Chapter 5: Back on the Clock

Abyssal monsters caused significant damage, but they weren’t truly dangerous, not in the world-ending sense.

Their goal was negative energy, most efficiently harvested from human despair, regret, anger, and sadness.

Killing a few humans was efficient, but wiping out humanity would eliminate their source.

They strategically targeted multiple dimensions to sustain themselves. Earth was their hunting ground, their mine. They wouldn’t destroy it.

…If a magical girl was caught thinking this way, it would be a media frenzy.

But I didn’t care. I wasn’t a magical girl for fame, fortune, or a sense of duty. I was bound by a contract.

Was I living the high life because of this? Hardly.

-Clatter

‘…Need to take out the trash.’

I wasn’t the tidiest person, but I handled the basics.

It was dark out; unlikely to run into anyone. I put on my hood, grabbed the trash bags, and headed out.

The cool air sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly dumped the trash and turned back.

“Um… Hello…?”

“…”

“Going out for a bit? It’s a bit chilly to be dressed like that…”

My annoying neighbor again. I stared at her blankly. She fidgeted, then changed the subject.

“D-Did you enjoy the rice cakes? D-Did they taste alright? My parents always say you should be friendly with your neighbors, in case you need someone to call an ambulance if a monster attacks…”

I threw them away. I wasn’t about to trust food from strangers. Appearances could be deceiving. Besides, I didn’t like rice cakes.

I wasn’t rude enough to say that, though. I just nodded.

“Oh… That’s good. This is my first time living alone… Hehe. How old are you? The landlord said you’ve lived here a long time…”

She kept talking. My frown deepened. This was going to be a problem.

“I… appreciate the concern, but… I’m not comfortable around people.”

“Oh…”

“Please leave me alone.”

That was polite enough, right? Being outright hostile might make her think I was approachable. Plus, I didn’t want to escalate things unnecessarily.

“O-Of course! Then…”

“…Goodbye.”

-Clatter

“Uh… G-Goodbye!”

She still seemed eager to chat, despite my clear rejection. I hurried back inside. Most people would take the hint. Was she not used to being rebuffed?

‘She probably had a sheltered upbringing.’

Her petite stature, cute features, and friendly demeanor suggested a history of positive social interactions. Plus, her surprisingly mature figure likely contributed to her… appeal.

Not to me, though.

A young woman was my worst-case scenario. They triggered my deepest anxieties.

And no, I hadn’t suddenly developed a fondness for women due to my magical girl activities.

‘11:58 PM…’

I smoked on the terrace, watching the final minutes of my precious break tick by.

What did I do for two days?

…Nothing, really. Just avoided fighting monsters. I played games, read novels. My only joy was consuming new releases, though even that had become mechanical.

-Whoosh

The cold wind highlighted the warmth of the cigarette between my fingers. Winter was approaching.

Halloween was next, wasn’t it?

‘Another festival…’

-Hiss

Another day celebrating foreign ghosts.

Abyssal monsters didn’t take holidays. They exploited them.

It was simple logic. They craved negative emotions. Crushing the heightened expectations surrounding festivals was a prime opportunity.

It wasn’t just Halloween. Long weekends, major anniversaries…

New Year’s, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Children’s Day, Chuseok, Christmas…

…Most of those were for couples.

Well, I guess one partner’s despair fueled the other’s, creating a double dose of negative energy.

Ugh, a magical girl shouldn’t be thinking like this.

‘11:59:50 PM.’

Lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed the time.

Why was I waiting for my break to end?

55 seconds.

Unlike most people with morning jobs,

57 seconds.

This wonderful job of being a magical girl…

59 seconds.

Required me to protect strangers…

00 seconds.

-Ding!

“[Han Sejin! Deployment!]”

…Day and night, year-round.

Working, resting, sleeping… Always ready. Such a glamorous profession.