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Chapter 11
Chapter 1 — Blow all of heaven and earth to smithereens! • Episode 1-3 • New Strain ②
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
The night was shrouded in thick clouds and darkness. In a city where there is no civilized light and the whole world seems to have been painted black, the haze still has an overwhelming presence.
It was so large that it cannot even reach a person’s lap when sitting, and it is impossible to read emotions from its wagging tail.
No, it may not have any feelings to begin with. Because that was a Diest Because it was a Diest that imitates the shape of a black cat.
「Pay attention–ran! The Diest has been evolving in strange ways lately–ran!」
It has been a week since I previously took down a Diest that has rapidly grown from the Baron class to the Vikant class.
Many of the Diests I fought during that time were indeed individuals that could be called different from the Diests I was initially fighting.
The rapid growth during battle was just the beginning; some Diests split, transformed, and some even used magic. These Diests were named New-Strain Diests for convenience.
It seems that the Magical World is continuing its research on changes in Diests, but it is difficult to study Diests that disappears when it is defeated in the first place, and little progress seems to have been made.
Therefore, some talented magical girls were given another mission at the same time as defeating the Diests.
This was to collect data on the new strain of Diest. Simply put, stall the battle as long as possible to allow time to observe the Diests.
「……? Fly Wing」
I had been maintaining a holding distance against the Black Cat Diest, but I suddenly felt a chill and retreated to the sky at once.
I can’t tell if the Diest I’m facing is a new type until the Diest actually takes some action, but it looks like this Black Cat Diest was a hit.
「Analysis Complete–ran! This time it’s a Magic-type Diest–ran! I would like you to explore a little more to see if there are any other drawers–ran!」
「What was the magic that was just used?」
「Enchantment Magic–ran! This puts the cat lover to shame–ran!」
It’s tricky. The effect is the same, but most importantly, I could not detect any timing of the activation. If this were an action game, it would definitely be a shitty game, because they would use abnormal state techniques without any preliminary actions.
「I rather like cats too, you know?」
「Magical girls have extra security against direct interference–ran! Unless you’re really incompatible, you won’t be affected–ran! If you were a serious cat lover, you were in danger–ran!」
It’s a vague and unhelpful scale, but it doesn’t seem to work for people who just love it enough to love it on video.
「It’s time to attack–ran! Some of the newer strains of Diests change after some damage is done–ran!」
「Then this way is better. Wind Blade.」
The Diest I am fighting this time was in the Knight class in the notification display. It may actually be stronger and hiding its power, but if it really was a Knight class, Tornado Mixer would likely take it down before I could see the changes in my opponent. So I dare to use Wind Blade to cut it down little by little.
The power of the Wind Blade diminishes as the distance increases, but the Knight class can use it even in its diminished state.
The black cat tried to avoid the three blades that flew from above, and although it completely avoided the first blade, its right paw and tail were completely severed by the second and third blades that followed.
「It’s regenerating, but it’s not evolving or transforming.」
「In the meantime, I’d like you to try a melee attack as well–ran.」
「I’m a long-distance type of magical girl.」
「If you don’t follow my instructions properly, there’s no bonus. If Ryoichi is okay with that, I’m fine with it–ran.」
「Tch.」
To begin with, the reason why I’m doing the additional missions with Jack’s honest advice is simply because of the additional rewards. Otherwise, I would never have listened to Jack.
「I can end it with the next blow, right?」
「It’s fine–ran. A quick trip, a quick slice, and you’re done–ran.」
Originally, it would have been over if I had used powerful magic as soon as the battle started. It would be a shame to abandon it here, since I went to the trouble of making it happen.
Either way, the next blow is the end, so let’s just get it over with and get the additional rewards.
「Wind Blade.」
The big cane is given a blade of wind, and it swoops down toward the Diest at once. The distance between the Black Cat Diest and me quickly shortens, and when the altitude drops to just above the ground, a flash of light strikes the cat.
I did not see the end of the Diest as I surged up to form a U-shape at the moment the blade reached me, but it does not seem to have regenerated, which means it was cut in half and disappeared. It was probably just a new strain of Diest who used magic.
「I was afraid you were going to hit the ground–ran!」
The Black Cat Diest was really small, you know. I was a little chilled to the bone too.
Still, no matter how many times I fought, I could not tell the difference between the new Diest and the conventional Diest.
I think it is still dangerous for magical girls who are strong enough like me and other witches, but not even the second gate is open.
「I’m collecting data to do something about it–ran! If that’s how you feel, then you need to be much more willing to help–ran!」
I think I am cooperating enough, though.
Well, he said something that sounded like he was worried about me, but it doesn’t really matter because it doesn’t actually affect me.
「It’s that kind of attitude that makes other magical girls suspicious of you–ran.」
「That has nothing to do with this, does it?」
It is absolutely terrible.
Jack told me that they needed my help because the Baron-class Diest had suddenly become strong, and although I didn’t want to help them, I felt bad about abandoning them, so I helped.
I can understand if it is still a turf war or something, but what do they mean I am up to something? Do I look like such a vicious magical girl?
Jack later told me that the magical world is not monolithic, and that there are some bad-behaved magical girls who use their powers for minor mischief, and he was wary that I might be one of them.
Well, I admit that I was at fault. It may have been suspicious that I left without talking to them at all. But I don’t want to be involved with Magical Girls as much as possible, so what can I do?
I’m not looking for gratitude. It’s best if they don’t mind. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m just glad they’re alive!
Oh my God, oh my God!
I heard that those magical girls were the ones that Jack was in charge of before me, my seniors, so to speak.
I have not been educated well! If the three of them can’t even work together to defeat a Diest of that caliber in combat, I don’t know what the future holds for us!
「Jack, if something like the last time happens, you let me know right away. You can knock me up even if I’m asleep.」
「Eh? You mean like before, if the Blade were in a pinch–ran? Why–ran?」
「As far as I’m concerned, if someone dies, it’s not a good night’s sleep! What if the stress gets to the point where I can’t sleep again!」
「Eh, eh……? I don’t know, but I understand–ran. I mean, I don’t need to told you that, but the nearest magical girl will get a rescue notification–ran.」
「Then that’s good.」
I can’t afford to lose the good night’s sleep I’ve just had.
For a good night’s sleep, I need to be patient at least a little bit.
I had said what I wanted to say, and just as I was about to leave, the magiphone notification went off with a blast.
「Ryōichi! The Diest are out–ran!」
「Is it consecutive? That’s really a lot these days.」
「It’s Baron Class–ran! Let’s move–ran!」
Exhaling a sigh at Jack’s haste, I begin the transfer.
It is said that magical girls in this area can originally defeat up to Baron class, but for safety margin, they are now only notified up to Knight class.
A series of battles is tedious, but if I am the only one who can do it, I have to do it.
Besides, after all, I need the points, so it’s not that I don’t want to do it.