Of course, there was plenty of room for doubt, but there was too little information to judge, and there was no end once you started doubting. I suggested we take Milky's bait. At the very least, unless we challenged the game she prepared, we wouldn't even be able to attempt a proper dialogue.
"Wait, ssle. Don't tell me you're planning to take on that role yourself?"
"You can't! We don't know what she'll do to you!"
I had expected opposition from the males. They wouldn't just let me, would they? I thought Velvet might agree out of amusement, though.
"It would be troublesome if you did something like that on your own."
But surprisingly, Velvet also joined the opposition. To think I would ever be worried about by her.
"Don't forget that we have accepted a request from Saherta intelligence to be your bodyguards. It's a hassle if anything dangerous happens to you, so please stay quiet."
There was no worry. I was faced with an extremely logical point. However, I couldn't back down here either. I wanted to gather even a little bit of information to help Pomerni.
Regarding the danger everyone was concerned about, in my case, it probably wouldn't be a problem. With Six's body, I could push through most things. I should reveal its recovery power—no, its reconstruction power. To do that, demonstrating would be faster than explaining.
I used 'Ren.' Wrapped in the radiance of surging aura, I was simultaneously struck by a power and pain that felt like my body was going to explode from the inside. As expected, I didn't think I could maintain this state for long at this stage. While everyone was gasping, I slammed my fist against my other arm.
The force was tremendous, and the impact alone felt like it would blow my body away, but surprisingly, the damage was minimal. This was because the arm I struck was also reinforced by aura. Apparently, one could gather and disperse aura to various parts of the body with training, but I, who had just learned about Nen moments ago, didn't have that technique. Therefore, it ended in the awkward result of striking an arm defended with full reinforcement using a fist reinforced with full power.
"What are you doing, Mama!?"
I had intended to punch the arm into mincemeat, but it ended with an injury about the level of a broken bone. Well, even this would serve as a demonstration. I showed them my snapped arm being repaired and explained my ability.
I didn't mention this body or the existence of my true self; I just said I had 'super recovery power.' Even if my body was damaged, I would recover immediately and could function. Even if the VR goggles were rigged with a bomb and my head was blown off, my true self wouldn't die.
"I admit your recovery power is high, but aren't you exaggerating a bit much?"
"No, Six's eyes just now were serious, ssle. That fist couldn't have been thrown without hesitation unless he were prepared to lose his own arm... It was a strike of that caliber. I was unable to move to stop him, ssle."
"...It seems it wasn't a total lie. Was the reckless bravery shown in the battle with Jack also due to that ability? Then there's a reason you're being targeted by Saherta."
It seemed I had gained a certain level of understanding regarding my ability—or rather, my constitution—but that didn't mean they would trust me completely. I was aware that I was making a reckless proposal. Since everyone was trying to stop me, I couldn't ignore those feelings.
But even so, I couldn't stay passive forever. If I ignored Milky's talk and didn't engage, it would be the safest, but then nothing would change. Rather than waiting for someone to do something, if there was something I could do now, I wanted to do it. Otherwise, I would surely regret it.
Emotion was taking priority over reason. I moved to pick up the helmet, but a hand was placed on my shoulder. Noah was next to me. And then the strength left my body. Noah caught Six's body as it was about to fall.
"Ugh, t-this is...!"
Similarly, Blade and Velvet also collapsed in that spot. This was Noah's ability to inflict disease on nearby living creatures. Why did he use his power at this timing?
"Mama, you really are amazing. Working so hard with such a small body. You might have even managed to handle this matter on your own. But I can't overlook it. Even if your body is safe, I can't stay silent when I think there might be danger involving pain."
Though a level of exhaustion that felt like it would make me lose consciousness was occurring in my true self due to Noah's ability in real-time.
"I know. I'm the most useless one among us. I can't even use this ability properly. But that's exactly why you should leave this to me."
Noah put on the helmet.
"I'm actually pretty good at games. I'll definitely come back with information on Pomerni."
If it were Six, I could have accepted the enemy's invitation without worry. There was no need for Noah to take on that role. Why go that far? Even as I tried to stop him, I had no strength in my body due to Noah's ability.
A mechanical driving sound began to emit from the helmet. As we watched with bated breath, a buzzer rang loudly, and warning-colored lamps flashed.
"Abyabyabyabyabyabyabyabyaby!!"
Noah let out a strange cry. He collapsed while twitching and convulsing. As Noah and I were separated, the disease-generating ability was also deactivated. I immediately checked his condition.
I knew because our bodies had been touching just now, but this was an attack via electric shock. If a powerful electric current was run directly into the head from the helmet, even a Nen user couldn't avoid damage.
"Abya..."
Apparently, it wasn't life-threatening. He seemed to have only lost consciousness. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Ah, I forgot to mention, pyon☆ Only those with the qualities of a magic girl can enter the cyber world☆ Guys aren't invited, pyon☆ I'll allow Six or Velvet to participate in the game, pyon☆"
Anger welled up at Milky's words. She should have explained that from the start if that was the case. There was no need to dish out a needless electric shock.
If you called Noah's actions meddling, that was true. If he hadn't gone out of his way to stick his head into danger, this wouldn't have happened. However, those actions were out of concern for Six.
"Velvet, are you okay!?"
While I was tending to Noah's condition, Blade was looking after the collapsed Velvet. Noah's ability should have been deactivated, but she didn't seem able to stand up immediately. Likely, the exhaustion from the battle with Jack was taking its toll. Perhaps she had been putting on a brave face and acting tough.
It was unfortunate for Velvet, but this was a chance. While Blade had his eyes off me, I removed the helmet from Noah and put it on.
"Wait, don't be hasty! Six!"
It wasn't a grand enough emotion to be called taking revenge for Noah, but a slight sense of righteous indignation did well up. The visor of the helmet I put on moved, covering my vision. And then spider claws fixed my jaw as if to restrain my neck, preventing the helmet from being removed.
I could see nothing and hear nothing. This helmet seemed to have a high level of soundproofing. Perhaps due to tension, the sound of my heart pulsing could be felt quite clearly.
That said, the senses that were closed off were only sight and hearing; I could properly feel other stimuli. Even now, Blade was probably trying to check on my safety. I reported that I was safe through gestures. I wasn't sure if it was getting through, though.
[READING BIOMETRIC DATA...]
[CREATING AVATAR WITH DEFAULT SETTINGS]
[EQUIPPING DESIGNATED BATTLE COSTUME]
Then, strings of text like a log appeared before my eyes. From there, my vision brightened all at once, and I could see my own form. In reality, I was merely seeing such video, but that video was crafted with terrifying precision.
I had no idea what kind of technology was used, but this helmet-shaped machine had accurately read Six's physical information and created a 3D CG avatar.
Basically, it was the same as a conventional VR game played from a first-person perspective, but the controlled character was a faithful reproduction of my real self. True to its claim of being a next-generation VR device, it felt as immersive as if I had truly entered a virtual world.
There was surprise, but I could understand that much. The problem was the clothing. It was different from the clothes I was wearing in reality. I had been put in a nonsensical outfit of a swimsuit and socks.
There was something like a mirror in front of me where I could check my appearance. The swimsuit was a plain navy blue, a one-piece type; for some reason, a bib with 'Six' written on it was sewn onto the chest. Was the game content something with a swimming element? Despite that, the presence of black socks that were long enough to reach my thighs was a mystery. I was also wearing shoes.
Furthermore, something like animal ears, like a dog's, were growing on top of my head. I tried touching them, but I only felt the rugged texture of the helmet. It felt like the video was so precisely made that my senses were going to go crazy.
And a pink walking stick was gripped in my hand. It was a design like a toy for young girls that might appear in an anime; it didn't look like a weapon. It wasn't so much gripped as it was just displayed as being attached to my hand since it was video. Because of that, I couldn't even let go of it.
[SELECTING DESIGNATED BATTLEFIELD...]
[HEAVEN'S ARENA STAGE SELECTED]
Even while that was happening, the log continued to flow. The situation progressed without my understanding catching up, and the space that had been plain white changed as if it were being peeled away. In no time at all, I was standing in a place like a large arena.
"Now, here it is! Today's special match! A dream battle between magic girls begins! First to appear is the challenger, Six! What kind of fighting style will this cute rookie magic girl show us!"
The stands surrounding the arena were packed with a full crowd of spectators. The cheers that welled up felt real enough to vibrate the air.
And the entrance on the opposite side of where I was standing slowly opened. Amidst the thick fog of dry ice, a shadow appeared from beyond the mist.
"On the other hand, the one welcoming her is the strongest magic girl! Can the challenger remain safe before magic that hides such super destructive power! The executor of the 'Zodiac 12' magic assassin cult that the Land of Magic prides itself on, and the wielder of the legendary magic staff 'Baculus Illuminans'! MAGICAAAAAAAAL!! ☆!! MILKYYYYYYYYYYYY!!"