REAPER SCANS

Mr. Magical Girl

[Translator –  goguma]

[Proofreader – ilafy]

Chapter 8: Animals Only Listen After Being Beaten (2)

Despite what they said, I knew they wouldn’t betray me. As long as I didn’t betray them or reveal important information, everything would be fine.

I was essentially their savior, after all.

I felt pressure weigh down on me as I continued to think.

Ding—

‘This is the 1st floor.’

The pressure pushing down on me during the rapid ascent vanished when the elevator doors opened.

“Have you finished your business?” the tiger monster whose shin I’d kicked and whose teeth I’d broken asked. He’d clearly been waiting to help guide me out.

“Yeah.”

‘Despite being a higher-up, he’s really working hard.’

“I’ve already told your branch manager, but I’ll be visiting often from now on.”

“I understand.”

“Tell your subordinates to watch their mouths, and make sure they bow to me when they see me.”

“I will.”

Satisfied with his answer, I continued to walk ahead, only to have the same tiger in a black suit trail behind me.

I left him alone at first because I didn’t mind it too much, but I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with him following me around.

“We’re not thugs or anything… do you really have to follow me around like that? Take the lead if you want,” I said

“How could I, Mis– How could I walk ahead of you, Chairman? I belong in the back.”

‘This fucker was about to call me ‘miss’ again, wasn't he?’ 

I considered reintroducing his forehead to the floor, but I changed my mind after seeing his broken teeth. Missing one fang might’ve made him look like a cool, fallen fighter, but missing two would just make him look pathetic.

I’m sure he had subordinates as well, so that might be taking things too far. More importantly…

“Why did you just call me ‘Chairman’?” I asked.

“Well, you are more important than our boss, so I thought ‘Chairman’ was appropriate.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

‘Why the hell would I be your chairman? These human-turned-beast monsters probably had their brains turned into muscle as well.’

“I’m sure an organization aiming to take over the world would work really well with a magical girl as their chairman, huh?” I asked.

“An organization aiming to take over the world? We are the Purification Volunteer Organization Beyond the Great Barrier. We’re a volunteer group approved by the UN.”

What kind of weird-ass organization name was that?

“Last time I was here, you guys were the Otherworld Pollution Treatment Association.”

“The UN realized our organization was a front and destroyed everything.”

“Amazing work, really.” When I thought about it, the UN had requested support a few years prior, after uncovering some organizations operating under fronts. They must have been caught then.

More importantly… ‘The Great Barrier, huh?’

“Have you guys even visited that place?” I asked.

“We have. We even have a branch there, and we deliver daily necessities to the residents as well.”

I was reminded of Donghoon—his claims about people living beyond the Great Barrier and the need to help them; the final cry from my friend, who, after giving up his mantle as a hero, tried to put justice into action.

I never imagined there would be a way to make his words a reality so close.

“Your organization… Judging by the fact that you say you deliver daily necessities to those living beyond the Great Barrier, that means you do actual volunteer work, right?”

“Yes, we do. Still, we don’t do much because it’s mainly a front.”

“Increase the volunteer work, and add my name to your list of members.”

“By that, you mean…?” The tiger gave me a confused stare. 

Though his face was a bit too close and filled my entire vision, I didn’t mind it too much. “I’ll act as your cover so you guys don’t get caught. In exchange, increase the volunteer work you do. The UN will bother you less if there’s a hero involved in your organization.”

If it was just one volunteer group, there were things I could do. In fact, I already had a plan in mind.

The tiger dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead into the ground with all his strength.

Slam—

“Thank you, Chairman!”  Since he was an Upper-A-Rank monster, his action caused the ground to shake and the steel floor of the hallway to crack, and it didn’t stop there; the impact also swept through the halls, turning off all the ceiling lights.

“I can’t believe you are personally taking action for people who are as pitiful as us, Chairman. I, Raiga, am deeply moved!” His loud, piercing voice stung my ears. Cracks also formed on the walls as if a bomb had exploded.

‘What the hell is this?’

Weeeeeeeeee—

- Ambush warning. Ambush warning.

- An individual with immense strength has been detected within the base. All combatants, arm yourselves and prepare for combat.

- I repeat, an individual…

What was going on?

Even though I was just there to get a monster, I ended up becoming an ambusher. I observed the monsters charging toward me and thought hard about what to do next.

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - ilafy

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* * *

“So you knocked them all out?”

“There wasn’t any other way. The stupid tiger cracked his skull and was bleeding a lot. The other monsters, seeing that, mistook me for an enemy and started charging and swinging.”

Even though it hadn’t been long since I left the branch manager’s room, I was already having another conversation with Tentacle Head. I felt slightly embarrassed, given how coolly I had left the room earlier.

“Raiga was with you, was he not? You could have talked it out.”

“That stupid tiger fell unconscious while trying to get up and explain.”

He fainted from acute anemia due to a severe loss of blood. I couldn’t believe a monster ended up like that. I hoped he didn’t say something ridiculous like he was a vegan and had iron deficiency.

Things became pointlessly more annoying because of him, so I promised myself to take his other fang the next time I met him.

‘Why should I care about saving his face now?’

Tentacle Head, the branch manager of the East Asia Branch, ahh—no, he expelled some mucus while staring blankly into the void. “I will notify all branches to ensure something like that doesn’t happen again. Please, Mr. Lee, try to restrain yourself as well.”

“Yeah, I’ll leave it to you.”

It’s not like I wanted that to happen every time either.

If I could turn in the monsters I beat down that day for money, it would be more than enough to cover my daily expenses for several years. I wasn’t there to do community service, so why did it have to end up like that?

With the conversation seemingly over, I started to get up but sat back down on the sofa after remembering something. “I mentioned this to the tiger earlier, but since he might forget everything, I should tell you as well…”

“What is it?”

“I heard you guys are involved in some sort of Purification Volunteer Organization Beyond the Great Barrier, or whatever it’s called, right?”

“Yes, it’s a fantastic front. Not only does it cost little money, but we also have quite a favorable reputation.” Tentacle Head, as if just thinking about it made him happy, began stretching his tentacles out as he enthusiastically nodded.

“Put my name in there. In a high position, if possible,” I said.

“So you plan to embezzle the operating expenses. I’m sure this was your objective from the start…” His tentacles drooped. Why did his tentacles have to be so expressive?

“While a salary would be nice, all I need is for you to put my name on it. I’m sure the UN will find it less suspicious if a hero is listed as one of the members.”

‘All of this is for you.’

“What’s your motive?” He gave me a disbelieving stare. His tentacles also began spraying some kind of oddly-colored mucus, as if he were excited.

‘How disgusting.’

“It might sound superficial, but I really do want your volunteer group to do well,” I explained.

“I had no idea you were interested in such things.”

“It’s because my friend used to volunteer past the Great Barrier.”

I wondered how many people could remember the complaints their friends made over beers. Still, he had passionately shared his thoughts with me, insisting that it was a necessity for the world. Maybe that was why his words lingered so vividly in my memory.

I found it hilarious. Despite heroes and the UN showing no interest in the people beyond the Great Barrier, an organization of evil monsters was volunteering to help them.

"I have a feeling that the better your volunteer work goes, the happier my friend would be."

* * *

After finishing our conversation, I left their base.

No one guided me out since all of their combatants were in the infirmary, but the silence wasn’t particularly bad. I absolutely hated loud noises. When multiple sounds blended together, it started to sound like screaming to me.

Creak. Thud—

The hinges on the building’s old door creaked loudly as it closed behind me. 

An old, dirty building tucked away in a dark alleyway… Who would believe it was a Monster Society Chapter?

I turned away from the building and walked through the alley, dialing a number on my phone.

‘What was his number again? I definitely should have written down my contacts.’

I could have at least restored my contacts if I still had my SIM card, but the bits and pieces of it were likely scattered across my living room floor.

In the end, I accidentally dialed the wrong number and called strangers multiple times. Just as my patience was about to run out…

“Yes, I’ve answered.” I heard a familiar voice speak in a stern tone.

“Hyunseok, it’s Haram. Do you have time?”

“If you’re trying to borrow money again, I will have to refuse.”

‘How much did I borrow from him again?’

“It’s not that. I need your help with something.”

“If you’re seeking preferential treatment, I will also have to refuse.”

‘Of course. I’ve seen countless politicians and businessmen on the news get arrested for trying to bribe you.’

“What are friends for, huh?” I asked.

"Most people consider friends who don’t repay the money they owe to be enemies."

“…I didn’t borrow that much, alright? Regardless, listen to what I have to say first.”

“Be quick. I’ve already wasted too much time.”

‘What a hardass.’ In place of his hard head, I kicked a pebble near my feet before continuing, “There’s a volunteer group called the Purification Volunteer Organization Beyond the Great Barrier, alright?”

“Hold.”

Type type…

I heard his keyboard clacking through the phone’s speakers. Given that he didn’t know them right away, the organization was likely quite small.

“Found it. They’re a volunteer group authorized by the UN. Is there an issue with them?”

“No, I wanted to ask if you could help them.”

“If it’s benefiting a specific group through preferential treatment, I refuse.”

‘I knew you would say that.’

“Even if it was Donghoon’s request?”

“…”

I immediately sensed that his face had gone rigid upon hearing Donghoon’s name. It wasn’t hard to tell—he quietly held his breath and tensed up. Having been close to Donghoon, I was sure he felt the loss deeply as well.

Although I didn’t particularly enjoy using Donghoon’s name in that way, I comforted myself with the thought that it was for the sake of continuing his will.

“Do you know what Donghoon was up to last?” I asked.

“I don’t.”

“He was volunteering his time to help the people beyond the Great Barrier. This organization does that as well.”

Truthfully, it was a front for a secret society trying to take over the world, but… it wasn’t entirely a lie. They were definitely involved with community service too.

“He told me that we need people to help those living beyond the Great Barrier. That’s why I looked for a volunteer group as soon as his funeral ended.”

“Is that so?”

‘Still no real response? You hardass.’

I sighed. “Well, I’m done saying what I wanted to say. You can do whatever you want now.”

“I will consider it in a positive light.”

‘A positive light, huh?’ It wasn’t a bad answer, considering it was Hyunseok.

“Thanks. I’m sure you’re busy too; I’ll hang up now.”

Just as I was about to hang up, my fingers stopped when I heard what he had to say next.

“The hero ambush incidents recently… Haram, was it you?”

‘Why is he asking me that?’ Was he sure of it and just asking me as a friend, or was he trying to gauge my reaction? ‘He’ll probably suspect something if I take too long to respond, right?’

I scrambled to come up with a response, but nothing suitable came to mind. It’s not like I was particularly smart to begin with.

“No? Why would I do something like that?” I denied it with a cheerful tone. Trying to convey that it couldn’t have been me.

“Is that so?” His voice remained as monotone as ever. I wondered what he’d concluded from my response.

After a short pause… 

“Please repay the money you owe me as quickly as you can. I will hang up now.”

Click—

Countless thoughts flooded my mind as I looked down at my phone. Was it a warning, or was he concerned about me? How much was the Association aware of?

The United Nations, the Hero Association, and Hyunseok Park, President of the Korean Branch.

What was going through his mind?

Was he saying that he didn’t care about the Association and was only focused on his assigned tasks? Was he saying that he would try to catch me since it was his responsibility?

I wasn’t sure. Even when he was active, it was hard to read what was going through his mind.

By the time I returned to my senses and looked around, I was already out of the alleyway. I heard honking cars and the loud murmur of crowds. It had only been a few minutes, but the atmosphere took a complete turn.

I wondered how people on the streets would react if they knew that the headquarters of a group of horrifying monsters was just a few minutes away from such a bustling area.

Would they be scared? Shocked? Would it lead to chaos, or would it inspire a sense of justice? In the end, though, it was pointless to dwell on it. To them, they and the monsters lived in entirely separate worlds.

The most likely reaction would be a brief shock before reporting it to the police, trusting that the heroes would handle the situation.

As if on cue, a hero sped past me—a woman in a skintight riding suit with weapons strapped to her back, speeding through the streets on her motorcycle. She was likely an equipment-type.

‘So you’re my prey today.’ I summoned my crowbar and leaped onto a nearby rooftop, unnoticed. My clothes turned black, and the darkness crept in, concealing me further.

Jumping from the rooftop and into the night sky, I chased after her.

I would do everything that needed to be done.

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