Magic Girls possess powerful combat capabilities.
Even when unable to use magic, they can still engage in close-quarters combat with their excellent physical prowess.
However, this powerful combat ability is not innate;
before becoming Magic Girls, they were all ordinary girls who needed to gradually hone their combat experience throughout their careers to become powerful Magic Girls.
But for Hyacinth, or rather, for the entire Hyacinth Squad, their experience in combat was definitely far ahead of other Magic Girls of the same period.
Even veteran Magic Girls like Bai Lili couldn't compare to them.
What they usually fought against were not beast-like cannon fodder, but powerful Monsters meticulously controlled,
or even Witches, or the villainous Magic Girl squad led by Xin Yuehu.
This gave the Hyacinth Squad ample combat experience.
"If we want to get the limited edition figurine, we must eliminate all other squads."
Inside the Foxkov Central Mall, in the underground parking lot, Field Mouse Hyacinth was quietly discussing tactical plans with Xiao Baishu Iris beside her.
"...Then should we go collect the gold from the mall's vault?" Iris asked honestly.
"Nightingale will probably bring back the intel very soon. While no one's in the mall, we can go take the gold from the vault first..."
"No, we're not going to the vault."
Field Mouse Hyacinth rejected Xiao Baishu Iris's idea, put away the highly customized assault rifle in her hand, and unfolded a mall map.
It meticulously depicted the overall layout of the mall and also marked a usable evacuation point.
Whether it was Xin Yuehu's mischievousness or the ultimate goal of this grand adventure, all evacuation points in the outer Foxkov City on the map were closed, leaving only this one usable evacuation point.
This gave Hyacinth an idea.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the squads that have obtained gold from other locations will soon approach this mall."
"We need to quickly investigate the detailed situation inside this mall, and then..."
"...ambush the evacuation point."
.
.
The mall was unusually quiet.
Bai Lili walked along the wall in a supermarket, her teammates vigilantly observing their surroundings as they advanced together.
"Liza, set tripwires and Claymore mines along the way. Cang Er, where was the familiar position we noticed just now?"
"One squad at the supermarket entrance, and two four-person patrol groups inside the mall, well-equipped."
"Very good... Our current supplies are still insufficient. We need to find a way to eliminate two familiar squads to replenish ammunition and armor."
"Siyecao, follow me to the supermarket entrance and take out that squad of familiar guards."
Big White Rat Bai Lili made her deployment. The four of them each took their positions and quickly formed up inside the supermarket.
As a veteran Magic Girl, Bai Lili possessed ample combat experience and leadership skills, far excelling Hyacinth, who was used to fighting alone, in team command.
Even the well-coordinated Hailanshi Team couldn't compare to her, let alone the Maisui Squad.
But just as the group approached the supermarket entrance, preparing to deal with the familiars, a gray figure suddenly appeared in the clothing store across from the supermarket.
"Watch out for the other side!"
White Rat Bai Lili's body tensed. The gun barrel, which was aiming at the familiars, immediately turned and fired decisively at the gray figure!
"Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!!"
Gunfire erupted at the supermarket entrance.
The muzzle flash illuminated the gray figure:
A pair of wolf eyes looked out from a sturdy ballistic helmet, maneuvering the instant bullets flew towards her, skillfully dodging Bai Lili's line of fire, and flashing into cover.
Undoubtedly, that was one of Xin Yuehu's companions, the villainous Magic Girl Fenrir!
Bai Lili felt uneasy. After dealing with the familiar that had spotted them, she immediately called her teammates back into the supermarket, cautiously scouting the surroundings.
"...Was that Fenrir just now?"
Siyecao also saw the Gray Wolf Girl's back and asked Bai Lili.
"Most likely, yes," the latter nodded gently.
"But what is she doing in that clothing store? Could that clothing store be the entrance to the vault?"
"...Let's try to go check."
After some discussion, the four mustered their courage and walked out of the supermarket entrance. After confirming that there were no other moving things around, they quickly scavenged supplies from the familiar's body and rapidly approached the clothing store.
They did not find the gray wolf's figure in the clothing store, but instead obtained quite a few supplies after a search.
"Strange... Where did she go? She ran so fast."
Bamboo Rat Cang Er grumbled as she closed the last familiar box, muttering while handing the scavenged supplies to the nearest Sand Rat Liza.
"Don't worry about that. Our target isn't Fenrir. Just be wary of her for now."
"Let's go, let's investigate the next place. Maybe ahead..."
But just as the four were organizing their equipment and preparing to go to the next location, a faint sound of footsteps echoed in the mall corridor.
"Pat-a."
"Hmm?"
Bai Lili turned her head and met the eyes of three Magic Rats not far away.
Field Mouse Hyacinth, Xiao Baishu Iris, and Cangshu Yeying.
The three were fully armed, wearing thick armor that Bai Lili didn't recognize, and somehow exuded a great sense of oppression.
"...Hyacinth?"
"Senior Bai Lili?"
The two sides exchanged words, but neither took a step closer, instead gripping the weapons in their hands tighter.
"You came quite early."
"Not very early, just arrived."
"..." "..."
The slightly awkward conversation did not ease the atmosphere; instead, it made both sides narrow their eyes.
"...I say, Hyacinth, you wouldn't be interested in Xin Yuehu's limited edition figurine, would you?"
"I wanted to ask you too, Senior Bai Lili. You shouldn't be interested in that figurine, should you?"
Silence.
Hyacinth and Bai Lili each read the answers they wanted from each other's faces. The air in the mall corridor began to grow somewhat scorching.
"The team that gets the most gold and successfully evacuates can get the limited edition figurine."
"And those who are eliminated will leave all their gold and equipment on the spot, which means..."
The two softly recited the game rules they had heard from Xin Yuehu.
"Senior Bai Lili."
"Miss Hyacinth."
""—Come on!""
Bai Lili raised her gun and aimed.
But Nightingale chose to draw the Vector submachine gun from her waist, and .45 caliber magic bullets instantly turned into a barrage of fire!
Bai Lili was a step slow. Her armor was hit by several bullets. She retreated in pain and immediately fell back into the clothing store with the help of her teammates.
"Hey! That's not fair!"
"The limited edition figurine is ours! Even you, Senior, cannot have it!"
"Watch how I deal with you!"
"Grenade!"
"Flashbang! Flashbang!"
Fierce exchange of fire.
Gunshots, grenade explosions, the deafening blast of flashbangs, the detonation of tripwires.
The mall was enveloped by the sound waves of gunfire. Even the Gray Wolf Girl, who was peeking out to observe the battlefield not far away, felt a bit emotional.
...Should she join after they finish fighting?
Or... should she look for other lone teams?