Chapter 33

Part．18 【Ready to Spend Your Life?】

"Another invitation, should we go?" Di tilted her head and looked at Naina's terminal, which displayed a message from Jingpo.

"Yu Erchong Naina, this is a critical issue concerning the survival of everyone remaining; if possible, please overcome your fear and go to the terrain marked in this picture." The attachment was a picture full of mosaics.

"Huh? That's really strange; clearly it's map reading, but they directly wrote the place name on it using the method of a vision test chart."

Di remarked, looking at the picture made of mixed-color mosaics, that it was somewhat strange.

"...... No, that's not it; Jingpo, she is probably avoiding Fabu's detection." Yu Erchong Naina said suddenly after a moment of silence.

"Huh?" Di suddenly felt confused.

"Do you remember what Jingpo-chan said a long time ago? 'Fabu is not trustworthy.'" Yu Erchong Naina said solemnly.

"Ugh......" Di felt even more confused, not understanding why Naina would suddenly bring this up.

"We must do something, right? First is Mianmian, second is Wang Quan; not long ago we were also attacked, and just last week even Younaer-er was eliminated. Di-chan, do you think we can still stay out of it?" The usually gentle and weak Yu Erchong Naina became firm at this moment.

Those heartfelt words left Di somewhat at a loss.

Di became a magical girl just to make Yu Erchong Naina happy; even if it was to protect others, it was only because Naina-chan needed it. In other respects, Di didn't think much.

But in the end, her worries couldn't shake Naina's resolve; after some disagreement, Di still agreed to go with Naina to check out this fellow veteran magical girl like herself.

In fact, what attracted Di to Naina was her gentleness no matter what she went through, and her decisiveness at crucial moments.

———————————————

Under the night sky, on the rooftop of the downtown office building.

A scantily clad ninja girl quietly blew a fierce "mountain wind", her scarlet scarf writhing like a mad snake in the air.

"Sigh......"

But not long after, following the girl's faint sigh, the troublemaker arrived with an engine roar like a ghost-fire boy tearing up the streets, from far to near.

"Yoohoo~~~!" The "witch" with huge braids like Tianjin twisted doughnuts let out an impatient roar as she approached Bowen.

"Trouble."

Seeing this, Bowen quickly waved her hand to indicate she already knew, so as not to let Top Speed make an even louder noise.

Fortunately, Top Speed is, after all, a magical girl.

"Bowen, did you get the message?" Top Speed got straight to the point as soon as she arrived.

"This, I have." Bowen had nothing to hide.

"Then that's good; this time I hope you won't be willful. I hope you can come too—it's very important!"

Top Speed rarely showed such a serious expression, saying this time Bowen discovered that even the familiar, easygoing Top Speed had a serious and incomprehensible side.

What kind of feeling is that?

"Ah, is it that 'Without Discussion' robe she always wears? Oh, that's how it is." For some reason, the originally somewhat mismatched gear looked harmonious in Bowen's eyes at this moment.

Bowen unconsciously agreed.

Until Top Speed rode away on her broom, waving, Bowen's mind was still a bit unable to process it.

The Holy Maiden was attacked; the so-called elimination mechanism was a scam orchestrated by the magical girl Kulanbei Li; to survive, everyone had to unite; the addition of props was also a scam—all of this was to make the remaining magical girls fight harder.

"Have we become beasts in the arena?" she muttered, recalling how Top Speed had almost been killed a few days earlier......

"If it weren't for Jingpo's timely appearance....."

As she thought, her mind gradually cleared.

"I want to live, even if only for myself." She told herself this, turned around, and upon spotting Top Speed's traces, she leapt......

——————————————

Time and space shifted back to Xin's conversation with the Holy Maiden.

"Hold on, it'll be over soon."

Xin said, pulling the syringe's plunger, as some reddish-purple substance slowly appeared inside the syringe.

"Is this, this my fear? How amazing—my memory of Kulanbei Li really isn't that scary anymore!"

Sotai exclaimed, as if the fear and pain from being pricked by the syringe were no longer there.

"Oh oh~, I didn't expect my magic could be used like this either." Taigu Mei also exclaimed.

"This is how I've been developing our magic; in reality, our use of magic is very crude." Xin explained, pulling out the needle.

On Sotai's arm there wasn't even a needle mark.

Sotai not only curiously rubbed the patch of skin where the syringe had pierced.

"This is just a little help; as one of our main forces, you can't easily be knocked down by the enemy's fear."

"Hmm! Please rest assured!"

So now I'll first say what I should tell you this time. I can't tell you everything because I need to consider the bigger picture, so please understand." Xin said, giving Taigu Mei a glance.

And Taigu Mei, also understanding, once again went stealthily toward the surroundings.

"If that's the case, then I'm willing to assist you." Fatai clenched his fist, then released it, repeating the motion over and over.

"This is an event that requires all of us, not just you. If possible, I even want to

"Also bring over Magicaloid44, this somewhat indecisive guy." Xin looked up at the clear night sky and said.

"I can't guarantee about others, but as for Bai Xue, I'll do my best to persuade her." Fatai took a light breath and said.

"Well, time's about up, looking at your age, you're definitely still a student, you should head back early." Xin lowered his head to glance at his watch, his tone returning to calm.

"Hey then, Jingpo-san, goodbye." Fatai said, making to leave, but after just two steps his face flushed with embarrassment and he came back.

"Um... uh, Lord Jingpo, do you know where my terminal is? I, I need to use it to transform..." Fatai's voice grew softer and softer, then his face turned bright red.

"Well, you only just remembered now, ah~~~~." Xin had a somewhat strange smile on his face.

"Kuh, kukuku......" Taigu Mei behind also covered her mouth, stifling laughter.

In the gaze of the two laughing, Fatai's expression gradually turned to shy anger.

Alright, alright, I'll give it to you right away. By the way, I didn't do it on purpose~ After all, you just learned about Fabu's situation from me. Be more careful, and your chances of survival will be greater~.

Just as Fatai was about to lose control and erupt, Xun waved his hand, forcibly suppressing the surging qi and blood in Fatai, and then handed him the magic terminal.

Afterwards, in Fatai's ghost‑like stare, his magic terminal floated out from the dark woods, swaying gently.

"Eh? Is this magic?" he asked in surprise.

"Alright, grab your stuff and hurry up—why do you have to ask about every little thing? Annoying much? You're not doing homework, and my companions need to go back too!" Xun didn't explain, but urged him to return quickly.

"I understand, I'll try to persuade Bai Xue as well, senior. Take care." As he spoke, Fatai quickly tapped the terminal a few times; a speck of light drifted out and wrapped him, and when she finished speaking, a much taller figure appeared where he stood—the Holy Maiden.

"Ah, by the way, try not to tell too many people about it—after all, that guy isn't stupid~."

Watching the Holy Maiden's figure gradually shrink and fade, Xun sat there and spoke loudly.

After receiving the Holy Maiden's sword‑raising signal, Xun slowly exhaled and lay flat on his back.

"Well~, the next battle will be a true, brutal fight to the death—are you scared?" Xun asked.

"Not scared~ because we have our senior leading us~." Taigu Mei said gently.

This was what Xun had thought, but when he actually spoke......

"Huh? Senior, you've always claimed to be flawless in your plans—how can you say that?"

After failing to save Wang Quan last time, I've come to terms with it. I can't save everyone, so I'll do my best to keep us alive first, then think about how to save more people.

Taigu Mei then walked over to Xun's side, sat cross‑legged, and began counting on her fingers as she spoke.

During the time he spent with Xun, Xun never forgot to teach Taigu Mei what he knew; more accurately, he used his knowledge to shape her.

For Taigu Mei, when she first became a magical girl, her thinking was still rather simple, but with Xun's occasional lessons and knowledge instilled.

Taigu Mei has grown a lot; it's undeniable that a magical girl's psychological resilience is truly strong.

Such as 'Unlimited power is a kind of disaster.'

"Don't underestimate anyone."

"Think before you act; even if you don't think, at least do some thinking" is a saying Xun often repeats.

"Hmm~, I thought you'd spout love and hope like a real magical girl from an anime and then throw your life away like an idiot." Xun stood up, patted the dirt, and said calmly.

"Hey hey, watch your mouth, senior—no matter what, we've been partners for quite a while~~~."

Taigu Mei retorted, meanwhile tidying up efficiently.

"Haha~~."

"What are we going to do next?" Taigu Mei asked, eyes on a lollipop she was basically sucking on.

"Of course, to go see our cute junior—she's changed a bit, but she's still too shy." Xun said, stepping forward.

"I don't even know what kind of person that junior really is—she keeps choosing to come out this late. Hmm~~~~." Mei followed behind, somewhat displeased.

"That's true too~—she's clearly such a little kid......."

"Senior, what were you just saying?"

"Nothing~~—since you think it's late, let's hurry; finishing early means sleeping early, right?"

"Hi hi~~~—we'll do whatever the senior says."

After saying that, the two again sped up toward the place where Xun had hidden his electronic devices.

Beside the 7‑Eleven convenience store at the intersection of Twelve‑block Town.

"Crystal Soul Senior, here." After Xun and the other retrieved their phones etc. and walked to a distance about thirty steps from Ailis, her mouth, which had been tightly shut, slowly opened; she spoke softly while slightly raising her hand in a greeting that was both like and unlike a wave.

"Yee~~~."

To Mei, the sight of her—originally black‑clad—emerging suddenly from the shadows looked exactly like a ghost.

"Oh dear, oh dear, still so quiet—you sound so lifeless~~~." Xun said with a laugh.

Thus, Ailis lowered her head...... and immediately her eyes widened sharply.

!!

"But that's not bad either—being able to greet on your own counts as big progress~~~." Xun said gently, stroking Ailis's head.

"Mmm, what's the feel of Ailis‑chan's hair~~~~?" Mei looked on, a bit envious.

"Uhh... thank, thank you." Ailis felt the warmth in Xun's palm, but she only moved her lips and made no sound.

From the Crystal Dust Radar (Xun's term for scattering crystal dust in space to serve as another sensory organ) he sensed Ailis's lip movement, curled the corners of his mouth, and moved his hand away.

"Well then, since it's already this late, let's start tonight's operation—how about it?"

Seeing Ailis nod at an almost imperceptible angle, Xun took the lead and brought the two toward another path.

"What are we going to practice today?" Mei asked, fiddling with the terminal behind her.

"The theory's pretty much covered; the coming days won't be easy, so naturally we need to start practical training, hmm." Xun said while eating the sandwich he'd just unwrapped.

"Uh...... hey senior, can I look at the magic terminal? There's something that seems off." Taigu Mei didn't press further, but stared at the terminal with a grim expression.

———————

"Ding ding~~~~, you magical girls are really too reserved~—to the point that you're still relying on magic candy to "eliminate" others~. This really makes the land of N City, which bears all you magical girls and supplies your magic, struggle to continue~."

"But fortunately there's Fabu, who is seeking a good helper for all of us—or rather, for the magical girls who must survive~~."

"So this time I've especially expended great effort, using N City's magic to bring you a powerful tool exclusive to the Magic Kingdom~~."

"So that you can compete better, so that the weak can also survive—pick the gear you like and fight~~!!!!!!"

———————

At the end of this message there's also a GIF of fireworks bursting into the shape of Fabu.

However, when Xun opened the terminal and saw the message—not, even as soon as he heard Taigu Mei mention this news, he understood what had happened.

After confirming the message, Xun's first reaction wasn't tension or fear, but a sigh of relief.

"Is it because too few were eliminated that the message now shows undisguised malice? The fox's tail has finally shown itself~!"

But for Ailis and Nanger, who were unaware of the message, they were intently watching the few magic items that had come online on the terminal.

Eh eh, senior, these things all look really strong. Do we need these? Taigu Mei couldn't hold back, rather urgently asking.

Although Ailis didn't speak, the gleam in her eyes showed she was quite tempted.

————————-

※Four-dimensional bag: 10

Size one person can carry

You can put things inside infinitely.

※Transparent coat: 25

Once worn,

can become invisible to everyone's eyes,

even your scent can be hidden as well.

※Weapon: 5

Weapons that won't break even under the superhuman strength of a magical girl.

Please select from the list.

※Vitality pill: 3

Although it cannot heal injuries,

but it can raise your vitality to the maximum.

※Rabbit's foot: 6

When in crisis, something fortunate will happen.

But whether you can escape the predicament depends on yourself.

——————————

Smack!

A finger snap sounded.

Ailis and Nangeer's terminals flew from their hands amid their slightly panicked expressions.

Xin raised his hand to stop their attempt to retrieve the terminals, saying:

"Ailis-chan, Nangeer-chan. Can you first listen to me say two sentences?"

"But but, if we don't make a move, those items will..." Nangeer was a bit anxious.

"Senior......" Ailis also made a rare sound.

"I know you're anxious, but please listen to me finish, then think it over again!" Xin repeated, his tone a bit stricter.

This at last calmed their heated heads.

Seeing that at least their actions had calmed, Xin nodded.

"Fabu, you damn thing, don't play hide-and-seek, come out!" Xin tapped his magic terminal.

"Yikes, it's the Popularity King Magical Girl Jingpo-sama, you know. Your summons I dare not be the slightest bit negligent, you know~."

Black and white, split evenly down a middle line, Fabu with a slight dreamy particle effect flew out from Xin's terminal.

"Then Jingpo-sama, what do you need me summoned for, you know?" Fabu swayed his body, saying.

"What do the numbers in the lower right corner of these items represent? Is it a currency that requires paying?"

Xin slightly wrapped what he wanted to say and asked.

"No, pon, these powerful items, as entities that can decide the balance of victory, certainly can be exchanged only with something more precious, pon~."

Fabu didn't say it outright, but Mei felt things wouldn't be that simple.

"What is needed?" Mei couldn't help but ask.

Ailis also leaned forward slightly, guessing curiously.

"Lifespan pon~." Fabu said in a light tone, words as heavy as a hammer.

"What, what??!!!!" Taigu Mei was struck as if by lightning.

Meanwhile Xin merely narrowed his eyes.

Ailis's figure swayed a bit, then she retreated two steps.

————————————

On the tall signal tower of N City.

After the Holy Maiden and Bai Xue were gone, tonight another visitor arrived and settled again.

"It's lifespan pon~."

Bowen sat on the edge of the tower's platform.

After learning the item information, the ever-cautious her restrained the eager Top Speed, asking the same question as Xin.

Naturally, the answer she received was the same.

"Yayaaya!! Cancel! Quickly cancel!!" Top Speed, upon hearing the answer, shouted in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Bowen, who had asked the question, also had her pupils suddenly contract.

————————————

"Lifespan pon~."

"No, no! You're lying, right?" Bai Xue said, trembling in disbelief.

"No way, Xiao Fa, Xiao Fa might actually buy it. I have to stop him!!" Bai Xue was about to say more, but immediately she thought of something bad.

Without even bothering to grab the terminal, she hurriedly jumped out the window and ran toward the endless night sky.

————————————