Chapter 37: Hammer Time: The Surging Popularity of a D-Class Ability User

“Xiao Bai.”

“Understood.”

They didn’t even need to exchange glances; Bai Li and Lin Xi had already conveyed their intentions, moving in perfect synchronicity.

Lin Xi fired a single bullet, the magic within it activating mid-flight. It erupted with a powerful sonic blast and shockwave, much like a stun grenade, simultaneously disorienting and sending the Unusual Creature (TL Note: A type of monster or mutated beast) flying backward.

Along the trajectory where the Unusual Creature was sent flying, Bai Li was already waiting.

Adopting a stance akin to a baseball batter, Bai Li wielded a massive hammer, one even larger than her own body, and brought it down upon the incoming Unusual Creature with a crushing overhead blow.

The immense force drastically altered the Unusual Creature’s flight path, sending it plummeting towards the ground at a nearly vertical angle. It struck with such impact that it carved out an Unusual Creature-shaped crater, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“It doesn’t seem to take much to knock them out.”

“That’s only because your strength, Xiao Bai, is far too immense.”

Lin Xi remarked, approaching Bai Li’s side.

Even after Bai Li’s ability user rank was officially registered as D-class, she was still routinely subjected to a follow-up examination. Yet, her ability level report consistently displayed an E-class rating, almost as if it were an error, despite the actual power she demonstrated far exceeding that. The maintenance personnel had checked countless times, ruling out virtually every possible issue, which meant Bai Li’s ability truly was only E-class.

Naturally, this discrepancy was primarily due to an unknown force interfering with the results.

“Speaking of which, the last time, Xiao Bai, the weapons you created were just simple sticks and the like. Now you’ve started using hammers.”

“After all, it’s important to experiment with various weapon types. Besides, crafting different weapons also helps train my mana usage.”

Bai Li swung the colossal hammer in her hand. Even though its size dwarfed her own body, she wielded it with effortless ease, as if it were merely a toy hammer that made peculiar noises when striking someone. In reality, however, this particular hammer produced sounds of bone and flesh shattering, or even sonic booms, when it connected.

In truth, the hammer’s weight alone exceeded a ton, and given its mechanical structure as a striking tool, the force required to wield it effectively was far greater still. An ordinary person wouldn’t just be dragged along by its momentum; they would likely be instantly crushed. For Bai Li, however, it didn’t even register as a burden.

Considering these metrics, it was hardly surprising that the Unusual Creature was so effortlessly embedded into the ground by Bai Li. Even merely dropping it from a slight height would have been enough to smash it into the earth.

“Well, this makes it the third Unusual Creature you’ve dealt with since becoming a full-fledged Weichangzhe (TL Note: An organization dedicated to maintaining stability and order in society), Xiao Bai, doesn’t it? It’s only been a few days, but I didn’t expect Unusual Creatures to appear so frequently during this time.”

Bai Li’s transition from an intern to a full-fledged Weichangzhe had occurred just a few days prior. No longer an intern, her actions could be a little more flexible, though she still continued to operate alongside Lin Xi.

As a full-fledged member, she no longer needed to, nor would she be, preferentially assigned tasks to handle Unusual Creatures. Consequently, her overall workload should have become considerably lighter… or so it was supposed to be.

For some unknown reason, Unusual Creatures had been appearing far more frequently in recent days than usual. Previously, even interns who were prioritized for assignments might only encounter one every few days; now, full-fledged Weichangzhe averaged at least one mission daily.

This unprecedented surge had never been witnessed before, casting a palpable pall over the Interdimensional Concentration Index Detection Department. Each person intently monitored their instruments, all while discussing the cause of this bizarre phenomenon.

“Still, it’s a good thing these recent Unusual Creatures aren’t particularly strong. Compared to the previous ones, some of these can’t even speak.”

Lin Xi recalled the Unusual Creatures from a few weeks prior. While they were still the type she could easily dispatch, their overall strength was considerable. Not only did they possess the intelligence to converse, but even after being defeated, they would reappear shortly thereafter.

These were classified as non-rampaging Unusual Creatures. Their hostility towards humans wasn’t as pronounced, and they even attempted to coexist with humanity. Consequently, their priority level was naturally lower than the current rampaging Unusual Creatures, which lacked reason and indiscriminately attacked everything around them.

“Well, perhaps there are different factions among the Unusual Creatures. The ones we’ve encountered recently might not be the same group as before.”

Bai Li herself controlled an Unusual Creature organization, giving her considerable insight into such matters. She hadn’t, in fact, summoned them recently to stage a mock defeat, allowing her to conclude that these rampaging Unusual Creatures belonged to entirely different factions.

Yet, if that were the case, it was quite peculiar. While Bai Li’s Unusual Creature organization often appeared to be her mere pawns, their sphere of influence within Tiangong City was, in fact, substantial. To put it simply, they were the largest faction within the underworld, and apart from a few rogue Unusual Creatures, all other smaller groups were beholden to them.

The Unusual Creatures appearing now, given their capabilities, could hardly survive independently in Tiangong City. They would be forced to join a group. However, if that were the case, Bai Li would undoubtedly have received some intelligence, yet in reality, there was none at all.

The only explanations were that these Unusual Creatures were concealing information from her, or simply that the number of rampaging Unusual Creatures had increased.

Between these two possibilities, it was obvious which one held a higher probability.

“…Xiao Bai.”

Just as Bai Li was contemplating whether to find a suitable time to interrogate those Unusual Creatures, Lin Xi’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Nothing much, just that a lot of people are watching you.”

Prompted by Lin Xi’s observation, Bai Li finally noticed the numerous gazes fixed upon her. She could discern that these stares conveyed a sense of adoration and yearning, much like those directed at an idol.

“It seems you’re becoming quite popular, Xiao Bai.”

“…Not really…”

Unlike Lin Xi, who had transformed into her Magical Girl (TL Note: A common trope in Japanese anime and manga, referring to a girl with magical powers, often with a special costume) form, Bai Li remained in her student attire: a JK (TL Note: Japanese term for ‘joshi kōsei,’ meaning high school girl) sailor uniform paired with black stockings. Unchanged, she stood out remarkably among the other ability users, all of whom either transformed or possessed their own specialized gear and costumes.

However, there were plenty who favored student uniforms, and given Bai Li’s inherently striking appearance combined with her formidable strength, her popularity was bound to skyrocket.

“Eheheh~ It’s Magical Girl Byakuya!”

“…Alright, alright, Xi Xi, that’s enough.”

Hearing Lin Xi mimic the crowd’s chant of that nickname, Bai Li quickly covered Lin Xi’s mouth.

She finally understood what Lin Xi had meant earlier when she said she’d make Bai Li ‘taste her own feelings.’ It turned out Lin Xi had long anticipated her popularity would explode like this.