Chapter 1: The Price of Fame

“Today, we have a very special guest! Our production team worked tirelessly to make this happen! Let me introduce Magical Girl Celine!”

“Ahaha… Hello everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m Celine.”

“Welcome, Celine! You haven’t made many broadcast appearances. What brings you to our talk show today?”

Ten years ago, black holes began appearing worldwide, unleashing monsters upon the unsuspecting populace.

These creatures would emerge, wreak havoc, and retreat through the same portals once their mysterious objectives were met.

Conventional weaponry proved utterly useless against them.

Just as humanity resigned itself to this periodic chaos, a new force emerged.

“[Stop right there, monster! I’ll defeat you with the power of love and justice!]”

Magical girls, adorned in flamboyant, almost childish attire, began to combat these monsters with surprising effectiveness.

Following their dramatic entrance, new magical girls continued to appear, confronting the ongoing threat from the abyss.

Naturally, attempts were made to uncover their secrets.

How did they fight?

What were the monsters’ true nature and purpose?

Were they as young as they appeared?

The public was riddled with questions.

However, the magical girls vanished without a trace after each battle. Grateful for their protection, people gradually accepted their existence.

Then, one day…

“[Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about us, the magical girls.]”

A magical girl’s appearance on public television captivated the world, providing answers to many burning questions.

1. The monsters came from a dimension called “Abyss.” Their goal was interdimensional invasion and harvesting negative energy.

2. Magical girls gained their power through contracts with beings called “Mascots” from another dimension.

3. Unlike the Abyssal creatures, magical girls drew strength from positive human emotions.

4. Magical girls couldn’t identify each other unless one willingly revealed their identity.

Questions about their appearance and age were met with vague explanations. Transformations, influenced by Mascot characteristics, could alter appearances drastically. Contracts were primarily formed with young women due to higher efficiency.

The visible magical girls never appeared older than their early twenties, solidifying this perception.

While many magical girls remained hidden, some embraced public life, appearing as models, actresses, or idols. Some even continued these careers after their contracts ended.

The belief that public exposure increased power through positive emotions became widely accepted. As long as they maintained their transformed state, their identities remained safe.

Celine, the magical girl on TV, was likely there for the same reason.

‘Another poor soul scammed into this,’ I thought.

I wondered what sweet lies lured her in.

Anyone who signed that contract wasn’t thinking straight.

This job offered neither wealth nor true fame.

They rush to battle, defeat monsters, and are met with complaints instead of gratitude.

The constant demands and lack of appreciation quickly eroded any sense of duty or goodwill.

“I’ll continue to do my best! Please support me! And don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel…”

“Tsk.”

-Click.

She was clearly uncomfortable, yet she came here for self-promotion.

If that wasn’t an act, she was unlikely to succeed. The market was saturated with similar personalities.

That was her problem now.

The sight of her made me crave a cigarette.

-Click

“Oh.”

That was my last one.

“…”

A convenience store was nearby, but I hated going outside.

I wished cigarette delivery was legal.

‘Maybe I should just quit.’

It was only 5 PM, the sun still high in the sky.

I loathed the outdoors, especially the sunlight. The thought made me feel itchy.

-Tremble

“…Ha.”

My right hand started shaking. I clenched it with my left, but the tremors spread. Waiting for sunset was out of the question.

-Rustle

I grabbed a gray hoodie and slipped on some shoes.

-Clatter

I removed the chain from the door. My hand still trembled.

‘ Either way, I’m screwed.’

This wasn’t nicotine withdrawal. I knew the difference.

I cursed my body and forced the door open.

-Pop!

“[Han Sejin!!! An Abyssal gateway has opened! I’ve sent you the coordinates!]”

A rabbit-shaped doll materialized, speaking urgently.

-Throb

“…Bunny. I can’t fight right now. Get another magical girl…”

“[You’re the closest! The others are already deployed!]”

“Ha, seriously.”

Mascots and the Abyss never gave me a break.

It was my fault for agreeing to this contract.

“Bunny. I’m handling this and coming back. No piling on extra missions or new gateways after this.”

“[I’ll, I’ll try.]”

‘Transform. Alice.’

-Flash!

My body was enveloped in light. Moments later, a beautiful girl with white hair and blue eyes stood in my place.

My dress and stockings, white and blue, covered every inch of skin except my face, revealing my obsession with modesty. The crescent moon hairpin and wand completed the classic magical girl look.

Transformation only changed my appearance, not my gender.

Inside, I was still male.

“This always feels disgusting.”

‘Prepare for transport. I want this over with.’

The long skirt prevented any indecent exposure, but the air on my legs felt wrong.

“[Your words and thoughts don’t match, Alice?!]”

“Oh.”

Almost slipped up.

I had to watch my language in this form.

“[Anyway, let’s go!]”

“Ahem. Ahem.”

I cleared my throat, focusing my mind, preparing for the familiar disorientation of transport.

-Crash! Boom!

The all-too-familiar sight of an Abyssal monster rampaging through buildings greeted me.

I raised my wand, reciting the dreaded words:

“Infused with starlight and love! Magical Girl Alice, arriving!”

It never got easier.