Chapter 9: Part．6［Main Storyline Deepens］

Part．6［Main Storyline Deepens］

………………

Before Xin went to the meeting place with the 18th magical girl, Xin first went to the park he often visited.

Yo! 'Passerby Magical Girl'! Yahaha~! Your outfit looks pretty cool! From afar, the witch-costumed Zuigaosu, leaning on a broom, shouted loudly.

It's just an alias from a fan site, or rather my formal title. Besides, I'm dressed like this only to avoid unnecessary trouble. And keep it down, it's night now. Xin replied after approaching. He gave Zuigaosu a quiet warning.

Just like in the drama, Zuigaosu wore a robe bearing the words 'No Room for Argument'.

Hehe. Zuigaosu let out an awkward laugh twice.

Good evening, Bowen. Want some milk candy? Xin greeted Bowen, who was hugging her chest with a solemn expression behind Zuigaosu, and pulled a few milk candies from his waist pouch.

……

Bowen didn't take it.

Eh~ Jingpo, don't mind it. Bowen's just like that. It's fine, she doesn't eat, I'll eat. Seeing Bowen completely indifferent to Xin's kindness, Zuigaosu hurriedly stepped between them and picked up two peeled candies from Xin's hand.

Ah~. Zuigaosu brought a peeled candy pinched between two fingers close to Bowen's mouth.

I... uh... Bowen had just uttered two syllables when Zuigaosu, seizing the opportunity, shoved it into her mouth. Looking at Bowen's sullen face, Zuigaosu laughed and tossed another candy into his own mouth.

Although Bowen wanted to spit out the candy after being force-fed, seeing Zuigaosu's smiling face, she blushed slightly and chewed a few bites hard, then closed her eyes.

(While Xin was eating candy, he suddenly felt something off, opened his palm, and saw that the peeled candy wrapper bore three large characters—'Fan-made Candy (Comical)'.

…………

By the way, why is Bowen coming with you? Can your broom still carry me like this? Xin asked, somewhat puzzled.

Geez, how could such a small thing trouble me, Zuigaosu? As for Bowen, don't look at her cold exterior—she's actually a nice person. She came over because she's worried about my safety, hahaha~~. Zuigaosu said carelessly, pat-patting Bowen's shoulders. He completely missed the black lines about to explode on Bowen's head.

Hey! Just watch! After laughing a while, Zuigaosu said to Xin.

After saying that, Zuigaosu gave the broom a hard push.

Immediately, under Xin's speechless gaze, the ordinary broom that looked decently made suddenly 'grew' an exhaust pipe, instrument panel, rearview mirror, and other motorcycle accessories.

Even a turbojet-like device sprouted from the part of the broom used for sweeping.

After transforming, the broom suddenly became several sizes larger out of thin air.

Eh……………… This isn't magic. Xin was speechless.

All right~ Don't just stand there. Hurry up and get on, hang your big bag on the back—that's all you need. My magic broom is really sturdy! And that newcomer is waiting for you~. After Zuigaosu and Bowen got on the 'vehicle', seeing Xin still rooted to the spot, she waved him over.

Coming.

Let's go~

With a roar of the engine, Zuigaosu's broom shot up like a bullet. The gust kicked up at takeoff made the trees in the small park sway……

However, on a tree in the park lawn, a girl with a rose flower pinned to her head and delicate rose vines wrapped around her body revealed her silhouette in the strong wind.

Due to the canopy's blockage, although her body was in the moonlight, her head remained in shadow.

Is your performance different from before? You look like a decent opponent. Well done~. A hint of smile touched the corner of her mouth.

This is what I should do. A thin voice came from behind the girl.

In the night, the girl's wine-red pupils flashed with an inexplicable gleam.

——————

Bowen sat behind Xin, eyes on the ground. Occasionally she glanced at the person riding ahead of Xin. Ah, no, it was Zuigaosu riding the broom.

She didn't like the feeling of being sandwiched in the middle.

Meanwhile, Xin, after finishing the candy, tore open a pack of dried squid and occasionally handed a piece to Zuigaosu in front.

The three of them thus sped toward the previously agreed-upon location.

…………

By the way, why are you suddenly dressed like this and carrying a weapon? These things, regardless of danger, aren't cheap, right? On the road, Zuigaosu opened up the conversation. From what she knew, the composite bow on Xin's back was a fairly well-known brand, and the travel bag she wore wasn't cheap either.

Nothing much, you also know what functions the server update added, right? Xin didn't answer directly.

? Zuigaosu tilted his head.

So the magic sugar transfer function—it isn't something benevolent. Xin said, lowering his head.

Huh? Bowen, hearing this, suddenly tensed up, her gaze also turning toward the cloaked Xin.

Bowen, you must have figured this out already, it's just that Zuigaosu still doesn't believe it, or rather Zuigaosu you're unwilling to believe it. Feeling Bowen's reaction and seeing Zuigaosu suddenly fall silent, Xin said.

Silence........

You mean, plundering? After a while, Zuigaosu asked in a low voice.

【46】..........

"..."

I understand. Next, I'll strive. At least, I'll hold on until next year. Thank you, Jingpo. Facing Xin's silence, Zuigaosu said.

Afterward, there was a silence without a word.

Immediately after, she accelerated toward the destination. The strong wind from high-speed flight made Zuigaosu's robe, Xin's cloak, and Bowen's scarf flap loudly.

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A few minutes later, the three approached the agreed-upon point.

Is that magical girl the one you arranged to meet? Zuigaosu tilted his head and said.

Probably. She just sent a message saying she'd already seen us. At the meeting spot, only that guy was waving. Xin lowered his gaze to the terminal, then lifted his eyes to the building's roof where a girl waving both hands could be seen.

Should we go down together? Zuigaosu asked.

No. Um… let's just stop at the edge of the building. Xin, noticing Zuigaosu's somewhat dejected expression, said. He tidied his cloak.

Be careful. There was a hint of worry in Zuigaosu's voice.

Trouble. Bowen muttered.

Seeing there was still some distance, Xin tightened the bow on his back, stood up on the broom. After roughly estimating the distance, he leapt toward the roof while the broom was still unsteady.

At this moment, Xin could already see clearly the magical girl waving.

She wore a blue-and-white nurse uniform, though its style wasn't what hospitals commonly use now; instead it felt somewhat like a maid outfit. The small, cute nurse cap on her head was more decorative than functional.

Overall it was a light blue midi dress with a white apron, the skirt's edge trimmed with white frills. However, to Xin, the apron seemed part of the dress. She also had white cuffs with pink trim on her wrists.

She wore white stockings on her legs, which Xin could see were at least thigh-high. Her feet were in a pair of round-toed leather shoes.

The nurse uniform itself had a magical girl vibe. A slightly exposed collarbone and a pink choker on her neck matched her pink hair and lively pink eyes.

The insignia on the nurse cap and apron wasn't a red cross but a pink heart enclosing two cross-stars on a background; the two small pockets on the apron also bore pink cross-star patterns.

The powerful abilities granted by the magical girl allowed Xin to see normally even in darkness.

Of course, the most eye-catching was her figure, not inferior to that of a swimmer. Although the nurse uniform covered her more than other magical girls' outfits, paired with the girl's figure it became all the more attractive.

"It's obvious that a good figure looks great in anything. But when can I alter this outfit? Wearing such a skirt with a cloak is really uncomfortable. I hate petticoats!!!" Xin muttered silently in her heart.

Pat.

Xin stepped onto the ground. The slight heel of her shoe made a little sound.

"Hi hi! Are you Jingpo? Long time no see~!" As soon as Xin landed, the magical girl in front exclaimed eagerly.

"??" Xin felt puzzled.

"Huh? You guys know each other?" Zuigaosu questioned upon seeing this.

Xin: _? _??

Seeing Xin's clueless expression, the magical girl in front pouted, but soon laughed.

"Ah~, I remember now. Jingpo, you probably don't know who I am yet. I'll explain right away!" she said excitedly.

"... Um, want some dried squid?" Xin, still not used to this, asked dryly.

"Hehe~ thanks. Oh right, would the witch lady and ninja lady over there like to join? Anyway it's not a secret, so as friends of Jingpo you can come listen!" After taking Xin's dried squid, she gestured to the two behind Xin still on their brooms—Zuigaosu and Bowen.

"Ha! Is that so? Then I'll obey gladly. Bowen, come down quickly—meeting the new person isn't bad either~." Seeing this, Zuigaosu curled the corners of his mouth and said with a smile.

Bowen, meanwhile, silently jumped down from the broom.

"And your bag..." Zuigaosu said, reaching toward Xin's travel bag still hanging on the broom.

"No need." Xin waved her hand.

Afterwards, under Zuigaosu and the others' astonished gazes, Xin's travel bag actually flew off the broom by itself to her feet.

Xin couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but Bowen noticed what seemed to be some sparkle around the travel bag.

"Well then, let's introduce ourselves. I'm Zuigaosu. My magic is 'the fastest speed daze'!" Zuigaosu, leaning on his broom, winked at the magical girl in front.

"Bowen, my magic is throwing a hidden blade that never misses." Bowen stared at the other and said.

"Jingpo. My magic is~ playing with salt."

"Pfft~ Jingpo, your intro is too funny! Hahaha~~ Don't mind, don't mind, I'm not laughing at you hahaha." Hearing Xin's words, Zuigaosu suddenly burst out laughing.

"Well~ I am the magical nurse Nanger. Just call me Nanger. My magic is 'a magical syringe that can absorb and release pain.' I'm delighted to meet you all, seniors!" Nanger said with a smile.

"Nanger? A nurse? emmm……" Xin had a retort in her heart.

"Hey, by the way, looking at Nanger you seem to know Jingpo—what's going on?" Zuigaosu asked.

Upon hearing that, Xin gazed at Nanger.

Bowen, meanwhile, walked in wooden clogs to the edge of the concrete railing, clacking as she went, to look down below.

"Well, I don't know if senior Jingpo still remembers that girl who suddenly fainted on the road three weeks ago?" Nanger said, pinching her false cuff.

"Umm… I have a vague impression." Xin recalled.

Xin's original self had indeed rescued a girl who was walking along the road and suddenly collapsed three weeks earlier. Only later, by secretly following Xin, did she learn why.

Nanger was a girl with a congenital heart condition; that day's fainting was due to a sudden onset, and even her family hadn't known beforehand.

Xin still remembered that her original self, because of the emergency, had taken a lot of money from where the "lost-and-found" wallet was hidden to cover the initial hospitalization fees. Of course, the money taken was also recorded in the original self's notebook, with a note to repay it as soon as possible.

"I recall—so how's your heart now?" Xin said after recollecting.

"Hmm~ because of my physical condition, although I have an auxiliary pacemaker installed, I still can't do strenuous exercise." Nanger said somewhat dejectedly.

"But later I heard about the game 'Magical Girl Cultivation Plan,' so I thought I'd give it a try to see if I could, also to relieve the frustration of not being able to exercise fully—and somehow I ended up becoming a magical girl." She then laughed again.

"Being able to see you again is wonderful, and this state truly is as healthy and strong as Fabu said. When I first transformed, I didn't even know—just a light leap and………………" Nanger went on and on.

Zuigaosu and the others listened silently.

Xin then took off the somewhat uncomfortable cloak. She tidied up the somewhat uncomfortable, wrinkled clothing.

She silently complained about Fabu and the Magic Kingdom's design of magical girl outfits.

………………………………

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At the same time, elsewhere in N City.

A long carpet woven with complex patterns, a small ebony table, a black leather sofa, a splendid chandelier, haphazardly placed simple watercolor frames, a three-pronged coat rack, candle holders emitting a dim silver glow, and honey-colored wax candles—besides these everyday items, even each pillar and floorboard exuded an elegant air. She glanced around the room and said, "This is so-called the club's VIP room."

Disaster Mary had many unfavorable rumors, one of which was her ties to the underworld. After entering the shop through the building's back door, she neither ran into other customers nor was questioned by men in black suits, and went straight into the room. It can be said that this alone is enough to prove the rumor.

The magical girl "Magicaroid44" wore a backpack-shaped large thruster, had a weapon rack on her waist, covered her main head camera with anti-glare material, and installed small thrusters all over her body to control posture. In design, she was made of magic-element alloy that feels like skin yet is harder than steel, a robot magical girl. If other magical girls are humans role-playing, then Magicaroid44 is a human-like machine, with a decisive difference.

However, the guide clerk neither shouted nor was frightened enough to point at her; he merely had a stiff expression.

"Speak, why come to my place? After all, I'm not exactly a good person either." Disaster Mary lounged lazily on the bench, drinking alcohol, and asked casually.

In front of her on the table sat a large ice bucket containing several bottles of expensive high-proof liquor.

Beside the ice bucket lay a revolver with a huge caliber.

Around the bench stood several tall men wearing Bluetooth earpieces and black sunglasses, dressed in black suits.

"Because in my analysis, you are the strongest magical girl I can find. Although you're not exactly a good person, I also know about mutually beneficial exchanges. I only seek shelter." The petite robot-like magical girl Magicaloid44 lowered her head and fiddled with the magical girl terminal as she said.

"Heh. Little clever thing." Disaster Mary swirled the ice in her cup and said disdainfully.

"You flatter me." Magicaloid44 said without any reaction.

Partner? Just afraid of having my magic candy snatched away. Anyway, the ultimate goal is to eliminate magical girls, so why not strike first? Mali said casually.

Nobody's started this yet, so I certainly don't want to be the one who gets shot and becomes the bird that sticks its head out. Magicaloid44 answered, lowering their head.

Glug~

Alright, I'll tentatively agree with you. Mali took a big gulp of amber-colored liquor.

Ordinary poisons have no effect on magical girls, because their strong bodies are not affected by toxins. Therefore, naturally, they shouldn't get drunk, but Calamity Mali keeps drinking cup after cup. Is this a habit left over from her human days, or is it part of her magical girl persona?

In the room, only the constant glugging of alcohol being poured and the tapping of keys on the terminal could be heard.

…………………………………………

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"Then where should I go to find her, Jingpo?" In the bedroom, the girl dressed like an elementary student calmly asked while doing her homework.

This fab can't tell, peng! Because magical girls' private information is protected, peng. On the egg-shaped terminal, the black-and-white AI fairy swayed its body and said.

"Is that so……." The girl still lowered her head to deal with her homework, her eyes holding an inexplicable light.

"Envious of the princess, wanting to become a princess, just go do it?" She whispered, recalling that night's dream…………