Why are the magical girls in your area male?

What will the third and fourth floors be like?

How many floors does this tower have at its highest point, and where does it ultimately lead?

One question after another, like a cat scratching at Yuan Qing's heart, made him itch with curiosity.

But can the association truly be trusted?

Yuan Qing fell into deep thought.

Perhaps, as a second-best option, we could talk to Shiori Shiomi about it while keeping it a secret from the system.

And, only her.

"Well then, that's all for today. The lunar etch should be coming to an end soon."

Shiori Shiomi glanced at the hourglass placed on one of the small display stands, the handful of gold sand above it about to run out.

At the same time, the system in Yuan Qing's mind also issued a countdown prompt:

[Countdown to the end of the lunar etching: 9 minutes and 59 seconds]

Several magical girls responded and left. As they passed Yuan Qing, Bai Nue and Kong Wu both glanced at him.

As a veteran A-rank magical girl, she didn't harbor the same wariness and hostility towards him as the previous magical girls.

Of course, it could also be because they were powerful and confident in subduing this little Karami, which is why they appeared so calm.

Toriumi Ritsuki quietly nudged Genji and whispered, urging him on:

"Come on, Dad, I just passed by a restaurant and found that it has so many delicious foods. Before the Moon Etching is finished, let's go and have a couple of bites!"

Yuan Qing suppressed the urge to complain and gave Li Xi a push: "You go first, I'll come find you later."

"Okay, then I won't wait for you."

Toriumi Riki's emotional intelligence isn't so low that she can't see that Gensei wants to speak to Shiori Shiomi alone.

After saying that, she quickly followed the others and left the conference room.

After everyone left, the door was closed again.

Shiori Shiomi crossed her legs, clasped her arms around her chest, looked at Genji Ao, and tilted her head: "What's up?"

"Ah."

Yuan Qing nodded slightly.

Shiori Shiomi lowered her eyelids, and after a moment, she flicked her finger, and the conference room door slammed shut. An invisible barrier emanated from her fingertip, enveloping the entire room.

"No one else will know what we say or do next."

She said calmly, "So, what do you want to say to me? Go ahead."

Yuan Qing hesitated for a few seconds, then walked silently to Shiori Shiomi's side, pulled out the chair next to her, and sat down.

He didn't speak immediately, but leaned forward slightly, crossed his hands on the table, and looked directly into Shiori Shiori's deep, blood-red eyes.

Only the two of them remained in the conference room, the air so quiet that they could hear each other's soft breathing.

Shiori Shiomi didn't urge him; she just watched him quietly, her small body leaning against the wide back of the chair, like a delicate and adorable doll.

After a full ten seconds, Yuan Qing solemnly said, "President, I have a question for you."

"ask."

"Can I trust you?"

"can."

"..."

Shiori Shiomi's answer was concise and to the point, without any hesitation!

Her attitude gave Yuan Qing the feeling that even if he said the sky was about to fall, she would bail him out without hesitation!

It was as if the question itself was meaningless; no matter when Yuan Qing asked, her answer was always the same.

Whether you believe me or not is your choice.

"But my answer will always be the same."

She can be trusted by herself; that's a matter of course!

Yuan Qing stared straight into her eyes. In front of such all-seeing eyes, his hesitation seemed to be a desecration.

"Okay, then I'll believe you."

After a long pause, Yuan Qing chuckled with relief.

He took a deep breath, his expression turning serious:

"I know how to get into that tower."

Volume 1: Chapter 77 What, you like her (him)? (Bonus Chapter for 3K Views)

After these words came from Gensei, Shiori Shiomi's expression did not change significantly.

It was as if she had guessed from the beginning that Yuan Qing would tell her this.

She didn't speak, but waited quietly for Yuan Qing to continue.

"check it out."

Yuan Qing flipped his fingers and took out a thin card about the size of an envelope:

"This is a specially made invitation. I don't know where it came from, but it allows me to enter that tower."

"..."

Shiori Shiomi stroked her cheek, paused for a moment, and then held the invitation that Gensei handed her between her fingers.

"Hmm... there's a strange magic about this."

She frowned and said, "Unlike magical girls and other awakened beings, it's probably a completely new power system independent of both."

As expected of the president, such a keen judgment.

Yuan Qing was secretly surprised.

The "Grim Reaper's Invitation" is an item given to me by the system. If I had to say, its power comes from the system, so it has nothing to do with magical girls or awakened beings.

Shiori Shiomi put down the invitation and asked, "What's inside that tower?"

"Hmm, how should I describe it..."

Yuan Qing pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words as he replied, "It should be considered 'a training ground', right?"

"The Trial Grounds?"

"Yes, that's right, the training grounds. You train there, fight monsters, and get stronger."

"..."

Shiori Shiomi tapped her fingers lightly on the table and pressed for an answer, "And then?"

"I've reviewed a lot of information about the Shadow Beasts provided by the association and confirmed one thing: the monsters inside the tower are completely different from the Shadow Beasts."

For example, I couldn't find slimes or goblins in the guild's Shadow Beast Encyclopedia.

"Aren't these two monsters from Western fantasy games? You should have seen Shadow Beasts before; most of them look rather... ugly."

"Yes, it's really edgy, quite mind-numbing."

"Go on, besides slimes and goblins, what else is inside?"

"Uh, I don't have any more information." Yuan Qing gave an awkward chuckle. "I only got to the second floor, and I've been stuck there for days..."

Xi Jian raised an eyebrow and quickly asked, "What's on the second floor?"

"A guy who calls himself the 'King of Goblins' is of a very high level and is quite powerful."

Yuan Qing replied somewhat helplessly, "That guy can unleash a wide-range thunderstorm. Not only is his attack power exaggerated, but his defense is also ridiculously high. I can't break through his defense at all."

"So?" Shiori Shiomi asked, anticipating the other person's thoughts.

"Hmm, I think you can help me. I can't get through that place alone, but if it's you, you might be able to speed through it."

At this point, Yuan Qing paused, then added with a troubled expression, "Uh, there's just one problem. I'm not sure if I can take you in, or if you can come out after you go in."

That tower has a kind of 'protection mechanism' for me; monsters won't leave the floors they're on, so I don't have to worry about being hunted down.

The only problem is how to escape; I haven't found a way yet. Each time, I automatically return to the real world after the lunar etch ends.

Shiori Shiomi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow.

She lowered her head in thought, and the only sound in the conference room was the soft rustling of golden sand flowing through the hourglass.

Finally, with only 3 minutes left in the countdown to the moon etching, Shiori Shiomi spoke:

"Let's take it one step at a time. Let's see if you can get me in first."

"Are you sure? Although I'd love for you to take me with you, it's quite risky, mainly because there are too many unknowns, and I haven't figured it out myself yet."

"I know that just chatting like this won't solve anything, so let's give it a try first."

Shiori Shiomi said firmly.

She paused, then added, "Don't worry about me. I'm strong, stronger than you think. No matter what kind of monsters are inside, I can survive."

"..."

hiss.

What a powerful aura!

When that little guy said those words, his whole demeanor changed.

She was so confident in her own abilities that even Yuan Qing couldn't question them.

"Alright, since you've put it that way, what am I hesitating for?"

Yuan Qing smiled slightly, picked up the invitation, and used it.

The invitation turned to ashes and vanished, then quickly reformed, forming a vortex in front of the two people in the blink of an eye, resembling a spatial passage.

“I went in through this portal,” Yuan Qing said.

Shiori Shiomi stood up, slowly walked to the teleportation portal, and tentatively extended her finger—

"Buzz!"

Something strange happened.

The portal that allowed Yuan Qing to pass through unimpeded suddenly revealed an invisible barrier.

Shiori Shiomi keenly sensed that this barrier was exactly the same as the barrier outside the Demon Tower.

“I can’t get in.” She concluded decisively. “It seems you’re the only one who received the invitation, Yuanqing.”

"So that's how it is...?"

Yuan Qing looked regretful.

Although he had guessed this possibility, he still couldn't help feeling disappointed when his guess was confirmed.

However, it's not a big problem. As long as Shiori Shiomi agrees to help, even if she can't get in, she can help me in other ways.

Sure enough, before he could speak, Shiori Shiomi took the initiative to suggest, "How about this, I'll give you some high-level magical items and spell scrolls, you can try to see if you can use them."

If this thing is like those special dungeons in the game, and it restricts the use of items, then I'll think of another way.

"As expected of the president, he said exactly what I wanted to say."

Yuan Qing grinned.

"I need some time to prepare. I'll contact you tomorrow when the lunar etching is almost finished."

As Shiori Shiomi spoke, she took out a specially made white gemstone and handed it to Genji:

"During the lunar etch, no electronic devices or communication tools will be usable."

This is the Echo Stone used by the association to maintain communication, and it is also the most common means of communication for magical girls at present.

However, it doesn't have a 'public channel,' only a 'private channel.' Take this; I'll contact you tomorrow night.

"understood."