Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl

Book 2: Chapter 210: A Deal Where Both Sides Think They

[Notice, notice.][Team 629 and Team 971 have jointly completed the conquest of Maze Node 11, earning corresponding rewards.]

When the announcement about another conquered maze node sounded, most examinees initially paid little attention.

A few candidates lagging in reward points inevitably grumbled, but most Magical Girls simply lowered their heads and continued their work. At this stage of the exam, "conquering nodes" - while enviable - no longer felt particularly novel.

However, this tense calm didn't last long. Soon, the entire maze became restless because of the next sentence in the announcement:

[Only one node remains in this examination. All candidates currently solving puzzles are urged to hurry and complete their answers.]

This single sentence sent ripples through the vast, seemingly boundless structure.

Some examinees sighed in relief, simply glad that this nearly day-long (possibly even day-and-night-long) exam was finally nearing its end. Others felt fortunate because the intense maze navigation and puzzle-solving had drained too much of their energy - the approaching conclusion meant their hard-earned score advantages would soon be secured.

But most candidates fell into an anxious state akin to "the exam is ending but I haven't finished the test paper."

Whether solving puzzles, getting lost, or secretly confronting other teams - everyone unanimously accelerated their progress.

And naturally, this included Xia Liang.

"What do you mean? They actually included a survey map when selling you the information?" Xia Liang feigned surprise while chatting amiably with three unfamiliar Magical Girls before her, her expression appearing genuinely warm and natural, even carrying a touch of naive innocence: "Why didn't I get one? Did they forget?"

"They didn't give you one?" The unfamiliar examinee before her froze momentarily: "How did you find this place without a map?"

"They pointed me in a direction and said to keep walking that way..." Xia Liang adopted a disappointed look, slightly modifying her actual circumstances as she explained: "I didn't even have time to solve puzzles - I've been rushing here the whole time."

"Damn, that's too perfunctory." The stranger, amused by Xia Liang's "unfortunate experience," couldn't help laughing, though she showed no suspicion: "Looks like you got scammed, sis."

Her lack of wariness toward Xia Liang's words was understandable - from her perspective, Xia Liang was just another "buyer of exit information."

Originally, Xia Liang had planned to "avoid everyone and leave after recovering magic power." But upon learning about the so-called "exit" information, after much hesitation, she ultimately changed her mind.

Even if this information reeked of scam, it concerned the exit - she couldn't simply ignore it and walk away.

As the announcement stated, the exam was nearing its end. There was no time to waste. If this was truly the "exit," then after all nodes were conquered, this would be the earliest place to leave the maze.

Her original plan of proceeding straight through walls might theoretically work, but currently she couldn't even confirm her position in the maze. What if the direction she chose happened to be the longer route? By the time the exit opened, she might still be laboriously tunneling through walls.

Ultimately, she decided to utilize the information she'd eavesdropped, pretending to be an examinee who "purchased exit information," making contact with a seemingly decent team of Magical Girls.

Though initially wary - even attempting to bypass Xia Liang - when Xia Liang proactively mentioned the "exit," then employed her genuine eloquence, she soon engaged these unfamiliar Magical Girls in lively conversation.

During this, through casual probing, she confirmed several facts:

First, this so-called "exit" information all leaked from the same team.

Second, this team seemed to possess some low-magic-cost high-speed movement method, having surveyed most of the map before determining several possible exit locations based on map distribution and magic concentration. Xia Liang's current location was one such possibility.

Third, despite these capabilities, after internal discussion, the team concluded they couldn't further pinpoint the exit location - several remaining possibilities all seemed equally likely with no way to eliminate options. So they chose to monetize this information asymmetry: intelligence trading.

The trading method was simple: directly approach puzzle-solving teams, exchanging exit information for puzzle-solving rights.

Not everyone agreed, but maze teams progressed at different rates. Many teams' scores wouldn't be affected by one puzzle's points. Compared to fixed-reward puzzles they might not solve, exit information - especially with most of the maze map included - proved far more attractive.

After signing simple contracts promising not to resell the information, many teams made deals with this "surveyor" team.

Judging by the number of teams Xia Liang encountered, if her current location was just "one possible spot," then the number of teams involved in these transactions must be considerable - roughly estimated at ten to twenty teams. By this calculation, that mapping team must be drowning in puzzle rewards by now. Even if half the puzzles went unsolved, their harvest would be bountiful, their scores topping the charts.

Truly enviable... no, truly admirable.

While mentally grumbling, Xia Liang planned to chat a bit more before leaving. After all, a "possible exit location" wasn't what she wanted. Unless certain this was the exit, she'd rather stick to her original plan.

But soon, she realized something.

If that mapping team had wall-phasing abilities like hers, couldn't they have slipped out alone?

Meaning, if she obtained that map now, wouldn't that power fall into her hands?

This thought rooted her to the spot.

"Um, sorry to ask, but could you let me take a look at your map?" Half-feigning, half-genuine hesitation colored her request: "I know it's unfair, but I feel scammed..."

"Well, about that..." The unfamiliar examinees exchanged glances, their leader looking troubled: "Though your situation sounds tough, don't blame me for being blunt - we're competitors now. Joking's fine, but freely sharing our map would be..."

Her two companions appeared apologetic but clearly agreed.

"Haha, fair enough." Xia Liang chuckled, scratching her cheek like an innocent, naive girl. But before they could respond, she adopted a resolute expression: "Then, what if we make another deal? I have information that might interest you."

"Deal?" The leader repeated the word, expression turning serious: "What kind?"

"Have you seen that so-called 'Power Ranking List'?" Xia Liang also turned serious: "If I told you I know detailed ability information about the fourth-ranked, would that help? Or even if I don't know her enemies, if I sign a contract promising not to disclose this further, couldn't you sell this information for better prices?"

Her words made the opposing team exchange looks again.

Xia Liang didn't care whether they communicated through glances or lip-reading - she focused on maintaining her harmless persona. Though she knew proposing to "resell someone's ability information" would reveal some ill intent, that didn't matter. The crucial point was never revealing her own cards.

Soon, the team reached their decision.

"Interesting. You've come to the right people." The leading Magical Girl smiled - not her previous warm expression, but one brimming with businesslike shrewdness and amusement: "Details?"