Transformation or Death

Training (3)

“Wake up! Get up, you bastard brother!”

After witnessing this shocking scene, Joo Ah-yoon roughly shook Han Jae-jung’s body to hear an explanation.

“Ugh….”

“Ugh… What’s going on…?”

However, Han Jae-jung, who was extremely fatigued and lacking sleep, was impossible to wake up, and instead, Baek Ah-hee, who was sleeping soundly next to him, woke up.

“Mmm~”

She rubbed her eyes and stretched. After fully extending her body, she relaxed again. Beyond her blurry vision, a striking two-tone colored hair was visible, and Baek Ah-hee realized the source of the noise that woke her up.

“Oh… It’s sister, hello, yawn~”

‘Did she get permission to live at Baekho without me knowing?’

Why is she so shameless? Was there really a message I missed?

“Sorry for the inconvenience, hehe….”

No way. As Baek Ah-hee apologized, Joo Ah-yoon realized again that something was definitely wrong.

“Those crazy bastards….”

Joo Ah-yoon was seriously troubled.

A man and woman spent the night in one room.

Even for ordinary acquaintances, this would be quite an uncomfortable situation. One is a magical girl, and the other is a magical girl’s ex-girlfriend.

[I should also add that she’s still in love with him.]

‘Shut up.’

A situation that would make reporters go crazy, Blue Sirius gasp, and Silver Luna tremble.

She didn’t like that a popular magical girl was this careless about wandering at night, that Han Jae-jung accepted it so readily, and even that this happened during a massive extermination operation when things were incredibly busy.

[What I dislike most is that she stole the precious brother and a Guardian….]

‘Shut up already.’

After silencing the gossip-spreading parrot, Joo Ah-yoon glared at Baek Ah-hee again.

“Hey, Baek Ah-hee.”

“Huh?”

Her expression, as if she didn’t know what was wrong, tilting her head, was incredibly disgusting.

‘That fox-like creature….’

She pondered what she could say to make her realize and reflect on her mistake.

With her brazen personality, there was a high chance she wouldn’t properly understand no matter what was said. Thus, it was a difficult situation.

She was accustomed to swear words from her time with Joo Ah-yoon. She was originally a crazy girl who sought out malicious comments to motivate herself. Simple swear words would definitely not impact Baek Ah-hee.

“Ah-hee.”

“Yes….”

Baek Ah-hee responded vaguely. Each small action was stressing Joo Ah-yoon out.

In fact, Baek Ah-hee had just woken up. It was impossible for her to make a proper situational assessment. But Joo Ah-yoon was also confused and couldn’t consider her perspective.

“Ah-hee…?”

“Yes….”

“Why are you sleeping here….”

She decided to first understand the reason and ask, but in the middle of her question, Joo Ah-yoon recalled a conversation.

-If the enemy dies, I’m grateful.

Baek Ah-hee’s attitude towards Han Jae-jung’s limited time. She clearly drew a line by using the word ‘enemy’, explicitly stating she couldn’t help.

At the time, she interpreted it as ‘I can’t help, he isn’t my colleague’.

But what if that wasn’t the case?

The sincerity felt in the word ‘enemy’ was definitely not a momentary lie for persuasion. Baek Ah-hee genuinely considered Han Jae-jung, his transformation body Watcher, as an enemy.

The recent magical girl had to perform the challenging task of hunting Scorpion. Given Scorpion’ characteristic of the killer taking everything, fewer rivals were beneficial.

Joo Ah-yoon didn’t hesitate at this point.

She dragged the half-asleep Han Jae-jung behind her and stood blocking Baek Ah-hee, protecting him.

“I, I’ll block this!”

“Huh?”

By then, Han Jae-jung had no choice but to wake up.

“I finally realized! There’s no reason to look for my brother during this busy time! You crazy bitch! You’ve come to assassinate him!”

“What?”

“How dare you try to harm my brother? Die, you fox bitch!!!”

It would take a bit more time before Han Jae-jung would regain his senses and stop their squabbling.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

“Drink.”

“Thank you.”

“…Thanks.”

After forcibly separating and calming them down, Han Jae-jung invited them inside the cafe and served coffee.

“Mmm~ As expected, sister’s coffee is more delicious.”

“Give it back.”

“I don’t want to. There’s no reason to return the coffee you specially brewed for me.”

“It’s not that special….”

Baek Ah-hee was still smiling innocently, and Joo Ah-yoon next to her had a face that looked quite relieved.

“That’s right. You need to train more, brother.”

“…Yeah, I’ll try to make an effort.”

It was because she felt refreshed after hitting him a few times during her suffocating moments.

[Isn’t this just an excuse to hit him, whether it’s assassination or not?]

‘Shut up.’

Of course, there might be a slight, very tiny possibility of that! But she was actually on guard.

Baek Ah-hee is a child who doesn’t think in a conventional way. She’s socialized differently from Haru.

She has a great fantasy about heroes and their rivals. Of course, it’s not as intense as when she first became a magical girl, but the fantasy still exists.

It’s not unlikely that she might suddenly attack, saying, ‘Rather than dying miserably, I’ll help you have a comfortable death!’

She was truly a strange child. Her fondness for Han Jae-jung was also genuine.

She has a habit of being actively mischievous when her fondness reaches a certain level. She probably doesn’t know that herself.

She often got scolded by Yoon Seol-hwa after playing pranks that were barely tolerable, and she received all sorts of curses from Joo Ah-yoon.

Recently, it was most severe with Han Jae-jung.

She relentlessly pursues playful actions to the point where he might cut ties with her. Given Han Jae-jung’s personality and past actions, most of her behavior is softly overlooked. Because of this, Baek Ah-hee becomes even more aggressive.

Most importantly, she often smiles in front of Han Jae-jung. Considering her generally smiling personality, that smile is different from the ones she gives to other colleagues, fans, or rescue targets.

Baek Ah-hee has feelings for Han Jae-jung. It’s a clear fact that anyone can see just by looking at their conversations a little.

‘That’s why it’s even stranger.’

At the same time, she could harm Han Jae-jung without hesitation if necessary. She was truly a strange person.

“Oh, by the way, Jae-jung, I’ve been thinking about something from yesterday.”

Therefore, Joo Ah-yoon, Han Jae-jung’s ‘only’ colleague, still hadn’t lowered her guard against her. Because Han Jae-jung could be in danger without even knowing it.

Pure malice. That was Joo Ah-yoon’s feeling when looking at Baek Ah-hee.

“About my divine power….”

Divine power. When that topic came up, Joo Ah-yoon trembled. She had also been recommended divine power just the day before.

She had already heard the explanation for why Baek Ah-hee came here last night. Hearing the circumstances made her even more bewildered.

Contemplating love and peace and waking up someone who was soundly sleeping to consult. Can a magical girl be this inconsiderate?

“I told you I love Jae-jung.”

“Pfft.”

Joo Ah-yoon spat out the coffee she was drinking.

“Wh-what the hell?”

“But I don’t think getting stronger through the love for someone is right. As a magical girl, I should fight for everyone….”

She’s definitely crazy. Be on guard! Joo Ah-yoon glared at Baek Ah-hee with blazing eyes.

Baek Ah-hee continued her speech regardless.

“So, I think I need to awaken my divine power with a heart of peace. So, I’m sorry….”

“Oh, is that so.”

Han Jae-jung answered casually, but he was inwardly frustrated. Why does it look like he’s been dumped? A bolt from the blue confession followed by a bolt from the blue rejection.

Magical girls are indeed all crazy.

‘This one is especially insane.’

It was a day when he realized this once again.

“Ha! Good thinking, you bitch.”

Joo Ah-yoon openly sneered.

“Someone who tells the person they love to overcome their pain on their own instead of helping, claiming to prioritize love is ridiculous. Isn’t it?”

An explicit and sharp sarcasm.

‘Was that too harsh….’

She was even surprised by how sharp her own words were.

But ultimately, Joo Ah-yoon didn’t regret her words. One should hear such words to feel regret. How dare she boldly speak such nonsensical words about love in front of her, without knowing shame.

That’s why it was necessary!

While gaining one sense of relief, a new worry simultaneously arose.

‘Divine power… What should I do?’

Those clear-cut, unhesitating decisions are sometimes a disadvantage and sometimes an advantage. Now is such a time.

She has no hesitation in deciding and walking her path. But Joo Ah-yoon was different.

She didn’t even know the path properly. While magical girls just need to affirm their heart of love and peace, she is no longer a magical girl. She’s not even a villain.

What state of mind is needed to awaken divine power? Walking a path that no one else walks has always been difficult.

‘I need to get stronger as soon as possible….’

Just as she was feeling anxious, Joo Ah-yoon realized that Baek Ah-hee was staring at her.

“…? Wh-what….”

Her gaze was so fierce that her suppressed loser-like nature was about to burst out.

“What.”

Han Jae-jung was also puzzled. What was she angry about? Because of Joo Ah-yoon’s words just now?

If that were the case, wouldn’t it be more normal to be angry about being beaten like a dog when suspected of an assassination attempt?

“…What’s strange about that?”

Baek Ah-hee asked sharply.

“The enemy is the enemy. It can’t be helped. It’s originally structured that way. A magical girl must defeat villains, so what else should I do! That’s the right relationship! Do you think I want to do this? If not me, then who….”

Her words gradually mixed with anger and sobs, and she ultimately couldn’t finish her sentence, which trailed off. The unfinished sentence was filled with resentment, and the silence was laden with a sense of duty.

“No, what’s suddenly….”

“Hey, hey… Wpologize.”

She’s not usually this emotionally fragile…

Han Jae-jung nudged Joo Ah-yoon’s elbow, signaling her, and Joo Ah-yoon broke into a cold sweat.

“Uh, um… Ah-hee?”

She’s still just a kid. Seeing her easily hurt by such words, Joo Ah-yoon realized her lack of consideration.

She temporarily set aside the question of whether the other side lacked consideration first.

“That… My words were harsh. Uh… Sorry.”

“…No. There’s no need to apologize.”

Baek Ah-hee shook her head.

“Those words are right. I pledged to kill someone I said I love. It’s strange to awaken strength through love.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Such a thing exists.”

Han Jae-jung, who didn’t know the conversation between Baek Ah-hee and Joo Ah-yoon, couldn’t follow this flow.

“Yes. That’s right. It’s right….”

Everyone here was confused.

Baek Ah-hee couldn’t grasp her own emotions. Her affection for Han Jae-jung was real. If she had a father or brother, would this be how it feels? She liked his gentle guidance.

Simultaneously, her competitive spirit towards Watcher was also real. Her mission as a magical girl was true, and her sense of obligation to defeat villains was genuine.

Then, when the person she cares about is a villain, what choice should she make?

She had already decided long ago.

She will defeat him. If he harms the world, she must prioritize her duty over personal feelings.

But now, having spoken her emotions out loud last night, that decision was confusing.

Betraying someone she claimed to love? She felt disgusting and contradictory enough to blur this decision.

‘…Without peace of mind, what peace?’

At this rate, awakening her divine power seems distant. Feeling like she’s using even this confused emotion for her own strength made Baek Ah-hee feel even more repulsive.

‘No. This confusion is part of the trial!’

Only by overcoming this anguish and rising can she reach the true path of a magical girl.

Around then, a light emerged from her mascot. Dispatch signal. As Baek Ah-hee was specially selected for Scorpion hunting, that signal was unambiguous.

Scorpion and villains had been dispatched.

“Oh, I’ll be going now.”

Baek Ah-hee downed the remaining coffee and stood up.

“Oh, right. Jae-jung.”

“Hm?”

“Feeling good about spending a night with a girl who wore a school uniform until last year?”

“…Want to die?”

“Looks like you enjoyed it to death.”

She didn’t forget to add a playful remark at the end. Leaving behind Joo Ah-yoon, who was speechless at the outrageous statement, and Han Jae-jung, who looked like he’d eaten something foul, she went outside.

“…Y-y-you shameless bitch!”

“Ah-yoon, you sound like an old man.”

“Look at this crazy girl! This reaction is actually normal!”

Joo Ah-yoon let out a deep sigh.

“That’s probably for Scorpion hunting.”

“Right.”

“What about us? We don’t even know the location.”

With the Archer gone, they couldn’t pinpoint Scorpion’s location.

“Oh… Don’t worry about that.”

Han Jae-jung answered without concern.

He had already explored alternatives. His belt has villain detection capabilities. Plus indirect precognition through quests.

The plan was to use this function to specify Scorpion’s location in the form of a quest.

“But you might want to worry about something else.”

However, now, this plan had a problem.

[Villain detected in front.]

Knock knock. Not long after Baek Ah-hee left, another knock was heard at the cafe.

“What? Did she come back for something?”

“No. Someone else.”

“…Someone?”

The knocking soon stopped.

“This is still considered polite, right?”

A voice Joo Ah-yoon recognized.

As soon as she stood up, the door was roughly opened. A massive arrow came into view.

“Die, you useless bastards!”

The Archer had attacked.

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