Transformation or Death

Chapter 29

The Meaning of Protection (7)

The armor of ignorance and evasion has disappeared, and a new armor of responsibility and determination has emerged.

The origin.

The most correct form that Han Jae-jung should have originally taken.

The true form is freed from the degraded appearance.

The appearance of the blossoming of his origin and ideals.

“Have you ever seen the stars?”

Even though Libra was quite taken aback by the fact that his celestial authority had been shattered, he did not show his confusion.

“Ah, yes… Now that you mention it, you’ve always asked me that.”

While the number of stars he had offered was the same as before, their power was weaker, as Han Jae-jung had said. It was evidence that he had not yet fully mastered controlling this copied body, and that this body was less suitable for realizing his true self compared to his original.

Yet, the fact that his celestial authority had been neutralized was strange. Seven stars or so should have been a trivial light that could be easily crushed.

What reason caused these two vastly different powers to be neutralized?

Libra was gradually becoming intrigued.

Therefore, this time she answered his question candidly. “You asked if I’ve seen the stars? Then let me ask you this instead, do I really have a reason to look at them?”

In the midst of the night where golden and fiery fragments were swirling, the being that had taken the shells of the two villains faced each other.

“There are those who grumble that they can’t see the stars well because of light pollution in the city. I can’t understand their words. Are they saying we have to kill the vitality of the city just to see that faint light? That’s nonsense. The darkness that covers the sky is a necessary thing. It is a legitimate sacrifice that came along with illuminating this land.”

Libra declared proudly. “I don’t need to see the stars. For the prosperity of this land, the glorious radiance of the unreachable sky is something worth sacrificing.”

That alone was enough to grasp Libra’s propensity.

“I see… I’ve heard you.”

Han Jae-jung tapped the ground a couple of times with his toes, like when adjusting his shoes. His changed form was strangely comfortable and stable.

So this must be his true original form. A power that fits him perfectly, without any uneasiness or awkwardness.

“It seems we really can’t understand each other.”

“That’s a pity.”

The stars on his scarf began to blink. They started to flicker in sync with the beat of his heart. Not a flickering that was about to go out, but one that seemed about to explode.

The circle on his chest, where the starlight had gathered, began to spin wildly at a constant interval, as if orbiting.

At the same time, firefly-like green lights scattered from Han Jae-jung’s body. It was the power that had overflowed from his body, unable to be fully contained.

Libra, who had been silently watching this, moved. The citizen who had been observing the confrontation between the villains was startled. It was understandable. The golden giant, which seemed impossible to contain within one’s field of vision, had disappeared in an instant.

A high-speed movement unique to the pseudo-nova, using the high-output starlight as a boost.

Immediately after Libra disappeared from his sight, Han Jae-jung placed his hand on the belt.

Adjusting the focus like a telescope, he turned the buckle.

[MEGREZ]

With the emission of a hard mechanical sound, one of the stars in the Big Dipper shone brighter than the others. A single star on his scarf glowed unusually brightly, and the circle in his chest stopped orbiting and emitted a black light.

A form specialized for mobility.

He turned the buckle once more.

[ALIOTH]

The flame form he had just used.

As that voice was heard, another star in the form of the Big Dipper on the belt became brighter, and the stars on the scarf also reacted similarly. The circle near the heart emitted both red and black lights, spinning.

He used the abilities of two stars simultaneously.

Mobility and fire.

Han Jae-jung held the rapier upside down, resembling a red nail, in reverse. He concentrated the flame at the tip of that sword and ejected it. A method of acceleration borrowed from the flight of the Red Vega. A rapid takeoff similar to a jet aircraft.

A violent speed that was difficult to follow with the eyes. However, the mobility specialized power of Megrez allowed him to perceive his surroundings even in this high-speed movement.

Amidst the tearing of the wind, everything seemed to move slowly. The flower petals falling lazily, the ashes and embers swaying leisurely, the gazes of the people unable to chase him, the magical girl still evacuating the civilians, in the time that was moving faster than ever before, he was able to grasp all of that paradoxically.

Yet, there was still only one thing to do.

Before the dust raised by his moving feet had even settled on the ground, his fist and the blade met. The fist aimed at Han Jae-jung’s chest was pushed off in the wrong direction by the angled blade.

Clang!

Sparks flew as if cutting metal, and they fell back by inertia.

From this current confrontation, he clearly felt it.

‘Libra speed is still above mine.’

Unlike himself who had brought his speed to the limit through sheer luck, Libra was able to freely operate. He momentarily reduced the flames erupting from the sword and changed direction. As he turned his body around, compressed fire shot out from the blade again.

The moment he turned back, Libra’s fist was approaching his face. He quickly adjusted the angle of his arm. The fire that had been directed towards the ground propelled the blade upwards faster than ever before.

Clang!

The blade and fist intersected once more.

“Even if you’ve grown stronger, there’s a limit to how much you can keep up!” Libra sneered powerfully. “After all, those people have nothing to do with you, right? Why are you helping them? It’s just a fleeting empathy that you’ll pass by. What are you so concerned about? Does anyone even recognize your efforts? Your current state is nothing more than a whim of a villain. No one will acknowledge it.”

Han Jae-jung was gradually being pushed back. Libra’s output was still superior.

“Even if you die here, your sacrifice won’t be glorified grandly.”

Yet, for some reason, he didn’t feel a sense of losing.

Libra examined the full power that she had not seen in the midst of the rapidly changing situation. All seven stars possessed the maximum brightness that a villain could create. Dazzling lights. She even felt a sense of appreciation for their beauty. The emerald armor shone like the sun. It was even more brilliant in the darkness.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

No, it’s not just that. The power generated by the light of the seven stars alone is not enough.

“Did I look like I was doing this to seek recognition? Did I look like I wanted to become a hero? If I really wanted that, I would have already revealed my face. Surprisingly, I’m quite good-looking, you know? I would have gained a lot of popularity.”

He no longer retreated. The scarf that captured the universe fluttered.

“But I don’t need that. I have no desire to become a hero.”

It’s more than seven.

“Could it be…”

The seven stars that formed the Big Dipper. Behind it, there were small fragments of stars connected. Not yet worthy of being called stars, but a distinct cluster of light had unfolded behind him.

“I’m not acting to perpetuate the age of heroes. Heroes have been born countless times, and the same number have disappeared.”

The Big Dipper is a constellation.

But at the same time, it is also part of another constellation.

“So it was still growing…!”

The fragments of the stars collected by defeating the villain were shining brightly. They shone in the empty spaces of the stars.

This is just the beginning, the origin. There is still plenty of room for growth.

Libra cheered. It was no longer unpleasant. A benevolent madness, like when she saw the magical girl, was felt in her. The atmosphere of the crazy ones who did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives, that bright light.

“I just act to protect the hero. This is nothing but arrogant self-satisfaction. No need for cheers or gratitude.”

Even if they are a minority, they are a group. But here, a new minority willing to sacrifice has emerged.

Just one.

It is not a group. Because of the appearance of the villain, no one is saddened, and although the actions are righteous and contribute to the public good, he also does not hesitate to risk his life.

The perfect sacrifice is prepared here.

“So your words won’t shake me.”

Han Jae-jung put his foot on Libra’s abdomen and kicked her.

Crack!

An unpleasant sound of steel being crushed like a drum rang out. But Libra was only slightly pushed back and did not fall.

“Yes, well done! But you will die here! As for my answer!!”

“Watch your side.”

Libra felt the heat coming from the side. Crimson flames and fists brighter than her flames.

“Evacuation complete! Red Vega is back!!!”

One road. Harmony (Fire sound).

The path she chose, the roar of the flames.

The flames that swayed like sound waves engulfed Libra. A perfect surprise attack. The power had even increased compared to before. The talent of the magical girl growing in real-time was truly great.

Libra, who could not withstand the attack, was pushed far away.

“Well done.”

Han Jae-jung placed his hand on his belt.

[SET. Bogak (Seven Star Steps).]

The most outstanding technique among his finishing moves, which infuses the power of seven stars in seven steps.

And at the same time, the one he had been using the weakest so far.

All techniques are taught the basic usage method by the belt. This Bogak was no exception. Like a map showing the way, it correctly taught the method to manifest the technique.

However, the map is just a reference, and it does not lead everyone to the correct answer. The actual space is full of numerous structures and paths not written on the map, and the map only briefly showed the correct answer.

Interpreting that is each person’s role.

Until yesterday, it was impossible. He just followed the path shown.

But now, Han Jae-jung could interpret it himself.

His heart raced with excitement.

The first step was taken backwards. Retreat, not advance. Retreat to advance.

It contained fear.

Everything started from this fear. If there was no fear, it would be meaningless. Why am I afraid now, what am I afraid of, what am I afraid of losing.

That’s not all. He was also afraid of his own power. The power that can easily take someone’s life. Is this power being used correctly right now?

Without knowing the starting point and the value, the action has no value.

If you have thought about it enough, just move forward.

The next step contains resolve.

The resolve presented at the end of this fear, the resolve to take responsibility for what this action will bring about, the resolve to change, the resolve to muster the courage.

Creak!

The place where he stepped was sunken down.

The next step contains understanding.

Understanding of one’s origin, understanding of the ideal, understanding of the direction of power, understanding of the technique.

His footsteps became heavier. The weight of the starlight was not light at all.

The next step contains conviction.

The choice you’ve already made cannot be undone. Just move forward with faith.

But this starlight was here from the beginning. There was no need to feel difficult.

The next step contains composure.

If you have shaken off the fear, reaffirmed your resolve, understood your ideals, and are confident in the path ahead, why should you be anxious? Even in the night, the stars I gaze upon will shine brightly.

His footsteps became lighter. The gathered starlight began to take the form of a ring. A beautiful green halo.

The next step contains determination.

The ring gathered around the ankles grew larger.

The determination to see the end of the path I have taken, the determination to realize the ideal, the determination to perfectly complete my duty, the determination not to give up this dream.

Look at the determination.

Another ring was engraved on top of the ring.

He was already in front of Libra. The final step.

This time, the content was the same as before. This resolve was never enough no matter how many times it was made.

Show determination.

Creak!!!!

The ground split in the shape of the Big Dipper. Green light like the aurora rose from the gap.

All the light was condensed and wrapped around his legs. He lifted his leg. The target was Libra’s head.

Boom!

Libra, who had endured all the attacks so far, could not withstand this one. Libra, who was blown far away, fell to the ground and stopped moving, and a huge explosion occurred from the epicenter.

Beyond the explosion, the harsh mechanical sound was still heard.

[Bogak (Seven Star Steps) successfully manifested.]

The result was already known.

[Reproduction rate 100%.]

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