Transform into a magical girl after getting off work

Too strange.

Everything happening in front of her was so sudden that Xia Liang couldn't react in time at first.

It wasn't until the entire team of the three people lying on the ground collectively left the maze that she suddenly realized the situation she was in. Almost instinctively, she tightly gripped the magic wand that appeared in her hand.

Among the people present, there were others who reacted similarly to Xia Liang, and those two people weren't the sisters Shan Dan and Juan Dan, but rather Drunken Fish Grass's teammates. The two Magical Girls who had attacked the Calla Lily team with her stopped their assault after the smoke cleared, and were equally startled by Drunken Fish Grass's actions.

Yes, even her own teammates found Drunken Fish Grass's series of actions incomprehensible.

In fact, on the way to this place, even though Drunken Fish Grass was their guide, she'd never mentioned that she was specifically rushing to attack someone. Even when targeting the Calla Lily team, her reasoning was "the other party might have discovered some kind of puzzle, and we could try to eliminate them while remaining anonymous to seize the resources."

So, not only was the eliminated Calla Lily team utterly baffled, but everyone present also couldn't believe that, even when her identity was exposed and eliminating others might lead to being identified, Drunken Fish Grass would still act so brazenly.

"Hehehe, did you see her expression when she was eliminated?"

As if oblivious to the nearly frozen atmosphere, Drunken Fish Grass turned around and spoke gleefully as if showcasing some sort of creation, her shoulders twitching with a creepy laugh, her gaze shifting between her teammates and Xia Liang and others: "Really just a fool who couldn't grasp the situation, she looked so stupid."

However, no one responded to her.

Her two teammates were evidently just ordinary candidates, scared by her unauthorized actions. As for Xia Liang and the others, they were not just cautious but extremely wary.

Even Shan Dan had realized the seriousness of the situation, holding hands with her sister Juan Dan, looking serious. No one dared to trust a candidate who would casually attack other teams, even if that person currently didn't seem inclined to make a move.

The same went for Xia Liang.

However, if possible, she didn't want to fight with the opposing team.

This thought wasn't entirely based on strength assessment, although she was a bit worried if Shan Dan and Juan Dan's sisters could handle the other side... but that's not the point. The true focus was Drunken Fish Grass's apparent disregard for being "identified."

In this maze examination, the biggest restriction on all candidates was treated as if it were nothing by her, the implication behind it was worth pondering. Xia Liang couldn't understand why, so she chose to keep her distance.

"...It was indeed a spectacular fight."

So she composed her words, attempting to start convincing the other party with compliments: "Although our team just happened to pass by, you all provided us with a fantastic demonstration of live combat that we greatly benefited from."

"Is that so? Haha."

With a smile but not fully convinced, Drunken Fish Grass responded, "You have quite an eye."

"I apologize for possibly interrupting your battle. However, our team was merely passing by here with no intention of engaging in combat or interest in whatever you might be competing for."

Seeing a slight possibility of communication from the other party, Xia Liang pretended to be naive and continued with an innocent smile: "So, since your battle is over, could you let our team pass through here? We don't plan to linger, nor will we interfere."

"Pass through...?"

Concealing that disconcerting grin, Drunken Fish Grass looked expressionlessly at the passage behind her.

At that moment, she seemed to revert to a normal person, turning towards her two teammates and asked: "What do you think?"

"Ah, ah?" Her teammates, startled by the question, had a look as if to say "Is this really my concern?" and stammered: "What?"

"This team says they mean no harm and want to pass through the passage behind us."

With a slight smile, Drunken Fish Grass asked, "Do you think they can be trusted? Should we let them pass?"

"I, I think it should be fine..."

It was as if confirming whether Drunken Fish Grass had 'returned to normal,' the other teammate cautiously looked at her while answering: "Everyone is just passing through, if they don't intend to fight, then let's each keep going."

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Drunken Fish Grass nodded lightly, "I have no interest in opponents with average strength. I just had a fight, so there's no reason to pull them into another."

"Alright, that's decided then."

Talking to herself, Drunken Fish Grass made the decision unilaterally, facing Xia Liang and the others with a relaxed expression: "You can pass."

Xia Liang couldn't help exchanging glances with Shan Dan and Juan Dan.

Just like that?

It was no wonder she was suspicious; everyone had become somewhat confused by Drunken Fish Grass's shifting attitudes, but since the other party had shown the ability to communicate normally with sincerity, perhaps... it was okay?

Thinking this, Xia Liang maintained her naive persona, laughed heartily, and said: "Alright, thank you, we'll be on our way."

She reached out to pull Shan Dan along, secretly signaling for the two to stand on her left side, and then, seemingly defenseless, walked past Drunken Fish Grass.

Nothing happened.

Drunken Fish Grass and her two teammates just silently watched Xia Liang and her two teammates pass by, as if confirming her earlier statement: "no reason to pull them into a fight."

However, Xia Liang suddenly recalled something said to her and Lin Xiaolu by Emerald Sparrow long ago.

—"Maintain vigilance against enemies and strangers, and try to trust comrades - that's the Magical Girl's manta for action."

So, did Drunken Fish Grass, now appearing normal and seemingly disinterested in aggression, truly mean what she said?

Xia Liang couldn't help but keep an eye on the other party with her peripheral vision.

Without a doubt, Drunken Fish Grass at this moment was just standing there in a relaxed posture, arms behind her back, with a slouch, legs apart, and she showed no obvious signs of magic power fluctuation. Such a stance unquestionably looks relaxed...right?

No, that's not it.

Xia Liang noticed, or rather, she had felt something was off as soon as she saw that gesture.

Drunken Fish Grass's hands were behind her back.

"Retreat!"

She shouted suddenly to her two teammates, almost simultaneously manifesting her Magic Armor, with several mirrors quickly forming a clear barrier between her team and the other side.

Through gaps in the Magic Armor, Xia Liang seemed to catch a glimpse of Drunken Fish Grass's smile suddenly blossom.

Subsequently, the purple-red smoke exploded and rapidly enveloped the entire passage.