Jiang Yin had indeed never served in the military, but she had a friend who was a soldier, and they often drank together, sharing amusing stories from the barracks.
For example, many drills were organized just to use up nearly expired ammunition in storage. Even though live rounds were fired, in essence, it was just target practice.
There was also a rumor once about a haunted mountain near the unit’s garrison. The Garrison Commander simply used a target practice exercise as an excuse to bring over a few towed cannons and blasted the mountain for an entire afternoon. Since then, the mountain was never haunted again.
Some things were indeed against regulations in principle.
The Magical Girl Administration Bureau, while also a military unit, generally remained isolated from local garrisons, only requesting support when absolutely necessary.
After all, once such a request was made, higher-ups would investigate what was happening—why a Magical Girl needed to mobilize the military.
What, did a Monster attack the city!?
Why such a commotion!?
But in actual operations, sometimes, like now, it was possible to be flexible—a joint exercise, for instance!
Stationed Magical Girls were originally required to conduct a joint exercise with local troops every three years, simulating coordination and division of labor during a large-scale, organized Monster siege.
Using the pretext of an exercise for a small-scale support request was perfect. No need for more—a squad-sized deployment was just right.
The local unit’s garrison was not far from Jiang Yin’s location, and their mobilization speed was indeed swift. In less than half an hour, the over-three-meter-tall Monster Strongman had only half-recovered, barely able to crawl, when Jiang Yin saw a classic military pickup approaching from afar.
In the bed of the pickup was a Catcat Vehicle wrapped in Three-color Cloth, and the two people sitting on it with bewildered faces—who else could they be but Qv Si Nan and Lu Zhizhi?
“Yo, still safe? That’s good.”
Jiang Yin greeted the two ladies, then found herself under Lu Zhizhi’s suspicious stare.
“Who exactly are you?”
“I’ve never heard of the Bureau being able to mobilize military force.”
“What are you saying!”
Jiang Yin quickly covered her mouth.
“This is called a joint exercise! An exercise, understand!?”
Lu Zhizhi was no fool. Once her mind caught up, she realized what little tricks Jiang Yin had pulled, though she remained deep in thought, not saying anything.
In contrast, Qv Si Nan adapted quickly—perhaps even a bit too quickly.
While Jiang Yin was educating Lu Zhizhi, Qv Si Nan, who had just been puking her guts out on the road, was now circling the tanned Squad Leader.
Don’t misunderstand. She wasn’t interested in the Squad Leader himself, just envious of his gear.
“Wow, Exoskeleton. I can’t believe this thing is actually standard-issue now.”
Right—because it was the first time receiving such an odd support request from Jiang Yin, the bewildered stationed company commander not only sent the squad with the most field experience, but also equipped them with the best individual gear.
No way they were going to lose face in front of a brother unit!
(If you’re curious, go look it up. The Rabbit’s gear can even let a single soldier carry a heavy machine gun and an ammo box forward.)
“Can this thing really carry that much weight?”
Qv Si Nan was so interested that she even offered the Squad Leader a cigarette, only to be refused.
“Sorry, comrade. I can’t accept.”
“Oh, oh.”
Qv Si Nan laughed awkwardly, just about to apologize, when Jiang Yin swiped the cigarette and lighter from her hand, lit one for herself, then offered one to the stoic Squad Leader.
“Don’t be shy. Have one.”
“This lady comrade, I really can’t accept…”
Jiang Yin didn’t mind, showing her credentials with a smile.
“One of us—not a civilian.”
Seeing he was still about to refuse, she pressed on.
“What, don’t see the Bureau as a brother unit, or do you look down on female soldiers?”
Squad Leader: “….”
If you say it like that, then if I refuse, it means I have a problem with my thinking?
Fine!
Even knowing Jiang Yin was teasing him, the Squad Leader didn’t want to take that risk and accepted.
“Impressive.”
Qv Si Nan gave her a thumbs-up.
“See that big guy? We can’t fully handle it, but we don’t need to. As long as we disable its movement temporarily, Magical Girls can finish it off later.”
“What firepower did you bring? Ordinary rifles won’t do against this thing.”
Thanks to Jiang Yin’s antics, the Squad Leader seemed less stern as he lit his cigarette.
Though called a Squad Leader, he was only in his twenties, younger than Jiang Yin, and with his simple mindset shaped by years in the military, it was easy to become friends with someone like him.
“Relax. It’s more than enough.”
The Squad Leader waved his hand, calling to the other soldiers.
“Unload it! Let’s show our Bureau comrades the equipment!”
“Yes, Squad Leader! Right away!”
Five soldiers quickly pulled down the extended frame from the pickup and set it on the ground. One climbed into the Catcat Vehicle, started it, and reversed it down, parking in front of the pickup.
“This Catcat Vehicle…”
Jiang Yin felt a bad premonition. The Catcat Vehicle could be fitted with all sorts of weapons, and the shape under the Three-color Cloth looked a bit…
“Shua—!”
A soldier pulled off the Three-color Cloth, revealing a device that left Jiang Yin speechless.
“I remember I specified Sniper Grenade-level firepower on the phone. This is…?”
“Six-tube 107mm Rocket Launcher! One unit mounted, plus thirty spare rockets! More than enough!”
The Squad Leader gave her a thumbs-up, his white teeth gleaming in the sunset.
Jiang Yin silently returned the gesture.
“Impressive.”
Wait—this is Sniper Grenade-level firepower!?
It’s 2025, and you still have a firepower deficiency complex, huh?
Or is this the usual routine of leaving lots of margin for error?
What’s next, an air-to-air missile with a 140km range that can hit 200km? Wujifeng would be proud.
Jiang Yin didn’t need to ask to figure it out.
She’d requested two Sniper Grenades from Bureau logistics. The logistics team probably communicated with the military as two single-use Recoilless Rifles. The military, finding Recoilless Rifles expensive and one-time-use, thought—what if something unexpected happened?
Fine! (Clap)
Since we’re already driving over, why not bring a Catcat Vehicle?
Bring thirty 107mm rounds—cheap and plentiful! More than enough!
This over-three-meter Monster Strongman was truly unlucky. First, Jiang Yin rammed its waist with a forty-ton Modified Car at over 200 km/h while shielded by a Magic Barrier, shattering it. Just as it was about to recover, now it faced a barrage from a six-tube 107mm rocket launcher.
Jiang Yin felt a pang of sympathy.
It was at least a C-Class Monster—normally an elite monster in a Magical Girl side quest—but now, it just seemed so pitiful.
What kind of sin did it commit in its past life!?