Chapter 4

Diana Beatriz, captain of Cosa City's Ghost-Hunting Squad—a prospective Master-level Awakened. Thanks to her presence, incidents of ghosts devouring people had been rare in Cosa City over the past few years.

But in recent months, two A-rank ghosts had been prowling the outskirts, and quite a few people had already gone missing. No one expected one of them to slip into the city itself.

So when she learned that an A-rank ghost had been killed, even she was shaken.

"It's really dead… How is that possible? Is there someone in Cosa City strong enough to kill an A-rank ghost?"

After repeated confirmation, she was certain—the ghost wasn't just dead. It had been utterly annihilated.

"Handle the cleanup," she ordered briefly. Then she walked over to Miles.

"Did you kill this A-rank ghost?"

Even though she already knew it was unlikely, protocol required her to ask.

"Do I look like I could?" Miles shrugged. "I just awakened. I'm still a student."

As he spoke, he couldn't help studying her.

Sharp and composed, with a commanding presence—she gave off a sense of absolute reliability.

"If there's nothing else… can I go home?" Miles raised a hand, putting on a slightly nervous expression.

"Wait. I have a few more questions."

Miles pursed his lips and waited. He had already decided—no matter what she asked, he'd stick to one answer: he knew nothing. He was just a weak, newly awakened novice. That was all.

Half an hour later, still unable to get anything useful, Diana finally had someone escort Miles home.

Whoever had killed the A-rank Headless Ghost remained unknown. But one thing was certain—Cosa City had just been spared a major disaster.

…

Back home, Miles politely saw off his escort. The moment the door closed, he rushed into his room and eagerly summoned Molly again.

The room was small and bare—everything inside could be taken in at a glance.

"Molly."

The moment he called her name, she stepped out from behind him.

"You didn't go back?" Miles blinked.

"You haven't paid me yet," Molly said softly, a hint of shyness in her voice as she instinctively covered herself.

"Payment?"

Miles froze.

'Don't tell me…'

Chime!

[Mission: A Night with the Succubus

[Objective: Spend the night with the succubus.

[Reward: Wicked Charm (Skill)]

The moment the system prompt sounded, Miles instantly hopped onto the bed and patted the space beside him.

"Come on."

Molly's face flushed bright red as she muttered under her breath, voice barely audible, "That's not the kind of payment I meant…"

"What was that?" Miles didn't catch it.

"N-nothing!" Molly shook her head quickly, her cheeks burning like ripe apples.

A pure, untouched succubus…? Was she really this innocent?

Looking at her like this, Miles felt like he could trick her into anything.

Molly slowly climbed onto the bed, sitting at the edge with her back to him. Her heart pounded wildly. All she wanted was to draw a little essence from him… she hadn't expected things to turn out like this.

She could refuse. But… she was also curious.

Her sister had always talked about it—so maybe… she should take that first step and become a true succubus.

Staring at her smooth back, Miles almost reached out to pull her into an embrace—

But suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit him. His hand froze midair. His essence had been severely depleted. He couldn't hold on any longer.

His arm dropped weakly against her back, startling her. Her body tensed instantly.

A moment passed. When nothing else happened, she cautiously turned her head.

He had fallen asleep.

Molly let out a quiet sigh of relief… though a trace of disappointment lingered.

She gazed at his sleeping face, her own cheeks tinged with red.

This was the first time she'd been this close to a man.

"…He's kind of handsome."

After watching him for a long while, drowsiness overtook her as well. Her eyes slowly closed.

…

That night, while Miles and Molly drifted off together, Cosa City was anything but calm for others.

"Captain, we've finished investigating that student—Miles Ryker. He just awakened not long ago. Do you know what he awakened?"

Despite Miles's claims, Diana's instincts pushed her to investigate further.

"What did he awaken?" she asked.

"A Summoning Path."

"A Summoning Path?"

"Yes—and not just any. An S-rank summon… a succubus."

"An S-rank summon?!"

Diana froze.

An S-rank…

If that were true, then it was entirely possible… that A-rank ghost might have been killed by him.

After all, Summoning Paths were notoriously unpredictable.

…

The next morning, Molly woke feeling more refreshed than ever before. She had never slept so peacefully.

As her eyes opened, she saw Miles still asleep beside her, and her face flushed instantly.

His breath brushed against her skin.

Carefully, like a thief, she slipped out of bed, afraid of waking him.

After a moment's hesitation, her lips parted slightly.

A faint wisp of energy drifted from Miles's mouth and was absorbed into her body.

"He's too exhausted… I'll just take a little."

She touched her lips, as if savoring the taste.

"Not bad… I'll come again next time, my lord."

…

Molly returned to Succubus City just as her older sister stepped out of her room.

"Where did you go, Molly? You were gone all night."

Lily stretched lazily, a faint blush still on her face. Her perfect curves were enough to drive anyone mad.

Behind her, the door opened again—two succubi dragged out a shriveled, husk-like body, preparing to dispose of it.

Molly didn't bat an eye. She was used to scenes like this.

"I went out for a bit. Someone summoned me."

"Someone… summoned you?"

Lily looked genuinely surprised. Beings of their level weren't easily summoned.

"A human. A boy. He just awakened."

Molly's voice softened when she mentioned Miles.

"Just awakened… and he summoned you?"

Lily grew even more intrigued.

"Oh? A boy, too? Don't tell me you…"

Her expression turned teasing.

"My dear sister, you've finally come around."

She looked genuinely pleased.

"Our kind is like this. There's nothing to be shy about. If you let go, your strength will surpass mine in no time. You might even compete for the Demon Lord's throne."

Molly had extraordinary talent, but she always held herself back. If she let loose, she might already be the strongest in the Demon Realm.

A succubus who had never truly absorbed essence, and yet had reached this level? If she ever did… the results would be terrifying.

"My sweet little sister…"

Lily wrapped her arms around Molly from behind, her hands wandering mischievously as she inhaled her scent.

"…This smell. That man's? There's quite a bit of it on you. Don't tell me you—"

Molly flushed and hurried to explain, "No! I—I only took a little. Nothing else happened."

"I know." Lily smiled faintly. "If he dared try anything, I'd kill him—unless he's worthy."

Simply absorbing essence yielded very little. Only deeper contact allowed them to gain true power.

Because of Molly's special nature, Lily had forbidden such methods in Succubus City—afraid she'd be influenced—unless she encountered someone truly exceptional.

Suddenly, a surge of power descended upon Molly.

Resonance.

Summoned beings obeyed their summoners because they received this power in return—it accelerated their growth. A mutually beneficial bond.

"This… isn't this Resonance a bit excessive?"

Lily's expression shifted to shock—and even a hint of envy.

At their level, progress was incredibly difficult. Yet, this surge alone had already raised Molly's strength slightly.

That was terrifying.

"Are you sure he just awakened?"

"I am."

Even Molly found it unbelievable.

"How interesting… I'd like to meet him."

"No!" Molly immediately objected.

If her sister saw Miles… she might devour him whole.

"Already this protective after one meeting?" Lily teased. "Relax… I won't steal him from you. If he meets the standard, you take the meat… I'll just have the soup."