Chapter 178 – A New Phase (8)
“I just came by.”
“Yeah, right.”
I scoffed. Jeon So-hyun was definitely not the type to just come looking for me without a reason.
After all, I was already feeling unsettled after shaking the world earlier today because I couldn’t control my emotions, so my reply wasn’t particularly warm.
And perhaps feeling a bit guilty, Jeon So-hyun flinched and avoided my gaze.
“Why did you come, sister?”
“…You both come out.”
In the meantime, Kim Soo-jung, who was inside the room, recognized her and approached. At that moment, Jeon So-hyun abruptly called us outside.
When I asked her why, she only mumbled something about buying us food.
‘Is it about today’s incident?’
Kim Soo-jung happily followed her, but I was convinced there was a reason for her behavior.
For now, I just followed her, trying to guess the reason. I had a hunch. She must have met Gabi today and surely heard something from her.
But I couldn’t believe Gabi would take the initiative to spill all the details.
“Choose. There’s no big reason, so don’t look at me like that.”
As we exited the facility and entered a nearby café, Jeon So-hyun pointed to the menu as if it were no big deal, looking especially at me.
“High school students study even during vacations… Your school had an emergency today, right?”
“Yeah. You guys were probably holed up inside.”
Even when we sat facing each other, the conversation fell awkward, and it became a bit awkward. Kim Soo-jung was the first to speak up. After she set her cup down, Jeon So-hyun nodded with a slightly stiff face.
That wasn’t a topic I liked discussing, but it was obvious what the two of them would talk about. It was about the ongoing breaking news of the Demon Realm’s appearance starting right in the middle of Seoul. Even though only a small portion of the 72 legions had been mobilized, there was chaos.
“It calmed down rather quickly considering the situation.”
“The monsters didn’t harm people. In fact, they helped people. They rounded up the monsters that were threatening people and took them away.”
Kim Soo-jung shared what she knew. The Demon King’s army I had summoned completely avoided harming civilians and selectively targeted only Razak’s minions who were hiding. They did it as swiftly as possible.
Because of that, this café could still operate normally even with such an unprecedented situation.
“What kind of monsters were they? There are so many theories floating around on the internet…”
“I think we can stop already.”
Before coming here, Kim Soo-jung had been excitedly searching for related articles and news on her phone, deeply pondering the identity of the demon army with a serious expression.
Initially, it seemed funny to see her get so worked up over ridiculous theories, but after listening to nonsensical chatter for hours, I was weary of it and stopped her.
“I think I actually know.”
But at that moment, Jeon So-hyun looked at us with trembling eyes and carefully spoke up.
“You think you know about those monsters?”
“What do you mean…”
Her expression was resolute, and I could tell she was serious. Simple-minded Kim Soo-jung was taken aback, while I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Of course, Jeon So-hyun might have guessed some things. Gabi might have told her, especially since I was the one who connected them.
But she wouldn’t suddenly reveal her identity to us. Kim Soo-jung and Lee Jin-ah were just her ordinary middle school younger siblings.
“Actually, I have holy power. Especially the power of transformation. You guys probably knew this, but I recently learned how to properly use that power.”
However, my expectations were dashed immediately. Jeon So-hyun started revealing details about herself in a trembling voice, her intentions unclear.
“I… I fought alongside magical girls? With strong magical girls like Rene and Aria?!”
“…I was happy about that.”
While I was at a loss for words, Kim Soo-jung took over the reaction. After hearing all about Jeon So-hyun’s contributions, her eyes widened in shock, and Jeon So-hyun smiled bitterly, nodding her head.
“I hated being powerless. A miserable life where no matter how hard I struggle, I’m just trampled on and tossed around. Thankfully, I had talent, and there was someone who helped me bring that talent to life.”
“Who is that?”
“It’s Takilas.”
Boom! I asked right away, hoping for confirmation, and she answered without hesitation. I genuinely couldn’t understand her intent.
Why was she suddenly disclosing this to us? What words did Gabi say at the last moment that had me spiraling with thoughts?
“Takilas? What does Takilas want with you…”
“Why are you suddenly telling us this?”
Ultimately, I cut Kim Soo-jung off and asked directly. My instincts told me I needed to know why right now.
“I don’t know for sure. But perhaps, Takilas may be leaving this world.”
Jeon So-hyun said that while looking at me, and I momentarily didn’t hear Kim Soo-jung’s shocked response.
“Wh-why? He’s not retiring, is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“But, but…”
It seemed like Kim Soo-jung believed everything Jeon So-hyun said. She looked even more panicked, unable to speak properly.
“I find it hard to believe. Honestly, it’s just words without any evidence.”
“…He will always lead the charge. And he will win. You have no reason to worry.”
“That can’t be…”
“He was always more than you deserved. Even if he leaves this world, it won’t be a significant problem for you.”
But the phone Jeon So-hyun subtly pulled out had a blatant recording stored. Anyone could recognize it was Gabi’s voice during their conversation. I barely managed to control my frowning face.
“Is he your friend? He’s good at acting.”
“Honestly, I’m worried.”
No matter how hard I tried to deny it, Jeon So-hyun remained unshaken. She firmly believed in her opinion, and together with an increasingly serious Kim Soo-jung, they sighed.
“If we don’t have Takilas, what will happen to us? The one who captured the Smalillian trying to destroy all of Seoul was Takilas. The evolved monster Razak is still fine and dandy.”
“…We have to win ourselves.”
In the end, my patience wore thin. This world I had left behind. Could it be that I hadn’t thought about it at all, knowing I’d have to return sometimes?
“We have to win ourselves?”
“You said you were happy to gain power because you hated being powerless. Takilas can’t be a magical girl forever. So with that power… you’ll protect us, sister.”
“I’ll try. But I’m still weak. Not just me. We’re still weak. We can’t fill Takilas’s void.”
Jeon So-hyun looked at me directly as she spoke. The tiny tremor mixed in her words felt like a desperately suppressed emotion.
Why was Jeon So-hyun, who used to see me as a cheeky brat, now harboring ‘fear’ towards me?
“You can’t fill the void? With amazing magical girls like Aria, Rene, Karin, and Jeanne, along with the people in this world, including you?”
“True.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do. We’re left behind in survival competition, we’ll be culled, and we just have to die.”
I smirked as I countered. At that moment, seeing her eyes tremble, I was sure. It seemed she was trying to act, but it was still naive.
“Can you truly accept that? That we’ll lose and die? Me, Soo-jung, and everyone around you?”
“Th-”
But my calm attempt to respond was abruptly cut off.
*
[The demon army is moving on a large scale.]
[This is a breach of the agreement!]
[It’s a crusade… a crusade!]
In the celestial stronghold ruled by those above the sky, there was a fervent movement after a long time.
A group of angels seized the opportunity and headed toward Asmael, the administrative official and observer of the Celestial Realm.
[What’s going on?]
[Why are you so calm, Asmael! Don’t you see what the Demon Realm is doing? The Grand Demon Surveillance Network clearly reveals it!]
Sitting in a massive stone chair, Asmael blinked his enormous eyes and asked calmly, but the enormous eyeball trembled like dozens of overlapping rings surrounding it.
[The Demon Realm has violated the pact and mobilized forces. This is not something that can be overlooked.]
The angel, whose form resembled a massive drifting piece of fabric or jellyfish, protested vehemently.
These angels were all those who wanted war with the Demon Realm after breaking the pact. They had come to demand immediate action now that the demon army had provided a justification for war.
[The intent is still unclear. Do you wish to fight the Demon Realm and the Demon King?]
[No more defying the natural order. We believed this brief peace was the answer, but we were wrong. The crusade to drive out the demons! It is our noble and holy duty!]
[We cannot directly engage in battle. The beings of the lower world would be heavily harmed.]
Asmael sighed and shook his head. Angels, with power incomparable to regular demons, couldn’t engage in war due to the laws prohibiting it.
Thus, they could only support indirectly through heroes, saints, and holy powers, while the real war must be fought by those living beneath the celestial realm.
[So please grant us the right to designate a saint!]
The cherubim clamored to Asmael, demanding the ability to create saints. Saints were a means to partially confer the power of angels and were essential in their strategy.
[…]
Yet, Asmael remained silent for a moment, looking at those of his kind yearning for war.
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