Chapter 39: Octopus Sashimi, Bosintang, Gelatin

How does Bewitch even work? The name sounds weird. Paired with Room 202’s bra-less appearance, it’s… uh, awkward.

First, I need to stop her from screaming. I put a finger to my lips and shush her.

“Shh!”

…She listens too well? I clap instinctively and add,

“No need to feel embarrassed.”

“No, no embarrassment!”

She’s mimicking me?

“Here, take this.”

“Yes, taking it.”

“Go inside. Rest.”

“Yes, going inside. Resting.”

I close the door for her. She’s dazed, so I nudge her inside and shut the door quick.

Phew.

Crisis averted. A scream would’ve screwed me over. She ran out half-asleep, but if she’d yelled, I’d be the worst guy ever.

“This makes people that obedient?”

It didn’t work on the imp at all. Maybe my high level blocked it? The skill says it’s less effective on low-empathy targets.

Nah, no way.

Anyway, Bewitch is more useful than I thought. Feels like a weaker version of the succubus’s charm. Used wrong, it’s like hypnosis.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

[Aaaargh, you crazy bastard! Die, die, DIE!]

There she goes again. Hitting that hard, she might actually die. Why’s she kissing the wall with her skull?

She’s gonna punch a hole in it. The shoddy repairs already make me nervous.

“She hasn’t drunk it yet, right?”

If she did and she’s like this, the sikhye might’ve lowered her Intelligence. She probably hasn’t. It’s gotta have some effect.

“Sikhye that boosts studying.”

Even if it’s just a rumor, parents would throw money at it. How many hunt for brain-boosting tonics? I need solid clinical results.

Anyone else to test this flavor?

While testing, the fairy’s bud sways gently.

“Want some too?”

The bud nods. Weirdly, she’s hungry for it.

A tasty, Intelligence-boosting drink—pour it instead of water, and the fairy baby might love it.

I pour some, and the soil absorbs it. The bud’s petals puff up, then shrink, as the fairy munches.

[“Mmm!”]

Huh? Mmm? A satisfied drinking sound comes from somewhere. The fairy baby speaks.

[“Tasty!”]

She’s actually talking?

“You can talk?”

[“A little.”]

She really can!

[“Heard and learned.”]

Pointing at me, she must’ve picked it up from my chatter. Better than humans, damn. The sikhye should’ve gone to the fairy.

“Wow, amazing! Remember anything else?”

[“Remember… ah!”]

The fairy princess touches her lips with tiny fingers, points at me, and beams.

[“You bastard!”]

“…?”

[“I’ll execute you!”]

“Wait, no, baby, you can’t say that…”

[“Cut that jerk off, I’ll cut too, you bastard!”]

“Stop, stop!”

[“Die, punk!”]

I’ve lived a shameful life.

***

[What’s that?]

“This? Charm necklace, why?”

[Gimme.]

CatMan, this guy. An item courier? He must’ve recognized its Charm boost.

“Huh? Why? To woo a female cat?”

[What, you?]

“Crazy? Why would I woo a female cat?”

[I’m popular with human women. How about mutual blind dates?]

I almost snap at his nonsense, but it’s not a bad idea. These days, “Wanna see my cat?” works better than “Wanna eat ramen?”

Pets can hold items, right?

“Not giving, but try it on.”

[Acting pricey for something useless to you.]

“Bring a female cat.”

[Aha.]

The necklace is too small for his neck.

“Fits your paw.”

[Hm, feels like it’ll win human women’s affection.]

A male cat with a bracelet, still cute. Kinda makes sense. Cats pull it off.

CatMan returns.

Spit.

“….”

[I got something you’d like. A human woman’s picture.]

“Hey, people might think I’m obsessed with women’s photos—oh?!”

It’s exactly my type. CatMan’s income jumped five times?!

“Someone gave a 50,000 won bill?”

A cat carrying a 1,000 won note might get that much. Lucky days, maybe 10,000. But 50,000? Unlikely.

[Guess my charm works.]

My daily income’s now 50,000 won. If I find a sikhye market, it’d sell like crazy.

“Hey, that’s 1.5 million a month? How long to earn it? Can you speed it up?”

[Mommy.]

“Huh?”

[I want cockles.]

At this rate, I could order cockle bibimbap with 300g extra cockles and eat just the rice.

***

The imp didn’t return. The dragon trashed the palace. Dragons are the last raid targets for level-ups in the demon-ruled world.

They’re challenge fodder for low-level new demons avoiding interdimensional migration.

Still, each dragon matches a clan leader, culling low-tier demons via migration.

The wrecked castle had the dragon’s message:

[Unlike your claims, he’s not a reckless killer of otherworld beings. Thanks to entrusting my egg to the giant, I reclaimed my child from you.]

Then don’t wreck stuff! The Succubus Queen could face a dragon head-on, but as a female, the matchup’s bad.

Against males, their power and attacks drop sharply. Even million-level clan leaders don’t underestimate her.

Few challenge her due to her level absorption.

[No choice.]

Even breaking the dragon pact failed. Dragons are born with tens of thousands in Magic bonuses.

The imp’s plan to lure a strong foe to raze the dungeon backfired. Now, the only option is rallying all demon clans under the Queen’s banner—finding her a mate to mobilize champions.

[Sigh.]

Demons can’t level up by killing each other. Covert murders happen, but culprits are punished, their levels absorbed.

Mating with succubi produces offspring with level absorption. Demons often discard or kill weak young, so killing their own for the skill has no restrictions.

In a stagnant level system, stealing levels is appealing. If the Queen fails this expedition and must cross over herself, her succubus maids will be forced into marriages with high-level demons.

<Whoever crosses the gate, beheads the giant, and conquers the dungeon will earn the King’s seat—marriage to the Queen.>

The Queen chose her last resort. The news spread, and high-level demon resources poured in.

The hurdle was high—levels dozens above the giant—but the prize of being the Queen’s second-in-command drew overwhelming applicants.

A tournament was needed. The chosen warriors attended the Queen’s send-off. Her suitors.

“Welcome.”

Volunteers for marriage, or perhaps death. The Queen tried to respect them.

[I greet the Queen.]

LV255 King Slime sloshed through the palace. The top contender.

No ultra-elites yet; most were mid-tier, LV100–200. King Slime was high-level. Like regular slimes but huge, able to smother dozens.

Far beyond head-sized slimes. Small compared to the giant but still impressive.

“I expect your valor.”

[I’ll end him and propose to you!]

“….”

The Queen’s already grim face darkened as she let King Slime in. She greeted the next warrior.

“Welcome.”

“Greetings.”

“Your Majesty.”

[Pant, pant.]

“Glad you’re here.”

LV195 Triad Cerberus. The Queen petted each head. Three acting as one, sharing food and speech. Their vocal structure allowed non-telepathic talk with succubi.

“We’ll surely—”

“Serve Your Majesty—”

“With utmost devotion!”

“Yes, enter. I’ve prepared fine dog food.”

After sending in Triad Cerberus, the Queen pressed her forehead, sighing.

“Your Majesty, are you well?”

“You? Why are you here?”

LV203 Incubus appeared. Among the monsters, the Queen’s smile seemed genuine. Better than King Slime, three-headed dogs, or others.

“I came to aid Your Majesty’s plight.”

“But didn’t you hear the giant’s male?”

His entry was unexpected.

“I heard he’s… particular.”

“Even so, isn’t it impossible for you?”

“Possible. If the flavor’s good.”

“….”

The Queen covered her eyes, as if seeing something unbearable. Next, a mercenary from the maritime clan. LV180 Octopus King appeared.

[Actopus from the maritime clan, Your Majesty.]

“Welcome. You came personally?”

[If the giant plays dirty, we’ll steal his corpse.]

What? The Queen found it odd but didn’t press.

“How will you fight?”

Maritime clan tactics, mostly sea-based, were obscure.

[I have eight cannons. No matter his defenses, there’s always a blind spot. I’ll melt him with my versatile secretions and pierce his throat.]

“Unique strategy.”

[Expect my eight cannons, Your Majesty. They’ll make you proud.]

His flat brow wrinkled—smiling, probably. The Queen thought, “I wish they’d all just die…”

Even for interdimensional conquest, this was too much.