Dark Hero! Enter!

(Bai Ziye)

While it couldn't instantly kill, UI-31 still demonstrated terrifying suppressive power against ordinary Monster.

Although this bull-like Monster was twice as strong as him, he was easily toyed with. Although he seemed to have thick skin and flesh, he was already riddled with holes. His body had been scratched by the Werewolf with several shocking lacerations, and he was bleeding profusely. It was only a matter of time before he died.

He didn't even need to use his trump card, Burst Mode, to completely defeat the Monster.

"This guy's all battered and bruised. I thought he wasn't that strong, but it turns out he's pretty tough?"

That's what Metal said; she seems to have underestimated the UI-31.

Ceruno quickly explained, "We were facing a witch before, and even though it was just a clone, her strength was incomparable to that of ordinary Monster, and she even brought equipment specifically designed to counter her... But, the Association actually broadcast the entire battle with the Werewolf live? I thought it would be cut off."

I replied, "If SpiCa were to judge, it would definitely have been cut off, but it didn't. It must have been Sirius's requirement, right?"

Will Miss SpiCa listen to Miss Sirius?

"Your father's intentions are still unclear, so she can't afford to abandon Sirius as an ally right now."

Bang bang.

A knock on the door.

"Oh, it seems you're back."

Metal got up to open the door.

Wow! What's that dog...? Huh?

The Golden ran in from outside and rubbed against my leg.

This reaction is more like a cat's than a dog's.

Is this your dog?

"Yes, its name is the Golden."

As I introduced him, Ceruno said, "... Yezi, how come you lost Goldie when you went out?"

"You might not believe it, but I was facing a crisis of chastity, and Goldie is so smart, I knew it could get it back."

"Woof!"

"Huh? A chastity crisis?"

I put my hand on Ceruno's shoulder and said seriously, "I've met the perfect man from urban legends."

Even though she still didn't understand after I explained it, I didn't want to explain it to her.

"But why isn't UI-31 back yet?"

"Woof!"

The Golden spat out a ore-like object from its mouth, Ceruno picked up wrapped in a tissue.

"Huh? This is Simulacrum Factor."

"Was it that Monster from earlier?"

Metal took the Simulacrum Factor from Ceruno, and without caring about the dirt, examined it closely.

"It was probably tracked by the Association's drones and then dropped off here when it passed by... No, it might have been given to this dog... given to the Golden to bring over. If it came back now, it might expose my identity, so I probably ran away because of that consideration?"

A reasonable analysis.

"That guy runs very fast, easily outrunning the drone. I don't think there's anything to worry about."

Moreover, they are incredibly resilient, giving the impression that they would crawl out of the ruins even in the face of the apocalypse.

Metal added, "However, my repair costs won't be that cheap. After all, there are so many Simulacrum Factor that they're practically worthless! I might consider it if it were his own..."

"No."

I interrupted Metal.

"The Simulacrum Factor of other Monster can enhance his abilities, and he made a great decision to entrust this to you."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Metal put the Simulacrum Factor into his pocket.

"Then I'll take it for now and sell it to him next time he comes."

Are you a demon?

"Oh dear, it's already midnight."

On the taxi ride home, I glanced at the time.

"Woof!"

Golden and Ceruno sat in the back row, the latter holding the Doggy and looking quite sleepy.

"Are you tired? You have a press conference to attend tomorrow, go home and get some sleep."

"Mmm."

The only response I received was Dream Murmur snoring.

I took out my phone and started looking through UI-31's battle log. The process wasn't particularly interesting; it was a one-sided stomp, so there wasn't much to learn. The main point was the evaluation: what kind of reaction would this being, who was nothing like a magical girl and even more like Monster, provoke online?

"..."

[Dark Hero].

That's what UI-31 was called.

I admit his mechanical-style armor is indeed very cool, but the complete lack of negative feedback is still unexpected. Don't people have any doubts?

The scene of him extracting the Simulacrum Factor from the Monster's body was also captured on camera. The Association, which usually cuts off the live broadcast when the Monster falls, unusually chose to live-stream tracking UI-31 this time. The latter did not damage the drone, but quickly fled the scene and disappeared into the complex factory area under the cover of night.

The video's views increased at a visible rate, and its unique style, different from that of a magical girl, brought it popularity. If it really is a mole sent by the Other Side, things are getting a bit complicated.

That's right, I still can't completely trust that guy.

Perhaps we should find a way to test him.

We must ascertain whether he is truly on the side of humanity, or a spy planted by the Other Side. After all, he calls Ceruno a princess. If his target is Ceruno, I must proceed with caution.

The taxi drove up to the high-rise apartment building.

"Dummy, wake up, we're home."

"Woof."

The Golden, which had dutifully served as a pillow the entire way, now raised its head to pay homage to Ceruno was perched on its back.

"Huh? Oh."

"I know you're tired, but you should still take a shower when you get back."

"Um, Yezi, don't treat me like a child."

After helping the Ceruno home, it was almost 1 a. m. For a soon-to-be idol who had a public event the next day, not being asleep was really inappropriate.

Even so, I still need to take a shower first. It's so convenient that magical girls don't need to bring any clothes. I just pushed her into the bathroom and that was it.

"Hurry up and wash, don't fall asleep in there."

"Okay!"

I had just closed the door when I received a phone call... calling at this hour of the dead?

Jila Kidman.

Our translator and guide in Hawaii, who is also one of the local Hawaii magical girls, said she wanted to come to Skyreach City to develop her career, so we exchanged phone numbers at the dinner table beforehand.

I glanced into the bathroom, confirmed the sound of water inside, ran to the guest room, locked the door, and only answered the phone after transforming into Miluno.

I cut to the chase and asked, "... Do you know what time it is here?"

"It's probably midnight? It's only morning here, so please don't mind."

"So, you called internationally because you've decided to come to Skyreach City?"

"Yes! I'm checking in."

Why today of all days?

I asked, "Sirius is coming tomorrow too, can't you go through the wormhole with her?"

"I have a lot of luggage, so I can't go through the wormhole. Besides, travel isn't about the destination, and as a tour guide, I understand that very well."

"But I have something very important to do tomorrow..."

Although I promised to throw her a welcome party, Ceruno's debut press conference was still more important.

Wrong.

Judging by the time, she should have arrived at Skyreach City International Airport at 9:00 AM, while Sirius had scheduled Ceruno's press conference for 1:00 PM...

Four hours, which seems to allow for some flexibility.

"... I understand. I'll pick you up from the airport first thing tomorrow morning."