NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 103 - Reply
“…Are you the monster that spoke on the broadcast? And… the one controlling that centipede?”
Staring at Gray Shadow before him, YouYu’s face was filled with vigilance as he assumed a combat stance that seemed somewhat immature.
He slowly retreated while observing the Gray Shadow’s movements. As a “novice” with no combat experience, maintaining caution was the safest choice.
“But now that I think about it…”
Looking at the Gray Shadow’s large green eyes and its body encased in silver-white armor, YouYu couldn’t help but think:
“It kind of looks like a knockoff Shadow Moon.”
‘If I’m not mistaken, it won’t waste time chattering like Night Demon but will come straight for me.’
“Hmph, do you think killing an ordinary insect makes you so capable?”
As YouYu pondered, Gray Shadow’s actions confirmed his prediction.
It let out a disdainful chuckle before charging at YouYu with such speed that he could barely “see” it. All he felt was a powerful force slamming into his chest.
“Ugh!”
Sent flying by the impact, YouYu clutched his chest where he had been hit, struggling to his feet in obvious pain.
Before he could steady himself, Gray Shadow launched another relentless assault. The electric generator on its arm crackled with green lightning, striking YouYu repeatedly, causing explosions that reverberated deafeningly. The scene was sheer chaos.
YouYu had no chance to counterattack. Gray Shadow’s “overwhelming” attacks knocked him to the ground repeatedly.
The battle… played out in this manner, over and over again.
“……”
“The puppet’s offensive capabilities have been roughly tested.”
Two minutes later, YouYu, trembling, pulled himself off the ground, looking at Gray Shadow, which had paused its attack.
The electric generator on its arm had overheated from high-intensity use and needed some time to cool down before it could be used again.
For now, YouYu had a moment to catch his breath and think about his next move.
“Though brief, it was enough for me to confirm a few things.”
“So far, Gray Shadow’s puppet isn’t exceptionally powerful. At least, judging by the current situation, its attacks are more ‘flashy than effective.'”
“And its offensive methods rely heavily on technology-driven by negative energy, though its hand-to-hand combat capabilities are decent.”
If he continued to fight cautiously, holding back, as Mamba had suggested, Gray Shadow’s methods would grow increasingly savage as it became desperate to kill him.
After all, this enemy preferred to end battles swiftly and efficiently through sheer force.
Perfect. Using its nature and this opportunity…
He could study the reaction of the golden card within his body.
“Besides, Liu Meng should be here soon.”
Sensing her location, YouYu, his body “weak,” once again raised his fists and faced Gray Shadow. Taking a deep breath, he said in a low voice:
“It’s not over yet, monster…”
“You’re the one who’s finished.”
“…You can still fight?”
Gray Shadow sneered as it saw YouYu stand again, its hand moving to its waist.
A flash of green light appeared, and a silver sword materialized in its grip.
“But it’s all pointless.”
Because now… it was going all out!
“Huff… huff…!”
Running. Pushing herself to her limit.
Ever since she chose to stop being a magical girl, LiuMeng hadn’t run like this—with every ounce of her strength.
“Faster… I have to go faster!”
Panting heavily, she muttered anxiously to herself.
“YouYu… you’d better be okay…”
The memory of those explosions and the anguished cries from the mall’s center replayed in her mind, making it harder to suppress the emotions swelling in her chest.
Finally, unable to contain herself, she broke into a full sprint toward the center of the mall.
What happened to YouYu? What was he fighting? Was he alive or dead?
She could feel it—YouYu’s negative emotions far outweighed those of the giant centipede. He should’ve been able to defeat that monster. But after a certain presence arrived, his negative emotions seemed to have been suppressed, rapidly dwindling.
Though a decrease in negativity was usually good, now… they were in a fight!
Without sufficient strength to face the enemy…
Death was inevitable!
She had to know, to confirm it for herself.
What had happened to YouYu?
“You promised me—despite your words sounding like a farewell—that you wouldn’t just throw your life away.”
“I hope you weren’t lying to me.”
They had agreed to help him regain his memories, to return to the life he once had…
If her decision to avoid combat had caused YouYu to fight in her place, leading to his death—
She wouldn’t know what to do.
All she could do now was desperately pray he was still alive.
She couldn’t face such a grim choice.
Because if she did, she might…
“…”
“Boom!”
Her thoughts were interrupted by a black figure suddenly crashing into a nearby wall, creating web-like cracks and sending debris flying everywhere.
“?! What is that?!”
LiuMeng’s pale face turned even whiter as she instinctively sensed something dreadful. Swallowing hard, she hurried to where the figure lay.
What she saw froze her in place.
Pinned to the wall by a silver sword through its abdomen, with “blood” made of negative energy flowing from the wound, was a grotesque figure.
In its hand was a golden card.
“You…Yu?”
Her voice trembled as she called his name.
“You… you’re not dead, are you?”
“……”
He didn’t respond to her plea.
“Splash!”
Only more “blood” erupted from his body in reply.