If This Keeps Up, We'll Have a Magical Girl Brigade (2)

"But why did Kenshin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠invite you?"

"Was it planned in advance?"

"With an invite like that, it's not gonna be a surprise invite."

"They even coordinate SNS challenges..."

Inugami Tenri—alias and RP as Kenshin. The revelation that she had invited me sparked full-on speculation.

Of course, with my massive influence lately, it made practical sense—high value in real terms. But in these big servers, inviting someone usually needs a backstory. Just pulling in a total stranger 'cause they're hot right now? Not gonna end well.

Eterea wouldn't miss that. Honestly, even I was a bit surprised. She'd gone out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of her way to connect with me, revealing the hard-to-admit fact that she's a "magical girl junior."

"Yeah. Really?"

Even skipping her Ethera debutmates to invite me? That explained why the invite came faster than expected.

Viewers had no choice but to turn detective. My stream was an isolated island showcasing extreme Galapagos evolution, like the Botchi vibes earlier. Even with guests, we recruited external magical girls, not in-house. And the mysterious connections? Total immersion bait.

"Oh, that."

As the game client install wrapped up, the chat's deductions hit the nail on the head—then pivoted to a new angle.

They'd glossed over the fundamentals earlier, but now the inconsistency bugged them. Sharp bunch.

Hmm. Can't just brush this off.

"Actually... they did request me for the vanguard."

"I don't check mail much."

Same screw-up as the ad fiasco. I'd meant to check more after, but habit died hard.

After chatting with Tenri, I double-checked on a hunch—and there it was, buried from ages ago. No follow-up call like the ad, probably figuring I'd rejected it. Even if I had seen it, no need for contact. Invite was locked in anyway. No point forcing it if they weren't pushing.

"No. I just didn't check properly."

Don't pile on like that. I'm entering the server now?

Public rules say otherwise, you punks. As download finished and client launched, I dropped a light warning amid the chatter.

The square world unfolded on my monitor. Mank's iconic clean block graphics evoked a cozy vibe. Setting my character nickname, I murmured:

"Phew. Mining alone was fun enough."

"Whoa whoa. Can't you see the server rules?"

Shaking off nostalgia, I spotted a chat and panned my character view.

Starting village—tutorial field for rules and custom systems. How'd I know? Did my homework...

Anyway, shared the stone tablet rules with viewers, with a quick warning.

"Here, it's server-wide no bots, for real."

"So confident about the server."

Most Mank servers limit players and system tricks due to instability, but Peace Wing blew past that. Starting invites were flooding in—nearing 3,000 players already. Top-tier streamer server. No content limits sans auto-clickers.

"API effects? Seen 'em all."

[Gonna fly now?]

"What."

Donation sound hit—and my character rocketed skyward. Then plummeted at terrifying speed.

No matter how hyped my stream, that amount doesn't drop easy. Prime suspect? The group hooked on main content, over-adapted...

Tempting to unmask anon, but nah. What if real?

"Ah... would've lived IRL."

Server-wide alert and red screen. Respawned with a sigh.

"Geukbing! You're here!"

Fresh respawn—and a voice in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my ear... speakers. Tenri's voice from our call. Then 'Kenshin Tenri' hopped into view on screen.

Blocky, but unmistakably Inugami Tenri-styled. Big gap from my standard starter char. Activated in-game mic for greetings.

"Oh. Hi, Tenri. Thanks for the invite."

Tone reset—hiding magical girl side still. No over-familiarity.

"Hehe. No prob. But you just died—what happened?"

"Donation..."

"Ah!"

She'd puzzled over my starter village death, but API clicked.

"Happens to me too."

"Can't survive this?"

"Nope. 'To the skies' means instant death."

Makes sense—big bucks invested, surviving via control would suck too.

"Read the rules?"

"Mostly."

"To the village then! Members wanna meet you!"

Hell if I know! Tenri's a junior, fine—but the others?

Weird, but she invited me. Play along.

"Sure. Let's go, Mom!"

"Eh."

Huh? Used to be meta. Outdated?

"Uh, um. Let's go! My daughter!"

Awkward but she rolled with it. Portaled to village together.

* * *

"Isn't this only day two?"

"Yep!"

"But these buildings."

Expected post-open backwater, but landmarks and fancy YouTube mansions everywhere. Newbies would feel like country mice.

"Everyone's hyped. Oh, Luna Lake base is there!"

I almost did too, but local guide saved me. Heading to Luna Lake HQ...

"Senpai! It's really you!"

"Huh?"

Familiar voice—turned screen. Shrine maiden skin, high-quality... everyone's avatars top-tier. Mine's basic, bugs me. Buy one later? Nah, focus.

Nickname overhead: 'Susanoo Tempest.'

"Tempest junior?"

"Hehe. Saw the log, hoped. Knew you'd come, Senpai."

Why's Aris here? Heard big streamers/VTubers invited, but Japan event seemed likely.

"Came for you, obviously."

"Me?"

Hmm. For me? Sarochi was ages ago. Or she pushed?

"Uh... Geukbing? Who's this?"

"Oh. This junior's Susanoo Tempest. Japanese magical girl."

"Nice to meet you."

Tenri piped up. Natural intro—fellow magical girl thing? Kept her status vague.

"Nice! Inugami Tenri here. Pleeease."

"Yesss. Inugamichan. Heard lots. Nice too."

"...? You know me?"

"Ah. Inviter mentioned you. Iihane Tsukasa? Ring a bell?"

"Oh! Tsukasa! Collabbed once!"

Aris's odd tone puzzled Tenri briefly, but she hopped excited. Watching side-eye, felt loaded. Aris not super chummy with locals. She sniffed it? Chat/Tenri oblivious—good. Thoughtful save maybe.

"Heading to Inugamichan's base with Senpai? Mind if I tag?"

"Huh? Uh... sure?"

Party +1 Aris.

"Oh! Real senpai!"

Another popped up—familiar voice.

Nickname: Divine Blaze. Magical girl junior—Seong-yoon.

Why her? Curious about in-house, but not server-joining level. Monitoring awakeners? Her standard avatar matches mine—nice. Less awkward vs polished ones. Kinship vibes...

"Divine Blaze? What's up."

"Saw senpai's nick die, came check."

So now four magical girls here. Invite Su-yeon, five? Wow. Raid-ready.