Chapter 278

The Power of the Seventh Demon

“Shameless person!”

Bang!

His hand was shaking!

He was furious!

To be attacked by someone’s butt, Ash was fuming!

Standing up, Ash approached Erika who was turning her head mechanically in place.

“How could you hit someone with your butt? Are you even a Pretty Cure?!”

“E-Even a big shot like me doesn’t care about someone so disgusting—Ack!” Erika tried to put on a tough front but was immediately forced to crawl around by Timons crashing into her.

“I’m going to catch you, and then—”

“Let her go!”

Despite mixed emotions, Lei decisively stepped forward, using her body to gather strength and clash with Ash. After several exchanges, she managed to forcefully throw Ash away.

“Sigh…”

Lying on the ground, Ash got up and sighed slightly.

“Is my strength degraded from disuse?… No.”

Ash squeezed his fists hard, feeling the force of the gauntlet returning to him, thus understanding his strength had not truly weakened.

The echo of darkness within him wasn’t as vibrant as before, but the added strength might have declined. However, this would be discussed later.

Ash placed his hand on the buckle’s screen to summon the demon inside.

“Hey, Timons’s power, demonic power should not be limited to such an extent.”

“Why has the output decreased?”

“But… but,” Cain appeared on the screen with just his eyes showing, looking troubled. “This drive unit limits demons differently. More power could indeed be extracted, but it would consume your life energy!”

“If I need to do that, use it! Life is cheap.”

From a nearby storage, Ash retrieved the Spider Sin Emblem.

“It’s especially true for me.”

The effects of the Adaptability were not just superficial; paying with one’s life was a minor concern.

“Which is more important, power or life?”

“Of course, power.”

“I knew it… Alright, this was your choice.”

Watching the increasingly dark red demonic energy flow over Ash as he slowly stood up, the senses of the Pretty Cure girls became alert.

Meanwhile, standing by and observing, Dr. Shabak’s interest in this human grew stronger.

“Dr. Shabak.”

With a cold voice, a cold girl in a black dress teleported beside him.

“DarkPrecure (Dark Pretty Cure), you are just in time.”

It was DarkPrecure, who had defeated the Angel of Moonlight, a girl with one wing and always closing one eye, looking at Shabak while ignoring Scorpion Lena.

“What’s so great?”

Scorpion Lena felt bad being ignored, but her complaints went unheard. She remained attentive for Shabak’s command.

Shabak said nothing, only pointing at Ash, wrapped in demonic energy, standing still.

“…”

Feeling everyone’s gazes on him, Ash’s lips curved slightly.

They’re all looking at me now? This is a good thing; let’s see my show!

“Can only defeat… Here I go!”

The girls, sensing danger, prepared to attack Ash. Two figures charged from both sides towards Ash’s back.

Silent until then, Ash finally moved!

“[SPIDER]!”

“[Charge!]”

Stamping the emblem quickly onto the display with incredible speed, Ash pushed the muscle fibers at the sides of his belt inward with both hands.

Raising his leg with his twist, the wind generated burned the grass beneath. Sharp spider legs erupted, enveloping his right leg in darkness infused with lightning, kicking back to hit two girls in their chest as they froze in shock.

“[DemonsFinish]!!”

When Ash landed, the two girls behind him, transformed into light garments, collapsed unconscious after severe damage.

“Heh, Cain, that’s your strength. Don’t feel inferior. Instead, be proud.”

Cain was speechless.

“Lei—”

“Erika—”

Ignoring the fairies worrying for their comrades, Ash took off his mask, revealing his face, bowing to the Desert Apostles.

“How was my performance? Quite decent, yes?”

“Impossible, he actually did it!”

Scorpion Lena, a member of the Desert Apostles who was never defeated until now, stared in disbelief at the results.

After silence, Shabak and DarkPrecure descended from above, applauding Ash.

“As a human, your actions are impressive and well done.”

“Just call me Timons, no need to thank me.”

“So, Timons, you did well, but there’s one question.” Wearing a fully covering mask, Shabak looked at the two unconscious girls. “Why didn’t you finish them off?”

“Not fun that way, right?” Ash replied unflustered with a habitual lie. “Besides, despite now appearing fine, the previous fight aggravated my old wounds. Nasty enemies.”

“Ah…”

Shabak stared at Ash, trying to discern something, but the masks prevented any eye contact, prompting him to instruct DarkPrecure instead.

“DarkPrecure, you take care of it.”

Undisturbed by DarkPrecure’s expression, Ash reached into his pocket, hand moving to touch an item.

At that moment, a whirlwind swirling petals formed around them. A figure in glasses carried the unconscious girls and fairies away.

“You—!”

Recognizing the person, DarkPrecure moved to investigate, but the figure vanished instantly without giving any chance.

“The interview seems cut short.” Shrugging off the gaze, Ash didn’t mind as he didn’t recognize the person.

“Well, looks like everyone is okay with it? If no objections, then—”

Ash, unperturbed by Scorpion Lena’s shocked reaction, casually rested his hand on DarkPrecure’s shoulder.

“As companions, look out for me. I’ll be counting on you.”

“Y—You…”

Even DarkPrecure, usually detached, was stunned. Looking at the face obscured by a mask, she struggled for words.

So she decided to open her other eye, revealing golden pupils.