Factory Mission: Magical Girl Falls into the Trap (1)
She wakes up today in a slightly excited mood.
She's not entirely sure, but it seems she dreamed about Cookie. More precisely, a dream where Cookie was getting a thorough schooling.
Cookie was definitely Black Twilight's contract fairy, but she was so obnoxiously bossy. Always scolding people and treating them like slaves.
So when she had that dream, it felt a bit satisfying. Of course, she wouldn't want something like that to happen in reality, but dreams were fair game, right?
As she steps out of her room for the morning roll call and exercises, she spots something at her doorstep.
A package sits in front of Black Twilight's door.
"...?"
She could order all sorts of items freely with her assigned terminal, so a package wasn't unusual. Still, Black doesn't remember ordering anything.
Curious about the contents but with roll call time approaching, she stashes the package inside and heads out into the hallway.
Today's roll call uniform is, as usual, naked. Black heads down to the designated spot, annoyed by the heavy, useless heft of her breasts jiggling with every step.
After roll call, exercises, and sex service training, it's mealtime. Then back to her room to wash up, rest a bit, and head out for today's assigned mission.
This is the routine lately for Black. Compared to her old shut-in, NEET basement-dweller days, it's remarkably healthy. Back then, she'd sleep through the day and wake up when the sun was high or already setting.
Of course, there are nighttime call-outs and midnight training sessions from Ten Manager, but nothing's disrupted her routine enough to change it yet. Plenty of rest time, too.
Life in this city feels mostly satisfying. She works about four days a week, with reliable rest, days off, and compensation.
Above all, she enjoys the work.
The missions handed to her every day are so fulfilling that she wouldn't mind doing them daily.
On days off without missions, her body itches to work. Lounging or playing around is fun, but there's always that nagging thought in the corner of her mind: When will this break end?
She never would've thought like that before. A truly positive change.
Anyway, with that mindset, Black steps out today, eager for her mission.
But there's a slight change for her.
> Hello. I am serial number 'SX-18504', assigned as the navigator for Black Twilight, the hypnosis slave of this city—commonly known as 'Helper-kun'. Pleased to serve you.
"...I know, I got it. How many times are you gonna say it?"
> Because even your thick skull needs repetition to memorize my serial number properly. Have you got it now?
"...SX...."
> Look at you, you thick-headed bitch.
Why does she have to put up with this?
Black Twilight glares at the drone-like machine buzzing around her.
It looks kinda cute on the outside, but that voice is vicious.
This was the contents of the package at her door this morning.
It seems to have come straight from the Hypnosis Factory itself...
When she asked Ten Manager about it, he said some women do get paired with navigators.
He dodged the details on why, mumbling something about 'mission efficiency'.
In truth, it was to monitor high-risk hypnosis subjects and correct them on the spot—but he couldn't just say that.
So with lingering unease, she heads out with this navigator.
But for something calling itself a 'helper', it just nags like a scolding mom. Telling her not to dress like that, why wear such tame underwear when sluttier options exist, how long is she gonna dawdle when time's short, doesn't she brush her hair, has she given up on being a woman, you idiot... The nonstop barrage makes Black feel like she's developing neurosis.
She wants to smash its power switch and chuck it in a dumpster or scrapyard,
> I'm your assigned navigator to assist Black Twilight, remember? Turning off my power without permission counts as treason against the Factory—punishable as insubordination. Go ahead if you dare, punk.
—taunting her like that, she has no choice but to back off.
"Haaa..."
Black sighs wearily and steps into the street. Anyway, mission time. Focus on the fulfilling work today, and this mood will lift.
Surprisingly, Helper-kun's assistance proves excellent.
Today's mission: track an organization dealing illegal drugs in the city. Black felt lost on where to start, but Helper-kun guides her smoothly, taking her to key spots without hesitation.
At illegal deal sites, it pulls data from nearby cameras to holographically recreate scenes. Even without footage, it deduces logical conclusions from tiny traces left behind.
With this thing, does she even need to go out on missions herself? That's the vibe.
> Wrong, magical girl. I'll admit I'm superior, but compared to thick-skulled humanity like you? A hundred times better. No arguments there.
"Yeah, sure."
> Your response lacks enthusiasm. Fine, whatever. Pathetic humans can't grasp my greatness anyway.
The navigator doesn't hide its disdain, despite being a machine, and continues.
> But I'm just a machine running on data and programs. In this automated city, criminals are hackers who can breach external programs. I have top-tier security and firewalls, but they often crack even those.
Even heavily armed machine soldiers can face better-equipped foes.
So she can't rely solely on machines.
> So you have to protect me—from the outside. What else is a magical girl like you good for besides brute force and that slutty body?
"Ugh... maybe I will smash you."
> Hold off for now. More importantly—we've arrived.
After its long-winded explanation, Helper-kun stops at a spot.
It's a dark, damp, humid alley even in daylight, deep inside.
The entrance at the end leads straight underground. The dark, long stairs and passage yawn like a gaping maw, sending an involuntary chill down her spine.
> Illegal drugs. Illegal prostitution. Smuggling slaves from outside... No business permit either. Grounds for immediate purge, right?
"Purge... got it."
> Not yet. Looks like it's mainly open at night—no signs of life inside right now. We'll stake out nearby and raid properly when it gets busy.
Tracking here took time; sunset's not far off.
Black decides to kill time nearby as instructed.
Night finally falls.
As the sun sets and streets fill with people, Black begins her move.
She spots people descending the maw-like passage. Helper-kun's analysis confirms new activity inside.
> Disguise first, pose as customers. Scout the situation, then sweep. Treat it as a 3-day op.
But Black can't just sit and listen. Her body itches uncomfortably.
Yes—she came out to work, but hasn't done any real work today.
Work is fulfilling. Missions are fulfilling. Doing nothing makes the day feel pointless.
If it were a full day off, she'd accept it for efficiency, but this is a mission day, and it doesn't feel like one.
Under hypnosis, Black's become a total work/mission addict.
And that flips some wrong switch inside her. Ignoring Helper-kun, she marches straight toward the entrance, no hiding.
> Black? Black Twilight? What are you doing?
"Can't wait. No need to. It'll be fine with me. I'll just charge in and cut 'em all down."
> What? Even a magical girl can't just—no telling what traps are inside...!
"Pfft, against lowlifes running a sleazy joint like this? With magical girl power, it's nothing!"
Black declares boldly. Among magical girls, her combat skills rank low. She's better at stealth ambushes than flashy magic, with a rather plain arsenal.
But even so, she doubts these non-soldier business types could beat her. Such was her confidence.
Confidence she'd finish the mission smoothly today.
The old Black lacked any self-confidence, a total loser. Now, her bloated ego backfires.
"I'm going! Don't stop me!"
> W-Wait...!
Brushing off the navigator, Black grips a mana-formed knife and charges down the passage.
The familiar heft of the hilt feels thrilling after so long...