Temporary Alliance

“Alliance, you say?”

Iris exclaimed in surprise.

Her facial expression looked like she was thinking, “What nonsense is this?”

-Don’t get distracted!

“Oh no…!”

Boom-

Just before Pumpkin’s massive fist made direct contact with Iris, I released tentacles to block the punch.

It was so heavy that my body reverberated.

Iris and I quickly created distance between us and Pumpkin.

Iris raised her voice at me again.

“An alliance? Are you seriously suggesting we fight together?”

“Yes.”

“What suddenly changed your mind?”

“I’m the one who should defeat you. I can’t let some monster that rolled in out of nowhere steal my opportunity.”

What a convenient excuse.

An excuse that maintains my villain identity while also helping Iris.

It’s almost like a perfect cheat key.

Although if I overuse it, it might stop working.

“…You crazy bastard.”

“Call me whatever you want. I don’t bother remembering the names of the dead anyway.”

I meant that it would be too late to regret after she’s dead.

Regardless, this Pumpkin creature had enough health that it would require Team Athena’s cooperation to defeat it.

And the ones who should be helping were exhausted and panting.

“…Haah.”

Iris shook her head as if she had no choice.

“Just this once. Only today! Just for today we’re allies, understand?”

“Good, I swear. For today, I will be Iris’s comrade and defeat the enemy.”

“You sure talk well…”

“Let’s save the minor details for later…”

Grip.

Iris clenched her fist.

Stella flew over to her.

“Iris, I’ll somehow handle the ghost-like creatures nearby. You—”

“Blow it away in one shot, right? I know.”

“…Please.”

I interjected in their conversation.

“I’ll take care of restricting its movements. When it can’t move, destroy it.”

“…Got it. Stella, where’s the essence?”

“Black Heart says it’s right in the center between the eyes.”

Since Black Heart is skilled at detecting magical energy, we can trust her.

“Then, let’s each take our positions. Preparations will take quite some time, so keep it busy on your own.”

Iris raised her hand, and we all scattered at once.

Stella went airborne, Iris approached Pumpkin.

I went to the ground.

“Phew…”

Magical energy began circulating throughout my body.

Soon, tentacles as thick as a human body emerged.

Crack, I cracked my finger joints.

“Bind.”

The extending tentacles crawled flat along the ground, and soon reached Pumpkin’s body.

Grip-!

Whoosh!

In an instant, they bound Pumpkin’s heavy legs, and some tentacles pierced through Pumpkin’s calves.

-Argggh!!

Pumpkin struggled while letting out a monstrous cry.

I felt dizzy as my whole body shook.

‘What strength… so powerful…!’

I suppose it’s fitting for its size.

Even though it’s merely shaking its body, it’s torture for me.

Fortunately, there were helping hands.

“…I don’t like having to help someone like you…!”

Slash!

Once. The sound of something being cut was heard once.

Slash-slash-slash-!

The sound of slashing was heard multiple times in succession.

Simultaneously, Pumpkin’s legs became ragged.

I could see it flailing its arms trying to extinguish the black flames attached to its body.

“Tch…! Stay still properly! It makes it easier to cut!”

It was Black Heart.

She was swinging her magic sword repeatedly to hinder Pumpkin’s movements.

Her arms were trembling, but she showed no sign of backing down.

“Black Heart!”

“What! Save your thanks for later—”

“Is that the best you can do! Try harder!”

“You bastard…!”

But it wasn’t enough.

Despite the star arrows pouring down, there were too many dolls performing repairs.

Meanwhile, Black Heart’s stamina was already at its limit.

“Is that attack your best!”

All I could rely on was her mental strength.

So I deliberately provoked her. In response, Black Heart showed an irritated expression and pushed herself even harder.

“Don’t provoke her!”

“…”

“Really… I told her not to overexert herself…!”

A voice came from behind.

When I turned my head, I saw a red-haired nun.

“Natalia.”

“Sigh… nice to see you. This is the second time we’ve met.”

Her expression didn’t look very pleased.

No, she seemed tired.

‘Well, of course.’

She must be tired after removing Black Heart’s curse, providing buffs, and healing.

Haah- Natalia let out a long sigh.

Soon she muttered.

“Oh stars, please bestow mercy even upon this wicked one.”

I felt something warm flowing into my body.

This is…

“A magic buff?”

“Yes, it’s the last one I can use.”

“I see.”

We didn’t say anything more.

I already knew what she was expecting.

“Well, let’s try a bit more.”

Crack- I cracked my hands.

At the same time, the tentacles advanced like chains and began to bind Pumpkin.

More and more, stronger and stronger.

“You’re strong.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“Why not consider switching to being a hero?”

“Sorry. That doesn’t suit my temperament.”

“…That’s a shame.”

Natalia, who sighed at my words, raised her head.

There, she saw Iris with her eyes closed, chanting a spell.

“The place I head to is beyond the starlight. Cutting through the sky, illuminating the darkness.”

Crackle.

Iris’s magic circle began to materialize.

Soon Black Heart shouted.

“That thing is planning to target Iris!”

Magical energy concentrated in Pumpkin’s sunken eyes.

Is it planning to shoot a beam?

It must have instinctively realized.

That this attack would be quite dangerous.

In the game, this is the kind of magic that takes a considerable amount of time.

However, its power is extraordinary.

So, I can’t let it interfere.

“…Huff…haah…!”

I raised my right hand diagonally.

As if pulling something. Indeed, I was strongly pulling the tentacles binding Pumpkin.

-No moooooore…!! Dark… basement…!! Not fun…! Lonely!!

Pumpkin babbled as its body fell backward.

It doesn’t seem to be in its right mind.

Bang-!

A beam fired toward the sky.

It penetrated the clouds and disappeared into the distance.

Even if it was Iris, she wouldn’t have been fine if she had been hit by that.

Pumpkin was now completely lying down facing the sky.

Its pumpkin head was fully exposed.

“That… to bring down such a giant alone…”

“You’re too valuable to have as an enemy.”

“…Thanks.”

Black Heart and Natalia praised me.

It didn’t feel bad, but.

“…Kuk.”

My magical energy had decreased tremendously.

Truly, this is a technique with terrible efficiency.

What I just did was like entering a tug-of-war contest alone. It would be strange if I wasn’t drained.

‘I’m starting to run out…’

Should I release it now? At that moment, I once again pulled and squeezed the tentacles.

“Therefore, may you follow the guidance of the stars and erase that evil. My body, like a meteor.”

For Iris to finish it off properly.

“Hoo.”

She catches her breath.

What she’s facing is a pumpkin character doll with no expression.

-No…! I just came out into the world… I wanted to create a Halloween where I could come out forever…!

“You were lonely.”

Iris said.

“Being able to see the world only once a year. Being trapped in that dark world. You wanted to create a place where you could be happy.”

She sympathized with Pumpkin.

However.

“…But it’s impossible. Not in your way. In the end, everyone will just suffer. Every day being Halloween? That means there’s no Christmas, no New Year’s, no Valentine’s Day.”

-…

“Everything has its place and its time to shine.”

-…

“So head to the sea of stars. Somewhere in that vast sea, there must be a place that needs you. So…”

Whoosh.

A fireball falls from the sky.

It looked like a meteor approaching the world.

The sounds of admiration nearby, Pumpkin’s monstrous cries, all were buried under the sound of the meteor burning and falling.

All that could be seen was a single streak of light.

The powerful strike that began from the sky.

“May you eventually find happiness.”

Thud.

A fist attacked Pumpkin’s weak point.

The sound of something breaking was heard.

It was probably the “essence.”

The essence that damn rabbit had planted.

As it shattered, Pumpkin’s body turned to dust.

Though its body disappeared, bright particles scattered, glowing.

The magical girls who started to get hit by these particles looked surprised.

“My magic is recovering… no, it’s increasing?”

“Is this the essence?”

It’s just like in the game.

So this is how they all get stronger and level up.

I also felt the essence seeping into my body.

‘Ooh… this is an extremely powerful essence.’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Yes. With this, I can increase the number of tentacles I can operate.’

Kkomul-i was also pleased.

As vitality returned to my body, I was about to head toward Iris when—

“…I hope mister escaped safely?”

“…”

“I need to go check quickly.”

I hurriedly ran toward the car.

If I’m late, it’s over.

+++++

“Mister! Are you okay!?”

“Huff… huff…”

“Mister!?”

“I’m… I’m fine—cough!! Kuhak… ha… I’m fine.”

I feel like I’m dying.

Why on earth does she come so quickly?

“Really?”

Noah examined me with worried eyes. I patted her head.

“Of course I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief…”

“Why?”

“Kraken appeared. I was worried he might have left quickly to harm you…”

That wouldn’t happen.

Why would I harm myself?

“Really? Good thing nothing happened. So, did you catch the monster?”

“Yes! We caught it safely. The amusement park is… well… a bit destroyed.”

“Don’t worry about it. The association will take care of it.”

Noah made a disappointed face.

“Still… sigh, to think the day has gone by like this. I was so full of plans to have fun.”

Well, I feel the same.

Just yesterday, I was excited about having fun today.

Pumpkin, that weird rabbit doll called Ppyong-Ppyong… and I even did that terrible thing to Noah.

“Noah, are you feeling better now?”

“About what?”

“That… when I… to you… k-“

“Ahhh!! Don’t say it!”

Noah waved her arms.

Seeing that, I closed my mouth.

“…I don’t mind it. Yeah…”

“That’s good then.”

“…”

“…”

Silence fell.

What is this awkward atmosphere?

And why is Noah’s face so red?

It’s embarrassing.

“…Mister.”

“Yeah?”

“A-again… again…”

Again?

“If you do it again… No! No. I’m hungry! Let’s go eat something delicious!”

“Wh-what?”

“Something delicious! Since we fought hard, we need to celebrate! I’ll go call everyone, you think about where to go!”

Noah said that and disappeared with little steps.

What did she want me to do again?

No, surely it was.

“…A kiss.”

…Sigh.

“This kid is getting too bold…”

I wish I hadn’t realized, I wish I was oblivious. I resented my keen sense of perception that I had cultivated to survive in this harsh society.

“…Sigh, let’s just feed them.”

Feed the kids… and then go home?

No, that’s right, they’re staying overnight at the accommodation today.

…Haa… I want to go home…

As I was sighing like that, I heard someone’s voice.

“Mr. Shin Hyun.”

“…Ah.”

Flutter.

Kyukyu landed on my shoulder.

“Please provide a satisfactory explanation. I’ll see you after dinner.”