“? That’s a Magical Girl? A guy turned into a Magical Girl? Holy crap?!”

As I landed, another gasp erupted behind me—a voice I utterly despised.

Anyone who’d trade a friend’s life for their own salvation? I loathed that kind of person.

Even if it was my best friend doing it… my heart churned with conflicted emotions. Self-defense or not, I couldn’t forgive it.

“Kyuubi, can you make them shut up?”

I turned to Kyuubi behind me, desperate to silence that voice.

“No problem~ I’ll clean this up for you.”

Kyuubi agreed without hesitation.

Moments later, muffled screams echoed from behind me. Then—silence.

*Gurgle… gurgle…*

The fish-like Bonesoul, witnessing my transformed state, seemed to sense my threat.

It retreated another step, its fleshless jaw clattering with meaningless sounds.

*How was it even making noise?*

Science be damned—I *heard* it from that bone mouth.

*Thump… thump… thump…*

As the Bonesoul gurgled, a new sound approached from behind me.

*Gurgle…*

*Gugugu…*

*Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle…*

More identical noises followed. I spun around.

Three more fish-like Bonesouls emerged—reinforcements summoned by the first?

“Master Dong Yu, be careful~” Kyuubi warned.

“Relax. Just minnows.” I waved dismissively, utterly unimpressed.

“Then finish them quickly,” Kyuubi urged, licking its paws atop my fallen friend’s back. “Clean up this trash.”

“Got it!”

I flicked a card from thin air—a bow illustrated on its surface.

“Your turn, Fimilaharde~”

I smiled faintly, sliding the card into my belt’s slot.

*Card inserted…*

*Recognizing…*

*Success. Loading weapon data…*

*Acquiring: “Cerulean Sodium Divine Bow—Fimilaharde, the Eternal Frostbinder”…*

*Materialization complete.*

I raised my right hand.

“Manifest! Cerulean Sodium Divine Bow—Fimilaharde, the Eternal Frostbinder!”

A massive bow, glowing icy blue like a certain magical girl’s ultimate weapon, materialized in my grip.

The whole summoning took seconds—no time for monsters to interrupt.

My silver-silk hair shifted to pale blue. My gothic black-and-white dress transformed into a light blue mini-dress with white lace trim.

A cold draft swept between my legs.

*Shiver.* I trembled slightly.

*Gurgle?!*

The Bonesouls saw my shiver as weakness. They lunged as one.

“Kyuubi! This bow must have more than basic attacks, right?” I called mid-dodge.

“Yes! Check the cartridge under the grip!”

“Perfect!”

I sidestepped a claw swipe, flipped backward gracefully, and popped open the bow’s hidden compartment. Inside lay a card depicting a rain of arrows.

“Lucky draw~” I grinned—a sharp, *unfriendly* smile.

*Card recognized…*

*Type: Skill Card…*

*Loading: “Heaven’s Meteor Judgment”…*

*Ready.*

“Heaven’s Meteor Judgment? Not bad!” I scratched my chin. At least the power-givers had taste.

*GURGLE!!!!*

Enraged, the Bonesouls abandoned caution. Jaws gaping, they charged.

I felt nothing. Not a ripple.

I raised the bow skyward.

“Heaven’s Meteor Judgment!”

I drew the string. An arrow tipped with blue flame materialized.

*Whoosh!*

The arrow shot upward.

*Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle…*

The Bonesouls’ jawbones rattled—mocking laughter. *Missed?*

*Fools.*

A glowing blue magic circle burst open in the sky.

“Drown in despair within the abyss of winter’s deepest chill!” I smirked.

Arrows rained down like a blizzard, engulfing the Bonesouls.

Would this AoE hit Kyuubi, Lin Jincheng, or his friend?

Of course. But Kyuubi promised cleanup duty.

No guilt. No hesitation.

Each icy arrow froze the Bonesouls’ bones on impact. Frost spread, slowing their movements until they couldn’t dodge.

*Gur…*

Trapped in ice, they wailed—a symphony of agony to my ears.

One minute later, they stood as frozen statues. The eerie purple light in their eye sockets faded, leaving hollow darkness.

I *should* feel triumph.

But my chest ached. A bitter chill settled deeper than any frost.

The magic circle dimmed, vanishing.

“Hah… hah… hah…”

I forced hollow laughter at the ice sculptures.

It sounded like a broken record.

“You don’t have to pretend. That laugh is giving me the creeps. Stop if you’re not happy.”

Kyuubi leapt onto my shoulder, blunt as ever.

“But how else do I show joy?”

“You look miserable.”

“…L-Lies… I’m… I’m thrilled…” My voice cracked.

“Let’s go home.” Kyuubi hopped down, turning its back. “Don’t overthink it.”

“I…”

I strained to smile at its retreating form.

My face refused.

“Don’t say another word. Just come.”

Kyuubi sighed, shaking its head at my grimace. “Let’s go.”