As they exited the mercenary union, Nala and Amaya struck up conversation between each other.

Despite being flanked by two beautiful women, Sero couldn't help but feel annoyed as he listened to their grievances and complaints of him.

The night was warm, a soft breeze gently whispering through the brightly lit streets as the trio walked. People bustled about, creating a lively scene that Sero was not used to.

The three of them stopped at a small, cozy Italian restaurant, the atmosphere warm and inviting. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, making Sero's stomach growl in anticipation. The hostess greeted them warmly and guided them to a table outside on the patio.

Once they sat, their waitress came over and presented them with menus. Sero could feel his health decline as he saw the hefty price tags, dreading what kind of expensive meal Amaya would want.

But before they could order, there was an earsplitting shriek from the streets. As Sero turned around, he saw a giant portal opening in the middle of the street with a deafening crack. The inner portal was a dark gray, outlined with a fiery purple light. In an instant, Nala and Amaya leapt to their feet and vaulted over the patio railing, their weapons drawn.

Amaya reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pager-like device, pressing a small button.

"This is Liaison Amaya, calling in to the association headquarters," She barked into the device's speaker. "A monster outbreak has appeared in the vicinity of the mercenary union building. Estimated D-rank to C-rank. Requesting for any available backup."

Amaya slipped the pager back into her pocket as she crouched into a defensive stance alongside Nala in front of the portal.

Meanwhile, Sero sat back in his chair and watched the two women prepare themselves. Their waitress had already retreated to safety, as did the other patrons in the restaurant.

"Um, champion? Aren't you going to join too?" Aphiel asked.

"Nope."

"...Any particular reason why?"

"Don't feel like it. Plus, I gotta keep an eye on my gold."

Sero ignored Aphiel's protests and continued to watch the two women. Though he did feel slightly bad for not assisting them, he figured they would be able to handle a D to C-rank monster outbreak by themselves if backup came too late. After all, Sero himself had somewhat soloed a C-rank boss monster and he had just revived.

His thoughts soon drifted towards what kind of monsters would be coming out from the gate. Based on his previous experiences, he figured it would be animalistic, since he had been killing lobsters and wolf-like monsters.

An eerie giggle disrupted his thoughts as a shadow zipped out of the portal. Before Sero could make out what it was, Nala had already engaged in combat with the intruder.

"Wait a minute-"

With his Perfect Analysis pushed to its limits, Sero managed to process what the monster was before Nala quickly blew it up with her daggers.

"Was that a... succubus?"

A few more shadowy figures darted out of the portal, but by then a couple of Ascendants had arrived on the scene. Amaya took charge of the scene, barking orders to the newcomers as she fought alongside Nala.

Sero watched with awe and excitement as he mainly kept his focus on the rather seductive and scantily-clad succubi that flew out.

Their movements were graceful and fluid, their every attack designed to distract and entice their opponents. They used their pheromones to cloud the minds of their foes, making them easier to hit and more susceptible to their attacks. Despite their alluring appearance, they were far from harmless. Nala and Amaya fought them off with a combination of skill and sheer determination, refusing to fall for their charms.

It was a different story for some of the male Ascendants as they found their movements slowed and their minds confused. Sero took this time to look for new skills to copy as he pulled out his phone to record the battle.

"Champion... you do realize this is a dangerous situation?" Aphiel sounded simultaneously exasperated and bewildered.

"Yeah. I'll be fine, though." Sero nonchalantly responded as he zoomed in on a succubus. He panned over to an Ascendant who began to charge up yellow mana around him.

"Huh?" Sero tried to activate his Perfect Copy but found that he was unable to copy the Ascendant. He lowered his phone, staring at the man directly instead of through the screen. Sero's body buzzed with power and his Perfect Analysis allowed him to learn that the man was a Warrior class, and the skill he was using was Iron Skin, which greatly buffed the user's defensive attributes by hardening the skin.

"Damn, so I can only use my abilities if it's in person?" Sero grumbled to himself.

"Those were some of the limitations I mentioned earlier!" Aphiel chipped in.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"What other restrictions do I have?" He frowned, raising his phone up to resume recording.

"Oh... well, that's... the only one I know of."

Sero wanted to make a snarky comment, but a succubus suddenly caught sight of him.

"Hey, big boy. How about a little private time?" she purred, her voice dripping with seduction as she flew up to him. She suddenly flinched as she got a clear look at his face, but recovered quickly.

"Absolutely." Sero immediately put his phone away and stood up. He chose to ignore the brief reaction the succubus had to his looks.

"Wait, champion?!" Aphiel tried to interject.

Sero ignored the goddess, instead focusing on the succubus. She floated closer to him, her crimson eyes locked on his. Though it was hard to see in the night, as the succubus drew closer, Sero was able to clearly make out her details under the bright streetlights. Her long, dark hair swayed gently around her, casting shadows across her flawless, pale skin. Her red lips curled into a seductive smile, revealing sharp fangs. Her lithe, sinuous body was clad in a revealing black corset and thigh-high boots.

Without warning, she lunged forward, pressing her body against his. Her hot breath tickled his ear as she whispered, "Why don't we find someplace more private?" Her hands began to wander, caressing his chest and shoulders, though it seemed she did so reluctantly.

Before Sero could respond, the succubus screeched painfully in his ear, momentarily deafening him. A moment later, the succubus exploded with a shower of oddly sweet-smelling green blood, drenching Sero.

He could only sputter as Nala suddenly materialized in front of him, a mixture of concern and slight irritation on her face.

"Were you bewitched by the succubus?" Nala asked, studying his face carefully.

"Oh," Sero spat out a glob of green blood. "Yeah, I was. Thanks for the save."

"He's lying." Amaya appeared next to them with a scowl. "There's no sign of succubus magic on him."

"Hmm?" Sero raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean?"

"She means that succubi use magic to bewitch their victims. So, it seems like either it didn't work on you, or the succubus didn't use magic." Nala wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Or maybe she did use magic and you still went along with it."

Sero opened his mouth, then closed it.

"Oh, my god. I knew you were shameless, but not for monsters." Amaya shook her head in disgust. "We'll discuss this later. Either help us fight the boss, or stay away." She turned and ran back into battle, rallying the other Ascendants in preparation for the boss.

"Are you that lustful for women?" Nala asked Sero with a slight frown.

"Well..." he began, looking away uncomfortably.

The shouts from the other Ascendants caused Nala to shift her focus away from Sero.

"Explain after the fight. I hope you'll help us this time." She murmured as she left him to join the fight as well.

"Champion..."

"Not another word," Sero sighed to himself. "I guess I'll have to help."

Before he joined the fray, he made sure his bags of gold were bound together and tied to the armrests of his chair. When he was satisfied with its security, Sero turned and vaulted over the patio railing, consciously activating his mana and energy efficiency while conjuring a silver mana sword between his hands.

By the time Sero closed the short distance to the battle, most of the succubi had already been wiped out, allowing the defending Ascendants to close around the portal.

"Nice of you to join us." Nala quietly remarked to him as he slinked up next to her. Sero couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or not. His Perfect Analysis scanned the other Ascendants, counting 2 Warriors and 3 Healers.

"Everyone, be on your guard!" Amaya shouted as she vaporized a stray succubus with a blue mass of fiery mana. "The boss might emerge at any second!"

"Champion, I hope you don't get 'bewitched' by this one, too." Aphiel said with a wary tone.

"You know what? I just might if it's the boss of all succubi." Sero shamelessly thought back.

Aphiel went quiet, much to Sero's relief and amusement.

A large shadowy mass suddenly burst out from the portal. Amaya quickly barked out orders, organizing the Ascendants into formation.

As the shadow flew high up into the air, Sero was able to get a clear view of the succubus boss underneath the moonlight.

It was a stunning creature, easily the most beautiful being he'd ever laid eyes upon. Her skin was an ethereal shade of midnight blue, smooth as silk, and seemed to shift and flow with an inner glow. Her hair was a waterfall of pure black, cascading down her back in waves that seemed to defy gravity. Her eyes were the color of the deepest oceans, bottomless pits of desire and seduction. Her slender azure tail swished around hypnotically.

"Champion!"

Sero blinked and shook himself out of his stupor. He glanced around, seeing the other Ascendants momentarily stunned as well.

"What a beautiful night," The succubus queen purred, her voice soothing but sinister as she descended. "The perfect time for some fun."

The succubus queen's gaze scanned the Ascendants and fell upon Sero. He could've sworn that for a brief moment, she recoiled from the sight of him.

"You," she hissed, her voice like the caress of cold iron. "You're not like the others. A little on the dull side." Her sapphire eyes narrowed as she focused on him once more. "You resisted my sisters. Perhaps you'll prove a worthy conquest, despite your looks."

"I'm sorry, what–"

Sero's reply was cut short as a wave of desire crashed over him, making his heart race and his skin tingle. He felt himself struggling to maintain control as his gaze remained locked on the succubus queen. He could feel her presence, her essence, wrapping itself around him like a warm, seductive blanket.

However, just as quickly as it came, the intense desire he felt vanished. Sero blinked in surprise as did the succubus queen.

"How did you break out? Was your appearance able to disperse the magic?" The queen whispered, slightly agitated.

"Now's our chance! Attack!" Amaya took charge of the succubus's confusion as she fired blue mana bolts at the queen. The rest of the Ascendants followed suit, leaving Sero to process what had just happened.

"Am I... ugly?" He wondered dejectedly.

"Champion, that's not important right now! Focus your efforts on the battle!" Aphiel jolted Sero out of his self-pity.

"Ugh, fine." Sero grumbled as he ran up to join the Ascendants in fighting the succubus queen.