Chapter 82

Noah found the situation quite bewildering.

It was strange to see himself, transformed into a villain, bowing to another villain.

Meanwhile, Shin Hyun revealed his true identity without any change in expression, which was quite rare.

“Cr…Kraken…?”

“Yes, I am Kraken.”

He continued speaking casually, as if discussing what he had for dinner last night.

“My career…I believe you’re already well aware of it.”

Aware.

Very much so.

Gulping, Ha Yoon-seo swallowed and looked at the man before her.

A half-worn mask and an upside-down coat. The black tentacles wriggling around him spoke volumes about his identity.

S-class Villain Kraken. The archenemy of Magical Girl Iris and one of the worst villains for recently raiding the Association headquarters.

And yet, this villain smiled with amusement.

“…Ah…Th-that…”

“Don’t be too nervous. This is merely a favor on my part; I have no intention of coercion.”

“…Yes…”

Noah felt a slight twinge of jealousy watching them. Though it was an innocent conversation, the fact that he was with such a voluptuous woman made him uncomfortable.

Sitting in the corner, looking like someone who hadn’t moved and now had fat gathering everywhere!

And then there was the sight of her shaking her overly large chest while pretending to be surprised by his words!

But still, it was fine.

Uncle liked young people—he was a lolicon after all!

“Hehehe…”

“Iris? Why are you laughing?”

“It’s because it’s obvious. You’ll come back to me eventually, Uncle.”

“…Wow, look at your face. You’re seriously sick…sick…”

“Hehe, what’s the problem?”

Noah ignored it and linked arms with Shin Hyun—a marking behavior.

“Uncle, let’s get to the point.”

“Ah, right, we should.”

This exchange left Ha Yoon-seo feeling flustered. One might wonder about the relationship between a villain and a magical girl, but there was no time to think about that.

Of course not.

The situation was akin to a mere private suddenly having a battalion commander descend before them.

Kraken.

An S-class Villain.

“Um…you need the life-extension technique of homunculus?”

“Exactly. It may be hard to believe, but this kid is similar to a homunculus.”

“This girl…?”

“Yes, hence I’m asking if there’s any way—or if you could find a way. It’s also partly an apology.”

I see.

Only then did Ha Yoon-seo let out a sigh of relief.

“If you agree, I’d like to hear your conditions. Is that alright?”

“Do…do I agree?”

“Yes, once again, I will grant you whatever you wish. As a gesture of goodwill and a condition of our deal.”

Ha Yoon-seo found the offer quite enticing.

Why had he ended up in this dimension’s gap anyway? Wasn’t it for achieving his goals?

And now, the man standing before him was offering the best weapon to achieve those goals.

Suspicious though it was…there was no reason to refuse…

“…Yes, I understand. I accept the deal. I’ll show you the conditions right away.”

“Hmm?”

Tap tap tap.

Ha Yoon-seo tapped on his phone.

“You said three wishes, right?”

“That’s correct.”

With a serious expression, Noah tensed for a moment.

‘Could they possibly be wishing for something strange?’

Maybe asking for a little more time…

Or suggesting they build the Great Wall together…

“…”

“Iris? Why are you clinging so closely?”

“…If you ask for something weird, I’ll just settle it with a punch.”

Hearing this, Ha Yoon-seo flinched.

“I…it’s not weird per se…but, from a societal standpoint, it might seem unusual…”

“Don’t worry too much. Iris, don’t be like that either. You’re supposed to help him.”

“…Fine, I understand.”

While Noah was distracted, Ha Yoon-seo quickly extended his phone.

“Hey, do you know these guys?”

Shin Hyun looked at the men inside the phone screen. He recognized them.

“The Gertie Trio, aren’t they?”

“Yes, you know them well.”

“They’re the S-class Hero Group designated by the Association, and I’ve been keeping an eye on them too.”

“Then we can move on quickly. You mentioned three wishes, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Shin Hyun nodded. Watching him, Ha Yoon-seo raised three fingers.

“One wish per person. Please render them incapable of making a comeback.”

“Incapable.”

At this, Noah interjected.

“Just a moment. Let’s discuss this among ourselves.”

“Iris?”

“Come here, Uncle.”

Noah pulled Shin Hyun aside and leaned their heads together with Taehwa.

“Uncle, this person seems dangerous.”

Given the suspicious nature of being in this dimensional gap and the sudden request to attack others, Noah’s concern was understandable.

Though it was a bit harsh to say, it seemed questionable whether the person was sane.

Noah’s reasonable suspicion prompted Shin Hyun to nod.

“He’s not inherently bad. The bad ones are probably them.”

“Have you seen this person’s story?”

“Yeah. I’ve owed him a few favors.”

Having already delved into the background, Shin Hyun knew Ha Yoon-seo’s circumstances.

She was a victim of group bullying.

And those three were the main perpetrators. Their power led the Association to cover for them, erasing past records so thoroughly that even when Ha Yoon-seo tried to expose them, the incidents were always smoothed over.

Ultimately, she became a witch to take revenge directly.

And failing that, she fled to this dimensional gap.

Knowing this, Shin Hyun couldn’t help but feel disdain for those three.

There was just one thing that bothered him.

‘Until now, he’s never directly attacked anyone and caused utter devastation.’

He had never properly attacked other heroes.

Not even the magical girls were driven to death or retirement by him.

Understanding this, Shin Hyun slowly nodded, reassuring Noah who was looking at him worriedly.

“Don’t worry. I’m confident I can win.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“I’ll just make them retire. They won’t die.”

“…Alright.”

Noah nodded.

Finally able to relax, Shin Hyun smiled.

“Still…who knows, something unexpected might happen.”

“Something unexpected?”

“Yeah…uh…haha…”

Shin Hyun awkwardly laughed while looking at Noah’s stomach. Taihua’s eyes widened upon realizing the implication, and she reached for her bowstring.

“Stella! Calm down!”

“…I demand an explanation. Uncle, what did you do to my friend?”

“There’s nothing to explain. It’s exactly as you think.”

“Then it’s really true!?”

“Stella, wait, I’ll explain everything-”

Before Noah could speak, Shin Hyun adopted a serious expression. He stroked Noah’s head and said,

“Even if the title of criminal must be carried for life…I intend to take responsibility.”

“…”

“Even if it was a mistake. A child shouldn’t be brought into the world as a result of a mistake.”

Pale with shock, Noah was caught off guard.

Clearly, this was someone who had previously apologized profusely and stumbled over his words.

‘…Take responsibility…’

His sincere demeanor made Noah’s heart race. After all, it wasn’t impossible to hear such words in the future.

At least not now.

“…That was a joke.”

“Huh?”

“That day, nothing happened.”

“…Huh?”

“Think about it, Uncle. If something had happened that day, would I still be able to transform into a magical girl?”

“…Oh! Now that you mention it…”

“Really…when you suddenly hugged me, I thought ‘Ah, here we go, showing his true colors!'”

Noah quickly clarified the truth before Stella’s arrow pierced his skull.

“So…anyway…it was a joke?”

“Yes.”

“…Phew…thank goodness…I can still live a honest life under the sun…”

Kneeling with a look of genuine relief, Shin Hyun expressed his gratitude.

“What’s this talk about S-class Villains?”

Before Taihua could scold him further,

“Right, I’m a bad villain anyway. I have work to do. You two stay here, I’ll be back.”

“Safe travels~”

“Thanks.”

As his figure disappeared into another dimension, Taihua was confused.

“Shouldn’t we stop him?”

“Would he listen if we did?”

“…True. You’re involved, so he’d do anything for you. Even become a villain.”

“Exactly. When everything’s done, he’ll reward me with my entire life.”

“True, you deserve that much.”

“Which is why…really, wouldn’t it be nice if he impregnated me?”

“…Grow up first! Grow up!”

“Hehe. Naturally.”

+++++

“Whew, that was lucky.”

“…Tell me about it.”

I almost became a father.

“When Noah wants it in the future, I’ll do it, but clearly now is too early. Good job holding back, me.”

“As for me, I’m just disappointed.”

Swoosh.

Responding to Kkomkmu’s comment, Shin Hyun stood up.

“You should become human someday too.”

“Me too?”

“Hmm, maybe if you ask Ha Yoon-seo, it’ll work?”

“Oh…that sounds good. I’ll visit her later.”

“Right. Becoming human would be great. There’s so much more you can do.”

“…You’re quite lecherous, Mr. Shin Hyun.”

“Huh?”

“You’re thinking of merging with me in my human form, aren’t you? That’s not happening. Do that with Miss Noah. Besides, I prefer younger partners.”

Ah, fair enough.

“I don’t plan on meeting two people at once either.”

“Do as you please.”

“Tch. Why are all the girls around me so experienced?”

He briefly lamented his fate.

Of course, nothing changes despite that.

The only thing that can change fate is…

“…I’ve located them. All three members of the Gertie team are present.”

“Are you sure? We don’t want to trouble the wrong people.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve confirmed it clearly through the shared vision of the tentacles.”

“Okay. Then let’s get to work.”

“Yes, transformation begins. 3…2…1…merging starts.”

“…”Merge complete.”

When the time comes, action speaks louder than words.

Now, it’s time to do some bad deeds.

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