Transformation or Death

Let’s Be Close Friends (1)

Seven green orbs of light, those seven stars, burst forth from Han Jae-jung’s body, circled the sky, and then returned to his body. The green starlight enveloped him, cladding his frail flesh in armor.

Bluish-red energy swirled to form a yin-yang, spinning above the heart of Paradox. The colors invaded and mixed with each other, growing dull and dark, eventually clinging to the entire body of Paradox. It transformed into an armor of equal parts red and blue.

Suddenly, a scarf sprang up around Han Jae-jung’s neck, curving and fluttering in the shape of the Big Dipper.

The armor of Paradox was decorated with precisely symmetrical golden lines, resembling Mondrian’s artwork transposed onto armor.[t/n: Piet Mondrian is an artist on the 18th century]

“I’d like to ask.”

“Ask.”

Their arms crossed, and their outstretched fingers pointed at each other.

“Can you stop me?”

Their fingers curled, and their raised hands became fists.

Those fists were pulled back for a moment, and then they thrust them towards each other.

The fists collided, and a powerful shockwave was generated. The wind carried the impact, creating crack-like lines on the walls and floor.

“That’s good.”

“I don’t think so at all.”

Pulling back his fist, which was transmitting a stinging pain, he took a few steps back. Looking at the other’s eyes, he saw them now tinged with both blue and red, a sign that the principle of Paradox had been activated.

‘How the hell do I deal with this?’

He couldn’t just perish here. But he couldn’t win or lose either. What a troublesome ability. If it had been simply brute strength, there would have been an answer.

As the other had said, it was an ambush. If he had at least closed his eyes, he might have had the upper hand, but unfortunately, that did not seem to be the case.

“Can’t you at least close your eyes for a sneak attack?”

“Haha, just kidding.”

Unfortunately, it had been serious.

“Annoying bastard…”

Paradox was irritated to a degree that could be compared to a late autumn mosquito.

It was against common sense for him to appear now, before even completing his growth, like in the original work, where he would only shamble in towards the end.

[A quest has been triggered.]

The quest, which had not sounded until now, considering his physical condition, had appeared. Was it because he had transformed, and there was no need to be discreet since he would be moving his body anyway?

Han Jae-jung gritted his teeth inwardly, lamenting the lack of allies who could be of help to him.

However, faithfully completing the quest would still earn him stars, strength, and memories, so it was not entirely useless.

[Please relocate the villain in front of you to the current location.]

There were multiple magical girls in the nearby hospital. He could even drag his ailing body and deploy them. It was a reasonable quest.

“I accept.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“That’s too much.”

Paradox openly displayed his disappointment. The conversation was disappointing, but the power was not. Regaining his smile quickly, Paradox clenched and unclenched his fist, verifying his own strength.

It was vastly superior to before.

“But the power is not like that, and it’s honest. It’s much softer and substantial than the words.”

“Listen.”

“Yes, what is it?”

Han Jae-jung pointed his thumb towards the hospital behind him.

“Let’s move the location. There’s a high chance of someone interfering here. The balance you like so much might be disrupted.”

Understanding the context, Paradox nodded.

“Thank you for the consideration. You’re absolutely right. Besides, a lot of public property would be damaged here. As a villain who doesn’t pay taxes, I feel a little guilty indulging in destruction. Okay, let’s move.”

Still, he was a strange one whose words made sense.

As Paradox turned to cross the crosswalk, Han Jae-jung suddenly spoke up.

“Megrez.”

“Yes?”

“Bring out the bike. You’ve copied my power, so you should have it.”

“Yours is… Ah, I’m sorry.”

“The one you destroyed is still alive. I’ll claim compensation later, so keep your wallet safe.”

“You’re surprisingly strong-willed in the end. Should I call it shameless?”

“Shut up.”

Paradox obediently activated the copied stars. Countless green vein-like lines were drawn across his body, and countless light particles burst forth from his outstretched hand, coalescing into the form of a vehicle.

In an instant, it took the shape of a sleek-looking motorcycle.

“Well done.”

Han Jae-jung naturally sat on it, placing his hands on the handlebars. With a deep, heavy vibration, the motorcycle started.

“Why are you operating it so naturally?”

“What’s the problem with me handling my own thing?”

“Hmm… You’re right. It’s reasonable.”

Paradox sat down behind Han Jae-jung.

“Ugh, it’s disgusting to have a villain riding behind me. You hook onto the place I just touched after I’ve lifted the bike.”

He tapped the spot where Paradox should hold on.

“You’re gradually becoming more shameless… Well, it’s fine. I didn’t make an appointment and came here today, so I’ll respect it.”

As Han Jae-jung launched the motorcycle, Paradox firmly grasped the spot he had just indicated.

The motorcycle, emitting strong flames, soared through the sky.

This unique ability, the Heaven-Folding Technique, the high-speed movement akin to teleportation, was once again a great aid.

It only took a few seconds to reach the quiet mountain road, devoid of people.

“Whew, my arm almost came off… Ah.”

As the desired scenery came into view, Han Jae-jung immediately turned off the engine and caused the motorcycle to plummet downwards.

“Oho.”

“Got you.”

[The quest has been completed.]

Hearing the success sound of the belt, he jumped off the motorcycle, using it as a support.

[SET. Retroaction.]

Paradox quickly removed his hands from the bike, but he was not as prepared as Han Jae-jung. He started to fall downwards in an unstable posture.

Boom!

Paradox fell first, and the motorcycle followed, falling beside him.

Lastly, Han Jae-jung remained in the sky. The green starlight wrapped around his right hand shone with an exalted brilliance.

The fist, infused with the power of the stars, struck Paradox.

It resembled the falling of a star.

But from his perspective, it felt like the star was rising back up rather than falling.

[Retroaction manifestation successful. Replication rate 100%.]

Therefore, the manifestation of Retroaction was successful.

The shockwave generated was far stronger than the one from the previous fist exchange. 

The mere aftershock tore apart the surrounding trees, and the fallen leaves burst up like boiling oil. Amidst the commotion, Paradox’s shield trembled.

“Impressive… Well done!”

Pushing the shield, Paradox Deflected the fist. Han Jae-jung clicked his tongue loudly.

“However, I’m not yet satisfied. What I want is power that is far stronger than this.”

Switching his grip, the shield split in half, and a long handle extended from within. Following the handle, the other half of the split shield came together, forming a spear blade.

It was a crude-looking spear, with an imbalanced center of gravity and an unsharpened edge. Yet, it was ferocious.

A weapon imbued with the power of the stars, no matter how unsightly, was a formidable weapon. Especially one that was a familiar weapon.

“Alright, show me your full power. That’s why I came here today to confirm it.”

The dialogue that had been somewhat moderate until now had vanished, and a thick malice was boiling between them.

[SET. Seven-Star Step Bogak.]

“If that’s what you want, I’ll oblige.”

Amidst that malice, Han Jae-jung decided one thing.

“But you may end up dying… Don’t complain, since it’s your choice.”

“Hahaha, then that would be one answer as well.”

Paradox had no intention of killing the magical girls or himself for now.

“But.”

He had not yet reached the level he desired. That is why his current goal is growth.

His purpose today was, as he had just heard, to confirm his current strength and decide how to proceed from here.

“It won’t be easy.”

From Paradox’s spear, an even more concentrated, viscous malice oozed out. This malice took the form of starlight and gathered on the spearhead of the shield-shaped blade.

The first step was fear. Han Jae-jung took a step back. With that step, a green ring was formed around his leg.

Paradox charged forward. Wielding the spear imbued with the same power as Han Jae-jung, he struck a powerful blow. In response, a green ring appeared on the spear.

Han Jae-jung leaped to avoid the blow, but it was the tree behind him that was cut down. As the tree fell, its trunk fell towards him.

He stretched his legs back. The fallen tree trunk became a foothold. A hot footprint penetrated the tree bark.

The second step. Another ring was overlaid above the one that had just formed on his leg.

Han Jae-jung ran again. Paradox swung the spear once more. The second swing. A second ring formed on the spear.

Rotating his body in the air, he evaded the blow while simultaneously attempting the Seven-Star Step with his other leg, a sharp kick from above to below.

Paradox bent his waist backward, avoiding the kick.

In the end, the only victims were the innocent trees and leaves. The falling tree was split in half, narrowly missing their heads and hitting the ground.

Thud.

The heavy sound caused a cloud of sawdust and other wood particles to rise.

At that sound, the two moved again.

The third step.

The third blow.

As Han Jae-jung moved forward, he simultaneously twisted his body to the side. The spear of Paradox passed through the empty space he had created.

Two more blows rained down, and Han Jae-jung successfully evaded all of them with just two steps.

The fourth, fifth steps and blows.

Paradox had no intention of killing Han Jae-jung. At least not before seeing his full power.

That’s why this exchange was possible, it was based on Paradox’s absolute trust.

The trust that Han Jae-jung could gather his strength while evading all of his attacks.

Han Jae-jung also understood Paradox’s trust. He combined the predicted paths transmitted by the belt and his instincts to evade the attacks, effectively reciprocating Paradox’s trust.

But he couldn’t just avoid them either. The fact that whatever he did would end up benefiting Paradox was irritating.

“How annoying.”

“It’s always been that way, hasn’t it? Just get used to it.”

“Shut up.” 

Paradox swung the spear from where he stood. In response, Han Jae-jung stomped his foot in place.

Another ring was overlaid on the halo.

The sixth blow and step.

To complete the technique, only one thing remained.

The two stared at each other, continuing the standoff.

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