Gold vs. Gold

(Sun Yao)

No wonder it has such an exaggerated regenerative ability, and is also tough, thick-skinned, and highly fire-resistant.

It turned out to be a dual-core processor.

I have never seen such Monster before. Even if I go through the Association's files on Monster to date, I have never seen such a freak with two Simulacrum Factor. This is obviously the result of Aldebaran's forced modification.

Is this the power of the Monster Development Department?

But it's okay.

The tasks remain unchanged.

"Miluno, could you lend me your other sword...? I can sense the location of the Simulacrum Factor; all I need to do is destroy that one."

Without asking any further questions, Miluno handed me the other short sword she was holding.

He simply told her, "Be careful."

"Yes, I'm fine."

Although the Monster on the ground has the appearance of a human boy, it is essentially just a large plastic figurine, all show and no substance.

Pfft

The short sword pierced the Monster's body, accurately striking the Simulacrum Factor based on its senses.

It broke.

But that's not all.

I quickly drew my short sword and stabbed the second Simulacrum Factor, which shattered instantly.

"Phew, all done."

That's too easy.

I think I can now understand why Miluno always seems so at ease in battle.

The Oil Monster used to be like a mad dog now seems like a sloth crawling around in my eyes. With that in mind, what battle is difficult now?

Miluno decelerated, and the Oil Monster vanished like smoke in a flash of light...

"Wrong."

All these light particles flew towards the clone entangled with Heat Haze, and after merging again, the dazzlingly beautiful boy reappeared.

"No way? It's still alive?"

Miluno was much calmer than I was.

"There are more than two. Heat Haze Yan also has Simulacrum Factor, but it's not a big problem... Although he's a bit crazy, he's not particularly fast. Just smash the rest."

"Really? That's what the Morning Star thinks?"

Aldebaran, however, seemed to be gloating, and said, "I'll tell you the rules of the game! This Monster has three Simulacrum Factor, but if they aren't destroyed simultaneously, the previously destroyed Simulacrum Factor will reform."

Manic, incredibly strong, and capable of rapid regeneration.

The Triple-Core Simulacum Factor brings a huge boost. Although it doesn't have any fancy abilities, this immortality is a troublesome thing.

"I thought you had some trump card."

Miluno was unimpressed by Aldebaran's smugness.

"So, if we're fast enough to break the remaining two before the first Simulacrum Factor re-coalesces, this psychopath won't be able to keep up, right?"

"Theoretically, that's true, but re-coalescing can happen in the blink of an eye. Can you do it?"

"Then I'll show you just how long your blink of an eye really is to me..."

Miluno glanced at me.

I replied, "Miss Miluno, please speed it up to forty times. I'll finish it off before it completely cracks!"

Picking up Miss Miluno's twin swords from the ground, I closed my eyes and walked towards the Monster.

When the five senses are blocked, when everything is plunged into darkness, the presence of that energy becomes even clearer...

"Hmm."

A chunk of flesh was torn off his right arm by Aldebaran's golden arrow, and it was excruciatingly painful just to lift it up.

But heroes cannot desert their posts!

With both swords drawn simultaneously, they shattered the two clusters of condensed Dark Energy. Pressing their advantage, they twisted the swords within the Monster's body, slashing towards the last Simulacrum Factor...

Bite--

However, the sharp blade failed to cut through the last Simulacrum Factor, only making a crisp sound as it sliced through the Monster's body.

"Varied--"

In those few moments, the two Simulacrum Factor had returned to normal, Miluno had to decelerate and retreat with me out of the Monster's attack range.

"That Simulacrum Factor... it's so hard!"

Aldebaran laughed even more rudely at this.

"It's a pity, if it were the Morning Star, it might have been chopped down."

But Miluno can't see those Simulacrum Factor, and my strength as a magical girl isn't quite enough...

"No, perhaps I can see it too."

Whether it was a bluff or not, Miluno took the sword from my hand.

"... Upon closer inspection, this Simulacrum Core is quite obvious."

Her Crystal shouldn't have been contaminated by Dark Energy, so theoretically she shouldn't have been able to sense its presence.

But with a casual wave of her hand, she accurately struck two of the Simulacrum Factor, and the remaining one was ready to be dealt with at any time.

"That's impossible."

At the same time, Aldebaran's mask of composure was finally torn off.

"What's impossible about it? Look, isn't it shining brightly?"

As if it were a mark made by someone, three golden X's were drawn on the Oil Monster's fair skin, each corresponding to a Simulacrum Factor.

"Huh? Didn't you leave this here yourself?"

"No, how could I...?"

Aldebaran could continue speaking, he seemed to sense something and suddenly shot a golden arrow behind him.

Bang--

However, the arrow exploded in mid-air, creating a golden flower, and lost its forward momentum, falling to the ground.

I initially thought it was some kind of the Association's drone, but instead, a girl I'd never seen before emerged from behind the tree...?

She is neither a witch nor Monster;

But she doesn't seem to be a magical girl either?

She had the same long, pure gold hair as Aldebaran, but was closer in age to a teenage girl. Her features were delicate and untouched by worldly dust, and her figure was quite impressive... though still not as good as mine.

"You seem quite successful, but too successful, to the point that you don't even recognize me anymore?"

Aldebaran initiated a conversation, but the mysterious girl who suddenly appeared remained silent with a cold expression.

"Did I forget to install the language module? Impossible, you're not some stupid Werewolf, are you just pretending to be deaf and dumb with me?"

Aldebaran put away his bow with a displeased expression, and even hid the thorns behind him.

He sighed dejectedly, "Alas, it's truly disheartening to be stared at like that by one's own work."

"You mean the artwork?"

Like this Oil Monster... was she also Monster created by Aldebaran?

"Of course, you could also say she's my daughter."

... daughter?

Without further explanation, Aldebaran's form gradually thinned, turning into golden dust that flowed into the still-open wormhole in the sky.

"Don't be too surprised. As long as I'm still the head of the development department, you'll see even more bizarre and wonderful 'works' in the future. I guarantee you won't be bored! Hehehe!"

Finally, Aldebaran vanished completely amidst a burst of laughter.

Actually, she ran away with her tail between her legs.

"This guy is still alive, what should we do?"

Turning around, the indestructible Oil Monster was once again pinned to the ground by Miluno.

Despite possessing immense power and near-immortality, it is somewhat ineffective in battle, making it difficult to call it an excellent "work".

"Let's capture them alive. Miss SpiCa should send someone over."

It was originally a human being, and no one was injured. If we can capture it alive, we should take it under control first.

Although he's acting crazy, it seems his brain isn't working properly anymore.