Succumania

Starting a day in the afternoon felt like a fever dream for him. But what was even weirder was waking up to find the little imp he had cradled before falling asleep had vanished. In its place lay a stunning redhead, her fiery hair spilling over the pillow, wearing little more than a pair of white panties and two black ties draped tightly around her neck, falling to frame her bare curves. Her piercing crimson eyes locked onto his, sharp and unblinking, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Hey there," she whispered, her fingers gliding gently through his hair. "You're finally awake."

"Can't you people just give me a break already…?" he sighed heavily, almost a whimper as he felt her other hand grope him.

"R-Right," she quickly took her hands off him and coughed. "I came here in peace, and for nothing else."

"Really? Nothing else?" He shot her a flat, skeptical look, propping himself up on one elbow.

"Who do you take me for? Some kind of savage?" she huffed, crossing her arms and sitting up straighter on the bed, her ruby hair spilling over her shoulders.

"So, what is it then, Astaroth? What do you want this time?"

"I…" she began before sighing heavily. "I came here to apologize on behalf of my sisters."

"Huh-huh…" he muttered, his tone dripping with disinterest as he leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed. "Sure you did."

A flicker of irritation crossed her face before she masked it with a strained smile. "I mean it. What Morrigan did was uncalled for, even considering the circumstances."

"Okay, I'm going to stop you right here," Luka sighed. "No amount of apology from you will 'fix' what Morrigan did. She killed me, in one of the most—" He shuddered visibly, the memory clawing its way to the surface,"—cruel kind of way."

Astaroth's smile vanished entirely, her crimson eyes darkening as she looked away, her fingers tightening around her arms. "I know she can be quite cold but…"

"'Cold' isn't the word I would use for her," Luka muttered, his expression dark. "Your big sister? Now, she's cold."

"S-So even—" Astaroth started, her eyes widening slightly as she caught his meaning.

"Yeah," Luka sighed. "Lilith freaks me the fuck out. I'd still take Morrigan over her any day."

Astaroth blinked, caught off guard by his blunt admission. For a moment, she seemed unsure whether to laugh or grimace, her lips twitching before she settled on a faint, wry smirk. "That's… a bold stance," she said carefully. "I thought you would hate Morrigan more."

"Morrigan's an overgrown kid who thinks with her heart rather than her brain," Luka sighed, leaning back against the headboard with a tired shrug. "I'm sure if I went to talk to her now, she'd spout some nonsense like: 'We're even now!' and think that settles it."

Astaroth let out a short, incredulous laugh, her crimson eyes glinting with a mix of surprise and reluctant agreement. "That… does sound like her," she admitted, shaking her head as she relaxed her grip on her arms, her posture easing slightly. "Always acting first, thinking never. She's such a pain sometimes."

Luka cast her a sideways glance. "You shouldn't be worrying about your sisters," he said flatly. "Worry about yourself first. Whatever's between me and them has nothing to do with you."

Her lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Oh? And what about me?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Am I scary to you?"

"You're at the top of my list Succubus-chan talked about earlier. So yeah, kinda scary for me right now, but otherwise you are fine."

"Fine…" she muttered. "So you're saying I'm unimpressive?" her crimson eyes flashed with an intensity that made Luka shiver.

"No! That means you're normal!" Luka blurted out, waving his hands defensively as he sat up straighter. "Like I can talk to you normally!"

"Oh," she paused, the intensity in her gaze softening as her smirk returned. "Good. I didn't want you to tell me I was nothing much or something."

Luka let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, rubbing the back of his neck as he shot her a wry look. "Yeah, well, I'd rather not piss off someone who can probably turn me into dry fish in a second."

Astaroth's smirk widened into a genuine grin, her laughter soft and melodic as she leaned back on her hands, her fiery hair spilling over her shoulders. "By the way, talking about dry fish…" she trailed off, her tone teasing as she raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to ask me to train you at some point?"

"You're just looking for an opportunity, aren't you?"

"You're overthinking things…" she chuckled. "But… I can't deny that I'm away you probably won't ask for my help right now."

"Yeah," the young man nodded. "I believe I've got something while confronting the imps earlier," he winced again at the memory. "So… Until I'm capable of really taking you on, I won't try. I guess…"

Astaroth tilted her head, her grin softening into something more thoughtful as she studied him. "Smart move," she conceded, her tone carrying a hint of respect. "You're still sane, it's good. Which brings me to something…" she leaned forward slightly, her expression turning serious. "Are you feeling well after what my sister did to you? Or did you hate that feeling of passing away?"

"Why are you asking me that?" he recoiled, a bit weirded out. 

"I want to know."

"Well.." he scratched his cheek. "Basically it went like that: intense pleasure, fade to black, wake up with a pancake in my mouth and my body horny as hell."

Astaroth blinked, her serious demeanor cracking as a surprised laugh escaped her lips before she quickly stifled it with a hand. "A pancake?"

"Yeah…" Luka sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as his cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. "Rumi thought it was a good idea to force-feed it to me."

Astaroth's grin widened, her laughter bubbling up again as she shook her head, her fiery hair swaying with the motion. "That sounds about right for those imps," she said, her voice warm with amusement as she leaned back on her hands, her tail flicking lazily behind her. "But seriously—aside from the pancake assault—how are you holding up? I mean, really."

Luka hesitated, his gaze dropping to the crumpled sheets as he considered her question. The memory of Morrigan's attack still sent a shiver down his spine, the mix of overwhelming pleasure and sudden oblivion leaving a lingering unease in its wake. "It… wasn't great," he admitted quietly, his voice softer now as he glanced back at her. "Felt like I got yanked out of my body and then slammed back in with no warning. And waking up like that… it's disorienting. But I'm not broken, if that's what you're asking."

Astaroth's expression softened, the teasing glint in her crimson eyes giving way to something more empathetic as she studied him. "Good to know. Now, if you were to feel it again, would it be bad?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just curiosity," she replied smoothly, though there was a glint in her crimson eyes that suggested she wasn't entirely innocent in her probing. "I mean, you survived it once. Maybe the second time wouldn't be so… jarring. Or are you saying you'd rather avoid it altogether?"

"It's not about whether I'd survive it. It's about how much it screws with my head. Think about it," he said, gesturing vaguely. "If I die too many times, I might get used to it and live more dangerously than necessary. Without even thinking about the kind of effect feeling such intense pleasure can have on my head, just being able to revive is already a bad thing on its own. It makes life feel… cheaper."

Astaroth was quiet for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she sat up straighter, her tail stilling.

"…You're different," she said at last, her tone thoughtful.

Luka raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She met his gaze, a small, almost knowing smile playing at her lips. "Most people would be asking how to use that kind of power. But you? You're more afraid of what it'll do to you than what you can do with it."

"I don't think any normal person would think otherwise…" he sighed. "Besides, I had enough existential crises, thanks."

Astaroth smirked. "So… does that mean you'll be ready to die a few more times, or not?"

Luka looked away, exhaling slowly. "…I hate to say it, but I don't think I have much of a choice, do I?"

"No," she admitted, "I don't think you do."

"Great…"

She let out a soft chuckle. "You say that, but I think you're starting to get used to us."

He shot her a deadpan look. "If by 'used to' you mean 'constantly on edge because I never know when one of you is going to ruin my day,' then sure."

"Don't be so dramatic… If you truly hated this situation, you would have left already, didn't you?"

Luka chuckled dryly. "Yeah, I could've stayed trapped in that stupid dream. But instead, here I am, dealing with you." He tilted his head. "So? Get to the point. You want something, don't you?"

"Huh…" She looked away for a brief moment, almost embarrassed. "…First, I need to explain the rules of where I come from. It might help you understand our mindset better."

Luka grabbed the plate of now-cold pancakes and took a bite. "Alright," he said between chews. "I'm listening."

Astaroth exhaled slowly, as if preparing for something serious. "In our world, power is everything," she began. "The strong devour the weak, if you prefer. It's a world of absolute freedom. But you see…"

Luka raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked, mouth still full.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Okay, let me get straight to the point. To us, humans are prey."

"You sound like Vinum…" Luka muttered, shoving another piece of pancake into his mouth.

"It's not an insult, it's just the way things are," she clarified. "You see, as a succubus, if a man ever requests to bed us, he must be prepared to give his life in exchange since it is our duty to give him the finest of pleasure."

"Uh-huh…" Luka chewed slowly, processing her words. "And I'm supposed to just nod along and accept that?"

"It's the way of our life," she sighed. "Especially when it's a hero who challenges us—we make sure he doesn't get up again." She hesitated, rubbing her arm before flashing him an awkward, almost sheepish smile. "So… if you were to challenge me… could you, um… maybe ask me to fight first before I devour you?"

Her voice wavered slightly at the end, and Luka nearly choked on his pancake. He coughed, setting the plate aside. "Wait, what?"

Astaroth's tail flicked anxiously behind her. "I just think it'd be… nice. If you ever do." She cleared her throat. "You know, as a formality."

Luka stared at her, baffled. "…You're seriously asking me to fight you before you kill me?"

She nodded quickly. "That'll help me get a lot of stress out!"

"Huh…" he blinked, slowly processing what she meant.

"I mean, this is the first time I'm asking permission from a human," Astaroth growled, her tone a mix of frustration and embarrassment as she crossed her arms tighter, her sharp nails digging into her skin. "So if you could at least understand the situation I'm in here…"

"You just rape every guy you meet?"

"Or they ask me…" Astaroth shot back, her crimson eyes flashing with indignation as her tail snapped behind her like a whip, her flush deepening as she glared at him. "It's not always my choice, you know! Some of them come begging for it, and I'm just doing my job!"

"Right… your 'job,'" he muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he rubbed his temples, trying to fend off the headache he could feel brewing. "So what, I'm supposed to challenge you to a duel or something just to make your day better before you suck the life out of me?"

"Yeah," she replied while sucking up a breath. "That'd be great for my blood pressure. Otherwise, I think I'll start going crazy in this house."

"You're having it rough, huh…?" he muttered, his gaze almost pitying.

She clenched her teeth tightly. "You don't even know! Morrigan is always away causing trouble! The other day I caught her almost drying up a guy by accident in a narrow alley while Lilith was 'helping' a lost kid find his way in her cleavage!"

Luka blinked, his brain momentarily stalling as he tried to process the mental image, his expression shifting from sympathy to a mock surprise to try to make her feel better. "Wait—what?" he stammered, a choked laugh escaping him despite himself as he dragged a hand down his face. "You're kidding me, right?"

"I wish I were," she muttered, her voice dripping with exasperation. "Morrigan's got no sense of restraint, and Lilith—don't even get me started on her! I respect her and everything, but she is always plotting something against you and—" she blinked. "Forget you heard that last part."

"I won't but go on."

Astaroth groaned, rubbing her temples now. "And I always have to clean up after their mess! It's driving me wild! And now, Morrigan killed you for fun, Lilith thinks she had you under her thumb, and now I'm terrified that you might abandon us in this world we know nothing about, when the last time I had to sleep outside in the rain while recently another disgusting guy tried to hit on me!"

Luka hesitated, watching her as she finally breathed. 

Damn… he thought, a pang of unexpected sympathy tugging at him. It's making me kinda willing to help her.

Astaroth shot him a quick, sharp glance. "You think? I'm literally stuck between dealing with my unpredictable sisters and trying to hold this mess together. It's like being caught in a storm, with no place to take cover." She paused, looking away with a sigh. "You don't get it. You are in your world but me? I'm stuck here, trying to manage everything…"

"I… didn't realize it was that bad for you," he admitted, his devoid of its usual sarcasm.

"Thank you," Astaroth inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she met his gaze, her crimson eyes softening with a hint of gratitude. She straightened up, her tail curling neatly around her as a small, hopeful smile tugged at her lips. "So? About my offer? I'll make sure you feel really good after that duel."

"Wait, hold on," Luka blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift, his brow furrowing as he processed her words. "You're still on about the fight thing? After all that?"

Astaroth nodded eagerly. "Absolutely," she said, her voice regaining its usual confidence as she leaned forward. "It'd be a win-win—you get to blow off some steam, I get to vent some stress, and afterward…" She trailed off, her smile widening into something more suggestive as she raised an eyebrow. "Let's just say I'll make it worth your while."

"So I die."

"So you die, yes. But it's temporary here! You'll come back as good as new!"

"And what if I win?" 

"What?" Astaroth blinked, her crimson eyes widening slightly as her tail froze mid-flick, clearly caught off guard by the question.

"You seem pretty confident that you'll win," Luka continued, leaning forward now, his smirk growing as he locked eyes with her. "What makes you think that, and what do I get if I win?"

Her grin returned sharply. "Well, well," she purred as she leaned closer. "Someone's feeling bold. What makes me think I'll win? Experience and strength."

"You know I fought Vinum, right?" Luka shot back, his tone casual but pointed as he raised an eyebrow.

Astaroth laughed. "Fair point," she conceded, her grin widening as she straightened up, crossing her arms under her chest with a dramatic flair. "Alright, I'll bite. If you win—and that's a big 'if'—what do you want? Name your prize, hero."

"If I win…" he said slowly, his voice measured as he met her gaze again, "You tell Lilith to stop plotting against me and you keep Morrigan in check even further."

"Y-You demon!" she shot back. "You're doubling my workload!"

"Hey! I'm the one putting my life on the line here!"

The red-haired succubus grumbled under her breath, her tail flicking restlessly as she considered the challenge and its terms for a few tense seconds. Finally, she let out a reluctant sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. "Fine," she muttered, though her eyes still burned with a competitive fire. "But if I win—and I will—I swear on my pride you'll come begging for more."

"Yeah, but not today," Luka sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he stifled a yawn, his body still heavy with the remnants of sleep. "I'm still tired, and you probably don't want someone half-dead for your 'stress relief' anyway. How about tomorrow?"

Astaroth blinked, caught off guard by his casual delay, her tail stilling mid-flick. For a moment, she seemed torn between irritation and amusement, her lips twitching as if unsure whether to scowl or laugh. "Tomorrow?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow as she planted her hands on her hips, the black ties around her neck swaying slightly with the motion. "You're seriously putting off a duel with me? What kind of hero are you?"

"The kind that will kick your ass," he smirked. "With enough rest. Of course."

"Oh, you're gonna regret that, Luka," she chuckled darkly. "Tomorrow it is, then. And don't think I'll go easy on you even if we know each other."

She straightened up with a huff, crossing her arms again as she made her way toward the door, her hips swaying exaggeratedly. Before closing the door, she glanced back over her shoulder and flashed him a smirk. "Rest well, Luka. You're gonna need it."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Luka alone in the dim room with the faint scent of rose lingering in the air. He let out a slow breath, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful as he leaned his head back against the headboard. Tomorrow was going to be a hell of a day—literally.

"Why did I accept this?" he blinked, utterly at a loss for what he had just done. "It's not like I was forced to accept, right?"

Luka sat there for a moment, staring at the closed door as he considered what to do. For a moment he even thought about leaving her waiting tomorrow while hiding in the city for the day, but it quickly was pushed away as he remembered his goal.

Or not, it was not his goal either. It was something forced onto him by Saki.

"Great…" he mumbled to the empty room. "Just great. I'm gonna get myself killed again, aren't I?" But even as the words left his mouth, a faint grin tugged at his lips.

Succubus food for a month, that was what Vinum told him he would be. 

Luka groaned, dragging a hand down his face as reality set in. "Great. I just signed up for a fight to the death with a succubus who wants to use me as a stress ball." He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders before flopping back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "At least it's not today…"

He had to admit, though, Astaroth's frustration wasn't baseless. Dealing with her sisters sounded like a nightmare. For a moment, he almost— almost —felt bad for her.

But then again, she did just challenge him to a fight with the intent of draining him dry afterward. That sympathy had limits.

"I need to talk to someone…" he muttered finally before standing up, only to realize he was still naked from his earlier death, his skin prickling with the memory of Morrigan's cruel touch. "Ugh… I hope they didn't touch my clothes."

After rummaging through his cluttered room, Luka managed to find a fresh pair of jeans and a worn T-shirt that didn't smell too bad. He dressed quickly, the fabric feeling oddly grounding after the surreal events of the day, and grabbed the plate of cold pancakes from the bedside table. His stomach growled faintly—he hadn't eaten anything substantial since… well, before Morrigan had turned him into a temporary corpse. With a resigned sigh, he headed downstairs, the plate balanced in one hand as he braced himself for whatever—or whoever—might be waiting for him below.

"Oh? Did you sleep well, my guy?" Morrigan was the first to greet him with a grin. Apparently she had been outside as she was wearing her shirt and tight-fitting jeans he had bought her instead of her usual one-piece. "Wanna play video games with me?"

Luka paused at the bottom of the stairs, giving Morrigan a deadpan look. "You have the nerve to ask me that after what you pulled?" He shoved a bite of cold pancake into his mouth, chewing with a level of bitterness that had nothing to do with the food.

"What, you angry?" she blinked.

He sighed wearily, swallowing his bite as he crossed his arms, his expression a mix of exhaustion and mild irritation. "You're serious, aren't you? Don't you feel anything for what you did to me?"

"Huh… I bought a new game?" she offered, her tone half-joking as she held up a shiny game case.

"Are you going to kill me again?" he finally asked with a reluctant smile.

"What? No!" Morrigan barked, her eyes widening as she sat up straighter, her tail snapping behind her in indignation. "Why the hell would I do that after we got even? Unless you want me to do it again," she added with a sly smirk, her aura pulsing faintly.

"I might ask you one day so that I can train, but not now," Luka chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as he pushed off the wall and walked toward the couch. "Still, I'm a bit pissed at what you did."

"Well, damn," Morrigan muttered, her smirk fading into something closer to a pout as she slumped back against the couch, crossing her arms. Her tail curled around her leg as she glanced at him, her blue eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and defensiveness. "Didn't think you'd hold a grudge over it. Thought we were cool now."

Luka snorted, plopping down on the opposite end of the couch as he grabbed another piece of pancake and took a bite, his expression softening despite himself. "Yeah, well, dying ain't exactly a bonding experience, you know." He chewed thoughtfully for a moment before glancing at her. "What's the new game, anyway?"

Morrigan's grin returned in full force, her earlier guilt evaporating as she leaned forward, snatching the game case from the coffee table and waving it in front of him. "Oh, you're gonna love this one—it's got demons in it!"

"I'll go make myself a real meal and then maybe I'll play with you."

"Fine by me!" Morrigan grinned, her blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she hopped up from the couch, clutching the game case like a prized trophy. "I'm gonna try the new game on the TV."

"By the way, where is everyone?" he asked, his eyes sweeping over the empty living room.

"They went shopping," she replied while carefully reading the box. "I was getting bored so I decided to come back earlier."

"Okay…" The mention of them shopping made Luka feel uneasy—a bunch of succubi loose in a mall didn't exactly scream 'low profile'—but he pushed the thought aside and headed into the kitchen. Today was supposed to be a relaxing day, no need to push himself further into paranoia.

As he began cooking a protein-rich meal, his mind drifted to his current predicament again. 

"Sorry to bother you again, but…" he called out to Morrigan from the kitchen, raising his voice just enough to carry over the sound of the TV now blaring with the game's opening music. "Do you know of a way to counter pleasure?"

"Unless you are a succubus, nope," Morrigan replied casually, her tongue sticking out slightly as she fiddled with the controller, her focus split between the conversation and the game's tutorial popping up on the screen.

"I see…" he muttered in response while stirring his pot. 

The thought looped in his mind, heavy and unclear, as he added a pinch of salt to the pan. But what does that even mean?

He leaned against the counter, staring into the simmering pan as if it might hold the answers. Saki hadn't exactly given him a manual—she just sent him on this trial with no way to talk about it further. Was it about domination? Control? Power? Or something more…intimate? 

Last night, was Alma Elma satisfied? Were the imps satisfied? 

"Hey, Morrigan," he called out again. "What would it take for you to be satisfied from having sex with a guy?" he asked casually, his mind too bothered to think to even register the absurdity of the question.

"I don't know…" she replied, thoughtful. "If he's tasty and lasts a while, I can say I'm satisfied."

Luka frowned, poking at the bubbling contents of his pan as if they might help him make sense of things. "Tasty and last a while… That's it?"

Morrigan shrugged, lounging on the couch with her legs kicked up. "Pretty much. Not like I've got some deep emotional checklist or anything. Why, you trying to take notes?"

He huffed. "Just trying to understand something."

She tilted her head, giving him a knowing grin. "Ohhh, I get it. You're overthinking sex, huh? Trying to figure out some grand truth about what makes a succubus tick?"

He glanced at her but said nothing, stirring his pot in silence.

"Look, my guy, we're simple creatures. Give us a good time, and we're happy. Make it fun, make it last, don't be boring—bam, satisfaction."

Luka exhaled through his nose. "That can't be all there is to it."

If that was truly all it took, then what was the point of trying so hard? Why was Saki making this sound like some deep, philosophical journey if the answer was just be good in bed?

He scowled at his pot, flipping off the stove before pouring the contents into a bowl. Maybe he was just looking for meaning where there wasn't any. Maybe Alma Elma's satisfaction, the imps' satisfaction, all of it—maybe it really was that simple.

But being good in bed with a succubus wasn't easy. 

"For fuck sake… I'm wasting time asking them, it's time to ask the ones behind all of this," he grumbled before grabbing his phone and typing Nina's number. Since Saki would probably refuse to talk to him, his best bet was to talk to the organizer.

Morrigan arched a brow as she watched him dial. "Oh? Finally going straight to the source?"

Luka pressed the phone to his ear, pacing slightly as it rang. "Might as well. You guys aren't giving me anything useful."

Morrigan smirked. "Hey now, we are the target audience. Not our fault you don't like the answers."

Before he could snap back, the ringing stopped.

"Luka?" Nina's voice came through, her tone its usual calm, almost amused lilt. "This is a surprise. I figured you'd still be occupied, you fucker. " she added that last bit under her breath.

Luka exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, well, I need answers. And I doubt Saki's going to talk to me, so you're the next best thing."

He glanced at Morrigan, who was watching with clear interest, before turning away slightly. "What does it really mean to satisfy a succubus?"

There was a beat of silence before Nina let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh my god, are you actually this stupid?"

Luka's brow twitched. "Excuse me?"

"Luka, every succubus is different—just like women," Nina said, her tone dripping with mock pity as if explaining something painfully obvious.

His jaw clenched. "Don't give me that generic crap. There's more to it than just 'be good in bed.' Saki wouldn't have thrown me into this trial if it was that simple. Especially if she's threatening to suck me dry and acting like surviving is just some easy-ass task."

Nina chuckled. "Aw, poor baby. Having a hard time? Boo-hoo, I can't handle fucking succubi!"

"Nina."

"Alright, alright, relax," she said with another frustrated sigh. "Saki loves you, right?" 

"Yeah…"

"She basically threatened to suck you dry, but let's be real. You're a guy. You've got a 0% survival rate when it comes to this kind of thing." Her voice held that familiar mocking tone, but there was something underneath it—something like a warning wrapped in sarcasm.

Luka felt his teeth clench. "I'm starting to think this is just a setup to watch me suffer and die. Don't tell me you've got cameras everywhere, do you?"

There was a slight pause over the phone.

"You don't have cameras, right?" he asked again, feeling his face flush with embarrassment.

"Anyway," Nina finally broke the silence, clearing her throat. "There's another reason Saki put you on this trial, besides proving your love. But if you want to figure it out, you've got to do it yourself."

"Can't you at least give me a hint?"

She hummed thoughtfully, clearly enjoying his distress. "You're only on day two, Luka. You've still got a long way ahead of you. But… one thing I can say is…"

"Yeah?" Luka leaned in, hoping for anything that might make this mess clearer.

"Go fuck yourself!" Nina cackled, the sound almost musical. "I wanted to be in your place, but you keep whining! You don't even realize how lucky you are. Now stop bothering me, I'm busy. Bye!"

The call ended abruptly, leaving a faint beep in Luka's ear.

Luka stood there, staring at his phone in disbelief, like it was a personal betrayal. He had expected a little help, a clue, maybe even some genuine advice—but instead, he'd just been shut down. Again. "What's gotten into her…" 

He had expected no answers from Nina, sure, but this? He'd been practically laughed off the phone. A sharp sigh escaped him as he glanced at the clock.

"Guess I've got to figure this out myself…" He rubbed his forehead, already dreading the rest of the day.

Still… He couldn't shake the feeling that Nina had been more than just flippant. She sounded genuinely frustrated, almost annoyed, maybe even jealous of him. He shook the thought away. Jealous? Of me? He couldn't quite wrap his mind around it, but he didn't have time to dwell on it either.

With another sigh, Luka threw his phone onto the couch.

"Anyway, let's eat and then get back to work," he muttered to himself, grabbing the bowl of food and a fork as he headed toward the living room. Morrigan was still sprawled on the couch, now fully engrossed in her game, the sounds of explosions and demonic roars filling the air. He plopped down beside her, taking a bite of his meal as he watched the chaos unfold on the screen, his mind still churning with unanswered questions. For now, though, he'd focus on the food—and maybe steal a few rounds of the game to clear his head.

The next morning…

"…What the hell?" Luka stared in disbelief at the whole arena that had formed below his house. After a good night of sleep—surprisingly unbothered by any succubi shenanigans—and with a rough plan forming in his mind, he'd headed downstairs as Astaroth had instructed, expecting maybe a sparring ring or a cleared-out space for their duel. But what he found was beyond anything he could've imagined.

His basement, once useless filled with clattered junk, had been completely transformed into a sprawling, cavernous area—like a hanger carved out of stone and shadow. Powerful lamps were hanging from the ceiling, casting multiple different colorful lights on the ring below that looked more like a football field. 

At the entrance, Vinum and Nina were fiddling with a few magic circles.

"It should be good enough," Nina sighed, brushing her hands off as she adjusted a crystalline orb that hovered above a pedestal. "I swear, asking us to create a thing like this in a day, you're cruel, Astaroth."

Astaroth stood a few feet away, arms crossed and her fiery hair cascading down her back, the black ties around her neck swaying slightly as she turned to face Luka with a smug grin. "What? I wanted to make it official," she said, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement as she gestured to the arena with a flourish. "Can't have a proper duel without a proper stage, can we?"

Luka blinked, still trying to process the sheer scale of it all as he stepped further into the space, his sneakers echoing faintly against the stone floor. "You… turned my basement into this? Overnight?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and reluctant admiration as he glanced around, noting the distinct demonic inspiration given to the walls.

Vinum sighed, not looking up from the rune she was adjusting with a slender tool that sparked faintly in her hands. "Don't sound so impressed. It's basic spatial magic—nothing fancy. Just took a lot of damn work to stabilize it in a human realm without blowing the place up."

"Still," Luka muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at Astaroth, "this seems like overkill for a sparring match."

"Oh, this isn't just a sparring match, Luka," Astaroth smirked, her black and crimson wings fluttering as a warm-up. "This is a duel. A real one. With a prize in the end."

Nina finally looked up, her glasses glinting against the glowing runes. "Yeah, and if you two wreck this place after all the effort we put in, I'm not cleaning it up. So try not to die too messily, Luka."

Luka shot her a dry look, the events of their phone call still fresh in his mind, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he turned his attention back to Astaroth, rolling his shoulders as he tried to shake off the lingering grogginess of sleep. "Alright, fine. Let's get this over with. What're the rules?"

Astaroth's grin turned positively feral as she uncrossed her arms, her tail snapping behind her like a whip. "Simple. You, me, anything goes. First one to yield or get knocked out loses. And no whining when I pin you in ten seconds flat, but please struggle. It makes it all the better for me."

Luka raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips despite the tension coiling in his gut. "Anything goes, huh? You sure you wanna give me that much freedom?" He cracked his knuckles, stepping onto the central platform, the runes beneath his feet flaring briefly as if acknowledging his presence. 

Does that mean I'm allowed to punch these two things that keep attracting my attention? he almost thought, his gaze flickering briefly to Astaroth's chest before snapping back to her face, his smirk twitching with a mix of mischief and self-restraint.

"So, are you ready?" she asked, propping herself on one leg. "I hope you'll give me a good fight before I drain you dry."

"Before you start!" Nina called out. "Luka! No Dawnstar or equivalent allowed!"

"Hey! Of course, I know that! I don't want my own house blown up!" he shot back with a growl, adjusting his runic glove on his left hand.

Astaroth chuckled, her tail flicking behind her as she shifted her weight, her stance deceptively relaxed. "Even if you say that, I don't think one of them would defeat me. You'll need to bring more than that."

Luka snorted, flexing his fingers as the glove settled comfortably against his skin. "I've got an idea, don't worry."

"Let's see how long you last," she smirked back before taking a step back.

Nina rolled her eyes, scribbling something in her notebook as she muttered under her breath, "One minute, tops." Vinum, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, shot her a sidelong glance but said nothing, her expression a mix of boredom and mild curiosity.

The platform beneath them pulsed faintly, the runes glowing brighter as the arena shifted. Luka took a steadying breath, his smirk fading into a focused expression as he locked eyes with Astaroth. No Danwstar, no overpowered tricks—just him , his wits, and whatever strength he could muster against a succubus who'd probably been fighting since long before his first words. 

"Woo-hoo! Asta, do it!" Morrigan cheered from the sidelines, her voice bright and enthusiastic as she bounced slightly. Beside her, Lilith waved a hand lazily in support of her sister, her expression cool but approving.

Luka glanced at Nina, but she only mimicked a slit throat with her finger, her smirk telling him to die already.

Hey! Why don't I have any cheerleaders?!

"Woo-hoo! Luka, go-go!" Alma Elma's voice suddenly rang out, and Luka's head snapped toward her. She was dressed in a blue high-school girl uniform—short skirt, tight blouse that strained against her ample cleavage, the works—waving around a pair of yellow pom-poms with exaggerated enthusiasm, her grin wide and teasing as she bounced on her heels.

Luka blinked, caught off guard for a split second before a wry grin tugged at his lips. "Well, that's something," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he refocused on Astaroth, who was watching the exchange with an amused tilt of her head.

"Looks like you've got a fan," Astaroth chuckled. "Let's hope she's not disappointed when I'm done with you."

"About that…" Luka's voice grew playful, but a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. "You're not going to do… you know… 'that' in front of everyone if I lose, are you?" He forced a laugh, but the hint of nervousness was clear in his eyes.

Astaroth raised an eyebrow, her smile flickering into a frown. "You think I'm going to bother dragging you off to my bedroom?" she asked, incredulous. "The loser doesn't get to decide what happens to him."

Luka swallowed, trying to maintain his composure. If he ever wanted to hold on to even a scrap of dignity, he had to win this.

Vinum approached the ring with her usual bored expression, flag in hand, and shot Luka a sidelong glance as if silently asking him what the hell he thought he was doing.

Don't look at me like that, professor!  

"Begin," she said in her most monotone voice as she waved the flag, her eyes almost as dead as her tone.

Astaroth moved first, her body a blur as her eyes glowed a vibrant red. Her hands curled into deadly claws, poised to strike, and Luka's stomach dropped.

Holy shit she is fast!  

Luka barely had time to react as Astaroth's claws slashed through the air, narrowly missing his face. His body instinctively dropped low, evading the attack as he rolled out of the way.

"Ahaha! What's wrong Luka?" Astaroth's voice trilled from above, her laughter echoing through the arena. She hovered just above him, her wings a blur, the sharpness of her gaze never leaving him. "Don't tell me you already regret this?"

"Don't mock me! Now that I have my mana back, I won't be as easy to defeat!" The young man smirked, the runes glowing on his gloves as he unleashed multiple blades of wind toward her. 

Astaroth simply buzzed past them. She barely seemed to notice the wind blades as she dove straight down toward him, her wings tucked tightly to her body for maximum speed and aerodynamics.

"You're going to have to do better than that," she taunted, her voice a playful challenge as she closed the distance between them.

"Gotcha!" Luka's voice rang out as his eyes locked onto Astaroth's descending figure, a surge of adrenaline spiking through his veins.

With a quick movement, he reinforced his arm with magic, the rune on his palm glowing brightly as it surged with power. His muscles flexed as the reinforced spell surged through him, adding an extra layer of strength to his punch.

Astaroth's smile didn't waver as she neared. Her wings flicked, speeding up her descent as she aimed to barrel through him. Luka's pulse raced as he positioned his fist in line with her trajectory.

The impact was imminent.

Just as she closed in, Luka's fist shot upward, colliding with Astaroth's midsection with a satisfying thud. The force of his punch sent a shockwave through the air, and Astaroth's eyes widened in momentary surprise as she was knocked back.

For a split second, Luka thought he had her, but then she recovered almost instantly, her wings flaring out to arrest her movement. She fluttered back to a hovering position, a touch of admiration now creeping into her eyes.

"Not bad," Astaroth admitted with a slow grin, though the playfulness was still there. "That was a good massage."

"Seriously?!" he shot back, wincing slightly from the blow in his arm. Still, he could see a bruise on her stomach, making it clear it had hurt her. "I'll give you a full course then!" he smirked back confidently as he reached for the inner pocket of his brown jacket.

Astaroth raised an eyebrow, her amused expression flickering for a brief moment. "A full course?" she repeated, her voice light with mockery, but a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "I do like a nice surprise now and then…" She hovered just out of his reach, her wings barely fluttering, her posture oozing confidence. "Actually, a day at the spa sounds lovely," she muttered with a thoughtful expression, as if weighing the prospect of a much-needed pampering.

Luka smirked, his fingers gripping a small pouch tightly. "Take that!" he shouted, his voice a little too eager. With a flick of his wrist, he released the pouch into the air. A series of glowing talismans erupted from it, shimmering as they spun through the air toward Astaroth.

Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight. "And what exactly is that supposed to do?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement. She eyed the talismans, unfazed, as she casually adjusted her position in mid-air.

Luka's grin widened. "Just wait."

With a flicker of light, one of the talismans activated, detonating just behind her as she turned. Astaroth's eyes went wide with realization too late, and before she could react, a blast of force hit her square between the shoulder blades. The shockwave sent her stumbling forward, her wings flapping desperately to stabilize herself.

Luka, seizing the moment, charged forward with surprising speed. He closed the gap in a heartbeat, his hands moving faster than his thoughts. With a swift motion, he wrapped his arms around her in a full nelson, locking her in place, his muscles straining under the effort.

Astaroth's eyes flared with indignation, but there was a spark of admiration hidden beneath her smirk. "Oh, Luka," she muttered, her voice just above a purr. "I didn't think you had it in you."

"Luka… Don't tell me you forgot…?" Alma Elma sighed from the sidelines, dropping her pom-poms with a shake of her head, her cheerleading enthusiasm replaced by a knowing resignation.

"That boy is truly stupid…" Vinum sighed as well, turning her back to the scene as if she couldn't bear to watch the inevitable, her arms still crossed tightly.

"That lucky bastard…" Nina snapped her pen in two. 

Ahah! Now I got her! The only thing I need to do now is—! Luka's mind raced with triumph, his grip tightening as he prepared his next move.

"And… there!" Astaroth grinned wickedly as her tail snaked into his pants with startling precision, tightening around his shaft and making him choke on his own incantation. The sudden, overwhelming sensation ripped through him, his concentration shattering as his knees buckled slightly, a strangled gasp escaping his lips.

The arena went silent for a split second, the colorful lights overhead casting a surreal glow over the scene as Luka's grip faltered, his confident smirk replaced by a mix of shock and reluctant defeat. Astaroth twisted free with a fluid motion, her wings flaring as she spun around to face him, her grin now outright triumphant.

He could feel the tip of her tail open like a mouth, slowly engulfing his shaft before pulsing eagerly, sending waves of pleasure crashing through him that made him twitch uncontrollably. 

SHIT! THIS IS BAD! He tried to swat the tail away with his hand, but it only squeezed harder, drawing a sharp gasp as his body betrayed him, his cock answering its hungry call by ejaculating despite his desperate resistance.

"You hurt my tummy, now time to fill it!" Astaroth giggled upon seeing him collapse to the ground.

Luka hit the platform with a thud, his breath ragged as he clawed at the stone beneath him, trying to regain some semblance of control. But no one answered, almost mocking his predicament as Astaroth hovered above him, her crimson eyes gleaming with delight.

"Let's go, sis!" Morrigan cheered from the sidelines, her voice bright and enthusiastic as she clapped her hands. "Dry fish! Dry fish!"

Alma Elma sighed again, a flicker of jealousy crossing her features before settling back into a bemused expression. "That's what happens when you get too overconfident," she muttered, crossing her arms as she watched the scene unfold.

Vinum had already left the arena, her patience apparently exhausted, while Nina remained, her face flushed red as she scribbled furiously in her notebook, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose.

"Now…" Astaroth drawled, approaching with predatory intent. "I'll get some stress out if you don't mind."

"No way to change your mind?" Luka's eyes twitched as he saw her approaching, her tail still firmly gripped around his gland, sending shivers up his spine with every subtle movement.

"Nope," she smiled, her tone almost cheerful as she knelt right above his head, her red twintails spilling onto the ground behind her like rivers of fire. She lifted his shirt with a casual flick of her fingers, exposing his chest as her tail remained locked around his member, unrelenting in its hold. "Now be a good boy and give me some nice sounds, would you?"

"How about we give them some privacy, Morrigan?" Lilith said from the sidelines, her voice calm and measured as she watched the scene unfold with a faint smirk, her arms crossed loosely.

"Huh? But I want to watch sis rape him!" Morrigan blinked. 

"Do as you want," Lilith sighed, shaking her head as she turned toward the stairs leading out of the transformed basement. "I'm going upstairs. I still have some work to do."

Luka grit his teeth, his mind racing as Astaroth leaned closer, her fingers tracing lightly over his chest, her touch igniting his already frayed nerves. Her tail pulsed again, drawing another involuntary twitch from him, and he clenched his fists against the stone, fighting to keep some shred of dignity intact.

"You know…" he said through clenched teeth. "I still hurt you… Shouldn't it count for something?" 

"You did, and no," she smirked, touching the bruise on her stomach. "But it will soon go away thanks to you." 

She lowered herself even further, settling onto his face with deliberate slowness, the thin fabric of her white panties the only barrier between his mouth and her private parts. The warmth and weight of her pressed against him, and Luka's breath caught in his throat, his senses overwhelmed as her scent—a mix of rose and feminine musk—flooded his senses.

Luka's hands twitched against the stone, his mind a swirl of resistance and reluctant surrender. Her tail tightened its grip, pulsing rhythmically as it drew another shudder from him, and Astaroth let out a soft, pleased hum, her twin-tails brushing against his shoulders as she adjusted her position.

His hands shot up instinctively, grasping at the thighs pressing on his cheeks in a desperate bid to push her off, but her strength was unyielding, her body a solid weight pinning him in place. "Ngh—get off!" he growled, his voice muffled against her, the words vibrating through her core in a way that only made her giggle.

"Oh, I don't think so," she teased, her tail giving another firm squeeze that drew a choked gasp from him, his hips bucking involuntarily against the sensation. "You lost, remember? That means I get to play with my prize however I want." Her fingers danced lower, brushing against the edge of his waistband before dipping beneath it, her touch featherlight and maddening as it teased the sensitive skin just above where her tail held him captive.

Luka's vision blurred at the edges, his body torn between the overwhelming pleasure her tail was wringing from him and the burning humiliation of his position. Every twitch, every shudder, every ragged breath he took only seemed to fuel her delight, her laughter soft and melodic as it echoed through the cavernous arena. "You're so cute when you squirm," she cooed, her voice laced with sadistic affection as she rocked her hips slightly, grinding against his face with deliberate slowness. "Keep going—I love it when my toys fight back."

His mind screamed at him to resist, to find some way to turn the tables, but his body was betraying him at every turn. The pulsing grip of her tail was relentless, dragging him closer and closer to the edge despite his best efforts to hold out. His hands tightened on her thighs, fingers digging into the soft, yielding flesh in a futile attempt to ground himself, but the sensation only seemed to spur her on. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson as she continued to grind against him, her breaths coming faster now, each one laced with a soft moan that sent shivers down his spine.

Her tail pulsed again, its rhythm relentless, and Luka's body shuddered violently as it drew another ejaculation from him, the pleasure-pain ripping through him like a tidal wave. His hot breath hitched against her core, tickling the sensitive skin beneath the thin fabric of her panties, and Astaroth let out a low, satisfied hum, her thighs tightening around his head as if to trap him further.

A bulge of semen formed within the sleek, prehensile flesh of her tail, the glistening appendage constricting around him as it slowly began to ascend toward her stomach, the sight both grotesque and hypnotic as it moved with a life of its own. Yet even as it drained him, the inner walls of her tail continued their cruel dance, stroking and sucking with an insatiable hunger that kept him from resisting.

"Look at you, giving me such a nice meal," Astaroth murmured, her ruby eyes watching with satisfaction the bulge traveling up her tail, her body shivering slightly as it reached her core. "I was getting hungry ever since that beach day. And look…" Her voice softened into a taunting coo as she caressed her toned stomach with a slow, deliberate hand, sliding up his face just enough so he could catch a glimpse of the fading bruise. The discoloration was knitting itself back together before his eyes, the flesh smoothing out as if his stolen essence was weaving her wounds shut. "Your own life is healing me."

Luka's vision swam as he stared up at her, the sight of her healing bruise twisting the knife of humiliation deeper into his gut. His ragged breaths came in shallow bursts, each one laced with the heady scent of her arousal as it seeped through the thin fabric still pressed against his lips. His hands, still gripping her thighs, twitched weakly, the strength sapped from them by her relentless assault. "Tch… you're… welcome," he rasped in a sarcastic tone.

Astaroth's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before her lips curled into a wicked grin. "Oh, still got a mouth on you, hm?" she chuckled. "Let's see how long that lasts." Her tail gave another firm squeeze, drawing a choke groan from him as her thighs tightened further.

This time, two bulges appeared successively, two ejaculations that made her lick her lips as she continued grinding on him faster. 

Luka's body convulsed as Astaroth's tail milked him dry, the rhythmic pulses sending waves of intense pleasure and pain through his nerves. His vision dimmed at the edges, dark spots dancing in his sight as he fought to stay conscious. His hands, once gripping Astaroth's thighs with what little strength he had, now hung limply at his sides.

But as the two other bulges popped inside her stomach, she stopped, removing her tail from his manhood. 

"Shit…" she let out a huffed breath, her body heating up. "You still conscious, Luka?" she called out, lifting herself slightly from his face to see if he was still okay. His eyes were dazed, glassy with exhaustion and overstimulation, but he was still there, clinging to awareness by a thread, and she smiled approvingly. "Good. Now, for the main course."

With a fluid motion, she shifted her position, rising briefly from his face to give him a fleeting moment of reprieve—though the absence of her suffocating heat only made the cool air against his flushed skin feel sharper. Before he could fully register the shift, she reappeared lower, her weight settling onto his legs as she knelt over his waist, her knees pinning him to the stone floor. 

Her finger traced a deliberate path down her body, starting from the curve of her collarbone and gliding slowly over the swell of her breasts, down the taut plane of her stomach, her crimson eyes never leaving his. Luka's gaze followed the motion helplessly, drawn in by the hypnotic sway of her movements as she slid her soaked panties aside with agonizing slowness, revealing her dripping pussy. She held his stare, ensuring he was watching, her lips curling into a wicked smirk as she lowered herself with deliberate intent—only to stop just at the tip of his penis, the heat of her body teasing him.

The moment her warmth enveloped even just that small part of him, Luka's body betrayed him completely. A violent shudder ripped through him, and he ejaculated instantly, the release torn from him with a force that left him gasping, his hips twitching upward involuntarily as his vision blurred with the intensity of it. A ragged groan escaped his lips, and Astaroth's smirk widened into a triumphant grin, her ruby eyes glinting with sadistic delight as she felt him pulse inside her.

"Now…" she purred as semen pooled from her entrance, coating his manhood in a sticky, warm substance that mingled with her own juices. "I'm not going to stop until you die, be prepared." In an instant, she lowered herself completely, her body glowing with an ominous red light as she seized his wrists with a grip like iron, pinning them above his head against the stone. Her thighs clamped down around his hips, her movements radiating a predatory intent that sent a jolt of dread—and unwanted anticipation—through his core.

Time to ride you into oblivion! she nearly blurted out, the thought flashing through her mind with a vicious glee, but she restrained herself, letting a sadistic smile spread across her face instead as she began moving at full throttle.

As Astaroth began to move, her hips undulated in a relentless, punishing rhythm that sent waves of pleasure and pain coursing through Luka's drained body. Her inner muscles clenched and released around him, milking him with expert precision, drawing out every last drop of his life. Her breasts bounced and swayed with each powerful thrust, her nipples hard and inviting. Luka's eyes, heavy with exhaustion and overwhelmed by sensation, struggled to focus on the erotic sight before him.

"Look at you," Astaroth taunted, her voice a sultry growl as she leaned down, her breath hot on his face. "So pathetic, so weak. You can't even resist me, can you? Indulge in the pleasure I give you and pour your life into me."

Her red aura flared brighter as now his body began to spasm uncontrollably, the pleasure frying his every nerve as he spurted rope after rope of semen inside her, some of it beginning to float around her in a circle thanks to her aura.

Releasing his wrists, Astaroth instead grasped his hands tightly, her fingers clamping around his with a possessive intensity as she pressed herself even further onto him, her body molding against his in a way that left no space for escape. The shift in her grip felt oddly intimate, a stark contrast to the brutality of her movements, and it sent a shiver through Luka that had nothing to do with the pleasure-pain wracking his body.

Oh shit, it feels good! she wanted to say, the thought flashing through her mind with a greedy thrill, but she bit back the words, opting instead to lean down and capture his lips in a searing kiss. Her tongue invaded his mouth with the same relentless hunger that defined her every motion, her pace quickening as she upped the speed of her draining. The unspoken command burned in her mind— Cum! Cum into me! —and it translated into the ferocity of her movements, her hips grinding against him with a punishing rhythm that left him no choice but to obey.

Luka's muffled groan vibrated against her lips as his body convulsed beneath her one last time as he spilled into her again, his essence pouring into her so desperately as if it screamed to be devoured. 

Her fingers tightened around his hands, nails digging into his skin as she rode him harder, her aura pulsing in time with his weakening heartbeat, a predator savoring the final throes of her prey's surrender. She could barely keep up with absorbing the constant stream of ejaculations pouring from him, her body quivering with the effort as his vitality surged into her, fueling the red glow that surrounded her like a voracious flame. Luka's body began to wither beneath her, his once-tense muscles slackening as the relentless draining sapped the last of his strength, his skin paling as his life force bled into her with every shuddering release.

Astaroth's crimson eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as she pulled back from the kiss, a thin strand of saliva connecting their lips for a fleeting moment before it snapped, her breath coming in soft, triumphant pants. "That's it. Give it to me Luka. Give me everything." Her aura flared brighter, the floating droplets of his essence orbiting her faster now, a testament to the sheer volume of what she had taken.

When finally she heard a crack, her movements stopped, and her breath ragged as she hugged tightly Luka's corpse. The remaining droplets orbiting around her were absorbed, and the last thing remaining was the sound of her breathing in the silent arena. 

Ah… Ah…" she panted, sweat shining on her skin as she pulled back slightly to look at him, a satisfied smirk on her face. Her crimson eyes studied his pale, withered form, his slack features showing just how completely she'd drained him. For a brief moment, something almost soft flickered in her gaze, but it vanished quickly, replaced by the triumphant glow of a predator savoring her victory.

"Damn, sis. You okay?" Morrigan approached with a concerned look on her face. 

"I'm fine…" Astaroth chuckled. "I'm feeling great." She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, her smirk widening into something almost smug as she cast a final glance down at Luka, her fingers brushing lightly against his cold cheek in a gesture that was possessive.

Morrigan tilted her head, her concern melting into a grin as she crossed her arms, her tail flicking playfully behind her. "Well, damn, you really went all out, huh?"

Astaroth shrugged, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement as she rose to her feet, her movements fluid and unhurried despite the intensity of what had just transpired. "He challenged me," she said simply, her tone carrying a hint of pride as she stretched her arms above her head. "Had to make it worth my while, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but… you sure he's gonna come back from this one?" Morrigan asked, nudging Luka's limp form with one toe. "Also, weren't you the one who challenged him?"

Astaroth's smirk faltered for a fraction of second, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her gaze before she masked it with a casual wave of her hand. "Yes, but he accepted the match. I'll go see him upstairs, don't worry."

She turned toward the arena exit and dashed out.

Morrigan blinked, looking down at Luka's lifeless body with a playful, half-amused expression. "So it's me who takes care of the corpse again, huh?" she said with a sigh, her gaze flicking toward Nina, who was standing off to the side, her face flushed with the aftereffects of the fight.

Nina's eyes narrowed. "You okay too, scientist girl?" Morrigan asked, her grin widening as she approached Nina. "You look… well, pretty damn horny."

"Shut up and leave," she grumbled as she adjusted her glasses with a trembling hand, the flush on her cheeks deepening despite her best efforts to maintain composure. "I'm taking care of everything. You don't need to worry about the leftovers."

Alright!" Morrigan replied cheerfully, tapping Nina's shoulder. "I'll go play some more games, there is a competition coming up and I don't want to miss it!"

With that, she dashed out of the room, leaving Nina alone with Alma Elma.

"You also watched?" Nina cast a sidelong glance at the queen of succubi, still wearing her cheerleader uniform.

Alma Elma sighed. "I did. Though I must say, I'm a bit jealous. I wouldn't mind toying with him like that too…"

Nina rolled her eyes, though the flush on her cheeks deepened slightly at Alma Elma's words. "You can if you want. No one will stop you," she muttered, clutching her notebook tighter as she knelt beside Luka's body, her fingers brushing against his wrist to check for any sign of life—though she already knew what she'd find. "Yeah, dead cold. And damn… his pelvis is shattered. She really didn't hold back, did she?"

"So… What will you do with that?" Alma Elma asked.

Nina snorted, shooting Alma Elma a sidelong glance as she stood up, brushing her hands off on her jeans with a grimace. "What, you wanna eat him or something?"

"Sorry but I prefer when they are fresh…♪" she chuckled not without clenching her fists as a warning.

Nina's blush reddened even more but she coughed to keep her composure. "Suit yourself," she muttered, turning her attention back to Luka's body as she pulled a small vial of glowing liquid from her pocket made to dissolve the body. "Could you… take off his clothes? I don't want to…" She trailed off, her voice dropping to a mumble as she gestured vaguely at Luka's limp form. "Touch him too much."

Back upstairs, Luka was slowly waking up from his earlier death. His head throbbed with a dull, insistent but fading ache, and his body felt as though it had been run over by a truck—twice, his pelvis especially screaming with a sharp, lingering pain that made him wince with even the slightest movement.

But something else quickly calmed his mind as he felt the soft touch of fabric caressing his cheek, while a voice whispered sweet nothings into his ears. His eyes met a bare cleavage he knew already too well, her red hair cascading over both of them. 

Luka's breath hitched, his foggy mind struggling to piece together the situation as he realized who was hovering over him. "Astaroth?" he rasped, his voice rough and barely above a whisper as he tried to shift, only to wince again as the sharp stab of pain in his pelvis reminded him of the brutal riding he'd taken downstairs.

The redhead pulled back slightly while looking at him affectionately. "The one and only," she whispered as she brushed a strand of hair from his forehead with her gloved hands. "Welcome back. Did you like it? Because I certainly did."

"Like it?" he echoed incredulously, his voice sluggish as he answered by cradling her. "You shattered my pelvis. Back then I thought it would feel great to be sucked but holy shit it hurts…"

Astaroth's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, come on… You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it at least a little. I heard those noises you were making." Her smirk widened as she leaned closer, her lips pressing gently on his forehead.

"Okay, it felt very good…" he admitted. "But why are you here? To eat me again?" 

"No, to thank you," she whispered. "You were delicious and I'm feeling way better now."

Luka blinked, caught off guard by her words as his foggy mind tried to process the shift in her demeanor. "Thank me?" he echoed, his brow furrowing as he searched her face for any hint of deception, though all he found was that rare, unguarded warmth in her expression. "You're thanking me for… what, letting you turn me into a corpse? That's a new one."

"Don't get too full of yourself," she teased, poking a finger at his nose. "I mean it, though. You gave me exactly what I needed down there—a good fight, a good meal, and a good time. I haven't felt this refreshed in ages."

Luka snorted, though the sound was more amused than derisive as he leaned back against the headboard, wincing slightly as his battered body protested the movement. "Yeah, well, I'm glad one of us feels better," he muttered, his tone dry but carrying a faint smirk as he glanced at her. "Though I think I could've handled the fight better."

Astaroth sighed, stretching her arms above her head before giving him a lazy smirk. "Yeah, it was pretty stupid of you to come grabbing me from behind like that," she remarked. "What were you thinking? That I wouldn't notice? Or were you just that desperate to get your hands on me?"

"Hey, it felt like a good idea at the time… I almost thought of punching your tits too."

"Don't do that," she deadpanned. "Unless you want to see what a real deathmatch feels like."

"Duly noted," he chuckled, shifting slightly. "But seriously, all of you are going to fry my brain at this rate. If this keeps up, I'll probably turn into something else entirely."

Astaroth grinned, leaning in just a little closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Oh? And what exactly do you think we'll turn you into?"

Luka exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "A willing snack."

"Not the worst fate, is it?" she mused. Then, with a sideways glance, she added, "So? You wanna cuddle more, or are you feeling okay?"

Luka hesitated, then exhaled in defeat. "You're impossible."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, scooting closer and draping an arm over him. "Now shut up and let me enjoy my after-meal relaxation."