As the traditional New Year approached, ropes were strung and lanterns and knots hung throughout the streets and alleys of Rong City.
Most of the shops on the street had couplets pasted on them, and even though it wasn't New Year's yet, a strong festive atmosphere could still be felt.
But at this time, the streets were empty.
There were no vehicles on the road, and the street-side supper vendors had left their stalls, leaving only half a bowl of unfinished grilled rice rapidly cooling in the cold wind.
“Crack… crack…”
Cracking sounds came from the sidewalk.
Branches of the street trees snapped and fell, with clean cuts.
The culprit responsible for these cuts was strolling along the road, carefully checking for any movement around.
It was four or five meters tall, with terrifying starlight emanating from its pupils, its entire body covered in blades, and its fingers replaced by various kinds of blades.
【Ripper】
Su Tianqing recognized the Monster's appearance.
It was somewhat similar to the Razor Freak she caught in Mountain City, but it had more blades on its body, and its modus operandi was more malicious and vicious.
“That Monster is very dangerous,” Xin Yuehu whispered.
On a nearby rooftop, Rabbit Girl, dressed in a pink bunny suit, raised her magic staff, enveloping the three people beside her within her invisibility range.
Fox Girl leaned on Rabbit Girl's shoulder, peering into the distance, making the above judgment in her heart.
“Hmm? How so? Its magic power isn't that great, just upper-middle level,” Hellcat said, puzzled.
Then she was given a look by Rabbit Girl and Fox Girl, and did not speak much more.
You, a Star Shadow, say that other Monsters aren't strong enough, is that right? Are you on the same level?
“It's certainly not a threat to you, Kitty, but for ordinary Magic Girls, a Monster of its level is already capable of wreaking havoc,”
Monster Master Xin Yuehu said,
“Compared to a Monster, it's more like a Witch with an unusual appearance.”
That's right, this guy only differed from a Witch in appearance; its magic density completely exceeded that of ordinary wild Monsters.
Even if Ben Hu were to craft it by hand, it would take several special abilities and stacked enhancements to create something of a similar level.
At least one Witchification ability and about twelve enhancements would need to be added.
So, could this be interpreted as… it was crafted by Jack the Ripper, just like Ben Hu crafts things?
“…”
Perhaps sensing the strange gaze nearby, Ripper turned its head towards the rooftop, showing a curious look.
Cheshire Rabbit remained unmoved, having absolute confidence in her invisibility ability.
Ripper did not observe for too long and continued to pace forward.
Judging from its movements and demeanor, it seemed to be searching for something.
“Look, its appearance is quite strange; it shows no signs of destroying the surrounding environment,” Xin Yuehu said.
“Yes, it's more like it's looking for something.”
“But what exactly is it looking for? Even if it's intentionally looking for innocent passersby to attack, it shouldn't be staying in a evacuated place like this.”
The three whispered among themselves, Fenrir babbled for a long time, unable to interject, and could only silently watch the leisurely strolling Monster.
Searching for something?
Could it be sent by Jack the Ripper to search for magic power replenishment?
Just as Su Tianqing was about to have Kitty go and beat Ripper to its knees and bring it back for research, an unexpected voice appeared at the intersection ahead:
“…In the middle of the night, it's you causing trouble.”
“!! ”
The four turned their heads in unison, and Ripper also looked up.
Before them was a sky-blue figure, with her head lowered, a greatsword on her shoulder, exuding strong displeasure and killing intent.
Hellcat and Xin Yuehu raised their eyebrows.
“Hyacinth?” Nan Jiayu said curiously.
“How did she come alone? Has she recovered so quickly?”
“…Look at the sky.”
Fei Yelan spoke to remind them.
In the sky, a pure white Magic Girl floated in mid-air, her magic cannon already set up beside her, staring expressionlessly at the Razor Freak on the ground.
Nightingale seemed a little nervous, reassuring Iris, telling her not to impulsively unleash a full-scale attack like Mai Sui, and at the same time winking at Hyacinth.
“It seems they formed a group to vent their emotions in the middle of the night, those three,” Su Tianqing quipped.
She could understand their feelings.
After all, they had just been hammered by Ben Hu and Kitty, so it was quite normal for them to find some unlucky Monster to vent their emotions on.
Evidently, Ripper became their target.
“Clang clang clang!”
Ripper responded silently, its body blades clashing and colliding, emitting a piercing sound of Steel striking.
The next second, the sky-blue greatsword almost instantly smashed in front of the Monster!
“Boom!!!!”
The Monster tried to catch Hyacinth's greatsword slash, but at the moment of impact, it gave up on taking the blow head-on, sacrificing the two blades used for resistance, and leaped back with all its might to dodge.
“Rumble!!!”
With one strike of the greatsword, magic power transformed into sword energy, tearing a deep gully in the road.
What immense destructive power!
It seemed that during her practice with Kitty, Hyacinth's own strength had also made considerable progress.
“Crack!!”
Ripper retreated more than ten steps, and before it could even lower its head to check its injuries, it was completely enveloped by a magic cannon beam descending from the sky.
There was no explosion, only the scorching and surging hum of magic power.
When everything dissipated, Ripper had already dispersed into magic particles, disappearing without a trace.
“They cooperate quite well,” Hellcat rarely gave such a high evaluation.
“Hyacinth distracts, Iris main attacks; they have always adhered to this tactic.”
Xin Yuehu commented on the excellent performance of Hyacinth Squad, watching them three fly away dejectedly.
But in a corner unnoticed by everyone, a small head peeked out from behind a utility pole, looking at the gradually dissipating Monster magic power on the road.
Then it cast its gaze to the rooftop, looking at the four sneaking small figures.
“Xin Yuehu… Hellcat… and, Cheshire Rabbit…”
It was a petite girl,
With blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in a gorgeous outfit, holding a plush toy in her arms, her eyes filled with curiosity, she murmured the three code names.
Then she quickly disappeared into the darkness.
…
【Urgent Mission: Stop Ripper, Completed】
The next morning.
Su Tianqing woke up and washed up as usual, had the kitchen familiar bake her two slices of bread and bacon as usual, and began a new day as usual.
Last night was truly refreshing!
Ben Hu was currently in a state of Kitty energy super MAX, and even seeing the secret codex missions felt exhilarating.
…Was it really exhilarating?
【Intelligence Page Updated】
【Jack the Ripper, Relevant Intelligence Acquired】
Looking at this prompt, Su Tianqing put down her milk, flipped two pages, and looked at the intelligence page where text was gradually appearing.
【Jack the Ripper wants to meet you, check your communication divine code stone】
Hmm? Interesting.
Su Tianqing actually didn't want to investigate 【Jack the Ripper】 so soon, she thought.
Firstly, the secret codex hadn't given her any related investigation missions.
According to the secret codex's usual behavior, if Jack the Ripper was really important to her mission chain or other plans, it would probably have already thrown several legendary missions at her to entice her to investigate.
Just like when investigating Miss Inari in Hong Kong City, it was afraid that the rewards wouldn't be attractive enough to make her turn and run away.
Secondly, this guy's behavior in the archives was completely that of a chaotic villain, completely different from Ben Hu's positioning, so how could Ben Hu actively approach her?
Unless there were some unknown secrets hidden within.
First, Ben Hu would see what tricks she was up to, and then consider whether to meet her.
Fox Girl pulled out her communication divine code stone and opened the message bar.
【Dedicated Magic Power Communication Channel】
【Unknown Source: Hello, Xin Yuehu】
【Can we meet tonight? On the rooftop of the Rong City Museum】
There was no signature, no source. The other party only knew her magic power characteristics and could not deduce her location at all.
“…Kitty.”
Su Tianqing looked at Cat Girl, who was washing up in the bathroom. The latter perked up her ears and poked her head out, holding a toothbrush in her mouth, curiously twitching her cat ears twice.
“Our tutoring today will start in the morning; we have other arrangements tonight.”
“Hmm? Tianqing, do you have something planned for tonight?”
Nan Jiayu asked, puzzled.
After returning to Rong City, Nan Jiayu felt that she had returned to her leisurely daily rhythm.
Every day consisted of absorbing fox energy and having tutoring, occasionally beating Hyacinth for a thrill, and then being intimate with Tianqing for half a day. Life was peaceful and fulfilling.
Not to mention that everyone had been busy preparing for the New Year recently, so she didn't know what Tianqing had planned for tonight.
“We're meeting someone tonight.”
“Who?” Cat Girl gurgled.
“【Jack the Ripper】”
Nan Jiayu couldn't hold back, spitting out a mouthful of foam, along with her toothbrush.
— — — —
【Mercury Whispers】
The Magic Girls are good kids, don't worry.