Transformation or Death

Chapter 5 – Have You Ever Seen Stars?

[Wake up.]  

“Ugh…ugh!”

At the sound of the belt waking me up, I picked up the guidebook that was covering my face and let the harsh fluorescent light pour directly into my eyes. The piercing brightness of civilization briefly lit up my groggy consciousness. 

“Ow…”

The price for that was dizziness. My eyes, unable to adjust to the light, squinted shut and my vision darkened again.

“Um…excuse me?”

“Yes?”

I turned toward the voice calling out and saw a familiar face.

“Ah yes…” I awkwardly nodded in greeting and scanned the person in front of me through my bobbing vision.

That flashy outfit, it had to be her.

Red Vega.

‘Why is she here…?’

I couldn’t help but be amazed to see the girl who looked exactly like the one I saw the previous night. It’s true that when people are too surprised, they become silent rather than make a fuss.  

Just like the reaction when facing a villain, I felt breathless and sweat trickled down like morning dew on a summer day. To think I’d encounter her again just a day later. Should I call this fate or an ill-fated connection?

When citizens trembled in fear at the sight of villains, I alone trembled at the magical girl.

“Um… Did you come for counseling…?”

“Ah yes. I’m Han Jae-jung.”

“Ah, I see. I’m…”

Fortunately amidst the misfortune, that trembling also carried another meaning.  

Joy.

“I know! Red Vega, right?!”

It was like a fan meeting an idol they had only seen on TV. No, an even greater elation swirled within me. Yesterday, things happened too quickly for me to fully grasp it.

But thinking back, I realized I had been given the chance to meet in person the very characters I had been a huge fan of from their world.  

What greater joy could there be for an otaku than this?

‘I hope there’s no need to suddenly fight here…’

I glanced over at my belt. Fortunately, no quest had appeared. There was no need to transform.

“…! Yes! That’s right!” 

Red Vega seemed delighted that I recognized her, beaming as she composed herself. “Since you couldn’t hear my introduction earlier, let me do it again!”

With a performance of a red star bursting from her fingertips, her grandiose self-introduction began. “Hello there! Streaking across your heart like a comet! The crimson star Red Vega has arrived!”

“Wooooow!!” I clapped loudly, not just a solitary applause. It was an exaggerated reaction, but there was no pretense in it.  

Magical girls often do public service, so Red Vega must have been temporarily assigned as a counselor for an event.

Red Vega has a personality with high self-esteem and kindness. A classic good-natured person who sincerely accepts kindness from others and returns it in equal measure.

By responding so positively, there may be a chance to form a positive relationship with her later on.

The climax of the magical girl series ends with the death of all the core magical girls. 

Red Vega, being the protagonist, grows until the final chapter but ultimately dies.

And so the world meets its demise.

‘I absolutely cannot let that happen.’

Meeting a magical girl like this must have been fate to prevent that insane ending. It was even better that my belt remained quiet and that she didn’t know my true identity upon our meeting.

Positive thinking always helps make the world better.

“Ahaha, I’m glad you reacted so happily! Here’s one more star for you!”

“Ah, even fan service…! Ah Red Vega, you are truly a magical girl…!!” Reacting like a hopeless fanboy was the most genuine approach. Isn’t it said that people become foolish when they see something they love? It was sincerely how I felt too.

Speaking of which…  

‘So this is Red Vega’s catchphrase. It sounds even cuter hearing it in person.’

While it may seem like a simple self-promotion, there is indeed a reason why each magical girl has such lines.

Resonance. 

What my belt had been measuring whenever I used my abilities.  

This criteria undoubtedly applies to magical girls as well.

In exchange for gaining the power of stars, they are assigned a role.  

The role assigned is their own idealized self that even they were unaware of, and the closer they get to embodying that ideal, the greater power they can wield.

This is precisely why a magical girl’s power lies in love and peace.

Their ideals originate from being the heroes who protect love and peace.  

The catchphrases are like self-hypnosis, necessary to further solidify their identity.

By uttering lines disconnected from daily life, they more definitively associate themselves with being magical girls.  

That’s what those lines are.

Which is why I didn’t find her catchphrase embarrassing.

Even though Red Vega is past childhood, yet still wears a frilly mini skirt dress with twintails and says lines that sound like they belong in a children’s program!

She is a heroine doing her utmost to perfectly act out her ideal self as an actress!  

‘Impressive.’  

I could never say such lines with a straight face. Actually, I probably couldn’t even if I wanted to, thanks to this body of mine.

“Ahaha… I’m relieved you’re so bright. Yes! That strength is most important!”  

“…?”

Ah right, this was a suicide counseling center.

“Oh right! Why were you sleeping earlier? I was really surprised!”  

“I was just sleepy…”

“…I see!”

That brief silence likely contained thoughts like ‘what kind of barbarian falls asleep at a desk.’ I understand. But I hope you can understand me too. I was that sleepy, what could I do?

As an awkward silence fell, I was the first to break it “Um… But what exactly does counseling involve? I’ve never really done this before.”  

“Nothing special. I’ll ask you questions, and Han Jae-jung just needs to respond honestly.”

“Honestly?”  

“Yes. Sometimes, people find their hearts at ease simply by speaking honestly. For today, being honest will be enough!”

Red Vega gave an innocent smile. Just seeing that smile inspired trust that she meant no harm. It felt like the aura of someone who had saved lives in the field.

‘As expected of a magical girl.’  

So this is the smile of a heroine who protects everyone. I spoke with admiration welling up.

There wasn’t much I could share in detail. 

I didn’t get emotional talking about my struggles.

Because I’m not actually Han Jae-jung. All I did was give a vague life story pieced together from the backstory in his suicide note and what I knew from the original work.

The more specific I got, the more likely I’d contradict myself. Han Jae-jung’s life story didn’t even take 5 minutes to summarize.

“I see!”

Despite the grim life story, Red Vega didn’t carelessly pity me. Her demeanor toward a suicidal client wasn’t bad at all. But….  

“…..”

“…..”  

“Um…”

“That’s the end.”

“Huh?”

“I finished telling my life story.”

“Oh! I, I see!”  

She seemed rather naive. The ‘girly’ part of this magical girl was definitely evident. 

Another awkward silence fell as Red Vega, maintaining her gentle smile, began flipping through a book she had brought. That was undoubtedly a manual.

‘This friend didn’t even study the manual before meeting a suicidal client?’

Considering her age seems to be barely a young adult, it wasn’t too surprising. It’s unreasonable to expect a child struggling with her own responsibilities to also take care of others.

So now what do we actually do?

Flash.

In that moment, the ribbon adorning Red Vega’s chest area briefly flickers red. It looked like some kind of signal.

A dispatch order.

Seeing that signal, Red Vega turned back with a troubled expression. 

“Um…”

[Villain detected.]

Oh shit. It was probably me.

“I’m sorry, but shall we end today’s counseling here? I have an urgent matter to attend to.”

“Ah…I see.”

I quickly stood up from my seat, just as I had when leaving the police station before. 

“Um!”

Red Vega was smiling brightly.

“Thank you!”

“For what?”

“Don’t pretend. You were considerate of me, weren’t you?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

Seriously, it wasn’t.

“I’m sorry. But instead… I’ll bring you something delicious next time!”

“Next time?”

“Yes! Next time! Same time next week!” Red Vega pointed her finger down, indicating this counseling room. It was an emphatic promise that didn’t consider the possibility of refusal.

“Yes, same time next week then.”  

“…! Yes, definitely!!! Next week!!! This time!!!”

What a bright and energetic girl. Her immense spirit is enough to drain my own energy. I wondered if she’d fall into depression after being rejected by me, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be a concern.

“Well then! Having streaked across your heart like a comet, the crimson star Red Vega shall make her exit first!!” Bidding farewell vigorously until the end, Red Vega didn’t leave through the door, but instead leapt out the window. In an instant, something like a fiery moth appeared flitting between the buildings outside.

Of course, it was Red Vega. Trailing crimson starlight, she flew away magnificently. As I followed her with my eyes, my belt issued another command.

[Transform and terminate the villain. Failure to comply will result in death.]

“Yeah, I know. Don’t rush me.”

Turning away from her, I too shouted out.

“Transform.”

[ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATION.]  

I couldn’t possibly accept the terrifying fate of being beaten to death by my belt. Having come to a suicide prevention counseling center, I should struggle as much as I can against death.

[THE BIG DIPPER.]

A sinister light flashed in the empty room, different from before.

*** 

Ippotranslation

***

[MEGREZ.]

As I turned the buckle of the belt, it recited the name of a single star, not all of them.

Megrez. 

The name of the star connecting the bowl and handle of the Big Dipper constellation.

As that name was called out, a black halo emerged from the belt, enveloping and darkening my green armor to black.

Protruding spikes in a noticeable black-green color jutted out from the shoulder guards, and the leg armor transformed into a sleek shape.

The darkest of stars.

Befitting its reputation as a star of promiscuity and drunkenness, it granted me a radical power matching its role and character.

That power was none other than translocation.

Stretching both arms out straight, I cupped my hands as starlight gathered within, coalescing into a tangible form.

What manifested was a motorcycle. 

I naturally mounted it.

‘But I don’t have a license.’

Well, it’s not like I have a Vanguard activities license either, so what does a simple motorcycle license matter? I’ve concealed my face and fought magical girls and villains – a two-wheeled vehicle is nothing in comparison.

Either way, I already knew how to operate it. Just like how to fight, the operating knowledge was directly imprinted into my brain whether I wanted it or not.

Besides, this wasn’t a motorcycle meant for roads anyway.

‘Finally getting to ride the kinds of bikes I couldn’t because my life was too precious.’

Vroom.

We were on the rooftop. Revving the engine without even considering that going straight would mean falling off, I charged ahead unhesitantly, showing no fear.

However, I did not fall.

After one revolution of the wheels, the sky folded.

After two revolutions, I proceeded through that folded sky.

It was literally translocation – no, celestial translocation.

I could cover in seconds what would take others minutes to fly.

Without even encountering Red Vega, I safely arrived at the quest location.  

This time, it was a group.

Caterpillar-like, bipedal villain mobs were swarming and causing chaos in the city.  

Conveniently, one was extending its claws right beneath me toward a civilian.

“This guy really…”

I cut off the motorcycle’s engine. The bike, previously hovering perfectly in the air, dropped vertically and lightly stomped on the villain’s head.

SQUISH- SPLORTCH!

The compressed head couldn’t properly contain its inky black blood, spraying it out like an exploding tomato in all directions. The range was so wide it was like a volcanic eruption, indiscriminately spewing evidence that it had once been alive.

Regrettably, that black blood splattered onto the face of the person who had narrowly avoided being attacked. That must be rather unpleasant. Especially unfortunate for someone who relies on public transportation.

They’ll certainly get some odd looks on the way home for a shower.

“…”

“Unlucky.”

The person with blood drenching their face seemed too stunned to even speak properly. 

“…Uh, uh…”

“If you just stay dazed here, those guys over there will attack you too, you know? Got time for that?”

I pointed a finger behind them. Swarming like insects befitting their buggy appearance were more of the bug-like appearances.

“Why are you still standing there? Want to die here?”  

“Uwaaaaah!!!”

Go ahead and scream your head off. Best way to relieve stress. The ashen-faced (though it didn’t show through the black blood) civilian finally fled in a panic.

With the civilians out of the way, I surveyed the villains now heading toward me.

At that moment, my belt spoke up again.

[Speak your entrance line.]

Ah, did that apply to me too?

[It will help draw out the power of the stars. I recommend preparing one from now for your future life as a protector.]

I’ll pass.  

Asking me to just think one up out of nowhere…

‘Ah, I do have one in mind.’

No need for me to make one up. Isn’t imitation the mother of creation? I can just roughly copy an existing cool line someone else came up with.

-Have you ever seen the stars before?

The line that came to mind was from when I first encountered this world. The opening line of the Magical Girl Apocalypse prologue. 

As I stretched my body sore from the impact of the fall, I said, “Have any of you ever truly seen the stars?”  

With those words, I charged into the mob of villains.

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