Whoosh~
Boom!
A thunder spear shot forth, violently plunging into the gravel before Perlman. The moment it struck the ground, it erupted with thunderous energy. A ring of blue lightning arcs materialized around Perlman, while the surrounding area was enveloped in swirling thunder.
The savage arcs spread outward like ripples, carrying a destructive aura. Any sand they touched was instantly scorched by intense heat, melting into glass in an instant.
The sudden intruder emerged from the shadows, tugging at his slightly askew tie from the run. His light steps grew heavy and halting before finally coming to a slow stop.
Kovei frowned deeply and waved a command. The Thunder Spear, which had been unleashing lightning outward, instantly ceased its discharge. Obeying flawlessly, it soared skyward and flew straight back into Kovei's hand.
"Are they still alive?"
Kovei was slightly surprised.
Just as the Thunder Spear plunged into the ground, poised to unleash its thunderous blast, two water serpents emerged from the earth. One bore black fur on its head, the other white. Each serpent coiled around a person, shielding them from the full force of the thunder.
"This is interesting, but not enough."
Kovei assessed the situation mentally, then lifted his gaze to scan the crowd.
He had come searching for the flung-away Perlman. The moment he spotted someone beside Perlman, Kovei assumed hostile forces had found Perlman before him. Without hesitation, he unleashed the thunder strike, aiming to eliminate the enemy in one fell swoop.
But now it seemed…
A flying doll resembling an Ethereal yet also like a special Bangboo.
A young girl trembling like a sieve.
And the remaining boy—relatively calm, but judging by his solid stance, likely not skilled in combat.
Assessment: aside from the doll, the other two were no match. They probably weren't hostile forces, just passersby who happened to be here.
But so what?
Kovei tightened his grip on the Thunder Spear and advanced slowly, speaking as he walked:
"My apologies—you've encountered something you shouldn't have. But in this misfortune, there is a silver lining. I consider myself a kind person. I'll grant you thirty seconds to compose your last words. Then tell me your home addresses. I'll deliver your final messages, along with one million dennies in life-buying money, to your families."
His tone was stern and icy, leaving no room for negotiation.
The Black-White Doll bared its teeth, staring at Kovei with naked wariness as it whispered:
[If it comes to a fight, you two run. I'll find you later.]
Ruby gasped in shock.
"Even you can't beat him?"
All along, it had been the Black-White Doll protecting Ruby and the Class President—especially with Ruby's "Talent and Effort" boosting it. The weight of that was obvious.
And now, even the Black-White Doll lacked full confidence. Ruby felt as if the sky were collapsing.
[It's not that we can't win. The great Black-White Doll senses that ever since this man appeared, the surrounding ether activity has been abnormally high. I suspect there's something else nearby that hasn't revealed itself yet.]
Light and shadow flickered in the Black-White Doll's eyes. As it sensed Kovei drawing closer, it suddenly roared:
[You two, hurry—]
Before it could finish, the Class President stepped forward and blocked it behind him.
The doll's pupils flickered slightly, puzzled.
But… this kid had been pretty sharp all along. Maybe he really did have a plan.
The Black-White Doll steadied itself with that thought.
The next moment—
"Oh man, honestly, life at home's been pretty rough. I've kind of stopped wanting to live… Hey, buddy, about that life-buying money you mentioned—could you give it to the person I like instead of my parents?"
The Class President scratched the back of his head, smiling shyly, like a greenhorn kid chatting about his love life with a stranger.
Ruby was stunned.
This guy had a girlfriend…?
No, no way. With him? More like a hardcore stalker of some famous actress.
So what was he trying to do?
Kovei suddenly stopped. He lowered his head, thought for a moment, then spoke after a brief pause:
"It's not exactly ethical, but the dead come first. I'll deliver your last words and the money to the person you care about."
"That's great!"
The Class President's eyes lit up.
"I don't know where she lives, but I know where she works."
"Take the subway from Sixth Street to the terminal station, Lumina Square. Buy a newspaper in front of the square, then turn around and take the bus. After reaching the final stop, walk straight ahead. You'll see a huge plaza, and inside that plaza—"
"Wait, wait. You're not messing with me, are you?"
Kovei narrowed his eyes, staring darkly at the Class President.
Who could possibly remember a route that long?
The Class President raised an eyebrow, dead serious.
"Why would I mess with you? I'm honestly telling you where the person I like works."
"Then do you know the exact place? I need a name."
"HAND Headquarters."
Kovei: "…"
"You little—"
Kovei squinted, his tone turning openly hostile.
"You're not trying to say the person you like is Hoshimi Miyabi, are you?"
"Of course not!"
The Class President waved his finger smugly.
"How could an ordinary mortal understand a genius's tastes!"
"The one I like is that blue-glowy, big-eyed thing next to Miss Miyabi! Those pointy little horns, that slurp-slurp expression, that tiny flame… It'd be perfect to hug in winter! I've wanted one forever!"
"Boss, if you can help me find it, I'll swear brotherhood with you! Not born the same day, but dying the same day! Boss!"
The moment he started talking about eyes, the Class President grew visibly excited. His whole body trembled as words poured out like a raging river, nonstop.
Kovei's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
"Enough, you damn pervert! Who wants to live and die with you?!"
Kovei snapped, instantly regretting asking about family backgrounds.
He should've just gone straight for the kill instead of gambling on wiping out their entire families. Why all this extra nonsense?
But killing him now wasn't enough. This brat had assaulted his ears—he had to curse him back. He had to.
"You—"
Just as Kovei was about to speak, two massive water snakes lunged toward him at the same time.
The Black-White Doll burst out laughing.
[Nicely done, kid! Now leave the rest to me!]
Both of its tiny paws slammed down. The black-furred and white-furred water snakes tore their jaws wide open.
[Go on, my children! Send this thing from who-knows-where straight into the 2D world!]
"Hiss—!"
The two water snakes hissed in unison, snapping down.
Caught off guard, Kovei found himself on the back foot. He swung the Thunder Spear horizontally, barely managing to block their jaws and hold them at bay.
"Damn it! Despicable! You wretched ethereal!"
Ambushed and on the verge of being completely suppressed—one step away from becoming "2D Kovei"—veins bulged across Kovei's face as he roared.
Suddenly, a mole-like creature burst out of the ground, launching a surprise attack toward the Black-White Doll's main body.
[Damn it—so there really was an ambush. You two, run!]
Seeing that their opponent truly had backup prepared, the Black-White Doll ground its teeth in frustration. They'd almost taken Kovei down, only for this unexpected rat to appear.
There was no choice now—they had to disengage.
The Black-White Doll turned back and roared for the Class President and Ruby to flee.
Hearing this, the Class President bolted, grabbing Ruby as he shouted:
"What are you spacing out for? Run!"
"Huh? Oh!"
Startled, Ruby snapped out of it and hurried after him.
"Class President, wait for me!"
Behind them, thunder roared and floodwaters surged. Brilliant light turned the night bright as day. Ruby wailed like a banshee, wishing her parents had given her two extra legs.
"I'm waiting! I'm waiting!"
The Class President shouted back, even as he widened the gap between them.
"Aaaaaah! If you don't wait for me, I curse you to eat instant noodles without seasoning packets and hit traffic jams every day on the way to school!"
A streak of blue lightning flashed past Ruby's head.
A faint, scorched smell lingered in the air.
Terrified, she resorted to childish curses, their lethality rivaling drawing a circle and cursing you.
Sure enough, the Class President didn't care at all.
"Fine, fine. Worst case, I'll stop eating instant noodles and walk to school."
"Waaah! Then I curse you to see ghosts, spirits, and every unclean thing in human history whenever you go outside!"
"Running into ghosts? What era's superstition is that?"
He kept running.
Until his body suddenly stiffened, a tingling sensation shooting up from the soles of his feet.
"Class President!"
Ruby cried out.
A bolt of lightning flashed behind them.
Though it was only residual energy from the Black-White Doll's fight with Kovei—and shouldn't have been that strong—
The Class President was still just an ordinary person.
Thud.
He collapsed to the ground.
"I… I'm fine. Huh?"
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself back up.
Suddenly, he noticed a pair of shoes floating in midair, accompanied by a faint, elegant fragrance.
Huh…?
He lifted his gaze, following the shoes upward—past a skirt hem, a cinched waist, flowing sleeves, a swan-like neck—
Until he met a gentle, approachable face. Chestnut hair framed her cheeks, swaying softly, carrying a refined, ladylike air.
"Hello, honored guest. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
Rina tilted her head with a smile, lifting her skirt in a polite curtsy.
"Victoria Housekeeping, at your service."