NOVEL NEXT Chapter 208 – Conclusion (2)
“Is this really going to work? I’d rather it be clean…”
“Clean? How do you propose doing that? Just kill it and get rid of it?”
“A, no, that’s not—”
He flinched at the sharp reply, breaking into a cold sweat. If his identity was known, it would surely be shocking to see him like this.
He was the president of a nation, the leader of the most powerful country on Earth.
Yet at this moment, surrounded by various important figures, he was just waiting nervously, unsure of what to do.
“Killing it is impossible. I’ve heard that even with most of its powers sealed, what remains is still the strength of an SSS-class Magical Girl. This is the best option.”
Lee Min-hyung smirked at the president of the United States, who was carefully observing him, and turned his gaze towards the enormous facility towering above the sea, the very purpose of their presence.
The heavy machinery made of special metal resembled a coffin at first glance. There was a small opening where it was possible to peek inside, revealing Michael, bound so tightly he couldn’t even move a finger, glaring at them with blazing eyes.
“We are fulfilling our responsibilities. You must understand what could happen if a dangerous being is released without proper handling, so I trust that you in the United States will manage it well.”
Lee Min-hyung tapped the sealed coffin containing Michael. The reason he shifted the burden to the U.S. was due to their temporary collaboration with Michael to keep Takilas in check.
Of course, Michael didn’t care about former comrades.
During the rampage of transcendent being Michael, the United States suffered significant historical damage, realizing what kind of entity they were attempting to control.
“Ugh, it can’t be helped. Let’s begin.”
The president of the USA sighed and ordered those around him to drop Michael’s coffin into the deep sea.
“!!?”
Despite just being resurrected, Michael was unable to avoid sinking into the dark depths of the ocean, having most of his powers sealed due to Yggdrasil refusing to supply him with his source.
‘A transcendent being. I wonder if he’ll suffer from pressure or suffocation? But I don’t need to worry about that.’
Lee Min-hyung gazed down at the now-invisible coffin, quietly clicking his tongue. Honestly, he never imagined he would be the one to handle all this.
“Well, at least it’s good that things are being handled properly. I was so shocked when I first heard about it that I couldn’t even sleep.”
“Please forgive my rudeness. It was a very sudden situation for us as well.”
“It is done. After all, we clearly had our responsibilities too.”
At that moment, as the atmosphere began to ease and head toward a conclusion, the president approached Lee Min-hyung directly.
“Um, about the Frontier, the cooperation system with the Magical Girls established in Korea. Is there a chance we could collaborate?”
“Excuse me?”
Moreover, the proposal he introduced was even more shocking.
He wasn’t a diplomat or high-ranking government official, yet he found himself speechless at the president’s direct suggestion.
“Many have presented numerous interpretations regarding Magical Girls over time. We too had our theories. But they were all incorrect. In the midst of this, we have determined that the most accurate system is the Frontier.”
The U.S. president smiled bitterly, shaking his head as he extended his hand toward him.
He stared blankly at that hand. Until now, he had never once thought of himself as correct, so he couldn’t easily grasp it.
“We must acknowledge them in many respects.”
“It’s time for change.”
However, he eventually took that hand.
*
“…The Frontier system, working alongside the Magical Girls, will now cooperate with the United States. Apparently, other countries are also suggesting to join in. Do you know anything about it?”
“I’m not involved there. I’m just cooperating. Lately… not much going on.”
In a languid afternoon classroom, students, after lunch, were spending time in their own ways, either studying, exercising, or chatting.
Two students were gathered together, watching something. They were watching the news flowing from the TV, which was talking about the significant activities of the Frontier after the Management Bureau evolved.
Han Eun-seo sighed and took off her large horn-rimmed glasses.
Jeon So-hyun didn’t realize that Han Eun-seo, having been a Magical Girl, no longer worked at the Frontier after ‘that day.’
“Is there really no way?”
“I’m, I’m sorry. The damage is too severe, and right now our technology can’t heal you. Unless Yggdrasil gives us another chance.”
When Han Eun-seo asked her mascot Lulu if she could heal her body, which had been damaged during the battle against Michael after ‘that day,’ Lulu shook her head with a devastated expression, indicating it was impossible.
The Fairy Company, which had faced a coup by Rana after uncovering corruption, had changed their ways, no longer treating Magical Girls as mere disposable items. However, they still couldn’t heal Han Eun-seo.
“It’s okay. We’re still 19. Youth, right?”
“That’s true. But are you studying? You should go to college.”
Han Eun-seo couldn’t help but smile faintly at Jeon So-hyun, who was comforting her while holding her hand. Mentioning studying made Jeon So-hyun’s face freeze into a solid smile.
In less than a year, she had faced all sorts of events, but Jeon So-hyun was still fed up with sitting and studying.
‘Youth. That’s true.’
That afternoon, Han Eun-seo left school, dazed, heading home.
She had virtually retired from being a Magical Girl. Transforming caused excruciating pain, making her body quiver and her breath shorten.
Forced into retirement like this, she returned to being an ordinary student. She didn’t even know when that time would end.
‘…I don’t know. If only Rene or Shia were here.’
With her eyes fixed on the ground as she walked, her shoulders felt unusually small. A year since ‘that day.’ The world had regained its peace.
Those who survived had to keep living. After coming close to destruction, the world had seemingly reverted to its former state.
Except for the occasional memorial spaces, nothing seemed different from before.
However, for Magical Girl Aria, the warrior Han Eun-seo, the current life was still unfamiliar.
It felt like something was still missing in her heart, causing her frustration.
She wanted to unravel this. Yet, there was no one to talk to about it. Her former comrades, Rene and Shia, had vanished when she regained her senses after ‘that day.’
“Hmm?”
“Could it be…?”
As she was nearing home, she sensed something at that moment. Even her mascot Lulu’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Oh no! Aria!”
“Evil doers!”
She jumped reflexively. An alarmed Lulu tried to stop her, but the instincts of a Magical Girl still ran deep within her.
“Transform… Ugh!”
She ran down a deserted alley, threw down her bag, and transformed. The problem was, as soon as she transformed into a Magical Girl with deep red accents, she was hit by agonizing pain—coughing up blood while staggering.
“W, what’s going on!? Who are you?!”
The people trying to abduct an unconscious girl were startled to see her.
They dropped the drug-laced drink in shock.
‘I’ve heard that these kinds of people are increasing lately.’
Aria gritted her teeth and stood firm. After the horrible catastrophe that struck the entire world, it was understandable that public safety had declined and societal chaos ensued.
Most Magical Girls were hurt, and national agencies were preoccupied with recovery. Perhaps that was why crime began to surge, taking advantage of the chaos.
Those attempting to drug and abduct people were among those opportunists.
“Damn it! It’s a Magical Girl! A, Aria!”
“Shut up! Don’t you see she’s in no condition?”
Although they recognized Aria, they were quickly disturbed by her condition.
A girl, bleeding heavily and unable to stand properly, was not the image of a fierce warrior who wouldn’t back down against great evil.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but don’t mess around.”
‘Damn it, facing off against trash like this…’
One of them picked up a three-section staff, slowly approaching Aria.
Aria tried to fend him off with a punch, but it was so difficult that even clenching her fist was a struggle.
‘That’s right. This is how it should be.’
But Aria did not back down. Her body had fought through too many battles. No matter how many blows she took, she intended to fight back.
She instinctively realized that this was the answer to the question she had agonized over for the past year.
“That’s right. You are correct. You must not falter, warrior.”
“Ah…”
At that moment, a young girl appeared, seemingly ignoring the fact that her underwear was visible, charging at the criminal and stomping on his head, smashing it into the asphalt without making a sound.
The clear sky and the wind swept her black hair as it sparkled in the sunlight.
“Before I twist your neck, I won’t give up, right?”
“…I never said that.”
Aria found herself smiling unconsciously at the girl, tightening her uniform.
The once cocky junior who had frightened and tormented her. However, seeing her now after a year was only joyous.