Chapter 60

Sidebar Case File 60 The Disease is Love

Nozomi’s face was void of emotion as she lowered her gaze to where the pain from a bee sting would come.

She could see a pitch-black blood hole on her shoulder, the originally severe bleeding had been seared by the beam’s high temperature, turning it into charred flesh, leaving only the sleeve, soaked in blood that continued to run down.

Her arm was pierced through; it really hurts. Should I cry? Eh, I’m used to this level of pain so there’s no need to cry. Moreover, compared to the pain… the pleasure of bleeding at this moment is really true, isn’t it?

The sensation of battle, just like Timefire described, is also real.

The Melody Sacred Sword hung limply from Nozomi’s hand. Due to the pain, her arm stopped moving and couldn’t complete the charging of the Melody Sacred Sword.

“Pffth—”

With a sound like a sharp sword piercing the air, the light enveloping the Melody Sacred Sword dissipated. Rika nearby saw that Yell had been stopped and knelt almost on the ground, about to shed tears out of pain.

Yell said nothing, energy flowed through the wound, reversing the charred condition as if time were reversed. What was being done could be called “repairing” rather than healing, and once it was confirmed not to affect the battle, she turned towards the direction from which the beam came.

“It’s truly worthy of a world hero like Miss Yell. That blow nearly brought me early exit. I must play the devil once more.”

TIMEFIRE, or rather Ash, twirled his God Gun and sheathed it back into its holder on his leg. With a pop of joints as he stood up from the rubble, he walked towards Yell.

“Don’t be so surprised. Darkness is my friend. Did you want to fall with me into hell too?”

Darkness circled him, continuously absorbing the rage energy from the surrounding Final Monsters.

[Dark Resonance absorption in progress… Go for it, Ash. This is what you wanted, right?]

“That’s just how it has to be.”

The unfamiliar system notification rang, but Ash paid no attention, immersing himself in the comfort of Dark Resonance repairing and strengthening his body, and grinned broadly.

Before reaching his limit, Dark Resonance only makes me stronger… Such strength, how can it not be villainous?

However, at this point, Ash couldn’t understand whether this change in character was due to some sinister influence or if it’s part of the usual transformation.

Normally, it was a friend’s duty to wake this person up, but unfortunately, Nozomi hadn’t had a friend for eight years. So, it looked like it’d have to be left to Ash.

“Hahaha! Now then, now then! Let us begin our second round of `Date’!”

Is that so?

Cure Yell walked toward Ash expressionless. Actually, she no longer cared.

I am Precure, I can only be Precure. The duty of Precure is to obliterate darkness. I must obliterate darkness… Those opposing me are the kind of darkness that should be erased from existence!

At this moment, Nozomi’s expression was completely overshadowed by a black face, losing all balance. She would normally recognize this, but now, she no longer had control over this “rage.”

So, are you the next Final Monster after that one? But…

“Who would want to date you?”

Don’t you know that at this moment, such words hurt the most?!

“Who knows? Maybe it’s everyone in the world who considers themselves heroes!”

Thinking this, Yell, whose entire face was darkened, raised her sword. She was not going to use her fists anymore. It’s better to cut Timefire. And this time, with all this rage energy on Timefire, the Melody Sacred Sword will work efficiently.

The two made the Fierce Final Monster, panicking underneath them, their battle taking place on the monster’s soft belly as they slashed at each other!

“Hiss–”

Future vs. future, darkness against darkness, two natures that are almost identical yet completely opposite, facing off. A glaring flame ignited between them, exploding constantly where their swords clashed, lighting up Yell’s “evil” smile and Timefire’s mask cracked in tranquility.

“So, is this the truth behind your gentleness?”

“You’re disappointed?”

Hearing Yell’s colder-than-ever voice, Ash kneeled and dodged the slash aimed at his neck.

“If it’s true then… How I longed for this, Precure!”

Dropping the protective sword, he struck the Final Monster’s foot with a scream, then threw the sword upward. The blade was already coated with an everlasting and pitch-black fire, causing flames to obscure his vision.

“It doesn’t matter how ugly or how hideous you are, because those are what makes you beautiful!”

Reversing his sword to his side, twisting his body away from Yell, Ash蓄积全身的力量只为那一击。

“One truth hidden, another kept… Until now, the feelings discovered!”

Placing another hand on the void scabbard, thoughts of Nozomi’s usually innocent laughter flickered in his mind but turned into a sorrowful laugh, pain slicing his heart, making Ash roar out every bit of his power!

“Indeed, destiny’s red thread binds you and me together!”

Galaxy一刀流正宗 —— 拔刀斩 ——

“Not wrong, this is the fate of an immoral and chaotic battle!”

Melody Sacred Sword’s light dispelled the swirling black flames, but it felt bad that she missed by mere inches from Ash.

Then came a clear sound,

From below, a sword ablaze with black flames fully raised and swung upwards. In the blink of an eye, Yell’s expression changed, dark flames immediately sliced through her entire left shoulder through her arm!

“Gurgle— Aaaah!!!” Blood spouted like a fountain and splattered on the screaming Nozomi and Timefire’s faces, drenching the tragic duel in even more vivid hues.

“I understand now!”

Injured Nozomi, clutching her blade to sever the opponent’s waist, while Ash, a step ahead, leaped forward, once again sparking an unimaginable flame between the Guardian Sword and the Melody Sacred Sword.

“Why did I fall for a lone fighter like you? Why did I fall for a ragged woman who is far from being respectable!”

Raise sword, strike, raise sword, strike! It was such a simple, unrestrained, midair chopping motion that under Ash’s unparalleled pressure, these residual shadows of strikes seemed to hammer into the monster’s body beneath.

“It’s the authenticity that leaves my heart utterly overwhelmed by your beauty!”

“This is love!”