abcnovels
Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Succubi.
Typically depicted as demons across movies, novels, and other media, the Inner Lunatic makes no exception.
Yet within the triad of dark families in the Inner Lunatic, the Seiders stand apart. We recognize them as demons, but they differ slightly from the usual succubi.
They are a hybrid of demons and humans.
This lineage doesn’t position them as humanity’s enemy. Instead, they’ve taken the human side, expressing loathing for their demonic kin and dedicating themselves to their eradication.
In summary, we could describe the identity of House Sader as such: “Firstly, their magical prowess originates from their demonic ancestry…”
“But being part demon, they must adhere to the traditional methods of power regeneration. Your mixed lineage explains this…closeness.”
Presumably, the game developers designed this to entice the male fanbase. I’m scratching my head over this. It’s not as though the other units will witness what’s happening.
Particularly the princess, Penelope. She poses a threat many times over.
I’m equally wary of Talia’s “last resort”.
I prefer to remain ignorant indefinitely, so I’ve been minimizing my interaction with the other female units as much as possible. It’s a necessity for my own safety, my survival.
‘But that doesn’t absolve me of my promise to Lana…’
I throw a glance at Lana, who doesn’t appear to reconsider my decision. Damn it.
Just so you know, in Inner Lunatic, pledges given to demons, or at least to demonic hybrids, hold. It’s a staple in the world-building setup.
In other words, I’m in a spot where I must restore Lana’s magic somehow. That’s the only viable path to saving Marin.
Great.
“Could you…um…hold my hand? For…like, ten minutes?”
That’s how I find myself here.
I’ve committed to aiding Lana von Sader, a descendant of one of the three illustrious Dark Houses and a critical player, to recover her magic and then abscond quietly.
In a defeated tone, I inquire.
“I’m fine with that. But is it sufficient? I assume it required quite a bit of magic to halt the marksman…”
As I channel my magic into the youngster, I pose the question.
Lana grunts in response, standing in front of me.
“Oh, that…yeah, that should do, I guess…”
But there’s one question left unanswered.
Why was Lana von Sader clandestinely tailing me on the day of the incident?
Her speed and proficiency in sorcery would make it plausible…but the situation aroused suspicion.
I bluntly ask her.
“There are other ways to replenish your power. Did you seek me out for a specific reason on that day?”
“That…”
Lana hesitates, her hands clutched together and eyes trained on me.
Her eyes narrow before she bursts out.
“I found you attractive because you were the most handsome…! And you were the only one unaffected by my [fascination]…”
Ah.
That jogged my memory about a particular aspect of the game.
I hadn’t thought of it as I seldom used succubus units. Essentially, the Sader family possessed a skill named [Mesmerize] that enabled them to release their pheromones.
Additionally, they had a passive skill called Pheromone Holic, which magnetized the opposite sex to them.
Think of it as a psychic spell.
But there’s a catch.
It only affects individuals with an attraction stat lower than yours.
That means her spell can’t bewitch “dull” characters like Nox, the character I control.
In essence, she has every reason to feel intrigued by me.
Also, there’s more.
‘Succubus-type demons like you recover magic faster when touched by someone you’re attracted to.’
This rule applies equally to their male counterparts, the incubi.
Inner Lunatic is lauded for its egalitarian principles in many aspects.
“We should leave. Too many eyes are on us.”
“Uh, yeah…”
Just like that,
We relocated to an isolated single room in the hospital.
We held a brief conversation there.
Our first topic revolved around the relationship between Lana’s family, House Sader, and the Lunatics.
“My family and Lunatic were the initial families to agree on ousting the Imperial Family… I… I think… You should consult your father, Theo, for more accurate details……”
“Alright. I trust you.”
“Yeah…”
Lana’s eyes appear somewhat vacant. It seems her energy is mostly drained.
Being a character who has often faced her mother’s harsh scrutiny in the game, I understand her fatigue. But the thought of what lies ahead turns my stomach.
She composes herself and realigns her thoughts.
‘You still seem unwell, by the way.’
After carefully studying Lana’s behavior and movements, I can tell she’s far from fine.
The succubus known for her exceptional off-white complexion, the talk of the macho community, Lana von Sader, has deteriorated. Her lips are colorless, her skin frail.
Her hands tremble.
She appears to be battling severe power depletion.
It’s a miracle she’s still functioning.
With timid eyes, Lana gazes at me and speaks.
“I… I followed you because… we both belong to the same dark family… and I had some questions… and because you’ve changed a lot lately, Nox… You used to be a bit more…”
“More what?”
I retort, my offense palpable.
Used to be what?
I was a jerk, and now I’m not. So that makes me suspicious?
Is this their usual act?
These jerks… I should be fed up with them, but they keep at it.
At this point, I’m seething.
“Hmph! That’s… Uh, sorry…….”
“Just recover your magic.”
In typical brutish fashion, I cast my thanks aside. I was about to have my magic drained, but doing this was the least I could manage?
I settled on the shaky hospital bed and fixed my gaze on Lana as she gradually edged closer.
An innocent face still veiled by youth, a softly contoured jawline. The succubus sported a tight ensemble that accentuated her curves and emitted a scent that most boys would find alluring.
The faint glimmer of her black hair and the perfume-like pheromones tracing her neckline tickle my nostrils.
This might be the effect of the passive skill.
However, it holds little significance to me. Apparently, good looks reign supreme.
To witness such trivial compensation.
‘Damn… how did I endure in this harsh world?’
In reality, I’ve never faced criticism for my looks. I’ve barely stepped outside since my life was placed on a countdown.
But that doesn’t negate the fact that I missed out on a potential advantage. Perhaps the good-looking ones, the beautiful ones, should bear a heavier tax burden as a nation.
I’m musing over these trivial matters.
Suddenly, Lana seizes my hand.
I can hear her swallow.
Click.
(Dalkag.)
I can hear the second hand moving.
Ten minutes… How did time slip by so quickly?
As my thoughts meander, Lana’s violet eyes suddenly meet mine.
She grips my hand tighter and releases it. To me, it’s nothing, but for her, it must have resulted from significant contemplation.
‘She must have done so too, always deriving power from her father or mother, and this being her first time siphoning it from someone else.’
We hold hands and let the time trickle away, vividly recalling the game’s settings.
Ten minutes feels longer than expected. The sound of the ticking second hand and Lana’s heartbeat lingering close by serve as reminders.
Anyway.
When the time was up, I glanced at my watch and rose.
Or rather, I attempted to rise, because, considering Lana von Sader’s characteristics, I knew this could spiral out of control.
But…
It appeared I was already too late.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going? I’m not done yet…….”
Her lips part again, and her gluey gaze fastens onto me.
Strangely, her tone of voice has done a complete turnaround, with all signs of shyness vanishing.
This could only signify one thing.
Her damn trait has kicked in.
Shit, I swiftly pull up Lana’s status window to verify.
As expected, it showcased a shocking status.
__________________
[Basic Info]
Name: Lana von Sader
Gender: Female
Age: 15
Race: Demon (Succubus)
Primary Element: Darkness
Achievements: -.
[Traits].
Positives: [Brilliant] / [Innate beauty] / [Seductive] / [Mana-sensitive genius] / [Bratty].
Neutral: [Dual Personality].
Negative: [Timid] / [Loner]
[Stats]
Physique: 7
MP: 9
Luck: 8
Willpower: 6
Charm: 26
[Skills].
Passive Skills: [Pheromone Holic].
Active Skills: [Daze] / [Blood]
*Character is currently under the [Dual Personality] condition.
*The character’s personality has flipped 180 degrees!
__________________
A [Dual Personality].
Exactly.
When Lana depletes her mana, she transforms into an undetectable succubus. A genuine demon, favoring skin-to-skin contact and armed with the ability to usurp others’ magic at her leisure.
Despair washed over me.
Damn it, just when I had not yet replenished my magic…….
My teeth clamped down hard.
“……Settle down, Lana, you’re going to regret this…….”
Why did Nox’s character have to come across so distinguished, even in this predicament?
Damn it. Even now, she’s at my side, relentlessly feasting. An uneasiness gnaws at me, and if this continues, she’ll siphon off every iota of my magic.
I might be bound to this hospital bed for several more days.
Who knows what mishaps could transpire in that time.
Worst of all, I could die from her drain.
“Halt.”
“You don’t favor me? That’s peculiar……? I’ve never encountered a man who didn’t crave me… Do you want me to envisage it? What type of man is your ideal?”
“I commanded you to stop.”
“A fleeting kiss, perhaps. It won’t be as dreadful as you envision… So it’s okay, come and…… embrace me. It’ll ease your mind…….”
The tantalizing whisper in my ear confuses me. Despite Nox’s lofty willpower stat, my mind goes blank.
Then it transpires.
Bang!
(Kwang!)
“You little rascal. Your senior is swamped cleaning up the case, and here you are, secretively flirting with a girl?”
The door slams shut behind me. Given that [Silence] has activated, it’s not the direst situation.
“Marksman Marin…… Are you sure you’re oblivious to what’s transpiring?”
Marin barges through the door, halting Lana’s movement with a flick of magic. She seems to have regained her strength and appears to be recuperating.
She must have successfully overcome her fatigue.
“Hah….”
A deep sigh finally escapes me.
Had it been a second too late, I would have lost consciousness.
An inflicted penalty from an abnormal condition soon knocks Lana out.
I check her pulse, and she seems to have recuperated sufficiently.
“Damn.”
“Repulsive to see you, isn’t it?”
“As much as it galls me to confess.”
I respond.
For once, if not for her, I would have perished.
‘Lana… she’s a hazardous character.’
I remind myself. These characters are troublesome to manage in numerous ways.
I’ve cleared Inner Lunatic multiple times, but that’s why I don’t recruit her to my team, despite her remarkable skills.
If Leon is an easily manageable artillery gun, this one is a glass cannon.
Rather than shattering in a battle like Nox, she fractures from within.
“So. Are you feeling improved?”
“As you can observe. I had to relinquish some of my power, but I’m managing. And you?”
“Not too shabby, as you can observe.”
A faint smile appeared on Marin’s face as she spoke.
“Thanks. That… entity… preserved my life.”
“Save your gratitude. I acted out of self-preservation.”
I shot back with a Nox-like retort, which met Marin’s narrowed eyes and crossed arms.
“The issue isn’t you, it’s the jerk. Why do you extend such respect to Luna, yet deny me the same, given I’m merely two years your senior, as I’ve explained before?”
Once more, Marin’s nagging irked me, so I retorted.
“You’re a petulant child.”
“Ouch…! You’re voicing my least favorite accusation! Hey! I’m not an egotist! I just outrank you in age, and as an elder, I joined Lunatic first…….”
“In my book, that qualifies as being an asshole. At least, that’s what my family calls them.”
Marin, disoriented, couldn’t respond. The negotiation had fallen flat. I sighed in relief, anticipating some rest at last.
All that remained was returning to bed and immersing myself in the soft quilt…
* * *
Let me begin with the outcome.
My dream lay in ruins.
A barrage of unit confrontations awaited me.
Above all, Zitri, Talia, and Penelope, as they wouldn’t grant me peace.
Zitri’s situation was straightforward.
“So you’re admitting that you, possessing numerous [retainers], not only ventured into a perilous scenario but also indulged in an intimate encounter with a woman from another House in my absence? I’m certain my lord will be enthralled when I relay this.”
“Zitri. Your eyes are lifeless. Give them a rest.”
“Nox, I’ve… been contemplating. I still believe it might be preferable to deploy the last resort before, rather than after, the worst comes to pass. What’s your take?”
“Drop the act. We reserve the last resort for the ultimate contingency.”
“What did you discuss with Lana von Sader? You engaged her in nearly half an hour’s conversation, then vanished. I’m clueless about how you’ll account for any ensuing rumors. Do you plan to drag the Princess’s reputation through the mud?”
…….
Alright, can you kindly vacate now?
My head spun as I pondered.
[Acquired ‘Headache Lv 5’ due to the Talent ‘Weakling’].
[Acquired ‘Cold Lv 5’ due to the Talent ‘Weakling’].
[Acquired ‘High Fever Lv 2’ due to the attribute ‘Weakling’].
Well, what a splendid trio of gifts.
In addition, Headache and Cold at Level 5! I’ve officially set a new record.
The issue is, it offers no joy.
……Damn. How did things come to this?
But cornered, I had no option but to curl up under the covers.
* * *
Meanwhile.
Luna and Theo von Reinhafer, the chief of the Lunatic Order, faced off in the drawing room.
Both Luna and Theo von Reinhafer had a piece of their mind to share about their disciple. Theo, however, surprisingly initiated the dialogue.
“So…… you’re confirming that Nox brought down Paimon… is that accurate?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing this, Theo couldn’t help but twitch a corner of his mouth upward.
Rodwell, the butler, recognized this subtle gesture as a sign of impending family turmoil. Theo swallowed hard, sensing that his hunch was about to materialize.