Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Perfect Reasoning (9)
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"Just so we're clear, I'm not jumping in because it's been ages since I last got to use my ability. This is purely driven by my sense of justice and friendship—I want to personally give a lesson to the vile villain who messed with my friend."
"Normally, I keep my ability under wraps, don't I? This isn't about chasing some thrill of liberation. It's an emergency situation, so I'm stepping up out of necessity. Calling the cops over something like this could make Serika's school life a nightmare and worry her parents. That's why I'm doing my best to handle this emergency ourselves."
"Let me say it again—not for a single moment have I ever thought it'd look cool to use my ability to save Serika, or fantasized about her saying, 'I owe my life to you!'"
"...Okay, okay. I get it. I understand where you're coming from."
Hwayoung had Yumi's words in mind—the question about whether she was eagerly volunteering just for a chance to use her ability. Sitting in the car seat, Hwayoung poured out excuses to no one in particular, and Yumi just nodded along half-heartedly.
Hwayoung hesitated at Yumi's nonchalant response, then glanced sideways at her and spoke up.
"...And doesn't it just piss you off? When you run into a guy like that, tch, it's obvious your friends would worry. But he doesn't get it and just grins like an idiot. The world's such a scary place these days, and Serika's way too fearless. Her friends need to let her know they're worried."
Yumi nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Yeah, exactly. Serika acts so recklessly sometimes, it scares me half to death. And then she goes all boyish like, 'I'm fine, I won't die!'"
As Yumi mimicked Serika's tone and scrunched her face, Hwayoung nodded.
"That impulsiveness is part of Serika's charm, but this time, she was in the wrong. The world's too dangerous for reckless stunts like that."
Hwayoung's words sounded like she knew all too well just how dangerous the world was. Yumi blinked and stared at her, then turned to gaze out the window. The industrial district came into view—a somewhat unfamiliar sight to Yumi, whose father's work wasn't in manufacturing. Blinking at the scene, she turned back to Hwayoung.
"By the way, you usually hate revealing your ability. You don't even like telling people when they ask."
"...I don't want to get tangled up with nosy people who are just curiously prying. But you two are my friends."
Hwayoung mumbled those words before giving a curt reply. The driver smoothly turned the wheel and chimed in.
"Miss, you just want some recognition."
"Recognition? For what?"
As Yumi tilted her head in confusion, Hwayoung shot the driver a glare and said,
"Don't say unnecessary things."
"My apologies, Miss."
The driver chuckled good-naturedly and pretended to shrink back. Yumi, still not grasping what 'recognition' meant, could only blink in bewilderment.
"We're almost there, Miss. This is where the abandoned factory zone starts."
The car came to a stop at a fork in the road. Ahead, the dense cluster of smokestacks thinned out, replaced by overgrown weeds. With the sun dipping low, the area exuded a dim, eerie vibe.
Rusted walls and signs were streaked with grime, and the road grew rougher the further in it went—too treacherous for a car.
The empty fields, devoid of people and buildings, had the perfect atmosphere for shooting a horror flick or thriller. Stepping out of the car, Yumi recoiled at the surroundings and said,
"What the heck? Serika really came in here? Without a second thought? You're sure she went this way?"
Hwayoung scanned the area and replied flatly,
"Could be someone with suppression or hypnosis abilities. That's probably how they dragged Serika here without her resisting."
Yumi freaked out at the mention of such powers, yelling. It reminded her of a terrifying hypnotist she'd seen on TV once—a figure from an urban legend show who could control people just by waving a hand in front of their eyes.
"D-Don't say scary stuff like that! If it's someone like that, we won't stand a chance even if we show up!"
But contrary to Yumi's panicked outburst, Hwayoung remained unfazed.
"Still, no one in their right mind would follow someone to a place like this unless they had those powers. Serika's simple and reckless, but not stupid. Don't worry, though. Most mental manipulation types have tricky conditions or heavy restrictions, so lowlifes kidnapping elementary kids probably can't pull it off without meeting some complex requirements."
"Oh, r-really?"
Yumi still looked uneasy. At her age, girls were vulnerable to ominous crow caws or gloomy atmospheres. To reassure her further, Hwayoung showed off the watch on her wrist.
The driver followed suit, rolling up his sleeve to display his own watch.
"Plus, the chauffeur waiting here has my location tracked. One press of this button, and he'll call the cops right to me. You're safe."
"...Well, if that's the case..."
Yumi still eyed the darkening surroundings warily, but her expression had improved. Hwayoung stepped behind her and said,
"More importantly, Yumi. We can't dawdle. It'll be too dark to search even if we know where to look."
"Right, got it!"
Yumi nodded. The air was chilly, the world dim, the mood foreboding—but none of that was reason enough to abandon Serika to some wicked criminal. Shaking her head, Yumi took a deep breath and dropped to all fours on the ground.
The driver averted his eyes at the awkward pose, and Yumi's breathing grew ragged. As Hwayoung watched with keen interest, a long tail sprouted from between Yumi's legs, her teeth sharpened, animal ears poked up from her head, and her eyes turned yellow.
Her snout didn't elongate, but muscles rippled across her body. Her fierce gaze flashed through her dangling hair, giving her a striking presence—like a werewolf from a fairy tale or movie.
"Werewolf..."
Hwayoung murmured, and Yumi shook her head while looking at her.
"Tests say genetically closest to a golden retriever."
"..."
Hwayoung hesitated, unsure how to respond. Peeved by the subtle reaction, Yumi pouted and said,
"You gotta react or something."
"I'm shocked."
Hwayoung widened her eyes as she spoke, and Yumi turned away. Her wavy hair, like dog fur, cascaded wildly, her tail dragging along the ground.
"Anyway... uh... never mind. Let's find Serika first."
Yumi panted, closed her eyes, then lifted her head and sniffed the air, twisting her body this way and that. Hwayoung asked with a thoughtful look,
"Shouldn't I give you something with Serika's scent on it?"
"Huh? Nah, no need. I'd never forget the smell of someone I'm always with."
After flaring her nostrils to gauge the direction, she turned sharply one way. Right at the fork—Yumi's eyes snapped open as she shouted,
"This way! Recent sports car exhaust and cigarette smoke from over here!"
Hwayoung barely held back from pointing out it had nothing to do with Serika's scent.
Smack!
"Gyaah!"
A sharp impact sent my body bouncing like a rubber ball deeper into the factory. I rolled across the floor and staggered to my feet, just as Shinsuke strode in, shadowboxing the air.
"Iwamoto Serika. Strength enhancement type, right? According to your profile, you've got enough power to endanger an adult male if you grab him. But strength means nothing if it doesn't connect."
Shinsuke's figure blurred and vanished before my eyes. No—he seemed to flicker as he closed the distance in an instant, then kicked me again.
Smack!
A crisp impact hurled me in the opposite direction.
"Aaaah!"
I tumbled across the floor, grimacing. It felt like a light tap, but the pain hit like a club—heavy and deep. Shinsuke casually lifted one leg, smirking.
"You probably charged in relying on your power, but tough luck. I'm an Instant Acceleration user. Fools like you who depend solely on their abilities all crumble helplessly before my flashy kicks. Now, Iwamoto Serika—spill it. Who’s the puppet master pulling your strings? Who’ve you been contacting, and what orders did you get?"
It hurt so much. I'd always had a sturdy body since I was little, so feeling pain like this made it hurt even worse.
I wanted to tell him.
I even wanted to spill every last secret.
"...What do you mean, puppet master? Explain before you hit me..."
I had no idea what he was talking about.