Chapter 37

“Alright… is everyone here?”

The Reverse Barrier was already up. We had gathered under the overpass leading to Itaewon, and somewhere on the opposite side, the Magical Girls were probably gathering too.

“Yes, everyone’s here.”

As I listened to Dusik’s response, I glanced around. There was nothing around us. Just dark buildings with their lights off and neon signs that had all been turned off. The eerie sight of not a single soul in sight, except for us, was something I had never seen before.

In stark contrast, outside the Reverse Barrier behind us, a crowd of people had gathered to watch us. Even a news helicopter was hovering in the sky, its flashing lights illuminating us from above.

Let’s not pay attention to that. We have work to do.

I quickly scanned the area. Twenty-four Minions, divided into four squads of six each, were lined up. In front of them stood Dusik, and beside me was Kabe.

This is our total combat power right now.

I suppressed the creeping sense of defeat. This is just the first battle. We’ll grow from here. That’s why I came, after all.

“Everyone, can you hear my voice?”

“Yes, we can hear you!”

“Loud and clear!”

“We’re listening!”

The Minions responded immediately. These Minions had never received orders from their previous Mother-Body, who had been too exhausted after creating them to even step onto the battlefield.

Their eyes, filled with fervor, were fixed on me, their creator, standing with them on the battlefield. I quietly opened my mouth.

“Answer me. Who am I?”

“Our great mother, the glorious boss of the Mogmog Group, the radiant Magical Girl of Evil, the Mother-Body!”

“Answer me. What will you do for me?”

“Victory and glory for our great mother, the glorious boss of the Mogmog Group, the radiant Magical Girl of Evil, the Mother-Body!”

“I answer your call. I will walk with you from the lowest point to the highest. Can you give me your strength?”

“Gladly!”

“Then, I declare here and now that I will stand by your side.”

I flipped open my coat. Raising my hand, dark magic swirling around it, I shouted loudly.

“I announce the beginning of war! Count open!”

As I shouted “Count open,” a white flash shot up into the sky from my raised left hand. Shortly after, a golden flash rose from the opposite side, burning through the darkness in response.

It was the Magical Girls’ reply to my declaration of war.

:: Count open confirmed.

:: Battlefield activated.

:: Mother-Body of the Minions, the Magical Girl of Evil, confirmed on the battlefield.

:: Minions’ combat power increased.

:: Mind sync confirmed.

:: Voice sync confirmed.

:: The battle begins now.

A map appeared before my eyes.

“Seven Magical Girls…?”

This is a disaster from the start. On our side, we have four squads of six Minions each. The Magical Girls are severely underestimating our strength, but I didn’t think they’d go this far.

“It seems they’re more serious than I thought.”

Tsk. I scratched my head. If we send out one squad at a time, they’ll just get picked off one by one. On the map, one Magical Girl was heading straight toward me.

Given the situation, that must be Prilly.

“1st and 3rd squads, retreat to the 5 o’clock position. 2nd and 4th squads, circle around to the 2 o’clock position. From now on, two squads will take on one Magical Girl each. If your health drops below half, retreat to the rear. Dusik, from now on, cover me and move to the 4 o’clock position. Prilly is coming.”

“Understood.”

The battle hadn’t started yet. The Magical Girls didn’t know the positions of our Minions. I had hoped it would take them some time to find us, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

There was clearly a building there, but one Magical Girl was cutting straight through it. And with a loud noise, the building was collapsing. It was obvious that the Magical Girl was smashing through buildings as she advanced.

“What kind of Magical Girl is that?!”

Damn it.

“Kabe, come here.”

I picked up Kabe and started running with Dusik.

Outside the Reverse Barrier, it was like a festival. Although Halloween isn’t a big deal in Korea, this year was different. The woman known as the Mother-Body of Evil, the boss of the Mogmog Group, had caused a huge sensation.

During her first broadcast, she stumbled over her words, and in her second broadcast, she paused her declaration of war to tend to her young daughter, showing not only her dignity as the boss of the Mogmog Group but also her human side and her strength as a modern woman. She quickly became a celebrity.

With her true name and past still unknown, her first battle had drawn the attention of the world, and Itaewon was packed with people. Even though the Magical Girls and police were working together to maintain order, the crowd was overwhelming, and news helicopters were flying overhead.

Among them, Eve and Yoran, riding an invisible carpet, floated at the height of the overpass, watching the battlefield.

“Madam President.”

“Yes.”

“I’m curious about your intentions.”

“About what?”

The entry was made by Prilly, approved by Eve. Compared to the Mogmog Group’s 27 members, including Kabe, Dusik, and the Mother-Body, seven Magical Girls seemed excessive.

“That’s what I’m asking. Isn’t it too much?”

“Too much? In what way?”

Eve turned to Yoran. Her gaze was emotionless, but Yoran shrank back and turned her head.

“One Magical Girl can handle about ten Minions. Of course, excluding branch leaders. A typical C-rank Magical Girl would be around that level. But today, we have A-rank Prilly, Aquamarine, B-rank Priqu, and Prabel all participating. Against the Mogmog Group’s total strength of 27…”

“Hmm, I see how it might look that way.”

“Moreover, public opinion is unusually favorable toward the Mother-Body. It could easily be seen as bullying or intimidation…”

“Yes, it might. Just watch. Since when have we cared about public opinion?”

Eve didn’t pay much attention to Yoran’s words. She sipped her coffee through a straw and looked at the battlefield.

The Mother-Body’s face was clearly visible as she gave instructions to Dusik.

‘There are four companies we need to demonstrate ads for today. What should we do?’

Actually, there was no particular intention.

If you zoom in on the map, the names of the Magical Girls appear. I didn’t know that. I accidentally zoomed in and saw the information of the Magical Girl our squad was facing. I’ll deal with Keru later.

Prilly, Aquamarine, Priqu, Prabel, and three unknown Magical Girls. Seven in total.

‘Tsk.’

Even if I click my tongue, the situation won’t change. The squad facing Priqu was struggling.

“Kabe, what’s your ability?”

“I can’t show it yet.”

“Okay, got it. Let me know when you can show it. Dusik, since we’ve shaken off Prilly, go support Priqu.”

“But boss, it’s still too early to relax…”

“It’s fine. Go. I can protect myself, but our subordinates need your help. It’s obvious which side you should help.”

“Then… be careful.”

Dusik nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

I looked at the map again. Fortunately, the unknown Magical Girl that squads 2 and 4 were facing had retreated.

I had one squad engage head-on, split the remaining squad into two, with three attacking from the side and three from the rear. One Minion died, and the Magical Girl retreated.

That leaves six Magical Girls. Prilly, Priqu, Prabel, and Aquamarine. And two unknown Magical Girls.

The named ones are too much to handle right now. It’s better to retreat as many as possible and then deal with the rest myself.

Even if it’s a losing battle, I don’t plan to lose without a fight.

I sent Dusik to support against Priqu, so they should be able to hold her off. Squads 1 and 3 will continue to face Priqu, and three members of squad 3 will be sent to deal with one of the unknown Magical Girls.

And I’ll move there too.

I checked the terrain. The Magical Girl was coming out of the hotel alley and would soon reach the restaurant street. If that happens, she’ll meet three Minions and me in the middle of the restaurant street.

What are her characteristics? I don’t know. It’s better to strike first. I thought of a way to strike efficiently from a distance.

A javelin? No, if it explodes, it’ll give away my position. Then—the answer is a bow.

I don’t need a bow. Just arrows.

I checked the paths of the Minions and the approaching Magical Girl on the map.

Prilly, who I had marked earlier, was still far from me. Judging by the sound of buildings collapsing, she’s still looking for me, but unfortunately, she’s far away.

I gathered a handful of magic power in my right hand. For arrows, I don’t need much. I made the tip, extended the shaft, and attached the fletching.

The restaurant street was lined with outdoor tables and chairs scattered everywhere. The Magical Girl was running through, knocking over tables and chairs.

“Kids, attack from the side.”

-Got it, Mother!

The Magical Girl reached the intersection of the restaurant street, and the Minions attacked from the side with swords and spears.

And the moment she came into my view—

“Chahap!”

With all my strength, I shot the arrow forward.

-Mother, we found her!

“Where?!”

-I’ll share the location!

Soon, a magic circle appeared before Prilly’s eyes. The magic circle expanded and began to take the shape of a map.

“So that’s where she is!”

The restaurant street. Prilly gritted her teeth and kicked a drum barrel. The barrel, filled with waste oil, crumpled like a piece of paper and rolled away.

“I’m coming. Hold her off and retreat. Don’t let anyone touch her. I’ll handle her myself…”

Prilly rubbed her still-aching lower abdomen and gritted her teeth.

“I’ll kill her.”

-Prilly, should I come with you?

“Aquamarine… don’t talk nonsense. Go deal with Dusik with Prabel.”

-Hmph, fine.

Gripping her spear, Prilly leaped high. The restaurant street, marked by the coordinates, was less than three minutes away.

The arrow flew and embedded itself right in front of the unknown Magical Girl.

“Well, if you think you can handle me, stay. If you retreat, I won’t chase you.”

The Magical Girl, looking down at the arrow buried deep in the ground, blocked a Minion’s sword with her wand. She gritted her teeth as she looked at the three Minions in front of her and me slowly approaching.

“I’ll retreat.”

At the same time, she disappeared. Now, only Prilly, Priqu, Prabel, Aquamarine, and the unknown Magical Girl remain. Five in total.

I checked the battle situation again. Dusik’s health was still intact, and two more Minions had been lost. Twenty-one remain.

“Dusik, get Priqu to retreat quickly.”

-Yes!

Easier said than done. But I can’t go help, so I have no choice. I’ll leave Priqu to Dusik and deal with the unknown Magical Girl first.

Then, a loud noise rang out. From the direction Dusik was in, a huge magic circle was being drawn in the sky.

But the problem wasn’t the magic circle… The words written along its edge were clearly visible.

“For your skin… pure cotton… Ladies’… Wow, seeing it in person is amazing.”

The words were clearly visible. The advertising effect is incredible. And with the magic circle being drawn, it’s even more eye-catching. The light effects around it…

As the magic circle completed, a giant fist appeared within it. Then, the fist slammed into the ground with full force, shaking the earth like an earthquake.

Instinctively, I hugged Kabe and flattened myself on the ground.

“Wow…”

As the giant’s fist, which had struck the ground, dissipated like a mirage, music began to play.

-For your baby-soft skin~ Even on heavy days~ No worries!

Eve, you’re going to make a lot of money from this. The advertising effect is perfect. I’ll never forget this.

-Boss, are you okay?!

I snapped out of my daze at Dusik’s urgent voice. I quickly checked the map and saw Dusik’s health was below half.

“Dusik, retreat to the 8 o’clock position. There’s no one there. After retreating, avoid direct confrontations with Prilly or Priqu and retreat that Magical Girl whose name I don’t know. She’s at the 11 o’clock position.”

-Understood!

Then, I’ll have to finish off Priqu myself. As I turned to the Minions lying on the ground with me, I glanced at the map and—

“Damn it…!”

-Crash!

With the sound of breaking glass, I was thrown to the ground.

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