Is It Strange for a Succubus to Wear Clothes?

Chapter 8: The Succubus Empress Takes Out a Suit 8

The Succubus Empress living in modern society meant enduring various inconveniences.

For instance, if I thought, “Ah, today feels stifling, so I won’t wear a veil,” and went outside with my bare face, or if my attire got slightly disheveled, exposing even a bit of skin, it would be a literal disaster.

If I went out dressed as provocatively as an ordinary succubus, there would likely be many people without mental resistance or immunity who would suffer severe physical or psychological damage.

Take Representative Lee Hyunwoo, who appeared on the morning news; I had openly harbored hostility toward him, which exacerbated his self-destruction.

Anyway, the point is that I must take care not to wreak widespread mental havoc like some mental apocalypse news report whenever I go out.

Of course, it’s not that I couldn’t do it if I wanted to.

Well, today, I decided I should go out for a drink after a long time.

“Aha, it’s been a while since I’ve gone out alone.”

The slightly stale yet warm air hit me, and a sense of liberation surged.

It was always fascinating how going out during the day instead of at night brought such a peculiar sense of freedom.

The Succubus Empress inherently had many restrictions in her daily life.

For instance, when going somewhere, government officials had to know my location and destination, or if I spent money, they had to know where and how much I spent.

Additionally, I had to report in detail when, where, and how I used my powers, including supernatural abilities, and even getting permission to go out was often difficult due to numerous restrictions.

To put it simply, technically, it wasn’t permissible for me to go out alone during the day without any supervisors or Senior Officer Dan Ahyeon accompanying me.

This country’s government was terrified of me.

Or maybe they didn’t fear me but simply found me laughable?

Perhaps it was both.

Of course, most of the minor issues in my daily life and complaints from government agencies that started with, “This is inappropriate,” were resolved by Senior Officer Dan Ahyeon.

That’s one of the reasons I liked Senior Officer Dan.

Despite everything, she looked after me like family, almost like a mother.

Her diligent yet occasionally scatterbrained demeanor was endearing.

Of course, I couldn’t entirely fault the government’s perspective.

The title of Queen of the Succubi was intimidating in itself, but I was also a special managed returnee on the government’s radar.

If I were a public official, I would also closely monitor the Succubus Empress as a specially managed returnee and a potential risk factor.

But why on earth should I consider the government or its agencies?

Especially after what they’ve done.

“Ah, no, let’s stop thinking negatively. It’s my rare solo outing; let’s focus on pleasant thoughts.”

Midday on a weekday.

The scenery of a slightly quiet yet lively city.

My buttons were fastened meticulously, and I wore my veil properly.

I also carried my usual black parasol.

While sunlight wouldn’t tan or burn my skin, carrying a black parasol enhanced the atmosphere and made the overall image more beautiful.

Some might wonder why someone who was once male was so obsessed with beauty and elegance, but as the Succubus Empress, it was natural for my consciousness to pursue aesthetics.

Well, I might not even open the parasol once I’m out.

“Sweet dreams, Senior Officer~”

I smiled mischievously as I looked at the mansion where Senior Officer Dan was likely fast asleep.

After all, it was a high-end bed, so she’d sleep well, right?

Ah, she even picked that bed herself.

“Fufu, it’s Senior Officer Dan’s fault for being so easily tempted.”

She would probably sleep the entire day.

When she woke up, she might be angry, saying, “Miss Jaehee! You deceived me!” but I genuinely felt sympathy seeing how exhausted she was.

Managing me alone was already a daunting task, yet she also directed operations at the Night Sea observation site as a high-ranking hunter.

Even though her physical resilience far surpassed that of ordinary people, mental fatigue could wear anyone out.

Most of the administrative work she’d have to deal with if she dragged her exhausted body to work was bureaucratic and inefficient anyway, and she didn’t need to be there personally for most of it.

Her real job was me, after all.

If necessary, I could just say I coaxed her, so she wouldn’t face any consequences.

-Tap, tap-

As I stepped outside, slightly chilly air greeted me, along with overcast clouds.

Though the morning had been bright and sunny, now the streets were shrouded in a dreary gray, making the entire city feel like it had succumbed to depression.

A faint breeze blew, but instead of feeling refreshing, it only added to the damp atmosphere.

Perhaps due to the low temperature, there weren’t as many people out as I had expected for midday.

Was it because of the slightly cold weather?

Or were people staying indoors after last night’s Night Sea phenomenon?

While the streets weren’t entirely deserted, it felt as if my footsteps were the only sound echoing in the emptiness.

In any case, having this vast space to myself felt oddly satisfying.

“Wow, damn…”

“Yes, Manager. I’ll head over right…ugh.”

A few passersby who happened to see me stared with such awe-struck gazes that it bordered on rudeness, but I was used to it by now.

Appreciating beauty wasn’t exclusive to succubi; humans shared the same tendency.

It was only natural for people to be captivated and dazed when looking at me.

In fact, their reactions sometimes inflated my ego a little.

Even with my veil on and every button fastened to the very top, my beauty couldn’t be entirely concealed, proving just how extraordinary it was.

Occasionally, however, some overly confident individuals didn’t stop at mere admiration…

“My…lady…I must…hold you tonight…please, become this old man’s…servant…let’s share…beautiful love…”

“…?”

Just as I thought this, a perfect example materialized before me.

Oh my, I felt like taking a photo and live-streaming this on the internet.

“…I may not have much…but I swear to…”

“Sigh.”

Without realizing it, I let out a sigh so exasperated it could be considered rude.

There was no need to respond to such nonsense.

I didn’t even need to remove my veil and confront him with my bare face.

“Hurk…!”

A simple crescent-eyed smile was enough to send such individuals into a near-catatonic state, leaving them insensible.

Soon enough, a passing Good Samaritan would likely call 119, and the gallant fool who approached me would end up in the hospital.

Naturally, I didn’t bother making the call myself.

It was a hassle.

This kind of situation happened far too frequently anyway.

I didn’t bother watching what became of that old man.

I had no taste for observing grotesque or unsightly things for long.

Cruel, you say?

Don’t get it twisted.

While I strive to lead a somewhat human-like life, my essence remains that of a supreme demonic being, the Succubus Empress. I’m certainly no saint.

“Next time, I should leave one button undone.”

If I leave one button undone, my beauty increases by a solid 1.25 times.

In other words, people would admire and revere my beauty even more, but they’d be less likely to approach me directly.

Anyway, while enjoying the satisfaction and self-praise that comes from simply walking down the street and basking in my own beauty, I arrived at an old, ominous-looking street.

To be honest, modern South Korea…

No, not just South Korea, but the entire world these days isn’t exactly a safe and peaceful place.

Since the Great Rift of 2030, the world has been filled with awakeners, dungeons, gates, all kinds of monsters, and anomalies that defy science and physics.

In fact, it would be stranger if the world were peaceful.

Thus, while major cities have relatively maintained their pre-Rift appearances, just venturing slightly into rural or outer regions reveals post-apocalyptic landscapes.

An old street steeped in a quiet stillness.

The forces responsible for maintaining order were concentrated in major cities, leaving this area with a desolate and eerie atmosphere.

Occasionally, monsters, mutants, or illegal and disorderly elements emerged from the shadows.

The area I had reached was once the bustling Hongdae district, but now, the Mapo-gu region had fallen into decay and ruin, marked by the boundary of the Han River.

Of course, there were regulators tasked with guarding this area.

Soldiers patrolled along the boundary of the Han River, while order-keeping awakeners and public hunters monitored the Mapo-gu district.

But few could actually stop me.

Fortunately, I didn’t encounter any security forces today.

Of course, people still lived in Mapo-gu.

While the area had its share of criminals and illegal residents, some were forced to move here due to Seoul’s exorbitant housing costs.

As I took in the sight of this decayed scenery and walked further, I spotted an old bar with a rickety sign swaying precariously.

The sign was so worn and corroded that the name of the establishment was illegible, but it was one of my favorite places.

-Creak.

The old door creaked as it opened, and I folded my parasol before stepping over the threshold.

The inside of the bar was quite cozy and clean, in stark contrast to the dreary and decayed exterior atmosphere.

The interior was filled with old furniture, dim lighting that matched my taste, and an ambient glow that softly illuminated the space.

The walls were adorned with various bottles of liquor and whiskey, their labels and brands unknown.

Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man, quietly polishing a cocktail glass.

“…….”

The first thing I noticed was his intense gaze.

Then his appearance, as if he had stepped out of a black-and-white film screen.

His facial features were sharp and restrained, like a perfectly sculpted statue, exuding a quiet yet masculine strength.

His prominent cheekbones jutted out like a high cliff, and below them, deep-set eyes conveyed the passage of time and solitude.

Despite his noticeably aged appearance, I found him far more handsome than any young actor or idol.

His name was Michelsen.

He was the owner of this bar.

Though his name vaguely resembled that of some actor, I didn’t know if it was his real name, a pseudonym, or even what his surname was.

But I didn’t care much.

Even as I arrived, he remained focused on polishing the glass, as if my presence didn’t matter.

“Still the same as ever.”

Ah, I didn’t have the slightest intention of enchanting this man, but it hurt my pride a little that he didn’t even glance at me.

But that was fine.

I knew him, and he knew me.

“It’s been a while, Michelsen.”

As I greeted him, he finally turned his shadowed eyes toward me.

Without expressing any warmth or delight, he calmly responded.

Just as he always did.

Calmly and routinely.

“…Take a seat.”

Following his low voice, I sat down at the bar.

“Scotch, please.”

“…Ice?”

“As you recommend.”

“…Understood.”

With skilled and artistic movements, Michelsen poured scotch into a clear glass.

Then, without hesitation, he discarded it.

‘At first, I was surprised when he suddenly discarded such precious liquor, but he said it was to get rid of any residual aromas in the glass.’

Afterward, Michelsen added ice to a nosing glass, a type of glass ideal for enjoying whiskey aromas, poured scotch whiskey, and then added chilled water to balance the concentration and temperature.

Interestingly, he dipped his fingers into the water before serving it.

Though I was sure his hands were clean, I couldn’t help but wonder why he dipped them into the water.

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

“…Most bartenders make the mistake of using warm water in their bottles. That’s the quickest way to ruin whiskey.”

His husky yet gentlemanly voice made me smile.

It was a voice that seemed to embody the term “middle-aged charm.”

Just hearing it made me want to close my eyes and drift into sleep.

For me to say such a thing was quite high praise.

“Warm water? That’s such an amateur mistake.”

“I’ve tasted warm, ruined whiskey six times in my life. Twice in the U.S., once in France, once in Stockholm, and twice in England.”

With that, Michelsen returned his focus to crafting the whiskey.

He swirled the whiskey in the glass slightly, added cold water, and brought the alcohol content down to around 35%, just enough.

It was the ideal concentration to bring out the whiskey’s aroma.

“If the concentration is off, it numbs the taste buds and distorts the flavor.”

“I doubt alcohol could numb my taste buds, though.”

“You can’t be sure. With your heightened sensory organs, it might even be more effective than with humans.”

“That’s true.”

Though I wasn’t originally fond of alcohol, since becoming what I am, I’ve come to appreciate the deep flavors and aromas of liquor and cocktails to the point where they feel beautiful.

Though I can’t get drunk, which is a shame, at least this bar offers an atmosphere to get lost in.

-Clink.

Finally, the perfectly crafted scotch whiskey was placed before me.

On busy days, exhausting days, or days when I simply wanted to relax, there was nothing better than the sound of a bartender pouring whiskey into a glass.

Alongside the gentle lighting and the slightly dark yet classic ambiance of the establishment.

Sitting alone amidst a sea of liquor bottles, holding a glass of whiskey in hand.

“Why not remove the veil?”

“Oh, I forgot.”

As I mentioned before… I shouldn’t carelessly remove my veil.

Whether civilian or awakened, my appearance was impactful enough to be called harmful.

However, there were a few places where I could remove my veil.

One was my home.

Another was any space where I was alone with Senior Officer Dan.

And the last one was…

This place.

“Ah, how relaxing…”

“…”

Even after I removed my veil, the indifferent bartender didn’t spare me a glance.

It wasn’t because I wasn’t beautiful.

It was because his heart had a hole in it.

With a hole in his heart, there was no room for beauty or love, and thus, he would not be captivated by me.

Truly, he was a pitiable man.

I savored the scent of whiskey, using this pitiful and regretful man as a side dish.

And I drank.

Hello, whiskey.

How have you been?

Oh, how delicious and fragrant you are.

And goodbye.

“Gulp.”

Ahhhhh….

My face grew warm.

I felt uplifted.

Feeling uplifted, I couldn’t help but indulge further.

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

“…”

At my question, Michelsen paused his glass polishing, as if lost in thought.

He never asked me for money.

So, in place of money, I gave him something else.

“1973, Joel Villar. Pianist.”

“Oh my, you like that one.”

It was also a song that suited the bar perfectly.

~♬

Before I knew it, the unique, slightly crackling sound of a record began to play.

While I enjoyed my scotch, Michelsen had already set the LP on the player.

The sound of a saxophone.

The sound of a piano.

And my voice blending in.

“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… it was a song I knew.

It was also one I liked.

Ah, should I have rewritten the lyrics to mention the scotch whiskey I was drinking instead of gin and tonic?

No.

The original lyrics were more nostalgic and familiar, so I decided to refrain from unnecessary rewrites.

“He softly whispers to me,

“Your music is what brought me here.”

Though my piano only makes sound,

People find themselves in the notes.”

Of course, even if it were a song I didn’t know, I could naturally sing it thanks to the inherent nature of the Succubus Empress, which adds a certain level of charm to all beautiful things in the world.

But wouldn’t it feel much better to sing a song I personally knew and loved?

“La la la, di di da

La la, di di da da da~”

Fortunately… it seemed he liked it.

Though he didn’t smile, his eyes—despite the hole in his heart—looked as if he was in a good mood.

Even though he could no longer feel love or beauty, the sight of him enjoying the song while happily polishing glasses made me happy as well.

“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.

You gave me a glass of whiskey~!

And I gave you a song.