“That was a bit much, wasn’t it?”
“…Haa.”
It was a disheartening feeling. He had braced himself when Ha-ju’s only method turned out to be something like this, but hearing such words from a minor made him feel strange.
“Noah, even if that’s the case, you shouldn’t say things like…”
“Still, it’s the truth, right? You’re a perverted uncle who wants kisses from high school girls.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“I don’t care. Figure it out yourself.”
Magical Girl crossed her arms. She clearly seemed upset.
However, Shin Hyun really appeared to not understand.
Or rather, he had too many things to feel guilty about.
Starting with lying to her, doing villainous deeds, casting hypnosis, causing her to cry, and then shamelessly asking for help despite all of that.
‘There’s no reason she wouldn’t be mad.’
Shin Hyun broke out in cold sweat.
“Uh… um…”
What should he do about this?
‘It seems like she’s pretty mad.’
His mind began racing quickly. How could he cheer Noah up? Should he bang his head on the ground? But it didn’t seem like it would have much effect.
Besides, the wrongs he committed were far too grave to simply be forgiven.
After staring blankly at Magical Girl for some time, a voice of reproach came from her.
“What have you been doing until now?”
“…Huh?”
But something felt off.
Magical Girl, who had her arms crossed, stood with one leg bent and stared at him.
How should he put it?
The feeling was…
‘Like a wife scolding her husband for coming home late.’
Magical Girl sharpened her gaze.
“Is being outside so enjoyable? Do you hate coming home this much?”
“But, that’s not it. Noah-”
“Every day you leave me alone at home! How long have I waited?”
“Th-that… I’m sorry…”
“You know you’re sorry, don’t you? Fine! If you like it outside so much, just go live there!”
Caught up in the familiar lines, the sound of sniffling could now be heard.
“I’ve… because of you, I haven’t been able to sleep properly…”
Magical Girl was wiping her eyes with her own hands.
It was hard to tell if this was acting or genuine.
If it was acting, it was truly remarkable skill and talent, and if it was real…
“…Noah.”
“Sob… sob… Why… you idiot…”
“I apologize. I am trash.”
He must bow his head now.
“…Brother.”
“I’m sorry. I might have given you too much pressure. I know I messed up, and I understand how hard it is to forgive me. Still… once this is over, I’ll let you hit me as much as you want.”
“…Not hitting.”
“Then, is there anything else you’d like?”
“…Think about it.”
Magical Girl lowered her tear-filled hand and clenched her fists tightly. A voice emerged, red like her eyes.
“After everything is over… seriously consider dating me… promise me that.”
“…”
“To promise this… I will forgive you.”
A gulp was swallowed. It was quite similar to the promise they made last time. “Please wait until we grow up,” was it?
This time, it went one step further.
Noah, this greedy kid, apparently wasn’t satisfied with that alone.
Now, they were directly asking whether they would date or not.
It was truly difficult to comprehend why someone would cling to an uncle like this.
“…”
“…”
After a long silence, Magical Girl spoke first.
“Ta-daa~ Secret cam-”
“…I understand.”
Her words were cut off by Shin Hyun.
“I’ll think about it.”
“…R-really?”
“Of course, after we both become adults, as we discussed before.”
All of this is for the future. After becoming adults, which is an easy excuse, ultimately becomes possible only if they survive. If they die along the way, any future promises lose all meaning.
‘Noah knows that, right?’
Shin Hyun looked up and stared at Magical Girl. She kept wiping her eyes. Was she still crying?
“A… really…”
“Noah, are you okay? If your mood isn’t bad, can I come closer a little?”
“There’s an uncle here? This is really strange… but you’re kind.”
“Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
“Well, because you fall for these traps so easily. Look, you fell for the trap I set right away.”
Huh?
Fell for it?
At that moment, a cheerful “ting!” sound was heard.
“…Secret camera success.”
“Secret… camera?”
What is this, some hidden camera comedy?
Dazed Shin Hyun saw elaborately dressed women enter his line of sight. They were all familiar faces.
Stella, Natalie, Blackhart.
Particularly, Stella held Noah’s phone in her hand.
“Recording complete.”
“…What?”
“Noah, here you go. It turned out great.”
“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”
Wait a minute.
Could it be…
“…We got tricked!?”
Noah wiped away her tears and stuck out her tongue.
“It’s payback. Because I got tricked, I wanted to get back at you too!”
“T-that…”
There was nothing to say.
“Hmph. I originally intended to stop it, but since Uncle said such things, I just let it continue.”
“…Haa…”
“Look forward to it.”
Shin Hyun shook his head.
“You know this is a problem that can only be resolved if we survive, right?”
“Of course. Don’t worry. I won’t die before confessing to you.”
“…Should I do it?”
“Oh, then I’ll do it from my side.”
“…Do as you wish.”
“Hehe.”
Though he wanted to chat more, it was difficult.
There was still plenty left to do. New facts to uncover.
Shin Hyun transformed into the Kraken, extending his massive tentacles. The magic absorbed from defeating the mid-boss made him stronger, resulting in more and powerful tentacles wriggling around.
“Not looking? Even if you do, you can’t see.”
“Yes, let’s start. I’m hungry.”
“Good. If we succeed… I’ll treat you to a meat feast.”
“Really? I’ll do my best then.”
As their conversation ended, the wind blew simultaneously.
Though they had clashed numerous times, the atmosphere was different this time.
Perhaps it was the premonition of an unprecedentedly fierce battle.
“We’re going!”
“Come on! Show the results of your growth!”
They charged towards each other.
+++++
“Haa… haa… Is it over, Uncle?”
“Not yet… it’s not.”
The Kraken saw stars shining among the six-sided bodies of the tentacles.
Stars shining in the black sky.
Each emitted its own unique light.
“These tentacle monsters, we’ll hold them off!”
“Hurry!”
“I’ll take care of it! Iris!”
And the brightest star slowly approached. When the darkness touched the starlight, it crumbled, and she began to shine as the world’s light.
Breaking and melting.
The light, like flames consuming shadows, started to melt the darkness.
‘Strong.’
She has grown immensely strong over the month. Of course, with the help of her companions, but even that bond was her power.
Perhaps the starlight that might have gone out, or never illuminated initially, brightened in front of the Kraken.
Bright enough to make the moon blush.
“I’ve raised someone incredible.”
It was satisfying.
It’s understandable that Iris is strong.
But realizing that he was the one who helped create that strength, Shin Hyun smiled.
“Hmm!”
He made flowers bloom on the ground with his tentacles. The shadow tentacles split into thousands, creating a black flower.
Even so.
“Star!”
“…Damn.”
It melts away.
The overwhelmingly powerful light consumes even the shadows.
When the black flower created by Shin Hyn touched Iris’s starlight, it crumbled gracefully, finding rest within that light.
“You don’t seem to have much time, Uncle.”
“Unfortunately, my biggest flaw is the large consumption of magic.”
“That’s because you’re firing off those huge things everywhere!”
“That’s true. Then, how about this?”
Shin Hyun circulated magic throughout his body, creating another version of himself. The technique of making clones out of tentacle flesh.
Even while breathing heavily due to intense frustration, he didn’t stop.
The original owner of this skill was the epitome of sin.
An existence so wicked that even her starlight couldn’t save it.
“My magic is almost depleted. Once you capture the main body, it’s over.”
“How do we find it here!”
Iris was right.
Dozens of Krakens surrounded her.
They all raised their hands high, preparing to strike with their tentacles.
“…”
Iris quietly closed her eyes.
Starlight began to twinkle all over her body. The Krakens hesitated, sensing an instinctive repulsion.
‘No matter how identical they look, fakes are fakes.’
These are mere imitations. They are knock-offs, close to trash among knock-offs, merely mimicking the appearance of that man.
Thus, there was no reason she wouldn’t recognize the real one.
Noah, who relied on his inner essence and eventually had her heart stolen by it,
had no reason not to identify the only real one filled with inner essence.
Among the hesitant Krakens, one caught her attention. It sent her a warm glance.
“That’s it.”
Noah hurled herself toward that Kraken.
The two rolled across the floor.
“Drain.”
The powerful technique gained by drinking the evil root sap. His magic slowly flowed in, and the meat clones began to dissolve.
Finally, the face of the man she missed so much appeared where the Kraken had been.
“Uncle.”
“I lost. Aren’t you guys too strong?”
“It’s because Uncle made us this way.”
“…That’s right. So, good job. Everyone has grown strong. Good work, Noah.”
Seeing his smiling face eased her heart.
But it wasn’t over yet.
Iris took a round essence from her pocket and placed it in her mouth.
And then,
“I’m gonna eat well~”
“Wait. Eating? Noah, what do you mean? That’s mine to eat- Ugh…!”
She began savoring it slowly.
