“Guh, just kill me…”
Mite glared intently at the woman’s figure as it slowly became clear. In Satellite City, those who could handle him this easily were few enough to count on one hand. This woman, who was protecting the Star Elf and the Moon Elf…
Hongye Qiu ignored Mite. Instead, she swept a curious glance over the Moon Elf and Star Elf, who were still clinging to each other, before observing the Blood Elf loli standing quietly by the door, who was also sizing up the two girls.
Gradually, Mite saw the woman’s form clearly. His eyes widened instantly, and he looked at her in disbelief.
That iconic red, low-cut Japanese-style robe, the katana with a black hilt, and the emblem-like patterns on the long sleeves…
“Hongye Qiu?!” he couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Oh? You know me? You’re from the Hunter’s Union?”
Hongye Qiu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Mite, who had lost half an arm and looked quite wretched.
In Satellite City, someone who could recognize her at a glance and was unlikely to be a high-ranking official of the Human Alliance had a 99% chance of belonging to the Hunter’s Union.
As for being a Magical Girl… wait, wasn’t he an Elf? How could an Elf gain the recognition of a Magical Girl Gem? No, wait, he wasn’t even a girl!
In the Hunter’s Union, among the older generation of Hunters—especially those in the Zhongzhou region—the name “Hongye Qiu” was likely known to everyone. However, because she had faded into obscurity for some reason in recent years, she had gradually become a stranger to the newer Hunters. Even so, “Hongye Qiu” remained one of the legendary Hunters that veterans loved to praise.
“…Ha, how could I not know you? To be defeated by an Honorary Hunter is no disgrace.”
The Hunter’s Union’s only “Honorary Hunter — Hongye Qiu.” Although her record wasn’t exactly extravagant enough to earn such an honor, she was the only person who, nearly ten years ago, had single-handedly slain a Star-Dark Class Monster that was terrorizing countless cities and residents in Zhongzhou. At the time, she was only 13 years old.
Even though she had refused to answer any questions afterward, all signs pointed to her being the one who killed the Star-Dark Class Monster. Thus, the high-ranking officials of the Human Alliance and the Hunter’s Union, who were worried about how to consolidate public support and boost morale, decided to elevate the young Hongye Qiu to legendary status.
The public had originally thought this was just another unlucky girl being propped up by corporate interests. After all, the higher one is lifted, the harder they fall—something that was common at the time. So, even with the Human Alliance and the Hunter’s Union promoting her together, the voices of doubt never ceased.
Mite didn’t know much about what happened over the next ten years. He only remembered that this girl, relying on powerful abilities of unknown origin and a unique personality, had successfully changed her reputation from a “fake hero” to a “naughty genius.” Since then, no one had ever questioned her strength again.
To this day, her existence was like a fleeting flash in the pan. After a few years, she stopped taking missions and vanished from the public eye. Nevertheless, she remained an unquestionable part of the top-tier combat power of all humanity.
Mite sighed. Losing to a legendary figure like her wasn’t shameful no matter how he thought about it. What concerned him more was why this legendary figure was helping a Star Elf.
“Hmph, it seems the old geezers in the Hunter’s Union aren’t exactly clean either.”
Hongye Qiu snorted coldly, crossing her arms as she looked at Mite.
Few people knew her identity. For someone to call out her name just by crossing paths like this, there was an 80% chance they were one of the veteran “old geezers” in the Hunter’s Union. And if the identity behind such an old geezer was an Elf… then things were going to get complicated.
No wonder the Council of Elders of the Human Alliance had approached her directly. It was clear they no longer trusted the current leadership of the Hunter’s Union. Now it seemed the leadership might indeed have problems—major problems.
Fortunately, she hadn’t contacted any backup from the Hunter’s Union yet. Even Qiansui didn’t know the details of her conversation with the Council of Elders… Choosing the Magical Girls as companions had been the right decision.
“Heheh, is anyone in this world truly clean? Just like that Star Elf and that Moon Elf—aren’t they living perfectly fine in human society? Are they ‘clean’?”
Mite shook his head. Luckily, Hongye Qiu hadn’t frozen his entire body; at least his head could still move, allowing him to speak and make these gestures.
Hongye Qiu ignored the man. Wasting words on such a person would only mess up her thoughts and sour her mood.
Cradling her katana, Hongye Qiu turned around and called out to the two girls who were still being affectionate and the Blood Elf loli standing obediently nearby, watching them with a smile.
“Hey, stop being so clingy. It’s time to go!”
***
“Xiao… Xiao Yao, we’re safe now. Come on, put me down…”
Ye Xingyao huddled in her childhood friend’s arms, not daring to look her in the eye. She was afraid that if their eyes met, more strange thoughts would arise.
But… being held and protected like this… didn’t seem too bad?
In that moment of stepping on the cold ground, covered in blood, and feeling helpless against her enemy, having someone come back to protect her, willing to take her into their arms and soothe her mind and body with warmth and softness…
‘Ugh! What on earth am I thinking!’
It was all because of that plan to disguise her identity by cross-dressing. She had involuntarily started to slip into a girl’s perspective. Even though she was already a real girl now… ‘No, I, Ye Xingyao, have not succumbed to my female side!’
‘Today, I am still a hot-blooded boy!’
‘Ugh, why hasn’t Xiaoyue put me down yet? There are strangers and Sister Hongye watching over there!’
And now, with her feet off the ground, no matter what position she took, Xiao Yao could only be at Xiaoyue’s mercy.
“Xiao Yao’s foot is injured. Look, there’s such a large bruise. You should just rest properly.”
Yi Shiyue carefully observed every inch of the girl’s skin in her arms. Once she realized that not a single drop of that blood belonged to her, the weight in her heart finally dropped. She then used the hand holding Xiao Yao’s leg to gently press on the injured ankle.
“Ngh…”
Ye Xingyao let out a delicate moan, burying her head in the other girl’s arm, not daring to breathe.
The mixture of pain and the sensation of being touched was exceptionally embarrassing.
“Xiao Yao just needs to rest well in my arms. Don’t think about anything else for now, okay?”
As she spoke, Yi Shiyue cast a seemingly casual glance at Fumier, who was standing obediently to the side.
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