Lionel spoke up while examining the Book of the Dead again. "Actually, different demon species have different natural limits. Most of them grow from infancy into adulthood just like living creatures, but once they reach maturity, their abilities usually stop changing very much." He tapped the page containing Eligos's old illustration. "Eligos only looked so different because the contract recorded it while it was still young."
Young Ash immediately understood what Lionel meant. "So if we choose something that was already an adult when the Dark Ones made the contract, the description should still be reasonably accurate." Lionel nodded. "Most likely. There could still be exceptions, but it's safer than picking another demon whose picture was drawn before it finished growing."
"Good enough for me." Ash glanced toward older Ashley J. Williams. "And this time I'm killing it. No stealing the finish."
Older Ash looked at him strangely. "Why are you so possessive about demon kills?"
Ash smiled. "Guess."
He had never deliberately hidden the fact that killing supernatural creatures benefited him, but he also had no intention of explaining every detail of his strengthening abilities unless there was a reason. If older Ash, Pablo, Kelly, or Amanda eventually figured it out on their own, that was fine. Until then, Ash was perfectly happy to let them wonder why an eighteen-year-old federal agent treated demon hunting like somebody else treated collecting trophies.
Older Ash muttered something about weird kids and moved to help Lionel rebuild the containment circle. Every grain of salt used during the Eligos summoning had turned gray or black from demonic contamination, making it useless for another ritual. Lionel explained that the demon's presence constantly eroded the boundary, and if enough of the salt became corrupted, the containment field would collapse and whatever stood inside would be free to leave.
That meant every summoning came with a time limit. Even if some of the salt remained white after the demon was destroyed, Lionel preferred rebuilding the entire circle from scratch rather than trusting a partially weakened barrier. Considering they were deliberately inviting creatures from Hell into the back room of a bookstore, nobody argued with the extra caution.
Once the new circle was ready, Lionel, young Ash, older Ash, and Pablo gathered around the Book of the Dead to compare several possible targets. They skipped anything that looked physically powerful, anything described as exceptionally destructive, and anything whose recorded form seemed too young to trust. After several minutes, they finally settled on something that met almost every requirement.
While Lionel prepared to chant, Pablo quietly moved closer to the two Ashes and deliberately positioned himself away from Kelly. "Are we really summoning this one?"
Older Ash grinned as though he had already won something. "What's wrong with it? High intelligence, low physical strength, and apparently very willing to talk. Sounds perfect."
Young Ash nodded solemnly. "Exactly."
Pablo looked uncomfortable. "Kelly and Amanda are standing right there. This might get weird."
Older Ash stared at him. "Kelly isn't your girlfriend. Why are you worried about that?"
Young Ash wiped the corner of his mouth, confirmed there was nothing there, and nodded again. "Exactly."
Pablo's expression became even more conflicted. He was a fundamentally decent guy, which unfortunately meant he was also painfully easy to read. Older Ash noticed the problem immediately and wrapped one arm around Pablo's shoulders like a mentor about to give life-changing advice.
"You like Kelly, right?" older Ash asked. Pablo nearly choked. "What? I didn't say that." Older Ash ignored the denial. "Then this is actually good for you. A ridiculously attractive demon shows up, you stay calm, keep your eyes where they belong, act like a gentleman, and Kelly sees what a great guy you are."
Young Ash nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Makes sense."
Pablo considered it.
Then he looked toward Kelly.
Maybe it actually did make sense.
"Fine," Pablo finally said. "But if this goes badly, I'm blaming both of you."
Older Ash smiled. "That's the spirit."
The second summoning produced far less chaos than Eligos. A few glass bottles rattled on nearby shelves, the bookstore lights dimmed slightly, and the incense smoke twisted toward the center of the salt circle. Then a dark-red shimmer appeared above the floor and slowly condensed into the shape of a tall woman.
The demon possessed the kind of appearance that made the word succubus unnecessary. Two smooth black goat horns curved from her forehead, while a long slender tail swayed lazily behind her with a pointed, almost heart-shaped tip. Partially folded batlike wings rested against her back, and instead of human feet, polished black goat hooves touched the floor inside the circle.
Her clothing did nothing to make the situation less obvious. A dark-red corset-like outfit hugged her figure tightly, while the short lower half left much of her pale legs exposed. Her skin looked almost unnaturally flawless under the store lights, and every aspect of her appearance seemed deliberately designed to draw attention.
Young Ash studied her for a moment. "Well. That's about as classic as a succubus can get."
The question had been answered.
Succubi were real.
And apparently centuries of folklore had gotten the visual theme surprisingly close.
Older Ash stared without blinking.
"Wow."
Kelly immediately looked at him.
Older Ash swallowed. "I mean... wow, what a fascinating supernatural specimen."
Amanda gave him a flat look.
Pablo glanced at the succubus on instinct, remembered the plan, and immediately redirected his attention toward the opposite wall. Then he carefully checked Kelly from the corner of his eye to see whether she had noticed his restraint.
She had.
Unfortunately, her expression did not look impressed.
Kelly and Amanda both turned toward the men.
"You actually chose a succubus?"
The two women spoke almost at the same time.
Young Ash lifted both hands. "Tactical decision. According to the book, succubi aren't physically strong compared with most combat-oriented demons. Their real weapon is charm and manipulation, which means they're easier to contain than something that can tear through walls."
"That's right," older Ash added quickly. "Purely professional."
Kelly stared at the expression on his face.
"Professional."
"Exactly."
Pablo kept his mouth shut.
According to Lionel's interpretation, most succubi reached a relatively low physical ceiling after adulthood and rarely became dramatically stronger no matter how long they survived. That made this particular demon—despite potentially being ancient—far less dangerous in raw combat than something like Eligos. At least, that was the theory.
The succubus slowly stretched inside the circle, apparently unconcerned by the five armed humans surrounding her. Her shoulders rolled back, her wings shifted slightly, and she tested one hoof against the salt line. An invisible force stopped her immediately.
She smiled.
Then her attention settled on young Ash.
"What a cruel greeting."
Her voice was soft and warm, carrying an almost unnatural smoothness that seemed to settle directly into the listener's thoughts.
The succubus tilted her head. "You summoned me all this way, handsome, and yet you won't let me come any closer. Why?"
Older Ash immediately moved forward.
Young Ash looked at him.
Older Ash ignored the look completely.
"Don't mind junior over there," he said, leaning toward the edge of the circle with what he clearly believed was irresistible confidence. "He's cold. No appreciation for the finer things in life. You can talk to me instead."
The succubus's smile widened.
Older Ash rested the chainsaw arm casually against his hip. "How about a name? Then maybe you tell us how to shut down this whole demon-summoning mess, and afterward we grab a drink."
Young Ash slowly turned his head.
Amanda looked almost offended on behalf of common sense.
The succubus gave a quiet laugh and shifted her attention toward older Ash. "Very enthusiastic. But I don't think the woman behind you appreciates the invitation."
Older Ash did not even bother looking around.
"Don't worry about her. We're not together."
Kelly's eyebrow twitched.
She stepped forward, snatched the shotgun from older Ash's hands, and aimed it directly at the succubus.
"Keep playing games and I'll shoot."
The demon did not appear frightened.
If anything, she looked entertained.
"Oh, how fierce."
She took half a step forward until her hooves stopped directly behind the salt boundary. Then she leaned closer, just enough to make the gesture deliberately provocative, and looked straight at Kelly. "But your hands are shaking."
Kelly's grip tightened.
The succubus smiled.
"Are you sure you actually want to hurt me?"
Young Ash's expression changed.
He stopped paying attention to the demon's appearance and focused instead on the subtle pressure pressing against his thoughts. It was not ordinary attraction and definitely not simple seduction; the influence felt closer to supernatural mind control, soft enough to seem natural but persistent enough to alter emotion and judgment.
Worse, the salt circle was not stopping it.
Ash glanced toward Amanda and saw the same faint tension in her expression. Kelly was clearly fighting the effect despite her anger, while Pablo was making a heroic effort to stare anywhere except at the circle.
Older Ash had already lost that battle completely.
Young Ash narrowed his eyes.
"So that's your real weapon."
The succubus looked toward him again.
Ash felt the pressure more clearly now.
The charm was reaching everyone in the room.
Men and women alike.
Kelly and Amanda were less affected, but they were definitely not immune.
Ash's mouth curled into a faint smile.
"Not bad."
For an ancient succubus whose species supposedly lacked impressive combat strength, she had spent a very long time perfecting the one ability that mattered.