Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

On the way, after listening to Kohin’s explanation of what happened, Red Ponytail was left speechless.

Do you really dare to drink free drinks handed out on the street? Don’t you know that free things are the most expensive?

It’s fortunate it’s a witch; what if it was a human?

If they added something to your drink, making you crave it, getting addicted, and then asking for money later — that’s the best case. What if, like many stories, they first extort money, and when you’re out of money, demand your body to repay, and then do this and that to you, and finally sell you to other men or make secret films......

Hmm, in this light, it’s actually good that it’s a witch.

Compared to witches, humans are truly terrifying.

Thankfully, thankfully.

”Here it is.”

It didn’t take long before Kohin and Felicia led Yachiyo, Red Ponytail, and the others to the location, where free drinks were still being handed out. However, in the eyes of the crowd, what should have been salespeople had turned into sketch-like paper people moving in strange patterns along the street, while the surrounding people seemed oblivious.

It presented an eerie sense of surrealism.

”Hey, you!!”

Yet, before Kohin could say anything, Felicia rushed over and grabbed one of the paper people.

”How dare you give me that weird stuff to drink!”

”I don’t know what you’re talking about; this is lucky Owl Luck Water...”

”Shut up!”

To everyone’s surprise, Felicia yelled angrily. Then, in the next moment, she transformed in public and raised a hammer bigger than herself, smashing it towards the Owl Luck Water stall!

”All witches must die, must die!!”

”Boom!!!”

Amidst a roaring explosion, the crowd, as if hypnotized, screamed and scattered in all directions. But when the dust settled, everything, including the stalls and those paper people, had vanished without a trace.

”Huh? Where did the witch go? Where did those guys from earlier go?”

Seeing this, everyone was dumbfounded, and then Yachiyo frowned.

”That wasn’t a witch. What are you doing? Hurry and leave here!”

Since the strange guys had disappeared, the group hurriedly left the scene. They hadn’t expected Felicia to be so bold, transforming and starting a fight in public. Luckily, everyone around seemed to be under the witch’s hypnosis at the time, not noticing the commotion. But... wasn’t that too exaggerated?

”What were you thinking?”

In a nearby alley, Yachiyo immediately grabbed Felicia, scolding her.

”Now all that effort was wasted, wasn’t it?”

”Huh? What are you talking about! Did I do something wrong?”

”Yes, really! That’s why I said not to bring you along, and I didn’t have any obligation to save you in the first place.”

”Ah, I see, I don’t want to hear you babbling nonsense here either!”

Upon hearing Yachiyo’s scolding, Felicia retorted, then unhappily turned to leave. Seeing this, Kohin quickly spoke up.

”Felicia! Wait a minute, let me hire you. You’re a mercenary, right? So you’ll help me, right?”

”.......”

Upon hearing Kohin’s words, Felicia, who was about to leave, stopped and turned to look at Kohin, then extended her hand.

”Witch extermination, one thousand yen per time... Oh, that one’s not even a witch, so five hundred yen is fine.”

”Okay.”

Hearing Felicia’s offer, Kohin nodded, while Red Ponytail was at a loss for words. One thousand... no, only five hundred yen, that’s less than fifty bucks! Is that really okay?

”Wait a minute.”

However, just as Kohin was about to pull out her wallet to pay, Yachiyo hurriedly came up to stop her.

”I can’t just ignore this; use something other than cash.”

”Then.....”

Upon hearing Yachiyo’s suggestion, Kohin thought for a moment and looked at Felicia.

”I’ll cook you a meal. I’ve heard you always eat out, right, Felicia? How about it?”

”You’ll cook, Kohin?”

Felicia blinked and then smiled.

”I guess I can’t help it; I’ll help you this time!”

After this, the group quickly discovered the paper people spreading rumors outside the school — in a way, they counted themselves as lucky. Following the paper people, they eventually reached an empty, desolate highway underpass.

By now, the sun was setting, casting a red glow through the pillars, creating an eerie atmosphere. Just as they followed the direction in which the paper people vanished, several figures draped in black cloaks suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

”Who are you?!”

Seeing the sudden appearance of the black cloaks surrounding them, Yachiyo’s face darkened, and she sternly demanded. Soon, the cloaks looked at them and spoke up.

”Are you the ones investigating the rumors of Luck Water, obstructing Margis’ teachings?”

”So what if we are?”

”Let it go.”

”The rumors are redemption, liberation.”

”They’re the key to saving magical girls.”

”If you want the water, we can give it to you — as long as you don’t interfere with us.”

”.........”

Hearing the black cloaks babbling away, Yachiyo remained silent for a moment.

”So, what you mean is, as long as we become your companions and stop pursuing the rumors, we can drink this water every day, is that what you mean?”

”That’s right.”

”I don’t believe you.”

At this point, Tsuruno spoke up.

”What about those children who disappeared after drinking the water?!”

Facing Tsuruno’s shout, the black cloaks were completely unmoved.

”Magical Girls will be saved by Margis. Liberated from their sad fate. We will eradicate all Witches and rescue the destiny of Magical Girls.”

Upon hearing this, Yachiyo frowned a little. But just as she was about to speak, suddenly, a strange, clear, and melodious voice sounded.

”So, how exactly do you plan to do it?”

”Eh?!”

Hearing this sudden voice, Yachiyo and Tsuruno turned their heads in surprise, only to see Red Ponytail walking out from among them, facing the black cloaks in front of her.

”So far, you’ve only mentioned saving Magical Girls, but how do you plan to do it? What is the principle? How will it be achieved? Can you explain it to me?”

”You can talk?”

Compared to Felicia, who couldn’t grasp the situation, and Kohin, who had already detected it, Yachiyo and Tsuruno were clearly more astonished, especially since Red Ponytail hadn’t spoken a single word in front of them before.

”Just for a little while.”

Red Ponytail glanced at Yachiyo, then looked back toward the black cloaks.

”From what you’ve said, the rumors are related to an organization called Margis, which is attempting to save Magical Girls through these rumors—but just these things aren’t enough to convince us to join, we need more information. If possible, can you arrange for us to meet with someone from inside Margis? We need further details. Then we’ll make a decision.”

”..........”

After hearing Red Ponytail’s inquiry, the black cloaks paused for a moment, seemingly in consideration and reflection. After a significant pause, the leading black cloak shook its head.

”Sorry, we can only welcome comrades who have drunk the Owl Luck Water.”

”Ha... is that so.”

Upon hearing the black cloak’s answer, Red Ponytail sighed.

”It really does sound like a pyramid scheme, your skills in recruiting people are quite good, moreover, the Southern style—I truly wonder if your boss has also escaped from an anti-pyramid scheme organization. Since you’re unwilling, there’s no choice...”

While speaking, Red Ponytail raised her hand, and in the next instant, a Pitch Black Greatsword suddenly appeared in her hand.

”We’ll just have to ask you to guide us!!!”

”———————woo—————!”

As Red Ponytail’s words fell, a gust of cold wind suddenly swept around, and the scenery before everyone changed from the original expressway to a Pitch Black Icecrown Citadel. Countless Undead were standing on the ramparts, at the gate, surrounding the area so tightly not a drop of water could escape.

”Little, Little Hong?!”

Seeing this, not only were Yachiyo and the others dumbfounded, but Kohin was also stunned. Although she knew Red Ponytail’s combat style was quite aggressive, she hadn’t expected her to be this aggressive!

This is a kidnapping after failed negotiations!

”Negotiations have broken down, let’s fight.”

Red Ponytail glanced at Kohin, swung the Greatsword strongly in her hand.

”As long as we catch them, we’ll know what that Margis organization is, and what the rumors are all about!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Red Ponytail raised the Greatsword and charged at the black cloaks in front of her. Yachiyo and Tsuruno only hesitated for a moment, then quickly transformed and followed her. Just as Red Ponytail said, they had been searching for clues about the rumors all along. And now, the clues had appeared actively before them, previously, they hadn’t acted rashly because there were many opponents, and they were also Magical Girls, engaging them wouldn’t end well.

But now, Red Ponytail had confined them within a Barrier, and there were so many Undead creatures around. More than them?

Is there even a comparison here?!

In fact, it really can’t be compared.

In the face of such an unexpected situation, those Magical Girls were completely bewildered, after all, if you said you were suddenly transferred to another world, that’s one thing, but when everything flashed before your eyes, and then tens of thousands of Undead surrounded you, even Magical Girls wouldn’t know what to do.

After all, even facing the Witches’ Familiar Spirits, there are rarely so many.

Moreover, Red Ponytail and Yachiyo are both powerful Magical Girls, fighting them is a sure hit, so after just a few minutes, when Red Ponytail withdrew the Barrier again, those black cloaks were completely defeated, lying everywhere.

”Alright, now can you take us to this Margis organization?”

Red Ponytail raised the Pitch Black Greatsword, pointed at the black cloaks before her, and spoke with a cheerful smile. The black cloaks clenched their fists tightly, showing an expression of unyielding defiance.

”I refuse, I wouldn’t agree even if it means death.”

”Don’t think I really can’t kill you.”

Upon hearing this, Red Ponytail stretched out the Greatsword and lightly tapped the black cloak’s Soul Gem, causing the black cloak’s body to tremble slightly.

”And, just as I mentioned before, what I want to know is, how exactly does this Margis organization plan to save Magical Girls? What are their methods, theories, and how do they complete this? Perhaps you can explain it to me?”

”This... I......”

Faced with Red Ponytail’s interrogation, the black cloaks didn’t know what to say.

”So you see, we need to discuss with someone who actually understands it, if your actions can truly save Magical Girls, then perhaps we can lend a hand, not so? At that time, we might even become your companions.”

”.......”

Perhaps moved by Red Ponytail’s words, after a moment of silence, the black cloaks finally nodded.

”Alright, follow me.”