Chapter 8: A Tense Reunion and a Peculiar Offer

“Illo, it’s been years. You still love causing trouble, don’t you?”

Su Qianyu followed the sound, only to see a lone figure standing beneath the moonlight.

The figure’s clothes swayed gently in the air, the lamplight casting deep shadows that veiled her face.

Squinting, Su Qianyu found himself unable to discern her features.

“What, are you not pleased to see me?”

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Illo’s expression visibly soured.

The rhythmic ticking of a machine echoed through the room, instantly plunging the atmosphere to a freezing point.

‘These two… they seem to know each other?’

Su Qianyu glanced at Illo, then at the newcomer.

As the small creature caught between them, he clearly struggled to comprehend the unfolding situation.

‘Hmm, Illo called me here to steal something, didn’t she?’

‘Now that we’re discovered, shouldn’t we go up and beat her up to continue stealing, or simply flee?’

Though he had only spent a short time with Illo, in his mind, she was already the type to thoroughly pummel anyone she suspected.

Yet, at this very moment, both stood in an unnerving stillness, utterly devoid of movement.

His accumulated experience and intuition from several lifetimes told him that these two undoubtedly shared a history.

And a rather unpleasant one, at that.

Resigned to the situation, Su Qianyu decided to simply ‘eat melon’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to passively observing drama unfold).

‘After all, if a fight breaks out, I can always make a quick escape.’

‘In fact, it would be best if they *did* fight.’

Closing his eyes, Su Qianyu briefly assessed the range of his golden finger (TL Note: A Chinese web novel trope referring to an overpowered ability or cheat), a thought swirling in his mind.

‘I just can’t pass through this specific door, but other paths are still open.’

As if sensing Su Qianyu’s slight apprehension, the distant figure stirred, her voice once again emerging, now a little hoarse.

“Come, sit with me.”

It sounded like an invitation, yet carried the weight of a demand.

Illo initially had no intention of responding, knowing that the more she interfered now, the greater the ripple effect on the future’s trajectory.

It was always best to keep the butterfly effect to a minimum.

Only when everything unfolded precisely as she anticipated could her revenge truly succeed.

Just as she was about to speak, however, her gaze caught sight of the very object she desired clutched in the other’s hand.

It was but a fleeting glimpse, yet….

‘She knew exactly why I had come.’

“Fine.” After a brief reply, Illo finally conceded, choosing to accept the offer.

The anticipated brawl never materialized, leaving Su Qianyu feeling a touch disdainful.

‘I thought I’d get to see this rotten-to-the-core magical girl get her comeuppance.’

‘Tsk, how boring.’

‘I want to see rivers of blood!’

“What are you standing around for? Follow me.”

Noticing Su Qianyu lost in thought behind her, Illo reminded him in a cold voice.

“Oh, right! Coming!”

Jogging lightly, Su Qianyu obediently trailed behind the two.

Though the Magical Girl Headquarters had fewer people at night compared to the day, this was a relative assessment.

Even in the evening, numerous guards continued their patrols within the building.

It had to be said, Illo possessed a certain knack.

She managed to perfectly circumvent every guard’s patrol route, all while guiding him.

In Su Qianyu’s mind, another mark of danger was etched against Illo’s name.

‘Likely possesses X-ray vision, perhaps a ‘gui’ (TL Note: A Chinese term often referring to a sneaky, supernatural entity or someone with uncanny abilities); further observation is required.’

Soon, the trio arrived before yet another wall.

Su Qianyu had actually wanted to ask a question for a while, but the heavy atmosphere had always deterred him.

‘It’s just… why are there so many walls inside a building like this?’

‘Are they afraid some passing Giant of Light will use the building as a weapon?’

*Beep-boop.*

Following the sound of a card swipe, a gap began to appear in the wall, revealing a narrow, winding passage.

After traversing a section of glass corridor, the three finally reached the interior.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

Her voice still devoid of discernible emotion, Illo’s gaze remained fixed on the other person.

“Very well. And you?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Su Qianyu hadn’t anticipated being addressed.

After a quick glance at Illo, Su Qianyu made an immediate decision, extending his hand to request a cup of ‘Lao Da’ (TL Note: A term that can refer to a leader or boss, but here likely a playful or specific drink order).

‘Yes, iced, not hot, thank you. I certainly don’t drink horse piss.’

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the old woman steered the conversation to the main topic.

“Tell me, what is it you’ve come to take from me this time?”

The gentle sound of tea being poured filled the room, its fragrant aroma swiftly permeating the entire space.

Before Su Qianyu and Illo, she removed her mask.

Beneath the mask was a face both aged and unremarkable.

The music was perfectly chosen, the temperature comfortably ambient.

One might expect to feel completely at ease in such a setting, yet Illo’s face bore an expression that was precisely the opposite.

“You know what I’ve come for.”

Her voice remained impassive, devoid of any discernible emotion, as Su Qianyu listened from the side, occasionally sipping on his Guojiao (TL Note: A famous brand of high-end Chinese liquor, often baijiu).

It was difficult to reconcile such an expression with a magical girl renowned for her vibrant and lively demeanor.

Anyone Illo treated with such gravity was clearly no ordinary individual.

However, the old woman offered no direct reply, instead shifting the topic to Su Qianyu.

“Is that your new pet?”

“None of your business.”

Seeing the old woman refer to him as a new pet, Su Qianyu’s gaze slowly drifted towards Illo.

Though no words were exchanged, his look seemed to convey everything.

‘You have other pets?!’

Noticing Su Qianyu’s reaction, the old woman chuckled softly, then cleared her throat twice.

“Then, what’s this about you helping her (TL Note: The old woman refers to Su Qianyu, a male, with female pronouns, possibly due to a misunderstanding or deliberate misgendering) obtain identification documents?”

“I recall you’re not typically one for such warm-hearted gestures.”

Illo offered no reply, instead choosing silence.

After a long moment, Illo opened her eyes and fiercely slammed her hand onto the table, overturning it.

A few brief exchanges had clearly pushed her patience to its limit.

‘If we can’t talk, then let’s not talk!’

“I’ve already told you, give me the item.”

“Otherwise, I possess ample strength and methods to take it myself.”

Forcibly steering the conversation back to the main point, Illo was seething with anger.

In her previous life, she could never forget the scene: this old woman would rather die than surrender the hidden secret to her.

It was a videotape.

A tape recording details about her own abilities.

Legend had it that in the previous life, everyone who watched that videotape met an untimely end.

Yet, this very item held the secrets of her existence.

Illo hadn’t become a magical girl by chance.

Gazing into the girl’s eyes, the old woman shook her head.

“It appears you’ve been through a great deal.”

Her voice was remarkably kind, yet in the end, she still did not hand over the item.

“That little one beside you, they’re a spatial ability user, aren’t they?”

“May I speak with her (TL Note: The old woman continues to refer to Su Qianyu, a male, with female pronouns) for a moment?”

Illo stared intently at the old woman, her hand clenching into a fist before she deliberately relaxed it.

After taking a deep breath, she nodded.

Unable to acquire the item, Illo was deeply displeased.

After all, she had come specifically for it.

Watching Illo depart, the old woman chuckled aloud, slowly approaching Su Qianyu.

“That little lass, quite the temper, wouldn’t you say?”

Su Qianyu nodded.

‘Not only does she have a fiery temper, but her… ‘assets’ are also impressively substantial.’

“So, how about signing a contract with us and becoming a magical girl?”

“Become a magical girl now, and you’ll even receive a white mascot!”

‘Huh?’