The revolving beacon shoots out a red light.
Weeeing- Weeeing-
A warning sound echoes from outside the ship, and as the top of the cargo elevator we were on splits open, dim light seeps in.
Kugung.
The elevator screeches to a halt with a loud noise and vibration.
Confirming that we have arrived at the hidden runway halfway up the mountain, I give Jason instructions.
“Alright, then let’s go!”
[ The ship is launching, entering slow operation mode. ]
The hull creaks slightly.
The noise and vibration from the engines faintly transmit, and the sunlight that had been sparkling from across the runway rushes closer.
Fresh morning sunlight pours in through the window.
The vast sky stretches overhead, and the barren land lies beneath us.
Hmm, indeed, sunny weather feels good.
As I was thinking that, Sita, who was standing by my side, leans towards me.
“Sister, what are we doing today?”
“We’re going to deal with the Fallen and take a look at the Cryptid side, and there’s also a place I want to check out.”
Dealing with the Fallen serves the dual purpose of gathering collectibles and ensuring the safety around Fangju.
Checking on the Cryptids is a reconnaissance mission to monitor their movements and prepare for future responses.
“You want to check out somewhere? Where is it?”
“The Junk Yard.”
The Junk Yard.
That place emerged as vagrants flocked to an industrial city that was abandoned following a massive invasion, becoming one of the few gray zones existing on the parched land and serving as a hub for logistics.
Given this background, it’s not surprising that the large Fallen groups, such as the Iron Legion I’ve swept away, the Chasing Bandit, and the Red Face, always vie for dominance over this area.
In practice, the three groups nominally recognize the autonomy of the Junk Yard, but behind the scenes, they’re engaged in factional struggles, pursuing profit.
“To put it simply, think of it as a large shopping city where vagrants and Fallen live.”
“A shopping city… so you’re looking for something there.”
“Yeah, our equipment is better than theirs, but the vagrants and Fallen live in the wasteland, right? So, wouldn’t they know about changes or information we might miss?”
Sita ponders my words for a moment.
Soon, she nods her head.
“That’s true; people living on the ground would be sensitive to small changes.”
“Right? So I want to go check it out.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea.”
“Then how about we start by clearing out the Fallen? Jason, can you move this way?”
[ Understood, Captain Edu. I will head towards the destination. ]
….
The Fallen.
Lawless wretches of the wasteland!
Unlike the helpless vagrants, we who roam the crumbled land are both predators and hunters.
That should have been the case—
Purrroooong!!
“Kyaaaaah!”
My subordinates are sent flying into the air with a scream.
The vehicle they were riding in is roughly tossed on the ground and becomes a hunk of scrap.
Kwaaaang!!
“Uwaaaaah!!”
The explosions continue.
This time, a large truck leaps up like a jump and then crashes down.
Screech—
Debris flies over the man’s head.
His mohawk, resembling a chicken’s comb, gets cleanly sliced off.
The terror in his eyes is palpable.
“C-Crap…! Accelerate faster!!”
“Boss! This is the maximum speed!!”
“Damn…!”
The man lashes out at his helpless subordinate.
But no matter how much he urges, the situation does not change.
It’s a fight they’re not even equipped to contend with.
What pursues their convoy isn’t a vehicle like theirs.
A shadow cast upon the ground.
Keeping an appropriate distance, Edu lifts her hand again before striking down.
“This time—here.”
Weeeing—
A hand glider flies in like a wedge.
The glider that infiltrates through the gap in the SUV explodes from the inside, and the massive vehicle rolls over and comes to a stop.
“Hey, hey.”
Following Edu’s punches, a swarm of hand gliders strikes true at the targets.
– Kyaaaaah!
– Uwaaaaah!
With each strike, screams resound, and the number of vehicles in the convoy decreases one by one, but Edu’s movements remain unhampered.
“Hey, Edu.”
“Nisia? Do you have a question?”
“Um, are we not capturing any Fallen this time? Last time, we caught enemies and used them as soldiers.”
“Oh, that?”
At Nisia’s question, I turn to look at her.
“The situation has changed since last time, and these guys are different from the Iron Legion, so it feels a bit different.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, the Iron Legion at least mimics a military structure, having some discipline and order, but these guys are different.”
While they follow power, there’s a significant gap between those who retain even a hint of civilization and this barbaric group that lacks it entirely.
It’s needless to say which of the two has more room for dialogue and rehabilitation.
“And in the long run, it’s better to start clearing out the Fallen.”
“In the long term?”
“Yeah, it’s about time we began.”
I smile as I speak to Nisia.
“Retaking the surface.”
While the forward base and various locations around Fangju are under our influence, when looking at the entire Earth, our influence remains woefully inadequate.
To confront the incoming Invaders, the Ustansha Empire, and the Cryptids, we need to take control of the abandoned old facilities in various places to have more military strength and resources.
Therefore, what we need is the reclamation of the surface.
Even if it’s not imperative, the larger cause of restoring humanity’s lost living space is something everyone yearns for.
“On the surface….”
“Yes, when we aim for that, the Fallen are worthless beings.”
The inhabitants of the surface mainly consist of Fallen and vagrants, divided into these two groups.
Of course, in this harsh time, the difference between vagrants and Fallen is truly subtle, but there is a reason they are distinguished.
Moreover, when seeing the overwhelming majority, there are many more vagrants than Fallen, who are but a minority.
So the ones we need to assimilate are the vagrants, while the Fallen are merely an obstructive presence.
Of course, considering short-term military improvement, the Fallen’s strength might have some use, but compared to the forces we will fight in the future, they are insignificant.
“I see. Eliminating the Fallen would be the most effective way to draw the vagrants to our side.”
“That’s right.”
The most direct way to appeal to an unknown opponent and gain their favor.
It’s to annihilate their enemy.
“Do you understand now?”
“Yes.”
“Good, then let’s finish up. Yip!”
– Ughh!
The convoy of Fallen that once numbered in the dozens is annihilated in an instant.
After picking up the Fallen equipment strewn on the ground, Edu climbs back onto Jason.
“Then shall we speed up a bit more? Jason, can you take us there next?”
[ Understood, Captain Edu. ]
– Kyaaaah!!
– R-Run away!!
The forward base made of stacked ruined cars becomes a pretty campfire.
– T-That’s crazy!?
– Retreat! Retreat!!
The large raiding party of over a hundred becomes a raiding party in name only.
– Kyaah!!
– The robots, those robot bastards have invaded!!
– Kyaaaaah!!
The Marionette squad and Baby, Girl, and Guy descending upon the Fallen’s massive repair facility and base.
“Hehe, loot all the equipment and deal with the Fallen!”
– Grrrrkk!
– Ugh!
– That, that place! Ugh!!
The base gets subdued in an instant.
After swinging by a few more places and filling up the collection, a notification pops up shortly after.
– Collection completion for Fallen – Chasing Bandit. Collection completion bonus, unlocking the Wasteland Tracker. All vehicles in the Chasing Bandit collection are permanently subjugated and do not take up space.
– The fifth collection completion reward enhances the ‘Collection’.
“Yay!”
I stretch my hand towards the sky and immediately open the status window to check the newly obtained collection effects.
——————————————————–
Applied effects – 5.▽
Iron Legion – Enhances the defense and rugged terrain traversal ability of all vehicles stored in the collection.
Eternal War – Greatly increases the defense of all vehicles stored in the collection and repairs damaged vehicles (7-day limit).
Mechanized Cavalry – Installs accident circuits and enhances mobility for all vehicles stored in the collection.
Rain of Ruin – Strengthens the firepower of all vehicles stored in the collection and replenishes the ammunition of stored vehicles (24-hour limit).
Wasteland Tracker – Improves fuel efficiency and increases top speed of all vehicles stored in the collection.
——————————————————–
“Hmm.”
Fuel efficiency and top speed, though it might not make much of a difference for equipment that’s inherently fast like armored vehicles, it’s quite a useful effect for tanks, self-propelled guns, or medium and heavy tanks.
Nodding in understanding, I close the status window.
“Alright, since I’ve also obtained what I wanted, let’s go to the Junk Yard before heading to the Cryptid zone. Jason! Can you fly low to where I mentioned?”
[ Understood, Captain Edu. ]
Jason immediately turns the ship’s bow and lowers the altitude.
As we pass through the serene wasteland, a colorful city billowing black smoke comes into view in front of Jason.
On top of the city’s structure, tents and makeshift constructions stand, showcasing the typical residence of an apocalypse.
“Okay, then drop us off nearby.”
[ Understood, Captain Edu. Ship descending. ]
Jason gradually lands.
Stepping out with my friends, we touch the ground.
The tickling sandstorm and the heat from the ground, the glaring sunlight pokes at our eyes.
“Then, just in case of emergencies—Sita and Nisia, can you wait on Jason? The rest, let’s go together.”
“Okay, got it Edu.”
“Little mama! Be careful and come back safe!”
Nisia smiles and waves her hand, while Seol waves excitedly.
“Come back safe, sister.”
Sita bows politely.
“Yes, I’ll be back!”
Summoning a Fallen vehicle from the collection, I put on the Fallen clothes I had previously gathered.
Dirty rags and a tattered hood are draped over the white military uniform. I put on oil-stained gloves and patched boots.
The disguise seems decent enough.
In the meantime, the other friends quickly don their Fallen clothes and conceal their appearances.
“Ugh, the smell….”
Jenny grimaces.
“Just hang in there a bit, shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
I leave the driving to the Fallen vehicle now stored in the collection, and Edward merely pretends to grip the steering wheel.
In the meantime, the vehicle enters the city.
“Great things for sale! Everyone, come and take a look~”
“The best choices! Right now-”
Merchant voices ring out everywhere.
“Hey there, miss, how about this one? It’s delicious.”
A merchant with a grin that reveals yellowing teeth extends a mysterious skewer while another asks.
“How much for that?”
“Fried grub? Two dalants per cup.”
“Here.”
Scenes of trading edible insects make one involuntarily frown.
“More lively than I expected.”
“It is.”
Just as I answer and look around, a passerby flinches upon seeing me and removes his hood.
A familiar face emerges.
“Oh? Isn’t that the little lady?”
“Ah? Big Eater Uncle?”
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
