Clockwork Bride

Page 132

Hayden knew far too little about this. He had only read some ancient legends, scattered throughout vast volumes. In those ancient tales, there were possessed sorcerers who claimed to be dead ancient gods and demons, and then did all sorts of crazy things.

But when it comes to ancient magical legends, you can only believe about 50% of them at most. Hayden once tried to create a sword that was supposedly indestructible by imitating the legendary secret techniques of the ancient Hittites—but when it was clashed with a modern kitchen knife, the sword broke.

Similarly, some ancient anti-magic amulets are basically ineffective against modern arcane attacks. Based on Hayden's experience, the credibility of ancient magical legends is generally poor; absurd stories obscure the truth. Especially after the rise of new gods and the dominance of capitalists, there seems to be no longer any historical examples of possessed sorcerers claiming to be ancient gods or demons.

Therefore, Hayden rarely paid attention to such ancient legends.

But this time, the opponent is different. This time, it's Pazuzu, a great demon that has survived thousands of years of fierce battles. What if it really possesses such ancient secret techniques?

Could it be that this virtual streamer named "Magical Girl Pazuzu" has been possessed by the not-quite-dead Pazuzu?

Hayden felt a chill run down his spine at the thought. Without further ado, he quickly opened the streamer's debut self-introduction video and projected the image directly onto his phone so the two of them could watch it together.

The first thing that catches the eye is a vast, boundless golden desert.

The camera then quickly zooms in on a pyramid standing in the middle of the desert.

This isn't one of the pointed pyramids of ancient Egypt, but rather a layered, flat-topped temple like those of ancient Sumer. As the video camera zooms out to the top of the temple, a cute virtual girl quickly appears standing there, waiting for the camera to focus on her.

【Hey everyone! Nice to meet you all!】

That was a little girl with golden cat ears... no, she should be called a little girl with golden lion ears.

[Starting today, I'm Pazuzu, the magical girl who debuts as a virtual YouTuber! Let me tell you a secret: I used to be a real demon! Pretty amazing, right?]

This lion-eared loli has a darker skin tone, a milk chocolate brown. Despite this, her hair is a deep gold, and she has deep blue eyes that look like a lynx's, gleaming with a cunning and sharp light.

In addition, this loli's virtual avatar has fluffy hands like a two-dimensional lion cub, with both sharp claws and feline paw pads. Her two legs are sharp eagle claws like a moe-fied harpy monster girl. She has black raven wings on her back and a long scorpion tail that wags back and forth.

No matter how you look at it, the various animal features on this virtual avatar are the final demon form that Hayden displayed when it fought Pazuzu ten days ago.

...However, the demonic features on this [Magical Girl Pazuzu], after being transformed into a cute anime character, don't look scary at all. If this thing weren't "Pazuzu," even Hayden might frankly say that she looks adorable.

[As the title suggests, this video is... no, it's the self-introduction of the demon... I mean, the magical girl Pazuzu!]

The lion-eared little girl leaped and flapped her wings atop the temple's platform, excitedly remarking that she looked a bit like a chicken dyed in many colors.

[Don't let my current small stature fool you; I'm only 1.5 meters tall. I used to be an all-powerful demon! But lately... food expenses have gotten too high, so I need to work hard to earn money. I've signed a contract to become a working magical girl and a virtual streamer!]

Viewers watching on screen probably think this is just the persona of a virtual YouTuber. After all, virtual YouTubers can be all sorts of characters. Some are set up as AI, some as ghosts, and some are even set up as a goddess princess, so it's not surprising that they're set up as a great demon (laughs).

In any case, most virtual streamer settings are just for reference or are just for laughs.

But Hayden felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at it.

My hobbies are playing games, singing, eating, and shooting down bad guys!

The lion-eared little girl continued wagging her tail happily, saying...

So from now on, I'll try to post videos of myself singing, eating, and playing games, as well as lots and lots of fun little things about being a magical girl. You guys are so lucky to have such an amazing demon like me as a magical girl! So please like and send me money so I can cover my food expenses!

Finally, the magical girl Pazuzu talked about the live stream rules and upload time, and that concluded her self-introduction debut video.

Hayden and Angela looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.

He initially watched the self-introduction video to figure out what Magical Girl Pazuzu was, but after watching it, he felt even more confused.

"...It looks pretty ordinary?"

Even Angela, who had never watched any other virtual YouTubers, had only this thought after watching the recording.

Hayden knew, as she said, that objectively speaking, it was just a very ordinary virtual YouTuber's self-introduction. But...

"We cannot let our guard down like this."

Hayden still couldn't just laugh it off.

What magical girl Pazuzu?! This is absolutely bizarre!

So Hayden quickly found all other videos related to "Magical Girl Pazuzu".

It was incredibly lucky; Hayden checked carefully and discovered that he had just caught the live stream of the magical girl Pazuzu. Hayden immediately opened her live stream channel and saw the magical girl answering various questions from viewers.

[The opportunity that led me to become a streamer? I've already mentioned it before! It's because the Great Demon was spending too much money on food in the human world! He was so hungry every day! I wanted to eat steak!]

In the same virtual space shaped like an ancient Sumerian temple, the magical girl Pazuzu happily skipped and jumped around.

Why do I have lion ears, eagle claws, and crow wings? Hmph, let me tell you! There are already too many virtual YouTubers with cat ears and fox tails these days! It's all cats, dogs, and foxes everywhere—it's so boring!

Hmm. But there's some truth to that.

Hayden sometimes feels that there's a bit too much cat, dog, and fox stuff online these days. Maybe the next trend will evolve from mammals to birds.

Unlike those ubiquitous cats and dogs, I, born so beautiful, am destined to stand above all others! I, the magical girl Pazuzu, am the emperor of tomorrow's virtual idol era!

...But the dialogue is clearly a bit exaggerated.

Regardless, the interaction between the streamer and the audience was a golden opportunity. Taking advantage of this, Hayden immediately tipped the magical girl Pazuzu a sum of money—his disposable funds were increasing, and besides, this was a serious matter; he could even ask Karen for reimbursement later—and then asked a probing question:

"Other streamers are all goddesses, celestial maidens, robots, how come you're a devil? Devil isn't a good word."

For modern people these days, "demon" is hardly a taboo word anymore. Mortals live for a mere hundred years, while the new gods conquered the world four hundred years ago. Even devils, who might be considered terrorists and still be considered taboo by some—as for demons, well, what city dweller still cares about demons?

But it's not exactly a positive word. If the anchor reacts strangely to Hayden's question, Hayden might be able to see something amiss...?

Hayden had barely thought that when the magical girl Pazuzu clearly saw his question. The strange streamer immediately flashed a smug smile, tilted his head back, puffed out his chest, and loudly proclaimed:

[Idiot! If you're a demon, just admit it! What's the point of hiding it? Whether it's fighting or eating, whether you're a magical girl or an idol, you can't succeed if you lose your fighting spirit!]

[I am a magical girl! I am also a demon! I am the Great Demon King Pazuzu! My fate is in my own hands!]

噫

[How about that? Cool, right? Touched? Wow!]

Indeed, even Hayden was speechless for a moment.

Angela stared at the screen for a while before hesitantly asking, "...Is that really her?"

"No, no, no, no, this doesn't look like the real person at all!? But it does seem a bit like them!?"

Is it a certain aura? Or part of her personality? I feel like this magical girl Pazuzu does have some Pazuzu-like traits? Could she really be possessed?!

Thinking of this, Hayden naturally became even more nervous. He quickly switched to a different account (to avoid arousing suspicion), while also changing his network address and magic wavelength (basic operations for StarNet hackers), and tipped the account with even more money. Then, he deliberately put on a jeering tone and said, "Since you say you're a demon, then perform something demonic for us to see!"

That being said, this is merely a virtual space live stream conducted via the StarNet, which generally only transmits thoughts and information. If someone were to actually perform something demonic, they could only showcase some special knowledge, technology, or secrets—or simply play dumb and act cute to get by.

So, what will this magical girl Pazuzu do next?

Seeing the large amount of money pouring in for the second time, the magical girl was clearly overjoyed. Although her form was (presumably) just a suit in the virtual StarNet space, with modern technology it was almost like operating another body, thus enough to display the real person's expressions and demeanor. Anyone could see that the streamer herself was extremely happy and excited, practically jumping for joy.

Okay! Since a fan has put forward this challenge, I'll naturally respond!

No sooner had she finished speaking than the magical girl Pazuzu leaped atop the temple tower, raising her two lion paws high in the air.

【Pachuzu! Pachuzu! Pachuzu! Now reveal a portion of my great power here!】

She called

She showed

Therefore, the [result] was produced.

The next instant, Hayden felt an incredible force surging towards him through the StarNet!

"what!?"

Fortunately, mages or StarNet hackers of Hayden's level maintain antisympathetic defenses 24/7. In terms of this level of defense alone, he is in no way inferior to ordinary Protoss, especially since he's currently at home online. Multiple defensive barriers immediately blocked this force.

But the other ordinary users watching the live stream had a different experience. Immediately, many people in the chat exclaimed, "There's wind! I can feel the wind!"

"The CPU fan is spinning faster!"

"My nose isn't stuffy anymore!"

"I can breathe easily now!"

"The cough has stopped!"

—What the hell is this?!

Ange stretched out her hand and gently touched the energy that was being transmitted, tilting her head and saying, "Master, this energy has no ill intentions. On the contrary, it has absorbed away the bad things (disasters) related to wind and breathing."

In some ways, this is the opposite of Angela's breathing.

Therefore, for a moment, Hayden was genuinely stunned. Fortunately, he was one of the best wizards of the modern era, and he reacted in less than two seconds, realizing the biggest difference between this behavior and that of the "real" Pazuzu.

This is not supernatural power.

All the power that Pazuzu had previously displayed—except for the Yin-Yang Life and Death Tempering and Sublimation Immortal Technique it used before its death—was almost entirely its own supernatural ability.

Supernatural powers and magic are different. Although some supernatural powers can be cultivated, they are not techniques like magic, but rather spiritual energy. They are individual abilities.

However, the "breath" that the magical girl Pazuzu just cast through the StarNet to absorb the disaster was nothing short of witchcraft.

This magical girl is not the real Pazuzu.

But, but...

"...She is using the name of Pazuzu to perform witchcraft."

Watching the live stream, Hayden felt even more terrified.

Hayden also often steals the names of dead gods to perform various witchcraft, but can he really do this? It is unknown how many people are watching this live broadcast at the same time, but this magical girl is able to spread the effects of the witchcraft (although the effects are not strong) to every viewer through the Star Network.

Honestly, Hayden couldn't do that. Even if he gave it his all now, he couldn't do it; at least someone at Karen's level would have a chance.

However, Hayden had no time to think about it anymore.

[So many viewers came to support me today, and so many tips on my first day! This demon truly is the best and cutest demon in the world! Hurry, hurry, keep sending me money! Tonight I want steak! And scallops?]

Seeing the increasing number of donations, the magical girl made a victory V-sign with her lion paws, looking extremely proud.

[The next live stream is scheduled for three days from now! It will be two hours starting at 7 PM. Please be sure to send money to Pazuzu!]

The negative impact of these virtual idol streamers on teenagers is probably immeasurable.

144: Even in death, I will remain a ghost of the company.

Magical Girl Pazuzu has finished her live stream for today.

Her next live stream is scheduled for three days from now.

Hayden stared at the now-empty live stream room, lost in thought.

Is this magical girl really Pazuzu?

I'm afraid not.

At least not entirely.

She does look somewhat like Pazuzu, and is full of strange Pazuzu elements. For example, the virtual avatar's lion ears, eagle claws, raven wings, and scorpion tail; and the ancient Sumerian tower temple in the virtual live stream. These are all things that Pazuzu should have.

She finally summoned that strange wind, which actually spread from the virtual space to reality through the Star Network. Although this was something Pazuzu had never done before, everyone probably remembers that it had previously used Hayden's sympathetic detection spell to retaliate and spread the disease wind to Hayden's side.

However, the strange wind summoned by the magical girl Pazuzu spread through the network, but instead of bringing disease and disaster, it absorbed the disease and disaster along with the wind.

This sounds completely different from, and even the opposite of, Pazuzu's supernatural powers, but that doesn't prove anything. Pazuzu inherently possessed the ability to reverse yin and yang. The magic technique it displayed before its death was actually this kind of skill. The power of death, the power of calamity, the power of disease—these obscure forces, given the right method, can be reversed into positive forces that dispel death, calamity, and disease.

Can't the evil power of Pazuzu become a power of good?

Of course not. There are indeed evil forces in this world that are difficult to use for good and are almost exclusively used for evil. But Hayden has already said that Pazuzu's power could have made it a god. It didn't want to become a god, mainly because it preferred to be a demon.

(Of course, Hayden also knew that Pazuzu actually wanted to "become an immortal." But in the age of capitalist theocracy, wanting to become a carefree and unrestrained immortal... alas, in the age of capitalism, there are only gods, demons, and mortals; where are the immortals?)

Thinking of this, Hayden suddenly had an instinctive reaction and immediately turned to check the astral network space near his home. Sure enough, the strange wind that the magical girl Pazuzu had just sent during her live stream was still sealed inside his home's protective barrier.

The wind the magical girl sent during her live stream was distributed to every viewer, so its energy couldn't possibly be too strong. Therefore, even though Hayden's strength was far inferior to hers, his own protective barrier could seal off that wisp of wind, preventing it from advancing or retreating. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he reached out and adjusted his hand in the Star Network space, releasing the wisp of wind into the material world—and then immediately used an enchanted crystal bottle to contain it.

“The more Pazuzu absorbs disease, disaster, and drought, the stronger it becomes. This wisp of wind is probably the same. Although it is weak now, if I make use of it to absorb disease and disaster and grow continuously, its future power will probably be limitless.”

Even so, Hayden frowned as he shook the crystal bottle.

"Unfortunately, Pazuzu is also afraid that if he absorbs too much calamity and impurities, he will be dominated and controlled by the new god of capital. There is nothing in the world that does not belong to capitalists, not even garbage."

"On the other hand, I still can't completely sever the connection between this strange wind and its source. Investing resources in it to absorb and grow is like training for someone else. If I'm unlucky, it might even blow me up."

How to utilize the power of this calamistic wind was something Hayden would need to ponder carefully. However, this strange wind was definitely not useless. Hayden could at least analyze, observe, learn from, and reference its peculiarities. His talent for developing and designing new classical or hybrid techniques was remarkable.

The intuitive talent for invention and creation is something that even the capitalist gods cannot manipulate in their genes.

But talking about that now is a bit of a tangent. Let's talk about what's in front of us first.

Everything that the magical girl Pazuzu just did was basically something Pazuzu could have done. Her personality and physical characteristics do indeed resemble Pazuzu's. If the actions were the opposite, it's merely a difference in direction, not important—because ultimately, Pazuzu could also have done good.

Only one crucial difference made Hayden realize something was wrong; this wasn't how it was supposed to be. This magical girl wasn't Pazuzu.