episode_0053

Returning after a long absence, the room was in shambles because of me.

I tried not to kill. I had a weapon in my hand that could kill a person in an instant.

Even if monsters could withstand it to a certain extent, for ordinary people, just falling on their body would cause something to fall apart.

The fire coming out of the propulsion system might even burn through to the bone. Of course, I didn’t think of that fire as the fire I knew, but at least it could melt the wire that fell over my head.

There were two reasons why I tried not to kill.

One was that I didn’t want to become a murderer.

I’m not a good person. Even in crucial moments, didn’t I come this far due to extremely emotional reasons?

After watching webtoons, knowing that Nuar Corporation is an evil organization, I still worked for them, and in moments where my life was important, I sometimes ran wild without worrying about the safety of others.

But still, I didn’t want to kill anyone.

It was a kind of line.

… Maybe someday I could cross it.

If the current chairman of Nuar Corporation was in front of me, I might have really killed him.

However, no matter how much I lost my mind, wisdom prevailed, or rather, I didn’t want that.

So, with a stern expression, I took turns punching the gas masks of those kids.

Thud.

The gas masks didn’t break.

Unlike military gas masks with two eye holes, this industrial gas mask, made of a single large transparent plastic for better visibility, was a bit weak in fully protecting the face from my punches.

Blood splattered.

Even the fists became covered in blood.

Of course, it wasn’t mine.

Those whose gas masks broke and inhaled the gas collapsed one by one.

They weren’t dead since they were still breathing, but to those who witnessed the scene, it didn’t look like that at all.

Indeed, seeing someone with plastic shards embedded in their face while unconscious made it seem as if their face had been obliterated, appearing as though they had died.

No one escaped, some even rushed towards Wisdom.

Both were futile.

I grabbed the fleeing man’s collar and forcefully punched his face, causing him to collapse as his gas mask shattered.

The guy who was running towards Wisdom… perhaps he was trying to use her as a hostage.

I thrust a roundhouse kick into his waist.

He flew spectacularly and crashed onto my desk.

The CDs and player I had collected hit his body and fell to the floor, making a crashing sound.

“….”

In just fifteen seconds, the room that had been chaotic was now tidied up, and I stood there dazed for a moment.

It was a mess. Blood stains everywhere, the desk in disarray…

What should I do? Should I just disappear?

For now, I broke each leg of the men who had entered this room. Their faces and legs could be treated at the infirmary anyway. It seemed more certain than just loosely binding them.

Then I dragged them out.

All the students and teachers were unconscious.

There was a strange device in the hallway. It looked like the various machines attached to an oxygen tank next to a critically ill patient in a hospital.

“….”

My head was spinning. Perhaps I was feeling a much deeper despair than when I was rampaging inside the building.

… Everything has fallen apart.

Because of me.

Even the place I considered my only home.

How will the children here see me now? What about the teachers? Will I ever be able to come back here?

A black spot appeared in the air.

I let go of the hands holding people.

I don’t know where they’re going, but the people disappeared. At least those who forcibly intruded into this place were no longer there.

That device too.

Will the unconscious people wake up again? If they do, how long will it take for them to wake up?

I don’t know.

I don’t know anything. My mind isn’t working properly.

I opened the window of the building, feeling a bit of fresh air flowing in…

I ran to the principal’s office. The principal was also lying unconscious on the desk.

I picked up the receiver and called 911.

Please, please, please.

Let everyone be safe.

*

There are too many monsters.

No matter how strong magical girls are, they are not omnipotent.

Depending on the monster, generally, several magical girls need to rush in together to subdue one monster.

The rampaging monsters, losing their sanity, pay no attention to the people around them, even if there are many, even if they die.

There is a huge gap between fighting while being mindful of the surroundings to minimize damage and not doing so.

Furthermore, the magical girls had to suppress the monsters from dying. To return the monsters to their original forms, they needed to be sent back into space, far away from Earth.

Once their forms returned, they would forget all memories of being monsters.

No matter how many people they hurt or killed, they wouldn’t be held accountable.

“….”

Of course, the situation here was different.

While it didn’t matter how much destruction happened around them, there were too many monsters to subdue without killing each one.

Rose’s gauntlet struck a face that resembled a large dog. Despite its appearance as a dog, it actually walked on two legs, resembling a werewolf in armor.

“Grr…!”

The blow landed precisely on the face, shattering the helmet to reveal the inside, but the monster swung its hand. The claws at the end were sharp.

Clang!

As she raised her gauntlet to block, a shallow scratch appeared on it as the attack grazed by.

Thud!

However, something heavy made contact behind her this time.

It was a foot. A tall, gangly creature with long arms kicked her in the waist with that foot.

“Rose, get down!”

Delphinium shouted.

Rose staggered and simply threw herself to the ground. As she lay flat on the floor, she felt something hot pass over her back.

Thump!

Air rushed back into the vacuum left by the burnt oxygen, creating a loud noise.

The sound of two monsters falling echoed.

Dahlia cast spells above them to prevent the injured monsters from getting up. Thanks to her, not only did the two unconscious ones stay down, but another one couldn’t rise from the ground either.

Bang!

On the other side, Iris was firing her gun.

Her usual long gun was already discarded on the floor, with no more rounds left. Well, aiming with a long gun was almost impossible now due to the proximity to the monsters.

She fired her short gun like a submachine gun while Ha-yoon wielded her sword.

Glancing back slightly, she saw pink trails dancing.

She smoothly dodged under the thick hands swinging towards her, took a quick step forward, and twisted her body.

Swish.

“….!”

Ha-yoon’s movements were swift. The shining pink blade pierced through the monster’s armpit, emerging outside the shoulder.

Despite the piercing screech, she pulled out the blade without flinching and grabbed the monster’s back.

Stepping on the protruding belt part of its smooth armor, she leaped up and stabbed the opposite shoulder of the monster again.

Boom!

With a small explosion, something burst out. While the arm didn’t fall off, a device on the upper right shoulder exploded, causing burns.

Circuit.

The magical girls fought the monsters while trying to locate their circuits.

However, each monster had a different circuit location. It wasn’t too difficult to identify that part if the silhouette was somewhat human-like. Usually, it was located behind the left or right shoulder. Perhaps to channel energy directly into the joints.

For quadrupedal monsters or those with two pairs of arms or legs, the story was different.

Still, Ha-yoon calmly reduced the monsters’ numbers one by one.

Thud!

“Argh!?”

As the circuit broke, the monster became more frenzied. While its physical strength might have decreased due to the lack of power assist, the constraints imposed by the suit were also lifted.

The monster leaped, crashing its back into the wall, forcing Ha-yoon behind it to collide with the wall.

Gunshots rang out again, and the monster hit by Iris’s bullet fell weakly.

Two monsters rushed towards Iris.

The fight continued in this manner.

The fallen monsters were already in double digits. Were there so many monsters? While the magical girls had captured many monsters, it seemed like there were too many gathered in one place.

Was there a way to create these monsters?

Everyone pondered this question, but—

“No!”

A monster charging towards them, Rose thrown aside.

It was unclear whether it was trying to enter the broadcasting room. Such judgments and orders could not be made.

But even being near it was dangerous. The surroundings were already heavily damaged due to the battle with the monsters. If something entered the broadcasting room through the broken walls, it would be uncontrollable.

Ha-yoon flew at the monster with all her might.

A groan escaped her lips. It felt like colliding with a massive boulder. Something seemed broken, but she didn’t let go of her staff.

…Jieun must have struggled like this.

No, she probably faced even more. Ha-yoon was fighting with hope, but Jieun couldn’t do the same.

“….Aaah!”

Forcedly shouting, I took a step forward. Swinging the cane, I slashed the opponent’s leg and thrust it into their shoulder.

This time, there was no opportunity, as Hayoon’s body was thrown by the monster.

Almost entering the broadcasting room, I forcibly stopped myself by grabbing the wall. Though a dangerous sound echoed from my fingers, I ignored it.

I can still fight.

Hayoon readied herself once more.

Gunshots and magical projectiles flew in from the side. While Dallia and Iris were attacking simultaneously, the monster twisted its body amidst the assault.

There was no time for hesitation. Both of them had to face the monster charging towards them.

A bright light enveloped the monster momentarily, halting its movements. As the monster staggered from the impact of an urgent spell cast by Delphinium, Hayoon swiftly moved behind the monster, slicing its back.

With a small explosion, the monster collapsed.

“Haa, haa…, haa.”

Gasping, Hayoon stood her ground, eyes wide open.

As she glared at the monsters, their movements seemed slightly hesitant.

The monsters, acting on instinct, appeared to be feeling some fear.

Their magically crafted attire was torn in various places. Bloodstains could be seen, with injuries scattered around.

But they couldn’t fall just yet.

Not until Jieun arrived.

It was Hayoon who vowed to protect them here.

“….”

The other children didn’t seem much different from Hayoon.

However, no one had left yet. Even if they did, no one would say anything.

Hayoon raised her sword.

She walked slowly, facing the monsters before her.

Some monsters took a step back.

No, letting them go wasn’t an option.

If they were allowed to leave like this, they would surely harm people.

Most of the building’s occupants had likely evacuated, but there were still police outside the building. And a crowd of journalists had gathered.

If the monsters went outside the building, those people would be in danger.

…Are magical girls truly beings of justice?

Or rather, was she a being of justice? It was still confusing. Perhaps she had been so immersed in her own world that she hadn’t properly observed her surroundings.

But she didn’t want to give up believing in what she stood for.

Hayoon ran forward.

Not a single one would be let go.

Not a single one would be spared.

Gunshots rang out again, and magical energies soared. Delphinium was preparing for the next spell, a bright glow emanating from behind.

At that moment, Rose dashed beside Hayoon.

…I’ve done something unforgivable.

If only I had stayed silent, maybe we wouldn’t have faced this situation. No one would have said anything if I had chosen not to follow Hayoon and remained quiet.

What will happen next?

Will they be pursued as well? Will the Federation demand the return of the circuit immediately?

I have no idea. There was no way to guess.

Jieun must be enduring in such situations.

“….”

Gritting her teeth, she continued.

Even if it was just one promise, even if it was a promise made unilaterally by Hayoon, she wanted to keep it, so she didn’t stop.

*

Upon returning, it was a mess.

“….”

Monsters lay sprawled everywhere. There were hardly any intact monsters remaining.

Some looked like they had burst open, exposing flesh and fur, while others struggled to rise, their bodies lacking the strength to get up.

And near the door, the magical girls were lying down.

Dallia and Delphinium leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. They seemed to have little strength left to keep their eyes open.

Rose, with one knee up and her right arm raised above it, looked up with slightly unfocused eyes. Her gauntlet was dented and covered in blood.

Iris still sat holding her gun.

…Except for the four of them, there was one person missing.

Hayoon stood there.

As if guarding the now non-existent broadcasting room.

Beyond that door, unlike the corridor, everything looked clean and intact.

Bloodstains lingered around the door frame, evidence of hands tightly grasping in desperation.

“Why?”

I muttered absentmindedly.

How could things be in such disarray yet someone could still stand?

What could be the reason for this sudden turn of events?

“Jieun.”

Hayoon smiled broadly.

Despite the chaos.

Sweat dripped all over her body, mingling with black dust and making a mess. Of course, I wasn’t much different right now—

“….”

Hayoon turned slightly to open the way.

As I looked at Hayoon, I slowly entered the broadcasting room.

“You’re doing a great job.”

A mocking voice sounded.

“I wonder if you think it’s rational to do such a thing at the

The drone was adorned with various cables. These cables were plugged into broadcasting equipment, and the broadcasting equipment had lights on.

“As expected, they cut off the internet and turned off the electricity,” James said grumblingly.

However, this time his grumbling wasn’t directed at me.

“But what we needed to have was the undamaged facilities themselves. We withdrew all the forces that could cause damage, and concentrated all the monsters inside. It seems the magical girls were the only ones frightening. How foolish.”

“….”

I moved forward while listening to his words.

James descended from the drone and stood on top of the equipment.

Beside the microphone, James spoke.

“The piracy preparations are already complete.”

And he pressed a button.

The light came on the microphone.

Should I say it’s… turned on?

Watching James exaggeratedly greet like an actor finishing a performance, I picked up the wireless microphone.

Then I looked back.

Hayoon was leaning against the door frame, smiling at me.

Do as I wish?

Many thoughts crossed my mind.

Why? How come?

She’s a magical girl. She has always been in that position.

Whether she knew me or not, whether she recognized me or not, she remained the same.

If I do this…

If I go through with this.

Even though I can’t bring myself to hate her.

But I can win…

I gripped the microphone tightly.

I turned to look at James.

Yes. But in the end, this is all that remains for me. That human being, the chairman, even shattered the connection I had left with the last people.

Probably Ji-hye, and the people from the orphanage, will fear me from now on.

So—I have to do it.

James pressed the broadcasting equipment button. I don’t know what it does, but when it turned on, my face filled the screen.

On all screens in the broadcasting room.

On all those screens, each corner displayed the logo of each broadcasting station. Some seemed to be showing news, as the screens were decorated like breaking news. [“Black Magical Girl, another act of terrorism?] They sure love to gossip.

“I—”

What should I say?

How should I introduce myself?

After a moment of thought, I just said,

“I am not a terrorist.”

What will people say as they watch this broadcast?

I’m not sure.

“I am not the one who planted the bomb. I was just one of the combatants of Nuar Corporation, just one of those manipulated there.”

Once I started speaking, the words didn’t stop.

“Just because I say this— I don’t expect you to believe me.

I just couldn’t bear the injustice. When I woke up not knowing anything, the people who came for me were the police. I was just there. Even though I was manipulated there and lost consciousness, people tried to take me to places I didn’t know.

So I ran away. I just kept running and running. As more people chased me, I got scared…”

The screen changed.

The sight of me being shot.

Without proper clothes, bullets passing through hospital gowns. Thick nets pouring over my head. At first, my figure was visible through the net, but soon so many things piled up on top that my figure completely disappeared.

I looked at James.

Where did he find this footage and how? Did he hack something?

“After that, I tried to survive. I ran, I hid… Yes, I stole the generator. Because I didn’t want those people following me. And that company just abandoned me. They put all the blame on me. I wanted to get revenge on such a company.”

I continued speaking.

“I also tried to look good in front of all of you. But even if I defeated the monsters, all that returned was gunfire. Even if I rescued hostages, I was just a terrorist.”

The screen changed again, showing me fighting the monsters and being shot. It all seemed like footage captured by police body cameras.

“So, today I came here. To tell you about myself. You may not believe me. The government, the company, the federation, they will all treat me as a terrorist.”

One screen went blank.

“But, it’s too unfair to stay silent…”

Another screen went blank.

“…and.”

Yes, and.

“…today, those bastards who crossed the line thinking they could protect me.”

I stared at the screen.

Many screens went dark, leaving only one in front of me. Probably being controlled as well.

“…the scum who took the orphanage hostage. You will never be forgiven.”

I said firmly.

“I’m waiting. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll undo everything that made me like this, everything that led to such actions. I’ll seek them out one by one and make sure to exact revenge thoroughly.”

Up to this point, if I had just let it be broadcasted, I would have simply cried foul.

However, we’ve already crossed that line.

Once the line is crossed, there’s no turning back just like that.

With sincerity, I said,

“So, I’m waiting.”

Even the screen I was glaring at went dark.

My face reflected on the black screen was staring back at me.

Just like Ha Yoon, it was a mess.

It was chaotic, but at least it wasn’t a face of resignation.

Until now, this was supposed to be the end.

But a new goal has emerged.