Chapter 3: Your Pony Flew Away

“Xiao Guang!”

Li Guang stopped in her tracks.

She turned toward her companion rushing over from not far away.

Red twin-tails fluttered wildly in the air.

A beautiful girl symbolizing vitality and youth—Chi Zaozao!

Making a flashy entrance!

Li Guang stared speechlessly at the red pony in the air.

It clutched a tiny microphone and acted all smug.

Countless black lines popped up on her forehead.

That was her good friend Chi Zaozao.

She was also a magical girl.

The flying pony in the sky was her contracted beast.

Just as lively as ever.

The panda plush popped out from a ripple again.

It eyed its fellow beast’s show-off mode.

Its stitched mouth curved up slightly.

“Aiya. Today’s little pony is still so energetic.”

The red pony spotted Xiao Qi.

The fellow contracted beast.

It tossed the mic.

Its red horse face dove straight in.

It gave the panda plush a big hug with its anthropomorphic hooves.

“Long time no see! Xiao Qi!”

“Long time no see. Long time no see… You’re as enthusiastic as ever.”

The beasts were so close.

The magical girls below were no less.

Chi Zaozao instantly pounced over.

She hugged Li Guang tight.

Her twin-tails wrapped around like pythons.

“Long time no see! Xiao Guang!”

Chi Zaozao beamed with a sweet smile.

She clung to Li Guang like a sloth.

“Zaozao. We just met yesterday…”

“And get down. You’re heavy.”

“Aiya. No way! Let me hug a bit longer!”

“I feel awful if I don’t see you for an hour.”

“How does that saying go? Oh right!”

“‘One day apart feels like three years!'”

Seeing her friend stuck like glue.

She gave up trying to shake her off.

Just then.

A bright mirror-like flash streaked by.

The reflected light hit Li Guang’s eyes.

It made her squint uncomfortably.

“Oof…”

“Eh? What’s wrong, Xiao Guang? Not feeling well?”

Seeing her bestie’s discomfort.

Chi Zaozao asked with concern.

Girl. The one making my sister uncomfortable is you.

From afar.

Li Chi watched the clueless tag-along.

He used his super vision.

Hmm. Chi Zaozao. My sister’s good friend.

They’ve been playing together since they were kids.

Didn’t expect her to be a magical girl too.

I never noticed before?

Li Chi eyed the red pony.

It chatted with the panda plush in the air.

The two little guys were getting chattier.

The pony’s tiny wings on its back flapped so fast they blurred.

Heh. Zaozao. Your pony flew away.

He teased inwardly.

He also pondered their bond.

It felt like the two could look out for each other more.

Li Chi not recognizing her was understandable.

He had seen her transformed form.

But these girls changed a lot after transforming.

Personalities shifted too.

Pre- and post-transform were like different people.

Watching the two energetic girls from afar.

Li Chi decided not to interrupt.

He would head to the monster spot first.

Better to handle it quick.

So his sister wouldn’t get hurt.

He thought so.

Then he picked up the pace.

As for why not use the motorcycle.

The reason was simple.

With his look.

He needed to stay hidden.

Using something flashy?

He could already picture it.

A bunch of magical girls.

Yelling about justice and bonds.

Surrounding him.

And kicking him around.

Hiss— but that kinda sounds fun?

Damn! What am I thinking!

He shook off the weird thoughts.

Li Chi set off toward eradicating the monster.

***

East District Industrial Park. Shanghai City.

The workers here usually did shifts.

So anytime.

You would see diligent workers.

Working or resting in various spots.

But now.

Not a single worker.

Not even a scrap of trash in sight.

Eerily quiet.

The black bio-knight lurked near the factory.

He searched for clues related to the monster.

Unfortunately.

Omega’s life sense for anti-humans was super strong.

But for these monsters.

He was clueless.

Even his super perception failed.

Before meeting.

They were like totally insulated.

No sense of each other.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap—

A series of crisp sounds rang out.

Like high heels hitting the ground.

“Hm?”

Hearing the crisp clacks.

Li Chi activated super perception again.

Still.

No life signs.

That was it.

This guy was the monster he was after!

Then.

Omega’s figure faded into the light.

A carefully planned ambush was about to unfold.

***

Deep in the factory.

The missing workers were all gathered here.

Their eyes blank.

Muttering nonsense.

A few drooling at the corners.

Clearly.

Their minds were all controlled.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap—

The high heel sounds echoed in the empty factory.

Unhurried.

Like patrolling territory.

The workers parted like puppets.

Opening a path.

From the shadows.

A tall graceful figure emerged slowly.

She wore a night-black form-fitting long dress.

Her proud peaks outlined a heart-stopping curve.

Silver-white hair like flowing mercury.

Cascading to her waist.

Tips slightly curled.

A delicate silver mask covered the upper half of her face.

Revealing only a beautifully lined chin.

And red lips curved in a venomously alluring smile.

Dangerous yet captivating.

Just short of “I’m the big bad” written on her face.

Viper.

That was Li Chi’s first impression of this villainous beauty.

Second impression.

She seemed padded… cough cough!

Anyway.

The villainess paced back and forth.

Under the workers’ dazed gazes.

Like a fashion show.

She seemed to enjoy it.

But she was waiting for someone.

Li Chi hesitated.

Strike now.

Or wait to hook a bigger fish?

If he attacked directly.

The commotion might alert the girls.

Still playfully rushing over.

Who would come running.

He didn’t want to bump into Xiao Guang and them.

It would be a hassle.

But if he waited for the big fish.

Thinking of his sister.

Possibly facing two or more dark faction cadres.

He felt bad.

After deep thought.

Li Chi came up with a foolproof plan.

Tie her up first.

See who she was waiting for.

***

Ten minutes later.

A young man in a tailcoat arrived at the scene.

He exuded elegance.

Seeing the workers sprawled out snoring.

And a scrap of fabric resembling part of his companion’s clothes.

The youth fell into deep thought.