Hong Kong City is a city with a very long history.
However, its economic level is extremely developed; even the emerging Peng City cannot compare with Hong Kong City in terms of its profound metropolitan heritage.
A metropolis like this, which gathers a large resident population, naturally breeds many urban legends.
For example, there's the mysterious pizza delivery person who always delivers on time, or horror stories like the Big-Headed Monster Baby.
But within Hong Kong City's Magic Girl community, there's a most famous legend circulating:
"Did you know, Hong Kong City is a hotbed for villainous Magic Girls?"
"Ever since Mercury, the Azure Reaper from Sui City, appeared, Hong Kong City has seen the emergence of many well-known villainous Magic Girls—"
"Flytrap, Strychnine, Bumblebee, and Guinea Pig—each one is a master among villains."
"But do you know why Hong Kong City produces so many villainous Magic Girls? Where do their guardian stars come from?"
"That's the story we're going to tell today… the Magic Girl Inari."
Xia Taotao clutched her large shoulder bag tightly, her face full of excitement as she looked at the person telling a story to the crowd.
This was a small teahouse in Hong Kong City—a Magic Girl-themed one, famous throughout the country.
The nominal owner of this teahouse was none other than the villainous Magic Girl Mercury, who had long since entered the Star Realm and disappeared. This place had thus become one of the pilgrimage sites for many Magic Girl enthusiasts.
"Speaking of Inari, one cannot help but mention her fierce rival, Bumblebee."
"Everyone must have heard of Bumblebee, right? She even appeared in Shanghai a while ago. It's said that the Bai Lili Squad had several skirmishes with her. Although she couldn't gain the upper hand against Bai Lili, she could retreat completely with ease."
"And Bumblebee's most widely circulated statement was her evaluation of her former rival, Inari:",
"Inari's power is very strong, but her power has also brought a lot of hidden dangers to Hong Kong City."
The Rabbit Girl, huddled in the corner, slightly opened her mouth and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
As an avid Magic Girl enthusiast, Xia Taotao had naturally heard of these two.
Inari was a native Hong Kong City Magic Girl, active during the same period as the former Red Snow of Rong City. She announced her retirement after more than a decade of activity, leaving countless fans heartbroken.
However, upon her retirement, she displayed a powerful magic that no one has been able to replicate to this day—Harvest Magic—which enveloped the entire Hong Kong City.
The principle is very complex, but it can be summarized in the following points:
One, from then on, Hong Kong City's magic power would regularly condense into guardian stars.
Two, even without an Observer to maintain them, these naturally condensed guardian stars would not dissipate.
Three, and most importantly, these condensed guardian stars were indistinguishable from guardian stars descending from the Star Realm.
"So that's how it is…"
"Because guardian stars are scattered all over Hong Kong City, so…"
Many people who hadn't heard this rumor suddenly realized, but dissenting voices quickly emerged.
"But that's not right. Whether it's Flytrap or Strychnine, their first transformations didn't happen in Hong Kong City. How do you explain that?"
"So it's just an urban legend then. If anyone knows more interesting stories, feel free to share them."
Xia Taotao didn't listen further. She glanced at the late hour and quietly squeezed out of the crowd, heading towards her next destination.
She still had many things to do on her trip to Hong Kong City. Besides Mercury Teahouse, she also had to visit Inari's retirement memorial hall and then go see the Monster remains that still stood by the sea.
That was the largest Monster Inari had defeated, and its remains had been transformed into a coastal reef by her magic, now a famous scenic spot in Hong Kong City.
"The Whale Monster Reef… is in this direction… but I'd better go to the retirement memorial hall first…"
Xia Taotao walked with her head down, her Rabbit ears drooping behind her head, navigating along the map.
But what no one noticed was that behind her, a strange, petite girl was following at a not-too-far distance.
The girl's face was gloomy, her eyes somewhat unfocused, and her whole being exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Beast ears stood erect on her head, and her tail hung down, swaying slowly from side to side, enough to indicate her identity: a canine beast-person.
Her eyes, however, remained fixed on the Rabbit Girl not far away, as if she had spotted her dinner for the night.
"…Why do I feel a chill down my spine?"
Xia Taotao seemed to sense something. She looked up at the alley she was in, then lowered her head to open 3D positioning on her phone map, trying to find her current location.
Then, the moment her phone screen went black to load, the Rabbit Girl caught a glimpse of the gray-haired figure behind her in the screen's reflection, and the hungry look in her eyes.
"!!!!"
The Rabbit's instinct made Xia Taotao almost leap up. Her Rabbit ears perked up, and she immediately became alert to her surroundings.
What? Stalking?
The Rabbit Girl turned sharply, but saw nothing. She hastily put away her phone, clutched her shoulder bag, and darted away at full speed.
Why was someone following her!?
Had her identity as Cheshire Rabbit been exposed!? Was that a Hero Association agent behind her!?
She had to escape quickly! And she had to find a way to inform Fox Fox and the others! And…
Before the thought finished in her mind, Xia Taotao rounded a corner, ready to continue sprinting, but was stopped by the road barrier blocking the alley ahead.
This road was cut off… it was a dead end…
The Rabbit Girl turned around, meeting the gaze of the gray-haired girl blocking the entrance.
"…You run pretty fast."
The girl said softly, her voice trembling, hiding an uncontrollable craving.
Xia Taotao froze for a moment.
A girl? Not a Hero Association agent?
But her eyes… could it be…
Xia Taotao suddenly realized something—the state of this beast-person girl in front of her was exactly like her own when her magic went out of control!
And the shining guardian star in her hand was enough to explain the problem.
"Buzz!"
The release of magic was instantaneous.
The gray-haired Magic Girl appeared before her, and those wolf-like hungry eyes made Xia Taotao tremble all over.
"…I won't hurt you, as long as you cooperate with me and let me replenish my magic from you…"
The Gray Wolf Girl murmured, slowly approaching Xia Taotao.
The Rabbit Girl swallowed, instinctively taking a half-step back and clutching her large shoulder bag.
She hadn't expected that she would become someone else's magic replenishment target.
But her bag was full of Hong Kong City exclusive merchandise she had just bought. What if they got damaged?
Thinking of this, Xia Taotao hesitated for a moment.
But the current situation didn't allow her to hesitate further—the Gray Wolf Girl seized the moment the Rabbit Girl was distracted and lunged forward. Although her steps were unsteady from magical exhaustion, her momentum was still full!
…The next moment.
"CRASH!!!"
"?!"
The Gray Wolf Girl flew backward, crashing into the wall beside the alley, collapsing the entire wall. The huge commotion set off countless electric scooter alarms nearby.
Amidst the noisy hum, the Gray Wolf Girl looked up in horror at the pink figure that should have been her "food":
In the dust, a Magic Girl in a pink bunny girl costume stood majestically, holding a Rabbit Hammer in one hand, and smiling cheerfully at her.
"Between us… who exactly is the 'food', Miss Gray Wolf?"