I Became a Magical Girl In a Harem Manga

Chapter 34 - Why me? (3)

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by the expectations; I can't do what I can't do. So, to propose my solution, I've decided to blend truth with lies.

"Yes, there's indeed a monster within this academy, and I can sense its power."

"I-is that so?"

Glancing around the academy, I spoke with a serious expression. The director visibly swallowed hard upon hearing confirmation of the monster's existence.

"Then... have you managed to identify who this monster might be?"

"No, unfortunately, I haven't determined its identity."

"What?!"

At this point, I chose to tell the truth. I don't know who the monster is.

"I can sense its power, but it's rather peculiar. I can feel it faintly... It seems different from an ordinary monster."

"A different kind of power?"

"Yes, I believe it's an unusual monster. As I mentioned, it's in human form. Its power is quite unique, and I can't detect it with my magic."

"I-Is that so?"

My words were not a lie. The monster within the academy was anything but ordinary.

It wasn't merely a monster in human guise, but a human transformed into a monster. This distinction sets it apart from normal monsters.

The chairman, listening intently to my words, appeared uneasy. Now, here's where I have to pretend to offer a solution and get the story back on track.

"Indeed, there is a monster within this academy, but without identifying it, it's not going to be easy to find it... right away."

"Then what can we do about it?"

"There's not much we can do, except send a hero here."

When you're unsure about the monster's next move, sending a hero is the safest option. Having a hero stationed at the academy ensures quick action against any trouble caused by the monster.

That's what the original Hero Association would've done in the original manga.

"But we can't let it be known that there's a Hero inside the Academy, because if we do, the monster might notice and flee, right?"

"Yes."

The chairman nodded, knowing that was the problem.

"Then we'll just have to sneak them into the Academy without giving them away as heroes."

"Sneak the heroes in?"

"Yes. For example, a Hero disguised as a student would enter the Academy."

In this manner, they would seamlessly blend in with the student body.

"This approach would make it perfectly natural for the heroes to engage with students while searching for the monster, wouldn't it?"

"Well... that does make sense."

In the original manga, Shin Chul-Min, Jung Ha-Yeon, and Baek Shin-Hwa disguise themselves as students and enter the academy as transfer students in order to find the monster.

The three are sent out because they are the youngest and have no problem disguising themselves as students.

Even though the episode is about finding the monster inside the academy, the main purpose of the episode was to showcase the charm of the sub-heroine, Baek Shin-Hwa.

Additionally, injecting a bit of young romantic comedy within the academy setting, including some friction between heroines, adds a touch of the typical clichés of the harem manga trope.

After conveying the plan to the chairman, I promptly contacted the president of the Hero Association, briefly explaining the current situation.

"It's... currently impossible to pinpoint the monster's location. Why don't we have heroes disguised as students to investigate?"

[Hmmm... I had thought of that.]

Originally, the Hero Association president was going to follow what I said, just like in the original manga. However, with my existence, they found a different solution.

Since I can't use my powers, they have to revert to the original plan.

"Then let's select the heroes best suited for blending in as students and assign them undercover roles. What about these three?"

Feigning a proposal, I mentioned Shin Chul-Min, Jung Ha-Yeon, and Baek Shin-Hwa. It's crucial to steer the narrative back on course to align with the original plot.

[...Alright, that seems like a viable plan for now.]

"I think so too. While I wish I could have found the monster right away, alas, all I can figure out is that there's a monster in this academy......"

With a wistful sigh, I appealed, almost saying, 'I'm incompetent! There's nothing I can do!'

Now, let me go. The heroes are in charge of this, after all.

In the end, the head of the Heroes Association decided to go with the original plan. I was relieved and hung up the phone.

After relaying the president's decision to the chairman, I left the academy. Now it was time to return to the office and get some rest.

On my way back to the Awakened Association, I called the section chief. I explained everything that happened and how things turned out.

[....So, in the end, you've decided to disguise the heroes as students and send them into the academy to find the monster in disguise as a student?]

"That's right. It's turning into a massive game of mafia."

[Is there nothing you can do?]

"I wish I could, but I can't think of anything else right now."

Even if I could, I wouldn't tell you. The protagonist will handle it himself.

The chief was silent for a moment, then spoke again.

[By the way, did you use your magic to discover there's a monster inside the academy?]

"Yes. It's not strong enough to pinpoint anyone in particular, but it's true that there's a monster in the academy."

[Really? Is that so? Hmm.....]

-Tap. Tap.

I could hear the chief tapping his fingers on his desk through the phone. It means he's thinking.

What's wrong with him? We don't have to worry about this now that it's out of our hands.

I felt uneasy. Whenever the chief deliberates like this, his eventual decision never favors me, not even once.

As I grew anxious, the chief spoke again.

[Hye-Rim.]

"Yes."

[Going undercover as a student. Can't you do it too?]

"What are you talking about?"

What are you really talking about? How can you suggest such a terrible idea so casually?

[No, you said you could sense the power of the monster, even if only faintly, right?]

"Yes."

[Then you'd be able to detect it if it suddenly left the academy, wouldn't you? What if, while hiding inside the academy, it suddenly decides to go somewhere else?]

"No, that..."

It won't, but I can't say that without any evidence.

I'm the only one who knows what it's planning right now.

[And aren't you the best person to go undercover? Your ability to faintly sense the monster might prove crucial at some point.]

"T-that's true, but..."

He's making too much sense, and I can't argue back.

Damn it. Why is the scenario unfolding like this?

"Who will protect the people if a criminal shows up when I'm not around?"

[You're not the only capable person in the department. Besides, unless it's a large-scale terrorist attack, other teams can handle it.]

"No, that..."

[And you said it yourself the other day, Hye-Rim, our job is to protect people. We must endure suffering to do so.]

I did say that. And I meant it wholeheartedly.

But this time... is different. Last time, people's lives were at immediate risk.

[There's a monster in the academy, an institution full of young students. We can't just stand idly by. It's not uncommon for members of the Awakened Crime Division and heroes to collaborate, so let's do it again.]

"......"

Through the smartphone, I could hear the chief writing something. He was probably drafting a document to send to the Hero Association.

As expected of our chief, once he decides on something, he acts swiftly. The only problem is that he decides quickly only when sending me on a mission.

[Hye-Rim, save people and go back to your student days while you're at it!]

Is it my imagination? I think the chief is laughing right now.

No, it's not my imagination. He's really laughing. Damn bastard.

Jung Ha-Yeon hurried to the Hero Association's office in response to a call from the president. When she arrived, she found Shin Chul-Min and Baek Shin-Hwa already there.

In the back of her mind, Jung Ha-Yeon had an inkling of why the president had summoned her. It must be related to the monster she failed to capture recently.

"As you all know, a while ago, a monster appeared in human form. It's currently hiding inside the Awakened Academy," the president began, outlining the situation.

He then summarized the mission for the three of them: disguise themselves as students and find the monster inside the academy.

Shin Chul-Min, Jung Ha-Yeon, and Baek Shin-Hwa were taken aback by his words. Finding a monster was one thing, but disguising themselves as students?

However, there was still more news to surprise them.

"Additionally, the Awakened Crime Division has decided to lend their support to this case."

"The Awakened Crime Division?" Shin Chul-Min asked.

"Yes," the president replied with a pleasant smile.

"The leader of Team 5, Shin Hye-Rim, has agreed to help us."

"......!"

Jung Ha-Yeon's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Shin Hye-Rim.

"Hiccup..!"

Baek Shin-Hwa hiccupped, her face turning pale.