Can Someone (Anyone!) Please Turn Off the Auto-Skill Setting?! - Chapter 51
V.
“Nancy, it’s me.”
The succubus Bije, disguised as Aaron, grabbed Nancy’s hand, desperately trying to convince her that she was the real Aaron. She was confident in her shapeshifting abilities. After all, the face she wore was crafted from her memories—there was no way it could seem less authentic than the real thing.
“I’ve told you before, haven’t I? Bije is a master of shapeshifting. That thing over there is definitely Bije.”
But isn’t there something slightly off? Look closely at the face. You should be able to tell. Bije grabbed Nancy’s face, turning it toward him.
“I can prove I’m the real one as much as you want.”
He recited how they had first met and become comrades. Of course, it was all drawn from her memories, so every word he spoke was the truth as Nancy remembered it.
“I can list everything you like, every secret conversation we had in the forest.”
The succubus whispered in her ear, then playfully nibbled on it. While Bije worked hard to convince Nancy of his authenticity, the real Aaron had only one thing to say.
“Get away from that thing. Now.”
Nancy, acting on instinct like a soldier following orders, shoved the succubus aside.
“Nancy!”
Bije was taken aback. Her shapeshifting abilities weren’t some cheap trick to merely imitate a person from memory. She could transform into someone who matched their most hidden desires—desires even the person themselves might not be aware of.
These hidden desires weren’t necessarily morally acceptable. Sometimes, they were so deeply buried that even the person didn’t consciously realize them. Because of this, most people couldn’t resist, no matter how wrong it felt. In the worst cases, even after discovering she was a succubus, they couldn’t break free.
But perhaps it was different for a hero chosen by the gods?
Heroes were indeed somewhat unique. Protected by divine mental barriers, Aaron had been able to fend off Bije’s attack.
But when it came to heroes without such defenses, things were different. Bije never quite understood why some heroes had mental shields while others didn’t. She chalked it up to pure greed. After all, the greed she’d seen in some people was so twisted, even she, a creature familiar with all forms of desire, had been left speechless.
That’s why she sometimes hesitated to use her powers, even though she knew they would work.
Fortunately, Nancy’s desires were relatively simple. She wanted someone who would love her, someone who wouldn’t abandon her even in the worst situations.
For people like her, all it took was a declaration of love, and nine times out of ten, they’d fall for it.
Nancy was one of those nine. Even though she didn’t fully let go of her suspicions, it was clear her heart was softening when ‘Aaron’ professed his love.
“Stop saying my name and shut up! You’re only making things more complicated!”
But just before she could fully give in, the moment she laid eyes on the real Aaron, Nancy knew the truth—that this was a fake.
Why? She’d already been shaken. Her judgment should have been clouded beyond recognition.
There wasn’t time for Bije to dwell on the question. She quickly shifted her focus to his true target—Aaron.
Her original goal had always been Aaron. Heroes without mental defenses were easier prey, after all. It was the obvious choice.
The plan had been flawless—right up until the hero had caught her red-handed before she could indulge.
Bije lunged at Aaron. The instant Aaron’s focus slipped, Bije used his magic to swap places with Nancy.
“Aaron!”
Now, it was Bije, in Nancy’s form, who called out.
Meanwhile, the real Nancy, who had suddenly been flung into Aaron’s arms without understanding why, blinked in confusion. Why had she, who had been standing next to the bed moments ago, suddenly been thrown to the floor?
“No matter how angry you are, isn’t pushing me a bit too much?”
Nancy looked up at Aaron with a bewildered expression. Aaron, having defended himself from Bije’s attack, furrowed his brow as he realized what was happening.
“Don’t be fooled, Aaron!” Bije shouted sharply.
She glanced around for a weapon, then picked up a helm and swung it toward Nancy.
Nancy, too stunned to even scream, rolled away in a panic.
“Did you really think you could fool us just because you can shapeshift into an exact copy?”
Bije mocked, watching Aaron struggle.
The sight of the hero in trouble brought a sense of satisfaction, as if a weight had been lifted from him.
Bije smiled furtively, banging the helm on the floor in a rhythmic beat.
Unarmed, Nancy frantically dodged and then dashed toward the bedroom to retrieve the sword she had left behind.
