episode_0002

Hmm, what should I call this situation?

At first glance, the feeling I got was, why, how?

Magical girl Blanc, my only rival from my time in Eden.

The best and worst rival I met from my first battle.

My only adversary.

We always pointed weapons at each other, that kind of relationship.

Why is she here in this remote village in the middle of a treacherous mountain?

And why was she looking at me as if relieved to find me as soon as she found me?

I couldn’t just leave a guest who came to visit outside, so I welcomed Blanc into my “home.”

Well, it’s not much of a home to speak of.

Just a rundown shack with a roof made of discarded slate tiles, walls patched up with wooden planks from a construction site, and surrounded by torn tents.

No electricity, no running water, having to use the village’s communal facilities, but still, it’s my home.

It’s embarrassing to show this to someone I’ve been fighting for over 10 years, but oh well.

“Well, the house is a bit shabby… but please come in.”

I seated Blanc in the warmest spot and began to talk.

Even though it had been a while since we last met, I felt a certain fondness, so I could talk without much resistance.

After finishing a brief greeting, I asked about the purpose of her visit.

Does this magical girl still hold a grudge against me?

“So, why have you come to see me, magical girl Blanc, my long-time foe?”

Hmm, if there’s one thing that still remains from my time in Eden, it’s my tendency to be embarrassed. I felt a bit awkward after saying that.

Well, at least my character is built up, so there was no change in my expression, thankfully.

Back in Eden, saying something like this wouldn’t have been embarrassing. Geez.

“Well, let me get you something to drink… um, I’m sorry, I don’t have much to offer.”

“Oh, no. It’s really okay. Aren’t you the one who’s okay?”

She asked me with a worried look. I am really living a good life.

“Well, I’m still alive, so I guess that’s okay. This monstrous body of mine is quite sturdy.”

“What’s so okay about that? You said you were living on sugar water alone. How, how can you…”

She’s always been like this, frustrating. If a person is okay, then they’re okay, right?

What’s wrong with being an evil villain like me, Blanc continued to look at me with concern.

“I, as I mentioned earlier, am a being that society should reject, and I am satisfied with fulfilling that role.”

“Who decided that you should be rejected? I already know everything. Your past, everything. Even that you were a male student who disappeared fifteen years ago.”

Blanc knows about my past? That’s news to me.

Does it mean she knows the story of a pure male student turning into the worst villain?

It would be hard to find such a pure male student in me now. I’ve already been tainted by evil, becoming a lump of society’s darkness.

“Oh, are you talking about my past? The male student who suddenly disappeared from this world? Now, I have absolutely no connection with that. What you see here is just Vyne, the defeated villain.”

“The only person who fell into a dimensional rift and survived. Who came out of that rift and asked for help from people, asked for help from society. Yet received no help. Why should such a person be rejected?”

Blanc still sees me as that pure student, huh? Even though my body has already been tainted.

“I, as a villain who has committed evil deeds, that’s why I should be rejected. Is further explanation needed?”

“That’s because you were picked up by that damn boss. The fact that you committed evil deeds and lived such a difficult life, it’s all because of that.”

Am I supposed to believe that being picked up by the boss is the reason I turned to evil? Don’t be ridiculous. That couldn’t possibly be true. He’s such a kind person. The one who saved me.

“Please don’t speak ill of my boss like that. If it weren’t for him saving me, I wouldn’t even exist in this world.”

“Sigh… I understand for now. It’s been a while, Vina.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, but I can’t say I’m particularly glad to see you. Are you here to mock a fallen loser?”

“No, I came to rescue you from that pit.”

What is this magical girl talking about?

Come to think of it, the place I’m living in now isn’t that bad of an environment.

To be honest, for someone of my rank in a world-class secret society, it’s not that bad. At least it’s not as deep as Mariana Trench.

Being sealed with powers means freedom, which is actually an absurdly generous treatment for someone like me who was involved with Eden.

So why would someone come to rescue me from this life? I’m actually quite content here. Soon, I’ll have a stable source of income.

And the idea that Blanc would come to rescue me from living like this, who came up with that? Really.

“I refuse. I have no reason to seek help from a magical girl, and I don’t even want your help. If the conversation is over, then I’ll take my leave. We’re not here to chat.”

She seemed flustered and grabbed my arm as I tried to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m looking for a new job.”

“You said there were no jobs earlier, so what kind of job is it?”

“Just an ordinary job. It’s more comfortable than working on a construction site physically. It will provide a steady income.”

“What kind of job are you going out for in the middle of the night?”

“It’s just a nighttime job. Isn’t it suitable for someone like me who was shrouded in darkness?”

“A nighttime job, really?”

“I’ve stopped committing evil deeds. You don’t need to worry about that. The citizens you wanted to protect won’t be harmed. I, who wears this collar, am just a slightly stronger child, that’s all.”

Even after explaining that, the worry-filled magical girl still didn’t let go of my arm.

Treating someone who has already stopped committing evil deeds like a criminal is a bit much. After coming out of prison, I haven’t committed any crimes, or rather, I haven’t done anything wrong.

As I thought about this, her expression wasn’t like that of someone facing the worst criminal and aiming a sword of justice at them, but rather, it was a starry-eyed worry filled with concern. And that worry contained. Not about the safety of the citizens I had expected, but about me, the worst criminal, the loser.

Why? Questions swirl in my mind.

Why do I still find you annoying and hateful? You must feel the same way about me.

Blanc looked at me straight in the eyes and asked. This time, with a stronger tone. There was a hint of magic in her words that made my small body stiffen.

“Where are you going, and what are you going to do?”

“Sigh, really. It’s just a nighttime job. I was going to sell my spring. You don’t need to worry, Blanc. If I make money, I can live in a better environment. This kind of thing isn’t that difficult. It’s comfortable for the body, isn’t it?”

“Do you really think that makes sense? How can you talk about selling your spring so easily like that?”

“So please let me go now. A gentleman who likes this kind of body has agreed to purchase it for a high price. At least I can earn three years’ worth of living expenses.”

Upon hearing those words, Blanc tightened his grip on my arm even more. It hurt.

“Let go of me. What are you doing to an innocent civilian, magical girl? Even if it’s a giant’s body, it hurts when you grab it with magic.”

After thinking for a moment, Blanc released my arm.

“Well then, let’s part ways here. We won’t meet again.”

“Wait.”

“What is it? Do you have something else to say? I’m late for an appointment.”

“How much for an hour?”

Huh? What did Blanc just say? How much am I worth?

Blanc seemed to notice my momentary confusion. Perhaps that was their preference.

Ah, so everything that has happened was because of that.

Hmm. I see. Humans are all as the boss said.

Duplicitous, dangerous, all of it. I wish the boss had won.

“What’s that supposed to mean? The magical girl of justice, Blanc? Are you finally revealing your despicable nature? Is that my price? Yes, that’s fine. I’ll tell you. I charge 50,000 won per session. If we’re together, it’s only 10,000 won per hour. Are you satisfied now?”

“Really, you… you do that kind of thing?”

“Yes. Why would I lie about something like this? Oh, are you suggesting that I’m going to set off a magic bomb or something after saying this? No. This necklace here will start tracking if it detects magic use.”

“… You said 10,000 won per hour?”

“Yes, I’m already known as the worst criminal with this body type, so the madam offered that price. It’s a reasonable price that I’m satisfied with. Oh, if you decide to purchase, there will be an additional fee.”

“Fine, I’ll buy. Follow me.”

“The reward reserved by the previous customer will be forfeited.”

“I’ll pay whatever it takes. Follow me.”

Hmm, I never intended to take money from an enemy, but maybe it’s not so bad if I think of it as taking what’s owed to me?

“Well, if you pay well enough.”

Yes, there’s nothing I won’t do.