“This is Field Team A, Wetland Park has been completely cleared!”
“Field Team B received, traffic control is underway on the periphery, please evacuate immediately, over.”
In the evening, at the entrance of Rong City Wetland Park, the Hero Association’s cordon was set up in circle after circle.
Hyacinth and Iris sat in a temporary command tent next to a communication vehicle, with a screen in front of them displaying a not-so-clear video.
“Xin Yuehu posted an update at noon, claiming she had prepared a ‘small gift’ for you in the Wetland Park.”
“I knew about that.”
“But no one expected her to actually summon a Monster in the Wetland Park, and this time she didn’t show up, so you need to be extra careful.”
“Mhm, we will be careful.” Hyacinth nodded.
The Monster alert was issued an hour ago.
At that time, the two were on their way home from school and immediately rushed over after receiving the news.
But that Monster did not attack; instead, it quietly waited for the Hero Association to evacuate the tourists from the Wetland Park, and there has been no movement until now.
“What does that Monster look like? Are there any sighting reports?”
“Yes, a few tourists captured footage of the Monster when it appeared, but only a vague outline can be discerned.”
The video switched.
A gigantic Monster, like a small mountain, appeared in the video footage; the cameraman screamed and ran away, and the screen quickly blurred.
Although it was short, it was enough to identify its form.
Its size couldn't compare to the giant Monster in the amusement park, but it was still much larger than all the Monsters she had dealt with before.
This also matched the characteristics of the Monsters summoned by Xin Yuehu—huge in size and formidable in power.
Perhaps it also hid some strange abilities.
“We must deal with it quickly; where is it now?” Hyacinth stood up and asked.
“The lotus pond in the center of the Wetland Park; it should still be there. Both of you, please be very careful.”
“Don’t worry, leave it to us.”
Hyacinth said confidently.
Iris remained silent but still followed Hyacinth’s movements, stood up, left the tent, and walked towards the Wetland Park as dusk deepened.
As they advanced deeper, Hyacinth secretly observed her silent companion beside her.
Although Hua Ling was usually quiet, she was unusually quiet today.
She had been in this silent and withdrawn state during class earlier, and her absentmindedness was getting worse day by day, which was very worrying.
What exactly happened to Hua Ling? Nan Xiaofeng was also at a loss.
Could it be that she wasn't quite adapting to her identity as a Magic Girl?
“I say, Iris.”
“…………”
“Iris!”
“...Ah? Ah, ah! Is, is something wrong?”
Hyacinth’s voice rose a few octaves, which finally brought Iris back to reality from her daze.
“You’ve been very off lately! Very, very off!”
“Hmm… sorry…”
Iris dared not retort and silently hung her head.
—Her own state was very poor; Hua Ling herself was well aware of this.
She would zone out during class and then sit by her desk in a daze after class, lacking energy.
And that song that seemed to be sung for her.
Thinking of this, Iris felt inexplicably down.
What on earth was she thinking?
“Sigh… It’s all that Xin Yuehu’s fault!”
Hyacinth stomped her foot hard, choosing to vent all her anger on Xin Yuehu.
It’s all that cunning Fox’s fault!
If she hadn’t been tormenting Hua Ling, Iris wouldn’t have become like this!
“Don’t be angry, Hyacinth… I’m sorry… It’s all my fault…” Iris said timidly.
“I’m not blaming you, but since you’re not in good shape, fighting a Monster is very dangerous!”
Hyacinth’s tone became a bit stricter,
“Cheer up! We must deal with this Monster beautifully today!”
“...Mhm!”
Iris nodded vigorously, took a deep breath, and her eyes became a bit more resolute.
Hyacinth was right; she couldn’t continue in this state.
After overcoming the current difficulty, she had to find a way to adjust her mental state.
But who should she confide in?
Xiaofeng could offer very little advice, Bai Ling as an Observer couldn't give any normal advice, and she wasn't very familiar with the Hero Association’s liaison personnel.
Thus, her options became very narrow.
—What about Tianqing Jie?
Without warning, this name popped into Hua Ling’s mind.
Su Tianqing, Jia Yu Jie’s friend, the adorable Golden Fox.
It was her words that strengthened her resolve to become a Magic Girl and protect everyone; perhaps Tianqing Jie could give her some advice.
Thinking of this, Hua Ling gripped the pure white magic wand in her hand and nodded gently.
She would contact her tonight.
But for now… first, deal with the Monster in front of them!
The two looked in unison at the disgusting Monster covered in mud in the lotus pond.
“Monster sighted!”
Hyacinth shouted loudly, her greatsword in hand, held horizontally in front of Iris.
“Iris, provide me with fire support!”
“I’m going in!!”
.
.
At the same time, Rong City Commercial District.
“Wah! So spicy, so spicy, so spicy!”
Inside the Haidilao hotpot restaurant, Golden Fox stuck out her tongue, her eyes teary, and took a glass of lemonade from Nan Jiayu, who was trying hard to hold back her laughter.
“Gulp, gulp, gulp—!”
“Phew! …Sob, sob, I’m alive again…”
“...Pffthaha.”
Watching the little Fox across the table, holding the lemonade with a relieved expression, Nan Jiayu finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Xiaoyu, what are you laughing at?!”
Su Tianqing’s eyes were brimming with tears from the spiciness, and Fox Fox cried out.
“Tianqing, aren’t you a native of Rong City?”
“Of course I’m a native… but even natives can’t eat spicy food, you know.” Fox Fox pouted and said unhappily.
Then she extended her chopsticks into the tomato soup pot, picked up a piece of fish tofu, dipped it in some sauce, put it in her mouth, and her expression quickly turned blissful.
“Mmm, mmm, mmm~”
Nan Jiayu chuckled softly, then also picked up two slices of meat from the spicy pot, put them in her mouth, and savored them.
She had a lot of fun today.
Recalling the afternoon’s shopping, Nan Jiayu couldn’t help but smile.
They tried on many winter and spring clothes at the clothing store, bought some suitable clothes and shoes, and then happened to find a movie they wanted to see, so the two bought tickets and went into the cinema to enjoy a blockbuster.
By the time they came out of the cinema, it was already five o’clock, so they rushed to the hotpot restaurant to feast.
And then she witnessed the pitiful Fox Fox who couldn’t eat spicy food.
“It’s nice to go out and wander around like this occasionally.” Nan Jiayu said after swallowing the meat slice in her mouth.
The little Fox was currently tearing at a piece of overcooked meat, looked up when she heard the sound, and blinked.
“So, Xiaoyu, you shouldn’t spend every day in the library. Coming out to play and relax also helps with studying, you know.”
Su Tianqing grinned.
“Mhm… That’s true…”
Nan Jiayu gave a few awkward bitter laughs and continued to feast.
Their attention was suddenly drawn to the TV in the restaurant.
“Rongcheng Hero Association Emergency Report.”
“The Monster that appeared in the Wetland Park has begun attacking the surroundings. Magic Girl Hyacinth and Iris are going to meet it. Nearby citizens are requested to proceed to the nearest shelter as soon as possible.”
“Our station will continuously monitor the situation on-site. Next is our frontline reporter…”
“Wetland Park?”
Nan Jiayu chewed on the meat slice, watching the live broadcast from the front line on the screen, feeling a slight confusion.
Recently, the frequency of Xin Yuehu summoning Monsters… isn’t it a bit too frequent?