Chapter 2: Collateral Damage

Abyssal monsters, true to their name, were predominantly black. Generally, larger size equated to greater power.

Smaller monsters with special abilities or higher intelligence occasionally appeared, but most possessed only superior physical abilities and resistance to non-magical attacks.

Even newly awakened magical girls could handle lower-level monsters with relative ease.

While immune to modern weaponry, they lacked the durability to withstand equivalent magical force.

“Krrrk!! Kieeeeek!!!”

‘About a D-rank.’

This one, roughly two meters tall and humanoid, exuded a black aura and possessed a grotesquely long tongue.

Its magical energy signature confirmed it as a D-rank.

Not entirely harmless, but not particularly strong either. Left unchecked, it might cause a handful of casualties.

Abyssal monsters retreated after collecting a limited amount of negative energy, so they wouldn’t linger indefinitely.

Higher-ranked monsters could remain for extended periods, but that wasn’t a concern right now.

“Moonlight Chain.”

-Clatter!!

“Kieeeeek!!!”

“Don’t worry, everyone! Alice is here, along with the moonlight!”

I bound the monster, which had been smashing its head against a concrete wall, with magical chains, then launched into my ‘Alice’ performance.

A decade had passed since the Abyssal invasion began.

Shelters were readily available, but people couldn’t always reach them in time.

There would always be those caught unprepared.

“Ooh… It’s really Alice!! A magical girl is here!”

“I-Is that really Alice? The one who’s been active for ten years..?”

“W-We’re saved…”

Relieved, the fleeing citizens stopped.

I’d rather they continued to the shelters and stayed out of my way.

“Kiiiiiieeeeeeeek!!!!!!!”

“Quiet down, you!”

-Bang!

I swung my wand, launching a star-shaped projectile of magical energy.

Starlight Shower. Alice’s signature move, capable of harming even B-rank monsters. A D-rank stood no chance.

The monster shrieked, dissolving into magical particles.

-Clap!

“Alright, everyone! The monster’s gone! You’re safe now!”

“I-Is it really gone?”

“That quickly?”

“The last magical girl I saw fought for like twenty minutes…”

-Smile

This wasn’t a genuine smile. ‘Alice’ would smile brightly after saving people. I was simply playing the part.

Besides, they were comparing me to inexperienced newbies who barely understood their powers. Any competent magical girl could handle a D-rank in ten minutes.

Most just weren’t competent.

“Well then, Alice must be going! Have a wonderful day, everyone!”

“W-Wait! Can I get your autograph?!”

-Flash!

I ignored the pleas for autographs and vanished in a flash of light.

Autographs? Did they think magical girls were idols? Let the attention-seekers deal with that.

I wasn’t interested.

Besides, most autographs ended up traded online. Unless they were giving the profits to me, there was no point.

-Flash!

“Bunny. Can we go back now?”

I teleported to a secluded spot, away from cameras and people. A standard magical girl maneuver, usually for de-transforming.

Secrecy wasn’t as crucial anymore, but I still preferred it. Plus, the transport magic I’d used to reach the monster couldn’t be used for return trips.

In short, I was on my own getting back.

“Well? Answer me. You know I hate being outside.”

“[Um… Alice…?]”

Bunny hesitated, adopting a cautious tone. I knew that tone. There was only one reason for it.

“No.”

“[I-I’m sorry! But a B-rank Abyssal One just appeared! You’re the only one nearby who can handle it!]”

“Abyssal One” was the Mascot term for monsters. Unlike D-ranks, B-ranks could level small buildings. Left unchecked, they could devastate entire neighborhoods.

“This is getting ridiculous. I just finished a mission. You want me to go again immediately?”

“[We didn’t expect a strong Abyssal One to appear there… It suddenly moved…]”

“Get other magical girls.”

“[There are no other magical girls nearby! And you know, Alice! Against a B-rank, weaker magical girls are useless!]”

“…Sigh.”

Annoying, but unavoidable.

“Two days off, guaranteed.”

“[Ugh… F-Fine.]”

“You understand? For two days, I’m not responding to anything. No B-ranks, A-ranks, S-ranks, nothing. Don’t try to change my mind.”

Mascots managed deployments, considering proximity, capability, and current status. This meant negotiations were possible.

“[F-Fine, I get it!]”

“Prepare for transport. I still have magic left.”

Bunny could prevent deployments if another magical girl was sufficient. If I was truly necessary, they’d override the agreement.

“I hope there aren’t many people around.”

Playing ‘Alice’ was exhausting. One wrong facial expression and rumors would spread.

-Grind

‘Breathe. Mind control. Mind control…’

I needed to maintain composure.

“[Transporting now! Get ready!]”

The familiar disorientation returned. When my vision cleared, I heard the monstrous voice:

“Kaaaaaaaak!! Where are you hiding, Magical Girl!! You hateful creature!!!”

“How dare you!!! How dare you taint my leg with your filthy magic and expect to live!! I’ll tear you apart before I return!!!”

‘Intelligent. And monstrous.’

B-ranks and above often possessed speech. This one, the size of a small shopping mall, was likely a high-ranking B-rank. It sounded furious with a previous magical girl.

“[Luckily, the other magical girl stalled it long enough for civilians to evacuate. You can fight without holding back.]”

‘At least she was useful.’

I’d been ready to reprimand her for incompetence.

“[The other magical girl is hiding safely… As long as you don’t make too much of a mess, it should be fine.]”

“Okay.”

No civilians meant no need for the ridiculous entrance line.

-Whirr

The most effective tactic was a powerful preemptive strike.

The crescent moon on my wand glowed, expanding into a full moon.

“What?! That energy! Who’s there!”

The monster turned towards me, but it was too late.

“Die!!! Lunar Blast!!!!!”

-Kaboom!!!!!!!!

“<Kaaaaaaaaak!!!!!>”

A thick beam of light erupted from the full moon, striking the monster’s face. Starlight Shower was for multiple weak targets; Lunar Blast was for single, durable ones.

“<Kaaaaaaa!!! Who are you!!!!! How dare you damage my face!!!!!”

A crater marked the impact site.

“Hmm. Didn’t penetrate.”

A full penetration would have been an instant kill. Slightly disappointing.

“<Kgh… Magical girl reinforcements..! If this continues…>”

“What? Are you running away?”

“<Don’t be mistaken, Magical Girl! This is a strategic retreat! I’m not afraid…>”

-Whoosh

“Who said I’d let you escape?”

Countless stars materialized behind me.

“Go.”

Starlight Shower.

Fwoosh!!

A stream of starlight, resembling the Milky Way, shot towards the monster.

“<You think I’ll fall for the same trick twice!!!>”

Boom!!

The monster retaliated with fireballs.

Bang! Crash! Bang!!

Three fireballs were neutralized. One veered towards a nearby building. I almost dismissed it as poor aim when Bunny’s panicked telepathy reached me.

“[A-Alice! The other magical girl is in that building!]”

“…You said she was hiding safely!!”

-Dash!

I leaped towards the building.

“This is why I hate fighting intelligent ones!!”

My motivation wasn’t altruism. A magical girl’s death on my watch would damage my reputation.

‘Alice’ doesn’t surrender to evil.

‘Alice’ doesn’t abandon comrades.

‘Alice’ loves everyone and is loved by everyone.

These were the terms of my contract.

-Flash!

As I neared the building, I spotted a faint barrier.

What a pathetic shield. It wouldn’t stop that fireball.

‘Seriously?!’

Suppressing my frustration, I switched back to ‘Alice’ mode.

“Don’t worry! Alice is here!”

I stood before the barrier, summoning a familiar defensive spell.

Twinkle Defense.

-Kaboom!!

“Ugh!”

“Kyaa!”

Alice was powerful, but offensively. My defenses weren’t strong enough to completely negate a high-ranking B-rank’s attack.

“A-Alice?”

“Y-Yes… Don’t worry, Alice is here!”

My white outfit was scorched and covered in soot. We were both safe, but…

‘…Who does she think she is, calling me “Alice?”’

I had no such incompetent junior.