Chapter 6: Nightmares and Rain

Abyssal monsters primarily operated during the day. Why would creatures craving negative energy bother with sleeping humans?

Causing chaos at dawn in populated areas might be somewhat effective, but they seemed to prefer active, bustling environments.

Perhaps they retreated to their own dimension to sleep at night.

But if magical girls operated at night, wouldn’t some Abyssal monsters do the same?

“Keeek…”

-Crack

“Shut up. You’re all so annoying.”

[D-rank Abyssal monsters. Nocturnal, incorporeal, swarming, and mentally invasive.]

Commonly known as “Nightmares.”

Unlike their physically destructive counterparts, these ghouls infiltrated dreams, inducing nightmares and draining mental energy.

They were a constant nuisance, endlessly respawning.

Their stealth made them difficult for Mascots to detect. Left unchecked, they formed swarms and evolved into higher-ranked entities. A major headache for magical girls.

And they only appeared at night, disrupting sleep.

‘I knew it was time to clean these up.’

Eight years of experience wasn’t for nothing. I could sense when a Nightmare purge was necessary.

-Thwack!

“Keeek!”

-Poof

The manta ray-like creature dissolved into black smoke.

“[That’s seven! About four left in the area!]”

‘…What time is it?’

“[2:17 AM! We’ll be done before 3!]”

‘…And then I’m stuck here.’

The downside of Nightmare hunting: no public transport at this hour. Not that I used it.

Magical girls didn’t get teleportation privileges. We were on our own.

Successful magical girls hired drivers for pickup after missions. Or maybe they had friends. I wouldn’t know.

-Stare

“…No rain in the forecast.”

“[The human forecast? Weather is unpredictable.]”

“I’d rather finish before it pours…”

Rain wouldn’t give a magical girl a cold, but it was unpleasant.

My costume vanished after de-transforming and reappeared pristine upon re-transformation, but the dampness remained. And I hadn’t brought an umbrella.

‘Just my luck…’

I sighed, manipulating starlight beneath my feet for silent transport. Waking people up would just generate more negative comments.

I didn’t care about public opinion, but I avoided unnecessary negativity.

“Guoooooooo…”

“Another one.”

-Fizzle

Incorporeal Abyssal monsters could phase through walls like ghosts. Magical girls could restrain them with magic, but they were practically invisible to ordinary humans.

If Nightmares weren’t eradicated quickly, they multiplied rapidly.

And even without that, I particularly loathed them. They were a constant reminder of my own struggles with nightmares and insomnia.

Their very existence was disgusting.

-Tap

“Bunny. Are we done? I don’t sense any more.”

“[I think so! Good work!]”

“Let’s see… The time is…”

“[2:58 AM!]”

“Finished before 3, at least.”

-Flap

I flapped my outfit, letting the cool air dry the sweat. A luxury I could only afford in the deserted streets.

People wanted magical girls to be perfect idols, not sweaty and disheveled.

Some magical girls adopted mature or tomboyish personas; they might not care. Not Alice, though.

‘What a strange persona. A white-haired, justice-loving girl who refers to herself in the third person.’

Utterly unrealistic.

‘Don’t you think, Bunny?’

“[M-Mascots think it’s fine…]”

‘They call me fake, a poser.’

Maintain the persona, and you’re fake. Break it, and you’ve lost your way.

-Nausea

“Ugh…”

The familiar wave of disgust. I grabbed the wall, pulling out an emergency pill.

“[Breathe deeply. No cameras or people around.]”

“Haa… Haaah…”

I closed my eyes, flexing my fingers. The feeling subsided.

“Deactivate transformation when you’re sure it’s clear.”

“[O-Okay.]”

-Pop

I returned to my usual gloomy self. A stark contrast to the radiant Alice.

-Footsteps

“…I’ll find a taxi on the main road.”

“[Um… Sejin? Those clouds look ominous…]”

-Pitter-patter

“…Oh.”

…Rain.

I used to like rain.

Not me. Someone else.

“…Disgusting.”

-Pour

On nights like these, I considered flying home as Alice and de-transforming near my door.

But any connection between ‘Alice’ and ‘Han Sejin’ was a risk. A seemingly insignificant detail could shatter the illusion.

Maintaining the lie required obsessive vigilance.

“[Boss, I quit. Please send me my pay for the past eight days, along with my severance.]”

“Eight days? You want severance after eight days?!”

-Slam!

The convenience store owner, who’d invested her savings in this venture, was accumulating wrinkles at an alarming rate.

She’d expected difficult customers, not difficult employees. This latest resignation forced her to cancel plans with friends to cover the shift.

‘I posted a new ad, but… when will someone apply…’

Finding reliable staff was tough, especially these days…

-Tinkle

“Welcome!”

“I… saw your ad outside.”

‘Already?!’

Surprised by the quick response, she looked up, then did a double-take.

‘Why would someone like this work at a convenience store…?’

She’d seen attractive employees before, but this was different. The applicant looked like a college student, maybe younger.

Petite, with a cute, youthful appearance. Her height was offset by other… noticeable attributes.

Honestly, she looked like a model or actress…

“Are you still hiring?”

“Y-Yes! Of course!”

Attractive employees boosted sales. She couldn’t let this one go.

“Wow… That’s great. I needed a new part-time job… And it’s right by my house…”

“Here are the terms… Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to discuss. I’m flexible.”

“Really? Wow, you’re so kind!”

“Of course. I should be the one asking for favors.”

-Smile

Even if the applicant hadn’t been so striking, she needed someone urgently. Canceling plans with friends was one thing, but her family trip was at stake.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Kim Shinah!”

“The shift is from 7 PM to 3 AM. Are you comfortable with the late hours?”

“I’m used to working late. Hehe.”

The negotiation went smoothly. A win for the owner and a visual treat for the late-night customers.

Someone else, however, might not be so pleased.