Chương 82: The Vanished Magical Girls

"That matter?" Xing Shuang's gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at Yue tide, calmly asking, "What are you referring to, Senior?"

Yuexi did not answer immediately. A scrutinizing look flashed in her eyes, as if she wanted to glean more information from Xingshuang's expression.

Gently gathering her long hair, which had been ruffled by the night wind, she said with a touch of emotion, "Speaking of which, I've encountered quite a few juniors like you who have asked me questions before."

"But the questions they asked me first were mostly about how to make myself stronger, how to improve my magic manipulation skills more efficiently, or how to deal with those different kinds of troublesome Void Beasts."

She paused, her gaze returning to Xing Shuang with obvious inquiry: "Questions like 'How many predecessors are there in this city' are not uncommon, but they usually give this question a very low priority."

"At least... it won't be brought up immediately after our first meeting, or right after a battle."

Xing Shuang understood as she listened to these words. Yue Xi was very observant; she had already sensed something unusual from the way and content of her questions.

She didn't try to explain or cover it up, but simply met Yuexi's gaze calmly, waiting for her to continue.

"And you," Yuexi continued, her tone certain, "from the very beginning you were asking about the number of Crescent Moon and Rainbow Light level seniors, and then you directly inquired about the whereabouts of the other three Crescent Moon level seniors..."

"Your question is more like a deliberate search for how many magical girls are still active on the front lines in this city."

"So I assume that you already know something about 'that matter,' or at least have some guesses."

"Yes, senior." Xing Shuang nodded, admitting frankly, "You are the first... Crescent Moon-level senior I have met since becoming a magical girl."

Upon hearing the word "first," Yuexi's expression grew heavier. She sighed softly, her eyes revealing an undisguised weariness and sadness: "Yes, it's been... a long time since I've seen them."

This answer was like a boulder thrown into a lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in Xing Shuang's heart.

"Haven't seen them in so long?!" Xing Shuang's emotions instantly surged, her voice rising several decibels involuntarily. She stepped forward and eagerly asked, "Senior, what exactly happened? They…"

Looking at the undisguised anxiety and worry in Xing Shuang's eyes, Yue tide knew that there was no way to avoid this matter anymore. She remained silent for a moment, as if she was organizing her thoughts, or perhaps recalling those unpleasant memories.

"Although we have different identities in reality, and we don't even often cross paths in our daily lives..." she began slowly, her voice low and slightly hoarse.

"But as magical girls, the four of us were once close comrades-in-arms, fighting side by side and protecting this city together for a long time."

Her gaze drifted to the distant city lights, a hint of melancholy in her eyes: "But, starting about two months ago, things changed."

"First it was 'Xiaoxing,' then 'Ziqiu,' and finally 'Feiying'..." Yuexi's voice grew softer and softer, filled with a suppressed pain.

"One by one, they disappeared without a trace."

"Whether through the magical communication unique to magical girls or through the communication methods we exchanged privately using our real-world identities, there was no response. It's as if... they've completely vanished from this world."

"I know the identities of the three of them in real life, and I have tried to investigate their schools and neighborhoods in hopes of finding some clues."

A bitter smile appeared on Yuexi's face as she shook her head: "The result was the same for everyone—they've disappeared. Neither their teachers and classmates nor their families know where they went."

"How could this be... how could this happen..." Xing Shuang murmured to herself, her body swaying slightly. Yue tide's words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

The speculation came true; magical girls have indeed gone missing in this city, and not just one, but three Crescent Moon level magical girls.

Two months ago... this time also made her feel a pang of fear. That was when Yin Xue became a magical girl. Could there be any connection between them?

Looking at Xing Shuang's shocked expression, Yue Xi's face showed a hint of exhaustion and guilt: "It is precisely because of their disappearance that I am the only one left among the Crescent Moon-level combatants in Jiangchuan City."

"During this period, I have been working almost non-stop, struggling to deal with the endless infiltrations from the virtual world."

Her tone was filled with deep self-reproach: "I know that many times I could have done better, I could have arrived more promptly, but my energy is simply limited..."

"Sometimes, we even have to shift the burden of infiltration incidents that should have been handled by the Crescent-level to you Stardust-level juniors."

"Senior..." Xing Shuang immediately interrupted her, saying firmly, "This isn't your fault! You've done very well, Senior, thank you for your hard work!"

She could feel the heavy responsibility on Yuexi's shoulders and the exhaustion of bearing it all alone, which made her feel genuine admiration and heartache.

Upon hearing this, Yuexi's face revealed a smile tinged with relief, a smile that eased the weariness between her brows: "Thank you, Xingshuang."

She paused, then asked curiously, "Speaking of which, how did you know about 'that thing'?"

Starfrost replied, "Several times, there have been erosion-level infiltrations of the Void Realm in the city. I and two other Stardust-level companions worked together to resolve them, but after that, we did not see any Crescent-level seniors come to our aid."

"Based on what I learned about the assistance system from Director Roland of the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs, I felt this was very unreasonable, which is why I made my guess."

"So that's how it is..." Yuexi suddenly realized, "No wonder you asked about our numbers and where we went directly."

Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "The other two Stardust-level magical girls you mentioned... are their codenames Ruri and Ginyuki?"

Xing Shuang's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded: "Yes, senior... do you know them?"

"Yes, I met them a few times while dealing with the infiltration of the Void Realm," Yuexi replied, a look of reminiscence on her face.

"About half a month ago, at the South Suburb Park, that should have been the last time I saw them during this period."

She paused, her tone tinged with helplessness and regret: "However, due to some... reasons, I haven't been able to exchange contact information with them."

"Some reasons?" Xing Shuang noticed the pause in her voice and asked tentatively, "Is it because of... Liu Li?"

Upon hearing this, Yuexi gave a slightly complicated smile and nodded: "Yes, Liuli... she's a rather awkward and pitiful child."

Xing Shuang immediately noticed that when Yue tide mentioned Liu Li, her tone did not carry the rejection or dislike that Liu Li herself thought. Instead, it was more like the understanding, tolerance, and pity of a senior for a junior with problems.

This is almost the complete opposite of what Ruri believed: "The seniors will all leave, and the seniors are all unreliable."

The cognitive bias stirred something within Xing Shuang, but she didn't immediately press for answers. Instead, she decided to find an opportunity to have a proper conversation with Liu Li to confirm the situation before proceeding.

This matter may not be as simple as Liuli thinks.

"Xingshuang," Yuexi's voice pulled her back to reality. She took out her phone from her pocket.

"This is my contact information. If you need anything or any help in the future, you can contact me anytime."

"I understand." Xing Shuang also took out her own "Xing Shuang Special Phone" and exchanged contact information with Yue tide.

"Also," Yuexi put away her phone, her expression turning serious, a hint of gravity flashing in her eyes. She looked at Xingshuang and earnestly warned her, "You must be careful."

"There are lurking shadows all around us..."

Upon hearing this, Xing Shuang's expression turned solemn, and she nodded earnestly: "I understand, senior."

She knew that the "shadow" Yuexi referred to was not just about the disappearance of the magical girls, but more likely pointed to some unknown and more dangerous existence.

The magical girl world of Jiangchuan City was far more unpredictable and treacherous than she had imagined.