Transformation or Death-Chapter 192

Between Names (4)

Beyond the belt communication, Joo Ah-yoon’s excited voice rang in the eardrums. However, her voice was buried by the cannon sounds that were several times louder.

– “What? Brother, you were alive?!”

Han Jae-jung himself, who had started the communication, forgot to answer and blankly looked up.

It was such an unbelievable scene. A space ship battling a giant combined robot. It suddenly felt like the genre had changed. From a magical girl story to a giant mecha story.

‘I hope this ship doesn’t transform or anything….’

Though confusing, as long as it blocks the Scorpion, whatever comes is welcome. Han Jae-jung turned his eyes from the ship and observed the cannon shells piercing the Scorpion.

Unfortunately, it didn’t create any significant wounds. Just a slight scratch. In fact, that alone should be considered remarkable. Creating a wound on the Scorpion’s shell means that ordinary defense mechanisms can be easily penetrated.

– “Hey, you bastard, aren’t you going to answer!!”

“Oh, oh… Right, sorry.”

Perhaps because he was assessing its power level, he delayed his response. Joo Ah-yoon’s voice became even more harsh.

– “I was seriously worried…! I really thought you were dead! You know? This huge armor bastard suddenly appears! Shooting beams! What the hell is that thing….”

How many times did she use the word ‘really’ in this one sentence. He could easily guess her level of panic.

“Hmm… Right. I’m fine, so don’t worry. Where are you now? Can you join up?”

– “Um… Well… There are still many people who haven’t been evacuated.”

With that one phrase, he realized what she had been doing until now. True to form, even in a confused state, she was evacuating citizens.

Han Jae-jung felt unexpectedly proud and spoke in a more relaxed voice.

“…It would be better to finish what you’re doing and come.”

– “Really? Then I’ll finish quickly and join.”

Joo Ah-yoon accepted it without further comment. Originally, she was always sensitive to civilian damage, so this time too, she wanted to evacuate people before the full-scale battle’s aftermath could reach them.

– “So what is that?”

“As you probably expected, it’s the Scorpion. Its true form after the avatar disappeared, just as I mentioned before.”

– “…So you couldn’t catch the main body after all.”

“No, I caught it. It’s just that Paradox played a trick.”

– “Wh-what the hell?! That half-breed son of a bitch!”

For a moment, severe swear words poured out over the communication. Just before her words could make his ears bleed, the cursing stopped, and she collected her emotions to continue.

– “How did you survive at that scene?”

The Scorpion’s true form revealed in an open space. How did he survive when a significantly heavy object fell from the sky, and in the location where the Scorpion was moving its spear and causing the most damage?

“I ran and escaped.”

The answer was extremely simple. Just running.

“I carried those who helped me under my arms and ran hard.”

On the way, he discovered two fallen magical girls and grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and just ran.

He ran in a trance. Somehow to survive, and to save others.

“After taking them to a place that seemed safe, I returned.”

After barely escaping the Scorpion’s threat network, he deliberately walked back into it.

“When I’m going to die anyway, isn’t it better to challenge?”

– “Of course.

What is there to lose when you’re about to die? You have to struggle somehow. Joo Ah-yoon laughed in agreement.

– “I’m waiting.”

With those words, the communication ended.

Han Jae-jung also burst into laughter.

“Huh….”

Unlike just moments ago, his laugh seemed somewhat helpless.

“What a mess.”

It was so surreal he could almost mistake it for an illusion.

The ship’s movement suddenly stopped. The bombardment ceased. The Scorpion had not done anything yet. This meant the cause was inside.

A shadow emerged from the stopped ship and began to roam the collapsed city.

It seemed this shadow’s identity was the reason the ship stopped. A figure wearing a deeply pulled-down hood. Han Jae-jung recognized this person.

“…Botis?”

The one who sends people to the afterlife was right there.

“Bo? Is this idiot still not coming to her senses?”

The Archer began pouring out swear words towards Jason, who had called out a nickname.

“…?”

Jason had no idea what the problem was and could only look puzzled. Seeing this, Jason felt even more frustrated.

“Forget it… Fine, you moron. After being betrayed like that, I thought you’d change a bit, but you’re still the same.”

Seeing this frustrating appearance actually made the Archer feel relieved.

He made a decision.

“You were once a comrade.”

What is qualification? It is a condition and ability.

Soon, it is responsibility.

Like the reason for preventing a child from entering the kitchen. Kitchen knives and flames. Incredibly useful items depending on the situation, but sometimes dangerous weapons that can harm others

It can threaten others’ lives beyond the risk of harming oneself. Therefore, metal and fire must be kept far from the hands of children who are unaware of danger.

Ignorance is far from responsibility. How can one be responsible for something they do not know?

Jason is in such a state.

An uncontrollable ability he himself doesn’t even know about, and a past power that, according to Botis, is equivalent to a beast.

Despite knowing nothing, his potential danger is at its peak.

Moreover, due to his unique personality, he is likely to be used, and there’s a high probability of causing accidents unintentionally.

Just think about when he was in the Argo Family. How many people did he push to their deaths by himself?

The answer is clear with just a bit of consideration

“No matter how I think about it, you’re not suitable.”

Jason is dangerous. The Archer raised his bow, aiming an arrow at him.

“…Comrade. Please reconsider.”

Seeing the arrow pointed at him, Jason looked up and stared directly into the Archer’s eyes.

“You don’t qualify.”

“Qualification? What are you talking about, comrade… Oh, now I understand.”

Jason snapped his fingers as if he had noticed something. It was a playful gesture, but not at all bright. Perhaps because of the situation.

“Is it because I didn’t properly take your side? If that’s the case, I’m sorry. I should have encouraged you more when you went astray… Let’s! Have a drink and forget everything! All the sins you’ve committed against me and the sins I’ve committed against you! And then enjoy again….”

“What nonsense? I’m talking about the qualification of my friend.”

The Archer let out a ridiculous laugh.

“I’m talking about the qualification to possess power. You, who know nothing, have no hesitation in using power! I’m stopping you before you cause an accident!”

Jason was silent for a moment. Because it was absurd and trivial.

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

“Huh….”

Now he was even feeling helpless. The Archer clicked his tongue like a listener hearing a sad story. But it didn’t lead to compassion.

“Then it’s truly unfortunate.”

Huh, Jason scoffed.

“You’re laughing? This bastard still doesn’t understand the situation….”

“Then it’s not funny. A guy trying to kill me is acting like he’s doing me a favor.”

“You motherf….”

“Stop swearing. Who said I can’t swear, you fucking son of a bitch?!”

The Archer was startled. He had never seen Jason raise his voice before. He would always laugh foolishly or, even when serious, never raised his voice in anger.

But now he was exploding with rage. A high and majestic voice like a horn sound. It shook his fingertips and distorted the arrow’s aim.

“Stop swearing. You should graduate from thinking swearing makes you look tough. Stop living like a child forever.”

“I’m not a child!”

Whoosh! The arrow shot with his denial passed by Jason’s ear and disappeared.

“The very act of denying is proof that you’re a child! No one who isn’t a child would think like that!”

Jason didn’t care about the passing arrow and continued speaking.

“Who are you to judge others? To judge and pass sentence? If it were a judgment for a crime, I would accept it. If it were evil, I might have understood. But qualification?”

Huh, Jason let out a hollow laugh again.

“Qualification….”

He repeated the words as if utterly dumbfounded. No matter how difficult the thought, how could he think like this? If he just thought about it a little, he would realize how absurd it is.

“How dare you! Who are you to judge someone else’s qualifications?!”

His voice trembled as he shouted.

“Do you think I want to not know? I want to know! I very much want to know! What is my past and what are my abilities! I have the will but not the ability! Yes! If I could hunt the Scorpion, I would know! If that human friend were here, he would have given me one or two chances!”

“……”

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“But there are people more urgent than me! How could I exchange memories for my life? I am not someone who lacks shame. But what about you?!”

He had caught a clue to the memories. Brazen by nature, he knew how to seize opportunities. He had the will and the strength. Surprisingly, he had good fortune and many who helped him.

“Aren’t you the one who should know more about shame?! How can someone who was originally human know nothing of human ethics and be ungrateful?!”

But he had abandoned all of that. He had caught the thread of memory but thought it was everything, seized opportunities but ruined them through caprice, had strength but didn’t know how to use it correctly. He ignored the grace he had received.

“Please understand shame!”

The Archer was bewildered. What is this guy lecturing me about?

“This half-wit….”

“Yes! I am half-wit. So lend me some strength for that guy. If you’re so great, then restore this fool’s memories. Retrieve the past I’ve lost. If you can’t do that, what right do you have to speak?!”

“Shut up!”

The Archer suddenly became furious and took his hand off the bowstring. This time, he did not miss his aim.

An arrow flew precisely towards Jason’s head.

Boom!

But it did not stick and was instead buried in the ground, drowned out by an unexpected cannon sound.

“Oh, my youngest child!”

A figure laughed heartily, falling from the empty space above their heads.

“Still struggling here! You really seem unable to do anything.”

September. The strange being of the Constellation of Keel.

“…Brother?”

“Ah, right. We’re not brothers anymore.”

The leader of the Argo Family. Jason’s former first brother

“Anyway, long time no see, bastard.”

He appeared.

His sudden appearance in Botis’s Goldilocks Zone was simple.

“Were you defeated by Botis…?”

“Hahaha! I was a bit careless.”

He was defeated by Botis.

***

Ippotranslation

***

“Good.”

Botis smiled and fell from the spacecraft. With this, she had successfully driven all nearby villains into a safe zone.

The remaining villains were the two who chose to remain human, and herself. Three in total. Reducing the number of villains to this extent in a short time was actually quite remarkable.

“Those children… Hmm, what to do.”

After pondering, she decided to respect their will. She didn’t want to take away the work of those contributing to maintaining peace.

“Where did you send my brother!”

“Where are you going!”

“Aaah! Brother…! Brotheeer…!!!”

“This damn… I’ll slice the ship and make it into sundae…!”

Angry cries erupted from inside the ship. In an instant, those who had lost their leader began to wander. They were beings neither human nor villain, in between. There was no obligation to protect them.

“Haha, being resented.”

More importantly, she had too many tasks ahead to drain her strength prematurely.

Botis quickly moved across the city in a straight line. The places that should have been filled with buildings were all destroyed, leaving no obstacles. It wasn’t a perfect path, but it was comfortable enough to run.

In her green eyes reflected the image of the Scorpion. An image that others would never imagine as a Scorpion. Barely any trace of the original arthropod remained. Only the armor’s luster, weapons, and decorations hinted at its original form.

“Haha.”

Botis laughed dryly. She had known about it through knowledge until now, but seeing it directly was different. Is this why they say experience is important?

With just a little movement, it could smash iron bars like twigs, and each emanating energy was lethal. The moment one is hit by its poison, one must be prepared for fatal damage.

Just a slight touch could be fatal, yet no matter how many attacks are launched at it, it’s hard to even scratch its surface.

Confronting the Scorpion is foolish. That’s why she isolated the other villains to prevent them from doing anything reckless.

“I should have done that too.”

Unfortunately, before that resolution could be made, I had already acted. Even if I were to hear reproaches, I had to turn my back, but that was impossible.

“For the sake of peace, dangerous elements must be eliminated.”

Humanity cannot be trusted. If that Scorpion were to annihilate humanity and disappear, wouldn’t one have to fear every day when it might emerge again?

So, this opportunity must be used to eliminate it.

I cannot trust people. I have abandoned the futile expectation that they could solve everything among themselves.

This was the case even before becoming a villain.

After Sky Polaris died, I had been trying my best to protect the world in my own way. I had many trustworthy colleagues and respected mentors.

Although younger in age, they looked approximately the same age, and there was much to learn, so I followed them like a mentor. There was no reason to be hurt in my pride.

From ancient times, it was said that if even a small thing provides enlightenment, that is a mentor. Humans learn from inanimate things like the moon or river, and from animals like deer or birds, so how could there be a reason not to learn just because someone is young?

What I learned from my mentor was technique and the attitude of living life.

From a young age, she was greatly influenced by her mentor who had experienced all kinds of hardships. Of course, she was also influenced by her closest friend.

They always aimed for one path. Peace. A stable world where no one would blame each other and where there would be no fighting.

Both indirectly and directly, that intention created ripples in her heart and made her dream of the same ideology.

“What are you thinking?”

Someone woke her from her momentary reminiscence. Rolling her eyes fixed on the Scorpion to look beside her, there was Han Jae-jung. Although his form was that of a villain, he was ultimately human.

“What am I thinking?”

Botis did not attack him. He did not attack her either. Although they were enemies and had never shared personal feelings, they both knew what the other was planning.

Because their gazes were focused on one thing.

“The plan is to take that down.”

“What sudden whim is this?”

“Oh, a whim?”

Botis laughed softly. It was a sneer, but not directed at him.

“I have been consistent from the beginning.”

Not even once had it been a whim.

‘You have no intention of helping me, right?’

She recalled Paradox’s words from the past. To Botis, who had approached offering cooperation after bringing the Scorpion, Paradox had abruptly said those words.

‘But you also have no intention of stopping me. Perhaps you’ve given up from the start because you can’t stop me.’

It was right on target. But she did not admit it.

‘As expected, you know the danger well, being a victim. That’s right. For you, neither I nor the Scorpion can be stopped.’

But manipulation would be possible.

Botis responded, getting irritated. Paradox heard the response and suddenly giggled, repeatedly nodding her head.

‘Yes. That’s right. Good. That attitude. I also do not want this insect to destroy the world… I’ll quietly close my eyes to that manipulation. Just tell me the method, and I’ll offer advice.’

Botis, judging that she couldn’t deceive Paradox, told him what she was planning.

After listening to the story quietly, Paradox offered her a few pieces of advice and readily accepted Botis’s proposal.

If he were in her right mind, he would not have agreed. It was fortunate that he was crazy.

‘But then it’s not fair. You can’t get anything from the Scorpion. Aren’t you sad about the lost memories?’

‘…Not really.’

‘Is that so? I understand your opinion. But I dislike it. This is an unbalanced deal. You must simply accept the memories.’

Paradox said this and handed Botis a tiny Scorpion. So small it could be stepped on and killed, like a beetle. Who would think of this as the most ferocious beast?

‘Kill it. You will obtain the memories you lost.’

If a devil made a proposal, would it feel like this? She had always acted based on the obligation of achieving peace for villains, without personal emotions. However, the moment the words of recovering memories were spoken, it was true that she felt tempted.

Curiosity that everyone has, an intellectual desire to complete one’s self. How many would refuse this?

Botis was also one of those.

In the end, Botis killed the Scorpion according to that proposal.

She still regrets that choice to this day.

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