A monstrous figure, wreathed in fierce flames, has appeared high above C City!
The city’s protectors, the Magical Girls, are locked in a desperate struggle!
As the female news reporter broadcasted from the helicopter, countless citizens across C City, watching from their homes, felt their hearts seize with anxiety, silently cheering on the Magical Girls displayed on their screens.
On the television screens, high above in the azure sky,
Three Magical Girls—one scarlet, one glimmering yellow, and one emerald—were locked in combat with a hellish demon, its colossal body hundreds of times their size.
Ever since the Black Box Incident twenty years prior, the entire world had been thrown into disarray by the sudden emergence of these demons, against whom conventional thermal weapons from various nations proved largely ineffective.
Humanity’s living space had been drastically curtailed.
Just as humanity teetered on the brink of despair, a group of righteous and benevolent young women gained miraculous powers, donning radiant magical battle attire to fight on the front lines against the demonic threat.
Against this backdrop, beneath the fierce battle between the Magical Girls and their foes, the C City People’s Army on the streets could do little more than evacuate civilians and offer prayers for the victory of the Magical Girls battling valiantly in the skies above.
“This is the end!!”
The furious roar of the Scarlet Magical Girl startled even the high-ranking military officers directing the evacuation below, causing their eyes to widen in shock. Wielding a double-bladed halberd, the Scarlet Magical Girl swung her weapon, her vibrant red twin ponytails fluttering wildly, a striking contrast against the azure backdrop.
Vivid colors inherently draw the eye, but it was the wounded girl’s sorrowful, determined aura, like one fighting with her back against the wall, that instantly captivated everyone’s attention.
“Scarlet! No, don’t!”
The other two Magical Girls, Emerald and Glimmering Yellow, immediately grasped Scarlet’s intent and shrieked in protest. Yet, the Scarlet Magical Girl merely offered a serene smile, raising a red-gloved fist to her lips.
She had to admit,
the great demon before her, named Magma, was indeed formidable, living up to its reputation as a major demon rarely seen in twenty years.
“Hmph.”
But it was still not strong enough!
“Magma Demon, perhaps I’ll never forget you for as long as I live.”
The power of a Magical Girl stemmed from her inner self; a heart no longer clouded by confusion meant her strength would surge, multiply, and explode!
And so,
the Scarlet Magical Girl erupted in a blaze of vivid, fervent flames!
“Right now! I am absolutely the strongest!!”
With sharp, tiger-like fangs bared, the Scarlet Magical Girl roared, gripping her halberd, and charged towards the Magma Demon in the sky.
“I don’t care if you’re Magma, a volcano, or some other great demon! Take this slash!”
****
“Heheheh…”
“I’m not sure what you’re so arbitrarily fired up about over there.”
The Magma Demon, as if utterly unconcerned, scoffed and arrogantly crossed its arms. It casually endured the Scarlet Magical Girl’s world-shattering blow with its bare head, then, with a swift backhand, seized the unprepared Scarlet Magical Girl by the throat.
The Scarlet Magical Girl’s pupils constricted to pinpricks. Her hands thrashed, clawing at the demon’s arm, while a stream of clear water, like fire itself, trickled from her lips. Her slender, graceful legs kicked frantically, yet against a demon of such immense size disparity, her efforts were utterly futile.
“Cough—!!” The Magical Girl, losing all strength, coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, and her restless legs finally stilled, drooping limply.
The Magma Demon chuckled gleefully, seemingly amused by the Magical Girl before it, deeming her nothing more than a magical minnow.
“Scarlet!!”
The remaining two Magical Girls surged forward, intent on rescue, but the Magma Demon merely tightened its grip slightly. Scarlet’s cries became even more unbearable and fragile, instantly deterring the other two from any rash movements.
The female reporter on the helicopter broadcasted the Magical Girls’ dire predicament live, for all to see. All the good-hearted citizens of C City wore expressions of sorrowful hope, praying inwardly for a miracle to appear once more.
Meanwhile, those who were not among the benevolent populace reveled in the chaos.
Countless combatants, clad in jet-black battle suits, poured out from alleyways and manholes. They were all members of the malevolent organization ‘Half-Awakened,’ which provided support to the monsters.
These shadowy figures, much like cockroaches, swiftly seized treasures, smashed property, bullied men, and violated women, committing every conceivable atrocity throughout the city.
Among them, however,
Squad 19, the most notorious, was an exception.
They did not partake in the revelry of the other monsters. They neither seized the opportunity to loot treasures nor, like their comrades, stormed into the noble girls’ academy, Raipu, to assault the high-status female students.
Instead, they remained on standby.
With a chaotic, joyous feast laid out before them, it was only natural that some restless individuals began to question their squad leader.
“Squad Leader 19, are we really just going to wait here in this alleyway?”
“Not yet.”
At the mouth of the alleyway, five or six combatants and two low-level monsters were huddled together. The two low-level monsters were a Green Slime Monster and a Pink Tentacle Monster.
The squad leader, who stood at the forefront, wore a more luxurious and advanced battle suit, emblazoned with a large purple number ’19’ on her mask. She appeared to be gazing up at the sky with a grave expression.
In the mid-air, the remaining Magical Girls were being relentlessly pursued by the Magma Demon, seemingly beyond salvation.
No matter how the monsters viewed the situation, the advantage clearly lay with them.
Yet, Captain 19’s expression beneath her mask remained tense, and her voice was heavy.
“She hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Is the Squad Leader referring to Magical Girl Grey Moon?”
“Precisely.” Captain 19’s voice was laced with a hint of gritted teeth as she spoke the unpleasant name. The other combatants, observing their captain’s demeanor, found themselves somewhat bewildered.
However, daring not to openly defy their captain’s orders, the combatants could only huddle together, whispering amongst themselves.
“While Magical Girl Grey Moon certainly possesses some strength, isn’t the Captain being a bit overly cautious by guarding against her so much?”
“Exactly, exactly. That’s a great demon up there in the sky, and the other Magical Girls are nearly done for. What difference would Grey Moon’s arrival even make?”
“Do you think, ever since last time…”
“She’s here.”
The captain’s muffled voice brought the other conversations to an abrupt halt. Everyone followed her gaze, looking up towards the sky.
The Magical Girl who entered their sight was dazzlingly beautiful.
She wore a sacred, off-white, split-hem gown, its lace trim embroidered with opulent patterns. Her silver-grey hair shimmered with iridescence under the sunlight, cascading like a waterfall of silver threads down to her slender waist. Beneath her bangs, her blood-red eyes revealed no trace of sorrow or joy.
Her exquisitely sculpted nose and delicate, cherry-blossom lips were equally flawless, forming a tender, snow-white countenance that was breathtakingly beautiful even without makeup. The girl cast a glance at the dire state of the other Magical Girls; Scarlet, in particular, had fought until her signature weapon shattered and she fell unconscious. A slight frown creased her brow.
The newcomer was indeed Magical Girl Grey Moon, and many combatants, seeing her for the first time, instinctively swallowed hard, their bodies leaning slightly forward.
The reason was simple.
Magical Girl Grey Moon, as a young woman, seemed to possess an unusually low sense of caution.
Despite wearing a long gown, she had no visible protective gear. Furthermore, Magical Girls often engaged in aerial combat, and when she flew, anyone looking up could plainly see the purest, most sacred white fabric covering the girl.
Had no one ever told her about wardrobe malfunctions?!