Apocalypse, then transforming into a magical girl

At the entrance of Shanghe Road subway station.

"A magical girl?" Old Qian's voice was filled with disbelief. "Little girl, don't joke around. Are there any adults with you?"

"I knew it! It must be some kid messing around with the walkie-talkie he found!" Old Wang said angrily.

"No one will come to save us. Although the rain has lessened a bit, those black worms in the water can still kill us," said Wei Yuan, the one-armed middle-aged man, with a wry smile and a hint of envy in his voice.

"It's probably a little girl from one of the nearby shelters playing with a walkie-talkie."

The fifth floor of an unfinished building.

"Waaah... I was telling the truth..." Xia Zhaozhao rubbed her forehead, muttering aggrievedly in a low voice.

"Who would believe that? Don't cause trouble." After the voice on the other end stopped, Xiao Lü pressed the call button.

"Ah, I'm sorry, my companion... was a little frightened and her mind isn't quite right. Please ignore what she just said."

Xiao Lü cleared her throat and continued speaking into the walkie-talkie: "My age... is older than you think. Besides, we are indeed survivors, but our abilities... are very limited."

"Please tell me your exact location in detail. I think we should be not far apart, and if possible, we might be able to help you a little."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the walkie-talkie, then Lao Qian's voice came through again:

"Whoever you are, just help us! We're trapped at Shanghe Road subway station and we're about to collapse! Do you... know of any safe evacuation routes nearby? Please! Help us!"

Xiao Lü listened to Lao Qian's hurried and desperate narration, her brows furrowed. She knew the general location of the place, but without navigation, even though they weren't far apart, finding the other person would still be difficult.

"We're in an unfinished building. Probably next to... that very tall Xinmao Bank headquarters building with its dark blue glass facade. How can we find you?"

"Xinmao Bank Headquarters Building..." Upon hearing this landmark, a faint glimmer of light still flashed in Wei Yuan's eyes.

His survival instinct made him lick his chapped lips, pick up the walkie-talkie, and add, "It's in that bank building you mentioned... straight east! About two intersections away!"

He searched his memory for as many landmarks as possible, trying to describe them more clearly. Regardless of who the other party was, knowing more about their locations was never a bad thing.

"Okay. We've noted down the two intersections east of the bank building." Xiao Lü asked into the walkie-talkie, "How much longer can you hold out?"

Old Qian's urgent voice came through the walkie-talkie: "We're about to collapse! The monster is still ramming against the waterproof barrier! If you really... can come, please hurry!"

"Okay, we understand," Little Green replied.

"We will depart immediately. The situation on the road is unpredictable, but we will do our best. We will keep our communication channels open at all times, and please contact us immediately if there are any unusual circumstances."

After saying that, Xiao Lü didn't hesitate any longer, put away the walkie-talkie, and turned to look at Xia Zhaozhao. Xia Zhaozhao's face was also full of seriousness, with a hint of eager excitement.

"Let's go." Little Green said, her body floating up again, and she flew out of the fifth-floor window first.

Xia Zhaozhao followed her and jumped out of the window, "Yay—time to accept a side quest!"

The two began to head in the general direction of Shanghe Road subway station, as described by Lao Qian.

"But... Little Green," Xia Zhaozhao asked curiously as she leaped and darted between rooftops and various buildings, occasionally using flight as a technique, "Aren't we going to chase after that monster that escaped last night?"

As Little Green flew, it froze the raindrops around them into ice pellets and tossed them aside, explaining, "It's alright, its aura keeps extending upwards and shows no sign of coming down, so it should be up there."

"There are quite a few monsters downstairs. Judging from its previous route, it probably thinks it's safer upstairs. Besides, it can't have gone far. The ice shards left inside its body during last night's battle should still be emitting magic."

"And also... I might recognize that voice on the walkie-talkie."

"You know them?" Xia Zhaozhao's curiosity was piqued. "What a coincidence! Who are they? Friends? Relatives? Or...?"

"It might be a colleague from my company," Xiao Lü replied.

"A colleague..." Xia Zhaozhao nodded, somewhat disappointed.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter! By the way, after we rescue them, how about we ask them for a walkie-talkie as payment for the mission?"

"Look, we only have one! If we had two, it would be easier to keep in touch if we split up later."

"I think if we really succeed in saving them, they'll definitely be willing to give it to us." Little Green glanced at her with a hint of helplessness.

"However, I think other survivors might know some crucial information that we don't. In this situation, sharing information might be more important than demanding compensation."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Xia Zhaozhao nodded in agreement. "Also, Little Green, which way is east? I can't tell which way is which."

"...Don't run around aimlessly, just follow me and fly."

On the other side, at the entrance of Shanghe Road subway station.

After the communication ended, the faint flame of hope that had ignited in Lao Qian and the others' hearts did not last long before it was doused with cold water by the harsh reality before them.

The roaring water and the howling of monsters coming from the direction of the station hall behind us were getting closer and closer. The water surging up from the platform level, carrying monsters, was spreading rapidly upwards.

The veteran surnamed Chen roared and brandished his makeshift torch with all his might, even poking it at a monster, successfully scaring away another wave of attacks from outside.

He was breathing heavily, and his knees ached.

Soon after, monsters appeared on the stairs below. Although young Feng Yue was trembling with fear, she gritted her teeth, took the torch from the veteran, and used it to frighten the monsters.

They struggled to hold on, each attack sending shivers down their spines. Despair, like a flood, once again overwhelmed their hearts.

But just then, out of the corner of his eye, Old Qian caught a glimpse of a faint light appearing near the distant horizon beneath the blood-red, pale light.

He froze, rubbed his eyes, blinked again in disbelief, and looked at that area.

Not one, but two! One is a soft, warm, bright white, and the other is a cool, star-like, deep blue!

Is it an illusion? No, it's not...

"Hey! Look! Over there—" Old Qian excitedly pointed in that direction: "There are two beams of light!"