Chapter 31 – Who Says Only Those Standing in the Light Are Heroes?
“Xi!”
While waiting at the shelter, Zhao Xinning had been sick with worry. Every second felt like an eternity of torment.
When she finally received word that Lin Xi had returned safely, Zhao Xinning nearly broke down in tears. She quickly guided Lin Xi and the others through the emergency passage and into the shelter.
“Xinning, we’re back safe and sound.”
Lin Xi and Lu Yi were currently supporting Shi Yu, who was pretending to have a sprained ankle, on either side.
Zhao Xinning rushed forward to look Lin Xi over. Lin Xi had to repeat herself several times: “I’m really fine. Not a scratch on me.”
Only then did Zhao Xinning feel relieved. “Miss Shi Yu, let me take a look at your foot.”
Lin Xi was surprised. “Xinning, you know how to do that?”
“We deal with this kind of thing sometimes in the Track and Field Club,” Zhao Xinning said. “I have experience treating these types of injuries.”
This… this made it even more impossible to let Zhao Xinning look. If she took one peek, the ruse would be up.
Lin Xi shot a look at Shi Yu, who played along immediately.
“Thank you, Xinning, but it’s really not necessary. Uh, Lu Yi already took care of it for me. Right, Lu Yi?”
“Mm-hmm,” Lu Yi nodded.
Lin Xi couldn’t help but mentally criticize their acting skills. Still, they managed to muddle through.
Zhao Xinning thoughtfully shared her experience on how to handle such injuries and told her what to watch out for.
As expected of Angel-sama, Lin Xi thought. Xinning is so kind to everyone.
The four girls sat together, becoming part of the crowd in this Public Shelter that could hold thousands. Despite being packed with people, the shelter felt like a pool of stagnant water-lifeless and gloomy.
Just then, the heavy doors of the shelter slowly groaned open.
A beautiful figure appeared alone, drawing thousands of eyes.
“It’s Magical Girl Xia Xun!” a child cheered loudly in a high-pitched voice.
The Magical Girls who guarded the peace and tranquility of Z City were the saviors in the hearts of countless citizens. Xia Xun’s appearance was a declaration of absolute safety.
Cheers erupted one after another, merging into a single roar. Xia Xun was like a superstar stepping onto a stage; the light shining in from the outside world made her look radiant.
“Everyone, please be quiet!”
Xia Xun hadn’t come to soak up the cheers and applause. She was there to investigate the mystery of the Lava Explosion Bear’s disappearance. Perhaps someone in the shelter had seen the Special-Grade Disaster that had eliminated the Lava Explosion Bear.
“The Dark Realm Disaster, the Lava Explosion Bear that appeared at the amusement park, has been eliminated!”
“The disaster alert is officially lifted!”
Another mountain-toppling wave of cheers followed. With the crisis averted, many people were moved to tears. They had survived another day-they’d come out ahead!
The excited crowd around her made Lin Xi realize that this parallel world was truly a precarious place. Dark Realm Disasters were like swords hanging over everyone’s heads; you never knew when one might take your life.
Then, Lin Xi thought sadly: Wait, aren’t I technically part of the disaster?
No. I’m a witch, but I’m a good witch. I don’t like killing or arson; I just like skinship… right?
After the initial frenzy of the crisis being lifted passed, Xia Xun continued, “However, the person who destroyed the Lava Explosion Bear was not me, nor was it anyone from the Countermeasures Bureau.”
“I want to ask those who evacuated from the amusement park: did any of you see this Nameless Hero who appeared in District 3 of our Z City?”
If Xia Xun had said a Special-Grade Disaster had eliminated the Lava Explosion Bear, it would have caused absolute panic. Therefore, she used the phrasing of searching for a “Nameless Hero” instead.
In the crowd, Lin Xi felt a bit of a panic.
Shi Yu lightly nudged Lin Xi’s arm. “Go on, go up and claim your prize, our Nameless Hero.”
Lin Xi’s expression was solemn. “Look at the situation we’re in. Stop joking around.”
“Don’t worry,” Shi Yu said. “By the time we made our move, everyone had already run away.”
“But…” Lin Xi scanned their surroundings. “What’s with all these people holding up their hands, claiming they want to provide clues?”
“How can you be so dense!” Shi Yu snapped. “They don’t want to provide clues; they clearly just want to chat with a Magical Girl face-to-face!”
Lin Xi: “…”
…
With the crisis averted, the people who wanted to provide clues-or rather, those who wanted to chat with a Magical Girl-formed a long line.
Most people were leaving the shelter in an orderly fashion.
As long as it wasn’t the end of the world, life would continue as usual.
“Miss Lin Xi?! You’re here too?”
As the four of them walked out the main gate, they happened to be spotted by Xia Xun.
“Miss Xia Xun,” Lin Xi greeted her with a smile. “Thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s nothing. Just serving the people.”
“As expected of Miss Xia Xun.” Lin Xi’s praise came one sentence after another.
Seeing this, many bystanders felt a twinge of envy at Lin Xi’s close relationship with the Magical Girl.
Lin Xi felt a bit uncomfortable under their stares. “Um, if there’s nothing else, we’ll head home now?”
Xia Xun called out to stop her; she did indeed have something to ask.
“Miss Lin Xi, did any of you happen to see the Nameless Hero who defeated the Lava Explosion Bear?”
Compared to the others, Xia Xun preferred to trust her fellow schoolmates.
Lin Xi shook her head. “The four of us had already left the amusement park before the Lava Explosion Bear even appeared.”
“Oh, I see. Sorry to bother you, then.”
“It’s fine. You’re busy, so we’ll be going.”
“Wait!-“
Being stopped a second time, Lin Xi was almost afraid to turn around.
After all, the person Xia Xun was mobilizing the masses to find was her!
“Um…” Lin Xi felt a bit guilty. “Miss Xia Xun, is there something else?”
“It’s not that I have something going on,” Xia Xun said. “It’s you.”
“Eh?!” Lin Xi was ready at a moment’s notice to throw Shi Yu like a concealed weapon at Xia Xun and then make a run for it with Lu Yi.
As for Zhao Xinning, she’d be satisfied as long as she didn’t drag her friend into it.
Xia Xun said, “Remember to come to the Countermeasures Bureau tomorrow to collect your Z City Good Citizen honorary certificate and the five-thousand-yuan prize money.”
“By helping me eliminate the Rakshasa Ghost, Miss Lin Xi, you are a true Nameless Hero!”
“Oh, that…” Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief. If it weren’t for the five thousand yuan, she wouldn’t want to step foot inside the Countermeasures Bureau. “I understand, Miss Xia Xun. I’m really just riding on your coattails; I’m hardly a Nameless Hero.”
“You certainly are!” Xia Xun insisted. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Miss Lin Xi. Who says only those standing in the light are heroes?”
“Heh heh…” Lin Xi laughed awkwardly. “Right. Thank you for the encouragement.”
“Miss Lin Xi, you’ve never been to the Countermeasures Bureau before, right? It’s okay, I’ll accompany you tomorrow.”
“Then thank you so much. Once I get the prize money, dinner is on me!”
“Then I won’t be polite. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
…
After leaving the shelter, Lu Yi took Shi Yu away, while Lin Xi and Zhao Xinning headed home together.
Zhao Xinning had watched the intimate interaction between Lin Xi and Xia Xun, and she was growing increasingly anxious.
It was so strange!
How did three beautiful girls like Shi Yu, Lu Yi, and Xia Xun suddenly pop up around Xi?!
In Zhao Xinning’s eyes, Lin Xi had always been a total social failure.
“Xi, I feel like you’ve become a completely different person…”
Zhao Xinning’s sudden remark sent Lin Xi’s heart racing again.
Well, I literally am a different person!
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Advance Chapters:
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