Chapter 552: Can

"I'm going—!"

San Yue Qi's pupils instantly dilated.

"Run—!"

She grabbed Sakura and turned to run!

Behind them, the Monkey Horde's cries surged like a tsunami:

Jiaojiao Jiaojiao Jiaojiao—!!!

The sound was deafening, almost tearing people's eardrums!

San Yue Qi dragged Sakura, sprinting wildly on the street.

Sakura's legs hadn't fully recovered, so she ran unsteadily, nearly falling several times.

San Yue Qi simply bent over, hoisted her onto her back, and accelerated!

Time Acceleration!

The world slowed, and the cries behind them were stretched into vague sound waves.

San Yue Qi, carrying Sakura, darted through the street!

But those Monkeys were too fast!

They leapt between buildings, swung on utility poles, their speed not slower than San Yue Qi's at all!

A few had closed to within ten meters behind them, opening their mouths to reveal sharp teeth!

San Yue Jie—They're catching up—!

Sakura's voice carried a sobbing tone.

San Yue Qi gritted her teeth and accelerated again!

Time Flow Rate changed again!

Her speed was so fast it was almost invisible, and the ground she stepped on left faint afterimages!

Those Monkeys that had gotten close were instantly flung away, disappearing behind her!

But ahead—

Another group of Monkeys surged out from the alley entrance!

They were dense and blocked the path!

San Yue Qi's pupils contracted; without time to turn, she charged straight at the wall beside her!

She kicked the wall several times, her whole body clinging to it as she scrambled upward, leaping over the heads of those Monkeys!

Landing! Keep running!

Behind them, the Monkey Horde merged into a yellow torrent, pursuing relentlessly!

San Yue Qi felt her heart pounding as if it would burst out of her throat.

But she couldn't stop.

Sakura was on her back; she could feel the girl's tremor, could feel the force of her tight grip on her back.

Can't stop.

Absolutely can't stop.

She clenched her jaw and kept running.

Behind them, the Monkey Horde's cries gradually faded.

San Yue Qi barreled straight into a narrow alley, winding and twisting.

At that moment, she suddenly saw a door ahead.

The door was ajar, bearing a familiar sign—

Mapo Tofu Shop.

San Yue Qi didn't have time to say more, and rushed in with Sakura on her back!

Bang!

The door slammed shut behind her.

The Monkey Horde's cries were cut off outside.

San Yue Qi leaned against the door, panting heavily, looking as if she had been pulled out of water.

Sakura collapsed on the floor, trembling all over.

The two of them, like that, in the dim shop, gasped for a full three minutes.

San Yue Qi lifted her head and looked around—

The shop was empty.

Only the stove still emitted steam, something simmering in the pot.

She suddenly recalled something.

This shop... seems to belong to Yan Feng Kai?

San Yue Qi's mouth twitched.

(No way…)

Perspective shift.

Lin, carrying Tengcun Lixiang and her mother Yuanban Kui, passed through an alley and stopped at the street corner.

Afternoon sunlight slanted in, stretching the three people's shadows long.

Lin turned back and glanced toward the direction they came—Tohsaka Residence had already vanished at the edge of sight, but the Magic Wave still lingered faintly, like distant rumbling thunder.

"Mother."

Lin inhaled deeply, looked at Aoi, and said, "You should return to your hometown first to lay low."

Aoi's complexion turned a bit pale, but there was no panic in those gentle eyes.

She grasped Lin's hand, pressing her fingertips lightly: "What about you?"

"I still have something to do."

Lin said it lightly, but there was no room for discussion in the tone.

Aoi opened her mouth, as if to say something, but finally just nodded.

"I can manage alone."

She released Lin's hand, adjusted her collar, trying to appear composed, "You take Fujimura back first; it's too dangerous for a young girl to be out there."

Lin froze for a moment, looking at Lixiang beside her.

Tengcun Lixiang's hair was a mess at that moment, her face smeared with dust, looking utterly disheveled.

Seeing Lin look at her, she quickly waved her hand:

"No, no! I can go back on my own! Tohsaka, you take Aunt—"

"No."

Lin cut her off, brow furrowing, "What if you encounter something on the way, what will you do?"

Lixiang opened her mouth, intending to say she has Saber, but Saber wasn't with her now.

She wanted to say she could run, but that black guy just now was too terrifying.

"Then…"

She scratched her head, suddenly recalling something, "Right! I can call Fujimura first!"

Lin was startled for a moment.

Lixiang had already taken out her phone.

The moment the screen lit up, a flash of relief crossed her face.

The call went out, rang twice, then connected.

"Hello? Sis?"

The voice from the other end was so loud that even Lin could hear it:

"Lixiang—!!! Did you see—!!!"

Lin's ears were nearly deafened.

Tengcun Dahe's voice thundered like a bolt of lightning, exploding from the handset, brimming with uncontrollable excitement:

"Man—!!! This world really has Ultraman—!!!"

Lixiang held the phone a bit farther away, her expression indescribable.

"Sis, what are you saying…"

"Just now in the sky! Two giants were fighting! One golden, one teal! Whatever that wasn't Ultraman—what is it!"

Tengcun Dahe's voice was full of excitement, "I told you this world isn't that simple! Turns out there really are Light Giants protecting Earth! Ahhh, I have to post a tweet today!"

Lixiang pressed her forehead, feeling her temples throb.

"Sis, are you okay? Any injuries?"

"Injured? What could I possibly be injured by?"

Tengcun Dahe's tone carried a hint of inexplicability, "I was just fine in the school office, and through the window I could see those two giants fighting. Now they've stopped, scattered, and I still feel a bit regretful."

Lixiang: "…"

She inhaled deeply, "Sis, stay at school and don't wander, I'll go back later."

"Alright, alright, come back quickly and tell me what happened! I thought you took leave to do something, turns out you went to watch Ultraman fight! Why didn't you call me!"

Tengcun Dahe's voice was full of excitement, "I just took a photo and tweeted it! Remember to like it later!"

"Okay, okay…"

"By the way, when are you coming back?"

Lixiang glanced at Lin, lowering her voice, "I… I have something, might be a bit later."

"Alright, alright, be careful!"

The call ended.

Lixiang looked at Lin, her expression indescribable, "Um… Fujimura's fine. Just a bit… overexcited."

Lin was silent for two seconds, then sighed.

"Let's go, escort mother to the station."

The three continued walking forward.

They didn't notice—

Diagonally opposite the spot where they had just stood, in a dim alley, a black silhouette stood there quietly.

A black priest's robe, an expressionless face, those eyes lacking any spark like two deep wells.

Yan Feng Qili.

He watched the direction Lin left, standing there in silence.

Afternoon sunlight couldn't reach him, enveloping his whole being in a cold shadow.

Then he moved.

He stepped forward, neither hurried nor slow, walking toward that direction.