Transformation or Death

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 – 

Murphy’s Law

Last night, after emptying everything I had lost to Red Vega, I continued to empty myself out even when there was nothing left. The act of emptying itself had meaning. 

It took a long while for me to finally calm down after purging my insides.

Afterwards, I went to the bank as planned. 

Learning from the previous failure, I went somewhere a little further than where I had caused a ruckus, and fortunately it was still open.

When I checked my accounts, there were three accounts under my name. One was clearly linked to my card, a beggar’s account with a balance of 38 won. The other two had decent amounts of money, but I felt squeamish about using them.

‘Looking at the transaction history, it seems to be insurance money from my parents…’

I recalled Han Jae-jung’s past of losing his parents to a villain.

But now, there’s no helping it. This is not the time for excuses. I decided to break into that precious money.

‘Later, I should donate to an organization for children affected by villains.’

If I want to make money, I have to start living first. Gritting my teeth through the guilt, I withdrew cash from that account.  

The other account showed a balance even greater than the insurance payout, but the source of that money was unclear.

Someone had been sending the same large sum every month, with an almost obsessive regularity.

Deeming it too scary, I decided to seal that money away.

Touching money of unknown origin is not something to be done.

Next, I opened a free prepaid phone plan that could barely access the internet.

Things like device performance were useless to me, as long as I could make calls. Not being able to see the internet was actually better for me.

Afterwards, I tried to rent an apartment, but I was too exhausted and just went to a sauna to get some sleep.

That night, I had a high fever and had to go to the emergency room.

***

Ippotranslation

***

“I’m doomed…”I muttered while rubbing the IV mark on my arm. The emergency room is expensive.

I properly broke into that money. It was insurance money, money I shouldn’t have squandered so carelessly. Damn it.

Now I clearly understand why that Belt had warned me. Even in a transformed state far superior to an ordinary body, if I overdo it, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Looking at my legs covered in band-aids and gauze made me feel it even more vividly. 

From my encounter with Dilemma to the magical girls.

I must have used the Seven Step Star Bogak, which has severe recoil effects, so many times. The pain is only getting worse over time. My head still hurts quite a bit too.

Perhaps because the pain kept me from sleeping properly, I kept dozing off while waiting in the hospital chair.

Through the hazy vision like a moon in the mist, I saw the Belt floating nearby. It had been quite some time since morning, but it was quiet. No quest alerts or forced transformations, so it was comfortable in a way.

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Does the quest system only progress at an intensity the user can handle?

When my body can’t handle it, does the Belt judge that I’m incapable of taking on quests, so it holds back?

‘If it can show this kind of consideration, it should hold back more often normally too.’

Thinking about how the quests used to ring incessantly, not letting me sleep at night, made me irritated.

‘I’m going crazy…’  

It’s only been three days, no, four days now since I came to the world at the height of the magical girl era.

I still don’t have a home or job. I’ve been antagonized by all the magical girls and Dilemma, and ended up in the emergency room on the third night.

It’s miserable.

Leaning against the backrest, I suppressed my sense of injustice and the impermanence of life. In just these four days, I’ve narrowly escaped death so many times.

I’m not even a soldier deployed to a warzone.

With a sigh at my situation, I decided to laugh instead. At least if I laugh, luck will come my way.

“Libra…”

Paradox says Libra will begin her activities. The golden villain that wanders the world in search of justifiable sacrifices.

This means my true hardship is only just beginning.

In the original work, Libra’s timing matched with when Dilemma’s activities began in earnest, so it’s not too strange.

However, with me around, she too will surely be more prepared.

She may have included me as a test subject, not just the magical girls.

‘It’s complicated.’  

In any case, I won’t know until it happens. No use thinking about useless things. I tapped my forehead to gather my senses.

My gaze rose up. At the edge of my vision, a small box caught my eye.

Constantly spewing the conveniences of civilization, always kindly delivering the news of the world even to the countryside. To me now, a box more dreadful than Pandora’s, harboring something terrifying within.

The TV.

Even as I felt disgusted at myself for making such a fuss over something so trivial, I also felt fed up. That I have to suffer so much because of that thing.

To become an individual who does not submit to civilization, I forced my gaze onto it.

[Yesterday’s S-grade Villain appearance in the city center…]

It was reporting the news about me.

Immediately, I felt dizzy. My limbs trembled like someone with hypothermia, while sweat poured like lava in the opposite extreme. Not just simple fear, but a level of terror that should be classified as a disease.

But I confronted it. It’s impossible to keep avoiding the media while living in this modern society. I have to face this feeling eventually, so I faced it while I could.

I’m already ailing. Getting more hurt here won’t turn me into anything worse than a cripple. If I’m going to hurt, I might as well hurt all at once.

[Citizens voicing unease…]  

The news content was extremely simple.

The magical girls’ defeat by the Villain was broadcast live, increasing citizens’ unease. An obvious piece of news.

But humans can lose sometimes, they don’t win every day.

There were no other comments about their struggle where they could have lost their lives, only idle chatter seeming to aim for coming up with countermeasures or juicy gossip.

The destroyed buildings, photos of the girls collapsed, interviews with uneasy citizens, and panels of experts criticizing the magical girls.

It was all disgusting.

It was a desperate struggle where they did their best, and they even risked their lives trying to protect the citizens. The reason they couldn’t pay attention to me right away was probably because they were focusing on evacuating the citizens and couldn’t divert their attention.

“Phew…”

I lowered my head, as continuing to focus on the TV didn’t seem good for my body or mind. My head is spinning. My stomach feels queasy too. Overcoming the media still seems premature for me.

“Excuse me… Are you okay?” 

My expression must have looked really bad for a complete stranger to show concern. Though, looking at my haggard and exhausted appearance now, it’s understandable they’d worry.

I waved my hand to reassure the kind stranger that I’m alright. 

“I’m… okay. I just had a momentary panic… huh?”

The face I turned to look at was someone completely unexpected.

Behind the mask was an obviously flustered expression. Beyond the sunglasses, slightly distorted pinkish eyes. Colorfully dyed black and pink two-toned hair flowed out from under the hat. Flashy piercings adorned the ears and the makeup was heavy. Despite the bold appearance, the height was quite small and petite. 

There was no mistaking it.

“Pink Deneb… ugh!”

“Shh! Don’t say my name! Can’t you see how I look right now?”

Pink Deneb. One of the magical girls we fought yesterday. 

She panicked and covered my mouth, looking around. The hat, mask, sunglasses, she was clearly trying to hide her identity. I nodded.

I was startled. My body froze like a mouse in front of a cat. Why of all people was she here?

I was already troubled enough because of that news report. 

My heart felt like it would burst. Partly from guilt, partly from fear of my own actions.

It requires a lot more courage than I expected to act calmly in front of someone I beat up yesterday. 

It was the same back in middle school. Ah, nothing but bad memories.

“So, are you really okay? Should I call a doctor?”

“No, I’m really alright. I’ll get better if I just rest.”

We spoke in hushed tones, as if having a secret conversation.

“It’s not the first or second time I’ve experienced this… I’m really fine.”

“If you say so. That’s a relief.”

Her peculiar way of mixing polite and casual speech seemed like confusion from seeing an unfamiliar face. She spoke formally at first, but then casually when she saw my youthful appearance. 

“Speak however you’re comfortable.”

“Really? Then you should speak casually to me too.”

“Well, I’d rather not…”

“What, you want me to be the only one talking weird?”

“Alright, alright. I’ll speak casually too.”

She’s younger than me, so using casual speech is understandable. I chuckled and nodded. But whenever I recalled the news from earlier, I couldn’t bring myself to look up.

“…Isn’t it pathetic?”

“What is? No, what’s pathetic?”

“Phew… Why bother correcting it? You saw the news earlier, right? We got our asses kicked.”

Is this what they call sitting on a cushion of nails?

I felt an urge to leave this place immediately. Citizens were holding us responsible because of me, so with what face could I listen to her words?

I was sorry. But I had no regrets. 

If I hadn’t acted then, I wouldn’t be able to have this conversation now. The short-term defeat that severely damaged their reputation was a necessary action.

That’s why I have no regrets. I couldn’t afford to have any.

“One of our juniors was really hurt… Crying that we lost again… Ah, but I’m used to losing, so it doesn’t affect me as much…” Pink Deneb suddenly stopped and laughed awkwardly. “Haha, sorry. I ended up saying useless things to someone I just met. I guess you reminded me of someone I know… And I was troubled too… Crazy girl, spouting nonsense to someone who’s unwell.”

“…”

“…Are you anxious too?”

She stood up from her chair and looked down at me.

She asked if I was anxious, but the one speaking seemed more anxious herself. It sounded like she was saying it to reassure herself.

“But don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll stop them before they can lay a hand on you citizens. Well… we might lose again. But you can’t trust us if you don’t want to.”

“I trust you.”

The anxiety wasn’t just felt by the citizens.  

The heroes were troubled too.

She was human, just like any other citizen. Just a bit more special.

“You’ll definitely be able to protect us.”

“Oh… You’re quite the odd one too, aren’t you? Saying such kind words. Makes me happy.” She chuckled and left. Being a magical girl, she didn’t seem awkward talking to a stranger. Though this time it was more of her venting than an actual conversation…

Considering my actions and my fan feelings, this is a reward of sorts.

Fortunately, she left first. I can consider my connection with Pink Deneb completely severed after this.  

Nothing could be better.

A temporary conversation like this could hardly be considered a lasting bond. It would be an overinflated ego to think a brief exchange at a hospital constitutes a long relationship.

“Mr. Han Jae-jung?”

“Yes.”

As I was called at the counter, I stood up too.

“…Han Jae-jung?”  

“Oh shit, I was right! Someone did say that name!”

I had to think about it.

Why was Pink Deneb at this hospital? Even if it was to treat injuries from the last fight, a few bandages would heal magical girls or me.  

We don’t get injured badly enough to receive treatment at the emergency room.

Then who was she waiting for?

Which of the magical girls frequently visits hospitals? 

Who was the person Blue Sirius relied on the most among the magical girls?

“Jae-jung…oh?”

Life is so ephemeral, yet so bizarre. 

Why is it that I only seem to encounter the people I least want to meet?

[Quest Appeared]

…Even hearing things I don’t want to hear.

Could Murphy’s Law truly exist? Where misfortune orbits like a circling star.

Some may call it a mere culmination of selective memories, but if I keep experiencing constant misfortune for four days straight, wouldn’t that make it a true proposition for me this year at least?

A familiar beautiful voice called out from behind, but I ignored it as much as possible and silently completed the payment.