Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

”Sorry, sorry, for calling you over so early...”

Seeing Kohin walking over, Taozi greeted her with a smile, but when she saw Kohin’s face, Taozi paused.

”Are you okay?”

It’s no wonder Taozi asked because Kohin had dark circles and looked quite exhausted, like she hadn’t slept well the whole night.

”Ah, I’m fine, I’m fine!”

Hearing Taozi’s inquiry, Kohin quickly waved her hand.

”I was just a bit worried about someone. So, why did you call me out today, Taozi?”

”Ah, it’s about Feng and Rena.”

”What happened?”

Kohin raised her head, only to notice Rena standing not far behind Taozi, looking anxious. Kohin hadn’t heard much during the phone call; she was too flustered herself, barely catching Taozi’s mention of needing to see her.

After the incident, she had no idea how to face Red Ponytail!

”Yes, that’s correct.”

Taozi was empathetic and knew there were hidden concerns in Kohin’s expression, but she didn’t ask further, just nodded.

”Actually, last night Chain Witch appeared and kidnapped Feng.”

”Eh? What happened?”

Faced with Kohin’s query, Taozi hesitated but eventually spoke softly.

”Well... yesterday Rena went to the rumored Breakup Stairs and wrote her and Feng’s names there...”

”Eh---!?”

Hearing Taozi’s words, Kohin suddenly screamed, while Taozi continued helplessly.

”Then that evening, Feng went to apologize to Rena, but Chain Witch appeared, taking Feng away.”

”So, the rumor about Breakup Stairs is true... huh?”

At this point, Kohin suddenly froze.

”Feng was just taken away like that?”

”Yes, I know what you’re thinking; I’m surprised too.”

Taozi nodded. She understood Kohin’s thoughts; it wouldn’t be strange for a normal girl to be captured. But Feng and Rena were Magical Girls, not ordinary people. Witches typically give off an aura when they appear; both Rena and Feng were experienced. Even if they didn’t sense it, they should’ve been able to fight or escape, not just be captured.

This was inconceivable.

”But that’s what happened. Chain Witch suddenly appeared, took Feng, and vanished. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it...”

”I understand.”

Kohin nodded.

”I’m willing to help. If there’s anything I can assist with, please let me know.”

”That’s great.”

”No problem, you all helped me yesterday to find my sister... We’re Magical Girls; we should help each other, shouldn’t we?”

Speaking, Kohin returned the sentiment Taozi shared yesterday, and Taozi smiled awkwardly before becoming serious.

”So, let’s go to the Adjustment Room. I’ve asked someone familiar with the rumor for help, and you know them too.”

”Eh?”

Actually, when Kohin followed Taozi to the Adjustment Room, she understood what Taozi meant by ”someone you know” as soon as she saw the familiar Seven Seas Yachiyo.

”I’ve roughly understood the situation.”

Seeing Kohin and Red Ponytail enter, Yachiyo twitched slightly before turning to Taozi.

”Since Feng is taken, I’m willing to help, but...”

At this point, Yachiyo looked at Kohin, who subconsciously shrank under her gaze.

”I don’t want some hindrance to join the operation.”

”I called her over, and she’s worried about Feng too, your words are harsh.”

Hearing Yachiyo’s words, Taozi complained, while Yachiyo merely sat silently on the sofa.

”It’s dangerous to bring Magical Girls without combat ability; you wouldn’t want more victims.”

”...”

”Alright, alright, don’t argue.”

Madam Yakumo chuckled, clapped her hands to break the tense atmosphere.

”Since that’s the case, I have an idea. How about Kohin adjusts her Soul Gem?”

”Ah, yes!”

Upon hearing this, Kohin quickly responded.

”I came to the Adjustment Room hoping to adjust my Soul Gem. If I can’t fight the Witches of Kamihama City, it might be hard to find my sister...”

”Then it’s decided.”

Madam Yakumo chuckled, while Yachiyo sighed.

”Do as you wish, but remember.”

As she spoke, Yachiyo moved in front of Kohin, gazing at her.

”If your Soul Gem remains weak after adjustment, you’ll drag more people into your quest... Don’t forget that.”

”...”

Upon hearing Yachiyo’s words, Kohin hesitated for a moment but did not answer. At this time, Madam Yakumo clapped her hands, and soon the originally bright lights dimmed, followed by the lighting of yellow lamps.

”Alright, Kohin, come over here and take off your clothes.”

”Ah, okay... huh?”

Kohin nodded and instinctively stood up, but then she suddenly froze.

”Wait... take off my clothes?”

”That’s right! Put your clothes in the basket over here, and then lie down here...”

”I, well... this...”

Faced with Madam Yakumo’s instructions, Kohin was clearly a bit uneasy, but she gritted her teeth and reached out...

”Come on, Yakumo, don’t tease her like that!”

Luckily, Taozi quickly grabbed Kohin.

”She’s just joking, don’t really believe her.”

”Really?!”

”Hahaha... Alright, the joke’s over. Please come and sit down, and I’ll adjust your Soul Gem.”

Yakumo directly ignored Taozi’s complaints, cheerfully gestured for Kohin to sit on the sofa in front of her.

”Alright, Kohin, please bring out your Soul Gem.”

”Ah, okay...”

Upon hearing Yakumo’s words, Kohin obediently took out her Soul Gem, though she was still somewhat uneasy. After all, the Soul Gem is the life of a Magical Girl, and handing it over to someone else is unheard of—it’s like putting your entire life in someone else’s hands. But since everyone trusts Miss Yakumo so much, Kohin has no choice but to risk it.

”Alright, close your eyes, take a deep breath... relax.”

Yakumo said as she reached out her hand.

”Now, I’m going to touch your Soul Gem, okay?”

However, to everyone’s surprise, just as Yakumo was about to touch Kohin’s Soul Gem, a slender, fair finger extended from her side and placed itself on the Soul Gem.

”Huh?!”

Everyone turned their heads in surprise and found that Red Ponytail had somehow appeared beside Yakumo!

”What are you doing!”

Yachiyo instantly transformed, then raised her Long Spear and pointed it at Red Ponytail, but Red Ponytail didn’t even spare her a glance. She quietly stared at Kohin, and a flame appeared on her fingertip, seemingly burning, covering Kohin’s Soul Gem.

”Uhh... What is this feeling... It feels like something hot is entering... Miss Yakumo...”

With the eruption of flames, Kohin’s expression began to change. Her originally pale face started to turn flushed, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. The girl’s body trembled constantly, as if she was enduring something.

”Let her go!”

Seeing this, Yachiyo grew more agitated. She shouted angrily and stabbed her Long Spear straight at Red Ponytail.

Yet, the scene that followed left everyone stunned.

Facing Yachiyo’s lightning-fast thrust, Red Ponytail didn’t even look at it; she simply extended her forefinger and lightly tapped.

”Clang!!!”

Just like that, the tip of the Long Spear that was meant to burst forth clashed against Red Ponytail’s forefinger, but her small body didn’t even sway, as if nothing had happened.

”You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Seeing this, Mizunami Rena was almost scared to the point where her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Everyone knew very well how strong Yachiyo was, and for her full-powered strike to leave this girl unmoved? This was too outrageous!

”Uhh... hm...”

Meanwhile, seated on the sofa, Kohin began to moan in slight pain.

”Uhh... ah... ahhhhhh!!”

Finally, with a scream, Kohin suddenly collapsed on the sofa, and only then did Red Ponytail withdraw her hand and step aside. At this moment, the others rushed to Kohin’s side, ignoring Red Ponytail.

”Kohin? How are you?”

”How do you feel? Are you alright?!”

”Hang in there, are you okay?!”

Even Mizunami Rena, who usually didn’t show much friendliness to Kohin, displayed a worried expression. After all, the Soul Gem is the lifeblood of a Magical Girl, and Red Ponytail was such an ambiguous and overwhelmingly powerful entity in their eyes that letting her touch Kohin’s Soul Gem was utterly unpredictable!

”Uh...”

With everyone calling out to her, Kohin slowly opened her eyes.

”I... I’m okay, it just felt like something scorching entered my body suddenly, then exploded... like my body was on fire, but I’m okay now.”

”Really? Yakumo, you’d better check her.”

Though Kohin said so, everyone present wore a serious expression, and Yakumo nodded, reaching for Kohin’s Soul Gem again. This time, Yachiyo and Taozi stood in front of Red Ponytail to prevent her from taking action again. However, Red Ponytail seemed to have completed her task, standing quietly and entering standby mode.

After a moment, Yakumo lowered her hand.

”Hmm...”

”How’s it looking?”

Seeing Yakumo’s thoughtful expression, Yachiyo asked, and Yakumo shook her head.

”There’s nothing particularly wrong; I can feel Kohin’s Soul Gem is filled with power... it’s even better than when I’ve adjusted it.”

”Really? Is that so?”

Faced with this answer, everyone was somewhat surprised, turning their eyes toward Red Ponytail.

Could it be she was helping Kohin?!