NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12 - Bao Xiang
Chapter 12: Bao Xiang
（It hurts so much…)
In the sky above the city, Bao Xiang, in a disheveled state, clutched the wound on her shoulder and raced through the air currents.
“Aooaooaooaah!!!”
Seven-winged monsters closely followed, their non-lethal organs emitting an invisible shriek. The attack struck again from behind—
Swish!
Bao Xiang barely sidestepped the blade-like wings.
[Good! You’re doing great! Lead it towards the school, and then! When the demons are about to attack your classmates and friends, stand in front of them regardless of your own safety!]
The voice in her headphones grew more excited, as if a great poet was weaving his own poetry.
[With the encouragement and inspiration from your classmates and friends, you will unleash the true power of a magical girl— the “power of love and bonds”! Ah…! What a perfect magical girl story!]
The sharp sound of breaking air echoed again, and this time, the enemy left scars on Bao Xiang’s skirt and thighs!
“Ah—!”
Her scream involuntarily escaped her mouth.
She had actually intended to avoid that blow. Bao Xiang was now unsure whether her injuries were due to her “exquisite acting” or if she was genuinely overmatched by this monster.
Behind her, the giant eyes of the demon stared at the back of the magical girl, with a strange glow shimmering in its pupils—
(Is a real demon really this terrifying…?)
(Can I really defeat such a monster? I, who have never truly fought before, can I really…?)
(Is it reasonable to choose such a monster as my first opponent?)
(I don’t feel quite right today. Can I request a change…? Can I face a “character” with an easier storyline?)
…
Various chaotic thoughts surged in Bao Xiang’s mind. She couldn’t help but start to doubt herself.
Meanwhile, Bao Xiang’s evasion response became slower and slower, while the attacks from the seven-eyed creature became more and more intense!
Whether it was an illusion or not, the monster seemed much larger now, and its seven wings appeared longer. Its terrifying gaze instilled fear in Bao Xiang’s heart.
(No…! What am I thinking…? As one of the “top 100,” how can I possibly lose to this demon?)
Bao Xiang encouraged herself internally.
The school was getting closer, and she believed that she could counterattack once she arrived!
But at that moment—
Buzz buzz buzz buzz—!
Strange light waves emanated from the giant eyes of the seven-eyed creature.
(Huh?)
Bao Xiang suddenly blanked out, a brief moment of unconsciousness without any warning.
Then—
Phew!
Gigantic wings slapped against her back, sending Bao Xiang flying down to the street below!
Boom!
Bao Xiang crashed into a building.
[Hey! What are you doing? You haven’t reached the designated location yet! Don’t add scenes on your own! Damn it!]
The voice in her headphones echoed in Bao Xiang’s skull.
[Hey! Can you hear me? Answer me quickly!]
Buzz—!
Bao Xiang felt her eyelids becoming extremely heavy, with the constant buzzing of radio waves in her ears.
The seven-eyed creature descended slowly from the sky, floating above Bao Xiang. Its giant eyes stared down at the yellow magical girl.
But at this moment, Bao Xiang didn’t even have the strength to raise her hand to counterattack.
[Hey, hey… hey…]
The annoying voice in her ears gradually faded away…
(Is it… over already?)
The seven-eyed creature approached slowly, unhurried, as if carefully preparing a dish about to be served.
(Why did I become a magical girl in the first place?)
Her inner thoughts mixed with regret and reminiscence, her mind drifting away from the battlefield, and the beating of her heart became noisy.
(Was it envy…? Envy of those four people…)
The gigantic eye of the seven-eyed creature drew closer and closer.
(No, that’s not it…)
The terrifying pupil gazed down at her.
At this moment, death was so close, bringing back scenes from the past in front of her eyes—
The opportunity that truly made her want to become a magical girl.
A scene that seemed familiar to her now—
It was the same colossal monster, appearing unexpectedly before her unprepared self.
That was… her idol’s debut concert.
It was also her first true encounter with death.
The hand holding the microphone trembled incessantly, and her stiff throat produced no sound. The audience below scattered, paying no attention to her on the stage.
(It’s over… It’s really over…)
Whether it was her life or her existence.
‘Ohh—!’
The monster raised its terrifying large claw towards her.
Yet her legs were rooted to the ground like tree roots, unable to move.
The reason she could still stand was that her center of gravity relied entirely on the long-handled microphone on the stage. If possible, she would prefer to fall to the ground like this, at least… it would keep her a bit farther from those giant claws.
However, at this point, it didn’t make much difference.
Swish!
——The giant claw swung down.
She was going to die.
Just when she was so sure of it—
‘Don’t give up!’
An unfamiliar blue figure appeared, standing in front of her. The giant claw landed on the blue figure’s shoulder, the fist not entirely blocking it, and red blood splattered on the blue outfit.
But—
‘What are you still standing here for?!’
The blue figure protected the girl perfectly.
‘Ha—!’
With a roar, the blue figure grabbed the monster’s arm and threw it away.
She kicked off, leaving an afterimage, and rushed toward where the monster landed.
At the same time, three different colored lights appeared in other directions, attacking the monster that was trying to get up!
Swish!
The blue figure crossed the monster, then was slapped away.
Bang!
The red sword struck the shell, then was thrown to the ground.
Thud!
The yellow hammer hit the back, then was kicked away.
Ping!
The green arrow grazed the helmet, then was knocked away by the monster.
Swish! Bang! Thud! Ping!
…
…
…
The four-colored lights constantly interweaved, and the monster’s strength didn’t make them give up. Neither pain nor failure stopped their attack.
So… what should she do now?
‘Don’t give up!’
‘What are you still standing here for?!’
The blue figure’s back appeared in her mind.
Yeah, what am I still standing here for?!
The power that had been drained returned to her body. The girl tightly gripped the microphone, took a deep breath—
‘The fact that we met here
That is the miracle of this story’
She wanted to sing out loud.
She wanted them to fight together!
‘Always alone
Holding back tears
Even afraid to believe
…’
The hopeful song conveyed from the memories to the future.
Above the ruins, Bao Xiang’s hoarse voice softly sang her old song.
“Even so, you… with a smile,
Like this… embrace me…”
The doubtful seven-winged creature couldn’t comprehend its prey
But still raised its own butcher knife—
Swish!
Blood splattered.
Yet, the blue figure endured this heavy blow.
A familiar silhouette once again disrupted the girl’s debut.
“Don’t give up! What are you still standing here for?!”
Past dreams replayed in today’s reality.
However, this time, Bao Xiang could finally welcome this intruder with a smile.