Chapter 19: The Succubus Shop, Private Customization
The night was a rowdy one. Almost all the adventurers got dead drunk. While it was understandable to drink like crazy when someone else was paying, taking advantage of the freebies, it wasn't right to get into drunken brawls.
Finally, late at night, the adventurers were kicked out by the overwhelmed guild staff.
And with that, the harvest day came to an end.
The adventurers went home in small groups. It was the same for Kobayashi's party. Aqua was, as usual, drunk and unconscious. Darkness was also flushed in the cheeks. Kazuma, who hadn't wanted to drink much, had also chugged down a few mugs after being goaded.
Kobayashi didn't drink.
He knew he had another tough battle (gathering) ahead of him. Knowing Dust's style, he definitely wouldn't let him go home on his own two feet.
Megumin also hadn't had a drink, as she was still underage. But it was obviously impossible for a little loli to send three drunkards home. He had no choice but to ask his maid for help.
"RyuZU, I'll leave them in your care."
"Is it to send them home?"
RyuZU said with some disgust and her usual sharp tongue, "But to me, Master Kobayashi's safety is more important. Why not just let them sleep on the street? It's not like anyone would pick them up anyway. Keeping the other drunks company in a dark alley would be a fine choice for them."
"They're our companions. We can't just leave them."
Kobayashi rubbed her head and placed Aqua in her arms.
"And don't worry about my safety. Axel is a peaceful beginner's town; it's not dangerous. Of course, if you're worried, you can come find me later."
"If you say so, Master Kobayashi."
As his attendant, RyuZU naturally took Kobayashi's orders as the highest command, but she still said with concern, "If you encounter danger, please be sure to let out an astonishing shriek like a frail young girl. In that case, I will be there very quickly."
"That's a bit of an exaggeration."
After saying goodbye to RyuZU, Kobayashi walked over to Dust, who had been waiting for a while.
"Yo, finished talking with your little maid?"
"I just asked her to send my companions home," Kobayashi explained casually. He noticed that Keith, Taylor, and Lynn, Dust's teammates, were nowhere to be seen, which made him a little curious.
"How come you're alone? Where are they?"
"A secret nightlife is naturally better with fewer people. Come on! I'll take you to enjoy another side of Axel's nightlife."
Dust slung an arm around Kobayashi's shoulder like a good bro.
He followed him as he weaved through the alleys. After several twists and turns, he was starting to lose his sense of direction. Just as he was about to ask how much further they had to go, the two finally arrived at their destination.
"This is it!"
At the very end of the alley was a shop lit with a warm yellow light. Outside, an alluring pink sign stood. The neon lights on the sign clearly read—Sweet Dreams.
"Isn't this a succubus shop?!"
"That's right! This place is highly acclaimed among male adventurers!"
Dust was quite proud as he explained to Kobayashi, "Rest assured, the succubi here won't harm people."
The succubi of Axel were neutral. They wouldn't harm others; they would only visit male adventurers in their sleep and give them fragrant and stimulating dreams. In return, they would absorb a portion of their vital essence as sustenance, while also helping the male adventurers relieve their pent-up energy... It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Kobayashi actually knew about the succubus shop, but he had never been before. After all, his cheat ability hadn't been activated back then. Just surviving was difficult, so how could he have the spare time to seek pleasure?
But as the saying goes: When one is well-fed and warm...
Now, his cheat was activated, he had a little money, and the restlessness he had been suppressing was suddenly stirring.
Seeing that Kobayashi was tempted, Dust leaned in and whispered in his ear, "The most important thing is that you can choose your preferences. Whether it's personality or figure, you can choose the type you like."
Private customization?
What man could withstand such a test?
"Let's go. My treat," said Kobayashi.
"Hehehe, Boss Kobayashi is so generous."
The two of them wiped the lewd grins off their faces and walked in with serious expressions, as if they weren't going to a place of pleasure, but to discuss important business with someone.
They pushed open the door. Many adventurers were already there. However, when they saw Kobayashi and Dust, they didn't exchange greetings, but instead, they all revealed the same kind of debauched smile.
"Welcome, our two guests."
A succubus with a stunning hourglass figure and top-tier looks walked over to receive them.
As expected of a succubus, he thought.
But rest assured, although the lighting in this shop was warm and the sign was pink, the services were actually extremely "green"... at most, a little "warm."
"Don't worry about me, just take care of my companion. It's his first time. Enjoy yourself, Kobayashi."
Dust was clearly a regular. He refused the succubus's reception, deftly picked up a form, and disappeared into a back room.
The succubus wasn't angry. She smiled and attended to Kobayashi. "Is there anything I can help you with, guest?"
"Sorry, it's my first time here. Is there anything I need to be aware of?"
"Not at all. After all, you are our guest."
She was very humble. She then pulled a form identical to Dust's from her cleavage, placed it in front of Kobayashi, and prepared to guide him step-by-step on how to get on the road like the other "old drivers."
"First, please fill out this form."
"This is?"
"This is to set up the dream you will be having."
He picked up the form and examined it closely.
It not only had basic requirements like appearance, height, weight, and measurements, but also special "plays" that "increased attack speed," such as clothing, personality, scenarios, and gameplay styles.
Kobayashi's eyes lit up, and he felt the blood rush to his head.
Asuna, 500, the twin maids, the Jerusalem of the 3D zone... he could choose from a multitude of beautiful girls, and he could even play with their settings!
He hurriedly picked up a pen, ready to write. But just as he was about to put pen to paper, the tip of the pen froze over the form.
Don't misunderstand. It wasn't that he was having trouble choosing; it was that he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Think about it. He now had a ring that could cross worlds. If one day he met them in person, how could he face them? The guilt would crush him.
You might think, why not just create your own?
But his knowledge of otaku culture from his previous life was too vast. No matter how he combined attributes, moe points, figures, and appearances, a corresponding character would appear in his mind.
While cursing his own poor imagination, he also hated how powerful the industry in his previous life was, having perfectly captured every otaku's taste.
Seeing that he wasn't moving, the succubus asked curiously, "Is something wrong, guest?"
"I'm sorry, I don't seem to have much of an imagination," Kobayashi sighed, disappointed. "If only I had a real-life reference..."
Suddenly, he saw the succubus beside him. To be honest, this curvaceous succubus was very much to his liking. And now that he was here, he didn't want to leave empty-handed.
After some thought.
"I'm sorry, you might get angry if I say this, Miss Succubus, but I still have to ask... can I use you as the subject?"
"Of course."
The succubus agreed readily.
Kobayashi was surprised. "Really? Won't that cause trouble for you?"
"Although this isn't normally allowed, you look a lot like my first love, young man. Suddenly, my heart is pounding," the succubus's smile became even more enchanting. It seemed she was also quite taken with Kobayashi.
"Then... could you tell me your measurements, Miss Succubus?"
"You can confirm that for yourself."
She leaned in and breathed softly into Kobayashi's ear. "Since we're both interested, why bother with a dream? Besides, with negative-distance contact, there's no loss of vital essence."
"B-but..."
"It's fine. Although it's my first time too, I am a succubus, after all. I've studied the relevant knowledge. I will guide you properly, my dear guest."
Her voice was low and husky, a sound that made both his ears and his heart itch.
Kobayashi's eyes widened slightly.
Was he going to climb the ladder to adulthood today?!
(End of Chapter)