Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 51: Heir Selection

[You have entered a hidden area.]

[You have triggered a hidden quest: Life or Death.]

[Normal achievement: Leave the Dream Edge without dying during the process.]

[Perfect achievement: Leave the Dream Edge without dying during the process; rescue the dying succubus tribe.]

[Quest rewards: Massive experience points [Normal]; Bewilderment dew [Normal]; Reputation with the succubus tribe [Perfect]; Immunity to mental magic [Perfect].]

[Rejection/Failure Penalty: Level reduction by 10.]

[Do you accept the quest?]

Before the succubi could speak, the system message slapped onto Nol’s face.

…Even refusing the quest would result in a penalty. Clearly, they must accept it.

Beside him, there was a slight movement from Teest, who probably received a similar quest.

Their quest was clearly different from the Players’, with no mention of “helping the Succubus Queen with her troubles” and no rewards involving “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This must be a special version triggered only upon arriving at the palace, and undoubtedly, it was generated by AI.

[Just escaping from the dream would complete the quest. This place must be very dangerous.]

Teest’s thoughts echoed. [Is life always this exciting by your side? I admire you, honey.]

Nol wasn’t sure if Teest was sincere or just being sarcastic, but Teest sounded genuinely cheerful.

They stopped in the center of the grand hall. Light from an unknown source shone through the stained glass, casting dreamy colors all around. The chairs on both sides of the throne were filled with succubi, each more withered than the last. At a glance, this place looked more like a carefully designed tomb than a beautiful palace.

The male succubus who had led them turned around and straightened his white robe—

The same robe, when worn by Teest, looked enticing. But on this living skeleton, it looked like a freshly washed burial shroud. The tail of the succubus hung limp, devoid of any luster, resembling a tie on a shroud.

“You claim to want to help us and have shown enough sincerity.” He spoke with a raspy voice. “We have come to an agreement—please participate in our prince selection. If you qualify, you can meet the queen. But if you don’t, please leave with those humans immediately.”

“Alright,” Teest replied succinctly.

…What?

Nol looked at Teest in shock.

[This is the prince selection of the succubus tribe!] he conveyed to Teest. [Do you even know how it works? Each tribe has its own rules, and they’re all troublesome.]

[You even have to sign a magical agreement beforehand, and if you violate it, there’s a huge penalty—]

[But it sounds so fun! After all, only I need to sign. It won’t affect any of you,] Teest thought cheerfully. [Maybe you can even become the succubus queen? King consort? …Such a rare experience!]

‘It’s really not a time to be joking around,’ Nol internally grumbled.

The succubus throne wasn’t hereditary. They tend to select the strongest from within the tribe. But what constituted “the strongest” varied: the smartest, the best at collecting life force, the most popular, and so on. Even within the same tribe, the criteria for each selection might differ.

For a regular Player, the smartest move would be to support a candidate rather than trying to become one.

Yet, Mr. Mad Monk seemed quite interested—

“What should I do?” Teest asked calmly.

The male succubus managed a smile and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.

This tribe was clearly struggling. They didn’t even have magical ink as the contract was written in blood.

Nol frowned. This wasn’t a system contract, and thus wouldn’t be affected by Teest’s “God’s Forsaken” curse. The paper radiated strong dark magic, and the consequences of violating the contract were evident.

Teest quickly read the contract.

Its requirements were straightforward. The signer must actively participate in the Black Forest Tribe’s “Crown Prince Selection”, not act passively or quit halfway, not use unfair means to win, and not harm any succubus of the Black Forest Tribe.

If chosen as the crown prince, the signer must ascend to the throne after Queen Wilimina abdicates and protects the tribe. The violator would have to pay with their eyes, tongue, and all limbs.

Just the thought of it caused Nol’s tongue to ache. [Don’t sign it.]

Just because the succubi were in a bad state didn’t mean one should act recklessly. Especially the clause about “not harming any succubus” was too restrictive. What if Teest was attacked by a malicious succubus? He wouldn’t even be able to defend himself.

“I can’t accept this.” Teest waved the contract at the succubus. “It doesn’t specify how my companions will be treated. I also need to protect my lover and friends.”

“We understand. We’ll add that,” the male succubus replied promptly.

“That’s still not enough.” Teest smiled. “Even though I want to help, I’m not going to blindly commit… Let’s compromise. If I’m really chosen and the current queen can still rule for more than two months, you have to let me go. If her condition is very bad, I’ll take on the responsibility.”

Nol’s relief was short-lived—

Teest was serious.

What on earth was he thinking? Even if he wanted to gather information, this wasn’t the way to go about it. Nol didn’t have the time to become, well, the king consort of the succubi.

The male succubus looked down briefly, showing a fleeting sadness, and then quickly agreed. “We can accept those terms on behalf of the tribe.”

As if afraid Teest would change his mind, the succubus immediately cut his palm, allowing the blood droplets to form the words on the paper.

‘Oh no,’ Nol thought. ‘It seems Queen Wilimina’s days are numbered.’

The so-called “troubles” that Players needed to solve might be synonymous with “last wishes”. Who knew how heavy that task would be.

Without hesitation, Teest picked up the pen and signed “Teest”. The moment the pen was lifted, the blood turned back into droplets, wrapping around Teest’s wrist, forming tattoo-like red patterns.

Only faint gray letters remained on the paper. The succubus frowned at the signature. “Teest? Just now, your companion called you ‘Landus’.”

“Oh, sometimes he also calls me ‘Mr. Knight’, ‘Lunatic’, and ‘Slow Down’. Should all these be written down?” Teest innocently shook his pen.

Nol: “.…..”

I didn’t—I never—I only called him by the first one…

Of course, what was done was done, so he wisely remained silent.

“It’s not necessary. The contract is already in effect. You can retrieve your belongings. Those two humans…” The male succubus hesitated for a moment and continued with some difficulty, “We’ll release those two humans. You’re in charge of watching over them. Remember, you cannot harm any succubus in the tribe. If you direct them to do evil, it’s also within the contract.”

“I understand.” Teest rubbed the blood mark on his wrist and answered with a smile.

A hint of softness finally appeared on the male succubus’s face. “Welcome, brethren. I am Adonis. From today, I am in charge of your ‘Crown Prince Selection’. There has been a lot happening today. I think the two of you should rest.”

Although his words were polite, his gaze never once landed on Nol.

……

“Look, honey, we’re completely free!” Teest stretched lazily in the fragrant breeze. “You can retrieve that noisy candle, and the two Players might be released from prison. And me—I might even have the opportunity to become the king of the succubi. Perfect.”

“Really? Are you sure your eyes, tongue, and limbs feel the same way?” Nol ominously said. “Once you break the contract, the blood mark will instantly dig out your eyeballs and tongue and sever your limbs. With such deadly restraint, I have to act as your knight in return.”

“What are you worried about? I’m definitely going to breach the contract.” Teest looked at Nol in confusion. “The succubi are so cute in their stupidity. Those injuries aren’t fatal at all. Can’t you just heal me?”

Nol stopped. “No.”

“I thought you liked my eyes and limbs… Are you going to abandon me?” Teest said pitifully.

“Not really.” Nol stared at the swaying succubus tail. “But if you always treat things like this as a joke, who knows.”

Teest’s tail stopped swaying and drooped dejectedly. Nol grabbed it.

“Let’s go.” Nol sighed. “We still need to explain to the Players.”

If he had to find a silver lining in this farce… the drama caused by Teest’s sudden antics somewhat dulled his own rage against reality.

Meanwhile, in the dungeon.

There were no succubus guards inside the dungeon, so the two Players had a brief tour. Rogue Solo picked the locks, while Anakin used an illusion to hide. The two sneaked out of the cell and inspected the human-filled prisons one by one.

The succubi were meticulous. Even though the humans were paralyzed on the ground, barely breathing, there were no traces of rotten food or excrement smell in the cell. Maybe it was the peculiar environment of the dream? The Players weren’t sure.

All they could be certain of was that these people wouldn’t live past this year.

The prisoners lay haphazardly, with bones poking through their saggy skin. Among the prisoners were both men and women, mostly in their prime. Their eyes were shut, with only faint chest movements indicating life. Anakin selected one in the best condition and discreetly released a recovery spell.

Under the soft glow, the emaciated man slowly opened his eyes. His eyeballs looked carved from wood, the pupils dilated, completely void of any sparkle.

He half-laid on the ground, staring blankly at Anakin, lips moving incessantly. Anakin leaned closer and felt even the man’s breath was eerily cold.

“Ma… y…”

“Take your time. Don’t rush,” Anakin whispered comfortingly.

“May… everything be eternal…”

Anakin jerked back, staring at the man in shock. His facial muscles twitched, pulling into a disturbing smile.

“Everything… Everything for… the Eternal Son…” he murmured, moving his hand to his rib-exposed chest, trying to form a circle.

Solo’s face showed undisguised disgust. He waved at Anakin. “Sister, I got this.”

He approached, pulling a tightly sealed glass vial from his pocket. The thick liquid inside glowed a fluorescent blue.

“That one?” Anakin realized.

“Yes, that one.” Solo replied. “What was it called… The Hogwarts special gloomy blue DND-flavored truth serum for living humans. Don’t make me say that guy’s name, the damned alchemist you’re thinking of*.”

*Referencing the Veritaserum. I’m not sure who he’s referencing, but it’s most likely Severus Snape.

“Got it—the drug that lets you ask five questions.” Anakin summarized.

While the two chatted, the man was already under the effect. He became eerily still, like a statue. Solo took a few deep breaths and cleared his throat.

“Other than the two of us, is everyone else here a follower of the Eternal Church?” The Rogue asked seriously.

“Yes, yes.” The man’s eyes half-closed, his gaze scattered. “We came for a great mission… for the Eternal Son… How dare these vile creatures imprison us as food… They will invoke the wrath of God…”

“How did the Eternal Church push the succubi to this state?” Solo ignored the man’s rambling.

“We were just capturing,” the man answered blankly. “Just capturing, capturing…”

“Damn, his head isn’t clear. Wasted a question.” Anakin clicked her tongue. “Ask about the quest. Let’s finish this quickly.”

Rogue Solo nodded understandingly. “Regarding the current succubus queen, what do you know?”

“She’s called-she’s called Wilimina. She ascended the throne less than twenty years ago. Hehe… hehe. The ruler of the succubi, each generation lives shorter lives… She won’t live much longer, not much longer…” His tone was oddly moist, making it hard to determine whether it was a curse or a statement. “She’s dying… She’s going to die… First, she’ll go mad, then she’ll die… Ah, divine punishment! Divine punishment!”

Anakin’s expression became somewhat rigid. She directly asked, “Do you know of her troubles or desires?”

“Who can understand the thoughts of a monster? …When you’re eating lamb chops, do you understand the worries of the lamb?” The man coughed twice and chuckled, trying to catch his breath.

“We have only one chance left.” Solo scratched his head. “I only have one bottle of truth serum. We have to choose the next question carefully.”

Up to now, besides knowing that the “Eternal Church is causing trouble”, they hadn’t obtained any effective information. If it weren’t for the strong side effects of this thing, it would actually be more appropriate to give it to the succubus.

Anakin pressed her lips together, pondering for a while. About half a minute later, she stepped forward, grabbed the man’s hair, and forced him to lift his head.

“Listen well, scum.” Her voice was clear and cold. “I guess you captured the succubi in order to create a ‘Supplement Demon’.”

The Supplement Demon was a terrible creature brought into existence by the Eternal Church alone.

It was said that the Eternal Church possessed a method that could strip away a certain “power” from the bodies of dead creatures—perhaps calling it “attributes” or “skills” would be more apt—to bestow upon its key members.

However, this method had significant limitations, and the process was extremely painful. It was like forcibly transplanting foreign organs onto a human. Those who were “supplementally enhanced” either died on the spot or manifested incurable deformities.

Those who managed to survive were referred to as “Supplement Demons” by the outside world. This wasn’t just a derogatory term. The Temple of Life had confirmed that, on a physiological level, these things were no longer human…

As far as Anakin knew, using “human corpses” to enhance the “human” attributes was the gentlest process, with the highest survival rate for those being enhanced. Even so, the enhanced individuals would transform into bizarre and terrifying “Supplement Demons”, who could only mimic humans through external forces…

“But after all these years, you’re still capturing these otherworldly succubi,” Anakin continued. “Have you mastered a method to handle the monsters, or…?”

“It began as… experiments. But recently, there have been… successful cases.”

The man chuckled, his breathing becoming even more rapid.

“We need those proficient in mental magic… If the experiment succeeds once, it can succeed a second time… God is watching us… God is blessing us…”

“Fuck your ancestors!” Rogue Solo cursed. “Human experimentation? What kind of perverse crap is this? Your god can go eat shit!”

The Eternalist suddenly became silent. He lifted his tree-branch-like neck, staring in Solo’s direction.

“Those chosen by God will surely not die because of this. Those abandoned by God have no value in this world.”

His eyes gradually widened, emitting a frightening light. “It’s only logical that those who are dead and useless should reflect…”

Bang—!

Just as the follower of the Eternal Church was about to continue, Anakin punched him in the head. Already incredibly weak, he couldn’t withstand the Player’s powerful punch.

He twitched as he fell to the ground and soon was silent.

“It seems you are also one of the ‘useless ones’ ‘abandoned by God’,” Anakin said after a few seconds, her voice hoarse.

“Sister, you…”

“Don’t tell me you wanted to keep him alive,” Anakin said. “Anyway, now we indeed know something.”

“No, you…”

“Enough.” Anakin stretched out her hand, covering her slightly trembling fist. “I’m fine. It’s not the first time. Did you think being a Saint of the Temple was a game? At least I can comfort myself knowing that those I’ve killed are scum.”

Solo remained silent.

After a while, he sighed and gently embraced his kin.

“Let’s go back,” he said. “You’re right. You just killed a bug. He’s an invader without humanity. He doesn’t deserve to be called human.”

Anakin tugged at the corner of her mouth but didn’t speak.

The heavy atmosphere dissipated when they saw the two brothers… No, the two lovers. The “younger brother” was tightly holding the “older brother’s” tail, and the “older brother” seemed a bit downcast. The atmosphere between the two was indescribably delicate.

“I have bad news, bad news, and more bad news. Which one do you want to hear?” Nol said.

“Is there a difference?” Solo replied shakily.

“The first bad news: this guy wants to run for the title of Succubus Crown Prince. Of course, if he succeeds, we might be able to meet the queen, but we’ll have to stay here to inherit the throne.”

Nol said with a smirk, “Coincidentally, none of us plans to stay.”

Solo grunted. “That’s kind of half good news. At least we can meet the queen.”

Although this approach is a bit… outrageous.

“The second bad news,” Nol continued coldly. “We don’t know where the queen is, and she can only live for another two months. You’d better start praying that her wish list isn’t too long.”

Anakin and Solo: “…”

Anakin: “If it doesn’t work out, we can go back and check again in two months.”

Perhaps the quest could be refreshed.

“The third bad news. The Dream Edge is dangerous. If we act recklessly, we may be in danger.”

Nol rubbed his face.

“We need to make the current situation clear because, next, we want to save this tribe.”

The author has something to say:

The mighty Mad Monk is applying to be the Succubus Crown Prince!

Nol: …………………….

Nol: ?

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 50: An Unexpected Kiss

The dreamy Black Forest was devoid of its usual gloom. A light blue mist floated among the branches, and the leaves glittered like jewels.

Nol wasn’t in the mood to appreciate this beauty. His thoughts were still fixated on the words of Rogue Solo—

They all died more than a hundred and fifty years ago.

It was likely that Decoste died of old age. However, for the succubus queen Hyacinth, her death was tragically premature.

Nol still remembered the time they were creating the backstory for these two characters. There was no AI assistance in this task, and his colleagues were genuinely excited. After the story was outlined, they all excitedly shared their input, even discussing it during lunch breaks.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was just a sidequest, but the team added countless adorable details to it. From the childhood experiences and habits of the two NPCs to the weather of the Black Forest when they first fell in love, everyone gave it their all. Even the art team put extra effort into the models.

Beautiful Hyacinth and handsome Decoste. They were lovers separated by the chasm of lifespan. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, they had a unique and genuinely happy relationship. They felt like children personally nurtured by the production team or like old friends they had known for years.

But they died over a hundred years ago.

What shocked Nol most was that Hyacinth committed suicide—by design, Queen Hyacinth was a strong and rational woman. Even if Decoste betrayed her countless times, she would never abandon her life.

Nol couldn’t understand. His good mood disappeared instantly, leaving only confusion and sadness.

“…Why?” he murmured.

“Why what?”

Rogue Solo scratched his face. “Why did they break up? Or why did the queen commit suicide? Haa, I don’t know about that.”

Nol looked at him sorrowfully.

Feeling uneasy, Solo continued, “I’m told the records were collected by Decoste’s descendants. To them, Queen Hyacinth wasn’t only their father’s ex-wife but also a real monster.”

“According to the records, after Decoste broke up with the queen, he never talked about her again. How could his heirs know much inside information?”

“The news of the succubus queen’s suicide was big. The Temple of Life is still researching the case… Succubi have always symbolized intimacy and pleasure. ‘Suicide’ fundamentally goes against their nature,” Anakin added.

Solo curled his lips and remarked, “It definitely wasn’t for love. They hadn’t spoken in decades by the time Decoste died. The queen only killed herself years after his death.”

“I see,” Nol replied hesitantly. “Anyway, the queen we’re helping this time isn’t Hyacinth. Do you have information about the new queen?”

Anakin shook her head helplessly.

Teest didn’t seem to take it seriously. “Guess we’ll have to try our luck.”

His “Betrayer” badge was fastened to a belt around his waist, concealed by a loose-fitting white cloth, making it especially hard to detect. Now, dressed in a revealing succubus-style outfit, large patches of his skin were exposed, and there didn’t appear to be any baggage on him, making him look pure and harmless.

Nol stepped forward, moving beside Teest. A warm succubus tail emerged from beneath the cloth, gently wrapping around Nol’s wrist.

[It seems you need a hug,] Teest thought. [Now might not be the best time, so let this be a substitute.]

Nol managed a weak smile. At times like these, Teest didn’t seem like the legendary murderous lunatic at all. Knowing this was likely one of Teest’s tricks to make him more reliant, Nol still indulged in the comfort.

He gently pinched the thick tip of Teest’s tail. The tail stiffened slightly before playfully scratching his palm in return.

……

The four of them wandered around the Black Forest in their dreams. The fallen leaves on the ground were softly colored and looked like clouds when stepped on. But after wandering for most of the night, everyone was experiencing aesthetic fatigue.

“Aren’t succubi supposed to build their nests on the edge of the forest? Where’s the promised edge?”

Anakin pounded her own legs, too lazy to maintain her dignified and holy image, and simply sat down under a tree.

Nol: “My information is a bit outdated. I’m sorry.”

“No, no, no, it’s not your fault,” Anakin hastily said. “The succubi have been isolated for so many years. Who knows what they’ve been up to secretly.”

“It feels like we’ve been going in circles, but I can’t find the markers I made.” Rogue Solo was scratching the nearby tree bark with his eyebrows furrowed.

Teest was sitting gracefully under a tree. “I think we indeed have been moving in circles, and I feel like we’re being watched.”

“Huh? Aren’t you a swordsman?” Solo gasped. “Can swordsmen sense this?”

“I was born with keen intuition.” Teest smiled. “Personal advice, if you want to continue peacefully, it’s better for us to just let them observe. Of course, if you two want to forcefully take the ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ from the succubi…”

“No way! We’re not like those lunatics from the Eternal Church. I’m just a little worried,” Solo quickly interjected.

“If the succubi are no longer friendly towards humans, my brother and I swear to protect both of you,” Nol said.

He too sensed the presence of the succubi not far away. Strangely, the aura of the succubi was much weaker than expected, indicating they were in poor condition. That being said, even if the succubus queen Hyacinth herself came, he and Teest could still ensure the safety of the two Players.

“However, if you two change your minds, you can leave here,” Nol added.

Anakin shook her head, her expression turning serious. “Let’s just stay like this. Don’t act and let’s just see what they want to do.”

And so they walked on and off for most of the day. The sky at the Dream Edge seemed never to change, and by Nol’s rough estimate, they had been “lost” until noon the next day.

Finally, the succubi who had been following them revealed themselves.

Not just one succubus appeared—during their wanderings, nearly twenty succubi quietly approached from all directions, forming a tight encirclement.

They resembled humans. The front row held whips, shields, or spears, while the back row set up bows and arrows, and several magic wands pointed at the four from all sides.

Unfortunately, their appearance undermined the imposing nature of the encirclement.

The surrounding succubi, both male and female, were all emaciated with protruding bones. Their features were very delicate, and their bone structures were perfect. But their dried-out skin made even the most beautiful features look terrifying.

…Starving people.

The words unexpectedly popped into Nol’s mind.

But how could this be? Even if the succubi were isolated, they shouldn’t have become like this. Nol looked into the beautiful eyes of the succubi, which should have been full of joy but now only held caution and numbness.

“State your purpose,” the nearest male succubus said sternly, his sword point almost touching Teest’s nose.

“I came to visit you all.” Teest looked both innocent and surprised. “These humans are my companions, and we’re on an adventure… I heard there were others of my kind here, so I came to check. If we did something wrong, I apologize first.”

“You?” The succubus’ emaciated face showed deep sarcasm. “With that appearance, out in the open? Impossible!”

He gripped his sword tighter, not lowering its point.

“I certainly have my ways of disguise! But to avoid the Eternal Church, it’s easier for me alone than a group,” Teest added with a hint of anger in his voice. “I was born in the Shiva Realm. I just came to visit my kind here! Of course, assuming you’re aware of the situation in the Shiva Realm.”

The sword-wielding succubus hesitated. “How can you prove—”

Before he could finish, his face stiffened, and his sword fell to the ground. He reached out to Teest as if enchanted. Nol looked over, and indeed, Teest’s golden eyes were shimmering.

The succubus’ innate ability [Charm] was astoundingly effective. Even if Players could disguise themselves as a succubus, they couldn’t use Charm.

[Charm] strictly followed the principle of “might makes right”. Apparently, Kando wasn’t lying. Teest’s skills were indeed stronger than the average succubus. Of course, the opponent’s poor condition might also be a factor.

“Enough!” A female succubus behind Teest shouted. “We recognize your identity—take your humans and leave immediately. Outsiders are not welcome here.”

Teest obediently closed his eyes and bowed slightly. “I want to see your queen.”

A murmur of whispers erupted. The succubi huddled together, and the atmosphere of suspicion thickened.

“I have no other intention. I just can’t bear to see my kind suffer. As a representative from the Shiva Realm, I want to know if I can help… You all must know, at this rate, you won’t last much longer!” Teest’s sincerity was palpable, as if he truly was a saint. Even Nol felt touched.

“Yes, Landus is my most important companion, and I don’t want to see his kind suffer either.” Nol recalled Teest’s pseudonym and joined the conversation.

The male succubus, having just recovered from Charm, sneered at Nol’s statement. “Really? If you’re willing to wear magic-restricting chains and come with us, we might believe your sincerity.”

He emphasized every word, dripping with hostility.

“I’m willing,” Nol replied without hesitation, even offering his wrist before Teest.

The two Players behind him exchanged glances and also extended their hands. Finally, Teest, with an exaggerated sigh, extended his arms.

His arms were perfectly shaped, in stark contrast to the dried arms of the succubus putting the shackles on him.

…What had these succubi been through in the past two hundred years?

……

A few minutes later, Nol understood why they couldn’t find the entrance. On the Dream Edge, the succubi created another dream within a dream, hiding the entrance inside it. 

One of the succubi slit her wrist and smeared a layer of fresh blood on the eyelids of the four, allowing them to enter this hidden area.

Ordinary succubi definitely didn’t possess such a level of power; Nol was quite certain of that.

Such tactics were reminiscent of the style of the succubus queen Hyacinth. As for the power to maintain these illusions… it was likely that the succubi borrowed external forces through other means.

However, Nol had no chance to investigate further. The group of succubi imprisoned them in a separate dungeon directly, without Nol ever seeing their real stronghold.

A dungeon in a dream was still a dungeon. The surroundings here were far from dreamy. The damp air and the moldy smell of straw felt very real. The dungeon of the succubi was near an endless corridor, very dim, with a visibility of no more than five meters. From the depths of the darkness, faint moans could occasionally be heard. Nol could sense the presence of humans and… human skeletons.

It was hard to say whether the human presence or the succubi’s was weaker. They were equally on the edge of life and death.

The decaying prison door creaked shut, and the four were confined in the same cell.

“So, can I ask what’s the deal with the Eternal Church and the Shiva Realm?” Solo whispered. “Now it’s your turn to share some details.”

“You don’t seem worried at all,” Teest remarked.

“Think about my skills. These shackles are no problem,” Rogue Solo whispered even more quietly. “We’re playing the whole act, right? You start.”

Nol looked at Teest curiously. He apparently knew more about the succubi than anyone else here, having likely encountered the succubus group while acquiring his skills.

“The Eternal Church has always been hunting succubi. The Shiva Realm is where the Eternal Church’s power is weakest, and it’s the only public settlement of the remaining succubi,” Teest succinctly summarized.

“Ah, those Eternalists even offend succubi? Makes sense, they’re the type to kick every dog they see on the side of the road,” Solo lamented. “The world is getting worse and worse…”

Anakin frowned in silence, lost in thought.

“Why are they capturing succubi?” Nol inquired.

Instead of answering, Teest tilted his head, signaling something. Nol then felt the presence of a succubus.

“Because floating feather birds have valuable feathers, silver unicorns have rare horns, and we have enchanting spiritual magic… They want everything. Humans always want everything,” a hoarse voice responded.

The newcomer was none other than the male succubus who had earlier threatened Teest with a sword. Holding a lantern that illuminated only himself, he approached in an eerie manner. He stopped outside the cell, lifting his lantern to illuminate his skeletal face, creating a spooky and icy atmosphere.

“With ‘Infatuation’, we can get everything, from secrets that can’t be pried out to information that can’t be extracted through torture,” the succubus coldly said. “You all don’t know this? And you claim to be comrades of the succubi.”

“That’s because they’re all pure-hearted people,” Teest softly replied. “Dear brethren, are you here to set us free?”

“We have questions for you alone,” the indifferent succubus stated. “These humans will stay here. You come with us.”

“No! I’m going with him,” Nol blurted out.

The prison might be somewhat safe, and these shackles wouldn’t confine Players. But if Teest was taken away alone, there was no telling what would happen to him.

The succubus sneered, “You don’t have the right—”

“He’s my husband, so he certainly has the right,” Teest interrupted. “We made vows before the Goddess of Life. Only death can separate us.”

Anakin and Solo were stunned. While Anakin was somewhat calmer, Solo nearly gasped out loud.

“Lies.”

“If you don’t believe us, look at the necklaces we wear,” Teest continued in his gentle tone, playing the role of a harmless, affable succubus. “We wear matching wedding rings, see?”

The succubus, half-doubting, pulled out their necklaces and saw the rings. His expression turned complicated. Nol felt the shock from the two Players, their intense gazes piercing through the darkness.

“This could mean something else,” the succubus finally said after a pause. If it weren’t for Anakin nudging Solo in time, Solo might’ve agreed.

‘There’s no other way,’ Nol thought to himself. They shouldn’t be wasting time on such trivial matters. It was dim here anyway, so why not let a modern person like himself take charge?

He tilted his body, getting close to Teest’s face.

Just a second before their lips met, Nol turned his head, trying to deceive the succubus by pretending to kiss. However, his “legal husband” seemed to have the same idea.

The two shifted towards each other simultaneously, and their lips met firmly in a genuine kiss.

Nol: “.…..”

Teest: “.…..”

Nol’s mind was almost blank.

‘My first kiss was to a man… What a twist in life,’ he thought blankly. He wondered how they appeared to the two Players. At this moment, the pupils of the two Players trembled so violently that it seemed like they’d cause an earthquake.

Teest’s breathing paused for a moment, and he elegantly shifted away, pretending the kiss was practiced.

“Isn’t that enough?” Teest’s tone was almost accusatory. “It’s very rude to treat our kind like this. Are you trying to make enemies with the clan of Shiva by even taking away my lover?”

The succubus remained silent even longer before finally letting out a deep sigh.

“You both come with me,” he said wearily. “The other two humans stay here—and don’t try anything suspicious, or we won’t be so courteous.”

The two Players remained silent. Nol suspected they weren’t scared but simply in shock. Avoiding their intense stares, Nol wobbly stood up, leaving the cell with Teest. As they departed the dungeon, the Players’ eyes followed them.

Nol wanted to mentally communicate with Teest to explain, but Teest remained silent as if nothing happened. Emphasizing now would seem forced. With the situation being so odd and serious matters at hand, it was best to pretend nothing happened. After all, it wasn’t a deep kiss, just a peck.

Thus, the two maintained their silence, and the only sound nearby was the clinking of chains against the floor.

Watching them leave, Anakin and Solo gasped almost simultaneously.

“You said you used the ‘Silent Truth’ to verify, right?” Rogue Solo stuttered. “You said they were half-brothers! Ah, brothers with a couple’s ring pendants?!”

“Maybe they were just acting.” Anakin’s voice was filled with uncertainty.

“You can’t act that out, sister. Imagine us kissing… urgh!” The young rogue didn’t finish before making a gagging sound.

Anakin gagged even louder. “No, no, no. Absolutely not. Just kill me now.”

“Same here.” Solo grimaced. “Did you see any disgust between them? I didn’t. Don’t tell me they’re actually together…”

“’Even though we have different mothers, I swear in the Goddess’ name that our bond is close…’ Landus said so.” Anakin recalled, taking deep breaths. “Thinking about it, this statement also applies to those officially engaged.”

“I get it now.” Solo sighed in relief. “The Temple of Life publicly doesn’t oppose but doesn’t exactly support same-sex marriage either. Given your ‘Saint’ status, they might have been wary of you being radical… Well, misleading us like this is kind of sad.”

“Indeed.” Anakin reflected.

“…So, are they really a couple? Even married? They must be rare NPCs!”

“Exactly, we have to build a good relationship with them.” Anakin nodded seriously.

Ignoring their handcuffs, the two decisively high-fived.

……

Nol and Teest followed the succubus towards the main chamber of the nest.

Slowly, Nol recognized the familiar design. The surroundings grew brighter, with colorful stones forming beautiful patterns on the tiles. The milky-white walls were spotless, adorned with ever-fresh flowers and leaves. The increasingly sweet fragrance gave a sense of lightheadedness.

The succubi maintained their nest well. Everything was vibrant, and the guards diligently stood their posts—though dressed in refined armor, they looked like dried-up corpses.

This made even the most charming scene eerily uncanny. Nol’s mood grew heavier, almost forgetting the lingering sensation on his lips.

The succubus leading them remained silent, guiding them to the royal court’s grand hall. As they arrived at the grand door, it opened on its own.

Behind the slowly opening doors, Nol saw the succubus’ throne. It was decorated with gem-carved flowers, an exquisite seat of power that was as beautiful as a work of art.

However, the seat was empty.

The author has something to say:

Laughing to death at how they kissed for the first time——

Nol: “Teest didn’t mention it, so he probably didn’t mind. I shouldn’t awkwardly bring it up…”

Teest: “Nol didn’t mention it, so he probably didn’t mind. I shouldn’t awkwardly bring it up…”

The two Players: “They must be involved!”

Kinky Thoughts:

I believe the term for a male succubus is an incubus. However, I don’t want to change too much terminology in case it’s important to the story and want to reflect the author’s intention since she didn’t specifically use (梦魇).

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 49: Romantic Comedy

“I didn’t expect this matter to be so… personal,” Teest said an hour later.

At the moment, the two of them stood straight in the “bedroom”. The atmosphere was even more peculiar than that evening at Aunt Sophie’s.

Priestess Anakin generously offered them a tent. Like all magic tents, this small pointy one had an interior of about 30 square meters, including a simple living room and a semi-open bedroom.

A larger tent that could accommodate four people wasn’t too expensive, but Nol guessed that both groups needed ample privacy.

As a result, Nol was tasked with helping Teest change into his costume.

“Just as Anakin said, changing clothes to the usual extent is just inappropriate in front of the opposite sex.”

Nol cleared his throat, trying to rectify Teest’s ambiguous statement. “You just show your waist, stick the tail to your spine, and it will automatically align—attach the horns and tail, and finally the outer robe. You don’t need to change your underwear.”

Teest didn’t move while his succubus tail was happily bouncing on the bed.

“Just stick it to the spine, and it’s done in a few seconds. It doesn’t hurt at all.” Thinking Test hadn’t heard him, Nol repeated.

“You try it first,” Teest said.

“Wha—what?”

“I said, you try it first. I need to see the actual effect.” Teest kept his annoying smile. “I don’t like putting things I haven’t touched close to my body. What if it’s a letter opener 2.0? Don’t worry, it’s better for only me to see than for everyone to watch. Your knight won’t mock you.”

Nol found he couldn’t argue. The effect of the letter opener was too strong. It was no wonder Teest was wary.

So, he reluctantly removed his robe and began to unbutton his inner shirt. The atmosphere was admittedly odd as he sat on the edge of the bed, deliberately avoiding looking at Teest.

Teest, arms crossed, watched as Nol slowly undressed. Nol’s physique was indeed very much like a traditional mage, lacking the muscular lines typical of warriors. Fortunately, he had maintained a good figure with a flexible waist and no excess fat, offering a different kind of appeal.

…It was rare to see Mr. Lich so uncomfortable that his neck turned a bit red. Teest found this extremely amusing.

A few steps away, Nol spread his shirt without completely taking it off. He grabbed the active tail on the bed, clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and stuck its base to his lower back.

The lively tail immediately solidified, and the end touching the skin lit up with a faint red glow. Around the contact point, intricate magical patterns spread out on the fair skin like ripples.

The tail moved itself to the coccyx position as the patterns shimmered. Once in the correct position, the magical patterns dimmed, and the skin merged flawlessly, showing no imperfections.

‘…It’s a miracle,’ Teest thought, albeit slightly naughty.

However, the next moment, the tail stiffened.

Nol’s face tensed.

Only now did he realize how hard it was to control this thing attached to him. The unfamiliar sensation, weight, and the control of this living limb all appeared at once, overwhelming him.

Trying to showcase the tail, Nol was forced to stand up and almost lost his balance.

He didn’t know how to control it, so the tail straightforwardly portrayed his nervous state—it remained unnaturally straight, with the tip pointing obliquely at the ground.

Ignoring his open shirt, he tried to fiddle with the tail, but it continued to mimic an antenna. He stumbled a couple of steps, and the tail wobbled a few times, like a substandard electronic accessory.

“Hahahahahahaha—” Teest laughed out loud. “My Lord Lich, you look like you’ve been shot in the lower back!”

Nol gave up on the defiant tail. There was a rare blush on his cheeks. “You said you wouldn’t mock me!”

“Who said your knight is a Fallen Knight? I don’t have any chivalry.” Teest continued to laugh uncontrollably while gesturing. “Haha, don’t be mad. Maybe someone likes your… um, particularly naive succubus look.”

Nol took a deep breath, wanting to argue with him. However, seeing Teest’s genuinely happy smile, something he hadn’t seen in their long time traveling together, Nol couldn’t get angry.

Of course, it would’ve been better if the smile wasn’t at his expense, Nol thought with a sulky face. Not being angry didn’t mean he wouldn’t seek revenge.

He forcefully detached the tail by tapping its base thrice and lunged at  Teest—who was still doubled over laughing—catching him off guard.

Using his weight, Nol pressed Teest face down on the bed. With a snap of his fingers, skeletal hands emerged from the bed, firmly grasping Teest.

Teest didn’t resist but turned his face with a sly smile. “Is this how you treat your dear brother?”

“Yes, as the future leader of monsters, I’m this brutal.”

Nol lifted himself, sitting back on the bed’s edge, and playfully waved the tail in front of Teest. “Now that I’ve demonstrated, it’s your turn, Deceitful Knight. You laughed so loudly earlier. Surely you can control it completely.”

“Who knows?” Teest teased with a smile.

Teest wore a short tunic that easily lifted at the top. Nol decisively pushed away the fabric at his waist, revealing a slim and strong torso—damn, Teest really had a good figure.

Realizing that Teest was still trembling from holding back laughter, Nol’s temples pulsed, and he pressed down on Teest’s lower back.

“Ouch!” Teest let out a sudden groan of pain.

Startled, Nol quickly pulled away his bony fingers, clumsily tapping on the base of the tail. “Hey, hey! What’s wrong with you? Does it hurt?”

Before he could touch the base, the long black tail suddenly curled up, wrapping around Nol’s wrist. Before he could react, the arrow-shaped tail tip deftly squeezed between his fingers—warm and soft, yet uniquely resilient, reminiscent of a not-so-wet tongue. The tail was surprisingly strong, and Nol couldn’t break free.

In the next moment, with the world spinning around him, Nol found himself pressed against the edge of the bed.

Teest leaned over. His eyes were still curved with amusement, and his long hair hung down, brushing against Nol’s cheek.

The tail seemed to be a natural extension of Teest’s body. It lazily unwound from Nol’s wrist and gently wrapped around his neck—slightly warmer than body temperature and smooth to the touch.

At this moment, the soft tip of the tail gently caressed Nol’s throat.

“It seems I’m indeed better at this than you,” Teest said with a smile. “It doesn’t hurt at all. Honey, if you want to pretend to be a leader of monsters, you can’t be so easily deceived.”

“And you said you’re not a succubus,” Nol said through gritted teeth. “Mr. Teest, how long have you been separated from your tail?”

“I remember we said goodbye on a rainy night…” Teest pretended to recall nostalgically, the tail tip still leisurely twirling beside Nol’s jaw.

Taking advantage of Teest’s act, Nol tried to lower his head and gently bit the tail tip.

Teest, jolted from the distraction, took a sharp breath.

He glanced at Nol and quickly retracted the tail wrapped around his neck. The tail now swayed powerfully behind him, like that of a large feline.

Nol pushed away Teest’s hand, sat up from the edge of the bed, and began to button up his shirt. “Don’t forget your devil horns and clothes. We still have to meet with those two Players later.”

“Ah, good times are always so short-lived.” Teest lamented while rubbing the tip of his tail. Shadow Wolf Ben emerged from its shadow, its red eyes following the tail’s movements.

“Stop staring. It’s not food,” Nol cautioned, pressing a finger to the cool nose of the shadow wolf. “Go play on the edge of the forest, and make sure you guard the place well.”

The shadow wolf licked its nose and whined softly twice in reply.

“Aren’t we taking it?” Teest, now behaving more maturely, asked as he fixed horns on his head.

“We can’t. Bringing non-living things like Kando is okay… but the succubi built their lair on the Dream Edge, specifically to guard against intelligent beings,” Nol explained while pulling at a fleshy part of the wolf’s muzzle. “With it guarding the camp, we can rest a bit easier.”

While the shadow wolf possessed some intelligence, it was minimal, making it hard to bring along. Fortunately, it had strong attributes. The depths of the Black Forest were as mysterious as the deep sea, home to unknown creatures. But in the forest’s edges and middle, the shadow wolf could roam freely, making it perfect for guarding.

“Alright then.” Teest shrugged, adjusting his newly changed attire.

His outfit resembled the chlamys from ancient Greece, essentially a large piece of white fabric draped around his body, leaving Teest’s neck, chest, and limbs largely exposed. For the sake of convenience in combat and to prevent any indecent exposure, a few intricately decorated bands were added. Combined with the deceptive appearance of the Mad Monk, he looked somewhat divine in a classical way.

Unfortunately, the swaying black tail and the sharp horns amidst his white hair betrayed him.

At a glance, Teest looked almost indistinguishable from a real succubus. Thankfully, Anakin bought a standard set… the deluxe set even included wings. If he really had put them on, Nol couldn’t imagine the spectacle. He clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Alright, let’s—”

Before Nol could finish, he was momentarily entranced by Teest’s glowing golden eyes. After a few seconds, he snapped out of it.

“…Don’t suddenly charm me!”

“Ah, now I can relax,” Teest replied playfully, poking Nol’s chest with his tail tip.

Nol rolled his eyes and took out Kando from the box. Upon seeing Teest, Kando exclaimed in surprise.

“You guys are seriously messed up!” It exclaimed. “Seriously, I’m begging you. Can you do something a normal person would do for once? Every time! Every single time! You always find yourselves in these bizarre situations—woah!”

Nol pulled out a hollow, cylindrical black crystal, placing the candle upside down inside it. From the outside, only a small part of the crystal at the top of the staff emitted a faint blue glow.

It was something he had hastily made overnight to deal with the Players. The staff was also wrapped in a few rounds of hemp, making it look quite cheap.

“It’s boring like this. I can’t see anything,” the candle mumbled miserably from inside.

“Don’t be picky.” Teest pressed the crystal down firmly to ensure the candle was thoroughly concealed. “Alright, Mr. Lich, is there anything else you need to prepare?”

Nol took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

……

“…Crush the leaves of these flowers to extract the juice and drop it into the candle. Then soak the petals in essential oil until they turn purple. Just apply this essential oil to your eyelids, and then sleep.”

In the deepening night, Nol carefully explained.

“This isn’t astral projection. Our physical bodies will not be left behind. There’s no need to worry about guarding them…”

Even though they were momentarily stunned by Teest’s captivating charm, the two Players weren’t distracted. Under Nol’s guidance, everything was ready within an hour.

The purple essential oil had a particularly rich fragrance. Nol dipped his fingertip in it, carefully applying it to his eyelids. He and Teest leaned against the same tree, closing their eyes.

The cousins chose another nearby tree, with Anakin tightly holding onto her younger brother’s wrist.

Amidst the rich and intoxicating aroma, all four quickly fell asleep.

Nol dreamt of the neon lights in City A at night.

He was coming home from work late as usual, the aroma of street food filling the air. Feeling nostalgic, he carried two portions of fried chicken and two portions of grilled cold noodles as his stomach grumbled loudly.

So it turned out everything before was just a hallucination from overworking. How could anyone really transmigrate into their own game?

Nol—Xu Yue roamed the snack street, internally ridiculing his delusion. Suddenly, he detected the unique scent of baking.

Ah, there’s a cake shop open so late. Maybe I can also buy two peach cakes.

…Wait, why was he buying two of each?

…Why did he buy two of every food item?

…Right… Teest was waiting for him… But clearly, Teest wasn’t here…

His vision blurred, and the vivid colors of the snack street seemed to explode. The world felt like it was spinning, and he closed his eyes to bear it.

The next moment, Nol opened his eyes.

Teest was squatting in front of him, holding his chin, with his tail moving about.

“I was just thinking, if you didn’t wake up soon, I’d have to poke you awake,” Teest laughed.

Nol blinked, looking around.

The forest was still the same, as were the tents. However, the once green lawn now looked brighter, dotted with numerous tiny white flowers. The once dark night was now illuminated, with neither the sun nor the moon in sight. Instead, the sky blended shades of lilac and pale rose.

A pale purple mist continuously rolled at the horizon, filling the air with a sweet scent—it was hard to determine if it was floral or fruity.

The two Players were still sleeping soundly under the neighboring tree, their bodies giving off a surreal, semi-transparent aura.

“We’re here, at the edge between reality and dreams,” Nol said, his voice a bit hoarse.

“Did you have a nightmare?” Teest didn’t follow up immediately.

“…Sort of,” Nol replied.

The neon lights of that world lingered in his vision, and a subtle sour sensation remained in his heart.

Teest hummed in acknowledgment, rubbing Nol’s head. “It’s over now. Don’t dwell on it.”

Before Nol could raise an eyebrow at this strange behavior, Teest leaned in. “Those two Players just woke up. Remember now, I’m your elder brother, right?”

“Damn, this place is… amazing,” Rogue Solo exclaimed, looking around. “Wait, let me correct myself. It’s a bit creepy too. There’s not even the chirping of birds—feels fake.”

Anakin cautiously pulled out her wand.

It was a small, elegant wand, just a bit longer than a pen. Made of silver metal, it was adorned with a milk-white orb the size of a lychee at the end.

This wand was called the “Perfect Teardrop”. Nol recognized it. It was an exclusive weapon for the White Priest class, and its power ranked among the top ten of this level.

“This place really gives off an uneasy vibe,” Anakin whispered.

‘That’s a bit of an overreaction,’ Nol thought. The name “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” came from a famous romantic comedy and was related to a heartwarming love story.

Two hundred years had passed, and although the story might have concluded, the sequel couldn’t be that bad—after all, Players could still receive related quests.

Anakin euphemistically shared the outline of their quest, which was similar to the original mission setting. They all have to “relieve the troubles of the Succubus Queen”.

The succubus was considered a small immortal species. The queen may not have changed, so there shouldn’t be any trouble…

“Now that we have successfully entered, if it is convenient, please tell us more details,” Nol said with a smile.

It was time to lighten the mood with some good stories.

“Oh, that love tragedy.” Rogue Solo touched his chin. “I have read the text for what felt like 800 times, so feel free to ask any details. That story, well… it’s quite realistic.”

Tragic love story*?

*Note: They are talking about the in-game story, not the actual literature of A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by Shakespeare. For more details on that, see my Kinky Thoughts.

Nol’s brows twitched.

“But my teacher said that ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a token of love between the succubus Queen Hyacinth and her lover Decoste. They are a happy couple.”

Hyacinth was a stunning genius of the succubus clan. This queen’s wisdom was no less than her beauty.

During her adventurous journey, Hyacinth met Decoste, a human friend. They wandered into the deep Black Forest together. Over time, the two fell in love with each other.

Decoste’s family was wealthy, and he generously spent a lot of property to buy twelve perfect red magic diamonds to woo Hyacinth.

Hyacinth accepted his pursuit.

She spent all her life learning to create the twelve red magic diamonds into the “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a testimony of their love… This was the background story of this legendary set of jewelry.

In the quest two hundred years ago, the two lovers got into trouble because of a misunderstanding, and the Players needed to help them solve this little trouble. After that, they would live happily together… as they should.

“Your teacher probably only read the beginning of the story.”

Solo shook his head sadly.

“They may have fallen in love, but according to the existing literature, they didn’t even survive the contradiction of the ‘lifespan theory’.”

“They’re all dead. Decoste died of old age and illness after remarrying, and Hyacinth committed suicide a few years later… Those documents were specially collected by Decoste’s descendants.”

“They died over a hundred and fifty years ago.”

The author has something to say:

Nol: Help, my blood pressure is up again!

Teest: (touching his head)

————————————

I actually wrote about a succubus fight…ah, a succubus fight (…

Kinky Thoughts:

The story of A Midsummer’s Night Dream by William Shakespeare is a comedy set in Athens that consists of several subplots surrounding the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. They all have themes related to love, blending humor, fantasy, and romance elements. At the end, all the subplots are resolved, and everyone is reconciled (which is why Nol reacted the way he did, since it’s not a tragic love story, unlike Shakespeare’s other works).

You can go to the Wikipedia to read up on the entire plot.

Most likely, Nian Zhong referencing the lover’s quarrel between Hyacinth and Decoste from the Fairy King and Queen in Shakespeare’s play, where the Fairy King Oberon and Fairy Queen Titania are having a lover’s feud.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 48: Succubus Tail

Anakin led them to an unremarkable small restaurant.

Hidden on the corner of a street, the restaurant wasn’t particularly outstanding in appearance. Its storefront didn’t boast flashy magical artifacts, and the daily menu was written in plain ink on parchment, loosely attached to the wall. Nol remembered this corner. In the design, this place was supposed to be a small greenhouse.

“It’s a family restaurant. I come here often. It’s a bit small, but the food is really good,” Anakin said.

It wasn’t mealtime, so there weren’t many customers. She chose the table furthest inside.

The owner quickly served the food. Nol realized why she liked this place—the owner seemed to be an immigrant, with dishes mainly featuring stir-fries and stews that were uncommon in Shidina, catering more to the tastes of people from Country C.

Nol deeply understood her sentiment.

“Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Anakin, a Priestess. This young guy is my cousin, Solo, who often roams the streets, up to no good. Both of us have no surnames—we’re genuine commoners.”

The Priestess still wore a gentle smile. In the dim light, her smile seemed a tad deceitful, as if luring children.

Anakin had transformed her Player’s earring into a rose-shaped gold earring. Solo, on the other hand, chose to blend in. Not only did he modify his Player’s earring, but he also adorned both ears with a plethora of earrings and studs, fully embracing the punk aesthetic.

Their individual names seemed harmless, but together they appeared suspicious. Nol wanted to ask if Solo had a friend named Chewbacca*, but he held back.

*Clarity: Referencing Anakin Solo from Star Wars.

“My name is Landus. You’ve met my younger brother Ross.”

At this moment, Teest seemed quite normal. With folded hands, he sounded gentle and refined. “Thank you both for today. If it weren’t for you, my brother would have been seriously injured… It’s my fault. I should have looked after him better.”

Rogue Solo glanced at Teest’s face, then at Nol’s, and finally at Anakin. His face clearly read, “I understand you now,” and his expression gradually warmed.

“Oh, it was nothing! That drunkard must have been an outsider, causing a commotion on the commercial street like that. Many were watching. Even if I didn’t step in, you’d be fine.”

Solo’s tone was enthusiastic. “This street belongs to the ‘General’. That guy even wanted to grab assets from the Alva Merchant Group. He’s clearly courting death.”

The young Rogue’s eyes sparkled, almost as if urging, “Aren’t you curious? Ask me!” It was clear they had also just arrived in Grape Collar.

“Um, we haven’t been back here for many years. Everyone knows the Alva Merchant Group, but who is this ‘General’?” Teest asked smoothly.

“The biggest gang leader in town—the big boss of the underworld. Rumor has it he has a good relationship with the Alva Merchant Group.”

The Rogue put his hands behind his head and said in a relaxed tone, “If you want to stay out of trouble, better not misbehave here—well, don’t do anything the ‘General’ doesn’t approve of.”

“So you’re one of the ‘General’s’ men?” Teest inquired.

“No, no, no. I belong to another organization. The ‘General’ collaborates with us, which is why I can make a living here,” Rogue Solo said with a sheepish grin.

Nol somewhat grasped the current situation.

The Temple of Life was willing to accept Players. However, for the sake of its image, it wouldn’t just accept anyone. Jobs like black mages, thieves, and barbarian warriors needed to level up too. If they acted under the Temple’s “Saints” banner, it would be tricky for the temple.

And not all Players trusted the Temple. Those not wanting to join the Eternal Church would ideally operate in the gray zone. This way, their fellow Players in the Temple could still look out for them.

“Which organization do you belong to?” Nol feigned interest. “My teacher has talked about famous organizations from various countries. Maybe I’ve heard of it.”

“‘Hermitage’. It’s relatively new. You probably haven’t heard of it.” Solo rubbed his nose. “But our friends… Well, acquaintances, are spread far and wide. Hey, mentioning this name might save you some trouble in the future.”

Nol mentally noted the “Homeward Saints Guild” that was attached to the Temple of Life and the more independent “Hermitage”. Now he knew of two formal Player guilds.

“Thank you for the offer.” Nol nodded.

Solo looked at Nol and Teest as if he’d found an oasis in a desert. Nol, feeling a bit creeped out, tried to control his facial expressions and cleared his throat.

“I’ve been thinking about how to repay the two of you,” Nol began slowly, his eyes focused on a small stain on the table. “My teacher once told me about a hidden treasure. Unfortunately, before we could embark on an adventure, my teacher passed away… Now, I want to find that treasure.”

“My brother and I aren’t powerful enough. If the two of you could join us, we’d be willing to share the spoils.”

Solo’s eyes lit up. Anakin’s eyes also flashed with momentary delight, though she was more reserved in her reaction. “Are you sure this treasure exists?”

“Yes. My teacher said it’s a collection of beautiful jewels. Among them, a set named ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is the most precious, possessing remarkable magical powers,” Nol said, dangling the bait.

Squeak—!

Anakin moved abruptly, causing her chair to scrape the floor.

“Sorry, sorry,” she hurriedly said, realizing her gaffe. “We’ve been looking for this ancient jewelry set. I got a bit excited.”

“I mean, we won’t ask you to give it to us… If you’re willing to part with a few pieces, we’d be very grateful. The Saints will offer equal monetary compensation in return. We can make a formal agreement,” she quickly added, worried about potential misunderstandings.

Sure enough, this is a normal Player. Nol sighed deep down. If it were the people from the Eternal Church, they would have backstabbed after using them and would go to any lengths to achieve their ends.

“It’s said that the jewelry set has four pieces. We only want the pair of earrings from it.”

Teest naturally took over the topic. “You can have the crown and necklace, and the found gems will be equally divided. There’s no need for extra money. It’s a great honor for us if the two of you would join us.”

“We have only one requirement.” After a pause of two seconds, Teest continued with a smile, “Considering the nature of this trip, we hope you understand that we don’t want too many companions.”

Anakin’s face turned sad, looking almost like she was about to cry. Her expression gave off a feeling of—perhaps this metaphor wasn’t quite right—relief after being constipated for several days.

“Of course, we understand. Goddess above, thank you for your generous offerings.” She quickly reverted to her saintly demeanor as she spoke in a dreamy voice.

Rogue Solo stuffed a piece of fried eggplant into his mouth and tried hard not to roll his eyes.

“What are you skilled at?” he asked Teest after swallowing the eggplant. “I know your brother is a mage… My cousin and I aren’t very good at holding off enemies. We might be short-handed.”

‘Watching Players try to fool NPCs is quite fun,’ Nol thought, holding back a smile. Indeed, mages were damage dealers as well as thieves, and then there was a healer. From the Players’ perspective, they still needed a tank in their team.

Coincidentally, Teest was a tank—a Fallen Knight was still a knight. Just today, he dressed in robes and glasses, making him look like a ranged class.

“I know a bit of swordsmanship,” Teest said, taking a sip of hot grape tea and adjusting his glasses.

……

“…According to later investigations, a swordsman and a mage appeared in the Battle of Whitebird City.”

Inside the grand cathedral of the Temple of Life, Knight Eugune, captain of the Fifth Regiment, reported with his head bowed.

“It’s confirmed that they clashed with the Eternal Demons, Crimson and Jack, and severely wounded the former Lord of Whitebird City, Jonah Swain, before our arrival. Their identity, affiliation, and relationship with the ‘Mad Monk’ are unknown.”

“The two didn’t show hostility towards the Temple. We seek guidance from the Goddess, Your Eminence.”

“I’ve heard about the tragedy of Whitebird City. You’ve done well, Knight Eugene.” An elderly voice answered from above.

“The Holy Land hasn’t received a new oracle. Those two might not be our adversaries… With the followers of the evil god rampant everywhere, your vigilance is commendable. If you can, consider investigating on your own.”

“I always follow God’s guidance.”

Eugene currently wasn’t wearing his gauntlets. He interlaced his ten fingers, forming a shape reminiscent of an ear of wheat. He then lowered his head and gently kissed the emerald ring on his thumb—from beneath the gem, the emblem of the Goddess of Life emitted a faint glow.

“Another thing, the ‘Night of the Hunt’ dungeon near Grape Collar has been completely destroyed. The temple in Grape Collar has taken in many people trapped inside. Unlike previous cases, some recall their experiences inside but not how they left. At the same time, ‘Hermitage’ reported that Demon Jack has vanished from their ‘list’, and Demon Crimson was later spotted near the dungeon.”

“Do you suspect the unknown swordsman and mage?”

“The Eternal Church’s Demons hate being at a disadvantage. ‘Night of the Hunt’ is located on the trade route between Whitebird City and Grape Collar. It might not be a coincidence,” Eugene said, lowering his head even more.

“If there’s a related oracle, the Fifth Regiment will take priority.”

“Yes,” Eugene closed his eyes and responded solemnly.

“Remember, currently prioritize the needs of the Homeward Saints. God has made it clear: They are our best hope against the darkness,” The elderly Archbishop said. “Lately, monsters fluent in all languages have appeared, perhaps a sign of the Demon King’s power… The Eternal Church is but a temporary adversary. Defeating the Demon King is our long-standing goal.”

“These monsters’ souls also hail from another world. If discovered, handle them discreetly, ensuring the Saints don’t get unnecessary thoughts.”

“God’s will is my will,” Eugene replied.

“If you’re interested in the destruction of ‘Night of the Hunt’, the Fifth Regiment can assist the temple in Grape Collar—the Saints there have been quite active lately,” the Archbishop suggested.

Eugene stood up and bowed deeply.

He raised his head, looking past the elderly man seated in a high position, towards the stained-glass windows of the temple.

Countless colors converged to form an image of the Goddess of Life, Tilia. Sunlight filtered through, scattering a mosaic of light across the floor. Eugene’s green eyes softened slightly, his gaze gentle and tender.

……

“What is this?” Teest asked with a smile.

When he asked this question, he gave a sidelong glance at Nol. The latter’s gaze was like a plastic bag in a wild wind, drifting especially randomly.

The Players were very enthusiastic. After their agreement, Anakin brought them outside the city the next day, heading towards the edge of the Black Forest in a carriage.

On the fast-moving carriage, Anakin carefully set up a wooden table and started placing props on it.

…Very strange props.

Teest looked at the succubus tail in his hand, which wriggled like a snake, for a few seconds before asking the aforementioned question.

‘It’s just a cosmetic item from the game shop,’ Nol thought as he looked at the roof of the carriage.

Teest, whose game functions were largely sealed off as “God’s Forsaken”, might not have noticed it before. After all, cosmetics were just that—flashy and expensive, which were basically junk for the Mad Monk.

There was also a matching pair of very stereotypical devil horns, as well as an even more stereotypical… um, outfit. Thankfully, their game had gone through review, so the level of exposure was relatively restrained, and it wasn’t made in a tight-fitting style.

“Everyone knows our destination is the succubus lair,” Anakin said seriously. “You both have distinctive looks. This attire can help lower the hostility of the succubi. Consider these two sets as gifts. No need for thanks.”

Nol tried to suppress the quaking of his pupils.

…What’s there to be so polite about?! It wasn’t like they needed to use this in order to access the dungeon!

Beside him, Teest kept flipping and examining that succubus tail, his eyebrows raising higher and higher.

The corner of Anakin’s mouth also trembled. She tried to sound serious, making the situation less awkward. “The two of you offered clues about the ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. It’s the least we could do in return. Actually, my companions searched the edge of the Black Forest for a long time but never found the succubus lair mentioned in the texts.”

Nol blinked, then it clicked.

The “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was a unique jewelry set. The game developers were wary about letting the AI take liberties with the sensitive nature of the succubi, so they set a specific quest flow.

Players might have found records to trigger the quest and successfully accept it. But with two hundred years having passed, physical records inevitably got lost or damaged, and it was hard to match the changing landscapes, so their struggle to find it made sense.

“Don’t worry. My teacher taught me how to enter their lair.” Nol decided to give the two Players some insider tips.

In the setting of “Tahe”, succubi would nest near the edges of cities in forests. They avoid direct contact with humanoid beings, instead giving them indescribable dreams to draw life force from.

In other words, in the world of Tahe, succubi were the rulers of dreams.

But their powers had significant limitations. To successfully target someone, the succubus must have seen the person directly. During dream manipulation, they couldn’t be too far from their target. Also, they couldn’t share a target. They each needed their own.

Given these limitations, it was no wonder they liked to nest near forests frequented by humans. If Players were looking for a common succubus, indiscriminate searching would’ve found them by now.

But this was about the “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” quest.

After explaining the nature of the succubi, Nol could only help Players skip the tedious parts of the quest chain.

“… My teacher said the succubus borrowed the power of that jewelry to build their nest on the boundary between dreams and reality. By normal means, you can’t get in. Wait until nightfall, and I’ll teach you,” Nol said earnestly.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” exclaimed Rogue Solo. “Sir, you must be a monster expert.”

“I am indeed very interested in monsters,” Nol modestly replied, “But we don’t need to dress like succubi. We could…”

“I said it’s okay. Don’t be polite. It’s the safest way.” Anakin smiled gently.

Nol: “……” He shouldn’t have released this outfit as the first batch!

As they spoke, the driverless carriage arrived at the border of the Black Forest.

This forest was much more expansive than the one near Whitebird City. If the Whitebird City’s forest was like a normal forest park, the Black Forest would be comparable to the Amazon Rainforest, being the second-largest forest in Tahe.

The largest forest was in the north, in the territory of Shiva, the realm of non-human entities. While the Shiva Forest was vast, it had been thoroughly explored by generations of inhabitants and was now under the control of intelligent life forms.

The Black Forest, on the other hand, was different. It was filled with all sorts of thick fog, marshes, and magical creatures, exuding danger and mystery.

They left the Grape Collar in the early morning, and now the western sky was already painted with hues of twilight. Anakin didn’t dare let the carriage enter the Black Forest, stopping just at its edge.

Nol dumbfoundedly looked at the succubus tail in his hand. He glanced around to see Solo’s sour expression, as if he had eaten something bitter. Only Anakin and Teest seemed calm.

Suddenly, Nol had an idea and exclaimed, “Wait, we can’t all dress like this.”

“Why?” Anakin paused, hand still on the horn.

“If we all dress as succubi, the four of us could be perceived as a new ‘tribe’. Our actions might be seen as invasive, making the succubi more wary,” Nol explained truthfully.

“That’s great!” Solo quickly put away the outfit. “Sister, if you want to wear it, go ahead. I’m a bit shy.”

“Mingling with humans would be worse, right?” Anakin whispered, stepping on Solo’s foot.

“No, succubi don’t inherently despise humans. They have a strong need for social interaction, often blending with other humanoid species.”

If they didn’t understand human needs, how could they craft efficient dreams? Social skills were essential for every succubus.

“Then…” Anakin hesitated with the costume in her hand.

Everyone wearing it wouldn’t be a problem. But if even one person refrained, it could make those who wear it feel… awkward.

“I’ll wear it,” Teest volunteered. “Miss Anakin and your brother need not force themselves. My brother is more introverted. He probably can’t handle it. By his logic, I’m enough on my own.”

Anakin’s gaze traveled across their faces. “But you guys look…”

Teest smiled faintly.

Removing his gold-rimmed glasses and loosening his tied-back black hair, the strands turned snow-white, and his blue eyes shone a brilliant gold. After reverting to his original appearance, Teest unbuttoned his collar.

“Now we don’t look like brothers.” Teest grinned.

Nol sensed a familiar yet subtle wave—Teest was covertly using “Dream Manipulation” on the Players.

“Then we’ll rely on you,” Anakin said, nodding as she decisively put away her costume.

“You’re too kind.”

Teest, playing with the long, slippery black tail, asked, “Now, can someone tell me how to wear this thing?”

The author has something to say:

Mad Monk, no scruples!

Nol:

Nol: It’s just selling cosmetics. Everyone can understand, right?! This isn’t a personal fetish. Just selling cosmetics…

————————————

By the way, I’ve corrected the previous description of the “Dream Manipulation” skill! It was previously written that it could only be used on NPCs. In fact, Teest had used it on Nol before, so the description was inaccurate (…

Also, the names of the two Players are references to Star Wars. Some readers might not be familiar with this. Just to clarify _(:з」∠)

Kinky Thoughts:

I wonder if Teest would have scruples if he was told in order to wear the tail, he has to shove it up his…

———

I have gone back to that chapter (21) and fixed it, but for those chasing the novel as it’s being released, make note of it.

The change became: Dream Manipulation, an exclusive skill of the succubus, could only be used on intelligent humanoid beings.

As the chapters are being translated as they are released, changes made by the author will be fixed when the author points them out.

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