Chapter 56: Cornered

“Everyone! Everyone!”

Li Chi immediately ran over to where the original Omega had dissipated. 

Cupping his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, he shouted loudly to the magical girls, “That monster is quite special! The Magic Association wants to study it a bit! So right now, I need its magic crystal core!”

Seeing that the magical girls showed no signs of displeasure—and in fact seemed quite understanding—Li Chi breathed a sigh of relief.

Good. There was a chance.

This matter could be discussed.

The long, straight black-haired magical girl stepped out from the crowd. 

She looked at Li Chi and asked, “Mr. Executor, do you know exactly what is going on with this monster? Whether it is this monster’s essence or its magic crystal core, both are at the level of a base monster. But its appearance and strength… I’m afraid it has long surpassed some high-level monsters, hasn’t it?”

After transforming, the long, straight black-haired magical girl still had her long, straight black hair, though she appeared slightly more mature. 

Appearance was very important to everyone’s impression, so all the magical girls were willing to trust this long, straight black-haired magical girl and let her take charge of the situation.

“I don’t have the exact details, but the monster from earlier looked a bit like Dark Fang, an executive from the Dark Organization. It might be his handiwork?”

Li Chi decisively shifted the blame onto Dark Fang. 

After all, there was no particularly good explanation right now, and some of these magical girls were definitely locals who might have already seen Dark Fang before.

Shifting the blame onto his own masked self was not only highly effective but also carried absolutely no psychological burden.

The long, straight black-haired magical girl asked with some concern, “Could this be a conspiracy by the Dark Organization?”

“Very likely.”

Li Chi replied without changing his expression, spinning his story.

Actually, what he said was not entirely fabricated. 

Dark Fang was currently a high-ranking executive in the Dark Organization. 

From his villainous identity, his own plans could indeed be considered a conspiracy. 

Since he could represent the Dark Organization right now, how could this not be one of their schemes?

The long, straight black-haired magical girl looked toward the other magical girls with a grave expression.

“Everyone, I’m sure you all saw what that monster was like earlier. Although it was taken down quickly, that only happened because we had so many people. If any one of us had to face it alone, we absolutely would not have been its match.”

The long, straight black-haired magical girl turned to look at Li Chi, who was reaching out to grab the magic crystal core.

“That kind of monster is very likely part of the Dark Organization’s sinister scheme. In the future, we may have to face even more enhanced base monsters. If these base monsters evolve into high-level monsters in this form… the consequences would be unimaginable!”

Her thinking was not wrong. 

After all, the original body of the original Omega truly was a cannon-fodder-level base monster. 

If even such an incredibly weak monster could be transformed by the Dark Organization into such a powerful form, what about those high-level monsters that were already quite troublesome?

Moreover, even if high-level monsters could not be strengthened into that previous form using the same method applied to base monsters, the Dark Organization had an uncountable number of base monsters at their disposal!

One or two would still be manageable. 

If a magical girl could not handle one alone, she could seek external help. 

But what if the numbers of monsters and magical girls were comparable?

The long, straight black-haired magical girl’s words were simple and clear. 

They instantly made all the magical girls present understand the severity of the situation.

“So, right now we must find the weakness of these enhanced monsters! The Magic Association is a trustworthy partner for us. Some senior magical girls are now key instructors in the Magic Association as well.”

The long, straight black-haired magical girl took the opportunity to introduce the Magic Association to some of the newer magical girls present. 

Solo heroics truly could not compare to the power of the group, but most magical girls had not yet realized this.

Although there were a few who formed teams to fight monsters, their numbers were ultimately still far too small.

How could they protect this beautiful world relying only on themselves?

As the most senior and strongest magical girl present, the long, straight black-haired magical girl felt it was her duty to show these juniors a clear path.

The Magic Association truly was an excellent collaborator.

Everyone was quite certain of this—whether the magical girls or the Dark Organization.

So… who the ultimate beneficiary would be did not even need to be said, did it?

Fortunately, the average quality of people in this world was ridiculously high. 

It prevented the interplay of these three forces from devolving into a dark game of interests. 

Otherwise, the consequences would be simply unimaginable.

Everyone’s ultimate goal was to protect this world. 

Although their surface positions differed, their fundamental purposes were the same.

Therefore, each faction performed its own duties. 

The Magic Association served as the foundation to stabilize the situation and establish connections within magic. 

The Dark Organization occupied the villain role to prevent truly threatening “villains” from appearing. 

The magical girls served as the center, following the world’s rules to ensure order.

Everyone had a bright future.

However… many magical girls had not yet realized this. 

Even if they had, it was time for them to stay in the rear. 

Unless an enemy appeared that the magical girls could not resist, they generally did not take action. 

Of course, the small number with more complicated backgrounds were exceptions.

Everyone tacitly concealed these truths from the new magical girls. 

After all, sometimes knowing too much was not a good thing.

“Therefore, we must remain fully prepared for this matter!”

Li Chi picked up the magic crystal core right under the long, straight black-haired magical girl’s watchful eyes. 

Seeing her nod at him, Li Chi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Good… this hurdle is finally cleared. 

For now, I’ll act like nothing happened and leave this troublesome place.

Under the gazes of fifty magical girls, Li Chi fled in a hurry. 

He tried his best not to appear too disheveled, but the speed of his footsteps still could not help but quicken.

After the Magic Association executor left, the magical girls noticed nothing amiss. 

They released their transformations on the spot and began chatting with these unfamiliar colleagues.

Come on, it was already rare to see even five magical girls teaming up normally. 

This was a full fifty! How could the girls not be excited?

The long, straight black-haired magical girl gazed in the direction Li Chi had left. 

She silently followed after him.

Li Chi walked around a street corner and finally found a relatively secluded spot. 

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, his whole body nearly collapsing to the ground.

“My god… Did I just poke the magical girls’ nest? How did so many pop out at once?”

He looked pityingly at the magic crystal core lying quietly in his hand, completely devoid of light—the poor monster brother’s core.

Well… nice work. 

A mere base monster actually received treatment on the level of a super final boss. 

This is truly one of a kind in the world.

He stuffed the magic crystal core back into his pocket. 

Although a monster in its crystal-core state could be placed in a storage box, he was afraid he would forget which slot he had put the unlucky monster brother in. 

That would cause trouble later.

So, carrying it on his person directly was better.

As soon as Li Chi turned his head, strands of jet-black hair were blown against his face by the wind. 

A faint jasmine fragrance seeped into his nostrils.

A pair of obsidian-like pupils stared fixedly at his pair of brilliant golden eyes, as if trying to see straight through him.

Um… I think I’ve been cornered… Can someone come save me?