The Inner Demon (3)

Allure.

The ability to enrapture the target, quite literally.

In a sense, it was the quintessential fox yokai ability.

The allure unleashed with seven tails was immensely powerful – powerful enough to override even a goblin’s commands.

So no matter how possessed by a yokai, if ensnared by my allure, this man should regain his senses.

If there was one concern, it was the side effects of allure.

This man was far more ordinary than anyone I had previously entranced.

While outwardly ordinary, the Yokai Subjugation Office staff were already beyond normal humans, routinely engaging in bloody battles against all manner of yokai.

If those staff members suffered from allure’s side effects, what would happen entrancing this utterly mundane college student?

…Yet I had no choice but to use allure.

The man before me was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown.

Having killed someone with his own hands on top of the yokai possession, it was unsurprising his mind couldn’t withstand it.

There was no point worrying about side effects now.

Consent was not required.

“Mr. Yi Haneul. Have those two left yet?”

[Yes, they left. But Miho, are you really sure about this…?]

“There’s no other way.”

“Wh, wh, what are you trying to do to me…?”

Instead of answering him, I fully unleashed my restrained allure.

“Ah… Uh, uhhhh…?”

His bloodshot eyes gradually returned to normal.

His haggard face regained its original color.

Soon, he began blushing as he looked at me.

Phew, thank goodness…

While uncertain, it seemed my allure had indeed taken effect, judging by his expression.

With reddened cheeks and head bowed, I asked him:

“Are you alright?”

“Huh? Uh, y, yes… I’m fine…”

He had shifted to polite speech.

A good sign, perhaps?

It should be a good sign.

“How do you feel? You’re not having thoughts like wanting to die immediately, are you?”

“I’m, I’m f, fine… Uh, uhhhh…”

…Did allure’s side effect of lowering intelligence kick in?

I should have tried it on an ordinary person first.

Still, at least his mind seemed clear now.

Next was separating the yokai from him.

“Is it okay if I come closer?”

“N, no, don’t come…!”

Huh?

Strange.

I thought his senses had returned, but he was still rejecting human contact?

“If you come any closer… I feel like my heart will explode… Please…”

“…”

Ah, I see.

The allure’s effect was simply too potent.

Ignoring his words, I approached him regardless.

Then, his pupils suddenly began turning an inky black color.

The inner yokai was awakening.

Soon, a voice that could not possibly be human began emanating from Oh Jun-hyuk’s mouth:

[What are you?]

[What are you…]

Dreadful.

His outward appearance was human, but the energy radiating was unmistakably that of a vile yokai.

Its yokki was so powerful, even with seven tails unleashed, my hands and feet tingled.

Certainly, it had mentioned ‘130 remaining’ earlier.

In other words, it had devoured 870 humans as sacrifices for ascension.

Such power likely surpassed any yokai I had encountered so far.

Just in case, I exuded spiritual energy over my entire body as I answered the yokai’s question:

“A fox spirit creature.”

[That, that was not what I asked…!]

[Thanks to this human Oh Jun-hyuk’s memories, I already knew you were a spirit creature…!]

Damn.

So it could read the memories of its host?

Having information about me meant it had likely prepared countermeasures against my abilities.

Tricky.

I wasn’t sure if spiritual energy would work on this yokai, but I had to try.

Further conversation was pointless.

I prepared to unleash my spiritual energy.

But just as I was about to fire it:

[Just what are you…]

[That you so stir my heart…!]

“…What?”

What did this thing just say?

[Ascension no longer matters.]

[Ah, fox spirit Miho!]

[Please, accept my heart!]

“…”

What kind of preposterous nonsense was this now?

---

Watching the situation unfold behind the glass wall, Yi Haneul thought:

At this rate, Miho’s allure could probably conquer the world.

He never imagined allure could work even on yokai.

…No, wait.

Allure shouldn’t work on yokai.

If it did, then logically, even those formless shadows should have been entranced by Miho.

There was only one answer:

This particular yokai happened to possess a ‘human male’ host, so it was fully influenced by the host’s nature.

Allure, in other words, was ‘domination’.

The ability to make the enthralled target obey one’s every whim – that was allure’s outrageous power.

Indeed, the yokai seemed properly entranced by Miho’s allure, meekly continuing the conversation per her words.

…Quite an unbelievable sight for a yokai that had devoured over 800 humans.

Before coming here, Yi Haneul had resolved that if things went awry, he would personally kill that man with his own hands.

Of course, as a Battle Mystic, Yi Haneul had never killed a yokai possessing a human before either.

But he felt it was better for him to do it than have Miho bear that burden.

Miho’s nature was so genuinely benevolent, he could scarcely ask her to commit such a cruel act.

Well, now that Miho’s allure had properly entranced the yokai, there was no need to worry about killing anyone.

“Haah…”

Finally, Yi Haneul let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, things had worked out better than expected.

‘Ugh… Come to think of it, I can barely resist anymore…’

Suddenly, Yi Haneul closely observed Miho’s appearance.

Her sultry eyes.

Her adorable fox tail.

Lips begging for a kiss.

Those massive, eminently grope-worthy breasts.

It was bizarre.

Miho’s allure was supposed to only ensnare males, yet…

…It was undeniable.

Miho’s allure had become far more potent than before, even affecting the female Yi Haneul.

No wonder he felt so bewitched by that foxy vixen…

‘Damn you, wanton fox… Just hurry up and finish this, please…!’

Hoping Miho would quickly subjugate that yokai, Yi Haneul began fidgeting and slapping his own cheeks.

---

I asked the entranced yokai various questions, and it answered me honestly each time.

The most crucial question:

Could Oh Jun-hyuk be restored to his original state? It claimed it was possible.

“What’s the method?”

[There are two methods. First, I, the one devouring this host body, am eliminated. Second, I voluntarily release Oh Jun-hyuk. Of course, Miho, if it is your command, I am willing to release Oh Jun-hyuk right away.]

“Let’s wait and see for now.”

You never know, it might revert to its true nature once released from the allure’s grip.

I pondered how to deal with it.

Of course, as an exceptionally vile yokai, it deserved immediate execution.

“So, will you live properly from now on?”

[Yes! Having discovered a purpose greater than ascension, I no longer have reason to devour humans.]

“…Let me say this in advance, I have no intention of accepting the heart of a yokai like you.”

[It matters not! Even one-sided love is still precious to me.]

“…”

There was room for reform.

Moreover, this bastard was unexpectedly romantic, against all odds.

It was clearly not feigning entrancement to survive me.

As the caster of the allure, I could be certain it was properly enthralled.

Executing it now felt unsettling, yet sparing it was equally unsettling.

Yokai granted ascension qualifications were utter scum deserving of death.

But for one to show such remorse was quite the predicament.

Feeling I needed Yi Haneul’s opinion, I told the yokai to wait, then exited the detention area and approached Yi Haneul.

“Mr. Yi Haneul, what do you think?”

“Wh, wh, what do I think?”

“Yes, you heard everything, right?”

“Ugh… H, how about we hold hands and talk, Miho?”

“Huh? Uh… Sure, I guess.”

Squeeze.

Grope.

Grope grope.

“…Mr. Yi Haneul. What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? Holding hands.”

“…You’re not holding my hand, but my breast.”

“Oh. You’re right.”

“Mr. Yi Haneul?”

“I, I, I didn’t mean to! Miho, your allure has become much more potent than before!”

“…Looking at your reaction, it does seem that way.”

An ability that could bewitch even women, beyond just men.

That was one more reason to reseal my allure.

“Ahem… A, anyway, what was your question?”

“What do you think we should do?”

After pondering my question for a while, Yi Haneul eventually answered:

“Let it live, for now.”

“But it killed a person.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Yet you still want to spare it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“How many times must I say it? I’m quite lenient towards yokai with a conscience. And that yokai entranced by you, Miho… While I can’t say about before, it certainly seems to have a conscience now, clearly showing genuine remorse.”

“…”

“Moreover, it will obey your every command, right? Quite a useful asset. Extracting information from it would just be a bonus.”

Alright.

One thing was certain:

Whether to kill or spare it, it would be best to take this yokai to the Underworld first.

Grope.

Grope grope.

“…Stop groping me already.”

“Ah… My bad.”