128 - I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

Chapter 128: Captured by the Academy City Rohan and Ichinose silently stepped out from the shrubbery into the mansion's courtyard, maintaining a low stance for quick response to any potential attack. They closed the distance to the row of Frasier Dolls lined up beside a giant bathtub. “…” The lifeless eyes of the Frasier Dolls shifted. They had definitely sensed the two, yet they neither attacked nor uttered a sound. “They’re not charging at us like husks. Are they waiting for commands?” “Perhaps they’re meant to assist with bathing... Regardless, let's deal with them quickly.” All Rohan and Ichinose could think of was the opportunity before them. Determined to neutralize the Frasier Dolls before a succubus discovered them, they took their positions. With a swift swing of their swords, they cleanly decapitated the Frasier Dolls. Swish! [+5P] [+5P] [+5P] ... The headless dolls collapsed as if their strings had been cut. The succubus, sensing the anomaly, emerged from the mansion a moment too late. The door swung open, releasing a heavy, intoxicating fragrance reminiscent of a department store's first-floor cosmetic section. As the pervasive scent attempted to meddle with their minds, the two strengthened their magical defenses. "Humans…?" The succubus spoke with surprise between her blood-red lips, soon crafting a leisurely smile. “Interesting guests we have. Where could you have come from?” Shining black claws. Rohan took particular notice of these features, quickly discerning the weapons and methods this succubus might employ. A thrumming sound followed as more Frasier Dolls spilled through the open door. Clad the same as those by the bathtub, the slender men bore weapons. “Silent types? Won’t you answer?” The succubus scanned the scene. Her eyes were fixed on the humans observing her. Though the woman had her eyes closed, her sharp senses were definitely directed toward her. ‘And the man…’ The succubus’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Rohan. She made no effort to conceal her astonishment. Lifting a hand, she signaled the approaching Frasier Dolls to retreat three steps. “You... are not an ordinary man, are you? I’ve never encountered such a prime specimen.” Her eyes glistened with desire as she gazed at Rohan, sensing something extraordinary. “A prime specimen?” Rohan frowned at being treated as an object. ‘...You're calling Rohan a prime specimen?’ Ichinose was equally drawn to the term. The succubi they had encountered until now were seemingly incapable of communication. She thought they went mad at the sight of Rohan purely because he was male. There seemed to be more to it. “You can speak?” The succubus looked pleased, merely from observing Rohan. He, however, without hesitation, pulled the trigger. Bang! She dodged the bullet with a mere tilt of her head, playfully wagging her black tail, amused. She showed no interest in the bullet that lodged itself in a Frasier Doll’s head behind her. “While I prefer obedient ones, a rebellious man can have his own charm too.” Despite Rohan’s initial attack initiating a potential conflict, the succubus sought conversation. More accurately, she desired Rohan as a result. If they could extract enough information, it wouldn’t be a bad condition for them. The succubus sensed this intention and attempted a negotiation. “I’ll forgive you for breaking my precious dolls. In exchange, why not live with me and indulge in the finest pleasures, forgetting all annoyances?” “Would you?” Rohan spat out harsh words, his expression fierce. The succubus feigned shock, jesting for him to listen to her till the end, her hips and tail swaying as she continued. “I’m not saying I’ll turn you into a Frasier Doll. I’m just inviting you to live together. What do you think?” “I loathe frivolous sluts.” “I also find jealousy in men quite appealing. Is it because of the Frasier Dolls? I’ll dispose of them if that’s what you wish.” Unbothered by the insult, the succubus rubbed her thighs while keeping her unwavering gaze on Rohan. Her gaze and excited breathing suggested genuine interest rather than an act. Ichinose bit her lip in anger, but she endured. An emotional response would do no good. “Try killing them all now.” “Such ruses won’t work on me~. We need to form a contract first, don’t we?” A black parchment appeared before Rohan’s eyes. Though Ichinose almost gasped, ready to warn him against accepting, Rohan had no such intention from the beginning. He confirmed the name at the end of the parchment, the succubus’s name: Bianca. Raising his sword, he sliced the floating parchment in half. The severed pieces fell to the ground. Bianca’s smile vanished from her face. Chilling fury spread through the air. “...Such a tricky man, like a real prime specimen. There’s no choice, then.” At a snap of the succubus’s fingers, the Frasier Dolls charged without a change in expression. ─... ─... Unlike husks, these Dolls uttered no meaningless sounds and were swift on their feet, wielding their blades in silence. Enhanced by magic from the succubus, their physical capabilities easily surpassed that of ordinary humans. What was more concerning was their default strategy of mutual annihilation. Frasier Dolls, moving by command without self-awareness, willingly threw themselves as weapons. Not feeling pain and continually attacking until they sustained severe damage, their numbers made them formidable. Clang! Clank! Thud! Despite this, one by one, the Frasier Dolls fell. Bianca observed the pair's coordination and skill with inner admiration. ‘They fight much better than I expected!’ The woman, though, wasn’t to Bianca's taste. She wouldn’t want her as part of her collection. However, turning the blind-like woman into a Frasier Doll for security might more than compensate for her current losses. And there was no need for words about the man's value. “I guess it’s time to show one of my specialties.” Having made up her mind, Bianca began channeling her magic. Whooosh───!!! A dense aura emanated from her body, enveloping the mansion in a pink mist. Rohan, familiar with Bianca's succubus skills, kicked away an oncoming Frasier Doll and alerted Ichinose. "Ichinose, it's an enchantment. Keep your mind sharp." "I understand...!" "Her strength seems to lie in a wide enchantment range. The concentration might not be as intense." Equipped with prior knowledge, Rohan warned Ichinose and gripped his sword tightly. [One Sword - Flame Sever] Rohan's sword technique neatly bisected the waists of the gathering Frasier Dolls. His remarkable strength was astonishing, considering he wielded the sword with one hand. "Hah." Snapping her drawn Yoruo back into its sheath in an instant, Ichinose continued with her swordplay. [Illusory Blade Style - Winged Flash] The Frasier Dolls were sliced cleanly, collapsing in a cascade. Amidst the dense pink fog, jet-black claws pierced through the cloud-like space, aiming for Rohan. Clang! Rohan parried the claws targeting his thigh with a brilliant swing. The extended claws retracted back to Bianca's hand. "Oh my, you blocked that? You're becoming even more appealing." No sooner had her claws retracted than Ichinose swung at their previous position, but Bianca had already moved. There was no time for regret; they had nearly finished off the remaining Frasier Dolls. And Ichinose could feel it—the insidious power of enchantment. 'Is this considered a weak enchantment…?' Being the same gender as a succubus, Ichinose inherently had some immunity to enchantment skills, perceiving them only faintly. Yet even she felt dizzy, her instincts and reason clashing chaotically within her mind. She couldn't even begin to imagine the level of allure a man like Rohan must be experiencing. It was impressive how he could move so skillfully in such an environment. But that battle soon paused. As the last Frasier Doll fell and as many attempts were made to fend off the claws seeking an opening, the long fight seemed to draw near its anticipated conclusion. "…" Thud. Rohan suddenly dropped his handgun from one hand, his body slackening. His head bowed forward as his sword dangled toward the ground, adopting a hunched posture that seemed ready to collapse at any moment. To any observer, he appeared as a man succumbing to enchantment, seemingly on the brink of dropping his sword too. "Rohan!!!" Ichinose cried out in desperation, her voice filled with urgency. 'I have to wake him up soon…!' In that decisive moment, the Frasier Dolls, obeying Bianca's command, formed a defensive barrier to block Ichinose, while the succubus emerged through the pink mist. "Hehe, I've never seen a man withstand enchantment for this long. I'll cherish you forever as my servant, and you'll take me to the queen's throne." Bianca held a choker resembling a collar in her hand. As the succubus took a step closer, intending to place the choker around Rohan’s neck, he suddenly seized the awaited opportunity and unleashed his magic in a burst. [Three Swords - Luminous Wing Spear] This was the sword technique he had been advised to improve regarding its preparatory stance. Still, Juyeon had praised it for everything else. The thrust, which met demanding conditions even in practice, pierced Bianca’s heart. "Urk…!?" "I told you I hate sluts." As Rohan used the rotational force imbued in the blade to burst her heart, an unprecedented achievement surfaced. [Rohan's exclusive achievement has been unlocked] [Responded to the Nightmare’s Kiss with a Sword - Achievement accomplished] [Achievement reward: Increased resistance to status ailments]