Turbulence at the Flip Park (5)

“……What is that thing?”

Huang Xing stared at the colossal Ferris wheel hundreds of meters away, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief.

Just two months ago, she had ridden it with her family. As the motor hummed to life, her gondola slowly ascended—rising from street level to over 180 meters high.

There, the sunlight was bright but gentle. Through spotless glass, the city unfolded below: distant streets, crisscrossing elevated highways, then beyond the ring lines—the endless rice paddies and green farmland stretching to the horizon.

It had felt like watching a living painting unfold. The memory was etched deep in her heart.

Now, that same symbol of joy had been crushed under a monstrous octopus tentacle—twisted into a grotesque, unrecognizable hunk of scrap metal.

The sight froze her mid-flight, breath caught in her throat.

—Whump! Whump! Whump!

Rotor blades sliced the air behind her. A formation of attack helicopters sped past, doors open as soldiers armed machine guns and anti-ground missiles.

Their target? Clear. That massive tentacle—and whatever horror it belonged to.

Should I join them?

But facing something that huge… what could she do? Only someone like Senior Tidal, with her devastating beam attacks, could possibly make a difference.

And besides…

She reached into her pocket and pulled out Raging Flame’s soul gem, holding it in her palm.

“Where are you, idiot…?”

Huang Xing scanned the sprawling FanDou Paradise below.

Finding one person in this vast space was nearly impossible.

A wave of helplessness and frustration washed over her.

Then—

She noticed it.

Deep within the dull, lifeless crystal, a tiny spark flickered weakly.

So faint, so fragile—it looked like it might vanish at any moment.

Yet it didn’t give up. It stubbornly pulsed with a dim light.

Am I imagining this?

Huang Xing quickly raised the gem to her eyes.

No mistake. This was magic energy.

Testing a theory, she began descending toward the ground.

As she flew lower, the spark grew brighter—stronger.

Warmth and light spread through the gem, pushing back the darkness and emptiness inside.

It wasn’t radiant yet—not like before—but this revival proved one thing:

The soul gem was calling. It was yearning for its owner.

Her heart began to race.

To test further, she picked a random direction and flew forward.

After a short distance, the flame weakened—dimming visibly.

Instantly, she turned around, flying the opposite way.

“…It is!”

Like rewinding a video, the flame reignited—burning stronger the farther she went.

She understood now.

This soul gem was a compass.

The closer she got to its owner—You Xi—the more intense the magic reaction became. The flame burned brighter.

The farther away, the weaker it grew.

Please… lead me to her.

Clutching the gem, Huang Xing whispered a silent prayer.

“…Just hold on. I’m coming.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Cash registers. Computer screens. Shopping baskets—

You Xi grabbed everything within reach and hurled them at the Legion Man charging her.

“—RUN!”

In the chaos of flying debris, she seized the chance—yanking the little girl toward the store exit.

She couldn’t transform. She was just a regular high school girl.

All she could do was run.

But the moment they stepped outside—

Two more Legion Men lunged from both sides of the street, as if lying in wait.

“Damn it…”

You Xi froze. Left and right—both paths blocked. No escape.

“Gugu—gugu—”

Behind. To the sides. Their mocking cries closed in.

They slowed their advance—savoring the hunt. Treating her and the child like easy prey.

“Onee-san…”

The girl’s pleading eyes should have filled You Xi with despair.

But strangely… as the monsters drew near, her panic faded.

Calmness settled over her—like quiet water after a storm.

Three dark figures formed a tightening circle, backing her against the wall.

Instinctively, she raised her left arm, shielding the girl. Her right hand tightened around the model sword’s hilt.

If they survived this… she’d never forget this feeling.

Not fear. Not hope.

A strange, serene courage—born when you accept despair and still stand firm.

At that moment, You Xi knew exactly what she had to do.

No hesitation. No words.

Feeling the small, fragile heartbeat behind her, she slowly raised the sword before her chest.

“If I can fight as a magical girl… maybe there’d be fewer people like me—people who suffer because no one came to save them.”

That was her wish when she first signed the contract.

Pure. Noble.

But after witnessing her friend’s tragedy—after tasting her own powerlessness—she had lost it.

Until now.

“Don’t be afraid,” You Xi said, turning her head to give the girl a reassuring smile. “I’ll protect you.”

She shifted her grip—using both hands on the sword.

“…Come on, then.”

Teeth clenched, she faced the advancing Legion Men.

“—Hey.”

A familiar voice echoed from above.

You Xi looked up—eyes widening in shock.

Ten meters above, Huang Xing hovered midair, arms crossed, eyelids half-lowered—as if looking down on a fool.

“Idiot. You weren’t seriously planning to fight monsters with a toy sword, were you?”

“—Catch.”

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed down a shimmering object.

Like a star returning home, the soul gem arced gracefully through the air—falling straight toward You Xi’s outstretched hands.