Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 27: Hospitality

Vol 2 Chapter 27 Hospitality

Lin Yun saw the so-called “Magical Girl” mentioned by the staff through the surveillance footage in the interrogation room.

Inside a small room made of specially-treated glass, a girl in tattered clothing sat with her back against the wall. Though handcuffed, she showed no sign of fear or tension.

Looks like she really is a Magical Girl, Lin Yun thought to himself.

The reason he believed it wasn’t just because of the girl—there was also a Fairy with her.

“What the h*** are you doing?! Are you stupid or what?! How do you even mess up bringing cash?!”

The Fairy wasn’t holding back at all, yelling furiously at the girl. “Now we’re totally screwed! No place to live, no place to shower! We’re gonna end up in a containment facility!”

“I told you, time means nothing during cultivation. It’s only natural that the world changes after leaving seclusion,” the girl in a worn-out Taoist robe said lazily. “The world shifts, things change—it’s all part of gaining knowledge.”

“What kind of knowledge?! Knowledge of being jailed?! I should’ve never agreed to come with you in the first place!”

The Fairy’s tail stood up straight, clearly agitated. “Did you train your brain into muscle too? Why didn’t you resist at all when those regular humans showed up?! You just let them arrest you! What if they hit us with Anti-Magic Sealing later?! We’d be completely screwed!”

“Weaklings’ anti-magic can’t restrain the strong. Don’t worry about it. Besides, we only skipped out on a meal bill—we didn’t hurt anyone. It’s not that serious.”

Leaning against the wall, the girl squinted her eyes. “As for not resisting… I hate bullying the weak. These officers were just doing their jobs—they don’t bear any ill will toward us. No need to resort to violence. If we stay polite and explain the situation, I’m sure they won’t give us too much trouble.”

“Did you forget that we came to Fangting City to cause trouble? We’re actually the bad guys,” the Fairy suddenly quieted and muttered.

“Well, we haven’t done anything bad yet, have we?”

The girl remained serene. “No crime in an act not yet committed.”

“What are you gonna do when they ask for your Badge ID?”

“I’ll give them my old alias.”

Still calm, she added, “That alias is real enough—they won’t be able to verify it right away.”

“What if they contact the Kingdom and find out your alias belongs to a traitor?!”

The Fairy's tail bristled as it shouted angrily, “Then we’re totally exposed!”

Watching this dialogue unfold like a comedy skit through the monitor, Lin Yun’s previously calm face grew subtly complicated. He wasn’t sure how to react.

Their conversation was packed with information—just this small snippet was enough for him to figure out their origins: they had to be from Claw Mark.

But then again, their relaxed manner of chatting made it seem like they were completely unaware of the surveillance. It left Lin Yun skeptical of the conversation’s authenticity.

Never mind the rest—their situation was already strange enough. A proper Magical Girl skipping out on a bill, getting arrested, and then acting like none of it mattered? It was surreal.

Were they telling the truth? If she really was from Claw Mark, then what was her purpose here? Why let herself get caught by the Countermeasure Bureau? Could this be a trap?

But if it was all a lie, it was even more suspicious. What purpose would it serve for a Magical Girl and a Fairy to pretend to be from Claw Mark and come here? What hidden motives were at play?

After a moment’s thought, Lin Yun decided he needed to meet them face-to-face.

Since they were delivered to his doorstep, whether this was a calculated move or sheer coincidence, he had no reason to ignore it. If it was the former, he couldn’t avoid it. If the latter, he didn’t need to. Either way, probing for information seemed the best path forward.

Leaving the monitoring room, Lin Yun followed an employee’s lead to the corresponding interrogation room. After instructing the employee to wait outside, he stepped in alone.

The scene inside matched the surveillance perfectly—a shabbily dressed Magical Girl and a black cat-like Fairy both turned their heads to look at him as he entered.

“Hello to you both. I’m the Director of the local Countermeasure Bureau. My surname is Lin.”

He gave a polite self-introduction, then began questioning them. “I heard there was a disturbance involving a Magical Girl. I presume that would be this young lady with her Fairy companion. You didn’t use force against our staff, and we’re grateful for that. If any of our personnel acted inappropriately, please let me know—I’ll make sure you get a proper apology.”

Unlike in some situations where officials pretended not to see Fairies, Lin Yun acknowledged the black cat outright. After all, as the Bureau Director, it made more sense for him to be familiar with the supernatural—to ignore it would seem strange.

“However, if I’m being honest, it seems you’re not registered as local Magical Girls or Fairies. Are you visiting from another city?”

Feigning confusion, Lin Yun continued, “May I ask what brings you to Fangting City? If it’s not classified by the Kingdom, perhaps you could share. It might help us assist you and clear up this misunderstanding.”

He deliberately acted like he hadn’t identified them as Claw Mark, speaking like an official unaware of any hidden agendas. A normal bureaucrat would treat Magical Girls with a mix of courtesy and respect—so that was the image he portrayed.

He still couldn’t tell if their earlier conversation was real or an act. So the safest course was to play along and hide his own intentions while slowly testing theirs.

After a brief pause, both the girl and Fairy responded.

“Ah, y-yeah, we’re totally from the Magic Kingdom! Your bureau has no right to detain us—let us go, now!”

The black cat Fairy stammered, trying to sound intimidating. “Watch out or I’ll report you to the Royal Court!”

“That’s right, I’m an arbiter from the Court of Finance.”

The robed girl raised her cuffed hands. “I had urgent business here in Fangting City, so I didn’t bring money. I demand more lenient treatment.”

Their pitiful acting and robotic delivery made Lin Yun’s face twitch. It was like throwing a punch and hitting nothing but air.

Had they really forgotten their entire conversation had been recorded?

He couldn’t help but wonder—if that had all been bait, then what was this clumsy performance? A double bluff? But to what end?

“A Kingdom official? My deepest apologies. Our staff acted rashly and caused you trouble. I’ll make sure they’re disciplined accordingly, and I sincerely hope you won’t hold it against them.”

Since he couldn’t see through them, Lin Yun maintained a calm expression and spoke politely. “I’ll have someone remove your restraints now. Please, follow me to the reception room so we can talk properly.”

He called in the staff to release the girl from her special handcuffs—though they could suppress magic, they were more effective on Magicians, and had little impact on a Magical Girl.

He briefly considered deploying his Magical Armor to get a sense of the girl’s magic level at close range, but decided against it. If she was powerful, such a move might expose his hand.

As they left the interrogation room, accompanied by several staff members, Lin Yun continued probing for information.

“So, what exactly brings you to Fangting?”

He looked at the girl seriously, as if she really were an official. “Our city’s been plagued recently by the gray-magic group Black Cinders Dawn. Many of our staff have died fighting those cultists. Are you here to help with that?”

As he said “Black Cinders Dawn,” he watched her face closely for any reaction.

But she showed none.

“Business is business. Not something to be discussed openly.”

The robed Magical Girl shook her head. “It’s better for ordinary people not to know too much. I’m here to find a Magical Girl from Fangting.”

“A Magical Girl from Fangting?”

Lin Yun subtly clenched the Heartstone in his pocket. “May I ask who? The team’s had a lot of turnover these past two years—you might not find who you’re looking for.”

“I’m looking for Chrysoberyl. Have you heard of her?”

The girl spoke boldly. “She’s a pretty famous Magical Girl around here, right?”

She’s here for me?

Lin Yun resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow and responded calmly, “Chrysoberyl is indeed the leader of the Fangting City Magical Girl Squad. Very well-known.”

“Perfect.” The girl nodded. “Can you help me get in touch with her?”

“That’s no problem, but I may need your alias first. Would that be alright?”

Lin Yun carefully pressed forward.

“My alias? Yuan… ah, just call me Tang Changpu.”

The robed girl was nonchalant. “She may not know my name, but if she doesn’t want to come, just tell her—I can solve her problem.”

“…What do you mean by that?” Lin Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

“Something that has nothing to do with ordinary people.”

The girl clearly had no intention of explaining. “Just deliver the message. She’ll understand.”

Lin Yun understood, but didn’t believe her.

The “problem” she mentioned—there could only be one: his worsening injuries. Until now, only Emerald had claimed to have a way to treat them. And now someone claiming ties to Claw Mark showed up?

If Claw Mark was backed by the former Purple Diamond, was this girl acting as her mouthpiece?

But could her words be trusted?

Though full of doubts, Lin Yun stayed composed as he led them to the Bureau’s reception room. When they opened the door, they saw a square table already set with food and drinks.

This was a setup he’d arranged beforehand—hospitality for these unexpected guests. Since they’d been detained all morning, they were likely hungry. A proper meal could ease tensions.

“I’m truly sorry for the misunderstanding earlier. Our staff failed to recognize your identities and intentions, and wasted your morning.”

He gestured toward the table. “We’ve prepared lunch and drinks. I hope it suits your taste.”

“Oh! Alcohol!”

The robed girl’s eyes lit up instantly. She almost whistled. “Finally! We’ve been living off air these days, cultivating and starving. I could really use some flavor!”

“You’re not actually gonna drink, are you?”

The black cat Fairy tried to stop her. “Don’t forget what we’re here for. What if you get drunk?”

“I won’t get drunk. Just a few sips, what harm?”

She waved it off and took her seat. “We Martial Artists can control our blood and energy. A little alcohol is nothing—one breath and it’s gone.”

“You… really need to be more careful…”

The Fairy was reluctant, but knowing it couldn’t win, sat down beside her.

Lin Yun followed, dismissed the staff, and joined the two at the table to continue the conversation.

Apparently, food and drink had lifted the girl’s spirits—her earlier vagueness gave way to more structured and clear responses.

Of course, from Lin Yun’s point of view, most of what she said was nonsense and lies.

Like how she boasted after a few drinks, “Chrysoberyl and I are like sisters! I came to deliver a fated opportunity!” —utter bullsh*t. Lin Yun had no recollection of anyone named “Tang Changpu.”

No matter how confidently she spun her story, lies were still lies.

But mixed among the nonsense were some useful tidbits—things only someone from Claw Mark might know. This only confirmed Lin Yun’s suspicion of her origins.

As he continued pouring drinks and digging for information, the mood warmed—until his expression suddenly turned grim.

A surge of magic burst uncontrollably from the Heartstone, spreading rapidly through his body.

——It wasn’t an attack. It was the sign of Transformation.

His annoying side effect had struck again.

Though he had prepared for this, he didn’t expect it to hit at such a crucial moment. If the Magical Girl next to him noticed, it could spell trouble.

Realizing the danger, Lin Yun quickly stood up, informed the others briefly, and hurried out the door.

He needed a private place to let the involuntary transformation run its course.

Meanwhile, the robed girl, who had been sipping her drink, suddenly looked up, her gaze locking onto something outside the door.

“…Semi, did you feel that?” she asked slowly.

“What?” the black cat Fairy looked at her, confused.

“A magical pulse. A powerful one.”

She raised her cup, drained it in one go, and wiped her mouth.

“A Magical Girl’s.”