Huoli, a name Ah Xin was far from unfamiliar with, occasionally gracing the pages of magazines and newspapers. As the fourth young lady of the Zhou family, a powerful corporate dynasty, she naturally enjoyed numerous advantages. At the tender age of fourteen, she became a Magical Girl, investing heavily in a fully equipped, perfectly aligned Level 5 belt. Within the Hero Association, she was a figure revered above all others.
Though he had harbored a premonition that the disguised celebrity on the bus might be connected to Huoli, seeing her in person still brought a jolt of surprise. After all, it was difficult to reconcile the image of a wealthy young lady riding a public bus.
As for why he hadn’t intervened sooner, the unhealed fissure marring the gem on Huoli’s chest was enough to convey her current predicament to Ah Xin. Not only was her belt malfunctioning, but her powers as a Magical Girl had been severely diminished by the incident involving Gast.
“Waaaaaah!”
“Damn it.” The surprise strike had failed to decapitate its target, so without a moment’s hesitation, Huoli unleashed another swift slash, driving it directly towards the monster’s throat.
[Clang!] A heavy clang echoed, the impact a stark reminder that without the amplifying surge of power, her slashes were a mere shadow of their former swiftness and ferocity.
Hardened muscles were this monster’s defense. As a creature inhabiting a human body, it possessed the power to control its own musculature. Its reinforced physique lacked the long-range offensive capabilities of the creature from the first episode, yet it possessed a formidable resilience far surpassing that creature’s.
“Do you think you’ll get a second chance?! Die!” With that declaration, it unleashed a devastating blow.
[Bang!!] A swift and brutal punch was effortlessly parried by Huoli, but the fist still shattered the glass, sending Ah Xin immediately ducking and covering his head in defense.
“Foolish creature! Riddled with openings!” Flames erupted from her blade, and a horizontal slash struck directly at its chest.
“Gah!” The strike had penetrated! Unable to defend itself in time, a gash immediately appeared on its chest, from which a torrent of fierce flames burst forth.
“It’s not over yet! Blazing Thrust!” Coming from its flank, she aimed for a gap between its ribs and plunged her blade in!
[Tschh!!] Blood splattered, but the stab was not deep. Though it pierced the muscle, it failed to harm any vital organs.
“Ugh! You hateful wretch!” The monster, seething with frustration, swung a claw, striking only air.
This was the moment. Huoli’s nimble form appeared behind it. Before it could even turn, her third strike descended, carving through the air!
“Blazing Cross-Slice!”
“Cough!” The monster shrieked as its back was directly struck, erupting in flames. The force of the blow sent its muscle-enhanced body stumbling forward.
She was formidable. Even within the cramped confines of the bus, the young woman’s movements remained razor-sharp, a perfect ballet of evasion and counterattack, throwing the monster into disarray in just two or three moves.
Yet, were three attacks enough? No, they were utterly insufficient to deliver a fatal blow. Such superficial damage would only ignite a fiercer, more savage rage within him!
It spun around, unleashing a rising, heavy punch, but before it could land, Huoli’s blade met it head-on.
[Bang!] Its body recoiled, its punch missing its mark. Then, two more consecutive slashes struck, leaving two fresh wounds on its form!
“You hateful wretch! Fight me properly, don’t just dodge!” Leaning forward, it charged with a sudden, powerful tackle.
Facing such a physically imposing monster, Huoli naturally dared not be complacent. She leaned back, retreating a step, causing it to miss its lunge, then raised her blade for a downward chop.
[Thud!!] The strike landed solidly, the recoil forcing Huoli back two steps, while the monster was knocked directly to the ground by the sheer force.
Its head remained unblemished, however. Its body, a fortress of steel and bone, was like a plate of hardened alloy. Although Huoli appeared to have the upper hand, she was visibly starting to sweat. The use of magic was draining her stamina, and for someone already injured, a prolonged battle was simply not viable.
Outside, police cars had converged, while inside, chaos reigned. Stealthily opening the bus door, Ah Xin seized the opportunity to make his way towards the exit.
“Blazing Triple Thrust!” Evidently understanding Ah Xin’s intent, the young woman didn’t hesitate, launching a triple combo to provide cover.
[Clap! Clap! Clap!] Its raised arms fiercely blocked the assault.
Then, from its prone position, it retaliated against Huoli’s attack.
“Toad Leaps for Swan!” Its feet, legs, and arms explosively propelled its body forward like a cannonball. Huoli, of course, dared not be complacent, sidestepping to evade. But in that fleeting moment,
She regretted it!
[Bang!!] It crashed directly into the back of the bus compartment, precisely where the terrified passengers had huddled for safety. Although the sudden attack was narrowly dodged, everyone was now exposed within its attack range.
“Ah!”
“Heh, so soft and fair, you’ll do perfectly.” Grabbing a nearby loli, the monster’s eyes filled with delight. “Alright, Miss Huoli! You wouldn’t want such a cute and promising young lady to get hurt, would you?”
“You fiend! Let her go if you have the guts!”
“Hehe~ You don’t have a choice right now, you know~”
“Um, Monster Bro, there’s no need for you to take a hostage, is there? It’s not like you can’t beat her. Look, all the damage you’ve taken has already healed. In this cramped space, she has nowhere to hide, and she’s injured, so she can’t last much longer. Using such methods might tarnish your esteemed reputation, great one.”
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Just because you’ve clung to life, you think you’re safe now?! Let me tell you! Don’t even *think* about sneaking off this bus! Once I’m done with this Magical Girl, you’re next!”
—’Alright, the last one who tried that is currently residing in prison.’
“Don’t get excited, Monster Bro! You’re a big man, generous and mighty. I’ve even studied a bit of fortune-telling, like birth charts. I can tell you’re destined for greatness, with a brilliant mind and unparalleled strength. In the future, you’re sure to become a Death Row-level monster, ruling over a host of lesser monsters who will follow your lead…”
“Enough with the pretentious drivel! What exactly do you want?”
“My apologies. It’s just… Monster Bro, think about it. You’re surrounded now. This young lady has no quarrel with you. If you take her hostage, even if you escape, when you eventually achieve your grand ambitions, you’ll only be remembered for ‘surviving by relying on a mere girl.’ Why take her? You can take me hostage! At least I have a reason to talk back to you, so I’d be dying for a worthy cause… Wait, that phrase probably isn’t meant to be used like that.”
“Hmph~ You as a hostage? You fearless wretch, what good would taking you do?! Hmm?”
“Oh, there are immense benefits! Your Majesty’s divine power is unmatched, unrivaled under heaven! If you wish to accomplish great deeds in the future, you must establish your prestige. Huoli is a talent of the hero organization, but she’s limited by the many passengers inside the bus, unable to fully display her abilities. If you let everyone else go, I’ll be your hostage and the referee. You can openly and fairly defeat her, then take me hostage, hijack a helicopter, and escape. Not only will you achieve fame and success, but you’ll also vanish without a trace.”
“Utter nonsense! What good is accomplishing great deeds to me? Trying to trick me into letting everyone go, are you crazy?”
“Of course, accomplishing great deeds is useful! Great deeds bring money, and with money, even ghosts can turn the mill, allowing that cherished V idol of yours to live on forever! Use your wealth to make that married idol immediately ditch her husband and marry you! You could even make her your personal idol!”
—’Hmm, that feels rather immoral.’
“C-can money really let me do whatever I want?”
“Of course it can! Absolutely! It’s effortlessly possible!” At the mere mention of money, Ah Xin’s eyes gleamed with an almost unnatural light. “Just imagine: once you defeat Huoli, your name will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the city! Hidden monsters from all corners will flock to your banner, serving you faithfully and bringing you unimaginable riches!”
It was tempted.
“You may leave.” With a twitch of its fingers, the surrounding civilians immediately understood and surged off the bus. However, the little girl remained clutched in its hand.
Ah Xin walked step by step towards the monster, his face composed, utterly devoid of the life-and-death urgency he had shown moments before. Perhaps those around him couldn’t comprehend why someone who had nearly been killed by a monster, and who now had the chance to escape, would choose to willingly re-enter the embrace of danger.
—’Strange fellow. Why do I feel no fear or hatred from him?’
Huoli felt utterly perplexed. Any other person, after being treated that way, would be filled with various grievances or dread. Yet, Ah Xin, standing before her, seemed utterly unconcerned.
“Heh, human, now that I’ve calmed down, I find you quite interesting. Neither fear nor hatred, but rather you’re offering counsel to assist me. You’re not, by chance, suffering from the legendary Stockholm Syndrome, are you?”
“Wouldn’t that be even better? With that condition, I can assist you more effectively, helping you make a better escape.” Standing before the monster, the 177cm to 196cm height difference created a unique and striking contrast.
“Ahahahahaha, I never thought the heavens haven’t forsaken monsters after all! I truly wish I could turn you into a monster right now so you could accomplish great deeds with me! Hahahaha!” The monster roared with laughter, clapping Ah Xin on the shoulder, the heavy impact leaving one side of his shoulder feeling utterly numb. His other hand, however, subtly moved behind his back.
Ah Xin forced a weak smile, his shoulder throbbing. His old bones (at twenty-six) couldn’t withstand such roughhousing.
With such a ‘loyal subordinate’ as Ah Xin, there was naturally no need for a little loli hostage. It shoved her away. As the little girl stumbled away to safety, the monster turned to face Huoli, brimming with confident arrogance.
“Hmmph… (rubbing his shoulder in pain) In my humble opinion, Your Majesty’s defenses are indeed impregnable, and your attacks are fiercely powerful. However, this Huoli is a seasoned talent with three years of experience. While ordinary techniques may not harm Your Majesty, if she were to unleash her few remaining ‘Brilliant Fire Lotus Slashes,’ the outcome of this battle would become an unknown.”
“Tsk, talkative.”
“Hmph~ I see it now. A hint of embarrassment has appeared on this young lady’s face. It seems her trump card has been exposed. Come, my loyal subject! Give me a thorough analysis.”
“As you command! The ‘Brilliant Fire Lotus Slash’ is Huoli’s ultimate killing technique. This move consumes immense energy and strikes with such speed that it requires no prolonged charging. This slash possesses two stages of power: the first strike shatters armor, and the second transmits power internally, causing the flames to detonate within like a chain reaction! Such a blow is unbearable even for Death Row-level monsters, leaving them to perish on the spot.”
“Death Row-level? Then I’m out of luck?”
“Your Majesty, there’s no need to rush. Your opponent is far more anxious, for…”
[Whoosh!]
The blade was drawn. Unwilling to tolerate Ah Xin’s betrayal of her trump card, Huoli launched a direct thrust, determined to silence him.
But could she succeed? The attack was blocked directly by the monster’s raised hand. Its other arm flexed, delivering a heavy punch straight to her face.
Immediately, she retracted her blade and shifted to defense, but the monster’s punch was terrifyingly powerful. With one blow, even with her blade guarding, Huoli’s body was sent reeling, crashing directly into a handrail inside the bus.
“Cough!”
“Continue!”
“Yes! Because Your Majesty’s physical defense is exceedingly strong, even if she manages to pierce the skin, it’s difficult for the initial strike to create a wound large enough for sufficiently lethal force to enter and cause destruction! That’s why she chooses to continuously attack various parts of Your Majesty’s body, seeking the most vulnerable entry point for a single, fatal blow!”
“Your analysis holds some truth. Rather than being depleted by missed attacks, I shall employ this form.”
As he spoke, his body transformed once more. His exaggerated, coarse muscles suddenly contracted, and his physique instantly reverted to that of a normal male.
“Switching from power-type to skill-type! Not only does it not affect my hardened defensive capabilities, but the reduction in body size allows for more precise defense, and I can even overwhelm this young lady with speed!”
“Your Majesty’s judgment is keen, but…”
“But?” The monster, somewhat puzzled, was about to turn its head when, in that sudden instant, a chill assailed it from below the waist.
“Ah Xin’s Crotch Crusher!”
[Ding!!]
*Gently tap the slumbering eggshell open, slowly whiten your eyes, look at the nest below, has it been shattered?*
The bus’s emergency hammer, a tool provided to prevent passengers from being trapped in an accident. This was the very item Ah Xin had stealthily moved towards the exit and hidden behind his back. Light yet sturdy and hard, it delivered a precise, upward hook-like strike to a crucial area. Caught completely off guard, the monster’s power was instantly shattered!
“Gyaaaaaa!!!! My loyal subject, you… you… why?!” Clasping its crotch, the monster, moments ago ferociously powerful, instantly collapsed like a salted fish, its pupils wide and bloodshot, its legs twitching uncontrollably.
“Loyal subject, my foot! Huoli! Give him the final blow!” Seeing the monster fall for the trick, Ah Xin’s face, like a performer in a Sichuan opera, offered no mercy.
“Eh!? Okay!” Startled for a moment, the young woman quickly recovered, rushing forward. She stomped on the monster’s body, raised her blade, and plunged it directly into its chest. Flames immediately burst forth explosively, forcing Ah Xin to retreat repeatedly.
“Damn it! Damn it all!! I refuse to die before I can even use my new form!”
“You’ll have to accept it, whether you like it or not! He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. How could a wretch who disregards their own subordinates ever comprehend such a truth!” As if corrupted by Ah Xin’s influence, the young woman retorted righteously.
“Um… Miss Huoli, I’m not his subordinate…”
“I want to marry her! I still want to be Miss Melrul’s dog! My! My grand dream!” The monster struggled, flames spewing from its chest. Its core shattered, and its monstrous body gradually began to dissipate.
It was finished. Being an unintelligent creature, perhaps such a ludicrous end was simply its destiny.
“You hateful wretch! You are the one who gave me a dream only to destroy it! I curse you! I curse you, traitor! If only those with wealth deserve happiness, then I curse you to be a penniless pauper for all eternity! Rua!” With these final words, its body gradually dissolved into dark particles, leaving behind the human host it had controlled.
“Hilarious. We were never even friends, to begin with,” Ah Xin chuckled quietly.
“You two really aren’t accomplices?” Huoli seemed unconvinced, pointing her blade at Ah Xin.
“How foolish would one have to be to be his accomplice?”
“Alright, fine. I suppose you wouldn’t dare.”
“As you just saw, it was that guy who held me hostage and—!”
“No time. You can explain it to the police yourself.” With that, the young woman quickly exited the bus, departing amidst the cheers and applause of the crowd.
She left in such a hurry that something fell from her pocket. Ah Xin stepped forward to pick it up, only to find it was a student ID. Like his cousin, Yu Jing, she was a student at St. Fleur Maria Private Girls’ Academy. Her name was Zhou Danxia.
“It would be difficult to attend classes without a student ID,” Ah Xin murmured, pocketing the card and chasing after her.
Police officers briefly stopped him along the way. He hastily explained what had transpired. Fortunately, the little girl’s testimony allowed him to escape the strange accusations of being a monster’s accomplice. After wasting five or six minutes to secure a ‘Leave of Absence Certificate’ to ensure his wages wouldn’t be docked, he was finally able to pursue her.
Though she had already run off, Ah Xin, being part of the Magical Girl system, could perceive the flowing currents of magic. That crimson thread of magic, emanating from Huoli herself, served as his guide. Following the gradually weakening flow, Ah Xin broke into a run.
After running for nearly ten minutes, he finally saw the red glow dissipate in a rarely used alleyway. It seemed she had de-transformed somewhere nearby.
“Haaah, haaah, I’m… I’m exhausted. Why did I even bother chasing after her?” Ah Xin complained, panting heavily and regretting his decision.
His physical fitness was far from excellent. Living a life of perpetual hunger and threadbare clothes, he felt his physical capabilities had even declined significantly compared to a few years ago.
Initially, he worried she wouldn’t be able to attend school without her student ID. As her savior and the one returning her ID, he thought he might be able to extract a small tip from the rich young lady’s pocket.
But upon closer consideration, it seemed that even without such a card, current schools likely had other methods of authentication. Besides, Huoli was an idol and a hero. Taking time off from school was probably something she could easily manage.
“I’m so hungry…” Ah Xin grumbled. “My stomach rumbles the moment I move. I wish I could eat the bento I made for Yu Jing… Hahahaha.”
He was a chef, yet he couldn’t afford to eat his own creations, constantly cooking for others while his own stomach ached. Did such a person truly exist in the world?
“Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to starve to death in the kitchen one day, burning away my last vestiges of strength, leaving only pure ash, the chef of tomorrow. Hahahaha.”
He let out a bitter laugh at his own thoughts. Seeing no one around, Ah Xin sank to the ground, gazing at the ‘Leave of Absence Certificate’ issued by the police. With it, he could claim a paid leave of absence, citing the monster attack as justification.
“How wonderful.” Sometimes, he couldn’t help but feel grateful to these troublesome creatures. Eight days of paid leave felt truly amazing.
Yet, with such a long holiday, others would surely find myriad ways to enjoy themselves – perhaps hiking or skydiving. Or, for a more relaxed experience, a vacation? Even if not to the moon or a bikini-clad beach, perhaps a visit to the city’s artificial hot springs for a mechanical massage. If money was tight, one could still go on a date with a beautiful girl, even if it was just to watch movies all day.
At the very least, he could grab a meal at a street stall, call up a few buddies, order a table full of BBQ or lobster, bring a case of beer, brag about their exploits, and then drink until they couldn’t stand straight.
—’Well, it seems Ah Xin has never experienced any of the above.’
At the thought of food, his stomach rumbled once more. This holiday, it felt like he was either laid up with a fever, earning extra cash by cooking for neighbors, or helping them clean rooms or repair old air conditioners and TVs. This was how he managed to scrape together some additional income. Perhaps his only solace was sitting in the sunlight, watching his little orange tree while knitting sweaters (for his own use, and also for good prices at the market).
Even thinking about his friends, he couldn’t help but recall that the class reunion was in little over a month. In an environment where everyone would be dressed in suits, sporting luxury watches and bags, and arriving in expensive cars, how would he face them?
[“I’m in HR management under my old man.”]
[“I’m the supervisor for new smart home appliance R&D.”]
[“I’m the new Vice President of XX Company.”]
Even the less impressive ones:
[“Haha, I’m a bit embarrassed, I only just became a full-time high school teacher this year.”]
[“I just passed the civil service exam and I’m still a low-level cadre in the countryside.”]
[“I just opened a tutoring agency myself, here’s my business card, welcome to support us.”]
Then it would be Ah Xin’s turn.
[“Ah Xin, your grades were quite good back then, what are you doing now?”]
A cleaner earning 3000 a month.
[“Hahahahaha, really? Is that still a profession nowadays? That’s so lame. How about I introduce you to a job?”]
Ugh, he couldn’t imagine any pleasant words. Perhaps the greatest sorrow of humanity was to be idle and still imagine one’s own persecution, envisioning unfortunate troubles tormenting oneself. Perhaps at such times, a cigarette would be needed to calm down, but Ah Xin never smoked that stuff, and rarely touched alcohol either. His body was already frail, and if he collapsed from those, no one would probably even know.
Though, not being able to afford them was also a reason.
He gazed at the sky, watching the drifting clouds. Perhaps few busy people in this city still paid attention to them. Even children as young as one or two years old now understood the formation of clouds. Growing more pragmatic, they rarely spoke of dreams of wandering atop the clouds anymore.
“Cotton candy… seems pretty low cost. There’s a charity bazaar at the park next weekend; could selling that make money there?” Ah Xin muttered, his uninhibited thoughts now fixed on the clouds, envisioning a fortune.
“Hey, look! This guy’s hiding here.”
“Indeed. Thought no one would find her in an alley, huh?”
“What do you say? This young lady’s quite cute.”
It was the sound of thugs, emanating from the inconspicuous alley. It seemed the ‘young lady’ they were referring to was Huoli. He had assumed she had left after de-transforming, but surprisingly, she was still here.
However, a de-transformed Magical Girl was no different from an ordinary person, and Ah Xin was the same. Though he desperately wanted to swoop in as Yu Wangxin, the hero, and demand a tip, it seemed he could only appeal to her! Ah Xin’s other self!
“Transform!”
Super soft and utterly adorable long white hair~ A fluffy, comfortable, magnificent dress~ And bright, captivating beautiful eyes~ Enchanting and incredibly cute, the powerful Magical Girl—Magical Girl Xiaoxin! Makes a dazzling entrance!
“Oh my—you bad children over there mustn’t bully that girl! Otherwise… Oh! Goodness!” She had intended to teach the thugs a lesson as a Magical Girl, but the sudden scene before Magical Girl Xiaoxin made her freeze instantly.
Black. An overwhelming blackness. The walls were splattered with the monster’s black blood, scattered by some unknown attack, and three monsters lay dead on the spot.
Zhou Danxia, unconscious, lay slumped on the ground. However, standing before her was not a thug, but an ominous figure: a tall, thin man exuding an aura of evil and terror, wearing a 17th-century European plague doctor’s mask. A dark cloak shrouded his body, making him resemble a giant crow, emanating an inauspicious presence—the Raven of Death!
“Oh my, I thought after dealing with these disobedient little brothers, I could simply take the princess. I never expected an unexpected challenger to appear out of nowhere.”
“Who are you? That aura… you’re a monster, aren’t you?”
“Oh, my apologies. I got a little heated just now. I didn’t realize my aura was so poorly concealed, hehe~” Brushing off some bloodstains, the figure bowed with the courtesy of a knight, placing his left hand over his right chest in a respectful gesture. “I am Count Harold Chias Gostol, though everyone is accustomed to calling me Doctor Raven. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance today.”
Oh, the one mentioned in Episode 5.
“Strange fellow. Though I don’t understand why you killed your own kind, I won’t let you take Miss Huoli. If you wish to fight, then come at me.”
“Haha, Miss Magical Girl Xiaoxin, you misunderstand. Of course, I won’t fight you. The Gast incident provided me ample understanding of your capabilities, and even if I were to win, there would be no benefit. I have no desire to engage in unprofitable ventures.” As he spoke, his body suddenly disintegrated and dispersed into a gust of black wind.
“Don’t think you can escape!” Raising her magic wand, magic surged forth, and a ‘Shining Ray’ immediately erupted, shooting directly at his body.
[Sizzle—]
The attack passed right through him, yet he showed no reaction. This was merely a clone, a projection of his power.
“Good heavens.” This meant that this guy had instantly obliterated three monsters with just a clone.
“We shall meet again, Miss Magical Girl Xiaoxin. And when Huoli awakens, please convey a message for me.”
“Convey?”
“My revenge will not cease.” With that, Doctor Raven’s form vanished from the alley, and the sense of power and oppression instantly dissipated.
The magical energy flow was immense. As Magical Girl Xiaoxin, she could clearly feel that even the power of this clone alone exceeded that of a typical Bandit-level monster by tenfold. Without a doubt, this was already Death Row-level; what then would be the strength of its true body?
—’Demon-level,’ the word that surfaced in Ah Xin’s mind. For most monsters, it was the coveted pinnacle: overwhelming combat and destructive power, coupled with intelligence beyond human comprehension. Such an entity was unequivocally beyond the capabilities of ordinary heroes, a monster that even the most renowned figures on the hero roster dared not face alone.
“Revenge? Do they have some kind of grudge?” After looking at the spot where the self-proclaimed Doctor Raven had vanished, and then at the unconscious young woman, Ah Xin’s transformation dissolved, and he gently lifted her from the ground.
She appeared to be unharmed, merely exhausted perhaps, the dark circles under her eyes betraying her hardship.
In any case…
The matter of asking her for a tip! It seemed promising!