Never underestimate Planet Gaia's excellent server matching mechanism.
Though Hibiscus worked hard to assemble a "Magical Girl Luxury Dream Team," it didn't mean they could crush Disaster Beasts, because every large-scale use of magic power would make them more active and bloodthirsty. Both sides would definitely have to fight a major battle.
However, she had originally planned to let everyone experience battlefield baptism, especially to avoid Jin Yulu developing battlefield PTSD again—she should gradually expose her to it instead.
To save Imperial Flower, this battle not only had to be won but won beautifully.
"...I understand all the intelligence I should. In any case, thank you all for your concern. I need to meditate and store magic power to prepare. Same old rules—I'll report safety afterward. Logging off for now."
【Hyacinth, may your martial fortune prosper】
【Salvation Church elders' first public team battle, commemorative photo】
【Magical Girls, severely humiliate those Disaster Beasts——】
Hibiscus closed the page with a thought, checking her basic attributes as usual—indeed all had slight increases. Her devilish training wasn't in vain. As expected, real combat provided the greatest improvement. Magical Girls should fight more. She also used up all the lottery chances and exchange points accumulated these days. The content was mediocre, basically convertible to potions covering enhancement, mana recovery, and health recovery.
She used to think potions were becoming less useful, but now being able to give them to teammates made them strategic resources. At critical moments, they could even save lives—invaluable.
Even in the late stage when Magical Girls were nearly immortal, they were still useful. After all, if you could chug potions, don't use magic power for recovery and regeneration.
Hibiscus wandered around the cruise ship briefly then returned to her room.
The long journey began.
Sea voyages were often boring, especially in the underdeveloped internet era of the '90s. Bringing books like Nan Zhiyi was indeed prescient. With nothing to do, Hibiscus meditated and refined magic power the entire time, saving it for when there was consumption during battle.
You grind your professional knowledge, I grind my magic cultivation—everyone has a bright future.
Overall, the childhood friends duo belonged to the "indoor quiet type," while Jin Yulu and Jin Ruochu were full of interest in Ocean Pearl, exploring everywhere tirelessly.
Three days later.
The morning ship-wide broadcast: "Dear passenger friends, we have arrived at the outermost edge of the Pacific Disaster Beast fallen zone perimeter. Now on the left side of our travel direction, you can gaze toward the southwest corner, that area where rain clouds hang low..."
"Over the past few days, frontline reports indicate both sides are engaged in intense firefights. Currently Island 24 remains uncaptured. The outside world questions whether such high costs are worthwhile. Debates about strategic defense versus active offense are once again rampant, but as always, there are no answers. Our only concern is whether garrison forces plus the first batch of reinforcements are enough to complete objectives. Reportedly, Disaster Beasts have already caused certain losses to our side..."
The rational, clear voice announcement made the four girls get up from their bunk beds, appearing sleepy-eyed but actually not missing a single word.
They looked at each other, understanding the time had come.
Washing, eating, dressing—flowing like water in one breath. After several days of living together, everyone was familiar with each other's rhythms. At this moment, they were like a university dorm rushing to early 8 AM classes.
The difference was their destination wasn't the classroom but the battlefield, where one careless mistake could cost lives.
Jin Yulu lifted a huge suitcase with one hand, opening the combination lock. What met their eyes were four neatly stacked frogman unit equipment sets—proper active military-grade gear.
Triple Awakening Magical Girls could hold their breath for 60 minutes and swim faster than sharks, plus they could fly, but if they could avoid spending magic power, they shouldn't.
"Instructor, ready."
For some reason, after training, Jin Yulu had always called Hibiscus this way. She'd grown lazy about correcting it over time and nodded: "I'm maintaining mental power detection. Once the cruise ship gets closer, we'll dive and depart."
After the Abyssal White Whale battle, another underwater assault—they were really at odds with naval battles. Actually, Hibiscus hated the lung compression sensation when diving, but it couldn't be helped.
The most composed was Jin Ruochu. Besides the professionally trained Jin Yulu, she had deep diving experience. Rich people's ways were beyond understanding. Fortunately, she'd never tried submarine tourism, or with the young miss's luck, there would definitely be fatal flaws like oxygen tube breaks or power failures.
Nan Zhiyi cupped her chin and carefully listened to the cruise ship broadcast, then turned on TV and radio to check each one.
"The frontline situation isn't good."
"Disaster Beast activity levels and determination to defend the island far exceed expectations. Though the rear has transported large amounts of logistics supplies, personnel casualties can't be replenished quickly. Moreover, Colonel Josh is facing enormous political pressure. If this battle is too brutal, it represents failure of humanity's plan to persist in conquering strategic points. From then on, conservative defense factions will completely take power."
"That doesn't really relate to us, does it?" Jin Yulu asked.
"The relationship is huge. Once we turn to defense, we must use the homeland as frontline garrison points—standing still, losing coastal economies. We'll suffer too."
Nan Zhiyi's judgment matched the original storyline development, because the Island 24 siege battle indeed led humanity toward isolation, then desperately digging up domestic magic power talented individuals, causing a series of oppression and resistance that left indelible hatred.
Hibiscus had always kept this war's true strategic significance in her heart, not expecting her to point it out directly.
Brilliant strategist Nan Zhiyi—indeed reliable.
Jin Ruochu said: "Those defense faction people are all lunatics—authoritarian, bigoted, and hard to communicate with. According to them, humans should live underground."
"Why do you know so much?" Jin Yulu asked.
"Because Changfeng Financial Group has undertaken related orders, like extracting high energy from Disaster Beast materials with minimal body modification to reduce consumption, preparing in advance for future cave-dwelling life. Sounds ridiculous, right? But to get policy subsidies, we still had projects. However, it looks unreliable no matter how you see it—same as the people above."
"We can't judge how certain events will change history, since every period of history results from combined forces." Hibiscus sighed heavily: "We can grasp the present—that's enough. Only by winning this battle can we break open the situation."
"Yes ma’am."
"Don't be too stubborn either."
"Wish us luck."
Just as Jin Ruochu finished speaking, the entire cruise ship shuddered with a rumble, waves splashing as beast roars came from beneath the ripples.
The three looked at the pink-haired girl together. The suite fell silent for a moment.
Hibiscus sternly warned: "Left side of travel direction about to encounter impact, grab nearby fixed objects." This cry, through Regalia hair ornaments, became mental power signals flashing through ordinary people's minds. Though they couldn't even understand the specific words, they still made subconscious movements.
Hold tight!
Boom!
The 120,000-ton ocean cruise ship suddenly shook as if encountering some violent impact. Seawater churned with bloody smells—it was actually frenzied Disaster Beasts' fearless impacts.
[System Alert: Suggestion "Occupy Hermit Island Series" Stage One unlocked, "Cruise Ship Encounter Battle" begins]
Thud, thud, thud——
Dozens and hundreds of large Disaster Beasts rammed the cruise ship. These bizarrely shaped sharks had shrapnel marks on their bodies—wounded and unable to get food supplements, they naturally raced over after smelling the "buffet" from afar.
Meanwhile, fighter jets and helicopters flew from the overcast battle zone but hesitated to act, since targets were in zero-distance contact with civilian ships, easily causing friendly fire.
From officers to soldiers, no one dared create a Titanic incident.
Military public radio channels were full of curses: "What the hell are you doing joining the excitement?" "You became the excitement yourself, right?" "Your shipping company really doesn't want to live." Yet cursing aside, they still struck follow-up Disaster Beasts while guiding ships away. Inside the cabin was chaos—crying, falling sounds, and various utensils tilting and crashing continuously. People had already fallen into the water.
Jin Yulu was about to rescue when Nan Zhiyi stopped her: "Falling into water from this height is no different from jumping off a building. We need to save more people."
Though Jin Ruochu clenched her fists eagerly, she accepted it. At this moment, they all looked at their leader.
Crack!
Hibiscus kicked through the window glass, responding to her companions with action. After all, the Salvation Church was different from the original storyline's group wallowing in power struggles. Teams without idealism couldn't go far, so she should lead by example.
"I'll go and be right back——"
"I'm back."
The silver-haired girl dispersed her full transformation state. The power she couldn't contain in time made the three feel heart palpitations—obviously there had been a fierce battle in the unknown frozen world just now.
They pressed against the window together to look down, seeing seawater stained red, Disaster Beast corpses without obvious external wounds but all spitting blood to death. It was the technique of Magic Power Internal Compression combined with Levitation Technique dispersion—directly opening large cavities inside targets. Simply exquisite, showing Hibiscus's further technical progress.
Ocean Pearl temporarily escaped danger, passengers cheering in relief at picking up their lives.
The entire ship ran at overload full speed under air force cover. From top to bottom, no one wanted to stay another second—the best of the thirty-six stratagems was to flee.
Creak creak.
The engine's frantic roaring was clearly audible even in the suite. For ordinary people, it was good news of going home. For Magical Girls, the charge had just sounded.
After a whirlwind of erasing traces, plus special tickets and this chaos, no one would care about a small room. Then they helped each other put on diving suits, ready to depart anytime. They had to hurry—the terrifying magic power coming from the overcast sea surface was no fake. Massive Disaster Beast swarms were gathering. No wonder stragglers touched civilian shipping routes—the front-line military probably couldn't hold on.
If they let military losses become too heavy, historical evolution still wouldn't change. This was the last opportunity, fleeting.
Hibiscus made a gesture and jumped down first, with the three girls following.
Body temperature plummeted suddenly, only gurgling sounds in her ears. What met her eyes was the sparkling sea, fish and shrimp shuttling between coral reefs and water plants, quite dreamlike under sunlight.
Unfortunately, there was no time to stop and appreciate it. They had to race against time to reach their destination, because letting Disaster Beasts overflow proved the battle was going poorly and variables might emerge.
Hibiscus pointed to her earpiece, signaling everyone to listen carefully: "From now on, rely purely on physical fitness to swim over. Try to save every bit of magic power—we might need to provide direct support later."
"Any objections, raise them immediately."
All passed.
"Since everyone is determined, I won't say morale-boosting nonsense. I'll just remind you once: once we enter island territory, wrap your bodies with Origin magic power and strengthen your Regalia. That's it—depart."
The group rushed toward the most brutal human-Disaster Beast battlefield of the moment.
News of Ocean Pearl's attack spread like wildfire, after all, a cruise ship carrying 5,000 passengers from multiple countries had casualties that drew global attention to the distant seas.
The Island 24 siege battle was indeed based on obtaining space relics and conquering strategic points, but losses had to be controllable.
On the other side.
Artillery fire filled the sky, explosions were continuous. Howling ammunition wove rain curtains falling on target locations, while Disaster Beasts hidden in the mountain responded with long-range attacks.
Boom! A boulder fell on deck, rolling toward Brunhilde, making him pale with fright: "I'm done for!"
A tactical glove-wrapped hand lightly pressed against the boulder then pushed, making it roll into the sea with a splash. Though Josh stopped the flagship's damage from expanding in time, the hole smashed out couldn't be repaired. The damaged hull immediately let out teeth-grinding wails.
"In this state I can't move. Colonel, you must ensure the ship's balance." Gallup wearing the ghost mask was very nervous.
"Don't worry. Thanks to you, Disaster Beasts don't dare directly attack warships."
"But I'm near my limit."
The poison mist barrier had buried over a thousand Disaster Beasts. The sea and beach were full of them—mountains of corpses and seas of blood. In large-scale combat, Gallup's power had performed beyond specifications. Unfortunately, the amnesiac him wasn't proficient. Worse, increasingly strong sea winds scattered the poison mist. Behind this was the Boss Disaster Beast intermittently releasing power to stir up storms. A mere beast actually thought of countermeasures—much harder to deal with than monsters acting on pure instinct.
Meanwhile, the Red Rhino finally protected by layers of rocky mountains let out a muffled sound and slowly moved. Its building-sized bulk pressed forward with overwhelming presence.
Josh immediately ordered: "Prepare for impact."
Boom! Invisible wind roared—essentially Magic Power Release. In one encounter, hundreds fainted, many warship turrets exploded on the spot causing spreading fires. But Red Rhino was careless—releasing power too conspicuously exposed its main body's specific location within the mountain, which couldn't escape a pair of blood-red eyes.
Crack!
Red light crossed a thousand meters, thunderously penetrating the target. Rocks flew, clouds suddenly released light. The force was so fierce that the spreading shockwave blew the mountaintop to pieces—a flat-topped mountain.
Having succeeded with one strike, Josh frowned and bit her teeth: "Didn't completely kill it."
"You don't need to be too greedy. The timing is enough."
As Gallup finished speaking, he waved his hand. Poison mist rode the wind across the coast, making Disaster Beasts fall one after another, forcibly creating a foothold. The next moment, artillery intensity increased a level to cover landing forces. Everything proceeded methodically—humans finally set foot on Island 24's strategic soil.
Josh was never the type to get excited at seeing a little progress. On the contrary, she paid more attention to surroundings, especially the whale Disaster Beast in the distance being contained by the fleet.
"It should still be within controllable range..."
Splash!
Suddenly thick tentacles rose from the sea surface, comparable to tower cranes, densely covered with eyeballs. Each reflected a human figure—everyone within sight range stiffened.
At the critical moment, she rolled into a gun turret, instantly understanding the principle was mental power cutting the connection between consciousness and body, causing petrification-like effects.
"The sea demon is here. Activate backup plan."
"Reserve forces immediately fill positions, maintain fire suppression. Since the sea demon has appeared, we absolutely won't let it escape."
Josh momentarily regretted the sacrifices who suffered petrification then threw herself into tactical arrangements. Once hit, the body surface would have blood coagulation turning bronze—that meant no saving. Even Holy Relic bearers could easily die on the spot. The only limitation was inability to release in short periods—perhaps another type of Disaster Beast.
"...What? You're dividing forces to protect civilian ships and can't make it!"
"Who's barging into the war zone at this time!"
Josh cursed the intruders under her breath, but at this point there was no room for hesitation. They had to give their all to maintain the line, even if they died, to open footholds for follow-up forces.
However, when she poked her head from the turret to observe, the previously bustling battlefield was completely quiet—silent, withered, only death remaining. She had underestimated the sea demon's power. Now even Professor Brunhilde suffered petrification, his body surface growing deeper bronze. If they didn't quickly kill the sea demon, everyone would be finished here. Ten thousand lives dying instantly would have immeasurable impact.
"Hey Gallup, how are you doing?"
"Alloy transformation held up a bit. This guy actually attacks from both mental and physical levels—should be a Disaster Beast with both mental and creation attributes. Be extremely careful, or we're all done."
As Gallup spoke, he stiffly fell down. Fortunately petrification wasn't complete—though unable to move, it didn't prevent poison mist from continuing to escape.
"Your personality after living again is more likeable."
Josh smiled freely and ordered remaining forces to maintain the line as much as possible. Actually, she knew it was mostly futile, but once orders relaxed and the pressure barely holding snapped, it would be a complete rout. Humans organized through morale—losing organization made them just a rabble.
Her subordinates didn't disappoint. Surviving soldiers hid in cover to maintain fire suppression as much as possible. The beachhead landing point hadn't been lost—there was still a glimmer of hope.
She wanted to join and provide support but her body was exhausted—both from physical overexertion and knowledge poison effects.
Bang!
Suddenly a sea demon tentacle slapped the deck. Hundreds of sucker-like eyes stared directly at Josh's tired figure. But the next moment, blood light blazed, turning the 10-meter-long tentacle into minced meat. Even Disaster Beasts coveting delicious prey understood the opponent was still a tough nut to crack. No matter—hunters should be patient with prey.
"Calling flagship, calling flagship. Colonel, do you need support?"
"Don't get distracted. Manage yourselves——"
Before she finished, a long cry came from the distance, as if from ancient times, echoing endlessly with rolling sweeping the battlefield.
The Abyssal White Whale originally trapped by warships was finally liberated, crashing through steel giants all the way toward here, choosing precisely when Josh's old strength was exhausted and new strength unborn.
At the critical moment, Gallup crawled up to release poison mist, making it hesitate to approach and winning a brief respite. He and the military girl looked at each other and both nodded—they had to abandon ship and transfer. Even going to island land was better than facing two ocean-based enemies.
Josh lifted Gallup and Professor Brunhilde with her left and right hands—the latter wasn't completely petrified and might still be saved.
She leaped down to the beachhead.
"Don't linger at sea. Try to reach land to avoid them."
In fact, without orders everyone was already acting. Garrison forces raced to land while Abyssal White Whale and sea demon flanked from left and right, each supporting warships. Rumbling explosions sounded, heat waves making the sea surface burn. At this moment Josh was disheartened, showing despair—losing massive ships meant cutting off retreat routes. Continuing like this, losing naval control would directly turn them into isolated forces starving to death on the island, not to mention the ground wasn't safe.
Bringing so many people to founder before comrades and war correspondents—she'd face military tribunal inquiries when she returned. There were no other choices long ago.
"I need to find dignity on Island 24. Gallup, you're not military and can desert..."
"I won't be a deserter before Disaster Beasts."
As they spoke, the ground shook violently. Magma gushed from fault lines, cracks extending to the volcano's peak. A stone rhino emerged from the mountain, raising its head and crying to trigger violent crustal movement. The next moment volcanic eruption launched thousands of meteor-like fire rain—massive bulk with acceleration rivaling aerial bombs.
Josh smiled bitterly at the red meteors in the sky: "So the sea encirclement was to drive us ashore for total annihilation. Looks like we'll have to accompany each other in death..."
She suddenly saw Gallup curled up trembling, covering his skull and growling: "The one who killed me is coming!"
"Who?"
Before she finished, golden light flew from the sky. Looking closely, it was actually a dragon?
Its massive form was about 4 meters in diameter, extending from clouds with materialized magic power of indiscernible length. Covered in scales, clawless, just one roar made all things submit.
Instantly the three Boss Disaster Beasts showed stress responses. Sea demon and Abyssal White Whale immediately dove, leaving Red Rhino standing on the peak as the target. At this moment it squeezed all magic power to control the volcano, hurling meteors skyward like anti-aircraft fire.
"Here it comes." Jin Yulu in mythological transformation shouted to remind the three companions on her back.
Hibiscus stared at the countless volcanic debris barrage before her and said coldly: "What if my order is still to advance?"
"As your soldier, I naturally listen to you."
"We charge."
"Yes ma’am."
The golden World Serpent accelerated again, forcibly ramming through the outermost rocks. Wind pressure was so fierce the girls had to grip scales tightly to avoid being thrown off. However, ahead the rocks grew larger, whistling toward them heart-stoppingly. Not just them—soldiers on the ground also sweated nervously. Everyone could see new reinforcements arriving, but if they crashed directly, it would be too despairing.
"Your turn, lucky young miss."
The pink-haired girl stood up, spread her arms and declared loudly: "Open sesame."
A shocking scene occurred. The meteor fire rain that had been aggressively targeting the golden World Serpent didn't hit even once. Rather than saying they missed, it was more like actively avoiding. The impenetrable air defense net exposed flaws itself, waiting for enemies to rush through gaps. This performance was more impactful than defense or interception—simply incredible.
Why couldn't they hit no matter what? The Disaster Beasts felt like crying—watching helplessly as four massive auras rushed toward them. This battle probably wouldn't be easy.
The landing troops witnessing such miracles psychologically relaxed. Even knowing it was still extremely dangerous, still a dragon's den and tiger's lair, seeing the golden dragon and scattered cherry blossom petals somehow gave them hope for survival. It wasn't over yet—the world-watched Island 24 siege battle was just beginning.
"You're going to be unlucky."
Jin Ruochu grinned and pointed at Red Rhino like pronouncing judgment. Immediately explosive volcanic magma thunderously erupted, blowing it away.