Chapter 40

“That’s some crazy talk.”

The doctor muttered in a monotonous voice as he looked at the monster in the form of a girl.

I’ll admit that the Doctor’s creation is impressive, but being that arrogant makes it no different from a failure.

There was no such thing as a god who called themselves a god, so in a way, it was an expected outcome.

‘And at that level, I can definitely subdue it.’

Thanks to the test subjects willingly returning to my embrace, the timing of the fable has been pushed forward even more.

The despair of a magical girl was literally the best catalyst.

[What do you mean by “crazy talk”? I was just speaking my mind.]

A flat-toned voice came through the speakers.

Curs frowned at the words spat out as if the answer was obvious.

Arrogant, cocky, and overflowing with confidence to the point of absurdity.

Doesn’t it realize it’s in the enemy’s base right now?

‘Maybe even the slightest sense of danger has been shattered.’

Given the tendencies of the Sung-Ending Doctor, it’s more likely that she wanted to create a weapon to slaughter magical girls rather than some god of monsters.

So, did it come here under her orders?

Whatever the purpose, I won’t go down without a fight.

Uuuung—

“Ugh…”

Through the tubes inserted all over my body, despair flowed in along with sedatives.

The reasons that turn humans into something inhuman vary, but the end always leads to despair.

It’s hot. At the same time, it’s cold.

It felt like being submerged in a blazing furnace and the icy depths of the ocean simultaneously.

“…”

How much time had passed like that?

The moment my mind shattered, my body crumbled, and my soul broke apart—

The despair that had been consuming my body began to coalesce with explosive force.

Something magical girls don’t have, but monsters do.

Uuuung—

“Haha, hahaha… HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”

The Despair Core.

As the organ known as the monster’s heart resonated with the surrounding despair, mad laughter burst from his lips.

What a refreshing feeling. It couldn’t be better.

With this power, I can easily crush that annoying being’s skull.

“Now, it’s not you coming to meet me. I’m coming to meet you.”

Curs, wearing the white coat draped over the chair, muttered in an excited voice.

At the moment of death, what kind of expression will you make as you despair?

His Despair Core began to race toward a new research goal.

Then, shall we go? To bring down a god.

***

“Hey, the mic’s on.”

Muttering nonsense, laughing like a madman, and suddenly saying he’s coming to meet me.

Has he finally lost his mind? Or did he suddenly develop a taste for suicide?

The thought of such a pervert coming to meet me is terrifying.

…Should I run away now?

Grrk? Grruu… Guk…

Kieeeek—!!!

“What’s wrong?”

After a wave of despair swept through, the monsters started acting strange.

It was like bees hit by an electromagnetic pulse.

The creatures that once followed me seemed unable to grasp their bearings in the face of overwhelming despair.

The only saving grace was that they weren’t attacking me, but if Curs came out from inside, who knows what would happen.

‘No choice…’

I’ve had enough despair. If I activate the Despair Circuit, I should be able to easily subdue these monsters.

As I tilted my head left and right, loosening up my body, I was about to activate the Despair Circuit when—

‘…This feeling.’

My body froze at the sensation of hope energy gradually approaching from afar.

A feeling so familiar it’s almost comforting.

I don’t know how she found her way down here, but if this continues, Emerald will find out.

‘Can’t let that happen.’

If she finds out I’m here, and that I’m a monster, my happy despair-filled life will be ruined.

No. That can’t happen.

I forcibly stopped the Despair Circuit from spinning reflexively due to the approaching despair and slowly stepped back.

Zzziiing—

“Are you scared? How pitiful for someone who called themselves a god.”

“…”

It’s not like I’m scared of you. And who said anything about calling myself a god?

Anyway, the despair coming from Curs was certainly impressive, but not enough to make me scared.

Honestly, the kind of appearance that would terrify a normal human felt almost nostalgic to me.

I’ve seen that look so many times in anime.

“Now, I’ll take payment for ruining my laboratory.”

‘Ugh, why is it always late when I need it most?’

I subtly glanced at Curs, timing it.

Alright, from now, 10, 9, 8, 7—

I rolled my eyes slightly as I watched the hand approaching.

Curs paused for a moment, noticing my gaze, and I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘Why stop there? Do it, just do it! Reach out already!’

If Emerald sees Apocalypse and Curs getting along, she’ll lose her mind.

And if she loses her mind, she’ll probably bombard me with an insane amount of hope energy.

Ugh, just thinking about it is terrifying.

“I don’t know what you’re aiming for, but it’s already too late.”

Thud—

“Ugh—”

Curs’ hand pierced my heart.

Yep, definitely a lunatic. To pierce a human body so casually.

I glanced down at the arm piercing my body, then pretended to cough up blood and hung my head low.

I nailed the reception, WWE-style, so now it’s your turn.

As I was thrown weakly against the wall, I subtly curled the corner of my mouth.

“Akari—!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“What the—”

Boom—!!!!

A blast of hope energy so intense it sent shivers down my spine.

If I hadn’t turned my head, the blinding hope might have left me blind.

‘Ugh, it’s tingling…’

I’m not a masochist, but being in this situation sent chills down my spine.

Emerald flew in at full power to save Apocalypse from Curs?

Even in a parody novel, this kind of plot wouldn’t fly. I almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

‘Oh no…’

Probably because my heart was pierced, chunks of blood kept rising up my throat.

I didn’t feel like I was going to die, but the blood clogging my throat made it hard to breathe.

And now I’m coughing.

‘Wait, does this mean I’ll be treated as dead?’

I don’t know if Emerald saw or not, but if she did, things might get a little weird.

What should I do? Should I secretly regenerate now? But if Emerald saw me getting pierced by Curs, regenerating would be a problem too.

My mind was a mess of conflicting thoughts.

“Oh dear, it seems the adjustments aren’t perfect yet…”

“I won’t let you go, Curs…!!!”

“Curs, is that what you call me? Fine, from now on, I’ll live as the curse of magical girls. Living under the name given by a magical girl sounds quite enjoyable.”

The battle between Emerald and Curs was quite thrilling.

Emerald pushed Curs back with hope energy, while Curs blocked her attacks and gradually retreated.

If it were the original Curs, Emerald would’ve been dealt with easily, but being newly born, it seemed quite vulnerable to hope energy.

“But, are you okay? Didn’t you come to save her?”

“Tch…!”

“If you keep chasing me, her life will be in danger. You seem quite close—are you really okay with that?”

There was something in Curs’ voice that made the other hesitate.

Of course, it didn’t work on me since I have nothing to lose, but it seemed to work on Emerald.

‘I don’t know. Let’s secretly regenerate before Emerald gets here.’

As inconspicuously as possible—like melting candy in my mouth at night—I slowly began to regenerate my wounds.

Phew, my heart’s pounding so hard I might get caught.

If I fully activate the Despair Circuit, I’ll attract both Emerald’s attacks and Curs’ intense interest, so no matter what, I have to regenerate without the Despair Circuit’s help.

“Let’s meet again next time. I’ll make sure to thoroughly research both of you then.”

With those words, Curs disappeared along with the underground monsters.

I thought he might stab me in the back, but it seems he hasn’t sold his conscience that far yet.

Anyway, that’s not important right now.

“A-Akari… Are you okay? You’re okay, right?”

[Her vital signs are weaker than a normal person’s, but by Akari’s standards, she’s within the normal range. But since she’s weaker than usual, she probably lost consciousness.]

“Th-thank goodness… Really, thank goodness… Sniff… I’m sorry, Akari. I’m so, so sorry…”

As Emerald hugged my bloodied body and began to sob, I tried my best to suppress the trembling corner of my mouth.

This despair… I really like it.