Love, Gun, Cupid

"I have a medical license and am proficient in using modern medical equipment. However, our tribe's healing magic is not just magic; it is also a spiritual symbol of our tribe."

Even though it's an outdated level three magic, my descendants and I will pass it down. And don't you humans also want our race to maintain this tradition?"

Arcturus released the boy, who raised his hand and said, "No offense intended. I don't care about the era in which the magic you used was based, as long as it works."

My registered name is Starry Flying Fish, and I am honored to serve as a barrier in front of you all in the battles to come.

Arcturus looked at the interstellar flying fish with some surprise: "A barrier, you?"

"I possess Class II Grade security magic, one of which is called Field Shield."

The interstellar flying fish stretched out its hands forward, and a semi-transparent shield about 5 meters wide and 2 meters high materialized.

"Let's test the intensity," he beckoned.

Arcturus's all-out attack with the rocket launcher totem pole, Yuki's arrow imbued with wind element magic, and Kapok's spell-enhanced stabs all only left ripples on the shield, failing to break it.

"Good lad!" Arcturus exclaimed.

“I have a baby face, but that doesn’t mean I’m that old,” said Starfish, somewhat troubled. “I’m 22 years old this year, not much younger than you all, so there’s no reason for me to be treated like a child.”

I'm not feeling well, so I'm only posting an extra chapter today.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Keeping One's Word

The team tasked with retrieving Korobochka's soul fragments in District 18 was thus formed: two short humans and two tall aliens. Theoretically, Kapok should trust the Interstellar Flying Fish more, but for some reason, the bodysuit-clad monster always felt that the Interstellar Flying Fish wasn't as simple as he appeared.

"I am Kapok, and I will be the captain of this team from now on."

Kapok's introduction was only one sentence long, but no one raised any objections. When the pay-to-win mom approached them, they already knew that the team leader came from Brilliant City.

No one residing in the Sky City, the heart of the Empire, is simple, especially since Kapok is still registered in Brilliant City, only temporarily exiled to Revival City.

Mu Mian didn't stand on ceremony with them and continued, "You should know why you were chosen. It's because of your credibility, ability, and possession of a fragment of a person's soul. And when these fragments are pieced together, they lead to the secret of 'mistake'."

Yuki, the rhinestone sprite, raised her hand and said, "I didn't understand."

"I don't know what the secret is either. I was only told to cooperate with you to retrieve the soul fragments and thus protect the false secret."

The higher-ups have granted me a series of permissions, the most important of which is the use of force against wanderers in the Mirror Realm who possess soul fragments. Therefore, you have been summoned.”

“There’s no need to explain so much,” said Arcturus, “we’re all here for the rewards and have an adventurous spirit.”

The boy smiled and said, "I joined the team because I thought there would be a lot of battles this time, and the battles would involve physical contact, so I could pick out the good men I like."

It's highly probable that people who study magic have distorted minds. This distortion leads to all sorts of bizarre sexual preferences among magic researchers, with homosexuality even being considered a rather unconventional taste.

So the other members of the team didn't react much to the interstellar flying fish's self-destruction. Yuki asked, "Are you the top or the bottom?"

“A strong top.” Star Flying Fish answered proudly, “I came here this time to find a weak bottom with a capacity to accommodate me.”

Kapok said indifferently, "It doesn't matter what, as long as you don't covet that wrong secret, then I think we can cooperate happily."

We'll meet here at 7 PM.

The three temporary teammates disappeared on the spot, each displaying their unique abilities. Kapok was preparing to enter the Mirror Realm tonight, which would be the first time the bodysuit monster would roam.

Since the day before yesterday, whenever the man in the tight-fitting suit opens the lead box, the Mirror World resonates with the soul fragments he possesses, enticing Kapok to enter that world.

The reward Kapok received for this mission was that Brilliant City would reassess its possibility of returning to its former territory. A year ago, Kapok might have been enthusiastic, but now, Kapok only wanted to stay in Revival City.

Therefore, Mu Mian waited until her three teammates reported before setting off, and it wasn't a lie that she refused Lin Jiade's request for help last night and claimed that she was working.

Last night, the bodysuit-clad weirdo cooperated with the police to hunt down the non-human criminal duo who had attacked Lin Jiade last month and possessed top-tier magic. They captured one of them, but he simply didn't have time to rescue the unfamiliar teacher, Ms. Yang.

Moreover, the person Lin Jiade wants to save is connected to the Mirror Realm. One can imagine that every night, wanderers who possess soul fragments will flood into the Mirror Realm, and competition, robbery, and betrayal will become the main themes for the wanderers in order to obtain that wrong secret.

Fools, the weak, and innocent bystanders will be eliminated, while the desperate criminals who get closer and closer to the truth will stop at nothing.

As a magic researcher, Lin Jiade is too naive and kind. His best career path would be to be specially recruited into the Special Tactics and Rescue Team (STARS) of the Fuxing City Police Department after graduation, to maintain order and fight crime. It is the most beautiful fairy tale that magic researchers can imagine.

In the lawless lands beyond the realm, Lin Jiade will come to realize the darkness of magic researchers and magic itself, and his worldview will be shaken... No, it's better if it's just shaken. If he is assimilated, that would be the worst outcome for Kapok.

Therefore, Kapok didn't want Lin Jiade to get involved in this matter. Compared to Lin Jiade's safety, the life of an ordinary person like Teacher Yang was insignificant... With the main lineage of Homo sapiens stable, the loss of any ordinary individual is negligible.

Nevertheless, Kapok still felt apologetic towards Lin Jiade, so when Lin Jiade finished class, the man in the tight-fitting suit blocked him at the door.

"Shall we have dinner together?" Mu Mian asked.

Lin Jiade thought there was some official mission, so after exchanging a few words with his friends, he hurriedly ran off to catch up with Mu Mian. Mu Mian's mask first reflected Lin Jiade's image, then the bodysuit-clad monster looked behind Lin Jiade.

Lin Jiade's heart was in his throat, terrified that Mu Mian would see Jian Lan. Fortunately, Mu Mian didn't react, and they walked along the road. Mu Mian was on the left, Lin Jiade on the right, and Jian Lan was above and to the right of Lin Jiade, observing Mu Mian with interest, and whispered in his ear, "Your companion has something on her mind."

How could you tell that?

Lin Jiade looked at Mu Mian curiously. The tight-fitting monster's clothing was so well-protected that he still didn't know what Mu Mian looked like. So how did Jianlan judge Mu Mian's mood?

The casket's thoughts were transmitted to the Lich Lady through the Will Connection, and the Lich Lady said, "It's the pace."

Kapok turned its helmet towards Lin Jiade, who, fearing Kapok would sense Jianlan's presence, said to Kapok, "About last night..."

"I'm sorry," said Kapok.

"No, no, no, this is not your fault, senior. I want to say that the matter has been resolved. In accordance with the confidentiality regulations, Teacher Yang has forgotten her memories."

Kapok stopped in her tracks and said in surprise, "What did you say?"

"I mean, this matter is resolved."

"Did you enter the Mirror Realm?"

"Ah, it's a friend of mine..."

“That friend is you,” Mu Mian said. “There are some things I can’t reveal. I can only say don’t go there again. It’s dangerous there.”

Although the senior meant well, Lin Jiade could not agree. He wanted to help Jianlan's soul reunite, so he had to go to the Mirror Realm to find those who held soul fragments, to negotiate, and even fight.

He didn't want to lie, so he changed the subject, saying, "Where's Senior Sister Hehuan?"

"You're still going to the Mirror Realm, aren't you?"

"What shall we eat today, senior?"

Is there a compelling reason to go?

"It's gotten a bit colder lately, don't you feel cold, senior?"

"Even if it means becoming my enemy, you still want to go?"

No matter how Lin Jiade tried to change the subject, Mu Mian remained unmoved and pressed on. The young man couldn't resist the strange man in the tight suit's persistence, and he answered seriously, "A man keeps his word, even if it means being an enemy of his senior."

Chapter Thirty-Six: Repaying Kindness +1

The young man looked cool when he said that, but a few seconds later, as Mu Mian sat on him, pondering how to stop Lin Jiade from courting death, he pitifully said, "You're cheating, senior. You're a semi-professional, yet you have no sportsmanship, sneaking up on me, an amateur among amateurs."

Mu Mian was very light-handed, merely knocking Lin Jiade down and tossing him onto a nearby bench. Coupled with Mu Mian's incredible lightness, Lin Jiade had the opportunity to beg for mercy.

Sword Orchid floated in mid-air with her hands behind her back, completely unfazed, because she sensed no murderous intent from Mian. She was also worried that Mian might detect her presence, so she dared not approach rashly.

"Please, this is something I absolutely have to do. Just turn a blind eye and let me fulfill my promise. When I come back, I'll do anything for you."

"Who is it that you risked your life for this time?" Kapok asked softly.

“Uh, this…” Lin Jiade’s eyes darted around, “I can’t say.”

"Yeah."

After a long silence, Kapok said, "Then, I have a compromise."

“Okay, I agree!” Lin Jiade replied instantly.

"I haven't said it yet."

"Senior Kapok has helped me many times. This time, she stopped me because she was worried about me being in danger. What else do I have to worry about with your plan?"

Kapok's breathing became erratic, her fists clenched and then relaxed weakly. She stroked the back of Lin Jiade's head and said, "Lunch is on you."

"what?"

Lin Jiade didn't understand what he meant, so Mu Mian added, "The Empire sent a team that is nominally unrelated to the Empire's official forces into the Mirror Realm. I am the captain of District 18, and I have the authority to recruit team members on my own."

Therefore, I can use my authority to pull you into the team, so that you can legally appear there and be protected by your teammates. It's better than you going deep into enemy territory alone and being attacked by the Imperial team and the Wanderers at the same time.

At the same time, I also need someone I can trust to keep an eye on the team.

With this single message, Lin Jiade owed Mu Mian another debt, because Mu Mian informed him that the message violated confidentiality regulations. Adding to this, Mu Mian used her power to get him preferential treatment, making his debt to her even greater.

I will prove with my actions that I am worthy of your trust. Lin Jiade thought to himself.

He said, "That's great! This meal—no, I'll treat you to meals for the next month!"

The charity organization Lin Jiade joined provides a subsidy to magic researchers every month. This month's subsidy has already arrived. In addition, his poorly executed magic was redone, and the cost of preparing potions was reduced by postponing the process. Therefore, he is not under much financial pressure this month.

Mu Mian waved her hand: "No need, one meal is enough. I would prefer you to spend the money on things that improve yourself."

"I think networking is also a form of improvement. I'll stick with someone as reliable as you, Senior Mumian, for the rest of my life."

"Don't have too many expectations of me, or you'll find that I'll disappoint you more."

Mu Mian jumped down and reached out to pull Lin Jiade up. This was the first time Lin Jiade had ever touched her. The latex suit diffused into a black mist, completely enveloping his palms, while Mu Mian's calloused hands left a stinging sensation on his skin.

Not through a latex suit or magic, but a real handshake?

Lin Jiade solemnly said, "I will continue to climb higher, and perhaps in the future, it will be Senior Kapok who relies on me... This is my way of repaying her kindness."

Mu Mian remained noncommittal, and Lin Jiade's offer wasn't high; a meal of braised chicken and rice was enough to satisfy her. Afterwards, they returned to the martial arts classroom, and Mu Mian immediately raised her sword.

"Lin Jiade, take one and a half steps to the right."

Jianlan first sensed the energy fluctuations of Kapok and judged that Kapok was about to make a move. She then predicted Kapok's attack by reading the direction of its energy flow and gave Lin Jiade the best response.

Under her discerning gaze, Kapok became the boss in the game of suffering, powerful yet predictable. Lin Jiade was able to dismantle every move of the bodysuit monster... He understood it in his mind, but his body couldn't keep up.

"stand up!"

After Lin Jiade was knocked down, Mu Mian's urging voice would always sound above his head. If he was a second or two slower, Mu Mian would smash down on him without hesitation with the back of her sword.

"stand up!"

Even if he overcomes the pain and gets up, the kapok's fierce attacks will bring him more pain, and progress is hidden in his pain.

"stand up!"

Kapok imparted swordsmanship skills to him through her magic, awakening his survival instincts and gradually transforming those skills into muscle memory.

"stand up!"

In his pain, Lin Jiade was overwhelmed by a sense of despair. The last time he felt such pain was during the school football match, when his department lost 2-7 to the biology department. Everyone had given their all, but the biology department's star player's pace, skills, speed, and stamina formed a high wall of despair.