The Shameless Masco and the Dragon Bikini
This shameless getup—honestly, I don't like this guy one bit.
Normally, a mascot sticks by your side, offering advice, mental support, jumping in selflessly during crises, right? Just look at Nunu!
She can't talk, but she'll watch TV with you, put on a show when you're bored, and even transform for battle! My friend Nunu!
But this damn rabbit?
"Where the hell have you been all this time, anyway?"
When was the last time I even saw this guy? Sometime before break started, and nothing since.
At least he pulled some strings over the phone for documents when I was in Busan.
"I was just returning from a major council meeting at Magic Castle HQ. Thanks to your exploits, the higher-ups are in an uproar. The cleanup's got me shedding fur like crazy."
"That's not what I asked."
Nosy prick, no sense at all.
"Catching an A-rank monster is praiseworthy, but ignoring procedure and acting alone is problematic. Moreover..."
I snapped the pencil I was holding in half to skip his bullshit.
Perfect timing—one free inquiry project slot open. Masocot dissection would fit right in.
I kicked back my chair, grabbed the rabbit's long ears, and yanked. Feels like it's been ages.
"Kyaaak! W-what are you doing?! Let go! I am your mascot!"
"My mascot, huh? Where were you when I was risking my life against an A-rank? Not a whisker in sight when I was busting my ass."
Normally, for a newbie fighting an A-rank, you'd yell "Dodge!" or "Weak spot's there!" or something, right?
But this guy shows up after the fight's over, cleanup done, like "Just back from a meeting, lol."
"Ow, that hurts! My ear's gonna rip! Let go! I'll explain!"
"Save the explanations."
I hoisted the rabbit up and slammed him on the desk. Then pointed at the mountain of vacation homework piled in front.
"Get to work."
"......?"
Ramu blinked wide-eyed at the workbooks.
"......What's this?"
"Homework."
"Aren't you in first grade? Why sixth-grade books?"
"Someone shoved me into a school that does advanced sixth-grade work over break."
Yeah, and I'm about to dissect the culprit right now. Won't name names.
"Hah, unbelievable. You want I, a great bureaucrat of the Magic Castle, to solve mere human arithmetic?"
"Okay. Straight to the slaughterhouse, then."
"Well, I do have some expertise in mathematics."
"Smart choice."
Daring to sass The A-Rank Slayer.
I summoned Deureureuk and tied one of his ears tight with string. Step on the pedal, and that ear comes clean off.
I wordlessly placed my foot on the pedal. Ramu shriveled up.
"T-tyranny..."
"Shut up and write. Make the handwriting as crooked and childish as possible, like a total noob."
Grumbling under his breath, Ramu started scribbling away.
True to his 80-year-old bureaucrat cred, the guy's brain was sharp—faster than Sword or me, even.
Should've put him to work like this ages ago.
I was deep into homework shuttle duty when—
"By the way."
"Number three's wrong."
"No, it's not. Anyway, are you alright?"
"With what?"
"The monster's mana."
Oh, you know about that, huh.
This bastard knew and just sat on it?
If I hadn't awakened my Mental Theme in front of Bital, he'd have watched me get slaughtered while munching popcorn.
"Taking a monster's mana into your body isn't just about getting stronger—it's risky. Your mind could get eroded."
"Eroded how? Do I turn into a monster?"
"Possible. Or you could lose your ego and rampage. History has precedents."
Ramu's eyes narrowed.
"Especially dangerous for you, with Prima's power inside. Her mana is highly assimilative."
"So?"
"If things get dicey, I could extract it for you. For safety's sake."
Why does everything this guy says piss me off? Didn't help at all, shows up out of nowhere demanding I cough up hard-earned mana.
Sure, it feels alien—a chunk of black hide draped in one corner of my mindscape.
But.
"Nah, I'm good. Not scared."
"Hoo?"
"I'm the owner, right? Does it make sense for clothes to eat their wearer?"
There was that one manga about it, though.
"Don't worry. I'm The A-Rank Slayer Neff. I'll handle it. You just finish the homework."
"......Hah. Guts like Prima's, at least."
The rabbit shook his head and got back to his pencil.
Moments later.
"Done."
"Lemme see."
Checkmarks. Checkmarks. Checkmarks.
"Oh."
"Child's play."
What the—why do I feel shitty? This means a mere masco's smarter than me.
"Annoying."
"What now?!"
"Fine, you pass. Good job. Now scram."
"......"
I coolly issued the eviction notice. Business done, time to go. My room's cramped.
But Ramu showed no sign of leaving. He propped his chin, staring me down.
"What? Got leftover carrots in the fridge."
"You really see me as a beast?"
Lower than that, actually.
"You're a rabbit."
"A mascot!"
Ramu yelped, then cleared his throat and straightened up.
"Ahem. Truth is, I didn't come just for homework duty or mana check. Real business is separate."
"What? Another gig? I got money now."
"No—this time, a guest is coming to you."
"A guest?"
To our house?
"House is small. And Sis hates animals."
"Not an animal—a person. And not to your dingy little room."
Ramu pulled a fancy gold-foil invitation from his pouch.
25th International Magical Girl Exchange
(in Korea)
Oh yeah, that thing.
Magical girls aren't just in Korea.
Korea's got the most, but dozens exist worldwide.
The whole Sword-Katana feud started at one of these. Katana skipped immigration, flew in, and threw down with Sword.
Anyway, the International Magical Girl Exchange is where girls from around the world gather for bonding, info-sharing, and skill checks.
Like a company workshop or school retreat. Public event, so it's all sunshine on the surface.
Magallery rumors say backroom deals on national interests happen.
"Why give this to me?"
"You're Korea's rep."
"......"
Misheard that?
I glanced between the invite and Ramu.
"What?"
"Korea's representative."
"Who?"
"You."
"Why?"
Reps aren't picked lightly.
Veterans rotate yearly. Seen Aurora a few times, Seconda too, Shining once maybe. No spot for newbies like me.
"Other girls wanna see you."
"Huh."
Ramu laid on the flattery thick, no spit.
Meteor-rise super rookie. Monster newbie who bagged an A-rank in three months. Everyone wants to see 'that tall one' Neff.
"World's magical girls are buzzing about you. Rumors of Prima's reincarnation in Korea are everywhere."
Why'd it spread that far?
"Magic Castle brass and government unanimously decided. Perfect host and face of Korean magical girls."
"Unanimous includes the person involved, right?"
"Time to accept it. Happens all the time."
Why're you saying that? "No way. Pass. Can't do it."
"Such firm rejection."
"I suck at English, okay at Japanese."
"'Okay,' huh."
Anime's got me confident. "Only Korean's fluent."
"No worries there. Translation spell provided."
"Not the issue! What do I even do? Dance?"
"Ooh, not bad. K-pop's hot—practice a track."
"This rabbit."
"R-rab...?"
I snatched up Deureureuk again.
"C-calm down! National event! Nail it, and perks rain down!"
"Don't need perks. IP rich now."
"Overseas participants are mostly A-rank caliber."
My hand froze.
"Build ties, huge boost for your growth. Rare chance to feel their unique mana."
Hmm... tempting. Overseas vet magical girls. Touch their mana, or befriend for backup? Not bad.
"Plus participation bonus IP, top artifact pick, and..."
"Deal."
"Good. Knew you'd see reason."
Ramu nodded smugly.
"Next weekend. Magical Girl Center in Seoul. As host, greet them, guide for set time."
"Guide? Like tourism?"
"Surface level, yeah. But in our world, exchange isn't just handshakes."
"Then what?"
Ramu grinned meaningfully.
"Power plays, rank sorting. And spars."
"......Why?!"
Why spar? Magical girls are friends of love and justice.
Go smash monsters, not each other. What's the point?
"You're weak, so host privilege lets you forfeit, no beef."
"Stop."
Haa. Dude. Haa. Gotta say it myself? Who am I? The A-Rank Slayer Neff.
"I'm not that weak anymore?"
"Hit a nerve?"
"Didn't."
For real.
"Sure, sure. Everyone knows you're the mighty The A-Rank Slayer."
Ramu dug in his ear, half-assed reply. Look at those soulless eyes. Wanna kill him.
"Then prep thoroughly to match that rep? Don't wanna embarrass yourself."
Embarrass? Not in my dictionary. Time to show K-magical girl spice.
"Fine. Perfect chance to test new power."
Was pondering Bital mana anyway. Nothing beats real combat training.
After that, I crafted a Bital-concept costume. Friends Nunu and Deureureuk helped—easy peasy.
Worlds apart from some outdated masco popping out of nowhere.
"Dress Code Type: Bital!"
First time actually wearing it, but what's the worst?
Kugugugu! Kwa-rung!
Space rumbled wildly as pitch-dark azure mana swirled like a storm around me.
Ooh, effects on another level. A-rank monster vibes for sure.
Brimming with anticipation, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Intense power enveloped me. Muscles swelling, bones hardening.
Skin toughening like dragon scales. Felt like I was a dragon—pure euphoria.
Mana storm finally cleared.
"Hoo..."
I slowly opened my eyes and checked the full-length mirror.
"......"
Huh?
"......"
Wait a sec.
"......"
The reflection looked... strong. Yeah, strong—in a way.
Blue armor like Bital's scales covered key spots, stylish tail swishing behind.
All good, except one thing.
Why's the coverage smaller than a washcloth?
Chest? Covered. Crotch? Covered. That's it.
Bellybutton out, bottoms like undies, back totally exposed.
Side slits for ventilation?
This was bikini with armor scraps slapped on.
Looked fine designing it?
Wearing it? Whole other story.
Run around in this? For real? Then why bother with the bikini before.
Touching it, cold metal mixed with bare skin—way too vivid.
"......Pfft!"
The watching masco finally lost it, snorting.
"Your... tastes are unique. National pride in that shameless outfit?"
"N-no! Not my taste!"
"Defense seems solid, though. That thick skin? Block any A-rank easy."
That day, I buried the masco.
