Chapter 1604: with translation of chapter title

NO．218: Seems like it, yet seems not.

Hei'an Zaki, the pitch-black destruction god who needs no introduction.

Compared to other monster card information, He, like Dark Lugiel, possesses an affinity for the human form.

Just as Dark Lugiel's story included possessing Principal Shirai and releasing power through that body, Dark Zaki once forcibly possessed scientist Yamaoka, erased his consciousness, and disguised himself as Mitsuhiro Ishibori to carry out a series of actions.

Compared to Dark Lugiel, Dark Zaki is more versed and professional in disguising and acting in human form; even his daily banter and horseplay with teammates are performed personally, not by fabricating a temporary persona to stand in.

Basically, because this experience is also recorded in the card information, when Aomo uses the card in human form, he feels that the power's response and construction are easier and more free-flowing than Dark Lugiel's.

Opening a darkened version of the Meta Territory is just a matter of a breath.

Even if that black-mist-shrouded figure smashes the cage forged by dark sorcery, it still has nowhere to go in this darkness.

Frankly speaking, with the neck and head entirely black, only a sliver of moon, eyes, and mouth able to show a hint of purple light, this dark domain actually seems like her ally; if one could summon that uniform-like victory attire as Aomo's black suit, it would be utterly pitch-black, blending directly into the background.

But there is no 'if'.

So the black-haired, black-clad Aomo Lindun, whose eyes can still glow red in the darkness, also possesses a netherworld not inferior to the opponent's; if seen, it's hard to tell which side is the villain.

Ludaofu Xiangzheng's original running was to realize others' visions, but now it's strangely twisted into a brainwashing amplification of desire.

Aomo's ability to seize the opportunity while waiting, constantly teleporting to keep distance, is also because she halted before a horse girl, seemingly preparing to replicate what she did to Aimu Zhiji on her.

According to past lessons, that is usually an extremely brief process, but even if it is extremely brief, it is sufficient for Aomo.

Merely succeeding in grasping it also made him relax a bit.

"You really can run, huh; although I foresaw this when I gave you the Derutandaru card, it's truly amazing you've dragged it out this long… oh do!"

From that motion like some alchemist crouching and pressing to the ground, as he slowly rose, the demon hadn't finished speaking when he heard footsteps rushing up from behind, and immediately a faint impact sensation came from behind.

Hmm… there were also two unusually familiar soft masses, prompting him to instinctively raise his hand.

But in the next moment he lowered his hand; a purple circle appeared, blocking the incoming energy bullet.

"This is quite dangerous, Bourbon."

Although he became careless from the brief relaxation, Xiao Chunan, who would go blank-brained when hugged by someone tackling him with a ball, had already died.

Now he's not an idol fanatic who goes blank-brained when hugged by an idol, but a seasoned worker whose thoughts instantly align when hugged by someone tackling him with a ball; his first reaction is to recall, remembering that the metal door is the entrance to the Jin Gu Bridge head.

The current situation is that he, who initially evaded with the goddess's teleport, used Bourbon to lure Ludaofu, which is roughly equivalent to Bourbon using Ludaofu to lure him.

One controls the other, one controls the other, but there's basically no cooperation to speak of.

"Master, request permission to hug."

"Act first, report later—unlike you, not obedient enough…" Aomo sighed helplessly, gripping the hand that upheld Zaki·Reflection, then threw an uppercut that sent a dark-red flame streaming upward, followed by a crisp shattering as some barrier broke.

That was the gravity wall shattered by the miniature version of Zaki·Hellfire, and also Ludaofu Xiangzheng's probe that wasted not a shred of time.

Having obtained the result the instant the gravity wall broke, that pitch-black silhouette promptly turned and fled.

The blue specks scattering between her swinging arms, especially conspicuous in the darkness, further helped her shatter the sound barrier a step faster in an instant, kicking up a gale.

"Master, request restoration to obedient state?"

"Otherwise I can't figure out Ludaofu's condition; aren't you concerned about the president?"

"I care, but… I want to maintain the 【hug】 state."

"Is that so…" He glanced at the purplish-red, dark-red gradient sky—showy yet oppressive—then looked toward the distant faint blue light deepening in the shadows at the edge, and Aomo sighed silently.

Regarding Bourbon's repressed feelings, Aomo had formed several hypotheses.

That hypothesis, like those for other horse girls, merely stems from the three directions of 'racing', 'interest', and 'interpersonal relations'; for this chestnut-haired horse girl who struggles to express emotions, what can truly sink deep into her heart is evidently more about racing and interpersonal relations than the interests she's only recently cultivated.

These two points, when applied to other horse girls, can generally be further refined, eliminating one; but when applied to Bourbon here…

The Triple Crown dream slipping through his fingers, and the anguish and reluctance from merely missing first place by a nose, constitute the most profound repression of recent times.

And the myriad minor issues stemming from long-standing interpersonal difficulties, limited by the 'curse' and habit, have long accumulated as obstacles.

Even Aomo can't say which should be repressed more deeply; he merely thinks that her recent interpersonal interactions have been fairly ideal, certainly improved over the past, so rationally the failure just half a month ago should weigh more heavily.

Yet this actual behavior has consistently been directed at himself, pointing to another possible oversight of his own.

After all, is it just that he failed to express himself?

Although he interacts with Bourbon and the other horse girls almost daily, he never lets his guard down around them, believing he has never relaxed his concern, even managing them rather loosely—so much so that Miss Shunchuan could remind him.

But no matter how much attention or interference, it remains Aomo's subtle style.

He always attends to the proud side of the little and big girls, providing help in as unobtrusive a way as possible, so that the resolution of all problems seems to arise naturally; yet in this girl's eyes, such behavior might well be counterproductive.

Like Chazuo, well-behaved Bourbon encounters even fewer problems; perhaps what she needs is not mere self-esteem pampering, but clearer assistance and care.

After all, he can see that, unlike Aizhi who lives in the city and finds it easy to go home, Bourbon, living in the countryside, doesn't return often, yet she is somewhat home‑attached like Aizhi, unlike Suzi and Chazuo, who barely consider going home once a year… or not at all.

Such her, lacking sufficient opportunities to be with family, tends to regard herself as a familial elder.

She will also tell friends things like 'the trainer is like a father'.

Don't underestimate Aomo's hearing; although the typed words in the chat room are invisible, the muttering in the activity room and training field always lets him cough or pretend not to hear.

So when he hears Bourbon's uncharacteristic 'rebellious remark', he can only sigh in speculation and then ask:

"Don't you plan to run another round with Aizhi? On the stage I specially prepared for you."

Although she was still tormenting Bai Ren… or perhaps being tormented by Bai Ren… gazing into the distance where a sudden white light flared, evidently Ludaofu was already using moon bombs to blast the domain's edge, yet Aomo was not in the least hurried.

Hei'an Domain G is not so easily destroyed.

Among the monster cards in Aomo's hands, the moon monster has ample speed but only moderate firepower; instead of worrying she'll flee, note that the arms embracing him are silently tightening slightly.

For those with combat needs, sensitivity to minute differences in force also counts as basic training.

"Wait a moment…" a faint mutter came from behind.

"Wait a moment… I will go challenge the Aizhi team members."

"If that's the case, then let me first turn around to give you a bit more vigor."

"Master?"

He slightly lifted his head, looking at the hand resting on his head; the girl's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction, then quickly turned to mild dissatisfaction.

"Hug," I applied to Master for a "hug" permit.

It's still better to say this kind of thing in Dongyan language; in the Jidong context of the version I'm studying, there seems to be an adult ambiguity.

……

"Mm, my head's getting hot." Without lowering his head to look, he just kept his hand resting on the other person's head—Aomo said that, and then glanced at the relentless little explosion in the distance.

"Master…do you want…that kind…?"

"?" That question made him lower his head, glance at the bangs blocking her view, and then he vigorously ruffled her hair.

"What are you thinking? This is the first year of your career that you've reopened—focus on running." He re-smoothed her hair, then slightly bent over, gave a symbolic hug; Aomo raised his hand again and, behind her, drew a bright crack.

"Go on," he said, palms bracing her shoulders, indicating the exit—"If you ever need to replenish your drive, just tell me; the coach will always support you."

"…Mm."