Transformation or Death

The Tail of the Beast (4)

“Retirement… Doesn’t seem to be the right time yet.”

This was the purpose for which Yoon Seol-hwa called Jo Ah-yoon today. 

She needed to rely on the power of alcohol to refuse the consideration suggested by her beloved younger brother.

She thought it was too kind of her to agonize so much over a casually tossed suggestion.

Jo Ah-yoon felt ashamed of herself, worrying about how to convey her meeting with Han Jae-jung and how much to reveal or conceal.

No matter how much time passed, people’s basic nature did not change.

She felt it when she first became a magical girl. That she could not become like the other magical girls. 

She did feel a sense of fulfillment when helping people, but that single emotion was not enough for her to risk her life.

Money? Of course, money was good. But it wasn’t good enough to endure the attention that came with it.

She only felt increasingly annoyed with the work of a magical girl day by day.

She wanted to get rid of the name Pink Deneb as soon as possible.

Just like the meaning of the name Deneb, her life was like a tail. 

A life at the end.

Unable to perform any proper feats, having to focus only on providing assistance while tagging along after someone like their tail.

A life of scribbling records at the very end while others recorded one joyful victory after another.

A life like a bird’s tail feathers, not even a snake’s tail compared to other magical girls like the head of a dragon.

Before she knew it, Jo Ah-yoon realized that she had become the tail of a beast.

She wanted to quit at any time. It had been quite a while since her starlight stopped growing. On top of that, there was her activity with Dilemma.

It was time to retire. More and more magical girls would be born soon, and her spot would quickly disappear.

However, she didn’t want to disappear alone like this, so she wished for a colleague. She didn’t want to be cut off and disappear like someone’s tail until the very end.

On top of this mindset, she didn’t want to experience losing family again.

Then she woke up in the hospital after being attacked by the villain in Shieldra, she felt more relieved that Yoon Seol-hwa was alive by her side than the fact that she herself was alive.

At the same time, she was terrified. From now on, she would have to fight against such S-grade villains over and over again.

Where was the guarantee that subsequent defeats would only result in being carried to the hospital?

Thinking of the magical girls’ deaths that occurred several times a year, she trembled even more.

This is insane.

I must quit immediately. And I must make her quit too.

Whether it’s earning a living, immersing oneself in work, or hating someone, isn’t it all something that one has to think about while living in the end?

The sister-like figure she had lived with. This was also the reason she had suggested retirement to Blue Sirius.

Regardless of how strong she was or how great a position she held, to Jo Ah-yoon, she was simply one person.

However, at the same time, Jo Ah-yoon didn’t really expect her to retire.

Unlike herself, she had both the ability and the will to defeat villains. Why would she retire when she had nothing to regret?

Blue Sirius would not retire. It might be happy news for the public, but it wasn’t particularly good news for Jo Ah-yoon.

She knew that her request was nothing more than a childish tantrum.

The past flashed by like a kaleidoscope.

“Ahahaha! The sky is so clear! Isn’t it?”

The wind also blew fiercely.

Jo Ah-yoon once again realized that she was currently flying in the sky while holding Virgo in her arms.

Her body had moved before she could even think.

The one she held in her arms was a dangerous element incomparable to a time bomb. Pink Deneb’s back shivered.

[Guardian! What are you doing! Put her down right away! Keep your distance! It’s dangerous!]

Urgent instructions came from the jewel attached to her ribbon, the mascot.

Jo Ah-yoon hastily released Virgo from her arms. After falling a little way down, she started flying in the sky again.

“What a pity!”

Piyung. A crimson beam of light fiercely sliced through the night sky and disappeared.

Even though it didn’t touch her skin, she felt the heat. Pink Deneb backed away even further in fright.

“Thank you, Parrot.”

[It’s not Parrot, it’s Swan! There’s no need to thank me. This isn’t over yet… Here it comes again!]

Streaks resembling flowing lava or the sunset were repeatedly drawn across the night sky.

Pink Deneb managed to evade all the streaks by twisting and turning in the air like an acrobatic flight

At that moment, Virgo approached at a speed too fast for the eyes to catch.

“Ahahaha! My turn this time~!”

What had spread out behind her back was the Hong-ik-o. She realized that Virgo had now stolen her magic tricks.

The scenery stretched out like a continuous line, and the clouds were torn apart. This feeling of running by folding the sky was absolutely unmistakable.

“Damn it! Hey! Let go!”

“Don’t say that~ It makes me sad, you know?”

Bang! Bang! No matter how many times she struck her back with her fists and elbows, it was no use. Lightly laughing it off as if she couldn’t even give a massage, Virgo kept hold of her and ran off.

“You really are something, you know. It doesn’t seem like you want to die, but what are you thinking, trying to kidnap me all by yourself? Should I poke a hole in that belly of yours? I think it would make a nice decoration!”

“This damn… bitch!”

“Oh my, how ugly. Don’t swear~ It’s scary. Don’t you know magical girls shouldn’t swear? And also…”

Curling her lips into a wry smile, Virgo spat out in a voice that seemed consumed with resentment.

“I can’t use my power for my own personal desires, but I have to donate it without a word for the public good. I always have to sacrifice my time, but I have to protect others’ time. I have to endure bad words and not retaliate. I have to protect others’ lives, but if I prioritize my own life, it’s unforgivable and I’m a bastard. Isn’t that right? You know it well too, don’t you?”

Virgo laughed loudly and looked down with glinting eyes.

“Ah, I’ve decided where we’ll go for our date. Aren’t you excited?”

A line that was drawn horizontally became vertical. A gust of wind blew up from below. The birds flying ahead lowered their heads and flapped their wings madly. 

Descent. An oblique plummet. 

From the friction heat, her back became extremely hot. It was to the point of catching fire.

“Ugh, aaahh!!”

“Does it hurt? Bear with it a little longer~ It’s okay! Our junior, fight on! Stay strong!”

After a long time, tears welled up from the pain. Once again, memories flashed by like a revolving lantern.

The terror conveyed through violence was familiar to Jo Ah-yoon. The memory of her body being gripped grotesquely and violated by violence was quite familiar.  

She was small. Seemingly easy. Just for such reasons, memories of being bullied in the past came vividly back.

Using their numerical and physical superiority, they robbed her of her possessions, restrained her freedom, and unleashed violence on her. That coercion came to mind as she saw Virgo.

The memories that floated up like soap bubbles soon burst and evaporated upon hitting the ground.  

“Kuh, huck… ugh… uhuck…!”

“Does it hurt? Does it hurt a lot? Umm… That expression doesn’t come just from pain… Ah! I got it!”

Virgo looked down at the fallen Jo Ah-yoon.

“You’re scared, aren’t you? I’m scary! Right?”

Virgo was rejoicing. Jo Ah-yoon moved her arm to touch her face. Along with traces of dirt and blood staining it, she felt a slight dampness.

It was tears. A stream that originated from pain and resulted in fear.

“Ah….”

The words of that villain were correct. The trembling fingertips held more meaning than just evidence of her body’s hardship.

Her expression was that of one consumed by terror.   

She keenly realized that she was afraid right now. There was no need to express it in words.

Because instinct made her body stiffen, her tongue dry, tears in her eyes, violent pounding in her heart, and endless gasping for breath.

Virgo’s crimson eyes coolly shone on Jo Ah-yoon. Reflected in them like a mirror, she was not a magical girl, just a girl.

A pitiful figure, like a dog tucking its tail. Paradoxically, Jo Ah-yoon removed her fear from the terrified sight of herself. 

Instead, she let out a hollow laugh.

“Damn, seriously….”

“Hm? Is it okay to swear here too? Where is this… Um, where was it again? Anyway, there are a lot of people.”

There are a lot of people. At that statement, Jo Ah-yoon couldn’t even laugh hollowly. Her lip corners slowly dropped.

“…What?”

She slowly raised her body at the same pace her lip corners were drooping.

Behind Virgo, fierce moonlight was pouring down. That moonlight was coming through a hole opened in the ceiling.

However, brighter artificial light was filling the inside, diminishing the moon’s presence compared to the outside.

The thick ceiling looked like it was melting from some hot wire.

Molten metal dripped down like rain, grazing her cheek and cooling. Without even feeling that heat, she blankly looked around.  

People, people, people. Nothing but people everywhere she looked.

Shelter, underground shelter.

A chill ran down her spine. Even the cold sweat that had been flowing until just moments ago evaporated away. Her chilled body allowed her mind to clear more quickly.

Countless gazes stared at her alone, holding their breath.  

So many had gathered to continue living, leaving their homes behind. Mocking their efforts, the villain had invaded.

“Hello everyone? I’ve appeared to warm all of your hearts! You’re all welcome~”

Virgo smiled and waved her hand leisurely at the surroundings.     

“The villain just now….”

Someone muttered that. Their exhausted voices spoke for everyone who no longer had the strength to scream.

Like a single droplet falling onto the still surface, that mutter caused murmurings to spread out from it.  

Why is that villain here, what has become of our shelter then, is the shelter no longer safe, are we going to die now, what has the magical girl been doing.

Look at that. She did try to stop it. But….

Such clamors.

It brought back memories of entering a classroom and hearing various mutterings right away.  

Disappointed gazes and terrified gazes, gazes desperately searching for a place to escape, and gazes revealing some expectation and admiration. 

And occasionally, gazes showing sympathy and empathy.

Buried under the waves of gazes, Jo Ah-yoon’s body stiffened.  

She knows she must guide the evacuation and deal with Virgo immediately. 

But is there any way to succeed at that?

This shelter is quite narrow compared to roads, so if this huge crowd rushes for the emergency exit all at once, it would be extremely dangerous. If Virgo fires a beam at the densely packed crowd, hundreds could die instantly.

Deploy Hong-Ik-O to hold off Virgo while relocating people to the ceiling? There’s no way that’s possible. 

It would all just be snatched away by that vile maiden. She would mock and trample it all.

[Guardian… I…]

The mascot voiced out with difficulty. 

[I will respect every choice you make. I will cheer you on.]

She spoke metaphorically. Here, she couldn’t do anything, she said, and from now on, whatever she did would be a mere outburst. Moreover, it would be an extreme choice.  

Virgo mocked her with a shout.

“Everyone! Don’t say too much to this cute junior! Everyone has their own fears, don’t they? This friend is just afraid of monsters, same as you all!”

Peeng. She spat out a beam of light into the sky. Once again, the thick ceiling split open, letting in the moonlight.

The lights on the ceiling flickered, and soon even the artificial lights went out, devoured by the night’s darkness.

-Kkwaaak!

Finally, a scream broke out, and people started to flee in disarray. Everyone headed for the stairs, someone pushing others aside, someone else tightly grasping the hand of an acquaintance as they hurried.

“It’s okay! Run away! Run away as much as you like! Yes! If you’re afraid, you should run away! No one in this world is invincible! It’s all over when you die! Run, run!”

Virgo’s words didn’t seem to be limited to just those citizens.

“I’m it. Got it? I’ll give you 1 minute.”

She smiled happily and raised her finger. A beam of light spewed from the tip of that finger. Like the deep underground entertainment district, a dazzling light flickered repeatedly. With each flicker, the ceiling melted away.

Among those molten metals dripping down, their eyes met Virgo’s.

In an instant, the hint of a smile vanished from her chilling gaze directed at Jo Ah-yoon. There was no more scorn or maniacal laughter. There was only one thing, interest. She looked down with a cynical gaze.

Since yesterday, Virgo had been claiming her similarity to Pink Deneb.

She was now expecting what choice Jo Ah-yoon would make, what action she would take.

She expected her to run away. She expected her to try to survive. She expected her to prioritize herself.

Correct.

Pink Deneb, Jo Ah-yoon, wanted that now.

She wanted to run away. She wanted to abandon everything and survive.

What’s the point if there’s no life. Isn’t life the most valuable thing?

Aren’t duty, responsibility, mission, image, and self-respect things that can only be preserved if there’s life? If you live, you can recover and fulfill them someday. But if you die, it’s the end. You can’t do anything.

Someone shook Jo Ah-yoon’s shoulders. Beyond the faint moonlight was a middle-aged woman.

“Miss, run away quickly. If you stay lying there, you’ll die.”

With that advice, she fled. It was the brief yet distant kindness a commoner would leave behind. Still, it was a clear act of kindness.

Was she worried because it was too dark to see clearly? An empty laugh came out.

“Hey, birdie…”

Jo Ah-yoon had no sense of heroism. She didn’t want to become such a great being.

She had no sense of duty either. She hated doing forced work.

Her body and strength were weak. She could never achieve a proper victory when constantly compared to others.

“Do you know what I’m going to do?”

[Of course, you fool.]

Still, there was a reason she continued this arduous task of saving people.

[It was an honor to be together all this time.]

Because she had power.

Weak compared to other powerful beings, but this was undoubtedly power.

Power comes with responsibility. An old and worn-out saying, but there’s still a reason it endures.

“You’re right. I care about my life so damn much.”

Jo Ah-yoon had no great sense of mission.

She just used her power because she had it.

She acted now because she could use her power to save people, and she moved because she could move now.

“But that doesn’t mean I regret using my power.”

She let out a wry laugh. It was absurd. What did a girl who recorded the lowest winning rate have to consider? What did she regret or care about?

That’s right.

She was weak. It was hard to beat even A-grade monsters, and she had to rely on the assistance of other magical girls. Her public reputation wasn’t good either. She seemed to have many anti-fans because of her poor words and actions. Weak, and without allies.

So, you are a weak and pitiful one.

Do you have the leisure to look down now?

“I’ll give what I have to give.”

Jo Ah-yoon abandoned it all.

For the sake of saving lives, she abandoned her public reputation, her worth, her self-respect, her dignity, and finally, even her power.

The life that had always been like a tail. The life that had clung and swung at the end.

Even that life, that beastly tail-like life, she cut off herself.

Now she has become nothing.

She had come to possess no value.

And that was enough.

“Run away? Why would I do you any favors? My greatest pleasure is tormenting bastard monsters like you.”

Pink Deneb stood up. Her arms and legs trembled, and there was not a heroic smile, but the fact that she stood up did not change. With her heavy makeup, her already fierce expression was further crumpled. From the ribbon in the center of her chest, an explosive burst of light gushed out.

A single bright spot giving hope in the dark night. 

A black dwarf star.

The magical girl’s ultimate measure. 

The strongest light a star emits before burning out.

Her mascot fell silent. Her vision gradually narrowed. Adorning herself like a fairy’s gossamer wings with the vast magical power she had never handled before, Pink Deneb gracefully rose. The moonlight and crimson light met, twisting beautifully to adorn her mystically.

Lifting the hem of her winged dress slightly with her fingers, she asked gracefully, “Have you ever danced under the stars?”

Perhaps her final introductory line as a magical girl. Pink Deneb recited the end with a relieved heart.

“If not, let’s dance together.”

Together under a single beam of light before the advent of eternal darkness.

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