Transformation or Death

Life of Downfall (2)

Han Jae-jung immediately checked his surroundings after seeing the note in the bird’s beak. Given the content of the note, it would be troublesome if someone discovered it.

Especially for Yoon Seol-hwa, who was deeply worried about today’s attack by the mysterious person, that note would surely be extremely toxic.

Fortunately, Yoon Seol-hwa was nowhere to be seen, perhaps having left immediately after delivering her message. However, she could reappear at any moment.

If someone were to discover that this bird, clearly a subordinate of a villain, had approached him, he might face more than just jokes in the future – he could even be confined.

Moreover, to ask questions, he would either have to visit Botis directly or send a letter back with this bird. The latter option would increase the frequency of contact with the bird, raising the risk of Yoon Seol-hwa discovering it, which would be troublesome. The former option was difficult from the start due to the challenges of going out.

After all, Yoon Seol-hwa remained here to protect him from villains. Any nighttime excursion would likely happen under her watchful eye.

As if sensing Han Jae-jung’s concerns, Botis’s note continued,

‘I’m not asking you to come right away today. It’s late at night, after all. Think it over thoroughly before coming to me. Tomorrow is fine, or even later than that. But I’d prefer it to be as soon as possible. We probably don’t have much time left to see each other. -Botis.’

The words about not having much time left struck Han Jae-jung particularly hard. Today too, after canceling his transformation, he had to endure a headache for a while. Even a mild headache that he would have brushed off before, Han Jae-jung can no longer ignore now.

Flap. The bird skillfully dropped the paper from its beak. The fallen paper immediately turned to soil, and soon after, the next memo appeared.

‘I’m sorry. Actually, I should have told you this first. As I mentioned before, my memories are inconsistent too. I was barely able to recall the facts about the belt right after meeting you. Of course, this might sound like an excuse to you. I’m truly sorry. You don’t have to understand if you don’t want to. -Botis.’

The bird was now holding only the last sheet in its mouth and had placed a long stick-like object it was gripping in its small feet on the windowsill.

‘I don’t really mind that you cut off my horn and killed my children. Really. So I hope you can come without feeling burdened. If you want to find my location, blow this flute. This child who delivered my letter today will guide you. -Botis.’

Botis’s handwriting was neat, and her writing style seemed considerate. But everything about her felt like deception to Han Jae-jung. She was no different from a devil who had caused a massacre in the past and driven countless people to death as mysterious beings.

He didn’t feel particularly grateful for such a person showing kindness like this. He only felt an uneasy suspicion about what ulterior motives she might have.

But he couldn’t prioritize such personal feelings and reject this offer now. Ignoring his reluctant feelings, he opened the window and grabbed the flute the bird had left.

“Jae-jung?”

“Ah, sorry. I’ll be right in.”

Han Jae-jung responded languidly to Yoon Seol-hwa’s inquiry. He continued moving his body into the bathroom. During this, his eyes met with Yoon Seol-hwa’s.

“…?”

He suddenly thought about how beautiful she was. Her long blue hair was slightly damp and clung to her forehead, and her skin, so pale it seemed almost transparent, had a pleasant pink tinge from being slightly flushed. Though she wore a loose T-shirt and long cotton pants, her distinctively voluptuous figure proudly asserted itself even through those clothes.

It seemed both ridiculous and touching that such a person would fuss so much over the name Han Jae-jung, and he suddenly felt sorry for her. It felt as if his name was both the name of her happiness and her pain, and he pondered what would make her truly happy.

As he stared at her for a moment, she flustered explained, “Ah, no! I wasn’t trying to peek! I was just, you know, on my way to my room…!”

“I wasn’t thinking anything, but your explanation makes it sound suspicious.”

“No, it’s not like that!”

Han Jae-jung chuckled. It felt good to be able to laugh, even if it was a pointless laugh.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

The next day, at noon.

Although winter hadn’t passed yet, the sunlight was quite strong. The outer garment that Joo Ah-yoon had given as a gift was quite thick and sufficient to withstand the cold in winter, but it was a bit burdensome on a day like this.

It wasn’t a complaint. How could he criticize a gift in any way? He should just wear it gratefully.

It was just self-criticism for not checking today’s weather in advance. Grumbling that he should have at least looked at the weather forecast, Han Jae-jung moved into a secluded alley.

Despite the abundant sunlight, shadows pervaded the alley. An inexplicable chill lingered in the small passage between the massive buildings. The inside of the alley was humid and sticky. The combination of winter’s cold air and summer-like discomfort made for the worst possible comfort.

“I don’t have much life left, and even the weather doesn’t cooperate.”

In fact, a day with bright sunshine would be the best day for most people, but for him who found everything irritating now, it couldn’t be called a good day. Other bad days included cloudy days, rainy days, snowy days, windy days, and so on.

Han Jae-jung put the flute he received last night to his lips and blew. A high, clear tone like a bird’s call echoed through the alley.

This alley is the one he used when meeting Botis in the past. Although the letter’s instructions said the bird would guide him wherever he blew the flute, it was more reassuring to be where there were no people. After all, someone blowing a flute just anywhere would be considered crazy. Above all, it would attract a lot of attention.

As the sound of the flute faded into the distance, a response came from the other side – an animal cry that could have been either a bird or a goat.

Soon, green grass began to grow beneath his feet. Not like new sprouts emerging, but as if it had always been there. The scenery of the alley changed as if this place had never been an alley but a grassy field in a high mountain range.

In the center, a bird flew low. It was exactly as described in the letter. Han Jae-jung followed the bird. He hadn’t transformed. Transforming now would be closer to throwing away his life rather than preserving it.

The weather, which had been hot and humid for winter, gradually changed to the cold and dry weather of a mountain ridge. It was weather he liked, but it didn’t improve Han Jae-jung’s mood.

“You made a decision quickly. I’m really glad.”

At the end of following the bird, he saw a person sitting on a checkered mat, meaningfully shrouded in a hood.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Botis.”

“Oh, come on, didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Bo’ more casually?”

Ignoring her voice, which was chuckling, Han Jae-jung sat on the mat.

“Yeah, I know. You’re not in the mood to listen to such trivial talk right now, right? It’s written all over your face that you want me to get straight to the point.”

“If you know that, then just get to the point.”

“Oh my, giving orders?”

Botis chuckled as she saw Han Jae-jung’s expression sour even more.

“Come on, your expression is too wrinkled. Smile, smile. They say smiling increases your lifespan. Isn’t that exactly what you need right now?”

“I don’t have time.”

It was a double meaning. It meant both that he didn’t have much time left and that he didn’t have much time to spare right now.

Han Jae-jung had come out in secret from the two women, after all.

Yoon Seol-hwa is not a person with free time. Regrettably, she had to go to work during the day, being in a position where she couldn’t take time off as she pleased. There were postponed advertisement shootings and villains dispatch cases.

Before leaving for work, she hugged him for a long time at the front door before finally going out.

She left one request as she left. Contact her every hour.

It was burdensome, but refusing was impossible.

Han Jae-jung needs to contact her in 40 minutes.

Joo Ah-yoon’s case was even more severe. Already suspicious and with a strengthened desire to always work together, she was now a more difficult opponent for him than Yoon Seol-hwa.

Unlike Yoon Seol-hwa, who was forcibly separated by circumstances, Joo Ah-yoon could be with Han Jae-jung 24 hours a day if she wished.

Fortunately, Han Jae-jung had the convenient lie of ‘quests’, and he managed to deceive her and get some time.

“So, tell me quickly.”

He was in a hurry now. If necessary, he could easily change to formal speech or change how he addressed her. After briefly examining his face, Botis opened her lips.

“Alright. I was just joking for a moment. I’ll tell you quickly as you wish. What you’re most curious about right now is your remaining lifespan and how to extend it, right?”

Han Jae-jung nodded.

“To be honest about the former… I’m sorry. I don’t know either.”

Han Jae-jung felt his breath catch for a moment.

“I know that starlight is fatal to a normal human body, but I don’t know how much life it has taken from you. I’m not a doctor, after all.”

It was true. It was impossible for her to accurately diagnose his remaining lifespan.

“But it’s certain that you’re terminally ill. From the start, the transformation system that directly grants starlight to the body through temporary villain-ization isn’t something a normal body can accept. Unfortunately, that system was created for magical girls, not for ordinary people. For those not chosen by the stars…..”

Botis paused for a moment and slowly shook her head.

“…However, I can answer the latter.”

Botis raised her head again and smiled brightly. A glimmer of hope flashed in Han Jae-jung’s eyes for a moment.

“Really?”

“Of course~ No matter what, I wouldn’t lie about a person’s life.”

Botis spoke with excitement in her voice.

“Become a villain!”

“…What?”

“Abandon your human body and become a villain completely! If a human body can’t accept starlight, then just abandon the human body altogether! Simple, right? Just become my child.”

Han Jae-jung laughed hollowly. Unfortunately, it was his first laugh of the day.

“What the fuck are you talking about….”

“It’s not nonsense, you know? Why, you’ve seen it too. A child who was in the exact same situation as you but made the right choice and has been able to live until now.”

I’ve seen such a person? Han Jae-jung’s eyebrows twitched in confusion. Soon after, one hypothesis popped into his mind.

“…No way.”

“See, you know it too.”

Botis was still wearing an innocent smile.

“The villain of Sagittarius.”

***

Ippotranslation 

***

“What’s your purpose?!”

At the location where Red Vega had been dispatched after receiving a report. The villain she was supposed to defeat was already dead with an arrow through its neck. The villain in red armor sitting astride the corpse slowly raised its head towards her.

“Hey.”

With something like a chain wrapped around one eye, he called out to Red Vega with a frivolous smile. It inadvertently sent chills down her spine.

“Want me to tell you an interesting fact?”

It was a nauseous unpleasantness.

Red Vega once again realized that indeed, most villains harbored such an ominous difference from humans.

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