[You've heard that Magical Guardians can summon items out of thin air.] ]

"yes......" my voice slowly faded. Whenever MG does anything, people are constantly shooting all the videos, so it's hard not to hear it. In the clips I've seen, MG will make dramatic movements, a glowing magic circle will appear,

There are some items that will pop out of it. People have different theories about what exactly happened, but I just simply put it down to "magic" and move on.

[Yes, they're taking advantage of what's called "doors," which are one of the two main perks you can get right now.] In short, it is an interdimensional magical network that allows Guardians to buy things with their points. The item teleports directly from the zenith to the Guardian. Delivered in half a second, or refund! ]

It's not kidding, haha

。 It looked back without blinking. The searing, sticky warmth spreading beneath my hands pulled me back from that moment.

"Alright," I cried, moving as the wound throbbed. "How serious are my injuries?"

[I regret to tell you that your injuries, although not immediately fatal, are severe.] Monitor lizards hunt their prey in a similar way to lampreys. They use the suction cups of their mouths and teeth to dig into the meat. They then file off all the protective layers with a serrated tongue and then pierce and gouge the victim. Swirl with your tongue to cover the flesh inside the wound so that it can be sucked away. Now, your intestines look like they've gone through a blender. ]

Intense nausea. I swallowed, and the pain became more pronounced.

"Is there anything I can buy to fix this?" I asked, my heart rising to my throat.

[First of all, I recommend unlocking the First Aid Treasure Trove (Normal) with 100 points.] This way, you will be able to purchase the three items you need to stabilize your condition and begin the treatment process. The total cost will reach 140 points. Do you want to learn more about the individual projects, or-]

"Just do it," I said, shaking my head, the pain in my stomach worsening.

[First Aid Treasure Trove (Normal) has been unlocked!] ]

[-100 points]

[Purchase: Pain Relief Inhaler]

[-10 points]

[Purchase: Emergency Clot Spray]

[-10 points]

[Buy: Intense Repair Chewing Gum]

[-20 points]

【Points Remaining:130】

Then a spot on the ground next to me started glowing. A magic array emitted a deep purple glow burst out. It consists of two concentric circles that form a thin ring filled with runic letters. The inner circle is wrapped in a seven-pointed star, drawn like the eye of my magician.

Buzzed, a small matte black box rose. Subsequently, the circle darkens until it disappears completely.

I stared at the box in shock.

It's really just ...... Teleported in.

[Open it,] my angel urged.

I reached out and grabbed the box. It's not big, about the size of two extraordinarily thick hardcover books side by side. There was a silver button at the seam in the middle, so I pressed it. With a click, the top releases and opens gently.

Some kind of black foam, wrapped around three different items. The first is an inhaler, the second is a paint canister with a conical nozzle, and the third is a purple marble wrapped in a transparent plastic wrapper. Both the inhaler and the jar are black, but both have some kind of icon on them: a crescent moon surrounded by the outline of a rabbit's head, both of which are metallic silver.

[First of all, the inhaler," the messenger said. [A fast-acting drug that can target any nerve that sends pain signals above a certain threshold.] ]

I put the inhaler to my mouth, exhaled deeply, and pressed down on the top of the inhaler as I inhaled deeply. The smell of mint, a little fresh, is like the morning air full of dew. I held my breath for as long as I could, then exhaled and my abdomen moved with it.

A sharp pain flashed through my stomach, but was quickly washed away by a cool sensation. I blinked in surprise as the pain seemed to come and go away as quickly as it came.

[Very good!] This is followed by an emergency blood clotting spray. Press the cone of the nozzle tightly against the piercing, then press and hold the button on the top of the jar. Do not release the button until the can stops spraying. The spray itself is a fast-forming lather that closes the inside of your torn. It also has the ability to help lock the bowels in place and prevent further agitation. ]

I do what my family directs. When I pressed the nozzle, there was a strange sensation of a viscous liquid spraying into my abdomen. It didn't hurt, but it was a little cold, and it felt weird to wrap around me. I tried my best not to squirm, and after a while the jar stopped. When I pulled it away, I saw a small pile of foam on the wound. Trembling slightly, then what seemed to lose its stickiness and slipped off me until only a thin seal remained on my wound.

[Very well,] said my acquaintance. [Finally, you have chewing gum.] Tear off the wrapper, put it in your mouth, and chew. It repairs your internal organs while promoting blood regeneration. Your blood levels should return to full level within an hour. If you get tired of chewing, you can also swallow it. ]

I picked up the wrapper and took out the gumball in my mouth.

When I bite into the candy, it doesn't explode in taste, but in feeling. It was like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter day, and a gentle warmth filled my body and was satisfied. I've only experienced this taste and sensation once before, and it's a soft, comforting bliss.

Unfortunately, I'm still in a mall full of hostile alien creatures.

I started to stand up. There was a distant and dull throbbing in my abdomen, trembling on my legs, but I was unhindered by anything. Only now did I notice that my entire lower body of clothing was either stained with my blood or viscous alien pus, and I forced myself to ignore the nausea.

I glanced back and forth in the hall but didn't find anything. I moved as fast as I could, stumbling to find my backpack, picking it up, grabbing the ice axe I had discarded along the way. Then I hid in a clothing store and crouched behind while watching outside.

[You can move, we've got time,] said my acquaintance, who seemed to come out of nowhere. [Can I suggest skimming through a small section of the introductory tutorial?] There are some important things that must be discussed. ]

"What do you mean?" I hissed and looked around for the rabbit. "I ...... Speak very loudly about how much pain I have. More curses are coming, and we need to find Brian. Where the hell are you?

[It is unlikely that more people will move in this direction.] The mall is made of super-sound-absorbing materials to prevent echoes and excessive noise. You can rest assured that any noise made will not escape your neighborhood. ]

"Oh," I frowned. Since the rabbit mentioned it, when I was visiting the mall just now, the noise in the mall strangely subsided.

[Also, most A.]

Athema does not react to human screams unless there is a specific reason for doing so. ]

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

[Because screaming means they won.] ]

I shivered, and a chill crept up my spine.

[As for where I am, the simple answer is that I exist in you now.] Ha.

Where you are, I will be there. I can create my illusion in your field of vision, and I can act independently. ]

"This ...... It's actually really cool. ”

[Correct, I'm a very striking person.] ]

I let out a gasping laugh and I felt my shoulders relax slightly.

[Now, find the child you are protecting.] Quite a safe decision. Based on my observations before the signing ceremony, he hid in the toy store across the street from you. He's always been there. ]

I bit my lip lightly and looked at the exit of the store. "Are you sure those monsters won't come back?"

[Makes sense.]

I swallowed. I had no choice but to blindly believe what my demons were saying. There's no reason why I shouldn't, but that doesn't ease the fear in my stomach. I don't want to go back there and put myself in danger again. The thing's tongue pierced into my body and swirled in memory......

Blender, my acquaintance said. It looks like my entrails went through a blender. Painful.

Get rid of this illusion. I hated myself for feeling scared, and anxiety and fear forced me to be docile. Whenever Katie gets closer, I get the same, suffocating feeling.

In order to get rid of my fear, I blindly searched for an idea that would give me the courage to act.

Lily's bright smile flashed through my mind, and her eyes were filled with images of joy.

Then there is the image of Brian, who hides in fear, covering his mouth with his hands and crying.

Suddenly I moved, my fingers gripping the ice axe tightly.

I have someone to protect, I have someone to come back to. What else do I need?

As I walked down the hallway into the toy store, I moved quickly and bent slightly. This is one of the smaller stores, with only one or two aisles and several shelves filled with all sorts of action dolls and dolls. The only real place you can't see at the entrance is behind the cash register. I stopped halfway through, knelt down, and put down the ice axe.

"Brian?" I screamed softly. "It's me, Mai, the girl you're with. I'm fine, the monster is gone now. Come out. We must continue to make our way to the shelter. Your mom and dad might be waiting for you. ”

Seconds later, Brian's head poked out. He screamed and ran over. Jumping into my arms and wrapping my arms around my neck, I grabbed him.

"I'm scared to death, so long!" He whimpered. "I thought the monster had caught you!"

"Shhh I gently rubbed his back and choked the sore in my throat. "Don't worry. I've dealt with that monster. ”

"You did it?" He asked, shocked, pulling himself away and looking at me with wide eyes.

"Yes!" I gave a confident smile. "He was really mean, but I did it."

His expression changed from shock and horror to awe. I smiled again as I thought about my next move.

Brian is with me again, but how do you get to the shelter now?

Talk to my pet again. I gave Brian a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

"Now, how about you hide behind the counter? As always, I have a few more things to prepare before we leave. I'll be there soon, but I still have something to deal with, okay? ”

He didn't seem quite sure, but after I quickly comforted him again, he left.

"Okay." I whispered to the demon in my mind. "What are we going to do now?"

[You know,] my angel replied, [You don't actually have to speak out loud to talk to me.] Just tell me what you think and I'll hear you. ]

"Can you read my thoughts!?"

[Only when directed at me,] my dependents stressed dryly. [As for what to do next, while I'd like to walk you through the tutorial, you're in an unsafe location that needs a faster approach.] So, after completing a short mission, we should try to get you to the shelter. ]

"Okay?" I replied with a frown. "It's okay, as long as it doesn't take too long."

[You're still talking loudly.] In spite of. Some Magic Guardians like to do the same. Go on, here's the first important thing: you have to give me a name, because I don't have a name yet. ]

"Oooh. Sorry, I never really asked......"

"Yes, yes."

[My personality was created based on a female archetype because it was considered the best fit for you, but I don't possess a "real" gender in the physical sense.] I can switch to a more masculine voice if you want. ]

"No, it's okay." I said quickly. "I like your voice. This...... Soothing. ”

She didn't respond, but I got a strange sense of satisfaction from her silence that made me smile.

She is a rabbit with nine fox tails. And what about fox rabbits? Then it must be some kind of mystery ...

No, no, that's going to work!

"What do you think...... How about Selene? ”

[Greek goddess and incarnation of the moon...... Yes, that would be great. ]

There was a hint of approval in her voice, which made me smile even more.

[I suggest that you manifest me and use me to scout ahead as you move.] Curses of lower levels will not be able to detect me, and I will be able to communicate with you telepathically. ]

"Shouldn't I get some weapons or something?" I asked. I don't like the idea of just going back with my ice axe, especially when I have access to this door's stuff.

[You only have 120 points left, and it also takes 100 points to unlock the cheapest weapon or spell.] I highly recommend that you postpone your purchase until the tutorial is over and you have the right idea of your options. Using your remaining points now will only limit your future options. ]

I thought about the idea carefully. She makes a lot of sense, but at the same time, I'm a magical girl now. If I have access to magic, I should take advantage of it.

[Don't worry,] Selene said suddenly. [I'm confident in my scouting abilities.] If you want, I can go ahead right now and make sure the road is clear. If not, we can always reconsider purchasing protection. ]

"Okay......" I sighed. It's just that...... Be careful, okay? ”

[grateful," she replied, a hint of surprise in her voice. [I'm safe.] This usurpation began at the lower levels and did not last long. No curse level should be high enough to be able to spot me, and even if they could, they would have a hard time catching me. Unless there is anything out of the ordinary. ]

"Okay," I nodded. "So, how does it work?"

[You'll have a feeling.] I'll do the rest as long as it's allowed. ]

I felt it before I even asked what that meant. It was like a strange warmth that started in my chest and swirled gently. It grew stronger and stronger, until it finally stopped, and a warm tendrils seemed to reach out and tentatively touch my heart. It took me a while to realize that it was waiting for me, and I forced myself to relax and let the feeling continue. The tendrils touched my heart, and the warmth inside me was even hotter. Then it vanished, leaving an icy void in the place where it had been.

I was shaking and exhausted. It wasn't much, but it felt like a sudden sprint and the energy suddenly left my body. I pressed my hands against the floor to stabilize myself, even though the sound of footsteps made me look to the side. Selina stepped out from behind one of the few shelves in the store and looked at me.

[Excellent.] I'm going to scout the road and all the shops along the way now. I suggest you get Brian ready for the trip. With the mall's soundproofing, you can run without worrying about the sound it makes. I do feel compelled to inform you that I can only scout the entrance corridor to the Vault. All of Arcadia's shelters are equipped with cameras capable of seeing through invisibility. ]

"Yes, a good plan," I nodded.

Selina lowered her head, one moment she was still there, the next she was gone. I retreated in surprise. Then I just shook my head, picked up the ice axe, and adjusted the straps on the backpack. When Selina says they can't catch her, she's not kidding. I couldn't even see her in action.

"Brian?" When I stood up, it was louder. "Hehe, let's go now."

The boy hurriedly ran out from behind the counter. As he walked over, relieved, he nervously turned his head. His gaze lingered almost longingly on the store shelves, but then he trotted all the way to me. I followed his line of sight and saw an action figure of the Magical Guardian on the monitor. He was dressed in red knight's armor and had a fierce smile on his face.

I hesitated. Immediately I grabbed the statue and handed it to Brian with a smile.

"Here," I said, handing him the action figure. "Why didn't you catch him? I am sure that he will bring us good luck. ”

Smile. I glanced back at the price on the display and planned to come back and pay later. At the sight of the $100 sticker, my eyes almost bulged out of my head.

Since I'm a magical girl, maybe I'll repay them in some other way.

[I cleared a road and all the shops along the way,] Serena's voice rolled in my head. [Take turns as I instructed.] I have no direct connection to your senses when I manifest, so please notify me whenever you turn a corner. Now that we're separated, you have to speak to me through your thoughts. ]

"Roger," I turned the thought to her. When I didn't get a response, I thought it worked. Afterwards I took the blindfold out of my pocket and put it back on. Oddly enough, the thought of being with a group of people without it bothers me more than the fact that I'm still covered in blood and alien slime.

"Okay, Brian," I said to him as I finished adjusting the patch straps on my ears. "Let's run over together, shall we?"

I forced myself to ignore the pounding heartbeat and walk confidently into the mall. Brian made a suffocating sound as he looked at the corpse of the cursed man I had killed, and I quickly walked away, picking up my pace and pulling him along. He tripped and I grabbed his hand tightly and began to trot awkwardly. Selina started to show me the way and we walked through the mall.

Along the way, my pulse was beating intermittently, and I couldn't help but look around at every turn. Selene occasionally appears vaguely, revisiting our surroundings at a dizzying pace. Brian's short legs slowed our escape considerably, but he seemed to have done his best. As we turned one more corner, I saw a sign on the wall pointing in the direction of the refuge, and my heart jerked.

We will succeed. Somehow, it was less than twenty minutes before the first crack formed. It all seemed to get a long time: picking things up in the store, we ran away, fought, and then the contract. Even though twenty minutes seemed relatively short to me, I had a feeling that Lily would kill me by worrying her for being away for so long.

The thought of seeing her again made my eyes water, and I felt my pace quicken a little.

We walked through the hallway that led to the front door of the Vault, and as the material of the hall turned shiny metal, I briefly observed its details. The walls are covered with signs, each leading to a shelter. There is a door in the middle that leads to the stairwell, and on the opposite side is another door that says "Security Personnel Only". We rubbed shoulders with them and walked non-stop to the finish line.

We made our way to the shelter at the last turn, and what we saw stopped me.

I looked down the hallway towards the door of the vault, and all the ease in my heart turned to fear.

It's a nightmare, I thought to myself. No way.

I found myself walking forward in a trance. The corridor was not long, but it was only a few dozen steps, and it stopped in front of a large heavy metal double door. They have a glass screen next to them for some kind of device.

"No," I whispered to myself,

I rushed to the door, letting go of Brian's hands and ice axe, and slammed them with my fist.

"No!" I screamed, my lower lip trembling. "You bastards! You can't do this! ”

My fist bounced off weakly, not even touching the metal of the door. Instead, they hit the translucent barrier in front of them. I pressed my palm against the door and looked at it in disbelief, but a pale green glow covered both doors, forming an indestructible shield of shimmering energy that buzzed across my skin.

I stared at the emergency shield, and the shelter was completely locked and couldn't be opened.

"You promised me......" I whispered as I fell to my knees, leaned my head against the railing. Lily..."