Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Training (2)
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Three days before the Public Training Show.
"Your stamina and skills are truly impressive."
Camilla murmured sleepily as she gazed at the monitor.
Her fingers mimed tapping my ass on the screen.
"I watched the training footage. Even with the fresh magic stone resupply, I didn't expect this level. Watched it again, Mr. Kang Jinwoo."
Her eyes sparkled with interest.
In the director's office, where a few candles flickered, her red lips stood out vividly.
"Thank you, Director."
I bowed my head, feigning humility.
My palms were slick with sweat.
In that footage she was praising, I had ravaged Han Yeri like a beast.
But behind it lay meticulous calculation and desperate acting.
Current corruption level: 94%
Right on the planned pace.
The perfect synergy of Nipple's magic power and my training.
"Just three days left now. I'm looking forward to it. That moment when you hit 100%."
Camilla raised her wine glass.
The red liquid sloshed, reflecting the light.
"Loyalty! Long live the Demon King!"
I gave a curt reply and slipped out of the director's office.
My footsteps echoed heavily down the corridor.
Success felt within reach, yet I also stood on the edge of a cliff.
'But Nipple.'
I called out to him inwardly.
'If we reawaken her as a magical girl while preserving her ego... won't Prism Pink suddenly go berserk?'
"Valid point."
Nipple responded seriously. Not his usual playful tone.
"We do have the transformation release tool, but it's still risky. She's no first-gen magical girl, but Prism Pink was a powerhouse in her prime. If she snaps her restraints and rampages..."
Nipple paused.
"Sure, the other demons would subdue her, but our plan goes straight to hell."
I leaned against the corridor wall and sighed.
'Can't exactly spill our plan to her, though.'
How nice it would be to tell her, "Truth is, I'm here to save you. So play along."
But this was enemy territory, surrounded by surveillance cameras and bugs everywhere.
"That's why control is key."
Nipple whispered.
"Like I said, once mental corruption hits 100%, she'll obey us like putty. My magic will seep into the depths of her subconscious, making your commands absolute. She'll look broken to the demons, but really, she'll be our loyal knight."
'But you've never done this before!'
I shouted inwardly.
"It's perfect in theory. And I'm a prince, remember? Trust my power."
'Got plenty else to trust... you pervert.'
I ruffled my hair. The anxiety wouldn't fade.
There were more problems.
We couldn't hit 100% full corruption before the Public Training Show.
The system here was airtight.
If corruption maxed out beforehand, protocol classified her as a "completed product," triggering a high-level inspector's rigorous check.
Those inspectors were notorious high demons, picky as hell.
Could we fool their eyes?
Hide the freakish corruption laced with Nipple's magic power?
Possible, but the risk was too high.
We had to fill that last 6% during the Public Training Show.
On stage, with hordes of demons watching, amid cheers and frenzy, drive her to climax and seal the final 1%.
That way, we'd skip inspection.
No sane demon would demand a check on a magical girl spectacularly corrupted before the crowd.
It'd kill the audience's buzz and challenge Camilla, the show's host.
But that final 1% was the wildcard.
What if she awakened mid-show and attacked me? Or blasted magic at the crowd?
Chaos. Neither she nor I would survive.
"Hey, quit worrying so much."
Nipple tossed out, sensing my dread.
"Life's a gamble anyway. And you've nailed it for ten years. Maybe that pink-haired girl trusts you deep down? The pleasure hidden in the pain you gave her... and the salvation beyond."
I stared blankly out the window at his words.
Rain was falling.
Droplets from the gray sky pelted the glass and slid down.
The city's neon signs blurred in the rain, creating a dreamlike haze.
Far off, a massive billboard still advertised Goddess Celestia's corruption show.
"Hoo..."
I cracked open a canned coffee and took a sip.
Bitter and sweet.
Ten-plus years of planning, and it still wasn't foolproof.
Had to lean on luck some.
Then again, the whole situation was hopelessly absurd.
Just me and Nipple trying something this insane.
"Let's go, Nipple."
"Roger, partner. What play this time? Doctor? Schoolteacher?"
"This one's the 'Savior' concept."
I headed to Prism Pink with grim resolve.
Ceiling fluorescents flickered rhythmically, casting long shadows on the floor.
I took a deep breath and donned my "actor" mask. This time, layering another mask on top.
I opened the door and entered.
The room was shrouded in darkness. Prism Pink hung her head, bound to a cross-shaped restraint.
Sensing me, she slowly lifted her gaze.
Her eyes were unfocused, but faint life flickered within—thanks to Nipple's magic infused over days.
I closed the door quietly on purpose. Then approached, exaggeratedly scanning the room.
"Shh."
I pressed a finger to my lips and whispered.
Her eyes widened.
I pulled a small remote from my pocket and aimed it at the CCTV camera, pressing the button.
Of course, a dummy with no function. But the blinking red light sold it.
"Cameras are off. Guards are on shift change, away."
I spoke with urgent desperation.
"Now we can escape. I'll help you."
Her lips quivered. Disbelief mixed with desperate hope.
"Really...?"
Her voice cracked.
I nodded, unlocking the chains on her wrists. They clanked to the floor.
"Yeah. Truth is, I'm an undercover agent here to save you. Everything so far was an act. Sorry, Yeri."
She hugged her freed arms, eyes brimming with tears.
"No... thank you... really, thank you..."
She choked up, leaning toward me.
But I stepped back, stopping her.
"Wait, not done yet. One last hurdle to escape."
"Last hurdle?"
She asked with anxious eyes.
"This room has a magic detection barrier. Just opening the door triggers alarms. To disable it, we need specific frequency resonance."
I spouted nonsense with a straight face. Mic prepped just in case.
"I need your song. Prism Pink's song."
At the same time, Central Control Room.
Dozens of monitors lined the walls. Mid-level demon Rial, watching B-404, nearly dropped his snack.
"Huh? What's that?"
On screen, the trainer was fake-shooting the CCTV with a remote.
Of course, the camera ran fine, his voice crystal clear.
First thought: blatantly attempting escape? Crazy bastard?
But...
"Cameras off? Puhahaha! Is he nuts? What the hell's this human doing?"
Rial clutched his belly laughing.
"Betrayer act! And that shameless performance—gold!"
His fellow demon snickered.
"Look at Prism Pink's face. She actually buys it."
"Yeah. Dumb bitch. Straw-grasping time. Hey, record this. Perfect drinking story."
Rial leaned in, grinning eagerly.
"Lemme see. Making her sing? What tune?"
Back in Room 404.
Han Yeri hesitated. Throat too raw for sound?
But the man before her waited patiently, eyes warm—not the beast from recent days.
'This man's... real.'
She was sure.
Memories flashed: candies amid pain, whispers in her ear. All to protect her—an act.
She breathed deep and opened her mouth.
"Shining... hope's... melody..."
It started mosquito-soft.
But I nodded encouragingly.
"Louder. Pour your heart in. That's how the barrier opens."
Eyes shut, she sang.
Her debut, her magical girl identity: Shining Star.
"Like starlight piercing the dark skies~ I'll always be by your side~"
Pitch wobbly, voice hoarse, but raw emotion poured out.
I watched, inwardly impressed.
'Idols are something else. Singing even now.'
But time for climax. Hope given—now despair.
As she finished and opened her eyes, I clapped.
Clap, clap, clap.
Slow, dry applause.
"Bravo. Excellent. Prism Pink through and through."
I grinned, tossing the remote to the floor.
"But oops. Barrier code must've changed. Door won't budge."
Her face hardened.
"What? That can't..."
"Or... maybe no barrier to begin with."
I cackled, closing in.
"Stupid girl. You really believed? That I'd save you?"
I tapped her cheek.
"CCTV's rolling fine. Every demon in the world saw your song."
Her eyes shook. Hope shattering audibly.
"Liar... no... you..."
"I'm the Demon King's loyal dog. And you're my toy."
I grabbed her hair.
"Now, Act Two: The Betrayed Magical Girl's Pathetic End. How the crowd will love it."