CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 - THE LEWD SHOPKEEPER

Everyone in the Hunter world knows that Saint Archer possesses an unusual form of vision. Even though his eyes are always covered by a white cloth and almost never open, he remains the greatest archer alive—able to hit targets with perfect accuracy even under the most impossible conditions.

But only a handful of people know the true secret behind his legendary skill—his ability to see five seconds into the future. Countless rumors and theories circulate about his power, yet Zephyr always refuses to confirm anything, allowing it to remain mere speculation.

In truth, Zephyr sensed nothing suspicious from Iron Knight during the meeting earlier. However, the moment he activated his ability and imagined launching an attack against the man, all he saw was pitch-black darkness—signaling his own death.

He often uses this method to test the people he encounters, but this time, the result sent chills down his spine.

No matter how many scenarios he simulated—whether attacking from afar, up close, or by surprise—even when he managed to kill him in those visions, Zephyr still couldn’t see Iron Knight’s true abilities.

What was even more unnerving was that he couldn’t see how Iron Knight would kill him either. It was as if an invisible wall blocked his foresight the moment Iron Knight was involved.

Logically, based on the physical statistics and energy readings detected by his special senses, Iron Knight was only as strong as a Rank C Awakener. Someone of that level shouldn’t even come close to threatening the life of a Rank SSS Hunter like him.

And yet, another oddity stood out: according to official records, Iron Knight was supposed to be a Rank A Awakener—but through Zephyr’s eyes, he appeared merely Rank C.

The more Zephyr thought about it, the more questions piled up. Nothing about this felt normal. He silently pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.

"I need you to investigate and keep an eye on Iron Knight," he ordered in a low voice. "Report anything suspicious. No matter how small."

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I found Ruth leaning against the outer wall of the HGA building, looking perfectly relaxed as she watched the bustling traffic. When she saw me approaching with a clearly annoyed expression, a small smile touched her lips.

"Oh, you’re done already?" she asked in an annoyingly cheerful tone, as if completely oblivious to my irritation.

"You just left me in there like that?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

Ruth turned her head, offering a faint smile as if nothing was wrong. "But you got out, didn’t you? I knew you’d be fine. Your disguise is perfect—I told you so."

I rubbed my suddenly throbbing temples. "Still! I know the disguise is good, but something felt off in there. I felt... watched. I don’t know by who, but something made me incredibly uneasy."

Ruth just shrugged, infuriatingly casual. "We tested your disguise with that detector a while back, remember? The results were perfect. And look, you got out safely, right? That means you weren’t exposed. It was probably just nerves."

I shook my head, a sense of regret creeping into my heart. For some reason, I was starting to regret ever agreeing to this partnership. Despite Ruth’s confidence in my disguise, my gut feeling kept screaming that something was wrong.

The next day, the bullying I endured wasn’t as harsh as the day before. Maximus still landed a few punches to my gut and tossed some empty taunts my way in the corridor.

Surprisingly, Yukie didn’t even glance at me. Her gaze deliberately avoided mine, as if I were a ghost not worth noticing. She seemed busy with her notes, or perhaps intentionally ignoring my existence.

Alex and Isabel, two members of Yukie’s gang who usually cheered on the torment, were absent altogether. Rumor had it they were busy studying together for a surprise theory exam.

Nerissa, the mastermind behind the painful experiments I endured, was also missing. The grapevine suggested she was handling some major business related to her family’s affairs.

After the academy, my feet automatically carried me back to The Kinky Corner. My encounter with Ruth yesterday had prevented me from buying anything, and there was something about that shop—or perhaps its attendant—that drew me back.

The small bell chimed softly as I pushed the door open. The familiar scent of cinnamon, vanilla, and latex greeted me, unchanged from yesterday.

And there she was, the shop attendant, behind her wooden counter. But her appearance today was far more... provocative. She wore only an extremely tight black tank top, braless, leaving the full shape of her ample breasts on clear display, her nipples forming two distinct points against the fabric.

Her bottom was covered by red hotpants so short and tight they seemed painted onto the enticing curves of her large buttocks, leaving very little to the imagination. Her flat, slender stomach was completely bare.

"Oh, welcome back, handsome," she greeted in that same melodious voice, though now with a deeper, more teasing undertone. A meaningful smile spread across her lips. "You left in such a hurry yesterday before I could give you a proper tour of the shop’s... inventory. What was the matter? Afraid you’d be tempted by me?"

I offered an awkward smile, trying to divert my gaze from her blatant display. My blood stirred, but my instincts were also screaming. Without overthinking it, I activated [Eye of Desire] on her, burning with curiosity about who this woman truly was.

I nearly choked on my own spit seeing the information displayed before my eyes.

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NAME: Yumi

AGE: 47

CLASS: Succubus Temptress

RANK: S

DOMINANCE: 1%

SEXUAL AROUSAL: 35%

VAGINA VIRGINITY: No

ANAL VIRGINITY: No

WEAK POINTS: Vagina, Breasts, Buttocks, Anus, Ears, Tongue, Armpits,

FETISH: Bondage, Dominance, Submission, Sadistic, Masochistic, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, Cosplay, Humiliation.

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So her name was Yumi.

Forty-seven years old? Hard to believe. With an appearance that looked like a woman in her twenties, anyone would be completely fooled. But that wasn’t the most shocking part.

She was a Hunter Rank S with the Class ’Succubus Temptress’.

My heart started pounding hard. How could someone of that caliber be working as a clerk in a sex shop? And why was I constantly running into such powerful individuals lately? Were S-rank Awakeners as common as bread these days?

To my knowledge, even most Tier III Guild Masters were still A-rank. S-rank Hunters were usually only found in Tier II or even Tier I guilds—they were the elite, national assets.

So... why was she here?

And her sexual arousal level... 35%. Was she already turned on right now? In her own shop? I imagined that seeing all these lewd items every day might be a kind of aphrodisiac for her, or... was there something else stoking her flames?

Then, the list of her fetishes. I swallowed hard, my eyes scanning the list one by one.

Bondage, Dominance, and Submission: She enjoyed both tying up and being tied down, being in control and being controlled. And also Sadistic & Masochistic: A deadly combination. Add to that her Voyeurism and Exhibitionism: She liked to watch, and more dangerously, she liked to be watched and put on display. That was likely the reason behind her barely-there clothing.

And Cosplay and Humiliation: So role-playing was another spice for her. I pictured her in various costumes, and the idea alone was almost enough to give me an erection. She was also aroused by humiliation, both giving and receiving it.

She was a walking sex bomb wrapped in a pretty and voluptuous package. Each of her fetishes was like a key that could unlock a Pandora’s box of pleasure and suffering. I felt like I was playing with fire, and this fire was a mature, S-rank Succubus thirsty for every form of carnal indulgence.

"Can I help you with something, dear?" Yumi spoke again, breaking the silence. Her smile was deeper now, her honey-colored eyes gleaming as if they could read every dirty thought and flicker of fear racing through my mind.

"You look very... hmm... like you’re imagining something quite interesting about me! Would you mind sharing? I might just be interested."