NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 13: I Will Definitely—!
Be careful? What did that mean?
Shu had only enough time to think this before Kiana's flying tackle sent him flying, crashing heavily into the distance.
Then came a deafening impact and an indescribable feeling of vertigo.
"Kiana!" Still rolling on the ground, Shu immediately looked towards Kiana.
But the girl… the girl who was always so full of energy, the girl who had been joking with him this morning, was now lying there, motionless.
A trickle of blood flowed from her body, the only crimson in Shu's pale world.
Behind her stood an enormous, indescribable monstrosity.
Its exterior was cold and bone-like, its form dominated by an insurmountable shield, limbs like sharp cones, and the continuous dripping of blood.
"Hrk…" Shu's pupils trembled. Lying on the ground, he looked up, but could only let out a hoarse sound.
It was a Honkai beast… a Honkai beast familiar to Shu, yet completely different.
These past days of peace had made Shu forget one thing: this was the Honkai world. Here, zombies and Dead-ites didn't even qualify as "disasters."
"Shu…"
This isn't right… Something's not right here!! Kiana, she can't just—
"Shu!"
A stone hit the Honkai beast, making a clear sound. It had no effect, but the beast's slow advance halted. It turned to the side.
Shu snapped back to reality, seeing Bronya in the distance, her small frame sturdy, the Homu backpack on her back.
"Shu! Run!" Bronya threw another stone, then turned and ran without hesitation.
Yes! Run!
Shu finally pulled himself out of his panic.
Gritting his teeth, without thinking, Shu rushed towards Kiana, lying in the pool of blood.
Kiana's back was ripped open, a gaping wound. Shu couldn't bear to look at it. He had no time to see if she was still alive. He instinctively scooped up her body, holding her close, and began running without any restraint.
Impossible! Where did such a massive Honkai beast come from?!
Where was it hiding?
Shu's mind jolted. He remembered Kiana mentioning that the subway entrance was collapsed.
Was it hiding underground?
Shu didn't dare turn back to confirm. He just ran even faster.
But where should he run?
"Bronya! Towards the waiting hall!" In a flash, Shu found the best solution.
The structure of the waiting hall should be too small for the beast! It could only break through.
If they reached the waiting hall, they could escape!!
If we can just escape…
If we can just find a hospital, medicine, and equipment, I can definitely save Kiana… I will!
Whether it was faith or adrenaline, at that moment, Shu felt that his path was clear. He felt like he could do anything…
But Shu suddenly noticed a shadow passing over his feet. He instinctively looked up and saw an even larger figure.
"BOOM!!"
A deafening sound of destruction rang out. Shu stopped running, then was knocked away by an overwhelming shockwave. Even Kiana was thrown from his grasp.
Shu slammed into the ground, pieces of debris raining down. He struggled to open his eyes.
In the dust, he saw a broken Homu backpack.
The yellow plush bunny was missing half its body, its head drooping. Shu couldn't see the bunny's expression.
Bronya…
Shu had the sudden urge to pick up the plush bunny, but then he felt an unbearable weight on his leg.
A large piece of debris crushed Shu's leg. The exposed rebar pierced his flesh, leaving him unable to move.
Fear, after the destruction of hope, filled Shu's heart. His heartbeat, breathing, and even his thoughts became incredibly heavy.
In despair, Shu looked up to see what had blocked his path.
"Honkai beast…"
He saw only a pair of massive forelimbs, thick as the Roman columns supporting a church.
Shu wanted to see the entire beast, but it felt like it was towering into the clouds. He was merely an ant at the foot of a mountain, unable to comprehend its entirety.
In the end, the arrogant ant was ridiculed by the insurmountable mountain.
This shouldn't be happening…
Shu thought, his gaze dark and lifeless.
This is the Honkai… the Honkai that can't be underestimated.
The Honkai beast started to move. Shu's head slumped to the ground.
At that moment, he could feel the life slowly ebbing away with each reverberation of the ground.
This shouldn't be happening… That's Kiana… she is obviously…
Shu suddenly stopped. He slowly looked up.
Through the swirling dust, just in front of him, on his side, the white-haired girl lay still.
Shu could only see her white hair, pure and holy, tainted by dirty blood. It looked stark and hopeless.
A gust of wind cleared the dust. Shu saw that there was no longer any obstacle between them.
Only life and death.
"This shouldn't…" The strength that had been leaving Shu's body suddenly returned. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the crimson stain on the girl. With all his might, he reached out towards her.
"This shouldn't be happening!!" Fueled by his rage, Shu roared.
He struggled, trying to reach her. He didn't feel any pain; he only hated his legs for being his own burden.
"This shouldn't be the ending! I won't accept this ending!!
"One more time… if I could just have one more chance!
"No matter what! No matter how many times!
"I will definitely… I will definitely—!"
With a tearing sound devoid of any pain, Shu lunged forward, grasping the girl's hand.
"I will definitely save you all!!!"
Definitely—!
"…" Shu stared blankly at the ceiling, his hand still stretched upwards, his mouth agape.
Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness and nausea hit him, and vomit rose into his mouth.
Shu quickly rolled out of bed, grabbed the trash can, and threw up violently.
"What… happened?"