Chapter 1: Akane's Capture
"I finally found you."
A dignified voice echoed through the midnight park.
"Oh, you've finally shown yourself. I've been waiting so long."
The reply came from someone who slowly stood up from a crouching position in the park's bushes, leisurely brushing off the hem of a black dress-like outfit. Bat-like wings protruded from her back, and two small horns grew from her temples. She was a demon, a succubus who feeds on human life force.
"Release that person immediately!"
A girl dressed in a uniform shouted, her voice filled with anger. Under the streetlight, a woman lay on her back, her clothes disheveled, likely attacked. Though unconscious, she seemed to be in no immediate danger, and the girl breathed a small sigh of relief before focusing her sharp gaze on the succubus.
"Alright, alright. But you're quite the cute exorcist, aren't you? Is this a mistake?"
The succubus displayed an unexpected level of composure, despite the arrival of someone aiming to exterminate her. Her thin, tail-like appendage, shaped like an arrowhead, swayed invitingly.
"What's your name?"
"...Kuriyuu... Akane."
Even if the target is to be vanquished, she answers when asked her name. Such is Akane Kuriu, the exorcist.
"Akane, is it?"
The succubus scrutinized Akane, as if sizing up her prey. She had long, lustrous black hair reaching almost to her waist and a serious demeanor, dressed in a uniform with black stockings. Although her body was still developing, it was easy to imagine that she had considerable experience. Akane, in turn, observed the succubus.
(It's my first time fighting a succubus. They should be low-level demons. If I handle it normally, there shouldn't be any issues...)
In reality, the succubus's magical power felt negligible. Although its intelligence was close to that of humans was troublesome, its combat ability was far from high. There was no reason why an ordinary exorcist would lose in a fair fight. Despite sensing a slight unease at the succubus's arrogant attitude, Akane summoned her exorcist sword and shouted,
"You won't be so confident for long. I'll turn you into rust on my blade."
Akane held her sword in a low stance and closed the distance swiftly, slashing at the succubus with all her might.
"Oh, you're quite capable. But I won't be cut so easily."
The succubus dodged the incoming strike, spreading her wings to escape into the air. For a succubus confronted by an exorcist, fleeing was usually the only option, and this one was no exception. Lacking the luxury to set up a barrier, if she allowed the succubus to escape into the sky, she would lose her quarry. But Akane had accounted for this as well. She overwhelmed the succubus with relentless attacks, steadily cornering her. Although the succubus had high evasion skills and no decisive blow was landed, Akane decided to use a different tactic.
"Hyaah!"
After sufficiently instilling the threat of her sword, Akane used it as a decoy and delivered a fierce kick to the succubus's unguarded body. The succubus, caught off guard by the unexpected attack, was unable to evade or block, taking a clean hit.
"Ugh...!"
The succubus was violently thrown back, rolling on the ground a couple of times before lying prone, clearly in significant pain.
"This ends now!"
Seeing her chance, Akane infused her sword with exorcist light and leaped toward the succubus. The succubus, seeing this, grinned slyly...
"Kyaa! What is this...?"
Just centimeters from striking the succubus, Akane was suddenly bound by chains that erupted from the ground. Chains encircled her from all sides, binding her tightly. Despite her desperate struggles, the chains, infused with powerful magic, showed no signs of breaking.
"Damn it... I'm losing strength..."
As if to further torment her, the chains also drained her exorcist power. Akane, unable to maintain her sword, lost all means of counterattack.
"So close, yet so far. Too bad for you."
The succubus stood up as if nothing had happened, brushing her hair back while staring at Akane, now pinned and helpless. Under the moonlight, her long pink hair glowed brilliantly, but Akane had no time to appreciate the sight. She had to admit she had fallen into the succubus's trap.
"Your attack was just a ploy to lure me into this trap from the beginning?"
"Of course. I could have avoided that kick with my eyes closed."
Brimming with confidence, the succubus's body emitted a surge of magical power far beyond that of a low-level demon. She had deliberately restrained her power to appear weaker. Akane's face contorted in frustration and self-reproach.
"And to think, I was hoping for a stronger exorcist, like a divine weapon wielder. You're such a disappointment."
"Grr..."
Though the succubus taunted Akane, stroking her cheek provocatively, Akane hadn't lost because of a lack of skill. The succubus's power, while unusually high for a demon, was only about mid-level. Had Akane correctly assessed the power and anticipated the trap, she could have at least fought to a draw. It was all part of the strategy, and Akane's defeat was now a reality.
Incidentally, divine weapon wielders, as the name implies, use weapons blessed by the gods and possess power several levels above ordinary exorcists, making them elite.
"Kneel, Akane Kuriu."
"I will never...! Ugh..."
The chains around her legs tightened, forcing her to her knees. With her arms spread out as if surrendering, Akane was rendered completely humiliated. The succubus dispelled the excess chains, leaving only those binding Akane's limbs. Stripped of her power, Akane had no means of escape.
"No matter what you do, I will never submit!"
Akane glared at the succubus with fierce eyes, but the succubus seemed unfazed. She leaned in, whispering seductively into Akane's ear.
"I suppose I'll have to settle for you. Now, let me hear those sweet cries."
With a wicked whisper, the succubus's slender, beautiful fingers traced over Akane's uniform...