Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Fake Neph (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Right? That's exactly it!"
Seika clenched her fist and cheered triumphantly. Then she grabbed a handful of popcorn and shoved it into her mouth.
Crunch crunch.
Popcorn crumbs rained down onto the floor, but she didn't care. What mattered right now was the scene unfolding before her eyes.
One of the perks of being a Monster Association executive was the ability to share the vision of any subordinate touched by her mana.
She was currently watching Neph and the doppelganger's fight from the doppelganger's perspective.
Neph flying off pathetically with every strike from the doppelganger. Neph counterattacking, only for the doppelganger to grab a human hostage in the most textbook monster move ever.
Wow! How long has it been since we had a fight this one-sided? Now that's a monster.
Honestly, seeing this made it easy to understand why Ulv had been so protective of Neph.
Just watching was already a dopamine party in her brain—what would it be like fighting in person? Pure bliss.
She was enjoying the sweet footage when that detestable veteran Shining barged into the screen.
"Aaaah...!! Why'd she have to show up now of all times?!"
Seika stomped her feet in frustration.
"She's an idol, isn't she?! Idols should go practice dancing and singing! Why come ruin someone else's turf?!"
In the end, the doppelganger had no choice but to retreat. So close! Just a little longer and she could've ground Neph's mental state to dust!
Vrrr.
At the same time, space tore open right next to Seika, a gate forming as the doppelganger—no, Fake Neph—emerged.
Aww, my lucky charm. Seika plastered on a motherly smile and approached Fake Neph.
"You did great, Doppelganger. Excellent learning ability."
She reached out a hand.
"Ah, now that you've beaten Neph, should I start calling you Neph? Our cute little maknae..."
She went to pet her, but—
Smack.
"?"
Fake Neph slapped her hand away.
"This hair isn't for getting stroked by some old hag who can't even get married at her age♥"
"......?"
Seika's thought processes ground to a halt for a moment.
A D-rank knockoff dares to?
No, sigh. Calm down. This was the problem with doppelgangers—they copied the target's personality along with their form.
Sometimes they'd copy some loose screw like that, and suddenly they didn't give a damn about superiors or anything. Ugh, fine, I'll put up with it. What else can I do?
Seika swallowed her boiling rage and cleared her throat.
"A-alright, Doppelganger."
"Call me Neph-sama♥"
"...Y-yeah, Neph-sama. So, when do you plan to step out next?"
Fake Neph's reply came surprisingly quick.
"I'd go right now if I could, but I'm still digesting."
"Digesting?"
"Yeah. What I just ate. It was pretty tasty♥"
Fake Neph licked her lips, savoring the absorbed Imagine Points.
At the same time, black lightning crackled from her fingertips, accompanied by a faint ripple of wind.
"Oh my."
Papers scattered across the desk like a flock of startled birds.
"You've even gained wind mana? It has a strangely Aurora vibe to it."
"No big deal? I just blew a little and she went flying? That girl's such a pushover♥"
Fake Neph cackled and pointed randomly into the air.
Crash!
With a flick of her wrist, a picture frame on one wall shattered.
"That little...!"
It happened to be the frame for her 'Employee of the Year' award, so Seika bit back a curse.
Still, she had to acknowledge the results. When Shining had shown up, Seika thought the doppelganger was done for, but she'd managed to retreat alive.
The doppelganger's true terror lay in how it evolved like this bit by bit.
Lightning plus wind now—it wouldn't be long before she could truly usurp the real Neph's position.
"At this rate, you'll overwhelm the real Neph no problem."
"Obviously. I am the real one♥"
Fake Neph kicked back her chair and stood.
"Operation starts tomorrow♥ Tomorrow, I'll come back having cut off that fake's last breath."
Seika watched with a pleased smile. A bit cocky, but she got the job done.
With a crack, cracks spread across the eggshell like a spiderweb in an instant.
"Wh-what?!"
"Ooh, here it comes. Finally hatching."
Shining's eyes sparkled.
She'd emphasized it over and over: a magical girl's first magical beast held special meaning.
This was Ruffi's first one too. Though the weakest in power among her beasts, it was the one she used most and was most famous. She called it her first wife—probably the same for me.
To wash away the humiliation from Fake Neph earlier, I desperately needed this guy's power.
'Please be a strong magical beast...!'
God of gacha, how many trucks' worth of cash have I dumped into game companies? Just this once, let me get a pity pull!
As if my desperate wish reached through—
Flash!
An eye-searing light burst from the cracks in the shell.
The whole lounge bathed in golden light. Massive mana waves! J-jackpot?!
Eventually, the light began to fade.
What would it be? A sky-soaring griffon? A fire-breathing dragon? Or a cool tiger like Ruffi?
Brimming with anticipation, I slowly lowered my arm and looked at the table.
"......"
"......"
Shining was speechless. So was I.
Where a majestic magical beast should have stood proud, something else was wriggling instead.
Dragon? No.
Griffon? No.
Tiger? Obviously not.
What sat there was—
Wriggle.
A finger-sized, rainbow-colored glowing larva.
"......Why did feed come out of the egg?"
No answer.
I turned to Shining for an explanation, but she slyly avoided my gaze. What the hell?
Meanwhile, the larva looked up at me and started crawling up my arm.
"Eeeeek!!"
I freaked out and shook my arm.
But it clung like glue to my forearm, refusing to let go.
The slimy texture. The wriggling muscles. Dozens of tiny legs marching across my delicate skin.
"Kyaaah! G-get it off! Hurry!"
"Calm down. It's your kid. It's just happy to see Mom—why the freakout?"
Shining doubled over laughing.
Thrilled it wasn't her problem.
Does every kid have to be cute?! I hate anything with too many legs!
"Still, look closer—it's kinda cute. Those bright colors are like rainbow rice cakes."
Shining plucked the larva off my arm and placed it on her palm.
It twisted sulkily at first, then settled obediently.
I panted heavily, putting some distance between us for safety.
"......Hah, hah."
I slapped my cheeks to snap out of it. Can't beat Fake Neph like this.
Calm down. Regain reason and check the info again. There has to be something useful...
Just a bug.
"Hng."
Ruined.
"Here, take it back. Remember what I taught you?"
Shining shoved the larva toward me.
She said after hatching, you first bond by infusing it with your mana. That way it listens well and grows healthy.
I squeezed my eyes shut and extended my hand.
Plop.
A cold sensation touched my palm. It wrapped around my finger, wriggling!
Ugh, gross. Goosebumps!
Haa, but endure it. I boasted I'd raise it with a mother's love.
I forced my index finger to stroke its head (or whatever).
Slimy slimy.
"Uh, l-let's get along from now on. Your name'll be..."
Right. Naming kicks off the bonding—even if I didn't think of it consciously. A name builds affection. Probably.
Lava? Nah, copyright issue.
"Ah."
Luckily, no long deliberation needed.
My transformation chants, entrance lines—all rice-themed.
Beast name? Just go with the first thing that pops up.
"You're a silkworm, so Nunu."
You're Nunu from now on.
Nunu twisted wildly in delight. Loves it, right?
Anyway, I pinched Nunu with my fingertips and placed it on my shoulder.
It settled in, spitting silk from its mouth to secure itself. Seatbelt? Prepared.
Now I had a magical beast too.
Time for a test drive. Who knows? Might help a little?
"Dress Code Type: Shining!"
Flash!
The light faded, and I checked my new look.
A bold yellow crop top exposing my waistline. Matching plaid pleated skirt below. A cute beret on my head—a classic K-pop stage outfit channeling schoolgirl vibes.
Shining's original was a queenly dress; this redesign screamed fresh rookie idol energy.
"Oh my. This is...?"
Shining covered her mouth.
"Heavens, it's adorable! Should we use this for our next album concept?"
At that moment, Shining's mana usage flooded my mind.
'Aha.'
Shining commands her beasts via microphone.
Her song and voice buff them powerfully, and they obey her orders absolutely.
In game terms, a hybrid buffer-beast tamer class?
Of course, I can't go that far. Just support their combat. Still can use Druruk, so no issue.
I turned a determined gaze to Nunu on my shoulder.
"Nunu! Body slam!"
Show me that F-rank rebellion!
Wriggle wriggle.
Nunu twisted.
That was it.
Not learned yet? Low level?
I calmly opened its status to check skills. No such function, but felt right.
1. Silk Spit
2. Harden
"Hng..."
I looked at Shining with teary eyes.
"How do I beat a D-rank combat doppelganger with this...?"
"Uh... um..."
Shining looked away.
Even a veteran couldn't figure out beating a D-rank fighter with an F-rank bug.
After deep thought, she beamed innocently.
"Call me if it gets dangerous?"
"Hiiiing!"
She's telling me to ride the bus!
And so, I returned home with my new family member, Nunu.
Not a total loss.
Got Shining's costume and a magical beast (feed-grade or not).
Rest up for the impending showdown with Fake Neph.
I set up a nest for Nunu in the corner of my closet and went to sleep.
Of course, I had no idea.
While I slept soundly, oblivious, Nunu in the closet was munching away at the fabrics of other magical girl costumes hanging there.
Chewing on Bella's dress hem, gobbling Frost's blue cloth.
Its body beginning to glow ever so faintly.
The next morning, at school.
First thing, I checked on Ha Sol-ah.
Thankfully, she didn't seem to remember yesterday's events.
Not erased, more like a hazy dream.
"Hey, Sol-ah."
I sidled up and linked arms with her casually.
"E-eh?! M-Master?!"
Ha Sol-ah jumped back in shock.
Me initiating skinship like this was a first.
"S-Sol-ah. Don't call me Master—call me Ha-rin, okay?"
"B-but... Huh? Why was I calling you Master?"
Ha Sol-ah tilted her head.
Master forgotten, but big sis is default—can't edit that. Still, better than Master.
"Oh, wanna walk home together today?"
"Yeah! Anytime if Sol-ah wants."
"Really?!"
Her eyes sparkled like jewels. Her innocence was a blessing.
Why the service? Fake Neph targeted her yesterday.
Stick close, maybe it'll show. Until then, bodyguard duty—willing or not.
After school, we left side by side.
Seo Jun should've been with, but I ditched him. Can't have a monster eyeing him.
He looked world-ending, but tough luck—for your sake.
Walking the street, Sol-ah pointed at a café.
"Sis, wanna grab cake?"
"Sure."
Cake at the café, photos, even karaoke. Classic elementary schooler after-school date course.
Finally, heading home.
As we entered a quiet, sunset alley—
Step. Step.
Familiar footsteps from ahead. Sol-ah oblivious, but I knew.
Fishy mana scent in the air. Unpleasantly familiar vibe.
"Looks fun♥"
A girl stepped from the shadows.
My exact face. But eyes rotten like spoiled pollack roe.
Doppelganger. Fake Neph's lips split in a grin.
"Neph-sama, play with us too? Maa~ster~♥"
"Transformation."
Get lost.