Is It Strange For A Succubus To Be Wearing Clothes?

Chapter 9

—–CROW—– 

Living in modern society as the Succubus Empress presented certain… inconveniences.

For example, if I decided, “Ah, I’m not wearing the veil today,” and stepped outside with my face uncovered, or if my clothes were slightly disheveled, revealing even a hint of skin… it would be a disaster.

If I dressed like a typical Succubus, in something… revealing, those without mental resistance would suffer immensely, both physically and mentally.

Assemblyman Lee Hyun-woo from the morning news was a slightly extreme example, given my deliberate malice.

The point was, I had to be careful not to wreak havoc on the minds of everyone around me, like some mind-destroying alien entity.

Of course, I *could* if I wanted to…

But today, I just wanted a drink.

“Ahaha, a solo outing after so long.”

The slightly humid, warm air felt liberating. It was strange how going out during the day felt so different from my usual nocturnal excursions.

Being the Succubus Empress came with many restrictions.  I had to inform the authorities of my whereabouts and spending habits. Every use of my abilities, magical or otherwise, had to be meticulously documented and reported.  Leaving the house usually required permission.

In short, I wasn’t supposed to be out and about during the day, unaccompanied by an official or Officer Dan.

This government was terrified of me.  Or perhaps, disdainful?  Probably both.

Thankfully, Officer Dan usually handled the minor inconveniences and the authorities’ constant complaints.

That’s one reason why I liked her.  She looked after me, like family, like a mother.  And her mix of competence and clumsiness was endearing.

I understood the government’s concerns. The title “Empress of Succubi” was intimidating.  And I was a Special Management Returnee, a designated threat. If I were in their position, I would probably keep a close eye on the Succubus Empress, too.

But why should I care about their concerns? After what they did to me…

“No, no bad thoughts. This is a rare solo outing.  Only happy thoughts.”

Daytime.

A quiet weekday afternoon, a gentle hum of city life in the background.

Buttons fastened, veil in place, black parasol in hand.  My skin wouldn’t burn or tan, but the parasol added to the aesthetic.

Why was a former man so obsessed with beauty?  Well, as the Succubus Empress, the pursuit of beauty was ingrained in my very being.

Though, I might not even open the parasol.

“Sleep tight, Officer Dan~”

I chuckled, glancing at the apartment building where Officer Dan was sleeping.  It was a good bed, so she should sleep well.  Ah, Officer Dan had chosen it for me.

“Hee hee, it’s Officer Dan’s fault for being so susceptible to temptation.”

She would probably sleep through the day.  She might be angry when she woke up, accusing me of trickery, but I genuinely felt sympathy for her exhaustion.  Managing me was already a demanding task, and then she had to oversee the Night Sea observation as well.  Even a high-ranking Awakened could be worn down by mental fatigue.

Dragging herself to work in that state would be pointless.  Most of the paperwork was unnecessary busywork.

Her real job was me.

If necessary, I could take the blame for her absence.

—Click, clack.

Stepping outside, I was met with a cool breeze and overcast skies. The bright morning sun had given way to a gloomy gray, casting a pall over the city.  The wind was damp and chilly.

The streets were unusually empty for this time of day.  Perhaps because of the weather? Or maybe people were staying indoors after last night’s Night Sea phenomenon?

There were a few people around, but my footsteps seemed to echo in the relative quiet.

It was pleasant, having this space almost to myself.

“Wow…”

“Yes, sir, I’ll be right there… Huh.”

A few passersby stared, their gazes lingering a bit too long, but I was used to it.  Succubi weren’t the only ones captivated by beauty.  Humans were just as susceptible.

Their reactions were a testament to my allure, even veiled and fully clothed.

Sometimes, the more… confident individuals went beyond mere admiration…

“My… dear… I… desire you… Be my… servant… Let us share… beautiful… love…”

“…?”

Speak of the devil.  A perfect example materialized right before my eyes.

Oh my, I should take a picture and post it online.

“…My dear… I may have… nothing… but you…”

“Ha…”

Oops.  An involuntary sigh escaped my lips.

I didn’t need to respond.  I didn’t even need to lift my veil.

“H-Huh…!”

A simple, crescent-eyed smile was usually enough to send these types into a state of blissful incapacitation.

Someone would call 119, and this brave, misguided soul would be carted off to a hospital.

I didn’t call emergency services myself.  It was too much trouble.  And this happened far too often.

I didn’t stay to watch his… demise.  I didn’t enjoy lingering on the unpleasant.

Cruel?

Don’t misunderstand.  I strived to live a human life, but I was still the Succubus Empress, an apex demonic entity.  I wasn’t a good person.

“I should unbutton one button next time.”

Unbuttoning one button would increase my allure by 1.25 times.  Enough to inspire awe and admiration, but discourage direct approaches.

As I walked, indulging in my self-appreciation, I reached a dilapidated area with an unsettling atmosphere.

Modern Korea… no, the entire world, wasn’t a safe and peaceful place.  The Great Rift of 2030 had unleashed Awakened, dungeons, Gates, monsters, and inexplicable phenomena upon the world. Peace was an anomaly.

While major cities retained some semblance of their pre-Rift appearance, venturing into the outskirts revealed a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Dilapidated streets shrouded in an eerie silence.  Security forces were concentrated in the cities, leaving these areas vulnerable.  Monsters, mutants, and those who operated outside the law lurked in the shadows.

This was Mapo-gu, once a bustling district known for its Hongdae nightlife, now a decaying area separated from the rest of Seoul by the Han River.

Naturally, this area had its own rulers.  Soldiers patrolled the riverbanks, and Awakened security forces and public service Hunters monitored the district, but few could stop me.

Today, I was lucky. I didn’t encounter any patrols.

Of course, people still lived in Mapo-gu.  Criminals and those operating outside the law, mostly, but also those forced out of the city by rising housing costs.

As I walked, taking in the decaying scenery, I spotted an old bar with a barely hanging sign.  The sign was too weathered to decipher, but this was one of my favorite places.

—Creak.

I folded my parasol and stepped inside.

The bar’s interior was surprisingly cozy and clean, a stark contrast to the bleak exterior.  Old furniture, dim lighting, shelves lined with various bottles of liquor and whiskey.

Behind the counter, a middle-aged man polished cocktail glasses.

“…….”

Intense eyes.  A face that seemed to belong on a black-and-white movie screen.  Sharp, defined features, an aura of quiet, masculine power. High cheekbones, deep-set eyes that held a hint of weariness and solitude.

Despite his age, he was more handsome than any young actor or idol.

His name was Michaelson. The owner of this bar.  It sounded like a movie star’s name, but I didn’t know if it was real, or what his last name was.

I didn’t care.

He continued polishing glasses, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

‘Still the same.’

I had no intention of seducing him, but being ignored stung my pride.

But it was fine.  We knew each other.

“It’s been a while, Michaelson.”

He finally looked at me, his eyes shadowed.  He didn’t acknowledge my greeting, simply replying in his usual calm, quiet manner.

“…Take a seat.”

I sat at the bar.

“Scotch, please.”

“…Ice?”

“Neat. I want to savor the aroma today.”

“…Very well.”

Michaelson poured the scotch with practiced, artistic movements.  Then he abruptly discarded it.

‘The first time he did that, I was shocked.  He said it was to remove any residual flavors from the glass.’

He then filled a nosing glass with ice, poured the scotch, and added a touch of cold water, adjusting the concentration and temperature.

He dipped his finger in the water first.  He must have washed his hands, but I was curious.

“Why do you dip your finger in the water?”

“…Bartenders often make the mistake of using warm water. That’s the surest way to ruin good whiskey.”

His husky, gentlemanly voice made me smile.  The epitome of middle-aged charm.  A voice that could lull you to sleep.  High praise, coming from me.

“Warm water? Such a rookie mistake.”

“I’ve had the misfortune of tasting warm, ruined whiskey six times in my life. Twice in America, once in France, once in Stockholm, and twice in England.”

He returned to his task, swirling the whiskey in the glass, adding a touch of cold water.  Diluting the alcohol to around 35%, just enough to enhance the aroma.

“Incorrect dilution numbs the palate, distorting the flavor.”

“My palate can’t be numbed by alcohol.”

“Don’t be so sure. Your senses are far more refined.  The numbing effect might be even greater.”

“That’s true.”

I hadn’t been fond of alcohol before, but in this body, the complex flavors and aromas of liquor and cocktails had become a source of aesthetic pleasure.  While I couldn’t get drunk, I could still be intoxicated by the atmosphere.

—Click.

The perfectly prepared scotch was placed before me.

There was nothing like the sound of a bartender pouring a whiskey after a long, tiring day.  The dim lighting, the classic ambiance, the shelves filled with liquor bottles… it was perfect.

“Remove your veil.”

“Ah, I almost forgot.”

As I mentioned, I couldn’t just remove my veil anywhere. My appearance was a hazard.

But there were a few exceptions.

My home.  When I was alone with Officer Dan.

And here.

“Haa, so relaxing…”

“….”

Even unveiled, the stoic bartender didn’t look at me.  Not because I wasn’t beautiful.

But because his heart was broken.  There was no room for beauty or love.  He couldn’t be captivated.

A pitiful man.

I savored the aroma of the whiskey, using his melancholy as a garnish.

And then I drank.

Hello, whiskey.  How have you been?

Oh, so delicious, so fragrant.

And now, goodbye.

“Gulp.”

Haaa…

My face felt warm.  I felt good.

And when I felt good, I had to indulge.

“Michaelson, what shall I sing for you today?”

“….”

He paused, considering my offer.

He didn’t charge me for the drinks.  So I offered him something else in return.

“1973, Joël Villard. Pianist.”

“Oh, you like that one.”

It was a song that suited the bar perfectly.

~♬

The music, with its characteristic vinyl crackle, filled the air.  He had already put on the record while I was enjoying my scotch.

The saxophone, the piano…

And then, my voice.

“It’s late on a Saturday night,

And people gather one by one.

An old man sits beside me,

Staring at the memories in his glass~”

Fortunately, I knew the song.  And I liked it.

Perhaps I should change the lyrics to “Scotch whisky” instead of “tonic and gin”?

No, the original lyrics were more familiar and comforting.

“He softly whispers to me,

“Your music is what brought me here.”

Though my piano only makes sound,

People find themselves in the notes.”

Even if I didn’t know a song, my Succubus nature would allow me to sing it flawlessly, enhancing its beauty.  But it was more enjoyable to sing something I knew and loved.

“La la la, di di da

La la, di di da da da~”

He seemed to approve.  He wasn’t smiling, but his eyes, despite their emptiness, seemed pleased.  It made me happy to see him enjoy the music, even if he could no longer feel love or beauty.

“Play for us, O pianist~!

Lift us all away from reality.

As long as this song is playing,

The world can rest for just a while.”

A whiskey for you,

A song for me.

—–CROW—–