Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter: 188. Otherworld (2)

Nanjido’s lowest depths.

Right now, it’s spotless, without a trace of filth,

a place ruled by the laws of the Otherworld.

There, the four of us, myself included,

sat in silence, staring at the hole.

I absentmindedly nudged a metal rod with my fingers.

On my shoulder, Unho sat blankly, gazing into the hole.

Al’sel, strapped with several polyester bags, was in serious mode by the waist.

And Old Man Ri quietly watched us both.

Everyone pretended to be fine, but inside,

I bet they were wrestling with a whirlwind of thoughts.

Quite a bit of time had passed since we were left speechless, staring at the hole.

Even though about ten minutes had passed since we were supposed to depart, my silence also weighed heavy.

I thought I could simply go there and back without issue, but facing the entrance, I felt that primal fear wash over me.

And that long silence…

“…Are you really going?”

That was broken by Al’sel’s soft voice.

Are you really going?

Really going…

Going…

Al’sel’s voice echoed in the chamber multiple times.

The echoes weren’t because it was loud but because the place reflected how far it was from the original world.

Thanks to those words, I steadied myself.

“Yeah.”

I couldn’t look foolish in front of that octopus head after coming this far.

It was a ridiculous reason to walk into suicide by my own choice,

but I had always lived this way.

“Honestly. Enough with the petty pride. I’ll ask you one last time. Are you really going?”

Did this guy learn telepathy or what?

Anyway, I think I’ve heard that question more than ten times today.

“Yeah.”

Pride or not, I had steeled myself.

The ambiguous attitude was done.

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped then.”

It seemed Al’sel sighed and shook his head, as if accepting my firm tone.

“I thought I wouldn’t come back again unless Earth erupted, so what is this…”

Mumbling.

Ba dum, ba dum.

For about a minute, Al’sel continued his lament.

Since this might be the last time, I let him ramble on without interruption.

“…Sigh. Here, take this before you go.”

Having exhausted all his complaints, Al’sel sighed and tossed a pouch attached to his waist at me.

Thud.

The smooth touch of polyester was conveyed through the pouch.

Not wanting to waste more time, I snatched it out of the air and checked inside.

“What is this?”

“Isn’t it a date? Poyo.”

Inside were core attacks that looked like dates piled up high.

Though dried and tangled together.

“It’s date palm. It’s for food.”

Hmm. Food. Well, since I’m not just popping in and out but rather heading far away, it makes sense to prepare.

“But why date palms of all things? There’s beef jerky and biscuits too.”

“Those are dead things and aren’t going to work. Even if they’re small, they need to be alive to resist the interference of the Otherworld.”

Honestly, it’s basically just for consolation. But better than nothing.

I understood what he meant, but can seeds really be considered alive?

The survival freak octopus should know better about these things.

“And, um. This might be a bit awkward…”

Al’sel hesitated, shaking his head and looking up at the sky, but finally seemed to gather the courage to speak.

“How about connecting our souls?”

Are you out of your mind?

“Shut up.”

“I’m not just something that gets thrown away!”

Clearly insane. I caught Unho and intended to throw him at Al’sel.

Maybe it was the distance or perhaps he saw it coming.

The octopus effortlessly dodged the incoming Unho.

“Okay, well, I kind of expected this.

Then keep that pouch with you.”

“Why?”

“There’s a magic circle inscribed on my pouch that connects its location to yours. Since the time and distance for both is different, it’s essential for merging.”

So earlier when he spoke of connecting souls, that’s what he meant. It doesn’t sound too complicated…

Yet, when I looked at the octopus’s face, I had no desire to connect souls with such a creature.

The pouch would suffice.

I fumbled to attach the pouch to my waist, then quietly gazed at Al’sel.

“Please use the reality stabilizer after merging. If you use it without merging, you might never find the other person again. Also, if a… emergency happens, you can use it…”

“Ah, that. ”

I tossed the reality stabilizer I was holding without a second thought.

“Catch.”

“What the hell, why are you throwing that…”

The octopus, taken aback, twisted its body in a desperate effort to catch the reality stabilizer.

Looking at that ugly sight, I regretted handing it over a little, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Hold onto that. If there’s an emergency, use it.”

“…What are you thinking?”

“What do you mean ‘what am I thinking?’ I can’t use magic because of the situation, so I can’t respond. You’re a wizard; find a way to deal with it. Got it?”

It’s simple logic.

Choosing the option that gives life more functionality.

“…I see you don’t think I’ll betray you.”

‘You know, just to survive alone.’

“Then what can I do, but don’t you need me for your dream?”

“I do want to take them down, but weighing the possibility against my life, my life comes first.”

“Okay, do as you want. Whatever.”

I had no intention of taking it back after it was handed over.

And then, I turned towards the hole.

“Are you really going?”

Old Man Ri spoke up.

The only one who came to see me off, wanting to inform only a minimal number of people that I was leaving for the Otherworld.

“I’ll be back, Old Man Ri.”

“You crazy bastard. Do you think the Otherworld is a walk in the park? Even though we prepared, most of us died when we left our hometown world. We couldn’t even collect the corpses.”

“If our world collapses, that just means we’re going to die anyway. Considering that price, my life is cheaper.”

…You’re insane. To weigh a non-existent future against your own life.

Old Man Ri scolded me, but what does it matter?

I might be insane, but that’s just how it is.

Thus, I took another step without exchanging any further words.

Al’sel quieted and followed closely, tightly clutching the reality stabilizer behind me.

Unho also climbed on my shoulder, blending in with the serious atmosphere.

Thud. Thud.

With each step, the intervals grew, and after about nine steps…

“Wish to come back as usual. Stupid.”

With Old Man Ri’s final farewell echoing in the dark, we were swallowed by it.

How long has it been?

One second? Or maybe one minute? Or even a century?

I couldn’t tell.

My consciousness wasn’t registering properly.

The thoughts I had earlier dissipated as future thoughts filled my mind.

I have to move forward.

Who am I?

Stay aware, Haram Lee.

The meat was delicious.

In the countless pieces of scattered consciousness, I picked the one that felt best.

Forward.

Where is forward?

Who is Haram Lee?

As those two elements floated in my mind,

something expelled information.

Haram Lee is… I think it’s me.

Forward is the direction to go.

So I straightened up and pushed away the pressure that was trying to take the core attack from me with the heavy thing in my hand.

Wooom.

Is that why I moved my hand? The weight I held for the first time wobbled.

…That’s right. Sounds exist.

That’s why ears were made.

In a world with only touch, a sense came alive.

Veeee… Veeee…

The core attack spun while ringing.

Ah, that’s a hammer.

No, that’s garbage.

I’ve entered the Otherworld.

Again, several stories stirred within me.

Veeee… Veeee…

Do I need this?

It’s some unknown thing, making noise and creating vibrations.

Is it garbage…?

As I pondered, I almost threw it away,

but my hand didn’t loosen its grip.

No matter how hard I shook, the long, vibrating thing wouldn’t drop from my hand.

As if that hand had slipped out of control.

…I guess it doesn’t matter.

Just a bit annoying, that’s all, so I figured there was no need to get upset.

I moved forward.

Where exactly?

Forward.

I can’t stop.

Is there any reason to stop?

Any reason I should?

If that’s the case, there are many: I must go forward.

Response. Right.

I guess due to having been given ears, I mentally answered the questions thrown my way while walking forward.

But do you know?

Are you still moving forward?

Yup, I’m walking.

Hmm. Walking…

The moment I recalled that, my current actions made sense.

Swinging my legs, moving forward.

Slowly but steadily.

Therefore.

I’ve regained the core attack.

I don’t know what I’ve lost,

but moving forward like this will work.

Thank you for reminding me what walking is.

Nah, it’s nothing much, but do you know?

What’s next?

What am I missing?

As the one who reminded me, curiosity bloomed, making me ask again.

To walk, you need a solid object.

Hmm. Right. Ground. The floor. You could say that.

(But there’s none of that here.)

The moment I heard that chilling voice,

I began to plummet downward.

In the direction I perceived as forward.

Then, countless sensations surged to life.

The sense of air colliding as I fell.

The sharp wind ripping at my flesh.

Blood. Right, the blood flowing as the coldness emerges.

Feeling everything, from the inner numbness to the surface pain.

As I began to sense it all, a single emotion arose.

What now? What do I do?

(Death from bleeding)

(Cutting death)

(Falling to death)

(Collision death)

The chilling voice pronounced each word.

Realizing its meaning only intensified my panic.

(The ground is in sight.)

At the moment I heard that phrase, I regained my sight.

And then, I was crushed against the ground, understanding death.

The core attack came into my head.

And I opened my eyes.

That memory was so real,

I questioned again—who am I?

I reached for the pink item lying beside me.

Naturally placing my hand on it,

as if that was what I was meant to do.

And ideally, I expected the core attack to trigger, but

squelch, squelch.

The pink item just stuck to my surface, providing no expected sensation.

For a brief moment, I shuddered at that horrific feeling.

Ah, right. I needed my mouth.

Suddenly recalling the core attack, I opened my previously closed mouth.

I took in the pink item.

Flavor was sensed. Something that stuck stubbornly to my teeth.

A slight saltiness and a metallic taste that made my tongue tingle.

Right. Meat.

Meat was delicious.

And with a mouth and eyes,

I walked towards the unseen darkness,

which I believed I was supposed to do.

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