NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65 - Red cake
“…Why are these Negative Beasts showing up here?”
“No idea, but it’s pretty clear they’re here to find trouble with us.”
“Tch, and on my birthday, no less! Good thing there aren’t any civilians around here.”
WuYue’s initial panic quickly faded as she took in the giant ants blocking their path. She frowned, took a deep breath, and clenched her right hand into a fist, holding it near the ruby at her neck. Turning to YouYu, she spoke urgently.
“YouYu, you should get out of here—either on the bike or on foot. You’ve been hurt because of us before, and this time, I can’t let you get hurt again!”
“Yeah, I get it. If I stay, I’ll just get in the way of your fight.”
“But…”
YouYu glanced around at their surroundings—
A desolate street. Moments ago, it was just an empty street.
But after he had “accidentally” driven his motorcycle into this place, he realized the path behind him was now blocked by a black barrier.
Clearly, the enemy had herded them here on purpose.
“So, this is the enemy’s trap.”
“…I see.”
After hearing YouYu’s explanation, WuYue silently lowered her head for a moment, then looked up at him with intense resolve.
“It’s fine, YouYu. I’ll protect you!”
“I won’t let any of those monsters near you!”
“So, just watch! Watch me transform, watch me fight!”
With that, a flash of pink light erupted from WuYue, so dazzling it made the giant ants shield their eyes.
When the light faded, a radiant figure stood before YouYu—the brilliant magical girl, Firebird!
Seeing her transformation complete, YouYu did not show a happy look but said in a serious tone:
“WuYue, during the fight, be extra careful. They didn’t trap us here just to throw three monsters at us—they must have another plan…”
“So, please, put your own safety first!”
“Got it!”
After responding to YouYu’s words, WuYue readied herself to charge, and in the next instant, the ground beneath her heels cracked as she launched forward like a missile. Her flaming fist slammed into the red ant standing in front of two silver ones!
“Hisss—!”
Listening to the red ant’s screeches and watching it burn, YouYu nodded, satisfied with its current state.
Even though WuYue’s spirits had been down lately, her combat skills hadn’t weakened; in fact, they seemed sharper than ever.
Looks like… WuYue wasn’t as fragile as he’d thought. He may have misjudged her before.
“It’s better to call Bai Yu over too.”
While WuYue fought, YouYu dialed Bai Yu to tell her about the situation.
“What?! I’ll come over right now!!”
After a hasty reply, Bai Yu hung up and rushed over.
With that out of the way—
YouYu finally had a moment to plan his next move.
“Night Demon… probably has some interest in me. Good, I’ve also got plans of my own…”
“But… just in case.”
While plotting, he directed his words toward It:
“Mamba, time to wake up.”
—
“Huff… huff…”
Back on the battlefield…
WuYue’s current situation was looking grim. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough to put her on edge.
Her focus had slipped… just a little, and that was all it took.
Because of that lapse, the giant ants managed to slip past her, going straight for YouYu—
The result? His motorcycle lay in pieces, shattered beyond repair. Except for the cake he still clutched, their plans for the day had been utterly ruined.
“…Why.”
Staring at the three charred, dismembered ants before her, WuYue couldn’t understand.
“Why are these monsters so fast? And why are they all targeting YouYu?”
And it wasn’t just their speed; it was as if they were armored, covered in some thick metal plating, making them tough to damage. Breaking through that armor took time—too much time.
While their attacks didn’t pose a real threat to her, for an ordinary person… these ants could slice through them like butter.
“It’s as if… they were specifically designed to go after YouYu!”
This thought made WuYue’s heart tighten.
So far, she had managed to protect YouYu from any harm, but what if the battle dragged on? What if she let her guard down, even for a second, and failed to protect him?
What if…
“No, I can’t think like that!”
Before her thoughts spiraled any further, WuYue shook her head, forcing herself to stop. She steadied her gaze on the giant ants, mentally bracing herself for another round.
She’d questioned herself before, wondering if she could truly protect YouYu. But back then, there was no urgency; she could afford to think it over, to take her time.
Now, however… that luxury was gone. In the heat of a life-or-death battle, hesitation was her worst enemy.
For YouYu’s sake and for the sake of everyone else, she had to hold her ground.
“And YouYu said he had called Bai Yu; she’ll be here soon…”
“If I can just hold out until she arrives, the fight will shift in our favor!”
These ants were already weakened from her relentless attacks; their ferocity and strength had dwindled since the start.
Once Bai Yu arrived, taking them down would be no problem!
So.
Tonight… whether it was her birthday or YouYu’s life.
She would protect them. No matter what.
“Huff… Alright, let’s start the fifth rou—”
“Squelch!”
Just as WuYue readied herself for another strike, a sickening, piercing sound came from behind her.
“…”
“…?”
At first, she assumed it was another distraction, some noise made by the monsters to cover their movements, and didn’t think much of it.
But then, remembering YouYu’s safety, she glanced back just to be sure.
And then—
She saw it—
A black arm piercing through YouYu’s back, protruding from his chest.
And on the ground… lay a shattered and smeared, red as blood—whether it was its original color or stained by some unknown liquid—
Red cake.