“Alright, alright, are we done here?”
After a brief climax, as the struggles and wails of the “victim” gradually subsided, the viewers in the livestream also began to dwindle. When the surging dark Magic Power had faded to almost nothing, the man cut off the stream, and the one who had been moaning feebly, tied to the chair like a pile of “sludge”, slowly squirmed back into her original form.
Of course, it wasn’t that so-called gold-digger girl, but a face that, at first glance, seemed completely ordinary.
“Of course, if you feel uncomfortable, you can leave at any time.”
Hearing the man’s pretentious tone, the woman couldn’t help but frown, a wave of anger rising in her heart for no reason. It wasn’t because of his earlier, ineffectual acts of violence, but because of his current attitude.
He was clearly making it known that he believed he had her under his thumb—and in truth, he almost did. She was at a clear disadvantage in this deal, that much was undeniable. But being reminded of it, especially by the person himself, was truly infuriating.
“I must remind you, my weakness is only temporary. Working with you is nothing more than a stopgap. Once I regain my power, I can’t guarantee I won’t settle old scores.”
“You can rest assured on that point. I have never let any collaboration end on an unpleasant note. Until then, please place your trust in me.”
“Oh.”
The woman bit her lip, clenching her fists in secret.
If Tang Mo wasn’t missing right now, how would I have ended up like this?
Who the hell did it—Tang Nai? If she wanted to, she would’ve done it long ago. Could it be that bizarre Irina?
But she could still sense Tang Mo’s faint life force—though so weak that it could no longer provide her with the Magic Power needed to sustain her life. That was also why she was forced to be tangled up with this sanctimonious bastard.
I have to find Tang Mo as soon as possible—if she dies…
Due to Tang Mo’s unique Authority, her Concept Bodies were far more numerous than anyone else’s. Of course, their strengths varied greatly, but among them, a unique being was born.
She had her own thoughts, and later, her own physical form. But she never considered breaking away from Tang Mo to strike out on her own—on the contrary, her greatest meaning for existence was Tang Mo herself, for she was, so-called, a “protective personality.”
She was born from Tang Mo’s desire to protect herself. If Tang Mo died, she wouldn’t survive either. But unfortunately, compared to Tang Mo, she was still too weak, unable to provide much protection. Her existence served more as Tang Mo’s comfort. In comparison, Irina was much more competent.
Even Tang Nai, who used to exploit Tang Mo all the time, didn’t know about her existence. Tang Mo called her, Little Qian.
“…Has there been any progress on what you promised me?”
In the end, Little Qian still let go. Seeing her reaction, Justice was especially pleased. He stepped out of the darkness, and what was shocking was that above his sharp black suit was not the face of a gangster, but a terrifying goat’s head.
His eerie, emotionless yellow square pupils shifted onto Little Qian bit by bit, and now, he found her more and more pleasing to the eye.
Obedient little sheep are the best. Feed them a little now and then, but don’t let them eat their fill all at once. A bit of hunger lingering in their bellies will make them remember their dependence on you even more.
“Though it’s a dangerous job, I am indeed doing my best. At present, I can confirm that within the whole of B City, there are no traces of the kind of Magic Power you’re seeking.”
To be honest, even if Tang Nai were to search, Tang Mo’s Magic Power would be nowhere to be found in B City. Even if the entire Combat Division were mobilized, it would be meaningless.
“If there’s any news, let me know at once—don’t try to hide it from me. Disguise is not the only thing I’m good at.”
Little Qian said fiercely, but in reality, it was a lie.
Disguise was, in fact, the only thing she was good at.
—
At that moment, Tang Mo, who weighed heavily on Little Qian’s mind, was staying in a cheap daily-rent apartment somewhere. Sitting across from her was a pink-haired woman who was constantly drinking.
Tang Mo was still wearing the cloak from a few days ago when she first met Tang Nai, but right now she wasn’t draped in it. Instead, she wrapped herself tightly in it like a blanket, looking every bit like a frightened little girl.
“Who exactly are you?”
“Su Ya.”
“I wasn’t asking for your name. There are thousands upon thousands of Su Yas in the world.”
“That’s not something you’d understand, even if I told you.”
Su Ya was still consuming alcohol. If she drank like this every day, the amount she consumed would be enough for alcohol to replace the blood flowing in her veins.
It was amazing that her liver and kidneys could take it.
“No way. Someone like you couldn’t possibly leave no trace behind. Otherwise, where does your power come from?”
“Do I look like someone with any power?”
Su Ya let out a long breath and spread her hands helplessly.
“Then what about my power? How did you make it disappear?”
“Maybe that was just your imagination? Maybe you’re just a severe chuunibyou girl, who, after reading too many stories about Magical Girls, couldn’t help herself and began to believe she really had powers, going around telling others these strange things and almost getting herself sent to a hospital.”
Su Ya narrowed her eyes, spinning a completely made-up story with a straight face. At that moment, she seemed to have a trace of Su Mu in her—not that, more like Su Mu had a trace of her, just not yet mature.
“Do I look like an elementary schooler?”
“Since when do elementary schoolers wet the bed?”
Hearing Su Ya’s words, tinged with laughter, Tang Mo’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson with shame.
She would never forget the humiliation this woman had brought her.
It was her first time encountering a Magical Girl whose punishments were even more outrageous than Tang Nai’s, and she had the misfortune of experiencing it personally.
“You’re the one who tried to touch my little Mu.”
Su Ya said softly, but her words made Tang Mo instinctively press her knees together.
What a terrifying woman. Maybe not much less scary than Tang Nai…
But remembering certain stories about Tang Nai, Tang Mo quickly shook her head.
No, not even close. That woman could kill her own father without batting an eye. Even if the guy was truly hopeless, most couldn’t be so cold-blooded.
“Go boil some water. I’m tired.”
Su Ya yawned, bossing Tang Mo around. The past few days, Tang Mo had lived at her beck and call.
If only she had the money to buy her a maid outfit—too bad she was strapped for cash lately. At this rate, even little Mu’s tuition was going to become a problem.
Su Ya played with the bottle in her hand, her deep gaze lingering on the price tag stuck to the glass.
Really, she might just end up drinking herself into ruin, but at least it was better than the muddled days before.