"This village is finished. Child, run—don't stay here with this old man who's nearly in his grave. The farther you go, the better."

The old village chief’s voice had barely fallen when the courtyard gates exploded inward. A massive, hulking figure appeared at the threshold.

"So you really did figure out our secret, huh, old bastard?"

A demon with black horns and a sharp-tipped black tail swaggered into the yard.

The difference between incubi and succubi wasn’t just gender—succubi had heart-shaped tails, whereas incubi had sharply pointed ones.

“Grandpa, I’m scared!”

The overwhelming pressure made the child collapse against the old man, legs trembling too much to move.

The village chief gripped his cane tightly and remained silent.

He was long past the age of fearing death. The only thing he couldn't let go of was his grandson.

“Tch. Whatever. There’s nothing worth eating on that old sack of bones. Might as well kill him. But the kid’s got some value,” the incubus clicked his tongue and walked toward them.

To him, getting assigned to “deal with the men” was just a waste of time. He had no patience for men. If it weren’t for orders, he’d just kill them both.

What was the point of men, anyway? Worthless.

“Kid, if you want to live, you’d better behave. I’m not exactly known for my patience,” the towering incubus said with cold cruelty.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” The child sobbed, clutching the old man’s hand.

“Tch. Stop bawling! I hate crying kids the most. Keep that up and I’ll send you both to hell right now—don’t test me!” the incubus snarled, raising his claws and lunging at them—

Clang!

Before the claws reached them, a glittering ice spear dropped from the sky and forced the incubus back. Frozen thorns shot up from the ground, blocking the path to the grandfather and grandson.

“Hey! What kind of tough guy bullies kids and old folks? Got guts? Come take a swing at me!”

“Huh??” The incubus blinked at the sudden frost, realizing there was a skilled fighter nearby. He turned toward the top of the courtyard wall—

Standing there was a figure in blue.

“You blue-haired brat—trying to die? Get down here so I can twist your stupid head off!”

The incubus snarled, baring his claws.

What a pain.

Why did his kin get the delicious women, and he was stuck with a bunch of stinking men?

He was already annoyed, and now that blue-haired pest was making it worse. He was about to snap.

“Hey! Grandpa, look! It’s that super handsome big brother from before!” the child cried out, eyes wide with admiration.

“Hahaha! What a good kid! Yep, your handsome big brother is here to save you!” Vinny puffed out his chest proudly.

“Don’t worry—while I’m here, nothing bad’s gonna happen to you or your grandpa. Not even a scratch!”

Aw man, what an adorable kid. Sharp-eyed, too. Definitely destined for greatness.

To think none of those so-called elites at Carillian Academy had this kind of vision.

Only kids were honest. Grown-ups just got petty and jealous of anyone better looking than them.

“You blue-haired brat—don’t flatter yourself! Look at you—skin and bones, and you dare call yourself a man? You look like some dainty little sissy. Gross.”

The incubus spat in disgust at Vinny’s smug face.

“Hah! What a tasteless, disordered monster. Can’t even insult people with flair. You’re no better than a wild animal,” Vinny sneered.

“You can’t even hurl a proper insult. What, your underdeveloped brain couldn’t figure it out? Or did your deadbeat parents never teach you how to talk?”

“...You arrogant little human.”

The barrage of insults left the incubus stunned for a second, then he snapped, glaring at Vinny.

“No one’s dared talk to me like that in ages.”

“Figures. Whatever sort of ‘queen’ raised you must’ve been real proud to raise such a defective freak,” Vinny said, sweeping his hair back with a look of disdain.

“You lowly pig—you dare insult our queen?!”

“What, not allowed to talk about her now?” Vinny said with a snort. “Forget you—if your so-called queen were standing right in front of me, I’d still curse her out. You’re all nothing. Got that?”

“Now come taste the ultimate move of the Camella Royal Capital's Most Infamous Scoundrel—Ninefold Ultimate Flying Kick!”

Vinny bent one leg and raised his arms in a dramatic V-pose.

“What the hell is that?” the incubus frowned. “You wanna fight, just fight—what’s with the theatrics?”

“Ugh. That’s exactly why I said you don’t understand the aesthetics of violence,” Vinny pouted. “This is the classic hero’s entrance. How can you not know that?”

“Yaaaa! Hero transformation!”

With a shout, brilliant silver armor began to materialize on Vinny piece by piece, glowing as it formed around his body. In moments, he was a full-on iron-clad warrior—no skin exposed.

“???”

The incubus stared at him like he was an idiot. So this was just a Soul Armament summoning?

And it was... armor?

What was this, the Dark Ages?

What kind of idiot still used bulky, outdated armor as a Soul Armament in this day and age?

“Foolish monster. You’ll pay for underestimating me,” Vinny said coldly, then charged forward and leapt into the air, kicking downward toward the incubus.

“What a dumb attack, pig,” the incubus mocked.

“Dumb? We’ll see who’s dumb.”

Vinny smiled as the incubus stood there, not even dodging—like he didn’t see Vinny as a threat.

But then—

The air chilled. A glistening layer of frost coated Vinny’s armor midair.

He came crashing down like a giant block of ice.

[Frostskin]

“What?!”

Only then did the incubus realize it wasn’t a simple physical attack—it was magical, disguised to look like brute force.

By the time he tried to dodge, it was far too late.

BOOM!

Vinny’s icy boot smashed into the incubus’s face, shattering teeth, cracking cheekbones, spraying blood—and then the entire area was swallowed in ice and mist.

“Wraaaagh!!”

The incubus was crushed under the blow. Ice elemental magic erupted in all directions, engulfing him completely.

“This... is a secret art. Ninefold Ultimate Flying Kick.”

As the frost cleared, Vinny stood up and brushed shards of ice from his shoulder with masterful flair.

“Waaah! Big brother is so cool!”

The child’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

“Hahaha, it’s no big deal. I’m a pretty modest guy. Normally, taking out a demon like that is easier than mowing grass,” Vinny replied humbly—in name only.

What a good kid. Full emotional value.

Not like a certain white-haired, short-tempered gremlin who never gave him any credit.

As for the incubus on the ground—he was three-quarters dead. If it weren’t for demonic vitality, taking that ice attack to the face would’ve sent him straight to hell. He wasn’t long for this world either way.

“Hey now, why’re you lying down?” Vinny mocked, kicking him twice.

“Weren’t you all high and mighty earlier? What, can’t even blink now?”

“But I’m a merciful guy. I won’t just leave you here like this.”

Vinny raised Frostfang, aiming it at the incubus’s chest.

“Let me send you off properly. And don’t worry—you won’t be lonely down there. Plenty of your kin will be joining you soon.”

But just before he could strike, Vinny sensed a wave of magical energy.

He leapt back without hesitation.

BOOM!

A fireball slammed into where he’d just stood, blowing apart one side of the courtyard wall.

“What the hell?! A sneak attack?” Vinny growled, spinning his spear toward the gate.

“There are only two kinds of people I hate: those who pull sneak attacks—and those who interrupt me while I’m sneak attacking someone else!”

“Tch tch. I thought this mission would be all boring trash—cripples, rejects, all too disgusting to look at... but I didn’t expect such a delicious little treat like you. Looks like I hit the jackpot~”

A sultry female voice cooed from the entrance.

A curvaceous figure strutted into the courtyard. Her serpentine eyes locked onto Vinny—and she even licked her lips with a predator’s hunger.

“Oh my, dear Miss Succubus. Are you saying... I’m handsome?”

Being likened to food didn’t faze Vinny one bit. He had other priorities.

“Mmhmm~ Very easy on the eyes,” she purred. “I like your smooth, pale, symmetrical type. Big, bulky guys like that one—ugh. Repulsive.”

She cast a glance at the fallen incubus, and the meaning was clear.

“Hahaha, idiot. Hear that? Even your own kind says I’m handsome and you’re disgusting! You were just jealous of my looks, huh?”

Vinny laughed, flipping his hair in delight, stabbing straight into the incubus’s pride.

But this wasn’t just bluster—he discreetly gestured to the old man behind him.

The old chief immediately understood. While the succubus’s attention was fixed on Vinny, he quietly led his grandson toward the back gate.

“Ahhh, Miss Succubus, thank you. Finally, someone who can appreciate my unmatched beauty,” Vinny sighed. “Shame you’re not human.”

“I don’t see why that matters, little cutie,” the succubus purred, stepping closer.

“Isn’t that even more exciting?”

“I can give you experiences no human girl ever could~”

“Oh? That so?” Vinny tilted his head.

“Of {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} course~ Since we like each other, why not just skip the fight? I don’t wanna break you—you’re too pretty to eat if you’re damaged,” she said with a sweet smile.

“Don’t resist. Just leave it all to me~”

“Ah... I think you misunderstood.” Vinny smiled coldly.

“I meant I liked your words. That’s why—” he lifted his chin—

“—I’ll make sure to leave your corpse intact.”

“...Oh?” The succubus narrowed her eyes.

“How long have you poisoned this village? How many lives have you ruined?” Vinny spun his spear and stared her down.

“Demon—you label every murder with a hidden price tag. So... are you ready to pay up?”

“...Pfft. Good, good. So you’re not biting right away. Not bad. I like you even more now,” the succubus said, her eyes now filled with obsession.

“You’re right—being called handsome made me happy,” Vinny said, raising a brow. “But to be honest, you’re still disgusting.”

“Well, if you’d fallen for it that easily, I’d be disappointed. Though in the end, you’ll still fall.”

She beckoned with a finger.

“Come now. Bring that pretty little body over to big sister.”

A heart-shaped charm flew toward Vinny.

Vinny jumped to dodge—

But the heart twisted midair and homed in, slamming into his forehead and exploding into a flurry of pink.

“Alrighty~ Stop struggling. Let’s have some fun together~”

The succubus grinned brightly.

Uh-oh?!

Vinny crash-landed on the ground.

Dazed. Head spinning. Eyes glazing over.

But moments later, he shook his head hard, sweat dripping down, and returned to his senses.

“What?!”

The succubus’s eyes widened in shock.