The sword energy, unleashed after being charged, collided with the magic-infused bullets, producing a crisp clang.
The laser fired by the POD was deflected by the magic circle suspended in mid-air, severing several large trees that would have taken several people holding hands to encircle.
Occasionally, a few purple halos flashed, which were the traces left by Bayonetta activating Witch Time to dodge attacks; occasionally, a few explosions were heard, which were sonic booms generated when 2B increased her output and launched a surprise attack on Bayonetta, aided by the intelligent auxiliary chip loaded in her body.
One could transform into a black panther and a butterfly, the other had a POD for assistance, and both could perform a mid-air double jump... Although they were in the air, they moved as if on solid ground, their trajectories defying the most basic laws of physics, as if the concept of gravity didn't exist.
Although it was just a spar and they weren't fighting with all their might, the scene created by the two women's battle was still incredibly cool.
For the little girl Kanna, such a scene might be commonplace, but for Bruce Banner, who knew nothing of the two women's backgrounds, the impact of this scene was far from ordinary.
First, he was dumbfounded, and as he watched, it turned into trepidation... Fearing being accidentally injured by the wind blades or stray bullets generated during the two women's fight, Bruce Banner quietly hid beside Shi Xiaolei, concealing his body behind a seemingly sturdy stone pillar.
'Perhaps even transforming into the Hulk, I wouldn't be a match for these two women.' Recalling his experience of being injured by Shi Xiaolei's sword, and then looking at the pristine white long sword in 2B's hand and the four Shurabladess Bayonetta had swapped to for close-quarters combat, Bruce Banner secretly reminded himself—no matter what situation he encountered in the future, he must never cross these two women.
Unaware that Bruce Banner had already regarded the two women as absolute tigresses not to be provoked, Shi Xiaolei, on the other hand, was quite engrossed.
Although he was a little worried at first, as time passed and he confirmed that both women's moves were well-measured and their ability to dodge attacks was maxed out, he gradually put aside his worries and became immersed in the beautiful yet thrilling spectacle, like a graceful duet.
Speaking of which, when playing games before, he could string together quite a few visually impressive combos.
However, because the programmers hadn't written a large number of action modules for the 'enemy soldiers,' their recovery actions after being attacked were somewhat monotonous, and overall, the level of excitement was still a bit short of perfect.
And now, whether it was 2B or Bayonetta, their movements were as flashy as if they were performing acrobatics.
Coupled with their back-and-forth interaction, especially the razor-thin danger and excitement of close-quarters combat... If he had to describe how he felt, Shi Xiaolei had only two words in his heart—stunning!
"Ding ding, ding ding~!"
Another series of blade-on-blade clashes, and as Bayonetta's iron mountain shoulder charge missed, the two women temporarily separated, landing on the left and right sides of the arena in different stances.
Clearly, the battle was not over.
Bayonetta and 2B looked at each other, and at the same time, slowly shifted their stances, both preparing to charge up for their next advance.
Just then, Shi Xiaolei's phone, tucked in his pocket, suddenly rang.
Being inside the Ark, unable to receive external signals, this ringtone was clearly not a call from someone.
"That's enough~!" Startled awake by the alarm, and remembering that he was about to set off to meet up with Stark, Shi Xiaolei quickly took two steps forward and stood between the two women: "Bayonetta, Sylvia, that's enough, we'll stop here for today."
"Yes." Knowing there were other arrangements next, 2B replied first and put her weapons back into her backpack.
She didn't change back into her original clothes, after all, Bruce Banner was still standing by the side, and even 2B, who lacked a few points of humanity compared to ordinary people, knew that some things needed to be avoided and couldn't be done recklessly in front of outsiders.
On the other end, seeing 2B disarm, Bayonetta could only follow suit and put away her weapons.
Perhaps it was because she had just gotten into the swing of things when she was called to a halt, her eyes held a hint of regret. However, after this short but intense battle, her gaze towards 2B carried a subtle sense of recognition.
"You're very good." Habitually popping a lollipop into her mouth, Bayonetta gracefully walked over, looked at 2B, who had also come to Shi Xiaolei's side, and extended her right hand: "I look forward to our next spar, shorty."
"You're also very strong." A gleam flashed in 2B's eyes: "Also, I'm not called shorty, please call me Sylvia."
"Alright, alright, little sister Sylvia." Ignoring 2B's protest, Bayonetta smiled and put her arm around 2B's shoulder, then turned her gaze to Kanna, who was being held by Shi Xiaolei, and pulled out an even larger lollipop: "Little cutie, is big sister's lollipop delicious? Do you want another one?"
"Mmm-hmm~." Kanna nodded without hesitation, obediently extending her small hand.
"Oh~ don't be so eager." Bayonetta suddenly pulled her hand back a little, smiling at Kanna: "Be good, call me big sister first."
"Big sister~!". Delicious snacks were the most important, and Kanna, the little foodie, immediately called out in a clear, crisp voice.
"Good girl, here you go~." Handing over the lollipop and stroking the little girl's head, Bayonetta subtly laid out her terms: "Listen to big sister more in the future, and you'll have delicious lollipops every day."
"Mmm-hmm." Kanna nodded vigorously, thus being bribed by Bayonetta.
"You, you~." A little speechless, Shi Xiaolei pinched the little girl's nose with a wry smile: "All you know is eating."
"Hehe."
After the situation ended, Bruce Banner had already emerged from behind the stone pillar.
He had originally wanted to say a few words of emotion, but seeing the scene before him, he decided to keep his mouth shut and quietly act as a transparent person.
Fortunately, Shi Xiaolei didn't leave him hanging for too long... When his phone alarm rang earlier, Shi Xiaolei accidentally pressed the wrong button, not turning off the alarm directly, but setting it to snooze. As a result, five minutes later, the alarm rang again, and in his fumbling to pull out his phone, he noticed Bruce Banner, who had once again come to his side.
"Dr. Banner." While turning off the alarm function, Shi Xiaolei said to Bruce Banner: "It's almost time, we should leave."
"Okay." Shrugging, Bruce Banner took the opportunity to ask: "If I remember correctly, you're leaving New York today?"
"Yes." Shi Xiaolei nodded: "As agreed, you'll be able to leave here in two to three days at most. Before then, please be patient and don't rush."
"I will."
"Okay, then we're going."
Bouncing the little girl in his arms, Shi Xiaolei smiled and reminded her to 'say goodbye to Dr. Banner', and then, amidst Kanna's clear and polite farewell, he immersed his consciousness into the system, silently uttered a command, and with the three girls, flashed out of the Ark and returned to their rented apartment.