Transformation or Death

Chapter 178

Holy Power (8)

Joo Ah-yoon reflected on the past.

Shortly after Han Jae-jung lost consciousness, an Archer appeared.

Joo Ah-yoon could clearly predict that he would definitely mock and laugh at the fallen Han Jae-jung. Even though she had not known the Archer for long, his behavior was completely predictable.

Despite his large physique, he had childlike tendencies. His frequent use of profanity and unnecessarily inflated ego reminded her of a late elementary school or middle school-aged boy.

In fact, she preferred this. Rather than a philosopher carrying complex issues, Joo Ah-yoon was more comfortable with someone immature and simple.

Now, what kind of insult should she use to strike back? She had finished preparing to release the stress she had accumulated.

The Archer began actions that deviated from all predictions.

While blankly staring at the sky, he suddenly raised his bow and aimed at Han Jae-jung and Joo Ah-yoon.

Butterfly. Coordinates of teleportation. If it touched anything, that would become the target of teleportation. Naturally, the Archer was no exception.

Distorting the flying arrows with butterflies, and shooting down the flying butterflies with arrows.

Of course, the Archer’s ability to control projectiles was superior. However, Joo Ah-yoon had enough butterflies to block all of his exquisite arrows.

If technical skill was lacking, she would overwhelm with sheer, almost stupid quantity.

Han Jae-jung’s state after transformation was even more vulnerable than an ordinary person. If an arrow were to touch him, he would literally explode. It was clear he would die, becoming a lump of flesh unable to withstand the enormous impact.

Therefore, Joo Ah-yoon was serious. She did not let her guard down for a single moment.

Using butterflies, a weapon that utilizes three-dimensional space, Joo Ah-yoon’s spatial perception abilities had grown exponentially.

Although not at the Archer’s level, she was capable of grasping the entire narrow, dilapidated building.

Arrows hit butterflies, and butterflies hit arrows, in an infinite standoff.

It was truly an evenly matched fight, drawing parallel lines.

The end of the battle was not decided by their own hands.

“If Jason hadn’t intervened, it wouldn’t have ended until one of our lights disappeared.”

Jason, who had been blankly watching the fight, finally raised his hand. He had changed the Archer’s position with his own ability.

“…?!”

Han Jae-jung was terrified upon hearing this.

“What the hell, why did it end! You motherf***ing don’t know his ability?”

A view that looks at the world like a god, ignoring distance and obstacles. This was a unique ability that no creature or machine in this world could approach.

Even if Jason created distance, he could still aim again. Especially since he knew the location of their hideout, the difficulty wasn’t particularly high.

It wouldn’t be strange if a terrible bombing were to drop at any moment. Recalling the memory of his house being blown up, Han Jae-jung’s face turned pale. Back then, he truly thought he would die.

He suddenly realized how generous he had been. If the Archer had simply tried to kill only him, forgiveness would have been easy. But the Archer had caused terror in the city and blown up residential complexes with other people living there.

‘F*** really….’

Yet the Archer, far from asking for forgiveness, had backstabbed and tried to kill him again. Someone with shame would never do such a thing. As expected, these villains were hopeless.

“No, that’s not it.”

As Han Jae-jung was about to flee as if an air raid siren had sounded, Jason shook his head towards him.

“From what I’ve heard, the Archer’s Archery is not almighty. Of course, his eyes might reach anywhere, but can his bow match his eyes? At most, it’s limited to about 100km.”

“100km at most?”

Huh, Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue in disbelief. It’s not like he’s a walking anti-aircraft gun.

“So you mean you sent him 100km away?”

“Yes. Hmm… Probably.”

Jason answered without confidence. Since he hadn’t seen it directly, he couldn’t assert it definitively. But somehow, he felt certain.

It was a similar sensation to when he had previously protected Han Jae-jung from Helios’ fireball.

The sensation that his ability was used exactly as intended.

This sensation was so subtle that Jason couldn’t grasp it even when he recalled it, and couldn’t express it in words. Thanks to this, reproduction often failed, but he was able to use it again when protecting Joo Ah-yoon and Han Jae-jung from the Archer

“Well… If you say so, then it must be.”

“Do you believe it?”

“Then should I doubt?”

“Yes. That would be correct.”

Jason nodded.

“I too am a villain. Just as Saji was, it wouldn’t be strange if I betrayed you. Moreover, I am his companion. His sworn brother. His close friend. It wouldn’t be strange if I followed him and attacked you.”

After facing the Scorpion and the Archer consecutively, Joo Ah-yoon was exhausted, and with Han Jae-jung unconscious due to transformation side effects, even Jason, the weakest of the high-ranking villains, would have had a chance. He could use his ability to send Joo Ah-yoon far away and then cut off Han Jae-jung’s breath.

Jason had the intelligence to devise such a strategy, and its execution would have been easy.

“If I had wanted to, I would have already attacked and then some.”

But he did not. This alone was enough.

“You are a man with shame. Despite the trouble you’ve caused me, would you easily backstab me?”

Han Jae-jung rose, staggering. He was still considerably fatigued.

“Weren’t you the type who doesn’t trust villains?”

“I hate them. Not trusting them doesn’t mean I don’t. If I didn’t believe, I wouldn’t have participated in the game Paradox prepared. In fact, they’re more trustworthy than humans. If you understand their behavioral principles, their actions are completely predictable.”

Compared to humans with unfathomable motives, villains are simple.

“I understand why the Archer betrayed now. He learned about his own past.”

He had knocked down the Scorpion and obtained a large amount of starlight, which had restored his memories. Something Han Jae-jung experienced during a time when his memories were mostly blank.

“Perhaps he left because he learned his purpose, and there was no reason to stay together. I’m not sure why he also attacked… But he probably has his reasons.”

Even the Archer wouldn’t attack without reason. Especially since he’s not a low-ranking villain who needs to get stronger by attacking people.

“You are… Quite unique.”

“What, this guy. The most unique one is himself.”

“Haha, that’s also true.”

“A villain who doesn’t know his own purpose, can’t handle his ability, and is even attacked by Botis, who protects all villains. What exactly are you?”

“Isn’t that why we’re together? To find out.”

Han Jae-jung let out a deep sigh and naturally extended one arm to Joo Ah-yoon. Joo Ah-yoon gently took his arm and supported him.

“Let’s move. No matter how far you sent the Archer, if it’s him, he’ll reach firing range soon.”

Soon, with Joo Ah-yoon’s signal, they disappeared from the dilapidated building.

However, as Han Jae-jung predicted, the Archer did not attack again.

It was thanks to Jason sending the Archer much farther than imagined.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

As the dizzying view stabilized, what appeared was a vast prairie. Behind the widely spread grassland was a snowy mountain, and a beautiful sunlight swept across the green land. The wind was cool.

But his mind was not clear.

“Where the hell did you drop me, you crazy bastard….”

It was a familiar place.

If measured by time spent, it would be comparable to his hometown.

“Oh? This is an unexpected guest.”

He made eye contact with a woman sitting in the middle of the prairie, spreading out a cloth and tilting a cup. With white skin that matched the green ground and light green hair. Without her black robe, she looked more human than villain.

Botis.

The person who had brought him here, walking endlessly through the ruined city.

This vast prairie was her space. Her unique space. The Goldilocks Zone. A sanctuary where no one could ever attack.

“What’s the matter, dear?”

Come to think of it, Botis always called him like a child. Now he somewhat understood the reason.

In his memories, he was probably no different from a snotty kid.

Was it because of this? Whenever he saw Botis, he always felt a strange oppressive authority. This emotion was similar to what a child would feel when looking at their caregiver.

She always led him. A hierarchical order naturally etched into his body.

“Ha.”

However, now that he had obtained his memories, the Archer could only sneer at Botis.

He heard Botis was also a magical girl. What did that matter? Look at her current state.

Look at the disgustingly grown horns and inverse joints. Look at her goat-like body. A physiological disgust arose. She looked hideous and repulsive.

In the end, she was also a dropout.

“…You seem to have found out.”

Botis gave a slight smile towards the Archer who had mocked her. Her contempt did not wound her.

“But it seems you don’t know everything.”

Clack. After putting down her cup on the table, Botis looked directly at the Archer.

“Anyway, you’ll have nowhere to go now. Why don’t we play a game?”

Refusal was not expressed, and silence became affirmation.

“… Paradox?”

“You called?”

Paradox suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Can this child also participate in this game under the same conditions?”

“Hmm… There’s no reason why not.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Paradox approached the Archer and offered a handshake.

“Welcome.”

It was a quick decision. His own opinion was not included, but there was no reason to refuse.

Initially, the reason for cooperating with Han Jae-jung was to find his memories. The uncertain reward had simply changed to a more certain one.

Now that he had partially recovered his memories, he felt disgusted to associate with them.

The shame of being with unqualified individuals.

While he had no reason to refuse, the Archer did not extend his hand and simply looked down at Paradox with his arms crossed. Paradox smiled awkwardly and lowered his hand.

“After all this is over, you will obtain your memories. But where there is giving, there is also receiving. You must cooperate with me without complaint.”

The Archer, who had been quietly looking at Paradox, spoke.

“What exactly are we doing?”

“Nothing much. It’s not a difficult task.”

It sounded like a job scam pitch. The Archer waited for the next words with suspicious eyes.

“Please protect the main body of the Scorpion while Han Jae-jung is alive. If you succeed, you’ll obtain your memories, and if you fail, that opportunity will fly away forever. Of course, the reason for Bo cooperating with me is not simply memories….”

“Paradox?”

“Haha, yes. Out of respect, I’ll stop here. Do you have any more questions?”

The Archer closed his mouth again.

“It seems you have none. Then….”

“Wait.”

“Please speak up when given an opportunity. Isn’t your attitude lacking in respect?”

Paradox, who was about to turn away, stopped. His attitude seemed subtly displeased. The Archer continued undaunted.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a death from natural causes due to lifespan, right?”

“…Do as you wish. My instruction is just one.”

Paradox smiled.

“You’re quite confident. A meaningless corpse touching the living, really.”

The Archer was puzzled by the sudden provocation but did not back down.

Afterwards, a roar, not wind, echoed through the green prairie.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

“Excuse me, Red Vega!”

Red Vega was not bothered by Silver Luna.

Even though she called her out separately, clearly showing her displeasure.

“Are you listening?”

“Of course!”

A one-on-one meeting with her favorite magical girl was more of a reward than a punishment.

“Good. Tell me what you’re doing in this operation.”

“Exterminating the Scorpion!”

“No! Helping ME exterminate the Scorpion!”

Silver Luna frowned even more displeasedly.

“But what have you done today? Or so far?”

“…? Exterminating the Scorpion?”

“No! You helped a villain exterminate the Scorpion! And a very strong S-class villain at that! Have you even imagined how terrifying it would be if such a being absorbs more starlight? Why did you do such a foolish thing!”

Could the Scorpion be defeated to obtain starlight? This was news to her, but she couldn’t show her surprise. Moreover, her amazement was overshadowed by the beauty of the moonlight magical girl, and her lips were curling.

Of course, even with those curled lips, her mind was working properly.

“I’m… Still weak! I can’t really intervene!”

Yes. She was too weak to intervene. This was a clear fact beyond excuse. She could barely handle Botis, let alone worry about the Scorpion.

“…Is that so? I see… Poor thing. This is why the weak are weak.”

Silver Luna let out a deep sigh and shook her head. Even that pose was like a painting. As expected of the number one magical girl candidate’s appearance. Red Vega was amazed.

“Then let’s become stronger.”

Silver Luna crossed her arms and spoke casually.

“Yes! Of course! I’m working hard every day to….”

“That trivial growth won’t work. You’re facing a beast of the galaxy. How could you get stronger bit by bit?”

Silver Luna sighed again.

“Let’s awaken the Holy Power.”

“…What?”

“Your task.”

Silver Luna touched the jewel in the center of her collarbone with her finger.

“You, awaken the Holy Power.”

***

Ippotranslation 

***

“Awaken the Holy Power.”

“…What?”

Continuing from yesterday, Magenta Helios visited Cafe Baekho today. She looked at Joo Ah-yoon, immediately transformed, prepared for translation, and opened her lips.

“Oh? Did it sound like Japanese? ‘Awaken the Holy Power.’ Can you hear it properly now?”

Even hearing it again, it sounded absurd.

“Who.”

“You.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Helios answered calmly.

“You need to awaken the Holy Power.”

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