Transformation or Death

Chapter 34

Let’s Be Close Friends (2)

Identical forces fought to create the same destruction. Paradox skillfully used a power that was not his own. Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue.

The appearance of compressing starlight is the same, but that technique is not Seven Star Step Bogak.

‘He must have modified the technique to suit his own style.’

Is copying not just about raw power?

‘He can copy the combat experience… No, even the techniques he has created, it seems.’

The original explanation was so unfriendly that it became a game for fans to guess the villain’s abilities.

Even on the wiki, there were documents that recorded discussions about a character’s abilities longer than the work’s explanation.

Han Jae-jung frowned as he recalled memories that might not even be his own.

It’s truly an overpowered ability whenever he thinks about it. Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue. To modify  Seven Star Step Bogak at his own discretion, what does that make of the effort he has built up so far? He also felt a sense of futility.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Han Jae-jung asked Paradox one thing, “By the way, have you heard that I created a name?”

“No, I haven’t. That’s why I’m quite curious. What is your name?”

“Watcher. It means observer, the one who watches. Remember it.”

“I see… Watcher. Yes, it seems like a good name.”

That brief respite was soon interrupted as the tension that felt like it was grinding his flesh returned.

“Indeed, I have great expectations for you.”

“It’s a coincidence. I also have great expectations for you.”

“Oh, what might that be?”

“That someday you fellow will commit suicide.”

“Haha! Certainly, that’s an expectation as well.”

The Paradox  swung his spear, and Watcher stepped forward powerfully as they approached each other.

The names they had given themselves, not received from their parents, to represent their own purposes.

The two seemingly identical beings poured out their perfectly identical powers.

Crackkkk!!!

The final step. Around it, the gold of the Big Dipper was formed, and aurora-like light gushed out. It gathered on the legs and formed the seventh and final halo.

The spear trembled with a rumbling sound. The wind rose. The shield-spear was the eye of the storm, and the green starlight gathered clockwise towards it. The seventh halo was completed.

“It’s the question I asked before, but I’ll ask again.”

“As I just said, ask again.”

For a moment, the light that had gathered around them disappeared. The light had been compressed to an immense density. A single point. The radiance of destruction was concentrated in that single point.

“What reason can you become stronger?”

“Have you ever seen the stars?”

They simultaneously swung their spears and legs. The seven-star power gathered through seven preparatory motions. Each one boasts tremendous luminous intensity, guiding lights.

Chilseongheunchal (Seven-Star Crescent Slash).

Chilseongggabak (Seven-Star Step Technique).

The two green seven-star powers met, and the gathered light was released.

Kwaaaang!!!

A massive explosion, a ferocious explosion that seemed to evaporate everything in its radius. Tearing the air and bursting eardrums, the scorching heat that reduced even sturdy branches to ashes in an instant. The earth trembled, and the sun lost its power for a moment, overshadowed by that light.

A cloud of dust rose like mist, the remnant of the explosion.

In the center, a man staggered to his feet.

“You have found the purpose of your strength. Congratulations.”

It was Paradox. He had realized it in this clash. He was now perfectly in control of his power, even without hesitation in wielding it.

It was a blow filled with the unique conviction, composure, determination, and will of one who has a purpose.

“Ugh… Cough. Much better than last time.”

In front of the Paradox, who kept coughing, a figure slowly approached. Naturally, it was Han Jae-jung.

[Chilseongggabak (Seven-Star Step Technique) successfully reproduced. Reproduction rate 100%.]

“Damn it….”

With a slightly more frivolous tone than before, he scolded Paradox.

“You almost died… This is why I shouldn’t be mingling with villains.”

“That’s a bit harsh. Since we both survived, isn’t that fortunate?”

“No, it’s unfortunate that you survived, but it’s fortunate that I did.”

“That’s a firm attitude. I feel hurt.”

“I hope you get depressed and commit suicide out of hurt. Then would I have any affinity for villains?”

His figure became clearer. Covered in scars, a disheveled appearance. He looked like he could collapse at any moment.

“If it weren’t for you guys, the magical girls wouldn’t have had to go through that suffering….”

“Ah, I see. So you too had the magical girls as your goal. You were trying to realize yourself through them, weren’t you? Now I understand why you often mentioned them or the stars.”

“That’s not it….”

He wanted to refute it immediately, but when he thought about it calmly, it didn’t seem entirely wrong, so he shut his mouth.

“Haha, you don’t have to be so embarrassed. It’s natural to use others to realize one’s own self. All things mutually influence each other, how could one achieve self-realization without others? The help of others is necessary in all matters, even if that ‘other’ is the closest, your own self.”

“There’s something I’ve always felt….”

Han Jae-jung slowly examined his own body. He had been exposed to the intense flash of light just a moment ago, and his vision was temporarily blinded. His ribs were shattered in places, making it difficult to breathe. Moreover, his legs were so weak that it was surprising he could still stand.

He had pushed his body too hard in the last three days. He might end up like his wrecked motorcycle.

Paradox was in a similar state, but his unique regenerative ability allowed his wounds to gradually heal. Watching the faint silhouette of the armor being repaired, Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue.

“Your tongue is too long. If I wanted to learn philosophy, I could have gone to university. How painful it is to keep listening to this meaningless chatter that doesn’t interest me or pay me anything.”

“If I pay you, will you listen attentively?”

“I’ll just let it go in one ear and out the other.”

Paradox laughed heartily. Han Jae-jung wanted to let out a hollow laugh as well, but the pain around his lungs made it impossible. Soon, he could no longer stand and slowly knelt down. It seemed he would return to the hospital he had come from earlier.

“Hahaha! An interesting answer. By the way, I just thought of another way to kill you.”

After laughing for a while, a beautiful ceramic wine cup appeared in Paradox’s hand. As he poured the contents over Han Jae-jung’s head, a miracle occurred. The wounds on him began to heal.

He had instantly recognized the wine cup and borrowed its power.

“If I cultivate a relationship with you that you won’t recognize as an enemy, even if I do anything, that should work.”

“Are you saying to be friends?”

“Doesn’t it sound like a plausible hypothesis?”

“What the fuck. There’s no way in hell a friendship between a villain and a human can end well. It’s not just because of social perceptions, it’s because they’re fundamentally different.”

“I agree with that.”

All of Han Jae-jung’s wounds healed, and Paradox threw the empty ceramic cup behind him. A clanging sound of shattering echoed.

“However, I’m curious how you would act when a villain appears who has made that their goal. Not just you, but the magical girls’ answer as well.”

“You’re too curious. I hope you die from it.”

“Being able to be interested in anything, it’s a truly enjoyable life, isn’t it?”

“You’ll get ambushed and die that way.”

Paradox bent his waist and continued. “So, I’ll hide my appearance for a while.”

“…What?”

“Like all living beings, I have many weaknesses. But I have a desire that I must absolutely fulfill. To achieve that desire, I need time. The longer I reveal myself, the shorter my life will be.”

He had confirmed the strongest of the magical girls and the strongest of the third force.

As a result, he knew that both were characters with ample room for growth. He was able to place a satisfactory period.

“I don’t want to die. I’m sure you don’t either, right?”

Paradox straightened his bent waist and stood up again.

“Even without me, trials for you and the magical girls to continue growing will keep coming.”

Time is fair to everyone, heroes and their adversaries alike.

While the heroes were establishing their place in society, they had firmly forged their own questions in the darkness.

Those who had waited enough were now beginning to move to receive the rewards of their waiting.

“Originally, the focal point of the dilemma was Libra. Because she held the capital, you see. In modern society, time is money. She provided villains with the time to ponder for a long time and the time to perfect their constellation. But now she is gone. Had to revise her plan after being defeated by you. Of course, in the process, a lot of capital and starlight were wasted. Libra has stepped down from the focal point of the dilemma. How can one who is so self-absorbed lead others?”

Paradox spread out both arms.

“So, the many members of the dilemma who have been unseen will now move. In that process, the dark side will revive once again. Villains will approach the wealthy to obtain capital to live in society, and they will sow chaos in society to realize their own self. And in the midst of the turmoil, people will step into the shadows. A dreadful cycle will occur.”

Pungent smoke was emitted from his body. Alkaid, the power for emergency escape.

“So become stronger. Together with the magical girls.”

His flickering body in the smoke gradually faded away.

“For me, and for you as well.”

As Paradox disappeared, Han Jae-jung left one last word for the now absent man.

“I hope you really do die.”

Damn bastard.

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