Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Magical Girl Alice
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"Today, we have a very special guest joining us! Even our production team struggled to get her here! Allow me to introduce her: Magical Girl Celine!"
"Ahaha... Ah, hello. It's our first time meeting like this. I'm Celine."
"Yes~! We're so glad to have you, Celine-nim! I understand you haven't appeared on broadcasts much before. What made you decide to join our talk show this time?"
Ten years ago, black holes suddenly tore open all over the world, and monsters began pouring out.
These creatures appeared out of nowhere, rampaged through the surroundings, achieved whatever goal they had, and then vanished back into the black holes they'd come from. Humanity poured every kind of firearm at them, but they shrugged it off without a single scratch.
Just as people wondered if they'd have to sit idly by while these monsters periodically wreaked havoc, new beings appeared out of nowhere.
[That's far enough, monster! I'll defeat you with the power of love and justice!]
Magical Girls—girls decked out in garish, childish decorations from head to toe, the kind anyone would peg as a little girl obsessed with that sort of play—shockingly began driving back the monsters.
The monsters kept coming after that first world-shaking debut of the Magical Girls, but each time, new Magical Girls or returning ones appeared to repel them.
Of course, there were plenty of attempts to uncover the Magical Girls' secrets. People were dying to know how they defeated the monsters, what the monsters' true nature and goals were, whether their apparent ages matched reality, and more.
But the Magical Girls always vanished like ghosts after the fights. Grateful for their help against the monsters, people were gradually adapting to their presence when one day...
[Hello, everyone. Today... I'd like to talk about us Magical Girls.]
A Magical Girl appeared on public broadcast TV—a sight usually confined to monster battle scenes—and her revelations captured everyone's attention, answering many long-held questions.
1. The monsters were beings from a dimension called the Abyss, invading for conquest and feeding on the negative energy generated in the process.
2. Magical Girls were humans contracted with beings called Mascots from a different dimension, granting them the power to combat the Abyss.
3. Unlike the Abyss, Magical Girls and Mascots drew their strength from humanity's positive emotions.
4. Magical Girls had no way to recognize each other, so unless they revealed themselves, their true identities remained hidden.
There were questions about their appearances and ages too, but the response was that transformed states depended on Mascot traits and might differ from their civilian forms.
That said, due to Mascot natures, contract efficiency was highest with young women, so the very old or very young weren't suitable.
In practice, visible Magical Girls never appeared older than their early twenties, leading to the consensus that women in that age range were prime candidates.
After this, it became clear many Magical Girls operated in secret, but over time, more began engaging publicly.
Some made occasional TV guest spots, while others went full model, actress, or idol careers—not uncommon at all.
Another key revelation: Magical Girls could end their contracts under certain conditions and return to normal life.
Indeed, former Magical Girls who appeared on TV during their active days continued as actresses or idols even after contracts ended.
Since they gained power from positive emotions, the theory held that publicly active Magical Girls—exposed via TV or online streams—were stronger than those hiding away.
Maintaining transformation hid identities anyway, so if they could handle the spotlight, it was the fastest path to greater power.
Celine on TV now was probably there for that reason.
"One more poor sap conned into a shady contract..."
I wondered what sweet lies Jae got fed this time.
Anyone sane wouldn't sign up to be a Magical Girl.
What did this job offer—big money? Fame?
Fancy name or not, it meant rushing out every time a monster showed, slaying it, and hoping for a "thanks"—if you were lucky. More often, you'd hear gripes like "Why so late?" or "Who's paying for my building you trashed?" Any sense of duty or love for humanity evaporated fast.
"Ah, I'll keep doing my best from now on! Pl-please watch and cheer me on! Ah! And my X-Tube channel too..."
"Tch."
-Beep.
No wonder the kid looked frozen stiff up there—she was just shilling her channel.
If that wasn't an act, she wouldn't make it big.
The market was flooded with channels from similar personality types. Without a standout edge, competition would crush her.
...Whatever, that's her problem now.
Watching that irritating scene twisted my gut. Time for another smoke...
-Clack.
"Ah."
...That last one I smoked while watching was it.
"Damn it..."
There was a convenience store right outside, but for someone who hated fresh air, cursing was inevitable.
Part of me wanted to just order smokes by delivery, but that's illegal, so...
'...Maybe I should just quit.'
It was barely 5 PM; still bright out.
Hated outdoor air, and sunlight on top? My skin was already crawling with imaginary hives. Better to wait till sunset than deal with that.
-Rattle rattle rattle.
"...Hah."
My right hand started shaking. Forcing it down with my left only spread the tremors there too.
Looked like holding out till dark wasn't happening.
-Rustle.
I threw on a gray hoodie draped nearby, sorted the shoes scattered by the door, and slipped them on.
-Clank.
Unhooked the chain on the front door, gripped the knob—hands still shaking.
'...Whether it's nicotine or this bullshit, what's the difference?'
I could easily tell this wasn't withdrawal shakes.
Damn this pathetic body. As I forced strength into my grip to open the door—
-Poof!
[Han Sejin!!! An Abyss passage has opened! Coordinates transmitted to your head!]
A rabbit-shaped doll popped into existence midair, speaking urgently.
-Throb throb.
"...Bunny. I'm in withdrawal; I can't fight right now. Call another Magical Girl..."
[We're the closest right now! The next nearest is already deployed elsewhere!]
"Hah, seriously."
Mascots and the Abyss never let anyone rest.
What could I do? My fault for signing the contract.
"Bunny. After this, I'm clocking out. Don't try tying me up with 'extra support' or 'new passages' then."
[I-I'll try.]
'Transform. Alice.'
-Fwoosh!
Chanting the activation in my mind wrapped my body in brilliant light. Moments later, a beautiful girl with white hair and blue eyes stood in the room.
Her dress and stockings in white and blue covered every inch of skin save her face, obsessive about concealment yet elegant. Crescent-moon hairpins and a staff completed the quintessential Magical Girl look.
Transformation only altered appearance—no biological sex swap.
No matter what others thought, the core was still male.
"Never gets less disgusting."
'Prep for launch. Gonna wrap this quick.'
The skirt was long enough not to flash, but the airflow against my legs was intolerable for a guy.
[Your words and thoughts don't match, Alice?!]
"Ah."
Almost slipped.
In this form, I had to watch my language.
[Anyway... here we go!]
"Ahem. Cough. Hm."
Before launching to the passage, I cleared my throat, mind-controlled myself, and finished prep as always. Vision warped; scenery shifted to unfamiliar turf.
-Boom! Kaboom!
The all-too-familiar Abyss monster smashing buildings, causing chaos.
Confirming safe arrival, I pointed my staff at the monsters and channeled mana into the line I'd shouted countless times today.
"Infused with starlight love! Magical Girl Alice, arriving on scene!"
Even now, the words twisted my insides.