Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter: 183. Family Service (1)

Thanks to Al’sel’s commotion, perhaps.

My heart, which had sunk to the very bottom,

became a little lighter.

That being said, my doubts and emotions,

thoughts are just pushed to a corner of my heart

and I can only hope to forget them.

It’s not like there’s just one or two.

The storage in my heart that collects such things

might be completely full by now.

Even if it’s not now, someday it could burst

through the door and come flooding out.

However, at least it doesn’t seem like it will happen now.

With a chicken in one hand and a beer in the other,

I was lively enough to return home.

It’s a bit disappointing, though, that it’s neither night

nor the dark, lively sun shining brightly on the city.

But who cares? If I buy chicken,

someone will inevitably eat it somehow.

I can’t really imagine, but even if the students say they don’t want it,

Unho and I could eat it all.

Especially Unho, if left alone, would roll around on the chicken

until his white fur is covered in sauce; he’s perfect for cleaning up cold chicken.

Also, I could just shove Unho, who is burrowed in that chicken box,

out to the trash and pretend I don’t know.

These days that guy is eating well and living his best life, sweet-talking the students,

being treated like a pet.

I should send him back with a special delivery to the trash like in the old days.

Of course, this plan is limited to when Unho is rolling around as usual, covered in

frying powder and chicken sauce,

and I’d say there’s a 20% success rate.

“Where did Unho go?”

“Well, I guess he’s stuck somewhere while looking for snacks.”

“I thought I was gonna die, Poyo!”

Hmm. Just imagining it makes me happy.

Thanks to that, my steps became a bit lighter,

and I soon reached the front of my house.

Sweet home. Sweet home.

How long has it been since I’ve seen my house?

Of course, this expedition with the librarian wasn’t even a week long,

but maybe because the base was so tiring,

it felt like I experienced a long time.

When I get home, I should roll around

on the sofa and bed.

I’ve been feeling like I’ve been living life too intensively lately;

I should chill out a bit.

As I planned for the future, I reached out towards the door.

“Hahaha. Really?”

“Of course. Really.”

Laughter from a woman could be heard beyond the door.

What’s this? Did someone come over?

It probably doesn’t matter.

Not thinking much, I immediately started entering the password for the auto-lock.

Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEP.

But just how many women can I expect to know…?

As I started pushing the buttons, I could feel a presence from inside the door.

Maybe they were trying to greet me.

Ding dang. Clang.

Other than Oxymoron… there shouldn’t be anyone…

Prohibition isn’t the kind of person to come here either.

It’s not like Munins or Chris visited Korea.

I wonder if Sihyeon or Abin is a friend or something.

Then I’d have to hand over the chicken and just shut myself in the room with only beer.

Wrapping up those thoughts, I opened the door and spoke.

“I’m back! Did someone come over…?”

I raised both hands and opened my mouth, but what welcomed me was…

“Where have you been until now?!”

A yellow lightning flash and a sharp pain.

Specifically, around my solar plexus.

“Gah!”

Maybe it’s because of the pain, but time seems to stretch.

“Master! Welcome back!”

“Uwahhh… Senior!”

Plus, I could hear my perpetually carefree student’s greeting and Abin’s voice, the only one who cared.

Time, which felt like it had stuck, didn’t last long.

The sudden assault caused my body to bounce off and roll on the floor, coming to an end.

“Ah, fried chicken and beer.”

Was it because of the strong impact?

Without me even realizing, the two plastic bags I was holding flew into the air,

and were already in Thunder God’s hands, getting inspected.

Well… the chicken is safe…

Then all that’s left is…

“Thunder God… why are you here…?”

A question about why Thunder God, who should be traveling with the organization, suddenly appeared inside our house.

While I let that out, I held my still tingling solar plexus.

But the Divine One glanced at me and, without answering, turned around to hand the plastic bags to the two students.

“Chicken, you guys can eat it. The beer, put it in the fridge or something.”

That’s… what I bought…

As I tried to rebut, I couldn’t open my mouth in the face of the Divine One’s overwhelming aura.

After a moment, when the two students took each of their plastic bags, the Divine One straightened up and walked towards me.

“Okay then, your teacher will excuse himself.”

Saying that to the students, the Divine One cheerfully waved and began pulling me by the nape of my neck.

With that, my shoes dragged along, as I started to be further and further from home.

What the hell is this situation?

“Um, Thunder God? Could you explain what’s going on?”

“You’ll find out once we go.”

Is that so?

Students! Help!

I waved both hands with that meaning,

but the two students only replied,

“Have a good trip, Master!”

“…Have a good trip.”

The two waved their hands back at me.

Sihyeon was endlessly bright.

Abin avoided my gaze.

Oh no. You guys are definitely getting the full hell training.

Despite my resolution, I was just being pulled by the Divine One, getting farther from my students.

Ahh. My house is moving away.

My rest.

My chicken.

My beer.

Thus, I was deprived of my chicken, beer, and sanctuary without even being able to enter the house.

In the end, after about two minutes of giving up and starting to walk on my own,

I asked the Divine One countless times where we were going, but every time Thunder God just repeated that I’d find out when we got there.

No matter how curious I got at what kind of magnificent place they were taking me,

the place we arrived at was…

“It’s just an alley.”

Not even an alley in the slum or anything special; just a narrow spot adjacent to the main street with very little distance from home, and there was no one around.

As I expressed my grievance regarding that,

“Hmm. There’s no one, right?”

The Divine One ignored me and started wandering around looking for any signs of people.

Sure, there’s no one. Just over there, on that main street, people are passing by,

and there’s a CCTV on that utility pole.

“There’s CCTV over there.”

“Oh, is there?”

And then, I regretted saying that.

Thunder God pointed a finger and released electricity, shattering the CCTV.

…Hmm. Let’s pretend we didn’t see that.

With that kind of power, the data must be damaged, so I guess I won’t get caught.

“Now is there really no one?”

“Probably not.”

Let’s just hope no one shows up.

I hope for that, otherwise, the Divine One might ‘drive people away’ by electrocuting innocent bystanders.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm? I told you, it seems like there’s no one.”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Then to whom…?

Just as I was about to say that, squelch.

I heard a sticky sound, and the shadow of the Divine One surged up.

Dark as night, a figure slightly taller than me.

The black foam extending from the shadow gradually grew bigger,

bang.

It exploded with a small sound.

“Ah! Paa!”

A girl appeared from within.

“Linshua?!”

Linshua immediately rushed to me and hugged me, and I accepted it, hugging Linshua back.

No matter how busy I get, I wouldn’t be cold-hearted enough to reject my own daughter.

So, instead,

I glared at the Divine One over Linshua’s shoulder.

‘Why is she here?’

With that meaning.

“Why, if your daughter’s dad said he would play with her but then went silent.”

In response, the Divine One returned my desperate non-verbal expression with direct verbal violence.

No, I remember making that promise… but lately, I’ve been busy; I couldn’t help it…

A flimsy excuse bubbled up, but I didn’t say it out loud.

Even I know that excuse is too weak, and it’s clear that this situation is also my fault.

“It’s okay, Dad! We can go now!”

Hearing those words from Linshua, without any complaints towards me,

she stopped the hug and smiled, only deepening my guilt.

“I heard that from Al’sel uncle! You’re going to the Otherworld! So we should play together now!”

That little mouth said something shocking.

To be precise, Al’sel betrayed me and told my daughter everything in detail.

That octopus-head bastard.

Oh yeah, I’m definitely gonna do something about you the moment we meet in the Otherworld.

But that malicious plan directed at Al’sel has nothing to do with the current situation.

…So be it.

I returned Linshua’s smile.

“Alright! I’ve got everything planned! First, we’ll go to the art gallery and watch a movie!”

Linshua seemed thrilled at my response,

clapping her hands rapidly.

I should pay attention to what she’s saying, but seeing her repeat art galleries, cinema, and shopping, it looks like just watching her happy is enough.

“Hey, Thunder God.”

I called out to the one leaning against the wall, smiling at Linshua.

“If Linshua is here, why are you?”

“Essentially, I’m her guardian and escort. I’ve been spending every day with her these days. I found it a little uncomfortable having someone in the shadows, but I’ve gotten used to it lately.”

“Wow, you’re on your way up in the world.”

That joke popped into my head but I quietly swallowed it down.

Instead, what came out of my mouth was a different story.

“What do you think about me going to the Otherworld?”

Since expressing joy is a must for the future,

it was hard to bring up such a subject.

“Are you sure you can come back alive?”

“Well, I don’t know. As you know, it’s quite a mess over there.”

Although I have the will to return alive,

there is no guarantee.

After all, it’s a place where crazies are running around like the Atlantic giant clam.

“Do you have a plan?”

“Not really. I’m just trusting Al’sel.”

Even though Al’sel’s trustworthiness has plummeted after he betrayed me overnight,

I wonder if things will be okay.

“Octomundus?”

Oh right, that was his name.

For the monster name, that’s how it is,

“I don’t find them trustworthy. When I met him, he was a complete fool.”

“That’s all an act. His true nature is different.”

An emotionless calculating wizard, who only considers pros and cons.

That’s his true nature.

“Really? To me, the foolishness looks more like his true nature. Maybe the Octomundus’ persona you speak of was a mask.”

Well…

I’m not exactly a lifelong friend of Al’sel so I can’t say much.

What’s more important is…

“Is that so?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are you against me going?”

Based on our conversation so far, I thought Thunder God would oppose me going to the Otherworld. Given that I’m about to plunge into hell without any guarantees.

“No? Go and come back as you wish. Why would I stop you?”

….The atmosphere was definitely one where such words should not have come out just a moment ago.

“Well, that’s the story when you’re not Lee Haram.”

A smirk.

Thunder God smiled brightly, as if he felt that sound.

“You’re the red-haired embodiment of recklessness and survival, right? Go ahead. I believe you’ll come back one way or another.”

Saying that, Thunder God placed a hand on Linshua’s shoulder and opened his mouth.

“Alright, Linshua. Let’s go now. If we keep talking, our fun time will disappear.”

“Ah! You’re right! Let’s go!”

Linshua seemed to agree with that, brightening up and running to grab my hand.

“I’ll guide you! Let’s go, Dad!”

“Sure thing.”

I answered sincerely, smiling back.

“Oh, did I talk about going to the Otherworld with Thunder God, Dad?”

Suddenly, Linshua changed the topic out of the blue.

“Oh, did you hear? I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you everything.”

“That’s fine. But Dad! Don’t hesitate, go to the Otherworld!”

Linshua said that and briefly released my hand, spreading both arms wide.

“Dad will definitely come back alive! For sure!”

She seemed to be trying to boost my spirit, grinning with all her might.

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