Mindscape World, the most powerful magic in the world.
It allows the caster to create an independent space, freely defining everything within it, including the rules of physics and magic.
Currently, only three individuals are confirmed to be able to cast this powerful magic: Red Rose, Red Snow, and Xin Yuehu.
Red Rose is currently enjoying a vacation, Red Snow has long since retired, and now only Xin Yuehu can use Mindscape World, which greatly troubles the Magic Girls.
Especially Hyacinth, who has almost developed the habit of investigating immediately upon entering Mindscape World.
"According to my recent investigation..."
Sitting in a still-tidy, unmanned coffee shop on the street, Hyacinth brought a cup of warm water to her two companions and placed it on the table.
"All our magic is forbidden, but I haven't yet figured out where Xin Yuehu has hidden the gold, and I can't contact other squads."
"Then this is troublesome..."
Iris mumbled to herself.
The three looked at each other.
Field Mouse Hyacinth, Cangshu Yeying, and Xiao Baishu Iris.
The authentic Magic Rats trio looked at each other and sighed simultaneously.
"What does Xin Yuehu want to do? Wouldn't it be better to just return the gold to us? Why go through all this trouble?"
Field Mouse Hyacinth took a gulp of water, grumbling.
Xiao Baishu Iris replied with a wry smile:
"Relax, isn't this just Xin Yuehu's usual style?"
"While that's true... I just feel really annoyed! And—"
Before Field Mouse Hyacinth could launch into a more intense rant, a familiar voice suddenly blared from the outdoor loudspeaker:
"Welcome everyone to Fox Fox's Mindscape World! This is a simulated city scene Fox Fox specially customized for you, isn't it very detailed and shocking~?"
It was Xin Yuehu's voice.
"Don't worry, Fox Fox will absolutely not embezzle that gold, but if I just hand it over to you like that, it would be too boring."
"So, please play a game with Fox Fox~"
After she finished speaking, a familiar spirit resembling a delivery box flew in from outside, handing a thick envelope to Hyacinth and her two companions.
The three Magic Rats exchanged glances, and Field Mouse Hyacinth silently opened it, reading the game rules inside.
"Magic Rats Adventure ~ Escape from Foxkov ~"
"Except for limited access to storage magic, all other magic is forbidden. Weapons can be freely taken from the workstations near you."
"In this city called Foxkov, there are four hidden vaults, each containing a certain amount of gold."
"And what you need to do is simple—"
"Find the vaults, eliminate the guardian familiars Fox Fox has placed in them, take all the gold, and then successfully withdraw."
Hyacinth raised an eyebrow.
The game rules seemed simple; it was just about searching for vaults around the city with weapons.
But having learned her lesson from the last rule-bending incident, Hyacinth dutifully turned to the next page of the rules and read them carefully, afraid of missing any key points.
However, when the three finished reading the second page, their expressions seemed a bit odd.
"But, to reward the team that gets more gold, Fox Fox has specially prepared a exquisite limited gift for you~"
Below was an accompanying image: a statue of the winner of the last Magic Rats Adventure — Magic Cangshu Yeying.
"The team that successfully withdraws with the most gold will receive a limited edition figure custom-made by Fox Fox~"
"Also, there is no danger to life in Mindscape World. When your stamina is exhausted, Fox Fox will thoughtfully teleport you away, so rest assured."
"However, any Magic Rat eliminated due to taking too much damage will not be able to take the gold she is carrying out of Foxkov~"
"—Then—"
"Grab your weapons, put on your armor, and explore this city full of danger and wealth to collect all the gold!"
The rules ended there.
The three Magic Rats looked at each other.
"...Did you see that? There's a limited edition figure," Cangshu Yeying said first.
"Of course I saw it, but these game rules just feel..." Field Mouse Hyacinth hesitated.
Although the gold seemed genuinely obtainable, the rules gave her a strange feeling.
"Let me think carefully..."
"The gold is guarded by familiars, which means we have to arm ourselves to get close, and we also need to figure out how to take down those familiars."
"Although Xin Yuehu said the team with the most gold could get a limited edition figure, that thing isn't very appealing, let alone..."
"Click."
A sound of metal clashing came from behind her.
Field Mouse Hyacinth, who was pondering the game rules, turned around to see the two standing in front of the workbench, choosing weapons.
Cangshu Yeying, Xiao Baishu Iris.
The two had already put on the thickest bulletproof armor and helmets they found at the workbench, and were attaching various accessories to the weapons in their hands.
Field Mouse Hyacinth's eyes widened.
"...I say, you two are too fast."
"Of course, we must find a way to get this limited edition figure!"
Cangshu Yeying was determined to win.
Xiao Baishu Iris said nothing, silently slinging the very luxurious assault rifle onto her back, while Cangshu Yeying began assembling a weapon that sent chills down Hyacinth's spine.
An M32MGL, a revolving grenade launcher.
And the situation with Iris was even more alarming—
She held a launch tube and a set of terrifyingly powerful ammunition.
An RPG-7 rocket launcher.
"...The limited edition figure is definitely ours."
Xiao Baishu Iris's gaze was sharp, her will firm, as tough as Steel.
...Meanwhile, on the other side of Foxkov City.
Hyacinth Squad was located in the southeast of Foxkov's urban area, while in a hotel room on the west side, another squad was silently assembling their respective weapons.
"So..."
"If we want to get both the gold and the limited edition figure, we have to find a way to eliminate other teams, right?"
Bai Lili nodded, answering her teammates' questions with silence.
Like Hyacinth, Bai Lili Squad had also been transformed into Magic Rats by the magic—
Great White Rat Bai Lili.
Bai Lili silently looked at herself in the mirror, transformed into a Great White Rat, and sighed helplessly.
It was just as Hyacinth had said, Xin Yuehu's tastes were truly unpredictable.
But fortunately, she had only been given the characteristics of a rodent beast-person, and it wasn't so bad as to directly turn her into a mouse.
Thinking of this, Bai Lili touched the white rat ears on her head, feeling a bit strange.
Humans could never understand the sensation of beast-people's ears and tails, except by experiencing it firsthand.
"Captain, we're ready here!"
Siyecao walked over to Bai Lili, already clad in bulletproof armor and a helmet, and said to her captain.
Liza and Cang Er were organizing the tools and weapons they needed at the workbench, and the sight of the mouse girls working diligently seemed somewhat cuter than usual.
"Then let's get ready to go."
Great White Rat Bai Lili picked up her weapon and bulletproof armor, and said to the three team members in front of her,
"Our primary target will be the batch of gold Xin Yuehu took from us."
"...If everyone really wants that limited edition figure, we can add some extra spice."
At this, Bai Lili's expression became a bit more serious, clearly getting into the spirit of the game,
"Squad all, sortie!"