“Alliance?”
Iris let out a startled exclamation. Her facial expression clearly conveyed something along the lines of “What the hell is this nonsense?”
“Hold your ground!”
“Wha-!”
Whoosh-
Just before Pumpkin’s massive fist could land a direct hit on Iris, tentacles erupted to block the punch.
It was so heavy that my whole body resonated with the impact.
First, Iris and I created some distance between ourselves and the opponent. Then Iris raised her voice at me again.
“Alliance? You’re really suggesting we fight together?”
“That’s right.”
“What made you change your mind all of a sudden?”
“I’m the one who needs to defeat you. I can’t let some random monster take that opportunity from me.”
It’s such a convenient excuse. As a villain, I get to maintain my identity while still helping Iris.
It’s practically a universal cheat code. Though if I overuse it, it might stop working eventually.
“…You’re insane.”
“Call me whatever you like. I don’t bother remembering names after death anyway.”
Meaning he’ll regret it after he’s dead.
Regardless, this Pumpkin fellow has quite the health pool, requiring Athena’s assistance to take down.
And the ones supposed to play that role are exhausted, panting heavily.
“…Haa.”
Iris shook her head as if there was nothing she could do about it.
“Just this once. Only today! Let’s call it an alliance for today, got it?”
“Fine, I swear. Today only, I’ll be Iris’ comrade in arms against our enemy.”
“You talk well…”
“We’ll deal with petty things like that later…”
Grrr. Clenching her fists, Iris spoke again as Stella flew toward her.
“Iris, I’ll handle those ghostly types nearby somehow. You-”
“Are telling me to finish him off in one shot, right? I know.”
“…Please.”
Interrupting their conversation, I added:
“I’ll keep track of his movements. When he’s unable to move, crush him.”
“…Got it. Stella, where’s the essence?”
“Blackheart says it’s right between his eyes.”
We can trust Blackheart’s expertise in magical power detection.
“In that case, everyone take your positions. This will take some preparation time, so keep him occupied accordingly.”
Raising her hand, Iris signaled us to disperse.
Stella took to the air, Iris moved close to Pumpkin, and I stayed grounded.
“Hoo…”
Circulating through my entire body, mana began to flow. Soon, tentacles as thick as a human body erupted.
Crack! I cracked my knuckles.
“Bind.”
The emerging tentacles slithered across the ground, reaching Pumpkin’s massive body.
Roar!
Thud! Thud!
In an instant, they bound Pumpkin’s heavy legs, with several tentacles piercing through his calves.
“Aaaargh!!”
Pumpkin screamed and thrashed about, causing me to feel dizzy from the shaking.
‘What kind of strength…this powerful…!’
Is it appropriate given his size? Even though he’s just shaking his body, it feels like I’m about to die.
Fortunately, there were helping hands.
“…Helping someone like this irritates me…!”
Slash!
A single sound of something being cut.
Squish-squish!
Repeated sounds of cutting, several times in quick succession. Pumpkin’s legs became tattered.
I saw him waving his arm to extinguish the black flames on his body.
“Tch…! Stay still! It makes it easier to cut you!”
It was Blackheart. Swinging his magic sword multiple times, he was hindering Pumpkin’s movements.
His arms were trembling but showed no sign of retreating.
“Blackheart!”
“What? Save your thanks for later-”
“Is this your best effort? Do better!”
“This brat…!”
Still, it wasn’t enough. Despite the numerous dolls repairing themselves, star arrows kept raining down.
Meanwhile, Blackheart’s stamina had reached its limit.
“Is this your best attack!”
The only thing I could count on was his mental fortitude. That’s why I deliberately provoked him. His irritated expression appeared, and he pushed himself even harder.
“Don’t provoke me!”
“…”
“Really… I already told you not to overexert yourself…”
A voice came from behind. Turning around, I saw a red-haired nun.
“Natalia.”
“Hmph… Nice to see you again. This makes twice now.”
Her expression wasn’t particularly pleasant either, or rather, she looked tired.
‘Hmm.’
Considering she lifted Blackheart’s curse and provided buffs and healing, it’s understandable she’d be tired.
Haah- A long sigh escaped Natalia.
Soon she muttered,
“Stars, please grant mercy even to this wicked one.”
I felt warmth surging through my body. This…
“Is it a mana buff?”
“Yes, it’s my last ability.”
“Understood.”
We didn’t exchange any more words. We already knew what she expected from us.
“Well, let’s try a bit more.”
Crack! I cracked my knuckles again. Simultaneously, the tentacles advanced like chains to bind Pumpkin more tightly.
More of them, stronger than before.
“You’re quite strong.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“At this opportunity, how about switching to being a hero?”
“Sorry, it doesn’t suit my temperament.”
“…What a pity.”
At my words, Natalia sighed and looked up. There she saw Iris with her eyes closed, chanting a spell.
“My destination is beyond the starlight. Splitting the sky, illuminating the darkness.”
Zzzz. Iris’ magic circle began to take shape.
Soon Blackheart shouted.
“Is that guy aiming for Iris!”
Magic power concentrated in Pumpkin’s wide-open eyes. He’s going to fire a beam, isn’t he?
He instinctively realized how dangerous that attack would be.
A spell that takes quite some time even in games. However, its power is unparalleled.
Therefore, we won’t allow interference.
“…Hoo…Haa…!”
I raised my right hand diagonally upward. As if pulling something, I strongly pulled on the tentacles binding Pumpkin.
-Gurgh…!! It’s getting dark…basement…boring…!
Pumpkin, falling backward while babbling. He doesn’t seem to be in his right mind.
Bang!
The beam fired toward the sky, disappearing into the clouds far away.
Even Iris couldn’t have survived that.
Pumpkin lying flat on his back, staring at the sky. His pumpkin head was fully exposed.
“That…to take down that giant alone…”
“He’s too valuable to be an enemy.”
“…Thanks.”
Blackheart and Natalia praised me.
The feeling wasn’t bad, but…
“…Kk.”
My mana had drastically decreased. That technique really consumes a lot of energy.
It’s like entering a tug-of-war competition alone. It’s strange if it doesn’t drain your stamina.
‘Slowly starting to lose…’
Now might be the time to release it. Just as I thought that, I pulled and gripped the tentacle again.
“Therefore, thou. Follow the guidance of the stars and erase that evil. My body, like a meteor.”
For Iris’ definitive conclusion.
“Huff.”
I caught my breath. What she faced was a pumpkin character doll with no expression.
-No…! I’ve finally come out into the world…I wanted to create a Halloween that would let me stay outside forever…!
“You were lonely, weren’t you?”
Iris said.
“Being able to see the world only once a year. Being trapped in that dark place. You wanted to create a place where you could be happy, didn’t you?”
She pitied Pumpkin.
However…
“…But, it’s impossible with your method. In the end, it would only cause suffering to everyone. Every day being Halloween means there wouldn’t be Christmas, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day…”
“…”
“There should be places where everyone belongs and times when they shine.”
“…”
“So head toward the sea of stars. Somewhere in that vast sea, there must be a place that needs you. So…”
Whoosh! A ball of fire fell from the sky. It was like a meteor approaching the world.
Nearby, voices of admiration and Pumpkin’s screams were drowned out by the roaring sound of the meteor burning as it fell.
All that could be seen was a streak of light.
The powerful blow that started from the sky.
“May you ultimately find happiness.”
Bang! A fist struck Pumpkin’s weak point.
The sound of something breaking could be heard. That must be the “essence” planted by that damn rabbit.
As it broke, Pumpkin’s body turned into dust. Though his physical form disappeared, the bright particles scattering carried light.
The magical girls receiving them looked surprised.
“Our mana is recovering…no, increasing?”
“Is this…the essence?”
Just as in the game.
Everyone has become stronger and leveled up like this.
I also felt the essence seeping into my body.
‘Oh…this is quite a powerful essence.’
‘Right?’
‘Yes. With this, I can increase the number of operable tentacles.’
Kkomkmu was pleased too. Indeed, with renewed vitality coursing through my body, I was about to approach Iris when-
“…Did Uncle manage to evade safely?”
“…”
“I should check on him quickly.”
I hurried toward the car. It would be trouble if I’m late.
+++++
“Uncle! Are you alright!?”
“Huff… Huff…”
“Uncle!?”
“Guh…I’m fine-cough!! Cough… Ha… I’m fine.”
I feel like I’m about to die. Why does he come so fast?
“Really?”
Noah looked at me worriedly. I patted his head.
“If I say so, then I am.”
“Thank goodness…”
“Why?”
“A Kraken appeared. I thought maybe it tried to harm Uncle and quickly disappeared…”
There shouldn’t be such a case.
Why would I harm myself?
“Is that so? Lucky nothing serious happened. So, did you catch the monster?”
“Yes! We caught it safely. The amusement park…uh…is somewhat destroyed though.”
“Don’t worry about it. The Association will take care of it.”
Noah wore a regretful expression.
“Still…sigh, another day has passed. I was looking forward to having fun.”
That’s true for me too.
Until yesterday, I was excited about playing all day today.
Because of that strange rabbit doll called Pumpkin…and doing something terrible to Noah.
“Noah, are you feeling better now?”
“What do you mean?”
“T-that…I…to you…k-kiss-”
“Aaaah!! Don’t say it!”
Noah waved his arms. Seeing that, I closed my mouth.
“…Don’t worry about it. Right…”
“Then it’s good.”
“…”
“…”
Silence fell.
What is this awkward atmosphere?
Why is Noah’s face so red?
Making people feel embarrassed.
“…Uncle.”
“Hm?”
“A-a-and…”
“And?
“And…if you do it again…no! Never mind! I’m hungry! Let’s go eat something delicious.”
“Eh…eh?”
“Delicious food! We fought hard, so we need an after-party! I’ll go gather everyone quickly, think about where we’re going!”
Saying that, Noah disappeared with quick steps.
What exactly was he asking me to do again?
No, it’s definitely…
“…A kiss, right.”
…Haa.
“Young people these days are so perceptive…”
If only he hadn’t noticed, if only he had been oblivious. The survival instincts I honed to navigate this harsh society are making me regretful now.
“…Sigh, let’s feed him first.”
Feeding the kids…then I can go home, right?
No, wait, they’re spending the night at the lodging tonight.
…I want to go home…
While I was sighing like that, someone’s voice reached my ears.
“Mr. Shin Hyun.”
“…Ah.”
Flap. QQQ landed on my shoulder.
“I kindly ask for an explanation that makes sense. I’ll see you after the meal.”
