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Chapter Forty-Two: The Succubus' Territory

"Left?" ako lang ang tumawa sa sarili kong joke kaya natahimik ako.

"The path the dungeons say is wrong."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Siguro malalaman na ito nina Hex o Voldmir, pero paano kaya kapag nailayo din si Feyre ng dungeon? Ano na lang kaya ang mangyayari sa babaeng 'yon? She may be good at directions and staying hidden, pero hindi iyon nakinig kanina sa amin. Kaya siguradong hindi no'n alam kung saan ang pupuntahan.

"Like this one," itinuro ni Cord ang isang pader. "This was a passageway a while ago but now it's blocked by a wall."

"So dito tayo dadaan?" tanong ko.

Umiling siya at itinuro ang isa pang daanan. "It was blocking this corridor because this leads to Mizuki."

"Gano'n ba- ah!" napasigaw ako sa gulat nang biglang mawala ang sahig na inaapakan ko at mahulog ako.

"Solace!" narinig kong sigaw nila pero agad na nagsara ulit ang sahig na gawa sa bato.

Oh come on! Bakit ba palagi na lang ako ang nalalayo o nahuhulog? Hindi ba pwedeng ibang tao naman? Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang likod. The moment I stood up, I noticed several dangerous presence. All around me.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. Familiar lady demons sorrounded me, with small horns on their heads and a tail with a heart in the end. They were wearing small pieces of clothing. At lahat sila ay masasama ang tingin sa'kin. Maliban na lang sa taong nakita ko pagkaharap na nagpasigaw sa'kin.

"Shh!" pagpapatahimik ni Irusu.

"A-Anong... Bakit ka nandito?!"

"Because I'm part of your party."

"Hindi! I mean, paano ka nakadating dito?! At ikaw lang mag-isa? Nasaan si Iv?!"

"We got separated. And I'm not alone, I was with him," itinuro niya si Filter na mukhang lasing ang itsura. "But he's now under the succubus' spell. River is still with the group, I think."

Napatingin ako sa mga succubus na nakatayo lang at nakatingin sa'min. Well, they were glaring at me. "Bakit hindi ka naapektuhan?"

"Well, I'm sure you know that they can only affect men who desire girls."

"Ohh. Right," we gave each other a knowing look. "Mad River is not a good sight."

"Never." sang-ayon niya.

"So, what are we gonna do now? Hindi ba talaga sila aatake?"

Gagalaw sana ako nang pigilan niya. "If you take a step, they'll attack you. You're a female in their territory. We need to find a way to stop Filter's hormones."

"I believe I can fight back against them."

"Paano kapag ginamit nila si Filter?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Would Astro be angry at me for saving the both of us?"

His lips twitched up. "I think we can live with that."

So I moved.

The succubus screeched when they saw me take a step. Kaagad silang tumakbo papunta sa'kin para umatake. Their pretty hands immediately formed into sharp claws and their seductive faces crumpling into ugly anger. They kicked and clawed on me who just used my sword to deflect their damages. However, I still seem to bleed even by my strong defense. And they're not even that faze by my sword!

"What are these guys?!" pasigaw na tanong ko kay Irusu.

"Succubus are high-level demons! Isa sila sa mga mahihirap patayin dito sa game. If you're a man, they'll seduce you and trap you in dreams. If you're a woman, be ready for their anger and jealousy!"