Chapter 500

(Well, he's still a newbie. If it were Xiao Qiu... well, Xiao Qiu and the others probably wouldn't dare to gamble either...?)

"How despicable! So despicable!" Chen Xiaoxia was so angry when she saw this that she jumped up and down.

Threatening Magical Girls with the lives of ordinary people and attempting to open their boxes—these Demons in the Sky Screen are far more disgusting than Demons in reality!

"Can you tell?" Fang Ming asked Xiao Qiu, somewhat curious.

Based on Xiao Qiu and the others' experiences in the Sky Screen, if they were placed in the position of the Magical Girls in the Eastern Ocean District, they would probably easily guess the purpose of the Aurora Society group.

Knowing the purpose is one thing; whether or not one would reveal their information is another.

Everything the Aurora Society is having the Demons do right now is a completely open conspiracy.

From the very first appearance of the Information Demon, everything the Magical Girls did was probably broadcast live in the Sky Screen. Their appearance, their actions, and even the choices they are making now, were probably all seen by everyone in Eastern Capital.

If they choose to abandon these ordinary people and keep their identities secret, they will likely face condemnation from everyone!

This is indeed moral blackmail, but only someone like Fang Ming, who considers himself morally bankrupt, could ignore it.

Magical Girls are still too moral.

Incidentally, although the Magical Girls' appearances don't change much after transforming, their Magical Girls will be exposed to the public if they are broadcast live.

However, due to the 'Cognitive Interference' inherent in their transformations, ordinary people simply cannot connect with them through their Magical Girls forms.

Even if Sky Screen were just Sky Screen, no one would have connected Xiao Qiu and the others with their true selves before their identities were revealed.

That's why the Aurora Society and the Demons are so persistent in trying to obtain the Magical Girls' personal information.

Once people connect them with their real-world identities, Cognitive Interference dissipates on its own.

The Magical Girls' identities will be immediately revealed to the public and known to everyone.

As for where the concept of Cognitive Interference comes from...

Fang Ming himself wasn't quite sure either; it seemed that this extremely idealistic setting had been present since the very first generation.

People you know will recognize you, but strangers won't recognize you even if you transform and stand right in front of them... That's roughly it.

Getting back to the main point, Yu Muqiu was also lost in thought when he heard Fang Ming's question.

But after only a short while, Yu Muqiu firmly shook his head and said:

I won't say.

"Why?"

"Because my family and friends are much more important to me than anyone else, I would sacrifice myself to save others, but I would never sacrifice my family and friends to save others."

"Moreover, blindly following the Demons' pace will only lead us into their trap. If we do fall into their trap, it won't just be me who will be in danger, but also the people around me."

"... I don't want anything to happen to the people around me."

Yu Muqiu's expression was very serious.

When it comes to his family and friends, Yu Muqiu is never confused.

One reason is that in her heart, her relatives and friends are more important than herself.

Another reason is that she never believed the Demons' lies; everything these guys did was to make the world worse.

The idea that revealing one's identity will prevent harm is nonsense only naively believed by children who have just become Magical Girls.

Demons are born to spread despair and fear. Even if they let this group go now, they will surely create bloodshed in the future to absorb fear and despair.

On the contrary, if the Magical Girls fall here, no one will be able to stop them in the future.

In short, no matter how you look at it, revealing your identity here is the worst possible option.

"Well, it's good that you think that way, Xiao Qiu, but there's something I want to correct you on." Fang Ming suddenly switched to lecturing mode and said to Yu Muqiu:

"In my opinion, your existence is more important than anyone else's. No matter what happens, you have to survive, so don't talk about sacrificing yourself."

"With me here, there's no way you'll have to sacrifice yourselves."

If Fang Ming were still alive, yet he were to make the Magical Girls sacrifice themselves, it would be nothing short of dereliction of duty and incompetence on his part.

Even if sacrifice is truly necessary, he should be the one to go before everyone else, just like himself in the Sky Screen!

"Alright, you two, can you stop saying such unlucky things?" Hearing their sentimental words, Chen Xiaoxia rolled her eyes and pointed at the Sky Screen.

"Hurry up and watch the plot! It seems Reiko and Shiori have found a solution."

While Fang Ming and Xiao Qiu were talking, Reiko had already been persuaded to come back by Shiori.

As Reiko hesitated, unsure of what to do, Shiori came to Reiko side, took her hand, and shouted loudly at the Twin Demons:

"Shut up!! You disgusting puppet!!"

This shout startled Reiko the Demons, and at the same time, it seemed to overwhelm the Twin Demons with its imposing aura.

The sounds of ordinary people controlled by the Twin Demons disappeared, and the entire amusement park suddenly fell silent.

Before the Twin Demons could react, Shiori gripped Reiko's hand tightly and shouted angrily at Twin Demons:

"You'll let them go just because you tell me our information? Don't be ridiculous! You would never do that! Even if you did now, you would definitely continue to attack humans in the future!"

"That's right! You Demons are inherently this kind of life!"

"Perhaps so, but at least we'll abide by the rules here..." The Twin Demons were about to speak when Shiori interrupted them with an even louder voice:

"Shut up, Demons!! I don't want to hear a single word of your lies!"

After she finished speaking, she turned to Reiko and said, "Reiko, if you're worried that your choice will cost these people their lives, then... let me be the 'bad guy'!"

"Huh?"

"I've come to vanquish the Demons, I've come to save everyone here! And even if these people lose their lives in the process, it won't be your fault!"

"Shiori... you... you don't want to be all alone--"

Can one person bear all of this alone?

Reiko stared at her best friend in shock.

Shiori squeezed Reiko's hand again and smiled at Reiko:

"I told you, if you're worried that you can't be a good Magical Girls, that you can't shoulder the responsibilities of Magical Girls, then... I'll take on those responsibilities!"

Shiori becoming Magical Girls and standing here is all because of Reiko.

Because Reiko worried that Shiori wouldn't be able to become a qualified Magical Girls, Shiori chose to become a Magical Girls and fight alongside Reiko!

When she became Magical Girls, she made a decision that if Reiko ever felt lost or unable to make a decision, she would make the decision for Reiko!

This is what she should do as Reiko's best friend!

"That's really touching."

The Twin Demons' calm voice rang out.

Two Demons, one on each side, pulled on the silk threads in their hands, lifting up the ordinary people that Reiko had previously saved.

They said:

"But while you may sound nice, are you really prepared to take responsibility for these people's lives?"

"It's all your fault for failing to save them. Their family, friends, and lovers... will all become your enemies."

"As Magical Girls, are you really willing to see all of this?"

The Twin Demons spoke simultaneously, putting pressure on Tottori Shiori.

Tottori Shiori smiled, released Reiko's hand, stepped in front of Reiko, and met the gaze of the Twin Demons:

"Then let's give it a try, Demons! Let's see if I can withstand all of this!"

"Since that's the case, then..."

The Twin Demons tugged at their puppet-like arms, manipulating the threads as if they intended to kill all the ordinary humans present.

But at that moment, Reiko suddenly shouted:

"Wait a moment!!"

"!?"

The Twin Demons and Shiori both looked at Reiko at the same time.

Shiori, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment, asked, "Reiko, could it be that you really...?"

"No, Shiori! Listen to me!"

Reiko took a deep breath and suddenly shut her mouth. She took Shiori's hands, and their magic exchanged. In a place where no one could see or hear them, the two were using magic to Telepathy.

Volume 5 Side Story <Magic Mystery> Season 2: Chapter 538 Unexpected Reinforcements

"Shiori, listen to me!"

Reiko said to Shiori in Telepathy:

"Do you remember the techniques that Senior Aurora taught us?"

"... What?"

"Magic Link!"

Reiko said, word by word.

Aurora hasn't been idle these past few days, spending time with the Magical Girls of the Eastern Ocean District.

She taught the Magical Girls of the Eastern Ocean District how to use magic and how to barely defeat monsters of a higher level.

That is, Magic Link.

By connecting and converting their magic, and sharing magic capacity and limits, they can gain power far exceeding their normal state!

Before the Magical Girls awakened their Shining Form, they used this method to fight powerful Demons!

Shiori was also aware of the method Reiko had mentioned at that moment.

Shiori, however, said worriedly, "Magic Link? Of course I know that, but... even with a magic link, it wouldn't be able to save these people, would it?"

"I know! If it's just a simple Magic Link, we definitely won't be able to stop these two Demons before they harm others... unless... unless Shiori, you can eliminate them in a very short time, before they can react!"

"... So... what exactly do we do?!"

"Anyway... listen to me carefully first--!"

Reiko spoke earnestly, and suddenly the two fell silent, neither making a sound.

(What method? Why are you keeping it from us?)

(Oh, so this is the routine...! Damn it!)

(On the bright side, at least this episode didn't end here... we might still have a chance to find out what they're up to?)

(... But the screen switched! Damn it!!)

(Wow, don't keep us in suspense at this time!)

No one knows what Reiko and Shiori were discussing.

Because at that very moment, the scene in the Sky Screen shifted to the last group of Magical Girls.

Kanon and Ayaka are facing the same predicament as their companions.

[Unlike Aurora, who directly confronted the Demons, and Reiko and Shiori.]

In the area that Kanon and Ayaka were responsible for, they did not find the Demons they were supposed to face.

Even in the neighborhood where the Demons appeared, the entire area was deserted; not only were there no Demons, but there wasn't a single passerby to be seen.

Two Magical Girls walked side by side down an empty street, looking around with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"What happened? Where is everyone?"

Tsukinomiya Ayaka frowned.

They weren't in the Mirror Space at this moment; they were in complete reality. Logically, there shouldn't be a situation where no one was there.

And even in the Mirror Space or the Nightmare Barrier, there should at least be Demons present, right?

What's the situation now?

Where are they??

"Something feels... off..."