Chapter 43

I’m not the type to deeply ponder things by nature, but even so, it’s not like I don’t have any concerns at all.

After putting Kabe to sleep, I went to the convenience store in front of the hotel and bought a can of beer and a pack of dried squid. The weather has gotten quite chilly, making it a bit uncomfortable to sit at an outdoor table, but with a thick shawl wrapped around me, it was manageable.

A sip of cold beer went down my throat, spreading a sharp sensation throughout my body. The salty taste of the dried squid washed away the alcoholic aroma of the beer.

“Hmm.”

I lightly scratched my temple with my pinky finger.

“What should I do?”

The notebook I saw during the parent-teacher conference. It wasn’t anything special, but the contents inside were far from ordinary.

“Teenage girls often experience confusion regarding their sexual orientation during puberty.”

The teacher said this wasn’t a big deal, but she was concerned that it might affect Dusik’s attitude in class and academic performance. But is it really something that can be brushed off so easily?

The notebook was filled with drawings of my face, my name, and the word “unnie” repeated over and over. Can this really be dismissed as nothing?

Is it something that can just be ignored?

Even after thinking deeply, it’s hard to come up with an answer. I’ve never really had to deal with this kind of concern before.

I’ve never liked anyone, never received a confession, and never been loved by anyone. So, for me, this kind of worry is way too difficult.

Liking someone isn’t something to be ashamed of. If Dusik likes me—maybe in a romantic way, even though we’re the same gender—is that really a bad thing?

Has she been looking at me like that all this time?

Just that one feeling.

If it’s just admiration as a boss or an older sister figure, that’s fine. But if it’s romantic feelings, then the story changes, doesn’t it?

This isn’t something I can discuss with anyone. I have to think about it and decide on my own, which makes it even more burdensome.

After thinking for a long time…

“Well, it’s probably fine.”

That’s my conclusion.

Dusik hasn’t directly confessed to me. It’s just scribbles in a notebook, so I can’t really say anything about it.

As the teacher said, it might just be a simple crush during puberty. Maybe I’m taking it too seriously. Maybe I’m overthinking it.

I crushed the empty beer can with all my strength and got up. There’s still some dried squid left, so I’ll save it for when Keru comes back.

I should go in and sleep now. Tomorrow is the day we move into the new place.

—

Two 5-ton trucks, one bus for the minions, and one passenger car for me, Kabe, and Dusik.

Originally, it was Eve’s car, but she sent it over, saying it would be better than taking the train or something.

“Mom, look at this!”

Pressing the power window switch, the window went down. Kabe kept exclaiming in amazement as the window moved up and down with each click of the switch.

“Isn’t it cool?”

“Yeah!”

It’s not far to Gwangmyeong. It should take about 30 minutes.

“Alright, let’s get going.”

“Please drive safely.”

“Okay.”

With that, the driver faced forward, and the car smoothly glided ahead.

Not long after we started, I felt someone grab my hand and turned to look.

“Unnie.”

“Yeah.”

It was Dusik. She was staring at me intently.

“Dusik, what is it?”

“When will the next fight be?”

A fight, huh? There are two things that need to happen first.

One is the production of minions along with intermediate commander-level units. The other is obtaining the magical gun that Keru went to get.

Without these two things, even if we fight, there’s no guarantee of victory.

“Hmm, can you cast a soundproofing spell?”

I wonder if I can use some magic. It’s more inconvenient than I thought. When I was human and couldn’t use magic at all, I didn’t think about it, but now that I’ve stepped into the world of magic, it’s really annoying that everyone around me can use magic except me.

“Sit down and block all sound with this wing.”

With Dusik’s incantation, an opaque barrier enveloped us. Now, our conversation won’t leak outside.

“First, there are two things I realized from the last fight.”

“What are they?”

Securing intermediate commander-level units. I can control all the minions, but if the minions are organized into units, they can’t defeat magical girls. From what Prilly said, it seems magical girls are internally ranked.

A, B, C ranks.

If she called herself an A-rank, then probably someone at the branch manager level is an A-rank, Priqu would be a B-rank, and that Echo… whatever her name was, would be a C-rank.

C-ranks can be handled by minion squads, but anything higher would just be a waste of minions. So, we need commander-level units.

And my lack of long-range combat abilities. I think the magical gun will solve that to some extent.

“So, I’m going to start producing units tonight.”

The production device was set up last night. Tonight, I’ll test-produce some minions and aim to summon a commander-level unit.

But thinking about it, why not just produce commander-level units continuously with my overflowing magic power instead of minions?

If I can produce units that can go one-on-one with magical girls and only maintain a necessary number of minions to support them, wouldn’t that work?

It suddenly occurred to me.

“Theoretically, it’s possible. There’s a reason why it hasn’t been done before, but I think you might be able to do it…”

Dusik stroked her chin and answered after a moment of thought. Theoretically, it’s possible, but…

“What’s the reason?”

“Not enough magic power. Just the amount of magic you used to summon Kabe is comparable to the total amount used by previous Mother-Bodies to produce minions at their peak condition. After that, they usually had to rest for a week.”

But I was fine. Just how little magic power did they have?

“Let’s revise the strategy. Start producing commander-level units first, then assign minions accordingly.”

“That should work. If it’s you, unnie.”

The trust is too heavy. I feel like I’m suffocating.

—

Since it’s not far, driving didn’t take long. We arrived sooner than expected, and the trucks loaded with moving supplies arrived shortly after.

“Alright, everyone, unload your stuff. Room assignments are as previously informed! Got it?”

“Yes!”

While Dusik, now transformed, was giving instructions to the minions, Kabe and I stood side by side, looking up at the officetel building.

An 8-story building. Just completed and ready for occupancy. This will be our new home.

Of course, the first floor is designated for commercial spaces, so various shops will move in, but from the second floor up, all the officetels are for our use.

Moreover, the top floor has a different layout, with only three units, designed as family rooms with four bedrooms each.

This is the place I almost bowed deeply to Eve for when I first saw it in early October.

“Mom, are we living here now?”

“Yeah, isn’t it nice?”

“Totally awesome!”

I laughed and picked up Kabe, heading into the building. Everything is brand new. Even the plastic on the elevator buttons is new. To think I’d be living in a place like this—life really is full of surprises.

When I came to see the building before, there was no furniture, so I only thought it was a nice place. But now, with all the furniture in place—all bought by Eve—it feels like a dream.

An 80-inch TV covering one wall, a sofa and table in front of it, a dishwasher and induction stove in the kitchen, an island dining table, and even a baby chair for Kabe.

The master bedroom has a king-size bed, and Kabe’s room has a single bed. There’s even a child-sized desk for Kabe, who will soon start kindergarten. The bookshelf is filled with a collection of world-famous children’s stories.

Kabe’s room has blue wallpaper with white flower patterns, and the master bedroom has pink wallpaper with white flower patterns… what is this?

Separate shower and bathroom. The master bedroom also has its own shower and bathroom. Even the washing machine is separate. There’s even a separate laundry drying room. Maybe because of the fine dust coming from China, air-drying is difficult.

This is comparable to a luxury apartment. How is it possible to get a place like this without a deposit or monthly rent? Just how wealthy is she?

– Did you get home safely?

– Yeah, just got in and looking around the house. The furniture is amazing. You must have spent a lot, huh?

– It’s fine. It was a bit of a painful expense, but it’s okay. Are you producing minions tonight?

– I have to.

– I can’t come. Is it okay? Keru isn’t there, right?

– It’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ll call if anything happens.

– Alright. Be careful. Call me if anything seems off.

– Got it.

“Dusik, once everyone’s settled, order some jajangmyeon. Can that be covered by the company card?”

“It should be.”

I took out the corporate card and handed it to Dusik.

“I’ll have jjamppong. Kabe, what about you?”

“I want jajangmyeon!”

“That’s settled. Dusik, don’t just get fried rice, get what you want. Got it?”

“Well…”

I glared at her. I know why she’s hesitating. But we’re not the same broke group we used to be. We might not be swimming in luxury, but we don’t have to worry about meals like we did when we had no Mother-Body or anything.

“It’s fine. Get what you want. Got it?”

“Yes, understood. Thank you.”

“Good.”

Eat well. We have important work tonight.