Chapter 21: Infiltration Under the Shadow of the Tower

It was lunchtime in the city center.

The tallest building in this remote city, a towering structure that occupied nearly an entire block, served as the headquarters for the Magical Girl Organization.

Everything reconstructed in the city after the war revolved around this tower, clustering around the colossal edifice that overlooked the entire city.

It symbolized the absolute authority of the Magical Girl Organization, projecting the achievements and power of its representatives. It was said that the mere shadow it cast over the entire city was enough to suffocate and intimidate any dark organization.

As for whether that was truly the case…

Ling Xing, however, was indeed feeling rather stifled at the moment.

Though not because of the tower itself.

“Ugh, it’s so stuffy in here… I can’t see anything outside…”

“It’d be a problem if you *could*, wouldn’t it? Shhh—stop fidgeting, we’re almost there—”

It was yet another classic scenario: two young girls pressed face-to-face inside a cramped box.

Skillfully operated by Ling Xing, this time there were no gaps left, which meant they couldn’t see outside at all.

All they could hear was Dal’s labored breathing and grunts from outside as she pedaled the small tricycle, slowly passing through the grand entrance of the tower’s outer wall.

Theoretically, such a solemn location would necessitate a thorough inspection; this level of concealment was, at best, akin to burying one’s head in the sand.

But that was only in theory, perhaps existing solely within the regulations Chao Wu had studied.

The reality was…

“Hey, Dal, more deliveries?”

“Yep! Hehehe, they pay an extra eighty cents per package if I deliver upstairs, and there’s an elevator and air conditioning—it’s fantastic!”

These peripheral small cities were all built on a society of acquaintances.

Dal, who had been constantly wandering, scavenging, and taking odd jobs to gather activity funds, had become incredibly familiar with the people here.

The result was that after just a few exchanged words, the seemingly heavily guarded gate easily granted them passage.

Dal even continued pedaling further inside, grunting with effort, almost reaching the storeroom, without anyone coming out to stop them.

This was the unique ‘Face Fruit’ power of Dal, indeed.

“So… so easy? I thought it would be much more complicated… like a full-blown infiltration battle…”

Finding an unoccupied corner, Chao Wu tore open the box, cautiously poking her small head out to glance left and right, astonished to find no activity whatsoever around them.

Naturally. The Magic Science Team had been dispatched to the school and hadn’t returned, and the regular staff were all out for their lunch break. At this hour, hardly anyone remained.

“Hmph, Dal is incredibly capable; which of these uncles and aunties here wouldn’t show her some respect?”

After all, she was just a young girl, forced to do manual labor and odd jobs at such a tender age… a certain degree of empathy was inevitable.

Although Ling Xing had always urged her not to worry about such matters, insisting that she alone could sustain the organization, Dal possessed a certain pride as an executive.

“Hehehe, exactly! I’m an executive! Building good relationships with everyone is to cover the organization’s operations, ahahahahaha—”

‘How could an executive allow a combatant to raise funds? Of course, it’s her job as an executive to secure the funding! Ling Xing merely needs to focus on her duties as a combatant!’

That was how Dal had responded to Ling Xing at the time.

Therefore, there was no excuse for failure; they absolutely had to win for Dal, for the Dark Organization.

“Oh! You truly live up to your name, Dal! Combatants Ling Xing and Chao Wu, commencing infiltration operation. We will locate and steal the secret device, then return to rendezvous with you here in half an hour—”

“Ling Xing, you’re so energetic!”

The young girl’s eyes gleamed as she bit into the back of her hand, leaving a pair of shallow teeth marks, pretending to set her watch.

Then, she excitedly waved her hands, issuing a command in her soft, childlike voice.

“Good! By the authority of a Dark Organization executive, the infiltration operation begins!”

With that, they temporarily parted ways.

Watching the young girl laboriously pedal away on her small tricycle, the two remaining individuals swiftly pressed themselves against the wall, unburdened the canvas-wrapped box, and began to strategize.

Indeed, confronted by this despair-inducing disparity in power, the trio’s discussion had yielded a result neither of escape nor concealment.

Instead, they would take the offensive.

“Ling Xing… Senior Elite Combatant, could you reiterate the mission objectives? I’m feeling a little… excited… no, nervous…”

“If you’re going to use an honorific, at least call me by my actual name! Fine, I’ll briefly go over it again for you.”

She untied the canvas wrapping.

From the box, she retrieved the standard Magic Science Team rifle she had hidden earlier, inspecting the weapon.

These were confiscated yesterday, the weapons of those ‘fly-heads’: large-caliber combat rifles equipped with underslung grenade launchers and laser sights.

For the Dark Organization, it had been a long time since they had access to such high-tech weaponry.

“Given that the ‘Big-Boob Monster’ samurai won’t make a move until evening, and even in her fury, she didn’t transform to pursue us herself, instead ordering the Magic Science Team to act as cannon fodder, it indicates that she at least understands she shouldn’t actively transform and engage me in public view.”

She detached the magazine.

The magazine was loaded with non-lethal beanbag rounds that Ling Xing had ‘borrowed’ from the Magic Science Team earlier.

“Therefore, our objective is clear: during the midday lunch break, while the Magic Science Team has not yet returned and the organization’s forces are depleted, we must locate and seize that experimental device. We will then use it as leverage to threaten the ‘Big-Boob Monster’ into ceasing her actions, thereby at least maintaining a superficial peace.”

“You just heard that intel and already devised a plan? Ling Xing, Senior Elite Combatant, you’re amazing…”

“Stop prattling. Hold onto your rifle; if we encounter any sporadic patrolling personnel, a firefight could still erupt.”

Ling Xing, exasperated, flicked Chao Wu’s forehead, then handed the rifle to her, who was still mimicking the young girl’s expressions of awe.

Subsequently, she pulled a pistol and several bottles of mixed throwing objects from the box.

“Don’t worry, there shouldn’t be anyone around at this time. Even if there are a few security guards, I can take them down without a gun!”

Theoretically, this was indeed the case.

With Chao Wu, who was familiar with the internal layout and terrain, leading the way, and Dal’s ‘Face Fruit’ accompanying them, in theory, the two merely needed to stride confidently into the storeroom, locate the seemingly important device, and carry it away.

Then, once Dal had finished her deliveries, they would simply tuck the device into the box and place it on the tricycle, allowing them to clock out and head home.

As for whether the actual situation would be as simple as the plan…

“Regardless of whether we succeed, we only have half an hour. It will take approximately half an hour for them to reassemble at the school and return here. The moment that time is up, we must immediately withdraw.”

Hopefully.

Ling Xing gravely gazed at her wrist, as if checking the time.

Though she didn’t actually wear a watch, she was merely staring at her wrist, pretending to consult one.

“One fifty-two. Senior Elite Combatant, can the executive really keep track of time like this…?”

“Annoying. Half an hour is Dal’s usual delivery time. Did you think I hadn’t considered that?”

‘Hmph, that despicable former magical girl, flaunting her ability to check the time anytime, anywhere, simply because she has a phone.’

‘Once this job is done, and the situation stabilized, I’ll sell my ring and get a pager. Then let’s see you try to show off!’