I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

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I tied that rib-broken jerk up and brought him down to the first floor.

At first, he was quite rebellious, but upon seeing the swarm of combatants on the first floor, he froze in his tracks.

It seemed like he realized that we held the power of life and death here.

I didn’t really plan to kill him, though.

The leader was startled when he saw me dragging this guy along, pausing in surprise.

“……”

Just a moment ago, the leader was giving me a hard time, but now it seemed like they sensed something strange was happening.

After exchanging glances in silence, I shrugged first.

The leader pointed at the guy with the broken rib and raised their palm to indicate for him to lift it.

I shrugged again.

If they’re doing this, it probably means the leader doesn’t know either.

Since their expression didn’t really show anything, I couldn’t tell if they were acting or genuinely confused. Let’s assume they didn’t know. After all, if anything goes wrong, I won’t be the only one in trouble.

After a brief silence, we nodded.

The leader pointed at me with a thumb and then pointed behind themselves, signaling for me to follow.

Then they pointed to Earth Buddy and another combatant and designated a girl.

That meant to stand guard here.

Seeing their eyes darting around following our fingers was a bit funny.

And just like that, we divided into groups.

Combatants to watch over the house owner’s wife waking up in front of the room on the first floor. These combatants also keep an eye on the maid’s side. If someone like the daughter suddenly pops out, they should rush in and tie her up quickly.

There was also the method of binding her up right from the start, but it’s best to eliminate possibilities from the beginning.

We also selected a combatant to protect the girl.

We could hear sounds even through the gag. So we decided to keep a little distance. Fortunately, the only mansion that could overlook this one was the same one we first drove into.

After splitting up like that, the rest all decided to enter the underground facility.

Really, luckily, the leader found the passage down to the basement.

It didn’t seem to be in a particularly difficult place. At first glance, it looked like a boiler room, but there was a spot inside covered with plywood.

From this perspective, it looked too hastily covered, but considering how few people would come this far in, this level of caution should be sufficient.

They probably didn’t expect us to go this far.

…….

Thinking like that made me a bit scared now.

This is a crime, isn’t it? No matter how the government turns a blind eye, we’ve just tied up a minor. The one who thinks this isn’t a problem is the one with the bigger issue.

……88 percent.

The circuits must be maintaining that level for such reasons.

Let’s wrap this up quickly. Whatever the outcome may be.

After removing the plywood, I seem to understand why the leader called me.

The entrance was… in the form of a safe.

There was a dial in the middle, and it opened when turned to the right numbers. At this level, even someone unfamiliar would think of it as a personal safe.

And around the entrance of that safe, there were scorch marks and some spots that were slightly melted. Next to it rolled an already expended grenade.

So that meant they couldn’t open it on their own. There was indeed a reason they wanted my help.

There were other combatants wearing similar combat suits to mine, but I was the only one here right now.

I don’t understand the reason.

Could it be related to this operation?

I had such a thought, which I quickly shook off.

Let’s focus. I want to finish this uncomfortable situation as soon as possible and bolt.

If only a magical girl would pop up right now. I could make an excuse and escape.

But with a staggering 88 percent of my power maintained, I could definitely breach this safe.

Despite having such equipment, if they couldn’t handle it, just how strong must these magical girls be?

With a deep sigh, I entered the safe.

Unlike the slightly messy and dusty boiler room outside, the inside was quite clean.

Well, it’s a research institute, after all.

What can I say, it had a vibe reminiscent of those zombie game series. They might not be researching zombies, but it’s probably something like a Hope Circuit.

I took out the grenade-shaped device I brought and pulled the pin.

I rolled it lightly, but there were no lasers here.

Maybe because it was a research facility? Anyone entering here should at least be able to navigate smoothly.

The leader came in behind me and tapped my back.

They pointed with a finger in the opposite direction of where I was looking.

What kind of expression would there be inside?

Annoyance at having dragged me in? A sense of helplessness that there was no other choice? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not a pleasant expression.

And I felt relieved that the helmet concealed their face completely, so there wouldn’t be a fight.

We divided ourselves into two groups and began our search.

*

The secret facility built secretly in the house wasn’t as expansive as I hoped.

I couldn’t just dig into the neighboring building, nor could I thoughtlessly dig down into the ground in the middle of Seoul.

So the scale was two levels, the area about the size of the mansion above.

The researchers inside were pretty easy to find.

“Ugh!”

Just like the daughter I had tied up upstairs, I hoisted this one over my shoulder as well.

This side didn’t struggle at all. They must have realized how dire the situation was at a glance.

A high school girl carrying an adult man on her shoulder. To others, it might not seem too odd, but still.

As we neared the door we used to enter this place, we heard sounds coming from the other side that were approaching this way.

On that side, there were two researchers.

The leader raised a finger confidently as if it was obvious, likely sporting that smug grin hidden behind the helmet—

Boom!

A loud sound echoed from beyond.

“……”

We all froze, looking up.

No one had entered the boiler room yet, but—

“Gah!”

……The unique distorted voice that came from the combatant’s helmet filled the air.

We looked down again, glancing at each other.

“Damn it.”

The leader muttered.

I shared the exact same sentiment.

*

I had been expecting this. It wasn’t an incident seen in the original work, but magical girls almost always appeared wherever we decided to act.

It was naturally expected since they acted in place of combatants from the Eun-ha Federation.

“You guys.”

As I climbed up the building with great effort, there stood a girl with red hair, boldly blocking our way.

Below her was the still-bound girl. She looked confused about why she wasn’t being released, but I had a feeling she might understand a little. An hostage moving around everywhere would just cause more disturbance.

……Next to her stood a girl with a purple ponytail.

Are the others still on their way?

“You thought that while maintaining such a secret facility, there wouldn’t be any regular reports?”

The red-haired magical girl, Happy Rose, spoke as if treating us like idiots.

Nearby, there were fallen combatants.

Beep beep beep!

A wave of dread washed over me, and the voice from the helmet crackled.

91 percent.

Can I manage it? Is it possible?

Iris’s attacks hurt, but if I could take that hit, there’s hope for a chance to turn the battle around.

But Rose was a different story. Her attacks were pure martial arts.

If I got hit, it’s a guaranteed capture.

I wouldn’t worry too much about being released soon, but once my helmet came off, Ha-yoon would definitely find out.

Besides, I had previously shown my face to her, albeit just once.

93 percent.

I could feel cold sweat running inside the helmet.

In my peripheral vision, one combatant was writhing. Was it Earth Buddy? Crawling sneakily toward Rose.

No way?

“Ugh!”

The researcher on my shoulder squirmed. Did they think there was hope of escape?

……Alright.

There is only one way to go.

There always was.

“Let’s go!”

The leader exclaimed and jumped forward.

With the researcher on their shoulder, they were a bit slower than usual.

A white beam appeared, and the leader dove to the ground.

“Today, I won’t make the same mistake as last time.”

Screaming as they dove, Iris coldly raised her gun at the leader.

Today was not about warp shots.

It was a rescue mission.

Beep beep beep!

96 percent.

My heart was racing like crazy.

I dashed forward.

A white light beam shot toward me. It was a narrow split, as if it wouldn’t hit the researcher.

Luckily, I felt I could block this much even without a battery.

“Ugh!”

It hurt, but—

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Rose charged in. But Earth Buddy managed to latch onto her leg.

“What the—”

While Rose was briefly flustered, I rushed past her.

Iris’s light beam came flying again. This time, I used the battery to perfectly block it. However, I couldn’t recharge the battery again because both my hands were occupied.

Besides the leader, another combatant was running with the researcher.

Iris aimed that way, and there went another light beam. The researcher screamed through the gag and fell to the ground, but the speed slowed midway. It was Iris’s magic.

Swish.

Iris turned gracefully toward me with her skirt flowing. Suspended in the air, her movements were as smooth as dancing.

I rolled forward while minimizing contact with the researcher’s body. This was an hostage, after all, so I didn’t want to hurt them too much.

In the midst of that, I released the researcher and rolled a few times to get back up.

Whack!

The sound of my fist hitting Earth Buddy’s helmet echoed.

Part of the helmet broke, revealing Earth Buddy’s face within. He fell to the ground, slumped.

98 percent.

I drew my blade.

This time, I didn’t fall back; I dashed forward. Directly toward Iris.

Iris calmly aimed at me as if she had expected it.

She took careful aim—

And fired.

“……Gah!”

I barely managed to block it by reloading the battery midway, but I still couldn’t fully prevent the impact.

Ping!

I saw the fuse come out of Iris’s rifle.

It was a different form from usual.

Oh, I see.

The reason she loaded the fuse into the gun was to regulate power. If it’s too strong, the gun can’t hold it. One wrong move, and she could become a murderer.

Iris changed that fuse.

To something that could definitely suppress me.

Her face bore no trace of a smile.

99 percent.

Beep beep beep!

A deafening sound rang in my ears.

I felt a rush of wind nearby.

Turning quickly, I swung my blade.

“Oops.”

Rose was effortlessly lifted into the air with her incredibly light movements.

Our eyes met as she flipped over.

Whack!

Rose’s fist flew toward me as she evaded the blade’s trajectory. I barely managed to fall back to minimize the impact, but my head felt like it was spinning.

Boom!

Right afterward, I unleashed the power of the new battery, not with a blade but like a shotgun blast.

“Ugh!?”

Did it hit Rose hard? She stumbled slightly as her feet hit the ground.

I rolled along the ground. A laser flew into the spot where I had just been standing. Boom, part of the house shattered.

“What the hell…!”

Woken by the fight, the girl who tried to hit me at school came out.

“Uh, ma’am, you should go back inside—”

Before I could finish that, I dove into Rose’s arms.

I swung my blade.

Rose was a little surprised but easily evaded it.

“Be careful.”

Iris warned.

“Unlike other combatants, I’ll charge at you even if you’re alone.”

Click.

Another fuse was loaded into the gun.

I thought as I dodged Rose’s punch.

Why did she load a new fuse?

She hadn’t exhausted the shots enough to empty the clip. If it was pre-loaded, she could easily fire up to five shots.

……Was the fuse a special type?

I couldn’t quite tell at a glance. But if its length was slightly off, maybe it couldn’t fit inside the weapon’s magazine—

Whack!

A shock hit my head.

If I had taken that shot straight on, my head might have blown off with that powerful hit.

I was soaring in the air.

Right before I hit the ground, I managed to land awkwardly, stumbling to a halt.

I can hold on.

The new suit had quite good performance.

“Today, I’ll definitely catch you, cruel combatant.”

Iris said as she walked mid-air.

Click.

The barrel of the gun pointed toward me.

“Today, I’ll definitely see the face behind that famous helmet.”

Zing.

There was a brief charging sound, enveloping my sight in white light.

I rolled to the side, but I couldn’t fully evade the thick beam. If I managed to dodge even slightly, it was thanks to Iris’s last words.

If I couldn’t avoid it, I would definitely be caught.

And if I got caught, I would show my face.

Iris had deliberately refrained from using any warp skills today.

She aimed solely to capture me.

A magical girl was accurately zeroing in on me.

Beep beep beep beep!

100 percent.

It seems my legs were not broken, but it hurt immensely. I barely stood up, perhaps because of the suit’s functionality. A solid outfit can also prevent your legs from breaking. Plus, the circuits were spinning crazy, constantly charging energy.

Iris’s right hand moved toward the gun’s bolt.

As expected, one shot and then reload.

I dashed forward.

In front of me, Rose appeared.

As her fist swung, my fist flew toward her.

“Wow?”

At the same moment Rose said that, our fists collided.

Of course, I didn’t intend to go easy either.

I exploded the energy of the circuits from my right hand again.

I couldn’t immobilize Rose or break the gauntlet, but at least it pushed her hand back.

I bent down and rolled between her legs, aiming toward Iris.

Iris pulled a handgun from inside her skirt.

I had anticipated that much.

I raised my arm. I couldn’t spread the barrier any further. Bang, bang, bang—the sounds of gunfire echoed, and I felt something hit my arm.

Strangely, the pain didn’t feel too overwhelming. The pain in my leg was the same.

The circuits continued to maintain a steady 100 percent.

If I didn’t immobilize Iris, I wouldn’t be able to escape.

Was that desperation propelling the Hope Circuit?

Iris looked a bit flustered as she witnessed me pushing through despite being shot.

Too close for aiming with the rifle. The handgun couldn’t fully halt me.

Then repeatedly, sounds rang out.

Although I was in pain, I didn’t stop. Ah, will I really make it to school tomorrow? The thought crossed my mind.

I clenched my fists, and right toward Iris—

Whack.

But just then, Rose’s shin struck my back.

I toppled forward, sliding along the ground. The grass where I had just passed was all turned over, exposing the dirt beneath. I could hear someone inside screaming.

I tried to get back up.

100 percent.

But my arm wouldn’t respond. The circuits were still spinning.

A desperate scenario. That might be why the circuits were spinning.

But no matter how much the auxiliary power existed, if there was no strength left to assist my body, it was meaningless.

Footsteps echoed.

“You rely too much on your devices, making you vulnerable at critical moments.”

“You seem to think gauntlets are ‘devices’? You’d probably be just as helpless if you weren’t some messed-up variation.”

My heart was racing like mad. A delayed wave of pain washed over me. Tears were about to fall from my eyes.

As I reached out and began to crawl, their conversation continued.

“How pitiful.”

“Pitiful? No matter what, they’re still evil corporate combatants.”

100 percent.

“Finally, we face each other. Don’t worry too much. You’re talented, so after you spill the beans, we might use you.”

“Oh, I’m serious. We’re quite short-staffed ourselves.”

……Do they think my fate is in their hands?

That was the truth. In a little while, my identity would be fully revealed.

And surely Ha-yoon would—

100 percent.

Beep beep beep beep—

———.

Suddenly, the voice inside the helmet cut off. As if it had broken.

100 percent—

0 percent.

Now, it’s over……

1 percent.

The circuits were heating up.

I looked at my wrist as the needle of the compass went wild.

It spun counterclockwise, almost as if it had lost its function completely.

Sparks flew.

It’s clearly a dangerous sight.

I rose from my spot.

“……What?”

Rose sounded a little flustered.

Raising my crackling left hand, I swung it toward Rose. The blade was much longer than usual. Long, and it almost looked like it was ablaze.

Seeing that sight, Rose seemed to think it was dangerous to clash.

She ducked down—

And my knee was heading right for her face.

Though she raised her hands to block the knee kick, Rose still jumped back to retreat.

Holding both hands up as if to observe.

And those hands were trembling a bit, possibly because of the shock from earlier.

With a startled expression, Rose looked at me.

Yeah.

She’s won every fight.

Understandably, how could they not know.

Among magical girls, none lived a bottom-tier life. They were at least middle-class or even the granddaughters of corporate chairmen.

After all, they’d never really been hit properly!

The white light stirred behind me.

My body felt pain.

I turned around.

There stood Iris, looking horrified.

She took the laser head-on.

Part of my suit tore. My skin wasn’t exposed yet, but it was still a dangerous situation.

Yet I remained standing there.

Thank goodness my helmet hadn’t broken.

2 percent.

Crackle, crackle.

The circuits were reaching their limit. Soon, they’d break completely and all would be meaningless.

A black, sticky substance was slowly oozing around the circuits. I didn’t know what it was exactly, but judging by how the grass was changing color, it wasn’t good.

It looked somewhat like tar, originating from the depths of a person’s emotions.

…….

What would Ha-yoon think when she saw me?

I’m scared.

3 percent.

But still.

Still—

If I don’t at least strike one of these two, I feel like I wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer.

 

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