Regarding the fact that my best friend is a magical girl

"Damn it."

The seemingly weak mechanical werewolf had its sword blade embedded in the ground at some point.

This is consistent with the abilities of that strange wooden stake man.

"..."

He seemed to think he had me under control, and climbed out of the pit with the smugness of a victor—even though he had relied on a sneak attack.

Then, he even had the leisure to give me an elegant bow.

Are you planning to attack me?

Thinking about it carefully, he really didn't try to kill me. Even that most promising blow was just a palm strike.

A palm can push me away, but a fist might pierce my abdomen.

"What exactly do you want to do—"

Before I could even finish asking the question, a sonic shockwave, as tangible as a physical wave, grazed past me.

The agile werewolf dodged the sonic attack and disappeared into the forest without looking back.

In a short time.

The world fell into absolute silence.

I didn't use magic; I just became deaf.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Changkong Branch

(Sun Yao)

Miss Jizhen Haoyin's sonic attack missed, and the wolf-headed monster fled the scene with speed no less than Milno's. The association's drones gave chase, but they probably couldn't keep up with that exaggerated speed.

"...That's strong. It would be troublesome if that guy got away."

"We shouldn't lose him, right? That weirdo is so conspicuous, he'll be spotted wherever he goes."

As Milno spoke, she drew her short sword and deftly cut off the old tree roots that were entangled around her legs. Although she had the explosive power to kick a tree in half, it was difficult for her to exert force and break free with her legs immobilized.

The werewolf monster dressed in black armor looked very intimidating from afar.

Miss Yangyan said, "This is troublesome. He shot down all of the association's drones."

That werewolf was clearly stronger than ordinary monsters. A monster that could go toe-to-toe with Miss Milno must at least be at the level of a witch.

Not to mention ordinary people, even magical girls are not confident they can defeat it.

"This... he won't run into the city and hurt someone, will he?"

I can't help but feel worried.

Miss Miluno shook her head.

"I'm not sure about the other party's position either. Not only did it not kill me, but its final actions also showed obvious 'humanity'... Ms. Spica, is there any precedent for that?"

"Although the invaders from outside the boundary are intelligent, they do not understand human common sense and language; they are merely humanoid weapons sent from 'the other side'."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the walkie-talkie, then it said, "Excuse me for interrupting your enjoyment of your trip, Seruno and Miluno. I would like to trouble you two to come to the association. Besides the werewolf matter, there is something else I would like to discuss with you in person."

"With the wildfire burning so badly, there's no way to continue sightseeing."

Looking at the still billowing smoke in the mountains, I continued, "So, Miss Spica, do you want us to go to the treatment facility or the branch?"

"Please come directly to the Changkong branch this time. I and... will be waiting for you there."

The loudspeaker-wielding man pointed at himself and winked.

"Huh? What about me?"

Spica replied, "Just have the two of them come. Miss Jizhen Haoyin, I'll need your help with the wildfire situation."

"Sigh, so I've been excluded? Well, maybe we'll meet again someday in the martial world~"

The carefree biker gang magical girl didn't delve into the matter and went back to help the firefighters put out the fire, carrying her magical megaphone.

"Kagerou, that's enough of your guidance and assistance to Seruno. You should focus on recovering."

"Huh? What can't I do—"

Miss Yangyan went offline before she could finish speaking.

This was clearly Miss Spica's doing; she specifically asked to see me and Miluno, excluding everyone else... It's a bit nerve-wracking.

"Let's go down the mountain first."

As soon as we stepped out of the park's main gate, Ms. Yin Wei pulled up in front of us in a Volkswagen Beetle.

They arrived very quickly, as if they had been waiting nearby all along.

Ms. Yin Wei rolled down the car window and called out, "Get in."

I got into the passenger seat.

Miss Miluno then climbed into the back seat.

Although her facial expression didn't change, she was in a very bad mood.

"Miss Yin Wei, have you found that werewolf?" I asked.

"No, but the association has already notified the police. There are currently no plans to lock down the city; they've only increased security at entrances and exits to the city. The association has also arranged for several magical girls to form an emergency response team. However, since there's no wormhole as a warning system, there's still a possibility of casualties..."

Glancing at Miss Miluno in the rearview mirror, Miss Yin Wei changed her words again: "...Ahem, but judging from the abnormal behavior of that mechanical werewolf, the possibility of it directly attacking humans is not high. You don't need to blame yourself for it."

"No, that was indeed my responsibility."

As Miluno spoke, her brows furrowed slightly.

The strange man slipped away right under her nose, which obviously hurt her pride, not to mention the potential for casualties later on.

"I didn't notice his little tricks. Since it can absorb and use the power of other monsters, it's very dangerous... We must deal with it as soon as possible."

Spica, speaking through the earpiece, said, "The Intelligence Division has recreated the werewolf's image and reported it to the police. If it appears in the city center, even without a wormhole alarm, the armed police will immediately cordon off the area."

Although Spica said that, everyone knew that armed police alone couldn't stop the werewolf's attack...

The fact that landmines have been planted, but no one knows when they will explode, inevitably causes anxiety.

Leaving the mountainous area along the winding mountain road, Ms. Yin Wei drove straight along the highway towards the association's branch building in the city center. From afar, one could see the umbrella-shaped platform on the top floor of the building, which was not only a helicopter landing pad but also the dock for the city's wormhole detection airship.

After a period of silence, Milno suddenly asked, "Miss Spica, besides the werewolf matter, is there anything else you want to say?"

"We'll discuss confidential matters in person. Besides, I've already arrived at the branch."

I also asked, "Wow, that's fast! Did you travel through a phase wormhole again?"

"Yes, the wormhole tunnel of the Changkong branch has been installed, but currently only magical girls can withstand the enormous pressure inside the tunnel... If this technology can be perfected, it will not only be able to deal with attacks from outsiders more quickly and efficiently, but also revolutionize the way ordinary people travel."

"It sounds great, but isn't this technology still immature?"

Milno's tone betrayed distrust, but I'd gotten used to it.

"Milono, the development of any technology takes time..."

“Miss Spica, if I’m not mistaken, your ultimate goal is to launch a second counterattack using wormhole technology, right?”

Spica, interrupted by Miss Miluno, fell silent.

The second counter-offensive?

Spica has never truly recovered from the failure she suffered seven years ago; she is seeking an opportunity to make amends.

Ms. Spica was not "reconnected" until the Beetle drove into the branch's underground parking garage.

“You’re right. I’m preparing for a second counterattack, but this time I won’t be reckless. Only by fully mastering this technology and establishing stable passageways can we compete on equal footing with the ‘other side.’ So there’s nothing wrong with developing wormholes in themselves… but I do have my own selfish motives.”

parking.

Miluno and I followed Miss Yin Wei into the elevator lobby in the garage, and the building's cold air rushed into our bodies from the top of our heads.

Milno cautioned, "However, humanity no longer has the courage to peer into 'the other side'."

"Seven years ago, I sent thirty comrades to the other side, but they were transformed into monsters and sent back... It was all my fault, but I can't let them die in vain. No matter what kind of infamy I bear, I will push forward with this plan."

Ms. Yin Wei pressed the elevator button.

The three of us could only stand here and wait until that cold, impersonal elevator came down.

"Miss Spica..."

Over the years, she has carried these heavy mental burdens.

"For this, I need someone like you... Milno, I need a magical girl with your abilities. Please come and help me."

This is Miss Spica's request to Miluno.

Milno is very strong. Even if you were to rank all the magical girls from the past twelve years, she would be among the very top.

If someone like her is willing to assist the association and Spica...

"I refuse."

Milno said.

The elevator doors closed.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: In short, let's go to Hawaii!

(Albinocotyledon)

Yin Wei led us into a small, soundproof living room.

The dark red patterned wallpaper, carpet, and green plants contrast sharply with the cold, impersonal office atmosphere outside, creating a very business-like ambiance.

Spica, who specifically requested to see us, was already sitting here waiting. She still looked very haggard, and even a little frustrated. I don't know if that's just how she is, or if it's because I rejected her earlier.

"Then I'll excuse myself. I wish you a smooth conversation."

Before Spica could speak, Yin Wei, quite self-aware, left the reception room on her own.

"Miluno, Seruno, please have a seat."

Because there was a teapot on the table, Spica got up to pour us tea. Today she wasn't wearing her oversized white lab coat, but rather a suit similar to Yin Wei's.