Chapter 365

Chapter 98: Welcome to the World Beyond Child-Oriented Stories

Ash’s right hand struck several punches that came at Wuki’s chest like gunshots, but they were all intercepted and pushed aside by the少女’s waving palm. Using her skill to counter the 男人’s attack, Wuki aimed at the opening created by his assault, pushing her palm back and sending Ash flying several meters backward.

At the last moment, she reduced most of the force with minimal movement, causing a satisfied yet excited expression to appear on Ash’s face.

“Power, power keeps increasing~!”

Standing up from a crouching position, Ash patted the chest armor smoking heavily and lavished praise upon the少女 without reservation.

In theory, having just received a large wave of Dark Echoes, Ash should have ignored his aging condition, and his physical strength, thanks to his newly enhanced state, should have been stronger than ever; however, in reality, the current Wuki had overwhelmingly dominated him with sheer power.

“Power, speed… The strength of your anger has strengthened you! The effect is really impressive.”

Facing the straightforward moves used by Wuki, Ash chose to rely on instinct and swiftly dodge the swinging body. Flying like a lone boat in a storm, his red figure dodged and weaved through the barrage of fists and kicks.

“The me now is also shaped by you, isn’t it?”

“Is that so? Then I’m truly glad! Hahaha!”

“Wuki-san… Wuki, answer me!” Her voice changed from reverence to sorrow, gradually mixed with anger as the battle went on. “Since you said we are enemies, why did you do those things at the beginning… What meaning does our relationship hold for you? Are we merely toys to you!”

“Yes, why indeed…” With her hands crossed in front of her chest, a web-like energy wave protected Ash, and he met Wuki’s golden punch, which sent him flying out and landing in the ruins. Slowly, Ash answered himself. “As for the reason, I’m still searching.”

“Are you going to continue being vague and avoid answering my questions?!” Fueled by the emptiness in Ash’s words, Wuki attacked with greater fury. “If you’re a man, then answer me seriously!”

“Peng————!”

Using a somersault, Ash left his initial spot and narrowed his eyes at the changing expressions on Wuki’s face.

“I can’t pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“I saw the potential hero in you, and you certainly lived up to that by becoming a new Precure, which greatly satisfies me!”

“As for why I treated you so well… Well, I believed that love’s power could make you stronger as Pretty Cure.”

Hearing Ash’s reply, Wuki froze, even pausing in her movements.

“Then, why change your mind suddenly?”

She refused to believe it because she felt the genuine happiness when they shared their moments together.

“Who knows… Maybe I reconsidered because love as a power source is too unstable. Just look at them two; when their relationship goes wrong, love becomes a hindrance, right?”

Ash naturally referred to the two trapped individuals, making Wuki unable to refute despite wanting to.

“Besides, little Wuki, hasn’t our adversarial relationship been quite interesting? After all, I have a tight schedule recently.”

“So you want to show me how much more powerful I can get if I become angrier?”

“You’re lying————!!”

Wuki exploded with full power, enveloped in golden light, and lunged fiercely towards Ash.

She would not accept Ash’s disregard for her emotions!

Wuki’s intense rage boosted her attack’s power beyond what Ash could handle, though her anger compromised her judgment, revealing her vulnerability fully.

“Such poor martial skills, Wuki!”

With higher-level fighting experience, Ash gracefully kneeled as he was about to be hit, then kicked Wuki’s waist with both feet in mid-air.

“Spider!”

Kicked mid-flight, Wuki was struck again from behind while attempting to correct her stance, crying out as she fell to the ground.

“Don’t forget I’m still here!”

In mid-air, flames engulfed her fist as Spider Gaki finished a cooperative move with Ash.

“A new Precure isn’t much to worry about. If you can’t even handle a sneak attack, you won’t ignite my passion!”

Miscalculated…

Supporting herself off the ground, trembling at her waist, Wuki finally remembered the other enemy present.

Countless metallic spiders were launched towards her from Ash’s spider cloak. The少女 immediately deployed the Sunflower shield in front, but it only allowed Spider Gaki to circle around her, striking her with a powerful blow while she was occupied.

“Spider Gaki Special Attack!”

The burning fist hit the少女’s barely defensive shoulder, sending her to jump away in pain, only to find herself pulled towards Ash due to a white silk binding her wrist.

“!”

Caught in the web, Wuki flew toward Ash, using this velocity to launch a straight punch while mid-air, forcefully slamming it toward Ash.

This time, there’s no way he could dodge it!

When the少女 was about to land a hit, Ash shifted lightly, letting her fist glance off his armor without causing damage.

“I taught you, no need to be surprised.”

Changing tactics, Ash became serious. Facing the large opening left by an attacking Wuki, he swung a fist cutting through the air, embedding it into her smooth stomach.

“Guh——!”

Unimaginable pain bent the少女’s body into a shrimp shape. Agony turned her face red along with her eyes, and she vomited acid water onto Ash’s shoulder guard.

“Why…. why… such…”

Her sense of pain led to loss of control over half her body. Like an embrace, Ash let Wuki approach, tenderly inserting his hand into her golden hair, stroking it softly before resting his chin on her shoulder, whispering softly,

“Welcome to the world beyond child-oriented stories.”

“It seems you must become stronger next.”