112 – Symbol of Peace (9)
The night was deep. The street, where even the friend of the sun had disappeared, became truly alone, casting a lonely shadow over the body. The moon and stars were hidden behind the clouds and could not be seen, and the only light in the city was the flickering, dew-like light from streetlights that had been broken due to damage one day.
A man was walking through a desert-like city where darkness lay like sand.
“Hey… Look at the atmosphere.”
The eerie night life, not knowing where something would come from, was enough to make the man nervous. The night in the city, filled with accidents and rumors, further reduced the number of homeless people. Even though I knew there were still residents here, it felt like I was walking through a destroyed city.
[Jaejoong, wouldn’t it be better to come back now…?]
The voice of a woman who was even more nervous than her was heard through the ear speakers in her ears. A voice she was already familiar with. It was Seolhwa Yoon.
[No, Sirius-senpai, how many times have you said that now…!]
[You said you would do it yourself~ Well, I am very dissatisfied with that.]
[Um… Sirius? Jo, wouldn’t it be better to trust Jaejoong a little bit and wait…? hehehehe….]
As soon as Yun Seol-hwa finished speaking, multiple voices were heard. At first, they too expressed concern similar to Yun Seol-hwa, but they all got tired of seeing Yun Seol-hwa trying to worry without stopping for these few minutes.
[Well, still….]
[What’s wrong with that, Sirius Senpai! In Japan, people like Senpai are called Menhera! It means he’s mentally ill! It’s annoying, so let’s stop worrying and remain vigilant!]
[One day! You can’t talk to Sirius like that.]
[Wow, it’s so f*cking strong. This is the kids these days….]
[Uh, huh….]
[What if Sirius gets discouraged here too? Come up with a concept quickly and get your mentality together. You are now the leader.]
[Oh, was there Golden?]
[It continued!]
The women’s unique high-pitched voices rang so endlessly that it hurt my ears. As the tension grew mixed with irritation, I felt like I was losing my temper even though I was far away.
[Quiet. It’s interfering with my ability to concentrate.]
Only after Orange Altair stopped talking did the ear speakers become quiet. Han Jaejoong breathed a sigh of relief and walked out to the place we had talked about beforehand.
[…Well, Jaejoong is coming back too.]
[Senpai is crazy, really!]
[Ahh! Someone go and put a muzzle on our senior! Or, make some ice yourself and put it in your mouth!]
[Sirius, what are you doing by eating Kusari to tell me to do something?]
[Was it Jaejoong? I’m sorry, just keep going~]
“Ah. Yes. Yes….”
Han Jae-joong was both pleased and saddened by Yun Seol-hwa’s concern for him. For her, who was so anxious that her lifespan was dwindling in real time, Han Jae-joong swore to finish the job properly.
If we don’t succeed today, we will oppose it even more strongly next time. As someone who knew Yun Seol-hwa’s personality well, he knew very well that there was no next chance.
There is a difference between being inevitably caught up in danger and approaching danger on your own. In her heart, she wanted to separate Han Jae-joong from the monster by incarcerating her, so she couldn’t help but disapprove of Han Jae-joong’s current actions.
With his own mission and responsibilities, he knew he couldn’t care for just one 24/7, but that didn’t mean he wanted to let it get to the point of danger.
‘I was lucky.’
In no time, his steps reached the place he had planned in advance. Under a quiet tunnel with a wall to block the wind. He turned his head here and there as if he was looking at his surroundings, but then he stayed in one place and stared quietly.
The person who is probably staring at him from afar right now, the person who has probably been watching only him since yesterday.
The fact that someone was looking at me still gave me goosebumps and chills, but I couldn’t help it.
‘If it weren’t for Orange Altair, this project wouldn’t have come to fruition.’
After fixing my gaze forward again, I radioed into the ear speaker.
“…Entering.”
There was still a lot of time before the night passed.
**
“I don’t like it.”
Orange Altair muttered in displeasure. The cause of this discomfort was a man who had just entered under the bridge and was half hidden from view.
-Seolhwa, wait a minute.
It seems like this abominable voice is still stuck to my ears like gum.
-That person has a point. To be honest, the only reason I am trusted here is because I am close with you and Ayun. Even if it’s a contract on paper, it’s ultimately an agreement, and there’s a chance that I can break it. Even if I am suspected, I have nothing to say.
The reason she was able to survive today’s meeting during the day was because Han Jaejoong defended her diligently.
Blue Sirius, a strong man who can stand alone against an S-class monster, which is rare even if you look around the world. An opponent that Orange Altair cannot defeat even if he flies and crawls.
The person chosen as Blue Sirius’ companion is none other than Han Jae-joong. He is Pink Deneb’s school senior, current partner, and Blue Sirius’ ex-boyfriend. Additionally, he seems to be related to Red Vega and White Davich.
Just looking at his resume, you get the feeling that he is a promiscuous man who takes advantage of women. From his face, it feels like he’s going crazy. No matter how neatly he spoke, he couldn’t erase the harshness that came from his impression.
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Befitting his splendid appearance and career, his speech was also splendid.
-I didn’t say I wanted to be bait for nothing. There are rumors going around these days. It is said that a monster disguised as a human has hidden in this city. Even though I don’t know much about magic or anything like that, I think it’s possible if you’re a monster, right? Let’s be honest, who knows if I’m lying right now?
He increased his persuasive power by appropriately using the information he received when Orange Altair threatened him.
-Also, who is most affected by what happened in this city? Isn’t it just me and Ayun? At best, the store I opened was on the verge of failure. You never know when you might be attacked by a monster and die.
‘Aren’t we at the point of ruin yet?’ Jo Ayun answered nervously, but Han Jaejoong didn’t care at all.
-I don’t know when I’m going to die, so I’ll just drag these cockroaches out with my own hands. Rather, this option has a higher chance of survival for me. Just the number of people gathered here… Wow, not even the head of state can receive security like me.
Orange Altair was nervous. I should have objected right away and found a way to stop it, but my mind was blank. This is because she had just received the full hostility of Blue Sirius, and instead of trying to stop this hostility, she was met with a series of stares that seemed to reprimand her.
The threat of being threatened by a respected senior, and the humiliation of being so far behind among fellow magical girls. All of this stimulated her sense of inferiority, and all of these feelings led to fear.
– Well, I’m not saying you have to use me. If you feel like there is no other way, please consider that there is another way.
Han Jae-joong naturally switched to polite language, making people aware that his argument was addressed not only to Yun Seol-hwa, but to all magical girls.
-That’s great courage~ But I can’t accept it. We are there to protect the citizens, not to take advantage of them. Isn’t your life a waste? What did you believe in when you proposed such an operation?
Someone asked him.
-Well, whatever. It’s you.
Han Jaejoong answered indifferently.
-Just as you trusted me and shared this story earlier, I also trust you and entrusted my life to you. In an age like this, if you don’t believe in magical girls, what can you believe in and live in this world? And again…
He glanced around and looked at Orange Altair. She continued as she looked at her shrinking and sweating.
-I also feel unfair whenever I am suspected.
She still can’t forget that look. The slight smile on Han Jaejoong’s lips.
-You all must be known. The same goes for Ayun. But not me. Moreover, we had some kind of meeting with magical girls today. How interesting would it be for a monster to see such a civilian wandering alone at night? Since he is basically an arrogant monster, he must be confident that he can overcome even traps. I will definitely contact you.
At the time when Orange Altair was dazed. He used her suspicions against her to prove his trust and the legitimacy of his plan.
That is.
“You have the guts to use me…!”
In the end, it was not possible to come up with a better operation other than the decoy operation, and due to Red Vega’s active approval, the decoy operation proposed by Han Jae-joong was passed.
Blue Sirius objected vehemently, but each time Han Jaejoong mentioned her suspicions about Orange Altair and begged for a chance to resolve her injustice, he succeeded in persuading her as well.
So now. 11:09 P.M. Han Jaejoong arrived at the designated location, the tunnel.
Why do you say the location is an tunnel….
-Then where should we lure them?
-Ah, that kind of thing should be done by the person who has the information. Is there anything in common between the locations where the disappearances occurred?
With the attitude of ‘I don’t know anything about the disappearance of the Argo Family’, he naturally attempts to obtain information about the magical girl. How wicked this person is.
It is said that this tunnel was originally famous as a shelter for the homeless. However, a recent disappearance incident revealed the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a group of homeless people. Disappearances occur frequently in places such as buildings, but the procedures are complicated.
In the end, it was decided to wait under this tunnel for a day to lure the monster. This is an opportunity that would be difficult to proceed with if not today, as Blue Sirius strongly opposed it. A very unusual opportunity to use a civilian.
This is a golden opportunity for magical girls. There will never again be, and there should never again be, an opportunity to pursue a plan that focuses on profit and neglects ethics like this.
If it weren’t for this incident, which could have wiped out the entire city, we would never have attempted such a reckless operation.
As is usual with gambling, the rewards are high as the profits are high. The moment this operation becomes known to the public, the perception of magical girls plummets. In particular, it ended the moment news broke that a civilian had died.
In addition to these prudent reasons, there was also a reason to protect him.
Because we are people.
That alone was enough.
The magical girls each strengthen their resolve and determination. I gritted my teeth, thinking that I would definitely succeed in this operation, but at the same time, I had the contradictory feeling of hoping that today would pass without incident.
“…It’s okay.”
Orange Altair also made his own determination.
“If you did anything suspicious…”
Just raising suspicions without any basis is a foolish move that will put this side in a corner. She says the only evidence she has is the story she heard from her monster. However, if she presents this evidence, suspicions may arise that Orange Altair has some kind of connection with the monster.
So, it’s okay if that man wins the meeting.
‘Your evil plan ends today.’
The moment he comes into contact with other Argo family members, a gap will appear in his acting. Moreover, considering the man’s dark and dirty intentions, it is clear that a trap was triggered the moment the monster appeared and the magical girl attacked.
She was confident that Orange Altair would not miss that one moment. Vision and cognitive abilities that are far beyond those of ordinary humans. Even if he is under her tunnel, which is difficult to shoot, her arrow pierces her heart without the slightest difficulty.
Everyone was so nervous that they finally said nothing. The silence of the night hangs heavily like a shadow, and the sound of her own breathing, heartbeat, and even the sound of her clothes brushing against each other feel like huge waves.
In this breathtaking silence. Inyoung, who appeared to be a middle-aged man, approached the tunnel without any sign.
[…! Someone is approaching!]
‘Now, let’s reveal it.’
The middle-aged man went under the tunnel without any hesitation. And.
[…Are you that person?]
I spoke to Han Jaejoong precisely. With this, the possibility of being a lost stranger has disappeared.
“Your ugly essence!”
That’s right! Orange Altair was inwardly delighted. Citizen? That’s funny. What kind of civilian would know a suspicious person who might be such a monster? The lie that there is no connection with the Argo family no longer works. She pulled the bowstring so that she could block Han Jaejoong’s movements at any time.
An associate of that abominable man must have approached him!
[I… Who…?]
Han Jaejoong asked back slyly. And then, something unexpected happened.
[Oh, f*cking wait.]
Bang!
Without anyone having time to react, gunshots spread far into the quiet night sky.
The middle-aged man, rather than transforming into a monster or exchanging any signals with Han Jae-joong, fired a gun. It was a professional move. A move that Orange Altair could not have predicted at all. An unconditional attack without any dialogue or gestures.
Han Jaejoong’s radio signal suddenly cut off.
