Chapter 733

〈Chapter 733〉 Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 26

There’s a term called “Hyeongmyeongcheora.”

It means that when you have no clue where to aim, strike the opponent’s main body.

“But that’s talk for one-on-one situations.”

In many-versus-many battles, especially when an elite few face off against an overwhelming number of Monsters, such advice doesn’t apply.

Especially not in chaotic situations like this one.

Yuinah’s call for “Midmo-join” wasn’t just about striking the main body.

The allies’ situation.

The enemies’ situation.

And the battlefield’s situation.

All factors were considered and analyzed before reaching the conclusion.

“Gathering allied forces into one spot to handle the enemy more efficiently.”

Is Yuinah’s conclusion correct? Or is it flawed?

No one knows the answer. But one thing is certain: at the very least, the unstable elements within the allies can be controlled effectively.

“Those trolling bastards.”

Currently possessed by Yun Yuhwa, the Xiankuns are wreaking havoc among the Heroes.

As the trolls go wild, the Heroes suffer massive KPP (Kyu Points) losses.

‘But the real issue isn’t that.’

My relationship with them isn’t the key problem. What truly matters is saving and protecting hostages, even if they’re infuriating ones—because as Heroes, as Magical Maidens, that’s our duty.

“Though I didn’t say it outright, obviously the Heroes’ primary mission is always life-saving.”

A hint was given.

If hostages are rescued, lost KPP can be regained.

Moreover, KPP lost due to hostages being captured can be recovered by other Heroes.

In other words, if Gaon or Su Ri missed any hostages but Yuinah rescues them, their KPP transfers over!

“It’s like a rescue point system.”

Magical Maidens, save people!

To do that, managing both the trolls and the hostages simultaneously would be necessary.

“Of course, it’s Younana.”

Yuinah, along with Nuri, Raon, and Ha Yu-eun, was leading a large group of civilians.

“Thinking of evacuating all citizens en masse?”

Following Yuinah’s orders, C+ ranked Magical Maidens were guiding civilians to safety.

Toward the location of “Gaon.”

***

“GYAAAAAAK!!”

The monsters were fixated on capturing the Xiankuns.

Under Penril’s command, the monsters began pounding away at the protective barrier. Meanwhile, a few monsters had cornered a rogue Xiankun for their own amusement.

“Open the gate! Please! This is just a simulation for you guys, damn it!”

The monsters were desperate.

“Do you think anyone doesn’t know why we became monsters? It’s to train you without killing you!”

They knew this battle was meant to enhance the Magical Maidens’ Full Strength, and they understood they were merely living mannequins used to add realism to the training.

“You’ll just get feedback after this fight ends, but we… WE’RE SCREWED FOR REAL!!”

For the monsters, this was a battle involving resurrection.

Rather than spending eternity in a monster prison as a Core, they hoped to seize this single opportunity to live, even as monsters.

Rather than enduring an eternal existence where they couldn’t move or think, they poured all their strength into violating the Xiankuns in that moment.

“Absolutely not!”

Gaon channeled Magic Power into her barriers with a scream.

“Civilians will never be harmed!”

Gaon had already lost all her KPP. In reality, she had no reason to continue the training, yet she still protected the remaining civilians with everything she had.

Do the civilians resemble the Commander?

Or is she worried about scoring negative points?

No.

“You won’t touch a single hair on these people!”

Caught up in the monsters’ desperation and realistic attacks, Gaon herself became immersed in the situation. She treated the current scenario as if it were real and dedicated her full strength to safeguarding the remaining civilians.

“Open the gate! Open the gate! OPEN THE GATE!”

The stronger Gaon fortified her defenses, the harder the monsters pounded on the door.

With the exception of a few monsters who’d been subdued into Cores and others amusing themselves with Xiankuns, nearly twenty B-Rank monsters started hammering away at Gaon’s barrier like mad.

“Ughhhhh!!”

“I-it can’t end like this! AAAHHHH!!”

Just as the barrier wavered and another Xiankun prepared to escape with glowing eyes…

“Kim Gaon—!!”

A familiar voice echoed from afar. A small Maiden swung a water sword at the monsters, drawing their attention.

“What… what is this…?”

“There are so many Xiankuns over there?!”

“It’s Xiankuang! There’s Xiankuang over there!”

The monsters went berserk. Four newly arrived Magical Maidens formed a circular formation, weapons drawn, shielding the civilians.

“Gaon! Merge!”

“Got it!”

Gaon expanded her water wall with maximum Magic Power. Civilians, following the Heroes’ instructions, rushed toward the water droplets.

“WAAAAAAAAAH!”

“I want to live!!”

Xiankuns charged forward, while one remaining Xiankuang tripped on a rock and fell. Yuinah quickly supported the fallen Xiankuang.

“Kehehehe!”

Monsters leapt toward the fallen Xiankuang and Yuinah. Though the majority of the monsters were male, the available targets among the Xiankuangs were limited.

“The mechanical parts of Xiankuang are well-received!”

“That’s absurd.”

Whoosh.

Gray flames erupted, burning the monsters.

Raon and Nuri cleared a path by swiping away the monsters with their weapons, while Yuinah helped the ‘leg-injured’ civilians into Gaon’s water bubble.

“Gaon! Focus on defense! We’ll handle offense and control!”

“Okay!”

Smiling brightly, Gaon stretched out her hands to reinforce the barrier. The arriving C+ ranked Magical Maidens entered the fortress and aimed their weapons outward, ready to defend.

“We’ll take care of the attack! Now, let’s move this fortress!”

“Where to?!”

“Toward Su Ri and Gaeul!”

A mobile fortress.

“Come forth, magical power!”

“The Kyu Kyu Magic Wand!”

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!

The Magical Maidens inside unleashed their enchanted K-2 rifles, spraying fire outside. Even the gold-eyed Xiankuns followed the fortress’s movement.

“Keep firing outside! Turn everything out there into a beehive!”

In short, stepping outside equals becoming a beehive.

When armed soldiers protect civilians while moving, no modern person would dare stay behind.

***

“Lock all interfering civilians inside the fortress, then threaten them with guns so they don’t move…”

“Will this cause complaints later?”

“Hmm. At least the gun barrels are pointed outward, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

BLAM BLAM BLAM.

With each burst from the K-2 rifles wielded by the Magical Maidens, the monsters fell helplessly.

Even though the Magical Maidens were only C+, their Core Weapons’ firepower was sufficient B-Rank.

Thus, the monsters ignored them at their peril, suffering heavy defeats.

The Magical Maidens fired recklessly, using expensive magic bullets worth over three million won per magazine, ensuring no civilian made reckless moves.

Escape outside? Instead of being beaten by monsters, they’d be shot by the Magical Maidens’ guns.

Jumping into the Magical Maidens’ line of fire would make them foolish victims, unable to claim harm caused by the Maidens’ Special Abilities.

“And with this…”

“Yeah, Round One is over.”

Though the battle seemed somewhat anticlimactic, Yuinah’s “Midmo-join” was indeed the [Correct] decision.

Gathering scattered Magical Maidens into one force meant easier management of civilians.

[Su Ri! Gather civilians inside the fortress! And burn everything outside!]

[PERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD!!!]

Su Ri, boasting the strongest dealing power against monsters, unleashed fiery wrath outside the fortress, showcasing unmatched firepower.

[Gaeul!]

[Should I transform into you and set up a double barrier inside?]

Already joining the fray, Gaeul assisted Gaon in forming a double barrier for defense.

[Hey! Look here! There’s a Xiankun here! Among the civilians!!]

Amidst the flames, monsters previously enjoying captured Xiankuns began using them as human shields again.

BANG!

But the Xiankuns’ hair had already turned emerald green. Without hesitation, Yuinah fired a grazing magic bullet across the Xiankun’s head.

SWOOSH.

The Xiankun ceased functioning as if struck by a headshot. Thanks to Yuinah deliberately missing, Yuha assumed a headshot and disabled the Mint Xiankun.

[Hero combat rules. Those transformed into monsters by monsters must be eliminated.]

Are the civilians to be rescued already turning into monsters?

Then they are not rescues but enemies to be destroyed.

DING DING DONG.

All Xiankuns with mint-green hair, corrupted by Mint Monsters, received “death” judgments.

Whether swept away by Su Ri’s AoE abilities or sniped by magic bullets, they disappeared one by one alongside the monsters.

Thus…

“All clear.”

“Ah, now it’s my turn?”

Seok Harang picked up the small wand I gave her and shyly glanced at me.

“If you record this, I’ll kill you…”

“Of course not. We made a promise, didn’t we?”

“….M-Magical Girl…”

Seok Harang raised the white Magical Stick (Yu-Sung Edition) high above her head.

“Magical Kyu Kyu! Snow Spirit, Transform!”

With dazzling white magic power, Seok Harang’s body sparkled in rainbow hues.

-Harang still has that vacant look in her eyes.

On Baek Cheonghwa’s shoulder, the invisible blue canary stared at Seok Harang’s transformation with crimson eyes.

-Not even the default SSS Spirit outfit, but a proper Magical Girl costume? Looks like Seok Harang has gone all the way.

The word “REC” was written in the canary’s pupils.