Chapter 116
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Law of Web Novel Titles
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Do you know the law of web novel titles?
It's a kind of unwritten rule where, if a web novel's title includes a specific word, the story unfolds in a completely different direction from what that word suggests.
It's something you can boldly prefix with "absolutely."
Because it applies to almost every single work.
Let me give you an example.
What happens if a web novel title includes "terminal illness"?
Yeah, just as you expected.
The protagonist only has a terminal illness at the very beginning. But as the story progresses, it turns out they don't.
They gain a normal lifespan like everyone else, or even evolve into a transcendent being.
And that's not all. The moment "quietly" appears in a web novel title, you can never live quietly.
This is especially prevalent in possession stories.
"Hmm? Why is the protagonist's growth so slow compared to the original story I know? Even though I snatched all the opportunities, master, and artifacts meant for the original protagonist, this is too much! Hey, hey!"
"And why do these guys keep flocking to me instead of the protagonist? Sheesh, I can't understand it. I'm just a no-good possession extra?"
"Argh, this is driving me crazy! I already gave that item to the heroine, so I can't gain any more favor with it! The heroine isn't giving affection because the original protagonist is acting like an idiot!"
"Hey! I already went there and took the opportunity, so there's nothing left! Why are you wasting time? You need to find somewhere else right away!"
"What, can't you even beat that easy boss? That's not how you fight! If you just used the one artifact I took, it'd be pure experience points!"
"Sigh, no helping it. I wanted to live 'quietly' at first, but now I can't trust the original protagonist with the academy (or the world, if you prefer)."
"Heh! Looks like I have to step up 'again'!!!"
Of course, this is an extreme case.
Mostly stemming from issues of conscience and intelligence.
Anyway.
The law of web novel titles is something you can't defy. In a way, it's like a curse.
Because no matter what, the story never flows according to the words in the title.
And I was no exception.
If I were to liken my situation to a web novel title, it would be: 'The Hero Who Returned to Earth After 10 Years in Another World Was Actually a Competent Moderator, But Now Wants to Quit and Live Peacefully.'
Thus, I too couldn't escape the law of web novel titles.
"From today, you're the Magical Moderator."
"???"
Because I'd been assigned the moderator role again.
In other words, peaceful days were drifting further away.
Here's how it happened.
I'd finished my duties half-heartedly and was fiddling with my phone in the dorm.
"Argh, seriously!!!"
That was the trigger—Sora suddenly yelling from where she lay on the bed.
"What's up, Sora?"
"The Magical trolls are making the Magical Gallery a mess again!"
In the process, I happened to learn that Sora was a moderator.
"Sora, are you wearing the armband?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'm a contract Magical Girl, but today's my last day."
To be precise, she was a contract worker, but that wasn't important, so I skipped it.
Instead, I asked about something else.
"Which gallery?"
"The Magical Gallery."
While I was surprised by the fact that Sora had been a moderator and joined the Magical Gallery, Sora started venting her anger again.
"But the Magical trolls are driving me insane."
"No more moderators?"
"We're short on numbers, and I have to hand over the Magical Moderator role by midnight today, but there's no one suitable."
Sora looked deeply troubled, suggesting she didn't have much experience as a moderator.
In that case, I just needed to help her out a bit.
"Sora, let me give you some moderator tips."
"From you, sunbae?"
"Of course."
I was the perfect person to help, after all.
Having done it myself.
"If there's no one suitable to manage the gallery, just raise a competent moderator yourself."
"Aha."
"Right, that'll make it way easier than—"
Then I suddenly stopped my advice.
"...Sora."
"Yeah, sunbae?"
"That was just advice for you. It doesn't mean make me the moderator."
You fucking bitch.
I barely swallowed the last part. Even if I'd said it outright, Sora probably couldn't have retorted.
She was about to recommend my shiny new fixed nick as the moderator.
She couldn't appoint me without being the head mod, but it was threatening enough.
Is she crazy?
"You're the perfect competent talent for it, sunbae."
"Shut your mouth."
Of course, I don't mean moderating is bad.
Objectively, it's an amazing position.
One that grasps all the wealth and fame in the world.
However, I'm no longer attached to such things.
I just wanted to escape this insane asylum as soon as possible and spend the rest of my days comfortably with the money I had.
To put it extremely: 'Take all the honor and money! Just don't make me moderator!' That was my stance.
"Oh, that's a great idea."
"?"
That's what I thought...
"From today, you're the Magical Moderator."
"???"
Suddenly, she was telling me to do it.
"Oh? First Sergeant, what brings you here?"
"Just came to check if you're handling the Magical armband properly till the end."
This was all because of that fucking First Sergeant Magical Girl—the first one I'd met since becoming a Magical Girl.
"Well, I'm trying my best. But the results aren't matching the effort."
"That's a shame. But Sora, you're good at the Magical armband job, so it's even more regrettable."
The First Sergeant Magical Girl talking to Sora looked genuinely depressed.
Then, she turned her gaze to me.
"By the way."
Soon after, the First Sergeant Magical Girl looked at me and twisted her lips into a bizarre smirk.
A strange smile mixed half with expectation and half with mockery.
"Who would've thought there'd be a Magical candidate right here to replace Sora."
Of course, I had no intention of doing it.
A moderator position comes with unimaginable pain alongside the wealth and fame.
The only reason I'd done it before was to make money for stocks.
If it were unpaid?
I'd have offed myself and gone to a real isekai full of dreams and hopes.
Unpaid moderator is a term that can't exist or make sense.
Like 'NoPaypia Vtuber Launch.'
Anyway.
I vehemently expressed my refusal to the First Sergeant Magical Girl.
"No, fuck, I'm not doing i—!"
But before I could finish, the First Sergeant Magical Girl quickly slipped away.
"Take over the Magical handover properly, slave."
Having pinned a brand-new armband next to my fixed nick.
That was how I ended up as moderator.
"Fuck."
My mood tanked.
Back from another world, and now moderating again.
Then, something odd occurred to me.
"By the way, Sora, is the First Sergeant the head mod? She appoints moderators at will."
"The Magical head mod is the Magical Battalion Commander. The First Sergeant is just one of the Magical Moderators."
"Then how did she make me one?"
As far as I knew, only the head mod could appoint moderators. How did a mere moderator like her do it?
"Probably the Magical Battalion Commander entrusted her with the head mod account separately."
A bit suspicious, but not incomprehensible.
She must have delegated the duties.
"What about the Captain bitch?"
She's probably a moderator too.
"The Magical Captain is also a Magical Moderator, but she's on disciplinary suspension right now."
Though she still does some Magical Moderator work, Sora added.
A bit disappointing.
If the Captain had come to see me separately, it would've been a real 'opportunity' for me.
Guess it'll have to wait for next time.
Even if she came, Sora being here would make it tricky.
At that moment, Sora gave me a pleading look.
"You won't bail on it, right, sunbae? It pays pretty decently. And honestly, it's tough work, so asking just anyone feels wrong."
"But it's fine for me?"
You little shit.
I swallowed the last part again. Or maybe a bit leaked out—I was a little pissed.
"It's because it's you that I trust and hand it over, sunbae. Both the Magical Moderator role and you, unnie."
"Hah."
Still annoying.
"So, sunbae, you really won't do it?"
"I don't want to, but I guess I have to."
I had no intention of just ditching it.
Whether in military life or as a Magical Girl, First Sergeants were thorns in my side, but no need to butt heads now. So, I'd do as told.
I was a competent A-rank, not some washout.
But before diving into moderator duties, there was one thing to confirm.
"Sora, what exactly does the Magical Gallery cover?"
What kind of gallery was the Magical Gallery?
"Mostly chit-chat, then game talk, but pretty much everything. Covers the whole Magical subculture spectrum. Oh, except politics."
Since it's the Magical Gallery, Sora added by way of explanation.
Nicely put, a comprehensive gallery.
Harshly put, a shitshow.
"Who's the user base?"
"Almost all Magical Girls."
"I see."
The user base seemed substantial. Posts were updating in real-time.
Like an intranet in military terms.
That explained the heavy usage.
Not bad.
Anyway, I'd grasped the gallery's vibe. Time to get into serious management.
That's when a desperate voice rang out.
"H-Help...!"
It was Whitey.
Pale-faced, clutching her phone.