Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Magical Girl (3)
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The shutter clicked dozens of times before I finally stopped striking poses. Not for any other reason, but because I'd run out of poses that didn't feel utterly embarrassing.
"How do they look? Did they come out well?"
"Yes. They came out perfectly. They'll be more than suitable to attach to the report."
"Really? Then send them all to me on KakaoTalk too!"
If they really turned out that great, I needed to save them on my phone as well. I'd edit them for my wallpaper and upload them online, too.
"...All of them?"
"Yes!"
Yu So-jeong averted her eyes, looking somewhat troubled.
"What's wrong?"
"...Sending the full set would be inefficient due to the file sizes. Each photo from this camera is dozens of megabytes."
"Hmm, then just send the good ones."
Only then did Yu So-jeong nod. Fair enough—photos from a beast like that camera had to be massive. I'd also heard they wouldn't even open properly on a phone and needed separate editing.
'Well, Miss So-jeong will handle the editing.'
She was multi-talented for some reason... no, practically omnipotent.
We took photos, showed off the detailed look to Il-ho after she finished washing up, even let her touch the fabric texture, and just like that, time flew by.
'But... how do I undo this?'
I'd transformed, but putting down the staff didn't release it. I figured I could force it with mana if I tried, but I didn't want to risk breaking the transformation function.
There had been a procedure to transform, so there was probably one to undo it. I set the staff down and focused intently, but nothing happened.
'Transformation release! Return to my original self!'
Hmm, did I need to say it out loud?
"Transformation release?"
A brief light enveloped my body, and in an instant, my outfit reverted to my usual gym clothes and straight hair. The staff had returned to its original form as well.
'...But why voice-activated?'
The speaking function on Il-ho's helmet worked with just a thought, so why did this staff require words? Had I been influenced by anime or something?
'Nah, no way.'
I liked anime, sure, but I wasn't so immersed that I'd slap pointless restrictions onto a real item because of it. I knew how to separate work from personal life.
In any case, there was a clear reason I'd undone the transformation.
"Miss So-jeong, could we use one of the Management Bureau's facilities right now?"
"What facility do you mean?"
"Firepower measurement! We have to test how strong this staff really is!"
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements. Get ready to head out, and I'll handle the procedures."
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the back of the Management Bureau building by car. Il-ho had tagged along too, her eyes sparkling with excitement at the chance to come with us.
"Hehe... Miss So-jeong, aren't you excited?"
"Excited about what?"
Miss So-jeong, really—asking the obvious.
"It's an S+ grade item! I can't even imagine how powerful it'll be. Heehee."
"...S+?"
"Yeah! Didn't I mention it?"
At my words, Miss So-jeong froze for a solid three seconds, looking shocked.
"It might be best to keep that detail secret. S+ is a rank that's never been discovered before."
Hmm, she had a point. If word got out that I was the first S+ creator, I'd deal with way more hassle than now.
"Got it. Handle it that way, then."
While we talked, the car headed deep into the Management Bureau's underground parking lot, passing general parking areas and security gates.
We got out and walked another ten minutes to our destination. A nameplate on the iron door read [Special Firepower Measurement Room 02].
The extremely thick door slid open to reveal a space the size of four basketball courts. All six sides were covered in special materials, with pillars embedded here and there—it was blatantly designed for maximum durability.
"This way."
The researcher in the white coat guiding us led the way. We ended up in the control room connected to the measurement chamber. Through the thick reinforced glass, the space we'd just been standing in was visible at a glance.
"Everyone except Lee Da-yoon, please wait here. Communication will be via this microphone and speaker."
I left the two of them in the monitor-filled control room and took my position in the measurement chamber once more.
Clunk.
The heavy steel door sealed shut, and amid the tension, the speaker crackled to life.
- Are you ready, Lee Da-yoon?
It was the researcher's voice. There was nothing to prepare. I was always ready.
"Yes! I'm ready!"
- Understood. Please proceed with the demonstration.
"Hoo..."
I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.
A quick glance showed at least seven people in the control room, and knowing someone from upper Management Bureau might be watching me too brought a wave of embarrassment.
'Miss So-jeong and Il-ho are like family, so that's fine, but transforming in front of strangers...'
Just transforming would be one thing, but having to yell the lines made it mortifying.
But as an adult, I couldn't back down like a kid in a situation like this. I steeled myself and shouted the incantation.
"Power of miracles, heed my call! Magical☆Dragon, descend upon this place now!"
The moment the incantation ended, the familiar light enveloped my body. When I opened my eyes, I was once again the magical girl in a frilly, ornate dress.
- ...Confirmed. Please attack the target ahead.
At the far end opposite where I stood was a massive metal dummy. That was today's target—a special one made of enchanted tungsten alloy that wouldn't break under even the strongest A-rank hunter attacks.
'Here goes!'
Swoosh—
I aimed the staff forward, and the gem at its tip began emitting an intense glow.
I drew in a deep breath and shouted with all my might.
"Shining Spark!"
In that instant, light condensed at the staff's tip, and the world turned blindingly white.
Kwaaaaaaaaang—!
An eardrum-shattering roar accompanied a beam of light that seemed poised to end the world. A massive pillar of light, easily over a meter in diameter, swallowed everything in front of me.
The flash lasted a mere second. But the result was shocking.
Nothing remained where the target had been. Just a bubbling pool of metal glowing white-hot from the intense heat.
The walls, floor, and even the ceiling lights were completely unscathed. Only the target had melted away without a trace.
- Crackle...
Murmurs from the researchers leaked through the control room speaker.
- No way. Melted tungsten in one second...?
- ...At least 50 gigawatts.
- The mana output was off from the start. This is broken! It doesn't fit any formulas!
Chaotic chatter mixed with scientific jargon filled the air—a collective monologue of shock that barely qualified as conversation, each spilling their disbelief.
Amid it all, I heard Yu So-jeong's voice and the sound of Il-ho's tail thumping against the floor.
- Measurement complete. Opening the door.
"Yesss."
Clunk.
The heavy door swung open, and I suppressed my lingering excitement as I released the transformation.
"Transformation release."
As expected, Il-ho and Yu So-jeong were the first through the door. Il-ho's pupils were rounder than usual, her eyes a mix of awe and astonishment.
"How were the results?"
Miss So-jeong showed me the screen on the tablet PC in her hand, her voice carrying the slightest hint of excitement beyond her usual calm.
"Instantaneous firepower is S-rank level. It exceeded the measurable output limit."
"Really?"
"Yes. If you'd injected more mana, the equipment would've been destroyed."
S-rank...
A pleased smile spread across my face unbidden. Yes, this was what an S+ item should be. I was no longer a frail dragon just taking beatings. Now I was a powerful magical girl who could level a building if I felt like it!
'Frail Wyrmling? Debuff? That's got nothing to do with me anymore. Humans are tool-using animals, after all.'
I was a dragon, but also human. As the pinnacle of creation, I'd transcended my limits through the greatness of tools!
Lost in satisfaction, I felt a small tug on my skirt. I turned to see Il-ho looking up at me.
She fumbled out her whiteboard and scribbled some crooked letters, holding it up for me to see.
- Sister strong?
I puffed out my chest confidently.
"Yeah! Of course I'm strong! I'm S-rank hunter level now!"
Il-ho stared at me blankly for a moment after my answer. Then she abruptly hung her head.
The sparkle faded from her golden eyes, and her shoulders slumped dejectedly.
"Huh? Il-ho, what's wrong?"
Soon, Il-ho scribbled something else on the whiteboard. Her handwriting was far weaker and more precarious than before.
- Then can't protect me?