Chapter 399

The Fourteenth Chapter: Manipulating Life and Manipulating Hearts – A 4K Chapter

Deep within the Desert Apostle’s base, in a special operations room that any detection instrument couldn’t find, Ash and Shabak, such an unusual pairing, stood and sat facing a massive object.

This was Dr. Shabak’s specially prepared hangar for the Dark Pretty Cure, supplying, or more accurately, maintaining her.

High-pressure cables stretched from all directions to connect with the large tank at the center of the room, occasionally emitting chaotic light through the pipes, providing a continuous stream of dark power.

With Doctor Shabak’s manipulation on the computer in the room, thick metal plates covered the transparent container, hiding the Dark Pretty Cure like a treasure.

Ash quickly computed the thickness and material, realizing even G4’s iconic rocket launcher wouldn’t be able to break through this.

“Indeed, cautious handling.”

“For someone like you, it’s necessary.”

After saving Little Dark and returning her to Lily, Ash hurriedly returned the transformation items on the electric train, then swiftly brought Little Dark back before pretending to be the human counterpart of an Ultraman, waving goodbye to his team. He was truly a time management master, but he was exhausted too. Naturally, the facts weren’t simple to hide.

Of course, the truth couldn’t simply be buried. The manager could use Den-O’s excuse to convince them; however, Timons’ suspicious timing aroused Dr. Shabak’s great suspicion.

“Timons.” The white-haired man masked, speaking in his emotionless yet chilling tone. “I didn’t expect you would dare come back.”

“Indeed, Dr. Shabak, do you have ways to monitor here as well?” Without flinching, Ash flipped through the comic book “Masked Rider Black.” “But if you believe I betrayed you, you’d be wrong. I am progressing toward my goals.”

A crimson energy formed in Dr. Shabak’s palm, hanging above Ash’s head as Ash remained unmoved, simply licking his fingers while flipping through the comic.

“But your behavior earlier, does it prove you’re planning to betray us?”

Should Ash show any abnormality, he planned to execute this suspect who caused severe injuries to the Dark Pretty Cure right here.

“What answers will satisfy you? Perhaps we should ask Lord Doon?”

“How interesting, to drive him to such lengths.” Scarcely after Ash spoke, Lord Doon’s unclear voice echoed through the large screen.

“Lord Doon… But why!?” Lord Doon’s voice rendered Shabak half-kneeing in loyalty. Yet, he couldn’t understand why the seemingly righteous lord would let such a dangerous character run rampant.

“As long as he doesn’t directly lead the Precures here, we needn’t worry,” a face smiling on the blurry screen said. “After all, it’d be wasteful to just discard such a capable figure, wouldn’t it?”

“Thanking your generosity.” Ignoring the certainly grim expression beneath Dr. Shabak’s mask, Ash stepped over him and bowed reverently to the screen which had lost signal once more.

Just as he had planned, it all fell into place according to his calculations.

Simply applying his ordinary thought process to Lord Doon’s mind, reverse thinking could easily yield pleasant results—a bit like Megatron always allowing his second-in-command Red arachnid to stay nearby, generating such tension it delighted these bored alien invaders.

“Do you find it amusing…Huh, I find it amusing too.”

“Speaking this way, it sounds like you’ll start ranting again,” joked the demon Kayin, perched on Ash’s shoulder like a doll. “Seems different from your usual whimsical mood, you seem serious.”

“Even though we both exert ourselves for what we like or care about, I’m fundamentally different from monsters like him because I’m human and a genius.”

Shabak intended to teach him a lesson but met resistance from his own master, especially because of the disrespectful remarks exchanged with Shabak’s puppets, who disregarded him, uninterested in further degradation.

“Why leave so soon, it’s not like you summoned me?”

“You still want to discuss something?”

Upon seeing Ash approach with the manga book, his expression was less than pleasant.

“No, just think it more dangerous when someone like you, lurking opportunistically…”

“Unlike me, not ready to remove one’s mask… Isn’t Shabak dangerous to both parties? Agree?”

“Who are you, to say such things without ever removing your own mask?”

“Just curious about how amusing it is—someone acting as our greatest enemy without understanding anything.”

Lifting a finger, Ash tapped the edge of his mask, smiling in ridicule. “Or perhaps, don’t you know what you stand for under your mask?”

Silent, Shabak left.

“You understood?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t speak without assurance.” Removing his hand from the mask, he drew out a photo of a masked individual repairing gear, but notably, the mask was absent.

“I’m not fond of manipulating others.”

By embedding a special miniature camera inside parts and then processing it with advanced imaging technology, Ash analyzed and attempted to uncover the true face concealed behind the mask. This task had recently been accomplished.

And the result led Ash to a slightly amused but also grim expression.

“Isn’t it outdated, like this conventional plot twist?”

“However, if we use it skillfully, it could be a crucial card.”

Staring at the photo again before tucking it away, Ash took out the stolen identity disk he grabbed during contact.

“Hmph, complaining about threats isn’t natural. It’s reasonable to reclaim what’s rightly mine now.”

Inevitably, the one could not ignore the threat of being held at gunpoint, so to meet Little Dark…

Inserting the disk, Ash moved rapidly, hacking with Shabak’s access. Soon, the Desert Apostle’s base’s firewall dropped, granting easy access.

“So now…”

Pressing a blue button, the outer armor of the container disengaged, revealing the precious contents within.

The Dark Pretty Cure, heavily injured and weak from recent battles, rested in the container. Wearing only a thin robe, she lay huddled with an X-shaped scar gradually healing, her presence proven by the faint bubbles as she breathed.

“Such beauty, almost waiting like Sleeping Beauty.”

Ash continued working, learning secrets behind her creation; the screen revealed involvement with unethical scientific practices.

“A life without blessings, artificially cultivated from someone’s genes merged with dark energy.”

No father, no mother.

Undeniably, it was a sinister science akin to Brain Bunch’s experiments, soul-sold.

Scanning lines passed through his sight, furrowing Ash’s brows.

Despite suspicions, witnessing the actual cruel reality remained unsettling.

If merely a weapon without self-awareness, the project perfected, granting her self-conscious.

Manipulating minds was trivial, but life manipulation…

“A designed life with no choices, destined to serve?”

Reaching for the outside of the container, pity filled Ash’s glance.

“Such a fate—it’s hard to accept, so I wonder…”

Fingers traced the signature on the manga cover. “Who decided such a scenario? If it’s tragic, could the real fault lie in my actions?”

Crack—

Mid-rambling, the jar shattered.

Little Dark opened her eyes, pressing against the opposite side. Cracks spread out in a web-like pattern.

Red alarms flashed wildly, too late.

“哗啦”

The rushing flood nearly soaked the manga, then—

“Timons!!”

Only Little Dark was left to utter this name, now full of sorrow.

Translucent fluid dripped from her, barely clothed.

Sitting over the fallen Ash, hands entwined, tears forming.

“Why? Why target me?”

“Precure’s killer—such your goal?”

“Yet, what are you doing?”

Stunned, Little Dark responded,

“Following Dr. Shabak’s orders!”

“Can such dedication express your will?”

Her trembling increased, grip loosening.

“If he commands you to kill me, would you follow?”

“Impossible…”

Caught, Ash shifted, pressing on her.

“Drip—” Water fell from the jar or her eyes.

“Drip—” Falling pearls striking his mask.

“In doubt, yet—first friend, I value you.”

“Don’t leave—only friend…”

Loosening a hand, Ash gently raised his thumb.

“Timons—really exist?”

Placing her palm over Ash’s heart.

“We are friends—call me.”

“Ash…”

Realizing, a smile.

“Your trust—not betrayal, not enemies.”

“Your strength, your feelings—I aspire.”

Pulling her close, warmth enveloped her.

“Ash?”

“Recognized similarities.”

“Embrace sincerely—or pierce my heart.”

Releasing, Ash pulled out a red spider emblem.

“To bring happiness to wounded women—is your cooperation?”

“If so—I am a friend!”

For the first time, Little Dark’s eyes shone.

Somewhere silent, unspeaking hearts sighed.

“Tired…”