REAPER SCANS

Mr. Magical Girl

[Translator – Kuro]

[Proofreader – ilafy]

Chapter 31: Rest No Longer Than 5 Minutes (1)

In the dark room, the dim light barely showed the silhouettes of the desk and chair. The light from the monitors on the desks didn’t illuminate much either.

It was a typical meeting room for the Monster Society, where all the designs looked similar and held no originality.

I grabbed one of the thirteen chairs and dragged it to the center before sitting on it.

Clack—

Two humanoid monsters opened the door. One was a rat monster wearing a gray robe with a cane in hand; the other, although it was humanoid, was made of a liquid that constantly flowed.

“Pleasure. Long time. See you again, Truthseeker Crimson★Hammer,” the rat monster said in broken English. 

“Call me Haram Lee.”

“Truthseeker Haram Lee. Question. Reason. Executive meeting. Request answer.”

‘Does he have a screw loose in his head? Why does he talk like that?’ Last time I had seen the rat monster, it merely had a screeching voice. Otherwise, it spoke perfectly normally.

I turned to the other monster and gestured to the rat, wondering what was wrong.

“He injured his brain during a previous battle. Please show some leniency.”

“Oh, then it’s all good.” As long as he wasn’t mocking me, it was fine. I took the white stick from my inner pocket and bit on it before answering the rat monster’s question.

Crack—

“I’ll tell you once everyone is here.”

“Then let us sit.”

“Agreement.”

The healthy monster helped the limping rat to a seat and two of the thirteen executive seats were filled.

Whirrl— Tzzzzt— zzzzt—

The sound of the computer cooling systems whirred through the room, and static from speakers resounded.

Eventually, though the other 11 seats remained empty, the monitors on the desks lit up to show the faces of various monsters.

“What’s with the sudden meeting? Did something urgent happen?” one asked.

“Let me sleep in peace, you pricks.”

“Quiet. We don’t even get to see each other frequently, so stop whining.”

“It’s not even one of our scheduled meetings but Lady Linshua’s sudden call. Of course people are gonna complain.”

‘How fucking noisy.’ I sighed and said, “I called the meeting, you dumb fucks.”

Zzzzt— zzzt—

The speakers immediately quieted down, only leaking out some minor static.

“…Did you have a good time with your daughter?” The one to break the silence was none other than Octopus Head.

“Al’Shel, I’ll speak with you privately once I return.”

Seafood Head’s effort to break the silence was to no avail, and the monsters on the monitors kept their quiet, only glancing at each other.

Various thoughts ran through their minds, and I finally spoke up again. “What did I demand from you guys when I left Linshua in your care?” It was a simple question. 

“It was to let her live freely in a safe place and to give her a basic education,” One of them replied with the contents of our contract. 

I nodded. “Correct. That was all I asked for, and I said I wouldn’t care if you used Linshua’s seeds to survive, if you appointed her as the head of the organization, or even if you used her powers to your benefit.”

“We have never broken our contract with you, Savior…”

“You fucking shitheads. Are you telling me she’s safe living in a building right next to the Association? Why the fuck would you place an office here? At least do what you monsters do best and set it underground or something!” I shouted in anger before sitting back quietly, waiting to hear their excuses. 

Another round of silence fell in the room, as though they had nothing to say.

That time, it was my turn to be stunned. I thought I would hear some arguments or complaints, but the silence was unexpected. Had they set up an office there knowing it was dangerous?

Why on earth would they do something so stupid?

“Haram Lee, is there not a certain saying that goes… ‘The most unexpected place to hide something is in broad daylight’…?”

‘Why does this bastard always have to argue? Is he allergic to staying silent?’

“Al’Shel, shut up if you don’t want your spine to be used as a jump rope.”

A third round of silence followed. Maybe it was my fault for making aggressive remarks. 

The thought of traveling around the world to find each of the bastards and pummeling them to death came to mind, when…

“May I have permission to speak?” A humanoid monster wearing a black suit asked for my approval.

“Go on.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Enklu, the treasurer.”

“Are you a new executive?” I remembered the treasurer being the rat monster. Perhaps he was a new recruit, or maybe he was a long-term member who got a promotion?

“Yes. After the former treasurer, Kwilf, was injured…”

“Myself, active still. Can work. Efficient.” The rat monster sat up on his seat and angrily waved his cane but soon lost his balance. The other monster got up to stop the rat’s outburst and help him.

‘Ah, I see. No wonder.’

“To get back on track, we, the executive staff, judged that there wouldn’t be many problems if Miss Linshua lived in that location.”

“Let’s hear your reasoning. Keep in mind that there will be consequences if you can’t convince me.” I vowed to blow the whole place up if their reasoning wasn’t good enough.

“May I ask how much you know of our current circumstances?” the monster asked.

“I only know that you started some strange volunteer work after getting beaten and kicked to the curb by the Hero Association.”

To be honest, their odd goals and objectives were some of the reasons I’d decided to help them out.

Even if I were to exclude Linshua, they were the largest and strongest global Monster Society with ten A-rank and two O-rank monsters, but the most evil thing they ever did was be street hooligans or commit similar minor offenses.

People might’ve said the Monster Society’s goal was world domination, but in reality, they could never defeat humanity, even if they betrayed us; they all knew this fact.

“Sir Haram Lee, your answer shows me we’ve done a good job so far. To be truthful, that is but a small portion of our company’s work.”

“Company? What company? Are you up to some weird stuff again? Trying to get hit by another bomb, maybe?”

Those morons had previously started a company that did express deliveries of painkillers in warzones, but then they got hit by bombs while spreading pamphlets on a battlefield.

“Just stay put and do the things you usually do, like civil engineering, construction, and being street hooligans.”

“Our company is doing very well. I’m sure, Sir Haram Lee, you have heard of it at least once.”

‘No shit. I’ve heard of at least ten of your previous failures too.’

“Let’s hear it,” I said.

“Arges Security Services.”

“…”

‘Interesting.’ I rested my chin on my palm and dug into my memories. It was a large company that rapidly grew in recent years. They provided various goods, knowledge, and technology related to the Otherworld. The Hero Association had greatly benefitted from their services.

Thanks to that company, the development of technology relating to the Otherworld advanced exponentially. The Association that always suffered from a lack of manpower could finally start taking it easy thanks to the company’s help.

That was only one example of the company’s work. Their Otherworld technology had greatly benefitted humanity in many ways.

To think that those guys were behind it all…

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator - KuroHaruto

Proofreader - ilafy

Join our discord for updates on releases!!

https://discord.gg/reaperscans

* * *

“So it was you guys,” I mumbled.

“With the company’s success, we no longer had to keep hiding away and finally revealed ourselves.”

It wasn’t that they were hiding in broad daylight… They had already figured things out legitimately and legally.

“Then what’s with the Purification Volunteer Organization Beyond the Great Barrier? I don’t see a reason for that organization to exist since your company is already legitimate.”

“It’s a front organization meant to draw attention away from the headquarters. I’m quite glad to see it doing well recently.”

The monster seemed quite competent. He was different from the other executives.

“Where do you come from?” I had to exclude him from the other executives—he was too rational and practical, unlike the other monsters that had lofty dreams and expectations. He was similar to Al’Shel in a sense, with a good view and grasp of reality.

However, unlike Advisor Al’Shel, who willingly chose to walk down a darker path away from the spotlight, that one chose to guide the Monster Society into the light, before all of human society. 

In so doing, they received plenty of funds and the power to navigate the world.

They had been spared by the Hero Association so far since their danger levels were low and they were human-like enough, but if they lost control of themselves with all the money the company made, they’d be eliminated.

“I was brought to life by Lady Linshua.”

“…What rank?” I asked.

“B-rank.”

“What’s your goal?”

“Maintaining the Monster Society. The top priority being Lady Linshua’s safety.”

“What’s your opinion on world domination?”

“If I had to do it, it would be through financial and technological domination.”

It was a decent answer. I didn’t know if they were his true feelings deep down, but I didn’t sense the need to eliminate him immediately, at the very least.

“Make sure not to cross the line. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

“I shall take it to heart, Grandfather.”

‘Grandfather?’ The sudden use of that word stunned me, and I had to dig into my brain to check if there weren’t any other definitions. 

I wracked my brain over the term, but there was always only a single definition.

“You fucking piece of sh—”

Beep—

He cut the connection.

‘So he’s got a sense of humor, huh?’

“Al’Shel!” I shouted.

“Yes?!”

Even though he was cowering from me, he immediately regained energy from my call and gave a loud reply.

“Tell that cocky bastard that, if he doesn’t learn some manners by the next time I see him, he’ll have his lips sewed shut forever.”

“Then why ask me to do it? Just tell him yourself…”

I heard a small mutter from beyond the speakers.

Since everyone could hear his words despite the low-quality speakers, I wondered whether he was purposefully saying it out loud to spite me.

“You’ll tell him, right?”

“Obviously.”

“Good.”

I took a look at all the other executives. There was mild fear in most of their gazes, but the strongest emotions were respect and gratitude.

Even though it had been over ten years since I had helped them settle in our world, their gratitude had yet to fade.

Aside from Al’Shel, whom I met frequently, there were many familiar faces I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Let’s end the scolding here.” I relaxed my expression. “How has everyone been?” I gently asked.

The meeting room became boisterous once again, and everyone started sharing their stories with no restraint. Some even started discussing my activities as Black Marauder.

The rat monster quietly sitting there also joined in with incomprehensible words, and Al’Shel grumpily participated.

The monsters joyfully shared long conversations about their lives.

A smile slowly rose on my face as I listened to all their stories. My decision to spare them back then was the right choice—they were more innocent and pure than anyone else.

Those eccentric beings had revolted against the Otherworld’s invasions and been slaughtered by those they were meant to protect. Nevertheless, their beliefs stood strong.

I extended a helping hand to them and the monsters who had been abandoned by everyone were eventually able to chat and laugh so happily.

Indeed, it was the right decision.

* * *

“Dad, you’re late!” Linshua complained to me. She was wearing sunglasses and a beret to hide her identity as a monster, most likely.

“Sorry. We ended up chatting for longer than planned since we hadn’t seen each other for a while.” The conversation ended up dragging out since everyone had something to share.

Frustrated from waiting for so long, the grumpy Linshua grabbed onto my sleeve and led the way. I went along as she dragged me down the dark corridor, intending to keep my promise.

Even though I could’ve easily broken free from her grasp, both my rational mind and my instincts told me not to. 

I sensed the child’s anxiety from her tight grasp on the hem of my clothes.

I was certain she ended up feeling uneasy and worried while waiting for me during the meeting—worried that I’d end up leaving her for a long time again.

I couldn’t make such a mistake ever again. Thus, I purposefully let her drag me along.

Past the dark corridor, Linshua led me to a restaurant with a few monsters eating at tables.

‘A monster-exclusive cafeteria?’

It was clean and looked quite luxurious but was somewhat small for a large company’s cafeteria.

I checked the area to see where to order our food, but Linshua led me to a microphone with a button beside it. Next to the mic was some sort of miniature elevator.

“The food is brought up if you say what you want in here!”

Perhaps it was a system to keep the human and monster employees apart. The monsters who designed the system were quite smart.

In order to demonstrate, Linshua pressed the button first and made her order. “A chicken salad and a sandwich please!”

She then puffed out her chest, proud of her achievement. Having finished ordering, Linshua moved aside and gestured to me. “Try it out, Dad!”

Could I order anything? “One beer and one borscht. With no cabbage and extra meat.”

Linshua tilted her head, puzzled by the dish she had never heard of.

‘How do I explain it…? Oh well, it’ll be easier to show her.’ After a short moment, the small elevator activated and brought up a tray of food. We picked up our orders and sat down at a table.

I ate the borscht alongside my beer, and Linshua took a bite of her salad with the happiest expression on her face.

By the time I got through half of my food and Linshua’s salad had disappeared…

“Are you friends with the monster uncles, Dad?” Linshua innocently asked.

‘Friends, huh?’ Could I call our contractual relationship a friendship? Although they were grateful for what I had done, we were still in a give-and-take situation.

“Why do you think they’re friends?”

“The monster uncles look happy whenever they talk about you.”

“What do they say about me?”

“They say there aren’t many heroes who would work and fight as hard as you to save the world.” Linshua then repeated the stories she had heard, reenacting fights with her hands and making Boom! Pwah! sound effects with her voice.

They were peculiar stories about how I had defended the world by defeating evil with my hammer. 

I couldn’t tell which battle she was referencing, but it must’ve been one of the fights I had participated in alongside the monsters.

I didn’t think they’d tell her such tales. I never told a single story regarding my work to Linshua due to the guilt I felt.

After all, my hammer was covered in the blood of her parents. At least, I couldn’t tell her through my own mouth. It appeared that the monsters had done it in my stead.

‘I’ll forgive you, Al’Shel.’ I would fully forgive him for all his actions that day.

“Oh. And Uncle Octopus complained about you for always giving him too much work.”

‘Scratch that. You’re so fucking dead, Seafood.’

____

Join our discord for updates on releases!!

https://discord.gg/reaperscans

____