Transformation or Death

A Little Money and a Place to Live Tomorrow is Enough (11)

White Davi was the most welcomed magical girl at rescue sites.

Although the villain soldiers she commands are often treated as mere pawns, they still possess overwhelming strength compared to ordinary people.

They can easily clear heavy objects like building debris and are better than normal people at carrying and transporting people.

Also, since they’re basically recycled from enemy corpses and can quickly revive even if destroyed, there are no ethical or safety concerns.

Having such a large workforce available is extremely helpful in rescue operations. It’s even more efficient than deploying soldiers or police.

Of course, her tendency to be more interested in villain hunting than rescue was an issue… But it wasn’t problematic since she did things properly when she did them.

But now it was a problem.

“Why are you here?!”

Han Jae-jung asked with dual meaning. He was so startled he even forgot to use honorifics.

How did she get here? And why did she come here?

Seeing Seol-hwa’s expression, this seemed like no ordinary matter, so spending time here meant she must be completely crazy.

While all magical girls are mentally ill, she was a madwoman of a slightly different direction. An unpredictable madwoman whose behavioral principles were incomprehensible.

“Oh, finally dameguchi (informal speech)… kandoshimashita (I’m moved)!”

“I’m glad it’s moving. Though it’s meaningless to me.”

Han Jae-jung felt like he was about to burst.

“Aren’t you going to deploy?”

Roundabout conversations aren’t very good with her. When dealing with her, it’s best to be direct. Especially now when it’s just the two of them.

This was after understanding White Davi’s tendencies from watching the original work.

She’s easily swayed but strangely stubborn, and has a habit of interpreting things her own way.

Rather than prolonging the conversation with unnecessary misunderstandings, it’s better to speak directly. It doesn’t matter if it lacks some context. She’ll listen.

“You mean deployment!”

[Isn’t the Guardian the one who’s not deploying?]

White Davi tilted her head with a puzzled expression while the Belt threw criticism.

“Yes, deployment. Seeing Seol-hwa leave earlier, it looked quite dangerous, so I’m curious why Davi isn’t at the scene and instead trespassing here.”

He particularly emphasized the word ‘trespassing’.

‘You think I’m not going out because I don’t want to? I want to go out right now too. But I can’t right now.’

Meanwhile, he answered the Belt internally.

“I am deploying right now!”

“…?”

“I’m rescuing a kidnapped victim here! It’s an excellent crime scene deployment!”

Oh dear, Han Jae-jung swallowed a sigh.

“Are you talking about me? I suppose so. Since I’m the only one here.”

“Why are you talking and answering by yourself? Ah, you must be having delusions from not seeing light for so long! Don’t worry! I’ll take responsibility and make sure you see sunlight today!” 𝙧

“That’s not it. And I don’t have the symptoms you’re worried about. Also, I’m not a kidnap victim.”

White Davi’s steps, as she was striding over to break the chains, stopped. Just from her expression, you could feel her going ‘Huh?’.

“Huh? What nonsense is this. Then what are these chains?”

It seemed like her theory about Han Jae-jung’s delusions was being confirmed. Feeling like he might end up being dragged to a psychiatrist and counseling center, Han Jae-jung quickly spoke again.

“It’s, it’s my preference! Seol-hwa told me to wait with these on until she returns…”

After saying it, Han Jae-jung regretted it. Shit. Why couldn’t he think of a better excuse? Instead of making Yoon Seol-hwa a criminal, he lost his human dignity.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

No, couldn’t he have just not worn the chains in the first place?

These chains were like a declaration of ‘I’ll do as you wish’. It was a metaphor saying I can follow any of your constraints without complaint. A device to reassure Yoon Seol-hwa when she returns later.

Now thinking back on it carefully, he wondered if just staying still here would have been enough. He provoked anger with an unnecessary action. It was self-sabotage.

[That’s quite a good excuse. I’m impressed.]

‘Shut up.’

Words once spoken cannot be taken back. Han Jae-jung looked at White Davi with anxious eyes.

Since he’d already made such an outrageous excuse, he prayed it would work. Given White Davi’s character of being easily persuaded by outlandish ideas, it would probably work.

White Davi alternately looked at the chains and Han Jae-jung. The suspicious look in her eyes gradually sparked with delight. It was the kind of spark seen when a mathematician solves a problem, when scholarly desire is satisfied.

“…As expected!”

“…? What do you mean ‘as expected’? What did you think of me usually?”

“Hehe, I see. I see. So you two have that kind of relationship.”

White Davi kept nodding and broke the chains while giggling.

“As I thought, my guess was correct! Now I just need to get revenge on senior Pink!”

“What nonsense are you…”

Han Jae-jung couldn’t understand her words.

“Naruhodo (I see), so this was just a simple deviation! I’m glad senior Blue isn’t a criminal!”

“That’s right. Everything I said is true.”

He soon decided not to try to understand. He wasn’t particularly curious, and knowing wouldn’t be useful anyway.

Above all, the possibility of Yoon Seol-hwa being criminally charged disappeared. A misunderstanding or two should be fine.

“Now you understand everything, right? Then please hurry to the scene now. This is no longer a crime scene…”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

White Davi nodded with a bright smile.

“But still, no!”

Then she took her horn and struck the chains. Bang! With a crisp breaking sound, the chains shattered. The chain connected to his neck shortened to less than 30cm. Only the end of the chain dangled below his neck.

“Now, let’s go!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, White Davi grabbed Han Jae-jung’s shoulder and stood up. Han Jae-jung was bewildered. This didn’t match the conversation from just moments ago.

“Ah, no, what are you…”

“I understand well! This confinement happened with agreement between brother and senior Blue! Whether it was planned or real, we’ll deal with that later!”

“…!”

“Let’s go out first! Under the sunlight is good! The smell of the sun makes me happy! It’s too humid and stuffy here!”

Her grip was quite rough, making it quite painful for the person being pulled.

The number of incomprehensible things increased gradually for Han Jae-jung.

How White Davi found this place, why a magical girl who should prioritize monsters was here like this, and why she was being so forceful.

The moment she acted like this, deception became impossible. The remaining choice was persuasion. For persuasion, he needed to guess her behavioral principles.

Han Jae-jung decided to calm down and ask one by one.

“I, I see. But Davi, how did you find this place?”

“Oh, that! It was really tondemonai (unbelievable) coincidence!”

White Davi answered with a bright smile.

“I was staying at this hotel!”

Hotel? Somehow the room lacked signs of living but was unnecessarily luxurious, so it was being rented as a hotel. Han Jae-jung didn’t show any sign of just realizing the room’s identity and listened carefully to her words.

“So senior Blue’s flight path looked exactly the same as the path I flew, so I came back here and asked the staff if there was a secret room, and they answered!”

“Ah yes… You ‘

From her perspective, it might have been just asking, but from the other person’s perspective, it would’ve been different. Though he couldn’t guess the exact details, it was probably nothing short of intimidation.

Han Jae-jung looked down at her hand gripping his wrist. With this rough handling, even slight resistance might result in broken bones. It’s scarier that she’s not even aware of it.

To begin with, who would think to come back here just because the flight paths matched? Han Jae-jung felt fear at White Davi’s intuition.

She was like this in the original work too. With her unique intuition backed by execution ability, she could meddle in all sorts of places. Though thanks to her, many incidents were prevented…

At the same time, many incidents also occurred because of her.

“I… See.”

The second question was automatically answered too.

White Davi hadn’t failed to deploy – she had deployed and then come here. Her villain soldiers were probably still doing rescue work at the scene.

That’s why other magical girls didn’t question her or pressure her about deploying.

Indeed, the jewel decorated near White Davi’s collarbone wasn’t emitting any light. If someone was calling her, it would be flashing like crazy.

“Brother! It’s good to take care of your lover, but you shouldn’t be too lenient! You almost had three days of unauthorized absence! Ah, it actually is three days!”

White Davi admonished. Han Jae-jung nodded with a hollow laugh. Internally, he was contemplating how to shake her off.

“And senior Blue too! Taking unauthorized absence like that! Do you know how sad my sister was? She was very sad because both of you were gone!”

Han Jae-jung finally noticed her behavioral principle.

It was extremely simple.

She simply didn’t want to see people she liked being sad. Pure self-centered thinking. Because she didn’t want to see someone depressed, she eliminated the cause of depression itself.

Because it was extreme selfishness, paradoxically it resulted in an altruistic conclusion.

“Moreover, brother and senior Blue will become sad too! The journalists in this country are vicious! There are tons of losers and idiots filled with inferiority complexes! Is it because they’re becoming like Japan? Nippon sugoi affecting the whole world!!! Anyway, both of you might get bullied again like this! That won’t do!”

Though it was hard to understand with many details omitted, the point was this,

If the absence continues, journalists will catch onto this case. If that happens and the relationship between Yoon Seol-hwa and Han Jae-jung gets highlighted again, they’ll be the ones bleeding. Deviation is fine but do it in moderation.

That’s what she was saying.

“Um, Davi, w-wait a moment.”

Before he knew it, Han Jae-jung’s feet had reached right in front of the entrance. The entrance floor was covered in dust and wood fragments from when the door was completely torn off by her attack.

White Davi’s feet crushed these traces of attack. An advance without a moment’s hesitation. It was confidence that never doubted the righteousness of her actions.

“Yes? Dame desu (Not allowed)! I will not stop!”

“No, that’s not it, please loosen your grip. It hurts.”

“Hm? Ah! My apologies!”

White Davi’s grip loosened. Taking advantage of this opening, Han Jae-jung shook off her hand.

“And it’s fine to leave, but let’s pack my belongings first. Usually, I would’ve told Davi to go ahead but…”

“Eeh, not allowed!”

“That’s why, please wait a bit. I don’t have much, so we can leave quickly.”

“Eh? Weren’t you planning a long-term stay? Why don’t you have much…”

“I was planning to use the hotel amenities! Please wait a moment!”

Han Jae-jung immediately turned around and headed back to the living room. White Davi kept following him with her bright smile. He had expected this too.

Given her personality, even if asked to wait, she would follow to monitor. Why is she so suspicious despite being easily swayed? Han Jae-jung swallowed a sigh.

[Guardian.]

‘I know.’

[I’m sorry for being sarcastic earlier. Just a little more…]

‘I know. Scratching at my nerves must be your only entertainment, so I should kind of endure it.’

[….]

‘Don’t stay quiet.’

He had to hold on.

There were quest instructions. No matter how dangerous it was outside, as long as it wasn’t at the level of the three beasts, most enemies could be handled by magical girls.

Probably current Red Vega and Blue Sirius could definitely handle it.

Perhaps because of being involved with the Watcher, Red Vega was able to grow even faster than in the original work. She could handle most S-class villains one-on-one.

Blue Sirius was even better than that. She could probably overwhelm any S-class villain below five stars. Even above that, she wouldn’t be completely pushed back. Like Red Vega, if she modified her fighting style slightly, she could lead battles more advantageously.

Fortunately, she’s been trying to change her fighting style recently.

Maybe it’s because unlike the original work, Han Jae-jung is alive. Her power that fights through love is superior to other magical girls who fight with the power of peace.

The problem is that at the same time, the possibility of corruption is also greater, but…

‘No, that’s not the issue right now.’

Right now, just believing is all he can do. The look in her eyes when she deployed earlier was definitely not that of someone who would fall into the path of evil.

He can’t transform into the Watcher and rush to her deployment site as originally planned.

Because of the nature of the quest’s content.

“Brother? Do you really have luggage? Hurry up kora!!”

“You call me brother but what’s with that tone.”

“Gap moe?”

“What’s that now…”

Just a little more, just a tiny bit more…

“Now I should deploy too! I’ll buy whatever you lost! I have lots of money! So now…”

Kwaaang! At the same time, the ceiling collapsed.

So it was now.

“…?!”

White Davi reflexively wrapped around Han Jae-jung’s body and stepped back. While being held in her arms, Han Jae-jung recalled the past. The moment when the quest appeared from the Belt two days ago.

[Quest appeared! Do not leave this location.]

From beyond the ceiling, people poured down like a swarm of rats. The fallen bodies stood up one by one. They all had unfocused eyes. They looked like people addicted to something.

[Within 72 hours from now, about a hundred villains will attack this place. Repel them.]

Han Jae-jung recalled the quest again and frowned.

‘… Villains?’

No matter how you look at it, those are people.

‘What’s going on here.’

With White Davi and attackers who look human despite being called villains, things had gotten properly complicated.

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