Tag Mind control -6

Meteor Fist

A technique where Iris gathers star magic and thrusts out her fist, one of her most powerful techniques.

She has sent countless monsters to the afterlife with this technique. Almost no one has blocked it, and few even dare to challenge it.

Except for a very strong few.

However, the girl before her didn’t look like that at all. She didn’t look strong enough to face this. She was barely standing, thoroughly coated with her comrades’ blessings.

“Trying to settle it with a big one?”

“How long are you going to act composed?”

“That’s not something you should be saying.”

The black-haired girl, Black Heart, raised her sword. Then she put on a rather serious face.

“You, it’s starting to pile up.”

“…Kuk.”

“I can see everything. You and me both. We’re both on the verge of collapse.”

“Shut up!”

Iris angrily denied it. But inwardly, she had to admit it.

‘The curse is getting in the way.’

To think she could stack such powerful curses.

‘I should have finished this quickly.’

If it had been just that black one, she would have won easily. If it had been just that one.

As they work as a team, the existence of others is natural. Although they weren’t as strong as that one, they were at least at a level where they could provide solid support.

‘Now it’s a one-shot battle for both of us.’

Iris clenched her fist tightly.

‘I can’t disappoint master.’

It would be nice if he could help.

She almost felt that way, but Iris managed to suppress her disappointed feelings.

This is a test. A test to confirm if she is truly worthy to be his subordinate.

“Huff… I’ll finish it with one shot.”

“Good. We’ll go all out too.”

Black Heart turned her gaze toward the back.

“Ready? Unnies?”

Stella and Natalia nodded. They too were nearing their limits. The outcome would be decided with this one exchange.

Black Heart’s eyes sink coldly.

One strike.

They would probably pour everything into it. If asked whether they could win or not.

“Charging magic…!”

She would want to answer that there’s no need to win.

Even if they lose in battle.

“Don’t think you’ll be able to return intact with that body.”

“Since when did you fight with your mouth? The Iris I knew was someone whose fist went first.”

As long as they win the match.

Iris closed her mouth at Black Heart’s provocation.

She’s right. If she truly wants that, she’ll just show it with her skill.

Starlight that blankets the area in white gathers in Iris’s fist, and it becomes sharp as if it would pierce through Black Heart’s body any moment.

“Can you endure it?”

“I have to.”

“I’ll help as much as I can.”

The magical girls’ gazes sharpen.

The magical girls who had been retreating until now all came forward at once.

They too sensed it.

The danger of that strike, and simultaneously, the opportunity.

Crisis is opportunity. The greater the crisis, the more golden the opportunity.

Black Heart raised her sword and positioned it in front of her.

“Black Mamba.”

The form of a black snake ripples and rises. With the magic of other magical girls added to it, the black snake writhes more fiercely.

Even Iris looked at the snake with cold sweat.

Meanwhile.

“Excellent.”

Nodding his head up and down, Shin Hyun watched the scene with admiration. To think they would grow this much in a month.

‘As expected, a rival is a rival.’

The black snake that rushes with its huge mouth open. It creates a scene where it bites Iris’s starlight as they collide.

But even so, there was something lacking and awkward.

It felt like there should be something more. Like a unicorn without its horn is just an ordinary white horse, there seemed to be a subtle but crucial difference missing.

What was lacking?

His gaze turned toward Natalia.

And he could realize.

‘Is she lacking power? No… did she never intend to do it properly from the start?’

What on earth is she thinking?

“…Now!”

He soon found out what was different. Shin Hyun wore an admiring expression as he watched the scene.

‘They’ve used their heads properly.’

Emerging from the massive collision, Natalia stood in front of Iris.

“Ugh…!”

“Kyaa!?”

Black Heart and Stella, who lost balance due to one leaving, were hit by Iris’s starlight and rolled on the ground, but they were smiling with satisfaction.

The plan was a success.

As Natalia extended her hands forward, blue flames wrapped around Iris. Like a compassionate mother.

“Dispel.”

“Ugh!?”

“Magic Destruction.”

Though Iris was confused by Natalia’s sudden surprise attack, she had no means to respond.

If she were to redirect her magic, the snake’s mouth would strike.

‘Not all of us need to win.’

‘Pardon?’

‘To be precise, two of us need to lose.’

‘Lose?’

It was a dangerous plan, but it succeeded.

“…While Stella and Black Heart draw attention, I attempt purification.”

“Ugh… aaaah!!”

“I’m glad. I was barely able to reserve enough magic to use this technique.”

The flames gather to form the shape of a woman. It slowly approaches Iris and embraces her.

It cleanly burns away all the negativity cast upon her.

Iris, who had fallen to the ground, briefly lost consciousness, and then.

“…Ugh… my head hurts… what’s happening…”

She completely regained her senses.

+++++

It was a satisfying result.

‘To think they would use such a method.’

It was a deception.

A strategy to deceive the opponent and get what they want. However, if it involved sacrificing themselves, it would have been a difficult decision to make.

‘Did they go this far for Noah?’

Perhaps they had become much closer than I thought.

At this rate, they would certainly pull their weight during the mid-boss fight. Maybe even more than that.

‘Maybe I don’t need to step in?’

Leaving my satisfied thoughts behind, I ran to everyone.

“Kids!”

Black Heart looked to the side at my voice.

“Ah, it’s mister.”

“Are you all okay?”

“Yes. But why are you here, mister?”

“I was worried. Actually, I’ve been secretly watching whenever you fight Iris.”

The magical girls make touched expressions. They probably imagine me as a kind, worrying figure.

Reality is a bit different, but it’s not a lie, so whatever.

“Mister? I…”

“Noah…”

I hugged Noah with the most tearful expression I could muster.

“Are you okay? Nothing wrong with your body?”

“Huh? Yes…”

“He didn’t do anything weird to you?”

“That… I don’t know.”

For a moment, Iris’s face turned ashen, as if an unsettling thought had crossed her mind.

Fortunately, Kyukyu stepped in with perfect timing.

“Don’t worry! You can’t become a magical girl unless you’re pure!”

“…Kyukyu, you pervert.”

“Kyu!? Th-that’s not it! This is like… a rule established from ancient times…”

This is originally an adult game world. That’s probably why such crazy settings are possible.

Stella gave a playful look at Kyukyu’s words.

“Unnie… then what about you…”

“Be quiet.”

Ah, so that’s how it works?

“I just… haven’t met my destined one yet, unlike Iris.”

“Destined one…”

“Wh-what, why are you looking at me like that.”

How should I put it? It feels like everything has returned to normal.

‘Though it was magic I cast.’

Maybe I should seal away mind control for a while. It would be better not to use it if possible.

Well, I’ll use it if necessary.

“So, you’re all really okay?”

“No, I’m completely exhausted.”

“I feel like I’m dying…”

“Let’s rest for now, kids. Iris, is there anything you want to eat?”

“Hmm… food made by mister…?”

At Iris’s words, jeers can be heard from here and there. They probably think she’s rubbing salt in their wounds again.

“Then let’s go home for now. You all come too, I’ll cook for you.”

The magical girls nod. Let’s quickly go somewhere quiet, release the transformation, and go home. Let’s rest.

Just as I thought that.

“It was a wonderful show, everyone.”

“…What?”

“I was impressed! You’re quite the talented scriptwriter!”

“…”

“…Ah! You’re an author working anonymously, I apologize. Certainly, that was the setting. Yes.”

“…”

“Don’t worry! I’m someone who respects others’ worldviews. There are few things as embarrassing as having your original script discovered by someone you know.”

The familiar yet impudent voice of a rabbit doll was heard.

“Mister… behind us.”

With their bodies covered in wounds, the magical girls looked at the rabbit doll. It shook its head and spoke.

“But, would he feel the same?”

“…”

“Hmm… I’m sorry. This isn’t my taste, but… it’s difficult to disobey a superior’s orders. You know? How tiring it is when you have a difficult boss.”

The rabbit hit the ground with a thud using its staff, and soon darkness covered the area.

A huge chunk of flesh began to fall from the sky.

“The story of youth and friendship ends here. Your play, teacher, was truly excellent, but.”

“…This bastard.”

“Unfortunately, from now on it will be grotesque and sticky… yes, such an unpleasant play.”

A huge chunk of flesh slowly descending. Filthy tentacles crawling out from it.

It was clearly.

‘Lust’.

The mid-boss Lust.