Chapter 52: The First Ending
Chapter 52: The First Ending
I feel a cool breeze.
A merciful flow of mana soothes my stinging skin.
As I open my eyes, which had been blinded, I see countless streams of mana.
Green, red, black, blue. Mana of so many colors.
This is a place where numerous currents of mana traverse through space, creating a Mana Storm.
A place I’ve seen several times before—the place where my other self appears.
My clothes flutter as the Mana Storm brushes past my body.
A space that only I know exists.
An Otherworld unknown to even Un-ho or Yumil.
Why am I here?
My last memory was definitely the scene where the Hydra’s red energy vanished.
It wasn't that Un-ho’s magic was used, nor did I touch anyone’s hand.
I had simply defeated The Enemy of the story.
There was no reason for me to be here.
Continuing my train of thought, I inspected the state of my body.
A body without a single wound.
Clear skin without a trace of a burn.
Sense organs that hear and see perfectly.
“Ah—. Ah—.”
My voice comes out fine, too.
There’s no way injuries of that magnitude could have healed already.
I should have been receiving treatment for a long time to recover.
In that case, had I been unconscious long enough for my body to heal?
Or if not that...
“Am I dead?”
Is this The Afterlife?
It’s a pretty decent guess, if I do say so myself.
It’s a bit strange to still be in the form of a Magical Girl even in death, but whatever.
If I really am dead, my only regret is that I couldn't teach my disciples more.
Step.
“Who’s dying? Have you lost your mind?”
The owner of this space walked out from the storm.
She glared at me, clicking the White Rod in her mouth.
She swung her hammer, slammed it into the ground, and leaned against the handle before speaking.
“You’ve been coming here often lately, haven't you?”
For some reason, her behavior is starting to resemble mine more and more.
Is it just my imagination?
“It’s not like I came here because I wanted to. I don't even know how I got here today.”
That’s why I thought I was dead.
“Ah. So you thought this was The Afterlife? How impressive.”
The mysterious girl simply continued to laugh.
With a pure joy that made my ears twitch.
Identity? I’ve told you several times. I told you who I am, and that’s the kind of person I am.
Is reading minds always this annoying?
She answers questions I haven't even asked, and the conversation flows at her pace.
I suppose I should take the initiative for once.
“I used Un-ho’s power to look back at my memories from that time. There was no such thing. You never told me who you were.”
“I did. It’s probably just a matter of perception.”
A strange brat who never explains anything. This is only the second time we’ve spoken, but she clearly has an eccentric personality.
“You too.”
Clack. Giggle.
The sound of the white stick clacking mixed with her laughter.
“Then why don't you tell me? Why did I come to this space?”
As if she had been waiting for those words, she pulled up her hammer and spun around.
Her skirt flared out in the air from the centrifugal force, and the surrounding mana wrapped around her, following the flow of The Hammer.
“You defeated a powerful enemy of the story. So, what’s next?”
She doesn't give an answer.
She just prattles on as she pleases and makes her own choices.
“Aren't you going to answer? There’s no point in trying to probe me. Everything I’ve told you is the truth.”
…
Shut up.
In the first place, so many things have happened that my head is a mess.
“Nothing to say? Well, I’m busy, so I’ll just tell you. It’s a reward. You defeat a massive foe and gain even greater power. Isn't that the traditional flow of a story?”
“In that case, isn't it more common to awaken during the battle?”
“There’s that, and then there’s this. It’s not like there’s only one kind of story.”
She stopped spinning, brought her legs together, and stood at attention.
“But you don't need it, do you? New magic? Can you even use it? A new weapon? Do you need one?”
She held her posture and leaned toward me.
“Greater power? Wouldn't that be too much? You’re probably already having a hard time controlling your emotions as it is.”
My blood boiled.
A blatant provocation.
Why was I even being polite to this Unknown Entity in the first place?
This kind of wordplay isn't far off from my own tastes, either.
If a conversation won't work, then there is only physical negotiation.
I immediately summoned my hammer and swung it at her.
With all my strength. With all my emotions.
Thump.
My hammer and hers collided.
The impact of The Hammer heads meeting.
Our strength was equal.
I immediately pulled The Hammer back and continued the rotation.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Again and again.
The Hammer heads continued to clash, but nothing happened.
The same strength, the same rotation, the same point of impact.
The first move was a bit faster because it was my surprise attack, but as the exchange continued, our movements became identical.
Exactly the same power.
Exactly the same technique.
Exactly the same trajectory.
It was an act no different from reaching out to one’s own reflection in a mirror.
“…How annoying.”
It was a meaningless act. What was the point of fighting an opponent who performed the exact same actions?
Even when I tried to mix in a feint, we both took the feinting posture, leading to a bizarre situation where both our attacks were delayed.
Since I wasn't aiming for a draw, the exchange itself was pointless. I withdrew my hammer and quietly spread my arms in a gesture of surrender.
“Do whatever you want. Let’s just get this over with.”
“Over already? Why? Why don't you try more? I can fight with you until you’re satisfied.”
She continued to speak, swinging The Hammer in her hand back and forth.
“Two people, exhausted and collapsing at the same time, acknowledging each other. Isn't that a good scene?”
It is.
It’s a situation I quite like.
If only it weren't with you.
“Didn't you say you were busy? Let’s just finish this quickly and go our separate ways.”
“I’m not that busy right now. The busy time has passed.”
What on earth does that mean? Is that even a proper sentence?
“Well, I am busy now, so I’ll just tell you and finish up. A normal reward is meaningless to you. So, what should I give you?”
Retracting her hammer, she spread her arms just like I had and continued.
“Knowledge. The knowledge to awaken the power you possess. Wouldn't that be the most valuable reward?”
“Knowledge or whatever, let’s just finish this. I want to check if the kids are safe.”
“Right. Comrades are important.”
She nodded.
She had a triumphant expression, as if that were only natural.
“【The mind is the body.】 Where have you heard that before?”
Lisa Dahlgren. Happiness Drop’s Otherworld Erosion.
“What about it…?”
“Inside that Otherworld, you appeared in the form of a Magical Girl in an instant. It wasn't perfect, but it really was the form of a Magical Girl.”
She cut me off and poured out information like rapid fire.
“What is a Magical Girl? Why is it that everyone else only has their original appearance slightly changed when they transform? Why am I the only one who’s special? Questions like those.”
“Of course, there’s a reason for it. But that’s not what I’m trying to tell you here.”
She thrust her face close to mine.
“A Magical Girl’s body is a high-density mana-material lifeform composed of your spirit. Throw away common sense, and throw away the fact that you’re in pain. Then, it will be reconstructed.”
She pulled her face away, her expression shifting back to a casual one as she stood at attention again.
“To put it bluntly, even if the body dies, it’s maintained as long as the spirit lives.”
A storm of sentences.
She finished speaking without giving me a chance to say anything.
“Human thoughts come from the brain. What kind of nonsense is this?”
“That’s a story from thirty years ago. You dummy.”
“Well then. Think about it carefully. I’m busy, so I’ll see you again later.”
Saying that, she laughed and turned back toward the storm.
Once again, she hadn't really explained anything.
She just said what she wanted to say and disappeared.
“Oh. I’m not that busy this time, so here’s a bonus. I fixed up your body for you, so you’ll be fine when you wake up.”
* * *
Beep—. Beep—.
A strange electronic sound rang in my ears.
My vision was also blocked by something, so I couldn't see anything. I could tell I was in a bright room, at least.
Why is this so uncomfortable?
I tried to lift my body to check my situation, but something stiff hindered my movement.
Restraints?
I tried to open my mouth to call someone, but something like a hose had been inserted into my mouth, preventing me from making a sound.
Fine. I’ll just break it all.
Snap.
I thrust my arms out forcefully, and the things hindering my movement flew away.
With my freed arms, I tore off the soft material covering my eyes.
Once my vision was clear, I could see where I was.
A white room with one side made of plastic sheeting.
A sterile room?
Then this must be a hospital or the Management Bureau.
As I moved my legs, the numerous things attached to my body fell away.
A frightening number of IV drips.
Bandages wrapped all over my body.
Metal wires forcibly embedded into my skin, as if even cutting through the flesh had been difficult.
Just what state had my body been in for them to make such a mess?
The metal screwed into me was uncomfortable, but thinking that tearing it out might cause trouble, I moved my body as it was.
It seemed the staff had gone somewhere, as no one was visible beyond the transparent plastic.
Bang. Bang.
“Is anyone there!”
I shouted while pounding on the heavy door blocking the sterile room, but no answer came.
It’s a bit awkward to just walk out like this.
Thinking that, I looked over my body.
Fair skin.
Nothing but fair skin and metal wires.
Since my skin and flesh had been completely scorched, this was probably necessary for treatment. That’s one thing, but isn't it weird for me to be moving around naked right now?
It can't be helped.
As I summoned my hammer and held it in my hand, clothes began to be woven from my mana.
The Magical Girl outfit I’ve worn for thirty years.
Clothes that have become so familiar they feel like my own skin.
After changing into the Magical Girl outfit, I pressed the switch next to the isolation door.
I passed through the door, went through the decontamination room, and moved to the next room, but still, no one was to be seen.
Shouldn't someone be on standby next to a dying person?
Thinking it was suspicious, I looked around the room.
A telephone, a red button, numerous medical tools.
And a door where I could sense a presence.
Ignoring the things unrelated to me, I walked toward the door where I felt someone.
“As I’ve said, Hero Lee Ha-ram’s condition shows no signs of improvement. We must prepare for the worst-case scenario…”
“Why isn't the healing magic working!”
“The entire body has been contaminated by Otherworldly Power. Until that is cleared away, there’s no other way…”
As I got closer to the door, I heard voices, and I threw the door wide open.
A clean white hallway, a group of people.
The sound of mourning reached my ears.
“Oxymoron-unnie! You can save Senior, right?”
“No, I’m telling you, I’ll try! Why are you blocking me!”
One disciple was clinging to Oxymoron.
Another was being held back by Oxymoron while swinging a hammer at a doctor.
“What are you guys doing?”
All eyes turned toward me.
The faces of old comrades, disciples, and people I had ties with came into view.
Every single one of them had a face steeped in sorrow.
Traces of tears, wrinkles etched by grief, small wounds left on tightly shut lips.
But those traces of sadness were overwritten by another emotion.
Wide eyes, distorted brows, mouths hanging open.
Blatant bewilderment.
To put it in my own terms:
‘Why are you there?’
“Masteeeeer!”
The first to break that bizarre atmosphere and rush over was my eldest disciple, Baek Si-hyun.
She lifted my small body and hugged me tightly.
“Master! It’s really you, right!”
“That hurts, you brat.”
“I’m sorry! You haven't fully recovered yet, have you?”
At my words, Baek Si-hyun made a fuss and set me down. Perhaps because she had caused such a scene...
In the softened atmosphere, others approached me and spoke to me one by one.
There were some rude actions, like pulling at my skin or casting magic on me as if they couldn't believe the situation before their eyes.
But everyone smiled brightly and rejoiced that I was alive.
After everyone had taken turns offering words of blessing and jokes.
One person remained at the end.
A man with an awkwardly stiff expression spoke.
“You’ve returned alive, Lee Ha-ram.”
“I told you I wouldn't die, Park Hyun-seok.”
“Right. Aside from money matters, you were always one to keep your promises.”
How much did I borrow from this guy again?
I don't know.
“Sorry for making you worry. Let’s go eat something warm later.”
“Let’s do that. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”
With those words, he turned around and walked away.
He’s still such a stiff guy.
He could afford to look a bit happier. If he’s always that tense, he’ll ruin his health.
After Hyun-seok left, the conversation echoing in the white hallway continued.
Well-wishes celebrating my return, how long I had been unconscious, the results of the battle.
Amidst such boisterous commotion, the first battle against an Executive came to an end.
The Enemy of my story, returned after ten years. This battle will surely create another great ripple in the world.
The first Public Enemy declaration since the era of peace.
A significant number of casualties.
Widespread Otherworld contamination.
The Management Bureau will only get busier from here on out.
The issue of the decline in the quality of Heroes.
Compensation for the numerous casualties.
The restoration of the Pacific.
I, too, cannot escape that cycle. Because I was lacking, I dragged in so many others.
I must become stronger.
So that I can defeat the enemies of the story I brought upon myself, alone.
Because one sacrifice—mine—is enough.
But that is all a story for the future.
No one around me died.
In that case, wasn't this battle enough?
For now, let’s enjoy and build upon this happiness.
Let’s soothe this exhausted body.
To uphold justice.