Chapter 20: The Endgame of Hide-and-Seek

“I don’t know where they went,” Lulsiera said with a hint of exasperation, having received a message from Fel.

“If it’s Kuro-san and Onee-sama, I believe they’re safe, but…”

“Oh, does that mean they’re just wandering around aimlessly?”

“It doesn’t seem like it. For now, let’s head underground. Alma, please.”

“Yes, ma’am. –Gungnir.”

Kuro thrust her spear into the ground, causing a cloud of dust and a thunderous roar. Although it was significantly damaged and far from penetrating through.

“Mmm, it’s still tough, huh?”

“Because my Excalibur has a short blade…”

“Leave it to me; it’s my turn. –Taslam.”

Lulsiera manifested a gun.

【Taslam】

A weapon (a stone projectile) that appeared in Celtic mythology, thrown by the god of light, Lugh. It has been remade into a gun.

A magical bullet infused with the blood of various animals mixed with the stone projectile. It is said to possess tremendous power, easily causing those struck by it to explode into nothingness, leaving no trace behind.

“Well, let’s see. From three shots, I suppose.”

One shot, two shots, three shots

Firing towards the ground, a hole large enough for one person to easily fit into was created where Alma had shaved off.

“Then, shall we go?”

They entered the never-ending darkness.

Descending underground, the only light came through the hole. Despite it being daytime outside, it was pitch black.

“It stinks…”

A rotten odor was immediately noticeable upon entering.

After a while, their eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. On both sides of the stone room were cages.

“Agaahhh!!”

“Haa, haa…”

Drooling, an ugly creature in the shape of a human shook the rusty iron bars.

“No, this is a human. Succubi are quite cruel, aren’t they?”

“Succubi survive by doing naughty things, don’t they?”

“Alma-chan, watch your words. So, this disgusting smell is…”

“Oh my, it seems we have a little explainer here.”

Lulsiera was the first to notice.

When she turned around, there stood a succubus with twin tails.

“Are you our opponent?”

“Huh? Opponent? Someone like these women is my opponent. Ichi has no business with them.

Nichi, the succubus, smirked as if ridiculing them, looking down on humans with disdain.

“Before asking about Kuro-san and the others, I’m curious: do you consider the humans in these cages as your food?”

Rafia asked with cold eyes.

“You’re sharp. Yes, we succubi see them as our food. Don’t they have the mark on their lower abdomen? As long as that mark exists, they are at our succubi’s mercy, just mere food.”

Nichi continued proudly.

“Thanks to the power of that mark, human men instantly become aroused and ejaculate. It’s a repetitive cycle. Each time, they lose many things like ‘ability,’ ‘intellect,’ ‘strength,’ and so on, along with their semen. Without succubi, they become nothing more than helpless infants. And in the end, they turn into worthless trash, unable to even produce life force. Hehe, how repulsive it is.”

Nichi laughed gleefully, finding great amusement in the situation.

Even though none of the three present were laughing.

Feeling annoyed by her behavior, someone let out a sigh.

“Sigh, how obnoxious.”

Thud.

A dull sound echoed as a hand fell to the ground. It belonged to Nichi.

“Aaaaahhhhhhh!!”

A painful, agonizing scream resounded—a sound that was no longer human.

With tears streaming down her face, Rafia gazed at her own severed arm below the elbow, glaring at Nichi through tear-filled eyes.

“Enough with your bragging. Quickly tell us where Kuro and Onee-san are,” Lulsiera demanded.

“Ugh… I can’t believe we’re dealing with such monstrous individuals. This ‘Kuro’ you mentioned is a man, huh? Hmph! If he’s still alive, he’s probably either become a sex slave for the Succubus Queen Yarimaru-sama or experienced something far worse than these humans—huh!

In an instant, the eyes of the three lost their light.

Witnessing the transformation, Nichi let out a small scream, but…

“If you dare harm me any further, I’ll kill these people right here.”

Nichi wore a wicked grin as she surveyed her surroundings.

It seemed she was using the captive adventurers as hostages.

We had won.

Nichi was convinced, but…

“Why don’t you just kill them?” came the unexpected question from Lulsiera.

“Huh?” Nichi was taken aback by the response.

She had thought that by holding them hostage, she could make them comply. She believed that anyone would prioritize saving their comrades.

“Are you scared, perhaps? If that’s the case, I can take care of killing them instead.”

Bam!

A single shot rang out.

It pierced through the forehead of one of the men inside the cage.

“A… Ahh…” The man uttered a short word before collapsing.

“Why… Why…” Even though she should have been in a superior position, she couldn’t stop trembling.

“Having hostages complicates the situation. Shall we just dispose of them and then continue our conversation? They are already beyond saving. Alma, Rafia,” Lulsiera called out, and without hesitation, the two proceeded to stab them.

Gusha, zashu…

Easily and effortlessly, people were shedding blood and falling one after another. Puddles of blood accumulated on the ground, staining their shoes.

Nichi trembled as if struck by lightning.

“Ahh, are you truly humans…?”

“We are humans. Or rather, pitiful humans abandoned by their own kind. Now, where did you hide our leader and companions?”

“I don’t know! My job was just to keep you all occupied!”

Observing that she seemed genuinely unaware, the three exchanged glances and eventually nodded.

It was Lulsiera who spoke up.

“Well then, shall we play a little game of hide-and-seek?”

“Ha, haa…?”

It was a sudden and unexpected proposal. Nichi could only stare, dumbfounded.

“If you can escape within the next minute, I’ll let you go. But if you can’t, I’ll kill you.”

“W-Wait…!”

“Ready, set, go!”