Chapter 200 – Performance Competition (10)
“It looks like things are heating up.”
“Right? But can you afford to be so relaxed?”
“…You know that the future is already set, right? Everyone will manage and get through it.”
Ren seemed to have a lot of worries, but I just smiled while looking at the city below. Even in this moment, there are those who are busy running around—of course, there are those who take a break too.
The reason behind this competition is to settle the score, but that can’t be the whole story.
Rene, Shia, Aria, Jeon So-hyun, and even that opponent, Silvia, are all eventually going to act for their own sake.
I wouldn’t bother getting involved in their affairs. I believe they’ll manage just fine on their own.
“And I’m supposed to play around? Once the system I want is set up, I’ll have to get back to work.”
“Hmm…”
After returning to the facility’s rooftop, I released my transformation. I can’t just sit still either. Once the tasks I prepared are completed, I’ll need to start moving.
I just want to relax until then.
“Where have you been? It’s cold in the evening now.”
“Just catching some fresh air.”
When I returned to the room, Kim Soo-jung was casually lying on my bed. Normally, I would have chased her away, but not today.
I hadn’t thought much about it until now, but it’s about time I started to consider it. Even if this competition doesn’t end, our relationship, this vacation, can’t last forever.
“Of course. I know that.”
But when I subtly brought this topic up, her bitter smile was slightly different from what I expected.
“Of course? I hope you genuinely think that.”
I let out a hollow laugh. She seemed to have some thoughts in her mind, but just how far had she thought things through?
“You’re a Magical Girl and… come next year, your class might change. When you go to high school? When you become an adult? I know I can’t always live like this with you.”
Kim Soo-jung’s heartfelt admission, spoken in a somewhat low voice, ran deeper than I expected. At the very least, she wasn’t just throwing a childish tantrum over the present situation.
But hearing her response made me want to take one step further.
“What if something even more shocking happens? For example, my true identity. What if my true form is a horrifying tentacled monster with a huge single eye?”
Kim Soo-jung had a broader perspective, but in reality, the time we had left might not be that much. While I remained like this, unaffected by time, she was growing taller by the day while I hadn’t grown an inch.
“That example seems a bit extreme, but it’s fine. No matter who you are or what form you take, I believe in you.”
Even with this somewhat random question, her eyes didn’t waver. Her unwavering faith made me flinch slightly.
“…Come here. Don’t be coy.”
In the end, I chuckled and went over to pull her out of her corner and dragged her onto the bed with me.
“There’s a message from Fluffy from headquarters. Director Lee Min-hyung says preparations are complete?”
And that early morning, while Ren was hopping on my sleeping face, she delivered the news.
“As you mentioned, I’ve set up a system and foundation to gather global information. Information related to crime syndicates and such.”
In the early morning, Director Lee Min-hyung greeted me with quite satisfactory results.
“The information collection mainly focuses on the internet and foreign news. Rebels, religious extremists, the mafia, cartels, and even corporate crimes and social bigwigs that local Magical Girls can’t touch.”
“Good. From now on, just pick a few and send them my way. I’ll handle them. You’ll keep it a secret that you’re connected with me, so don’t worry. In fact, you should publicly insult me and act as if you’re just playing along.”
Considering I would be causing a ruckus overseas, if the Korean government found out I was linked to it, it would be a diplomatic disaster—rather, a catastrophe.
I absolutely couldn’t afford that kind of hassle, so keeping our relationship under wraps was the best course of action.
“I won’t worry about that. But the bigger issue is Michael. Oh, Director, change the data.”
However, he didn’t seem to be reassured by my promise; instead, his expression grew more serious.
“Do you see? Michael hasn’t rested a moment since Razak’s death. There’s no hesitation in his actions or decisions. He’s not moving out of his own will.”
“Is he also backed by an organization like you guys? I have a good idea where that might be.”
Aria informed us, through Sylvia’s testimony from the opposing team, that the angel trio had the support of the U.S. intelligence agency.
Michael isn’t a fool either. He could certainly figure out how to use the power he possesses.
“If that hypothesis is true… we won’t be able to do anything.”
“Whether you like it or not. We’re not after overwhelming victory, anyway.”
Lee Min-hyung appeared to be anxious at the thought of the U.S. intelligence agency being our opponent, but I wasn’t concerned.
Even if Michael alone, or Uriel, who was moving according to orders, were to work hard, if Sandalphon slacked off while we pushed ourselves, the competition would inevitably stay on parallel tracks.
“…Alright, then. Let’s start right away. Rashaev, a guy leading Islamic extremist forces while committing terrorism.”
“Got it. Let’s head out immediately.”
Lee Min-hyung provided information on criminals that I could use for performance. After reviewing it, I deemed it acceptable and decided to go and deal with him.
“This way could definitely be dangerous. The U.S. government ultimately could move Michael as it pleases.”
“That’s probably true. But that’s not my concern.”
I immediately exited the building and soared into the sky. This time, I had to cross the continent overseas.
I’ve gotten quite used to it now, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
*
“Assault! ASSAULT!!”
“Everyone to your positions! Protect the items!”
In the dim early dawn, a group of people moving busily suddenly froze in shock and started frantically shooting with the guns they held.
But ordinary firearms wouldn’t work against the opponent.
The magical weapons leaked through The One Road and Razak couldn’t even scratch the SSS-ranked Magical Girl with that amount of firepower.
“Ugh, ughhh…”
“This was never going to work! Run away!”
Eventually, they began to flee, abandoning the items they were trying to protect, leaving the weapons blueprints and military secrets abandoned in solitude.
[…All of them are disgusting and annoying.]
While the tiny metal bullets bounced off her body, Michael furrowed her brow, feeling the need for power as she watched them flee.
[Burn to death.]
After all, there were no righteous among the opponents. Without hesitation, Michael unleashed her hellfire, incinerating them without leaving any survivors.
“Wait. You must preserve the items!”
[Foolish. The sacred flames only burn the guilty.]
In an instant, the area became illuminated by the flames, and a panicked voice called through the communication device in her ear. Hearing that voice, she clicked her tongue and retracted the flames.
“It’s done. I’ve checked everything. So… are you satisfied with the performance?”
[This is far from enough.]
The opponent she was communicating with examined the untouched documents through a drone that accompanied her.
“Still, they were no ordinary criminals. They were corrupt soldiers trying to sell their country’s military secrets to mere mafias.”
[To make a definitive conclusion, we need more substantial results. Sandalphon… if that fool hadn’t had other intentions.]
“If so, how about this?”
As Michael gritted her teeth, the voice on the comms sounded somewhat determined, as if they had reached a decision.
“There’s a dictator who has ordered an unjust invasion recently, causing countless individuals to suffer and freezing the world in misery. Though the war was forcibly halted due to the rampage of the monster Razak, if it’s that level of villain, surely it would make for an excellent result.”
[…Cunning. Do you dare use me to eliminate your enemy?]
Michael snorted. She had long seen through their ridiculous intentions. Yet, her nature allowed her to overlook it since it was beneficial for her too.
“Takilas just reported that he’s shown up in Central Asia and has attacked a terrorist organization there. They’ve started moving as well. So we must hurry.”
[I know. Do you think I would lose to that fool? I’ll go right now.]
Michael spread her wings and flew swiftly into the high sky. As a transcendent being, she disregarded borders, armies, and treaties; she didn’t care who the opponent was.
‘Takilas, Sandalphon, and this Earth.’
Now, her mindset was subtly different. The initial instinctive animosity toward the Demon King had long faded.
However, that place was now filled with blazing rage and greed.
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