Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 26: Cultivation Without Time

Vol 2 Chapter 26: Cultivation Without Time

The port of Fangting City was bustling with people, where travelers and cargo moved in an orderly flow along separate routes. Amid this scene of prosperity, no one noticed a shadowy figure quietly merging into the crowd.

Yuan wandered through the port aimlessly, clad in her tattered Taoist robe, a bundle in one arm, and a fairy she called “Semi” perched on her shoulder.

“Doesn’t really feel like a small city at all, this Fangting.”

She spoke as if talking to herself. “I heard it’s just a little town in the southern part of Donghua Province, but it’s already on par with the big cities I remember.”

“How long has it been since you last visited a city in the Material World?” Semi glanced at her. “Thirty years? Fifty? Human cities don’t just stay the same. With time, they’re bound to expand.”

“Hmm… I forgot.”

Yuan squinted in thought. “But I feel like it’s been even longer than you said. Honestly, I don’t even know if my hometown still exists.”

“You know, there is a limit to how scatterbrained you can be.” Semi sighed. “I’m starting to wonder if you can even survive in a city anymore. Human cities aren’t that simple—life changes dramatically every few years. If you want to complete your mission without messing up, you’ll need at least some basic knowledge.”

“No need to worry. I was born and raised in the Material World, after all.”

Yuan strode forward and let out an unconscious yawn. “Even if I’ve been in secluded training all this time, I still spent my childhood in a human city. I’ve got the basics down, no problem.”

“Really?” Semi looked skeptical. “You’ve been back in the Material World for years and barely left the base. Things are very different now.”

“Relax, relax, I know. This is a port, right? A docking spot for landships. We had those in my time too. Just… not as…”

She glanced around at the nearby shops and suddenly paused. “What are these places? They look all fancy. Banks? Pawnshops?”

“They’re stores.”

Hearing her call a fast-food restaurant a “bank,” Semi felt his heart sink. “Places that sell stuff. That one you’re pointing at is a restaurant.”

“So like a tavern?”

“Yes, but also no.” Semi nudged her. “Anyway, let’s keep walking. You’re making a scene.”

The human and the fairy continued forward, exiting the port and entering the city streets. Towering buildings and traffic-filled roads lined their way. As Yuan looked out at the stream of cars, she fell into another daze.

“...Are people this rich now?”

She blinked in surprise. “Everyone can afford a car?”

“What kind of ancient thinking is that? Cars are the most common mode of transportation now!” Semi couldn’t help raising his voice.

“What about rickshaws and motorcycles? Are those gone?”

“Of course they are!”

“Wow, things really do change fast. Human cities…” Yuan stroked her chin, marveling.

“Why does a human like you seem less familiar with cities than a fairy like me?” Semi sighed. “Seriously though, do you even have a plan for what to do in this city?”

“First, find a place to shower, eat a meal, get some rest.” Yuan continued observing her surroundings.

“I’m all for that. But then what? How are you going to get the Beast Core?”

“Hmm… cause an incident, lure the Magical Girls out.”

Yuan mused aloud. “Go somewhere crowded, release a Ravager, and when the Magical Girls show up to subdue it, I’ll step in and confront them. Once Chrysoberyl and that girl named Bai Jingxuan show up, I’ll defeat them and take both them and the Beast Core.”

“A direct confrontation?”

Semi was startled. “Are you serious? You’re just gonna go pick a fight with Chrysoberyl like that?”

“What else would I do?” Yuan gave him a puzzled look. “Didn’t I tell you early this morning?”

“I thought you meant if absolutely necessary! Not straight-up storm in like you’re looking for a fight!” Semi groaned. “Sure, you were a Flower Card once, but so is Chrysoberyl! What if she’s got some trump card and beats you? What are you gonna report then?”

“Relax. I’m not who I was back then.” Yuan crossed her arms confidently. “To beat the old me, the current me only needs one hand.”

“That’s not even what I was asking…” Semi muttered, lowering his voice. “Your whole plan is just… too simplistic. I don’t think it’ll work.”

“What’s wrong with it? It’s open and honorable, just like my subordinates. They didn’t object either.” Yuan looked at him, confused.

“Your subordinates... ah, so Sparrow also...”

“Yeah, probably went and challenged Chrysoberyl head-on and got defeated.” Yuan nodded. “Proper conduct, unwavering resolve—it reflects the spirit of our kind. Even in defeat, there’s honor.”

Semi fell into complete silence.

He began questioning the wisdom of accepting this assignment—doing a mission with this martial arts-obsessed hermit. But it was a direct order from White Wolf and Black Cat. A critical mission. They wouldn’t have sent a powerhouse like Yuan to a small place like Fangting if it weren’t important. Even if he’d wanted to refuse, there likely wasn’t any room to.

Realizing this, he felt a bit less conflicted and finally said, “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

He pointed at the traffic nearby. “But first, let’s get a ride out of here. We’ve stood here too long—people are starting to stare.”

Only then did Yuan notice that just by standing still for a few minutes, she had already drawn quite a few curious glances. Her tattered outfit and odd speech were probably making people think she was homeless.

“Ah, I thought dressing like this would help me blend in...” She blinked innocently. “So, we’re leaving now? Where to?”

“How would I know? I’ve never been to Fangting City either.” Semi sighed. “Let’s just head somewhere busy and find a place to stay. Try hailing a cab.”

“Hitchhike?” Yuan looked at the stream of cars, brow raised. “What if they’re not going the same way?”

“No, I mean a taxi…” Semi tried to keep his voice calm. “Look for the cars with the roof signs. If the sign says ‘Available,’ you can…”

“That red and blue one looks fancier. Should I ask that one?”

“Red and blue? Idiot, don’t! That’s a police car! Get back here!”

It took a lot of effort to drag Yuan away. Semi was panting. “Stop adding drama on your own! Just the ones with taxi signs, got it?!”

“Got it.”

Yuan nodded earnestly and waited by the roadside. Soon enough, she spotted a cab marked “Available,” flagged it down, and spoke with the driver. Moments later, the taxi drove off.

Yuan turned back to Semi. “The driver said I need to book through an app. His car’s already reserved. Also said this time of day’s the worst—rush hour.”

“Well… phone booking is a thing.” Semi nodded. “So where’s your phone?”

“I don’t have one.” Yuan tilted her head.

“...Huh?” Semi’s cat-like eyes went wide. “Didn’t the Leader give all officers personal phones? Why don’t you have yours? Did you break it?”

“No, no, it’s still intact.” Yuan gave a sheepish smile. “I just never figured out how to use it. Left it at the base so I wouldn’t lose it.”

Semi stood frozen like he’d been struck by lightning.

“Then how are you going to eat? Find a place to stay?” He finally spoke, voice trembling. “No phone, in a city… Don’t tell me you didn’t bring any money either?”

“Of course I did.” Yuan replied calmly. “Didn’t have anywhere to spend it, so I’ve been saving up. Should be enough.”

“You sure it’s Material World money?”

“Just because I’ve been secluded doesn’t mean I’m senile.” Yuan rolled her eyes. “It’s definitely human currency—leftover from before I left the city. I brought all of it with me.”

“Ah, good. For a second there I thought we’d be sleeping on the streets.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Yuan tightened her grip on the bundle, nostalgia in her eyes. “I’ve got good memory—my street-living experience should still apply. Want to give it a try?”

“No way! We just spent two weeks crossing the Wasteland—my wings are covered in dust!” Semi shuddered. “I need a bath!”

“Too bad.” Yuan shrugged. “Alright, let’s find a breakfast shop and then a place to stay. I could use a shower too.”

Since they couldn’t get a ride, the two had to walk along the street. Yuan kept looking around, fascinated by the familiar yet foreign human civilization. It was only with Semi dragging her that they made any progress.

Eventually, they found a breakfast shop still open and stepped in, looking dusty and travel-worn.

Because the shop owner couldn’t see fairies, Yuan ordered extra dim sum for Semi, then led them to a corner seat. She gulped down half a bowl of soy milk, then chomped down on a steamed bun with gusto.

Like a starving ghost reincarnated, she devoured everything on the table. Ignoring the stunned glances around her, she strode over to the counter and called out, “Boss! Time to pay!”

“Got it!” The owner called back, sneaking a glance at her table and punching numbers into a calculator. “You’ve got quite the appetite. Five buns, four baskets of dumplings, two bowls of soy milk—53 yuan total.”

“Keep the change.” Yuan casually pulled a 100-yuan note from her robe and laid it on the counter.

The boss took the bill, planning to check its authenticity—but before he could, something felt off. “Miss, this money’s no good. Do you have anything else?”

“No good? How’s that possible?” Yuan pulled out another bill. “All my money’s like this. It’s definitely real.”

“Thing is… this bill’s way too old. At least forty years old. I saw it as a kid, but even the exchange period is over now. It’s worthless.”

“Expired?” Yuan blinked, examined the note, and offered it again. “But even if it’s old, someone out there must want it, right? Take it and trade it for something. No need to give me change.”

“Come on, lady. I run a small business. Don’t mess with me.”

The boss forced a smile. “Banks won’t take it anymore. Even if I wanted to, I don’t know if it’s fake or real. Just pay in cash—or use your phone to transfer the money?”

“What if I only have this?” Yuan left the note on the counter. “If you won’t take it, I’ve got nothing else.”

“Uh…”

Seeing Yuan ready to dig her heels in, the boss nervously wiped his forehead and glanced toward the sidewalk.

At that moment, a patrolling police officer happened to be walking by.

---

Midday.

Lin Yun set down his documents, closed his laptop, and shut his eyes for a short break.

As he rubbed his sore shoulder, he noticed the inflammation flaring up again. Probably from overwork, he thought, just as a soft knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

He subtly tugged the thread attached to the door. A female employee from the Intelligence Department stepped in carefully.

“Sorry to disturb you, Director.”

She greeted him softly and got straight to the point, holding up her phone. “We just received a report of a magical disturbance. A magician apparently dined and dashed at a breakfast stall in Lixing District, then used spells when asked to pay… We’ve already brought them in.”

“Dined and dashed?” Lin Yun raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t sound too serious. Give them a lecture, have them pay extra, check in again later. That should wrap it up.”

“Yes, that’s what we planned too. But the team insisted you should personally come take a look.”

The employee hesitated. “They said only you can make this decision.”

“Why? Is Black Cinders Dawn involved?” Lin Yun guessed instinctively.

“N-No, not them.” She shook her head, then said slowly:

“They said… the person we arrested might not be a magician… but a Magical Girl.”