NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
Extra Case File 3 The New Warrior in Crimson
“AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!”
Exhausted to the point of depletion, unable to dodge any longer, facing the huge fist coming straight towards her, the girl could only勉强 use her arms to defend herself. At the moment of being hit, a sound like a broken chord came from her throat, as she was sent flying into the distance like a pink thread across the sky.
“CLANG!”
Her body broke through the structure of the brick wall; the injury sustained in the last battle had snapped the solid steel right above her waist. The intense pain nearly took away her consciousness instantly. Wild Flower finally collided to a stop at a water tower between skyscrapers, water dripping from the dented tower leaking out continuously, wetting her back. The bone-chilling cold also awakened her mind.
Without getting any rest after the recent battle, Wild Flower picked up her weapon again. The injuries left over from the previous fight hadn’t healed even under the influence of “Tomorrow Power” of Pretty Cure; not to mention the considerable energy that had inexplicably vanished from her body. She was almost engaging in combat with less than 20% of her strength.
She couldn’t muster enough strength to summon the invincible Sword of Melody.
Wanting to say something, the sweetness in her throat blocked her words.
Not only that, it seemed she reached a critical point. The old wounds that didn’t have time to recover over the past eight years, the hidden injuries left by not going to a regular hospital for fear of worrying family and friends, erupted almost simultaneously.
Pain…
It hurts… It itches… It really hurts! Every part of me hurts!
Even the little strength she had left to struggle to her feet was gone. The pain on her body made this strong woman feel like there was no hope left for life, and sounds kept pouring out of her throat, like a nightingale with broken wings.
Is this my limit?
I can’t keep fighting anymore, can I? But, as a Pretty Cure, isn’t my duty to protect everyone… But, the pain… I have no strength left. I don’t want to fight anymore…
“Precure!”
The only thing she could hear was other people’s cries.
“Pretty Cure, please!”
“Pretty Cure, save me!!”
With Wild Flower gone as a target, the Final Monster turned its attention to ordinary citizens fleeing the scene. Being protected for exactly eight years, they immediately cried out to their beloved savior in their hearts.
“Pattering.”
From the iron tower to the ground, the impact on her legs almost made her unable to stand again. Wild Flower stood up once more before Final Monster.
“Yeah, I am Pretty Cure…”
If I give up, how many people would be hurt, how many would lose their loved ones? If I give in, their futures will be stolen.
“I have to defeat this monster hurting everyone. I must fight and protect the future of everyone…”
Muttering self-encouraging words, under the cheers of countless people she has protected, Wild Flower raised her trembling fists again.
“Come on, let me be your match…”
[Swoosh!]
Several red beams struck the Final Monster, causing it to cry out in agony, shooting sparks from all points of impact. It fell backward upon hitting the ground with an earsplitting crash!
“Click!”
While Wild Flower was stunned by the sudden change, clear, crisp sounds suddenly reverberated around her, shocking her tightly strung nerves.
“Click!”
Again! Wild Flower gasped deeply, trying to calm herself down, and attempted to locate the source, but the noise didn’t seem to come from any specific direction. It was like being inside a metal drum while someone constantly hammered the walls, echoing without end, making it impossible to identify the origin.
“Click!” “Click!” “Click!”
The sharp sounds seemed to have disregarded her feelings, pressing in relentlessly from all four directions. Attacks of unknown origin could appear anywhere, making her feel as though a deadly snake was stalking her. Pressure accumulated throughout the fight burst forth at this moment, almost leading her to collapse!
“Over here.”
Seemingly tired of the game, a slightly lazy voice reached her from overhead.
“You… You are…?”
Wild Flower froze, prepared to say something. Watching that glowing figure, the flames burning fiercely, snatched away her ability to speak.
His crimson combat suit bore a flame emblem in the center of his chest, a helmet completely covered his face, the edges of his visor resembling flames. The warrior in red standing on the top of the tower, with a peculiar rifle on his back rhythmically tapping against his lifted left wrist bracer, each tap echoed crisply.
Bathed in the midday sun, its fierce light cast a dark shadow in front, leaving only a slightly smiling silver mouth visible.
This was Ash, transformed into [TIMEFIRE].
“You… Pardon me, who are you?”
Is this a new Final Monster? A new enemy, or…
Or…
Some forgotten wish floated back into Wild Flower’s heart again.
“Who knows.”
The off-key reply almost caused tense Wild Flower to falter.
“I don’t know who I am,” lifting his head slightly revealed the shadow no longer, with TIMEFIRE’s black visor reflecting the pitiful appearance of Cureyell.
“But I’d love to find a target to shoot at with this gun.”
“Final Monster!”
The frustrated Final Monster shot a black beam toward the crimson warrior, Ash responded by jumping down from the railing, raising his [DV Guardian] and firing directly at the monstrous silhouette.
Rays of light left streaks behind him as he fell, red beams penetrating the creature once more.
Wild Flower’s eyes met those of the rising crimson warrior, exchanging gazes.
Who… exactly are you?
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I’ve made sure the translation maintains the original meaning and tone while ensuring it makes sense in English.