Chapter 21

Zhao Zilong's life is valuable, but the lives of over fifty Cao generals are not. The difference is as great as that between legendary orange and ordinary white. The arrogance of the abyss is so unreasonable.

The succubus protagonist felt a bit relieved upon hearing this. But then she thought, "If I get caught and handed over to that perverted gentleman for... This is worse than death!"

Realizing this, the succubus protagonist continued to grit her teeth and break through the encirclement. The death of one tiefling didn't matter much. More tieflings surrounded her with lassos, ready to ensnare her. She rolled, dodged, and used her left hand's adamantine claw to slash and tear through a few of them.

Another lasso came at her. The succubus protagonist tried the same tactic, but this time she missed. At the moment of impact, the lasso inexplicably flashed and then ensnared her—

"Animated rope?!" The succubus protagonist tried to struggle, but the lasso tightened, nearly making her roll her eyes back.

"Ha ha ha! The bounty of a thousand soul prisms is mine!" One of the tieflings holding the lasso laughed maniacally—only to be immediately cut to pieces by the others!

"The bounty is mine!"

"Mine!"

"Mine, mine, mine!!!"

The demons and monsters who had just mercilessly killed the tiefling shouted in a cacophony. Just as they were about to draw their blades again, a demon's eye caught the succubus protagonist. Seizing the opportunity, she flipped her left wrist, her claw reached the lasso, and with a bit of force, she cut through the rope and ran again!

"Grab him, he's running!" the froghemoth shouted.

"He's trying to grab me, kill him!" the succubus protagonist shouted back.

"What? What kind of logic is this—" The froghemoth was stunned for a moment, then was also cut to pieces.

"Damn! I was just saying it casually, and you guys are too damn decisive?!" The succubus protagonist was shocked. Then she heard a voice:

"You have successfully used the skill 'Persuasion.' Persuasion skill +1."

"Is this possible?!" The succubus protagonist's eyes darted around, and she quickly came up with a plan: "I'm just a succubus! Who among you can't capture me?! Your true enemies are the other powerful demons! Or do you want to share the bounty with other demons?! No way! Kill them, and the bounty will be yours alone!"

"…So what kind of logic is this?" The other monsters, half-demons, and Yugoloth mercenaries were stunned by the succubus protagonist's words—Even if they were to turn on each other, it should be after capturing her, right?! And from the way she was throwing fireballs around, she didn't seem like someone who could be easily caught.

Despite this, the demons loved her rhetoric!

Thus, the melee began.

"The bounty is mine!"

"Mine!"

"Mom's!"

It was just like when the succubus protagonist was a quasit. Another chaotic battle of mutual slaughter ensued.

At the beginning of the melee, the succubus protagonist had the upper hand. While the others were still hesitant to kill, she earned a lot of experience points. But soon, the bloodthirsty demons started to go all out.

The succubus protagonist immediately knew when to stop. She turned and ran, throwing a couple of fireballs as she went…

Running for her life, running for her life, running for her life, the succubus protagonist ran until she was out of the city of Nalathel. Reaching the outskirts, she looked around and, seeing no demons, sat down.

Too damn exciting, how can I be so smart?!

The succubus protagonist took deep breaths and pulled out a water bladder from her dimensional bag, taking a few sips, but finding it unsatisfying, she threw it away and grabbed a bottle of wine, gulping down half of it. Then she lay down in a "big" shape on the ground, ready to rest—just then, slow, deliberate clapping sounded again.

The succubus protagonist, already on edge, shuddered. Joking, the prelude to the perverted gentleman's appearance was always this slow, deliberate clapping.

The succubus protagonist sprang up from the ground, ready to be cautious.

"Is my perception still too low? As an Obyrith, I have a constant True Seeing spell. But I didn't see anyone around, so the other party isn't using magical means?"

As the succubus protagonist was suspicious, the grass in front of her was parted, and a person dressed similarly to Syd walked out—this made the succubus protagonist tense up. But soon, she realized this person wasn't the perverted gentleman.

Although the attire was similar, he was much older than Syd. His outfit was also more modest, without the gold-threaded edges, gemstone buttons, and silk tassels that Syd had. And his demeanor was different from Syd's.

If Syd was a wealthy young master with a sharp and confident air, this person was a capable butler serving such a master.

The succubus protagonist relaxed a bit, but then tensed up again:

"This person is indeed not the perverted gentleman, but that doesn't mean he's not powerful."

With this mix of tension and relaxation, the succubus protagonist's mood fluctuated. The old perverted… I mean, the old gentleman observed this and smiled, his neatly groomed hair glistening with hair wax: "No need to be so nervous. If… we wouldn't be enemies."

"Not enemies?" The succubus protagonist raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you here to kidnap me for the bounty of a thousand soul prisms?"

"That's not entirely incorrect," the old gentleman smiled: "Although it's not for the thousand soul prisms, I did initially want to 'invite' you to a place."

"You know that guy Syd, right?" the succubus protagonist asked.

"Very perceptive, little one," the old gentleman nodded: "Yes, I am his personal advisor and also handle some of his affairs in this city. I am, in a sense, his subordinate."

"That has nothing to do with perception. You two are dressed like a couple. I would have noticed if I didn't," the succubus protagonist said.

"Oh? Hahahaha…" The old gentleman laughed without offense: "Although it's not something to boast about, that demon's taste is actually modeled after mine. So—"

"—I don't care about that. I don't care about your fashion sense. If you have something to say, say it. If you want to fight, I'll fight to the end," the succubus protagonist interrupted him, speaking very rudely.

"Is that so? Then I'll be more straightforward," the old gentleman's smile faded, and he spoke seriously: "I invite you to join us."

"Invite? Join?" The succubus protagonist repeated the key words, waiting for the old gentleman to explain further.

"Yes," the old gentleman nodded: "I invite you to join the Demon's Hand guild in Nalathel. I believe it will benefit both of us."

"Demon's Hand…" The succubus protagonist recalled. She remembered the booklet Delmont, the Yugoloth, had given her, which mentioned this organization. It seemed to control several districts in Nalathel and was a major guild, handling many of the city's "businesses."

"Good, it seems you've heard of us," the old gentleman nodded, looking satisfied: "You must know something about our guild's power. And you can understand the strength and significance we represent."

"Maybe, maybe not. Strength? Significance? Are you sure a demon would like to hear such things?" The succubus protagonist laughed lightly.

"Yes, indeed. I think I should be more direct," the old gentleman nodded, looking thoughtful: "Then I'll be blunt. Do you want to control this city and become the master of Nalathel?"

"No, I don't."

The succubus protagonist was straightforward and unhesitant.