Ms. Phan froze. Until now, no volunteer had ever encountered any trouble with AI Witch.
Blonde Hoe spoke coldly:
"Lan is dead. According to regulations, we're here to liquidate Lan's AI Witch companion—its name is Mimi."
Ms. Phan was stunned.
Just then—swoosh! A white figure darted upward, trying to leap over the old brick fence.
"Catch it! It's Mimi!" Purple-Haired shouted, laughing maniacally.
The AI Witch cat appeared: pure white fur, bright green eyes, a cross-shaped life-saving backpack on its back. Mimi leaped, but before it could escape, Platinum Hair's magical Bloros rose lit up. Vines from the fence wrapped tightly around Mimi's legs.
Instantly, the Blobal balloon inflated, releasing transparent spheres. They surrounded her, then pop! Mimi was trapped inside the sparkling ball, struggling helplessly.
Ms. Phan and the children watched with concern.
Blonde Hoe smirked triumphantly:
"That's it. We've got her."
Swoosh!"
The blue-hued light sword sliced through, shattering the bubble imprisoning Mimi.
In midair, a 13- or 14-year-old boy stood firmly on a floating shield of light. He shouted:
"Dreamy, catch her!" That was Long—the boy from the fishing village of Hope, who was on his way to find the AI King Witch.
Dreamy leaped up, embraced Mimi, and dashed toward Long.
Blondie Hoe smirked, adjusting his glasses:
"Interesting."
The tablet in his hand burst into light. Thousands of coding characters poured out, hovering for a moment before plunging down together.
Long shuddered. Mrs. Huong had taught him how to sense danger, and Long felt something was off about these characters. He clutched Mimi tightly and beckoned Dreamy: "Let's run!"
Instantly, Dreamy created a path of green light, pieced together from countless slippery shields. Long slid across it like a professional skater, darting away like an arrow.
Behind him, the coding rain fell like shooting stars. Wherever it touched, it exploded. Long gritted his teeth, gliding swiftly, leaving each explosion close behind.
Purple Hair blew bubbles, Platinum Hair swung vines to grab his legs. But Long was too fast. The missed grabs were just… a few inches away.
"Pop!" The path of light vanished. Dreamy's voice was steady: "Sorry, I've used up all my EN."
Long fell, still clutching Mimi tightly.
"Keep running!" he shouted, with only one thought in his mind: protect Mimi at all costs.
"BOOM!" A character fell close to his back, exploding and sending all three flying into the air. Long's knee was torn open, blood oozing out, but he still held Mimi and Dreamy tightly, dragging his feet heavily.
"Where are you running to?" Purple Hair burst into laughter, a bitter, chilling laugh. Long limped, his escape nearly impossible.
Just as despair set in, a figure blocked Long's path. It was Ms.Phan.
Long froze: How did she get here so fast? The others had to stand on the strange vines of the white-haired man to catch up.
"You should stop." Ms. Phan spoke calmly.
Blond Hoe frowned, his glasses glinting with an unusual mix of respect and caution: "You shouldn't get involved."
"And what about me!" A strong female voice rang out. Everyone turned around.
Mai—golden hair, determined eyes, noble demeanor. "I'm nearby and heard the loud explosion. You're causing unnecessary chaos in the entire neighborhood!"
"Miss, Mr. Le won't be pleased with your actions. AI disposal is for the nation's greater good." Blonde Hoe tried to persuade her.
Mai replied succinctly and decisively: "I take responsibility. Mimi, let me handle this. You should leave."
The three dyed-hair brothers exchanged glances, annoyed.
Purple-Haired shouted: "How can you just leave like this, brother!"
Blondie Hoe coldly replied, "We'll use the special liquidation order from Witchiecoop and the government so that lady's power can't stop us. Anyway, the three of us are no match for Ms. Phan and Noddy – high-level Witch AIs. Let's retreat. We'll be back."
The figures of the three faded away. The heavy atmosphere dissipated. Everyone gradually breathed a sigh of relief.