Chapter 43: Water Pipe Installation

Jiang Yao was sharp. In seconds, her mind raced.

Heituanzi’s “Isn’t there just one?” confirmed it had encountered [Aurora].

[Aurora]’s absence didn’t faze her.

Not indifference—she cared—but worrying was pointless. In a crisis, Jiang Yao prioritized action over fretting.

[Aurora]’s prior strength suggested she wasn’t instantly killed. This wasn’t Journey to the West, with no magic gourd sucking people in by shouting, “Do you dare answer?” and “Grandpa’s here!”

She’d only lagged a few steps leaving the café, not rested long before catching up.

The iron giant, glaringly obvious despite the rain, kept advancing.

One conclusion: Heituanzi had helpers entangling [Aurora].

But what if it was unmatched, striking [Aurora] down in one blow?

What could Jiang Yao do?

Against such power, could she escape?

Her last slash, amplified by magic, hit the giant’s waist. Her Paladin’s chainsaw sword shattered some iron chips, but the scratch—minor against its bulk—vanished as surging metal repaired it.

The impact staggered it, barely effective.

How to beat it? Wait for a red flash to shatter it with light? Fly behind its neck to cut a key iron block?

“You fart!” Heituanzi roared at “Dark Fairy.” “Bullshit!”

“I’m a fairy! They’re the light fairies!”

“…Any difference?” Jiang Yao asked.

“Of course!” Heituanzi glared. “You stupid magical girl, head full of light magic, idiot!”

“When you talk about your country’s people, you say, ‘I saw someone yesterday,’ right?”

Ignoring Jiang Yao’s wary silence, it rambled. “A foreigner? ‘I saw a black man yesterday.’”

“Outliers get named!”

“We’re fairies, no prefix! Those weird light fairies are the odd ones, got it?”

“Forget it. You magical girls are dumber idiots. I won’t bother.”

It puffed up. “Remember, my name is An—”

“Alright, alright.” Jiang Yao feigned a headache. “Can’t recall dark fairy names. Wanna fight? Hurry up.”

The light curtain’s black ball visibly reddened.

“Wow! I’m so angry!” it screeched, voice oddly accented. “I’m not like those bastard light fairies! No long names 500 years ago! Whoever kills you sleeps peacefully!”

“Anchor pipe?” Jiang Yao smirked. “Master, what’s your job?”

Heituanzi’s lips pursed, staring. Its body reddened, black steam hissing from its head.

It swung its claws. “Die!”

The light curtain retracted. The giant’s steel fist lunged.

Jiang Yao was ready.

Its intentions, personality, or name didn’t matter. [Aurora], who saved her and her mother, fought somewhere. Even if she couldn’t win, she’d buy time.

“Gotta fight to know if I can.”

Resolved, Jiang Yao gripped her sword. Purple crystals grew, enlarging it.

The fist, huge but fast, surged with dark magic, defying its size.

No time to dodge or counter. Head-on it was.

Sword met fist, black and purple energies clashing.

Water and fire collided—a deafening roar!

Boom!!!

“Die!”

Bang!

Wen Yaquan jolted awake, fists slamming the table, lunging at a screen.

Rubbing her aching right fist, she frowned, peering out the window.

A nightmare had gripped her.

Her old team kicked her out, deeming her unworthy of being a magical girl, telling her to scram.

It didn’t shake her. She saw through the illusion.

She trusted her Zero Generation teammates, as they trusted her.

No matter how vivid the despair, it was fake.

But even recognizing the illusion, she couldn’t wake. Only by seizing control—arming herself in the dream and slaying the dark enemy—did she return to reality.

Clatter.

When had she fallen asleep? The rain’s sound screamed trouble.

Boom!

A collision echoed. She rushed to the window.

Darkness drowned the world, most lights snuffed out, only faint glimmers remaining.

She spotted a magical girl battling a massive shadow on the street.

Not [Aurora].

‘Where’s Little Aurora?’

“Um… Mom? What’re you looking at?”

“!!!”

Wen Yaquan spun, startling Lin Yu, who rubbed her eyes. “Mom… uh… raining? Why’s it loud? Thunder?”

Ignoring her, Wen Yaquan grabbed Lin Yu’s shoulders, deadly serious. “You didn’t have a nightmare?”

“Nightmare?” Lin Yu blinked. “What nightmare?”

Seconds stretched. Staring, Wen Yaquan finally moved.

“…Hah.”

She sighed, then said, “Don’t be a magical girl, got it?”

“Huh? Why say that?” Lin Yu grinned, expecting a prank. “I’m not fooled. I already—”

“Promise me!” Wen Yaquan’s eyes burned with something unreadable. She hugged Lin Yu tightly. “If a fairy offers a contract, don’t become a magical girl.”

“…”

‘Mom, serious?’

Lin Yu didn’t get it. Was this another “You’ve been fooled” gag?

She answered softly, “Okay.”

‘Forgive me.’

Wen Yaquan held her daughter, hearing the rain and faint fighting. She tightened her grip.

‘Forgive my selfishness.’

‘I don’t care about myself…’

‘But I can’t let my daughter take this path.’