Transformation or Death

Chapter 22

The Power of Love

While it may appear glamorous on the surface, it is as black as gunpowder within. The dazzling stars that adorned the sky were like a fireworks display, but in reality, they were a frantic struggle disguised as play.

With every step, there were rings of stars around my ankles, forming halos. Six halos were formed this way. As expected, with the stars obscured, there were also limitations in wrapping the starlight.

‘Damn it…’

But the fact is, the reproduction rate has increased compared to before. Whereas I could only muster about half the power back then, six stars now provide sufficient force.

That’s not all.

All seven of my clones are preparing and using their own deadly techniques.

If the power is lacking, it can be solved with quantity.

This is the best I can do in my desperate struggle and challenge.

Behind Paradox, a replica wearing the Seven Stars Bogak on its legs was rushing towards me. The deadly techniques of the other forms were all aimed at Libra.

“It’s still daytime, so I can’t see them very well. The sun is too bright.”

The opponent calmly replied to the question without even making a defensive preparation.

Does that mean my attack doesn’t need to be defended against? No, no.

‘He wants to check the power.’

Paradox wants to confirm my growth.

It’s not carelessness or leniency. It’s literally curiosity, a process of self-realization. He just wants to experiment and see if I can become the one who can resolve his question.

But paradoxically, this confirmation is premised on the conviction that this attack won’t lead to the loss of his life. In the end, I’m being looked down upon.

In fact, even I can’t be sure.

No, it’s clear that it won’t actually lead to death.

But I have to see the end.

I have to knock them down here.

That’s the only way to survive.

And the only way to prevent them from harming others today.

I lifted my foot. The six rings were precariously hung there. I brought it down on Paradox’s head with a high kick that shook his brain. The replica rushing from behind struck his waist. I on the right, the replica on the left.

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We kicked from opposite directions, twisting Paradox’s body. Immediately, a powerful explosion erupted from the impact points.

It was the same for Libra. The numerous enemies made of starlight mercilessly hacked at her body.

The explosions occurred continuously, as if under bombardment. The fierce winds shook the earth, and the building debris turned to ashes. The debris that couldn’t turn to ash became firewood, keeping the flames from the explosions burning.

The smoke billowed like a desert storm, and I exhaled a forceful breath in the acrid air.

“Ugh… Huk… Eugh…”

I squeezed the starlight to its limit.

Just as all people have a limit to their stamina and strength, the starlight also has a limit to what can be used at once.

I had now forced my deadly techniques beyond that limit. It was a desperate struggle, exerting my full power.

To use an analogy, it’s like repeatedly bench pressing beyond the muscle’s limit, risking injury at any moment.

[Full Technique Manifestation Successful. Reproduction Rate 82%.]

As a result of using the deadly techniques, all my replicas disappeared. In other words, their burden was fully transferred to me.

I feel like I’m going to be sick. Oxygen isn’t circulating properly in my head. My lungs keep inhaling and exhaling air. My whole body is trembling, and I’m drenched in cold sweat.

I probably can’t continue fighting like this.

“Ugh…!”

That groan meant my fate ended here.

“Phew… I admit, I let my guard down. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a pseudo-nova state, so I got excited.” Libra emerged from the smoke, her body covered in soot. There were many dents, scratches, and cracks in her armor, indicating significant damage.

The impact was quite substantial.

However, it didn’t become a fatal blow.

Libra’s body was still glowing like a golden flame.

“You’re really dangerous. You have a high chance of disrupting the plan.”

I can guess what Libra’s plan is.

The kidnapping incident from the original work.

Kidnapping numerous elders and children, then forcing the magical girl who comes to rescue them into a fight.

The location has been prepared in advance, with reporters and people present.

In that way, they try to elevate the magical girl to a heroic martyr, sacrificing herself while saving the citizens before their eyes.

That is the plan.

Simple, but effective.

Just like Paradox and the other villains, Libra also wants to find the answer to her question from the magical girl.

If there are beings who naturally think of sacrifice, whether for others or themselves, isn’t that a sacrifice without loss for anyone?

That’s how Libra sees it.

That’s why my existence must be an obstruction.

As a villain, not a magical girl, I can both stop her plan and escape.

Justice would be carried out by the whim of a villain, not the sacrifice of a hero. It would be an unpleasant result for Libra.

Unpredictable variables can be enjoyable, but on a carefully constructed tower, it would be unpleasant.

Unless it’s a plan like the one where they watched what sacrifice the magical girl chose, I’d prefer not to interfere with their serious plans.

“Then perish here.”

The wind blew. I regained my senses to find Libra’s fist, enveloped in a fierce, glowing light, approaching my face. Crack! Her fist shattered my helmet and shook my head. My dazed body floated up. Libra had already approached from behind and punched my ribs. I could vividly feel my ribs shattering, no need to even think about it.

My body was still floating in the air. Libra then struck my solar plexus, shoulder, back, and again my head. It happened in an instant, an incredibly fast movement that I couldn’t chase with my Megrez form.

Before I even hit the ground, she had landed six blows.

Boom!

My body flew through the air and rolled on the ground.

I recalled the memories of being chased by villains when I was still human. The fading memories of that pain were now vividly recreated. Whether bleeding to death from the stomach back then or now, the result was the same.

I’m dying.

[Detected life-threatening danger to user. Canceling transformation.]

Consciousness faded from the overwhelming pain. The starlight gradually dissipated from my body. The real, battered body beneath the villain’s form was slowly revealed. It was a gruesome sight.

Even through the blurred vision, the redness was clearly visible. It was in tatters. The fragile human flesh was torn and crushed.

“Ugh… I’m getting dizzy.”

Paradox’s voice came from Libra’s left. Paradox emerged from the dust cloud, rubbing his neck.

You bastard. Incredibly tough, aren’t you?

“That was dangerous. Haha, your neck and waist are almost bent. I’ll have to block it properly next time.”

“Enough with the jokes…”

“Oh my, you’re awake?” Paradox approached, chuckling ominously. “Compared to what you went through before, you were stronger. But I guess fewer rings made the difference. It was manageable to take those hits. What was that fleshy attack? What were you trying to do?”

A merciless spear was thrust in front of my eyes.

“Did your star disappear because the stars were obscured? Why couldn’t you use your power properly?” Paradox continued the questioning without stopping. There seemed to be a hint of anger. “Let me ask you again. What is your ideal? It doesn’t matter if you’re a villain or a magical girl. After all, as beings who bear the same star, there’s no difference in chasing the unreachable. Whether you’re a villain, a human, or whatever, if you have a star, you’ll need an ideal worthy of it.”

My hand trying to brace myself on the ground flailed helplessly. I couldn’t put enough strength into it.

“Villains are said to be dominated by stars, while magical girls are chosen by stars. Which one are you? Are you chasing desires under the stars’ control, or fulfilling duties as their chosen?”

I forced my powerless arm to move and tried to get up with great effort. I had to move. Whether to resist or flee, I had to survive.

“What can you grow stronger for?”

Back then, too. That night when I was attacked by the villains, I had moved my body in this pathetic way. I had to resist. From death, from this fear.

But was that the only reason? Was it really just the fear of death that made me try to resist? The fear of death is based not only on the instinct for life, but also on the rational mind’s reluctance.

What was my reluctance? Why couldn’t I die?

What was I afraid of that made me fear death?

I managed to brace myself on the ground and slowly stood up. My gaze was fixed on Paradox and Libra.

“Can’t transform again? Hmm… That’s a shame.”

Paradox raised his spear.

“…Jae-jung?”

A cold voice sent the menacing spear flying.

***

Ippotranslation

***

It was almost destined, rather than just a coincidence.

The intense collision sound and overwhelming stellar power felt in this secluded ruin were clearly the signs of an S-grade villain’s battle.

However, the magical girls were still busy dealing with the villain assigned to them.

The one who finished her task the fastest was her.

Blue Sirius.

The most powerful among the current magical girls.

The magical girl with experience in defeating an S-grade villain.

Considering the situation and her abilities, it was natural for her to respond to that scene.

And so, she saw it.

The sight of her former lover bleeding, being beaten by a villain.

What strongly empowers a magical girl is love and peace.

And the former, love, is now the greatest driving force behind Blue Sirius’s actions.

The power of love, which is easily prone to losing the public good and is not recommended, now dominates Blue Sirius.

An explosive light burst from her gem.

Her blue hair swayed like a tidal wave, and her blue skirt emitted an even deeper blue glow. Her stellar light was shining as if exploding.

“…You two, come out from there.” 

The ashes and remaining embers began to freeze.

It was the harbinger of divinity.