She was currently using four succubi as living furniture in a classic wonsan bombing formation. Lilith casually climbed on top of the four succubi and lay down. One of them let out a tiny groan.
"Ugh..."
Lilith's eyes instantly sharpened into a look that screamed 'Look at these bitches.' Then came the merciless scolding.
"Girls? Am I heavy by any chance?"
""""No ma'am!!!!""""
"If I'm heavy, just say so. I'm not scolding you. I'm simply asking."
""""You're lighter than a feather!!!!""""
Her voice was gentle, but the aura around Lilith was downright terrifying.
Meanwhile, Jeong Ayeon was also treating her wounds with potions. She noticed my gaze and flashed me a bright smile—right before Lilith suddenly called out to her.
"Ayeon, come here, dear."
"Yes, Mother."
Jeong Ayeon obediently walked over to Lilith. The moment she arrived, Lilith shifted from lying down to sitting upright. This changed her position from lying across all four succubi to sitting on just two of them. Lilith lightly patted the empty back of one of the succubi still being used as a bench and gestured for Ayeon to sit.
"Sit right here, dear."
"Uh... well..."
"Hurry."
Unable to resist Lilith's urging, Jeong Ayeon quietly sat down on the succubus's back. The succubus underneath immediately let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Thank god. I thought I was gonna die from the weight."
"All of this bitch's squadmates, get out here."
Of course, even that tiny whisper didn't escape the terrifying Lilith's ears. While several more succubi rushed out to continue the wonsan bombing, Lilith gently stroked Jeong Ayeon's hair with clear affection.
"You've worked so hard. Still, I'm glad things turned out this way."
"It's nothing. I'm fine."
Then Lilith suddenly leaned in and whispered something quietly into Jeong Ayeon's ear. Naturally, I couldn't hear it from where I stood.
"So, do you like that boy?"
"W-well..."
Jeong Ayeon's face turned bright red as she hung her head low. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she answered.
"......Yes."
"Hehe."
Lilith smiled like she found her daughter utterly adorable and continued stroking her hair. Then she whispered again.
"Mother would like to have a little chat with that boy."
"No! Mother! Th-that seems way too soon!"
Jeong Ayeon jumped in shock and protested. Lilith's expression hardened as she spoke with firm determination.
"It's so I can make things perfectly clear with him."
"......Is... that so?"
"It is. Could you call that boy over for me?"
Jeong Ayeon reluctantly nodded and walked toward me. At that moment I was literally dangling both Hye-ji and Elsia from my arms. Hye-ji pointed at my wrist and spoke to Elsia in a disturbingly calm voice.
"Slice this one first."
"Sister Hye-ji. Here?"
"Not there. Slice this one."
"Stop it, you fucking bitches."
Caersi was actually cheering them on.
"The mental hospital is ready for you, nya."
"Shinu, from now on let's just live as idiots?"
"Husband is already crazy, so the mental hospital is a free pass for him!"
"Fuck. Seriously."
The look in both Hye-ji's and Elsia's eyes was terrifyingly dark. But thanks to Jeong Ayeon's arrival, their rampage came to a halt.
"Young Master, Mother wishes to see you."
"You heard her? Be right back!"
I quickly shook off Hye-ji and Elsia and sprinted toward Lilith with Jeong Ayeon. I really didn't want to think about what would've happened to my body if I'd stayed there any longer.
In the meantime, Lilith had been mercilessly berating the succubi until we arrived.
"My dear children. Is succubus life comfortable these days?"
"""""""No ma'am!!!!!!!!"""""""
"Oh my! So you're saying it's uncomfortable!"
"""""""That's not what we meant!!!!!!!!"""""""
The succubi answered in thunderous voices. But Lilith's scolding didn't stop.
"Well, it's not like it's your fault. The problem is with you close-combat riders, isn't it?"
""""""""We're sorry!!!!!!!!"""""""""
It looked eerily familiar.
"I gave you some slack and you're already done with succubus life?"
"""""""No ma'am!!!!!!!!"""""""
"Should I call everyone above you and put them under me?"
""""""""We're sorry!!!!!!!!"""""""""
Then Lilith noticed our approach and waved at us with a bright smile. She looked beautiful as she smiled and waved—except for the succubi getting crushed underneath her, which made the whole scene utterly horrifying.
Lilith stood up with an expressionless face and gave the succubi an order.
"Run around the outer perimeter of the mansion until I tell you to stop."
"""""""Yes! Understood!!!!!!!!"""""""
"Run while fully armed, and while running, keep chanting the succubus cheer."
The succubi quickly shouldered their gear and began running around the mansion's outer wall. I couldn't hear clearly from this distance, but it sounded like they were chanting something like "Cool Succubus" as they ran.
Piece watched the scene and suddenly started trembling before apologizing to me.
[I'm sorry. You weren't a demon after all—you were just a little rascal.]
'Fuck, that is the real demon.'
Lilith smiled brightly and reached out her hand toward me. But just as I was about to take it, someone blocked the way.
"The victor has not yet stated his desire."
It was none other than Jeong Siyun. He blocked Lilith's outstretched hand and stared straight at me, speaking in a mechanical tone. His face was utterly expressionless like a doll, yet he insisted that the oath must be honored.
"State what you desire."
"Um. I—"
At that exact moment.
"Stop right there!!!"
"Huh?"
Rick, who had recovered using potions, came charging at me with terrifying speed. Something was in his hand.
'That son of a bitch! He's sprinkling ashes on perfectly cooked rice?'
Rick gritted his teeth while healing his body with potions. His burning gaze was locked onto Kim Shinu.
'I absolutely cannot give up.'
Kim Shinu still hadn't stated his desire. That meant there was still a loophole in the oath—if Rick could make him say it out loud.
'I didn't want to use this, but there's no time to hesitate.'
Rick secretly manipulated his phone where no one could see. He was preparing his trump card.
It was the hypnosis app. A masterpiece created long ago by some insane mage. He'd doubted its effectiveness at first, but after using it to freely control Jeong Siyun—who had once been invited to his family—he no longer had any doubts.
'Even archmages don't usually have high mental resistance.'
Handling magic and having a strong mind are two completely different things. The only ones immune are beasts that can't even communicate or beings with exceptionally strong mental fortitude.
But there were reasons it was a last resort. It only worked when cast together with a verbal incantation. Only those who had reached the pinnacle of magic could use it. And finally, after successful use, it couldn't be used again for a very long time.
Originally he'd planned to use it on Jeong Ayeon to control her freely, but the situation had completely changed. He had to exploit the loophole in the oath and make Jeong Ayeon his.
Worried about interference while hypnotizing Kim Shinu, he began experiencing the future. In that future, he confirmed that he could approach Kim Shinu and show him the app. Deciding there was no need to check further, he quickly regressed.
The moment his body recovered, Rick sprinted toward Kim Shinu. He had to take control before Kim Shinu could state the victor's desire.
"Stop right there!!!"
"Huh?"
The moment Kim Shinu looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, Rick seized the opportunity. This was his last chance. He shoved the hypnosis app right in Kim Shinu's face.
"Look at this!!!"
Kim Shinu's expression began to fade. Just like Jeong Siyun had in the beginning.
'It worked!'
Rick smiled with triumphant satisfaction. He could hear shocked gasps around him, but he didn't care. Surviving the current crisis was far more important.
"Obey everything I say in silence!"
"......."
Kim Shinu didn't answer. He just stared blankly at Rick. It didn't matter. This had never failed before.
"Jeong Ayeon! Declare with the victor's authority that that bitch belongs to me!!!"
Finally, Kim Shinu opened his mouth. Seeing that, Rick couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!"
In the end, the final victor was him. No matter how much they struggled, everything would go according to his will. It was perfect.
Just then, words flowed from the expressionless Kim Shinu's mouth.
"Fuck off."
"Huh?"
Rick looked confused. Then he doubted his own eyes. Because—
— CRUNCH!!!!!!!!
Kim Shinu's heavy kick had just buried itself squarely in Rick's groin.