Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Preparation
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“Haaah! This is so frustrating!”
-Thud thud thud!
The moment she got home, A-ri dove straight onto the bed and slammed her rage-filled fists into the mattress.
[A-ri...]
“Clok! That bas— no, that monster... I, I...!”
Too worked up to even speak properly, A-ri stammered.
It was only after Aste, who was by her side, kneaded her back a few times to calm her down that A-ri finally managed to speak coherently.
“Haa... Aste, am I really seeing Clok as an 'ally'?”
[Hmm... Well, considering you'd normally attack any monster on sight, this does feel like special treatment.]
“Special treatment... Yeah, Clok's not the kind of guy you can take down with some sacrificial play anyway.”
[Now that you mention it, I don't think you've ever gone all-out against Clok lately.]
“Yeah, th...”
A-ri's mind grew complicated.
And even after talking it over with Aste, her mascot companion, nothing changed.
“...Come to think of it, I remember hearing something weird during that fight with Orea.”
[What kind of thing?]
“Something like, 'No way. There's nothing to feel betrayed about. In fact, I trust Comet...' Said by Clok, the monster.”
[Clok did?]
“Yeah... I must've misheard, right?”
[Hmm, now that I think about it, I kinda heard it too.]
“Really?”
A-ri and Aste exchanged enigmatic glances.
The two stared at each other in silence for about three seconds before opening their mouths at the same time.
“No way...”
[No way...]
They both shook their heads, banishing the thought instantly. In the end, unable to find an answer, A-ri contacted her fellow magical girl, Solar—no, Hwa-yeon.
“Phew... What a fulfilling day.”
After all that chaos, I dove straight into bed upon returning home.
Dealing with those walking variables is mentally exhausting enough on its own.
“You okay, oppa?”
“Ah... It's not that tough, just wanna rest a bit.”
“I see...”
Meanwhile, Ji-yeon watched me lying on the bed with an enigmatic look in her eyes.
Ji-hoon was already parked on the sofa next to me, glued to the TV.
“...Oppa.”
“Yeah?”
She glanced back and forth between me and Ji-hoon, then called out to me as if she'd made up her mind.
And from Ji-yeon's mouth came an unexpected offer.
“How about I give you a massage then?”
“Huh...?”
“You seem worn out, so maybe loosening up your muscles would help...”
“Haha, I appreciate it, but no need—”
“No!”
“Huh?”
I knew she meant well but didn't want to trouble her, so I tried to refuse. But suddenly, Ji-yeon raised her voice in protest.
“Please! Let me help you!”
“No, really, I'm fine—”
“I want to be of some use to you like this!”
“Ji-yeon...”
I knew she was a good kid, but seeing her so eager to help me was touching.
It filled me with emotion and pride all at once.
Is this how dads feel when their daughters offer them a massage?
Refusing further would be rude, so I finally accepted Ji-yeon's offer.
“Alright, since you're insisting, I can't say no. Mind giving me one?”
“Yes! Thank you, oppa!”
To make it easy for Ji-yeon to massage me, I rolled over and lay face-down on the bed.
As I waited for her touch...
“...? Ji-yeon?”
“Y-Yes!”
She'd been standing still for some reason, so I checked just in case.
“Ji-yeon, don't tell me...”
“O-Oppa, it's not—”
“Are you nervous?”
“...Huh?”
Ji-yeon stared at me blankly.
Soon, the corners of her mouth twitched upward, forming an awkward smile.
“Yeah... You caught me.”
“If you're nervous, you really don't have to. I'm fine either way...”
“No, I insist! I'll make you feel relaxed.”
“...If you say so.”
Now looking determined, Ji-yeon wiggled her fingers.
Her hands seemed a bit suspicious somehow... but nah, just my imagination.
With her resolve set, her hands finally reached me, so I turned my head away and entrusted my body to her.
“Hoo... Hoo...!”
'She's really nervous, huh.'
Her breathing grew rougher by the second.
If she's this tense, she really doesn't have to—
“Hmph!”
Ah, here we go.
Let's see how much care she puts into this.
Being her first time, Ji-yeon awkwardly kneaded my arms.
At first, it was so light it did nothing, but gradually she added strength, and it started feeling good.
As time passed, her massage grew more skilled, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the comfort.
“How's it feel, oppa? Any better?”
“Yeah, perfect.”
“Good...”
“Thanks, Ji-yeon. You seemed pretty nervous, but you still did this for me.”
“It's nothing. Compared to everything you've done for us... I'm sorry it's not more.”
Even while massaging, she said the most admirable things.
Despite the drowsiness creeping in, a fatherly smile spread across my face.
“Oppa, are you sleepy?”
“Mmm... Lying here getting a massage from you makes me wanna doze off.”
“Then go ahead and sleep. I'll keep working out all the fatigue from your body.”
“Mmm...”
I was debating it when Ji-yeon whispered softly into my ear.
“Sleep well, oppa.”
“Mmm... Guess I'll take you up on that.”
Unable to resist her temptation and the wave of sleepiness, I drifted off soon after.
The last thing I heard before falling asleep was...
“Sweet dreams, Si-woo oppa.”
“...Ngh.”
“Ah, you're awake?”
I'd passed out from Ji-yeon's massage and woke to find something massive blocking half my view.
And a soft, pillowy sensation against the back of my head—not a pillow.
Peeking to the side, I saw Ji-yeon in her human form, giving me a lap pillow.
“...?”
Hold on.
A lap pillow?
Am I still dreaming? I pinched my cheek.
The pain confirmed it was reality.
“...Ji-yeon? Why am I—”
“Oh, I heard guys sleep better like this. Was it uncomfortable?”
“No, not really...”
“Phew, good.”
I wondered if I should let it slide, but since Ji-yeon seemed happy, it was fine.
Still, I had somewhere to be, so I sat up from the bed.
“Where are you going?”
“Yeah. I wasn't planning to visit before, but after seeing that Serpens guy today, I think I should.”
“I see... Can I come too?”
“Hmm... Probably not. It's pretty dangerous there.”
Worry filled Ji-yeon's eyes at the word 'dangerous'.
But while it was dangerous for her, as a possessor and Time Stop monster, it wasn't much of a threat to me. I reassured her.
“Don't worry. It's not risky for me. I can handle it alone, so just wait here.”
“...Okay then.”
Thankfully, knowing my strength, Ji-yeon backed off without argument.
“Alright.”
I transformed into monster form.
“Be back soon.”
“Okay, take care.”
I seized the flow of time and dashed off at full speed.
'Location...'
I remembered it wasn't far from Comet's place.
It would've taken a while on foot, but as a Time Stop monster, no real time passed.
'This the spot?'
As described in the novel, I entered the alley and pulled the awkwardly protruding brick to the left.
The wall split open to both sides, emitting a faint green glow—a 'door' that worked even in stopped time.
I stepped inside.
“Whoa.”
It matched the novel's description perfectly.
No distinction between walls, floor, or ceiling—all like the night sky.
Just walking distorted my senses.
Still, I pressed forward.
In the silent space without a single footstep echo, a faint green glow appeared far ahead.
'Found it.'
Seeing the mysterious novel character in person had me a bit excited, but I kept my cool and approached without fanfare.
-Hummm...
The closer I got, the more green light enveloped me.
By the time I reached her, my body was fully encased in a green membrane.
“Haha, greetings, Galaxia.”
[Clok, I knew you'd come find me.]
Even up close, her face didn't register properly, and her voice echoed only in my head.
Dressed like the witch, she sat at a desk, holding golden scales with her four arms.
[Sit. We have much to discuss.]
“Haha, got it.”
I sat in the chair before me as she said. Rather than diving straight in, I opted for some small talk first.
“Then, to start simple: mind telling me about my future wives?”
I knew from the novel she preferred a light atmosphere over serious ones, so I asked jokingly.
Galaxia's response?
[Which one first?]
“Pardon?”
It was completely unexpected.