Chapter 15

EP.15 Second Transformation

Chiiiik!

The acidic fluid of Octoa was incredibly potent.

A mad acid that could melt anything.

It hadn’t been long since it appeared, but the surroundings were already devastated.

And I…

“Kyaaak!”

Acid that flew through the window touched my left arm, and I writhed in pain.

But Marcella, isn’t this a bit too much?

I thought it was just a burn, but the acid is too strong.

The moment Octoa appeared, I changed my body to that of an ordinary person, so it hurt even more.

When I get back, I’ll slap her and give her some education.

Thankfully, only a tiny amount of acid flew at me, and after melting a bit of my skin, it disappeared.

And Sehwa…

Twokwang!

Transformed into Leona, clad in a sky-blue light, she charged at Octoa with a tremendous roar.

Kiiiik!

Octoa, wary of Leona’s immense power, directed all its tentacles towards her and fired acid.

Pshoo! Pshoo!

The acid coming from the thousands of tentacles was… disgusting.

Enough to make me nauseous.

Leona was deflecting the acid with her heightened reflexes and sword.

Bang! Bang!

“Freak! Get out here now!”

Dr. Cash’s shout from the door.

I frowned and opened the door.

The doctor was shocked to see my left arm covered in blood.

“Are you hurt?”

“Ugh… green liquid splashed on my arm…”

“Damn it!”

She cursed and took me to her room.

Then she took a small syringe from her bag and injected it into my arm.

“It’s a painkiller. Stronger than heroin but with no side effects. It’s hard to get…”

I know, you witch.

And this bitch… is now worried about wasting it when her assistant is hurt?

I’ll endure it since it’s a critical moment.

The pain stopped instantly, and I curiously spun my left arm.

“Wow… what kind of effect is this…”

“Don’t spin your arm, you pathetic brat. If your muscles get damaged, treatment will be delayed.”

“Ah, yes…”

I answered with a sheepish expression and continued.

“What should I do?”

“Analyze quickly. Start with the communicator.”

“Yes.”

I put the small communicator the doctor handed me on my right ear and tapped it.

Then, with a crackling sound, I heard the sound of cutting wind and something being deflected.

Connected to the communicator on Leona’s head, I could hear the surrounding noise.

Look at the poor sound quality, I’ll improve it later.

“Ah… Sehwa… no, Leona. Can you hear me?”

The doctor looked at me with pity.

Don’t look at me like that. You were supposed to pick the name.

“Leona?”

“I chose the name. It suits her, right?”

“Haah… even in this situation… whatever, let’s start the analysis. I sent out a scout, so the scan results will come soon. Until then, look at the screen and find the action radius or weaknesses.”

“Yes, let’s do it.”

I alternated looking at the two laptops in front of the doctor.

Then, an electronic sound came from the communicator, and Leona’s voice was heard.

-Is that Jihyuk?

Sehwa’s voice, filled with confidence, a perfect tone.

No matter when I hear it, it purifies my ears.

“Yes. Can you hear me? How does that monster look?”

-I can hear… ugh!

Distracted by my voice, she barely dodged an acid shot.

-I can hear you. It seems more troublesome than that mouthy one… but I think I can handle it easily.

The doctor scolded Leona.

“Don’t let your guard down.”

-Yes, Doctor.

Now Octoa was not only spraying acid but also swinging its tentacles.

But Leona’s giant sword effortlessly cut them down.

Swoosh! Kiiiik!

Angered, Octoa scattered acid everywhere.

Leona moved faster than anything, deflecting the acid to prevent Octoa from causing more damage.

In the meantime, Octoa’s temper was rising.

Meanwhile, the doctor and I were checking Octoa’s entire body.

“Even if the tentacles are cut, the movements remain the same. I think the nervous system is separate, and the body seems fixed to the ground. It doesn’t seem like it will move. Even if it does, it will definitely be slow…”

“Right. I think the same. The scan results… are out.”

The doctor, who quickly examined Octoa’s interior, spoke with difficulty.

“There’s a hole that looks like an anus on the submerged body. It would be good to target that… but there are tentacles on the torso, and the water pressure will slow Sehwa down. It’s too dangerous.”

“There’s something like an eye in the middle of the tentacles. Cutting the tentacles didn’t work, so targeting that seems right.”

“Good. Well done. You heard that, right? Your gauge is currently at 62%, so you need to approach quickly.”

-Yes.

Boom! Boom!

A loud noise erupted around Leona.

Every time she rolled her foot in the air, the air exploded, creating shockwaves around her.

She began to approach Octoa, steadily cutting down its tentacles.

Kiiiik!!

As the tentacles disappeared, Leona’s speed gradually increased.

Soon, she was close to Octoa’s eye.

-Haap!

With a loud shout, she thrust her sword into the eye.

But,

Chiiiik! Ting!

The sword bounced off a protective shield covering the eye.

The cost was great.

Kiiiik! Slurp!

The moment Leona’s balance was disrupted, Octoa wrapped its tentacles around her body.

-Kyaak!

Leona screamed like a girl and struggled, but the tentacles had already perfectly sealed her body.

The pressure from the tentacles was immense, and Leona, unable to move her hands, couldn’t break free.

-Ugh…! This…! My body…!

Octoa brought a tentacle close to Leona’s face, showing a sinister movement.

As if saying, I’ll explore all your holes now…

Watching this, the doctor shouted.

“No!”

If this continues, Leona’s entire body will either be crushed or melted by the acid.

Stupid girl… don’t just scream, find a solution like I did.

Well, it’s only the second monster to appear, and it came out suddenly, so I’ll be lenient since we weren’t fully prepared.

“Doctor! When the sword touched the monster’s eye, sparks flew around it!”

“I know! So what!”

“It might be an electric barrier, so try shooting an EMP! Are you just going to say it won’t work?”

Snapping out of it, the doctor quickly typed on the keyboard.

Then, the scout, which was far from Leona and Octoa, quickly approached and dropped a small, hard-shelled round ball into Octoa’s center.

Thunk!

Of course, Octoa didn’t leave the strange object alone.

It swung its tentacles and hit the ball.

Whoosh! Thunk!

But Octoa didn’t know.

That it had hit the ball too hard.

Boom! Zap!

The EMP bomb, which exploded in mid-air from the strong impact, instantly neutralized the protective shield over Octoa’s eye.

At the same time, it delivered a strong shock to Octoa’s body.

This is mine and Marcella’s work.

We modified it to deliver a shock to the entire body once the shield was gone.

Kiiieeeek!

Octoa let out a painful scream and went berserk.

At the same time, the tentacles holding Leona’s body loosened.

This was as good as over.

Leona, who had been carefully listening to the conversation between me and the doctor through the communicator, remained calm and immediately threw her sword at Octoa’s eye the moment the tentacles loosened.

-Haap!

**

Beep! Beep!

The regular sound from the heart rate monitor.

I was lying on the medical bed in the laboratory, eyes closed.

I hadn’t lost consciousness, I was just pretending to sleep.

“We can’t keep doing this. Even though it appeared suddenly, it was too haphazard. We need preparation. We need to be ready for such things at any time.”

Dr. Cash’s voice came from around me.

Well, of course, preparation is necessary.

Octoa was a monster to measure Leona’s combat power and to sharply increase the doctor’s vigilance.

Outside, chaos reigns.

After Amducias, another unimaginable monster has appeared in the real world.

The World Union is busy, and most powerful nations are sending people to Korea to investigate the anomalies.

The doctor is trying to contact countries worldwide to cooperate, around this time.

Now the doctor is about to fully operate the Beast Slayer Headquarters.

Creating various inventions, and modifying devices so that when Sehwa transforms into Leona, she can use consumables according to the situation.

Leona gains immense fame and becomes known as Korea’s protector.

Starting as an unknown hero, she becomes a worldwide idol and a reliable guardian deity.

The doctor works hard to ensure Leona’s true identity isn’t revealed, allowing Sehwa to live a normal life.

“Is Jihyuk okay?”

Sehwa’s concerned question from the same spot.

The doctor answered.

“He’s fine. There will be scars, but his arm will be fine, so don’t worry.”

Sehwa said in a sullen tone.

“If only I had been a bit more careful…”

“No, you did well enough. It’s just that the monster appeared suddenly… ugh… if it weren’t for this guy, something really bad might have happened. He’s amazing. Smart, quick-witted… honestly, I was so panicked I didn’t even think of EMP.”

“When I saw Jihyuk’s arm covered in blood, my heart sank… it must have hurt so much… and he didn’t even show it…”

“The painkiller is quite effective.”

That bitch… ruining the good mood with her nonsense.

The doctor continued.

“But he was composed. Even with his flesh melted to the bone.”

Hmm… I don’t like it, but I’ll let it slide.

Next time, just praise me, don’t brag about yourself.

Or I might just snap your neck.

“Do you think he’ll quit when he wakes up?”

The doctor’s question was half-joking, half-serious.

“I won’t let him quit. I need Jihyuk. You do too, Doctor.”

“He is a great talent. By the way, what’s with Leona? Leona.”

“Well… Jihyuk suggested using a pseudonym…”

“And you agreed?”

“Well…”

“Just use it. If you use it, he’ll feel more belonging here.”

“Yes… I was going to anyway…”

After a brief silence, the doctor spoke seriously.

“The device’s charge is currently at 25%. You know what I’m getting at, right?”

“Yes… I’ll charge it…”

“Good. We don’t know when Evil Energy will occur again, so always be prepared. I have research to do, so I’ll head out. Let me know when this guy wakes up. I’ll take him home.”

“Okay.”

After the doctor left the medical room, Sehwa quietly held my hand.

Her slender hand was cold.

Time to open my eyes.

“Ugh…”

At my pained groan, Sehwa was startled.

“Jihyuk! Are you okay?”

“Se… Sehwa?”

“It’s me. How’s your arm? Do you need anything? Should I get you water?”

“One at a time… ask one at a time.”

“Sorry…”

I opened my eyes and stared at Sehwa.

You’re full of concern for me. I feel oddly proud.

“Water…”

“Water? Okay. Wait a moment…”

Sehwa hurriedly brought water, placed it on the table, and carefully lifted my upper body as if handling a precious object.

Then she brought the water to my lips.

After taking a sip, I looked at my arm.

“It’s fine…? Earlier, I could see the bone…”

“It’ll be okay. And I was worried. About what might happen to you… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“If I had transformed a bit faster, you might not have gotten hurt.”

“Ah… that’s not it. That jellyfish monster appeared suddenly. And then you flew through the air shortly after. That was fast enough.”

Sehwa didn’t answer and just looked into my eyes.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my head and continued.

“And… I saw your transformed form properly on the monitor… you were really pretty. Your hair grew longer and changed color… can’t you dye it like that?”

At my silly joke, Sehwa burst out laughing.

Her face relaxed, and she giggled for a while before speaking.

“Let’s go back. The doctor said she’ll take us home.”

“Yeah, let’s go back. I’m so tired. I desperately need my bed. Too much has happened these past few days.”

Sehwa’s face turned red.

Probably recalling what happened last night when I mentioned too much had happened.

“Uh… Jihyuk.”

“What?”

“About last night…”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Okay…”

“Let’s go back. I really want to rest at home.”

“Stay still. I’ll help you.”

Supported by Sehwa, I got off the bed and thought.

I should release the third monster a bit slower.

Instead, I’ll release weaker ones that ordinary humans can handle worldwide.

That way, the doctor can work more smoothly.

And while changing Sehwa to my liking, I should approach Yuria soon.

Rosé, the Earthling… that is, Stella, can wait until she comes to Korea on her own.

But Yuria, coming from another world, and arriving much earlier than originally, can’t be left alone for long.

My mind started rolling with all sorts of plans.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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