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The biggest obstacle was figuring out how to get into the spaceship that was supposed to fly through space.

Of course, it was obvious that the upper part of the spaceship was exceptionally smooth. Was it not made to be a battleship? There were none of the usual emplacements you’d find on such a vessel.

“…Should we just smash it with a hammer?”

“Uh, that might be a problem since we’re about to fly into space.”

James replied in a rather serious tone.

Would the circuit really protect us in space? Hmm, I was a bit skeptical. It might block enemy attacks, but it wouldn’t completely alleviate pain.

I couldn’t remember clearly, but I heard that beyond the stratosphere, the air pressure drops rapidly, it gets extremely cold and hot, and there’s crazy radiation.

There’s no way we could just endure it.

“Hey, over there! Rose!”

Ha-yoon suddenly shouted, glancing to the side. I turned around after seeing her waving one hand energetically and there were Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium.

The three quickly flew over and landed. Well, to be more precise, it was more of a matter of stepping down than actually landing.

“What’s this?”

Despite landing elegantly, Rose’s expression was more bewildered than just astonished.

“Why on earth is this thing underground?”

“We were all just curious about that.”

As I spoke while glancing at James, he turned away, looking like he was aware that his current situation wasn’t great.

“…We should get inside this thing first. Anyone have a good idea? We don’t have much time, especially since our altitude is still increasing.”

“…I think I know where the hatch is.”

Jua, who had been lost in thought until then, spoke up.

“It seems the spaceship itself was built by Noir Corporation, but most spaceships have designated entrances. They need to dock at a space airport after all.”

“Isn’t that different from aircraft?”

“Aircraft have stairs that you can climb up, but a space airport has trouble securing such space. In really huge facilities, the whole ship can fit, but usually, you use an airlock to enter.”

So, there’s some sort of ‘standard’ to it. Makes sense. Even if they made it considering that they’d produce it inside the spaceship for the time being, they’d have to be able to dock at airports controlled by other factions. No matter how much they’re thinking about becoming space pirates, they have to stick to standard regulations.

“So, where’s that entrance?”

“…It should be on the side of the spaceship, typically.”

Jua slowly walked up the side of the ship. For some reason, the spaceship hadn’t built up speed yet, but it was gradually rising faster. It was likely that we wouldn’t be able to stay up here for long.

“Here. This way.”

Jua pointed down with one hand while holding her gun, indicating the direction they should go.

“Usually, it’s around here on the side.”

I looked down at what was in front of me.

It was gently sloped overall, but since it was streamlined, it was clear that just walking down there blindly would likely lead to a slip.

“Of course, the door would be closed, right?”

Jua nodded.

“What if we blew the door up? Could it protect us after we get inside?”

“If this spaceship was built according to at least the minimum standard safety regulations, there should be an emergency hatch inside. Space is dangerous after all,” James said.

“Alright.”

I took a long breath.

So, that means we just need to open the door.

Could I really open it by flying parallel to the ship and hammering at the door?

I thought it might be difficult.

While I could fly parallel, wielding a hammer would be the issue. If my body isn’t properly stabilized in the air, I wouldn’t be able to transmit the force effectively.

“…”

I briefly looked around before finally spotting James, who had landed at my feet.

“What are you staring at?”

“Hey, James.”

I said.

“That drone, it’s running on the circuit, right?”

“…It’s different from the circuits on your wrists. This is a resonance circuit.”

“But anyway, it’s still powered by us, right?”

I grabbed James’s drone and lifted him off the ground.

Setting the squirming James on my shoulder, I charged forward enthusiastically.

“Wait a sec, Ji-eun!?”

“If you hear an explosion, come down! I’ll wait at the hatch!”

I shouted and headed toward the door Jua had mentioned.

*

The resonance circuit had enough energy to break the door’s locking mechanism.

To be precise, it was a result of my power added to the burst of the circuit.

“Wow… how could I be so… unthinking.”

“That’s how it was for me when I first transformed.”

I replied while brushing off the dust on my clothes.

What good was it to say that to someone who had transformed by overflowing and exceeding 100% multiple times?

“Eek!?”

Ji-hye, who had been nestled against Ha-yoon, let out a cute scream and rolled in, followed closely by Ha-yoon.

Rose crashed against the wall and entered afterward, and soon Jua, Dalia, and Delphinium all tumbled in.

The spaceship was flying much faster than we had anticipated, and the open door allowed wind to rush inside uncontrollably.

Delphinium, the last one to enter, immediately stood up and yanked the emergency hatch closed with all her might.

“…That was a close one.”

Thinking back, I recalled hearing that the door wouldn’t close or wouldn’t open at such high altitudes.

As soon as the door slammed shut, the roaring wind that had pierced our ears vanished like it was a lie.

“Haah…”

I took a long breath.

“Now that we’ve come this far, we really have no choice but to move forward.”

Dalia said incredulously.

“There’s no way we can just let it go.”

“Who said anything about just letting it go? It’s just how it is.”

Dalia flashed a smile at me.

“Still, we can’t just let someone who did something like that go, right?”

That was such a classic magical girl thing to say, I liked it.

I looked around.

Everyone’s appearance was not great. No matter how much Delphinium manipulated the wind to move away the smoke, and Ji-hye cast protective magic to shield us, there was no escaping the grime on our bodies.

Our hair was also frizzy, and there were scrapes and bruises all over.

Yet, oddly, everyone was showing no signs of exhaustion. None of them had expressions of regret about making it this far.

I glanced at Ji-hye. She was the same. Despite having become a magical girl for the first time today and having no weapon in her hands, she just locked eyes with me, looking serious.

Ha-yoon looked like it was perfectly normal for her to be here. Plus, Cherry, who was clinging to Ha-yoon’s shoulder, looked the same.

James was the only one who seemed a bit anxious.

“Phew.”

I took a long breath.

Is this finally the end?

If I can unveil the conspiracy hidden within this spaceship, catch the chairman, and take control of the ship to return to Earth, would that be the conclusion?

I didn’t know.

For some reason, I sensed that it wouldn’t end with just that. The Federation was still on Earth, and there were likely companies similar to Noir Corporation in other countries.

Entities that had created this technology might be causing similar issues somewhere on Earth.

But then again, I can’t just close my eyes to what’s happening in front of me.

Above all—

Right. The ones who put me here were precisely the people from Noir Corporation.

“Let’s go.”

No need for lengthy words.

Just that was enough for everyone to nod.

I raised the hammer high.

The hammer that hadn’t flinched even once throughout this journey was still heavy.

I swung it, deforming the door right in front of me dreadfully.

*

The spaceship was surprisingly automated.

Even though we, not knowing the internal structure, were desperately running around and smashing things, no one appeared. Not even alien crew members who should have been on board an alien spaceship.

In the silence, not a sound could be heard, with only the automated robots roaming about.

We advanced carefully, taking down those that shot beams and spat out metal bullets aimed at us.

“…Resonance circuit.”

Jua muttered as she observed the circuits inside the robots.

While they surely wouldn’t be powered by us, these robots must have been using energy similar to that used to operate the ship.

And what that energy source was, we could easily find out.

We quickened our pace.

From the outside, it looked like the design had no windows, but there were devices that allowed us to see outside the ship.

It seemed there were cameras mounted all over the exterior, and screens were stationed in the corridors, resembling windows in a way.

The sky was turning a darker shade of black, and the undulating horizon was now round to the point that it held no meaning.

As a child, I would imagine soaring into space with my heart racing, but now my heart was racing for a different reason.

Can we return?

If Cherry and James cooperated in driving, we might be able to return, but…

“…”

No, now isn’t the time to think about that.

In the worst-case scenario, I could warp away with the kids.

At the very least, I know how to use my power now.

*

Bang!

Even if I hadn’t thoroughly searched the colossal ship, there were many hints about where the important areas were.

Especially James and Cherry, who had seen such ships frequently, were quite helpful.

Thus, we managed to find our way up to the ‘bridge’.

“…”

That bridge was much larger than I had imagined. Considering the entire spaceship was streamlined overall, it wasn’t unreasonable to think so.

It seemed to totally utilize the uppermost front section of the ship I had seen from the outside.

The rounded ceiling was entirely a screen, as if the night sky had unfolded above us, and in front, there should have been an area filled with people sitting, as was normal.

It had the atmosphere of a spaceship bridge out of a cartoon, yet it felt odd to see it so empty of people.

And right in the center, where I felt there should be a ‘captain’.

“…Finally, I see you.”

I stepped forward and spoke.

His hair was dark but had some reddish highlights. Like a ‘boss character’ in a story, his hair wasn’t completely straight; the ends curled slightly.

While his hair flowed down his back, I didn’t find him particularly attractive on a mental level.

“Are you the chairman?”

Even in this situation, I couldn’t dare call him by that name straight out as I spoke.

The chairman slowly turned around.

His skin was as red as I had seen from the old man last time. It wasn’t that a person with white skin turned red from embarrassment, but his skin was naturally a deep, red hue.

Could a demon from a fantasy novel have such skin?

However, instead of horns, he had antennae.

Like the pair of hair that popped out on Pang-pang’s head.

“…Congratulations on making it this far.”

He responded calmly, more than I expected.

He didn’t look scared at all upon seeing us either.

He simply stood there with his arms crossed, wearing a relaxed expression.

“Did you think I’d just let you go? Can’t you see what you’ve done to me?”

“I hold no personal feelings. I apologize.”

He sure has some rehearsed lines.

“…Isn’t it impressive?”

As he took a few steps toward us, he looked up.

I wasn’t sure what was impressive, considering this was my first time on a spaceship and had no idea what was expected.

“Can you believe how automated this is? Normally, there’d be a lot of crew members and it’d be a complete mess.”

“…”

“Don’t you think this is the future? Right?”

“A ship built with Earthlings turned into something else is the future?”

“Not even true Earthlings, right?”

The chairman said.

“It’s a bit risky, but that technology is real. Why do you think your government hasn’t made a proper announcement yet?”

If they say they ‘can produce it,’ then they would definitely face ethical issues.

If anyone on Earth could reproduce their own kind in a factory, they’d have an extreme aversion to it.

And the company the government is allied with is exactly the type that creates such things.

“That’s quite a stretch.”

The chairman said.

“We too have ethical rules. What would happen if we kidnapped a real Earthling and modified them? Instead… we made something similar by using some references. Just like how you breed livestock.”

“Wild pigs and domestic pigs probably have very little genetic difference.”

Just like wolves and dogs.

On my remark, the chairman fell silent.

“Is it true that you didn’t fully differentiate them?”

Was that his way of admitting defeat?

No, even if they were differentiated, even if their genetic differences were as pronounced as between humans and monkeys—

“What happened to the ‘people’ you referenced when you first created such beings?”

To examine the genes, you must have an original subject.

More importantly.

“…What about those who existed before me?”

Right.

Now that I think about it, how come I didn’t consider this?

Why did I think I was the only one special?

There had originally been five magical girls. That meant that there were five individuals who could transform by holding hope.

And those who could operate the despair circuits were simply littering the ground.

So—at the very least, there must have been someone from Noir Corporation who had the possibility of creating the first despair circuit.

I’m not the only being existing uniquely—there might have been someone who could surely operate the circuit even before me.

The first ‘normal control group.’

The company must have had information before scouting me, who had a high adaptability rate.

The chairman was momentarily silent in response to my questions.

The kids behind me seemed to be staring at me.

It looked like they realized what I wanted to say most urgently.

“It was a necessary sacrifice.”

In the end, the words the chairman released were once again rehearsed lines.

“Necessary sacrifices. Just like what the Federation did.”

He added, almost as an excuse.

“You’re the same, right? The generator you’re holding. They also gathered people to create that. By turning that generator and resolving Earth’s energy crisis, it brought immense development to the entire universe, right? Isn’t that why you were gathering magical girls and heroes?”

“…”

“We were only one person. You were the second. What’s the problem with wanting to do something similar?”

“At the very least, from our perspective—”

“What should we do if we’re in the same situation?”

As Ha-yoon stepped forward to speak, the chairman cut her off.

“I made a proposal, you accepted, and that’s why we conducted the research.”

“Yeah. Just like me. Right?”

I retorted.

“You gained a lot, didn’t you? That girl did too.”

From behind, I heard someone drawing in a breath.

“At the very least, that girl’s family doesn’t have to be poor anymore.”

There was no need to hear more.

I lunged forcefully at the chairman.

Zing.

My hand gripping the hammer felt a jolt. The hammerhead hit something very solid, and thanks to that, I couldn’t crush the chairman.

Should I be thankful?

“…So, you really had to do it this way?”

The chairman said, looking incredulous.

“Sad, isn’t it? There’s so much we could have gained together.”

The chairman smiled slightly.

His body passed through the hammer.

A hologram.

A painfully clear hologram.

“Well, I expected that. If we could have communicated, we’d have done so long ago.”

“You…”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m still nearby. Of course I am. This ship is mine. I can’t let you take it easily. I’m just not in the same space as you.”

The chairman leaned in closer, grinning at me.

“But just because we’re on the same ship doesn’t mean you can meet me.”

The chairman said in a whisper.

“This ship is my ship. While it may be crafted by another, I decorated the inside, you see? I certainly didn’t think there would be a need to fight inside it.”

“…”

“Isn’t it kind of romantic to think of this as your grave? I’ll be sure to give you a proper burial. Just like in the old days, when we first began space exploration. Since you’re also entities that are trying to pave a new way of your own, I’ll provide a proper space funeral for you.”

Clang.

Following those words, I heard something unlocking around us.

“…Ji-eun.”

Ha-yoon said in a tense voice.

I looked up.

Walls of the bridge opened.

The ceiling did too.

And beyond that were numerous monsters latched to the walls, as if they were imprisoned.

They had the appearance of Earthlings.

Of course, they were equipped with circuits on their chests without a second thought.

“One by one, the circuits are shabby. I admit that. I don’t have the technological prowess of that squeaky adult over there.”

The chairman’s voice echoed.

“But, if the numbers increase… you know? Mass-produced items have their advantages compared to handmade ones.”

When I looked down again, the chairman’s figure had vanished.

“…”

Is that so?

I see.

Does this mean they’ve been digging their grave as well?

But—

“…Who said anyone came here to die?”

I murmured while looking up at the ceiling.

“Exactly.”

Rose, who was behind me, smacked her palm and said.

“We came here to win.”

“The only thing a magical girl does is one thing,” Ha-yoon said.

“To catch the bad guys. Right, Ji-eun?”

Smiling at me, Ha-yoon, I shrugged my shoulders.

It’s a given!

 

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