Transformation or Death

Chapter 8 – It Was Too Much Money to Refuse

[SET. Seven Stars Step Kick Bogak.]  

I can’t afford even a bit of leeway. They are all seniors who own constellations, far more experienced than me.

They possess the same or greater physical abilities as me, and their level of mastery is also on a different level than mine. 

‘The belt’s assistance alone won’t be enough.’

No matter how much the belt shows me the actions I need to take and the actions the enemy will take, in the end it’s me performing them.  

Just having a map doesn’t mean everyone avoids getting lost. Paying attention to the intricate details the map can’t show is a matter of the individual’s skill in interpreting that map.

I’m still unskilled.  

I know that, but.

Strangely, I didn’t feel the same fear as when I faced the magical girl. I had no pity for them either. No grand sense of duty.  

All I had was anger and killing intent.

My first step contained anger. 

My second step contained killing intent.

The subsequent steps repeated these.

As my anger and killing intent gradually intensified, starlight coiled around my raised leg.

My target was the most harmless-looking fallen magical girl, Virgo, for starters.  

If I had to find another reason beyond her seeming harmless, it’s because she was the one who killed Blue Sirius, the former lover of this body’s owner, Han Jae-jung, in the original work. Though that didn’t happen here.

“You.”

Kwakkeuredeudeuk! The final step. The ground I was standing on caved in deeply.

The earth split in the shape of the Big Dipper, and a sinister green starlight gushed out like a flare.

That luminous mass resembling an aurora clung to my legs like chains, not missing a single spot.

When I took another step, my legs lashed at the sky. So it couldn’t be considered a step. I even used the gravity trying to bring my legs down as a weapon.

“Have you ever seen the stars?”  

I dropped them straight towards Virgo’s head.

A drop kick using just my legs. 

Kwagwagwagwang–!

An overwhelming boom, tremor and gust of wind erupted from the immense mass.  

[Seven Star Step Kick (bogak) manifestation successful. Reenactment rate 30%]

Even with this much power, it’s only a 30% discount. The technique itself was successful.

However.

“Haha, you certainly have a fiery temper.”

No demonic voice followed saying I defeated the villain.

“…Paradox.”

“Did you even know my name? I’m honored.”

He rose from the exact opposite point and countered my Seven Stars Step Kick with a kick of precisely equal force.

This is why I didn’t attack this guy first.

The villainous Paradox who uses a shielding technique.  

“You didn’t just call me by my constellation Sculptor, but said my name directly. I’m touched.”

I landed back on the ground and dusted off the dirt on my body.  

Damn, my legs are wobbling.  

I guess having an attack of that level directly reflected back at me is quite a burden, even for me.

“Manners are important. Calling someone by their proper name is basic mutual respect.”

“What’s this crap about balanced sexuality?”  

“This person is providing an example right now. An example of a counter-lesson, that is. No reward for saving them, I guess.”

I turned my gaze to his legs.

“Hm? Ah… this is… Yes, this is… Haha, embarrassing. You got me good. Your power matches your temper, it seems.” He stammered and chuckled awkwardly. 

They were just like mine. Legs wobble, unable to keep their balance properly.

As expected, my power works against these guys too.

The problem is, it just works.

“I’ll fix it right away since it must be unpleasant to look at.” As he said that, his legs healed.

“Well, copying defensive abilities isn’t very efficient it seems. Don’t worry. This was just a performance to show my ability. If we ever have to fight properly later, I’ll just copy the power of your starlight alone.”  

Paradox.

If the strongest shield and strongest spear clash, which will win?

If two essentially identical strongest forces collide, who will be the victor?

Resolving that question is his goal.  

His goal is his name, his everything.

Suitably, his ability is extremely simple.  

“Haha, of course I hope we don’t have to fight. Human affairs are unpredictable, after all.”

To copy the power of the one he deems his opponent and take it on.

“It seems I caused a misunderstanding with that dimwit, so let me restate our goal.”

The shaded villain behind spoke up.

“My goal isn’t something like world destruction. Of course not that idiot either.”  

“We’re all gonna die anyway!!!”

“I wish you’d just shut up already. Anyway.”  

He reached his hand out from the darkness.

“What we want from you is nothing major. Not to kill anyone, nor to bring chaos to the world. We simply want a small portion. A very small portion of the star shards you’ve been collecting.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Haha, playing dumb? We already know you have the ability to absorb starlight from the villains you defeat.”

That I’ve been collecting star shards? What is that…

‘Ah.’

The star shards that scattered whenever I defeated a villain. Did they not simply disperse into the air?

A quest.  

If there is a cost, then naturally there must be a reward in return.

Could it be that those were the star shards produced from the villains I defeated?

‘An increase in power? Simple, I like it.’

But I can’t even fully control my original Seven Stars power yet, so when would I use all that?

“Our proposal is extremely simple. A deal.”  

A set of scales bloomed from the hand outstretched from the darkness.  

“Hand over those star shards. In return, we’ll give you money.”

“You think I’ll submit to something like that?”  

“We’ll give you 700 million won.”

“…Oh.” If I wasn’t shaken for a moment, that would be a lie. It was the most needed value for me right now, and an amount that would tempt any human.

“Too small. Did you shove all the money you’ve made so far up your own ass?”

“Yeah! What does a measly amount like that mean?” 

“Surely that’s plenty…”

“Who would compromise their beliefs for 700 million won?”

Are they targeting me or something? Unsettled, I looked at Paradox. He waved his hands as if to say not to worry.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of buying your efforts with just that petty cash.”  

“These punks have no concept of money since they’ve never earned any…”

“Keep your mouth shut and add another zero.”

“…Understood.”

Numerous gold nuggets were placed on the golden scales in his hand. 

“7 billion.”

An amount I never thought I’d be offered in my life was thrust before my eyes. It was too much money to refuse.

“Don’t misunderstand. I also think this amount is a reasonable sacrifice for greater gains. A necessary sacrifice.”

My body trembled. With that kind of money, I could live comfortably without worry for the rest of my life.  

To me, there is no sacrifice. I never had it and couldn’t use it properly – just a worthless piece of a star.

I just have to give that.

“…Let me ask again.”

Power of this level can’t even strengthen their forces. Just C-grade, B-grade villain level power.

I’m aware of that.  

I’m also aware of their dispositions.

I know the consequences they’ve brought about to achieve their goals.

What they offered me was too much money to refuse.

“Even if your goal isn’t destruction, what if destruction occurs in the process of achieving it? Will you stop?”

But I succeeded in refusing! An achievement attained by reminding myself of their evil deeds over and over again.

The hand reaching out from the darkness must have known my answer, as it withdrew the scales.

“Of course not.”  

After withdrawing the scales, a villain over 3 meters tall in a golden armor emerged from the darkness.

The Scaler, Libra.  

A villain seeking the answer to whether the sacrifice of the minority can be justified for the happiness of the vast majority.

I know their goal isn’t mere world destruction.  

Their goal is to resolve their own dilemma.  

And for that, they can use world destruction as just a means.

“If destruction is a necessary sacrifice, so be it.”

“If the strongest sword and shield must clash, then embrace destruction, however regrettable.”  

“What does it matter if destruction is coming anyway?”

Therefore, if I handed over this small piece of a star, I don’t know what butterfly effect it may cause.

I cannot take their hand. “Everything you said is the reason, the answer as to why I cannot cooperate with you at all.”

Paradox asked, “Why? You are currently poor. You can barely afford a decent meal. Unlike those feeble magical girls or other petty villains, we do not bear you any ill will. As you said, even if human society is destroyed, it would pose no real threat to you, would it?”

There was no hint of mockery. Like an S-grade villain whose self-actualization takes precedence over everything. 

“Why? Why are you hostile towards us?” He was genuinely curious about my intentions.

“Because I’m human, not a villain.” So I answered him sincerely as well. “Because I know how much of a menace you are to humans. Your goal is a pure question and your very self. To achieve that, you’ll endlessly experiment on humans. Then the magical girls will try to stop you, so if they get in the way, you’ll kill them. If they’re useful, you’ll experiment on them until they die.”

‘Are you insane? I know full well you plan to kill all the magical girls and wreak havoc on the world. Why would I ever help you?’

“Have you ever seen the stars? Have you seen the light emitted by magical girls? How can I ever support you when that beauty is bound to disappear?” I phrased it in quite a roundabout way implying ‘Why would I ever like you scumbags who plan to kill those beautiful magical girls?’

Paradox finally seemed to understand and nodded his head.  “Indeed. I see. You are neither human nor villain, let alone a magical girl. It is up to you alone to establish your identity. You have chosen the path of humanity. Very well. I will respect your will.”

No sooner had Paradox finished speaking than the fallen magical girl Virgo’s eyes were enveloped in a dark starlight.

“So what? Should I kill him? He even kicked me. The negotiation has failed, so I should kill him, right?”

“Hmm, that would be the proper course.”

“But we ask that you respect our will as yours is respected. Since you have expressed intent to actively obstruct us, we cannot leave you be.”

A starlight flared up. Thick and dreadful starlight. Different from that of a magical girl. Different from any villain I’d faced before.

An overwhelming, abyssal mass of starlight. 

A sense of oppression. Beyond that, fear.

A fear I had never felt in my life before.

The dread of facing death.

The adrenaline rush of anger and murderous intent subsided, only for fear to fill the void. I suddenly realized just how insane my actions had been.

I instinctively took a few steps back. My instincts made me do it.

‘Shit…’

With the feeling of eating bitter persimmons, I readjusted my stance. Clenching my fists, I held my arms out at an angle, ready to lash out at any moment.

“Hmm… But this would throw things off balance.”   Then Paradox, looking around both sides, started walking towards me.

Without hesitation, he stood by my right side and transformed the shield he was holding into a sword.”Good. Now it will be an even fight. May we go first?”

“…What are you trying to do?” 

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. It’s not out of consideration.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I felt a different kind of fear than before. This was the fear of the unknown.

“It’s for my own satisfaction. An uneven fight is just so unpleasant, you see. No fun at all. Isn’t it an intriguing conundrum to wonder who will prevail when two equal forces clash? Just thinking about it excites me!”

This guy is insane.   

It perfectly fits the saying that one feels a primal fear towards those they cannot understand.

How those blue, pupil-less lenses were glinting so brightly.

“Now then, let’s fight vigorously!”  

“This madman is really killing the vibe.”

“For once, I agree. Let’s get this bastard out of here.”

“Hm? Why? An even battle is the true battle, the manifestation of my very self and will…”

“Enough.”

Libra waved his huge hand, dispelling the dark space. A motion opposite to the darkness when I was summoned here. The dim space receded behind me. The insane villains there also faded from my sight.  

“Oh, it seems today is not the opportune time to fight.”

Even as he grew distant from my view, Paradox closest to me kept talking until the end. He looked at me and said, “I respect that you’ve chosen the path of humanity. But being human doesn’t mean you lack purpose. What is the purpose of your power? What do you wish to use that power for? Mere self-defense for survival? Hmm…that seems too hollow. Too indulgent, even.”  

The bastard fixed those blue lenses on me until the end.

“I await the revelation of your purpose.”

As all the darkness faded from my sight, all that remained were the night, the road, and the stars.

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