Protecting Neff (1)
Something's off. This is supposed to be a homework stream—shouldn't they at least rig the rates a bit, block the pity breakers, you know? That's how you get people pulling, right?
"Uh... huh? Ignis sunbaenim again...? Hehe... Ignis sunbaenim does think Neff is cute, after all."
How many full pity ceilings is this now? Pickup rate's 50%, right? So why am I getting skunked five times in a row?
Team Leader Kim's face had gone pale too. He must be freaking out. His game's savage monetization getting broadcast live and all.
At least the chat was in full festival mode? I'd probably laugh too. Nothing beats watching someone else bomb their gacha pulls.
The only one who couldn't laugh was Team Leader Kim. Dude, this is your game. Tough it out with sheer grit.
By the time I finally completed the full dupe set for the Neff character—after all that drama—most of the 5 million diamonds I'd been sponsored had evaporated.
Like, close to 4 million gone... Is this for real?
"Heh, hehehe... But I did it in the end! You guys... you'll have better luck! Neff's already taken all the bad rolls!"
I flashed a soul-drained smile at the camera and waved.
"Alright, Neff's gonna grab some water real quick! Back in 5 minutes!"
The second I switched the screen to standby, I bolted out of the studio.
"Haa... haa..."
I slammed a canned drink from the hallway vending machine and chugged it. Sugar low, you know.
"Pwah!"
Streaming's way harder than I thought. Figured it was just reading the screen and saying whatever. But chat reactions, responses—total chaos.
Still, the donations were insane. Over 3 million in just an hour or so—they'd wire it after fees. Sweet.
"Good work out there, Neff."
A familiar voice hit me then.
I turned, and there was Frost... and another familiar-yet-strange face.
"...Huh? Ignis... sunbaenim?"
Not in her elegant noble lady Ivy form, but full magical girl Ignis.
"Gacha bombed hard, huh? If it were me, I'd yank a keyboard and bash the staff's heads."
Ignis chewed her gum with a snicker. Alt account? More like split personality. "But why're you here, sunbaenim? Something wrong with the theme song...?"
"Nah, here to guard you today."
Guard me?
"Magical girls' locations can't get pinpointed, right? Sniper risk."
Oh. Right. I'm live right now. Location fully exposed.
"Your place has artifacts for protection, and that stalker... er, Ulbr doesn't seem to have leaked to other monsters, so it's safe-ish."
"...Hic."
"This place is different. Your location's being broadcast live. Perfect chance for the Monster Association."
So, bodyguarding. Frost on manager/security, Ignis on muscle.
"And right now, other magical girls are probably on standby nearby too. Wanna check?"
"Eh? For real?"
Not just talk? I closed my eyes and scanned the mana waves around.
'Uh...?'
I felt it. Dank, humid, creepy but familiar mana from the rooftop. Pluto's here too. And warm, explosive mana near the back lobby. Bella?
Four magical girls turning this building into a fortress just for little ol' me?
"Oh, Aqua's almost here too. On her way."
Ignis added, blowing a big bubblegum bubble.
"Aqua?"
Aqua. Water magical girl, paired with Ignis in that fire-water business lily duo.
She turned me down when I asked to meet before—too busy. And now she's coming to guard me?
'Power of connections, huh.'
You really gotta level up first.
Anyway, Korea's top magical girls—five of 'em—assembling to protect me. Magical Avengers.
This kinda firepower? Even if the whole Monster Association charged, they'd get shredded without a bone left.
No way they'd actually come, right? They gotta have some sense. Probably.
But the world always has those who eat dirt for brains when it comes to "sense."
"Monsters kinda get the short end against magical girls, honestly."
"True. We hide in the shadow world, pop out anywhere, cause chaos. Can't prevent it on their end."
"And we can bail anytime if we're still breathing."
"Magical girls can't. Can't back off just 'cause defeat's looming. Too much to protect."
"Short version: different win conditions. Like right now."
Rexon Games HQ rooftop across the street. Twin monsters Per and Mer peered through binoculars at the building.
"Omnomnom. Slurp. So Ulbr, why's she so obsessed with that scrub magical girl?"
Kargos was with them, sucking on candy. PerMer were on babysitting duty for this manchild today.
"Beats us."
"Prolly wants her as a nemesis."
The shadow world was like a mirror image of reality.
Centered on the magic castle mirror, reality and shadow split like decals. Not 100% symmetric, but close. Meaning monsters and magical girls influenced each other. Like the first monster and Prima appearing almost simultaneously way back.
Monsters had this "nemesis" concept. Someone you had to crush personally—no one else.
Having a nemesis completed you as a monster, made you stronger. Their big philosophy.
So PerMer figured Ulbr was fixated on Neff as her nemesis pick.
Ulbr didn't have one right now.
"Just go kill her then?"
"Yeah."
"Even that Ulbr."
Ulbr was special among monsters.
She griped about getting dogpiled by top magical girls, but to PerMer, that was humblebrag.
The Ulbr they knew? Pure monster—could take top magical girls or yakshas head-on.
Tons of minions, big expectations from the Association.
PerMer could mouth off 'cause she was ultimate my-pace. If she weren't, they'd be jerky by now.
But hierarchy existed even in the freewheeling Association.
S-rank sleepers in deep shadow didn't count—those were disasters, not monsters.
Among active A-rank execs, clear pecking order.
Ulbr? Number 2 overall, hawks and doves combined. By raw power, obviously.
So PerMer couldn't wrap their heads around it. That kid as Ulbr's nemesis? She'd be a snack.
Anyway, as expected—no Ulbr for the Neff intercept op.
She said no interference, so minimal monster honor upheld?
This spot was a blind angle—just barely dodging nearby magical girl mana sense. And perfect view of Neff's studio.
"Ulbr'd end it easy, sigh."
"She said no."
Then Kargos crunched his candy.
"Another one's coming."
"...Tch."
"This is..."
New mana at the entrance. Familiar and loathsome to PerMer.
The twins' nemeses? Obviously a duo: Ignis and Aqua.
They'd clashed before. Rumors of bad blood lately, not teaming up. Lies, huh.
"Wanna throw down?"
"Situation ain't right."
Plus Pluto wrapping the building, Bella at back lobby. Frost inside.
And Seoul—could call Aurora or others if needed.
"Five total? All big names?"
"...Overkill."
Expected some guards, but this? We got three, they got five without Neff. Villains supposed to outnumber, no?
"Hey, you said 'strategic retreat' last time?"
"Yup. Gold. No choice—pull back?"
As Per and Mer turned to bail without regret—
"Hoh."
Kargos, beside them, admired the scene with a gasp.
"Quite the crowd for my debut. This body's majesty can't be hidden, eh?"
Per and Mer eyed each other.
"Yo, Kargos. Situation sinking in? Magical girls crawling everywhere."
"Hmph. Cowards."
Kargos snorted, popping his parasol.
"Magical girls? Think those wenches can spot me? I'm perfectly disguised as human. Remember? On the way here, how many humans gave me candy without a care?"
He was high on his "perfect" disguise lately.
Studied human kid moves, went out—humans approached unguarded. Bliss.
"I'll march through the front door fair and square. Sever that Neff's head, announce my glorious arrival to the world."
"You psycho!"
"Don't be nuts!"
Before they could stop him, Kargos leaped off the railing.
Rexon Games 1F lobby outside, smoking area.
Break after part 1—Team Leader Kim squatted, puffing a cig.
"Fuu..."
Exhaling long, he glanced over—a tiny shadow by the revolving door.
'...?'
Blonde drills, fancy clothes—little foreign lady. Rare sight in Korea.
Eye contact with Kim—Kargos inwardly cheered.
'Hook, line, sinker.'
Look at that face.
Overwhelmed by my presence, can't even smoke right.
Guard? Doorman? Strike before he calls backup—
"Ah, special guest for the stream?"
Kim stubbed it quick, waving smoke away as he approached the kid.
Heard some mascot costume temp for part 2—swap in?
"Kiddo, here for Neff's stream?"
Kim squatted eye-level. Kargos flinched.
'This guy's onto me?'
But no retreat—he nodded haughtily.
"Indeed. Business with Neff."
"Aigoo, spot on! Sorry, no heads-up."
Kim slapped his forehead.
Suit. Exec plant child actor. Cocky lines = solid concept. Fancy clothes, looks—pro kid star maybe.
"Parents or manager ditch you solo?"
"None. Just me."
"No guardian? Solo?"
Kim tsked. Sending a kid alone? Entertainment industry's wild.
"C'mon in. Stream's starting soon."
"...Hmph. Lead on."
Kargos followed Kim inside Rexon Games.
While waiting for the elevator, he smirked toward the rooftop—where PerMer sulked.
'See, fools? Bloodless entry like this.'
No violence, no magic. Just attitude—humans part like the sea.
But Kargos didn't know.
Monsters disguised as humans needed hours to recharge mana for reverting. Penalty.
So he'd strutted—unarmed—into a magical girl den. On his own two feet.
"...That crazy bastard?"
PerMer's faces turned rotten tomato as they watched. The Rexon Games siege—that'd heat up communities for weeks—kicked off.
Meanwhile, back in the studio.
"Alright! Break over! Neff's back!"
Chat still fired up post-break. Gacha fail aftermath, I guess.
"Part 2! As announced, special guest incoming!"
I peeked at the cue sheet.
Planned: Rexon mascot costume temp.
Mini-game showdown—that was part 2.
"Come on in!"
I beckoned—the studio door swung wide.
No mascot.
"Ahem!"
Some blonde foreign kid crawled in.
Kim plopped her down with a grin; she straightened her clothes with a pout, then stared me down.
Clomped right up.
"You're Neff, huh."
Arms crossed, haughty.
"Pathetic as rumored."
Chat exploded again.
Glanced at Kim in panic—he thumbs-upped from behind.
So what's her deal?
"My name is Gold Luli."
