Ruby was crouching, carefully picking out a necklace at a small street stall.
"This one, meow. How much is it, meow?" she asked.
The elderly shopkeeper replied softly,"Ten units, little one."
"Thank you so much, meow. I'll take this one."
Ruby picked up a heart-shaped blue necklace and gently fastened it around her neck.
"Wow… it's so cute, meow!" she exclaimed, turning to Eugene with a bright smile, as if waiting for him to say something.
Eugene, with his usual calm expression, simply said,"Hmm… it's pretty. I think it's nice."
"Just that… meow?" Ruby asked, pouting slightly.
The three of them continued walking away from the small stall.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow!" Ruby began singing a strange little song, running ahead of the others."Come on, hurry, meow! I'm the fastest cat in the world, meow! If you're slow, I'll leave you behind!"
Suddenly, something shot out at incredible speed, crashing through a rooftop and sending debris flying, aimed directly at Ruby. She barely had a moment to blink before it struck her violently in the stomach.
Ruby flew backward, coughing up blood, her body limp and her consciousness fading.
"What… what's happening? Why can't I move… ow… it hurts, meow…" Her voice weakened as she struggled.
Eugene immediately caught her in his arms, glaring with fury at a red-haired woman nearby."Kai, watch Ruby. I'll handle this," he said.
Kai, startled, ran to Ruby and carefully held her."Are you okay, Ruby?"
Ruby's voice was faint but calm."I'm fine… Kai… we have to escape."
Kai's expression grew serious."Ruby, can you transform into your cat form?"
"Of course," Ruby whispered. She transformed into a small cat and then lost consciousness completely.
Kai scooped her up and ran, shouting back,"Eugene, I'll take her to the ship!"
Eugene nodded, standing firm as he faced the enemy."Go! I'll follow!"
The red-haired man in black, eyes the color of blood and always looking enraged, spoke coldly."You must be Eugene of Wrath."
He stood with arms crossed, showing no fear whatsoever."Oh, you're escaping? Never mind. My goal isn't you—I just wanted to test how strong the guardians are. But I guess you're just the ones at the edge…" He let out a heavy sigh.
Eugene assumed a battle stance and dashed forward, punching the man square in the stomach. The blow sent him flying backward.
The red-haired man landed on his feet and smirked."Is that all? That's like an ant bite."
"Fine… I'll show you," Eugene muttered, dashing forward at lightning speed.
They clashed violently. The red-haired man kicked Eugene into a wall, breaking it. Eugene launched back and counterattacked. The man blocked, looking slightly shocked."How… can he withstand our power?"
Eugene aimed a powerful strike at the man's jaw, sending him soaring into the air. The man spat blood, clutching his mouth in shock.
Eugene followed, striking him into the air again, leaving him unconscious for a moment. When he regained consciousness, he growled angrily."Damn it…" and shot toward the spot he had been thrown from, moving like a falling star. Explosions shattered everything around him.
Meanwhile, inside the shabby white van-like spacecraft, Kai looked helpless and worried."How's Ruby doing?" he asked.
Ruby, now in her cat form, murmured,"Just wait a bit… we Bevada heal quickly. I'll be fine. It's not life-threatening."
Eugene moved at high speed, returning to the ship and rushing into the control room."We need to get out of here. It's not safe," he said, piloting the ship upward.
"We need to head back to base… before they find us again."
Outside, destruction stretched across the surrounding area. The red-haired man stood amidst the rubble, a hint of anger on his face."They got away…" he muttered before shouting, "Damn it!"
Eugene instructed Kai seriously,"Kai, put Ruby in the capsule at the back of the ship. It'll help reduce her injuries. We're heading back to base to get her treated immediately."
Kai nodded."Understood. I'll put her in the capsule right away." He activated the compartment and carefully placed Ruby inside.