Chapter 1: A New Life, A New Fight

When I made the contract, I had become a woman.
More precisely, a magical girl.
After living as a man for over a decade, I was now a warrior of justice, fighting evil while twirling in a frilly skirt.
There were good times and tough times, but all of that was in the past.
After many trials and tribulations, I found myself in the Demon Realm, the stronghold of evil.
I’d spent about ten years here, but at last, an opportunity to return to Earth had come.
“This’ll be my last meal here.”
The forest of the Demon Realm was silent.
It wasn’t divided into day or night, but it was always dark and eerie.
The only sound breaking the stillness was the crackling of burning firewood.
I took a bite of the meat skewered on a branch.
The menu was the flesh of a beast I’d hunted earlier.
It was a delicacy, but sadly, I had no companion to share it with.
After filling my stomach, I leaned against a tree and pulled out a photo.
A picture of three magical girls, looking close and happy.
I stood in the center, with my comrades smiling brightly on either side.
“Stella, Spica… I miss you.”
Ten years had passed, but our friendship remained unchanged.
The memories of overcoming hardships together would never fade, no matter how much time passed.
There were many struggles, but those days were still radiant and beautiful.
While savoring the memories,
my gaze drifted to the cat-like mascot in the corner of the photo.
“I hope you’ve been punished.”
I cursed under my breath.
The sight of that wretched face made irritation surge within me.
Those in the know understand, but a magical girl’s true enemy is the mascot.
The culprit who casts a curse called a “contract” and puts us through all sorts of hardships.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it my nemesis.
I tucked the photo into my pocket and stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Before me was a black, rippling gate, as if the space itself had been torn open.
A dimensional passage connected to Earth.
Who would’ve thought a day like this would come?
I’d assumed I’d be trapped in the Demon Realm forever or die fighting.
Whether this was a happy mistake or not, I’d find out from here on.
Feeling my heart race, I stepped into the gate.

Winter had ended, and the warm sunlight of spring was beginning to shine.
Korea was in chaos.
[Is it true that all magical girls have mobilized for the first time in three years? How many have gathered?]
[We estimate about 60% have assembled. Aside from those in rural areas, most magical girls are heading to the scene.]
[Can you tell us more about the situation?]
[It’s overrun with beasts here. Police have blocked off the roads, and magical girls are protecting civilians—]
The reporter on TV spoke with a tense expression.
In the background, smoke rose from various spots, and irregular explosions echoed.
It was a scene reminiscent of a warzone.
“Frozen Princess, you’ve just arrived.”
At a spot slightly removed from the battle,
a blue-haired girl appeared, and the people in suits turned toward her in unison.
“You’re right on time…!”
A supporter assisting the magical girls stepped forward.
“Give me the current situation.”
“Multiple gates have appeared simultaneously. There are too many, so we’re dividing our forces to respond.”
“Where should I go?”
“I’ll guide you right away.”
He nodded slightly to the others before leading Frozen Princess away.
Their destination was a park.
At the entrance, people were screaming as they fled.
“The entire area has become a den of beasts. Please take them down as you find them. You’ll need to adapt on the fly, but we’re counting on you.”
“Understood.”
The conversation was brief.
Frozen Princess gripped her ice-forged sword tightly and entered the park.
Normally, magical girls don’t actively cooperate with the government.
They exchange occasional communications, but typically avoid getting entangled.
Working together like this meant it was an emergency.
While cutting down a few beasts, she spotted a familiar face.
A fellow magical girl from her cohort was fighting.
“Hyaah!”
A powerful blow that cratered the ground.
Wielding a hammer far larger than herself with ease, she smashed beasts like a game of whack-a-mole.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
After felling the last beast, she turned toward Frozen Princess.
“Phew, you’re here too, huh?”
She grinned, wiping sweat from her forehead.
“I rushed over and didn’t get the full details.”
“It’s the usual, except there are an absurd number of beasts.”
“They said gates are popping up everywhere. Any idea why?”
“Who knows? Maybe a riot broke out in the Demon Realm?”
She shrugged.
As an experienced magical girl, she exuded confidence.
“They say the magical energy is surging like never before.”
“That’s probably an exaggeration. The beasts aren’t even that strong.”
If true, that’d be a relief, but it was too early to relax.
“Where are you headed?”
“Hmm… that way, I guess.”
“Then I’ll go the opposite direction.”
“We just met, and you’re already splitting up?”
“They said we’re short on manpower. Spreading out is better.”
“You’re always so thorough. It’s so you, but I like it.”
As close comrades, their conversation flowed easily.
They waved at each other and parted ways at the crossroads.

The gate was connected to a restroom.
A women’s restroom, to be precise.
“Feels kinda symbolic, or maybe malicious.”
The sign showed a red figure of a person.
A symbol indicating that those with XY chromosomes were barred from entry.
Of course, I could enter.
I was decked out in a sparkly frilly skirt, unmistakably a girl from head to toe.
But before becoming a magical girl, things were different.
Entering that small sanctuary would’ve gotten me arrested on the spot.
I was part of a species with no connection to such cute outfits.
A man.
With my long career as a magical girl, I’d adapted, but it still brought a strange, indescribable feeling.
“Something up?”
I looked up at the sky.
Several helicopters buzzed loudly, flying low over the park.
While staring blankly, a sharp scream pierced the air.
“Kyaa! Help!”
A sinister aura pricked my skin.
I immediately summoned my magic wand.
Rainbow-colored particles shimmered as the magical girl’s exclusive weapon materialized.
Gripping it, I ran toward the scream.
In the middle of the park’s walkway,
a young boy and a woman, likely his mother, were cowering before a beast.
“It’s a magical girl!”
The boy pointed at me and shouted.
“Please, help us…!”
The mother, clutching her child, pleaded desperately.
There was one enemy.
A pitch-black, dog-like beast.
“Leave it to me!”
I started to channel magic into my wand but stopped.
I can’t shatter a child’s innocence.
I nearly used a 200% violent technique.
The skills I honed in the Demon Realm were geared for lethality, not suitable for use in front of a kid.
Hmm, what to do?
While pondering seriously, I noticed something odd about the beast.
“Yelp…!”
A yellow liquid puddled on the ground.
“The beast peed itself!”
The boy, who’d been terrified moments ago, laughed brightly.
The trembling beast had suddenly made a mess.
‘This is…’
I recalled a story I’d read online.
They say dogs recognize a butcher and wet themselves in fear.
This was exactly that situation.
Having just returned from the Demon Realm, my body must reek of countless beasts.
This giant pup, with its keen sense of smell, caught the scent.
The stench of pure terror, soaked in blood and pheromones.
And it must’ve vaguely sensed
the countless vengeful spirits of its kin clinging to my back.
“Scarlet Beam☆”
A pink ray pierced the beast.
Its massive body turned to ash and crumbled.
This was the first technique I learned as a magical girl.
A holy spell that purifies enemies, perfect for defeating beasts without grotesque scenes.
“Thank you, big sister!”
I watched the boy and his mother safely leave the park.
After confirming no one else was around, I despaired.
“Using cutesy techniques at my age…”
My toes curled as if I’d been roasted like a squid over an open flame.
It might’ve been fine when I was a new magical girl, but now it was downright embarrassing.
Even if I still looked like a young girl, mentally, I’d long graduated from my teens.
While wallowing in self-pity, I heard footsteps behind me.
Turning around, I saw a blue-haired magical girl.
An unfamiliar face. If she debuted while I was in the Demon Realm, she’d be my junior.
Maybe I could get some help.
“Perfect timing. I have a question—”
“Don’t move.”
As I approached, she bristled with caution.
She pointed her ice sword at me, blocking my advance.
“Who are you?”