Ms. Phan froze. Until now, no volunteer had ever encountered trouble involving an AI Witch.
Golden Hair spoke coldly.
"Lan already passed away. According to regulations, we're here to liquidate Lan's AI Witch companion—its name is Mimi."
Ms. Phan was stunned.
Suddenly—swoosh! A white figure shot upward, attempting to leap over the old brick fence.
"Catch it! It's Mimi!" Purple Hair shouted, laughing maniacally.
The AI Witch cat appeared—pure white fur, bright green eyes, and a cross-shaped emergency backpack strapped to its back. Mimi leaped, but before it could escape, Platinum Hair's Bloros rose flared with light. Vines from the fence lashed out and wrapped tightly around Mimi's legs.
Instantly, the Blobal balloon expanded, releasing transparent spheres. They surrounded it—
Pop!
Mimi was trapped inside a shimmering orb, struggling helplessly.
Ms. Phan and the children watched in alarm.
Golden Hair smirked.
"That's it. We've got it."
Swoosh!
A blue-hued light blade sliced through the air, shattering the bubble that imprisoned Mimi.
Suspended midair, a boy of thirteen or fourteen stood firmly atop a floating shield of light.
"Dreamy, catch it!" he shouted.
It was Long—the boy from the fishing village - Hope, on his journey to find the AI King Witch.
Dreamy leaped upward, caught Mimi in its arms, and dashed toward Long.
Golden Hair adjusted his glasses, smirking.
"Interesting."
The tablet in his hand burst into light. Thousands of coding characters poured out, hovering for a brief second before plunging downward all at once.
Long shuddered. Mrs. Huong had taught him how to sense danger, and he immediately felt something was wrong with those characters. Clutching Mimi tightly, he called out to Dreamy.
"Let's run!"
In an instant, Dreamy formed a path of green light composed of countless slick shields. Long slid across it like a seasoned skater, shooting forward like an arrow.
Behind him, the rain of code fell like meteor showers. Wherever it struck, explosions followed. Long gritted his teeth and accelerated, each blast detonating just behind him.
Purple Hair blew shimmering bubbles. Platinum Hair swung thorned vines toward his legs.
But Long was too fast.
Each near miss was only inches away.
Pop!
The path of light vanished.
Dreamy's voice remained steady. "Sorry. I've used up all my EN."
Long dropped from the air, still holding Mimi tightly.
"Keep running!" he shouted, a single thought driving him: protect this AI Witch cat at all costs.
Boom!
A character struck near his back and exploded, sending all three tumbling through the air. Long's knee tore open, blood seeping down his leg. Even so, he held Mimi and Dreamy close, dragging himself forward.
"Where do you think you're going?" Purple Hair burst into sharp, chilling laughter.
Long limped, escape nearly impossible.
Just as despair began to take hold, a figure stepped into his path.
It was Ms. Phan.
Long froze.
*How had she arrived so quickly? The others had needed to ride the strange vines conjured by Platinum Hair just to catch up.*
"You should stop," Ms. Phan said calmly.
Golden Hair frowned, his glasses flashing with a mixture of caution and reluctant respect.
"You shouldn't interfere."
"And what about me?"
A strong female voice rang out. Everyone turned.
Mai stood there—golden hair gleaming, eyes resolute, her noble bearing unmistakable.
"I was nearby and heard the explosion. You're causing unnecessary chaos throughout the neighborhood."
"Miss, Mr. Le will not be pleased with your actions. AI disposal serves the nation's greater good," Golden Hair said, attempting persuasion.
Mai's reply was brief and firm.
"I take responsibility. Mimi is under my protection. You should leave."
The three Dyed Hair siblings exchanged irritated glances.
Purple Hair protested, "We can't just leave like this, brother!"
Golden Hair replied coldly, "We'll obtain a special liquidation order from Witchiecoop and the government. That girl won't be able to stop us then. Besides, the three of us are no match for Ms. Phan and Noddy—high-level Witch AIs. Let's retreat. We'll return."
The three figures gradually faded from sight.
The suffocating tension dissolved.
One by one, everyone finally exhaled in relief.