Chapter 19: The Succubus Shop, Bespoke Services

That night was lively, with nearly every adventurer getting thoroughly drunk. While it was understandable that some were drinking excessively due to someone else treating, and driven by the desire to seize every advantage, indulging in drunken antics was another matter entirely.

Eventually, in the deep hours of the night, the overwhelmed staff ushered the adventurers out. Thus ended the day of bounty collection.

The adventurers paired off in small groups to head home. Kobayashi and his companions were no exception. Aqua, as usual, was utterly unconscious from drinking; Darkness’s cheeks were flushed; and after some goading, Sato and Makoto, who were reluctant to drink more, also joined in a round of heavy drinking.

Kobayashi refrained from alcohol. He knew a grueling social battle awaited him—a gathering where, knowing Dast’s style, he would certainly not be allowed to leave standing.

Megumin also abstained; after all, she was still too young. But it was clearly impossible to have a little girl escort the three of them home, so they had no choice but to enlist their maid’s help.

“Ryuushi, I’m counting on you,” Kobayashi said.

“Send them home, right?” Ryuushi replied with a hint of disdain and sarcasm. “But to me, Lord Kobayashi’s safety is more important. Why not just let them sleep on the streets? They won’t be picked up by passersby anyway. It’s not so bad to be in the company of other drunks in some dark corner.”

“They’re comrades; we can’t just abandon them.”

Kobayashi ruffled her hair and gently placed Aqua into her arms.

“Don’t worry about my safety. Axel is a peaceful novice village—there’s no real danger. But if you’re still uneasy, you can always come find me later.”

“Since Lord Kobayashi says so,” Ryuushi, being a servant, naturally treated Kobayashi’s orders as the highest command, but she still voiced her concern: “If you encounter danger, please scream like a frightened little girl. That way, I’ll come running immediately.”

“That’s a bit exaggerated.”

After bidding farewell to Ryuushi, Kobayashi headed toward Dast, who had been waiting nearby for quite some time.

“Hey, done talking with your little maid?”

“Just asked her to see our companions home,” Kobayashi replied casually.

Noticing that Kis, Tyler, Lynn, and the others who usually teamed up with Dast were nowhere to be seen, Kobayashi grew curious.

“Why just you? Where are the others?”

“Nighttime’s secret life is better with fewer people around. Come on! I’ll take you to experience another kind of nightlife here in Axel.”

Dast clapped Kobayashi on the shoulder like a good buddy and led him through winding alleys and twisting streets until they were a bit disoriented. Just as Kobayashi was about to ask how much farther, they finally arrived.

“Here it is!”

At the end of the alley stood a shop bathed in warm yellow light, with a tempting pink sign posted outside. Neon lights boldly spelled out: “For Sweet Dreams.”

“Isn’t this a succubus parlor?!”

“That’s right! It’s very popular among male adventurers!” Dast said proudly. “Don’t worry, the succubi here won’t harm anyone.”

The succubi of Axel were neutral; they did not hurt others but would visit sleeping male adventurers to show them sensuous, exciting dreams. In return, they absorbed a portion of the adventurers’ vitality as nourishment while helping them relieve their pent-up energy.

A mutually beneficial arrangement.

Kobayashi knew about such parlors but had never visited before. Previously, without any cheats enabled, surviving alone was tough enough, leaving no time or thought for pleasure.

But there’s a saying: “When well-fed and warm, one thinks of…”

Now, with cheats activated and a little money to spare, his long-suppressed desires began to stir anew.

Seeing Kobayashi’s interest, Dast whispered into his ear, “The best part is you can pick your preferences—personality, body type, anything you like.”

A personalized service?

Which official could resist such temptation?

“Come on, it’s on me.”

“Heh heh, Kobayashi the generous!”

The two quickly wiped their sly smiles away and walked in with serious expressions, as if they were there for an important business discussion, not for indulgence.

Inside, many adventurers were gathered. But upon spotting Kobayashi and Dast, no greetings were exchanged. Instead, they all wore the same roguish grin.

“Welcome, esteemed guests.”

A succubus with an alluring figure approached to greet them. Both her appearance and demeanor were top-tier.

One had to admit, that was the hallmark of a succubus.

But rest assured, despite the warm lighting and pink sign, the services here were extremely innocent… at most, a little warm.

“Don’t mind me; just take care of my companion. It’s his first time here. Enjoy yourself, Kobayashi.”

Dast was clearly a regular. He declined the succubus’s greeting, took a form from her, and disappeared into a back room as if this was routine.

The succubus smiled gently and turned to Kobayashi. “Is there anything you need help with?”

“Sorry, it’s my first time here. Are there any rules I should know?”

“Not at all. You’re our guest, after all.”

She lowered her posture, then retrieved a form identical to Dast’s from her chest and placed it before Kobayashi, ready to guide him step by step like an experienced driver.

“First, please fill out this form.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s to set up the dream you want to experience.”

Kobayashi picked up the form and examined it carefully.

It not only asked for basic details like appearance, height, weight, and measurements but also offered options for attire, personality, setting, and play style—special features to enhance the experience.

His eyes lit up, blood rushing to his head.

“Nude, 500, twin maids, 3D Jerusalem district…” A host of beautiful girls could be freely chosen, and he could tailor the experience as he pleased!

He eagerly grabbed a pen to start filling it out.

But just as he was about to write, his pen froze on the paper.

Not because he couldn’t decide, but because he simply couldn’t do it.

Imagine: now that he possessed a ring that could transport him across worlds, what if he someday met these girls in person? How could he face them afterward? The guilt would crush him.

You might think, why not just make up your own setting?

But in his previous life, the two-dimensional world was vast. No matter how he combined traits, expressions, or figures, corresponding characters always appeared in his mind.

He resented his limited imagination and hated that his previous life’s expertise had so tightly fixed his otaku preferences.

The succubus noticed his hesitation. “Sir, is something wrong?”

“Sorry, I guess I don’t have much imagination,” Kobayashi sighed, feeling disappointed. “I wish I had something real to compare with…”

Suddenly, he glanced at the succubus beside him.

To be honest, this voluptuous lady was exactly his type.

Having come all this way, he didn’t want to leave empty-handed.

After some thought, he said, “Sorry to say this, and you might get mad, but… could I consider you as my partner?”

“Of course.”

The succubus answered promptly.

Kobayashi was surprised. “Really? Won’t that cause you trouble?”

“Although it’s normally not allowed, you remind me a lot of my first love. Suddenly, I’m feeling quite moved.”

Her smile grew even more enchanting, clearly quite fond of Kobayashi.

“Then… can you tell me your measurements?”

“That’s for you to find out yourself.”

She leaned close to Kobayashi’s ear and exhaled softly. “Since we both feel this way, why bother with dreams? Physical closeness won’t drain your vitality.”

“B-but…”

“It’s alright. Though it’s my first time too, I am a succubus and have studied related knowledge. I will guide you well.”

Her low, sultry voice sent a delightful shiver through his ears and heart.

Kobayashi’s eyes widened slightly.

Could it be that today, he was about to ascend the threshold of adulthood?