"Stop."
The sudden voice made Xiao Ran stop controlling Dawn's advance, but he was still extremely far from AmbriO's black PM, HYSTERICA. Even though Xiao Ran could clearly see every one of Ange's eyelashes through the screen, it was still a distance far too great for him to reach out and take control.
At least, under the current circumstances, it truly was far away. If he only wanted to destroy AmbriO's machine, Xiao Ran might need only an instant. But if he wanted to save Ange from HYSTERICA's grasp, then accomplishing that in a single instant at this distance was simply impossible.
AmbriO only needed to move his machine's hand, and he could easily make Ange's flesh-and-blood body disappear from this world forever.
"I think this distance between us is just fine. I wouldn't dare let someone who even makes me wary get any closer." AmbriO spoke in a teasing tone. "But don't make any moves I don't want to see, or this woman's life will be gone. So, let's maintain this distance and have a nice talk. What do you think?"
Xiao Ran narrowed his eyes. Although he was unhappy with both AmbriO and Ange, who had completely ignored arrangements and commands, he still could not stand by and watch Ange die miserably at AmbriO's hands. After taking two light breaths, he said, "Go ahead."
"Honestly, I'm quite curious whether you'll retreat because of this girl. After all, in your words, I'm an evil demon who has committed every atrocity, someone who wants to destroy the world." AmbriO sat inside HYSTERICA, propping up his chin with a thoughtful expression. "A villain like me, and righteous heroes like you—will you leave for one person's life, or sacrifice your comrade for the whole world? I'm really curious."
"Damn it!" Shinn Asuka