That's What a Magical Girl Is
That's What a Magical Girl Is
"It's real..."
It seemed they only finally believed it after checking the word 'Magical Girl' written on the ID card.
"I don't lie about things like this."
"Then do you have a Magical Girl name? Don't you need something like that?"
"Ch-Cherry Blossom."
"Hmm... That's pretty serious."
I thought they were just asking to tease me again, but the reaction I got back was unexpectedly calm.
"A-are you not going to tease me?"
It's actually awkward because the reaction was completely unexpected.
"Even so, I wouldn't tease you about this! More importantly, because of that just now, I know what you need to do."
"What I need to do?"
"You said you're a Magical Girl, right? Then you need to create a technique."
"......Excuse me?"
They are giving me serious advice, right?
"Why are you so surprised? Isn't it obvious? You said you're a Magical Girl. You even picked a name because of it. Then obviously, you need a technique."
If you're a Magical Girl, that's definitely true, but...
"The way I see it, that's why your attacks aren't imbued with magical energy. You said you're a Magical Girl, right? Then you should obviously fight like a Magical Girl!"
Why is this person so excited...? Is this actually all a build-up to tease me? If I try it after they say that, I feel like they'll tease me for actually doing it...
It definitely sounded plausible. In fact, when I recreated White Lily at home, I had to use the same lines. I felt it was worth a try.
The problem is...
"T-turn off the camera."
"Huh?"
"I said turn off the drone camera! So you can't see!"
It's obvious they'll tease me if they see this, so I have to make sure they can't. If I do it while they're watching and it gets recorded, I'll be a laughingstock for life.
"Are you embarrassed? I won't say anything."
"How can I trust you! Turn it off quickly!"
"Alright, alright. I'll turn it off, okay?"
"Now, please turn the drone to face that way too."
"You're really picky."
"You didn't turn the camera off!"
This person, seriously. Just in case, I intentionally didn't specify and just said 'that way', but look at them turning it exactly.
"Alright. I really turned it off now."
Only after checking the drone several times after that did I move away from it.
So... in the end, they want me to say the lines. Just like when I transformed into White Lily.
The only difference is that when I just transform into Cherry Blossom, I could just say 'Transform' briefly.
Does that mean my original technique doesn't necessarily need flashy lines?
"Blossom Swing!"
Vwoom-!
The Gohei, imbued with pink magical energy, sliced through the air.
It definitely felt different from when I just swung the Gohei at the Goblin with a shout earlier.
"Then, let's see... can I do this too?"
Intrigued, I couldn't suppress my curiosity and started trying various things.
"Blossom Kick!"
Crack-
The tree that fell victim to my continuous experiments eventually couldn't hold on and collapsed.
"What should I try next..."
"Next, let's combine the kick and the swing!"
"Shall we! ......Huh?"
As I turned my gaze toward where the voice came from, the drone I had clearly parked in the corner was already flying right next to me.
"Since when have you been watching?"
"No... you were just so absorbed in it..."
"I asked since when."
"......Everything?"
"You only intended to watch from the beginning!"
I'm going to smash that drone today. Cost? I don't care about that. You're an A-rank Hunter, right? Don't you have that kind of money?
I swung the Gohei with all my might, but the drone dodged all my attacks left and right.
"Hey, I can watch! It's not like you're going to be alone forever, right? You'll definitely be popular! A cute Magical Girl!"
"Shut up!"
I got even angrier at the drone's movements, which dodged by a hair's breadth, as if it were just about to be hit.
"More importantly, look now! Even though you're not shouting the technique name, you're using magical energy well for your basic attacks now!"
"Trying to stall for time by changing the subject... Huh? You're right."
Perhaps because I had learned the knack, magical energy was naturally imbued in my basic movements.
Come to think of it, the Magical Girls in the Pre-Pan Series don't shout out every single basic attack separately, do they?
"What would you have done if it weren't for me? You should be grateful, right?"
"Don't think you can just brush it off while saying things like that!"
It was just then, as I was about to attack the drone again.
【 Quest Triggered - Defeat the Goblin Great and save the people. 】
"Huh? Suddenly, right now?"
Roaaar-!
Simultaneously with the sudden appearance of the quest window, a massive roar was heard from ahead.
As I took a step toward where the sound came from, the drone blocked my path.
"Are you trying to go there right now?"
"Move."
"Are you crazy? That's a monster that doesn't normally appear here! If you go there with your current skill level, it's just a pointless death!"
I stared at the blue quest window that only I could see.
"There are people. I have to save them."
"What? How do you know that?"
"Is now the time to be questioning that? I'm telling you, people are dying!"
"You don't know much about this, but... in the Hunter business, seeing people die is an everyday occurrence. With your current strength, you won't be able to do anything even if you go."
"Then you, the great A-rank Hunter, can go and help them! You said you're an A-rank Hunter. I don't know how impressive that monster is, but if you're A-rank, can't you save them by yourself?"
"......"
Whatever they were thinking, the drone didn't say a word.
"I'm going. If I can save even one person, I have to go."
With those final words, I started running toward where the sound was coming from.
It wasn't because of the quest. It was a quest I could have ignored from the start anyway.
【 This quest has no penalties. 】
No penalties, my foot. What do you mean no penalties?
The content written was to defeat the Goblin Great and save the people.
Then what about the people written here if I ignore this quest? Who's going to save these people? People dying is the penalty.
Even if they are total strangers whose faces and names I don't know, if I know they are in danger, I have to save them.
That's what a Magical Girl is. Aren't Magical Girls meant for that?
-Aaaargh!
-W-what is that! Attacks aren't working!
-Why is something like that here!
A massive goblin, different from ordinary goblins from its very size. It was threatening just from its bulk, and it held an axe as big as its own body in its hand.
They were somehow managing to run away, but the dungeon entrance was still too far away.
"Roaaar!"
The massive axe swung by the Goblin Great struck the hunter positioned at the very rear.
Expecting the horrific scene that would follow, the hunters squeezed their eyes shut. But even as time passed, no scream was heard.
When the hunters cautiously opened their eyes, cherry blossom petals were fluttering through the dust.
"Cherry blossom petals...?"
"Hurry, go!"
Without even a moment to grasp the situation, at the sound of the girl's voice that followed, the hunters regained their senses and started running again.
Looking back, a pink-haired girl was blocking the front of the Goblin Great.
"Hey, hey! She looks like a kid, is she okay?"
"We're not going to be any help here anyway!"
"Let's get out of here first and call for help!"
Well... obviously. Even if it were me, if a goblin like this was chasing me, I'd be too busy running away.
"Kuoooo..."
I threw myself in there because it was urgent, but... it definitely looks scary.
The intimidation coming from its massive size is no joke. It's definitely understandable why they said I couldn't win.
Perhaps because it was wary of me, who had suddenly cut in, the Goblin Great didn't attack immediately.
"Does it have some level of intelligence?"
"Keurk! Keureureuk!"
While I was thinking that, the goblins surrounded me and the Goblin Great in a wide circle.
Was this their plan from the start? Even so, a goblin is just a goblin.
Swoosh-!
The Goblin Great's axe sliced through the air. As if that were the signal for the attack, the goblins all rushed in at once.
"What kind of sound is that for a single swing."
It's definitely threatening, but like before, the speed itself isn't that fast.
As long as I don't get hit... maybe I can manage somehow?
I fend off the goblins that keep rushing at me.
Furthermore, the fortunate thing is that the Goblin Great's axe doesn't distinguish between its own allies.
Since the annoying goblins keep getting swept up by the axe, my movements become easier.
The problem is that I can't land a proper hit either.
Still, the Magical Girls in the Pre-Pan Series are always like this. No matter how difficult the situation, they never give up and find a way.
And the prime example of that is White Lily. A Magical Girl who is evaluated as the weakest among the series protagonists, but whose tenacity is second to none.
That's why she's my favorite.
I stretched one hand into the air and shouted the lines.
"Oh, pure white will, bloom with a noble fragrance! Magical Change Form!"
A white flash covers the surroundings. I hear the goblins' bewildered cries, and then the Goblin Great's axe descends upon me.
Bang-!
"Kwoh?"
The Goblin Great's bewildered cry.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
