I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 132



131 – Olivia -1-

The second Named Succubus.

Before a name could even be uttered, a simple resolution, influenced by unfavorable compatibility.

Leaving the Succubus, frozen in stunned surprise even in death, behind them, Rohan and Ichinose exited the manor, littered with Fraser Stones.

The path, carved clumsily through the forest, continued to demand one-way passage.

Forced to follow the rudimentary trail, Rohan and Ichinose crossed another threshold.

A new vista unfolded.

“Could it… be a village?”

“Judging by its form, it definitely appears to be.”

“…”

Rohan, having anticipated it, took it in stride, but Ichinose remained silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

The pair opted not to plunge into the village so neatly nestled within the forest, instead maintaining a cautious distance, observing from afar.

“It’s possible this is a village where Succubi dwell. In a place like that, just Rohan passing through could be dangerous.”

“Hmm, certainly.”

Rohan couldn’t guarantee this dungeon was identical to the one he remembered.

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Carelessness was a direct path to demise, Ichinose’s caution was only right.

“In a village like this, let’s focus on discreetly searching for the Monolith. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good. Let’s move as quietly as possible.”

“Okay.”

Rohan drew Radiance and the Brand, taking the lead.

The dungeon’s lone human party pressed forward, cutting through the oppressively heavy fog.

Beginning to absorb the lifeless village in detail.

“…”

Brick-laid streets, black roses overgrown in flowerbeds, a fountain spewing a reverse cascade of violet water.

What Rohan and Ichinose beheld was a village plucked from the depths of some medieval fantasy game.

The structures adhered to that aesthetic, but everything else felt deeply alien.

Beneath a moon-dominated, ominous sky. A village constructed from Fraser Stones.

The Fraser Stones, as if each assigned a specific role, stood in predetermined locations, repeating the same movements.

Performing their master’s commands with vacant eyes.

One Fraser Stone, as if attempting to sell wares, repetitively lifted and lowered a bundle of withered weeds.

Like pedestrians tasked with injecting life into the streets, plenty of them endlessly circled the same limited areas.

Each Frazer Doll devoted to its own specific role.

Ichinose, unsettled by this incomprehensible place, edged closer to Rohan.

“This is a strange place. Gives me the creeps. At least… there don’t seem to be any succubi around, right?”

“I don’t see any either.”

Rohan knew this place.

A vast collection of humans, gathered by the succubus who ruled this nest of nightmares.

A miniature society, painstakingly imitated using those Frazer Dolls. A diorama steeped in envy and resentment of humanity.

The only thing Rohan didn’t know was how long this sprawling place had been in the making.

“Shall we venture into the village?”

“We should… will we be cleaning up these Frazer Dolls as we go?”

“Let’s try to slip in quietly first. With this many Frazer Dolls around, there’s bound to be a succubus somewhere who can talk. In my experience, just killing that one will free them all.”

“Understood.”

Ichinose offered a sign of agreement, and they finished their circuit of the village’s edge.

Careful to avoid colliding with the Frazer Dolls, so diligently fulfilling their assigned roles, they moved deeper inside.

How long had they moved, parting the fog, poking and prodding here and there?

A mansion, set apart from the village, came into view.

A grand and ancient residence, utterly incomparable to the buildings teeming with Frazer Dolls.

Its form was strangely familiar to Rohan and Ichinose.

The way it stood, aloof and distinct, confirmed their suspicion: this was the succubus’s mansion.

Their steps naturally turned toward it.

“Hard to miss, isn’t it?”

“I doubt anyone would willingly come looking here, so she probably never felt the need to hide. Not based on the succubi we’ve encountered so far.”

“Or it’s just confidence.”

As they drew closer to the mansion, they saw what appeared to be the entrance to the courtyard.

Two Frazer Dolls stood there. Motionless, with vacant stares.

But they were adorned with armor and even held spears, as if they were guards.

“Might be a nuisance later. Let’s take care of the Frazer Dolls with weapons.”

“Yes.”

The heads of the Frazer Dolls, who stood as guards, were severed from their necks by Rohan’s blade.

It offered no resistance, as if a mere decoration meant to set the mansion’s tone.

Rohan, having quietly entered the courtyard, gave Ichinose a final check behind him.

Clearly, their objective lay within this mansion.

“Ichinose. You have the potions safe, yes?”

“Of course.”

Ichinose brought forth a potion from her breast, showing it for confirmation.

“Don’t be frugal with them. Wasted chances mean nothing.”

“Worry not.”

Ichinose, seemingly pleased by Rohan’s concern, quirked a smile.

Even the girl subconsciously felt this mansion was their journey’s end.

“We enter.”

Confirming Ichinose’s nod of assurance, Rohan traversed the courtyard and pushed open the door leading into the mansion.

*Creeeaaak!* The door hinges, begging for oil, revealed the mansion’s interior.

‘I remember it clearly.’

According to Rohan’s memory, the monolith resided within this mansion.

A heavy, cloying sweetness akin to other succubus manors filled the air, yet the mirrored walls stood out, etching the place vividly in his mind.

A special design commissioned by a self-absorbed succubus to gaze upon her face and form at every turn.

A design that would prove useful against this mansion’s named succubus owner.

If Rohan’s memory served him correctly, that succubus went by the name Olivia.

*Click!*

Rohan immediately leveled his pistol at a mirror.

Channeling mana, he pulled the trigger.

The memory of the dungeon surged back; quietude be damned, this was the primary procedure.

*Bang!*

The bullet Rohan unleashed pierced the mirror.

A clean penetration, nothing more. Only a hole remained. No wide cracks spiderwebbed across the surface.

‘Not enough power.’

Even the mana-infused bullet failed to shatter the mirror completely.

It was clear that even with Ichinose’s help, destroying all these mirrors would require considerable effort.

“These are no ordinary mirrors. Be careful.”

“We shouldn’t get too close, then.”

Rohan smiled, noting Ichinose’s agreement.

He trusts there’s a reason, even for the loud gunfire.

*Thunk!*

A mirror hanging in the mansion gave a groan as it swung open, revealing itself as a door. A man stepped through.

Though pallid, his eyes held a powerful, unyielding gaze. It was undoubtedly Frazier Dollim.

But this Frazier Dollim felt qualitatively different from the ones they’d faced so far.

*Thud. Thud. Thud.*

Each step was measured, perfectly balanced. His very presence radiated danger.

His dignified face and jet-black beard complemented the *dobok* he wore.

—…

The sword at his hip pulsed with a sharp, almost tangible aura.

The air crackled with the anticipation of a sudden strike.

Rohan, unable to place the man in his memory, prepared for battle.

Ichinose, hand already on the hilt of his sword, spoke.

“Who is that…?”

“Is he someone you know, Ichinose?”

Ichinose’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Then, with a face etched with regret, he explained.

“He’s a martial artist from the Three Flowers Country, who went missing after being caught in a Monolith not long ago.”

“His skill?”

“He was more known for training and mentoring disciples than for his own combat prowess…”

“So there’s potential, then?”

“…I don’t know how being a Frazier Doll will affect him, though.”

Having lost his free will and now obeying a succubus’s commands,

The weapon of experience, so crucial to compensating for deficiencies, would be useless.

Ichinose held onto that belief.

“Seeing intact humans walking all the way here… Looks like today will be fun.”

From behind the open mirror-door, a succubus emerged, her heels clicking against the floor.

She swayed her hips and tail as she took her place beside the Frazier Doll.

In her hand, coiled tight, rested her weapon – a whip.

“Oh…?”

The succubus, surprised to see Rohan.

Now, the tiresome pattern. Without hesitation, Rohan fired a bullet.

*Pshew!*

Preser Dull deflected Rohan’s projectile with his sword, the bullet aimed for the succubus.

The succubus, seemingly uninterested in attacking, coiled her slender tail around her thigh, her gaze fixed on Rohan.

Even her voice held a thrilled excitement.

“How can a man like this exist…? Who sent this gift? Bianca? Jupie? Those jealous vixens would never offer up a man like this!”

“What are you babbling about, you hussy.”

Rohan retorted, a bored expression etched on his face.

The succubus, however, seemed to find his defiance endearing, and a deep smile spread across her face.

“You deserve to die for touching my dolls at the entrance, but fine! I’ll forgive you. This Olivia is benevolent, you see.”

The succubus’s eyes blazed with desire. A clear lust, a yearning to possess Rohan.

Rohan and Ichinose were both beyond weary.

And Ichinose, beyond weary, felt the simmering rage of annoyance.

‘They all really are…’

As if Rohan’s essence was some kind of indulgence.

They all offer forgiveness for their previous transgressions.

Based on her experience, next would surely be the offer of a contract.

“If you sign a contract with me…”

Just as Ichinose predicted the familiar course.

Olivia’s gaze, which had been fixed on Rohan, shifted to Ichinose.

Never before had a succubus’s attention been drawn to a woman like Ichinose.

“This isn’t energy…? What is this thick scent…?”

The succubus eyed Ichinose’s lips, sniffing the air.

In a flash, Ichinose’s quick mind grasped the meaning of her actions.

‘No, don’t tell me…!?’

The heart of the girl guarding a secret thumped wildly.

Before the succubus could speak, Ichinose spoke first.

“…Rohan. I’ll take on the succubus.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Rohan, please free that person. I’m asking you.”

Ichinose wore a grim expression unlike any he had shown before.

Rohan nodded, acknowledging.

“Be careful of the whip. Seeing as she’s laid out those mirrors, she’ll likely use them.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll finish up here and join you soon, so don’t do anything reckless.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ichinose takes a step forward.

Click!

Ichinose, gripping the handle of Yoru (Night), lowers his stance.

He’s ready to spring into action, launching off the floor at any moment.

And.

The girl, eyes still closed, resolved to employ means possible only against a monster, not a human.

Before that monster spills her secret, the only option is to erase it.