Chapter 21: The Hungry Succubus!
Ding, ding, ding!
Xu Yan’s twin Scorpion-tail Kagune whipped toward Bai Xuan in a relentless storm, each strike faster and more savage than the last. He fought desperately just to keep up, every blow forcing him further back, closer to defeat.
Bai Xuan gave it everything he had, but there was no denying it—he was losing ground, and losing fast.
His Ghoul Weapon, the Scorpion’s Sting, barely managed to block the onslaught, but it was battered, riddled with cracks, and on the verge of shattering at any moment.
Counterattack? Impossible. Even maintaining his defense was becoming a losing battle.
Within mere minutes, Bai Xuan’s body was riddled with wounds. Blood soaked through torn clothes and ran down his skin.
And that was with Xu Yan only wielding two Scorpion-tail Kagune.
“Come on, struggle a little more!”
Xu Yan’s eyes sparkled with a twisted glee as she watched Bai Xuan’s stubborn resistance. Her voice was mocking, almost playful: “The more you fight back, the more I like you~”
“Your flesh and blood must be delicious.”
“What a fucking perverted ghoul…”
It wasn’t long before Bai Xuan was backed into a corner, his strength utterly spent. Blood dripped from dozens of wounds, his entire body trembling.
He couldn’t even get close to Xu Yan, let alone defeat her.
“All right~ I’m done playing~”
Xu Yan’s lips curled into a cold, hungry smile.
Even before her words faded, her twin Scorpion-tail Kagune pierced straight through Bai Xuan’s collarbones, hoisting him off the ground.
“Hiss—!”
Agonizing pain shot through him, making Bai Xuan clench his teeth so hard his jaw ached.
This fight—so far beyond his current abilities—drove home just how much he lacked in true combat experience.
Even with improved stats, there was still a gulf between him and real mastery.
“Mmm~”
Xu Yan leaned in, inhaling deeply at the crook of Bai Xuan’s neck. A shiver of pleasure flickered across her lips.
“This scent... absolutely irresistible~”
“I can’t wait any longer… I’m going to devour you right now…”
“Oh, right~”
“And I want to savor you, little by little… Living food is always so much tastier than dead meat~”
Before she even finished speaking, Xu Yan’s Kagune flicked out in a single razor-sharp motion, slicing through Bai Xuan’s clothes and leaving him utterly exposed.
As her “meal” was laid bare, a bead of crystal-clear drool slid from the corner of Xu Yan’s lips.
Her gaze locked onto a particular part of Bai Xuan’s body—something she had never seen on any of her previous prey.
“Perfect… absolutely perfect~”
She stared hungrily, barely able to restrain her urge to feast.
And in that split second—Bai Xuan seized his only chance!
The Black Dragon Blade materialized in his hand. Summoning the last of his strength, he thrust it straight for Xu Yan’s throat!
But just as the blade was about to pierce her neck, Xu Yan moved with inhuman speed, clamping down on Bai Xuan’s wrist in a vice-like grip.
A heartbeat later, a sickening crack echoed—his wrist bones shattered under her grasp.
“Shit!”
Bai Xuan’s brow furrowed in pain and frustration. His sneak attack had failed. Xu Yan was even stronger than he’d imagined.
“Well then, time to dig in~”
Xu Yan’s lips stretched into a grotesque grin, her ghoul nature fully revealed.
And then—
Crunch!
“Ah—!”
…
As death claimed him, Bai Xuan was finally ejected from the World Mirage.
He jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, his clothes clinging to his skin.
The terror and pain lingered, gnawing at his mind, impossible to shake.
“I… I was eaten alive…”
Bai Xuan swallowed hard, a chill running through his body.
To witness yourself being devoured—even if it wasn’t real—was enough to push anyone to the brink.
Especially when—
Xu Yan always liked to moan the filthiest things as she ate her prey!
“So big!”
“So tasty!”
Disgusting freak!
Bai Xuan forced himself to take deep breaths, trying to calm his pounding heart.
Even if death in the Book of Worlds’ illusion wasn’t real, the fear and agony were all too genuine.
He knew—next time, he had to be completely prepared.
As that thought faded, Bai Xuan turned to look at Serene beside him.
She was staring at him, unmoving. At some point, her heart-shaped tail and demon horns had reappeared, her eyes glowing with a soft, rosy light.
“...?”
“Serene?”
He called her name, but she didn’t respond.
Hesitating, Bai Xuan reached out and gently brushed her hair aside.
Serene’s entire expression melted into bliss. Her eyes narrowed, lips curling into a seductive smile—so utterly unlike her usual composure.
“…?”
Bai Xuan raised an eyebrow.
Had he just unlocked some new, hidden side of Serene?
If so…
His gaze drifted to her heart-shaped tail.
He’d heard that a Succubus’s tail was incredibly sensitive. She’d always dodged him before, but now, maybe—
Squelch!
Bai Xuan grabbed the tip of her tail in his hand.
Instantly, Serene’s eyes snapped into focus.
“Master, what are you…?”
Serene stared at him, bewildered.
Bai Xuan opened his mouth to explain—but her tail had already vanished without a trace.
He quickly asked, “Serene, do you remember what just happened?”
“I… I was praying the whole time,” she replied softly. “Then, I think I caught a whiff of something… sweet, maybe?”
“…?”
Bai Xuan’s eyelid twitched.
Was that really all?
He didn’t understand, but could only sigh. “Maybe you’re just tired. Get some rest.”
“Mhm.”
…
The next morning.
Bai Xuan woke from a restless sleep—and the first thing he saw was a golden, heart-shaped tail gently lapping at his cheek.
He could feel it—his face was slick with some kind of wet, sticky fluid.
Succubus tail secretions?
The moment he opened his eyes, the tail recoiled, darting back to its owner in a flash.
“…?”
Bai Xuan frowned, glancing to the side.
Serene was still asleep, her face the picture of tranquility—completely unaware.
Which only convinced him further: Serene and her tail must be running on two completely separate systems.
One, a devout Paladin of the Holy See.
The other, a primal, Abyssal Succubus.
“Could it really be because she’s been away from the Holy See too long?”
Bai Xuan fell silent, unease creeping in. If this kept up, Serene’s mind and body might truly start to break down.
Which meant, as her Master, he had to act—soon.
As Bai Xuan gazed at Serene’s sleeping face, her eyes slowly fluttered open.
She sat up, turning to him. Her voice was as cold as ever, but there was a faint tremor: “G-good morning, Master.”
“Morning.”
Bai Xuan’s concern was clear. “Are you feeling any better?”
“There’s still some discomfort,” Serene answered quietly. “But after praying all day yesterday, I’m much improved… The restlessness in my body is mostly under control, at least…”
As she spoke, her blue eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.
“Mostly?” Bai Xuan frowned. Clearly, she wasn’t fully recovered.
“Please don’t worry, Master—I can restrain my—”
Before she could finish, a blush blossomed across Serene’s cheeks.
She wavered, nearly collapsing.
“Serene!”
Bai Xuan caught her just in time—and was shocked to find her skin burning hot.
Her body temperature was sky-high—over forty degrees!
At that moment, a system message flashed before his eyes:
【Your Legendary (Serene) is in a state of extreme weakness. Cause of weakness: Hunger.】