Nan Xiaofeng always felt like she had bad luck.
She never guessed a single answer correctly on tests, often ran into Xin Yuehu when she went out, and even got food stuck in her teeth while eating.
But sometimes, Nan Xiaofeng felt her luck was actually pretty good.
Despite being tormented by Xin Yuehu so many times, nothing major ever happened; even though she couldn't guess answers correctly, she always scraped by with a 60%; and even though food got stuck in her teeth, it always came loose with a little effort.
However, all these thoughts vanished the moment she saw that colossal creature.
Her luck had probably reached its lowest point.
"...Holy crap."
Stuttering for a long time, she couldn't utter a complete sentence. Nan Xiaofeng pondered for a while before finally letting out a classic Chinese expletive.
No words could describe Nan Xiaofeng's feelings at that moment; only that expletive truly reflected them.
"What is that? Is it a Monster summoned by Xin Yuehu? It's too big!"
Hyacinth shouted to her companions beside her.
Iris was dumbfounded, Nightingale was petrified, but only Bai Lili conjured her Magic Wand, instantly unleashing Star Shadow.
Since entering the barrier, the anti-magic barrier Xin Yuehu had placed on the four of them had lost its effect.
Except for Nightingale, who, as support, still carried a heavy assault rifle to compensate for firepower, Hyacinth and the other two returned to their usual forms, with their magic fully unleashed.
But even with three Star Shadows, the four members of the elite squad felt completely uncertain.
"This size… if Xin Yuehu really let it out, I'm afraid the entire Hong Kong City wouldn't be able to contain it."
Iris murmured.
"We have to destroy it! We can't let it reach the surface!"
"Destroy it, huh…"
Nightingale mumbled, glancing at the terrifying size of the giant snake.
Compared to it, even Iris's Star Shadow's quad-mounted magic cannon seemed slender and delicate, not to mention the Star Shadow Greatsword in Hyacinth's hand.
Even Xin Yuehu's enchanted main battle tank couldn't compare to the terrifying oppressive presence of this giant snake!
"...Iris! Let's test its strength first!"
"Understood!"
Bai Lili said to the girl beside her, raising both her Magic Wand and magic cannon, unleashing a combined strike at the astral giant snake!
Three quad-mounted magic cannons, all barrels firing simultaneously!
Magic cannons and dense missile rays intertwined, directly hitting the giant snake's body, erupting in a dazzling display of magic sparks.
"CRASH! ! ! ! !"
"WHOOSH! !—"
Iris stepped back, reloading her magic cannon.
When the magic sparks dissipated, the giant snake's body remained unmoving, its blood-red tongue flicking and swaying, as if revealing a mocking smile.
"Completely… completely ineffective…"
"Tsk…"
Both of their faces were filled with shock.
If even Iris's magic cannon couldn't harm this giant snake, were they supposed to expect Hyacinth to charge up and engage in close combat with this mountain-sized Monster?
Even Hyacinth herself had some doubts about her own strength.
"...Retreat quickly!"
Seeing that both the magic cannon and all magic were ineffective, Bai Lili decisively changed their strategy. The four of them unhesitatingly turned and ran towards the barrier they had entered through.
This was unwinnable!
Magic was ineffective, the magic cannon was like a tickle, and they couldn't expect Hyacinth to fight a mountain-sized creature in close quarters. The best option was to temporarily retreat to the surface and organize a civilian evacuation.
But when the four stood at the entrance of the barrier they had come through, the now extinguished barrier poured a bucket of cold water over them.
"The barrier has failed."
Iris said in horror.
Bai Lili bit her lip, trying to manipulate the barrier for a while, but no matter how much magic she injected into it, the teleportation barrier showed no sign of lighting up.
The four members of the elite squad were trapped in this ancient seal deep underground.
"It's over… we can't escape…"
Nightingale slumped to the ground in despair, utterly terrified.
The giant snake was not in a hurry to attack these four uninvited guests, nor was it angered by their previous attack; it simply observed the four Magic Girls with cruel eyes.
It didn't speak, yet it was as if it had said everything.
"Why won't it open? Wasn't it fine when we came in!"
Hyacinth rushed forward and stared at the barrier for a long time, wanting to help Bai Lili inject magic into it, but she knew she didn't understand the barrier's principles and had no idea how to proceed.
But as the group stood helpless, Nightingale suddenly heard a familiar voice in her ear:
【Miss Nightingale, can you hear me?】
It was a silently floating Slime Familiar.
The familiar sound coming from its mouth, a soft voice coupled with a serious tone, was full of contrast, making Nightingale cry out in surprise.
"X-Xin Yuehu?! Why are you…"
【This is not the time for that. All of you, quickly stand as close to each other as possible. I'll figure out a way to teleport you from underground back to the surface!】
Golden Fox's tone carried a hint of urgency.
Who wouldn't be anxious?!
Even Hyacinth and these main characters of the righteous path were helpless against this giant snake. If she didn't do something soon, they would be wiped out by that giant snake underground!
"When did you bring this thing here? Xin Yuehu! What in the world are you up to!"
Hyacinth was both shocked and angry, ready to question a few things and then chop off the Slime with her sword, but Iris clapped a hand over her mouth and simultaneously restrained her sword-raising hand.
The latter had already mostly guessed what was happening.
From Xin Yuehu's attitude, this giant snake didn't seem like something she had summoned, nor could she have conjured such a terrifying Monster in the short time she had been in Hong Kong City.
If that were the case, she would absolutely be the strongest villain in history. No contest.
And this was their last chance to escape this sealed barrier! They absolutely couldn't let the impulsive Hyacinth chop it down!
【Iris, hold her down! Now!】
Taking advantage of the moment Hyacinth was temporarily silenced and restrained, Su Tianqing immediately activated the teleportation magic on the ethereal Slime.
The Magic Girls instantly vanished, leaving no trace.
The giant snake looked in surprise at the spot where the four had suddenly disappeared, then lifted its head towards the surface, a hint of ferocity flashing in its snake eyes.
...
Meanwhile, at the surface park.
The Hero Association was organizing personnel for an emergency evacuation of the surrounding populace.
But Hong Kong City was so vast, and its population so dense; how could it be evacuated just by saying so?
Even though the Association had prepared plans in advance, dispatching all available on-duty and standby heroes from surrounding areas to assist, it was still a huge challenge.
Hai Lan Shi, standing anxiously at the entrance, continued to persistently call the four members of the elite squad who had delved deep underground.
"Headquarters calling! Headquarters calling!"
"Hyacinth! Can you hear me? Respond if you can hear!"
Silence.
No matter how Hai Lan Shi called, there was no response from the other end of the communication, only dead silence.
"Damn it! They wouldn't have started fighting that Monster, would they? How could the four of them be a match for that thing!"
Hai Lan Shi muttered to herself.
A giant snake bigger than a mountain? This was already a beast-level creature! Even more exaggerated than Red Rose Senior's Leviathan last time!
Just as she was about to continue calling, the shimmering teleportation magic that appeared on the park lawn instantly caught everyone's attention.
Mai Sui immediately aimed her magic cannon in the direction of the teleportation magic.
Teleportation magic? The only person she knew who could skillfully use it was Xin Yuehu.
But upon seeing that the figures who appeared were Hyacinth and the other three, the solemn expression on Mai Sui's face was suddenly replaced by astonishment.
"Hyacinth? Iris? Why are you back? This teleportation magic is…"
"It's Xin Yuehu. She teleported us out of that spatial barrier," Bai Lili said, trying to appear calm.
Everyone exchanged glances.
What was going on? Xin Yuehu? Mai Sui felt like she had misheard something.
It was Xin Yuehu who set up the barrier, and that giant snake was very likely a giant Monster she summoned, so why would she suddenly send the elite squad who entered the barrier back to the surface?
"This isn't the time for that!"
Hyacinth took two steps forward, dispelling her Star Shadow state, and said to her companions around her,
"We must evacuate all surrounding residents as quickly as possible! It's very dangerous here! There's a Monster underground that's even more terrifying than a bomb!"
—Before she finished speaking.
The violent tremor from deep within the earth startled everyone.
And the subsequent Monster attack alarm made the Magic Girls feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave:
【Monster attack detected!】
【Powerful Monsters have suddenly appeared in multiple locations across Hong Kong City!】
【...Wait a minute, something's not right.】
Zi Ying Shi, who was in charge of communication observation, suddenly paused on the public channel, hesitating for a moment.
【...According to reports, the Monsters seem to be... attacking each other?】
Hyacinth also stopped in her tracks.
Was the sudden Monster attack initiated by that giant beast underground? But why would they attack each other?
What exactly… was going on…?