2 – The Succubus Empress Takes Out a Suit

“Night Sea observation, 20 minutes to go!”

“We will begin the countdown from 10 minutes.”

“All distinguished guests, please be seated!”

​

The VIP seating area was bustling.

Unlike usual, when only civil servant hunters participated, many so-called ‘higher-ups’ had dragged their heavy bodies to watch, so the civil servant hunters were running around frantically to prepare seats for them.

These people weren’t ordinary civil servants; they were national-level hunters or Awakened assigned to national duties, valuable personnel who usually wouldn’t be ignored anywhere.

With the title of civil servant, they had a certain level of prestige and decent salaries, but today, everyone’s face was filled with worry and concern.

Because today was the day of the Night Sea phenomenon.

There were far more higher-ups than usual who insisted on directly observing it, despite not knowing what dangers might arise, which made them even more worried.

​

“Protection Spell check complete!”

“Physical defense complete, mental defense complete, erosion defense complete. All clear!”

“Check everything thoroughly! Especially the VIP seats!”

​

Scenes of Chief Lee scolding lower-level civil servants and Awakened could be seen everywhere.

The Night Sea was a phenomenon where the sky opened, and all sorts of things from other worlds poured out onto Earth.

Simply put, it was a phenomenon where the sky tore open, and things shaped like stars fell randomly onto Earth.

However, the outcome of the phenomenon varied each time, and the identities of the things that fell were also random.

Naturally, the things that poured out of the Night Sea onto Earth were accompanied by all sorts of dangerous things, including new dungeons, gates, and monster hordes.

It could be seen as the main cause that continued to plunge the world into screams even after the Great Rift in 2030.

But that was only the case for powerless civilians.

What was discovered through the Night Sea phenomenon wasn’t just new monsters but also unknown natural resources that didn’t exist on Earth, out-of-place artifacts from alien civilizations whose principles couldn’t be understood, and even vast, unclaimed territories.

It was full of dangerous elements, but conversely, it was also an opportunity for an unexplored new world full of gold and silver treasures.

Thus, it could be an opportunity for large corporations and hunters to earn new money and for a new world to pour out. The economy recovered thanks to the Night Sea phenomenon, and there were even cases where government approval ratings rose or politicians succeeded in reelection, so the Night Sea was a massive event that the country couldn’t help but pay attention to.

Of course, the things that came out when the Night Sea opened were, as the name suggested, highly random, and it was possible that nothing would come out at all. There was also the possibility of dangerous elements emerging that were beyond control, but the higher-ups’ thoughts were always complacent, lazy, and full of unfounded confidence, as usual.

​

‘Eh, it’ll be fine.’

‘The frequency of dangerous monsters appearing when the Night Sea opens is only about 3-4 times out of 10, right?’

‘If I just get my name on the new resource development project by directly observing the Night Sea, my reelection is guaranteed.’

‘Oh, the VIP seats are very well prepared. There’s even alcohol… I hope no one takes pictures?’

‘Even if something happens, the hunter rabble will take care of it anyway.’

​

Such people were bound to come to this Night Sea as well.

Presidents or ruling party members who wanted to raise their falling approval ratings, or rising rookie politicians who wanted to ride the momentum and continue their upward trend, would directly observe the Night Sea unfolding.

The lower-level people and hunters were the ones rolling around, but the higher-ups left activity records of directly observing, acting like the leaders of an expedition to an unexplored new continent.

Based on this, they raised their names high, and even if they were called to a hearing, they would raise their voices, saying, ‘I! Even observed the Night Sea phenomenon! I! Did all that! Have any of you even been to the Night Sea when you haven’t even been to the military!?’

In fact, politicians, university professors, and famous businesspeople used Night Sea observation itself as a record, like a honor or career.

All they actually did was drink alcohol and eat snacks in the VIP seats, which were plastered with Protection Spells, and chat among themselves.

When the Night Sea opened, they would peek at the scenery through the windows of the VIP seats and then go back to drinking until they were completely drunk, at which point their secretaries would escort them home.

This would leave [Direct Observation of the Night Sea Phenomenon] and [On-site Guidance of the Night Sea] in bold letters in their political careers.

Wasn’t it dangerous?

Of course, it was dangerous.

The Night Sea was fundamentally highly random, and no one knew when or what would tear through the sky and settle on Earth.

Of course, it was possible to make predictions based on prior signs, but predictions were ultimately not absolute, so their reliability was lacking.

​

‘According to the Night Sea forecast from the Association, the expected risk level of the Night Sea is moderate, right?’

‘If it’s moderate, then even if something comes out, it won’t be a big deal.’

‘Even if something dangerous comes out, it’ll just be a few monsters at most.’

‘There are many hunters from the giant guilds and mega-corps, so it’ll be fine.’

​

If the hunters running around on the ground heard this, they would foam at the mouth and explain the peculiarities, irregularities, and dangers of high-risk monsters all day long, but the higher-ups wouldn’t listen.

In the past, the number of hunters and civilians who died due to a ‘moderate’ risk level was staggering.

Now, at least, evacuation and forecast alerts were well-established, and the level of Awakened, including hunters, had risen a lot, so serious tragedies like in the past didn’t occur, but even so, the dangers that settled on this land due to the Night Sea couldn’t be ignored.

​

“Ha, the ruling party and opposition party members, even the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport came.”

“Seriously. When the higher-ups come, the ones who end up dying are the lower-level people.”

“Last time, the warning was ‘high’ risk, so no one came….”

​

Of course, for the civil servants who had to serve those higher-ups and even create escort regulations, it was a situation that made them want to swear.

In principle, civilian observation of the Night Sea was impossible. Only skilled hunters and Awakened should be prepared and ready to face it in a kind of ‘defensive battle.’

The light that fell like a meteor when the night sky opened was spectacular, but no one knew whether the true nature of that light was a disaster or a new world or new resources.

If the true nature of the falling light was a super-high-risk monster or a distorted dungeon, an evacuation alert would be issued immediately, and the hunters would have to hunt and isolate the dangerous elements by activating the Electromagnetic Net, Protection Spell, and barriers that had been prepared in advance.

But what about the days when many higher-ups came?

​

“Ah, Chief Lee. Long time no see. Is everything well prepared?”

“Yes, Assemblyman! We have checked the Protection Spell installed in the VIP seats without fail! We will also control the reporters so that they do not deviate from their designated seats, so please do not worry!”

“Haha, yes. Take it easy.”

“Ah, we have also placed moderately drinkable items that you have prepared in each seat. Please do not worry about photos or eavesdropping.”

“Hehe, good job.”

“Oh my, this friend is very thorough in his preparations?”

“Haha! He is a friend that I have cherished since a long time ago. He also prepared for the Jeokseong Plateau dungeon observation last time.”

“Oh, I also participated in that at that time, and it was quite impressive.”

“Well, shall we go first? Assemblymen?”

​

It ended up being this kind of mess.

The field workers frowned at the sight of Chief Lee, who raised his voice and scolded the lower-level people, bending over 90 degrees to the suit-wearing people with badges from the National Assembly.

​

“Haaa….”

​

And Dan Ayeon, the civil servant in the 6th grade from Awakened, was also one of the lower-level people being sacrificed in this ‘ceremony.’

To be exact, she was in a miserable situation, perfectly stuck between the higher-ups and the lower-level people, experiencing a double hardship.

Fortunately, what Dan Ayeon had to do was simple.

Listen to Chief Lee’s orders and re-examine the Protection Spell for the lower-level people (national-level hunters) and check for any possible dangerous elements.

However, due to the extremely high randomness of the Night Sea, it was most ideal to completely exclude civilians and form a defensive and isolation battle consisting only of hunters….

​

‘I don’t know what’s going to happen, but why are they insisting on participating while breaking the rules….’

​

She didn’t understand the behavior of the higher-ups, who insisted on participating no matter what, and she wondered what would happen if something really big happened.

With a deep sigh, Dan Ayeon looked at the ‘crack’ in the night sky.

​

‘I wonder what’s going to pop out of there. I hope something quiet and safe, like a sky island, pops out and it’s over.’

“Civil Servant Dan, I have checked everything.”

​

At the report of a certain Awakened civil servant, Dan Ayeon met his gaze with tired eyes.

Both of them were equally soaked in fatigue, but for some reason, the civil servant seemed to be looking at Dan Ayeon with much more pitiful eyes.

​

“Ah, okay. Thank you for your hard work. Everyone, go to your positions and wait for now.”

“What about the assemblymen….”

“…Haa, I’ll mark them, so don’t worry.”

​

That was because Dan Ayeon was a high-level Awakened who was at least an A-rank as a hunter, but she had been receiving a civil servant’s salary since before the Great Rift occurred. When the world changed as the rift occurred, the Korean government was the first to create an absurd law prohibiting the arbitrary retirement of civil servants who had become Awakened.

​

‘If you refuse, you’ll be punished and sanctioned like a deserter, and your social perception will plummet?’

​

Some people just told them not to talk nonsense and immigrated, but in Dan Ayeon’s case, she had a family and needed to maintain a stable livelihood, so she had no choice but to remain a national-level Awakened civil servant.

Her salary had improved a bit, but considering that an A-rank hunter could earn billions of won on their own in society, Dan Ayeon’s situation was truly that of a soldier being sold off cheaply like a soldier who didn’t even receive the minimum wage.

It was already going to be difficult, but even from the perspective of a lower-level civil servant, the sight of Civil Servant Dan Ayeon being caught between the higher-ups was pitiful.

​

“Yes, yes… Then, Civil Servant Dan, please take care.”

“Yes, everyone, please take care… Ah, I bought ice cream in the base freezer. Take one and eat it…”

“Yes… Thank you.”

​

But what could she do even if she complained?

Reality didn’t change….

Dan Ayeon, who was the highest-ranking Awakened civil servant, had to be responsible for the safety of the assemblymen.

Dan Ayeon drew random pictures on the sand on the floor with the tip of her shoe.

Whirling around in an unrecognizable shape.

Then, she glanced at the dark circles under her eyes with a hand mirror, sighed, and stood guard in front of the VIP seats with her hands behind her back.

It was called a VIP seat, but it felt more like a mobile restaurant plastered with Protection Spell.

​

‘I hope something good~ comes out for the country and us in this Night Sea.’

‘Oh~ The scenery is nice~’

‘I heard that the Night Sea is much more wonderful than the aurora, so I’m looking forward to it.’

‘Have you seen the aurora too?’

‘Haha, I had a good opportunity to play golf while on an overseas tour, so I was able to see it.’

‘Can I go with you next time?’

‘Hey, don’t the two assemblymen belong to different parties?’

‘What if we’re different? Whether it’s the ruling party or the opposition party, we’re all members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.’

‘Hahaha! Thank you for your kindness.’

‘Well, let’s stop talking nonsense and have a drink?’

‘Haha! Let’s do that! First, I’ll pour you a drink first. Assemblyman!’

​

Thanks to the unnecessarily high senses of the Awakened, she could hear the voices of the higher-ups talking in the VIP seats very well.

​

It seemed like they were having a drinking party inside.

Fucking bastards.

​

‘I should order chicken when I get home… I ate garlic last time, so this time I’ll have seasoned… No, is seasoned a little too spicy? But I want to eat something spicy today. I’m stressed… Should I try something called Buldak chicken? There’s a new product called Mint Chocolate Chicken that came out this time….’

​

Even so, Dan Ayeon dreamed of a somewhat happy future(?).

Watching entertainment clips while eating something delicious at home was one of the few joys in her life.

The Night Sea phenomenon wouldn’t last long anyway, so if she was lucky and this observation ceremony ended smoothly, she would be able to go home in an hour.

The cleanup of the site was the responsibility of the lower-level civil servants. The Night Sea investigation itself would be carried out in earnest by guilds or commissioned hunters, so unless a high-risk entity popped out as soon as the sky opened, it would be fine.

​

‘Yeah, surely an S-class monster won’t come out as soon as the Night Sea opens, right?’

​

As long as an S-class monster didn’t pop out, it would be fine.

She had stayed up for two nights to prepare the VIP seat Protection Spell today, hadn’t she?

S-class monsters were strong, but there were other giant guilds on standby nearby… Sigh, I don’t know.

​

“The Night Sea is about to begin!”

“The Night Sea is coming!”

“All hunters, please stand by at your designated locations!”

“All distinguished guests, please do not leave your seats!”

​

Really, as long as it was reasonable.

It was reasonable that nothing special would happen.

​

Thinking that way, the night sky opened.

The sky opened like the Red Sea parting, and beautiful stars and light were about to meet this land.

The light was so enchanting that it evoked awe and admiration in those who saw it, but the light seemed to say this.

​

…Life is not always what you think it will be.

S-class alert! S-class alert!

• All hunters, immediately prepare for battle!

• Space contamination detected! Space contamination detected!

“…Ha.”

​

Dan Ayeon let out a short sigh.

​

Fuck.

How could things turn out like this?

Of course, the preparations themselves were well done.

They had prepared a defense and isolation posture made by tormenting national-level hunters, so they could respond to most things.

But wasn’t it a bit much for an S-class high-risk entity to pop out like a ghost?

​

“Everyone, battle stations!”

​

At Dan Ayeon’s one word, all national-level hunters simultaneously activated the Protection Spell and immediately prepared for battle.

When a truly dangerous moment came, Chief Lee disappeared like a ghost.

Ah, Chief Lee, I heard that he wasn’t an Awakened and was a parachute appointment, so it must have been true.

But it was quiet.

Nothing was pouring out, even though the alarm was ringing.

Stars and light were still settling on the ground like the Milky Way from the Night Sea, and the spell was quiet even though an S-class alert had been issued.

​

“Why is it so quiet?”

“Did it appear somewhere else?”

“No. If a high-risk entity appears, it’s here where the spell is concentrated. I even laid down a guidance spell in the first place.”

​

Dan Ayeon, who had quietly silenced some of the Awakened civil servants who were talking, focused mana on her eyes and glared at the sky.

At that moment.

-Blink.

“…!”

Eyes.

Eyes.

Eyes.

Eyes were visible.

Large eyes.

Numerous eyes.

​

Sensing this, Dan Ayeon immediately shouted.

​

“Everyone, close your eyes!”

​

No one questioned Dan Ayeon’s cry.

All the lower-level Awakened immediately closed their eyes and tensed their bodies.

​

“…Old Sheep.”

​

Entity name: Old Sheep.

It was first discovered in the Swiss Alps. Its appearance was a four-legged creature about 4 meters tall. In fact, unlike its name, it didn’t look like a sheep at all.

It had no fur, and its skin was very thin and transparent, giving it a bizarre appearance as if its skin had been peeled off. The most distinctive feature was its regenerative power, which recovered even after being hit by a bomb, and the bizarre eyes embedded all over its body.

It usually had about 80 eyes, but it didn’t actually have eyesight. Its usual behavior was just floating in the sky and crashing into high mountain ranges, and then floating around in the sky again for no reason.

It seemed like a harmless entity when looking at it this way, but the reason why Old Sheep was an S-class dangerous entity was due to another characteristic.

If it made eye contact with another living being within a certain distance, it would immediately become enraged and enter a state of frenzy, creating countless pieces of flesh from its body. The pieces of flesh created at this time were similar in shape to Old Sheep but differentiated into entities with their own dangers.

Young Sheep, a small, oval-faced creature with four legs that fed on young babies.

This Young Sheep evolved into a floating mass of flesh with tentacles and thorns.

And the floating masses of flesh gathered to create Young Sheep, a lower entity of Old Sheep.

Young Sheep, unlike Old Sheep, actively tries to devour humans. More importantly, all of them, including Old Sheep, regenerate from any wound, so unless you freeze or incinerate them whole, there’s virtually no way to hunt them.

It’s said that one Old Sheep destroyed an entire city in the Mediterranean.

But the solution is simple.

“It’s Old Sheep! Don’t make eye contact, no matter what!”

“Yes!”

Just avoid eye contact.

Dan Ah-yeon quickly drew the curtains on the VIP room windows and gave orders to the other public service Hunters.

No one knows why something with almost no eyesight is so sensitive to the gaze of others.

Perhaps Old Sheep, with its many eyes but no vision, is jealous of humans with perfect sight. But as long as human eyes don’t meet Old Sheep’s within a certain distance, it won’t react.

If Old Sheep isn’t provoked, it will simply pass by. Once it moves to a safe zone, they can request a long-range Magical Bombardment to roast it.

‘I’m glad I set up the Guidance Spell far from the city center…!’

If they had held the Night Sea observation event near the city and even one civilian had made eye contact with Old Sheep, a catastrophe would have occurred.

Slowly.

A quiet, silent moment passes.

Old Sheep will just blink its huge eyes, float in the sky, and then leave without incident.

Just a little more.

Just a little more.

Just wait a little longer…

“Excuse me. Hmm? What’s going on?”

Then, an Assemblyman in the VIP room couldn’t resist his curiosity and peeked out.

Ah.

“Ah, no!”

But before Dan Ah-yeon could scream, before she could slap the Assemblyman unconscious, he made eye contact with something.

The eye in the sky.

The sheep’s eye.

The cow’s eye.

The goat’s eye.

The eye.

That eye met the eye of an unknown Assemblyman on the ground.

That was enough.

For the disgusting being to show interest in the earth…

[—Baaaaaaa!]

Something that didn’t resemble a sheep at all made a sheep’s cry.

The sheep is jealous.

Old Sheep is.

The sheep, sad that it has so many eyes but sees nothing, screams at the top of its lungs.

“Shit, goddamn it!”

“Who looked!?”

“We’re screwed!”

“All personnel, prepare for battle!”

Watching countless chunks of flesh fall from the sky to the ground, Dan Ah-yeon looked at the Assemblyman who had opened the door with a sense of futility.

“W-well, what’s going on…? Is it safe? You, you tell me something!”

“….”

Dan Ah-yeon wanted to cry.