Get off work and become a magical girl

Chapter 352 Simple Tactics
"So, this is what you meant by the remnants of the beasts from the maze nodes?"

Hidden in a crevice in the cave, Lin Xiaolu observed the scene in the node and couldn't help but gasp, "Hiss, it really does look... a bit of a headache."

She was initially skeptical of Arrowroot's explanation, thinking that if the other party was really strong enough to ambush and eliminate an entire team of examinees, then dealing with a node beast should be a piece of cake. Was it really necessary to find a few helpers?

But when she actually saw the so-called "big, dumb guy" the other party had described, she had to admit that, from Arrowroot's perspective, she probably wouldn't want to deal with such an opponent alone either.

Because this so-called "big, dumb guy" is just too big.

According to the "Analysis of Broken Beasts" exam that just ended a few days ago, the maximum size of a pupa-level broken beast is usually around 20 meters in length. However, the broken beast curled up in the distance, seemingly unaware of Lin Xiaolu and the others, has clearly exceeded this limit. A simple visual estimate suggests its length is close to 30 meters.

A 30-meter-tall pupal-level remnant beast is absolutely an anomaly among anomalies, a minority among the minority. And a remnant beast with such a large size, regardless of whether it is stronger, will definitely be more durable.

Besides the enormous, mangled beast at the center of the maze node, what was even more chilling was the bulging fleshy sac on the node wall. Through the translucent surface of the sac, the examinees could clearly see the small, mangled beasts encased within; a rough count revealed that the number of these sacs was close to three digits.

If Lin Xiaolu were truly in the lair of the broken beasts, she might be able to console herself by telling herself that these small broken beasts within the vesicles might not necessarily be moving with the pupae. But right now, they were taking an exam, and the examiners from the examination hall responsible for setting up the maze certainly wouldn't waste their time. Since they had placed these broken beasts at this point, it meant that they were most likely also enemies that the examinees would have to face.

Dealing with a pupa that exceeds the normal size limit, along with nearly three digits of low-level crippled beasts? Even Lin Xiaolu, who is used to big scenes, found this task astonishing.

"—Which of you two specializes in large-scale, high-damage spells? For example, energy-gathering or explosive spells, or do you have magic equipment with similar abilities?"

However, Arrowroot didn't seem to think that enemies of this size were a problem. After a swarm of bats, like black mist, circled the top of the cave, the black and red magical girl reformed herself and looked at Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan: "No need to ask about Mint. I know her situation. She's not cut out for this."

Mint rolled her eyes, tilted her head back, and remained silent, clearly agreeing with her statement.

Ability type and the range of spells mastered are objective factors; no magical girl can claim to be able to easily handle every combat scenario. In this situation, boasting or arguing is pointless and only a waste of time.

Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan, who both understood this principle, exchanged glances, but neither of them stepped forward. Whether they truly lacked the ability to achieve a similar effect, or simply wanted to conceal their abilities from each other, remained unknown.

Even now, they remain wary of the magical girl who has suddenly appeared before them.

Even if the other party seemed to have toned down their hostility and actually invited them to help conquer the maze nodes, Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan found it hard to believe that their intentions were truly so simple. No one knew if there were any other schemes behind it, and revealing too much of their abilities was clearly unwise.

"Nothing at all? That's truly disappointing."

Arrowroot probably understood this principle as well, so although she said "disappointed," she did not show any disappointment or similar emotions on her face. She just pursed her lips and nodded knowingly: "Alright, it seems there's no way to take shortcuts. Let's go all out. I'll lead the way, you guys follow. Three, two, one, let's go."

"Wait, no, wait a minute!"

Lin Xiaolu hurriedly called out to Arrowroot, who was about to transform into a swarm of bats again: "Didn't you see those broken beasts on the wall? Are you really planning to rush in like this? Are you looking for death?"

"Huh? What's the problem?"

Arrowroot, whose transformation had been abruptly interrupted, turned back somewhat disgruntled: "That's why I told you all to come with me. I'll deal with that big oaf first, and you can take the opportunity to deal with the smaller fry, right?" "Are you sure you won't be eliminated after we've dealt with the smaller ones?" Lin Xiaolu's eyes widened.

"This? Of course not, didn't I already tell you before I came?"

Arrowroot yam grinned: "I can handle this by myself, it just takes more magic and time. So, all you need to do is help me relieve some of the pressure, that's all."

After saying this, she didn't give Lin Xiaolu a chance to speak again. Instead, she transformed into black mist and charged straight towards the broken beast not far away.

Immediately following, accompanied by the sound of magic exploding and the furious roar of the beast, Arrowroot was already locked in battle with the "big dummy" she had been talking about.

"This guy is so arrogant it's infuriating!"

Watching the other person's retreating figure, Lin Xiaolu said, half surprised and half annoyed, "They said they wanted to bring us over as helpers, but in reality, they didn't take us seriously at all..."

"You're angry, aren't you? That's good."

After Arrowroot left, Mint finally spoke again, her helpless smile tinged with melancholy: "In fact, she was being quite polite when she spoke to us. Her way of speaking to those of average ability would only be more offensive, let alone when she was dealing with ordinary people."

"So what's your relationship with her? Are you friends? Teammates from the same city?"

Lin Xiaolu, feeling somewhat stifled, shifted her gaze from Arrowroot's retreating figure to Mint and said, "Why do I get the feeling that you two don't get along?"

"...If I had to say, we have absolutely no relationship. We live in different cities and have never been teammates. We are just acquaintances who have interacted a lot, so we are quite familiar with each other, that's all."

As Mint spoke, she reached up and pulled up the hood of her magic outfit, putting it on her head: "If you really want to define my relationship with her, you can simply understand it as that we are rivals who have known each other for a long time, and our relationship is more like a karmic entanglement than friendship."

"Ha..." Lin Xiaolu seemed to understand but not quite.

"However, in short, I must remind you that although Arrowroot Potato seems arrogant and domineering, his arrogance is indeed based on a certain level of strength."

Unzipping her coat, Mint said in a serious tone, "So, we must be extremely careful with this person. I know you are all quite strong, and you may even have met more powerful peers, but this person is unlike any of your peers. Her strength is definitely in another dimension."

"Really?" Lin Xiaolu was skeptical. She believed that Arrowroot must have considerable strength and was definitely a dangerous individual. But the description of "another dimension" was a bit of an exaggeration.

"I will explain the specifics to you later."

Burying her face in the shadow of her hood, Mint took a few steps forward, then leaped up: "But let's get going now. Solving this problem and getting the points is more important."

　Slowly leaving the underworld.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)