Ch.00. Epilogue

I was an executive of the secret organization ‘Eden.’

Well, you know what I do.

The nemesis of magical girls. An evil villain.

Personally, I’m proud that I once faced twenty magical girls alone and fought them to a standstill—I even almost won.

But now that’s all ancient history.

I was originally just an ordinary South Korean male student who liked magical girls.

That’s an even more distant memory now.

Suddenly, a dimensional rift appeared, and I was sucked into it. After writhing in endless agony, I lost consciousness and collapsed in a forest.

As I lay there, growing cold…

Having lost my money, identity, family, and even my gender.

Yes, it was our Boss who personally took me in when I had lost everything.

The kind of person who would pick up even an insignificant creature like me and make me their loyal servant.

Anyway, now even that great Boss is gone.

From what I’ve heard, somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, deep in the Mariana Trench.

In a cold capsule inside the ‘Marina’ containment facility for supernatural beings, unconscious and unable to leave for life.

That’s as good as dead, isn’t it?

In the sense that they’ll never wake up again.

How have I been doing, you ask?

Ah, me…

I was involved in many major incidents with Eden. Oh, and I was active in Eden for quite a long time.

My face is well-known, so I thought I’d be captured and sealed in the capsule next to the Boss immediately.

If it weren’t for someone’s strong request for leniency.

Yes. Quite fortunate.

Though I wonder if it really was fortunate, but let’s move past that for now.

Well, perhaps my youthful appearance—looking like a young and fragile elementary school student—helped me.

Such a preference for young girls… Hmm. Perhaps that person should be the one arrested.

Ah, I’m just joking. What right does a villain like me have to discuss such things?

Umm… why are you looking at me like that?

Anyway, now, as you can see…

I’m barely surviving day by day in this old, shabby shantytown.

Even if I try to find work, I’m already a widely known villain, so there’s nothing I can do.

It was better when I was in prison for three years.

At least they fed me there.

Though it was difficult in many ways.

*Growl*—

Ah, sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten…

Where was I?

Oh right, work, finding a job.

Didn’t I mention that I lost all my identification?

Now I do have some form of identity.

Well, it seems hastily and forcibly created for punishment purposes.

Ah, jobs, yes, yes…

I’m sorry. As I said earlier, I’m a bit scattered because I’m hungry. I’ve been living on water and sugar for about a month.

You see… even if I try to find a job, there’s nothing suitable I can do.

When I interviewed for positions at ordinary shops,

As soon as they saw my face, they said no. That having trash like me in their store would ruin their business. That’s what they all said.

I’ve committed crimes. I’m not particularly resentful about it. I’m just a bit disappointed that I don’t have proper means to earn money.

Yes, that’s right. There’s truly a lot of blood on my hands.

The pain, suffering, and screams of countless people remain on these hands.

So, it’s fair to say there’s nothing I can do. My karmic burden is truly heavy.

Still, occasionally I participate in clinical trials, or what they call day labor. I go out and help with odd jobs.

Those places somehow accept me.

And in such places, being mindlessly strong with a sturdy body is quite beneficial.

Despite this small body, even though I’ve lost my powers, I can still exert strength more than twice that of ordinary laborers.

Well, I got fired from those jobs quickly too.

The higher-ups said employing a child like me would tarnish the company’s image.

That’s probably a polite way of putting it. I’m used to this. And technically, I’m not a child. I’m a full-grown adult. Legally and mentally.

And since I’m an adult, that’s why I went to that damn prison…

Anyway, so now, as you can see, I can’t go to work.

I was already participating in one clinical trial, but I got fired right away.

Well, what good would it do to lament to you?

Lamenting won’t bring me food, won’t stop the water leaking into my house, won’t stop the cold wind blowing through the shabby walls.

I’ll be forever ostracized from society, spending the rest of my life in solitude.

Quite miserably.

So. You don’t need to look at me with those eyes.

This hardship is something I must overcome myself. It has nothing to do with you.

And I wasn’t particularly seeking your sympathy.

Yes.

I am a villain.

The evil antagonist society speaks of.

A cancer in our society.

A being that should be ‘ostracized.’

That’s what I am.

A notorious villainess. A persistent vine that hinders the growth of justice.

That is me, ‘Vine.’

And that being…

Has now admirably,

Fulfilled its duty of being ‘ostracized.’

Ah, why are you looking at me with such sad eyes?

I’ve only done what I was supposed to do.

Hmm, by the way, you…

You seem to have abandoned your duties to come here.

Oh, now that I think about it, there’s something I’d like to ask.

Would you please answer?

So, why did you come looking for me?

Magical Girl Blanc.

My long-time nemesis.