Beach defense line, clear blue sky.
Pasha waved her hand: "Why so cautious? It's not going to resurrect. Move faster."
She commanded the crane to slowly transport the reassembled Abyssal White Whale to land. Even after losing its magic power enhancent, the less angular body was still 40 ters class—from a distance, one might mistake the sea level for having a small island.
Surrounding staff maintained alert distances yet still occasionally experienced fainting phenona. Everyone avoided it desperately—even though the opponent was dead, it still left psychological shadows.
No one in the entire East Continental Sea would forget the disaster this monster brought.
Even less would they forget that Miss Lyra.
The more Pasha witnessed the complete form of the Abyssal White Whale, the more she marveled at how difficult it was to cut it into pieces. It was like performing precise surgery on a building, not to ntion Boss Disaster Beasts were sturdier than re steel and concrete. Although she was in so sense Lyra's comrade-in-arms, she still didn't understand how it was done. At the ti, she only felt the opponent flash and disappear, then the invincible calamity disintegrated on the spot.
"It's proof of divine miracle, evidence of the great savior's manifestation!"
"Long live the Salvation Church!"
"Did you all see? Humanity is about to embark on a new path——"
Outside the beach gathered massive numbers of religious fanatics shouting like worshipping the site of a saint's descent. Hundreds and thousands of people even blocked traffic with their imposing montum.
In just a few days, they had grown into a social activist group with supporters worldwide. However, Pasha couldn't say anything reproachful. The battle record was solid—the whole world witnessed hope for completely defeating Disaster Beasts. No wonder it produced a conversion trend.
But many among them were opportunists using this to make money. Probably the Salvation Church understood ordinary people's nature too well, which was why they kept themselves hidden.
"You all disperse them. Don't let them interfere with work here."
Pasha gestured to the fully ard soldiers, and a squad headed to the beach periter. Everyone had rich experience dealing with large crowds and wouldn't take too much ti. But before they arrived, they saw the supporters fighting each other.
It was Disaster Beast worship groups.
Neither side could stand the other—close combat, punching and kicking, cursing, cheering, and cries of pain forming a lively scene of vigorous vitality.
They didn't need to be dispersed—they were already beating each other bloody, welcoming police sirens. It was quite a display of human diversity.
Seeing this, Pasha was too lazy to care further. The urgent matter was preserving the Disaster Beast corpse. After all, such a large piece was comparable to an oil field—imasurably valuable. Not only her rcenary group, but official organizations and research institutes would all get a share. It was precisely because of high risk and high returns that everyone flocked to it.
The first function of processed Disaster Beast remains as materials was enhancing relic effects.
For example, continuously infusing energy into the Ring of Levitation could even send 100,000-ton objects to the moon, thoroughly creating deep space exploration outposts. As its power continued strengthening, developing Mars wouldn't be impossible. Additionally, biological technologies derived from scraps enhanced food production, cured disabilities, conquered terminal illnesses... simply invincible. Humanity gained quite a lot in fighting Disaster Beasts, so they were happy to invest heavily.
Cruelly speaking, they wished more Disaster Beasts would co to promote technological developnt. The death toll was much better than ancient plagues and wars—nothing worth ntioning.
"Quite busy, aren't you."
A yacht approached from the distance with a man in beach shirt and sunglasses greeting familiarly.
"Gallup, long ti no see."
Though appearing enthusiastic on the surface, Pasha had no good feelings toward one of the Aricas regional leaders. Intelligence showed they were more radical and exaggerated than Jin Changfeng in fusion technology, even producing specialized soldiers on a scale. If her side hadn't handled it, they would have taken the stage, bringing impact to the world no less than Lyra's, though in ethical aspects.
Fortunately, it didn't happen.
Gallup had a flamboyant personality but was actually ruthless in style, aiming at all powerful Disaster Beasts and using relics with fusion capabilities to make them his own.
If Pasha used different clone bodies to carry different fusion characteristics, then Gallup bore it all in one body—extraordinary. Of course, it was also related to another virus-related relic. He was indeed gifted, indisputably.
"The international counterasure organization wants to handle the remains with you. We contacted you beforehand—after all, Boss Disaster Beasts are troubleso."
"Of course, can't rule out this guy bouncing around again with just muscle and nerves..."
"Won't happen." Gallup said decisively.
He was forrly a doctor and understood well the key points supporting necessary activities for a living being—Disaster Beasts were no exception. That huntress cut quite thoroughly, targeting weak points with every strike being lethal, completely decomposing its combat functions without chance—art-like blade work. She definitely had powerful perception providing judgnt.
After hearing Gallup's explanation, Pasha nodded. She also understood so dicine. Originally uncertain, but with two experts consulting, she understood there were no hidden dangers.
Had to admit, regarding precise strikes against Disaster Beasts, Lyra was superior. The opponent definitely captured "invisible energy" more clearly before acting.
The Abyssal White Whale's death confird the academic magic power existence theory—another kind of power.
The two exchanged glances and smiled.
Though they had no shortage of conflicts over specific benefit distribution, as fellow researchers they were full of curiosity about new things.
"Truth is, many people are wary of the Salvation Church, just can't put it on the table due to their contributions, so they asked to investigate Ningfeng Harbor. Everyone suspects there's sothing wrong there." Gallup murmured.
"Not just that one target, right?"
"Also collecting people with high infection resistance. You know Ningfeng Harbor's surroundings have frequent Disaster Beasts, producing many resistant individuals. That counterasure bureau chief has been keeping it secret—isn't that wasting talent? Plus they have newer fusion surgery. Heard Jin Changfeng's side successfully researched next-generation technology—safe, controllable, powerful. Perfect ti for us to exchange notes."
"He hates people like you."
"Doesn't matter. Our line of work isn't liked anyway." Gallup smiled wickedly: "Or bla our dia for exposing too much dirt."
Pasha rolled her eyes at him, thinking you'd be fine if you were more careful. But reconsidering, this guy secretly collected orphans to cultivate resistance then used fusion technology—doing it on too large a scale indeed couldn't be hidden.
"Ningfeng Harbor's waters run deep. Since it's connected to the Salvation Church, be careful."
"All small fry. You're too nervous. Besides the one who killed the white whale, the rest are just trash."
"Rember to bring ntal backup relics. At critical monts you can 'resurrect' from clone bodies. Though you lose mories, it's better than dying."
"That's equivalent to death. Plus you have so little confidence in ?"
"Just don't want to lose Holy Relics easily."
"Don't worry about my business. Rember to collect more magic power talent here."
Gallup waved and left.
Pasha stared at his departing figure for a long ti, then sighed. Anyway, it wasn't her concern. Though they theoretically belonged to the sa team, whether others lived or died didn't matter. Humans were never united—at least not the most cohesive in this field regarding Disaster Beast organizations.
...
Ningfeng Harbor International Airport.
White-haired weakly transford Hibiscus slowly descended the stairs. Now she could maintain this appearance for 12 consecutive hours. Going further, there might be no distinction between transford and untransford. In this state, everything was so clear—sea breeze on her face, bright sunshine.
Peace was hard-won. Her hotown without the sll of gunpowder and building collapse noise made the girl smile.
Just surviving back from the swarm Disaster Beast battlefield was worth celebrating.
In the airport waiting hall, Hibiscus t Nan Zhiyi on ti. Though crowded, she easily found her person under spiritual perception—the girl looked overjoyed.
"What's making you so happy?"
"I followed your instructions for bottom-fishing. Currently our company has beco a billion-level enterprise with trading as a side business and holding operations as the main business. This wave was fat—we're both millionaires now."
Nan Zhiyi enthusiastically shared her operations, completing those real estate transactions almost when Hibiscus appeared on cara, perfectly hitting the lowest price point.
Simple business warfare didn't need scheming—big enough fists and guts made for big profits.
Originally, Hibiscus had no real sense of this "financial report," but when Nan Zhiyi led her to a completely renovated 3-story office building, she was still sowhat surprised. Such big changes? Inside was even more remarkable—they had actually hired a receptionist. Entering the workspace, everyone's unified "Hello Chairman, Hello President" greetings left Hibiscus stunned, though she remained composed and said a few words before going to the office.
"What's the situation now?" In the chairman's office with no outsiders, the newly appointed confused leader voiced her doubts.
"Managing such large assets naturally requires hiring people."
Nan Zhiyi took the opportunity to educate the business novice about how their company had now beco a real estate company—essentially super landlords whose rental inco alone was sufficient cash flow. As disaster area reconstruction work began, profits would only rise.
It felt sowhat unreal.
Thinking back to when a penny stumped heroes, Hibiscus found it incredible. When did making money beco so easy? The gambling of capital gas was truly frightening.
She had envisioned making a killing through this thod, but Nan Zhiyi's execution ability made dreams beco reality.
Picking up the company financial statent, dense rows of numbers t her eyes, including but not limited to 4 office buildings, 2 estates, 12 factories, 3 apartnt buildings... indeed substantial assets.
She'd never seen so much money in her life—all real estate, enough to live off for life.
Whether nouveau riche or not, the question was whether it was tycoon enough. Anyway, the money problem was solved. At least the two founders had earned money they couldn't spend in a lifeti, but they both knew it was far from enough—because there was another goal.
"Speaking of which, I put most shares under Hibiscus's na, 51%, since Dr. Mu's background has too many blanks. Is that okay? Will it affect hiding your identity?"
Nan Zhiyi asked carefully, fearing to damage the plan.
"Don't worry. I included my real na in the company operators precisely for soday revealing it. Magical Girls being low-key doesn't an tucking tails between legs."
"What if soone investigates?"
"Let them investigate freely. Either they touch secrets and retreat knowingly, or I help them along."
Hibiscus, holding the record of subjugating a Boss Disaster Beast, was incomparable. This war gave her clearer understanding of her strength—head-on confrontation comparable to an army. If willing to ambush, no one's head was safe in the world. Ti magic guaranteed penetration anywhere.
Dare to tear faces and let "Version T1 Shaless Ambush Hyacinth" take action. In any case, having strength as insurance made Hibiscus much more flexible.
Her confident statent gave Nan Zhiyi more confidence.
The girl's face lit up, thinking indeed no one could compare with Hibiscus. Previously during small-scale troubles with Dock Gang and Storm Gang, they were affected, but now even Boss Disaster Beasts weren't worth ntioning. The strong could always transcend rules—the strong created rules. Hibiscus's willingness to walk the righteous path was the fortune of those order-keepers. They should be grateful the strongest Magical Girl currently didn't plan to create a new world.
"...You seem to misunderstand sothing. Forget it, anyway just accumulate money, since there are plenty of places to spend it next."
"Really going to establish the Salvation Church?"
"I've considered a lot. Not just raising a banner, but also providing a place for juniors who will gradually awaken on a large scale in the future, telling everyone they're not alone."
Hibiscus nodded solemnly. Understanding the future plot, she knew many Magical Girls fell into tragedy due to awakening period side effects, as if fate's mockery. If they knew from the start there were many of their kind, it should be better, avoiding many bad consequences from the source.
But this path was destined to be arduous, so she was more seeking opinions.
Nan Zhiyi smiled lightly, sitting on the girl's lap and wrapping her shoulders: "To realize your lie, we'll have to work hard, but this way we'll count as founders of the future's first major Magical Girl organization, right?"
"Of course."
"We naturally have to do it. This is our common enterprise, the first step of a long march. We must open a bright path."
The girl pointed at the country with passionate words, quite infectious. Hibiscus had to admit she was more suitable as a leader, but unfortunately Nan Zhiyi belonged to those who must obtain goals from others and didn't like standing in front. Only being carefree before herself—actually dignified toward subordinates, tactful toward partners, her personal life quiet and simple, a consistent doer.
Happily, Nan Zhiyi imdiately prepared the next plan. Using charity organization shells to establish footholds worldwide was easy, but required the parent company to have strong finances.
Fortunately, Hibiscus brought new investnt direction "internet technology" that was eye-opening.
With money, might as well try...
"So expensive!"
Nan Zhiyi's quick ntal calculation made her understand these things were each more money-burning than the last. Not counting developnt cycles, just advanced equipnt procurent costs were enough to drink deeply. Even nouveau riche couldn't sustain it—not lacking money but unable to burn money, easy to crash.
Hibiscus naturally understood new technology was always a bottomless pit, so she suggested: "I'll find a way."
"Speaking of which, I know a friend who heard I was opening a company and wants to bring capital to partner in operations. She's very wealthy, experienced, with wide connections, just doesn't want to always work under her family enterprise. According to her, working and getting off work are all at ho—annoying to death. So she hopes to cooperate with us."
"Sounds good." Hibiscus replied casually while reading docunts.
"The type of rich young lady who wants to go out and struggle but can't find reliable partners. From a friend's perspective, I'd be happy to help, mutual benefit."
"I naturally trust anyone you introduce. Who is it?"
"Jin Ruochu."
...
Changfeng Financial Group headquarters building, top floor conference room.
At this mont, a military-dressed man occupied the center. Though sitting in the guest position, he was aggressive. Opposite him, pharmaceutical group chairman Jin Changfeng and counterasure bureau branch chief Li Congzhou felt great pressure. The two exchanged glances, understanding the other ca with ill intentions, precisely targeting the two girls attending as secretaries behind them.
After all, Jin Ruochu belonged to the perfect success case of new surgery, while Jin Yulu was the highest infection resistance case so far—two precious examples.
The visitor's chest insignia showed Eagle rcenary Company, representing international counterasure headquarters, with superior Gallup.
Though he, Virgil, was rely a fusion warrior, backing headquarters pressure wasn't simple.
Troubleso.
"...I'll reiterate once more, we hope you'll cooperate with the next phase of experints. Everyone sharing technology can better create results. Everyone's heard about the recent swarm Disaster Beast event. Without rcenary alliance help, consequences would be unthinkable. For the greater good, we should put aside past comrcial competition and reconsider deeper cooperation."
The high-sounding speech made Jin Changfeng laugh: "What's it to you? How much effort did you put in? Artillery filled the sky without a bit of damage."
"That was Miss Pasha's responsible troops."
"No, before that miraculous power you all beca waste. Accept it—many research efforts aren't worth ntioning." He was half mocking, half regretful.
Standing behind her father, Jin Ruochu's expression was complex. The girl demonstrating sluggish miracles on television was definitely Dr. Mu—only ti magic could accomplish it. While shocking the world, it also severely impacted the military industrialization field of Disaster Beast fusion technology research.
Hundreds of millions witnessed what the correct answer for killing Disaster Beasts was—general thods had too low cost-effectiveness.
Probably before long, people would actively approach those miracle workers, producing a new order. Don't think upheaval wouldn't happen—the deepest logic of human social structure was always violence. When a group could produce crushing violence against Disaster Beasts, people would have to submit.
Actually, Holy Relic holders already counted as a privileged class—almost unrestrained with great power. The authority possessed by stronger existences was unimaginable.
As one among them, Jin Ruochu felt mixed emotions.
She basically ignored the aggressive Virgil before her, too lazy to care—just goods slightly higher level than Storm Gang's boss.
Misfortune is targeting you.
No one noticed the girl's hostile gaze. The two groups by the coffee table continued arguing. Sohow Li Congzhou's attitude gradually softened: "Our counterasure bureau has obligations to be responsible to international Disaster Beast organizations. Ningfeng Harbor should do its part, mainly your side is a bit too forceful..."
"You're about to be promoted from local to state governnt. After this mission I'll recomnd you to Chief Gallup."
Jin Changfeng's expression darkened—trouble.
This dog was always thinking about promotion, actually not the sa kind who faced pressure together. The other party settled him with a few words—so you were making trouble before to raise the price? He looked at Li Congzhou with contempt, who scratched his head not daring to et his gaze.
"...Anyway I'll draft transfer orders for Captain Jin to go to your research institute."
"Did you ask my opinion?" The spirited girl's opening was full of presence: "The work I want is standing on front lines feeling gunfire, not being a researcher or being researched, let alone going to the notorious Eagle Company. We indeed share the sa position but different routes. The more bound together, the more troubleso. Mr. Virgil, please find soone else. Also Chief, you give in so easily? Didn't you say it was good in Ningfeng Harbor?"
"That was convincing myself when promotion was hopeless. Instead, you kept making trouble forcing to clean up, like the Black Dock District infection incident you shouldn't have interfered with."
"That's too cruel."
"Honestly, having a subordinate like you is quite stressful. The promotion favor I showed you before, let's call it even this ti—we owe each other nothing."
Jin Yulu clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. She hadn't expected the chief to be so opportunistic, demanding gratitude repaynt in front of everyone. So should she agree on the spot to go to that dark institution thousands of miles away?
Cultivating herself as a political chip to sell for a good price in the future? Truly shaless.
Virgil looked confident of victory, slightly rising and extending his hand: "Chief, our cooperation is pleasant——"
Just as the latter fawningly approached, both suddenly slipped simultaneously, falling face-to-face with a thud, then losing control and tumbling onto the coffee table. Boiling tea water poured into their clothes, even clinging tightly to skin due to water absorption, causing them to cry out—obviously badly scalded.
Jin Ruochu pointed at the embarrassing duo with an expression almost laughing to tears.
Jin Changfeng likewise.
The father-daughter synchronization made Jin Yulu suppress her laughter. The scene was too codic, making even the usually serious her cover her mouth and giggle. Sorry Chief, really couldn't hold it in.
"Sorry, it's all my fault." Li Congzhou, enduring pain, forced a smile trying to continue shaking hands, but t a direct slap that made him see stars, several teeth flying through the air.
The chief fell straight down, revealing Virgil whose chest had swollen a size, crystallizing where scalded by tea.
Simultaneously, oppressive aura hit them head-on with howling sounds—obviously not well-intentioned.
Jin Yulu crouched slightly, lightning-quick drawing and aiming. Her sidearm never had safety on, always chambered, ready to empty the clip on this guy anyti.
Jin Ruochu was stunned—facing a fusion warrior head-on made her sowhat panic.
Misfortune seed to use excessive force.
Though experienced Jin Changfeng frowned, he showed no fear: "Don't tell your company's style is violence over slight embarrassnt? Don't forget where this is—Ningfeng Harbor isn't your playground."
As soon as he finished speaking, fully ard bodyguards rushed into the office, equipnt rivaling counterasure forces, making Jin Yulu curse.
Virgil said eerily: "Even if Chief Li yields, he can't necessarily command Captain Jin. With your personality, you might resign. Also, Boss Jin won't hand over his precious daughter, right? Might as well tell you—I'm not here to sign employnt contracts. I don't need you to enter the research institute with normal human rights. You should sacrifice yourselves for humanity's future."
Thud!
He grabbed the coffee table with one hand and threw it like a cannonball, bowling over the bodyguards.
Almost simultaneously, Jin Yulu pulled the trigger. Twenty bullets hit him at close range, but after friction and sparks, had no effect. Damn, she cursed ntally—these research institutions all loved creating monsters.
Jin Changfeng blocked Virgil's path, coldly saying: "Are you declaring war?"
"You're worthy?"
The next mont he knocked out the most troubleso person by status, leaving only prey.
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