Chapter 6

Chapter 5: The Adapting Pervert (5)

After searching where the manager had mentioned, I found something that looked like a green thermometer.

"Is this the small green device?"

Its operation also seemed similar to a non-contact thermometer.

I approached the succubus with it, momentarily pondering where to aim it. The most convenient spot would have been the face, but I didn't think she would like having a laser pointed at her face.

"Customer, could you show me your hand for a moment?"

"......"

Naturally, she didn't respond, and her arms were crossed tightly. After scanning her body briefly, I noticed her wings fluttering near her shoulders. That should do.

Aiming at the black wings and pressing the button, the LCD screen began to flicker with a faint purple light.

"Manager, the screen turned light purple."

"Hmm... It's blinking regularly, once every two seconds."

A sigh of relief could be heard softly. The manager then continued explaining.

"Is this customer fine?"

The existence of curses is surprising, but even more surprising is that they can be resolved with something sold at a convenience store.

"Is the curse something that can be cured by applying a band-aid?"

"How much does it cost?"

It doesn't seem to be very dangerous. If it can be resolved by giving two 4,000 won pills, it can't be that bad.

Following the manager's instructions, I found the medicine in the middle row of the medicine case, wrapped in pink packaging. The next thing I noticed was the large text on the top row of the case.

"Hmm... 'Cures lovesickness in one go?' Manager, does the convenience store sell antidepressants?"

"What is this... Wait a moment."

Another customer arrived. Pale skin, gray hair, red eyes, and pale skin.

It seemed to be a vampire, taller than the one I had encountered earlier, but still around middle school age. Notably, there was a teardrop tattoo near her left eye.

"Welcome."

"Where are the blood packs...?"

Her voice sounded young. I had a feeling about something, but I followed the procedure.

"Are you looking for a specific alcohol content?"

"Yes. Um, 13%."

"Take a look at the bottom row of the alcohol section over there."

I didn't ask the manager for the location, even though I didn't know it. If it had an alcohol content, it would be classified as alcohol, and blood packs would need to be refrigerated to stay fresh, so they would be in the fridge.

A moment later, the vampire brought four blood packs and placed them down. Looking at the blood packs, I couldn't tell if this was an emergency room or a convenience store. And the fact that they contained alcohol was even more bizarre.

"Also, a pack of cigarettes... please."

"What kind of cigarettes?"

"Those ones."

She asked for cigarettes. I didn't immediately hand them over, as the feeling I had earlier was bothering me, so I asked just in case.

"Would 6mg be okay?"

"Um... Yes, 6mg."

I smoke 5mg. Is this kid a minor?

Minors are called "minja" colloquially. While the term might be offensive, those trying to buy cigarettes at a convenience store are not just minors or immature kids; they are scumbags.

Because the seller can face criminal charges. In this case, that would be me. I would have to pay a fine for violating the Juvenile Protection Act, and a red line would be drawn on my resident registration card, making me a criminal.

One might think it's an overreaction to face such consequences for selling a pack of cigarettes, but it actually happens. The convenience store would be shut down. They casually do things that ruin their lives, so it's hard to call them anything nice.

"Can I see your ID?"

"Yes."

This ID was clearly not genuine.

I pretended to examine it closely, while subtly glancing at the vampire. Her face was pale, but I could see her tense up.

I then checked the ID. Since it's 2021, anyone born in 2002 or earlier is an adult, and the ID said 02. However, why was the hologram around the number peeling off? Huh?

I scratched it with my fingernail, and the part labeled 02 started to peel off.

I returned the ID and said,

"This sticker is peeling off."

"Um, yes, yes?"

"Should I keep peeling it off, or should I melt it with a lighter?"

The vampire didn't choose either. She took the ID, left the blood packs, and quickly fled through the front door.

I let her go.

I don't have the authority to stop minors from buying cigarettes or alcohol, and even if I went to the police station with her, she could file a counter-suit for assault, making things more complicated.

Moreover, since she had a fake ID, it wasn't a one-time thing. If I started tracking down the places where she bought cigarettes, it would turn into a mess.

Thus, four blood packs were left where the minor had been.

I picked one up; it was squishy. How do vampires eat this? I didn't see any blood transfusion tools in the ready-made section, so do they use straws?

"I haven't given it to her yet. A minor just came in to buy alcohol and cigarettes."

"Vampire. Didn't you say such customers come in occasionally?"

"Yes... but..."

No matter how much work I do, time doesn't pass, and I can't help but wonder why these people are treating me like this.

"Alarm? Is there some kind of magic on it?"

Convenience stores usually don't have alarms.

"It's just an analog system. They scratch off the number with a cutter and stick a fake sticker. They also act and speak young."

I thought I caught her purely by my keen eye.

During my three years of work, I never met anyone younger than me while dealing with clients and construction sites, so I naturally developed a good sense. I didn't expect to use it as a pervert.

However, the manager was firm on this point.

"Even the alarm magic didn't go off?"

"Then this minor must be exceptionally skilled in magic. Given that she's a vampire, it's possible..."

A vampire under 20 wouldn't have much income, so it seemed she had a fake ID made with her parents' money. If she had money, she should go play golf. Who knows, she might become a pro.

In any case, this is not something to be taken lightly, so I decided to summarize it.

The ID the minor vampire presented was a magically enhanced fake ID, as the manager explained. But why couldn't I sense any magic?

"Hmm..."

The manager also seemed to find this a difficult question. I decided to give the succubus the medicine first. I opened the packaging, took out two pills, and looked at the succubus. How do I give her this...?

I don't know. I just want to finish quickly and get back to the register.

I pushed the pills into her lips one by one with my fingers. My first physical contact with a woman's lips turned out to be like this.

The dazed succubus swirled the pills in her mouth, swallowed them, and began to moan softly. I immediately reported to the manager.

"I gave the customer the medicine, but will this really cure the curse?"

What does that mean? Treating a job with medicine?

It did seem that way. Her suit didn't look expensive, and her briefcase looked new.

The manager then continued explaining, and it differed from my preconceptions in several ways.

My image of a succubus is roughly this: a demon who plants false love in people through enchantment and seduction, then feeds on that love for power.

The succubi in this world weren't much different, but their methods were incredibly wholesome. They work in industries involving the emotion of "love."

For example, they might develop drugs to increase or decrease love in pharmaceutical companies, become psychiatrists to counsel about love, or work in condom manufacturing.

All within legal bounds. I had a hunch but asked anyway.

"Why?"

The manager answered as I expected.

It was due to their racial characteristics.

In the case of this young succubus, it seemed she wasn't drunk but had been overcharged with magic during her work at her job.

"There have been similar cases before."

"......"

It sounds like I might encounter such customers soon. I need to be careful, but how do I do that? I can't stop customers from coming in.

"Me too?"

I immediately used the inspection device on myself. The screen didn't turn light purple, but it wasn't completely unresponsive. It started beeping like an alarm. I asked, startled.

"Manager, can you hear that?"

"What kind of alarm is it?"

From my perspective, the manager is from another world. I waited to hear what he had to say. After some thought, the manager said,

"What do you mean by that?"