A Girl Who Doesn’t Believe in Humans

Chapter 9: Du Zhi

Under the azure sky, a figure swiftly soared, leaving behind a faint yellow trail in the eyes of the onlookers.

Bo Fang raced towards her destination at top speed, her wireless earphones guiding her direction from the left ear.

[Bo Fang, the demon has now moved to the riverbank. Just continue flying east.] The producer’s voice echoed in her earphones.

“I understand.”

The earphones were a special product for magical girls provided by the Hou Entertainment Company, allowing clear communication even at high speeds.

[Bo Fang, this is a rare opportunity. The upcoming battle will be live-streamed throughout by our specially designed cameras. This is your debut battle, and whether you can truly skyrocket to fame depends on this. Don’t mess it up, understood?] The producer’s words carried a commanding tone.

“I—I understand,” Bo Fang hesitated before responding.

Bo Fang hadn’t been in the magical girl scene for long, and this was her “debut battle.” However, it didn’t mean this was her first fight. She had fought alongside magical girls belonging to the company before, and she had even personally killed demons.

However, those demons were already crippled by other magical girls, and Bo Fang delivered the final blow. The purpose was to build her image; these battles usually only reported the result of “Magical Girl Bo Fang successfully killed the demon,” without detailing the process.

As for why those semi-debut magical girls silently complied with the company’s orders, Bo Fang wasn’t sure. It could be the flow of resources provided by the company, material assistance in real life, or other means of coercion and threats.

The real answer, the reasons behind these reluctant magical girls’ obedience, wasn’t something Bo Fang could discover.

Nevertheless, through these experiences, Bo Fang understood one thing: the company did possess the power to make magical girls submit.

It made sense, considering a magical girl’s combat strength was tied to her popularity, and entertainment companies controlled the media, influencing public opinion.

Magical girls who opposed the company would never gain exposure or positive public support. They might even be tarnished by rumors manipulated by the company behind the scenes. In the end, the only path left for them would be to become underground magical girls and silently fade away.

In the past, a magical girl idol Bo Fang deeply respected experienced such suppression, disappearing completely from public view. Now, she might have already met a tragic end…

Shaking her head vigorously, Bo Fang tried to dispel these distracting thoughts from her mind.

Bo Fang should consider herself fortunate. She had chosen early on to align herself with the company, avoiding becoming a tool used by the company, only to be discarded later on, like her predecessor. Instead, she became the one utilizing the tools!

Exactly! If she didn’t want to be a tool, the only option was to become the one controlling the tools!

[The demon has stopped moving; it’s expected to encounter you in five minutes. Bo Fang, follow the planned battle sequence. Understand?] The producer’s voice rang out again, this time with a strong sense of authority.

“But—”

[No ‘buts’! If you don’t obey orders, you’ll face a complete ban from the company. You don’t want to become a insignificant character again, do you?] The producer’s threat carried a hint of mockery, as if he knew Bo Fang’s character very well.

“I… I understand.”

Yes, Bo Fang no longer wanted to return to those sunless days.

Before becoming a magical girl, she was just an overlooked idol trainee. She had worked really hard; when others were playing and enjoying their youth together, she was practicing alone.

Every time she practiced alone in the dance studio, she could always see the four people outside, inseparable, enjoying carefree and joyful moments.

She really, truly envied them. She really, truly wanted to join them.

But she couldn’t.

Bo Fang’s parents were once minor stars who had lost their popularity, holding onto the unfinished dreams through their daughter. They had sacrificed a lot for Bo Fang and watched her with hopeful eyes.

She couldn’t give up, not for her parents nor for herself.

She told herself that though she relinquished the easy joy other girls could grab, she would earn her recognition on stage through hard work and applause!

But—

Reality was cruel. Maybe it was the limited talent she inherited from her parents, or perhaps the environment no longer suited their open expressions of affection. All her efforts were mercilessly shattered by the sudden appearance of the heartless Four-Leaf Clover, who effortlessly became a magical girl.

Her idol debut coincided with Four-Leaf Clover’s “debut” as a magical girl.

Unluckily, during her first official concert as an idol, she faced a demon attack.

What’s worse, at her concert, four unknown girls miraculously gained magical girl powers, defeated the demon with love and courage, saving everyone.

Congratulations all around.

The story concluded perfectly, including Du Zhi’s concert and her fragile dreams—all came to an end.

Everyone who attended the concert felt it was worth it, but their discussions revolved around Four-Leaf Clover, never noticing the girl who sang her heart out.

Why was it like this? She couldn’t understand.

She couldn’t understand why her hard work couldn’t match others’ sudden strokes of luck.

Once magical girls gained their powers, they needed no sacrifice to easily surpass her efforts.

If that was the case, why couldn’t she be the lucky one?!

She didn’t understand, truly didn’t.

Then—

At her lowest point, a tomboyish girl noticed her, not focusing on Four-Leaf Clover like everyone else, but on her, comforting her despair—

“I think you’re amazing, singing through a battlefield with demons and magical girls! I don’t think you’re any weaker than a magical girl!”

The tomboyish girl smiled casually, giving her a thumbs-up.

A ray of light penetrated her heart.

Finally, someone acknowledged her.

Even if it might just be kind-hearted reassurance, it was enough to motivate her to keep going! Even if she silently missed her chance at exposure, she could still hold onto her dream!

Then one day, luck finally smiled upon her, and she became a magical girl too!

She felt immense joy, and her lackluster idol career finally took a turn.

She eagerly wanted to share this news with someone who had illuminated her life.

She actually knew the person’s identity, knowing she was the magical girl who had once protected her.

She wanted to join them, to become part of their group, to play and fight with them!

But—

She was rejected.

“We Four-Leaf Clovers don’t accept people who have officially debuted.”

The blue tomboy declared with an emotionless face.

She saw disdain in those blue eyes.

…

It’s a lie.

It’s a lie, isn’t it?

Or maybe…

Were those encouraging words the real lies?

The sole pillar in her dark days, the guiding light in her life—were they all just her fanciful illusions?

No… no more! Bo Fang won’t allow it anymore!

So…

So—Bo Fang absolutely wouldn’t return to those days!

[Stop drifting off, Bo Fang! The enemy is here.]

The voice in her earpiece interrupted Bo Fang’s recollections.

“I understand.”