006 - Conclusion
Seventeen years ago, up until 2025, the world was still a time of utter chaos.
The whole planet felt like it was on the brink of total collapse, with the old systems crumbling and society regressing to something pre-modern.
That's when humanity's oldest profession seized the moment and boasted overwhelming employment rates.
Prostitute.
While Lee Chang was at the center of a disintegrating military unit, fighting as a hunter, she naturally had plenty of opportunities to encounter that sort of thing.
In fact, in that era of turmoil, those with power who fought were the premium customers for prostitutes.
And Lee Chang was always a prime target. Anyone could see she was a strong man—back then, anyway.
So how had someone like her stayed a virgin for 34 years?
Tragically, the problem was her own body.
When Lee Chang had just started out as a hunter, research on how to utilize mana was in full swing, and one method involved stimulating growth plates with mana.
Since physical enhancement with mana multiplied one's base strength, a stronger baseline body was advantageous for close-combat types.
In the end, it was a half-baked approach with severe side effects that got scrapped, and hardly anyone besides Lee Chang saw any real benefits.
Even so, despite the slow growth typical of awakeners, her body had fully matured at age 17 after three years of that method.
Her frame, already projected to hit 190cm easily, had veered completely off the charts from normal.
The body that had endured the early Cataclysm through such sorcery-like means was... impressive in ways beyond the obvious.
Too impressive.
Impressively so, in hidden places no one could accommodate.
'A-are you insane? Who needs to rip someone's hole apart?!'
'Uh... this ain't gonna work...'
'Look, I'll refer you somewhere else...'
'...'
Late teens. The age when sexual urges raged wildest.
The Cataclysm was winding down, finally allowing some minimal rest, but her greatest asset—her body—got her rejected everywhere.
Public order was a mess back then. If Lee Chang had been the villainous type, she might've forced things, but unfortunately, she was just a jerk, not evil.
She couldn't bring herself to push on a woman who said no.
Instead, she vented that sorrow on the monsters pouring from gates.
In the process, she mastered manipulating her body with mana even further, to the point she could suppress her libido entirely.
Once she started suppressing it, she saw no point in unleashing it again. Why bother when no woman would accept her anyway? Better to just beat down monsters.
And so, over a dozen years passed, completing the legend of the mind-blowingly epic 34-year virgin.
That pathetic past flashed through Lee Chang's mind like a whirlwind.
"Eek, g-get off me first!"
Thud.
Snapping back to reality, Lee Chang hurriedly shoved Yoo Hayeon away and retreated until her back hit the cold wall.
In her panic, she'd bitten her tongue at the end. The lingering cute lilt made her feel even grosser.
She hadn't anticipated this sudden hug from the sentimental type. Lee Chang was utterly blindsided.
Even that rejection seemed like some kind of signal, as Yoo Hayeon's expression grew even more wistful.
The goal seemed achieved anyway. Lee Chang quickly pressed on before she could close in again.
"Anyway, the misunderstanding's cleared up, right!? We're good!?"
"...Yeah. I won't pry anymore."
Having to go through all this just to fool one brat.
But despite her complaints, Lee Chang knew she had good reason for it too.
Yoo Hayeon was an upper A-rank hunter touted as a future S-rank prospect.
A natural powerhouse even peak-condition Lee Chang couldn't touch.
If putting up with this embarrassment kept those pink eyes off her trail, it was a bargain.
"Honestly, I still don't think it's right. Putting a minor—who's not even a criminal—through such a dangerous experiment. I hear the top guy here is Director Jin Baek-hyeon. Kinda disappointing."
Yoo Hayeon said, glancing between the lead researcher and Lee Chang.
The lead researcher looked like she was barely holding back a retort.
She was actually thirty-four, not seventeen, and a grizzled hunter vet, not a minor—but she couldn't say that.
"Still, it's not my place to judge your choice. Especially since it worked out."
Yoo Hayeon patted Lee Chang's head like a proud senior.
Lee Chang considered dodging but stayed put. Things were going smoothly, and the mood demanded it.
"I came today to welcome the new magical girl. We magical girls can sense each other's births. Not just me—others noticed you too. I was closest."
'As expected.'
It matched Lee Chang's hunch. Magical girls could detect new ones from afar.
Info even an A-rank hunter like her old self hadn't known.
Probably a secret shared only among magical girls.
"So, about that."
Yoo Hayeon gestured, and a translucent window popped up in the air.
Hunter Network System
The Hunter Network system. Lee Chang knew it well.
A universal system built by some genius—the Korean S-rank hunter and trait holder in magical scholarship.
A communication and info-sharing platform used by most hunters.
She knew it had played a huge role in keeping the Cataclysm from totally wrecking the world.
Lee Chang had an old account but barely used it. No interest, too annoying.
Yoo Hayeon tapped the screen a few times and opened a specific board.
"Check this out."
The screen showed a board Lee Chang had never seen.
The board name at the top: 'Magical Girl Gallery'
Private gallery accessible only to Magical Girl trait holders. Where magical girls worldwide chat. Just thirteen of us now... (formerly twelve)
"It's a private gallery only magical girl trait holders can access. Magical girls worldwide use it to talk. Only about twelve—no, now thirteen."
Yoo Hayeon scrolled to show her.
The board's layout was familiar to Lee Chang.
Typical internet board: post titles in a list, with poster nicks, views, and replies beside them.
It was a dead ringer for some ancient pre-Cataclysm community site that somehow survived, reflecting the system creator's tastes.
The posts caught her eye.
'What the hell is this...'
"It's a bit chaotic right now thanks to you, but it's not usually like this. You can post too, so check it out if you're interested. Actually, please post something? With so few people, the activity's low... Not everyone posts all the time. You'll pick up useful info chatting."
For some reason, Yoo Hayeon's vibe while talking about the gallery felt totally different from moments ago.
Lee Chang nodded and asked.
"Got it. How do I find it?"
"Huh? Oh... my nick's this."
Lee Chang looked at the comment Yoo Hayeon pointed to in one post.
"That's my nick. The other magical girls are all foreigners. Auto-translation makes chatting easy."
"... "
Lee Chang didn't bother asking why the nick was such a mess. Probably some story behind it.
After that, they wrapped up casually. Seemed the goal was just sharing contact via the gallery.
"You’ve got a lot to sort out, right?"
"Yeah, kinda..."
"It's tradition for seniors to brief new magical girls on stuff like trait usage and precautions. You're busy now, so I'll hit you up in a few days."
Lee Chang just nodded.
Honestly, she didn't want advice from Yoo Hayeon, but refusing now would raise flags.
And ridiculously, she actually needed info on the magical girl trait.
Unlike common traits, rare ones like this had scant public data.
'...Damn it.'
Scholars like the researchers only had observation data. Real