Escape from Underdog
Puuk!
A knife plunged deep into the leader's throat.
He couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
Before he could even grasp the foreign sensation in his neck, his head was swiftly severed and tumbled away.
His rolling head on the floor captured one final glimpse: his own headless body... and beyond it, the magical girl.
In her hand was a crude knife that seemed utterly out of place for her.
He didn't have time to understand what that meant.
Thanks to the drug's effects—or perhaps some technique—there was no pain. That was probably the only mercy for the man.
And so, he met his end.
Not a single scream escaped him. It was over just like that.
Black didn't release the knife from her grip as she stared down at the man's severed head rolling on the floor.
Beside her, blood sprayed wildly from the stump of his neck...
—It happened shortly after the move to "Underdog."
Black had serviced the men of "Underdog" as usual, then fallen asleep beside them as they dozed off in sated bliss.
It was precious sleep time she didn't want interrupted by anyone, but Black had no choice but to wake.
A voice had called to her.
"...?"
> Please don't make a sound, magical girl. Stay calm and don't panic.
The voice had a strangely familiar tone.
And it wasn't spoken by anyone else present.
Black reflexively nearly cried out in surprise, but oddly, no sound came. Her body, which had nearly jolted upright, stayed unnaturally fixed in its lying position, defying her will.
> Your body is currently under my control, so it won't move as you wish. But this is only to avoid a commotion. I'm on your side, so relax and hear me out. Once I've relayed the message, I'll return control of your body.
The voice continued. Black realized it wasn't entering through her ears—it was a hallucination that felt like hearing.
In other words, it came from inside her own head, not from outside.
And that voice unmistakably belonged to Navi-kun, the one supposedly destroyed.
> A stealthy strike from behind, ending the foe in one blow before they notice. Excellent work, magical girl.
Black shook off the hollow despair that had enveloped her moments ago and staggered to her feet.
The drug's effects hadn't fully worn off, leaving her head spinning. But channeling her magic steadied her body somewhat.
She wanted to wash up, but there was no water. Instead, she upended a bottle of liquor over her head.
The harsh alcohol stench was dizzying. But at least it rinsed off the semen clinging to her body.
She wiped off the moisture with nearby tissues and addressed the empty air.
"Honestly, I half-suspected another trap. Like you were testing my loyalty or just messing with me."
> You didn't trust me?
"Did you think I could trust you?"
> Objectively and mathematically speaking... no, I suppose not.
Navi-kun seemed self-aware of that.
Hallucinations originating from her head still felt alien, so Black rubbed her temple. Alcohol-soaked strands stuck to her fingers.
Communication with Navi-kun had become possible a few days ago... about a week, really. She'd heard the full story, though how much she could trust it was another matter.
Navi-kun was an AI program specially prepared by Liliza, Black's scientist ally.
Its purpose: insurance for emergencies.
The "emergency" meant the worst-case scenario.
In other words, if Liliza's cover was blown for some reason, she was captured and hypnotized.
And through that hypnotized Liliza, even "Pure White (Er)" or "Phantom (Black Twilight)" fell into a trap.
It was prepared as insurance to carve a path out of such a hopeless situation.
> No information was given on "Pure White." Just in case. As for my owner, Dr. Liliza, she was constantly monitored, making it hard to act. In the end, the only option was "Phantom"... you, Black Twilight.
To fulfill his owner Liliza's orders, the AI program she'd prepared reviewed methods and ran simulations.
After evaluating them all, this approach had the highest success probability.
So, they decided to sell Black to the underground group "Underdog."
> I needed to hack the hypnosis program implanted in you. I had the unlock codes and data to adjust it, but the facility and time were issues. This place had the equipment, and I could keep you here during the hacking period.
Even after hacking the program, adapting to it took time.
And during that, a routine factory inspection could expose Navi-kun's tampering.
To resolve such minor risks, Black needed to be confined somewhere.
Somewhere she could hide, evading the city's and factory's security eyes.
Thus, following Navi-kun's guidance, Black reached "Underdog" and let herself be captured without resistance.
The brain program adjustments completed successfully, and as a bonus, Navi-kun's AI personality data was duplicated and implanted.
According to Navi-kun, that personality data existed only in the original drone body and this copy in Black's head.
With the body destroyed, Navi-kun now resided solely in Black's mind.
> How's your condition? Any combat restrictions?
"...No problems. I can fight."
> Understood.
Navi-kun continued.
> Next step, then... though you might not need to worry.
"?"
> Dr. Liliza prepared more than just me as "insurance."
Black didn't quite get it but didn't press.
Her head still felt foggy from the lingering drug...
"Hoo."
Black readjusted her grip on the knife, checked for presences around her, and stepped out of the room.
Shruk. Her magical girl outfit enveloped her body, soaked in liquor, blood, and semen.
『Urk...!』
『Guhk...!』
After killing the leader, she roamed the hideout, picking off the men one by one.
Whenever possible, alone. She lured them into corridors or out with noises before striking.
Her magic proved effective too. Black's spells lacked flashiness but specialized in ambushes—perfect for this.
Six now...
"Grk... guhkk..."
From behind the sixth man, she clamped his mouth with one hand and stabbed his throat with the knife.
Releasing him with his neck half-severed, his massive frame collapsed pathetically.
A pool of blood spread across the floor.
"Hah... hah... hoo..."
My head's spinning. No strength in my body.
Black wiped the sweat—or blood?—dripping to her chin.
The drug the leader had forced on her. She'd thought channeling magic had pushed it out somewhat, but it wasn't complete.
The more she moved, the more the dizziness intensified, as if the drug spread further.
She wanted to collapse and sleep...
> Black! The door!
"?!"
The sharp voice snapped her hazy vision back into focus.
Looking to the door, she sensed someone hastily retreating.
Another member using this room? Or just passing by?
Either way, one of Underdog's seven members had witnessed the carnage—and Black.
She should've paid attention to his presence. The drug made her mind slip for a moment...!
No, it's fine. Chase him now...?!
Black lunged for the door, but her foot tangled, sending her sprawling.
Her vision spun. Her head felt heavy. What was this? Why? The drug alone didn't explain...
Magic use...?
Something felt off beyond just the drug.
Maybe the factory had tampered with her magic use itself.
To prevent rash rebellion even if a magical girl regained her senses.
"Kuh...!"
Danger. Big trouble. Black propped herself up on trembling arms and staggered out of the room.
Too late to chase the escapee.
If he'd fled outside the hideout? No, unlikely.
They have a captured magical girl...!
Unlike Black, those girls lacked Navi-kun's implant.
If hypnotized into soldiers against her, it was game over. In this state, she couldn't handle even one, let alone two.
"...?"
Suddenly, a sound from down the corridor—like destruction.
Unable to tell what, Black dragged her heavy feet through the door into the hall.
And immediately beheld the chaotic scene.
Ice...?
The corridor was half-demolished, filled with sharp, jagged ice crystals.
One such crystal pierced the gut of the man who'd just fled, it seemed.
His body half-torn, he appeared dead.
As Black stared blankly, trying to process, a thunk echoed from afar.
Like a staff tapping the floor. With it, the ice crystals cracked, revealing a path.
And from beyond, someone emerged.
A blue-haired magical girl.
In one hand, a massive staff as tall as herself.
"I was gonna watch the situation a bit, but didn't expect you to move first. Glad it worked out anyway. Had to be cautious to avoid magical girls fighting each other."
The blue-haired girl with twintails—the one Black had passed in the hall recently.
Even stripped naked by Underdog's men, she approached unfazed.
Her expression had been blank then, unreadable. Now, she smiled the same enigmatic smile.
"As Dr. Liliza requested, I'll be your strength."
"I'm the magical girl Blue Sapphire. Nice to work with you from now on, Black."
The blue twintail magical girl said it with a mature, subtle smile.