Chapter 45: The Weight of a New Self, The Price of a Reunion

Although she couldn’t quite grasp the situation, a chilling realization washed over her.

‘How terrifying!’

It was worse than being elbowed by ten magical girls all at once! Ling Xing, in a frantic escape, quickly darted into a secluded, dimly lit corner, avoiding the bustling, watchful eyes of the crowd.

Ever since she had gained the ability to transform into a magical girl, while her physical prowess hadn’t noticeably changed, Ling Xing felt an inexplicable, gradual increase in her sensitivity, both physically and emotionally.

Previously, she had been indifferent to almost everything, brazenly saying and doing as she pleased without a care. Yet, upon transforming into a beautiful girl, a peculiar sense of shame constantly assailed her.

When gazed upon, surrounded, and approached with arms slung over shoulders, her instinctive reaction was no longer to playfully showcase her dashing, heroic charm as she once had. Instead, she felt an odd resistance, an overwhelming urge to flee.

Being encircled and worshipped as a magical girl, as a hero… Ling Xing felt it would be far better to simply fight her way out! Even carving a path through them with force would feel more tolerable!

Ling Xing covered her small face, head bowed, as she hurried down the street. For the first time, she, a proud combatant, found herself sneaking through the city in such a pathetic guise.

Before this, even when pursued by magical girls, Ling Xing had always boldly revealed her identity. It was ironic that her first setback, her first time actively concealing her identity, timidly afraid to show her face, was against mere ordinary civilians!

‘How strange,’ she mused. ‘I am still undeniably myself, Ling Xing, the valiant elite combatant. Yet, something feels different than before. What could it be?’

Standing before the designated meeting spot, a storefront, Ling Xing gazed at her reflection in the glass door. Her slightly petite body possessed healthy, supple curves. Her practical athletic attire revealed a generous expanse of tender, delicate waist and abdomen, while her shorts, worn for ease of movement, did little to conceal her thighs. With a slight adjustment of her expression, one could discern a hint of slyness and playfulness on her fair, small face.

No matter how she looked, she was undeniably a beautiful girl.

‘……’

‘It seems—it seems there’s nothing wrong? Am I not perfectly normal?’

Ling Xing stared at the glass door for a long time, unable to pinpoint any issues. After a moment of thought, she promptly dismissed her earlier feelings, gave her face a light pat, and entered the store.

‘Forget it. It hasn’t affected the main objective anyway. I can ponder these things later. The mission is paramount. Why bother with such minor issues? I’m not some affected magical girl; I’m an elite combatant!’

With that thought, she refocused her attention and began to survey the unassuming shop chosen for their rendezvous: a Western restaurant.

As one of the few Western restaurants in this peripheral city—though not particularly high-end—it was at least a properly decorated establishment. Compared to other shops that merely cleaned up ruins and hung a sign, it possessed a certain level of class, an air of sophistication. It was certainly not a place ordinary locals could afford.

Those dining here were predominantly foreign faces or staff from the magical girl organizations. Ling Xing even noticed several individuals dressed as soldiers, still in their uniforms. More strikingly, she spotted an officer, lounging indelicately in a chair, their military boots almost propped on the table. The military truck parked outside must have been their personal transport, despite being a government vehicle.

‘Honestly, do these Allied Forces soldiers have no military discipline?’ Ling Xing mentally lowered her impression of the Allied soldiers another notch before continuing her observations.

Seated opposite the officer was a familiar figure: the journalist she had met a few days prior. The journalist was haltingly conversing with the officer, seemingly conducting an interview. Judging by their demeanor and posture, it appeared the interview was not going well.

After a quick scan of the restaurant and a general understanding of the situation, Ling Xing lowered her head and made her way to a corner of the dining room. There, she found a table seemingly without a guest, yet with cutlery neatly arranged.

Only a raven, its eyes glowing crimson, perched on the opposite chair back, watching Ling Xing.

“How perfunctory, Nuonuo. After such a long separation, you don’t even come to see me in person?”

Pulling out a chair, Ling Xing naturally raised her hand, allowing the raven to flutter its wings and land on her finger. Upon closer inspection, it was clear the raven’s eyes were not organic, but rather electronic components emitting a red light. This was no animal, but Nuonuo’s electronic construct. It was this construct that had silently slipped the note into her bread bag.

During their time in the Dark Organization, Nuonuo had always preferred to send such constructs in her stead. Back then, Ling Xing could still force her way into the laboratory to drag Nuonuo to meetings. Now, of course, that was likely no longer possible.

‘There’s no difference in the outcome, and besides, if I could simply go out, I wouldn’t need to seek help from the Dark Organization.’

The raven did not speak aloud. The red light in its eyes flickered slightly, and then, a voice resonated directly in Ling Xing’s mind. None of the surrounding diners showed any surprise or curiosity; they simply couldn’t hear the sound. This was Nuonuo’s telepathy, a direct form of mental communication.

Nuonuo Lieless, once the head of the Dark Organization’s psychic department and a chief researcher renowned for her mental technology, had personally spearheaded the development of the mind-control glasses. Her achievements were indelible, yet at the point when the Dark Organization began its decline, she was the first to abandon Dal and her comrades, accepting the recruitment offer from the magical girl organization. To Ling Xing, even if Nuonuo hadn’t actively fought against the Dark Organization or divulged its intelligence, this was an undeniable act of betrayal.

However, Dal did not seem to share this view. Despite such a betrayal, the kind Dal still cheerfully anticipated Nuonuo’s return, hoping everyone could revert to the Dark Organization’s lively past, holding no resentment for her past actions. That was why Ling Xing had come here, to engage in a dialogue with this former Dark Organization researcher. Otherwise, had Dal not explicitly approved, Ling Xing would have disregarded any talk of technology or transformation ability research and absolutely would not have come to meet her.

‘I knew it. You must be in trouble yourself to think of asking Dal for help… After all these years, you haven’t changed a bit.’

‘You, on the other hand, have changed quite a lot from what I remember. My impression was that you were still just a child crying behind Darklier.’

With the mental link established, Ling Xing no longer needed to speak aloud. Their conversation could unfold entirely through telepathy, ensuring complete discretion. Thus, in that corner, there was no sound, only a profound silence as Ling Xing gazed into the raven’s eyes. The silent raven opened its beak and produced a pure, transparent crystal.

‘This is what you need. With it, you can freely equip crystals and still enable a magical girl to transform and fight alongside you.’

‘Now, let’s get to business, Ling Xing. The former branch chief who led the research project, along with a large number of senior personnel, are dead. As a key researcher under her, my position and that of many of my research projects are precarious. The Allied Forces intend to extensively destroy experimental sites, equipment, raw materials, and records, while transferring useful results and prototypes. They plan to relocate scientific personnel to more covert, tightly monitored locations to continue this research—and I imagine you, who are dedicated to overthrowing the magical girl organization “Hunter,” wouldn’t want to see them succeed.’

‘Don’t give me these vague generalities. Tell me directly what you want and what you can bring back to Dal.’

Even without verbalization, Ling Xing’s mental voice carried a cold edge. Dal’s anticipated reunion… ultimately, it was nothing more than a transaction for Nuonuo. Ling Xing gazed at the beautiful, transparent, colorless crystal in her hand, her heart heavy. ‘Such a woman is unworthy of Dal’s expectations.’

‘My research into artificial magical girls is nearing completion, but my findings are about to be confiscated and transferred by the Allied Forces… I need you to prevent the Allied Forces from carrying out this transfer. As the initial step of the plan, one of the officers escorting the transport device is currently in this very restaurant, giving a media interview to alleviate local public resistance. In ten minutes, she will drive her team to join the escort convoy. Whether you recover it, destroy it, or eliminate them, you must stop the convoy from delivering the transport device to the laboratory. The means are entirely up to you. Given the talent you’ve displayed, I believe formulating a battle plan would only restrict you.’

‘Artificial… magical girls?’ Ling Xing’s brows furrowed. Nuonuo’s statement was direct and clear. Compared to emotional magical girls, while slightly polite, the information provided was sufficient. Yet, it did nothing to assuage Ling Xing’s irritation.

‘I’m not your subordinate, Nuonuo. That commanding tone of yours…’

‘My apologies, it’s a habit. Furthermore, to fulfill Dal’s wish, to revive the Dark Organization, and to overthrow the magical girl organization “Hunter,” I believe my involvement, bringing my research findings, is indispensable.’

‘…Tch.’

Undeniably, she was right. While Ling Xing found Nuonuo irritating, she hadn’t actually betrayed the Dark Organization. Setting aside personal feelings, it was merely a matter of being ‘poached.’ If they could secure her assistance, it would indeed be a significant step towards the Dark Organization’s revival. Dal also held this expectation. Therefore, as a combatant, Ling Xing had no reason to refuse based on personal emotions.