The Glacier Halberd pierced through one fish Bonesoul after another with terrifying penetration, freezing them all solid into ice blocks…

Only when every last Bonesoul was encased in ice did the weapon finally vanish.

Slumped helplessly on the ground, I gazed at the frozen Bonesouls and let out a slight sigh of relief.

But now was no time to catch my breath—I knew that well.

After resting on the floor for just a moment, I forced myself back onto my feet.

At the same time, a commotion erupted upstairs—shouting, like an argument.

Hearing the noise, I gripped the corridor railing and hurried forward, anxiety tightening my chest.

I followed the corridor past scattered human remains. Soon, I reached the stairs leading to the fourth floor.

To my shock, the corridor was a gore-slicked mess, yet the stairs were spotless—utterly free of limbs or blood.

Given the carnage in the hallway, this made no sense.

Why were the stairs so clean?

A question worth pondering…

Still lost in thought, I climbed the stairs until I stood before the rooftop door…

No answers came to me…

But then I saw a scene…

A scene that made my heart clench…

Lin Jincheng stood facing my childhood companion—Shen Shiyu.

One, a former best friend. The other, my childhood sweetheart…

Now, they glared at each other like mortal enemies.

"Why? WHY? I don’t want to vanish! I really don’t want to vanish! I just don’t want to disappear!!!!!"

"But that’s no reason to kill…"

"They deserved it! How dare they forget me? They deserved to die!"

"Jincheng…"

Watching my old friend’s twisted face…

My chest tightened…

Choked with grief…

This was the last thing I ever wanted to see…

"So you’ve come to stop me too?"

Noticing my arrival, Lin Jincheng turned his sharp gaze on me.

"This tragic fate shouldn’t be theirs…"

I shook my head firmly.

I’m no saint, but could anyone casually drag others into this?

I couldn’t.

Even if I knew how, I wouldn’t.

My brother once said: never seek crooked paths.

Once you start, it becomes an addiction. And one day, it’ll shatter the pedestal you’ve built beneath you…

"No—they should feel honored to become my sustenance!"

Lin Jincheng rejected my words, his face splitting into a manic grin.

His heart must be twisted too…

To say such chilling things so casually…

I thought…

"Who are you? Doesn’t matter—just run!"

Shen Shiyu had noticed me too. She turned, sized me up, then urged me to flee as if she didn’t recognize me. "It’s dangerous here!"

"Shen Shiyu, leave this to me," I said. I’d never considered running.

I came to end this at its source.

"How do you know my name?"

"Don’t worry about that. Just—"

"No way! I’m a Magical Girl! Protecting world peace is my duty~ Right, White Fang?"

Shen Shiyu refused instantly, declaring her identity. She glanced past me, as if something stood behind me.

"Exactly. She’s the one I chose. She’ll resolve this incident. You’re just an ordinary human—you can’t interfere in our battle!"

As I turned to look, a parrot-like bird shot from behind me. It fluttered above Shen Shiyu before landing on her shoulder.

So that was her "White Fang"?

"I’m no ordinary human…"

"What are you two squawking about? Ignoring me? Nuhao! Pour your power into me!"

Lin Jincheng had been left waiting too long.

Furious, he roared at us both.

"As you wish, my master. My existence is for you~"

As he shouted, a massive silhouette emerged from his back…

Vaguely tiger-shaped…

A huge body with shadowy, wing-like protrusions…

It looked almost like…

When the monster fully materialized before me…

"Qiongqi?!"

I recognized it. As a mythology enthusiast, I’d read the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*.

This creature resembled a tiger—but not quite. Its wings were rotten, riddled with holes…

Dragon-like horns crowned its head…

Definitely Qiongqi…

Though Lin Jincheng called it Nuhao…

Perhaps that was its true name?

The moment Nuhao appeared, thick crimson energy surged into Lin Jincheng’s body!

It swelled within him like it would burst him apart!

Instantly, his agonized screams tore through the air…

"Jincheng!"

Seeing my friend’s distorted face, I instinctively stepped forward…

"Don’t go!"

Shen Shiyu blocked me, her expression grim as she shook her head.

"No! I have to! He’s my friend!!!!!"

I couldn’t watch him sink deeper into darkness.

At this rate, the crimson energy would tear him apart!

I couldn’t bear that sight!

I tried to push past Shen Shiyu…

But…

Had I used too much magic climbing here?

My body felt weak, powerless. I could only spin in place, helpless.

Unable to break through Shen Shiyu’s barrier, I pleaded with her…

"No. This is the path he chose. No one can stop it~"

Before Shen Shiyu could reply, the parrot—White Fang—spoke for her.

It claimed this was Lin Jincheng’s fate. That I had no right to interfere…

"How do you know until you try?!"

White Fang’s words felt wrong. Giving up without trying?

Was this my Kyuubi?

If my Kyuubi said it, I’d hesitate.

But this parrot-like creature? I trusted nothing it said!

"No. You’ll watch from the sidelines."

White Fang puffed up proudly, as if it controlled everything.

"Damn it!"

I clenched my fists at the arrogant bird.

If not for my drained magic, would I be trapped here?

"AAAAHHHHH! This power… I’m invincible now!!!!!!"

When the last of the crimson energy flooded into Lin Jincheng…

He didn’t explode as I’d feared…

Instead, crimson scales armored his body. Demon-like horns sprouted from his head.

Blood-red, reptilian eyes. Fangs dripping from his mouth. Claws sharp enough to freeze the air…

Every detail screamed his resolve…

But this form…

It wasn’t like the girl who attacked me earlier…

So who was she?

If Lin Jincheng was the culprit, her knowledge of me made sense.

But…

She wasn’t Lin Jincheng…

Still, one thing needed confirmation…

"Hey, Jincheng…"

I looked at him, heart heavy.

"Want to leave a last word? I’ll allow it~ You were my friend, after all~~~"

Sensing I had something to say, Lin Jincheng’s twisted face curled in disdain. *Spit it out.*

"Was it back then that you…"

"Yes! When you appeared last time, I saw your power. I was captivated… Then Nuhao favored me~~ Isn’t this strength magnificent?"

He raised his palm, savoring the corruption with a blissful smile.

"Power? Are you a Magical Girl too?"

Shen Shiyu gasped, shocked I might share her identity.

But was I truly a Magical Girl?

Kyuubi only ever called me a Cleaner. I’d added the title myself…

Over time, even Kyuubi accepted it…

Honestly, I missed Kyuubi.

Without it nearby, something felt off…

"I suppose… but…"

I nodded vaguely at Shen Shiyu’s question…

Then turned back to Lin Jincheng…

"Was it that night?"

I remembered one evening…

Lin Jincheng walked home alone.

He said his friend abandoned him.

After that, I never saw them together. Never saw that friend at school again…

I hadn’t thought much of it then…

But the truth was about to surface…

"Hahaha! As expected of you, my dear friend—Chu Dongyu! Your deduction skills are as sharp as your brother’s!"

Lin Jincheng threw his head back, laughing loudly. He’d caught my meaning.

"You… You’re Taro?!"

Hearing my name, Shen Shiyu’s shock deepened.

She scanned me head to toe like she’d unearth a secret.

Then her mouth fell open as she stared.

"Taro? I guess so. You’ve seen this form before, haven’t you?"

I glanced at my current self, then at Shen Shiyu.

With a wry smile, I shrugged before her.