Charlotte Linlin was in the operating room.
The room was a wreck. Precision instruments lay shattered, sparks dancing across them.
Almost every wall had collapsed, leaving only a tiny space intact.
"Hah... hah..."
Heavy breathing filled the room.
"You bastard! What did you inject into Mom?"
Charlotte Katakuri seized Doctor Hogback by the collar and roared.
The explosion had left Doctor Hogback dizzy. He had even lost consciousness for a few seconds. If Charlotte Linlin had not protected him, he would already be dead.
Looking at Charlotte Linlin sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath, Doctor Hogback grew nervous too.
"Katakuri, she's all right. Mom just came out of surgery. Her body is adjusting to the drugs.
"The anesthetic and the stimulant are reacting badly. Give her ten minutes or so, and she'll be able to fight again."
After examining Charlotte Linlin closely, Doctor Hogback gave his assessment.
"If anything happens to Mom, you'll die with her. Stay here. Don't go outside."
Charlotte Katakuri kicked aside the rubble overhead and prepared to leave the collapsed operating room.
"Hey, Katakuri! Get Mom and me out of here. This place could collapse again at any moment."
Charlotte Katakuri stopped and turned his deadpan gaze on Doctor Hogback.
"Stay put. It's much safer here than outside."
Doctor Hogback froze. He looked at the wreckage around them, which seemed ready to collapse at any moment, and asked, "What happened out there?"
Charlotte Katakuri sighed.
"A Monster only a little weaker than Mom showed up. Want to go meet him?"
Doctor Hogback shuddered.
"Only a little weaker than Mom? Who is it?"
"Thunder Swordsman Werther." With that, Charlotte Katakuri stepped out of the ruins.
"If you don't want to die, get Mom back on her feet as fast as you can. No one else can