“Today feels unusually quiet, doesn’t it.”
The Magical Girl was strolling through the city at dawn, enjoying a moment of leisure.
How long had it been since such a peaceful morning?
For nearly a month, there had been no Kraken sightings, and no particularly dangerous enemies. At most, only a few petty criminals had shown up.
“Haa…this is nice…”
Was peace finally coming to the world?
“QQQ, everything alright?”
“Yes, it’s quiet.”
“Thank goodness.”
Sipping on coffee bought from a convenience store, the Magical Girl stretched widely.
“Kkueeuu…”
There didn’t seem to be any need to wander around further. There was nothing particular to do anyway.
“Should I head back early today?”
However, the Magical Girl didn’t know that accidents always happen when one lets their guard down.
“Ugh…uuuh…help me…”
A woman appeared before the Magical Girl, staggering heavily.
“Are you alright!?”
“Ugh…uuuh…I’m dizzy…”
“Is something wrong…?”
“Ken…”
“Ken?”
“No, it’s nothing. Really, is that creature really here?”
Of course. The woman nodded repeatedly. Why would the Kraken attack civilians for no reason? But there seemed to be no reason for her to lie.
The Magical Girl headed in the direction the woman pointed.
“There.”
It was true. There the Kraken stood, bathed in the morning dew.
He looked no different than usual. Without much caution, the Magical Girl approached.
“Standing here all alone?”
“…Magical Girl.”
“Why, how does the last sight of the moon look?”
“Hmm…ah, I see.”
Always an odd one. Perhaps even stranger than usual.
Still, he usually didn’t emit such a strange atmosphere.
“…Well, whatever.”
No need to think too deeply. In the end, it’ll just fall asleep. There was no need to prolong the conversation either.
Shhhik!
The Magical Girl charged forward like a launched arrow.
“You don’t intend to have a long conversation then.”
“There’s no time for that!”
Dodging the punch, the Kraken shook his head as he landed.
“How sad.”
“Sad?”
“Never thought I’d have to resort to this method.”
The Kraken continued to speak in riddles. No matter how many times she attacked, he showed no intention of retaliating.
The Magical Girl paused, confused by this strangeness.
What on earth was going on?
“Menopause?”
“I’m not old enough for that.”
“Then why are you acting so weird?”
“…Simply, it’s pitiful.”
Sighing, the Kraken extended his arm.
“Come here.”
“What…?”
From the direction the Kraken pointed, clicking footsteps approached. A woman emerged from the shadows.
She recognized the face.
“You were just now…! It’s dangerous here! Run away!”
“…”
“Run, why are you coming closer!?”
More confusing words flowed into the startled Magical Girl’s ears.
“I’ve brought the Magical Girl, Master.”
“Well done.”
Master?
“You…you planned this from the start… ” “Pity. I don’t prefer this method either.”
“Who is that woman?”
“Don’t misunderstand. She’s an ordinary person, merely unfortunate to catch my eye.”
The Magical Girl felt anger at these words. She had thought he was a decent villain.
“So you’re just some trash who messes with women?”
“…This is still minor compared to what I could do.”
“What else do you plan to do?”
At the Magical Girl’s question, the Kraken looked up, conflicted.
“Surrender quietly.”
“…What?”
“If not…”
Suddenly, a tentacle lunged and grabbed the woman. She looked dangerously fragile.
“This poor woman’s life will end here today.”
“You…cowardly bastard…! Now you’re taking hostages too!?”
“It can’t be helped.”
The Magical Girl was shocked by this unprecedented situation.
Curses flew from her mouth.
“You perverted bastard!”
Unable to find anything else to say, her insults repeated over and over, though she rarely swore normally.
“Make your choice.”
“…Grrr…”
“Will you let this woman die, or will you be captured?”
There was no option to refuse both. The Magical Girl ran simulations in her mind.
Destroy the tentacles instantly, save the woman, then retreat. The best possible scenario.
But the Kraken wouldn’t just sit idly by while that happened.
‘…Still, I have to try.’
The Magical Girl slowly approached the Kraken, as if agreeing to his terms.
Just as the tentacle holding the woman loosened and moved toward her…
“…Huff!”
The Magical Girl slammed her foot hard on the ground, creating a shockwave.
Kooong!
Circular walls of concrete rose around her, separating the Magical Girl from the Kraken.
“Snap out of it!”
“…”
“Hurry and run- QQQ!?”
Of course, the woman wasn’t in her right mind. She pulled out her phone and started flashing the light.
“Turn it off! Hurry!”
“…”
“Tch!”
The Magical Girl quickly snatched the woman and flew away.
The Kraken…
“Hey…? Where did they go?”
Had disappeared instantly from his spot.
‘Did he follow?’
No, he had vanished like the wind, leaving no trace.
Where had he gone? Though it was concerning…
‘I need to get away first.’
With this woman, she couldn’t fight.
With that thought, the Magical Girl fled, avoiding pursuit as much as possible, taking winding paths so the Kraken couldn’t chase.
“This way is the escape route.”
“…”
“Just wait a little longer.”
There’s a police station just ahead.
“Are you planning to keep the flashlight on forever? Ow…I can’t break the phone either…”
“…”
“Just hurry to the police station. Once we get there, you’ll be safe, so don’t worry.”
“If we can get there.”
“We can! …Wait…”
The Magical Girl froze.
‘That voice just now…a man’s voice?’
A man’s voice.
No.
“…Kraken…?”
The distorted voice of the Kraken echoed.
‘Behind…no, below.’
Using her instincts, the Magical Girl traced the source. Behind her, a long shadow appeared due to the woman’s flashlight.
An ominous feeling washed over her, raising goosebumps-
“Caught you.”
Shadows.
From them, jet-black tentacles poured out.
“Grr!?”
“I am here, girl.”
“Ugh…let go! Let go!”
“As you’ve grown stronger…as your tactics have increased. So do I change.”
“Feels gross…!”
“Checkmate.”
It was the Kraken’s declaration of victory.
+++++
‘…Phew…barely caught him.’
‘Thank you for your help. What should we do with this woman?’
“It’s dangerous out here at night. We should escort her home after everything’s done.”
“That’s right. She almost fell victim to those beastly creatures. Walking alone at night would be dangerous again, wouldn’t it?”
“Of course.”
I slowly moved the helpful woman to the back.
Then I saw Iris bound by tentacles, screaming.
“Let me go! You pervert!”
The captured Iris struggled against the tentacles, her face full of anger at being tricked so cheaply.
“Success.”
“You…cowardly bastard!”
“…Hmm, you’re the first to make me resort to such measures.”
The piercing gaze was intense. Probably because she’d never been toyed with like this before.
“What do you plan to do with me tied up like this…?”
I remained silent, finding it difficult to explain.
Here’s the plan:
Capture Iris and wait for the others to arrive. When they come, manipulate their minds and make them fight.
Through this shock, the other magical girls will become stronger through their own efforts.
This is just the first step in that process.
“…I’ve already sent letters to the other magical girls.”
“…Don’t do anything strange.”
“…They’ll all come to save you.”
“I’m really going to kill you…perverted bastard…”
“…The show begins before your eyes.”
Why does my chest already hurt…?
‘…’
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“…My conscience hurts…”
“Now?”
Iris’s expression began to change. Her eyes, full of anger, started burning, transforming into hatred.
She seems to think I’m going to do something terrible. And it’s probably something very horrifying.
It’s awkward to defend myself given the compromising position. Bound with arms raised by tentacles, it looks quite suggestive.
“…”
“…”
The oppressive silence weighs heavily on my chest. How much time has passed?
Iris suddenly turns her head away.
“I know what you want to do.”
“…”
“You can hit me until you’re satisfied, experiment on me as you wish.”
“…”
“…Can you at least leave my first experience?”
Iris’s words make Kkomkmu react.
‘Hmm…probably thinking of Shin Hyun…’
‘…Quiet.’
Hmm.
“…Hmm, is that so?”
“I may look like this, but I have someone I love. For that person, I must…”
I had no response. How could I tell her that the person she loves is right here doing this to her?
I maintained silence, which seemed to make Iris uneasy.
“…Hn…”
“…Are you crying?”
“No…hn…Big Brother…”
Ah…
‘Are you alright?’
‘My conscience…hurts…’
‘Isn’t it too late for that?’
“I had no choice…it’s safer than fighting villains or demons…”
“…Sigh…”
It hurts.
When will the others arrive?
