Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!-Chapter 288: Loyalty, Part Forty-Six

{Melisa}

Melisa leaned back in her chair, the wood creaking under her weight as she surveyed the room.

[.... Geez.]

The backroom smelled like stale beer and broken dreams, which seemed appropriate given the company. Koros sat at the head of the table like some discount crime lord, flanked by his usual collection of scowling one-toothed murderers.

For some reason, since this wasn't her first time in here, Koros's "war room" felt more like just a dingy back office, complete with a rickety table, some moth-eaten chairs, and a chalkboard that was one bad touch away from falling to pieces.

[Guess the revolution hasn't quite made it to interior decorating yet,] she thought wryly.

Koros himself was pacing back and forth, his brow furrowed as he muttered to himself.

"Did the Bazor boys slip away from the law?" Koros asked, probably talking about one of these people's many, many shady doings.

"Y-Yeah, boss, they did," one of the nim answered. Same goon had been staring at Melisa. Specifically her tits. Not being subtle about it at all, either.

[I mean, I know it's not in our nature to be subtle, to be fair, but... You know... You could at least pretend to care about the meeting,] Melisa thought, pretending not to notice.

"Good, good. Would have sucked to have to tell their pops they got snagged," Koros muttered. "Send them some suns in the morning. From me. For a job well done."

"I-I'll do that, boss."

He asked about multiple other random events Melisa had very little interest in. She had to actively keep herself from falling asleep.

She was bored, honestly. She was here for one reason and one reason only. All this was just a side quest, as far as she was concerned.

[All I care about is the attack on Isabella's house right now,] she thought, holding back a deep breath. [This other shit is such a drag.]

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

She shifted in her seat, drawing Koros's attention. He paused mid-stride, his eyes narrowing as he looked her over.

Like the other guy, he didn't do much to hide his lust. But, to be honest? Melisa preferred the other dude's gaze. Being stared at this way by the guy who tried to burn Javir's house down damn near made Melisa break character.

[How dare you look at my tits you... No,] she subtly inhaled, trying calm herself down. [Don't look annoyed. A regular, doe-eyed, straight nim girl would be blushing right now.]

So, she tried to act meek.

"Melanie," Koros leaned forward, finally taking his eyes off Melisa's titties. They were gleaming with the kind of intensity that probably worked better on girls who weren't actively plotting his downfall. "We've been impressed with your... enthusiasm."

Melisa sat up straighter, schooling her features into an expression of eager anticipation.

"Thank you!" She bounced slightly in her chair, channeling Isabella at her most excitable. "I just want to help the cause however I can! I'm eager to get started!"

Koros's lips twitched, like he was suppressing a smile.

"Glad to hear it. Because we've got a special mission for you." He shot his underling a look. "We have a test in mind. Something for you to prove your loyalty."

[Ah, shit.]

This was something Melisa had been afraid to hear. She didn't really have much of an interest in actually participating in any of this terrorist bullshit. Sure, Aria would probably appreciate her getting more information and whatever, but that was far beyond the scope of what Melisa had agreed to do.

[Besides, I kinda already know a lot, right? Sure, these guys aren't responsible for every single little thing that nim have been doing lately... but they sure as shit are behind a good chunk of it, no?]

Koros's smile widened. It wasn't a nice expression.

"There's a merchant," he said, sliding a piece of paper across the table. "Human. Lives in the nice part of town. Treats his nim workers like shit."

[As opposed to you lot, who treat everyone like shit equally. How progressive.]

"W-What do you want me to do?" Melisa asked, though she had a pretty good idea already.

"Burn it down," Crooked-nose said bluntly. "His warehouse. Tonight. With us."

[Shit.]

She probably should have seen this coming, in hindsight. What they were planning to do was very, very illegal, so the odds that they'd want to conduct some sort of test had been very high.

[A bit of an oversight on my part, honestly.]

Outside of her thoughts, however, Melisa let her eyes widen, trying to look as stunned as possible.

[And, yeah, given the fact that I was just a bit ago investigating an arson attempt, the irony is just chef's kiss perfect.]

"But..." she hesitated, playing up the nervous energy. "Won't people get hurt?"

"That's the point," another goon chimed in, grinning. "Can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, right?"

[Can't be terrorists without being complete fucking psychopaths, you mean.]

"Think of it this way," Koros said, his voice dropping into what he probably thought was a reassuring tone. "If you can't handle this, you definitely won't be able to handle going after Blackflame's people. And, also," he continued, "you're gonna have to be ready to hear the screams when we go after those kitsune. I want to harden your heart a little beforehand. Get me?]

[Oh, you'd be surprised what I can handle, you piece of shit.]

After all, the number of Shadow Mage assassins she'd turned to ashes couldn't be counted on her hands.

"Okay," she said quietly. "I'll do it. For the cause."

"That's my girl," Koros practically purred, running a hand over her hair. It took every ounce of Melisa's self-control not to reach across the table and rip his throat out.

[Your girl? In your dreams, buddy. Your sister's girl, maybe.]

"Can you cast spells while drunk?"

"I-I think so."

"Then go get yourself a drink or two. It'll help with what you need to do later. Then, come back, and we'll head out."

"Alright... I won't let you down," Melisa promised.