Chapter 192

The Eighty-Ninth Dangerous Game

“Taking… my friends?”

Hearing these words, Ai widened her eyes in disbelief. Although she might sometimes overlook her friends’ feelings, she was undoubtedly someone who greatly cared about them.

Therefore, she could not tolerate such words. If an enemy said this, she would angrily teach them a lesson! But to her surprise, such words came from Ash whom she cared for.

Absolutely irrational!

“Right, Yotsuba Arisue, Makoto Kanzaki, Rikka, your friends will be taken one by one by me, and those taken by me will become mine.”

“When that time comes, what kind of pitiful or resentful expression will you show me after losing all the important friends you care about?”

Facing Ash’s provocation, Ai clenched her fists tightly, her eyes shut in anger as she shouted, unable to endure any more.

“Ash, too much! Six Flowers belong to themselves, they are not something that can be casually taken!”

“No, I don’t plan on asking for your opinions; I am just stating my game rules.”

Ai felt a weight fall on her shoulder as another hand was placed there. She turned to see Mana.

“Six Flowers…”

“It’s alright, Mana.” Six Flowers shook her head, trying to remain composed despite her usual toughness. “We also want to bring Mr. Ash back to his senses, so don’t worry about us.”

“Mana…!” Regina looked at her with great concern, worrying not only about the girls but also about Ash’s state.

“I have no power right now… please help!”

Unable to hold back, Ai finally mustered the courage to face Ash directly.

“Then you cannot go back on your word, Ash!”

The Pretty Cure Sparkle Swords gathered together, finally getting ready for battle.

“At last, you’ve shown some fighting spirit.”

Surrounded by near-physical black aura, each step Ash took turned the sand beneath his feet into crystallized depressions, making everyone’s breathing grow more difficult.

“But do you think your current strength alone can defeat me?!”

Some fans reading books near railways or airports might be annoyed by the noisy trains passing on tracks or airplanes starting their engines. However, if one were actually near these places in official roles like maintenance personnel, the noise level would be significantly higher – tenfold or even a hundredfold.

Moreover, if standing directly in front of high-speed trains or planes, could anyone bear the immense impact and deafening explosions?

Currently, Ai and the others faced a speeding “bullet train” and a supersonic fighter attacking them.

“Dodge!”

Ash pushed everyone out of the way, crushing through them, creating deep sand pits left behind after his high-speed charge.

Deciding on a strategy, the girls headed towards the hills next to the beach to stop Ash, not letting him continue tormenting them here, otherwise hurting Ai’s father and Regina’s!

“Pretty Cure Sparkle Sword!”

Countless spade-shaped light swords flew towards Ash, slamming into his back and bursting with smoke that veiled him.

“Did we… defeat him?”

Smoke cleared, unscathed Ash calmly stepped on the road as he walked step by step towards Makoto.

“S… Sparkle Sword!”

More light swords shot out as Ash neither dodged nor flinched, letting the spades hit him, still advancing toward Makoto despite explosions.

“Cure Sword, I start with you.”

Unnoticed, Makoto had already fallen out of line to distract Ash. Knowing she had to rely on herself, Makoto gritted her teeth and charged, dropping her heart bow and slashing at Ash with a purple glow in her hand.

Dodging easily with a slight tilt of his head, Ash immediately countered with a powerful spinning kick to Makoto’s chin, sending Longya’s head reeling back.

Got her—what?

With a kick strong enough to take down a giant Selfish Beast, Ash didn’t even flinch. His grimacing mouth curved into a mocking arc as he pressed her foot down with his heel.

Realizing the danger, Makoto quickly backed away, but as she thought she had gained distance, Ash suddenly vanished. Then, a morning dew shimmered on the leaf next to her and, turning in horror, she saw a rapidly expanding dragon mouth.

“Makoto—!”

In less than 10 seconds, when the others arrived, they saw Ash grabbing Makoto and smashing her into a rocky mountain. Her body was used as a hammer, and the immense force pressed a huge rock into her back as she struggled to rise.

“Ugh…”

Makoto’s agonizing head seemed to split open, and the dragon’s mouth bit deeply into her face before pressing harder, grinding the rocks and causing her eyes to roll up into pure exhaustion. The purple light withdrew from her as the transformation ended, and she slid off the rock onto the ground after Ash released her.

“It’s over? You are still the weakest afterall.”

Disappointment filled Ash’s face under the helmet.

“Cursed—!”

“Ash-san—you’ve gone too far!!”

“Hmm?” Ash turned his head towards the angry girls due to Makoto’s state. “This is battle, CureHeart. Do you really know what it means?”

“Battles hurt. People lose important things. And life is often lost. It’s a dangerous game!”

The enraged girls instantly retaliated with full force, showing no intention of backing down regardless of Ash’s current odd state!

Mr. Ash, we have grown stronger! Thanks to the training you provided during our previous battles. Now, we will use our strength to bring you down!

Close combat had never been a weakness for the Pretty Cure. On the contrary, it was their forte, channeling power through their fists and legs. Veins pulsed violently, and seemingly slender limbs became infused with infinite energy, ready to resist the incoming fight.

Triangulation attack launched simultaneously, Ash dodged effortlessly with a shrug, swatting away Ai’s punch, elbowing her downwards, then sweeping Arisu’s sidekick before landing a war axe-like blow across her chest and throwing her away. Ignoring Yotsuba’s strike from behind, he leisurely turned just to grab her hair and viciously hurl her into the mountains with a mocking laugh.

Had the Pretty Cure gotten stronger? Absolutely, definitely stronger.

But to Ash, his actions demonstrated that it wasn’t enough.