Bound Spirit ④

"Roar!" Inky black mist erupted from the Bound Spirit's body. The dense smoke churned like boiling ink, corroding away all the restraints on its body before it lunged at Ai Haibara with claws bared.

"Xiao Ai, duck!" Hearing the shout, Ai Haibara swiftly crouched down. A fierce gust swept over her head, followed by a long, straight jade-like leg flying past above her.

"Bang!" Ran Mouri's kick struck the Bound Spirit with a dull thud. Hit hard, the Bound Spirit staggered several steps back. Yet it did not give up its attack, immediately charging forward again with its gaping maw open and sharp fangs exposed, as though it meant to tear Ran Mouri apart.

Ran Mouri's gaze sharpened. With a flash of movement, she nimbly avoided the Bound Spirit's savage pounce. She lightly leaped over its head and landed steadily to the side.

Ai Haibara rose to her feet and watched the battle before her nervously. She knew Ran Mouri's strength, but she still could not help worrying for her. She tightly gripped the yellow talisman in her hand, ready to support Ran Mouri at any moment.

Just as the Bound Spirit prepared to launch a second attack, Ran Mouri turned without hesitation, deftly grabbed its head, and slammed it viciously into the ground.

"Bang!" The Bound Spirit's head made intimate contact with the ground, producing a crisp impact. Pain shooting through it, the Bound Spirit let out an enraged roar and struggled to get back up. But how could it possibly break free from Ran Mouri's strength so easily?

The Bound Spirit roared as it tried to claw at Ran Mouri. But Ran Mouri was agile and easily dodged its attacks.

The fierce battle continued. The confrontation between Ran Mouri and the Bound Spirit grew increasingly intense, and the atmosphere became tense to the extreme.

Just as Ran Mouri planned to finish the Bound Spirit in one go, a sudden pain struck her abdomen. Her movements earlier had been too forceful and disturbed the fetus. Seeing this, the Bound Spirit seized the chance to pounce on Ran Mouri, intending to deal her a fatal blow. At that critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared—it was Lin Yu.

In a flash, he appeared before Ran Mouri and shielded her tightly behind him. He easily blocked the Bound Spirit's attack, then turned to Ran Mouri and asked with concern, "Ran, are you all right?"

Ran Mouri clutched her stomach and shook her head painfully. Lin Yu hurriedly helped her sit down nearby so she could rest. Seeing Ran Mouri's pale face, Lin Yu's heart ached terribly. He gently stroked her forehead and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. With me here, I won't let anyone hurt either you or the baby."

However, the Bound Spirit did not give up. It charged forward again, trying to break through Lin Yu's defenses. Lin Yu's eyes turned cold as he said in a low voice, "You're courting death!" He abruptly rose to his feet, releasing a powerful aura.

"Get lost!"

With Lin Yu's furious shout, his overwhelming presence instantly blasted the Bound Spirit away. After tumbling through the air several times, it crashed heavily onto the ground. It struggled to rise, but its body trembled uncontrollably.

"You dared to hurt my people? You're dead!!" Lin Yu was utterly enraged. He thrust out his palm, firing a powerful energy wave. Its power was astonishing; in an instant, it completely annihilated the Bound Spirit, even reducing everything within several hundred meters of the area to ashes.

Lin Yu quickly turned around and anxiously checked Ran Mouri's condition. He carefully helped her up and asked in a worried tone, "Ran, how do you feel now? I'll take you to the hospital right away!" Though her face was pale, Ran Mouri still forced out a faint smile and softly replied, "I'm fine, A Yu. Luckily, you came in time..." Only after hearing her say that did Lin Yu's tightly wound heart ease slightly.

At that moment, Sonoko Suzuki suddenly exclaimed from the side, "Whoa, are you the man that satellite caught last time? You're amazing! You wiped out a Bound Spirit in a single strike—so cool!" Her face was full of admiration, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"You bastard! You were gone for so long—I thought you didn't want us anymore!" Ai Haibara threw herself into Lin Yu's arms, continuously pounding his chest with her fists as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Lin Yu held Ai Haibara tightly, feeling her warmth and softness as guilt and self-reproach filled his heart. He softly comforted her, "I'm sorry for making you worry. I swear, I'll never leave you for so long again."

Ai Haibara raised her head, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Hmph, I don't believe you. Move aside, I need to treat Ran." With that, she broke free from Lin Yu's embrace and walked straight toward Ran Mouri.

However, at that moment, the Hogyoku within Ran Mouri's body seemed to sense its master's condition and instantly released a powerful energy. Like a warm current, it flowed through Ran Mouri's abdomen and swiftly soothed the fetus within her. In just a few seconds, her body had also returned to its peak condition.

Ai Haibara watched the scene before her in astonishment, silently marveling at the Hogyoku's miraculous power. Ran Mouri, meanwhile, looked at Lin Yu gratefully, her eyes filled with tenderness.