Within the spatial rift passage.
Aurora flapped its wings while shedding blood. Ordinary Disaster Beasts in the turbulent flow were nearly mad with greed, sensing the aura of a higher being, wishing they could drag down and devour the wounded lion entirely. However, they had the thief's heart but not the thief's courage—just a wisp of pressure sweeping over caused them to crumble.
Yet this didn't mean danger was eliminated. Even strong as a Catastrophic Disaster Beast, continuous wounds couldn't be taken lightly—it must recuperate.
But it was unwilling, grinding teeth wanting to turn back and kill its way through again.
Initially, human joint forces' nuclear strikes and Hermit Island collision both caused damage, not to mention Julius personally leading fairy knights in siege—actually they dealt the most effective damage. Without wearing down its protective origin, ordinary attacks were meaningless. What truly delivered the final blow was that cursed relic. Don't look at its lack of flashiness—its lethality was sufficient. Even now it felt life force rapidly draining.
So what?
Aurora's feathers turned to claws, forcibly digging open the blood hole in its chest in a circle. Heart-rending pain, yet the Disaster Beast remained expressionless, completely excavating the directly cursed portion.
Though the Holy Spear's effect on concepts was almost unavoidable, suppressing damage this way was effortless. Admittedly, its condition was affected and strength declined, but my becoming weaker didn't mean they became stronger.
Buzz!
Sure enough, spatial ripples spread in circles. Waiting was correct—the passage back to the human realm could open once more.
This time Aurora would thoroughly wash the world in blood, especially that silver-haired time's favored one who seemed connected to fairies. Perfect for sacrifice.
Kill the chicken to warn the monkey, let fools understand Catastrophic Disaster Beasts' terror.
Pride wouldn't allow Aurora to flee like this. It remained fixated waiting for spatial fluctuations at the other end to stabilize. As long as the slightest flaw appeared, Aurora could briefly manifest in the human realm—even just an instant was enough to release accumulated energy and create disaster.
Its hopes were dashed.
For unknown reasons, a white light portal appeared in the chaotic zone full of space-time turbulence. Torrents surged and roared within as startling suction fixed the Disaster Beast.
Aurora was puzzled by being controlled, but strong confidence still drove it to stare fixedly at the opponent.
From the light portal stepped bare feet with ankle bells, chiming melodiously. Then came a pair of pale long legs and slender waist, wrapped in pure white dress with beige waistband, lace puff sleeves plus half-gloves adorning jade arms. Following the delicate collarbone upward was a solemn, cold beautiful face lacking human vitality but conveying divinity. Emerald and golden heterochromatic eyes made even Aurora frown.
It saw the girl's light blue hair longer than her body, topped with a stone arch gate hair ornament. Her aura faintly surpassed the repeatedly weakened Catastrophic Disaster Beast.
A spatial magic user—most notably four wing-shaped rifts behind her like angel wings. Definitely not simple, actually giving the currently weakened Aurora strong oppressive feelings. How come one after another liked playing mantis stalks cicada, oriole behind?
"Your Excellency, how is the human realm situation?"
"You don't know? Actually I exterminated them all."
"...Bad guy who loves lying, indeed we have nothing to discuss." The blue-haired girl pondered momentarily: "By the way, you may call me Peony. We'll take Your Excellency's crystal core."
Before magical girl Peony finished speaking, more portals appeared with five Regalia figures—at least Triple Awakening level. For the currently wounded Catastrophic Disaster Beast, worth being careful.
She spoke so amiably, even willing to be polite facing Disaster Beasts, yet when truly activating magic power, showed no mercy pressing forward.
Four white wings twisted and scattered, actually forming a spatial rift containing enormous energy, much like the spatial weak points Disaster Beasts frequently traveled.
Peony clearly understood that regardless, she faced a Catastrophic Disaster Beast. Spatial magic guaranteed free advance and retreat, but actually defeating the opponent required considerable effort. Delays bred changes—decide quickly.
Crack!
In an instant Aurora discovered a small portal appearing beside its wing, then blood and flesh tore together. Spatial magic power unstoppably broke through protective barriers.
"I must thank Lady Hyacinth—she weakened your origin protection, right?"
"That doesn't mean you'll definitely win."
Aurora growled low, giving energy to heal wounds but inwardly shocked. Remaining spatial magic power blocked regeneration and healing—at least for a period it must remain disabled. If spending massive origin to forcibly break through for healing, the gains might not be worth losses. But fighting with damaged wings in space-time turbulence wasn't extremely disadvantageous? In a blink, magical girl Peony posed a dilemma.
Long missed, the sensation of bathing in life and death made it surge with excitement. Aurora directly faced 6 enemies, unhesitatingly displaying pressure unique to powerful Disaster Beasts.
The Catastrophic Disaster Beast revealed a sinister smile, roaring: "Fine, then you all just try."
...
Pacific Fallen Zone depths.
Lightning and thunder, clear sky thunderbolts, perpetual storm circles and Disaster Beast pressure divided life-forbidden zones.
This place had become Disaster Beast paradise—reproduction, devouring, even gu-like evolution. As magic power grew increasingly dense, quasi-high-tier individuals actually appeared in non-Disaster Beast realm regions.
A gray wolf awakening wisdom was a newborn powerhouse. In a flash it leaped to island peaks, howling skyward: "This is wisdom, this is self-origin. I am strongest—you ordinary breed trash kneel down and welcome rule."
At mountain base, Disaster Beasts prostrated endlessly, silent as cicadas afraid to move.
Among Disaster Beasts, hierarchy was distinct with strength supreme—even slight differences caused vastly different status.
The gray wolf was quite satisfied with subordinates' performance, grinning broadly, unbridled and arrogant. Unreserved pressure scattered everywhere raising storms, composing terrifying music with boundless dark thunder.
It highly evaluated current conditions. Thanks to Catastrophic Disaster Beasts failing to successfully ravage the whole world, it could instead rule as king in a fallen zone—simply perfect.
No, still lacking one thing.
Many Disaster Beasts still hadn't knelt—not thinking they could surpass the gray wolf's strength, but everyone knew this island had another true ruler. You only counted as usurping power.
"Bunch of fools, with your mouse-like short-sightedness you cannot understand power far exceeding ordinary Boss Disaster Beasts. This heart is leaping, my blood is boiling. I'm about to rule the entire fallen zone. Very good, everything's very good. Then start from island lord—"
Before finishing, it witnessed sky lightning raging as plants, earth, stones floated with Disaster Beasts ascending clouds.
Rumble!
A red-haired girl single-handedly severed a Disaster Beast's head, yanking out internal organs from the wound's cross-section to feast greedily with crunching sounds. Such performance was no different from wild beasts—even surpassing them. Her words and actions showed no civilized traces. The only decent thing was dress—cloth picked up somewhere wrapped around full breasts, lower body wearing animal skin banana leaf skirt. Whole body decorations were just a head-to-tail connected circular thunder hair clip emitting dazzling lightning.
Island Disaster Beasts buried heads even lower, trembling constantly, completely at her mercy.
Even monsters clearly understood the opponent's power. This person had occupied fallen zone depths for at least 18 years, initially always hiding but in these six months leaped to become overlord.
Not only that, formerly she belonged to food chain's low end—generally just picking wild fruits, hunting small rabbits and such. Now the menu needed improvement.
The red-haired girl seemed to revenge constantly starving by eating and drinking excessively—eating every day. Even Boss Disaster Beasts became her dishes. Eating everywhere while still unwilling to stop, whenever she fed, Disaster Beasts dared not breathe heavily.
This guy equaled wild beast.
No, wild beasts might ignore you when full. The red-haired girl would purely hunt Disaster Beasts for so-called exercise—undoubted tyrant rule suppressing Disaster Beasts.
Entire scene silent, dead quiet. Everyone awaited confrontation results, wishing alien species would fall from throne to become provisions.
"Hey, that guy in the sky, quickly come down." The gray wolf provoked.
The red-haired girl spat, producing bone fragments in her palm. Flicking with fingers, sky streaked blue electric arcs with storm roars, earth-shaking mountain-moving. Instantly earth and stones surged filling vision. This seemingly casual strike actually punched a crescent-shaped gap in a mountain, fracture still hissing with charred smell.
Landslide reverse water flow aftershocks continued endlessly, echoing everywhere. Disaster Beasts on surrounding islands all went dormant.
This wasn't finished. The girl patted her hair clip then beckoned. Instantly moving mountains filling seas, earth and stones fell back to pile with invisible force reshaping—destroy one mountain, create one mountain. No greater mighty power existed. Superficially she seemed to spend no effort—more like some special force field in natural environment repairing. This power was deeply embedded in nature responding to the red-haired girl.
Casually creating fierce firepower strikes comparable to fallen zone edge garrison forces was terrifying enough, not to mention low consumption. Monsters couldn't muster thoughts of swarming together.
"That... you said... you wanted to be what... island lord?"
She spoke stammering like not opening mouth for years, but voice exploded through electromagnetic wave magic power in every Disaster Beast's mind—so clear and earth-shaking.
"I am your dog, Lord Island Master."
"Actually I'm not called island lord. You can call me Tulip. You're very obedient—a talking conversation partner. Really good."
The red-haired girl made reaching motions while low thunder clouds also extended cloud hands to pet the gray wolf. The latter sat on ground with tongue out, tail wagging, nodding like a rattle drum: "Please command, Lord Tulip."
"No rush. When reaching the Growth Stage, I can go out... I must know where I came from."
"You'll definitely manage."
"I'm hungry." Without warning, this sentence made gray wolf's fur stand on end, acutely sensing Tulip's up-and-down examining gaze. The accepting island lord was actually very interested in new species, completely undisguised drooling.
It quickly killed several Disaster Beasts respectfully offering them while prostrating: "Lord, actually I know the civilized world has a barbecue eating method. Would you like to try?"
The red-haired girl nodded enthusiastically. The gray wolf understood it retrieved a life.
...
Okinawa.
So far joint forces unexpectedly still had no time to thoroughly clear every battlefield. Even with Catastrophic Disaster Beasts and direct forces receding didn't mean a small island was out of danger—large numbers of Disaster Beasts still wandered around with countless casualties.
Gunfire sounded, air filled with gunpowder smell while hospitals overflowed.
In an intensive care ward, a couple constantly pleaded with attending doctors: "Our daughter definitely still has hope. Erina will definitely wake up. Please don't transfer her from intensive care."
"Very sorry, patient confirmed vegetative state with high probability difficulty awakening, because this is high contamination complications caused by Disaster Beasts. Very regrettable."
"Really no hope?"
"Most troublesome is attacking Disaster Beasts came from direct colonies, possessing catastrophic blood contamination. If causing complications, powerless to reverse... At least not life and death separation. Anyway please immediately handle transfer procedures—critically wounded patients need admission."
Doctor shook head sighing before actively leaving, giving family calm time counted as final gentleness. After all, must save more lives.
The couple looked at each other wordlessly choking up, seeing bed's closed-eyed, peaceful-faced twin braided girl made hearts ache more. Who could imagine an ordinary little girl encountering attack on magazine submission route? Even now her compiled manuscripts lay there—manga artist dreams interrupted, even life precarious. Accidents came too suddenly to accept.
Besides sadness they could only gently stroke their daughter's cheeks as nurses pushed bed to new ward.
Mother inserted a pink carnation in vase, then wiped tears following doctors for procedures. Regardless, for small families this was adding frost to snow.
Rustle!
Bloody wind blew curtains also lifting unconscious girl's nearby manuscript. Next moment one page actually extended a slender hand, grabbing bed rails with sudden force leaping from paper—clearly a girl eight parts similar to Erina.
Her body edges were originally black and white, gradually touching surroundings adding brown beret, white knit sweater and plaid long skirt with manga-style charm.
At this time manuscript flipped to character image line—clearly "Erina" name.
Initial Erina looked vacant, swaying slowly, even unable to stand steadily as if not knowing how feet stood or hands positioned. Whole body filled with strange inharmonious feeling. If ordinary people were present, probably just seeing this behavior would break their courage. Everywhere like a human yet lacking any human aura.
Another gust blew.
Next moment the manuscript had more detailed information, straightforwardly placing dialogue boxes beside beret clearly stating "Erina" settings.
Girl witnessed name's instant, suddenly shivered with eyes bright—finishing touch, lifelike, from then possessing near-soul performance. To ordinary people or magic power beings, no different from living beings.
She stretched lazily, shrugging shoulders, flesh rippling then patting face to fix features. Inside the body crackled—body seemed supported, more stable.
Freehand spirit drawing, describing bone painting skin—only now did girl approach completion, even releasing surging magic power.
Erina walked to bedside table smelling carnation fragrance—refreshing heart.
Taking flower actually changed from three-dimensional to paper, then folding several times became hair clip adorning chestnut medium-short hair perfectly. But girl was dissatisfied with somewhat gloomy introverted bangs, touching to trim into bright lovely aura—youthful overflowing, even a somewhat imperious feeling.
Footsteps outside!
Erina approached the bedside cupping unconscious girl's cheeks, gazing long. Suddenly gathering courage, lightly kissed cherry lips.
So soft, so fragrant, still moist—instantly making her blush thinking herself simply crazy. Unfortunately no time to savor. Outside voices just steps away—if caught would be troublesome. More importantly, Erina was currently rather shy.
Urgently she lightly dotted the unconscious girl's heart with an ink drop like a mole, actually containing a powerful protective origin while maintaining close status connection between both.
"Teacher Erina counts as world's greatest manga artist. I'll definitely save you."
Actually completely clueless, but without making this promise she'd never easily step forward. Anyway time to bid farewell—pray for safety.
Ward nurses pushed door entering, only seeing curtains rustling.
Suddenly outside came gusts of fierce wind. At this moment Okinawa Island actually manifested new pressure firmly suppressing invading Disaster Beasts—all prostrating, blood light blazing. Disaster Beasts just rampaging on shore fearfully returned to water, only to have shallows manifest whirlpools swallowing them. In blinks the frightening small Disaster Beast swarm disappeared completely. Island immediately raised post-disaster survival cheers.
Only nearby shore military personnel scratched heads puzzled—why did earlier waves feel so unreal? Like a painting.
Though very concerned about inexplicable phenomena, soon numerous thoughts drowned in celebration sounds. Finally no one remembered Okinawa Island's sudden relief event, nor did anyone witness a distant beret girl boarding a small boat sailing toward the boundless azure horizon.
...
Egypt, Cairo.
Nile riverbank pyramid areas gathered massive workers bustling intensely. This world-famous wonder actually never stopped excavation, constantly producing new treasures.
As time passed, after discovering large amounts of relics and Knowledge Poison outbreaks in this region, it leaped to become one of world's most regulated archaeological areas. Especially with catastrophic battle just ending as background, more overtime work was needed.
Disaster Beast organizations hoped to gain more power supporting upcoming changes, so Nile riverbank excavation sites raised sand quite lively.
But daytime work was too hot, so truly active times were nighttime, adding nervous atmosphere.
"New tomb chamber discovered!"
One worker loudly reported, immediately drawing experts and scholars' attention. Needless to say, excavation discoveries could at minimum publish papers—if luckily obtaining relics, even more incredible. Though everyone knew such things contained terrifying Knowledge Poison, what were risks before money? Everyone said nothing, fully equipped beginning careful underground exploration. Suddenly corridor wall eternal lamps automatically lit.
Those working here long were accustomed—after all, relic seeking emphasized "older means more mysterious" principles. Strange counted as good news.
Of course also meant Knowledge Poison might be quite intense—must prepare mentally.
After briefly examining the entrance, everyone returned.
Experienced scholar expedition teams believed ordinary equipment couldn't handle tomb chambers—simply went back for most current flashlights, food, walkie-talkies and other supplies.
Naturally also guns and suppressants—latter could short-term increase brain resistance to knowledge contamination. Actually better than nothing, but ordinary people couldn't have a completely unprotected streak to investigate. Waiting for magic power talent holders might lose achievements, so the group finally chose trying first.
Late night.
Punctually assembled 8-person expedition team formally stepped onto continuous stairs leading to deep underground, surrounding dust mixed with spider webs.
Lead professor illuminated tomb chamber murals with a flashlight, puzzled expression muttering: "Strange, this doesn't resemble ancient Egyptian style—more like building a pyramid on an even more ancient foundation... Very odd, completely inconsistent with Egyptian writing in my impression."
"Wrong, this is previous era writing method." Another scholar showed joy: "We have major discovery—can't be wrong. Definitely powerful relics exist here."
Buzz!
Sudden tinnitus made the exploration team slightly calm, looking back at the corridor entrance sky rippling.
Since catastrophe withdrawal, magic power tides continued. According to the Salvation Church Leader, Prophet, Great Sage, Contemporary Saint, World's First Magic User, Thinker, Magical Girls' Mentor Hyacinth's teachings: the world would welcome a long magic power revival era—not abnormal but returning to normal. Planet Gaia environment would approach past eras. World would definitely welcome overturning changes—take care.
News wouldn't be wrong, so exploration teams more urgently hoped to obtain gains ensuring comfortable retirement from this profession.
Group continued deep into passage then suddenly opened up—before them clearly a flower field with gorgeous large bed placed centrally. Precisely a girl dressed in gothic blue-white skirt style—roughly understanding distant past clothing. Delicate features, eyes tightly closed, hands crossed on chest holding anemone headband—just this.
"She's moving! She's breathing!" Following the leader's reminder, people were shocked and weak-legged.
Suddenly girl creaked sitting up, only then exposing whole body joints and string appearance—actually a puppet. Seeing this, expedition team sighed relief.
As if.
Why no wear traces, even lifelike?
Even more fucking strange.
Gothic dress girl wore anemone headband before everyone, instantly transforming from puppet to flesh body—exquisitely carved jade, beautiful as fairy. Yet they had no mind appreciating this beauty, planning to withdraw but all fell thudding.
Unknown when expedition team all became puppets, completely immobile, consciousness gradually dissipating, memories flowing elsewhere...
"I see, I succeeded. I, Anemone, have reached the next new era."
She covered mouth lightly laughing, slowly getting off bed. Lace-edged short socks wrapped delicate feet stepping into thick-heeled shoes, casually walking around like adapting to long-missed grounded feeling. Then gothic dress girl's gaze swept puppet men—clearly dead objects yet showing fearful expressions, eyes moved with terror.
Should say becoming puppets or souls trapped in new shells suffering eternal torment? No one knew, didn't dare think—that feeling comparable to hell torture.
Anemone nodded satisfiedly.
"You must cover this matter then seek my scattered friends. If successful, naturally you'll gain freedom."
As soon as she finished, stomping once—a light ring from beneath spread from tomb chamber toward corridor even toward bustling excavation sites. Moon bright stars sparse, dark clouds gradually thick—this night over ten thousand Cairo people lost momentary memories, unknowing they were becoming another kind of existence.