Sorting the Trash
'What the hell is going on here...'
I'd thought it was quite the commotion, but for some reason, no one else showed up.
Glancing around, I fixed my gaze forward again.
"Teresa, are you insane?"
"I'm sooo sorryyy—!"
"I told you to check names and send people back today, didn't I?"
"Y-yes, I did..."
"Then?"
"...I, I forgot..."
"...Bowl your head."
"Yes, ma'am!!!"
Thud!
The girl named Teresa slammed her head into the ground again. She didn't seem to care about the cracking floor—it was like she was trying to smash it to pieces.
'She took that hit so hard and she's fine. Tough junior.'
I stared blankly at the scene for a few minutes. Finally, the scolding seemed over. She shook her head and walked toward me.
"...Haa. This is why the magical girls these days... Back in my time, one mistake like that meant immediate execution."
"Pfft. Look at you, turning into the old fogey now, Iris?"
"I've always been like this, Captain."
...Jeez. This one's consistent, as always.
The way she cracks down so hard on her subordinates.
The way she calls me 'Captain' with those trusting eyes.
She was one of the few magical girls who didn't call me 'junior' or 'senior.'
I smirked at the title and replied.
"I'm not with that special forces unit anymore, you know?"
"Once a captain, always a captain. Captain Cha Seol-hyun."
"...Is that right? I heard you took over my spot, by the way."
"Ah, that..."
Iris snapped to attention with a crisp salute.
Then, with a grin, she declared proudly.
"Special Response Strategic Team 1, under direct Association command—Lieutenant Iris reporting!"
"...Heh. Impressive."
"It's all thanks to you, Captain. The work suits me, and bossing around the underlings? It's the best."
"What're you saying? You earned it."
In truth, Iris was a world-famous magical girl. Excluding Isia, she had the most experience in Korea.
It had been over 70 years since we first met.
Out of the seven worldwide, including her, there were very few first-generation magical girls still active.
'Brings back memories~'
Isia pulled some strings to form a private unit.
We swept through witches and villains with Iris and a few others.
...Faded old memories now.
"...I never thought this unit would get official Association recognition."
"Thanks to you, we got legit rewards for our achievements."
"Honestly, I didn't need mine."
"Come on, if the captain doesn't take it, who would? You were awesome back then—everyone saw it."
...She says the most embarrassing stuff so casually.
I changed the subject, not sure how to respond.
"Ahem... Anyway. Where's that villain? Find out anything?"
"Ah, about that, Captain."
Iris's expression turned serious again.
"There's a bit of a problem."
"...What kind?"
"You'll have to see it yourself and judge."
Following Iris's lead, we headed to where the villain was detained.
...But.
"...Hey. You just gonna leave her like that?"
"Oh, Teresa? She's fine as is."
"Kinda feel bad for her now. Can't you let her up?"
She was still forehead-planted on the ground, not moving even as we left. Her legs trembled faintly—it was honestly a little pitiful.
"She enjoys it."
"...Enjoys this?"
"She loves corporal punishment. Her unique magic is tied to it."
"......"
...I'd accidentally learned Teresa's tastes.
Is this what they call a generation gap?
'Modern magical girls are a mystery.'
Feeling oddly unsettled, I kept walking.
......
One of the special forces facilities in the Association HQ basement.
Rooms lined the corridors on both sides, looking just like interrogation cells.
The creepy part? Most had hardened bloodstains.
"Been a while here. ...Facilities look different."
"Villain and witch appearances have dropped lately. We downsized a bit."
"...Yeah."
Back then, these rooms were packed with villains and witches.
Shoving down the unwelcome memories, I popped a candy in my mouth.
"Captain. Got one for me?"
"...? You never ate them back then."
"It's been ages. I'll gratefully take whatever you give."
"...Here."
I handed her a ginseng candy—one I'd bought but barely touched.
...Not bribery or anything.
We chatted about old times as we walked the long corridor.
Finally, a familiar demonic energy stench hit my nose.
Even quiet Nureong-i reacted.
"Woof! Smells like demonic energy after so long, woof!"
[You were quiet till now. What were you up to?]
"I was resting 'cause it hurt a bit, woof! I'm good now, woof!"
[......]
Today's outing seemed tough on Nureong-i.
'...Too early for full outings still.'
But I needed him for this. His nose was special.
[Hang in there a bit longer, Nureong-i.]
"Woof! Got it, woof!"
We reached the source.
A thick stench wafted through the glass.
"...Here? That's the guy from yesterday?"
"Yes, Captain."
Now I got why Iris wanted me to see it.
No person beyond the glass.
Just a black puddle on the floor.
"...Melted."
"First time. Never seen this during villain transformation."
"......"
No. I remembered it.
But those villains... were from part 2.
'Butterfly effect?'
Made sense.
...Yeah. With all I've done.
If those guys had brains, they wouldn't just sit idle.
'Target's obviously the protagonist.'
Maybe the whole world was like that.
Just mechanisms to heap more suffering on Jeong Hanbyeol.
The comic was structured that way.
No more trials left in this timeline.
So the world's rules pulled future events forward. Natural, like before.
Probably the same with these.
'Then, handle like before.'
What? Easy.
"...Iris. Safe to enter?"
"Of course. Smell's toxic—gas mask?"
"You ever see me use one? I'm good~"
I entered with Nureong-i.
The stench thickened. Rotten corpse smell too.
[Nureong-i, you okay?]
"Fine, woof! Kinda exciting, woof!"
[...Can I count on you?]
"Woof! Leave it to me, woof!"
Nureong-i hopped off my shoulder.
Shiba Inu looks, but a mascot at core.
Mascots have unique abilities.
Magical girls contract to inherit them as transformations and weapons.
Nureong-i specialized in detection.
Sniff sniff.
"Super pungent smell, woof!"
Sniff sniff.
Demonic energy has types.
Monsters, villains, witches wield it.
Except odd witch cases.
Normal demonic energy varies like fingerprints per individual.
But.
'Groups share similarities.'
Sniff sniff.
"Woof! Got the exact scent, woof!"
[How many in Korea, Nureong-i?]
"52, woof!"
52.
More than expected.
Not detailed in comic, so maybe not all.
Could be overseas too.
'...Light cleanup first.'
A few days. Not long.
"Woof! 7 are close by, woof! Near that cafe you mentioned, woof!"
[...Yeah?]
Next ones already lurking near protagonist.
But.
[45 left now.]
"Woof! Kkamang'll handle it, woof!"
I turned to leave.
Busy few days ahead.
'Retired, but no rest.'
Missed peaceful days.
'...That sister didn't come today either.'
Three days since the incident.
Three days Seol-hyun sister hadn't visited the cafe.
'Wanted to get closer.'
That day, she was honestly... no, super cool.
Not just looks.
That display was my ideal magical girl.
Wanted to thank her properly and build friendship...
"Suddenly no visits... Something wrong? Does she hate this cafe now?"
Thoughts swirled.
"Should've gotten her number before parting..."
"Meow~?"
"...Sigh. Venting to you won't help."
"Meow~~"
Lunch break during shift.
I was outside feeding a cat some treats.
Black cat prowling nearby past few days.
'So cute. Someone's pet?'
Only approaches for treats.
Plump, not in danger.
Still worried.
'Owner looking?'
Then.
Crack!
"...?"
Odd sound.
...Something breaking?
I looked toward it.
Dark alley next to cafe.
Ran over.
Thud!
'...What? Nothing.'
Empty alley.
Just trash bins.
'Misheard?'
Tilting head, walked back.
...Cat gone.
"Hng..."
Gloomy day all around.
.........
Crack! Crunch! Snap!
"Meow... That's 7. Done, meow?"
After Jeong Hanbyeol left.
Black ripple in alley trash.
Like teeth.
Chomp. Chomp.
Shadow held a corpse.
Evil, rotting demonic energy.
"Meow... Digesting's exhausting. Can gouge the owner big time, meow?"
So saying.
Kkamang happily pulled out her phone.
"Gacha pickup day today, meow!"
Straight 3 million won charge.
Of course, Cha Seol-hyun's money.