Chapter 21: A Succubus Maid About to Be Won

Suddenly, Shia turned his head.

Rong’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt an urge to retreat.

Shia, however, simply smiled kindly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

For some reason, Rong felt a bit scared.

Though Shia was her teammate, he was just a powerless human—so why did she feel intimidated?

At that moment, a vast and majestic voice echoed from above.

"Congratulations to Rong and Shia’s team for clearing the legendary trial."

The announcement made Rong realize something serious.

If she went out now, she’d be surrounded by onlookers, wouldn’t she?

Just imagining the crowd made the socially anxious princess want to flee.

A hand extended in front of her.

She followed the hand upward and met Shia’s smiling face.

"We’ve been through life and death together—don’t you think it’s fair to call us friends?"

He genuinely just wanted a handshake as a friendly gesture.

But to the reclusive succubus princess, even the smallest kindness from others felt like a threat.

Someone like her—why would anyone want to be friends with her?

If, one day, her true identity was revealed, wouldn’t he look at her with disgust?

Better not to make friends at all.

Rong stepped back, widening the distance between them. Her innate insecurity was evident, her expression tinged with fear.

"No need. I don’t need friends."

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Suppressing her inner yearning, she withdrew into her shell once more.

She even generously ceded all the glory to Shia.

Facing the prospect of being the center of attention, she just couldn’t handle it.

Though Shia was aware of her social anxiety, he was still surprised by her decision.

"You’re even giving up the naming rights?"

They had cleared the trial together, yet she wanted to disappear into the background?

This would mean giving up both the resources and prestige that came with victory.

"Yes," Rong nodded.

"You’ll regret this," Shia said seriously.

It wasn’t a threat, just a matter-of-fact statement—a kind reminder.

Most people in his position would have been overjoyed, eager to accept the opportunity to stand alone in the spotlight.

Rong either didn’t understand or chose to ignore his words. She simply waved her hand and turned to leave.

Alone, she had arrived; alone, she departed, vanishing without a trace, carefree as if this entire experience was just a fleeting interlude.

After all, being surrounded by a crowd? That was terrifying!

She left because she wasn’t here for fame but to forge a new path.

Prestige and accolades didn’t matter to her.

Shia remained where he stood, watching Rong’s figure disappear, a subtle, meaningful smile on his face.

Though his attempt to make friends had failed, he had just unlocked a hidden strategy.

[Unlocked: A Succubus Maid About to Be Won.]

While this was how it worked in the game, reality was far less certain.

Still, he was confident he could improve her favorability.

To unlock the first seal of the charm ring, he needed the key—the succubus princess.

Now that he’d found the key, the next step was to figure out how to unlock it—by placing the ring on her tail.

But a succubus’s tail wasn’t something to be touched lightly.

The tail was a unique secondary trait of the succubi, both a vulnerable weak spot and an intimate extension of their character.

Even in the Dreamland of Illusions, no amount of money could grant customers access to a succubus’s tail, let alone allow them to place a ring on it.

Without a deep level of trust and intimacy, it was impossible.

And this socially anxious princess, despite their life-and-death encounter, wouldn’t even dare to make friends.

The difficulty level was maxed out.

Still, compared to the other keys he needed, Rong was currently the simplest goal to achieve.

As for the others…

Shia’s mind conjured images of several figures, and he couldn’t help but shudder.

They were all extremely dangerous individuals.

Without a certain level of physical endurance, dealing with them would be impossible.

Next to those women, the socially anxious succubus princess was, ironically, the least threatening.

---

Meanwhile, the sound of white leather boots on gravel echoed.

Sheer lace stockings, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of thigh above her short skirt, moved with an elegant grace.

Violet strode forward, her footsteps steady despite the slippery path.

Yet she paid no mind to such minor inconveniences.

"Mage, flank from behind. Tank, keep the boss’s attention. Healer, don’t forget to debuff the boss. No mistakes during this phase!"

Her voice was clear and commanding as she directed her team in battle.

Before her stood the Archdemon Duchess, her health bar critically low. The endgame was near.

Following Violet’s orders, her team moved into position, executing her strategy flawlessly.

From start to finish, Violet’s leadership was impeccable.

She had calculated every detail—their positions, attack rhythms, and the tank’s engagement path.

The tank’s placement not only blocked the boss’s attacks on the damage-dealers but also kept them within the healer’s range.

After their initial burst, they chipped away at the boss’s health in a steady rhythm until they were ready for another full-force assault.

Now, they had reached their fourth and final phase.

"Go!" Violet commanded.

The team shifted positions once more.

The tank drew all the Archdemon Duchess’s aggression, while the mages launched a relentless barrage of attacks from behind.

The healer alternated between healing the tank’s injuries and replenishing the team’s stamina, all while casting debuffs on the boss.

Everything was proceeding according to Violet’s meticulous plan.

The Archdemon Duchess’s health plummeted, her life force dropping like an elevator in freefall.

At last, with an anguished wail, the boss fell.

"Congratulations to Violet’s team for clearing the Hell difficulty in 4 minutes, 30.67 seconds."

The dungeon’s system voice echoed across the space.

Four and a half minutes?!

The team erupted in cheers.

All eyes turned to one person.

Such an outstanding performance was undoubtedly exceptional.

While their time wasn’t on par with historical records, within this year’s batch of newcomers, they were unmatched.

Their first clear was assured!

And it was all thanks to their leader—their top damage dealer and strategist—Violet!