I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 127



126 – Named Succubus

Ichinose knew the abilities of the espers in the Academy City and the efficiency of the Security Bureau.

The ominous magical energy left behind by the Monolith would have already been detected.

Which was why she was, in a way, troubled.

If the missing person had been identified, would her parents in Samhwa Kingdom have heard the news? What about Instructor, and if Noah knew about the incident, wouldn’t they be very worried?

Wouldn’t her father’s daily schedule, already packed with business management and training, be thrown into disarray because of her?

Ichinose’s mind was filled with all sorts of anxieties.

Every time she walked through the secluded forest after the battles with the succubi and husks, these thoughts wouldn’t leave her head.

She knew these weren’t the worries a person dropped into a dungeon should have.

It was definitely a bad habit that made her mental fatigue doubly heavy.

Even so, Ichinose was simply that sort of person.

Nothing could be done; a girl for whom the best course was to keep her worries to herself.

But now, having found the pillow she so desperately sought, she could finally relax.

For a moment, however brief, she was distanced from her worries, set free.

“This…this is it! This is the texture I remember…”

This pillow is definitely a 100-point score.

Perfect. Her consciousness felt like it was floating away.

To think she had tried to use Rohan’s thigh as a pillow.

Something Ichinose, in her right mind, would never have done. And yet, for some reason, she had just gone ahead and done it.

Aside from the embarrassment, she was strangely satisfied that Rohan had stiffened up so completely.

“…”

Rohan maintained his silence. The sound of his breathing was pleasant to hear.

Simply lying there was enough to ease the tension, releasing the fatigue that had accumulated in her mind.

‘What a… remarkable scent…’

Rohan was emitting a heavier, more visceral smell than he had back on the deserted island.

The scent of a male.

Ichinose was experiencing it for the first time, but even without having learned it, the instinct inherent in women gave her certainty.

She felt a tepid heat on the back of her head.

A mass of blood flow, pulsing heavily as if it were about to touch the back of Ichinose’s head.

It seemed that Rohan was doing his utmost to restrain himself.

‘C-Could it be the aftereffects of the charm?’

If not, then had he felt some sort of s*xual impulse when he saw the succubus’s body?

“…”

Perhaps it was just an unyielding male instinct.

Even so, something…something felt unsatisfactory. That emotion took precedence over her embarrassment.

‘So, men really do prefer voluptuous bodies like succubi?’

As if she had wanted to be this small, Ichinose’s lips formed into a pout.

But amidst all that, a sliver of hope surfaced.

‘B-But, when you look at the fact that he hangs around with that woman, Clara…?’

One of the two people Rohan seemed particularly fond of and took care of.

A doll-like girl with pigtails floated to mind, and Ichinose’s heart fluttered erratically.

“Eung-ae Nose. Can’t sleep? Uncomfortable?”

“…I’m comfortable.”

“That’s a relief then.”

She had even regulated her breathing and was facing away so he couldn’t see her face.

How did Rohan know she wasn’t asleep?

He’s still such a mysterious man. So different from other men.

“Rohan. Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all.”

“Really not uncomfortable? You can be honest.”

“I’m fine. Should I sing you a lullaby?”

“No, thanks…”

Perhaps her heightened awareness was the problem.

Today, especially, she found herself deeply contemplating Rohan’s actions and the nickname “Eung-ae Nose.”

*Eung-ae*…did he not even consider her within the realm of a woman?

“Rohan.”

“Yeah?”

“Do I seem that childish to you…?”

Rohan didn’t miss the hint of disappointment in Ichinose’s voice.

This was the kindling that could burst into flames with a careless joke.

He couldn’t ignore even the smallest spark. If he didn’t extinguish it quickly, it could grow into a wildfire, too big to ever control.

“There’s no way I meant it like that.”

“…Then what did you mean?”

“How could I see someone so pretty as a child? I was trying to express it in a nice way, but I’m sorry if it made you feel bad.”

The moment Rohan’s words landed, a few seconds passed.

Then, Ichinose, who had been lying down, flopped like a fish. She sat up, her eyes wide as she looked at Rohan.

“P-Pretty…? Me…?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not like you haven’t heard it before.”

As Rohan said, it was a phrase she’d heard so often it was practically ingrained in her ears.

But the resonance was different this time. Her heart was pounding.

Ichinose burrowed against Rohan’s thigh again, desperately hiding her face.

“Should I stop calling you by your nickname?”

“…Only when we’re alone, since there’s no bad intention. I’ll allow it.”

“See? Naughty-nose really does have a big heart.”

A sign that she was relaxing now.

Rohan rested a hand on her shoulder, tapping out a slow rhythm.

Ichinose sank into a dreamland, feeling as relieved as if a thorn had been pulled from her flesh.

She slept for about an hour, give or take.

After her refreshing nap, Ichinose thanked Rohan.

Then, she stretched, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness.

“For food, there’s combat rations, bread, and jelly. Snacks, fried chicken, and pizza are probably out of the question… Is there anything you want? Rice would be a safe bet, I guess.”

Ichinose pondered Rohan’s question for a moment, then chose a menu item with a hesitant glance.

“W-would ramen be okay…?”

“You want ramen?”

From noble mtl dot com

Rohan gave her a surprised look, and Ichinose blushed, nodding slightly.

Ichinose had faced many challenges recently, and each one was met with failure.

No matter how she made it, her ramen never tasted like the one Rohan had prepared on the deserted island.

That ramen still lingered in the girl’s mind.

“I can’t make ramen with my skills… Would combat rations be okay for now? I’ll make you ramen when we get back.”

“I’m sorry for being so demanding. Of course, I’m grateful for the combat rations too.”

Ichinose wasn’t in a position to be picky. Being on the receiving end, she wanted to bow deeply in thanks.

And on top of that, the reward of ‘ramen’ when they returned? Excellent motivation.

Rohan conjured a large package of combat rations from thin air.

And quickly started preparing it.

“Just wait a bit. It’ll be ready soon.”

A dungeon populated by succubi who feast on life force.

If an ordinary person were dragged into a monolith, they would surely suffer greatly just from finding something to eat and drink.

In that situation, Rohan’s skills shone brightly.

Ichinose once again realized how fortunate she was to have Rohan by her side. His reliability was astonishing.

“This… it’s the same combat rations we ate on the deserted island.”

Ichinose, watching Rohan’s practiced hand, voiced what she had realized.

“Ah, you noticed? Keep it a secret from the instructor.”

“It’s a skill he possesses, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“As Noseno said, I don’t think they’ll say anything… but still.”

Ichinose reminisced about the practical exam, chatting with Rohan.

‘Rohan, back then, definitely…’

Ichinose remembered. Rohan hadn’t used his skills haphazardly on the deserted island.

When Noah, drawn in by the smell of ramen, was collapsing from hunger, he had produced supplies, claiming he had found them.

His first use of a skill wasn’t for himself, but for someone else.

“Rohan is so kind.”

A soft smile graced Ichinose’s lips.

..

..

Rohan and Ichinose, their energy replenished, headed towards the building they had glimpsed through the thick fog.

The closer they got, the clearer Rohan’s memories became.

That was the mansion possessed by a succubus. One of the named succubi was stationed here.

‘It’s not the location of the monolith.’

But it was a place they had to pass through.

There was a need to reduce their numbers to prevent solidarity, and they also needed experience fighting a proper succubus.

‘I can’t remember her name… what was it?’

He gave up on the information he couldn’t recall. He would approach as quietly as possible.

Even without entering, the outside was wide open. There were no walls or fences.

Walking through the nearby bushes, even just circling the perimeter, various things caught his eye.

‘That’s right. It was structured like this.’

The owner of this mansion enjoyed bathing outside. A giant bathtub was placed in the courtyard.

Black roses floated on the warm water with bath salts added.

Around the bathtub stood men who resembled butlers, lined up in a row.

All of them were young and slender.

Whether they became slender after coming here or were originally slender, he didn’t know.

According to Rohan’s memory, the named succubus residing here had a preference for that kind of attire.

‘Hmm.’

He studies the men carefully.

Their pale complexions and glazed eyes mirrored husks, but their facial skin wasn’t withered and dried out.

“Those are Pleasure Dolls.”

“They look different from husks, even at a glance.”

“It’s highly likely they possess combat abilities as well.”

They exchange hushed opinions.

Ichinose’s hand already hovered over the hilt of his sword, tight with tension.

To put it plainly, Pleasure Dolls were a succubus’s human collection.

Some might be made into Pleasure Dolls because the succubus fancied their appearance, while others might be kept close because they found their vitality particularly appealing.

There were even Pleasure Dolls kept as guards purely for their abilities, so the reasons for their collection varied greatly.

‘In any case, they’re humans who pleased a succubus in some way or another.’

*Shling!*

Rohan drew his sword from its sheath. He gripped the pistol in his holster with his left hand.

“Nose-baby. Shall we proceed?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

It was time to liberate those poor souls and grant them their rest.

And.

It was time to finally meet a named succubus, one they could talk to.