I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 126: The Pillow Found After a Long Time

Immediately after the succubus's head fell, Ichinose, who had Rohan in her sight, thought to herself.

'Was Rohan a beastman?'

At first, she wondered if some thick tail was attached in front.

But how could a tail be attached in front? Obviously, he wasn't a beastman.

'If not?'

The conclusion that emerged in the girl's mind was singular.

"..."

Ichinose was well-versed in culture and common sense, which of course included sexual knowledge. She knew the theory inside out, despite lacking experience—ignorance would only lead to embarrassment someday.

Ridiculous notions like storks bringing babies, or getting pregnant from kissing or merely holding hands, wouldn’t fool such a sharp girl.

Thus, Yui Ichinose understood perfectly what had happened in Rohan's lower body.

A phenomenon where blood flow increases to a specific area due to sexual stimulation, causing it to enlarge and harden—a function developed in males to inject sperm into the female body for internal fertilization.

Though she had the knowledge, these were words she had never spoken aloud nor intended to.

'Ba, ba, ba, bon...'

Seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn’t even complete the word in her mind. It wasn’t just a photo in an anatomy book. Even obscured, this was her first real encounter. How could it be so filled with heat and vigor?

Ichinose's body turned away from Rohan, unable to face him.

An awkward silence enveloped them.

Rohan rustled about and cautiously approached the stiffened Ichinose.

"Ichinose."

"..."

"Ichinose?"

"Ah, I know... I know, so..."

"You say you know, but you're not looking at me at all."

"..."

The charm created by the succubus was an unavoidable phenomenon.

Mentally withstanding it was an incredible feat. Normally, his vitality would have been drained the moment he succumbed to the charm.

Ichinose tried to understand this logically. But effort is just effort, and her perturbed state was visibly apparent.

Observing the situation, Rohan took a step back.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have gone ahead and exposed you to something you shouldn't see."

Despite not being in a position to apologize, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) he did. Ichinose’s emotions surged like waves as she avoided his gaze.

"Rohan. Let's... stay apart for a moment."

"Huh?"

Ichinose gently placed her sword down, spread her empty hands, and then sharply slapped her own cheeks.

Chap! Chap! Chap!

Her cheeks turned red like sticky rice cakes for another reason.

Ichinose found a moment of calm.

"It’s not your fault, Rohan. Let's end it here!"

"That’s straightforward. Thanks."

Despite feeling overwhelmed by shame and Ichinose’s reactions,

Such a gesture somewhat alleviated Rohan's embarrassment.

"Huuu..."

With cheeks blushed like strawberry rice cakes, Ichinose picked up her sword and managed to start a conversation.

"Rohan. What does charm feel like? I should prepare myself, just in case."

While it's known that succubi typically charm males, females are not entirely immune either. The same goes for the opposite.

Charm has a significantly reduced effect on heterosexuals of the same gender.

"Um, it feels like hostility fades? Like a cheat that forcibly raises likability."

"Hostility fades? That's intriguing."

"And definitely, there are sexual feelings, an urge that seems to resolve if directed towards the succubus."

"Uh, uh-huh..."

Her nasal sounds wavered at the explicit explanation.

Unable to speak, Ichinose rummaged through the succubus's shabby dwelling.

Finding nothing of value, they moved on. Rohan seemed slightly uncomfortable in his movements.

"We just need to destroy the Monolith inside to escape the dungeon, right?"

"Right."

"It will likely be with a host or a controlling entity."

"Yeah. Among the succubi, those who can communicate would be it."

Ichinose pondered and her expression grew serious.

"If the controlling entity here is a Succubus Queen, that would be troublesome."

"That monster... appeared in Tigrova, and Noah’s father dealt with it, right?"

The Succubus Queen had records of emerging through dimensional rifts.

Only a brutal conclusion remained of being hunted down by Seolho Grandmaster, but records indicate she was versatile and powerful beyond mere charm.

"Right. If a second queen has emerged, she’s not a monster we should face. None of the instructors, except Juyeon, could handle it."

"Hmm."

The succubus Rohan just dealt with relied solely on charm, a typical trait.

However, a communicable Named Succubus would have its own specialties besides charm, and likely commands pleasure dolls as well, making it an annoying opponent under any conditions.

"Well, let’s just find it. We don’t necessarily have to confront it. Just smashing the Monolith is enough."

"Right."

Comforting the visibly worried Ichinose, Rohan moved forward.

‘What was that succubus’s name again? I can’t remember.’

Rohan knew the truth.

The succubus ruling over the Den of Nightmares was just one of the named ones, not a queen.

Succubi as a species had multiple dungeons aside from this place.

The Den of Nightmares could be compared to a town or city in human society.

"And while we can manage a place to sleep, food is a problem."

"Baby-nose. Are you getting hungry?"

"What do you mean, 'baby'... I’m fine for now. But later could be a problem. There are plenty of mushrooms and plants around, but there’s no way to tell which ones are edible."

Ichinose looked uneasy. At this point, Rohan had no choice but to show her.

If Ichinose tried to gather food or water in a reckless manner, it would be troublesome.

Just like the previous dungeon, they had no idea how long they’d be stuck in the Den of Nightmares.

"Baby-nose."

"Yes?"

"Close your eyes."

"They’re already closed..."

"Oh, right."

Rohan cut off the pointless chatter and opened his store skill.

[You have purchased bottled water.]

2 points consumed.

Rohan pulled a bottle of water from thin air.

"...What?"

Feeling something off, Ichinose’s eyes snapped open.

She looked between Rohan and the water, as if trying to comprehend what had just happened.

"Don’t worry about food or water. It’s not unlimited, but we have enough."

"This is...?"

"My skill. I’m telling you because I trust you, Baby-nose."

"!"

Ichinose's golden eyes reflected Rohan.

She was so surprised by Rohan revealing his skill that her lips slightly parted.

"Use this to cool off your cheeks. They're still red. Or just drink it."

"Th-thank you..."

"If you’re ever thirsty or hungry, just say so. There’s no need to hold back."

Ichinose pressed the cool bottle against her flushed cheeks in an effort to calm herself.

***

After wandering the forest for eight hours, they finally spotted light through the mist.

As they approached, the faint silhouette of a gothic-style building became visible.

The sweet scent in the air grew stronger.

Breathing through the mouth, they could almost taste the sugar.

"Rohan. Are we going in right away?"

"Let’s recover our strength first. Replenish some mana, too."

They had slain at least a hundred husks and taken down four more succubi.

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None of them had been able to communicate, and Rohan had dispatched them before they could even use their charm. Not a single wound.

Even so, fatigue was undeniable.

He had used up a fair amount of mana, and the stress of navigating an unknown location was mentally exhausting.

Unlike Rohan, who quickly adapted to new environments, Ichinose had been on high alert the entire time, never fully relaxing. She looked especially tired.

"...Should we use the succubus’s dwelling from earlier?"

"Sounds good. It had everything we need."

It wasn’t far. Returning wouldn’t be an issue.

They had consistently left markers on their way here.

"Should we eat after we sleep?"

"Sorry... Is that okay?"

"Nothing to be sorry about. I don’t mind. You sleep first, Baby-nose."

"..."

Ichinose, looking guilty, pressed her lips together and walked in silence.

They soon arrived at the dwelling.

After dragging the decapitated succubus’s corpse far away, they settled in.

Compared to the first succubus they had encountered, this one had been wealthier.

The wooden house, though shabby, was still intact. There was no bed, but the floor was stable enough to lie on.

"It’s warm, at least. Doesn’t seem like the temperature changes over time."

This world was stuck in perpetual night.

Even after eight hours, the moon hadn’t moved an inch in the sky, scattering its pale light as if watching over the world.

"This reminds me of the deserted island."

"We suffered a bit at the end, but it was fun. A good memory."

Rohan handed his outer coat to Ichinose, urging her to sleep quickly.

Then he sat in the only chair inside.

"Rohan... don’t sit there. Come sit here."

Lying down with his coat over her, Ichinose tapped the floor beside her, calling him over.

"Sit here? What, do you want me to sing you a lullaby too?"

Even as he teased, Rohan got up from the chair and sat where she had indicated.

"..."

Still lying down, Ichinose slowly inched closer.

She rested her head on Rohan’s lap.

"...Ichinose?"

"Stay still..."

Her voice was a quiet mumble.

She didn’t turn her face toward him, so he couldn’t see her expression.

But the tips of her ears, peeking out from her black hair, were burning bright red.