Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl

Book 2: Chapter 195: About Yuewang

Vol 2 Chapter 195: About Yuewang"Let me think, if I were to explain everything in exhaustive detail, it would probably get too lengthy. What would you like to know?"

Hearing Lin Xiaolu say this, Mint played along quite cooperatively: "About the city itself? About our local Magical Girl team? Or about me personally?"

"Tell me about everything, since we've got nothing better to do anyway."

Lin Xiaolu balanced on her left foot while tiptoeing with her right, leaning her upper body against the magical device as she watched Mint: "I remember reading in books that Yuewang City is built around a mountain at its center?"

"Since you're interested, I don't mind sharing. Just don't complain later if you find it boring."

Mint turned her head away, took a couple more steps forward while looking down, and changed a few bricks near her feet to green: "Let's start with Yuewang City itself—you're right about what you said earlier. Yuewang City is built surrounding a mountain. Right at our city's center stands a thousand-meter-high mountain..."

"Mount Wuheng," Lin Xiaolu interjected.

"...Yes, exactly, Mount Wuheng."

Mint was slightly caught off guard but quickly continued: "A thousand years ago, during the Ancient Beast Calamity period, a group of refugees hid in the mountains to escape the Remnant Beasts and survive in the wilderness. These people originally didn't plan to stay long on the mountain, but after spending some time there, they unexpectedly discovered that as long as they lived on Mount Wuheng, it seemed the Remnant Beasts wouldn't come hunting humans by tracking their scents."

"Technology was underdeveloped back then—or perhaps there was no technology to speak of—so there were no theories to verify this observation. But for these refugees, simply surviving the Remnant Beasts was already an incredible blessing, so they decided to settle there."

"And as they had guessed, almost no Remnant Beasts actively approached Mount Wuheng. Even when a few occasionally appeared nearby, they would leave as long as people didn't expose themselves."

"With such exceptionally favorable conditions, these settlers on Mount Wuheng naturally multiplied quickly. Plus, the mountain stood out prominently in the surrounding wastelands, attracting continuous streams of refugees from all directions. Eventually, it became one of the largest human settlements in the Eastern Hua Region."

"Mount Wuheng's existence spread by word of mouth among people at the time, and it was easy for outsiders to find and join. For dozens of miles around, it was the only mountain—so 'spot the solitary mountain, and you've found Wuheng' became the origin of 'Yuewang City's' name."

Mint tucked one hand into her coat pocket while gesturing to Bai Jingxuan in the distance with the other before continuing forward: "Later, people from the magic nation came to the material world to help build cities. Since Mount Wuheng already had such a large population, it naturally became designated as one of the Central Cities."

"A mountain that repels Remnant Beasts?" Lin Xiaolu blinked. "Something that miraculous exists? Sounds just like the city protection nets."

"Actually, the city protection nets' key material comes from Mount Wuheng."

Mint shrugged: "The mountain contains a special ore that disrupts surrounding magical resonance, confusing the Remnant Beasts' senses. Older generations called it 'Ghost-Repelling Stone,' while people from the magic nation call it 'Jadeite.' Regardless, it's thanks to this ore that those refugees survived by relying on Mount Wuheng."

"So Yuewang City doesn't even need city protection nets?"

Lin Xiaolu suddenly clapped her hands: "You can come and go freely? Even see outside the city?"

"Hah, as if! You're overthinking it."

Mint laughed heartily: "There's no more Ghost-Repelling Stone left in Mount Wuheng now—it's all been mined out to become material for other Eastern Hua Region cities' protection nets. After all, compared to piling up loads of Ghost-Repelling Stones to repel beasts through their natural properties, integrating them into protection nets is far more efficient."

"That's no fun then." Lin Xiaolu immediately lost interest.

"With all the Ghost-Repelling Stones mined out, Mount Wuheng essentially became a giant mine shaft. The magic nation reinforced the remaining mountain structure, so nowadays even the mountain's interior serves as Yuewang City's residential area."

Mint continued unfazed: "Imagine walking into a cave, looking up to see the hollow mountain brightly lit. Houses and bridges spiral upward along the walls, even platform elevators that can carry hundreds at once... pretty cool, right? This is just everyday scenery in our city."

"Hmm... that does sound unique?" Lin Xiaolu tried visualizing the scene Mint described and had to admit it seemed impressive.

"But there's more. Behind the rock walls at the largest cave's ceiling is Yuewang City's Extraordinary Countermeasures Bureau."

Mint wagged a finger: "Since we're a Central City with many Magical Girls—over twenty currently registered—the Bureau even has dedicated Magical Girl dorms. Though not everyone stays there daily, it's never completely empty—there are always a few Magical Girls staying over for various reasons."

"So?" Lin Xiaolu was now half-leaning on the device, chin propped on one hand.

"So imagine if something happens in the residential caves—just notify the Magical Girls in the dorms, and she can jump straight down from the mountaintop—"

Mint spread her arms: "Landing at the destination in under ten seconds—Magical Girl makes a dazzling entrance."

"Wow, that's..."

Lin Xiaolu's mouth opened slightly: "Actually kind of awesome."

She meant it sincerely—even Bai Jingxuan nearby seemed captivated by Mint's description, showing a wistful expression.

"I've done it plenty of times."

Mint proudly flipped her coat: "And every time I land, I flip my coat like this in a cool pose. Do this, and your online followers skyrocket within days!"

"Online followers?"

Lin Xiaolu looked even more surprised: "You register accounts using your Magical Girl identities?"

"Obviously?"

Mint gave her a puzzled look: "Haven't you followed Blue Star's blog? Even if we're in different cities, you can still see text updates, right?"

"Well, yes..."

Lin Xiaolu averted her eyes: "But isn't that something only really famous seniors do? Wouldn't newcomers like us seem arrogant if we made accounts?"

Here, she was actually lying.

Because she'd never followed any "Blue Star's blog."

In Lin Xiaolu's mind, the title "Strongest Flower Card" originally belonged to her mother—now, Veronica was the world's most remarkable Magical Girl. So she felt inexplicably resistant toward this publicly recognized "strongest."

"Come on, we're Magical Girls risking our lives fighting on the frontlines—can't we seek some online validation?"

Mint sighed: "If we don't promote our achievements, others will credit them to different Magical Girls, boosting their reputations for free. Then when people hear your codename, they won't recall your deeds—just think 'Oh, there was this Magical Girl, but nothing noteworthy, so who cares?' After doing so much good, ending up forgotten is just tragic, don't you think?"

"Ah... really?"

Lin Xiaolu stared blankly at Mint: "I've never really considered that..."

"...Right, your whole city only has five Magical Girls."

Mint met her gaze briefly before slumping slightly, sounding somewhat deflated: "With so few, you'll always be the center of public attention. Must be nice, small cities."

"Uh, is it?"

Lin Xiaolu asked herself uncertainly. After recalling online comments she'd seen, it did seem true.

Though she rarely searched herself deliberately—usually only checking news reports or online comments after particularly impressive battles—it was obvious that Fangting City's residents had formed favorable opinions of her over the past six months.

Some praised her activity as a newcomer, others noted her rapid improvement, some bluntly called her cute—regardless, even without self-promotion, Fangting's people followed her actions.

Though compared to Veronica, this attention was negligible.

As the Magical Girl "Cornflower" who'd saved Fangting twenty years prior, her name already resonated deeply with older generations. And after last year's Moon Festival night, when she defeated that colossal Remnant Beast before the entire city, everyone knew "Cornflower has returned," making her familiar even to younger generations.

Undeniably, what most attracts fans to a Magical Girl in the public eye is sheer power.

However harsh her personality or intimidating her appearance, a Magical Girl who effortlessly crushes enemies underfoot will always gain countless supporters.

Fangting's Cornflower—having "saved the city twice"—fulfilled people's need for security perfectly.

Moreover, while Veronica appeared somewhat aloof toward strangers, she wasn't mean-spirited, coming across as relatively "approachable." Her adorable appearance appealed to all, ensuring Fangting's online discourse about Cornflower overflowed with praise, where any criticism drowned instantly.

Lin Xiaolu naturally didn't feel jealous—to her, "Veronica is amazing" was simply fact, so others recognizing this wasn't surprising. Though she occasionally fantasized about achieving similar status, she knew she still had far to go.

Thus, she struggled to grasp any real sense of her current "popularity."

Mint quickly noticed Lin Xiaolu's thoughts and tactfully changed subjects to lighter topics.

Time passed leisurely until Mint finished gossiping about her team. Just as personal stories were about to begin, Bai Jingxuan—who'd been quietly listening—suddenly announced: "Done!"

The other two noticed the green bricks now formed an unbroken path connecting both devices, marking this puzzle's completion.

"...Guess chitchat time's over."

Mint stepped from the grid, circled the activated device, then flashed Lin Xiaolu her usual bright yet mischievous smile:

"Sorry, guess my personal stories will have to wait till next time."