Chapter 75 – Unstoppable (5)
Why is that? It was a question that was very hard to answer. Honestly saying “just because” didn’t seem like a good response.
Even after everything, I had left a remarkable impression on her, and it was apparent I had a great talent inside of me that others couldn’t control.
“Are you dissatisfied? Should I have killed you the moment we met instead?”
“Well, that’s not it, but…”
“Just think practically. When Gabi first came to you, you definitely agreed. There had to be a reason for that.”
I smirked. I wasn’t pushing her without thought. It would have been pointless from the start. Instead, I gave her a choice, and she agreed to develop her inner power of her own volition.
“Is what I’m saying wrong? You probably accepted this proposal because you wanted something.”
“…You’re right.”
“Then that’s it. No problem at all. Sometimes in life, ridiculous opportunities come by once in a while. That’s all this is.”
Jeon So-hyun had already opened her heart to me once. That time she used the power of perm without realizing it. Back then, she definitely had a ‘desire.’
Not a one-dimensional desire like wanting to earn lots of money, but an inherent nature that even she didn’t fully understand.
It was similar to how Rene had a sinister desire for power and control.
“Of course, it’s not for free.”
“What?”
“Come on, did you think we did this just to serve you?”
“Wait a minute! That’s not what I—”
“You should have been prepared.”
I chuckled at Jeon So-hyun’s flustered expression. Of course, what I was trying to do wasn’t dirty in any way, and more than anything, my instincts told me that her desires and my demands would likely overlap.
“I’ve met the minimum criteria, but there are still many shortcomings.”
“Keep training. Who knows, you might have to step up soon.”
I left Jeon So-hyun in the room while Gabi and I talked, hiding ourselves near the facility.
It seemed that Gabi was even more interested in Earth itself than Jeon So-hyun.
“What do you think about the Magical Girls?”
However, I put aside everything else and brought up one topic first. A story I could only tell to my kind, one I had kept inside.
“I think it’s a unique way to train warriors. But when I first heard about that system, the thing I was most worried about was… what if this system fell into the hands of the angels in the Celestial Realm?”
“Right. Just thinking about it is terrifying. With just sincere faith, they could produce a separate holy knight order and priest army without any training or talent.”
And the response was as expected. I couldn’t help but smirk at Gabi, who was thinking along the same lines.
The Celestial Realm was already expanding its influence through the Church. Especially among the humans, who had become the dominant species on Earth.
However, the power of Holy Power is not given to just anyone. It is bestowed only upon those who have proven their faith, talent, and qualifications.
Thanks to that, the numbers of Holy Knights and priests are properly regulated. If, in this situation, a system created by Yggdrasil—one that translates wounds and potential into real power—lands in their hands…
I didn’t think the mental strength of the believers would be weaker than that of the girls.
“The Celestial Realm, and the humans who will be their pawns, won’t stand still.”
Gabi’s eyes widened, and her ears perked up as if she felt a chill. Her thoughts were not wrong. The fact that I was moving out peacefully didn’t mean they were quiet.
It was only because the strength I had built up until now made the Demon Realm so powerful.
Those pigeons were the ones who understood the law of power better than anyone else.
“We should eliminate that threat before it falls into their hands, your Highness!”
“That’s a bit extreme. That’s not what I’m aiming for.”
I shook my head at the expected reaction.
I wanted to hold onto this scene, this life, for just a little longer. I didn’t think Yggdrasil would likely team up with the angels of the Celestial Realm either.
That sinister cosmic eye would rather be used than be manipulated. Right now, my relationship with it was so complicated, as I was the one who was close to the subordinate.
“So, I’m just leaving the possibility open. You never know how variables might arise. If we move carelessly, we’ll attract the attention of those who are watching us, and that would be the worst.”
“I’ll remember that.”
In the end, my stance was to keep an eye on things and think of countermeasures. Gabi, who didn’t particularly oppose this decision, bowed her head and greeted me, and I released my transformation. The meeting time was almost upon us.
“Do I have to wear a school uniform?”
“That was his requirement. He said it would be better to wear a school uniform than the activity clothes they have in the facility.”
Back in the room, Kim Soo-jung, who finished getting ready to go out, looked at me in surprise.
“Where exactly are you meeting him?”
“At his house.”
“W-what?!”
While I was packing the school uniform, I answered nonchalantly, but Kim Soo-jung was shocked just like when she first heard Park Tae-jun’s name.
“I got invited to his house. Why are you so surprised?”
“It’s weird not to be surprised! You’re going to a boy’s house alone!”
“A boy?”
I couldn’t help but scoff at the ridiculousness. How was that immature kid a “boy”? It was questionable whether he could even act like one.
“Don’t imagine strange things. Apparently, his parents will be there too.”
“But…”
Kim Soo-jung trailed off, her eyes glazing over. However, I truly had no thoughts in that direction.
Park Tae-jun didn’t apologize for no reason and demand a neat outfit and good behavior from me. I had no idea what he was thinking, but he intended to introduce me to his parents.
“Isn’t that an over-interpretation?”
“Well, I don’t know. When I took his call, he seemed pretty flustered himself.”
Right after leaving the room, Ren, who was perched on my head, shook her head at me.
When Park Tae-jun first contacted me, he was rambling, so I didn’t catch it well, but it was clear that this ‘invitation’ was unexpected for him too.
“Hey, don’t be too nervous. Originally, we were supposed to go to a quiet place, but suddenly his father…”
And that assumption was confirmed with the testimony of Park Tae-jun, who arrived in a car with his manager.
However, the level of his testimony was a bit more than I had expected.
[A faint, strange aura is subtly lingering. This doesn’t seem like an ordinary human malice…]
My sensitive Magical Girl senses detected a curious energy surrounding Park Tae-jun. It wasn’t the usual darkness he possessed.
*
“No, honey, why would you say something like that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Taek-jun is in a crucial time right now. It’s not like we can push him further, especially now…”
“Then you handle everything one by one. You’re out gallivanting while neglecting the second child?”
“What kind of talk is that…”
This was the master bedroom where the owner of the mansion stayed. This space belonged to Park Ji-tae, the owner of Suil Pharmaceutical, and right now, Park Ji-tae and his wife were having a light argument.
Park Ji-tae’s wife, Yoo Ji-young, was flustered at his unusual attitude, her face flushed.
“Have I said something wrong? What do you even do for the child? All you do is nag all the time. Did you ever show any sincerity towards him?”
“Y-you just said the right thing!?”
Pinpointing the crux, she stumbled over her words. Park Ji-tae’s statement wasn’t wrong after all.
Now, in his fifties, except for the basic social activities expected of a lady, all she did was spend money here and there.
However, the reason she was so flustered now wasn’t just because she was hit with the truth; it was because Park Ji-tae’s atmosphere and attitude had suddenly shifted. The timid and clumsy guy was usually indifferent to what she did and was obediently listening to her words.
“What kind of eyes are those? Do you feel scared that he suddenly changed?”
“W-why are you like this?”
“But I couldn’t contain my annoyance. When the kid is bringing in quality offerings, you want to interfere?”
Park Ji-tae turned to her with a smirk. His eyes looked somewhere between hollow and gleaming; it was terribly unfamiliar.
Seeing that, Yoo Ji-young opened her eyes wide, instinctively feeling fear as she took a step back.
“Eek… Mmm!”
“Well, now I don’t think I need to hold back. Although this place is full of Magical Girls, it’s still worth escaping from the barren Nebaros. It was quite enjoyable for a short time, so how about you become one of my kind now?”
Then he grabbed her arm forcefully. As she instinctively tried to scream, Park Ji-tae bared his teeth and reached out with his strong hand to cover her mouth.
The intense grip beyond imagination began to sound like her bones were cracking as she silently screamed.
“Become one of us.”
“…!”
In front of her eyes filled with tears of pain and fright, the being that was once Park Ji-tae shed its skin and revealed its true form.
Its face split open, peeling back from both sides, and from within, a horrific creature emerged, revealing parts of its body through its throat.
“Guooor…”
Resembling a black eel or a worm, it shoved its squirming black tentacle deep into her mouth, feeding her something.
Her trembling body convulsed uncontrollably, and her rolled-back eyes were glazed over. However, as something implanted inside her began to hatch and take root…
“Ah.”
“Welcome, another me.”
Back in his original form, Park Ji-tae smiled widely at the revived Yoo Ji-young.
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