Is It Strange For A Succubus To Be Wearing Clothes?

Chapter 28

—–CROW—– 

Someone once said that humans only give birth to grotesque things. 

That humans were the agents of ugliness, disgust, horror, and all kinds of evil deeds and malice.

But someone else said that if there were a thousand disgusting aspects to humanity, there were also ten thousand good aspects.  

That the beginning of human civilization wasn’t the discovery of fire, the wheel, or the invention of writing, but the trace of a broken and healed leg bone.  

That the recovery of an injured leg through someone’s help, goodwill, and kindness was the beginning of humanity, both magnificent and repulsive.

I wholeheartedly agreed.

Just because bad things happened around me didn’t mean I had to deny all of humanity and trample on the lives of those who were living normally.

A world controlled by my hand and my will alone?

That wasn’t human, nor was it a properly functioning world.  It was more boring than a custom game with tons of cheats and maxed-out resources.

Me, reigning as the Empress of all things and nations, surpassing even the Succubus Empress?

Of course, it would be beautiful and magnificent.

There would be no choice but to admire it.

But what would I do after that?

Again, I had a very contradictory and dual nature, wanting attention while being extremely introverted.

It was a trait from my human life.

Me, reigning as Empress, would be beautiful, but… I could vividly imagine myself sitting on a dazzling throne, thinking, ‘Ah, I want to eat chicken. I want to watch V-Tube. Hehe, Infinite Challenge is fun…’

And well… it wasn’t unbearable, and…

“Then, we will begin the temporary record hearing and consultation for Specially Managed Returnee Lee Jae-hee at 19:15. All conversations will be recorded and may affect future legal and administrative procedures.”

“Then, we will begin questioning Specially Managed Returnee Lee Jae-hee…”

While they were disgusting humans, they weren’t completely stupid.

While some of them did stupid things occasionally, they didn’t become higher-ups for nothing.

The greasy and thick affection and lust they directed towards me was something only I could feel.

Outwardly, they were dressed in suits, pretending not to be captivated by me, clearing their throats and adjusting their clothes.

“Miss Lee Jae-hee, as a Specially Managed Returnee, are you diligently fulfilling your obligation to report outings to the agency?”

“I try my best to comply.”

“I see.”

A stern-looking higher-up with glasses glanced at the documents in his hand.

I peeked at the contents of the document reflected in his glasses.

The reasons I had given for my outings and the reports I had filed.

And the actual times I had gone out.

‘They’ve checked all the CCTVs around my house and the neighborhood.  But seeing such detailed records… it seems they have new surveillance technology I’m not aware of, or a new surveillance-specialized Awakened.’

Truthfully, my outing reports… aside from reporting to Officer Dan, they were practically non-existent.

Sometimes, if I remembered, I would sign the real-time agency outing report form at the entrance, like checking attendance, but if I forgot or didn’t feel like it, I would just leave.  I didn’t go out that often anyway, but I hated being restricted even more.

So, I had no desire to write down my outing records for the agency or the higher-ups.

“Esteemed assemblymen. As you can see from the documents, the reported outing times of the Specially Managed Returnee differ from the actual times.”

“Ah, yes, well. They’re different.”

“But what does it matter if they’re different?  People can go out when they want, and they can forget to report it sometimes.”

“Well, there are some discrepancies with the documented information…”

However, surprisingly, the higher-ups didn’t seem to care much about the outing reports.

That was unexpected.

Honestly, I had expected them to bang on the table and act like those “outraged cosplay politicians,” saying, “You broke your promise to report your outings? Do we look like fools to you, Miss Jae-hee?!”

It wouldn’t be surprising if they used this opportunity to tighten my leash and add more restrictive clauses and devices.

Judging by their past behavior, that is.

“Hey, how can we stop someone from going out if they want to?”

“Director, what’s the purpose of outing reports for Specially Managed Returnees in the first place?”

“Ah, I’ll answer that. It’s because of the case of [Tamamo-no-Mae], a Specially Managed Returnee in Japan…”

“So, outing reports were documented to prevent Specially Managed Returnees from causing problems, disasters, accidents, or catastrophes due to social maladjustment?”

“That’s right.”

This was said by the higher-up who had smiled at me earlier, saying I was as lovely as his daughter.

But now that the hearing had begun, his gaze had sharpened considerably.

He even had a bit of that so-called charismatic, higher-up aura.

“Then, Miss Jae-hee, have you caused any ‘problems’ since becoming a Specially Managed Returnee?”

“Officially, since 2030… not yet.”

“Hmm, ‘not yet,’ you say.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Besides, saying ‘not yet’ implies that someone who hasn’t caused any trouble might cause trouble in the future, so we should be careful. If I were her, I would be quite offended.”

Hmm, this was interesting.

The higher-ups were clearly taking my side.

Of course, the old men’s slimy lust and affection hadn’t disappeared.

They were just pretending to suppress it with reason.

If I had to express their inner thoughts, it would probably be something like, ‘Let’s get the work done first. But how can I get closer to this woman named Jae-hee… will it work?  Hmm, maybe the age gap is too big…’, or ‘Huh, she’s like my daughter, I want to take care of her and be close to her.  Huh… it’s a bit difficult.’

On one hand, they were probably thinking about using their power and privileges to have me.

On the other hand, their reason, political experience, and intuition as higher-ups were probably warning them that such actions could backfire.

Yes, this was normal.

For them to be so overwhelmed by lust that they would risk everything… I would have to take off my veil.

In that sense, my veil was fulfilling its purpose very well.  It kept people’s reason intact, even if it was just barely.

“Since she hasn’t caused any problems, let’s move on from the outing reports.”

“Yes, I understand. We will maintain the current status quo regarding Miss Lee Jae-hee’s outings.”

“However, please inform us when traveling abroad.  We will process the necessary subsidies…”

I smiled and said,

“That’s a relief.  If you had said anything else, you would have had to hire a new surveillance officer to watch me 24/7.”

At that moment, the air in the room turned icy cold.

They must have known I wasn’t joking.

I didn’t mind the document reports, but I wouldn’t let anyone who monitored my private life live.

Seemingly understanding my meaning, the higher-up nodded, as if convinced.

“…A surveillance officer? I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Oh, really?”

At the same time, I raised my head.

Our eyes met.

ㅡShe flinched in surprise.

Hello?

Who are you?

Ah, 165cm tall.

Brown hair tied in a ponytail.

Wearing a typical civil servant suit.

Quite young.

Barely an adult?

ㅡLook away.

The gaze disappeared.

The startled woman closed her eyes and trembled.

Ah, I could see. I could see it.

Oh my, black panties.

“Huhuhu, if you’re watching me, let’s at least introduce ourselves.  It can be unpleasant to be watched by someone I don’t even know the name or face of.”

“…Ahem. Let’s just say it’s for the best.  We will trust Miss Jae-hee’s conscience and sincerity regarding future outings.”

“And regarding the unauthorized surveillance… we sincerely apologize. The directive to monitor the behavior of Specially Managed Returnees under the national crisis management policy was just recently issued…”

“That’s not my concern, is it?”

“Hmm.”

“Ahem… we apologize.”

“Since you’ve apologized, it’s fine.”

The hearing and consultation with the higher-ups continued in a boring but smooth manner.

“Thank you for your assistance during the recent Night Sea incident.  If you have any complaints about the emergency call, please let us know, Miss Jae-hee.”

“What kind of complaints specifically?”

“Like banning emergency calls during the night, or blocking them entirely on certain days of the week…”

I glanced at Officer Dan.

Actually, during the Night Sea incident, Officer Dan should have handled it herself without calling me.  It probably wouldn’t have been impossible for her to handle.  Just the number of casualties would have increased.

But hadn’t I resolved it without any casualties, bursting that old and ugly sheep?

And the life force of the burst sheep became my daily bread.

Nothing bad about it.

Moreover, it was Officer Dan’s call.

“It’s fine.”

“Is that so?  Thank you for your consideration, Miss Jae-hee. Then, the next question…”

The higher-ups continued to ask questions, and I continued to answer.

How was my life?

Was the subsidy appropriate?

What did I do during my outings?

That was all.

Officer Dan was busy refilling my coffee cup next to me, and the higher-ups didn’t seem to express their love for me as overtly as they had during our first meeting, aside from the thick lust they had initially displayed.

Then, an unusual question came up.

“How do you spend your free time?  Do you need a new computer or camera?”

“…A computer and camera?”

I tilted my head at the implication that the higher-ups would provide me with a computer or camera.

“…Actually, the other questions were just procedural, but this is the main question of today’s hearing.”

Saying that, the higher-up with glasses turned on the projector.

There… I was there, playing the violin in front of a crowd at Konkuk University Station.  The faces of the people, entranced, not just by the charm of a succubus, but captivated by my violin performance and the melody itself.

“To be honest… we convened an emergency meeting with the Returnee Management Agency, the office meeting room, and the surveillance director.”

“What was the meeting about?”

“It was about the possibility of Specially Managed Returnee Lee Jae-hee creating ‘followers.’”

The “followers” they were referring to weren’t just fans or admirers.

Slaves of the succubus.

Body and soul.

Mind and heart.

Flesh and blood.

Eternal and completely subservient slaves and followers who would dedicate everything to the succubus.  Succubi could create these followers with their bodies, appearances, charm, and allure.  Ordinary succubi could create three at most, and a Succubus Queen could create about 100.

And me?

Honestly, I didn’t know.

I had never felt a limit to creating followers… so I could probably create them without limit if I wanted to.

“As you know, Miss Jae-hee… the Hungarian Incubus incident, right?”

“Ah, yes.  That impudent brat who turned high-ranking female Awakened into his followers and engaged in terrorism?”

The Child of the Sun and Gold… was it?

What a ridiculous nickname.

But looking at the photo, he was actually a blond, tanned brat.

He was handsome.

But I preferred Ahjussi Mikkelsen to that brat.

“Yes, yes, the biggest concern of the International Hunter Association and the government is that Miss Jae-hee might create followers and cause a disaster… but to be honest, our agency doesn’t think you would do that.”

“Oh my, that’s unexpected? I thought you would be clamoring for me to wear Awakened restraints or be imprisoned in the Cheongsong Awakened Prison.”

“…We’re not that foolish.”

Well, that was true.

Even if they were fools, the current higher-ups were built on the ruins of the previous government.

Of course, there were fools, and there were those who lost their minds to lust and charm, but at least the higher-ups and old men in this room hadn’t yet prioritized lust over reason.

“Anyway, Miss Jae-hee, you haven’t created any followers despite having ample opportunity. And after analyzing your lifestyle and outing patterns, regarding the reason you played the violin…”

“Ah, it’s a cursed item, an Ego Violin. It screams in my head several times a day, wanting me to play for others.”

“…Is that alright? I’m not an Awakened, but I’ve heard that cursed items are very dangerous…”

“If I had been mentally consumed by something like that, I wouldn’t have become a Specially Managed Returnee, would I?”

“Ahem, that’s a relief. Director, next screen.”

The higher-up operated the projector and moved to the next screen.

A blurry screen.

A video with terrible image and sound quality started playing.  But the subject of the video was me.

The Canon Variations, violin version, which I had played for a single viewer on the internet broadcast just a while ago.

“That’s me.”

“Yes, you may not know this, Miss Jae-hee, but many people suffered mental breakdowns after watching this video… or rather, after listening to your performance.”

“Huh?”

I was puzzled.

I had completely suppressed my charm, knowing how beautiful I looked while playing…

“Ah, it wasn’t because of your charm, Miss Jae-hee.  It seems they fell in love with your performance and the sound of the violin itself, replaying it in their heads over and over, like someone with lovesickness, to the point of developing a genuine mental illness.”

This was Officer Dan, who was pouring me coffee.

So, people had fallen in love with me, completely unrelated to me being the Succubus Empress?

Ah, as expected of the beautiful me.

So cool. Pretty. Beautiful.

Why was I so irresistibly beautiful even without the title of Succubus Empress?

훗.

“Ahem, anyway, that’s why the 12 participants in this hearing, including the head of our Returnee Management Center, have concluded that the mental breakdowns were caused by the music and classified your performance as a low-level, distributable memetic video. And if you wish, Miss Jae-hee, we would like to support your continued public musical activities…”

“I’m suddenly curious about something.”

“Ah, yes. Please speak.”

“I ended the broadcast as soon as I saw there was only one viewer, so no one else could come in…”

“……..”

A new silence fell over the room.

If the previous silence had been filled with icy air, this one was filled with a hot air of embarrassment and shame.

“Is that one viewer among us?”

“……..”

The hearing room remained silent for about three minutes.  No one spoke.

“Uhuhu, so the fans who wanted to hear and see more of my performance are gathered here?”

“……..”

The silence continued for another two minutes.

“Well… that violin playing was… pretty good…”

“We’ll give you a good camera and promote your broadcast, so… why don’t you play some more?”

“…Miss Jae-hee, you’re not busy usually, are you? Right?”

Finally, Jae-hee understood the meaning of the immense lust, affection, and fondness these old men had shown her from the very first meeting.

Jae-hee had become a kind of idol to them in a very short time.

‘I guess it’s not surprising that they all seem to like classical music, considering they’re all so-called “-Tteul” (틀)”?’[ “boomer” or “old-fashioned” ]

—–CROW—–