Transformation or Death

Symbol of Peace (8)

“Knight-aaaaah!!! Another energetic morning!”

“Uwaaah!”

At 7 AM, as soon as the sunlight coming through the window tickled her eyelids, Haru woke up. The moment she opened her eyes, Haru shouted energetically, waking up Baek Ah-hee who was beside her.

“Wh-what! An attack? Did an intruder come in?!”

“Hahaha! Vega is so cute! It’s safe here!”

Baek Ah-hee, who was flustered, soon sighed in relief.

“Phew… Haru, don’t wake up like that. You scared me.”

“I see! Understood! I’ll be careful!”

Despite having just woken up, her voice was clear without any trace of grogginess. Haru started preparing to begin her day with a vigorous smile.

None other than the internet. Her routine was to grab her smartphone immediately upon waking and browse through various SNS and internet communities. When she opens her eyes in the morning, curious about the previous night, she wonders what kind of incident will call for her today. She sang like this while searching for interesting incidents.

But today was different. Before going to her bookmarks, the first thing she touched was the contacts app.

“Vega, come here too! Let’s them know we’re healthy!”

“Huh?”

On Haru’s smartphone screen, a video call icon was displayed. After three rings, the call connected and the screen switched to the camera. Unaware that it was a video call, the screen was completely black.

“Good morning, Han Jae-jung!”

[Oh… Yes.]

“Did you sleep well?! I slept well! I’m healthy!”

She waved her bandaged arm back and forth, showing her excitement. A chuckle could be heard from the other side of the screen, and Han Jae-jung responded with difficulty.

[I couldn’t sleep properly because I was so worried about you, Haru. Did you sleep well?]

“Hahaha! I see! I slept just fine!”

[That’s good to hear. What’s the matter? A call so early in the morning.]

“Aniki! This is a video call! Show your face on the camera!”

[A video call? Ah… I’m sorry, but seeing a beauty like Haru first thing in the morning might be bad for my heart, so I’ll just stick with voice.]

“Eeh~? I called to show off how healthy I am! What’s the point if you don’t look at the camera!”

Baek Ah-hee, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, chimed in.

“Jae-jung.”

[…Oh, Vega was there too.]

“You call Haru by her name but you’re so formal with me? That’s mean. Besides, Haru is a minor. Take it easy. And if you really don’t want to show your face, just cover your camera and look at our faces.”

Knowing about Han Jae-jung’s camera phobia, she guessed his intentions and offered a compromise. Some rustling sounds could be heard from the other side of the screen, and while the screen remained black, the voice became slightly distant.

[Ah, now I can see.]

“We’re healthy! Don’t worry too much! We might even be discharged today!”

[You look it.]

They looked so healthy that it was hard to believe they had been seriously injured and taken to the hospital yesterday. The bandages and gauze looked almost like makeup.

“Now, Vega! Appeal that you’re healthy too!”

“Uh… Um… Jae-jung, don’t look at my face. I haven’t even washed up yet.”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

[First you tell me to look, now you’re telling me not to. I don’t know which tune to dance to. Seeing that you’re concerned about your appearance, it seems you’re fine too, Vega.]

“Yes! We’re healthy, so don’t worry!”

Haru answered with a bright smile.

“I have no regrets about protecting Aniki! So Aniki shouldn’t think too much about it either!”

That was the reason Haru sought him out first thing today. She might not have been considerate enough to call early in the morning, but she could at least convey her regards to someone.

[…Yes. Thank you for your consideration. You’re saying such admirable things. I should praise the person who taught you.]

“It was Vega! Vega was worried that Aniki might be worried about us….”

“Uwah! Haru, don’t say unnecessary things. Jae-jung, I’m sorry for this early in the morning. We’ll hang up now.”

[Oh, right, Vega.]

A sound of someone trying to hold back laughter could be heard from the other side of the screen.

[When you come back, shall I give you a piggyback ride?]

Baek Ah-hee immediately ended the call. Then she put her hand on her head, complaining of a headache.

“Ah… The hangover….”

“Oh! That’s right, Vega drank alcohol yesterday, didn’t you? They say water is the best for hangovers! Here’s some bottled water!”

“Thanks, Haru….”

After gulping down the water Haru handed her, Baek Ah-hee hastily continued.

“Getting drunk is really scary. I can’t believe I don’t remember anything at all.”

“Oh! Then I’ll tell you! Vega….”

“No! It’s fine. Really. Really, really, really.”

She sighed deeply and then scratched her head.

“Haru, you said earlier that we could be discharged today, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s get discharged right now.”

“…What?”

It’s generally common for a magical girl who has been hospitalized due to an encounter with a villain to rest for at least three days, usually about a week. However, depending on personal discretion, some may proceed with discharge procedures immediately after admission.

“We must repay the kindness as much as we’ve caused trouble.”

“…! I agree!”

“According to the villains’ conversation yesterday, the incident in D5 city was a conflict between villains! As many villains are coming, we’ll need to respond in numbers as well…! The headquarters must be in the middle of a meeting right now.”

Recalling the scene she caused yesterday, Baek Ah-hee remembered someone with blazing eyes.

‘That damn villain… I could have teased him more! How dare he waste such a golden opportunity…!’

[…Guardian.]

The cat doll-shaped creature, Baek Ah-hee’s mascot nicknamed Ribbon, stared at her with cold eyes.

“O-Of course! The citizens being attacked is more important! But I read in a counseling note before that having such personal motives can increase efficiency!”

“Vega? Why are you suddenly acting like that?”

“Mmm. I was just talking to our Ribbon for a moment.”

Baek Ah-hee murmured in a resolute voice while unwrapping the bandage around her head.

“Then, let’s go to the headquarters.”

Despite the nurses’ and doctors’ attempts to dissuade them, they quickly went through the discharge procedures. Having gone through this process so many times, they could now handle it skillfully.

And they headed straight to the headquarters.

-Today’s meeting isn’t here.

Right after moving to the magical girl headquarters. Through speakers located everywhere in this building, Unicorn delivered shocking news.

“What? Then where….”

-Didn’t you guys find out yesterday? There. That place. The cafe that Pink Deneb… No, Joo Ah-yoon runs.

A place where another conflict between villains could break out at any time.

-That’s where.

***

Ippotranslation

***

Orange Altair, Ara, was continuously staring at one person inside the cafe.

‘Han Jae-jung… I will uncover your evil identity…!’

Unfortunately, the surveillance she conducted all night through her mascot didn’t yield any results. He stayed at the cafe for a while, then returned home. He washed up and went to sleep. It was the life of an ordinary person. There were no particularly unusual movements.

But she knows. The ugly identity of the man called Han Jae-jung. The wicked evil that despises humans.

‘Let’s see how long you can keep that up.’

Ara gritted her teeth as she watched him calmly brewing coffee.

“Altarimu. What’s wrong?”

“Don’t call me that. I’m Altair! Altair!”

“As you wish, Sun God Ra.”

“I really should change my name…!”

Next to her, the magical girl Black Sadr simultaneously used the nickname given by Joo Ah-yoon and the nickname she had been teased with since childhood.

That vulgar nickname has been used by some people since Joo Ah-yoon mentioned it. Black Sadr was one of them.

“Oh, come on.  It’s a pretty name.”

Despite her cold and boyish beautiful appearance in the media, her inner self is no different from an old man. She likes sexual harassment, wordplay, and dislikes many things.

Well, she can probably do acting as a side job since she can package herself that way.

“It’s better than Altarimu.”

“Shut up.”

Once again, she painfully realized that Joo Ah-yoon was not helpful in her life.

“But isn’t it a really unique name? Usually, the name would be Ara, but your surname is just ‘A’ and your name is ‘Ra’. Hey, if you apply the initial sound rule, isn’t it Ana? Ana? Hahaha! Oh my~”

“Would you please keep that mouth shut…!”

Ara indignantly glared even more intensely at Han Jae-jung. She decided to blame all the stress she was feeling on him.

‘Look, his eyes already look unfriendly. I’ve often heard that a person’s psychology is revealed through their eyes…! This means his true nature is gradually being exposed…!’

Han Jae-jung, feeling the strong aroma of coffee rising, thought to himself.

‘Damn, I’m so fucking sleepy.’

He hadn’t been able to sleep properly last night after receiving a report that he was being watched by the Belt. He had tried to lie down naturally by spreading out the blanket, but it was literally just pretending to sleep.

‘That friend is really fixated. I’m screwed. As a sniper, her patience must be strong. Or is it her stubbornness and persistence that’s strong?’

It seems like proper sleep is out of the question for a while. Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue. The gaze still gives him a great sense of rejection. Should I say it feels like centipedes or cockroaches constantly tickling his back? An unpleasant chill explores his whole body, bringing anxiety and hyperventilation.

‘Ah, fuck, I wish all these freaks would just die.’

He too decided to redirect all the stress he was feeling to another target.

[The real reason Orange Altair is monitoring the Guardian is largely due to the influence of the Argo Family. I think it’s a correct observation.]

‘Well, that’s helpful.’

The Belt has been kind lately. There have been fewer sudden quests, and it’s been more considerate of the body’s burden than before. Is this awareness that has developed after experiencing several near-death situations?

‘Ah, here it goes again.’

His left eye started hurting again. The symptoms have been getting worse recently. As the Belt becomes docile, the body starts acting up. Still, it was much better compared to when the Belt was causing trouble.

It would be horrifying just to imagine if a quest were to occur in a situation like this.

“W-What are you looking at?!”

Orange Altair.

“Hey, handsome guy over there~ Come here and play with us.”

Black Sadr.

“Sadr. We’re not here to play right now.”

Golden Aldebaran.

“That’s right. Have a proper meeting. You’ll get scolded otherwise?”

Green Dubhe.

“By whom?”

Purple Capella.

All sorts of notable magical girls have gathered in this cafe. Each one equivalent to the strength of an army. And in the center.

“…I’ll scold you. Stay still.”

Blue Sirius was there.

“Don’t burden Jae-jung or Ah-yoon either. In principle, we’re talking about things they shouldn’t be hearing.”

Yoon Seol-hwa, who briefly made eye contact with him, smiled gently with her eyes.

“That’s very kind of you. If it’s something I shouldn’t hear, I can leave.”

“No. It’s dangerous.”

After serving the brewed coffee in front of her, Han Jae-jung returned to his position behind the counter.

“Have you gotten used to it now?”

“Well, somewhat…”

Joo Ah-yoon, who was sitting at the counter, asked playfully. It was a complex question asking both ‘Have you gotten used to drip coffee?’ and ‘Have you gotten used to having so many magical girls nearby?’

To be honest, he hadn’t gotten used to either. Making drip coffee that required delicate handling was a tough job for his tired mind, and considering his own identity, this situation was extremely uncomfortable.

“Don’t be too uncomfortable. They’re all just people like us.”

Joo Ah-yoon encouraged, but it wasn’t much help.

He knew well that they were ordinary humans before becoming magical girls, but the problem was that he himself wasn’t an ordinary human.

“…You should be a bit more uncomfortable.”

Han Jae-jung couldn’t understand Joo Ah-yoon’s carefree attitude, wondering if he even realized they were in the same situation.

“Come on, they’re all people I know, what’s there to be uncomfortable about?”

Contrary to his words, his hands and legs were trembling. So this nonchalant act is just a bluff. Han Jae-jung realized this and smirked.

Now that’s the Joo Ah-yoon I know. Of course, he wasn’t in any position to judge either.

“The main problem right now is the group called the Argo Family that’s hiding in this city. If they weren’t here, Libra wouldn’t be invading either.”

A polite and calm voice. The attention of the previously scattered magical girls focused on her alone.

“The easiest way would be to relocate the people and destroy the entire city, but…”

Blue Sirius sighed deeply and then smiled playfully.

“We can’t burn down the house to kill a bedbug. We’re already short on residential areas as it is.”

“But it’s also difficult for us to draw them out. They’ve probably created a special hideout using their abilities. If they just take action and immediately run away, there’s nothing we can do. No matter how quickly we arrive at the reported location, they’ll have already escaped.”

“How about setting up an ambush and catching them? By deploying personnel throughout the entire city…”

“It’s not like problems aren’t happening in other cities. We can’t keep staying in this city.”

“Using real-time CCTV monitoring…”

“I’m telling you, they’re faster at escaping than that!”

“Then move faster, damn it!”

“Whoa! Who swore!”

“Let’s invite a tactical expert for consultation!”

“Don’t you know how many operations have failed by following tactical experts? Ordinary people can’t understand magical girls’ magic!”

“Is there anyone here with a high level of education?! Let’s agree on what that person says!”

“…I am attending university.”

“Oh, Golden was here? I didn’t know.”

“…”

Amidst the relentless discussion, Orange Altair quietly rolled her eyes to glare at somewhere. Of course, it was at Han Jae-jung.

‘All of our tactics are being exposed to the enemy…!’

I couldn’t understand. Why were they discussing operations in front of a civilian? I kept biting my nails nervously.

“Wait, just a moment!”

I had to interrupt the conversation first. These people have no sense of caution. Even if he’s a person acknowledged by Blue Sirius, the top in the industry, he’s still just a civilian. How can they talk so thoughtlessly?

“This, this conversation… Is it okay to let that person hear it? No matter how dangerous it is outside, that person is still a civilian right now! It must be top secret….”

She pointed at Han Jae-jung. Everyone’s gaze turned to him. Becoming the subject of their attention, Han Jae-jung nodded without the slightest hesitation.

“I was waiting for the right moment to bring this up, so I’m glad you mentioned it first. You’re right. Even though I signed a confidentiality agreement today, my status is still that of a civilian. It would be better to discuss such matters when I’m not present….”

“A confidentiality agreement?! You did that? I didn’t hear about this…!”

No wonder no one was raising any issues. They had made a contractual agreement. Why wasn’t I informed about such an important matter?

“…I told you earlier. Jae-jung has my guarantee, and he himself signed a confidentiality agreement. If any problems arise because of this, I’ll take full responsibility… Judging by your expression, you didn’t hear. It’s okay. Let’s consider it as if you just heard it now.”

“Altair, you should have paid more attention.”

Not only scolded by Blue Sirius but also mocked by Joo Ah-yoon. Orange Altair’s face turned red, and she lowered her head.

‘This is all because of that man…!’

Inwardly, she burned with resentment towards Han Jae-jung, who had deceived them.

“Anyway, to continue our discussion….”

“Wait.”

“Jae-jung, I told you it’s okay for you to be here. If you act like this, it undermines the trust I’ve placed in you by acknowledging you….”

“No, that’s not it. I just thought of something while listening to the operation meeting. If I’m allowed to listen, is it okay if I offer an opinion… right?”

He finished the last part slyly in polite speech and smiled broadly. Orange Altair found even his smile disgusting.

It’s a honey trap. He’s using his looks as a resource to scheme.

“Oh, that’s fine. Hey, handsome guy over there with the nice voice, why don’t you treat my ears to something good?”

“Sadr. Be careful with your words… Ah, fine. What’s your thought, Jae-jung?”

As soon as he was given permission to speak, he opened his lips without hesitation.

“If we can’t chase them, why don’t we lure them out… Right? If they run away before we mobilize, we can set up an ambush and catch them first.”

“…How?”

“You said those villains target and make civilians disappear, right? Then we can use a civilian as bait to call them out.”

Orange Altair, who grasped his intention, was shocked.

“And. Here we have it? A civilian to use as bait.”

Han Jae-jung pointed at himself and smiled shamelessly. The magical girls were at a loss for words. Even Black Sadr, who had been laughing haha, lost her smile. Orange Altair was the same. But the emotions mixed with that shock were quite different.

She trembled with fear.

‘How shameless is this man going to be…? It’s frightening.’

This is not self-sacrifice. It’s evil deception.

‘The villains might appear when they see you!’

But it won’t be a number of villains that the magical girls can handle. It’s clear that a wave of villains capable of killing all the magical girls lying in ambush will come rushing in.

That man intends to gather all the magical girls in one place and wipe them out…!

“Absolutely not!”

Orange Altair stood up, slamming the table.

Blue Sirius was slightly moved by this. A noble heroic spirit not to put civilians in danger. This is truly exemplary of a magical girl.

“How can we be sure you’re not a member of the Argo Family? There’s no guarantee you’re not trying to lure this entire group into a trap in reverse!”

Blue Sirius instantly turned cold. Instead of protecting civilians, she’s a paranoid person who suspects them. Ugly distrust. Truly the dregs of magical girls.

The other magical girls were also shocked. It was different from before.

‘…Has she gone mad?’

They looked at Orange Altair with such eyes. Then they glanced at Blue Sirius. Most of them already knew about the relationship between Blue Sirius and him.

They prayed inwardly. Please let it pass gently. Please kindly admonish her as usual.

“Altair. What are you trying to do?”

“Ah, no. That, no. Well….”

A cold voice that betrayed everyone’s expectations. A chill sharper and colder than a sub-zero snowfield ran up their spines.

“How many times have I told you? He is a person I have vouched for. I take responsibility. And just now, he even volunteered to sacrifice himself.”

Orange Altair noticed her mistake at this point. It was too fast. Her emotions got ahead of her, and she blurted out distrust without logic.

“Should I take this as a tantrum directed at me? Or should I take it as a challenge against me? You choose, Altair.”

She swallowed. It felt like thorns were tearing her throat.

“Do you want to call it nonsense? Or do you want to fight me?”

At that moment, two lively girls opened the cafe door and entered.

“We’re sorry we’re late!”

“Did you wait for us, seniors! The pretty and cute White is here….”

An air more thrilling than facing villains greeted them. Blue Sirius’s cold gaze swept over the latecomers.

“…Why did you come?”

“We’ll be leaving!”

And they closed the door right away.

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